??/ K ■> f- j| --n«Si:'vi>*'"r-#»*M ,''.-,f3«* xim-^ ,4 pi ••^ •^ :» J ^:%^fl a -^ fi^:> „-?»5^^-:n «»:k* *> .V A ^^r% ^.^ .;: %. '1t^^»«;#!!lSji^^;<^5*^ ""^1 wt Z^^ %^ . 'I Class. Book. HKKSKNTEl) BY / 2x/\.- 'MM^fyi s5^\^-di^ \^ W: WMW. fM' i-y r*^ "M^j n r ^^m fe. ^ x^^^ ^ I t ur^y77Z 1 ^ V ■ *s- V N^' \* :• ' '^ > i » V ( > > • »• • .V ? 1 / THE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKSFEARE, «=rc:> SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF SHAKSPEARE. BY ALEXANDER CHALMERS, A.M. William Shakspeaee was born at Stratford- Kpon-Avon, in Warwickshire, on the 23d day of April, 15G4. Of the rank of his family it is not easy to form an opinion. Mr. Rowe says that by the register and certain public writings relating to Stratford, it appears that his an- cestors were "of good figure and fashion," in that town, and are mentioned as "gentlemen," an epithet which was more determinate then than at present, when it has become an un- limited phrase of courtesy. His father, John Shakspeare, was a considerable dealer in wool, and had been an officer and bailiff (probably high-bailiff or mayor) of the body corporate of Stratford. He held also the office of justice of the peace; and at one time, it is said, pos- sessed lands and tenements to the amount of £500, the reward of his grandfather's faithful and approved services to King Henry VII. This, however, has been asserted upon very doubtful authority. Mr. Malone thinks "it is highly probable that he distinguished himself in Bosworth Field on the side of lOng Henry, and that he was rewarded for his military services by the bounty of that parsimonious prince, though not with a grant of lands. No such grant appears in the Chapel of the Rolls, from the beginning to the end of Henry's leigu." But whatever may have been his former wealth, it appears to have been greatly reduced in the latter part of his life, as we i5ud, from the books of the Corporation, that, in 1579, he was excused the trifling weekly tax of fourpence levied on all the aldermen ; and that, in 1586, another alderman was ap- pointed in his room, in consequence of his de- clining to attend on the business of that office. It is even said by Aubrey,' a man sufficiently accurate in facts, although credulous in super- stitious narratives and traditions, that he fol- lowed for some time the occupation of a butcher. « MSS. Aubrey, Mua. Ashmol. Oxon, examined by Mr. Ualone, which Mr. Malone thinks not inconsistent with probability. It must have been, however, at this time, no inconsiderable addition to his difficulties that he had a family of ten chil- dren. His wife was the daughter and heiress of Robert Arden of Wellingcote, in the county of Warwick, who is styled "a gentleman of worship." The family of Arden is very an- cient, Robert Arden of Bromich, Esq., being in the list of the gentry of this county re- turned by the commissioners in the twelfth year of King Henry VI., A. D. 1433. Edward Arden was sheriff of the county in 1568. The woodland part of this county was anciently called Ardern, afterwards softened to Arden; and hence the name. Our illustrious poet was the eldest son, and received his early education, however narrow or liberal, at a free school, probably that founded at Stratford. From this he appears to have been soon removed, and placed, ac- cording to Mr. Malone's opinion, in the office of some country attorney, or the seneschal of some manor court, where it is highly probable he picked up those technical law phrases that so frequently occur in his plays, and could not have been in common use, unless among professional men. Mr. Capell conjectures, that his early marriage prevented his being sent to some university. It appears, however, as Dr. Farmer observes, that his life was incompati- ble with a course of education ; and it is cer- tain, that "his contemporaries, friends and foes, nay, and himself likewise, agree in hia want of what is usually termed literature.'' It is, indeed, a strong argument in favor of Shaks • peare's illiterature, that it was maintained by all his contemporaries, many of whom have left upon record every merit they could bestow on him ; and by his successors, who lived nearest to his time, when "his memory was green-" and that it has been denied only by Gildon, Sewell, and others down to Upton, who could have no means of ascertaining the truth iii IV LIFE OF SHAKSPEARE. In his eighteenth year, or perhaps a little ►ooner, he married Aune Hathaway, who was eight years older than himself, the daughter of one Hathaway, who is said to have been a substantial yeoman in the neighbourhood of Stratford. Of his domestic economy, or pro- fessional occupation at this time, we have no information; but it would appear that both were in a considerable degree neglected by his associating with a gang of deer-stealers. Be- ing detected witli them in robbing the parli of Sir Thomas Lucy of Charlecote, near Stratford, he was so rigorously prosecuted by that gen- tleman, as to be obliged to leave his family and business, and take shelter in London. Sir Thomas, on this occasion, is said to have been exasperated by a ballad Shakspeare wrote, probably his first essay in poetry, of which the following stanza was communicated to Mr. Oldys :— A parllemente mem'ber, a justice of peace, At home a poor scare-crowe, at London an asse, If lowsie is Lucy, as some volke mitcalle it, Then Luoy is lowsie whatever befall it : He thinlis himself greate. Yet an a.«se in his state We allowe by his cars but with asses to mate. If Lucy be lowsie, as some volke miscalle it, Sing lowsie Lucy, whatever befall it. These lines, it must be confessed, do no great nonor to our poet ; and probably were unjust ; for although some of his admirers have re- corded Sir Thomas as a "vain, weak, and vin- dictive magistrate," he was certainly exerting no very violent act of oppression, in protect- ing his property against a man who was de- grading the commonest rank of life, and had, at this time, bespoke no indulgence by supe- rior talents. The ballad, however, must have made some noise at Sir Tliomas's expense, as the author took care it should be affixed to his park-gates, and liberally circulated among his nc'ghbors. On his arrival in London, which was proba- blj' in 158G, when he was twenty-two years old, he is said to have made his first acquaint- ance in the plaj'-house, to which idleness or taste may have directed him, and where his necessities, if tradition maybe credited, obliged him to accept the office of call-boy, or prompter's attendant. This is a menial whose employ- ment it is to give the performers notice to be readj' to enter, so often as the business of the play requires their appearance on the stage. Pope, however, relates a story, communicated to him by Rowe, but which Howe did not think deserving of a place in the life he wrote, that oiust a little retard the advancement of our poet to the office just mentioned. According to this story, Shakspeare's first employment was to wait at the door of the play-house, and hold the horses of those who had no servants, that they might be ready after the perform- ance, liut "I cannot," saj's his acute com- mentator, Mr. Steevens, "dismiss the anecdote without observing, that it seems to want every mark of probability. Though Shakspeare quitted Stratford on account of a juvenile irregularity, we have no reason to suppose that he had forfeited the protection of his father, who was engaged in a lucrative busi- ness, or the love of his wife, who had alreadj brought him two children, and was herself the daughter of a substantial yeoman. It is unlikely, therefore, when he was beyond the reach of his prosecutor, that he should con- ceal his plan of life, or place of residence, from those who, if he found himself distressed, could not fail to afford him such siapplies as would have set him above the necessity of hold- ing horses for subsistence." Mr. Malcne has remarked, in his attempt to ascertain the order in which the Plaj's of Shakspeare were written, that " he might have found an easy in- troduction to the stage : for Thomas Green, a celebrated comedian of that period, was his townsman, and perhaps his relation. The ge- nius of our author prompted him to write poetry ; his connection with a player might have given his productions a dramatic turn : or his own sagacity might have taught him that fame was not incompatible with profit, and that the theatre was an avenue to both. That it was once the general custom to ride on horseback to the play, I am likewise yet to learn. The most popular of the theatres were on the Bankside: and we are told by the sati- rical pamphleteers of that time, that the usual mode of conveyance to these places of amuse- ment was by water, but not a single writer so much as hints at the custom of riding to them, or at the practice of having horses held dur- ing the hours of exhibition. Some allusion to this usage (if it had existed) must, I think, have been discovered in the course of our re- searches after contemporary fashions. Let it be remembered, too, that we receive this tale on no higher authority than that of Gibber's Lives of the Poets, vol. i. p. 130. Sir "William Davenant told it to Mr. Betterton, who com- municated it to Mr. Rowe, who, according to Dr. Johnson, related it to Mr. Pope." Mr. Malone concurs in opinion, that this story stands on a very slender foundation, while he differs from Mr. Steevens as to the fact of gen- tlemen going to the theatre on horseback. With respect, likewise, to Shakspeare's father being "engaged in a lucrative business," we may remark, that this could not have been the case at the time our author came to London, if the preceding dates be correct, He is said to have arrived in London in 1586, the year in which his father resigned the office of alder- man, unless, indeed, we are permitted to con- jecture that his resignation was not the conse- quence of his necessities. But in whatever situation he was first em- ployed at the theatre, he appears to have soon discovered those talents which afterwards made him Th' applause, delight, the wonder of our stage! Some distinction he probably first acquired as an actor, although Mr. Rowe has not been able to discover any character in which he ap- peared to more advantage than that of the ghost in Hamlet. The instructions given to the player in that tragedy, and other passages of his works, show an intimate acquaintance with the skill of acting, and such as is scarcely surpassed in our own days. He appears to LIFE OP SHAKSPEAKE. Dave studied nature in acting as much as in writing. But all this might have been mere theory. Mr. Malone is of opinion he was no great actor. The distinction, however, which he might obtain as an actor could only be in his own plays, in which he would be assisted by the novel appearance of author and actor combined. Before his time, it does not ap- pear that any actor could avail himself of the wretched pieces represented on the stage. Mr. Rowe regrets that he cannot inform us which was the first play he wrote. More skil- ful research has since found, that Romeo and Juliet, and Richard II. and III. were printed in 1597, when he was thirty-three years old; there is also some reason to think that he com- menced as a dramatic writer in 1592, and Mr. Malone even jjlaces his first play, "First part of Henry VI.," in 1589. Ilis plays, however, must have been not only popular, but approved by persons of the higher order, as we are cer- tain that he enjoyed the gracious favor of Queen Elizabeth, who was very fond of the stage, and the particular and affectionate pa- tronage of the Earl of Southampton, to whom he dedicated his poems of " Venus and Adonis," and his " Tarquin and Lucrece." On Sir Wil- liam Daveuant's authority, it has been asserted that this nobleman at one time gave him a thousand pounds to enable him to complete a purciiase. At the conclusion of the advertise- ment prefixed to Lintot's edition of Shakspeare's poems, it is said, " That most learned prince, and great patron of learning. King James the First, was pleased, with his own hand, to write an amicable letter to Mr. Shakspeare ; which letter, though now lost, remained long in the hands of Sir William D'Avenant, as a credible person now living can testify." Dr. Farmer with great probability supposes, that this let- ter was written by King James, in return for the compliment paid to him in Macbeth. The relator of this anecdote was Sheffield, Duke of Buckingham.* These brief notices, meagre as they are, may show that our author enjoyed high favor in his day. Whatever we may think of King James as a "learned prince," his pa- tronage, as well as that of his predecessor, was sufficient to give celebrity to the founder of a new stage. It may be added, that his uncom- mon merit, his candor, and good nature, are supposed to have procured him the admiration and acquaintance of every person distinguished for such qualities. It is not difficult, indeed, to suppose, that Shakspeare was a man of humor and a social companion, and probably excelled in that species of minor wit not ill adapted to conversation, of which it could have been wished he had been more sparing in his writings. How long he acted has not been discovered, but he continued to write till the year 1G14. During his dramatic career he acquired a pro- perty in the theatre,' which he must have dis- posed of when he retired, as no mention of it » Note by Mr. Malone to " Additional Anecdotes of Wil- li.'im Slijikspeare." •In 16U.3, he and .»cveral others obtained a license from King Jauics to exhibit comedicii, tragedies, histories, &c., kt the GJobe Theatre and •ihJtwhcre. occurs in his will. His connection with Ben Jonson has been variously related. It is said, that when Jonson was unknown to the world, he offered a play to the theatre, which was rejected after a very careless perusal, but that Shakspeare having accidentally cast his eye on it, conceived a favorable opinion of it, and afterwards recommended Jonson and hia writings to the public. For this candor he was repaid by Jonson, when the latter became a poet of note, with an envious disrespect. .Jonson acquired reputation by the variety of his pieces, and endeavoured to arrogate the supremacy in dramatic genius. Like a French critic, he insinuated Shakspeare's incorrect- ness, his careless manner of writing, and hia want of judgment; and, as he was a remark- ably slow writer himself, he could not endure the praise frequently bestowed on Shakspeare, of seldom altering or blotting out what he had written. Mr. Malone says, "that not long after the year 1600, a coolness arose between Shakspeare and him, which, however we may talk of his almost idolatrous affection, pro- duced on his part, from that time to the death of our author, and for many years afterwards, much clumsy sarcasm, and many malevolent reflections." But from these, which are the commonly received opinions on this subject, Dr. Farmer is inclined to depart, and to think Jon- son's hostility to Shakspeare absolutely ground- less ; so uncertain is every circumstance we attempt to recover of our great poet's life. Jonson had only one advantage over Shaks- peare, that of superior learning, which might in certain situations give hira a superior rank, but could never promote his rivalship with a man who attained the highest excellence with- out it. Nor will Shakspeare suffer by its be- ing known, that all the dramatic poets before he appeared were scholars. Greene, Lodge, Peele, Marlowe, Nashe, Lily, and Kyd, had all, says Mr. Malone, a regular university edu- cation ; and, as scholars in our universities, frequently composed and acted plays on histo- rical subjects.* The latter part of Shakspeare's life was spent in ease, retirement, and the conversa- tion of his fi'iends. He had accumulated con- siderable property, which Gildon (in his " Let- ters and Essays," 1G94) stated to amount to £300 per annum, a sura at least equal to £1000 in our days ; but Mr. Malone doubts whether all his property amounted to much more than £200 per annum, which yet was a considerable fortune in those times, and it ia supposed that he might have derived £200 per aunum from the theatre while he continued on the stage. He retired some years before his death to a house in Stratford, of which it has been thought important to give *iie history. It was built by Sir Hugh Clopton, a younger brother of an ancient family in that neighbourhood. Sir Hugh was Sheriff of London in the reign * This was the praftioo in Milton's days. "One of hia objections to academical edue.-ition, as it was then con ducted, is that men desi^;ned for orders in the churci were permitted to act plays," &c. Johnson's Life of Mil ton. LIFE OF SHAKSPEARE. n of lUchurd III., and Lord Mayor in the reign Df Henry VII. By his will, he bequeathed to his elder brother's son his manor of Clopton, &c., and his house by the name of the Great Bouse in Stratford. A good part of the estate was in possession of Edward Clopton, Esq., and Sir Hugh Clopton, Knight, in 1733. The principal estate had been sold out of the Clop- ton family for above a century, at the time when Shakspeare became the purchaser ; who having repaired and modelled it to his own mind, changed the name to lieio Place, which the mansion-house, afterward erected in the room of the poet's house, retained for many years. The house and lands belonging to it continued in the possession of Shakspeare's descendants to the time of the Restoration, when they were repurchased by the Clopton family. Here, in May, 1742, when Mr. Gar- rick, Mr. Macklin, and Mf. Delane visited Stratford, they were hospitably entertained under Shakspeare's mulberry-tree by Sir Hugh Clopton. He was a barrister at law, was knighted by King George I., and died in the 80th year of his age, in December, 1751. His executor, about the year 1752, sold JVew Place to the Rev. Mr. Gastrell, a man of large for- tune, who resided in it but a few years, in consequence of a disagreement with the inha- bitants of Stratford. As he resided part of the year at Litchfield, he thought he was assessed too highly in the monthly rate toward the main- tenance of the poor ; but being very properly compelled by the magistrates of Stratford to pay the whole of what was levied on him, on the principle that his house was occupied by his servants in his absence, he peevishly declared that that house should never be assessed again ; and soon afterward pulled it down, sold the materials, and left the town. He had some time before cut down Shakspeare's mulberry- tree' to save himself the trouble of showing it to those whose admiration of our great poet led them to visit the classic ground on which it stood. That Shakspeare planted this tree appeai-s to be sufficiently authenticated. Where New Place stood is now a garden. Before con- cluding this history, it may be necessary to mention, that the poet's house was once Ho- noured by the temporary residence of Hen- rietta Maria, queen to Charles I. Theobald has given an inaccurate account of this, as if she had been obliged to take refuge in Strat- ford from the rebels ; but that was not the ease. She marched from Newark, June 16, 1643, and entered Stratford triumphantly about the 22d of the same month, at the head of three thousand foot and fifteen hundred horse, with one hundred and fifty wagons, and a train of artillery. Here she was met by Prince Ru- pert accompanied by a large body of troops. » " As the curiosity of this house and tree brought much Jimc, said more company and profit to the town, a certain ftian. on some di?gust, has pulled the house down, so as 'ilot to leave one stone upon another, and cut down the tree, and piled it as a stock of firewood, to the g^-eat vexa- Jtio;i, loss, and disappointment of the inhabitants; how- -'tver, 'an honest silvrsmith bought the whole stock of 'Woo(i,'and makes many odd things of this wood for the ^jiMous." Letter id- Annual Register. ITCO. Of Mr. Gas- 'ircli knclhis ludy, sec Uoswell's Life of Dr. Johnson, to ii. p. 3f6. Edit. 1793. She resided about three weeks at our poet's house, which was then possessed by his grand- daughter, Mrs. Nashe, and her husband. During Shakspeare's abode in this house, his pleasurable wit and good-nature, says Mr. Rowe, engaged him the acquaintance and en- titled him to the friendship of the gentlemen of the neighbourhood. Among these, Mr. Rowe tells a traditional story of a miser or usurer, named Combe, who, in conversatioc with Shakspeare, said he fancied the poet in tended to write his epitaph if he should sur- vive him, and desired to know what he nieaul to say. On this Shakspeare gave him the fol- lowing, probably extempore: — Ten in the hundred lies here engraved, 'Tis a hundred to ten his soul is not saved ; If any man ask, AVho lies in this tombe ? Oh ! lac ! quoth the devil, 'tis my Johu-arCombe. The sharpness of the satire is said to have stung the man so severely, that he never for- gave it. These lines, however, or some which nearly resemble them, appeared in various collections, both before and after the time they were said to have been composed ; and the inquiries of Mr. Steevens and Mr. Malone satisfactorily prove that the whole story is a fabrication. Betterton is said to have heard it when he visited Warwickshire on purpose to collect anecdotes of our poet, and probably thought it of too much importance to be nicely examined. We know not whether it be worth adding of a story which we have rejected, that a usurer in Shakspeare's time did not mean one who took exorbitant, but any interest or usance for money, and that ten in the hundred, or ten per cent., was then the ordinary interest of money. It is of more consequence, however, to record the opinion of Mr. Malone, that Shakspeare, during his retirement, wrote the play of Twelfth Night. He died on his birth-day, Tuesday, April 23, 1616, when he had exactly completed his fifty- second year,' and was buried on the north side of the chancel, in the great church of Strat- ford, where a monument is placed in the wall, on which he is represented under an arch, in a sitting posture, a cushion spread before him, with a pen in his right hand, and his left rested on a scroll of paper. The following Latin distich is engraved under the cushion : — Judicio Pylium, genio Socratem, arte Maronem, Terra tegit, populus mceret, Olympus habet. "The first syllable in Socratem," says Mr. Steevens, "is here made short, which cannot be allowed. Perhaps we should read Sopho- clem. Shakspeare is then appositely com- pared with a dramatic author among the an- cients ; but still it should be remembered, that the eulogium is lessened while the metre is reformed ; and it is well known, that some of our early writers of Latin poetry were uncom- monly negligent in their prosody, especially in proper names. The though* of this distich, as Mr. Toilet observes, might have been taken • The only notice we have of his person is from Aubrey, ■who says, "he was a handsome, well-shaped man;" an(J adds, " verie good company, and of a very ready, and plea- sant and smooth wit." LIFE OF SHAKSPEARE. VI' from the FaerJ Queene of Spenser, B. ii. c. ix. Bt. 48, and c. x. st. 3. "To this Latin inscription on Shakspeare may be added the lines which are found un- derneath it on his monument: — <5tay, passenger, why dost thou go so fast? Bead, if thou canst, whom envious death hath placed Within this monument ; Shakspeare, with whom Quick nature died ; wliose name doth deck the tomb Far more than cost; since all that he hath writ Leaves living art but page to serve his wit. Obiit, Ano. Dni. 1616. set. 53, die 23 Apri. «'lt appears from the verses of Leonard Digges, that our author's monument was erected before the year 1623. It has been engraved by Vertue, and done in mezzotinto by Miller." On his grave-stone, underneath, are these lines, in an uncouth mixture of small and capital letters : — Good Friend for lesus SAKE forbare To diGQ T-K Dust EncloAsed HERe T Blese be T-E Man spares T-Es Stones And curst be lie ''^ moves my Bones. T It is uncertain whether the request and im- precation were written by Shakspeare, or by one of his friends. They probably allude to the custom of removing skeletons after a cer- tain time, and depositing them in charnel- houses ; and similar execrations are found in many ancient Latin epitaphs. AVe have no account of the malady which, at no very advanced age, closed the life and labours of this unrivalled and incomparable genius. His family consisted of two daughters, and a son named Hamnet, who died in 1596, in the twelfth year of his age. Susannah, the eldest daughter, and her father's favourite, was mar- ried to Dr. John Hall, a j)hysician, who died November, 1635, aged sixty. Mrs. Hall died July 11, 1649, aged sixty-six. They left only one child, Elizabeth, born 1607-8, and mar- ried April 22, 1626, to Thomas Nashe, Esq., who died in 1647; and afterward to Sir John Barnard, of Abington, in Northamptonshire ; but died without issue by either husband. Judith, Shakspeare's youngest daughter, was married to a Mr. Thomas Quiney, and died February, lG'61-2, in her seventy-seventh year. By Mr. Quiney she had three sons, Shakspeare, Richard, and Thomas, who all died unmari-ied. Sir Hugh Clopton, who was born two years after the death of Lady Barnard, which hap- pened in 1669-70, related to Mr. Macklin, in 1742, an old tradition, that she had carried away with her from Stratford, many of her grandfather's papers. On the death of Sir John Barnard, ^Ir. Malone thinks these must have fallen into the hands of Mr. Edward Bag- ley, Lady Barnard's executor; and if any de- Bcendant of that gentleman be now living, in his custody they probably remain. To this ficcount of Shakspeare's family we have now to add, that among Oldys's papers is another traditional gossip's story of his having been the father of Sir William Davenant. Oldys's relation is thus given: — " If tradition may be trusted, Shakspeare often baited at the Crown Inn or Tavern in Oxford, in his journey to and from London. The landlady was a woman of great beauty and sprightly wit, and her husband, Mr. John Davenant, (afterward mayor of that city,) a grave, melancholy man ; who, as well as his wife, used much to delight in Shakspeare's pleasant company. Their son, young AVill. Da- venant, (afterward Sir William,) was then a little school-boy in the town, of about seven or eight years old, and so fond also of Shakspeare, that whenever he heard of his arrival, he would fly from school to see him. One day, an old townsman, observing the boy running home- ward almost out of breath, asked him whither he was posting in that heat and hurry. He answered, to see his ^oc:?-father Shakspeare. There's a good boy, said the other, but have a care that you don't take God's name in vain. This story, Mr. Pope told me at the Earl of Oxford's table, upon occasion of some discourse which arose about Shakspeare's monument, then newly erected in Westminster Abbey." This story appears to have originated with Anthony Wood, and it has been thought a pre- sumption of its being true, that, after careful examination, Mr. Thomas Wartou was inclined to believe it. Mr. Steevens, however, treats it with the utmost contempt ; but does not, per- haps, argue with his usual attention to expe- rience, when he brings Sir William Davenant's "heavy, vulgar, unmeaning face," as a proof that he could not be Shakspeare's son. In the year 1741, a monument was erected to our poet in Westminster Abbey, by the direc- tion of Earl of Burlington, Dr. Mead, iSIr Pope, and Mr. Martyn. It was the work of Scheemaker, (who received £300 for it,) after a design of Kent, and was opened in January of that year. The performers of each of the London theatres gave a benefit to defray the expenses, and the Dean and Chapter of West- minster took nothing for the ground. The money received by the performance at Drury Lane theatre amounted to above £200, but the receipts at Covent Garden did not exceed £100. From these imperfect notices, which are all we have been able to collect from the labors of his biographers and commentators, our readers will perceive that less is known of Shakspeare than of almost any writer who has been considered as an object of laudable curi- osity. Nothing could be more highly gratify- ing than an account of the early studies of this wonderful man, the progress of his pen, his moral and social qualities, his friendships, his failings, and whatever else constitutes per- sonal history. But on all these topics his con- temporaries and his immediate successors have been equally silent, and if aught can be here- after discovered, it must be by exploring sources which have hitherto escaped the anx- ious researches of those who have devoted their whole lives and their most vigoroua talents to revive his memory and illustrate his writings. In the sketch we have given, if the dates of his birth and death be excepted, wiiat is there on which the reader can depend, or for which, if he contend eagerly, he mH> I'm LIFE OF SHAKSPEARE. not be involved in controversy, and perjlexed tvitli contradictory opinions and authorities? It is usually said that the life of an author can be little else than a history of his works ; but this opinion is liable to many exceptions. If an author, indeed, has passed his days in retirement, his life can afford little more va- riety than that of any other man who has lived in retirement ; but if, as is generally the case with writers of great celebrity, Le has acquired a pre-eminence over his contemporaries, if he has excited rival contentions, and defeated the attacks of criticism or of malignity, or if he has plunged into the controversies of his age, and performed the part either of a tyrant or a hero in literature, his history may be rendered as interesting as that of any other public cha- racter. But whatever weight may be allowed to this remark, the decision will not be of much consequence in the case of Shakspeare. Unfortunately, we know as little of his writ- ings as of his personal history. The industry of his illustrators for the last thirty years has been such as probably never was surpassed in the annals of literary investigation ; yet so far are we from information of the conclusive or satisfactory kind, tliat even the order in which his plays were written rests principally on conjecture, and of some plays usually printed among his works, it is not yet determined whether he wrote the whole, or any part. Much of our ignorance of every thing which it would be desirable to know respecting Shaks- pearc's works, must be imputed to the author himself. If we look merely at the state in •which he left his productions, we should be apt to conclude, either that he was insensible of their value, or that, while he was the great- est, he was at the same time the humblest ■writer the world ever produced — "that he thought his works unworthy of posterity — that he levied no ideal tribute upon future times, nor had any further prospect than that of present popularity and pi-esent profit.'" And Buch an opinion, although it apparently par- takes of the ease and looseness of conjecture, may not be far from probability. But before we allow it any higher merit, or attempt to decide upon the affection or neglect with which he reviewed his labors, it may be necessary to consider their precise nature, and certain cir- cumstances in his situation which affected them ; and, above all, we must take into our account the character and predominant occu- pations of the times in which he lived, and of those which followed his decease. With respect to himself, it does not appear that he printed any one of his plays, and only eleven of them were printed in his lifetime. The reason assigned for this is, that he wrote them for a particular theatre, sold them to the managers when only an actor, reserved them in manuscript when himself a manager, and when he disposed of his property in the thea- tre, they were still preserved in manuscript to prevent their being acted by the rival houses. Copies of some of them appear to have been surreptitiously obtained, and published in a ' Dr. John.son's Preface. very incorrect state ; hut we may suppost that it was wiser in the author or managers to overlook this fraud than publish a correct edi tion, and so destroy the exclusive property they enjoyed. It is clear, therefore, that anji publication of his plays by himself would have interfered, at first with his own interest, and afterward with the interest of those to whom he had made over his share in them. But even had this obstacle been removed, we ar« not sure that he would have gained much by publication. If he had no other copies but those belonging to the theatre, the business of correction for the press must have been a toil which we are afraid the taste of the pub- lic at that time would have poorly rewarded. We know not the exact portion of fame he enjoyed: it was probably the highest which dramatic genius could confer ; but dramatic genius was a new excellence, and not well un- derstood. His claims were probably not heard out of the jurisdiction of the master of tha revels, certainly not beyond the metropolis. Yet such was Shakspeare's reputation, that we are told his name was put to pieces which he never wrote, and that he felt himself too confident in popular favor to undeceive the public. This was singular resolution in a man who wrote so unequally, that at this day, the *^ost of internal evidence must be applied to his doubtful productions with the greatest caution. But still how far his character would have been elevated by an examination of his plays in the closet, in an age when the refinements of criti- cism were not understood, and the sympathies of taste were seldom felt, m"ay admit of a ques- tion. " His language," says Dr. Johnson, " not heivg designed for the reader's desk, was all that he desired it to be if it conveyed his meaning to the audience." Shakspeare died in 1G16; and seven years afterward appeared the first edition of his plays, published at the charges of four book- sellers, — a circumstance from which Mr. Malone infers "that no single publisher was at that time willing to risk his money on a complete collection of our author's plays." This edi- tion was printed from the copies in the hands of his fellow-managers, Heminge and CondcU, which had been in a series of years frequently altered through convenience, caprice, or igno- rance. Heminge and Condell had now retired from the stage; and, we may suppose, weie guilty of no injury to their successors in printing what their own interest only had for- merly withheld. Of this, although we have no documents amounting to demonstration, we may be convinced, by adverting to a circum- stance which will, in our days, appear very extraordinary, namely, the declension of Shaks- peare's popularity. We have seen that the publication of his works was accounted a doubtful speculation ; and it is yet more cer- tain that so much had the public taste turned from him in quest of variety, that for several years after his death the plays of Fletcher were more frequently acted than his, and dur- ing the whole of the seventeenth century, they were made to give place to performances tha greater part of which cannot now be endured LIFE OF SHAKSPEARE. la DuriEg the same period, only four editions of his works were pviblislied, all in folio ; and perhaps this unwieldy size of volume may be an additional proof that they were not popu- lar ; nor is it thought that the impressions were numerous. These circumstances, which attach to our author and to his works, must be allowed a plausible weight in accounting for our defi- ciencies in his biography and literary career ; but there were circumstances enough in the history of the times to suspend the progress of that more regular drama of which he had set the example, and may be considered as the founder. If we wonder why we know so much less of Shakspeare than of his contemporaries, let us recollect that his genius, however highly and justly we now rate it, took a direction which was not calculated for permanent admi- ration, either in the age in which he lived, or in that which followed. Shakspeare was a writer of plays, a promoter of an amusement just emerging from barbarism ; and an amuse- ment which, although it has been classed among the schools of morality, has ever had such a strong tendency to deviate from moral purposes, that the force of law has, in all ages, been called in to preserve it within the bounds of common decency. The church has ever been ixnfriendly to the stage. A part of the injunctions of Queen Elizabeth is particu- larly directed against the printing of plays ; and, according to an entry in the books of the Stationers' Company, in the forty-first year of her reign, it is ordered that no plays be printed, except allowed by persons in authority. Dr. Farmer also remarks, that in that age, poetry and novels were destroyed publicly by the bishops, and privately by the puritans. The main transactions, indeed, of that period, could not admit of much attention to matters of amusement. The Reformation required all the circumspection and policy of a long reign to render it so firmly established in popular favor as to brave the caprice of any succeeding sovereign. This was effected, in a great mea- sure, by the diffusion of religious controversy, which was encouraged by the church, and es- pecially by the puritans, who were the imme- diate teachers of the lower classes, were lis- tened to with veneration, and usually inveighed against all public amusements, as inconsistent with the Christian profession. These contro- versies continued during the reign of James I., ami were, in a considerable degree, promoted by him, although he, like Elizabeth, was a favorer of the stage, as an appendage to the grandeur and pleasures of the Court. But the commotions which followed in the unhappy reign of Charles I., when the stage was totally abolished, are suCBcient to account for the oblivion thrown on the history and works of our great bard. From this time, no inquiry was made, until it was too late to obtain any information more satisfactory than the few hearsay scraps and contested traditions above detailed. " How little," says Mr. Steevens, " Shakspeare was once read, may be under- stood from Tate, who, in his dedication to the altered play of King Lear, speaks of the ori- ginal as an obscure piece, recommended to hh notice by a friend ; and the author of the Tat- ler, having occasion to quote a few lines out of Macbeth, was content to receive them from D'Avenant's alteration of that celebrated drama, in which almost every original beauty is either awkwardly disguised, or arbitrarily omitted." In fifty years after his death, Dryden men- tions that he was then become "a little obso- lete." In the beginning of the last century, Lord Shaftesbury complains of his " rude, un- polished style, and his antiquated phrase and wit." It is certain, that for nearly a hundred years after his death, partly owing to the im- mediate revolution and rebellion, and partly to the licentious taste encouraged in Charlea II. 's time, and perhaps partly to the incorrect state of his workp, he was almost entirely neglected. Mr. Malone has justly remarked, " that if he had been read, admired, studied, and imitated, in the same degree as he is now, the enthusiasm of some one or other of his admirers in the k^st age would have induced him to make some inquiries concerning the history of his theatrical career, and the anec- dotes of his private life."' His admirers, however, if he had admirert in that age, possessed no portion of such en- thusiasm. That curiosity which in our days has raised biography to the rank of an inde- pendent study, was scarcely known, and where known, confined principally to the public trans- actions of eminent characters. And if, in ad- dition to the cii'cumstances already stated, we consider how little is known of the personal history of Shakspeare's contemporaries, we may easily resolve the question, why, of all men that have ever claimed admiration by ge- nius, wisdom, or valor, who have eminently contributed to enlarge the taste, promote the happiness, or increase the reputation of their country, we know the least of Shakspeare : and why, of the few particulars which seem entitled to credit, when simply related, and in which there is no manifest violation of proba- bility, or promise of importance, there is scarcely one which has not swelled into a con- troversy. After a careful examination of all that modern research has discovered, we know not how to trust our curiosity beyond the limits of those barren dates which afford no personal history. The nature of Shakspeare's writings prevents that appeal to internal evidence, which in other cases has been found to throw light on character. The purity of his morals, for example, if sought in his plays, must be measured against the licentiousness of his lan- guage, and the question will then be, how much did he write from conviction, and how miich to gratify the taste of his hearers ? How much did he add to the age, and how much did he borrow from it? Pope says, "he was obliged to please the lowest of the people, and to keep the worst of company;" and Pope might have said more : for although we hope it was not true, we have no means of proving it was false. • Mr. Steevens's Adyertisement to the Keader, Aral priuted in 1773. • Mr. Malone's Preface to his edition. 1790. LIFE OF SHAKSPEARE. The only life which has been prefixed to all the editions of Shakspeare of the eighteenth century, is that drawn up by Mr. Rowe, and which he modestly calls, " Some Account," &c. In this we have what Rowe could collect when every legitimate source of information was closed — a few traditions that were floating nearly a century after the author's death. Some inaccuracies in his account have been detected in the valuable notes of Mr. Steevens and Mr. Malone, who, in other parts of their respective editions, have scattered a few brief notices which we have incorporated in the pre- sent sketch. The whole, however, is unsatis- factory. Shakspeare, in his private charac- ter, in his friendships, in his amusements, in his closet, in his family, is nowhere before us ; and such was the nature of the writings on which his fame depends, and of that employ- ment in which he was engaged, that being in no important respect connected with the his- tory of his age, it is vain to look into the lat- ter for any information concerning him. Mr. Capell is of opinion that he wrote some prose works, because " it can hardly be sup- posed that he, who had so considerable a share in the confidence of the Earls of Essex and Southampton, could be a mute spectator only of controversies in which they Avere so much interested." This editor, however, appears to have taken for granted a degree of confidence with these two statesmen, which he ought first to have proved. Shakspeare might have en- joyed th3 confidence of social hours; but it is mere conjecture that they admitted him into the confidence of their state aflfairs. Mr. Ma- lone, whose opinions are entitled to a higher degree of credit, thinks that his prose compo- sitions, if they should be discovered, would exhibit the same perspicuity, the same cadence, the same elegance and vigor, which we find in his plays. It is unfortunate, however, for all wishes and all conjectures, that not a line of Shakspeare's manuscript is known to exist, and his prose writings are no where hinted at. We have only printed copies of his plays and poems, and those so depraved by carelessness or ignorance, that all the labor of all his com- mentators has not yet been able to restore them to a probable purity. Many of the greatest difficulties attending the perusal of them yet remain, and will require, what it is scarcely possible to expect, greater sagacity and more happy conjecture than have hitherto been em- ployed. Of his Poems, it is perhaps necessary that some notice should be taken, although they have never been favorites with the public, and have seldom been reprinted with his plays. Shortly after his death, Mr. Malone informs us, a very incorrect impression of them was issued out, which in every subsequent edition was implicitly followed, until he published a corrected edition in 1780, with illustrations, &c. But the peremptory decision of Mr. Steevens on the merits of these poems must be our apology for omitting them in the pre- sent abridgment of that critic's labors. "We have not reprinted the Sonnets, &c., of Shaks- peare, because the strongest act of Parliament that could be framed would fail to compel readers into their service. Had Shakspeare produced no other works than these, his name would have reached us with as little celebrity as time has conferred on that of Thomas AVat- son, an older and much more elegant sonnet- teer." The elegant preface of Dr. Johnson gives an account of the attempts made in the early part of the last century to revive the memory and reputation of our poet, by Rowe, Pope, Theobald, Hanmer, and WarbuTton, whose re- spective merits he has char'ictevized with can- dor, and with singular ftlicity of expressioa Shakspeare's works may be overloaded with criticism, for what writor has excited so much curiosity, and so many opinions ? but John- son's preface is an accompaniment worthy of the genius it celebrates. His own edition fol- lowed in 1765; and a second, in conjunction with Mr. Steevens, in 1773. The third edition of the joint editors appeared in 1785, the fourth in 1793, and the last and most com- plete, in 1803, in twenty-one volumes octavo. Mr. Malone's edition was published in 1790, in ten volumes, crown octavo, and is now be- come exceedingly scarce. His original notes and improvements, however, are incorporated in the editions of 1793 and 1803, by Mr. Stee- vens. Mr. Malone says, that "from the year 1716 to the date of his edition in 1790, — that is, in seventy-four years, — above 30,000 copies of Shakspeare have been dispersed through England." Among the honors paid to his ge- nius, we ought not to forget the very magnifi- cent edition undertaken by Messrs. Boydell. Still less ought it to be forgotten how much the reputation of Shakspeare was revived by the unrivalled excellence of Garrick's perform ance. His share in directing the public taste toward the study of Shakspeare was, per- haps, greater than that of any individual in his time, and such was his zeal, and such his success, in this laudable attempt, that he may readily be forgiven the foolish mummery of the Stratford Jubilee. When public opinion had begun to assign to Shakspeare the very high rank he was destined to hold, he became the promising object of fraud and imposture. This, we have already observed, he did not wholly escape in his own time, and he had the spirit or policy to de- spise it.' It was reserved for modern impos- tors, however, to avail themselves of the ob- scurity in which his history is involved. In 1751, a book was published, entitled, "A Compendious or briefe examination of certayne ordinary Complaints of diners of our Country- men in those our days : which, although they are in some Parte unjust and frivolous, yet are they all by way of dialogue thoroughly debated and discussed by William Shakspeare, Gentleman." This had been originally pub- lished in 1581 ; but Dr. Farmer has clearly proved that W. S., gent., the only authority for attributing it to Shakspeare in the reprinted > Mr. Malone has given a list of fourteen plays ascribed to Shakspeare, either by the editors of tlie two later folios, or by the compilers of ancient catalogues. Of these. Pert clcs has found advocates for its admission into bis works. LIFE OF SHAKSPEARE. u ciition, meant William Stafford, gent. Theobald, the same accurate critic informs us, was desir- ous of palming upon the -world a play called " Double Falsehood," for a posthumous one of Shakspeare. In 1770 was reprinted at Fever- sham an old play called " The Tragedy of Arden of Feversham and Black Will," with a preface attributing it to Shakspeare, without the smallest foundation. But these were trifles compared to the atrocious attempt made in 1.795-t), when, besides a vast mass of prose and verse, letters, &c., pretendedly in the hand- writing of Shakspeare and his correspondents, an entire play, entitled Vortigern, was not only brought forward for the astonishment of the admirers of Shakspeare, but actually performed on Drury Lane stage. It would be unnecessary to expatiate on the merits of this play, which Mr. Steevens has very happily characterized as "the performance of a madman without a lucid interval," or to enter more at large into the nature of a fraud so recent, and so soon acknowledged by the authors of it. It pro- duced, however, a interesting controversy be- tween Mr. Malone and ]\Ir. George Chalmers, which, although mixed with some unpleasant asperities, was extended to inquiries into the history and antiquities of the stage, from which future critics and historians may derive consi- derable informatioQ. CONTENTS. FAQB Sketch of the Life op Shakspeare iii Tempest 1 Two Gentlemen of Verona 21 Merry Wives of Windsor 41 Twelfth Night 66 Measure for Measure 88 Much Ado about Nothing 113 Midsummer's Night's Dream 136 Love's Labor's Lost 155 Merchant of Venice 179 As You Like It 201 All's Well that Ends Well 225 Taming of the Shrew 250 Winter's Tale 274 Comedy of Errors 302 Macbeth 319 King John 340 Richard II 363 Henry IV.— Part First 388 PAOB Henry IV.— Part Second 414 Henry V 442 Henry VI. — Part First 471 Part Second 496 Part Third 524 Richard III 551 Henry VIII 584 Troilus and Cressida 612 TiMON of Athens 642 Coriolanus 663 Julius Caesar 696 Antony and Cleopatra 719 Cymbeline 750 Titus Andronicus 782 Pericles 804 King Lear 825 Romeo and Juliet 856 Hamlet 883 Othello 918 POEMS. Venus and Adonis 951 tiAPE of Lucrece 963 Sonnets 981 The Passionate Pilgrim 1003 A Lover's. Complaint 1011 Glossary 1017 zu u.yLci''y2^ci'OC fT^ TEMPEST. PERSONS REPRESENTED. A Lojf so, King of Naples. Sebastian, his brother. Prospeho, the rightful Duke of Milan. Antonio, his brother, the usurping Duke of Milan. Ferdinand, son to the king of Naples. GoNZALO, an honest old Counsellor of Naples. Adrian, ? t j •c, > Lords. rRANCISCO, 3 Caliban, a savage and deformed Slave, Trinculo, a Jester. Stephano, a drunken Butler. Ma.'sifT of a Ship, Boatswain, and Mariners. Miranda, Daughter to Proepe«» Ariel, an airy Spirit. Iris, Ceres, Juno, Nymphs, Reapers, Spirits. Other Spirits attending on Prospero. ACT I. SCENE I.— On a Ship at Sea. A Storm with thunder and lightning. Enter a Ship-master and a Boatswain. Master. Boatswain, — Boats. Here, master : what cheer 1 Master. Good : Speak to the mariners : fall to't jrarely', or we run ourselves aground • bestir, bestir. [Exit. Enter Mariners. Boats. Heigh, my hearts; cheer'y. cheerly, my hearts ; yare, yare : Take in the top-sail ; Tend to the master's whistle. — Blow till thou burst thy wind, if room enough ! Enter Alonso, Sebastian, Antonio, Ferdi- nand, Gonzaeo, a?id others. Alan. Good boatswain, have care. Where's the master] Play the men. Boats. I pray now, keep below. Ant. Where is the master, boatswain! Boats. Do you not hear himi You mar our ■nbor ! keep your cabins : you do assist the storm. • Readily. Gon. Nay, good, be patient. Boats. When the sea is. Hence ! What care these roarers for the name of king? To cabins • silence: trouble us not. Gon. Good; yet remember whom thou ha&t aboard. Boats. None that I more love than myself. — You are a counsellor; if you can command these elements to silence, and work the peace of the present,^ we will not hand a rope more ; use your authority. If you cannot, give thanks you have lived so long, and make yourself ready in your cabin for the mischance of the hour, if it so hap. — Cheerly, good hearts. — Out of our way, I say. [Exit. Gon. I have great comfort from tlois fellow; methinks he hath no drowning mark upon him : his complexion is perfect gallows. Stand fast, good fate, to his hanging ! make the rope of his destiny our cable, for our own doth little advantage ! If he be not born to be hanged, our case is miserable. [Exeunt. Re-enter Boatswain. Boats. Down with the top-mast; yare; lower • Present instant. TEMPEST. Act I. Scene L lower ; bring hei to try with main course. [A cry vnthin.'] A plague upon this howling ! they are louder than the weather, or our office. — Re-enter Sebastian, Antonio, and Gonzalo. Yet again ? what do you here 1 Shall we give o'er and drown 1 Have you a mind to sink 1 Seb. A pox o' your throat ! you bawling, blas- phemous, uncharitable dog ! Boats. Work you, then. Ant. Hang, cur, hang ! you whoreson, insolent noisemaker, we are less afraid to be drowned than fhou art. Gon. I'll warrant him from drowning ; though the ship were no stronger than a nut-shell, and as leaky as an unstaunched' wench. j Boats. Lay her a-hold, a-hold ; set her two courses ; off to sea again, lay her off. Enter Mariners, wet. Mar. All lost ! to prayers, to prayers ! all lost ! [^Exeunt. Boats. What, must our mouths be cold ? Gon. The king and prince at prayers ! let us For our case is as theirs. [assist them, Seb. I am out of patience. Ant. We are merely* cheated of our lives by drunkards. — This wide-chapped rascal ; — ^'Would thou mightst The washing of ten tides ! [lie drowning Gon. He'll be hanged yet ; Though every drop of water swear against it. And gape at wid'st to glut him. [A confused noise withm.'] Mercy on us ! — We split, we split ! Farewell, my wife and children ! — Farewell, brother ! — We split, we split, we split. — Ant. Let's all sink with the king. \_Exit. Seb. Let's take leave of him. [Exit. Gon. Now would I give a thousand furlongs of tea for an acre of barren gi-ound ; long heath, brown furze, any thing: the wills above be done! but I would fain die a dry death. [Exit. SCENE n. — The island: before the cell o/Pnos- peho. Enter Phospeho and Miranda. Mir. If by your art, my dearest father, you have Put the wild waters in this roar, allay them : The sky, it seems, would pour dov?n stinking pitch. But that the sea, mounting to the welkin's cheek. Dashes the fire out. O, I have suffer'd With those that I saw suffer! a brave vessel. Who had no doubt some noble creatures in her, Uash'd all to pieces. O, the cry did knock Against my very heart! Poor souls! they perish'd. Had I been any god of power, I would Have sunk the sea within the earth, or e'er It should the good sliip so have swallow'd, and The freighting souls within her. Pro. Be collected; No more amazement : tell your piteous heart, There's no harm done. Mir a O, wo the day ! Pro No harm. I have done nothing but in care of thee, (Of thee, my dear one ! thee my daughter !) who Art ignorant of what thou art, nought knowing Of whence I am ; nor that I am more better Then Prosper©, master of a full poor cell. And thy no greater father. » lacoutineut. 4 Absolutely. Mira. More to know Did never meddle with my thoughts. Pro. 'Tis time I slioukl inform thee further. Lend thy hand, And pluck my magic garment from me. — So; [Lays down his mantle. Lie there my art. — Wipe thou thine eyes; have comfort. The direful specta(Je of the v\rreck, which touch'd The very virtue of compassion in thee, I have with such provision in mine art So safely order'd, that there is no soul — No, not so much perdition as a hair. Betid to any creature in the vessel Which thou heard'st cry, which thou sf w'st sink Sit down; For thou must now know further. Mira. You have oftejti Begun to tell me what I am ; but stopp'd And left me to a bootless inquisition ; Concluding, Stay, not yet. — Pro. The hour's now come The very minute bids thee ope thine ear ; Obey, and be attentive. Canst thou remember A time before we came unto this cell? I do not think thou canst ; for then thou wast no* Out ' three years old. 3Iira. Certainly, sir, I can. Pro. By what? by any other house, or person^ Of any thing the image tell me, that Hath kept with thy remembrance. Mira. 'Tis far off, And rather like a dream than an assurance That my remembrance warrants : had I not Four or five women once, that tended me? Pro. Thou hadst, and more, Miranda : but how is it. That this lives in thy mind? What seest thou else In the dark backward and abysm of time? If thou remember'st aught, ere thou cam'st here, How thou cam'st here, thou may'st. 3fira. But that I do not Pro. Twelve years since, Miranda, twelve years since, thy father was The duke of Milan, and a prince of power. Mira. Sir, are not you my father? Pro. Thy mother was a piece of virtue, and She said — thou wast my daughter; and thy father Was duke of Milan ; and his only heir A princess; — no worse issued. Mira. 0, the heavens! What foul play had we, that we came from thence! Or blessed was't we did? Pro. Both, both, my girl. By foul play, as thou say'st, were we heav'd thenoBj But blessedly holp hither. Mira. O, my heart bleeds To tliink o' the teen* that I have turn'd you to, Which is from my remembrance ! Please you fur ther. Pro. My brother, and thy uncle, call'd Antonio,— I pray thee, mark me, — that a brother should Be so perfidious ! — he whom, next thyself, Of all the world I lov'd, and to him put The manage of my state ; as, at that time. Through all the signiories it was the first. And Prospero the prime duke ; being so reputed In dignity, and, for the liberal arts. Without a parallel ; those being all my study, • Quite. ' Sorrow. ScENB II. TEMPEST. The government I cast upon my brother, And to my state grew stranger, being transported. And wrapt in secret studies. Thy false uncle — Dost thou attend mel Mira. Sir, most heedfully. Pro. Being once perfected how to grant suits, How to deny them ; wliom to advance, and whom To trash* for over-topping; new-created The creatures that were mine ; I say, or chang'd them, Or else new-form'd them : having both the key Of officer and office, set all hearts To what tune plcas'd his ear; that now he was The ivy, which had hid my princely trunk. And suck'd my verdure out on't. — Thou attend'st not: I pray thee mark me. Mira. good sir, I do. Pro. I thus neglecting wordly ends, all dedi- cate To closeness, and the bettering of my mind With that, which, but by being so retir'd, O'er-priz'd all popular rate, in my false brother Awak'd an evil nature: and my trust. Like a good parent, did beget of him A falsehood, in its contrary as gi'eat As my trust was ; which had, indeed, no limit, A confidence sans bound. He being thus lorded, Not only with what my revenue yielded. But what my power might else exact, — like one Who, having unto truth, by telling of it, Made such a sinner of his meinor}'. To credit his own lie, — he did believe He was the duke ; out of the substitution, And executing the outward face of royalty, With all prerogative : — Hence his ambition Growing, — Dost hear] Mira. Your tale, sir, would cure deafness. Pro. To have no screen between this part he play'd And him he play'd it for, he needs will be Absolute Milan : Me, poor man ! — my library Was dukedom large enough ; of temporal royalties He thinks me now incapable : confederates (So diy he was for sway) with the king of Naples, To give him annual tribute, do him homage; Subject his coronet to his crown, and bend The dukedom, yet unbow'd (alas, poor Mdan !) To most ignoble stoojing. M!ra. O the heavens ! Pro. Mark his condJJion, and the event; then If this might be a brother. [tell me, Mira. I should sin To think but nobly of my grandmother : Good wombs have borne bad sons. Pro. Now the condition. This king of Naples, being an enemy I'o me inveterate, hearkens my brother's suit; Which was, that he in lieu o' the premises, — ')f homage, and I know not how much tribute, — Should presently extirpate me and mine Out of the dukedom; and confer fair Milan, With all the honors, on my brother: Whereon, A treacherous army levied, one midnight Fated to the purpose, did Antonio open The gates of Milan ; and i' the dead of darkness, The ministers for the purpose hurried thence Me, and thy crying self. • Cut away. Mh-a. Alack, for pity ! I, not rememb'ring how I cried out then, Will cry it o'er again, it is a hint, That wrings mine eyes. Pro. Hear a little further, And then I'll bring thee to the present business Which now's upon us; without the wliich, thi« story Were most impertinent. Mira. Wherefore did th^y ni* That hour destroy us? Pro. Well demanded, wench; My tale provokes that question. Dear, they durst not; (So dear the love my people bore me") nor set A mark so bloody on the business; but With colors .iairer painted their foul ends. In few, they hurried us aboard a bark ; Bore us some leagues to sea; where they prepar'd A rotten carcass of a boat, not rigg'd. Nor tackle, sail, nor mast; the very rats Instinctively had quit it : there they hoist us, To cry to the sea that roar'd to us ; to sigh To the winds, whose pity, sighing back again. Did us but loving wrong. Mira. Alack ! what trouble Was I then to you ! Pro. ! a cherubim Thou wast, that did preserve me! Thou didst smile, Infused with a fortitude fiom heaven, When I have deck'd the sea with drops full salt ; Under my burden groan'd ; which rais'd in me An undergoing stomach^ to bear uj) Against what should ensue. Mira. How came we ashore! Pro. By Providence divine. Some food we liad, and some fresh water, that A noble Neapolitan, Gonzalo, Out of his charity (who being then appointed Master of this design,) did give us; with Rich garments, linens, stufis, and necessaries, Which since have steaded much ; so, of his gentle« ncss. Knowing I lov'd my books, he furnish'd me, From my own library, with volumes that I prize above my dukedom. Mira. 'Would I might But ever see that man ! Pro. Now I arise: — Sit still, and hear the last of our sea-sorrow. Here in this island we arriv'd; and here Have I, thy schoolmaster, made thee more profit Than other princes can, that have more time For vainer hours, and tutors not so careful. Mira. Heavens thank you for't! And now 1 pray you, sir, (For still 'tis beating in my mind,) your reason For raising this sea-storml Pro. Know thus far forth.— By accident most strange, bountiful fortune, Now my dear lady, hath mine enemies Brought to this shore: and by my prescience I find my zenith doth depend upon A most auspicious star; whose influence If now I court not, but omit, my fortunes Will ever after droop. — Here cease more que* tions ; ' Stubborn resolution. TEMPEST. A^CT Thou art inclin'd to sleep ; 'tis a good dulness, And give it way ; — I know thou canst not choose. — [MiHANDA sleeps. Come away, servant, come: I am ready now: Approach, my Ariel; come. Enter Ariel. Art. All hail, great master ! grave sir, hail ! I come To answer thy best pleasure ; be't to fly. To swim, to dive into the fire, to ride On the curi'd clouds ; to thy strong bidding, task Ariel, and all his quality. Pro. Hast thou, spirit, Perform'd to point' the tempest that I bade thee! Ari. To every article. I boarded the king's sliip; now on the beak, Now in the waist, the deck, in every cabin, I flamed amazement: Sometimes, I'd divide, And burn m many places; on the top-mast. The yards, and bowsprit, would I flame distinctly, Theu meet, and join : Jove's lightnings, the precur- sors 0' the dreadful thunder-claps, more momentary And sight-outrunning were not: The fire, and cracks Of sulphurous roaring, the most mighty Neptune Seem'd to besiege, and make his bold waves tremble, Yea, his dread trident shake. Pro. My brave spirit! Who was so firm, so constant, that this coil' Would not infect his reason"? Ari. Not a soul But felt a fever of the mad, and play'd Some tricks of desperation : All, but mariners, Plung'd in the foaming brine, and quit the vessel. Then all a-fire with me : the king's son, Ferdinand, With hair up-staring, (then like reeds, not hair,) Was the first man that leap'd : cried. Hell is empty, And all the devils are here. Pro. Why, that's my spirit! But was not this nigh shore? Ari. Close by, my masten Pro. But are they, Ariel, safe"? Ari. Not a hair perish'd On their sustaining garments not a blemish. But fresher than before; and, as thou bad'st me, In troops I have dispers'd them 'bout the isle : The Idng's son have I landed by himself; Whom I left coolmg of the air with sighs, In an odd angle of the isle, and sitting. His arms in this sad knot. Pro. Of the king's ship, The mariners, say, how thou hast dispos'd, And all the rest o' the fleet! Ari. Safely in harbor [s the king's ship ; in the deep nook, vv-here once riiou call'dst me up at midnight to fetch dew Prom the still-vex'd Bermoothes ', there she's hid : The marmers all under hatches stow'd ; Whom, with a charm join'd to their sufler'd labor I have left asleep : and for the rest o' the fleet, Which I dispers'd, they all have met again ; And are upon the Mediterranean flote"^ Bound sadly home for Naples; Supposing that they saw the king's ship vnreck'd A.nd his great person perish. Pro. Ariel, thy charge » The minutest article. ' Bennudas. » Hustle, tumult, a Wave. Exactly is perform'd; but there's more wo.k: What is the time o' the day] Ari. Past the mid season. Pro. At least two glasses: The time 'twixt six and now, Must by us both be spent most preciously. Ari. Is there more toil' Since thou dost give me pains, Let me remember thee what thou hast promis'd, Which is not yet perform'd me. Pro. How now? moody] What is't thou canst demand? Ari. My liberty. Pro. Before the time be out] no more. Ari. I pray thee Remember, I have done thee worthy service; Told thee no lies, made no mistakings, serv'd Without or grudge or grumblings: thou did^> promise To bate me a full year. Pro. Dost thou forget From what a torment I did free thee] Ari. No. Pro. Thou dost; and think'st It much, to tread the ooze of the salt deep ; To run upon the sharp wind of the north ; To do me business in the veins o' the earth, When it is bak'd with frost. Ari. I do not, sir. Pro. Thou liest, malignant thing ! Hast thou forgot The foul witch Sycorax, who, with age and envy, Was grown into a hoop] hast thou forgot Ler! Ari. No, sir. Pro. Thou hast : where was she born] speak; tell me. Ari. Sir, in Argier.' Pro. O, was she so? I must. Once in a month, recount what thou hast been. Which thou forgct'st. This damn'd witch, Sycorax, For mischiefs manifold, and sorceries terrible To enter human hearing, from Argier, Thou know'st, was banish'd ; for one thuig she did, They would not take her life : Is not this true] Ari. Ay, sir. Pro. This blue-ey'd hag was hither brought with cliild. And here was left by the sailors : Thou, my slave, As thou report'st thyself, was then her servant: And, for thou wast a spirit too delicate To act her earthly and abhorr'd commands. Refusing her giand bests ^, she did confine thee, By help of her more potent ministers. And in her most unmitigable rage. Into a cloven pine ; within which rift Imprison'd, thou didst painfiilly remain A dozen years ; within wliich space she died. And left thee there; where thou didst vent thy groans. As fast as mill-wheels strike : Then was tliis island (Save for the son that she did Utter here, A freckled whelp, hag-born,) not honor'd with A human shape. Ari. Yes; Caliban her son. Pro. Dull thing, I say so; he, that Caliban, Whom now I keep in service. Thou best know'st What torment I did find thee in: thy groans Did make wolves howl, and penetrate the breasts Of ever-angry bears : U Was a torment • Aljcierg. « Command*. Scene 11. TEMPEST. 5 Fo lav upon the damii'd, which Sycorax Could not again undo ; it was nunc art, When I arriv'd, and heard thee, that made gape The pine, and let tliee out. Ari. I thank thee, master. Pro. If thou more murmur'st, I will rend an oak, And peg thee in his knotty entrails, till Thou hast howl'd away twelve winters. Art. Pardon, master: I wiil be correspondent to command. And do my spriting gently. Pro. Do so ; and after two days I will discharge thee. Ari. That's my noble master! What shall I do? say, what] what shall I doT Pro. Go make thyself like to a nymph o' the sea; Be subject to no sight but mine; invisible To every eye-ball else. Go take this shape. And hither coine in't: hence, with diligence. [^Exit Am EL. Awake, dear heart, awake! thou hast slept well; Awake ! Mira. The strangeness of your story put Heav'iness in me. Pro. Shake it off: Come on. We'll visit Caliban, my slave, who never Yields us kind answer. Mira. 'Tis a villain, sir, I do not love to look on. Pro. But, as 'tis. We cannot miss him : he does make our fire, Fetclr in our wood ; and serves in offices That profit us. What ho ! slave ! Cahban, Thou earth, thou ! speak. Cal. l_Wifhi}i.^ There's wood enough within. Pro, Come forth, I say : there's other business for thee : Come forth, thou tortoise! when? Re-enter Ariel like a water-nymph. Fine apparition ! My quaint Ariel, Hark in thine ear. Ari. My lord, it shall be done. [^Exit. Pro. Thou poisonous slave, got by the devil Upon thy wicked dam, come forth ! [himself Enter Caliban. Cal. As wicked dew as e'er my mother brush'd With raven's feather fi-om unwholesome fen. Drop on you both ! a soulh-wcst blow on ye. And blister you all o'er ! Pro. For this, be sure, to-night thou shalt have cramps, Sidc-siit 'hos that shall pen thy breath up; urchins' Shall, for that vast of niglit that they may work, All exercise on thee : thou shalt be pinch'd As thick as honey-coml)s,each pinch more stinging Than bees that made them. Cal. I must cat my dinner. This island's mine, by Sycorax, my mother, Which thou tak'st firom me. When tliou camcst first. Thou strok'dst me, and mad'st much of me; wouldst give me Water with berries in't; and teach me how To name the bigger light, and how the less. That burn by day and night; and then I loved thee, \nd show'd thee all the qualities o' the isle, » Fairieg. The fi-esh springs, brine pits, barren place, ar.i fertile; Cursed be I that did so; — all the charms Of Sycorax, toads, beetles, bats, light on you! For I am all the subjects that you have. Which first was mine own Idng: and here you sty me In this hard rock, whiles you do keep from me The rest of the island. Pro. Thou most lying slave, Whom stripes may move, not kindness ! I have us'J thee. Filth as thou art, with human care ; and lodg'd the« In mine own cell, till thou did'st seek to violate The honor of my child. Cal. O ho, O ho ! — 'would it had been done! Thou didst prevent me ; I had peopled else This isle with Calibans. Pro. Abhorred slave ; Which any point of goodness will not take, Being capable of all ill ! I pitied thee, [hcui Took pains to make thee speak, taught thee-each One thing or other : when thou didst not, savage, Know thine own meaning, but wouldst gabble like A thing most brutish, I endow'd thy purposes With words that made them known : But thy vile race, [natures Though thou didst learn, had that in't which good Could not abide to be with ; therefore wast thou Deservedly confin'd into this rock. Who hadst deserv'd more than a prison. Cal. You taught me language ; and my profit on't Is, I know how to curse : the red plague rid' you, For learning me your language ! Pro. Hag-seed, hence ! Fetch us in fuel ; and be quick, thou wert best. To answer other business. Shrug'st thou, malice ? If thou neglect's*, or dost unwillingly What I command, I'll rack thee with old cramps; Fill all thy bones with aches ; make thee roar, That beasts shall tremble at thy din. Cal. No, 'pray thee !— I must obey : his art is of such power [^Aside< It would control my dam's god, Setebos, And make a vassal of him. Pro. So, slave ; hence ! [Eont Calibas, Re-enter Ariel, invisible, playing and singing; Ferbi^aud following him. Ariel's Song. Come unto these yclloiv sands And then take hand.i: Courfsied when you have, and kiss'd, {The ivild waves whist ^ Foot it featly here and there; And, sweet sprites, the burden hear. Hark, hark.' Bur. Bowgh, wowgh. [dispn-seaiy The ivatch-dogs bark: Bur. Bowgh, wowgh. [dispersedltf Hark, hark.' I hear The strain of strutting chanticlere Cry, cock-a-doodle-do. Per. Where should this music be? i' the air, <4 the earth? It sounds no more : — and sure, it waits upon Some god of the island. Sitting on a bank. Weeping again the king my father's wreck, This music crept by me upon the waters; • Destroy. '■ Being stilled, silencnd. TEMPEST. Act J. ScEisE 11. .\llaying votti their fury, and my passion, With its sweet air; thence I have follow'd it, Or it hath drawn me rather: — But 'tis gone. No, it begins again. Akiil sings. Full fathom Jive thy father lies; of his bones are coral made,- Those are pearls, that were his eyes: Nothi?7g of him that doth fade, But doth suffer a sea-change Into something rich and strarige. Sea-nytnphs hourly ring his knell: Hark! now I hear them, — ding-dong, bell. [^Burden, ding-dong. Fer. I'lie ditty does remember my drown'd father : — This is no mortal business, nor no sound Tliat the earth owes': — I hear it now above me. Pro. The fringed curtains of thine eye advance And say, what thou seest yond'. Mira. What is't] a spirit 1 Lord, how it loolvs about ! Believe me, sir. It canics a brave form: — But 'tis a spirit. Pro. No, wench; it eats and sleeps, and hath such senses As we have, such : This gallant which thou seest, Was in tlie wreck; and but he's something stain'd With grief, that's beauty's canker, thou mightst call him A goodly person : he hath lost his fellows, And strays about to find them. Mira. I might call him A thing divine ; for nothing natural [ ever saw so noble. Pro. It goes on, {^Aside. As my soul prompts it: — Spirit, fine spirit! I'll free thee Within two days for this. Fer. Most sure the goddess On whom these airs attend! — Vouchsafe my prayer May know, if you remain upon this island ; And that you will some good instruction give. How I may bear me here: My prime request. Which I do last pronounce, is, O you wonder ! If you be maid, or no ] Mira. No wonder, sir; But, certainly a maid. Fer. My language , heavens !— I am the best of them that speak this speech. Were I but where 'tis spoken. Pro. How! the best? What wert thou if the king of N aples heard thee ? Fer. A single thing, as I an" now, that wonders I'o liear thee speak of Naples: He does hear me; \nd, that he does, I weep: myself am Naples; U ho with mine eyes, ne'er since at ( bb, beheld riio king my father WTeck'3. Mira. Alack, for mercy! Fer. Yes, faith, and all his lords; the duke of Milan, And his brave son being twain. Pro. The duke of Milan, And his more braver daughter, could control' thee, If now 'twere fit to do't: — At the first sight \^Aside. They have chang'd eyes: — Delicate Ariel, 'Owns. • Confute. I'll set thee free for this! — A word, good sir: I fear, you have done yourself some wrong: a word Mira. W^hy speaks my father so ungcntly] This Is the third man that e'er I saw; the first That e'er I sighed for: pity move my father To be inclin'd my way! Fer. O, i f a virgin, And your affection not gone forth, I'll make you The queen of Naples ! Pro. Soft, sir, one word more. — They are both in either's powers; but this swift business I must uneasy make, lest too light winning \_Aside- Make the prize light. — One word moie; I cha.rge thee. That thou attend mc : thou dost here usurp The name thou ow'st not; and hast put thyself Upon this island, as a spy to vvui it From me, the lord on't. Fer. No, as I am a man. Mira. There's nothing ill can dwell in such a temple : If the ill spirit have so fair an house. Good things will strive to dwell with't. Pro. Follow me. — [To Ferd. Speak not you for him ; he's a traitor. — Come. I'll manacle thy neck and feet together: Sea-water shalt thou drink, thy food shall be 7'he fresh-brook muscles, wither'd roots, and husks Wherein the acorn cradled: Follow. Fer. No ; I will resist such entertainment, till Mine enemy has more power. [i/e draw* Mira. dear father, Make not too rash a trial of him, for He's gentle, and not fcariul. ' Pro. What, I say. My foot my tutor! — Put thy sword up, traitor; Who niak'st a show, but dar'st not strike, thy con science Is so possess'd with guilt: come from thy wanP; For I can here disarm thee with this stick. And make thy weapon drop. Mira. Beseech you, father! Pro. Hence ; hang not on my garments. Mii-a. Sir, have pity; I'll be his surety. Pro. Silence: one word more Shall make me chide thee, if not hate thee. What ' An advocate for an imj)ostor? hush! Thou think'st there arc no more such shapes as he, Having seen but him and Caliban: Foolish wee ch f To the most of men this is a Caliban, And they to him are angels. Mira. My affections Are then most humble ; I have no ambition To see a goojlier man. Pro. Come on; obey: \To Ferb. Thy nerves are in their infancy again. And have no vigor in them. Fer. So they are: My spirits, as in a dream, are all bound up. My father's loss, the weakness which I feel. The wreck of all my friends, or this man's threaU^ To whom I am subdued, are but light to me, Might I but through my prison once a day Behold this maid : all corners else o' the earth liCt liberty make use of; space enough Have I in such a prison, •Frightful *aaua. ACT II. Scene I. TEMPEST. Pro. It works : — Come on. — Thou ha'-'t done well, fine Ariel ! — Follow me. — [To Fkui). a/jf/MiR. Hark, what thou else shalt do me. [To Ariel. Mi\a. Be of comfort; My father's of a better nature, sir, Than he appears by speech; this is unwonted, Which now caine from him. Pro. I'hou shalt be as frc» As mountain winds : but then exactly do All points of my command. Ari. To the syllable. Pro. Come, follow : speak not for him. [Exeunt ACT II. SCENE I. — Another part of the Island. Enter Aloxso, Sebastian, Axtonio, GorfZALO, Adrian, Francisco, and others. Gon. 'Beseech you, sir, be merry; you have cause (So have we all) of joy ; for our escape Is much beyond our loss : our hint of woe Is common ; every day some sailor's wife. The masters of some merchant, and the merchant. Have just our theme of woe: but for the miracle, I mean our preservation, few in millions Can speak like us : then wisely, good sir, weigh Our sorrow with our comfort. Alon. Pr'ythee, peace ! Seb. He receives comfort like cold pon-idge. Ant. The visitor will not give him o'er so. Seb. Look, he's winding up the watch of his wit ; By and by it will strike. Gon. Sir, Seb. One: Tell. Gon. When every grief is entertain'd, that's offered. Comes to the entertainer — Seb. A dollar. Gon. Dolor comes to him, indeed; you have spoken truer than you purposed. Seb. You have taken it wiselier than I meant you should. Gon. Therefore, my lord, — Ant. Fie, what a spendthrift is he of his tongue ! Alon. I pr'ythee, sj)arc. Gon. Well, I have done: But yet — Seb. He will be talking. Ant. Which of them, he, or Adrian, for a good wager, first begins to crowT &cb. The old cock. Ant. The cockrel. Seb. Done : the wager 1 Ant. A laughter. Seb. A mat(-h. Adr. Though this island seem to be desert, — Seti. Ha, ha, ha! Ant. So you've pay'd. Adr. Uninhabitable, and almost inaccessible, — Seb. Yet. Adr. Yet— Ant. He could not miss it. Adr. It must needs be of subtle, tender, and Jelicate temperance.* ( Ant. Temperance was a delicate wench. / Seb. Ay, and a subtle ; as he most learnedly delivered. Adr. The air breathes upon us here most sweetly. Seb. As if it hud lungs, and rotten ones. \ Ant. Or, as 'twere j)erfumed by a fen. Gon. Here is every thing advantageous to life. Ant. True ; save means to live. Seb. Of that there's none, or little. [green! Gon. How lush* and lusty the g^ass looks ! how * T jmpera-lure » Kank. Ant. The ground, indeed, is tawny. Seb. With an eye" of green in't. Ant. He misses not much. Seb. No : he doth but mistake the truth totally Gon. But the rarity of it is (which is indeed almost beyond credit) — Seb. As many vouch'd rarities are. Gon. That our garments, being, as they were drenched in the sea, hold, notwithstanding, their freshness, and glosses ; being rather new dy'd, than stain'd with salt water. Ant. If but one of his pockets could speak, would it not say, he lies ] Seb. Ay, or very falsely pocket up his report. Gon. Mcthinks, our garments are now as fresh as when we put them on first in Afric, at the mar- riage of the king's fair daughter Claribcl to the king of Tunis. Seb. 'Twas a sweet marriage, and we prosper well in our return. Adr. Tunis was never graced before with such a paragon to their queen. Gon. Not since widow Dido's time. Ant. Widow 1 a pox o' that ! how came thai widow in 1 Widow Dido ! Seb. What if he had said, widower ^neas too I good lord, how you take it ! Adr. Widow Dido, said you 1 you make me study of that : she was of Carthage, not of Tunis. Gon. This Tunis, sir, was Carthage. Adr. Carthage 1 Gon. I assure you, Carthage. Ant. His word is moi-e than the miraculous harp. Seb. He hath raised the walls, and houses too. Ant. What impossible matter will he make easy next 1 Seb. I think he will caiTy this island home in his pocket, and give it his son for an apple. Aiit. And, sewing the kernels of it in the sea, bring forth more islands. Gon. Ay 1 Ant. Why, in good time. Gon. Sir, we were talking, that our garments seem now as fresh, as when we were at Tunis at the marriage of your daughter, who is now queen. Ant. And the rarest that e'er came there. Seb. 'Bate, I beseech you, widow Dido. Ant. O, widow Dido ; ay, widow Dido. Ion. Is not, sir, my doublet as fresh as the first „. / I wore it 1 I mean, in a sort. Ant. That sort was well fish'd for. [riage 1 ion. When I wore it at your daughter's mar- Alon. You cram these words into mine can against The stomach of my sense : 'Would I had never Married my daughter there ! for, coming thence. My son is lost; and, in my rate, she too, Who is so far from Italy removed, I ne'er again shall sec her. O thou mine heir ' Sh.'ulc of color. TEMPEST. Act 11 Of Naples and of Milan, what strange fish Hath made his meal on thee ! Fran. Sir, he may live: ( saw him l)eat the surges under him, And ride upon their liacks; he trod the water, V.'hose enmity he fluns^ aside, and breasted The surge most swohi that met him: his bold head 'Bo\e the contentious waves he kept, and oar'd Himself with his good arms in lusty stroke To the shore, that o'er his wave-worn basis bow'd, As stooping to relieve him ; I not doubt, He came alive to land. Alun. No, no, he's gone. Seb. Sir, you may thank yourself for this great loss; Tliat would not bless our Europe with your daugh- ter, But rather lose her to an African ; Where she, at least, is banish'd from your eye. Who hath cause to wet the grief on't. AluJi. Pr'ythee, peace. Seb. You were kneel'd to, and importun'd other- wise By all of us; and the fair soul herself Weigh'd, between lothness and obedience, at Which end o' the beam she'd bow. We have lost your son, r fear, forever: Milan and Naples have More widows in thorn of this business' making. Than we bring men to comfort them: The fault's Your own. Alon. So is the dearest of the loss. Gon. My lord Sebastian, The truth you speak doth lack some gentleness. And time to speak it in: you rub the sore, When you should bring the plaster. Seb. Very well. A7i(. And most chirurgeonly. Gon. It is foul weather in us all, good sir, When you are cloudy. Seb. Foul weather? .4??/. Very foul. Gon. Had I a plantation of this isle, my lord, — Ant. He'd sow it with nettle-seed. Seb. Or docks, or mallows. Gon. And were the king of it, what would I do? Seb. 'Scape being drunk for want of wine. Gon. r the commonwealth I would by con- traries Execute all things: for no kind of traffic Would I admit; noliame of magistrate; Letters should not be known ; no use of service, Of riches or of poverty ; no contracts, 8 iccession ; bound of land, tilth, vineyard, none : No use of metal, corn, or wine, or oil : ^f o occupation ; all men idle, all ; And women, too; but innocent and pure: No sovereignty : — Seb. And yet he would be king on't. Ant. The latter end of his commonwealth for- gets the beginning. Gon. All things in common nature should pro- duce. Without sweat or endeavor: treason, felony, Bword. pike, knife, gun, or need of any engine. Would I not have ; but nature should bring forth, Of its own kind, all foison', all abundance, To feed mv hinocent people. ' Plenty. Seb. No marrying 'nong his subjects 1 Anf. None, man ; all idle ; whores and knaves Gon. I would with such perfection govern, sir. To excel the golden age. Seb, 'Save his majesty ! Ant. Long live Gonzalo! Gon. And, do you mark me, sir 1 — [tome Alon. Pry'thce, no more : thou dost talk nothing Gon. I do well believe your highness ; and did it to minister occasion to these gentlemen, who are of such sensil)le and nimble lungs, that they alw^ ays libc to laugh at nothing. Ant. 'Twas you we laugh'd at. Go7i. Who, in this kind of merry fooling, am nothing to you ; so you may continue, and laugh at nothing still. Ant. What a blow was there given ! Seb. An it had not fallen flat-long. Go77. You are gentlemen of brave metal: yon would lift the moon out of her sphere, if she would continue in it five weeks without changing. Enter Ariel invisible, playing solemn music. Seb. We would so, and then go a bat-fowling. Ant. Nay, good my lord, be not angry. Gon. No, I warrant you; I will not adventure my discretion so weakly. Will you laugh me asleep, for I am very heavy ] Ant. Go sleep and hear us. [All steep but Alon. Seb. and Ani. Alon. What, all so soon asleep ! I wish mine eyes Would, with themselves, shut up my thoughts: I find They are inclined to do so. Seb. Please you, sir, Do not omit the heavy oflfer of it ; It seldom visits sorrow : when it doth, It is a comforter. Ant- We two, my lord, Will guard your person, while you take your rest, And watch your safety. Alon. Thank you: wondrous heavy. — [Alonso sleeps. Exit Ariel. Seb. What a strange di^owsiness possesses them ! Ant. It is the quality o' the climate. Seb. Why Doth it not then our eyelids sinkl I find not Myself dispos'd to sleep. Ant. Nor I ; my spirits are nimble. They fell together all, as by consent; They dropp'd as by a thunder-stroke. V/hat might. Worthy Sebastian '! — O, what might 1 — No more : — And yet, mcthinks, I see it in thy face, What thou shouldst be : the occasion speaks thre ; and My strong imagination sees a crown Dropping upon thy head. Seb. What, art thou wakingl Ant. Do j'ou not hear me speak? Seb. I do ; and surely, It is a sleepy language ; and thou speak'st Out of thy sleep : What is it thou didst say? This is a strange repose, to be asleep With eyes wide open ; standing, speaking, moving And yet so fast asleep. Ant. Noble Sebastian, Thou let'st thy fortune sleep — die rather; wink'et Whiles thou art waking. BCENE 1. TEMPEST. Seb. Thou dost snore distinctly; There's meaning in thy snores. Ant. I am more serious than my custom: you Must be so too, if heed me-; which to do, Trebles thee o'er, Seb. Well ; I am standing water. Ant. I'll teach you how to flow. Seb. Do so: to ebb, Ifereditary sloth instructs me. Ajit. 0, If you but knew, how you the purpose cherish, Whiles thus you mock it! how, in stripping it, You more invest it ! Ebbing men, indeed. Most often do so near the bottom run, By their own fear, or sloth. Seb. Pr'ythce, say on: The setting of thine eye, and cheek, proclaim A matter from thee; and a birth, indeed. Which throes thee much to yield. Anf. Thus, sir, Although this lord of weak remembrance, this (Who shall be of as little memory. When he is earth'd.) hath here almost persuaded (For he's a spirit of persuasion only,) The king his son's alive : 'tis as impossible That he's undrown'd as he that sleeps here, swims. Seb. I have no hope That he's undrown'd. Ant. O, out of that no hope, What great hope have you ! no hope, that way, is Another way so high an hope, that even Ambition cannot pierce a wink beyond, But doubts discovery there. Will you grant, with me, That Ferdinand is drown'dl Seb. He's gone. Anf. Then, tell me, Who's the next heir of Naples ? Seb. Claribel. Ant. She that is queen of Tunis ; she that dwells Ten leagues beyond man's life; she that from Naples Can have no note, unless the sun were post, (The man i' the moon's too slow) till new-born chins Be rough and razoriil)Ie: she, from whom We were all sea-swallow'd, though some cast again ; And, b)' that, destin'il to perform an act, Whereof what's past is prologue ; what to come, In yours and my discharge. Seb. What stud' is this? — How say youl Tis true, my brother's daughter 's (jueen of Tunis ; So is she heir of Naples ; 'twixt which regions There is some space. A)it. A space whose every cubit Seems to cry out. How shall that Claribel Measure us back to Naples? — Keep in Tunis, And let Sebastian wake ! — Say, this were death That now hath seiz'd (liem; why, they were no worse Than now they are : there be, that can rule Naples As well as he that sleeps; lords, that can prate As amply, and unnecessarily. As this Gonzalo; I myself could make Achough^of asdecp chat. 0, that you bore The mind that I do ! what a sleep were this For your advancement ! Do you understand me ? Seb. Methinks I do. Ant. > And how does your content Tender your own good fortune ] • c A bird of the jackdaw kind. Seb. I remember, You did supplant your brother Prospero. Ant. True : And, look, how well my garments sit upon me; Much feater than before: My brother's servants Were then my fellows, now they are my men. Seb. But, for your conscience — Ant. Ay, sir; where lies that? if it were a kyb6^ 'Twould put me to my slipper; but I feel not This deity in my bosom : twenty consciences, That stand 'twixt me and Milan, candied be they. And melt, ere they molest! Here lies your brother^ No better than the earth he lies upon. If he were that which now he "s like ; whom I, With this obedient steel, three inches of it. Can lay to bed for ever: whiles you, doing thus, To the perpetual wink for aye might put This ancient morsel, this sir Prudence, who Should not upbraid our course. For all the rest, They'll take suggestion, as a cat laps milk; They'll tell the clock to any business that We say befits the hour. Seb. Thy case, dear friend, Shall be my precedent; as thou got'st Milan, I'll come by Naples. Draw thy sword: one stroke Shall free thee from the tribute Vvhich thou pay'st; And I the king shall love thee. Ant. Draw together: And when I rear my hand, do you the like, To fall it on Gonzalo: Seb. O, but one word ! [They converse apart, Music. Re-enter Auikl, invisible. Ari. My m aster through his art forsees the dange' That those, his friends, are in ; and sends me forthj (For else his project dies.) to keep them living. \_Sings in Gonzalo's ear While you here do snoring lie, Opcn-ey'd conspiracy His time doth take: ff of life you keep a care, Shake off slumber, and beware: Awake ! awake .' Ant. Then let us both be sudden. Gon. Now, good angels, preserve the king! [They ivake, Alan. Why, how now, ho ! awake ! Why are you drawn? Wherefore this ghastly looking? Gon. What's the matter? Seb. Whiles we stood here securing your repose, Even now, we heard a hollow burst of bellowing Like liuUs, or rather lions; did it not wake you? It struck mine ear most terribly. Ahm. I heard nothing. Ant. O, 'twas a din fo fright a monster's ear; To make an earthquake ! sure it was the roar Of a whole herd of lions. Alon. Heard you this, Gonz.iIo' Gon. Upon mine honor, sir, I heard a humming, And that a strange one too, which did awake me." I shak'd you, sir, and cry'd: as mine eyes open'd, I saw their weapons drawn : — there was a noise, That's verity : 'Best stan Alienation of mind. • Woody. • Surplus. •Pluto. 16 TEMPEST. Act I'V SONG. Juno. Honor, riches, 'marriage-hhssing, Lnng continuance, and increasing, Hourly joys be still upon you! Juno sitigs her blessings on you. Cer. EarlWs increase, andfoison* plenty; Barns, and garners never empty ; Vines with clusf.'ring bunches growing ; Plants, with goodly burden bowing ; Spring come to you at the farthest, In l/ie very end of harvest! Scarcity and want shall shun you; Oeres' blessing so is on you. Fer. This is a most majestic vision, and Harmonious charmingly : May I be bold To thinlv these spirits ! Pro, Spirits, which by mine art I have from their confines call'd to enact My present fancies. Fer. Let me live here ever ; So rare a wonder'd'^ father and a wife, Make this place paradise. [Juno and Ceuks whisper, and send Iris on employment. Pro. Sweet now, silence : Juno and Ceres whisper seriously ; There's something else to do : hush, and be mute, Or else our spell is marr'd. [d'ring brooks, Ins. You nymphs, call'd Naiads, of the wan- With your sedg'd crowns, and ever harmless looks. Leave your crisp channels, and on this green land Answer your summons ; Juno does command : Come, temperate nymphs, and help to celebrate A contract of true love ; be not too late. Enter certain Nymphs. You sunburn'd sicklcmen, of August weary, Come hither from the furrow, and be merry ; Make holy-day : your rye-straw hats put on. And these fresh nymphs encounter every one In country footing."" Enter certain reapers, properly habited: they join with the Nymphs in a graceful dance ,- towards the end whe7-eof Prospero starts suddenly atid speaks ,• after which, to a strange, hollow, and confused noise, they heavily vanish. Pro. \^Aside.'] I had forgot that foul conspiracy Of the beast Caliban, and his confederates, Against my life ; the minute of their plot Is almost come. — [To the Spirits.'] Well done ; — avoid ; — no more. Fer. This is most strange : your father's in some That works him strongly. [passion Mira. Never till this day, Saw I him touch'd with anger so distemper'd. Pro. You do look, my son, in a mov'd sort, As if you were dismay'd : be cheerful, sir : Our revels now are ended : these our actors, .\s I foretold you, were all spirits, and Are melted into air, into thin air ; And, like the baseless fabric of this vision. The cloud-capp'd towers, the gorgeous palaces. The solemn temples, the great globe itself. Yea, all which it inherits, shall dissolve ; i\.nd, like this insubstantial pageant faded. Leave not a rack behind : We are such stuff As dreams are made of, and our little life [s rounded with a sleep. — Sir, I am vexed ; Bear with my weakness : my old brain is troubled. Be not disturb'd with my infirmity : If you be pleas 'd, retire into my cell, * Abundance. «Al)le to produce such wonders. And there repose ; a turn or two I'll walk, To still my beating mind. Fer. Mira. We wish you peace. [Exeunt Pro. Come with a thought : — I thank you :— Ariel, come. Enter Ariel. Ari. Thy thoughts I cleave to : What's thy plea Pro. Spirit, [sure '' We must prepare to meet with Caliban. Ari, Ay, my commander: when I presented Ceres, I thought to have told thee of it ; but I fear'd, Lest I might anger thee. [vailets \ Pro. Say again, where didst thou leave these Ari. I told you, sir, they were red hot with So full of valor, that they smote the air [drinking For breathing in their faces ; beat the ground For kissing of their feet ; yet always bending Towards their project : Then I beat my tabor, At which, like unback'd colts, they prick'd their ears . Advanc'd their eyelids, lifted up their noses. As they smelt music: so I charm'd their ears. That, calf-like, they my lowing follow'd, through Tooth'd briers, sharp furzes, pricking goss, and thorns. Which entcr'd their frail shins ; at last I left them I' the filthy mantled pool beyond your cell. There dancing up to the chins, that the foul lake O'er-stunk their feet. Pro. This was well done, my bird. Thy shape invisible retain thou still : The trumpery in my house, go, bring it hither, For stale' to catch these thieves. Ari. I go, I go. [Exit. Pro. A devil, a born devil, on whose nature Nurture' can never stick ; on whom my pains, Humanely taken, all, all lost, quite lost ; And as, with age, his body uglier grows, So his mind cankers : I will plague them all, Re-enter Ariel, loaden with glistering apparel, <^c. Even to roaring : — Come, hang them on this line. Prospero and Ariel remain invisible. Enter Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo, all wet. Cal. Pray you, tread softly, that the blind mole may not Hear a foot fall ; we now are near his cell. Sfe. Monster, j'our fairy, which, you say, is a harmless fairy, has done little better than played the Jack* with us. Trin. Monster, I do smell all horse-piss, at which my nose is in great indignation. Ste. So is mine. Do you hear, monster 1 If I should take a displeasure against you ; look you.— Trin. Thou wert but a lost monster. Cal. Good, my lord, give me thy favor still : Be patient, for the prize I'll bring thee to Shall hood-wink this mischance: therefore, speak All's hush'd as midnight yet. [softly, Tri?!. Ay, but to lose our bottles in the pool,— Ste. There's not only disgrace and dishonor in that, monster, but an infinite loss. 7'rm. That's more to me than my wetting : yef this is your harmless fairy, monster. Ste. I will fetch off my botttle, though I be o'e- cars for my labor. • Bait. * EducatiDu. • Jack with a lantrri*. mCT V. Scene I. TEMPEST. 17 Cal. Pr'ytliec, my king, be quiet: Seest thou here, This is the mouth of the cell : no noise, and enter : Do tliat good mischief, whieli may malic tliis island Thine own for ever, and I, thy Caliban, For aye thy foot-Hcker. Ste. (live me thy hand: I do begin to have bloody thoughts. Ti'in. king S''phano! peer! worthy Stephnno ! look, v/hat a wardrobe here is for thee ! Cal. Let it alone, thou fool ; it is but trash. Trin. 0, ho, monster ; we know what belongs to a frippery ' : - king Stcphano ! >SVe. Tut off rhat gown, Trinculo ; by this hand, I'll have that gown. Trin. Thy grace shall have it. CaL The dropsy drown this fool ! what do you mean. To doat thus on such luggage 1 Let's along, And do the murder first: if he awake. From toe to crown he'll fill our skins with pinches; Make us strange stuff. Sfe. Be you quiet, monster. — Mistress line, is not this my jerkin 1 Now is the jerkin under the line: now, jerkin, j'ou are like to lose your hair, and prove a bald jerkin. Trin. Do, do: We steal by line and level, a'nt like your grace. Ste. I thank thee for that jest; here's a garment for't: wit shall not go unrewarded, while I am king of this country: Steal by lint and level, is an ex- cellent pass of pate ; there's another garment for't. Trin. Monster, come, put some lime ' upon your fingers, and away with the rest. Cal. I will have none on't: we shall lose ouriime, And all be turn'd to barnacles, or to apes With foreheads villainous low. Ste. Monster, lay-to your fingers; help to bea} this away, where my hogshead of wine is, or Fl'l turn you out of my kingdom ; go to, carry tliis. Trin. And this. Ste. Ay, and this. A noise of hunters heard. Enter divers Sptritg, in shape of hounds, and hunt them about; PnosPEno and Auiel setting thtm en. Pro. Hey, Mountain^ hey! Ari. Silver! vhere it goes, Silver! Fro. Fury! Fury! there. Tyrant, there ! haik, hark! [Cal., Ste., and Trin-. are driven out. Go, charge my goblins that they grind their joint! With dry convulsions; shorten up their sinews With aged cramps ; and more pinch-spotted mak« them. Than pard', or cat o' mountain. Ari. Hark, they roar. Fro. Let them be hunted soundly: at tliis hour Lie at my mercy all mine enemies: Shortly shall all my labors end, and thou Shalt have the air at freedom: for a little, Follow, and do me service. [Exew^ ACT Y. SCENE I.— Before the Cell of Piospem. Enter Prospero in his magic robes, and Ahiel. Pro. Now does my project gather to a head : My charms crack not; my spirits obey; and time Goes upright with his carriage. How's the day ? Ari. On the sixth hour; at which time, my lord. You said our work should cease. Fro. I did say so, When first I rais'd the tempest. Say, my spirit, How fares the king and liisT Ari. Confin'd together In the same fashion as you gave in charge; Juit as you left them, sir; all prisoners In the lime-grove which weather-fends^ your cell; They cannot budge, till you release. The king, His brother, and yours, abide all three distracted; And the remainder mourning over them. Brim-full of sorrow and dismay; but chiefly H'm you term'd, sir. The good old lord, Gonzalo; His tears run down his beard, like winter's drops From eaves of reeds : your charm so strongly works them, Thiit if you now beheld them, your affections Wo lid become tender. Pro. Dost thou think so, spirit ] An. Mine would, sir, were I human. Pro. And mine shall. Hast thou, which art but air, a touch, a feeling Of their afflictions? and shall not myself. One of llieir kind, that relish all as sharply » A shop for salu of old clothes. * Defends from had weather. Passion as they, be kindlier mov'd than thou arti Though with their high wrongs I am struck to the quick, Yet, with my nobler reason, 'gainst my fury Do I take part: the rarer action is In virtoc than in vengeance : they being penitent, The sole drift of my purpose doth extend Not a frown further ; Go, release them, Ariel , My charms Fll break, their senses I'll restore, And they shall be themselves. Ari. Fll fetch them, sir. [Exit. Pro. Ye elves of hills, brooks, standing lakes, and groves; And ye, that on the sands with printless foot Do chase the ebbing Neptune, and do fly him. When he comes back ; you demy-puppets, that By moon-shine do the green-sour rmglets make. Whereof the ewe not bites; and you, whose pastime Is to make midnight-mushrooms; that rejoice To hear the solemn curfew ; by whose aid (Weali masters though you be) I have be-dimm'd The noon-tide sun, call'd forth tlie mutinous winds, And 'twixt the green sea and the azur'd vault Set roaring war: to the dread rattling thunder Have I given fire, and rifted Jove's stout oak With his own bolt : the strong-bas'd promontory Have I made shake; and by the spurs pluck'd up The pine, and cedar : graves, at my command, Have wak'd their sleepers; oped, and led them fortb By my so potent art: But this rough magic I here abjure: and, when I have requir'd ' Bird-lime. ' Leopard 18 TEMPEST. Act V fi Aside. Pro. My tricksy' spirit! ) Alon. These are not natural events; they strengthen From strange to stranger: — Say, how came yoi. hither 1 Boats. If I did think, sir, I were well awake, I'd strive to tell you. We were dead of sleep, And (how, wo know not") all clapp'd under hatches, Where, but even now, with strange and several noises Of roaring, shrieking, howling, gingling chains. And more diversity of sounds, all horrible. We were awak'd; straightway, at liberty: Where we, in all her trim, freshly beheld Our royal, good, and gallant ship; our master Cap'ring to eye her: On a trice, so please you. Even in a dream, were we divided from them, And were brought moping hither. Ari. Was't well done 1 ) Pro. Bravely, my diligence. Thou > Aside. shalt be free. ) Alon. This is as strange a maze as e'er men tr>d' And there is in this business more than natur*» Was ever conduct^ of: some oracle Must rectify our knowledge. Pro. Sir, my liege. Do not infest your mind with beating on The strangeness of this business ; at pick'd ieisuTC, Which shall be shortly, single I'll resolve you (Which to you shall seem probable) of every These happen'd accidents: till when, be cheerful, And think of each thing well. — Come hithei spirit ; [Aside. Set Caliban and his companions free: Untie the spell. [Exit AniEL.] How fare % my gracious sir? There are yet missing of your company Some few odd lads, that you remember not. Re-enter Ariel, t/ny/w^/n Caliba>,Stephano, and Trixcclo, in their stolen apparel. Ste. Every man shift for all the rest, and letn« man take care for himself; for all is but fortune:— Coragio, bully-monster, Coragio! ' Ready. » Clever, adroit. • Conductor. 80 TEMPEST. Act "V Trln. If these be true spies which I wear in my feead, here's a goodly sight. Cal. O Setcbos, these be brave spirits, indeed ! How fine my master is! I am afraid He will chastise me. Seb, Ho, ha; What things are these, my lord Antoniol Will money buy them"? Ant. Very lilie, one of them Is a plain fish, and, no doubt, marketable. Pro. Mark but the badges of these men, my lords, Then say, if they be true'': — This mis-shapen knave, His mother was a witch; and one so strong Tliat could control the moon, make flows and ebbs, And deal in her command, without her power: These three have robb'd me ; and this demi-devil ^For he's a bastard one) had plotted with them To take my life : two of these fellows you Must know, and own ; this thing of darkness I Acknowledge mine. Cal. I shall be pinch'd to death. Alon. Is not this Stephano, my drunken butler? Seb. He is drunk now: Where had he wine? .Alon. And Trinculo is reeling ripe: Where should they Find this grand liquor that hath gilded them 1 — How cam'st thou in this pickle] Trin. I have been in such a pickle, since I saw vou last, that, I fear me, will never out of my bones : I shall not fear fly-blowing. Seh. Why, how now, Stephano? Ste. 0, touch me not; I am not Stephano, but a cramp. Pro. You'd be king of the isle, sirrah 1 Ste. I should have been a sore one then. Alon. This is as strange a thing as e'er I look'd on. [Pointing to Caliban. Pro. He is as disproportion'd in his manners, As in his shape: — Go, sirrah, to my cell; Take with you your companions; as you look To have my pardon, trim it handsomely. Cal. Ay, that I will ; and I'll be wise hercaftei And seek for grace: What a thrice-double as« Was I, to take this drunkard for a god, And worship this dull fool ] Pro. Go to ; away ! Alon. Hence, and bestow your luggage whew you found it. Seb. Or stole it, rather. [Exeunt Cal., Ste., and Thin. Pro. Sir, I invite your highness, and your train, To my poor cell: where you shall take your rest For this one night; which (part of it) I'll waste With such discourse, as, I not doubt, shall make ^^ Go quick away : the story of my life, And the particular accidents gone by. Since I came to this isle: And in the morn, I'll bring you to your ship, and so to Naples, Where I have hope to see the nuptial Of these our dear-beloved solemniz'd; And thence retire me to my Milan, where Every third thought shall be my grave. Alon. I long To hear the story of your life, which must Take the ear strangely. Pro. I'll deliver all; And promise you calm seas, auspicious gales, And sail so expeditious, that shall catch Your royal ficet far off. — My Ariel ; — chick, That is thy charge ; then to the elements Be free, and fare thou well ! — [Aside."] Please yo« draw near. [Exeunt, EPILOGUE— S;)o/.-e?i by Prospero. I^ow my charms are all o'erlfirown, And what strength I have's mine own ; Which is most faint : tiow, 'tis true, I must he here confined by you. Or sent to Naples: Let me not, Since I have my dukedom got. And pardoned the deceiver, dwell In this bare island, by your spell; But release me from 7ny bands. With the help of your good hands." Honest. • Applause ; noise was supposed to disBolre a Gentle breath of yours my sails Must Jill, or else my project fails. Which was to please : Now I want Spirits to enforce, art to enchant; And my ending is despair, Unless I be relieved by prayer; Wliich pierces so, that it assaults Mercy itself, and frees all faults. As you from crimes would pardoned be, Let your indulgence set me free. TWO GENTLEMEN OF YERONA. PERSONS REPRESENTED. Father to Silvia. '' > Gentlemen of Verona. UcKE OF Milan Vale NT PnOTEUS Antonio, Father to Proteus. Tiirnio, a foolish Rival to Valentine. EoLAMoun, Agent for Silvia in her Escape. Speed, a clownish Servant to Valentine. Launce, Servant to Proteus. Panthino, Servant to Antonio. Host luhere Julia lodges in Milan. Outlaws. Julia, a Lady q/" Verona, beloved hy Proteus. Silvia, the Duke's Daughter, helovedby Valentine LucETTA, Waiting-woman to Julia. Servants, Musicians. SCENE, sometimes in Verona: sometimes in Milan: and on the Frontiers of Mantua- ACT I. SCENE I. — An open Place in Verona. £«/er Valentine and Proteus. Val. Cease to persuade, my loving Proteus; Home-keeping youth have ever homely witb : Wer't not affection chains thy tender days To the sweet glances of thy honor'd love, r rather would entreat thy company. To see the wonders of the world abroad, Than living dully sluggardiz'd at home. Wear out thy youth with shapeless idleness. But, since thou lov'st, love still, and thrive therein, Even as I would, when I to love begin. Pro. Wilt thou begone 1 Sweet Valentine, adieu ! Think on thy Proteus, when thou, haply, seest Some rare note-worthy object in thy travel : Wish me partaker in thy happiness. When thou dost meet good hap ; and, in thy danger. If ever danger do environ thee. Commend thy grievance to my holy prayers, For I will be thy bead's-man, Valentine. Val. And on a love-book pray for my success. Pro. Upon some book I love, I'll pray for thee. Val. That's on some shallow story of deep love. How young liCandcr cross'd the Hellespont. Pro. That's a deep story of a deeper love; For he was more than over shoes in love. Val. 'Tis true; for you are over boots in love. And yet you never swam the Hellespont. Pro. Over the boots? nay, give me not the boots.' Val. No, I'll not, for it boots thee not. Pro. Whati Val. To be i A hnmorous punishment at harTcst-home feasts, &c. 3 In love, where scorn is bought with groans; coj looks. With heart-sore sighs; one fading moment's miilh, With twenty watchful, weary, tedious nights* If haply won, perhaps, a hapless gain ; If lost, why then a grievous labor won ; However, but a folly bought with wit. Or else a wit by folly vanquished. Pro. So, by your circumstance, you call me fool, Val. So, by your circumstance, I fear, you'll prov«. Pro. 'Tis love you cavil at; I am not love. Val. Love is your master, for he masters yoH And he that is so yoked by a fool, Methinks should not be chronicled for wise. Pro. Yet writers say, As in the sweetest bud The eating canker dwells, so eating love Inhabits in the finest wits of all. Val. And writers say, As the most forward bnd Is eaten by the canker ere it blow. Even so by love the young and tender wit Is turn'd to folly; blasting in the bud, Losing its verdure even in the prime. And all the fair effects of future hopes. But wherefore waste I time to counsel thee, That art a votary to fond desire 1 Once more adieu: my father at the road Expects my coming, there to see me shipp'd. Pro. And thither will I bring thee, Valentine- Fa/. Sweet Proteus, no ; now let us take our leave At Milan let me hear from thee by letters, Of thy success in love, and what news else Betidcth here in absence of thy friend; And I likewise will visit thee with mine. Pro. All happiness beclianee to thee in Milan! Val. As much to you at home ! and so farewell ! [Exit Valfntinb 21 22 TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA. Act 1. Pro. He after honor hunts, I after love : He leaves his friends to dignify them more ; [ leave myself, my friends, and all for love. Thou, Julia, thou hast metamorphos'd me ; Made me neglect my studies, lose my time, War with good counsel, set the world at nought ; Made wit with musing weak, heart sick with thought. Enter Speed. Speed. Sir Proteus, save you : saw you my master 1 Pro. But now he parted hence, to embark for Milan. Speed. Twenty to one then he is shipp'd already ; And I have played the sheep in losing him. Pro. Indeed a sheep doth very often stray, An if the shepherd be awhile away. Speed. You conclude that my master is a shep- herd, then, and I a sheep ? Pro. I do. Speed. Why then my horns are his horns, whether I wake or sleep. Pro. A silly answer, and fitting well a sheep. Speed. This proves me still a sheep. Pro. True ; and thy master a shepherd. Speed. Nay, that I can deny by a circumstance. Pro. It shall go hard, but I'll prove it by another. Speed. The shepherd seeks the sheep, and not the sheep the shepherd ; but I seek my master, and my master seeks not me ; therefore, I am no sheep. Pro. The sheep for fodder follow the shepherd, the shepherd for food follows not the sheep ; thou for wages followest thy master, thy master for wages follows not thee : therefore thou art a sheep. Speed. Such another proof will make me cry baa. Pro. But dost thou hear 1 gav'st thou my letter to Julia? Speed. Ay, sir : I, a lost mutton, gave your letter to her, a laced mutton ;* and she, a laced mutton, gave me, a lost mutton, nothing for my labor. Pro. Here's too small a pasture for such a store of muttons. Speed. If the ground be overcharged, you were best stick her. P>-o. Nay, in that you are astray, 'twere best pound you. Speed. Nay, sir, less than a pound shall sei-ve nie for carrying your letter. Pro. You mistake ; I mean the pound, a pinfold. Speed. From a pound to a pin 1 fold it over and over, [lover. 'Tis threefold too little for carrying a letter to your Pro. But what said she ? did she nod 1 [Speed nods. Speed. I. Pro. Nod, I ? why, that's noddy .^ Speed. You mistook, sir; I say, she did nod: and you ask me, if she did nod ; and I say, I. Pi-o. And that set together, is — noddy. Speed. Now you have taken the pains to set it together, take it for your pains. [letter. Pro. No, no, you shall have it for bearing the Speed. Well, I perceive, I must be fain to bear with you. Pro. Why, sir, how do you bear with me 7 Speed. Marry, sir, the letter very orderly ; having nothing but the word," noddy, for my pains. Pro Beshrew me, but you have a quick wit. • A term for a cturteiau. » A game at cards. Speed. And yet it cannot overtake your slov* purse. Pro. Come, come, open the matter in brief: What said she 1 Speed. Open your purse, that the money, and the matter, may be both at once delivered. Pro. Well, sir, here is for your pains : What said she 1 Speed. Truly, sir, I think you'll hardly win her. Pro. Why ? Couldst thou perceive so much from her 1 Speed. Sir, I could perceive nothing at all from her ; no, not so much as a ducat for delivering your letter : And being so hard to me that brought your mind, I fear she'll prove as hard to you in telling you her mind. Give her no token but stones ; for she's as hard as steel. Pro. What, said she nothing 1 Speed. No, not so much as take this for thy pains. To testify your bounty, I thank you, you have testern'd' me ; in requital whereof, hencelorth carry your letters yourself: and so, sir, I'll commend you to my master. Pro. Go, go, begone, to save your ship from Which cannot perish, having thee aboard, [wreck ; Being destined to a drier death on shore : I must go send some better messenger ; I fear, my Julia would not deign my lines. Receiving them from such a worthless post. [^Exeunt, SCENE II. — The same. Garden o/ Julia's house. Enter Julia and Lucetta. Jul. But say, Lucetta, now we are alone, Wouldst thou then counsel me to fall in love ? Luc. Ay, madam, so you stumble not unheed- Jut. Of all the fair resort of gentlemen, [fully. That every day with parle encounter me, In thy opinion, which is worthiest love ? Luc. Please you, repeat their names, I'll show iny mind According to my shallow simple skill. Jul. What think'st thou of the fair Sir Eglamoui ? Luc. As of a knight well spoken, neat and fine ; But were I you, he never should be mine. Jul. What think'st thou of the rich Mercatio ? Luc. Well of his wealth; but of himself, so, so. Jul. What think'st thou of the gentle Proteus? Luc. Lord, lord ! to see what folly reigns in us ! Jul. How now ! what means this passion at hi« name 1 Luc. Pardon, dear madam ; 'tis a passing shaiB% That I, unworthy body as I am. Should censure' thus on lovely gentlemen. Jul. Why not on Proteus, as of all the rest? Luc. Then thus, of many good I think hia Jul. Your reason ] [best Luc. I have no other but a woman's reason; I think him so, because I think him so. Jul. And wouldst thou have me cast my 1oy« on himl Luc. Ay, if you thought your love not cast away. Jul. Why, he of all the rest, hath never mov'd me. Luc. Yet he, of all the rest, I think, best loves ye Jul. His little speaking shows his love but small. Luc. Fire, that is closest kept, burns most of all. Jul. They do not love, that do not show their love. Luc. O, they love least, that let men know theii Jul. I would I knew his mind. [love * Given me a sixpence. » Pass sentence. Scene II. TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA. 2h Luc. Peruse this paper, madam. Jul. To Julia,- — Say, from whom 1 Luc. That the contents will show. Jul. Say, say ; who gave it thee ? Luc. Sir Valentine's page; and sent, I think, from Proteus: He would have given it you, but I, being in the way, Did in your name receive it; pardon the fault, I pray. Jul. Now, by my modesty, a goodlj^ broker!' Dare you presume to harbor wanton lines ] To whisper and conspire against my youth] Now, trust me, 'tis an office of great worth, And you an officer fit for the place, There, take the paper, see it be return'd; >r else return no more into my sight. Luc. To pUii»J for love deserves more fee than hate. Jul. Will yoii begone? Luc. That you may ruminate. [^Exit. Jul. And yet, I would I had o'crlook'd the letter. It were a shame to call her back again, And pray her to a fault for which I chid her. What fool is she, that knows I am a maid. And would not force the letter to my view] Since maids, in modesty, say Nn, to that Which they would have the profferer construe, Ay. Fie, fie! how wayward is this foolish love. That, like a testy babe, will scratch the nurse, And presently, all humbled, kiss the rod! How churlishly I chid Lucetta hence. When willingly I would have had her here ! How angrily I taught my brow to frown. When inward joy enforc'd my heart to smile ! My penance is, to call Lucetta back. And ask remission for my folly past: — What ho ! Lucetta ! Re-enter Lucetta. Luc. What would your ladyship] Jul. Is it near dinner time ] Luc. I would it were ; That you might kill your stomach'^ on your meat. And not upon your maid. Jul. What is't you took up So gingerly ] Luc. Nothing. Jul. Why didst thou stoop then ] Luc. To take a paper up that I let fall. Jul. And is that paper nothing] Luc. Nothing concerning me. Jul. Then let it lie for tliose that it concerns. Luc. Madam, it will not lie where it concerns. I niess it have a false interpreter. Jul. Some love of yours hath writ to you in rhyme. Luc. That I might sing it, madam, to a tune: Give me a note: your ladyship can set. /(./. As little by such toys as maybe possible; IJest sing it to the tune of Light o' love. Luc. It is too heavy for so light a tune. Jul. Heavy ] belike it hath some burden, then. Luc. Ay; and melodious were it, would you sing it. Jul. And why not you] Luc. I cannot reach so high. Jul. Let's see your song : — How now, minion ] Luc. Keep tunc there still, so you will sing it out: ^nd yet, methinks, I do not like this tune. Jul. You do not? ' M»t Pant. 'Twas of his nephew Proteus, your son Ant. Why, what of him ] Pant. He wonder'd that your lordshif Would suffer him to spend his youth at home ; While other men, of slender reputation,' ' A term in music. • The tenor in music. • A challenge. » Bustle, stir. * Serious. » Little consequennn 24 TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA. Act. n Put forth their sons to seek preferment out: Some, to he wars, to try their fortune there j Some, to liiscover islands far away; Some, to tlie studious Universities. For any, or for all these exercises, He naid, that Proteus, your son, was meet; And did re(iuest me to importune you. To let him spend liis time no more at home, Which would be great impeachment^ to his age, In having known no travel in his youth. Ant. Nor need'st thou much importune me to that Whereon this month I have been hammering. I have consider'd well his loss of time ; And how he cannot be a perfect man, Not being try'd and tutor'd in the world : Experience is by industry achiev'd. And perfected by the swift couise of time: Then, tell me, whither were I best to send him 1 Pant. I think, your lordship is not ignorant. How his companion, youthful Valentine, Attends the emperor in his royal court. Anf. I know it well. Pant. 'Twere good, I think, your lordship sent him thither: There shall lie practise tilts and tournaments, Hear sweet discourse, conver.se with noblemen , And be in eye of every exercise Worthy his youth and nobleness of birth. Aut. I like thy counsel; well hast thou advis'd: And that thou mayst perceive how well I like it, The execution of it shall make known; Even with the speediest execution I will dispatch him to the emperor's court. Pant. To-morrow, may it please you, Don Al- phonso. With other gentlemen of good esteem. Are journeying to salute the emperor. And to commend their service to his will. Ant. Good company; with them shall Proteus go; And, in good time, — now will we break with him.'' Enter Photeus. Pro. Sweet love ! sweet lines ! sweet life ! Here is her hand the agent of her heart ; Here is her oath for love, her honor's pawn : O, that our fathers would applaud our loves, To seal our happiness with their consents ! O heavenly Julia ! Ant. How now 1 what letter are you readiaj tliere 1 Pro. May't please your lordship, 'tis a word oi two Of commendation sent from Valentine, Dcliver'd by a friend that came from him. Ant. Lend me the letter ; let me see whatnewa Pro. There is no news, my lord ; but that ha writes How happily he lives, how well belov'd. And daily graced by the emperor; Wishing me with him, partner of his fortune. Ant. And how stand you affected to his wisv^ • Pro. As one relying on your lordship's will, And not depending on his friendly wish. Ant. My will is something sorted with his wislt Muse^ not that I thus suddenly proceed ; For what I will, I will, and there an end. I am resolv'd, that thou shalt spend some time With Valentinus in the emperor's court; What maintenance he from his friends receives. Like exhibition'' thou shalt have from me. To-morrow be in readiness to go; Excuse it not, for I am peremptory. Pro. My lord, I cannot be so soon provided » Please you, deliberate a day or two. Ant. Look, what thou want'st shall be sent allei thee : No more of stay ; to-morrow thou must go. — Come on, Panthino ; you shall be employ'd To hasten on his expedition. [Exeunt Ant. and Pant. Pro. Thus have I shunn'd the fire, for fear of burning ; And drench'd me in the sea, where I amdrown'd: I fear'd to show my father Julia's letter, Ijest he should take exceptions to my love ; And with the vantage of mine own excuse Hath he excepted most against my love. (), how this spring of love resembleth The uncertain glory of an April day » Which now shows all the beauty of the sun. And by and by a cloud takes all away ! Re-enter Panthino. Pant. Sir Proteus, your father calls for you , He is in haste, therefore, I pray you, go. Pro. Why, this it is : my heart accords thereto , And yet a thousand times it answers, no. [Exeu7it, ACT II. SCENE I.— Milan. An Apartment in the Duke's Palace. Enter Valentine and Speed Sf itd. Sir, your glove. . VaL Not mine : my gloves are on. Speel. Why then this may be yours, for this is but one. Val. Ha ! let me see : ay give it me, it's mine : — Bweet ornament that decks a thing divine ! \h Silvia ! Silvia ! Speed. Madam Silvia ! madam Silvia ! Val. How now, sirrah ? Speed. She is not within hearing, sir. Val. Why, sir, who bade you call her 7 Speed. Your worship, sir ; or else I mistook. ^al. Well, you'll still be too forward. « Reproach. » Break the matter to him. Speed. And yet I was last chidden for being foe slow. Val. Go to, sir; tell me, do you knew madaiu Silvia ? Speed. She that your worship loves ! Val. Why, how know you that I am in love 't Speed. Marry, by these special marks : First, you have learned, like sir Proteus, to wreath your arms like a male-content; to relish a love-song, like a robin-red-breast ; to walk alone, like one that hao the pestilence ; to sigh, like a school-boy that had lost his A, B, C ; to weep, like a young wench thai had buried her grandam ; to fast, like one that takes diet ;• to watch, like one that fears robbing ; to sjieak puling, like a beggar at Hallowmas.' You were wont, when you laughed, to crow like a cock ; when • Wonder. ' Allijtrance. • Under a regimen. »AllhalIowma&9, BCENK 1 TAVO OENTLEMEN OF VERONA. 2» you walke;!, to walk like one of tlie lions ; when you fasted, it was presently after dinner; when you looked sadly, it was for want of money ; and now you arc metamorphosed with a mistress, that, when r look on you, I ean hardly think you my master. Val. Are all these things perceived in nic ? Speed. They are all perceived without you. Val. Without me 1 They cannot. Speed. Without you 1 nay, that's certain, for without you were so simple, none else would : hut you are so without these follies, that these follies arc within j-ou, and shine through you like the water in a urinal ; that not an eye, that sees you, liul is a phj'sician to comment on your malady. Val. IJut, tell me, dost thou know nry lady Silvia? Speed. She, tliat you gaze on ,so, as she sits at supper? Val. Hast thou observed that ? even she I mean. Speed. Why, sir, I know lier not. Val. Dost thou know her by my gazing on her, and yet know'st her not 1 Speed. Is she not hard favored, sir 1 Val. Not S6 fair, boy, as well favored. ■Speed. Sir, I know that well enooigh. VaL What dost thou know 1 Speed. That she is not so fair, as (of you) well favored. Val. I mean, that her beauty is exquisite, but her favor infinite. Speed. That's because the one is painted, and the other out of all count. Val. How painted ? and how out of count ? Speed. Marry, sir, so painted, to make her fair, that no man counts of her beauty. Val. How esteemest thou me ? I account of her beauty. Speed. You never saw her since she was de- tormed. VaL How long hath she been deformed ? Speed. Ever since you loved her. Val. I have loved her ever since I saw her; and still I see her beautiful. Speed. If you love her, vou cannot see her. Vdl. Why? Speed- Because love is blind. O, that you had mine eyes ; or your own had the lights they were wont to have, when j'ou chid ;)t sir Proteus for going ungartered. Val. What should I see then ? Speed. Your own present folly, and her passing defonnity : for he, bemg in love, could not see to garter his hose ; and you, being in love, cannot see to put on your hose. Val. Belike, boy, then you arc in love ; for last morning 3fOU could not see to wipe niy shoes. Speed. True, sir; I was in love with my bed; [ thank you, you swinged' me for my love, which makes me the bolder to chide you for yours. Val. In conclusion, I stand affected to her. Speed. I would you were set ; so, j'our affec- lion would cease. Val. Last night she enjoined me to write some lines to one she loves. Speed. And have you? I'al. I have. Speed. Are they uot lamely writ? Val. No, boy, but as well a.s I can do them : — ".^acc, here she comes. ' Whipped. Enter Silvia. Speed. O excellent motion ! ' O exceeding pup pet! now will he interpret to her. Val. Madam and mistress, a thousand good- morrows. Speed. 0, give you good even ! here's a million of manners. [Aside. Sil. Sir Valentine and servant, to you two thou- sand. Speed. He should give her interest ; and she gives it him. [Aside. Val. As you enjoin'd me, I have WTit your letter, Unto the secret nameless friend of yours ; Which I was much unwilling to proceed in. But for my duty to your ladyship. SV/. Sir Proteus, as I take it. Pro. Sir Proteus, gentle lady, and your servant. iSV/. What is j'our will ? Pro. That I may compass yours. »SV/. You have j'our wish ; my will is even this, — That presently you hie you home to bed. Tho\i subtle, pcrjur'd, false, disloyal man ! Think'st thou, I am so shallow, so conceitless, To be seduced by thy flattery. That hast dcceiv'd so many with thy vows ? Return, return, and make thy love amends. For me, — by this pale queen of night I swear, I am so far from granting thy request, f hat I despise thee for thy wrongful suit ; Ai.vl by and by intend to chide myself, Even for this time I spend in talking to thee. Pro. I grant, sweet love, that I did love a lady ; But she is dead. Jul 'Twcre folsc, if I should speak it ; F .)r I ^m srui* she is not buried. [Aside. Sil. S:i3' that she be ; yet Valentine, thy friend, Burvives; to whom, thyself art witness, I am betrothed : And art thou not asham'd To wrong him with thy importiinacy 1 Pro. I likewise hear, that Valentine is dead. «S'/7. And so, suppose, am I ; for in his grave Assure thyself my love is buried. I'ro. Sweet lady, let me rake it from the earth. Sil. Go to th; lady's grave, and call her's thence ; Or, at the least, in her's sepulchre thine. 'i/7. He heard not that. [Aside. Pro. Madam, if your heart be so obdfirate, Vouchsafe me yet your j icture for my love, The pictuc that is hanging in your chamber; • Beyond a6s, I do desire thy worthy company. Upon whose faith and honor I repose. Urge not my father's anger, Eglamour But think upon my grief, a lady's grie'; And on the justice of my flying hence, To keep mc from a most unholy match. Which heaven and fortune still reward witk I do desire thee, even from a heart [plagues As full of sorrows as the sea of sands. To bear me company, and go with me : If not, to hide what I have said to thee, That I may venture to depart alone. Egl. Madam, I pity much your grievances : Which since I know they virtuously are plac'd I give consent to go along with you ; Recking* as little what betideth me, • Holy cliimc, Wesscd lady. > Compassionate. « Injunction, cominan4 ' Caring. 36 TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA. Act IV. Scene IV As imich I wish all good befortune you. When will you go ? >SV/. This evening coming. Egl. Where shall I meet you ? Sil. At friar Patrick's cell, vVhere I intc'iiJ holy confession. Egl. I will not fail your ladyship : Good-morrow, gentle lady. Sil. (lood-morrow, kind sir Eglamour. [Exeunt. SCENE lY.— The same. Enter Launce, with his dog. \\ hen a man's servant shall play the cur vdth him, .■lok you, it goes hard : one that I brought up of a |-u].))y ; one that I saved from drowning when three or tour of his blind brothers and sisters went to it ! 1 have taught him — even as one would say pre- niscly, Thus I would teach a dog. I was sent to deliver him, as a present to mistress Silvia, from my master ; and I came no sooner into the dining- chamber, but he steps me to her trencher, and steals her capon's leg. O, 'tis a foul thing when a cur cannot keep' himself in all companies ! I would have, as one should say, one that takes upon him to be a dog indeed, to be, as it were, a dog at all things. If I had not had more wit than he, to take a fiiult upon me that he did, I think verily he had been hanged for't ; sure as I live, he had suffered for't : you shall judge. He thrusts me himself into the company of three or four gentlemen-like dogs, under the duke's table : he had not been there (bless the mark ! ) a pissing while ; but all the cham- ber smelt him. Out with the dog, says one ; What cur is that P says another ; Whip him out, says the third ; Hang him up, says the duke. I, having been acquainted with the smell before, knew it was Crab ; and goes me to the fellow that whips the dogs : Friend, quoth I, you mean to whip the dog ? Ay, marry, do I, quoth he. You do him the more wrong, quoth I ; 'twas I did the thing you wot of. He makes me no more ado, but whips me out of the chamber. How many masters would do this for their servant ? Nay, I'll be sworn, I have sat in the stocks for puddings he hath stolen, other- wise he had been executed ; I have stood on the pillorj' for geese he hath killed, otherwise he had suiTered for't : thou think'st not of this now ! — Nay, I remember the trick you served me, when I took my leave of madam Silvia ; did not I bid thee still mark me, and do as I do ? "When didst thou see me heave up my leg, and make water against a gentlewoman's farthingale ? didst thou ever see n e do such a trick] Enter Proteus and Julia. P.i :'. Sebastian is thy name 1 I like thee well, \\A will employ thee in some service presently. Jul. In what you please ; I will do what I can. Pro. I hope thou wilt. — How now, you whore- son peasant 1 [To Launce. Where have you been these two days loitering ? Laun. Marry, sir, I carried mistress Silvia the dog you bade me. Pro. And what says she to my little jewel? Laun. MaiTy, she says, your dog was a cur : and tells you, currish thanks is good enough for such a present. Pro. But she received my dog ? Laun. No, indeed, she did not: here have T »rought him back again. 1 Kestrain. Pro. What, didst thou offer her this from me' Laun. Ay, .sir; the other squiiTel was stolen from me by the liangman's boys in the market-place: and then I offered her mine own ; who is a dog as big as ten of yours, and therefore the gift the greater. Pro. Go, get thee hence, and find my dog again, Or ne'er return again into my sight. Away, I say : stay'st thou to vex me here 1 A slave, that, still an end," turns me to shame. [Exit Launch. Sebastian, I have entertained thee, Partly, that I have need of such a youth. That can with some discretion do my business, For 'tis no trusting to yon foolish lowt ; But, chiefly, for thy face and thy behavior; Which (if my augury deceive me not) Witness good bringing up, fortune, and truth : Therefore know thou, for this I entertain thee. Go presently, and take this ring with thee, Deliver it to madam Silvia: She loved me well, deliver'd it to me. Jul. It seems you loved her not, to leave her token : She's dead, belike. Pro. Not so; I think, she lives. Jul. Alas! Pro. Why dost thou cry, alas? Jul. I cannot choose but pity her. Pro. Wherefore shouldst thou pity herl Jul. Because, methinks, that she lov'd youaswell As you do love your lady Silvia: She dreams on him, that has forgot her love ; You dote on her, that cares not for your love. 'Tis pity, love should be so contrary; And thinking on it makes me cry, alas ! Pro. Well, give her that ring, and therewithal This letter; — That's her chamber. — 'Tell my lady I claim the promise for her heavenly picture. Your message done, hie home unto my chamber, Where thou shalt find me sad and solitary. [Exit Proteus. Jul. How many women would do such a message'' Alas, poor Proteus ! thou hast entertain'd A fox to be the shepherd of thy lambs: Alas, poor fool ! why *do I pity him That with his very heart despiseth mel Because he loves her, he despiseth me; Because I love him, [ must pity him. This ring I gave him, when he parted from me To bind him to remember my good will: And now am I (unhappy messenger) To plead for that which 1 would not obtain; To carry that which I would have refus'd ; To praise his faith, which I would have disprais'ti I am my master's true confirmed love; But cannot be true servant to my master, Unless I prove false traitor to myself. Yet I will woo for him; but yet so coldly, As, heaven it knows, I would not have him speed. Enter Silvia attended. Gentlewoman, good day ! I pray you, be my meau To bring me where to speak with madam Silvia. Sil. What would you with her, if that I be she 1 Jul. If you be she, I do entreat your patience To hear me speak the message I am sent on. Sil. From whom 1 Jul. From my master, sir Proteus, madam. Sil. O ! — ^he sends you for a picture ] < In the end. /iOT V. Scene I. TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA 3? Jul. Ay, madam. Sil. Ursula, bring my picture there. [^Picture brought. Go, give your master this ; tell him from rae. One Julia that his changing thoughts forget, Would better fit his cliamber than this shadow. Jul. Madam, please you peruse this letter. — Pardon me, madam ; I have unadvis'd Deliver'd you a paper that I should not ; This is the letter to your ladyship. Sil. I pray thee, let me look on that again. Jul. It may not be ; good madam, pardon me. Sil. There, hold. I will not look upon your master's lines: I know they are stufrd with protestations. And full of new-found oaths ; wliich he will break As easily as I do tear his paper. Jul. Madam, he sends your ladyship tliis ring. Sil. The more shame for him that he sends it me : For I have heard him say a thousand times, His Julia gave it him at his departure : Though his false finger hath profan'd the ring. Mine shall not do his Julia so much wrong. Jul. She thanks you. Sil. What say'st thou ? Jul. I thank you, madam, tliat you tender her: Poor gentlewoman ! my master wrongs her much. Sil. Dost thou know her ? /(;/. Almost as well as I do know myself. To think upon her woes, I do protest, Thit I have wept a hundred several times. Sil. Bclilve, she thinks that Proteus hath for- sook her. Jul. I think she doth, and that's her cause of sorrow. Sil. Is she not passing fair 1 Jul. She hath been fairer, madam, than she is : VVMien she did tliink my master lov'd her well, Hlie, in my judgment, was as fair as you ; But since she did neglect her loolcing-glass, And threw her sun-expelling mask away, T'le air hath starv'd the roses in her cheeks, And pinch'd the lily-tincture of her face, That now she is become as black as I. .S7/. How tall was she ? Jul. About my stature : for at Pentecost,* ►Vhen all our pageants of delight were play'd, Our youth got me to play the woman's part, And I was trimm'd in madam Julia's gown; Which served me as fit, by all men's judgment, As if the garment had been made for mc: Therefore I know she is about my height. And, at that time, I made her weep a-good,' For I did play a lamentable part : Madam, 'twas Ariadne, passioning For Theseus' perjury, and unjust flight; Which I so lively acted with my tears. That my poor mistress, moved therewithal, Wept bitterly ; and, would I might be dead, If I in thought felt not her very sorrow ! Sil. She is beholden to thee, gentle youth ! — Alas, poor lady ! desolate and left ! — I weep myself to think upon thy words. Here, youth, there is my purse ; I give thee this For thy sweet mistress' sake, because thou lov'sther Farewell. \Exit Silvia Jul. And she shall thank you for t, if o'er you know her. — A virtuous gentlewoman, mild, and beautiful. I hope my master's suit will be but cold. Since she respects my mistress love so much. Alas, how love can trifle with itself! Here is her picture : Let me see ; I think, If I had such a tire,' this face of mine Were full as lovely as is this of hers : And yet the painter flatter'd her a little, Unless I flatter with myself too much. Her hair is auburn, mine is perfect yellow • If that be all the difference in his love, I'll get me such a color'd periwig. Her eyes are gray as glass ; and so are mine : Ay, but her forehead's low, and mine's as high What should it be, that he respects in her, But I can make respective in myself, If this fond love were not a blinded god ? Come, shadow, come, and take this shadow up. For 'tis thy rival. thou senseless form, Thou shalt be worshipp'd,kiss'd, lov'd, and ador'd; And, were there sense in his idolatry. My substance should be statue in thy stead I'll use thee kindly for thy mistress' sake. That us'd me so ; or else, by Jove I vow, I should have scratch'd out your unseeing eyes. To make my master out of love with thee. {Exit ACT Y. SCENE h— The same. An Abbey. Enter Eqlamour. Egl. The sun begins to gild the western sky ; A nd now, it is about the very hour That Silvia, at Patrick's cell, should meet me. She will not fail ; for lovers break not hours, 1 Jnless it be to come before their time ; So much they spur their expedition. Enter Silvia. See, where she comes : Lady, a happy evening ! Followers of Tafr.laff. Ntm, 5 Robin, Page to Faistaff. Simple, Servant to Slender. RuGBx, Servant to Dr. Caius. Mh3. Fohd. Mrs. Page. Mrs. Anne Page, her Daughter, in pve witn Fenton. Mrs. Quickly, Servant to Dr. Caius. Servants to Page, Ford, 4-c SCENE, Windsor; and the parts adjacent. ACT I. SCENE I.— Windsor. Before Page's House. Enter Justice Shallow, Slender, and Sir ' Hugh Evans. Shal. Sir Hugh, persuade me not; I wUl make a Star-chamber matter of it; if he weve twenty sir John Falstaffs, he shall not abuse Robert Shallow, esquire. Slen. In the county of Gloster, justice of peace, and coram. Shal. Ay, cousin Slender, and Cust-alorum? Slen. Ay, and ratolorum too ; and a gentleman bom, master parson ; who writes h\a\se]f armigero.- in any bill, warrant, quittance, or obligation, armi- gero. Shal. Ay, that we do: and have done anytime these three hundred years. Slen. All his successors, gone before him, have done't ; and all his ancestors, that come after him, may: they may give the dozen white luces in their coat. Shal. It is an old coat. Eva. The dozen white louses do become an old coat well; it agrees well, passant: it is a familiar beast to man, and signifies — love. Shal. The luce is the fresh fish; the salt fish is in old coat. • A title formerly appropriated to ehaplains. • Cuitm Sotulorum. Slen. I may quarter, coz ? Shal. You may, by marrying. Eva. It is marring indeed, if he quarter li. Shal Not a whit. Eva. Yes, py'r^" lady; if he has a quarter ol your coat, there is but three skirts for yourself, iq my simple conjectures; but this is all one: if Sh John Faistaff have committed disparagements unto you, I am of the church, and will be glad to do my benevolence, to make atonements and compro- mises between you. Shal. The Council shall hear it; it is a riot. Eva. It is not meet the Council hear a riot ; there is no fear of Got in a riot; the Council, look you, shall desire to hear the fear of Got, and not to heai a riot ; take your vizaments * in that. Shal. Ha ! o' my life, if I were young again tho sword should end it. Eva. It is petter that friends is the sworJ, and end it : and there is also another device in my pram, which, peradventure, prings goot discretions with it: There is Anne Page, which is daughter to master George Page, which is pretty virginity. Slen. Mistress Anne Page 1 She has brown hair and speaks small like a woman. Eva. It is that fcry person for all the 'orld, aa just as you will desire : and seven hundred pounda of monies, and gold, and silver, is her grandsire ' By our. * AdTifement 41 (2 MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR. Act 1 ipon his death's bed (Got deliver to a joyful resur- ections !) give, when she is able to overtake seven- een years old : it v?ere a goot motion, if we leave •ur pribbles and prabblcs, and desire a marriage be- ween master Abraham and mistresa Anne Page. Skal. Did her grandsire leave her seven hun- Ired pounds 1 [penny. Eva. Ay, and her father is make her a petter Skal. I know the young gentlewoman ; she has {ood gifts. Eva. Seven hundred pounds, and possibilities, s good gifts. Skal. Well, let us see honest master Page : Is Falstaff there ] Eva. Shall I tell you a lie 1 I do despise a Uar, as I do despise one that is false ; or as I despise one that is not true. The knight, sir John, is there ; and, I beseech you, be ruled by your well- willers. I will peat the door ^knocks'] for master Page. What, hoa ! pless your house here ! Enter Page. Page. Who's there 1 Eva. Here is Got's plessing, and your friend, and justice Shallow : and here young master Slen- der ; that peradventures shall tell you another tale, if matters grow to your likings. Page. I am glad to see your worships well : I thank you for my venison, master Shallow. Skcl. Master Page, I am glad to see you ; Much good do it your good heart ! I wished your venison better ; it was ill-killed : — How doth good mistress Pagel — and I love you always with my heart, la; with my heart. Page. Sir, I thank you. Skal. Sir, I thank you ; by yea and no, I do. Page. I am glad to see you, good master Slender. Slen. How does your fallow greyhound, sir ? I b'^ard say he was outrun at Cotsale.' Page. It could not be judged, sir. Slen. You'll not confess, you'll not confess. Skal. That he will not ; — 'tis your fault, 'tis your fault : — 'Tis a good dog. Page. A cur, sir. Skal. Sir, he's a good dog, and a fair dog •, Can there be more said 1 he is good, and fair. — Is sir John Falstaff here 1 Page. Sir, he is within ; and I would I could do a good office between you. Eva. It is spoke as a Christian ought to speak. Skal. He hath wrong'd me, master Page. Page. Sir, he doth in some sort confess it. STial. If it be confess'd, it is not redress'd ; is not that so, master Page T He hath wrong'd me ; in- deed, he hath ; — at a word, he hath ; — believe me ; ■ -Ro'jert Shallow, esquire, saith, he is wrong'd. Page. Here comes sir John. Vhkr Sir John Falstaff, Bardolph, Nym, and Pistol. Fal. Now, master Shallow ; you'll complain of me to the king? Skal. Knight, you have beaten my men, killed ir.y deer, and broke open my lodge. Fal. But not kiss'd your keeper's daughter. Skal. Tut, a pin ! this shall be answer'd. Fal. I will answer it straight ; — I have done all this : — That is now answer'd. Shal. The council shall know this. Fal. 'Twere better for you, if it were known in 'iOUnsel : you'll be laugh'd at. » Cotswold, in Gloucestershire. Eva. Pauca verba, sir John, good worts. Fal. Good worts !* good cabbage. — Slender, 1 broke your head ; What matter have you against me^ Slen. Marry, sir, I have matter in my head against you ; and against your coney-catching'' rascals, Bardolph, N)"m, and Pistol. They carried me to the tavern, and made me drunk, and after- wards picked my pocket. Bar. You Banbury cheese !' Slen. Ay, it is no matter. Pist. How, now, Mephostophilus '!' Slen. Ay, it is no matter. Nym. Slice, I say, pauca, pauca ; slice ! tlia^'s my humor. le.] A justice of peace sometime may be beholden to his friend for a man : — I keep but three men and a boy yet, till my mother be dead: But what though? yet I live like a poor gentleman born. Anne. I may not go in without your worship' they will not sit till you come. Slen. V faith, I'll cat nothing; I thank you as much as though I did. Anne. I pray you, sir, walk in. Slen. I had rather walk here, I thank you: I bruised my shin the other day with playing at sword and dagger with a master of fence, three veneys for a dish of stewed prunes; and, by my troth, I cannot abide the smell of hot meat since. Why do your dogs bark so ? be there bears i' the town ? Anne. I think there are, sir ; I heard them talked of. Slen. I love the sport well ; but I shall as soon quarrel at it as any man in England: — ^You aro afraid, if you see the bear loose, are you not ? Anne. Ay, indeed, sir. Slen. That's meat and drink to me now : I have seen Sackerson" loose, twenty times : and have ta- ken him by the chain: but, I wan-ant you, the women have so cried and shriek'd at it, that it pass'd:'' — -but women, indeed, cannot abide 'em; they are ill-favored, rough things. Re-enter Page. Page. Come, gentle master Slender, come; we stay tor you. Slen. I'll eat nothing; I thank you, sir. Page. By cock and pye, you shall not choose, sir; come, come. Slen. Nay, pray you, lead the way. Page. Come on, sir. Skn. Mistress Anne, yourself shall go first. Anne. Not I, sir, pray you, keep on. Slen. Truly, I will not go first; truly, la; I will not do you that vsToug. Anne. I pray you, sh. Slen. I'll rather be anmanncrly than trouble^ some; you do yourself wrong, indeed, la. [Exeunt ' Three set-tos, bouts, or hits. • The iiiime of a bear exhibiictf av P&riu-Ofarden, South wark. • SnriwMntsa jiJt 3xar<«S8ifln. 44 MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR. Act 1 SCENE II.— ne same. Enter S!i- Hugh Evans and Simple. Eva. Go your ways, and ask of Doctor Caius's house, whicli is the way : and there dwells one mis- tress Quickly, which is in the manner of his nurse, or his dry nurse, or his cook, or his laundry, his ■washer, and his wringer. Sh:i. Well, sir. Eva. Nay, it is petter yet: give her this letter; for it is a'oraan that altogether's acquaintance with mistress Anne Page ; and the letter is come to desire and to require her to solicit your master's de- sires to mistress Anne Page : I pray you begone ; I will make an end of my dinner; there's pippins and cheese to come. [Exeunt. SCENE III.— ^ Boom in the Garter Inn. Enter Falstaff, Hcvst, Bardolph, Nyjr, Pistol, and Robin. Fal. Mine host of the Garter, — Host. AVhat says my bully-rook ? Speak scholarly, and wisely. Fal. Truly, mine host, I must turn away some of my followers. Host. Discard, bully Hercules ; cashier : let them wag : trot, trot. Fal. I sit at ten pounds a week. Host. Thou art an emperor, Caesar, Keisar, and Pheezar. I will entertain Bardolph; he shall draw, he shall tap : said I well, bully Hector ? Fal. Do so, good mine host. Host. I have spoke ; let him follow : Let me see thee froth, and lime : I am at a word ; follow. lE.rit Host. Fal. Bardolph, follow him ; a tapster is a good trade; an old cloak makes a new jerkin; a withered servingraan, a fresh tapster : Go, adieu. Bail/. It is a life that I have desired ; I will thrive. [Exit Bard. Plst. base Gongarian^ wight! wilt thou the Bpigot wield ? Ni/m. He was gotten in drink: is not the humor conceited ? His mind is not heroic, and there's the humor of it. Fal. 1 am glad I am so acquit of this tinder-box; his thefts were too open : his filching was like" an unskilful singer, he kept not time. Nym. The good humor is, to steal at a minute's rest. Pist. Convey, the wise it call : Steal ! foh, a fico' for the phrase ! Fal. Well, pjs, I am almost out at heels. Pist. Why then let kibes ensue. Fal. There is no remedy ; I must coney-catch ; I must shift. Pist. Young ravens must have food. Fal. Which of you know Ford of this town ? Pist. I ken the wight; he is of substance good. Fal. My honest lads, I will tell you what I am about. Pist. Two yards and more. Fal. No quips now, Pistol; indeed I am in the waist two yards about; but I am now about no waste ; I am about thrift. Briefly, I do mean to make love to Ford's wife; I spy entertainment in her; she discourses, she carves, she gives the leer of invitation ; I can construe the action of her familiar style ; and the hardest voice of her behavior, to be English'd rightly, is, / am Sir Juhn Falstaff 's. Pist. He hath studied her well, and translated her well ; out of honesty into English. Nym. The anchor is deep : will that humor pass ? Fal. Now, the report goes, she has all the rule of Ler husband's purse ; she hath legions of angels.* » For Hungarian. »Fig. « Gold coin. Pist. As many devils entertain ; and, T^ her, hoy_ say I. Nym. The humor rises ; it is good : humor m6 the angels. Fal. I have writ me hero a letter to her : and heru another to Page's wife ; tvho even now gave me good eyes too ; examined my parta with most judi cious eyliads:^ sometimes the beam of her vie^i gilded my foot, sometimes my portly belly. Pist. Then did the sun on dunghill shine. Nym. I thank thee for that humor. Fal. 0, she did so course o'er my exteriors with such a greedy intention, that the appetite of her eye did seem to seoi-ch me up like a burning-glass 1 Here's another letter to her: she bears the purs 3 too; she is a region in Guiana, all gold and bounty. I will be cheater^ to them both, and they shall bo exchequers to me ; they shall be my East and West Indies, and I will trade to them both. Go, bear thou this letter to mistress Page ; and thou this to mistress Ford : we will thrive, lads, we will thrive. Pist. Shall I sir Pandarus of Troy become. And by my side wear steel ? then, Lucifer take all ! Nym. I will run no base humor; here, take the humor letter; I will keep the 'havior of reputation. Fal. Hold, sirrah, [To PiOB.] bear you these let^ ters tightly;^ Sail like my pinnace to these golden shores. — Rogues, hence avaunt! vanish like hailstones, go; Trudge, plod away, o' the hoof; seek shelter, pack ! Falstaff will learn the humor of this age, French thrift, you rogues ; myself, and skirted page. [Exeunt Falstaff and Robin. Pist. Let vultures gripe thy guts ! for gourd and fullam^ hold, And high and low beguile the rich and poor : Tester I'll have in pouch,9 when thou shalt lack, Base Phrygian Turk ! Nym. I have operations in my bead, which be humors of revenge. Pist. Wilt thou revenge ? Nym. By welkin, and her star ! Pist. With wit, or steel ? Nym. With both the humors, I : I will discuss the humor of this love to Pago. Piat. And I to Ford shall eke unfold. How Falstaff, varlet vile. His dove will prove, his gold will hold. And his soft couch defile. Nym. My humor shall not cool : I will incense' Page to deal with poison ; I will possess him with yellowness,^ for the revolt of mien is dangerous ; that is my true humor. Pist. Thou art the Mars of malcontents : i second thee ; troop on. [Exeufnl. SCENE IV.— ^ Room in Dr. Caius's House. Enter BIra. QuiCKLY, Simple, and Rugby. Quick. What; John Rugby ! — I pray thee, go to the casement, and see if you can soo my master, master doctor Caius, coming : if he do, i' faith, and find any body in the house, here will be an old abus- ing of God's patience, and the king's English. Jing. I'll go watch. [Exit Rugbv. Quick. Go; and we'll have a posset for't soon at night, at the latter end of a sea-coal fire. An honest, willing, kind fellow, as ever servant shall • Eyes. • Escheatour, an officer in the Exchequer. I Cleverly. • False dice. » Sixpence V\\ have in pocket. ' Instigate, s JeaJousy. Scene IV. MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR. 45 come in house withal; and, I warrant you, no tell- tale, nor no breed-bate;' his worst fault is, that he is given to prayer : he is something peevish ' that «vay : but nobody but has his fault ; — but let that pass. Peter Simple, you say your name is 1 Sim. Ay, for fault of a better. Quick. And master Slender's your master? Sim. Ay, Ibrsooth. Quick, Does he not wear a great round beard, tike a glover's paring knife ] Sim. No, forsooth: he hath but a little wee face, with a little yellow beard; a Cain-colored beard. Quick, A softly-sprighted man, is he not! Si/u. Ay, forsooth: but he is as tall^ a man of his hands, as any is between this and his head ; he hath fouglit with a warrcner. Quick. How say you? — O, I should remember him ; docs he not hold up his head, as it were 1 and strut in his gait 1 Sim. Yes, indeed, docs he. Quick. Well, heaven send Anne Page no worse fortune. Tell master parson Evans, 1 will do what I can for your master; Anne is a good girl, and I wish — Re-enter Rugby. Rug. Out, alas ! here comes my master. Quick, We shall all be shent:^ Run in here, (jood young man; go into this closet. [S/nifs Sim- ple in the closet.^ He will not stay long. — What, Jolm Rugby ! John, what, John, I say ! — Go, John, go enquire for my master ; I doubt he be not well, that he conies not home: — and down, down, adown-a, &c. [_Sings. Enter Doctor Caius. Cains. Vat is you sing 1 I do not like desc toys ; Pray you, go and vetch me in my closet tin buiticr verd; a box, a green-a box ; Do intend vat I speak] a grecn-a box. Quick. Ay forsooth, I'll fetch it you. I am glad he went not in himself; if he had found tlie j'oung man, he would have been horn-mad. ^Aside. Caius. Fe,fe,fe,fe/ ma foi, il fait fort ckaitd, Je m'en vais a la cour, — la grande affaire. Quick. Is it this, sii-] ^Jaius. Ouy ; mette le an mon\>ockci\ Depeche, quickly. — Vere is dat knave Rugby? Quick. What, John Rugby! John! Rug. Here, sir. Caius. You are John Rugby, and you are Jack Rugby : Come, takc-a your rapier, and come after my heel to de court. Rug. 'Tis ready, sir, here in the porch. Cams. By my trot, I tariy too long: — Od's me ! Qii'ay-f ouhlie? dere is some simples in my closet, dat I vill not for the varld I shall leave behind. Quick. Ah me! he'll find the young man there, und be mad. Caius. O diahle, diahle ! vat is in my closet! — Viilau}'! larron .' [^Pulliiig SiyiPLK out.} Rugby, my rapier. Quick. Good master, be content. Caius, Verefore shall I be content-al Quick. The young man is an honest man. Caius, Vat shall de honest man do in my closet? icTC is no honest man dat shall come in my closet. Quick, I beseech you, be not so flegmatick ; hear • Strife. t Foolish. ' Scolded, reprimanded. »Br»Te. the truth of it. He came of an errand to me fionj parson Hugh. Caius, Veil. Sim. Ay, forsooth, to desire her to Quick. Peace, I pray you. Caius. Peace-ayour tongue: — Speak-a your tale. Sim. To desire this honest gentlewoman, your maid, to speak a good word to mistress Anne Page for my master, in the way of marrige. Quick. This is all, indeed, la; but I'll ne'ir put my finger in the fire, and need not. Caius. Sir Hugh send-a you? — Rugby, baiU-tS me some paper: — Tarry you a little-a wlule. [ Wt itea. Quick. I am glad he is so quiet: if he hadljeen thoroughly moved, you should have heard him so loud, and so melancholy: — But notwithsiandiDg, man, I'll do j^our master what good I can : and the very yea and the no is, the French doctor, my master, — -I may call him my master, look you, for I keep his house ; and I wash, wring, brew, bake, scour, dress meat and drink, make the beds, and do all nayself; — Sim. 'Tis a great charge, to come under one body's hand. Quick. Are you a^is'd o' that? you shall find it a great charge: and to be up early and down late: — but notwithstanding, (to tell you in your ear; I would have no words of it,) my master himself is in love with mistress Anne Page; but notwith- standing that, — I know Anne's mind, — that's neither here nor there Caius. You jack'nape; give-a dis letter to sir Hugh; by gar, it is a shallenge; I vill cut his treat in de park; and I will teach a scurvy jack-a-nape priest to meddle or make: — you may be gone; it IS not good you tarry here : — liy gar, I will cut all his two stones ; by gar, he shall not have a stone to trow at his dog. l_Exit Simple. Quick. Alas, he speaks but for his friend. Ca/iM. It is no matter-a for dat; — do not you tel!-a me dat I shall have Anne Page for myself? — by g;ir, I will kill de jack priest; and I have ap- pointed mine host of de Jurterre to measure our weapoji : — by gar, I vill myself have Anne Page. Quick. Sir, the maid loves you, and all shall be well : we must give iblks leave to prate : What, the good-jer !" Caius. Rugby, come to the court vit me ; — By gar, if I have not Anne Page, I shall turn your head out of my door : — Follow my heels, Rugby. [Exeunt Caius and Rugby. Quick. You shall have An fools-head of your own. A'o, I know Anne's mind for that ; never a woman in Windsor knows more of Anne's mind than I do ; nor can do more than I do with her, I thank heaven. Fent. [ UV/Am.] Who's within there, ho ? Quick, Who's there, I trow ? Come near the house, I pray you. Enter Fenton. Fe?iT. Now now, good woman : how dost thou 1 Quick. The better, that it pleases your good worship to ask. [AnneT Fcni. What news ! Iiow does pretty mistress Quick. In truth.sir, andshe is pretty, and honest, and gentlr: and one that is your friend, I can tell you that by tlm way ; I praise lieaven for it. "'ill.' ^oiijiTo. v'"' ihe tiox' 16 MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR. Act n. Fent. Shall I Jo any good, thinkest thou 1 Shall I not lose my suit 1 Quick. Troth, sir, all is in his hands above ; but notwithstanding, master Fenton, I'll be sworn on a book slie loves you : — Have not your worship a wart above your eye 1 Fent. Yes, marry, have I ; what of that 1 Quick. Well, thereby hangs a tale ; — good faith, .1 is such another Nan ; but, I detest,' an honest naid as ever broke bread ; — We had an hour's talk if that wart ; — I shall never laugh but in that maid's company ! — But, indeed, she is given too much to alUcholly' and musing : But for you — Well, go to. Fent. Well, I shall see her to-day : Hold, thcre'i money for thee ; let me have thy voice in my benalf ; — if thou seest her before me, commend me — Quick. Will 1 1 i'faith, that we will : and I will tell your worship more of the wart, the next time we have confidence ; and of other wooers. Fent. Well, farewell ; I am in great haste now [Exit Quick. Farewell to your worsliip. — Truly, an honest gentleman ; but Anne loves him not : for I know Anne's mind as well as another does : — Out upon't ! what have I forgot 1 [Exit. ACT II. SCENE I.— Before Page's House. Enter Mistress Page, loith a letter. Mrs. Page. What ! have I 'scaped love-letters in the holy-day time of my beauty, and am I now a subject for them 1 Let me see : [^Reads. Aak me no reason why I love you ; for ihougli love use reason for his jjrecisian,' he admits him not for his counsellor. You are not young, no more am I: ffo to then, there's symj^athy ; you are merry, so am I: Ha! ha! then there's more sympathy ; you lore sack, and so do I : Would you, desire better sympa- thy ? Let it suffice thee, mistress Paije, {at the least, if the love of a soldier can suffice,) that I love thee. I will not say, pity me, 'tis not a soldierlilce phrase; ftiit I say, love me. By me, Thine own true Jcniyht, By day or niijht, Or any kind of lir/ht, With all his mi()ht, For thee to fight, JoHN Falstaff. What a Herod of Jewry is tliis ! — O wicked, wrick- ed world ! — one that is well nigh worn to pieces witli age, to show himself a young gallant ! What unwcighed behavior hath this Flemish drunkard picked (with the devil's name) out of my conver- sation, that he dares in this manner assay me ] — Why, he hath not been thrice in my company !— What should I say to him T — I was then frugal of my mirth : — heavtn forgive me ! — W^hy, I'll exhibit a bill in the parliament for the putting down of men. How shall I be revenged on him 1 for revenged I will be, as sure as his guts are made of puddings. Enter Mistress Ford. Mrs. F(n-d. Mrs. Page ! trust me, I was going to your house. Mrs. Page. And trust me, I was coming to you. You look very ill. Mrs. Ford. Nay, I'll ne'er believe that ; I have to shovv' to the contrary. Mrs. Page. 'Faith, but you do, in my mind. Mrs. Ford. Well, I do then ; yet, I say, I could show you to the contrary : O, mistress Page, give me some counsel ! M7-S. Page. What's the matter, woman 1 Mrs. Ford. O woman, if it were not for one trifling respect, I could come to such honor ! Mrs. Page. Hang the ti-ifle, woman : — take the ho- nor : What is it ? — dispense with trifles ; — what is it ? Mrs. Ford. If I would but go to hell for an eter- nal moment, I could be knighted. Mrs. Page. What ! — thou liest ! — Sir Alice Ford ! 'Phese knights will hack ; and so thou shouldst not alter the article of thy gentry. Mrs. Ford. We burn daylight: — here, read, « She means, I protest. » Melancholy. > Most probably Sbakspeare wrote physician. read ; — perceive how I might be knighted, — I shall think the worse of fat men, as long as I have an eye to make difference of men's liking : And yet he would not swear ; praised women's modesty ; and gave such orderly and well-behaved reproof to all uncomeliness, that I would have sworn his disposition would have gone to the truth of his words : but they do no more adhere and keep place together, than the hundredth psalm to the tune of Green sleeves. What tempest, I trow, threw this whale, with so many tons of oil in his belly, ashore at Wind-sor ? How shall I be revenged on him 7 I think, the best way were to entertain him ^vith hope, till the wicked fire of lust have melted him in his own grease. Did you ever hear the like ] Mrs. Page. Letter for letter; but that the name of Page and Ford differs! — To thy great comfort in this mystery of ill opinions, here's the twin- brother of thy letter : but let thine inherit first ; for, I protest, mine never shall. I warrant he hath a thousand of these letters writ with blank space for different names, (sure more,) and these are of the second edition : he will print them out of doubt : for he cares not what he puts into the press, when he would put us two. I had rather be a giantess, and lie under mount PeHon. Well, I will find j'ou twenty lascivious turtles, ere one chaste man. Mrs. Ford. Why this is the very same ; the very hand, the very words : What doth he think of us ' Mrs. Page. Nay, I know not: it makes ni" almost ready to wrangle with mine own honesty. I'll entertain myself like one that I am not ac- quainted withal; for, sure, unless he knjw some strain in me, that I know not myself, he would never have boarded me in this fury. Mrs. Ford. Boarding, call you it 1 I'll be sure to keep him above deck. Mrs. Page. So will I ; if he come under my hatches, I'll never to sea again. Let's be revenged on him ; let's appoint him a meeting ; give him a show of comfort in his suit : and lead him on with a fine-baited delay, till he hath pawn'd his horses to mine host of the Garter. Mrs. Ford. Nay, I will consent to act any villany against him, that may not sully the chariness'' of our honesty. O, that my husband saw this letter ! it would give eternal food to his jealousy. Mrs. Page. Why, look, where he comes ; and my good man too : he's as far from jealousy, as 1 am from giving him cause ; and that, I hope, is an unmeasurable distance. Mrs. Ford. You are the happier woman. Mrs. Page. Let's consult together against thii greasy knight : Come hither. [ Theij retire a Caution. Scene 1. MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR. 47 Enter Fonr, Pistol, Page, and Ntm. Ford. Well, I hope it be not so. Fist. Hope is a curtail' dog in some affairs: Sir John affects thy wife. Ford. Why, sir, my wife is not young:. Fist. He woos both high and low, both rich and poor. Both young and old, one with another, Ford; He loves thy gally-mawfry ;' Ford, perpend." Ford. Love my wife] Fist. With liver burning hot : Prevent, or go thou Like sir Acta;on he, with Ring-wood at thy heels : O, odious is the name! Ford. What name, sir? Fist. The horn, I say: Farewell. Take heed; have open eye; for thieves do foot by night: Take heed, ere summer comes, or cuckoo-birds do sing.— Away, sir corporal Nym. — Believe it. Page; he speaks sense. ^Exit Pistol. Ford. I will be patient; I will find out this. Nym. And this is true. [To Page.] I like not the humor of lying. He hath wronged me in some humors; I should have borne the humored letter to her : but I have a sword, and it shall bite upon my necessity. He loves }'Our wife; there's the short and the long. My name is corporal Nym ; I speak, and I avouch. 'Tis true: — my name is Nym, and Falstaff loves your wife. — Adieu ! I love not the humor of bread and cheese ; and there's the humor of it. Adieu. [Exit Ntm. Fage. The humor of it, quoth 'a! here's a fellow frights humor out of his wits. ^ord. I will seek out Falstaff. Fage. I never heard such a drawling, affecting logue. Ford. If I do find it, well. Fage. I will not believe such a Cataian,' tho' the priest o' the town commended him for a true man. Ford. 'Twas a good sensible fellow: Well. Fage. How now, Meg? Mrs. Page. Whither go you, George? — Hark you. Mrs. Ford. How now, sweet Frank? why art thou melancholy? Ford. I melancholy! I am not melancholy. — Get you home, go. Mrs. Ford. 'Faith thou hast some crotchets in thy head now. — Will you go, mistress Page? Mrs. Fage. Have with you. — You'll come to dinner, George? — Look, who comes yonder: she ?hall be our messenger to this paltry knight. [Aside to Mrs. Foud. Enter Mistress Quickly. Mrs. Ford. Trust me, I thought on her: she'll fi( it. Mrs. Fage. You are come to see my daughter Anne? Quick. Ay, forsooth ; and, I pray, how does good mistress Anne? Mrs. Fage. Go in with us, and see; we have an houi's talk with you. [Exeunt Mrs. Page, Mrs. Fonn, and Mrs. Quickly. Page. How now, master Ford ? Ford. You heard what this knave told me ; did •oil not? • A (log that aliases his game. ' '\)ii8:dor. • A medley. < A lying sharper. Page. Yes; and you heard what the (tther told me^ Ford. Do you think there is truth in them ? Page. Hang 'em, slaves! I do not think th« knight would oficr it: but these that accuse him in his intent towards our wives, are a yoke of his dis carded men ; very rogues, now they be out of ser- vice. Ford. Were they his n en ? Page. Marry, were the_\ Ford. I like it never the better for that. — Does he lie at the Garter? Page. Ay, marry, docs he. If he should intend this voyage towards my wife, I would turn her loose to him ; and what he gets more of her than sharp words, let it lie on my head. Ford. I do not misdoubt my wife ; but I would be loth to turn them together : A man may be too confident: I would have nothing lie on my head: I cannot be thus satisfied. Fage. Look where my ranting host of the Garter comes: there is either liquor in his pate, or money in his purse, when he looks so merrily. — How now, mine host? Enter Host and Shallow. Host. How now, bully-rook? thou'rt a gentle- man: cavalero-justice, I say. Shal. I follow, mine host, I follow. — Good even and twenty, good master Page ! Master Page, will you go with us ? we have sport in hand. Host. Tell him, cavalero-justice ; tell him, bully rook. Shal. Sir, there is a fray to be fought, between sir Hugh the Welsh priest, and Caius the French doctor. Ford. Good mine host of the Garter, a word with you. Host. What say'st thou, bully-rook ? [They go aside Shal. Will you [to Page] go with us to behold it ? my merry host hath had the measuring of their weapons; and, I think, he hath appointed them contrary places : for, believe me, I hear, the parson is no jester. Hark, I will tell you what our sport shall be. Host. Hast thou no suit against my knight, my guest-cavalier ? Ford. None, I protest: but I'll give you a pottle of burnt sack to give me recourse to him, and tell him, my name is Brook; only for a jest. Host. My hand, bully; thou shalt have egress and regress; said I well? and thy name shall be Brook : It is a merry knight. — Will you go on, hearts ? Shal. Have with you, mine host. Page. I have heard the Frenchman hath good skill in his rapier. Shal. Tut, sir, I could have told you more ! In these times you stand on distance, your passes, stoccadoes, and I know not what: 'tis the heart, master Page ; 'tis here, 'tis here. I have seen the time, with my long sword, I would have made you four tall fellows skip like rats. Host. Here, boys, here, here! shall we wag? Fage. Have with you : — I had rather hear them scold than fight. [Exeunt Host, Shallow, and Page. Fo)-d. Though Page be a secure fool, and standi so firmly on his wife's frailty, yet I cannot put off my opinion so easily: she w«8 in his company al 48 MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR. Act [1 Page's house ; and what they made there, I know not. Well, I will look further into't : and I have a disguise to sound FalstafF: If I find her honest, I lose not my labor ; if she be otherwise, 'tis labor well bestowed. [Exit. SCENE II — A Room in the Garter Inn. Enter Falstaff and Pistol. Fal. I will not lend thee a penny. Pist. Why then the world's mine oyster, Which I v/ith sword will open. — I will retort the sum in equipage.^ FaL Not a penny. I have been content, sir, you should lay my countenance to pavvn ; I have grated upon my good friends for three reprieves for you and your coach-fellow' Nym ; or else you had looked through the grate like a geminy of baboons. I am damned in hell, for swearing to gentlemen my friends, you were good soldiers, and tall fel- lows : and when mistress Bridget lost the handle of her fan, I took't upon my honor, thou hadst it not. Fiat, Didst thou not share? hadst thou not fifteen pence 1 Fal. Reason, you rogue, reason : Think'st thou, I'll endanger my soul gratis ? At a word, hang no more about me, I am no gibbet for you : — go. — A short knife and a throng:' — to your manor of Pickt-hatch,^ go. — You'll not bear a letter for me, you rogue! — ^}'ou stand upon your honor! — Why, thou unconfinable baseness, it is as much as I can do, to keep the terms of my honor pre- cise. I, I, I myself sometimes, leaving the fear of heaven on the left hand, and hiding mine honor in my necessity, am fain to shuffle, to hedge, and to lurch; and yet you, rogue, will ensconce'' your rags, your cat-a-mountain looks, your red-lattice' phrases, and your bold-beating oaths, under the shelter of your honor ! You will not do it, you 1 Fi^t. I do relent: what wouldst thou more of man] Enter RoBiif. Roh. Sir, here's a woman would speak with you. Fal. Let her approach. Enter Mrs. Quickly. Quick. Give your worship good-morrow. Fal. Good-morrow, good wife. Quick. Not so, an't please your worship. Fal. Good maid, then. Quick. I'll be sworn ; as my mother v^'as, the first hour I was born. Fal. I do believe the swearer ; What with mel Quick. Shall I vouchsafe your worship aword or two ] Fuv. Two thousand, fair woman ; and I'll vouch- safe thee the hearing. Quick. There is one mistress Ford, sir; — I pray, come a little nearer this ways; — I myself dwell with master doctor Caius. Fal. Well, on : Mistress Ford you say, Quick. Your worship says very true; I pray your worship, come a little nearer this ways. Fal. I warrant thee, nobody hears ; — mine own p«'ople, mine own people. Quick. Are they so? Heaven bless them, and jr. ike them his servants! • fay you again ia stolen goods. • l-ra^cs alon^ with you. » To cut purses in a crowd. " Pitkt-hatch was in Clerkenwell. ' Protect. • Alo "louse. Fal. Well: Mistress Ford .-—What of her ? Quick. Why, sir, she's a good creature ; Lord lord ! your worship's a wanton : Well, heaven for give you, and all of us, I pray ! Fal. Mistress Ford ; — come, mistress Ford, — Quick. Marry, this is the short and the long ol it; you have brought her into such a canaries,' as 'tis wonderful. The best courtier of them all, when the court lay at Windsor, could never have brought her to such a canary. Yet there has been knights, and lords, and gentlemen, with their coaches ; I warrant you, coach after coach, letter after letter, gift after gift; smelling so sweetly (all musk) and so rushling, I warrant you, in silk and gold ; and in such alligant terms ; and in such wine and sugar of the best and the fairest, that would have won any woman's heart ; and, I warrant you, they could never get an eye-wink of her. — I hid myself twenty angels given me this morning ; but I defy all angels, (in any such sort, as they say,) but in the way of honesty : — and, I warrant you, they could never get her so much as sip on a cup with the proudest of them all ; and yet there has been earls, nay, which is more, pensioners ; but I warrant you, all is one with her. Fal, But what says she to mel be brief, my good she-Mercury. Quick. Marry, she hath received your letter; for the which she thanks you a thousand times; and she gives you to notify, that her husband will be absence from his house between ten and eleven. Fal. Ten and eleven? Quick, Ay, forsooth ; and then you may come and see the picture, she says that you wot' of;— master Ford, her husband, will be fi'om home. Alas ! the sweet woman leads an ill life with him , he's a very jealousy man; she leads a very fram- pold^ life with him, good heart. Fal. Ten and eleven : Woman, commend me to her ; I will not fail her. Quick. Why, you say well : ButI haveanothei messenger to your worship : Mistress Page hath her hearty commendations to you too; — and let me tell you in your ear, she's as fartuous a civil modes', wife, and one (I tell you) that will not miss your morning nor evening prayer, as any is in Windsor, whoe'er be the other; and she bade me tell your worship, that her husband is seldom from home but, she hopes, there will come a time. I never knew a woman so dote upon a man ; surely, I think you have charms, la; yes, in truth. Fal. Not I, I assure thee ; setting the attractior of my good parts aside, I have no other charms. Quick. Blessing on your heart for't ! Fal. But, I pray thee, tell me this: has Ford's wife, and Page's wife, acquainted each other how they love me? Quick, That were a jest, indeed ! — they have not so little grace, I hope: — that were a trick, indeed ! But mistress Page would desire you to send her your little page, of all loves;' her husband has a marvellous infection to the little page : and, truly, master Page is an honest man. Never a wife in Windsor leads a better life than Rhe does ; do what she will, say what she will, take all, pay all, go to bed when she list, rise when she li.st, all is ai she will ; and, truly, she deserves it ; for if there be a kind woman in Windsor, she is one. — You must send her your page ; no remedy. 3 A mistake of Mr.s. Quickly's for quandar;/. ' Know. a Fretful, pecvl*ih. ' By bH means Scene fl. MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR. 49 Fal. Why, I will. Quick. Nay, but do so, then ; and, look you, he may come and go between you both ; and, in any case, have a nay-word,* that you may know one another's mind, and the boy never need to under- stand any thing ; for 'tis not good that children should know any wickedness : old folks, you knov/, have discretion, as they say, and know the world. Fal. Fare thee well : commend me to them both: there's my purse; I am yet thy debtor. — Boy, go along with this woman. — This news distracts me. [Exeunt Quickly and Robik. Pist. This punk is one of Cupid's carriers : — Clap on more sails ; pursue, up with your fights ; Give fire ; she is my prize, or ocean whelm them all! [Exit Pistol. Fal. Say'st thou so, old Jack 1 go thy ways; I'll make more of thy old body than I have done. Will they yet look after thee ] Wilt thou, after the ex- pense of so much money, be now a gainer ? Good body, I thank thee : Let them say, 'tis grossly done ; so it be fairly done, no matter. Enter Bardolph. Bar. Sir John, there's one master Brook below would fain speak with you, and be acquainted with you ; and hath sent your worship a morning's draught of sack. Fal. Brook, is his name 1 Bar. Ay, sir. Fal. Call him in. [Exit Bardolph.] Such Brooks are welcome to me, that o'erflow such liquor. Ah ! ha ! mistress Ford and mistress Page, have I encompassed you ? go to ; via ! ' Re-enter Bardolph with Ford disguised. Ford. Bless you, sir. Fal. And you, sir : Would you speak with me? Ford. I make bold, to press with so little prepa- ration upon you. Fal. You're welcome ; What's your will] Give us leave, drawer. [Exit Bardolph. Ford. Sir, I am a gentleman that have spent much ; my name is Brook. Fal. Good master Brook, I desire more acquaint- ance of you. Ford. Good sir John, I sue for yours : not to charge you ; for I must let you understand, I think myself in better plight for a lender than you are : the which hath something embolden'd me to this unseason'd intrusion: for they say, if money go before, all ways do lie open. Fal. Money is a good soldier, sir, and will on. Ford. Troth, and I have a bag of money here troubles me : if you will help mo to bear it, sir John, take all, or half, for easing me of the carriage. Fal. Sir, I know not how I may deserve to be your porter. Ford. I will tell y )U, sir, if you will give me the hearing. Fal. Speak, good master Brook ; I shall be glad |o be your servant. Ford. Sir, I hear you are a scholar, — I will be brief with you ; — and you have been a man long known to me, though I had never so good means, as desire, to make myself acquainted with you. I shall discover a thing to you, wherein I must very much lay open mine own imperfection : but, good sir John, as you have one eye upon my follies, as you hear them unfolded, turn another into the register of your own ; that I may pass with a re- • A watch- word. iA c*nt phrase of exultation. proof the easier, sith" you yourself know, how easi it is to be such an oflendcr. Fal. Very well, sir; proceed. Ford. There is a gentlewoman in this town, ha husband's name is Ford. Fal. Well, sir. Ford. I have long loved her, and, I protest tc you, bestowed much on her; followed her with a doting observance; engrossed opportunities to mee> her; fee'd every slight occasion, that could but niggardly give me sight of her ; not only bought many presents to give her, but have given largely to many, to know what she would have given: briefly, I have pursued her, as love hath pursued me ; which hath been on the wing of all occasions. But whatsoever I have merited, either in my mind, or in my means, meed, I am sure, I have received none; unless experience be a jewel: that I have purchas'd at an infinite rate: and that hath taught me to say this: Love like a shadow flies, when substance love pur- sues,- Pursuhig that that flies, and flying what pursues. Fal. Have you received no promise of satisfac- tion at her hands'? Ford. Never. Fal. Have you importun'd her to such a purposeT Ford. Never. Fal. Of what quahty was your love then ? Ford. Like a fair house, built upon another man's ground ; so that I have lost my edifice, by mistaking the place where I erected it. Fal. To what purpose have you unfolded this to me? Ford. When I have told you that, I have told you all. Some say, that, though she appear honest to me, yet, in other places, she enlargeth her mirth so far, that there is shrewd construction made ol her. Now, sir John, here is the heart of my pur- pose : You are a gentleman of excellent breeding, admirable discourse, of great admittance,'' authentic in your place and person, generally allowed' for your many warlike, courtlike, and learned preparations. Fal. O sir! Ford. Believe it, for you know it. — There is money; spend it, spend it; spend more; spend all I have ; only give me so much of your time in ex- change of it, as to lay an amiable siege to the honesty of this Ford's wife ; use your art of wooing, win her to consent to you ; if any man may, you may as soon as any. Fal, Would it apply well to the vehemency of your aflfection, that I should win what you would enjoy? Methinks you prescribe to yourself veiy preposterously. Ford. O, understand my drift! she dwells so securely on the excellency of her honor, that the folly of my soul dares not present itself; she is too bright to be looked against. Now, could I come to her with any detection in my hand, my desires had instance and argument to commend themselves; I could drive her then from the ward of her purity, her reputation, her marriage-vow, and a thousand other her defences, which now are too strongly embattled against me: What say you to't, sir John? Fal. Master Brook, I will first make liold with your money ; next, give me your hand ; and last, as I am a gentleman, you shall, if you will, have Ford's wife. • Since. 1 1n the greatest companies. * Approved 50 MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR. Act II ford. good sir! Fal. Master Brook, I say you shall. Furd. Want no money, sir John, you shall want none. Fed. Want no mistress Ford, master Brook, you sliall want none. I shall be with her (I may tell you) by her own appointment ; even as you came in to me, her assistant, or go-between, parted from me : 1 say, I shall be with her between ten and deven ; for at that time the jealous, rascally knave, her husband, will be forth. Come you to me at night ; you shall know how I speed. F(ird. I am blest in your acquaintance. Do you know Ford, sir ? Fal. Hang him, poor cuckoldy knave! I know ximi not : — yet I wTong him to call him poor ; they say, the jealous wittolly knave hath masses of money ; for the which his wife seems to be well-favored. I will use her as the key of the cuckoldy rogue's coffer; and there's my harvest-home. F())-d. I would you knew Ford, sir; that you might avoid him, if you saw him. Ful. Hang him, mechanical salt-butter rogue ! I will stare him out of his wits ; I will awe him with my cudgel : it shall hang like a meteor o'er the cuckold's horns ; master Brook, thou shalt know, I will predominate o'er the peasant, and thou shalt lie vvith bis wife.- — Come to me soon at night : — Ford's I knave , and I will aggravate his stile ;* thou, mas- ter Bioi ik, shalt know him for a knave and cuckold : — come t.i me soon at night. \^Exlt. Foi d. What a damned Epicurean rascal is this ! — My heart is ready to crack with impatience. — '-Vho says this is improvident jealousy ] My wife hath sent to him, the hour is fixed, the match is made. Would any man have thought this ? — See the hell of having a false woman ! my bed shall be abused, my coffers ransacked, my reputation gnawn at; and I shall not only receive this villanous wrong, but stand under the adoption of abominable terms, and by him that does me this wrong. Terms ! names ! Amairnon sounds well ; Lucifer, well ; Barbason, well ; yet they are devil's additions, the names of fiends . but cuckold ! wittol* cuckold ! the devil himself hath no such a name. Page is an ass, a secure ass ; he will trust his wife, he will not be jealous : I will rather trust a Fleming with my butter, parson Hugh the Welshman with my cheese, an Irishman with my aqua-vitse bottle, or a thief to walk my ambling gelding, than my wife with her- self; then she plots, then she ruminates, then she devises : and what they think in their hearts they may effect, they will break their hearts but they will effect. Heaven be praised for my jealousy ! — Eleven o'clock the hour; — I will prevent this, detect my wife, be revenged on Falstafl", and laugh at Page. I will about it; better three hours too soon, tban a minute too late. Fie, fie, fie ! cuckold ! cuckold ! cuckold ! [^Exit. SCENE m.— Windsm- Park, nnter Caius and Rugby. Cuius. Jack Rugby ! Rug. Sir. Caius. Vat is de clock, Jack ? Rug. 'Tis past the hiur, sir, that sir Hugh pro- mised to meet. Cuius. By gar, he has save his soul, dat he is m come ; he has pray his Pible veil, dat he is no « Add to h's titles. » Contented cuckold. come: by gar. Jack Rugby, he is dead already, il he be come. Rug. He is wise, sir; he knew your worshij would kill him, if he came. Caius. By gar, de herring is no dead, so as I vd kill him. Take your rapier, Jack ; I vill tell voi how I vill kill him. Rug. Alas, sir, I cannot fence. Cains. Villany, take your rapier. Rug. Forbear, here's company. Enter Host, Shallow, Slender, and Page. Host. 'Bless thee, bully doctor ! Shal. 'Save you, master doctor Caius. Page. Now, good master doctor. Slen. Give you good morrow, sir. [for Caius. Vat be all you, one, two, tree, four, comt Host. To see thee fight, to see thee foin," to sec thee traverse, to see thee here, to see thee there ; Ic see thee pass thy punto, thy stock, thy reverse, thy distance, thy montunt.'' Is he dead, my Ethiopian 1 is he dead, my Francisco ? ha, bully ! What says my ^sculapius ? my Galen 1 my heart of elder ? ha ! is he dead, bully Stale ? is he dead 1 Caius. By gar, he is de coward Jack priest ol the vorld ; he is not show his face. Host. Thou art a Castilian king, Urinal ! Hec tor of Greece, my boy ! Cuius. I pray you, bear vitness that me hav( stay six or seven, two, tree hours for him, and he is no come. Shal. He is the wiser man, master doctor : he is a curer of souls, and you a curer of bodies ; if you should fight, you go against the hair of your pro fessions : is it not true, master Page ? Page. Master Shallow, you have yourself beer, a great fighter, though now a man of peace. Shal. Bodykins, master Page, though I now be old, and of the peace, if I see a sword out, my finger itches to ma'iie one; though we are justices, and doctors, and churchmen, master Page, we have some salt of our youth in us ; we are the sons o'" women, master Page. Page. 'Tis true, master Shallow. Shal. It will be found so, master Page. Maslei doctor Caius, I am come to fetch you home. I am sworn of the peace ; you have showed yourself a wise physician, and sir Hugh hath shown himself a wise and patient churchman : you must go with me, master doctor. Host. Pardon, guest justice : — A word, monsieur Muck-water?' Caius. Muck-vater ! vat is dat 1 [valor, bully Host. Muck-v\'ater, in our Engikh tongue, is Caius. By gar, then I have as much muck-vatci as de Englishman: — Scurvy Jack-CiOg priest! hy gar, me vill cut his ears. Host. He will clapper-claw thee tightly, bully Caius. Clapper-de-claw ! vat is dat ? Host. That is, he will make thee amends. Cains. By gar, me do look, he shall clapper-de- claw me ; for by gar, me vill have it. Host. And I will provoke him to 't, or let him wag Caius. Me tank you for dat. Host. And moreover, bully, — But first, mastet guest, and master Page, and eke cavalero Slender go you through the town to Frogmore. I Aside to them Page. Sir Hugh is there, is he ? <= Fence. • Drain of a duni(hill. 1 Terms in fencuur. A.CT III. Scene I. MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR. 5i Host. He is there : see what humor he is in ; und I will bring the doctor about by the fields : will it do well ? SluiL We will do it. Page, S/ta/., and Slen. Adieu, good master doc- tci. " [Exeunt Page, Shallow, and Slender. Cants. By gar, me vill kill de priest ; for he upeak for a jack-an-ape to Anne Page. Host. Let him die : but, first, sheath thy impa- tience ; throw cold water on thy choler : go about the fields with me through Frogmore : I will bring Ihce where Mrs. Anne Page is, at a farm-house, a feasting ; and thou shalt woo her : Cry'd game, said 4 well ] Cuius. By gar, me tank you for dat; by gar, I love you ; and I shall procure-a you de good guest, de earl, de knight, de lords, de gentlemen, mj patients. Host. For the which, I will be thy adversary to. wards Anne Page ; said I well 1 Cams. By gar, 'tis good ; veil said. Host. Let us wag then. Cuius. Come at my heels, Jack Rugby. ACT III. SCENE L — A field near Frogmore. Enter Sir Hugh Evans mid Simple. E'ju. I pray you now, good master Slender's sening man, and friend Simple by your name, which way have you looked for Master Caius, that calls himself Doctor of Phi/sic ? Sim. Many, sir, the city-ward, the park-ward, evci-y way ; old Windsor way, and every way but the town way. Eva. I most fehemently desire you, you will also look that way. Sim. I will, sir. Eva. 'Pless my soul ! how full of cholers I am, and trembling of mind ! — I shall be glad, if he have deceived me : — how melancholies I am ! — I will knog his urinals about his knave's costard," when I have good opportunities for the 'ork — 'plcss my soul ! \_Sings. To shallow rivers, to whose falls ]\fel<>diou8 hirds sing madrigals ; T/iere loill loe malce our peds of roses. And a thoHSdiid fragrant posies, To shallow Mercy on me ! I have a great disposition to cry. ^telodioiis birds sing madrigals ; When I sat in Pahylon, And a thousand vag ram posies. To shallow Sim. Yonder he is coming, this way, sir Hugh. Evu. He's welcome : — To shallow rivers, to whose falls Heaven prosper the right! — What weapons is he ? Sim. No weapons, sir : There comes my master, master Shallow, and another gentleman from Frog- more, over the stile, this way. Eva. Pray you, give jpe my gown ; or else keep J ill your arms. Enter Page, Shallow, and Slender. S/ifi/. How now, master Parson? Good morrow, good sir Hugh. Keep a gamester from the dice and I good studeni from his book, and it is wonderful. 62 MERRY ^^IVE^ OF WINDSOR. Act 111 lay their swords to pawn: — Follow me, lad of peace ; follow, follow, follow. 8haL Trust me, a mad host :— Follow, gentle- •Xien, follow. Slen. 0, sweet Anne Page! [Exeunt S;!al., Slen., Page, and Host. Calus. Ha! do I perceive datl have you make-a de HOt of us ] ha, ha ! Eva. This is well ; he has m.ade us his vlouting- stog. — I desire you, that we may be friends; and let us knog our prains together, to be revenge on this same scall, scurvy, cogging companion, the host of the Garter. Cuius. By gar, vit all my heart: he promisie to bring me vere is Anne Page : by gar, he deceive me too. Eva. Well, I will smite his noddles :— Pray you, follow. [Exeunt. SCENE II.— The Street in Windsor. Enter Mistress Page and Robin.^ Mrs. Page. Nay, keep your way, little gallant; you were wont to be a follower, but now you are a leader: Whether had you rather, lead mine eyes, or eye your master's heels! lloh. I had rather, forsooth, go before you like a man, than follow him like a dwarf. Mrs. Page. O you are a flatteriiig boy; now, I see, you'll be a courtier. Enter Forb. Ford. Well met, mistress Page: Whither go you ! Mrs. Page. Truly, sir, to see your wife: Is she at homel Ford. Ay ; and as idle as she may hang togeth- er, for want of company : I think if your husbands were dead, you two would marry. Mrs. Page. Be sure of that, — two other husbands. Ford. Where had you this pretty weather-cock? Mrs. Page. I cannot tell what the dickens his name is my hv.sband had him of: What do you call your knight's name, sirrah? Roh. Sir John Falstaff. Ford. Sir John Falstaff! Mrs. Page. He, he ; I can never hit on's name. There is such a league between my good man and he ! — Is your wife at home, indeed 1 Ford. Indeed, she is. Mrs. Page. By your leave, sir; — I am sick, till I see her. [Exeunt Mrs. Page and Robin. Ford. Has Page any brains] hath he any eyes] hath he any thinking] Sure they sleep ; he hath no use of them. Why, this boy will carry a letter twenty miles, as easy as a cannon will shoot point- blank twelve score. He pieccs-out his wife's in- clination ; he gives her folly motion, and advantage : and now she's going to my wife, and Falstaf5''s boy with her. A man may hear this shower sing in the wmd! — and Falstaff's boy with her! — Good plots ! — they are laid ; and our revolted wives share damnation together. Well ; I will take him, then torture my wife, pluck the borrowed veil of mo- desty trom the so seeming mistress Page, divulge Page himself for a secure and wilful Actaeon ; and Jo these violent proceedings all my neighbors shall cry aim.* [Clock strikes.'] The clock gives me my cue, and my assurance bids me search ; there I shall * Shall encourage. find Falstaff: I shall be rather praised for this than mocked; for it is as positive as the earth is firm that FalstafTis there: I v/ill go. £?i^erPAGE, Shallow, Slendfr, Host, &V Hugh Evans, Caics, and Rugbt. Shal., Page, &c. Well met, master Ford. Ford. Trust me, a good knot : I have good chee. at home; and I pray you, all go with me. Shal. I must excuse myself, master Ford. Slen. And so must I, sir; wc have appointed to dine with mistress Anne, and I Avould not break with her for more money than I'll speak of. S/tal. We have lingered about a match between Anne Page and my cousin Slender, and this day we shall have our answer. Sle?i. I hope I have your good-will, father Page Page. You have, master Slender ; I stand whol- ly for yon : — but my wife, master doctor, is for you altogether. Cams. Ay, by gar; and de raaid is love-a me; my nursh-a Quickly tell me so mush. Host. What say you to young master Fenton ? he capers, he dances, hi; has eyes of youth, he writes verses, he speaks holyday ; ' he smells April ami May : he will cany't, he will carry't ; 'tis in his buttons ; he will carry't. Page Not by my consent, I proinise you. The gentleman is of no having: he kept company vAth the wild Prince and Poins ; he is of too high » legion, ho knows too much. No, he shall nf knit a knot in his fortunes with the finger of my substance : if he take her, let him take her simply ; the wealth I have, waits on my consent, and my consent goes not that way. Furd. I beseech yon, heartily, some of you gt home with me to dinner : besides your cheer, you shall have sport; I will show you a monster. Master doctor, you shall go ; — so shall you, mas- ter Page ; — and you, sir Hugh. Sltal. Well, fare you well : — we shall have the freer wooing at master Page's. [Exeufit Shallow and Slender Cains. Go home, John Rugby ; I come anon. [Exif RrcBT. Host. Farewell, my hearts : I will to my honest knight Falstaf!^ and drink canary with him. [Exit Host. Ford. [Aside.] 1 think, I shall drink in pipc-winc first with him; I'll make him dance. W^ilj you go, gentles ? All. Have with yoa, to see this monster. [Exeunt SCENE HI.^ 1 Boom in Ford''s House Enter Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Page. Mrs. Ford. What John ! what, Robert ! [ket— Mrs. Page. Quickly, quickly : Is the buck-baa- Mrs. Ford. I vvaiTant: — ^What, Robin, I sav Enter Servatifs with a basket. Mrs. Page. Come, lome, com"-.. Mrs. Ford. Here, set it down. M-s. Page. Give yom men the charge v we must be brief. Mrs. Ford. Marry, as I told you before, John and Robert, be ready here hard by in the brew house; and when I suddenly call you, come forth, and (without any pause, or staggeiing) take thia basket on your shoulders : that done trudge with » Out of the common style. J Scene III. MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR. 53 it in all liastc, and carry it among the whitstnr.s in Dattlict-mcad, and there empty it in the muddy ditcli, close by the Thames' side. Mrs. Page. You will do it 1 Mrs. Ford. I have told them over and over ; they lack no direction: Begone, and come when you ;uo called. [Exeunt Servants Mrs. Pasre. Here comes Httle Robin. Enter Robin. iMrs. Furd. How now, my eyas-musket V what news with you ] Rub. My master sur John is come in at your hack- door, mistress Ford; and requests your company. Mrs. Page. You little Jack-a-Icnt,' have you been true to us? Bub. Ay, I'll be sworn : My master knows not of your being here; and hath threatened to put me into everlasting liberty, if I tell you of it ; for, he swears, he'll turn me away. Mrs. Page. Thou'rt a good boy ; this secrecy of thine shall be a tailor to thee, and shall make thee a new doublet and hose. — I'll go hide me. Mrs. Ford. Do so : — Go tell thy master, I am alone. Mistress Page, remember you your cue. \_Exit Robin. Mrs. Page. I warrant thee; if I do not act it, hiss me. [Exit Mrs. Page. Mrs. Ford. Go to then ; we'll use this unwhole- •ome humidity, this gross watery pumpion ; we'll teach him to know turtles from Java. Enter Falstaff. Ful. Have I caught thee, my heavenly jewel/ Wliy, now let me die, for I have lived long enough : this is the period of my ambition: this blessed hour ! M?'s. Ford. O sweet sir John ! Fal. Mistress Ford, I cannot cog, I cannot prate, mistress Ford. Now shall I sin in my wish: I would thy husband were dead ; I'll speak it before the best lord, I would make thee my lady. Mrs. Ford. I your lady, sir John ! alas, I should be a pitiful lady. Ful. Let the court of France show me such an- other : I see how thine eye would emulate the dia- mond : Thou hast the right arched bent of the brow, that becomes the ship-tiro, the tire-valiant, or any tire of Venetian admittance. Mrs. Ford. A plain kerchief, sir John : my brows become nothing else; nor that well neither. Fal. Thou art a traitor to say so: thou wouldst make an absolute courtier: and the firm fixture of thy foot would give an excellent motion to thy gait, in a semi-circled farthingale. I see what thou wert, if fortune thy foe were not; nature is thy friend: Conic, thou canst not hide it. Mrs. Ford. Believe me, there's no such thing in me. Ful. What made me love thee? let that persuade thee, there's something extraordinary in thee. — Come, I cannot cog, and say, thou art this and that, like a many of these lisping haw-thorn buds, that come like women in men's apparel, and smell like Bucklers-bury' in simple-time; I cannot: but [ love thee; none but thee; and thou dcsorvest it. Mrs. Ford. Do not betray me, sir; I fear, you love mistress Page. A young small hawk. ' A puppet thrown at, in Lent, like shrovc-cocks. ' Formerly chiefly inhabited by ilraggists. 6 Fal. Thou mightst as well say, I i'>ve to walk by the Counter-gate; which is as hateful to me at the reek of a lime-kiln. Mrs. Ford. Well heaven knows, how I love yr.ri. and you shall one day find it. Fal. Keep in that mind; I'll deserve it. Mrs. Ford. Nay, I must tell you, so you do, oi else I could not be in that mind. Rob. [_within.^ Mistress Ford, mistress Ford ! here's mistress Page at the door, sweating, and blowing, and looking wildly, and would needs speak with you presently. Fal. She shall not see me ; I will ensconce ' xlo behind the an-as. Mrs. Ford^ Pray j'ou, do so; she's a very tattling womin. — [Falstaff hides himself Enter Mrs. Page a^id Robin. What's th i matter 1 how now 1 Mrs. Frige. O mistress Ford, what have j'ou done 1 You're shamed, you are overthrown, you are undone for ever. Mrs. Ford. What's the matter, good mistress Page] Mrs. Page. well-a-day, mistress Ford ! having an honest man to your husband, to give him such cause of suspicion ! Mrs. Ford. What cause of suspicion 1 Mrs. Page. What cause of suspicion ? — O-t upon you ! how am I mistook in you ! Mrs. Ford. Why, alas! what's the matter? Mrs. Page. Your husband's coming hither, wo- man, with all the officers in Windsor, to search for a gentleman, that, he says, is here, now in the house, by your consent, to take an ill advantage of his absence: you are undone. Mrs. Ford. Speak louder. [Aside.'] — 'Tis not so, I hope. Mrs. Page. Pray heaven it be not so, that you have such a man here; but 'tis most certain your husband's coming with half Windsor at his heels, to search for such a one. I come before to tell you : If you know yourself clear, why I am glad of it: but if you have a friend here, convey, convey him out. Be not amazed : call all your senses to you: defend your reputation, or bid farewell to your good life for ever. Mrs. Ford, What shall I do 1 — There is a gen- tleman, my dear friend: and I fear not mine own shame, so much as his peril : I had rather than a thousand pound, he were out of the house. Mrs. Page. For shame, never stand you had rather, and you had rather,- your husband's here at hand, bethink you of some conveyance : in the house you cannot hide him. — O, how have you deceived me ! — Look, here is a basket : if he be of any reasonable stature, he may creep in here; and throw foul linen upon him, as if it were going to bucking : Or, it is whiting-time,' send him by your two men to Datchet-mead. Mrs. Ford, He's too big to go in there: What shall I do? Re-enter Falstaff. Fal. TiCt me sce't ! let me sec't ! let me see't'. I'll in, I'll in; — follow your friend's counsel ;- I'll in. Mrs. Page. What! sir John Falstaff! Arcthesa your letters, knight? * Hide. < Bleaching time 54 JMERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR. AOT III. Fal. \ love thee, and none but thee; help me Bway: lei. me creep in here; I'll never — • [//e goes into Ihe basket; they cover him ivilh foul linen. Mrs. Page. Help to cover your master, boy: Call your men, mistress Ford : — You dissembling knight. Mrs. Ford. What, John, Robert, John ! {^Exit Romx; Re-enter Servants.] Go, take up these clothes here, quickly; Where's the cowl-stafF] " look, how you drunn.Io,^ carry them to the laun- dress in Datcliet-mead ; quickly, come. Enter FoRn, Page, Caius, and Sir Hugh Evans. Ford. Pray you, come near : if I suspect without cause, why then make sport at me, then let me be your jest; I deserve it. — Hov/ nowl whither bear you this? Serv, To the laundress, forsooth. Mis. Ford. Why, what have you to do whither they bear it? You were best meddle with buck- washing. Ford. Buck? I would I could wash myself of the buck ! Buck, buck, buck ] Ay, buck ; I warrant you, buck; and of the season too, it shall appear. {^Exeunt Servants with the basket.'] Gentlemen, I have dreamed to-night: I'll tell you my dream. Here, here, here be my keys: ascend my chambers, search, seek, find out: I'll warrant we'll unkennel the fox: — Let me stop this way first: — So now uncape.' Page. Good master Ford, be contented : you wrong yourself too much. Ford. True, master Page. — Up, gentlemen; you shall sec sport anon : follow me, gentlemen. [^Exit. Eva. This is fery fantastical humors, and jea- lousies. Caius. By gar, 'tis no de fashion of France: it is not jealous in France. Page. JXay, follow him, gentlemen ; see the issue of his search. [Exeunt Evans, Page, and Caius. Mrs. Page. Is there not a double excellency in this' Mrs. Ford. I know not which pleases me better, that my husband is deceived, or sir John. ■Mrs. Page. What a taking he was in when your husband asked who was in the basket? Mrs. Ford. I am half afraid ho will have need of washing ; so throwing him into the water will do him a benefit. Mrs. Page. Hang him, dishonest rascal ! I would, all of the same strain were in the same distress. Mrs. Ford. 1 think my husband hath some special suspicion of Falstaff's being here: for I never saw him so gross in his jealousy till now. Mrs. Page. I will lay a plot to try that: And we will yet have more tricks with Falstalf: his dissolute disease will scarce obey this medicine. Mrs. Ford. Shall we send that foolish carrion, mistress Quickly, to him, and excuse his throwing into the water; and give him another hope, to betray him into another punishment! Mrs. Page. We'll do it; let him be sent for to- morrow eight o'clock, to have amends. Re-enter Fonn, Pagk, Caius, and Sir Hugh Evans. Ford. I canr.ot find him : may be the knave bragged of that he could not compass. » A staff for oarr/ini; a large tub or basket. • Drone. *t'nbag the fox Mrs. Page. Heard you thati Mrs. Ford. Ay, ay, peace: — ^you use me well master Ford, do you 1 Ford. Ay, I do so. Mrs. Ford. Heaven make you better than youi thoughts ! Ford. Amen. Mrs. Page. You do yourself mighty wi-ong, master Ford. Ford. Ay, ay ; I must bear it. Era. If there be anypody in the house, and iu the chambers, and in the coffers, and in the presses heaven forgive my sins at the day of judgment ! Cains. By gar, nor I too; dere is no bodies. Page. Fie, fie, master Ford! are you not ashamed! What spirit, what devil .'luggcsts this imagination 7 I would not have your distemper in this kind, for the wealth of Windsor Castle. Ford. 'Tis my fault, master Page : I suffer for it. Eva. You suffer for a pad conscience ; your wife is ab honest a 'omans, as I will desires among five thousand, and five hundred too. Caius. By gar, I see 'tis an honest woman. Ford. Well; — I promised you a dinner: — Come, come, walk in the park : I pray you, pardon me; I will hereafter make known to you, why I hive done this. — Come, wife ; come, mistress Page : I pray you pardon me ; pray heartily, pardon me. Page. Let's go in, gentlemen ; but trust me, we'll mock him. I do invite you to-morrow morning to my house to breakfast ; after, we'll a birding together ; I have a fine hawk for the bush : Shall it be so ? Fnrd. Any thing. Eva. If there is one, I shall make two in the company. Caius. If there be one or two, I shall make-a de tird. Eva. In your teeth : for shame. Ford. Pray you go, master Page. Eva. I pray you now, remembrance to-morrow on the lousy knave, mine host. Caius. Dat is good ; by gar, vit all my heart. Eva. A lousy knave ; to have his gibes and his mockeries. [Exeunt. SCENE lY.—A Room in Page's House. Enter Fenton and Mistress Anne PaCxE. Fent. I see, I cannot get thy father's love* Therefore, no more turn me to him, sweet Nan. Anne. Alas! how then! Feiit. Why, thou must be thysell- He doth object, I am too great of birth ; And that, my state being gall'd with my expense, I seek to heal it only by his wealth : Besides these, other bars he lays before me, My riots pasl, my wild societies; And tells me, 'tis a thing impossible I should love thee, but as a property. Anne. May be, he tells you true. Fent. No, heaven so speed me in my time U come! Albeit, I will confess, thy father's wealth Was the first motive that I woo'd ihee, Anne: Yet, wooing thee, I found thee of more value Than stamps in gold, or sums in sealed bags; And 'tis the very riches of thyself That now I aim at. Anne. Gentle master Fenton, Yet seek mv father's love: still seek it, sir.- Scene V. MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR 55 [f opportunilj and humblest suit Cannot attair^ it, why then — Hark you hither. \_Thcy converse apart. tenter Shallow, Slender, and Mrs. Quickly. Shal. Break their talk, Mrs. Quickly; my kins- man shall speak for himself. Slen. I'll make a shaft or a bolt on't:' slid, 'tis but venturing. Shal. Be not dismay'd. Slcn. No, slie shall not dismay me : I care not for that, — but that I am afeard. Quick. Hark ye ; master Slender would speak a word with you. Anne. I come to him. — This is my father's choice. 0, what a world of vile ill-favor'd faults Looks handsome in three hundred pounds a year ! \^Aside. Quick. And how docs good master Fenton] Pray you, a word with you. Shal. She's coming; to her, coz. O boy, thou hadst a father. Sten. I had a father, mistress Anne; — my uncle can tell you good jests of him : — Pray you, uncle, tell mistress Anne the jest, how my father stole two geese out of a pen, good uncle. Shut. Mistress Anne, my cousin loves you. Slen. Ay, that I do ; as well as I love any woman in Gloucestershire. Shal. He will maintain you like a gentlewoman. Slen. Ay, that I will, come cut and long-tail, under the degree of a 'squire. Shal. He will make you a hundred and fifty pounds jointure. Anne. Good master Shallow, let him woo for himself Shal. Marry, I thank you for it; I thank you for that good comfort. She calls you, coz: I'll leave you. Anne. IV. "Jw, master Slender. Slen. Now, good mistress Anne. Anne. What is your will 1 Slen. My will 1 od's heartlings, that's a pretty jest indeed ! I ne'er made my will yet, I thank heaven ; I am not such a sickly creature, I g^ve heaven praise. Anne. I mean, master Slender, what would you with me T Slen. Truly, for mine own part, I would little 01 nothing with you : Your father, and my uncle, have made motions: if it be my luck, so: if not, happy man be his dole ! ' They can tell you how things go, better than I can: You may ask your father; here he comes. Enter Page, and Mistress Page. Page. Now, master Slender : — Love him, daugh- ter Anne. — Why, how now ! what does master Fenton here 1 You wrong me, sir, thus still to haunt my house: I told you, sir, my daughter is dispos'd of. Fent. Nay, master Page, be not impatient. Mrs. Page. Good master Fenton, come not to my child. Page. She is no match for you. Pent. Sir, will you hear me] •A prcvc'.b— a shaft was a long arrow, and a bolt a thick •hort on-j. t Lot. Page. No, good master F ntoa Come, master Shallow; come, son Slender, in: — Knowing my mind, you wrong me, master Fenton \^Exeu?it Page, Shallow, and Slexiieu Quick. Speak to Mistress Page. Pent. Good mistress Page, for that I love you» daughter In such a righteous fashion as I do. Perforce, against all checks, rebukes, and manncrSj I must advance the colors of my love. And not retire : Let me have your good will. Amie. Good mother, do not marry me to joji.V fool. Mrs. Page. I mean it not; I seek you a bftitr husband. Quick. That's my master, master doctor. Anne. Alas, I had rather be set quick i' the eaith, And bowl'd to death with turnips. Mrs. Page. Come, trouble not yourself: Gojd master Fenton, I will not be your friend, nor enemy : My daughter will I question how she loves you, And as I find her, so am I aflected; 'Till then, farewell, sir: — She must needs go in Her father will be angry. [^Exeunt Mrs. Page a7id Axnk Pent. Farewell, gentle mistress; farewell, Nan Quick. This is my doing now; — Nay, said 1 will you cast away your child on a fool, and a physician ] Look on master Fenton : — this is my doing. Fe?it. I thank thee; and I pray thee, once to- night Give my sweet Nan this ring: There's for thy pains. [Exit. Quick. Now heaven send thee good fortune ! A kind heart he hath : a woman would run thi-ough fire and water for such a kind heart. But yet, I would my master had mistress Anne ; or I would master Slender had her; or, in sooth, I would master Fenton had her: I will do what I can for them all three ; for so I have promised, and I'll be as good as my word; but speciously* for maste" Fenton. Well, I must of another errand to sii John Falstaft' from my two mistresses: What a beast am I to slack'' it. SCENE v.— ^ Room in the Garter Inn. Enter Falstaff and Bardolph. Pal. Bardolph, I say, — Bar. Here, sir. Pal. Go fetch me a quart of sack; put a tcao in't. [Exit Baud.] Have I lived to be carried in a basket, like a barrow of butcher's offal ] and to be thrown into tlie Thames 1 Well ; if I be served such another trick, I'll have my brains ta'en out, and buttered, and give them to a dog for a new year's gift. The rogues slighted me into the river with as little remorse as they would have drownec blind puppies, fifteen i' the litter: and you may know by my size, that I have a kind of alacrity in sinking; if the bottom were as deep as hell, I should down. I had been drowned, but that the shore was shelvy and shallow: a death that I abhor; for the water swells a man ; and what a thing should I have been, when I had been swelled ! I should have been a mountain of mummy. • Specially. ' Neslec* b6 MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR. Act ill Re enter Bardolph, with the wine. Bar. Here's mistress Quickly, sir, to speak with you. Fal. Come, let me pour in some sack to the Thames water ; for my insidc's as cold, as if I had swallowed snow-balls for pills to cool the reins. — Call her in. Bni Come in woman. Enter Mrs. Quickly. Quick, By your leave ; I cry your mercy : Give your worship good-morrow. Fa/. Take away these chalices. Go brew me a pottle of sack finely. Bar. With eggs, sir ] Fal. Simple of itself; I'll no pullet-sperm in my brewage. — [Exit Bardolph.] — How now ? Quick. Marry, sir, I come to youi worship from mistress Ford. Fal. Mistress Ford ! I have had ford enough : I was thrown into the ford : I have my belly full of ford. Quick. Alas the day; good heart, that was not her fault ; she does so take on with her men ; they mistook their erection. Fal. So did I mine, to '^uild upon a foolish wo- man's promise. Quick. Well, she laments, sir, for it, that it would yearn your heart to see it. Her husband goes this morning a birding ; she desires you once more to come to her between eight and nine : I must carry her word quickly ; she'll make you amends, I war- rant you. Fal. Well, I will visit her : Tell her so ; and bid Her think what a man is: let her consider his frailty, and then judge of my merit. Quick. I will tell her. Fal. Do so. Between nine and ten, say'st thou? Quick. Eight and nine, sir. Fal. Well, begone : I will not miss her. Quick. Peace be with you, sir. \_Exit. Fal. I marvel, I hear not of master Brooks ; he sent me word to stay within: I like his money well. O, here he comes. Enter Ford. Ford. Blesa yoB, sir ! Fal. Now, master Brook ! you come to kncTv what hath passed between me and Ford's \x ifc ? Ford. That, indeed, sir John, is my business. Fal. Master Brook, I will not lie to you ; I was a I her Louse the hour she appointed me. Ford. And how sped you, sir ? Fal. Very ill-favoredly, master Brook. Ford. How so, sir T Did she change her deter- mination. Fal. No, master Brook ; but the peaking cor- nuto, her husband, master Brook, dwelling in a continual 'larum of jealousy, comes me in the in- stant of our encoimter, after we had embraced, kissed, protested, and, as it were, spoke the pro- logue of our comedy ; and at his heels a rabble of his companions, thither provoked and instigated by nis distemper, and, forsooth, to search his house for his wife's love. Ford. What, while you were there ? Fal, While I was there. Ford. And did he search for j ou, and could UxA find you ? Fal. You shall hear. As good luck would have it, comes in one mistress Page ; gives intelligence of Ford's approach ; and, by her invention, and Ford's wife's distraction, they con reyed me into a buck-basket ! Ford, A buck-basket 1 Fal. By the Lord, a buck-basket : rammed me in with foul shirts and smocks, socks, foul stock- ings, and greasy napkins; that, master Brook, there was the rankest compound of villanous smell, that ever offended nostril. Fard. And how long lay you there ] Fal. Nay, you shall hear, master Brook, what I have suffered to bring this woman to evil for your good. Being thus crammed in the basket, a couple of Ford's knaves, his hinds, were called forth by their mistress to carry me in the name of foul clothes to Datchet-lane : they took me on their shoulders ; met the jealous knave theii master in the door; who asked them once oi twice what they had in their basket : I quaked for fear, lest the lunatic knave would have searched it ; but Fate, ordaining he should bt a cuckold, held his hand. Well ; on went ht for a search, and away went I for foul clothes. But mark the sequel, master Brook: I suffered the pangs of three several deaths : first an in- tolerable fright, to be detected with a jealous rotten-bell-wether : next, to be compassed like a good bilbo,^ in the circumference of a peck, hilt to point, heel to head : and then, to be stopped in, like a strong distillation, with stinking clothes that fretted in their own grease : think of that, — - a man of my kidney, think of that; that am as subject to heat as butter ; a man of continual dissolution and thaw ; it was a miracle to 'scape suffocation. And in the height of this bath, when I was more than half stewed in grease, like a Dutch dish, to be thrown into the Thames, and cooled, glowing hot, in that surge, like a horse- shoe; think of that; — hissing hot, — think of that, master Brook. Ford, In good sadness, sir, I am sorry thai for my sake you have suffered all this. My suit then is desperate ; you'll undertake her no more. Fal. Master Brook, I will be thrown into ^tna, as I have been into Thames, ere I will leave her thus. Her husband is this morning gone a bird- ing: I have received from her another embassy of meeting; 'twixt eight and nine is the hour, master Brook. Ford. 'Tis past eight already, sir. Fal, Is it ] I will then address me to my appoint- ment. Come to me at your convenient leisure, and you shall know how I speed ; and the conclu- sion shall be crowned with your enjoying her: Adieu. You shall have her, master Brook ; master Brook, you shall cuckold Ford. [Exit. Ford. Hum ! ha ! is this a vision 1 is this a dream ? do I sleep ? Master Ford, awake ; awake, master Ford ; there's a hole made in your best coat, master Ford. This 'tis to be married ! this 'tis to have linen and buck-baskets ! — Well, I will proclaim myself what I am : I will now take the lecher ; he is at my house : he cannot 'scape me ; 'tis impossible he should ; he cannot creep • BUboa, where the best blades are made. Act IV. Scene li. MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR; b, into a halfpenny purse, nor into a pepper-box: but, lest the devil that guides him should aid iiim, I will search impossible places. Though R'hat I am I cannot avoid, yet to be what I would not, shall not make me tame: if I have horns to make one mad, let the proverb go with me, I'll be horn mad. [Exit ACT lY. SCENE I.— The Street. Enter 3[rs. Page, Mrs. Quickly, and William. 3frs. Page. Is he at master Ford's already, Ihink'st thou ? Quick. Sure he is by this ; or will be presently : nut truly, he is very courageous" mad, about his throwing into the water. Mistress Ford desires you to come suddenly. Mrs. Page. I'll be with her by and by ; I'll but bring my young man here to school : look, where his master comes; 'tis a playing-day, I eee. Enter Sir Hugh Evans. How now, sir Hugh? no school to-day 1 Eva. No ; master Slender is let the boys leave to play. Quick. Blessing of his heart! Mrs. Page. Sir Hugh, my husband says, my son profits nothing in the world at his book ; I pray you, ask him some questions in his ac- cidence. Eva. Come hither, William ; hold up your head ; come. Mrs. Page. Come on, sirrah ; hold up your head ; answer your master, be not afraid. Eva. William, how many numbers is in nouns ■? Will. Two. Quick. Truly, I thought there had been one number more ; because they say, od's nouns. Eva. Peace your tattling. What is fair, Wil- liam. Will. Pulcher. Quick. Poulcats ! there are fairer things than poulcats, sure. Eva. You are a very simplicity 'oman ; I pray you, peace. What is lapis, William ? Will. A stone. Eva. And what is a stone, William 1 Will. A pebble. Eva. No, it is lapis ,• I pray you remember in your prain. Will. Lapis. Eva. That is good William. What is he, Wil- liam, that does lend articles ? Will. Articles are borrowed of the pronoun ; and be thus declined, Singulariter, nominafivo, hie, hacc, hoc. Eva. Nominafivo, hig, hag, hog; pray you, mark : genitivo, hujus : Well, what is your accu- sative case? Will. Accusativo, hinc. Eva. I pray you, have your remembrance, child : Accusative, hing, hang, hog. Quick. Hang hog is Latin for bacon, I warrant fou. ' Outrageous. Eva. Leave your prabbles, 'oman. What is tLe focative case, William 1 Will. O — Vocativo, 0. Eva. Remember, William ; focative is caret. Quick. And that's a good root. Eva. 'Oman, forbear. Mrs. Page. Peace. Eva. What is your genitive case, plural, Wil- liam? Will. Genitive case ? Eva. Ay. Will. Genitivo — horum, harum, horiim. Quick. 'Vengeance of Jenny's case ! fie on her ! — never name her, child, if she be a whore. Eva. For shame, 'oman. Quick. You do ill to teach the child such words : he teaches him to hick and to hack, which they'll do fast enough of themselves ; and to call horum : — fie upon you ! Eva. 'Oman, art thou lunatics? hast thou no understandings for thy cases, and the numbers of the genders 1 Thou art as foolish Christian crea tures as I would desires. Mrs. Page. Pr'ythee, hold thy peace. Eva. Show me now, William, some declensions of your pronouns. Will. Forsooth, I have forgot. Eva. It is ki, kas, cod,- if you forget your kies, your ka?s, and your cods, you must be preeches * Go your ways, and play, go. Mrs. Page. He is a better scholar than I thought he was. Eva. He is a good sprag* memory. Farewell, mistress Page. Mrs. Page. Adieu, good sir Hugh. [^Exit Sir Hugh.] Get you home, boy. — Come, we stay too long. [Exeunt. SCENE 11.—^ Room in Ford's House. Enter Falstaff and Mrs. Ford. Fal. Mistress Ford, your sorrow hath ealei. up my sufferance: I see you are obsequious in your love, and I profess requital to a hair's breadth : not only, mistress Ford, iii the simple office of love, but in all the accoutrement, com- plement, and ceremony of it. But are you sure of your husband now 1 Mrs. Ford. He's a birding, sweet Sir John. Mrs. Page. [ Wifhin.l What boa ! gossip Ford i what hoa ! Mrs. Ford. Step into the chamber, sir John. [Exit Falstaff Enter Mrs. Page. Mrs. Page. How now, sweetheart! who's al home besides yourself] s Breeched, i. e. flogged. ■Aj>t to leom. 58 MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR. Act IV, Mra. Fwd Why, none but mine own people. Mrs. Page. I«ideed 1 Mrt,. F()7-d. No, certainly ; — speak louder. l_ Aside. Mrs. Page.. Truly, I am so glad you have no- body here. Mrs. Ford. Why] Mrs. Page. Why, woman, your husband is in his old luncs' again : he so takes on yonder with my husband ; so rails against all married mankind ; so curses all Eve's daughters, of what complexion soever ; and so buffets himself on the forehead, cry- ing Peer out, peer out ! that any madness I ever yet beheld seemed but tameness, civility, and pa- tience, to this his distemper he is in now ; I am glad the fat knight is not here. Mrs. Ford. Why, does he talk of him? Mrs. Page. Of none but him ; and swears, lie was carried out, the last time he searched for him, in a basket : protests to my husband he is now here : and hath drawn him and the rest of their company from their sport, to make an- other experiment of his suspicion: but I am glad the knight is not here ; now he shall see his own foolery. Mrs. Ford. How near is he, mistress Page ? Mrs. Page. Hard by ; at street end ; he will be here anon. Mrs. Ford. I am undone! — the knight is here. Mrs. Page. Why, then you are utterly shamed, and he's but a dead man. What a woman are you ? — Away with him, away with him ; better shame than murder. Mi-s. Ford. Which way should he go 1 how should I bestow him 1 Shall I put him into the liasket again ] Re-enter Falstaff. Fal. No, I'll come no more i' the basket : May J not go out ere he come 1 Mrs. Page. Alas, three of Master Ford's bro- thers watch the door with pistols, that none shall issue ovit ; otherwise you might slip away ere he came. But what makes you here ] Fal. What shall I do ? — I'll creep up into the chimne)'. Mrs. Ford. There they always use to dis- charge their birding pieces : creep into the kiln- hole. Fal. Where is it? Mrs. Ford. He will seek there on my word. xVeither press, coffer, chest, trunk, well, vault, but be hath an abstract for the remembrance of such places, and goes to them by his note : There is no hiding you in the house. Fal. I'll go out then. Mrs. Page. If you go out in your own sem- blance, you die, sir John. Unless you go out dis- guised, — Mrs. Ford. How might we disguise him ? M?-s. Page. Alas the day, I know not. There is no woman's gown big enough for him ; other- wise, he might put on a hat, a muffler, and a ker- chief, and so escape. Fal. Good hearts, devise something: any ex- tremity rather than a mischief. > Mad fits. Mrs. Ford. My maid's aunt, the fat woman oi Brentford, has a gown above. Mrs. Page. On my word, it will serve him; she's as big as he is : and there's her thrum'd hat, and her muffler too : Run up, sir John. Mrs. Ford. Go, go, sweet sir John : mis- tress Page and I will look some linen for youi head. Mrs. Page. Quick, quick; we'll come dicsa you straight: put on the gown the while. [Exit Fal Mrs. Ford. I would my husband would mcu him in this shape : he cannot abide the old wo man of Brentford; he swears she's a witch: for- bade her my house, and hath threatened to beat her. Mrs. Page. Heaven guide him to thy hus- band's cudgel; and the devil guide his cudgel afterwards ! Mrs. Ford. But is my husband coming ] Mrs. Page. Ay, in good sadness he is ; and talks of the basket too, howsoever he hath had in- telligence. Mrs. Ford. We'll try that ; for I'll appoint my men to carry the basket again, to meet him at the door with it, as they did last time. Mrs. Page. Nay, but he'll be here presently ; let's go dress him like the witch of Brentford. Mrs. Ford. I'll first direct my men, what they shall do with the basket. Go up, I'll bring linen for him straight. [Exit. Mrs. Page. Haaig him, dishonest varlet! we cannot misuse him enough. We'll leave a proof, by that which we will do. Wives may be merry, and yet honest too. We do not act, that often jest and laugh ; 'Tis old but true, Still swine eat all the draff. [Exit. Re-enter Mrs. Ford, with two servants. Mrs. Ford. Go, sirs, take the basket again on j'our shoulders ; your master is hard at door ; if he bid you set it down, obey him : quickly, dispatch [Exit. 1 Serv. Come, come, take it up. 2 Serv. Pray heaven, it be not full of the knight again. 1 Serv. I hope not ; I had as lief bear so much lead. Enter Ford, Page, Shallow, Caius, and Sir Hugh Evans. Ford. Ay, but if it prove true, master Page, have you any way then to unfool me again 1^ Set down the basket, villain : — Somebody call my wife: You, youth in the basket, come out here ! — O, you panderly rascals ! there's a knot, a gang, a pack, a conspiracy against me : Now shall the devil be shamed. What ! wife, I say >. come, come forth ; behold what honest clothes you send forth to bleaching. Page. Why, this passes! Master Ford, you are not to go loose any longer; you must be pinioned. Eva. Why, this is lunatics ! this is mad as a mad dog ! Shal. Indeed, master Ford, this is not well ; in deed. Scene III. MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR. by Er.lcT Mrs. Ford. Ford. So say I too, sir. — Come hither, mistress Ford ; mistress Ford, the honest woman, the modest wife, the virtuous creature, that hath the jealous fool to her husband ! — I suspect without cause, mistress, do I ? Mrs. Ford. Heaven be my witness, you do, if you suspect me in any dishonesty. Ford. Well said, brazen-face ; hold it out. Come forth, sirrah. [^Pulh the clothes out of the basket. Page. This passes ! Mrs. Ford. Are you not ashamed ? let the clothes alone. Ford. I shall find you anon. Eva. 'Tis unreasonable ! Will you take up your wife's clothes 1 Come away. Ford. Empty the basket, I say. Mrs. Ford. Why, man, why, — Ford. Master Page, as I am a man, there was one conveyed out of my house yesterday in this basket : Why may not he be there again ? In my house I am sure he is: my intelligence is true ; my jealousy is reasonable : Pluck me out all the linen. Mrs. Ford. If you find a man there, he shall die a flea's death. Page. Here's no man. Shal. By my fidelity, this is not well, master Ford ; this wrongs you. Eva. Master Ford, you must pray, and not fol- low the imaginations of your own heart : this is jealousies. Ford. Well, he's not here I seek for. Page. No, nor no where else, but in your brain. Ford. Help to search my house this one time : if I find not what I seek, show no color for my extremity, let me forever be your table-sport; let them say of me. As jealous as Ford, that searched a hollow walnut for his wife's leman.' Satisfy me once more ; once more search with me. Mrs. Ford. AVhat hoa, mistress Page ! come you, and the old woman down : my husband will come into the chamber. Ford. Old woman ! what old woman's that ? Mrs. Ford. Why, it is my maid's aunt of Brentford. Ford. A witch, a quean, an old cozening quean ! Have I not forbid her my house 1 She comes of errands, does she 1 We are simple men ; we do not know what's brought to pass under the profession of fortune-telling. She works by charms, by spells, by the figure, and such daubery as this is, beyond our element: we know nothing. Come down, you witch, you hag, you; come down, I say. Mrs. Ford. Nay, good, sweet husband ; — good gentirmen, let him not strike the old woman. Enter Falstaff in woman's clothes, led by Mrs. Page. Mrs. Page. Come, mother Pratt, come, give me VDur hand. Ford. I'll prat her: out of my door, you vitch ! [beats him.'] you rag, you baggage, you \>ulc-cat, you ronyon !' out! cut! I'll conjure you, I'll fortune-tell you. [^Exit Fal. ' Lover. •Scab 3Irs. Page. Are you not a&hameJ ? I think yoi have kill'd the poor woman. Mrs. Ford. Nay, he will do it: — 'Tis a gjodly credit for you. Ford. Hang her, witch ! Eva. By yea and no, I think the 'oman is r witch indeed : I like not when a 'oman has a greal peard ; I spy a great peard under her muffler. Ford. Will you follow, gentlemen 1 I beseech you, follow ; see but the issue of my jealousy : if 1 ciy out thus upon no trail,^ never trust me when I open again. Page. Let's obey his humor a little further. Come, gentlemen. [Exeunt Page, Ford, Shallow, and Evans. Mrs. Page. Trust me, he beat him most piti- fully. Mrs. Ford. Nay, by the mass, that he did not ; he beat him most unpitifully, methought. Mrs. Page. I'll have the cudgel hallowed, and hung o'er the altar ; it hath done meritorious ser- vice. Mrs. Ford. What think you ? May we, with the warrant of womanhood, and the witness of a good conscience, pursue h'm with any further revenge? Mrs. Page. The spirit of wantonness is, sure, scared out of him ; /f the devil have him not in fee-simple, with fine and recovery, he will never, I think, in the way of waste, attempt us again. Mrs. Ford. Shall we tell our husbands how we have served him ? Mrs. Page. Yes, by all means ; if it be but to scrape the figures out of your husband's brains. If they can find in their hearts, the poor unvirtuous fat knight shall be any further afflicted, we two will still be the ministers. Mrs. Ford. I'll warrant they'll have him pub- licly shamed : and, methinks, there would be no period to the jest, should he not be publicly shamed. Mrs. Page. Come, to the forge m ith it then, shape it : I would not have things cool. [Exeunt. SCENE III.— ^ Room in the Garter Inn. Enter Host and Bardolph. Bar. Sir, the Germans desire to have three of your horses : the duke himself will be to-moiTOW at court, and they are going to meet him. Host. What duke should that be, comes so se- cretly 1 I hear not of him in the court : Let me speak with the gentlemen ; they speak English ? Bar. Ay, sir ; I'll call them to you. Host. They shall have my horses ; but I'll make them pay, I'll sauce them : they have had my houses a week at command ; I have turned away my other guests: they must come off"; I'll sauce them : Come. [Exeunt SCENE IV.— yl Room in Ford's House. Enter Page, Ford, Mrs. Page, Mrs. Ford, and Sir Hugh Evans. Eva. 'Tis one of the pest discretions ot a 'oman as ever I did look upon. Page. And did he send you both these lettcn at an instant? < Scent 60 xMERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR. Act IV Mrs. Page, Within a quarter of an hour. Ford. Paz Ion me, wife : Henceforth do what thou wilt; I ratlior will suspect the sun with cold, Tlian thee with wantonness : now doth thy honor stand, [n him that was of late an heretic, As firm as faith. Page. 'Tis well, 'tis well; no more. Be not as extreme in submission, As in olfencc; But let our plot go forward: let our wives Yet once again, to make us public sport. Appoint a meeting with this old fat fellow. Where we may take him and disgrace him for it. Furd. There is no better way than that they spoke of. Page. How! to send him word they'll meet him in the park at midnight! fie, fie! he'll never come. Eva. You say, he has been thrown in the rivers; and has been grievously peaten, as an old 'oman : methinks, there should be terrors in him, that he should not come ; methinks his flesh is punished, he shall have no desires. Page. So think I too. Mrs. Ford. Devise but how you'll use him when he comes. And let us two devise to bring him thither. Mrs. Page. There is an old tale goes, that Heme the hunter, Sometime a keeper in Windsor forest. Doth all the winter time, at still midnight, Walk round about an oak, with great ragg'd horns ; And there he blasts the tree, and takes^ the cattle ; And makes milch-kine yield blood, and shakes a [n a most hideous and dreadful manner : [chain You have heard of such a spirit, and well you know, The superstitious idle-headed eld' Received, and did deliver to our age. This tale of Hcrne the hunter for a truth. Page. Why, yet there want not many, that do fear In deep of night to walk by this Heme's oak : But what of this] Mrs. Ford. Marry, this is our device ; That FalstalT at that oak shall meet with us, Disguis'd like Heme, with huge horns on his head. Page. Well, let it not be doubted but he'll come, And in this shape : When you have brought liim thither, What shall be done with him 1 what is your plot! Mrs. Page. That likewise have we thought upon, and thus : Nan Page my daughter, and my little son, And three or four more of their growth, we'll dress Like urchins, ouphes," and fairies, green and white, With rounds of waxen tapers on their heads, Antl rattles in their hands ; upon a sudden, A3 Faktalf, she, and I, are newly met, [jct them from forth a saw-pit rush at once With some diffused song; upon their sight. We two in great amazedness will fly : Then let them all encircle him about. And, fairy-like, to pinch the unclean knight; .And ask him, why, that hour of fairy-revel, [n their so sacred paths he dares to tread, In shape yjrofane. Mrs. Ford. And till he tell the truth, Let the supposed fairies pinch him sound, \nd burn him with their tapers. ' Strikes. s Old age. • Elf, hobgoblin. Mrs. Page. "^he truth being known, We'll all present ourselves , dis-horn the spirit, And mock him home to Windsor. Ford. The children musl Be practised well to this, or they'll ne'er do't. Eva. I will teach the children their behaviors ; and I will be like a jack-an-apes also, to burn the knight wi^h my taber. Ford. That will be excellent. I'll go buy them vizards. Mrs. Page. My Nan shall be the queen of all the fairies, Finely attired in a robe of white. Page. That silk will I go buy ; — and in that time Shall master Slender steal my Nan away, [Aside. And marry her at Eton. Go, send to Falstafl straight. Ford. Nay, I'll to him again in name of Brook He'll tell me all his purpose : Sure, he'll come. Mrs, Page. Fear not you that : Go, get us pro- perties. And triclung for our fairies. Eva. Let us about it • it is admirable pleasures, and fery honest knaveries. [Exeunt Page, Ford, u^nd. Ptaks. Mrs. Page. Go, mistress Ford, Send quickly to sir John, to know his mina. [Exit Mrs. Ford. I'll to the doctor ; he hath my good will. And none but he, to marry with Nan Page. That Slender, though well landed, is an idiot ; And he my husband best of all affects: The doctor is well money'd, and his friends Potent at court ; he, none but he, shall have her. Though twenty thousand worthier come to crave her. [Exit. SCENE V. — A Room in the Garter Inn. Enter Host and Simple. Host. What wouldst thou have, boor? what, thick-skin? speak, breathe, discuss; brief, short, quick, snap. Sim. Marry, sir, I come to speak with sir John Falstaff from master Slender. Host. There's liis chamber, his house, his castle, his standing-bed, and truckle-bed; 'tis pamted about with the story of the prodigal, fi-esh and new ; Go, knock and call; he'll speak like an Anthropophor ginian' unto thee : Knock, I say. Sim. There's an old woman, a fat woman, gone up into his chamber; I'll be so bold as stay, sir, till she come down : I come to speak with her, in- deed. Host. Ha ! a fat woman ! the knight may be robbed : I'll call. — Bully knight ! Bully sir John ! speak from thy lungs military : Art thou there? it is thine host, thine Ephesian, calls. Fat. [aliove^ How now, mine host 1 Host. Here's a Bohemian-Tartar tarries the com ing down of thy fat woman : Let her descend, bully, let her descend; my chambers are honorable: Fye! privacy ! fye ! Enter Falstaff. Fal. There was, mine host, an old fat woman even now with me; but she's gone. Sim. Pray you, sir, was't not the wi woma^ of Brentford 1 1 A cannibal. BCKNE V. MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR. 61 Fid. Ay, marry, was it, muscle-shell; What ivould you with her? Sim. My master, sir, my master Sicnder, sent to her, seeing her go through the streets, to know, sir, whether one Nym, sir, that beguiled him of a phain, had the chain, or no. Fal. I spake with the old woman about it. Sim. And what says she, I pray, sirl Fal. Marry, she says, that the very same man, that beguiled mwter Slender of his chain, cozened him of it. ^Yot. I would, I could have spoken with the woiran herself; I had other things to have spoken with her too, from him. Fal. What are they^ let us know. Host. Ay, come; quick. Sim. I may not conceal them, sir. , Fal. Conceal them, or thou diest. Sim. Why, sir, they were nothing but about mistress Anne Page ; to know, if it were my •naster's fortune to have her, or no. Fal. 'Tis, 'tis his fortune. Sim. What, sir? Fal. To have her, — or no : Go ; say, the woman told me so. Sim. May I be so bold to say so, sir? Fat. Ay, sir Tike ; who more bold 1 Sim. I thank your worship: I shall make my master glad with these tidings. \^Exit Simple. Host. Thou art clerkly,' thou art clerkly, sir John. Was there a wise woman with thee 1 Fal. Ay, that there was, mine host; one, that hath taught me more wit than ever I learned before in my life : and I paid nothing for it neither, but was paid for my learning. Enter Bahdolph. Bar. Out, alas, sir ! cozenage ! mere cozenage ! Host. Where be my horses 1 speak well of them, varletto. Bar. Run away with the cozeners; for so soon as I came beyond Eton, they threw me off, from beliind one of them, in a slough of mire; and set spurs, and away, like three German devils, three Doctor Faustuses. Host. They are gone but to meet the duke, villain : do not say, they be fled ; Germans are honest men. Enter Sir Hugh Evans. Eva. Where is mine hosti Host. What is the matter, sir 1 Eva. Have a care of your entertainments : there Js a friend of mine come to town, tells me, there is three cousin germans, that has cozened all the hosts of Readings, of Maidenhead, of Colcbrook, of horses and money. I tell you for good will, look jfou: you are wise, and full of gibes and vlouting- Btogs; and 'tis not convenient you should be co- rencd: Fare you well. \_Exit. * Enter Doctor Caius. Caius. Vere is mine Host de Jarterre? Host. Here, master doctor, in perplexity, and doubtful dilemma. Caius. I cannot tell vat is dat : but it is tcll-a me, dat you make grand preparation for a duke de Jar- man)/.- by my trot, dere is no duke, dat the court is kiiow to come ; I tell you for good vill : Adieu. lExit. * Scholar-like Host. Hue and cry, villain, go: — assist me, knight; I am undone: — fly, run, hue and cry, vil- lain! I am undone! [Exeunt Host and Bardolph. Fal. I would, all the world might be cozened; for I have been cozened and beaten too. If it should come to the ear of the court, how I have been transformed, and how my transformation hath been washed and cudgeled, they would melt me out of my fat, drop by drop, and liquor fishermen's boots with me; I warrant, they would whip me with their fine wits, till I were as crest-fallen as a dried pear. I never prospered since I forswore myself at Primero.^ Well, if my wind were but long enough to say my prayers, I would repent. — Enter Mrs. Quicklt. Now ! whence come you ? Quick. From the two parties, forsooth. Fal. The devil take one party, and his dam the other, and so they shall be both bestowed ! I have suffered more for their sakes, more, than the vil- lanous inconstancy of man's disposition is able to bear. Quick. And have not they suffered? Yes, 1 warrant; speciously one of them: mistress Ford, good heart, is beaten black and blue, that you can- not see a white spot about her. Fal. What tell'st thou me of black and blue? I was beaten myself into all the colors of the rain- bow, and I was like to be apprehended for the witch of Brentford; but that my admirable dex- terity of wit, my counterfeiting the action of an old woman, deliver'd me, the knave constable had set me i' the stocks, i' the common stocks, for a witch. Quick. Sir, let me speak with you in your cham ber : you shall hear how things go ; and, I warrant, to your content. Here is a letter will say some- what. Good hearts, what ado here is to bring you together ! Sure one of you does not serve heaven well, that you are so crossed. Fal. Come up into my chamber. [Exeunt SCENE VI.— ^?io^^er Room in the Garter Inn. Enter Fenton and Host. Host. Master Fenton, talk not to me ; my mind is heavy, I will give over all. Fent. Yet hear me speak : Assist me in my pur- pose. And, as I am a gentleman, I'll give thee A hundred pound in gold, more than your loss. Host. I will hear you, master Fenton ; and I will, at the least, keep your counsel. Fent. From time to time I have acquainted you With the dear love I bear to fair Anne Page; Who, mutually, hath answered my affection (So far forth as herself might be her chooser) Even to my wish: I have a letter from he« Of such contents as you will wonder at ; The mirth whereof so larded with my matter, That neither, singly, can be manifested, Without the show of both; — wherein fat Falstaff Hath a great scene: the image of the jest [Showing the letter. I'll show you here at large. Hark, good mine host: To-night at Heme's oak, just 'twixt twelve and one 9 A game at cards. 62 MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR. Act V Must my sweet Nan present the fairy queen; The purpose why, is here ; in which disguise, While other jests are something rank on foot, Her father hath commanded her to shp Away with Slender, and with him at Eton Immediately to maiTy: she hath consented: Now, sir. Her mother, ever strong against that match, And firm for doctor Caius, hath appointed Thai he shall likewise shuffle her away. While other sports are tasking of their minds, And at the deanery, where a priest attends, Straight marry her: to this her mother's plot She, seemingly obedient, likewise hath Made promise to the doctor: — Now, thus it rests; Her fether means she shall be all in white ; And in that habit, when Slender sees his time To take her by the hand, and bid her go. She shall go with him : her mother hath intended, The better to denote her to the doctor, (For they must all be mask'd and vizarded,) That, quaint in green, she shall be loose enrob'A With ribands pendant, flaring 'bout her head ; And when the doctor spies his vantage ripe, To pinch her by the hand, and on that token, The maid hath given consent to go with him. Host. Which means she to deceive 1 father OI mother] Fent. Both, my good host, to go along vs ith mo And here it rests, — that you'll piocure the vicar To stay for mo at church, 'twixt twelve and one And, in the lawful name of marrying, To give our hearts united ceremony. Host. W^ell, husband your device; I'll to tbs vicar : Bring you the maid, you shall not lack a priest. Fent. So shall I evermore be bound to thee; Besides, I'll make a present recompense. [Exeunt. ACT Y. SCENE I. — A Room in the Garter Inn. Enter Falstaff and Mrs. Qcickxt. Fal. Pr'ythee, no more prattling; — go. I'll hold : ' This is the third time ; I hope, good luck lies in odd numbers. Away, go ; they say, there is divinity in odd numbers, either in nativity, chance, or death. — Away. Quick. I'll provide you a chain; and I'll do what I can to get you a pair of horns. Fal. Away, I say; time wears: hold up your head, and mince. [Exit Mrs. Quickly. Enter Ford. How now, master Brook? master Brook, the matter will be known to-night, or never. Be you in the Park about midnight, at Heme's oak, and you shall see wonders. Ford. Went you not to her yesterday, sir, as you told me you had appointed! Fal. I went to her, master Brook, as you see, like a poor old man: but I came from her, master Brook, like a poor old woman. That same knave. Ford, her husband, hath the finest mad devil of jealousy in him, master Brook, that ever governed frenzy. I will tell you. — He beat me grievously, in the shape of a woman; for in the shape of man, master Brook, I fear not Goliath with a weaver's beam ; because I know also, life is a shuttle. I am in haste ; go along with me ; I'll tell you all, master Urook. Since I plucked geese, played truant, and whipped top, I knew not what it was to be beaten, till lately. Follow me: I'll tell you strange things of this knave Ford : on whom to-night I will be revenged, and I will deliver his wife into your hand. — Follow: Strange things in hand, master Brook! follow. [Exeunt. SCENE II.— Windsor Park. Enter Page, Shallow, and Slender. Page. Come, come; we'll couch i' the castle- ditch, till we see the light of our fairies. — Remem- ber, son Slender, my daughter. • Keep to the time. Slen. Ay, forsooth ; I have spoke with her, an we have a nay-word,' how to know one another. I come to her in white, and cry mum,- she cries bitdi^ef ; and by that we know one another. Shal. That's good too: But what needs eithei your ??m>n or her budget? the white will decipher her well enough. — It hath struck ten o'clock. Page. The night is dark ; light and spirits will become it well. Heaven prosper our sport ! No man means evil but the devil, and we shall know him by his horns. Let's away ; follow me. [Exeunt,* SCENE m.—The Street in Windsor. Enter Mrs. Page, Ms. Ford, and Dr. Caius. Mrs. Page. Master doctor, my daughter is in green: when you see your time, take her by the hand, away with her to the deanery, and despatch it quickly : Go before into the park ; we two must go together. Caius. I know vat I have to do; Adieu. Mrs. Page. Fare you well, sir. [Exit Caius. My husband will not rejoice so much at the abuse of Falstaff, as he will chafe at the doctor's marrying my daughter: but 'tis no matter; better a little chiding than a great deal of heart-break. Mrs. Ford. Where is Nan now, and her trorp of fairies] and the Welsh devil, Hugh] Mrs. Page. They are all couched in a pit hard by Heme's oak, with obscured lights : which at tbc very instant of Falstafl''s and our meeting, they will at once display to the night. Mrs. Ford. That cannot choose but amaze hifh. Mrs. Page. If he be not amazed, he will be mock- ed ; if he be amazed, he will eveiy way be mocked. Mrs. Ford. We'll betray him finely. 3Irs. Page. Against sui h lewdstcrs, and their lechery. Those that betray them do no treachery. Mrs. Ford. The hour draws on ; to the oak, tc the oak ! [Exewit •Watch-word. Scene IV. MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR. 63 SCENE IV.— Windsor Park. Enter Sir Hugh Evans, and Fairies. Eva. Trib, trib, fairies ; come ; and remember 7»ur parts : be pold, I pray you ; follow me into the pit ; and when I give the watch-'ords, do as I pid you : Come, come ; trib, trib. [^Exeunt. SCENE v.— Another part of the ParJc. Enter Falstaff disguised, toith a hitch's head on. Fal. The Windsor bell hath struck twelve ; the minute draws on : Now, the hot-blooded gods assist me ! — Remember, Jove, thou wast a bull for thy Eurnnn; love sot on thy horns. — powerful love! tnat, in some respects, makes a beast a man ; in some other, a man a beast. — You were also, Jupiter, a swan, for the love of Leda; 0, omnipotent love ! how near the god drew to the complexion of a goose ! — A fault done first in the form of a beast; — Jove, a beastly fault! and then another fault in the sem- blance of a fowl ; think on't, Jove, a foul fault. — When gods have hot backs, what shall poor men do? For me, I am here a Windsor stag; and the fattest, I think, i' the forest : send me a cool rut-time, Jove, or who can blame me to piss my tallow ! Who comes here ? my doe ? Enter Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Page. Ifrs. Ford. Sir John ? art thou there, my deer? my male deer? Fal. My doe, with the black scut? — Let the sky iiin potatoes ; let it thunder to the tune of Green Sleeves ; hail kissing comfits, and snow eringoes ; let there come a tempest of provocation, I will shel- ter me here. [Embracing her. Mrs. Ford. Mistress Page is come with me, sweet- heart. Fal. Divide me like a bribe-buck, each a haunch : I will keep my sides to myself, my shoulders for the fellow of this walk, and my horns I bequeath your husbands. Am I a woodman? ha! Speak I like llerne the hunter?- — Why, now is Cupid a child of con.^cionce; he makes restitution. As I am a true spirit, welcome. [Noise within. Mrs. Paije. Alas ! what noise ? J//S. Ford. Heaven forgive our sins ! Fal. AVhat should this be ? Mrs. Ford. ] , . _, „ 3Irs. Page. \ ^^'^^' '''"'"J'- l^^'V '"'"' ''/• F(d. I think the devil will not have me damned, lest the oil that is in me should set hell on fire; he would never else cross me thus. Enter Sir IIuGH EvANS like a satyr; 3[rs. Qdickly and Pistol; Anne Page as the Fairy Queen, attended hy her brother and others, dressed like fairies, with waxen talkers on their heads. ^ Quick. Fairies, black, grey, green, and white, \ ou moon-shine revellers, and shades of night, You orphan heirs of fixed destiny. Attend your ofiBoe, and your quality. Crier Hobgoblin, make the fairy o-yes. Fist. Elves, list your names ; silence, you airy toys. Cricket, to AVindsor chimnies shalt thou leap: Where fires thou find'st unrak'd, and hearths un- swept. There pinch the maids as blue as bilberry: Our radiant Queen hates sluts and sluttery. Fal. They are fairies; he, that speaks to them shall die : ril wink and couch : No man their works must eye. [Lies down upon his face. Era. AVhere's Pedef — Go you, and where you find a maid, That, ere she sleep, has thrice her prayers said, Kaise up the organs of her fantasy, Sleep she as sound as careless infancy : But those as sleep, and think not on their sins. Pinch them, arms, legs, backs, shoulders, sides, and Quick. About, about; [shins, Search AVindsor Castle, elves, within and out; Strew good luck, ouphes, on every sacred room, That it may stand till the perpetual doom. In state as wholesome, as in state 'tis fit; AVorthy the owner, and the owner it. The several chairs of order look you scour With juice of balm, and every precious flower; Each fair instalment, coat, and several crest, AVith royal blazon, evermore be blest ! And nightly, meadow-fairies, look you sing, Like to the Garter's compass, in a ring: The expressure that it bears, green let it be, More fertile-fresh than all the field to see ; And, Hony soit qi{i mal y pense, write. In emerald tufts, flowers purple, blue, and white ; Like sapphire, pearl, and rich embroidery. Buckled below fair knighthood's bending knee : Fairies use flowers for their charactery. Away; disperse: But, till 'tis one o'clock, Our dance of custom, round about the oak Of Heme the hunter, let us not forget. Eva. Pray you, lock hand in hand ; yourselvei in order set: And twenty glow-worms shall our lanterns be, To guide our measure round about the tree. But, stay ; I smell a man of middle earth. Fal. Heavens defend me from that AVelsh fairy • lest he transform me to a piece of cheese ! Fist. \\\e worm, thou wast o'erlooked even in thy birth. Quick. AVith trial-fire touch me his finger-end* If he be chaste, the flame will back descend, And turn him to no pain : but if he start, It is the flesh of a corrupted heart. Pist. A trial, come. Eva. Come, will this wood take fire ? [They burn him with their tapers, Fal. Oh, oh, oh ! Quick. Corrupt, corrupt, and tainted in desire! About him, fairies ; sing a scornful rhyme ; And, as you trip, still pinch him to your time. Eva. It is right ; indeed ho is full of lecheries and iniquity. SONG. Eye on si nful fantasy ! Eye on lust and luxury ! Lust is but a bloody fire, Kindled with unchaste desire, Fed in heart ; whose /lames aspire, As thoughts do blow them, higher and higher. Pinch him, fairies, mutually ; Pinch him for his villany ; Pinch him, and burn him, and turn him about, Till candles, and starlight, and moonshine be ou*. [During this song, the fairies pinch Falstaff. Doc- tor Cams comes one way, and steals away a fairy in green ; Slender another way, and takes off a fairy in white; and Fenton comes, and steal* away Mrs. Anne Page. A noise of hunting i» made within. All the fairies run away. Falstaff }iulls off his buck's head, and rises."] Enter Page, Ford, 3frs. Page, and Mrs. Ford. They lay hold on him. Page. Nay, do not fly ; I think we have watch'd you now ; Will none but Heme the hunter serve your turn ? Mrs. Page. I pray you, come ; hold up the jesi no higher : — Now, good sir John, how like you Windsor wives ? See you these, husband ? do not these fair yokes' Become the forest better than the town? * noms which Falstaff bad. 64 MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR. Acr V. Ford. Now, sir, who's a cuckold now ? — Master Brook, FalstafTs a knave, a cuckoldy knave ; here are his horns, master Brook : And, master Brook, he hath enjoyed nothing of Ford's but his buck- basket, his cudgel, and twenty pounds of money ; which must be paid to master Brook ; his horses are arrested for it, master Brook. Mrs. Ford. Sir John, wc have had ill luck : we could never meet. I will never take you for my love again, but I will always count you my deer. Fed. I do begin to perceive that I am made an ass. Ford. Ay, and an ox too ; both the proofs arf extant. Fed. And these arc not fairies ? I was three or four times in the thought, they were not fairies : and yet the guiltiness of my mind, the sudden surprise of my powers, drove the grossness of the foppery into a received belief, in despite of the teeth of all rhyme and reason, that they were fairies. See now, how wit may be made a jack-a-lent, when 'tis upon ill employment ! Eva. Sir John Falstaff, serve Got, and leave your desires, and fairies will not pinse you. Ford. Well said, fairy Hugh. Eva. And leave you your jealousies too, I pray you. Ford. I \n\\ never mistrust my wife again, till thou art able to woo her in good English. Ful. Have I laid my brain in the sun, and dried it, that it wants matter to prevent so gross o'er- reaching as this 1 Am I ridden with a Welsh goat too? Shall I have a coxcomb of frize 1* 'tis time I were choked with a piece of toasted cheese. £■^0!. Seese is not good to give putter ; your pelly is all putter. Fal. Seese and putter ! Have I lived to stand at the taunt of one that makes fritters of English ? This is enough to be the decay of latc-walkiiig through the realm. Mrs. Page. Why, sir John, do you think, though we would have thrust virtue out of our hearts by the head and shoulders, and have given ourselves without scruple to hell, that ever the devil could have made you our delight ? Ford. What, a hodge-pudding ? a bag of flax ? Mrs. Page. A puffed man 1 Page. Old, cold, withered, and of intolerable entrails. Ford. And one that is as slanderous as Satan ? Page. And as poor as Job 1 Ford. And as wicked as his wife 7 Eva. And given to fornications, and to taverns, ftud sack, and wine, and mctheglins, and to drink- ings, and swearings, and starings, pribbles and pralibles ? Fal. Well, I am your theme: you have the start of me: I am dejected ; I am not able to answer the Welsh flannel; ignorance itself is a plummet o'er me : use me as you will. Ford. Marry, sir, we'll bring you to Windsor, to one master Brook, that you have cozened of money, to whom you should have been a pander : over and above that you have suffered, I think to repay that money will be a biting affliction. Mrs. Ford. Nay, husband, let that go to make amends; Forgive that sum, and so we'll all be friends. * A fiwl's cap of Welsh materials. Ford. Well, here's my hand ; all's forgiven at last. Page. Yet be cheerful, knight: thou shalt eat a posset to-night at my house ; where I will desire thee to laugh at my wife that now laughs at thee : Tell her, master Slender hath married her daughter. Mrs. Page. Doctors doubt that : — If Anne Page be my daughter, she is, by this, doctor Caius's wife. [Aside Enter Slender. Sleu. Whoo, ho ! ho! father Page! Page. Son ! how now 1 how now, son 1 have ycu despatched 1 Slen. Despatched — I'll make the best in Glou- cestershire know on't ; would I were hanged, la, else. Page. Of what, sen 1 S/en. I came yonder at Eton to marry mistress Anne Page, and she's a great lubberly boy: If it had not been i' the church, I would have swinged him, or he should have swinged me. If I did not think it had been Anne Page, would I might never stir, and 'tis a post-master's boy. Page. Upon my life, then, you took the wrong. Slen. What need you tell me that 1 I think so, when I took a boy ibr a girl : If I had been married to him, for all he was in woman's apparel, I would not have had him. Page. Why, this is your own folly. Did not 1 tell you, how you should know my daughter by hei garments 1 Sleii. I went to her in white, and cried mum, and she cry'd budget, as Anne and I had appointed; and yet it was not Anne, but a post-master's boy. Eva. Jeshu ! Master Slender, cannot you see but marry boys 1 Page. O, I am vexed at heart : What shall I do ? Mrs. Page. Good George, be not angry: I knew of your purpose; turned my daughter into green; and, indeed, she is now with the doctor at the deanery, and there married. Enter Caius. Caius. Vere is mistress Pagel By gar, I am cozened ; I ha' married ungarqon, a boy ; unpaisan, by gar, a boy ; it is not Anne Page : by gar, I am cozened. Mrs. Page. Why, did you take her in green 1 Caius. Aye, by gar, and 'tis a boy : by gar, I'll raise all Windsor. [Exit Caius Ford. This is strange : Who hath got the right Anne? Page. My heait misgives me: Here comes mas. ter Fenton. Filter Fenton and Anne Page. How now, master Fenton 1 An7ie. Pardon, good father! good my mother, pardon ! Page. Now, mistress ! how chance you went noi with master Slender] Mrs. Page. Why went you not with master doo tor, maid] Fent. You do amaze her : Hear the truth of it You would have married her most shamefully. Where there was no proportion held in love. The truth is, she and I, long since contractca. Are now so sure, that nothing can dissolve usi The offence is holy, that she hath committed And this deceit loses the name of craft, Of disobedience, or unduteous title ; ^-.w.>^-.^.,^„,.--^-.».. ..■■■■^--j-.,— .-^_., -- iSCENE V. MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR. 65 Since therein she doth e\ita';e raid shun A thousand ijTeligious cursed hours, Which forced marriage would have brought upon her. Ford. Stand not amaz'd : here is no remedy : — In love, the heavens themselves do guide the state ; Money buys lands, and wives are sold by fate. Fal. I am glad, though you have ta'en a special Btand to strike at me, that your arrow hath glanced. Page. Well, what remedy T Fenton, heaven give thee joy ! V¥hst camiiot be r*chew'd ravs* he embrac'd. Fal. When night-dogs run, all aorta of deci are chas'd. Eva. I will dance and eat plums at your wedding. M?-s. Page. Well, I will muse no further:. — Master Fenton, Heaven give you many, many merry days! Good husband, let us every one go home, And laugh this sport o'er by a country fire; Sir John and all. Ford. Let it be so: — Sir John, To master Brook you yet shall hold your word. For he, to-night, shall lie with Mrs, Ford. lExemi^ TWELFTH NIGHT: OR, WHAT YOU WILL. PERSONS REPRESENTED. OnsiNo, Z)uA;e o/Illyria. Sebastian, a y&uwg- Gentleman, Brother to Viola. Antonio, a Sea-Captain, Friend to Sebastian. A Sea-Captain, Friend to Viola. Valentine, ) Gentlemen attendins; on the Duke. Cunio, J Sir Toby Belch, Uncle 0/ Olivia. Sir Andrew Ague-cheek. Malvolio, steward to Olivia. Fabian, Clown, Servants to Olivia. Olivia, a rich Countess. Viola, in love with the Duke. Maria, Olivia's woman. Lords, Priests, Sailors, Officers, Musicians, an* other Attendants. SCENE, a city in lUyiia; and the Sea-Coast near it ACTL SCENE I.— An Apartment in the Jivke's palace. En/erDuke, Curio, Lords; Musicians attending. Duke. If music be the food of love, play on. Give me excess of it; that, surfeiting, The appetite may sicken, and so die. That strain again; — it had a dying fall: 0, it came o'er my ear like the sweet south. That breathes upon a bank of violets. Stealing, and giving odor.— Enough; no more; 'Tis not so sweet now, as it was before. spirit of love, how quick and fresh art thou ! That notwithstanding thy capacity Reccivcth as the sea, nought enters there. Of what validity and pitch soever. But falls into abatement and low price, Even in a minute! so full of shapes is fancy That it alone is high-fantastical; Cur. Will vou go hunt, my lordl Duke. ' What, Curio] Cur. The hart. Duke. Why, so I do, the noblest that I have: O, when mine eyes did see Olivia first, Methought, she purg'd the air of pestilence ; That instant was I turned into a hart ; And my desires, like fell and cruel hounds. E'er since pursue me.— How now? what news from herl 66 Enter Valentine. Val. So please my lord, I might no' bo admitted, But from her handmaid do return tbi's arswer: The element itself, till seven years' heat, Shall not behold her face at ample view ; But, like a cloistress, she will veilcl walk. And water once a day her chambf r round With eye olfending brine : all this, to season A brother's dead love, which she '/vould keep fresh, And lasting, in her sad remembrance. Duke. O, she, that hath a heart of that fine frame To pay this debt of love but to a brother. How will she love, when the rich golden shaft, Hath kill'd the flock of all affections else That live in her ! when liver, brain, and heart, These sovereign thrones, are all supplied, and fiU'o (Her sweet perfections) with one self king! — Away before me to sweet beds of flowers ; Love-thoughts lie rich, when canopies with bowers. [Exeunt SCENE II.— The Sea Coist. Enter Viola, Captain, and bailors. Vio. What country, friends, is tliisl Cap. Illyria, lady Vio. And what should I do in Ely rial ACT I. ScKNK II. TWELFTH NIGHT: OR, WHAT YOU WILL. 67 My brother he is in Elysium. Perchance, lie is not ikown'd : — What think you, sailors ] Cap. It is perchance, .hat you yourself were saved. Vio. O my poor brother ! and so, perchance, may he be. Cup. True, madam : and to comfort you with chance. Assure y urself, after our ship did split. When yod, and that poor number saved with you. Hung on our driving boat, I saw your brother, Most provident hi peril, bind himself (Courage and hope both teaching him the practice) To a strong mast that lived upon the sea; Where, like Arion on the dolphin's back, I saw him hold acquaintance with the waves. So long as I could see. Viu. For saying so, there's gold : Mine own escape unfoldeth to my hope, Whereto thy speech serves for authority, The like of him. Know'st thou this country 1 Cap. Ay, madam, well ; for I was bred and born, Not three hours' travel from this very place. Vio. Who governs here] Cap. A noble duke, in nature, As in his name. Vio. What is Iiis name 1 Cap. Orsino. Vio. Orsino ! I have heard my father name him ! He was a bachelor then. * Cup. And so is now. Or was so very late : for but a month Ago I went from hence; and then 'twas fresh In murmur, (as, you know, what great ones do. The less will prattle of) that he did seek The love of fair Olivia. Vio. What's she"? Cap. A virtuous maid, the daughter of a count That died some twelvemonth since; then leaving her In the protection of his son, her brother. Who shortly also died : for whose dear love, They say, she hath abjur'd the company And sight of men. Vio. 0, that I served that lady : And might not be delivered to the world, Till I had made mine own occasion mellow. What my estate is. Cup. That were hard to compass ; Because she will admit no kind of suit. No, not the duke's. Vio. Th°re is a fair behavior in thee, captain; .\!id thov.gh that nature with a beauteous wall Doth oft close in pollution, yet of thee I will believe, thou hast a mind that suits With this thy fair aard outward character. I pray thee, and I'll pay thee bounteously. Conceal mc what I am ; and be my aid For such disguise as, haply, shall become The tbrm of my intent. I'll serve this duke; Thou shall present me as a page to him: It may be worth thy pains; for I can sing. And speak to him in many sorts of music, That will albnv me very worth his service. What else may hap, to time I will conmiit; Dnlv shape thou thy silence to my wit. Cap, Be you his eunuch, and I your mute will he: V\'hen my tongue blabs, let mine eyes not sec ! Vio. I thank thee, lead me on. Exeunt. SCENE III.— ^ Room in Olivia's House. Enter Sir Tout Belch, and Maiiia. Sir To. What a plague means my niece, to take the death of her brother thus] I am sure, care's an enemy to life. Mar. By troth. Sir Toby, you must come in earlier o' nights ; your cousin, my lady, takes greal exceptions to your ill hours. Sir To. Why, let her except before excepted. Mar. Ay, but you must confine yourself within the modest limits of order. Sir To. Confine! I'll confine myself no finci than I am : these clothes are good enough to drink in, and so be these boots too ; an they be not, let them liang themselves in their own straps. Mar. That quaffing and drinking will undo you : I heard my lady talk of it yesterday; and of a foolish knight, that you brought in one night here, to be her wooer. Sir To. Who ] Sir Andrew Ague-cheek ] Mar. Ay, he. Sir To. He's as tall a man as any's in IllyriEu Mar. What's that to the purpose] Sir To. Why, he has three thousand ducats a year. 3Iar. Ay, but he'll have but a year in all these ducats ; he's a very fool, and a prodigal. Sir To. Fyc, that you'll say so ! he plays o' the viol-de-gambo, and speaks three or four languages word for word without book, and hath all the good gifts of nature. Mar. He hath, indeed, — almost natural : for, besides that he's a fool, he's a great quarrellerj and but that he hath the gift of a coward to allay the gust he hath in quarrelling, 'tis thought among the prudent, he would quickly have the gift of a grave. Sir To. By this hand, they are scoundrels, and substractors, that say so of him. Who are they 1 Mar. They that add moreover, he's drunk nightly in your company. Sir To. With drinking healths to my niece ; I'll drink to her, as long as there's a passage in my throat, and drink in Illyria: He's a coward, and a coystril,' that will not drink to my niece, till his brains turn o' the toe like a parish-top. What, wench ? Castiliano vulgo ; for here comes sir Andrew Ague-face. Enter Sir Andhew Ague-cheek. Sir And. Sir Toby Belch ! how now, sir Tohr Belch ] Sir To. Sweet sir Andrew ! Sir And. Bless you, fair shrew. Mar. And you too, sir. Sir To. Accost, sir Andrew, accost. Sir And. What's that ] Sir To. My niece's chamber-maid. Sir And. Good mistress Accost, I desure bettei acquaintance. Mar. My name is Mary, sir. Sir And. Good mistress Mary Accost, Sir To. You mistake, knight: accost is. front her, hoard her, woo her, assail her. Sir A nd. By my troth, I would not undertake her in this company. Is that the meaning of accost 1 Mar. Fare you well, gentlemen. Sir To. An thou let part so, sir Andrew, 'would thou niightst never draw sword again. Sir And. And you part so, mistress, I would I I Keystril, a bastard hawk. 68 TWELFTH NIGHT. Act J might never draw sword again. Fair lady, do you think you have fools in hand ? 3tar. Sir, I have not you by the hand. Sir And. Marry, but you shall have ; and here's my hand. Mar. Now, sir, thought is free : I pray you, bring your hand to the buttery -bar, and let it drink. Sir And. Wherefore, sweet heart? what's your metaphor ? Mar. It's dry, sir. ^iV And. Why, I think so ; I am not such an ass, but I can keep my hand dry. But what's your jest? Mar. A dry jest, sir. Sir And. Are you full of them ? Mar. Ay, sir; I have them at my fingers' ends: marry, now I let go your hand, I am barren. \_Exit Maria. Sir To. knight, thou lack'st a cup of canary : When did I see thee so put down ? Sir And. Never in your life, I think ; unless you see canary put me down : Methinks, sometimes I have no more wit than a Christian, or an ordinary man has : but I am a greater eater of beef, and, I believe, that does harm to my wit. Sir To. No question. Sir And. An I thought that, I'd forswear it. I'll ride home to-morrow, sir Toby. Sir To. Poxirquoy, my dear knight? Sir And. What is 23oiirquoj/ ? do or not do? I would I had bestowed that time in the tongues, that I have in fencing, dancing, and bear-baiting : 0, had I but followed the arts ! Sir To. Then hadst thou had an excellent head of hair. Sir And. Why, would that have mended my hair? Sir To. Past question ; for thou seest, it will not curl by nature. Sir And. But it becomes me well enough, does't not? Sir To. Excellent ; it hangs like flax on a distaff; and I hope to see a housewife take thee between her legs, and spin it off. ^iV And. 'Faith, I'll home to-morrow, siiv Toby : your niece will not be seen ; or, if she be, it's four to one she'll none of me : the count, himself, here hard by, woos her. Sir To. She'll none of the count; she'll not match above her degree, neither in estate, years, nor wit; I have heard her swear it. Tut, there's life in't, man. Sir And. I'll stay a month longer. I am a fellow o' the strangest mind in the world ; I delight in masques and revels sometimes altogether. iS(> To. Art thou good at these kick-shaws, knight? Sir And. As anj' man in Illyria, whatsoever he be, under the degree of my betters ; and yet I will not compare with an old man. Sir To. What is thy excellence in a galliard, kaight ? Sir And. 'Faith, I can cut a caper. (§> 7'o. And I can cut the mutton to't. Sir And. And, I think, I have the back-trick, simply as strong as any man in Illyria. Sir To. Wherefore are these things hid ? where- fore have these gifts a curtain before them ? are they like to take dust, like mistress Mall's picture ? Why dost thou not go to church in a galliard, and come home in a coranto ? My very walk should be a jig : I would not so much as make water, but in a 8ink-a-pace.2 What dost thou mean? is it a world to hide virtues in? I did think, by the excellent constitution of thy leg, it was formed under the star of a galliard. jS'iV And. Ay, 'tis strong, and it does indifferent well in a flame-colored stock.3 Shall we set about jome revels ? • Cinque^ace, the name of a dance. "Stocking. Sir To. What shall we do else? were we notboru under Taurus ? Sir And. Taurus? that's sides and heart. Sir To. No, sir; it's legs and thighs. Let m« see thee caper: ha! higher: ha, ha! — excellent! \_E7ieunt, SCENE TV.— A Room in the Duke's Palace. Enter Valentine and Viola in man's attire. Val. If the duke continue these favors towards you, Cesario, you are like to be much advanced; he hath known you but three days, and already you are no stranger. Vio. You either fear his humor, or my negligenLC. that you call in question the continuance of his love Is he inconstant, sir, in his favors ? Val. No, believe me. Enter Duke, CuRiO, and Attendants. Vio. I thank you. Here comes the count. Dnke. AVho saw Cesario, ho ? Vio. On your attendance, my lord ; here. Duke. Stand you awhile aloof. — CesArio, Thou know'st no less but all ; I have unclasp'd To thee the book even of my secret soul : Therefore, good youth, address thy gait unto Ler; Be not deny'd access, stand at her doors. And tell them, there thy fixed foot shall grow, Till thou have audience. Vio. Sure, my noble lord, If she be so abandon'd to her sorrow As it is spoke, she never will admit me. Duke. Be clamorous, and leap all civil bounds. Bather than make unprofited return. [then ? Vio. Say, I 'do speak with her, my lord : What Duke. 0, then unfold the passion of my love, Surprise her with discourse of my dear faith : It shall become thee well to act my woes; She will attend it better in thy youth. Than in a nuncio of grave aspect. Vio. 1 think not so, my lord. Duke. Dear lad, believe it, For they shall yet belie thy happy years That say thou art a man : Diana's lip Is not more smooth and rubious ; thy small pipe Is as the maiden's organ, shrill, and sound, And all its semblative a woman's part. I know, thy constellation is right apt For this affair :— Some four, or five, attend him, All, if you will ; for I myself am best. When least in company : — Prosper well in this. And thou shalt live as freely as thy lord. To call his fortunes thine. Vio. I'll do my best To woo your lady: yet {Aside] a barful^ strife ! Whoe'er I woo, myself would be his wife. [Exemtt. SCENE v.— ^ Boom in Olivia's House. Enter Maria and Clown. Mar. Nay, either tell me where thou hast h. Wit, and't be thy will, put me into good fooling! Those wits, that think they have thee, do verj' oft prove fools ; and I, that am sure 1 lack thee, may pass for a wise man : For what says Qiiinnpalus? Better a witty fool, than a foolish wit. Grod bless thee, lady! Oli. Take the fool away. Old. Do you not hear, fellows? Takeaway the lady. Oil. Go to, you're a dry fool : I'll no more of you : besides, you grow dishonest. Cl'i. Two faults, madonna,'' that drink and good counsel will amend : for give the dry fool drink, then is the fool not dry; bid the dishonest man mend himself; if he mend, he is no longer dishonest; if he cannot, let the botcher mend him : any thing, that's mended, is but patched : virtue that trans- gresses, is but patched with sin ; and sin, that amends, is liut patched with virtue : if that this simple syllogism will serve, so ; if it will not, what rouieily ? As there is no true cuckold but calamity, so beauty's a flower: — the lady bade take away the fool : therefore, I say again, take her away. OIL Sir, I bade them take away you. Clo. Misprision in the highest degree ! — Lady, {Jiicnllns noit facit monaclnim ; that's as much as to say, I wear not motley in my brain. Good ma- donna, give me leave to prove you a fool. Oli. Can you do it ? Clo. Dexterously, good madonna. Oli. Make your proof. ijlo. I must catechise you for it, madonna; good my mouse of virtue, answer me. Oli. Well, sir, for want of other idleness, I'll 'bide your proof. Clo. Good madonna, why moum'st thou? Oli. Good fool, for my brother's death. Clo. I think his soul is in hell, madonna. Oli. I know his soul is in heaven, fool. Clo. The more fool you, madonna, to mourn for your brother's soul being in heaven. — Take away the f )ol, gentlemen. Oli. What think you of this fool, Malvolio? doth he not mend ? ^f(d. Yes : and shall do, till the pangs of death shake him. Infirmity, that decays the wis6^ doth ever make the better fool. * Clo. (loil send you, sir, a speed}' infirmity, for the better increasing your folly ! sir Toby will be sworn, tliat I am no fox ; but he will not pass his word for tv.o-pence that you are no fool. Oli. How say you to that, Malvolio ? Mnl. I marvel your ladyship takes delight in such a barren rascal; I saw him jmt down the other day with an ordinnry fool, that has no more brain than a stone. Loolc you now, he's out of his guard already ; unh\-;s you laugh and minister occasion to bim, he is gagged. I protest, I take these wise men, that cvow so at these set kind of fools, no bet- 'x;r than the fool's zanies.^ Oli. 0, you are sick of self-love, Malvolio, and t»eto with a distempered appetite. To be generous. • Pnlian, mlstres.s, dame. 6 » Fools' baubles. guiltless, and of free disposition, is to tiike those things for bird-bolts,^ that you deem cinnon -bullets: There is no slander in an allowed fool, though he do nothing but rail ; nor no railing in a known dis- creet man, though he do nothing but rej)rove. Clo. Now Mercury endue thee with leasing,'' foi thou speakest well of fools. lie-enter MAniA. 3rnr. Madam, there is at the gate a young gen- tleman, much desires to speak with you. Oli. From the count Orsino, is it? 3far. I know not, madam; 'tis a fair young ec i and well attended. Oli, AVho of my people hold him in delay ? Mar. Sir Toby, madam, youi kinsman. Oli. Fetch him off, I pray yoa; he speaks nothing but madman: Fye on him! [Exit Maria.] Go you, Malvolio; if it be a suit from the count, I am sick, or not at home; what j'ou will, to dismiss it. [Exit Malvolio.] Now you see, sir, how vour fooling grows old, and people dislike it. Clo. Thou hast spoke for us, madonna, as if thy € Idest son should be a fool : whose skull Jove cram with brains, for here comes one of thy kin, has a most weakpia mater.s Enter Sir ToBY Belch. OH. By mine honor, half drunk. — What is he at the gate, cousin ? Sir To. A gentleman. 0/;'. A gentleman ! What gentleman ? S'jV To. Possess us,' possess us; tell us some- thing of him. Mar. Marry, sir, sometimes he is a kind of Puritan. -S'(> And. O, if I thought that, I'd beat him like a dog. Sir To. What, for being a Puritan? thy exqui- site reason, dear knight! Sir And. I have no exquisite reason for't, but I have reason good enough. Mar. The devil a Puritan that he is, or any thing K»nstantly but a time-pleaser; an aflcctioned ass, that cons state without book, and utters it by great ewarths:' the best persuaded of himself, so cram- med, as he thinks, with excellencies, that it is his ground of faith, that all, that look on him, love him ; and on that vice in him will my revenge find notable cause to work. Sir To. What wilt thou do 1 Mar. I will drop in his way some obscure epistles of love; wherein by the color of his beard, the shape of his leg, the manner of his gait, the expres- Bure of his eye, forehead, and complexion, he shall find himself most feelingly personated: I can write very like my lady, your niece; on a forgotten matter we can hardly make distinction of our hands. iS'tV To. Excellent! I smell a device. Sir And. I have't in my nose too. Sir To. He shall think, by the letters that thou wilt drop, that they come from my niece, and that she is in love with him. Mar. My purpose is, indeed, a horse of that color. Sir And. And your horse now would make him an ass. Mar. Ass, I doubt not. Sir And. O, 'twill be admirable. Mar. Sport royal, I warrant you : I know, my physic will work with him. I will plant you two, and let the fool make a third, where he shall find the letter; observe his construction of it. Fortius night, to bed, and dream on the event. Farewell. [Exit. Sir To. G-Dod night, Penthesilea.' Sir And. Before me, she's a good wench. Sir To. She's a beagle, true bred, and one that BuOres me: What o'that? Sir And. I was adored once too. Sir To. Let's to bed, knight. — Tnou hadst need send for more money. Sir And. If I cannot recover your niece, I am a loul way out. Sir To. Send for money, knight; if thou hast bi T not i' the end, call me Cut.' Sir And. If I do not, never trust me, take it bow you will. • Bj-e-word. ' Inform us. • The row of grass lef by a mower. 1 kmazou > Fool Sir To. Come, coiiie; I'll go burn some sack, 'tis too late to go to bed now: come, knight; come, knight. [Exeunt. SCENE IV.— ^ Room in the Duke's Palace. Enter Dcke, Viola, Cunio, and others. Duke. Give me some music : — Now, good morrow, friends: — Now, good Cesario, but that piece of song, That old and antique song we heard last nig »1 ; Mcthought, it did relieve my passion much More than light airs and recollected terms Of these most brisk and giddy-paced times. — • Come, but one verse. Cur. He is not here, so please your lordship, that should sing it. Duke. Who was it] Cur. Festc, the jester, my lord; a fool, that the lady Olivia's father took much delight in: he is about the house. Duke. Seek him out, and play the tune the while. [Exit Cunio. — Music Come hither, boy : If ever thou shalt love, In the sweet pangs of it, remember me : For, such as I am, all true lovers are ; Unstaid and skittish in all motions else, Save, in that constant image of the creature That is bclov'd. — How dost thou like this tune'' Vio. It gives a very echo to the seat Where Ijove is thron'd. Duke. Thou dost speak masterly : My life upon't, young though thou art, thine eye Hath stay'd upon some favor that it loves : Hath it not, boy? Vio. A little, by your favor. Duke. What kind of woman is't? Vio. Of your complexion Duke. She is not worth thee, then. What years, i'faith? T7o. About your years, my lord. Duke. Too old, by heaven; Let still the woman take An elder than herself; so wears she to him, So sways she level in her husband's heart. For, boy, however we do praise ourselves. Our fancies are more giddy and unfirm. More longing, wavering, sooner lost and worn, ^ Than women's are. Vio. I think it well, my lord. Duke. Then let thy love be j'ounger than thystl^ Or thy aft'cction cannot hold the bent: For women are as roses; whose fair flower, Being once display'd, doth fall that very houi. Vio. And so they arc : alas, that they are so; To die, even when they to perfection grow ! Re-enter Cuuio and Clown. Duke. O, fellow, come, the song we had last night : — Mark it, Cesario; it is old, and plain: The spinsters and the knitters in tlie sun, And the free maids that weave their thread with hones. Do use to chaunt it; it is silly sooth,' And dallies with the innocence of love, Like the old age. Clo. Are you ready, sir? Duke. Ay; pr'ythee, sing. [ilfuwe < Simole truth. 74 TWELFTH NIGHl. Act 11 Clo. Come away, come away, death, And in sad cypress let me be laid; Fly away, fly away, breath,- t am slain by a fair cruel maid. My shroud of white, stuck all with yew, O, prepare it,- My part of death, no one so true Did share it. Not a flower, not a flower sweet. On my black coffin let there be strown; Not a friend, not a friend greet My poor corpse, where my bones shall be thrown: A thousand thousand sighs to save. Lay me, O, where Sad true lover ne'er flnd my grave, To weep there. Duke. There's for thy pains. Clo. No pains, sir ; I take pleasure in singing, sir. Duke. I'll pay thy pleasure, tjien. Clo. Truly, sir, and pleasure will be paid, one lime or another. Duke. Give mc now leave to leave thee. Clo. Now, the melancholy god protect thee ; and the tailor malvc thy doublet of changeable tafleta, for thy mind is a very opal. — I would have men of such constancy put to sea, that their business might be every thing, and their intent every where ; lor that's it, that always makes a good voyage of no- thing. — Farewell. [Exit Clown. Duke. Let all the rest give place. [Exeunt Cuhio and Attendants. Once more, Cesario, Get thee to yon' same sovereign cruelty: Tell her, my love, more noble than the world. Prizes not quantity of dirty lands; The parts that fortune hath bestow'd upon her. Tell her, I hold as giddily as fortune; But 'tis that miracle, and queen of gems, That nature pranks'^ her in, attracts my souL Vio. But, if she cannot love you, sir? Duke. I cannot be so answer'd. Vio. 'Sooth, but you must. Say, that some lady, as, perhaps, there is, Hath for your love as great a pang of heart As you have for Olivia: you cannot love her; You tell her so; Must she not then bo answer'd? Duke. There is no woman's sides Can bide the beating of so strong a passion As love doth give my heart: no woman's heart So big, to hold so much; they lack retention. Alas, their love may be call'd appetite,— No motion of the liver, but the palate, — That sufier forfeit, cloyment, and revolt ; But mine is all as hungry as the sea, And can digest as much : make no compare Between that love a woman can bear me, And that I owe Olivia. Vio. Ay, but I know, — Duke. What dost thou know 1 Vio. Too well what love women to men may owe : [n faith, they are as true of heart as we. My father had a daughter lov'd a man. As it might be, perhaps, were I a woman, ( should your lordship. Duke. And what's her history ! Vio. A blank, my lord : She never told her love, a Decks. But let concealment, like a worm i' the bud. Feed on her damask cheek : she pin'd in thought And, with a green and yellow melancholy. She sat like patience on a monumcn-t, Smiling at grief. Was not this love, indeed ? We men may say more, swear more : but, indeed Our shows are more than will ; for still we prove Much in our vows, but little in our love. Duke. But died thy sister of her love, my boy 1 Vio. I am all the daugliters of my father's house, And all the brothers too ; — and yet I know not : — Sir, shall I to this lady 1 Duke. Ay, that's the theme. To her in haste ; give her this jewel ; say. My love can give no place, bide no denay.* [Exeunt> SCENE v.— Olivia's Garden. Enter Sir Toby Belch, Sir Andrew Agukcheek, and Fabiax. Sir To. Come thy ways, signior Fabian. Fab. Nay, I'll come ; if I lose a scruple of this sport, let me be boiled to death with melancholy. Sir To. Would'st thou not be glad to have tlie niggardly rascally sheep-biter come by some notable shame ? Fab. I would exult, man : you know, he brought me out of favor with my lady, about a bear-liaiting here- Sir To. Toanger him, we'll have the bear agajp; and we will fool him black and blue: — Shall we not, sir Andrew? Sir And. An we do not, it is pity of our lives. Enter Maiiia. -How Sir To. Here conies the little villain: now, my nettle of India? Mar. Get ye all three into the box-tree : Mal- volio's coming down this walk ; he has been yonder i' the sun, practising behavior to his own shadow, this half hour : observe him, for the love of mockery; for, I know, this letter will make a contemplative idiot of him. Close, in the name of jesting ! [The men hide themselves.'] Lie thou there ; [Thrown down a letter,'] for here comes the trout that must be caught with tickling. [Exit Maria Enter Maltoiio. Mai. 'Tis but fortune; all is fortune. Maria once told me, she did affect me: and I have heard herself come thus near, that, should she fancy, it should be one of my complexion. Besides, she uses me with a more exalted respect than any one else that follows her. What should I think on't ? Sir To. Here's an overweening rogue ! Fab. 0, peace ! Contemplation makes a rare turkey-cock of him; how he jets* under his ad- vanced plumes ! ould this ]>3l Fab, This wins him, liver and all. Mai. [Reads.] Jove knoivs, I love : But ivho ? Lips do not move, No man must know. No man mxist know, — What follows ] the numbers altered ! — No man must know : — If this should be Ihee, Malvoliol Sir To, Marry, hang thee, brock !* Mai. / may command, ivhere I adore : But silence, like a Lucrece knife. With bloodless stroke my heart doth gore,- M, O, A, I, doth sway my life. Fab, A fustian riddle! Sir To, Excellent wench, say I. Mai, M, O, A, I, doth sway my ///e.— Nay, but fiiBt let mc see, — let me see, — let rae see. * Badger. Fab. What a dish of poison hath she dressed him' Sir To. And with what wing the stannyel' checks at it ! * Mai. I may command where I adore. Why, she may command me ; I serve her, she is my lady. Why, this is evident to any formal capacity. There is no obstruction in this ; — And the end, — What should that alphabetical position portend 1 If I could make that resemble something in me, — Softly l—M, 0, A, I.— Sir To, O, ay ! make up that ; — he is now a.\ a cold scent. Fab, Sowter' will ciy upon't for all this, Ihcagb it be as rank as a fox. Mai. IM, — Malvolio ; — 31, — w hy, that legins my name. Fab, Did not I say, he would work it out ! tlo cur is excellent at faults. Mai. M, — But then there is no consonancy in the sequel : that sulfers under probation : A should follow, but O docs. Fab, And shall end, I hope. Sir To, Ay, or I'll cudgel him, and make him cry, 0, Mai, And then / comes behind ; — Fab, Ay, an you had an eye behind you, you might see more detraction at your heels, than for- tunes before you. Mai. M, 0,A,I; — This simulation is not as the former : — and yet, to crush this a little, it would bow to me, for every one of these letters are in my name. Soft, here follows prose : — If this fall into thy hand, revolve. In my stars I am above thee,- but be not afraid of greatness.- Some areborn great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them. Thy fates open their hands,- let thy blood and spirit embrace them. And, to inure thyself to what thou art like to be, cast thy humble slough,^ and appear fresh. Be opposite with a kinsman, surly ivifh sei-i^ants : let thy tongue tang arguments oj stale ,- put thyself into the trick oj singularity .- she thus advises thee, that sighs for thee. Remember who commended thy yellow stock- ings, and wished to see thee ever cross-gartered .- 1 say, remember. Go to, thou art made, if thou de- sirest to be so,- if not, let me see thee a steward still, the fellow of servants, and 7iot worthy to touch fortune^ s Jingei-s, Farewell, She that would alter services with thee. The fortunate-unhappy. Day-light and cliampian^ discovers not more : this is open. I will be proud, I will read politic authors,! will bailie Sir Toby, I will wash ofl" gross acquaintance, I will be point-de-vice^ the very man. I do not now fool myself, to let iraagication jade me ; for every reason excites to this, that my lady loves me. She did commend my yellow stockings of late, she did praise my leg being cross- gartered ; and in this she manifests herself to my love, and, with a kind of injunction, drives me to these habits of her liking. I thank my stars,I am happy. I will be strange, stout, ni yellow stock- ings, and cross-gartered, even with the swiftness of putting on. Jove, and my stars, be praised ! — Here is j-et a postscript. Thou canst not choose but know who I am. If thou cnfertuinest my love, let it appear in thy smiling,- thy smiles become thee well: therefore in my presence still smile, dear my sweet, I pr'ythee, Jove, I thank thee. — I will ' Hawk. * Skin of a snake. • Flies at it. * Open country. • Name of a hound * Utmost exactnesa 7(3 TWELFTH NIGHT; Av\ 111 smile ; I will do every thing that thou wilt have me. [Exit. Fab. I will not give my part of this sport for a pension of thousands to be paid from the Sophy. Sir To. I could marry this wench for this device. Sir And. So could I too. ,S'(V To. And ask no other dowry with her, but such another jest. Enter Mahia. Sir And. Nor I neither. Fab. Here comes my noble gull-catcher. Sir To. V/ilt thou set thy foot o' my neck? Sir And. Or o' mine either? Sir To. Shall I play my freedom at tray-trip/ and become thy bond slave? Sir And, I' faith, or I either. Sir To. Why, thou hast put him in such a dream that, when the image of it leaves him, he must run mad. 3fnr. Nay, but say true ; does it work upon him ? Sir To. Like aqua-vitas with a midwife. 3far. If you will then see the fruits of the sport, mark his first approach before my lady : he will come to her in yellow stockings, and 'tis a color she abhors; and cross-gartered, a fiishion she de- tests ; and he will smile upon her, which will now be so unsuitable to her disposition, being addicted to a melancholy as she is, that it cannot but turn him into a notable coatempt: if you will sec it, follow me. Sir To. To the gates of Tartar, thou most excel- lent devil of wit ! Sir And. I'll make one too. [Exeunt, ACT III. SCENE I.— Olivia's Garden. Enter VioLA, and Clowtj with a Tabor. Vio. Save thee, friend, and thy music : Dost thou live by thj' tabor? Clo. No, sir, I live by the church. Vio. Art thou a churchman ? Clo. No such matter, sir; I do live by the church : for I do live at mj' house, and my house doth stand by the church. Vio. So thou mayst say, the king lies' by a beg- giir, if a beggar dwell near him : or, the church stands bj' thy tabor, if thy tabor stands by the church. C/o. You have said, sir. — To see this age ! — A sen- tence is but a cheverilS glove to a good wit: How quickly the wrong side may be turned outward ! T7o. Nay, that's certain ; they, that dally nicely with v.'ords, may quickly make them wanton. iJlo. I would, therefore, my sister had had no name, sir. Vio. Why, man ? Clo. Why. sir, her name's a word ; and to dally ivith that word, might make my sister wanton : r>ut, indeed, words are very rascals, since bonds disgraced them. Vio. Thy reason, man? Clo. Troth, sir, I can yield you none without words ; and words are grown so false, I am loath to prove reason with them. Vio. I warrant thou art a merry fellow, and carest for nothing. Clo. Not so, sir, I do care for something : but in my conscience, sir, I do not care for you ; if that be 10 care for nothing, sir, I would it would make you invisible. Vio. Art not thou the lady Olivia's fool? Clo. No, indeed, sir ; the lady Olivia has no folly : she will keep no fool, sir, till she be married; and fools are as like husbands as pilchards are to her- • ing?, the husband's the bigger; I am, indeed, not her fool, but her corrupter of words. T"io, I saw thee late at the count Orsino's. Clo. Foolery, sir, does walk about the orb, like the sun : it shines every where. I would be sorry, fir, but the fool should be as oft with your master, as with my mistress : I think I saw your wisdom there. Vio. Nay, an thou pass upon me, I'll no more with thee. Hold, there's expences for thee. Clo. Now Jove, in his next commodity of hair, send thee a beard ! Vio. By my troth, I'll tell thee ; I am almost sick for one ; though I would not have it grow on my thin. Is thy lady within ? Clo. AYould not a pair of these have bred, sir? Vio. Yes, being kept together, and put to use. Clo. I would play lord Pandarus' of Phrygia, sir, lo bring a Cressida to this Troilus. < A boy's diversion, three a7id trip. 'Dwells. s Kid. ' See the play of Troilus and Ch-essida. Vio. 1 understand you, sir; 'tis well begg'd. Clo. The matter, I hope, is not great, sir, beg- ging but a beggar; Cressida was a beggar. Mj lady is within, sir. I will construe to her whence you come : who you are, and what you would, are out of my welkin: I might say, element; but the word is over- worn. [E.vit. Vio. This fellow's wise enough to play the fool ; And to do that well, craves a kind of wit. He must observe their mood on whom he jests, The quality of persons, and the time ; And, like the haggard^ check at every feather That comes before his eye. This is a practice As full of labor as a wise man's art : For folly, that he wisely shows, is fit; But wise men, folly-fallen, quite taint their wit Enter Sir ToBY Belch and Sir Andrew Ague- cheek. Sir To. Save you, gentleman. Vio. And you, sir. Sir And. I}ieu voua garde, monstevr. Vio. Et votis aitssi ; votre serviteur. Sir And. I hope, sir, you are ; and I am yours. Sir To. Will you encounter the house? my niece is desirous j'ou should enter, if your trade be to her. Vio. I am bound to your niece, sir; I mean, she is the list^ of my voyage. Sir To. Taste your legs, sir, put them to motion, Vio. My legs do better understand me, sir, than I understand what you mean by bidding me taste my legs. Sir To. I mean, to go, sir, to enter. Vio. I wiU answer you with gait and entrance: but we are prevented. Enter Olitia and Maria. Most excellent accomplished lady, the heavens rain odors on you ! Sir And. That youth's a rare courtier! Bain odors ! well. Vio. My matter hath no voice, lady, but to youi own most pregnant' and vouchsafed ear. Sir And. Odors, pregnant, and vouchsafed: I'll get 'em all three ready. on. Let the garden door be shut, and leave mo to my hearing. [Exeunt Sir ToBY, Sir ANDREW, and Maria. Give me your hand, sir. Vio. My duty, madam, and most humble service. on. What is your name ? Vio. Cesario is your servant's name, fair princess, Oli. My servant, sir ! 'Twas never merry world Since lowly feigning was call'd compliment : You are servant to the count Orsino, youth, Vio. And he is yours, and his must needs be yours Your servant's servant is your servant, madam. 8 A hawk not well trained. •Bound, limit > Keady. Scene 1. OR, WHAT YOU WILL. 7V on. For him, I think not on him: for his thoughts, Would they were blanks, rather than fill'd with me! Vio. Madam, I come to whet your gentle thoughts On his behalf: Oli. O, by your leave, I pray you ; I bade j^ou rover speak again of him : But would you undertake another suit, I had rather hear you to solicit that, Than music fi-om the sphere's. Vio. Dear lady, Oli. Give me leave, I beseech you : I did send, .v{>er the last enchantment you did here, 1 ring in chase of you : so did I abuse Myself, my servant, and, I fear mc, you . Under your hard construction must I sit. To force that on you, in a shameful cunning, Which you knew none of yours : What might you think ■? Have you not set mine honor at the stake. And baited it with all the unmuzzled thoughts That tyrannous heart can think 1 To one of your receiving ' Enough is shown ; a Cyprus, not a bosom, Hides my poor heart : So let me hear you speak. Vio. I pity you. on. That's a degree to love. Vio. No, not a grise ;' for 'tis a vulgar proof, That very oft we pity enemies. on. Why, then, methinks, 'tis time to smile again; world, how apt the poor are to be proud ! If one should be a prey, how much the better To fall before the lion than the wolf ! [Clock strikes. The clock upraids me w^ith the waste of time, — Bo not afraid, good youth, I will not have you : And yet, when wit and youth is come to harvest, Your wife is like to reap a proper man : There lies your way, due west. Vio. Then westward-hoe : Grace and good disposition 'tend your ladysliip ! You'll nothing, madam, to my lord by me 1 Oli. Stay : 1 pr'ythce, tell me, what thou think'st of me. Vio. That you do think, you are not what you are. Oli. If I think so, I think the same of you. Vio. Then think you right ; I am not what I am. Oli. I would you were as I would have you be ! Vio. Would it be better, madam, than I am, I wish it might ; for now I am your fool. Oli. O what a deal of scorn looks beautiful In the contempt and anger of his lip ! A murd'rous guilt shove's not itself more soon Than love that would seem hid : love's night is noon. Cc^ario, by the roses of the spring, By maidhood, honour, truth, and every thing, [ love thee so, that, maugre all thy pride, Nor wit, nor reason, can my passion hide. Do not extort thy reasons from this clause, F:r that I woo, thou therefore hast no cause : Bu., rather, reason thus with reason fetter: Love sought is good, but given unsought is better. Vio. By innocence I swear, and by my youth, I have one heart, one bosom, and one truth, And that no woman has ; nor never none Shall mistress be of it, save I alone. And so adieu, good madam ; never more Will I my master's tears to you deplore. Oli. Yet come again: for thou, perhaps, mayst move That heart, which now abhors, to like his love. [^Exeunt. ' 'St'ndy apprehoasion. » Stop. SCENE 11.—^ Room in Olivias House. Enter Sir Tobt Belcu, Sir Andrew Ague- cheek, and Fabian. Sir And. No, faith, I'll not stay a jot longer. Sir To. Thy reason, dear venom, give thy reason Fab. You must needs yield your reason, sir Andrew. Sir And. Marry, I saw your niece do more favora to the count's serving man, than ever she bestowed upon me : I saw't i' the orchard. Sir To. Did she see thee the while, old boy ? tell me that. Sir And. As plain as I see you now. Fab. This was a great argument of love in her towards you. Sir And. 'Slight! will you make an ass o' me 1 Fab. I will prove it legitimate, sir, upon the oaths of judgment and reason. Sir To. And they have been grpnd jury-men, since before Noah was a sailor. Fab. She did show favor to the youth in your sight, only to exasperate you, to awake your dor- mouse valor, to put fire in your heart, and brim- stone in your liver : You should then have accosted her; and with some excellent jests, fire-new from the mint, you should have banged the youth into dumbness. This was looked for at your hand, and this was baulked : the double gilt of this oppor- tunity you let time wash off, and you are now sailed into the north of my lady's opinion ; where you will hang like an icicle on a Dutchman's beard unless you do redeem it by some laudable attemp either of valor, or policy. Sir And. And't be any way, it must be with valor ; for policy I hate : I had as lief be a Brown- ist, ^ as a politician. Sir To. Why then, build me thy fortunes upon the basis of valor. Challenge me the count's youth to fight with him ; hurt him in eleven places ; my niece shall take note of it : and assure thyself, there is no love-broker in the world can more prevail in man's commendation with woman, than report of valor. Fab. There is no way but this, Sir Andrew. Sir And. Will either of you bear me a challengi to him 1 Sir To. Go, write it in a martial hand ; be curst and brief; it is no matter how witty, so it be elo- quent, and full of invention : taunt him with the licence of ink : if thou fhou'st him some thrice, it shall not be amiss; and as many lies as will lie in thy sheet of paper, although the sheet were big enough for the bed of Ware' in England, set 'cm down ; go, about it. Let there be gall enough in thy ink: though thou write with a goose-pen, no matter : About it. Sir And. Where shall I find you ? SirTo. We'll call thee at the cubiculo.-^ Go. [Exit Sir AxnnEW. Fab. This is a dear manikin to you, sir Toby. Sir To. I have been dear to him, lad ; some two thousand strong, or so. Fab. We shall have a rare letter fi-om him: hut you'll not deliver it 1 Sir To. Never trust me then ; and by all meoni » Separatists in Quci-n Elizabeth's reign. * Crablied. » In Ucrtfordshire, which held forty person*. • ChamteT TWELFTH NIGHT: Act III stir on the youth to an answer. I think, oxen and wainropes cannot hale them together. For Andrew, if he were opened, and you find so much blood in his Hver as will clog the foot of a flea, I'll eat the rest of the anatomy. Fab. And his opposite, the youth, bears in his visage no great presage of cruelty. Enter Maria. Sir To. Look, where the youngest WTen of nine comes. Mar. If you desire the spleen, and will laugh yourselves into stitches, follow mc ; yon' gull Mal- volio is turned heathen, a very renegado ; for there is no Christian, that means to be saved by believ- ing rightly, can ever believe such impossible pas- sages of grossness. He's in yellow stockings. Sir To. And cross-gartered ? Mar. Most villanously ; like a pedant that keeps a school i' the church. — I have dogged him, like his murderer : He does obey every point of the letter that I dropped to betray him. He does smile his face into more lines, than are in the new map, with the augmentation of the Indies: you have not seen such a thing as 'tis : I can hardly forbear hurling things at him. I know, my lady will strike him ; if she do, he'll smile, and take 't for a great favor. Sm- To. Come, bring us, bring us where he is. [Exeunt. SCENE m.— A Street. Enter Antonio and Sebastian. Seh. I would not, by my will, have troubled you ; But since you make your pleasure of your pains, I will no further chide you. Ant. I could not stay behind you ; my desire, More sharp than filed steel, did spur me forth: And not all love to see you, (though so much. As might have drawn one to a longer voyage,) But jealousy what might befall your travel, Being skilless in these parts ; which to a stranger, Unguided, and unfriended, often prove Rough and unhospitable : My willing love, The rather by these arguments of fear, Set forth in your pursuit. Seb. My kind Antonio, I can no other answer make, but thanks, And thanks, and ever thanks : Often good turns Are shuffled off with such uncun-ent pay : But, were my worth, as is my conscience, firm. You should find better dealing. What's to do 1 Shall we go see the reliques of this town 1 Ant. To-morrow, sir; best, first, go see your lodging. Seb. I am not weary, and 'tis long to night ; r pray you, let us satisfy our eyes With the memorials, and the things of fame. That do renown this city. Ant. 'Would you'd pardon me ; I do not without danger walk these streets : Once, in a sea-fight, 'gainst the Count his gallics, I did some service ; of such note, indeed, That, were I ta'en here, it would scarce be answer'd. Seb. Belike, you slew great number of his people] Ant. The offence is not of such a bloody nature ; Albeit the quality of the time and quarrel, Might well have given us bloody argument. It might have since been answer'd in repaying What we took from them ; which for traffic's sake Most of our city did : only myself stood out : For which, if I be lapsed'' in this place, I shall pay dear. Seb. Do not then walk too open. Ant. It doth not fit me. Hold, sir, here's mj purse ; In the south suburbs, at the Elephant, Is best to lodge : I will bespeak our diet, Whiles you beguile the time, and feed your know- ledge. With viewing of the town ; there shall you have me. Seb. Why I your purse 1 Ant. Haply, your eye shall light upon some toy You have desire to purchase ; and your store, I think, is not for idle markets, sir. Seb. I'll be your purse-bearer, and leave you for An hour. Ant. To the Elephant. — Seb. I do remember. [Exeunt SCENE IV.— OHvia's Garden. Enter Olivia and Maria. Oli. I have sent after him : He says, he'll come ; How shall I feast him 1 what bestow on him ? For youth is bought more oft, than begg'd, or bor- I speak too loud. [row'd. Where is Malvolio ? — he is sad, and civil. And suits well for a servant with my fortunes ; — Where is Malvolio ? Mar. He's coming, madam ; But in strange manner. He is sure possess'd. Oli. Why, what's the matter ? does he rave ? Mar. No, madam, He does nothing but smile ; your ladyship Were best have guard about you if he come ; For, sure, the man is tainted in his wits. Oli. Go call him hither. I'm as mad as he. If sad and merry madness equal be. — Enter Malvolio. How now, Malvoho 1 Mai. Sweet lady, ho, ho. [Smiles fantastically Oli. Smil'st thou 1 I send for thee upon a sad* occasion. Mai. Sad, lady ? I could be sad : This does make some obstruction in the blood, this cross-gar- tering: But what of that, if it please the eye of one, it is with me as the very true sonnet is : Please one, and please all. Oli. Why, how dost thou, man 1 what is the matter with thee ? Mai. Not black in my mind, though yellow in my legs : It did come to his hands, and commands shall be executed. I think, we do know the sweet Roman hand. Oli. Wilt thou go to bed, Malvolio ? [thee. Mai. To bed] ay, sweet-heart; and I'll come to Oli. God comfort thee ! Why dost thou smile so, and kiss thy hand so oft ? Mar. How do you, Malvolio ? Mai. At your request ? Yes ; Nightingales an. swer daws. Mar. Why appear you with this ridiculous bold< ness before my lady ? Mai. Be not afraid of greatness ■ 'Twas well writ Oli. What meanest thou by that, Malvolio'' Mai. Some are bom great, — Oli. Hal Mai. Some achieve greatness, — Oli. What say'st thou ? Mai. And some have greatness thrust upon them Oli. Heaven restore thee ! 'Caught. 'Grave. SCF.NE IV. OR, WHAT YOU WILL. 79 Mai. Rememler who commended thy yellow iluckings : — 0/i. T^- _ jllow stockings I Mai. ^ind ivished to see thee cross-gartered. OH Cross-gartere'3 1 Mai. Go to T ih^i art made, if thou desirest to b' so : — Tobt. Vio. Pray you, sir, do you know of this matter 1 Fab. I know the knight is incensed against you, even to a mortal abitrement; but nothing of the circumstance more. Vio. I beseech you, what manner of man is he ? Fab. Nothing of that wonderful promise, to read him by his form, as you are like to find him in the proof of his valor. He is, indeed, sir, the most skilful, bloody, and fatal opposite that you could possibly have found in any part of Illyria : Will you walk towards him 1 I will make your peace with him, if I can. Vio. I shall be much bound to you for't: I am one, that would rather go with sir priest, than sii knight: I care not who knows so much of my mettle. [Exeunt. Re-enter Sir Toby with Sir Anukew. Sir To. Why, man, he's a very devil ; I have not seen such a virago. I had a pass with him, rapier, scabbard, and all, and he gives me the stuck-in,' with such a mortal motion, that it is inevitable ; and on the answer, he pays you as surely as your feet hit the ground they step on: They say he has been fencer to the Sophy. Sir And. Pox on't, I'll not meddle with him. Sir To. Ay, but he wdll not now be pacified: Fabian can scarce hold him yonder. Sir Aiid. Plague on't ; an I thought he had been valiant, and so cunning in fence, I'd have seenliim damned ere I'd have challenged him. Let him let the matter slip, and I'll give him my horse, grey Capilet. Sir To. I'll make the motion: Stand here, make a good show on't; this shall end without the per- dition of souls. Marry, I'll ride your horse as well a£j I ride you. [Aside. Re-enter Fabian and Yioj-a. I have his horse [To Fab.] to take up the quarrel j I have persuaded him, the youth's a devil. Fab. He is as horribly conceited of him ; and pants, and looks pale, as if a bear were at his heels. Sir To. There's no remedy, sir ; he will fight with you for his oath's sake: marry, he hath better be- thought him of his quancl, and he finds that now scarce to be worth talking of: therefore dran, fm ' Stoccato, an Italian term in fencing;. ACT IV. Scene I, OR, WHAT YOU WILL. 81 the supportancc of his vow; he protests, he will not hurt 3f0U. Vio. Pray heaven defend me! A little thing would make me tell them how much I lack of a man. [_A To. The knave counterfeits well; a good knave. Mai. [In an inner chamber.'] Who calls there ] Clo. Sir Topas, the curate, who comes to visit Malvolio, the lunatic. Mai. Sir Topas, sir Topas, good sir Topas, go to my lady. Clo. Out, hyperbolical fiend ! how vexest thou this man] talkest thou nothing but of ladies] To. Well said, master parson. Mai. Sir Topas, never was a man thus ^vronged: good sir Topas, do not think I am mad; they have laid me here in hideous darkness. Clo. Fie, thou dishonest Sathan ! I call thee by the most modest terms ; for I am one of those gentle ones, that will use the devil himself with courtesy: Say'st thou, that house is dark] Mai. As hell, sir Topas. Clo. Why, it hath bay-windows transparent as barricadoes, and the clear stones towards the south- north are as lustrous as ebony; and yet complainest thou of obstruction ] Mai. I am not mad, sir Topas ; I say to you, this house is dark. Clo. Madman, thou errcst : I say, there is no darkness, but ignorance ; in which thou art more puzzled than the Egyptians in their fog. Mai. I say, this house is as dark as ignorance, though ignorance were as dark as hell ; and I say, there was never man thus abused: I am no more mad than you arc; make the trial of it in any con- stant question. ' Clo. What is the opinion of Pythagoras, con- cerning wild-fowl ] Mai. That the soul of our grandam might haply inhabit a bird. Clo. What thinkest thou of his opinion ] Mai. I think nobly of the soul, and no way approve his opinion] Clo. Fare thee well: Remain thou still in dark- ness: thou shalt hold the opinion of Pythagoras, ere I will allow of thy wits ; and fear to kill a wood- cock, lest thou dispossess the soul of thy gran- dam. Fare thee well. Mai. Sir Topas, sir Topas, — Sir To. My most exquisite sir Topas ! Clo. Nay, I'm for all waters.' Mar. Thou mightst have done this without thy beard and gown ; he sees thee not. Sir To. To him in thine own voice, and bring mt » Confederates. ' Regular convert tlon. 5 Any other Gem as well as a Topaz. BcENK II. OR, WHAT \0{] WILi.. 83 word how til )u findest him : I would, we were well rid of this knavery. If he may be conveniently Jelivcred, I would he were ; for I am now so far in oflence with my niece, that I cannot pursue with any safety this sport to the upshot. Come by and Oy toiny chamber. \_Exeun( Sir Toby and Maria. Clo. Het/ Robin, jolly Robin, Tell me how thy lady does. [Singing. Mai. Fool.— Clo. My lady is unkind, perdy. Mai. Fool.— Clo. Alas, why is she so? Mai. T )ol, I say ; — Clo. She loves another — 'Who calls, ha 7 Mai. Good fool, as ever thou wilt deserve well at my hand, help me to a candle, and pen, ink, and paper ; as I am a gentleman, I will live to be thank- ful to thee for 't. Clo. Master Malvolio ! Mai. Ay, good fool. Clo. A las, sir, how fell you beside your five wits ? Mai. Fool, there was never man so notoriously abused ; I am as well in my wits, fool, as thou art. Clo. But as wein then you are mad, indeed, if you be no better in your wits than a fool. Mai They have here propertied mc ; keep me in darkness, send ministers to me, asses, and do all they can to face me out of my wits. Ch). Advise you what you say ; the minister is here. Malvolio, Malvolio, thy wits the heavens restore ! endeavor thyself to sleep, and leave thy vain hibble babble. Mai. Sir Topas Clo. Maintain no words with him, good fellow. — Who, I, sir'' not I, sir. God b'wi'you, good sir Topas. — Marry, amen. — I will, sir, I will. Mai. Fool, fool, fool, I say, — Clo. Alas, sir, be patient. What say you, sir 1 I am shent^ for speaking to you. Mai. Good fool, help me to some light, and some paper ; I tell thee, I am as well in my wits, as any man in Illyria. Clo. Well-a-day, — that you were, sir ! Mai. By this hand, I am : Good fool, some ink, paper, and light, and convey what I will set down to my lady ; it shall advantage thee more than ever the bearing of letter did. Clo. I will help you to't. But tell me true, are ou not mad indeed? or do you but counterfeit] Mai. Believe me, I am not; I tell thcc true. Clo. Nay, FU ne'er believe a madman, till I see h's brains. I will fetch you light, and paper, and ink. Mai. Fool, Fll requite it in the highest degree: I pr'ythec be gone. Clo. / am gone, sir, And anon, sir, I'll be with you again. In a trice.- Like to the old vice* Your need to sustain. WIlo ivith dagger of lath. In his rage and his wrath. Cries, ah, ha! to the devil: Like a mad lad. Pare thy nails, dad. Adieu, good man drivel. SCENE III.— Olivia's Garden. Enter Sebastian. lExil Seb. This is tlie air ; that is the glorious sun ; This pearl she gave me, I do feel 't and see 't : And though 'tis wonder that enwraps me thus. Yet 'tis not madness. Where's Antonio then 1 I could not find him at the Elephant : Yet there he was; and tliere I found this credit,' That he did range the town to seek me out. His counsel now might do me golden service: For though my soul disputes well with my sensc« That this may be some error, but no madness. Yet doth this accident and flood of fortune So far exceed all instance, all discourse. That I am ready to distrust mine eyes. And WTangle with my reason, that persuades me To any other trust, but that I am mad, Or else the lady's mad ; yet, if 'twere so. She could not sway her house, command her fol- lowers. Take, and give back, aflfairs and their despatch. With such a smooth, discreet, and stable bearing. As, I perceive, she does: there's something in't. That is deceivable. But here comes the lady. Enter Olivia and a Priest. on. Blame not this haste of mine: If you mean v/ell. Now go with me, and with this holy man, Into the chantry by : there, before him. And underneath that consecrated roof. Plight me the full assurance of your faith , That my most jealous and too doubtful soul May live at peace : He shall conceal it, Whiles* you are wiUing it shall come to note ; What time we will our celebration keep According to my birth. — What do you say ? Seb. I'll follow this good man, and go with you , And, having sworn truth, ever will be true. on. Then lead the way, good fatiier ; And heaven so shine. That they may fairly note this act of mine ! [Exeunt, ACT Y. SCENE I.— The street before Olivia's House. Enter Clown and Fabiax. Fab. Now, as thou lovcst me, let me see his letter. Clo. Good master Fabian, grant me another re- fuest. Fab A.ny thing. • Scolded, reprimanded. Clo. Do not desire to sec this letter. Fab. That is, to give a dog, and, in rccompeno*^ desire my dog again. Enter Duke, Vtola, and Attendants. Duke. Qelong you to the lady Olivia, friends 1 * A buffoon charai.s ; they put forth to steal : there's not a soldier L>f us all, that, in the thanksgiving before meat, doth relish the petition well that prays for peace. 2 Gent. I never heard any soldier dislike it. Lucio. I believe thee ; for, I think, thou never wast where grace was said. 2 Gent. No ? a dozen times at least. 1 Gent. What ? in metre 1 Lucio. In any proportion,' or in any language. I Gent. I think, or in any religion. Lucio. Ay! why not? Grace is grace, despite of nil controversy : as, for example, thou thyself art a wicked villain, despite of all grace. 1 Gent. Well, there went but a pair of sheers betw(!en us." Lucio. I grant ; as there may between the lists ind the velvet : thou art the list. 1 Ge7it. And thou the velvet : thou art good vel- rct ; thou art a three-pil'd piece, I warrant thee : I lad as lief be a list of an English kersey, as be « Mf>4.sure. « A cut of the same cloth. pil'd, as thou art pil'd, for a French velvet.' Do I speak feelingly now ? Lucio. I think thou dost ; and, indeed, with r.iost painful feeling of thy speech : I wiH, out of thine own confession, learn to begin thy health , but whilst I live, forget to drink after thee. 1 Ge?it. I think I have done myself wrong ; have I not? 2 Gent. Yes, that thou hast ; whether thou art tainted, or free. Lucio. Behold, behold, where Madam Mitigation comes ! I have purchased as many diseases under her roof, as come to — 2 Gent. To what, I pray ? 1 Gent. Judge. 2 Gent. To three thousand dollars a year ? 1 Gent Ay, and more. Lucio. A French crown* more. 1 Ge?it. Thou art always figming dktasrs in me : but thou art full of error ; I am sound. Lucio. Nay, not as one would say, healthy, but so sound, as things that are hollow : thy bones are hollow ; impiety has made a feast of thee. Enter Bawd. 1 Gent. How now ? Which of your hips has the most profound sciatica ? Bawd. Well, well ; there's one yonder, arrested, and carried to prison, was worth five thousand of you all. 1 Gent. Who's that, I pray thee 7 Bawd. Marry sir, that's Claudio, Signior Ciau- dio. 1 Gent. Claudio to prison ! 'tis not so. Bawd. Nay, but I know 'tis so : I saw him ar- rested ; saw him carried away ; and, which is more, within these three days his head's to be chopped off. Lucio. But, after all this fooling, I would not have it so : art thou sure of this ? Bawd. I am too sure of it ; and it is for getting Madam Julietta with child. Lucio. Believe me, this may be : he promised to meet me two hours since ; and he was ever precise in promise-keeping. 2 Gent. Besides, you know, it draws something near to the speech we had to such a purpose. 1 Gent. But most of all, agreeing with the pro- clamation. Lucio. Away ; let's go learn the truth of it. [Exeunt Lucio arid Gentlemen. Bawd. Thus, what with the war, what with the sweat;' what with the gallows, and what with poverty, I am custom-shrunk. How now! what's the news with you 1 Enter CIovvti. Clown. Yonder man is carried to prisc-ii. Bawd. Well ; what has he done 7 Clown. A woman. Bawd. But what's his offence 1 Clown. Groping for trouts in a peculiar river. Bawd. What, is there a maid with child by him Clown. No; but there's a woman with ma by him : you have not heard of the proclamatior have you ? Bawd. What proclamation, man? Clown. All houses in the suburbs of Vioni. must be pluck'd down. » A jest on the ln?8 of hair by the French dwea^t. * Corona Veneris. »The sweatinR sickness. uo MEASURE FOR MEASURE. Act 1 Dmvd. And what shall bt come of those in the city? Clown. They shall stand for seed : they had gone down too, but 'hat a wise burgher put in for them. Bawd. But, shall all our houses of resort in the suburbs be pulled down 1 Clown. To the orround, mistress. Bawd. Why, here's a change indeed in the commonwealth : what shall become of me ? Clown. Come, fear not you ; good counsellors lack no clients. Though you change your place, you need not change your trade; I'll be your tapster still. Courage ; there will be pity taken on you : you that have worn your eyes alnv^t out in the service, you will be considered. Bawd. What's t(/ do here ] Thomas Tapster, let's withdraw. Clown. Here comes Signior Claudio, led by the provost to prison : and there's Madam Juliet. [Exeunt. SCENF III.— The same. Etuer Provost, Claudio, Juliet, and Officers. Claud. Fellow, why dost thou show me thus to the world. Bear me to prison, where I am com- mitted. Prov. I do it not in evil disposition. But from lord Angelo by special charge. Claud. Thus can the demi-god. Authority, Make us pay down for our offence by weight. — The words of heaven ; on whom it will, it will ; On whom it will not, so ; yet still 'tis just. Enter Lccio. Lucio, Why, how now, Claudio 1 whence comes this restraint ] Claud. From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty : As surfeit is the father of much fast, So every scope by the immoderate use Turns to restraint : Our natures do pursue (Like rats that ravin down their proper bane) A thirsty evil ; and when we drink, we die. Lucio. If I could speak so wisely under an arrest, I would send for certain of my creditors : And yet, to say the truth, I had as lief have the foppery, of freedom, as the morality of imprisonment. — What's thy offence, Claudio ? Claud. What, but to speak of would offend again. Ldicio. What is it ? murder 1 Claud. No. Lucio. Lechery ? Claud. Call it so. Prov. Away, sir ; you must go. Claud. One word, good friend : — Lucio, a word with you. [Takes him aside. Lucio. A hundred, if they'll do you any good. Is lechery so look'd after ? Claud. Thus stands it with me : — Upon a true contract, I got possession of Julietta's bed ; You know the lady ; she is fast my wife, Save that we do the denunciation lack Of outward order : this we came not to Only for propagation of a dower Remaining in the coffer of her friends ; From whom we thought it meet to hide our love. Till time had made them for us. But it chances, The stealth of our most mutual intercourse, With character too gross, is writ on Juliet. Lucio. With child, perhaps ? Claud. Unhappily, even so. And the new deputy now for the duke, — Whether it be the fault and glimpse of newness i Or whether that the body public be A horse whereon the governor doth ride, 'A'^ho newly in the seat, that it may know He can command, lets it straight feel the sp'jr: Whether the tyranny be in his place, Or in his eminence that fills it up, I stagger in : — But this new governor Awakes me all the unrolled penalties. Which have, like unscour'd armor, hung by the wall So long, that nineteen zodiacs have gone round, And none of them been worn ; and for a name, Now puts the drowsy and neglected act Freshly on me : — 'tis, surely, for a name. Lucio. I warrant, it is : and thy head stands so tickle on thy shoulders, that a milk-maid, if she be in love, may sigh it off. Send after the duke, and appeal to him. Claud. I have done so, but he's not to be found. I pr'ythee, Lucio, do me this kind service : This day my sister should the cloister enter. And there receive her approbation : Acquaint her with the danger of my state ; Implore her, in my voice, that she makes friends To the strict deputy : bid herself assay him ; I have great hope in that : for in her youth There is a prone and speechless dialect. Such as moves men : beside, she hath prosperous art When she will play with reason and discourse, And well she can persuade. Lucio. I pray, she may ; as well for the encou- ragement of the like, which else would stand under grievous imposition ; as for the enjoying of thy life, who I would be sorry should be thus foolishly lost at a game of tick-tack. I'll to her. Claud. I thank you, good friend Lucio. Lucio. Within two hours, — Claud. Come, officer, away. [Exeunt SCENE IV.— ^ Monastery. Enter Duke and Friar Thomas. Duke. No, holy father ; throw away that thought Believe not that the dribbling dart of love Can pierce a complete bosom : why I desire the« To give me secret harbor, hath a purpose More grave and wrinkled than the aims and ends Of burning youth. Fri. May your grace speak of it ? Duke. My holy sir, none better knows than you How I have ever lov'd the life remov'd ; And held in idle price to haunt assemblies. Where youth and cost, and witless bravery kc e p* I have deliver'd to lord Angelo (A man of stricture and firm abstinence) My absolute power and place here in Vienna, And he suppose? me travell'd to Poland ; For so I have st ew'd it in the common ear. And so it is receiv'd : Now, pious sir, You will demand of me, why I do this ? Fri. Gladly, my lord. Duke. We have strict statutes, and most bitm^ laws, (The needful bits and curbs for head-strong steeds,) Which for these fourteen years we have let sleep Even like an o'er-grown lion in a cave. That goes not out to prey : Now. as fond father* bcKNa V. MEASUilE h'OL\ MEASUliE. 9] Having hound ip the thrcat'ning twigs of birch, Only to sticlv it in their children's sight, For terror, not to use ; in time the rod Boiomcs more mock'd than fcar'd : so our decrees, Dead to infliction, to themselves are dead ; And libcrt}' plucks justice by ^he nose; The bahy beats the nurse, and quite athwart Goes all decorum. F)-i. It rested in your grace To unloose this ticd-up justice when yon pleas'd: And it in you more dreadful would have seem'd, Than in lord Angelo. Duke. I do fear, too dreadful: Sith 'twas -iiy fault, to give the peopJe scope, 'i'vvould be my tyranny to strike, and gall them For what I bid them do : For we bid tiiis be done, When evil deeds have their permissive pass, And not tlie punishment. Therefore, indeed, my father, I have on Angelo imposed the office; Who may, in the ambush of my name, strike home, And yet my nature never in the sight. To do it slander : And to behold his sway, I will, as 'twere a brother of j'our order, Visit both prince and people: therefore, I pr'ythee, fciupply me with the habit, and instruct me How I may formally in person bear me Like a true friar. More reasons for this action, At our more leisure shall I render you; Only, this one: — Lord Angelo is precise; Stands at a guard with envy; scarce confesses That his blood flows, or that his appetite Is more to bread than stone : Hence shall we see, If power change purpose, what our seemers be. \Exeunt. SCENE v.— ^ Nunnery. Enter Isabella and Fkancisca. hah. And have you nuns no further privileges T Fran. Are not these large enough ] hub. Yes, truly : I speak not as desiring more ; But rather wishing a more strict restraint Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of saint Clare. Lucio. Ho! Peace be in this place! [VV7M//?. Isab. W^ho's that which calls ? Fran. It is a man's voice : Gentle Isabella, Turn you the key, and know his business of him ; You may, I may not; you are yet unsworn: When you have vowed, you must not speak with men. But in the presence of the prioress : Thsn, if you speak, you must not show your face; Or if you show your face, you must not speak. He ca!li again; I pray you answer him. [^Ex/'f FllAXCISCA. Isab. Peace and provsperity ! Who is't that calls 1 Enter Lucio. Lucio. Hail, virgin, if you lie; as those cheek-roses r-oclaim you are no less! Can you so stead me, A.5 bring me lo the sight of Isabella, A novice of this place, and the fair sister To her unhappy brother (Jlaudio? Ixab. Why her uidiap{)y brother? let me ask ; The rather, for I now must make you know I am that Isabella, and his sister. Lucio. Gentle and fair, your brother kindly greets you N ot to be w eary with you, he's in prison. Isab. Vv^oe me ! For what ? Lucio. For that which if myself might be hn judge, He should i eceive liis punishment in thanks : He hath got his friend with child. Isab. Sir, make me not your story.* Lucio. It is trua I would not — though 'tis my familiar sin With maids to seem the lapwing, and to jest, Tongue far from heart, — play with all virgins so . I hold you as a thing ensky'd, and sainted ; By your renouncement an immortal spirit ; And to be talked with in sincerity, As with a saint. Lab. You do blaspheme the good in socking me. Lucio. Do not believe it. Fewness and truth, 'tis thus : Your brother and his lover have embraced : As those that feed grow full ; as blossoming time That from the seednessthe bare fallow brings To teeming foison ;^ even so her plenteous womb Expresseth his full tilth' and husbandry. hub. Some one with child by him 1 — My cou« sin Juliet"? Lucio. Is she your cousin ? hab. Adoptedly : as school-maids change theii names. By vain tliough apt affection. Lucio. She it is. hab. O, let him marry her ! Lucio. This is the point. The duke is very strangely gone from hence ; Bore many gentlemen, myself being one, In hand, and hope of action : but we do learn By those that know the very nerves of state, His givings-out were of an infinite distance From his true-meant design. Upon his place, And with full line of his authority, Governs lord Angelo ; a man, whosf blood Is very snow-broth ; one who never feels The wanton stings and motions of ttie sense ; But doth rebate and blunt his natural edge With profits of the mind, study and fast. He (to give fear to use and liberty, Which have, for long, run by the hideous law, As mice by lions) hath pick'd out an act, Under whose heavy sense your brother's life Falls into forfeit ! he arrests him on it ; And follows close the rigor of the statute, To make him an example : all hope is gone. Unless you have the grace by your fair prayer To soften Angelo : And that's my pith Of business 'twixt you and your poor brother. hab. Doth he so seek his life 1 Lucio. Has cennir'J' hiai Already ; and, as I hear, the provost hath A waiTant for his execution. hab. Alas ! what poor ability's in me To do him good 1 Lucio. Assay the power you have. hab. My power! Alas! I doubt, — Lucio. Our doubts are traitor^ And make us lose the good we oft might win. By fearing to attempt: Go to lord Angelo, And let him learn to know, when maidens sue. Men give like gods ; but when they weep and kneel 6 T)o not make n jost of me 1 Tn f'W and tnio wordR. »TiIiii:2. • Breeding plenty ' Sentenced D2 MEASURE FOR MEASURE. Act 11 A.1I their petitions are as freely theirs As they themselves would owe' them. hub. I'll see what I can do. Liicio. But speedily. Isab. I will about it straight ; \<) longer staying but to give the mother Notice of my affair. I humbly thank you : Commend me to my brother : soon at night I'll send him certain word of my success. Lucio. I take my leave of you. Isab. Good sir, adiei [_Exennt ACT II. SCENE I.— .4 i/a// m Angelo's i^owse. Enter Amgelo, Escalus, Provost, Officers, and other Attendants. Aug. We must not make a scare-crow of the law, Setting it up to fear the birds of prey, A.7id let i-t keep one shape, till custom make it Their perch and not their terror. EscaL Ay, but yet Let us be keen, and rather cut a little. Than fall, and bruise to death : Alas ! this gentle- man, Whom I would save, had a most noble father. Let but your honor know, (Whom I believe to be most straight in virtue,) That, in the working of your owii affections. Had time coher'd with place, or place with wishing. Or that the resolute acting of your blood Could have attain'd the efiect of your own purpose, Whether you had not some time in your life Err'd in this point which now you censure him i\nd pull'd the law upon you. Avg. 'Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus, Another thing to fall. I not deny, The jury, passing on the prisoner's life. May, in the sworn twelve, have a thief or two Guiltier than him they try : What's open ma 'J 3 to justice. That justice siczes. What know the laws. That thieves do pass on thieves'? 'Tis very pregnant. The jewel that we find, we stoop and take it. Because we see it ; but what we do not see. We tread upon and never think of it. You may not so extenuate his offence, For'' I have had such faults ; but rather tell me, When I that censure him, do so offend. Let mine own judgment pattern out my death. And nothing come in partial. Sir, he must die. Escal. Be it as your wisdom will. A?ig. Where is the provost ? Prov. Here, if it like your honor. Ang. See that Claudio Uj executed by nine to-morrow morning : Dring him his confessor, let him be prepared : For that's the atmost of his pilgrimage. [Exetmt Angelo and Provost. Escal. Well, heaven forgive him ; and forgive us all ! Bome rise Ly sin, and some by virtue fall : Some run from brakes' of vice, and answer none ; And some condemned for a fault alone. Enter Elbow, Froth, Clown, Officers, &c. Elb. Come, bring them away : if these be good people in a common weal,' that do nothing bvjt usr their abuses in common houses, I know no law ; bring them away. Ang. How now, sir! what's your name? anJ what's the matter ? Elb. If it please your honor, I am the poor duke's constable, and my name is Elb()w; I do lean upon justice, sir, and do bring in here before your good honor two notorious benefactors. Ang. Benefactors 1 Well ; what benefactors are they 1 are they not malefactors ? Elb. If it please your honor, I know not well what they are : but precise villains they are, that I am sure of; and void of all profanation in the world, that good Christians ought to have. Escal. This comes off well ;" here's a wise officer. Ang. Go to ; what quality are they of? Elbow is your name 1 Why dost thou not speak, Elbow ? Clo. He cannot, sir ; he's out at elbow Eng. What are you, sir 1 Elb. He, sir 1 a tapster, sir ; parcel' bawd ; one that serves a bad woman ; whose house, sir, was, as they say,pluck'd down in the suburbs ; and now she professes" a hot-house, which, I think, is a very ill house too. Escal. How know you that ? Elb. My wife, sir, whom I detest* before heaven and your honor — Escal. How ! thy wife 1 Elb. Ay, sir; whom, I thank heaven, i.s an honest woman, — Escal. Dost thou detest her therefore ? Elb. I say, sir, I will detest myself also, as well as she, that this house, if it be not a bawd's house, it is pity of her life, for it is a naughty house. Escal. How dost thou know that, constable ? Elb. Marry, sir, by my wife ; who, if she had been a woman cardinally given, might have bein accused in fornication, adultery, and all uncleai li ness there. Escal. By the woman's means '! Elb. Ay, sir, by mistress Ovcidone's means ; but as she spit in his face, so she defied him. Clo. Sir, if it please your honor, this is not so, Elb. Prove it before these varlets here, thou honorable man, prove it. Escal. Do you hear how he misplaces ? [To Angelo. Clo. Sir, she came in great with child ; and long- ing (saving your honor's reverence) for stew'd prunes : sir, we had but two in the house, which at that very distant time stood as it were, ui a fruiti dish, a dish of some three-pence : your honors have 9 Have. « Thickets^ tbomy paths of vice. » Because. » Wealth. ' Keeps a bagnio. • Well told. 'Paitly. » for protest. BCENE I. MEASURE FOR MEASURE. 93 (ecn such dishes ; they are not China dishes, hut fery good dishes. Escal. Go to, go to : no matter for the dish, 8lr. Clo. No, indeed, sir, not of a pin ; you are there- fire in the right ; but, to the point : as I say, this nistress Elbow, being, as I say, with child, and •eing great belly'd, and longing, as I said, for prunes ; and having but two in the dish, as 1 said, iiaster Froth here, this very man, having eaten the rest, as I said, and, as I say, paying for them very honestly ; — for, as you know, master Froth, I could not give you thi'ee-pence again. I'ruih. No, indeed. Clo. Very well : you being then, if you be re- meinbcr'd, cracking the stones of the 'foresaid p"uncs. Froth. Ay, so I did, indeed. C/o. Why, very well : I telling you then, if you be remeniber'd, that such a one, and such a one, wc-e past cure of the thing you wot of, unless they kept very good diet, as I told you. Pwth. All this is true. Ch. Why, very well then. Esuil. Come, you are a tedious fool : to the pur- pose. — What was done to Elbow's wife, that he hath cause to complain of? Come me to what was done to her. Clo. Sir, your honor cannot come to that yet. Escal. No, sir, nor I mean it not. Clo. Sir, but you shall come to it, by your ho- nor's leave: and I beseech you, look into master Froth here, sir ; a man of fourscore pound a year ; whose fathei died at Hallowmas: — Was't not at Hallowmas, master Froth 1 Froth. All-hollond' eve. Clo. Why, very well : I hope here be truths : he, sir, sitting, as I say, in a lower' chair, sir ; — 'twas in the Bunch of Grapes, where, indeed, you have a delight to sit : have you not '.' Froth. I have so ; because it is an open room, and good for winter. Clo. Why, very well then ; — I hope here be truths. Ang. This will last out a night in Russia, When nights are longest there : Fll take my leave. And leave you to the hearing of the cause ; Hoping, you'll find good cause to whip them all. Escal. I think no less : good morrow to your lordship. \^Exit Angelo. iVow, sir, come on : what was done to Elbow's wife, once more 1 Clo. Once, sir T there was nothing done to her .«nce. Elb. I beseech you, sir, ask him what this man did to my wife? Clo. I beseech your honor, ask me. Escal. Well, sir : what did this gentleman to nt-r ? Clo. I beseech you, sii-, look in this gentleman's faic: — Good master Froth, look upon his honor; 'ti:i for a good purpose : doth your honor mark his face ? Escal. Ay, sir, very well. Clo. Nav, I beseech you, mark it well. Escal. Well, I do so. Clo Doth your honor see any harm in his heel ■ Ktb of All Saints day. 'Easy. Escal. Why, no. Clo. ril be supposed' upon a book, his face \s the worst thing about him : good then ; if his face be the worst thing about him, how could rnastei Froth do the constable's wife any harm ? I would know that of your honor. Escal. He's m the right: constable, what say you to it ? Elb. First, an it like you, the house is a respected house ; next, this is a respected fellow ; and his mistress is a respected woman. Clo. By this hand, sir, his wife is a inrre ro spected person tlian any of us all. Elb. Varlet, thou liest; thou liest, wicked Toi- let : the time is yet to come, that she was evet re spected with man, woman, or child. Clo. Sir, she was respected with him btfoic ha married with her. Escal. Which is the wiser here ? justice or ini- quity ]* Is this true 1 Elb. O thou caitiff! O thou varlet ! O thou wicked Hannibal !' I respected with her, before I was married to her ? If ever I was respected with her, or she with me, let not 3-our worship think me the poor duke's officer; — Prove this, thou wicked Hannibal, or I'll have mine action of bat- tery on thee. Escal. If he took you a box o' the ear, you might have your action of slander too. Elb. Marry, I thank your good worship for it : what is't your worship's pleasure I should do with this wicked caitiff? Escal. Truly, officer, because he hath some of- fences in him, that thou wouldst discover if thou couldst, let him continue in his courses, till thoti know'st what they are. Elb. Marry, I thank your worship for it : — thou seest, thou wicked varlet now, what's come upon thee ; thou art to continue now, thou varlet ; thou art to continue. Escal. Where were you born, friend. [To Froth. Froth, Here, in Vienna, sir. Escal. Are you of fourscore pounds a year 1 Froth. Yes, and 't please you, sir. Escal. So. — What trade are you of, sir ] [To the Clown, Clo. A tapster ; a poor widow's tapster. Escal. Your mistress's name 1 Clo. Mistress Over-done. Escal. Hath she had any more than one hus- band 1 Clo. Nine, sir ; Over-done by the last. Escal. Nine ! — Come hither to n.e, martet Frctli. Master Froth, I would not have you acquainted with tapsters ; they will draw you . ma.ster Froth, and you will hang them : get you gone, and let me hear no more of you. Froth. I thank your worship: foi n.inc own part, I never come into any room in a taphouse, but I am drawn in. Escal. Well ; no more of it, master Froth : farewell. [Exit Fuotu.] — Come you hither tf me, master tapster ; what is your name, mastei tapster ? Clo. Pompey. Escal. What else? > Deposed, sworn. • For cannibaL « Constalie or Clowu h>4 MEASURE FOR MEASURE. Act II Clo. Bum, sir. Excal. 'Troth, and your bum is the greatest thing Rl)Out you ; so that, in the beastliest sense, you are Pomney the great. Pompey, you are partly a bawd, Pompey, howsoever you color it in being a tapster. Are you not 1 come, tell me true ; it shall be the better for you. Clo. Truly, sir, I am a poor fellow, that would live. Escal. How would you live, Pompey ? by being a bawd ? What do you think of the trade, Pom- pey ? is it a lawful trade ? Clo. If the law would allow it, sir. Escal. But the law will not allow it, Ptmpey ; nor it shall not be allowed in Vienna. Clo. Does your worship mean to geld and spay all the youth in the city 1 Escal. No, Pompey. Clo. Truly, sir, in my poor opinion, they will to 't then : if your worship will take order" for the drabs and the knaves, you need not to fear the bawds. Escal. There are pretty orders beginning, I can tell you : it is but heading and hanging. Clo. If you head and hang all that offend that way but for ten years together, you'll be glad to give out a commission for more heads. If this law hold in Vienna ten year, I'll rent the fairest house \n it, after three pence a day : if you live to see this come to pass, say Pompey told you so. Escal. Thank you, good Pompey : and, in requital of your prophecy, hark you, — I advise you, let me not find you before me again upon any complaint whatsoever, no, not for dwelling where you do : if I do, Pompey, I shall beat you to your tent, and prove a shrewd Csesar to you ; in plain dealing, Pompey, I shall have you whipt: so for this time, Pompey, fare you well. Clo. I thank your worship for your good coun- sel ; but I shall follow it, as the flesh and fortune shall better determine. Whip me ! No, no ; let carman whip his jade ; The valiant heart's not whipt out of his trade. [Exit. Escal. Come hither to me, master Elbow ; come hither, master Constable. How long have you been in this place of constable ? Elb. Seven years and a half, sir. Escal. I thought, by your readiness in the office, you had continued in it sooie time : You say, seven years together ? Elb. And a half, sir. Escal. Alas ! it hatn been great pains to you ! They do you wrong to put you so oft upon't: krc there not men h: your ward sufficient to serve it ? Elb. Faith, sir, few of any wit in such matters ; as tliey are chosen, they are glad to choose me for them ; I do it for some piece of money, and go through with all. Escal. Look you, bring me in the names of some six or seven of the most sufficient of your parish. Elb. To your worship's house, sir 1 Escal. To my house: Fare you well. [^Exit Et^Bow.] What's o'clock, think youl fust. Fleven, sir. • Measures. Escal. I pray you home to dinner with nie. Just. I humbly thank you. Escal. It grieves me for the death of Claudio ; But there's no remedy. Just. Lord Angelo is severe. Escal. It is but needful Mercy is not itself that oft looks so, Pardon is still the nurse of second woe. But yet, poor Claudio ! — There's no remedy. Come, sir. [£,fi' SCENE II. — Another Room in the same. Enter Provost and a Servant. Serv. He's hearing of a cause ; he will comt straight. I'll tell him of you. Prov. Pray you, do. [_Exit Servant.] I'll know His pleasure ; may be, he will relent : Alas, He hath but as offended in a dream ! All sects, all ages, smack of this vice ; and ha To die for it ! Enter Angelo. Ang. Now, what's the matter. Provost ^ Prov. Is it your will Claudio shall die to-mor- row? Ang. Did I not tell thee, yea 1 hadst thou not order ? Why dost thou ask again ? Prov. Lest I might be too rash ■ Under your good correction, I have seen. When, after execution, judgment hath Repented o'er his doom. Ang. Go to ; let that be mine, Do you your office, or give up your place. And you shall well be spar'd. Prov. I crave your honor's pardon. — What shall be done, sir, with the groaning Juliet ' She's very near her hour. Ang. Dispose of her To some more fitter place; and that with speed Re-enter Servant. Serv. Here is the sister of the man condemn'd Desires access to you. Ang. Hath he a sister ? Prov. Ay, my good lord ; a very virtuous mait' And to be shortly of a sisterhood, If not already. Ang. Well, let her be admitted [^Exit Servant See you, the fornicatress be remov'd ; Let her have needful, but not lavish, means , There shall be order for it. Enter Lucio and Isabella. Prov. Save your honor i ^Offering to retirt Ang. Stay a little while. — [I'o Isab.] You ar( welcome : What's your will ? Isab. I am a woeful suitor to your honor : Please but your honor hear me. Ang. Well ; what's your suit ] Isab. There is a vice that most I do abhor. And most desire should meet the blow of justice For which I would not plead, but that I must; For which I must not plead, but that I am At war. 'twixt will, and will not. Scene II. MEASURE FOR MEASURE. Dr. Anfr, Well ; the matter 1 Isab. I have a hr other is condemned to die: I do beseech you, let it be his fault. And not my brother. Prov. Heaven give thee moving' graces ! Aug. Condemn the fault and not the actor of it! Why, every fault's condemned, ere it be done: Mine were the very cipher of a function, To fine the faults, whose fine stands in record, And let go by the actor. Isab. O just, but severe law ! I had a brother then. — Heaven keep your honor! [^Retiring. Lucio, \To Isab.] Give't not o'er so: to him again, intreat him; Kneel down l)cfore him, hang upon his gown ; You arc too cold: if you should need a pin. You could not with more tame a tongue desire it : To him, I say. Isab. Must he needs die? Ang. Maiden, no remedy. Isab. Yes ; I do think that you might pardon him, And neither heaven, nor man, grieve at the mercy. Ang. I will not do't. Isab. But can you, if you would 1 Ang. Look, what I will not, that I cannot do. Isab. But might you do't, and do the world no wrong] If so, your heart were touch'd with that remorse As mine is to him. Ang. He's sentenced: 'tis too late. Lucio. You are too cold. [To Isabella. Isab. Too late 1 why, no ; I, that do speak a word, May call it back again : Well believe this, No ceremony that to great ones 'longs. Not the king's crown, nor the deputed sword, The marshal's truncheon, nor the judge's robe, Become them with one half so good a grace, As mercy does. If he had been as you, And you as he, you would have slipt like him ; But he, like you, would not have been so stern. Ang. Pray you, begone. Isab. I would to heaven I had your potency. And you were Isabel ! should it then be thus] No; I would tell what 'twere to be a judge, And what a prisoner. Lucio. Ay, touch him : there's the vein. \^Astde. Ang. Your brother is a forfeit of the law, And you but waste your words. Isab. Alas ! alas ! Why, all the souls that were, were forfeit once ; And He that might the vantage best have took. Found out the remedy: How would you be, If Hi', which is the top of judgment, should But judge you as you are] O, think on that; And mercy then will breathe within your lips, Like man new made. Ang. Be you content, fair maid ; It is the law tot I, condemns your brother: Were he mj kinsman, brother, or my son, Itshould be tuuswithhim: — he must die to-morrow. Isab. To-morrow] 0, that's sudden ! Spare him, spare him: He's not prepar'd for death ! Ever for our kitchens We kill the fowl of season ; shall we serve heaven With less respect than we do minister [you : To our gross selves? Good, good my lord, bethink VVho is it that hath died for this offence? There's many have comn itted it. l-'ttcio. Ay, well said. Ang. The hiw hath not been dead, though it hath slept : There's many had not dar'd to do that evil. If the fust man that did the edict infringe, Had answer'd for his deed : now, 'tis awake : Takes note of what is done ; and, like a prophet, Looks in a glass, that shows what future evils (Either now, or by remissness new-conceiv'd. And so in progress to be hatch'd and born) Arc now to have no successive degrees, But, where they live, to end. Isab. Yet f how some yily A7ig. I show it most of all, when I show justice For then I pity those I do not know, Which a dismiss'd offence would after gall ; And do him right, that answering one foul wrong Lives not to act another. Be satisfied ; Your brother dies to-morrow : be content. Isab. So you must be the first that gives this sen- And he, that suffers : O, it is excellent [tence ; To have a giant's strength ; but it is tyrannous To use it like a giant. Lucio. That's well said. Isab. Could great men thunder As Jove himself does, Jove would ne'er be quiet, For every pelting,' petty officer. Would use his heaven for thunder; nothing but Merciful heaven ! [thunder. — Thou rather, with thy sharp and sulphurous bolt, Split'st the unwedgeable and gnarled'' oak. Than the soft myrtle ; — O, but man, proud man ' Brest in a little brief authority. Most ignorant of what he's most assur'd. His glassy essence, — like an angry ape. Plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven. As make the angels weep : who, with our spleens, Would all themselves laugh mortal. Luc. 0, to him, to him, wench : he will relent ; He's coming, I perceive't. Prov. Pray heaven, she win him ! Isab. We cannot weigh our brother with ourself: Great men may jest with saints ; 'tis wit in them ; But, in the less, foul profiination. Lucio. Thou'rt in the right, girl ; more o' that. Isab, That in the captain's but a choleric word, Which in the soldier is flat blasphemy. Lucio. Art advis'd o' that ? more OTi't. Ang. Why do you put these sayings upon me 1 Isab. Because authority, though it err like others, Hath a kind of medicine in itself. That skins the vice o' the top : Go to j^our bosom ; Knock there ; and ask your heart, what it doth kno^ That's like my brother's fault : if it confess A natural guiltiness, such as is his. Let it not sound a thought upon your tongue Against my brother's life. Ang. She speaks, and 'tis Such sense, that my sense breeds with it. — Fare you well. Isab. Gentle my lord, turn back. Ang. I will bethink me : — Come again to- morrow. Isab. Hark, how I'll bribe you : Good my lord turn back. Ang. How, bribe me ? Isab. Ay, with such gifts, that heaven shali share with you. Lucio. You had marr'd all else. Isab. Not with fond shekels of the tested" golu. «raU,rv. 1 Knotted. ' StampeQ. 96 MEASURE FOR MEASURE. Act II. Or stones, whose rates are either rich or poor, As fancy values them : but with true prayers, That sliall be up at heaven, and enter there, Krc sun-rise ; prayers from preserved' souls, From fasting maids, whose minds are dedicate To nothing temporah A)ig. Well: come to me 1 (>-)norrow. Liicio. Go to; it is well; away. ![Aside to Isab. Isab. Heaven keep your honor safe ! Ang. Amen: for I Am that waygoing to temptation, [^Aside. Where prayers cross. Isab. At what hour to-morrow Shall I attend your lordship 1 Ang. At any time 'fore-noon. Isab. Save your honor ! [Exeunt Lucio, Isabklla, and Provost. Ang. From thee ; even from thy virtue ! — - What's this 1 what's this T Is this her fault or mine 1 The tempter, or ihc tempted, who sins most] ha! Not she; nor doth she tempt: but it is I, That lying by the violet, in the sun, Do, as the carrion does, not as the flower, Corrupt with virtuous season. Can it be, That modesty may more betray our sense Tlinn vv'oman's lightness] Having waste ground Sh;ill we desire to raze the sanctuary, [enough. And pitch our evils there ] O, fye, fye, fye ! What dost thou ? or what art thou, Angelo ] Uost thou desire her foully, for those things That make her good ? O, let her brother live : Thieves for their robbery have authority. When judges steal the:nselves. What? do I love her, Th it I desire to hear her speak again. An 1 feast upon her eyes] What is't I dream on] cunning enemy, that to catch a saint. With saints dost bait thy hook ! Most dangerous Is that temptation, that doth goad us on To sin in. loving virtue ; never could the strumpet Once stir my temper ; but this virtuous maid Subdues me quite ; — ever, till now. When men were fond, I smil'd, and wonder'd how. lExit. SCENE III.— ^ Room in a Prismi. Enter Duke, habited like a Friar, and Provost. Duke. Hail to you, provost ! so I think you are. Prov. I am the provost : What's your will, good friar 1 Duke. Bound by my charity, and my bless'd order, 1 come to visit the afflicted spirits Hero in the prison : do me the common right 'J'o let me see them ; and to make me know The nature of their crimes, that I may minister To them accordingly. 1 ''•oy. I would do more than that, if more were needful Enter Juliet. I .( jk here comes one ; a gentlewoman of mine, V\'ho, falling in the flaines of her own youth. Hath blister'd her report : She is with child ; .\nd he that got it, sentenced : a young man More fit to do another such offence, Than die for this. Duke. When must he die ? Prov. As I do think, to-morrow. — have provided for you ; stay awhile, {To Juliet. And you shall be conducted. • Preserved from the corruption of the world. Duke. Repent you, fair one, of the sin you carry] Juliet. I do; and bear the sharaeoos', patiently. Duke. I'll teach you how you shali arraign yout conscience. And try your penitnnce, if it be sound, Or hollowly put on. Juliet. I'll gladly learn. Duke. Love you the man that wrong'd yoii . Juliet. Yes, 9S I love the woman that wrong'd him. Duke. So tLen, it seems, your most offcnceful act Was mutually ccmrnitted] Juliet. Mutually. Duke. Then was your sin of heavier kind than his. Juliet. I do confess it, and repent it, father. Duke. 'Tis meet so, daughter: But lest you do repent. As that the sin hath brought you to this shame, — Which son'ow is always toward ourselves, not heaven ; Showing, we'd not spare heaven, as we love k^, But as we stand in fear. Juliet. I do repent me, as it is an evil: And take the shame with joy. Duke. There rest. Your partner, as I hear, must die to-morrow And I am going with instruction to him. — Grace go with you ! BenediciieJ [Exit. Juliet. Must die to-morrow ! , injurious love, That respites me a life, whose vcTy comfort Is still a dying horror ! Prov. 'Tis pity of him. [Exeunt, SCENE IV.— ^ Room in Angelo's House. Enter Angelo. Ang. When I would pray and think, I think and pray To several subjects : heaven hath my empty words ; Whilst my invention, hearing not my tongue. Anchors on Isabel : Heaven in my mouth. As if I did but only chew his name ; And in my heart, the strong and swelling evil Of my conception : The state, whereon I studied, Is like a good thing, being often read. Grown fear'd and tedious ; yea, my gravity, Wherein (let no man hear me) I take pride, Could I, with boot,' change for an idle plume, Which the air beats for vain. O place ! O form ! How often dost thou with thy case, thy habit, Wrench awe from fools, and tie the wiser souls To thy false seeming] Blood, thou still art blood Let's write good angel on the devil's horn, 'Tis not the devil's crest. Enter Servant. How now, who's there ] Serv. One Isabel, a sister. Desires access to you. Ang. Teach her the way. [Exit Sei"v O heavens ! Why does my blood thus muster to my heart; Making both it unable for itself. And dispossessing all the other parts Of necessary fitness ] So play the foolish throngs with one that swoons Come all to help him, and so stop the air By which he should revive : and even so The general,'^ subject to a well-wish'd king. Quit their own part, and in obsequious fondness Crowd to his presence, where their untaught love Must needs appear offence. > Profit. » Tlie people Sjene IV. MEASURE FOR MEASURE. 9? Enter Isabella. How now, fair maid 1 Isah. I am come to know your pleasure. Ang. That you might know it, would much better please me, i'lian to demand what 'tis. Your brother cannot live. I.mh. Even so 1 — Heaven keep your honor ! [Retiring. Ang. Yet may he live a while ; and, it may be As long as you or I : Yet he must die. Isab. Under your sentence ? Ang. Yea. Isab. When, I beseech you 1 that in his reprieve, l.onger, or shorter, he may be so fitted, That his soul sicken not. Ang. Ha ! fye, these filthy vices ! It were as good To pardon him, that hath from nature stolen A man already made, as to remit Their saucy sweetness, that do coin heaven's image, [n stamps that are forbid : 'tis all as easy Falsely to take away a hfe true made. As to put mettle in restrained means, To make a false one. Isah. 'Tis set down so in heaven, but not in earth. Ang. Say you so 1 tlien I shall pose you quickly. Which had you rather, that the most just law iVow took your brother's life ; or, to redeem him, Give up your person to such sweet uncleanness, As she that he hath stained ? hub. Sir, believe this, I had rather give my body than my soul. Ang. I talk not of your soul ; ourcompell'd sins Stand more for number than accompt. Isab. flow say you ] Ang. Nay, I'll not warrant that ; for I can speak Against the thing I say. Answer to this ; — I, now the voice of the recorded law, Pronounce a sentence on your brother's life : Might there not be a charity in sin, To save this brother's hfe ? Isab. Please you to do't, ril take it as a peril to my soul. It is no sin at all, but charity. Ang. Pleas'd you to do 't, at peril of your soul. Were equal poise of sin and charity. Isab. That I do beg his life, if it be sin. Heaven, let me bear it ! you granting of my suit, [f Ihat be sin, I'll make it my morn prayer To have it added to the faults of mine. And nothing of your answer. ^1"^. Nay, but hear me : Your sense pursues not mine : either you are igno- Or seem so, craftily ; and that's not good, [rant, Isab. Let me be ignorant, and in nothing good. But graciously to know I am no better. Ang. Thus wisdom wishes to appear most bright. When it doth tax itself: as these black masks Proclaim an enshield' beauty ten times louder Thau beauty could displayed. — But mark me; To be received plain, I'll speak more gjoss : Your brother is to die. Isab. So. Ang. And his offence is so, as it appears Accountant to the law upon that pain. Isab. True. Ang. Admit no other way to save his life, (As I subscribe not that, nor any other, But in the loss of question,) that you, his sister, Finding yourself desir'd of such a per person, •Covered. Whose credit with the judge, or own gTeat place, Could fetch your brother from the manacles Of the all-binding law : and that there were No earthly mean to save him, but that either You must lay down the treasures of your bodj To this supposed, or else let him suffer ; What would you do I Isab. As much for my poor brother as myself; That is, were I under the terms of death. The impression of keen whips I'd wear as rubie4i And strip myself to death, as to a bed That longing I have been sick for, ere I'd yield My honor up to shame. Ang. Then must your brother di« Isah. And 'twere the cheaper way : Better it were, a brother died at once. Than that a sister, by redeeming him. Should die for ever. Ang. Were not you then as cruel as the sentence That you have slander'd so T hub. Ignominy in ransom, and free pardon, Are of two houses : lawful mercy is Nothing akin to foul redemption. Ang. You seem'd of late to make the law a tyrant , And rather prov'd the sliding of your brother A men-iment than a vice. Isab. O, pardon me, my lord ; it oft falls out. To have what we'd have, we speak not what we I sometimes do excuse the thing I hate, [mean '. For his advantage that I dearly love. Ang. We are all frail. Isab. Else let my brother die, If not a feodary,' but only he. Owe,* and succeed by weakness. Ang. Nay, women are frail too. Isab. Ay, as the glasses where they view them- selves ; Which are as easy broke as they make forms. Women ! — Help heaven ! men their creation mar In profiting by them. Nay, call us ten times frail ; For we are soft as our complexions are, And credulous to false prints.* Ang. I think it well : And from this testimony of your own sex, (Since, I suppose, we are made to be no stronger Than faults may shake our frames,) let me be bold ; I do arrest your words ; be that you are. That is, a woman ; if you be more, you're none ; If you be one, (as 5'ou are well express'd By all external warrants,) show it now. By putting on the destin'd livery. Isab. I have no tongue but one : gentle my lord, Let me entreat you, speak the former language. Ang. Plainly conceive, I love you. Isah. My brother did love Juliet; and you tell ra# That he shall die for it. Ang. He shall not, Isabel, if you give me love. Isab. I know your virtue hath a licence in't, Which seems a little fouler than it is. To pluck on others. Ang. Believe me, on mine honor, My words express my purpose. Isab. Ha ! little honor to be much believ'd. And most pernicious purjiose ! — Seeming, seeming' I will proclaim thee, Angelo; look fc t: Sign me a present pardon for my hrotner, Or, with an outstrotch'd throat, I'll tell the world Aloud, what man thou art. Ang. * Assdciate. Who will believe thee, Isabel I •fAru. *IiUprC£!SiOQS- es MEASURE FOR MEASURE. Act III My iinwoil'd name, the austerciu'ss of my life, My vouch pgainst you, ami my place i' the state, Will so your accusation ovenveigh. That you shall stifle in your own report, And smell of calumny. I have begun ; And now I give my sensual race the rein; Fit thy consent to my sharp appetite ; Lay by all nicety, and prolixious' blushes. That banish what they sue for ; redeem thy brother By yielding up thy person to my will ; Or else he must not only die the death. But thy unkindness shall his death draw out To lingering sufferance : answer me to-morrow, Or, by the affection that guides me most, I'll prove a tyrant to him: As for you, tiav what you can, my false o'erweighs your true. lExit. Isab. To whom shall I complain ! Did I tell this. Who would believe me ? O perilous mouths. That bear in them one and the self-same tongue^ Either of condemnation or approof! Bidding the law make court'sy to their will ; Hooking both right and wrong to the appetite, To follow as it draws ! I'll to my brother : Though he hath fallen by prompture of the blood, Yet hath he in him such a mind of honor. That had he twenty heads to tender down On twenty bloody blocks, he'd yield them up, Before his sister should her person stoop To such abhorr'd pollution. Then Isabel, live chaste, and, brother, die : More than oui- brother is our chastity. I'll tell him yet of Angelo's request. And fit his mind to death, for his soul's rest. [^Exit. ACT III. isCENE I. — A Room in the Prismi. Enter Duke, Claudio, and Provost. Duke. So, then you hope of pardon from lord Angclo 1 Claud. The miserable have no other medicine. But only hope: I have hope to live, and am prepar'd to die. Duke. Be absolute for death : either death, or life, Shall thereby be the sivceter. Reason thus with life, — If I do lose thee, I do lose a thing That none but fools would keep : a breath thou art, (Servile to all the skiey influences,) That dost this habitation, where thou keep'st, Hourly afl^Iict: merely, thou art death's fool ; For him thou labor'st by thy (light to shun, And yet run'st toward him still : Thou art not noble ; For all the accommodations that thou bear'st, Are nurs'd by baseness: Thou art by no means valiant ; For thou dost fear the soft and tender fork Of a poor worm : Thy best of rest is sleep, And that thou oft provok'st ; yet grossly fear'st Thy death, which is no more. Thou art not thyself; For thou exist' st on many thousand grains That issue out of dust : Happy thou art not; For what thou hast not, still thou striv'st to get; And what thou hast, forgct'st : Thou art not certain; For thy complexion shifts to strange effects,'' After the moon : If thou art rich, thou art poor ; For, like an ass, whose back with mgots bows, Thou bear'st thy heavy riches but a journey. And death unloads thee: Friend hast thou none; For thine own bowels, which do call thee sire. The mere effusion of thy proper loins. Do curse the gout, serpigo,' and the rheum, r^r ending thee no sooner: Thou hast nor youth, nor age ; B . , as it were, an after-dinner's sleep. Dreaming on both: for all thy blessed youth Becomes as aged, and doth beg the alms Of palsied eld; and when thou art old and rich. Thou hast neither heat, affection, limb, nor beauty. To make thy riches pleasant. What's yet in this. That bears the name of life '' Yet in this life liie hid more thousand deaths : yet death we fear, That makes these odds all even. <■ Koluctant. ' Affects, alfections. * Leprous eruptions. Claud. I humbly thank yoo To sue to live, I find, I seek to die ; And seeking death, find life : Let it come on. Enter Isabella. Isah. What, ho ! Peace here ; grace and gooa company ! Prov. Who's there? come in: the wish deserves a welcome. Duke. Dear sir, ere long I'll visit you again. Claud. Most holy sir, I thank you. Isab. My business is a word or two with Claudio. Prov. And very welcome. Look, signior, here's your sister. Duke. Provost, a word with you. Prov. As many as you please Duke. Bring them to speak, where I may be conceal'd. Yet hear them. [Exeunt Duke and Provost. Claud. Now, sister, what's the comfort ? Isab. Why, as all comforts are ; most good indeed: Lord Angelo, having affairs to he-'ven. Intends you for his swift ambassador, Where you shall be an everlasting lieger :® Therefore your best appointment moke with speed ; To-morrow you set on. Claud. Is there no remedy 1 Isab. None, but such a remedy, as to save a head. To cleave a heart in twain. Claud. But IS there any 1 Isab. Yes, brother, you may live ; There is a devilish mercy in the judge, If you'll implore it, that will fre', your life. But fetter you till death. Claud. Perpetual durance 1 Isab. Ay, just, perpetual durance ; a restraint, Though all the world's vastidity jou had, To a determined scope. Claud. But in wuat nature ? Isab. In such a one as (you consenting to 't) Would bark your honor fiom that trunk you beai And leave you naked. Claud. Let me know the point. Isab. 0, 1 do fear thee, Claudio; and I quako. Lest thou a feverous life shouldst entertain, And six or seven winters more respect • Besident. Scene 1. MEASURE FOU MEASURE. 99 Than a perpetual honor. Dar'st thou die ? Thi- sense of ileath is most in apprciiension : And the poor beetle that we tread upon, [n corporal sufferance finds a pang as great As when a giant dies. Claud. Why give you me this shame 1 Think you I can a resolution fetch From flowery tenderness ? If I must die, [ will encounter Jarkncss as a bride, And hug it in mine arms. [grave Lab, There spake my brother ; there my father's Did utter fortli a voice ! Yes, thou must die, 'Thou art too noble to conserve a life In base appliances. I'his outward-sainted deputy, — Whose settled visage and deliberate word Xips youth i' the head, and follies doth enmew, As falcon doth the fowl, — is yet a devil ; His filth within being cast, he would appear A pond as deep as hell. Claud. The princely Angelo ? laab. O, 'tis the cunning livery of hell, The vilest body to invest and cover [n princely guards ! Dost thou think, Claudio, If I would yield him my virginity. Thou might'st be freed ? Claud. 0, heavens ! It cannot be. Isab. Yes, he would give it thee, from this rank offence. So to offend him still : This night's the time, That I should do what I abhor to name, Or else thou dicst to-morrow. Claud. Thou shalt not do't. huh. O, were it but my life, I'd throw it down for your deliverance As frankly as a pin. Claud. Thanks, dear Isabel. hah. Be ready, Claudio, for your death to-morrow. Claud. Yes. — Has he affections in him. That thus can make him bite the law by the nose. When he would force it 1 Sure it is no sin ; Or of the deadly seven it is the least. hab. Which is the least ? Claud. If it were damnable, he, being so wise, Why, would he for the momentary trick I3e perdurably fin'd — O Isabel ! hah. What says my brother ? Claud. Death is a fearful thing. hab. And shamed life a hateful. Claud. Ay, but to die, and go we know not where, To lie in cold obstruction, and to rot: r .is sensible warm motion to become X kneaded clod ; and the delighted spirit To bathe in fiery floods, or to reside In thrilling regions of thick ribbed ice ; To 1 r. imprison'd in the viewless winds. And blown with restless violence round about riie ])cndant world ; or to be worse than worst t)f those, that lawless and incertain thoughts Imagine howling ! — 'tis too horrible ! The weariest and most loathed worldly life. That age, ache, penury, and imprisonment Can lay on nature, is a paradise To what we fear of death. hab. Alas ! alas ! Claud. Sweet sister, let me live: What sin you do to save a brother's life, Nature disjienscs with the deed so far. That it becomes a virtue. Jf^fli- O, you beast ! "». faithless coward ! 0, dishonest wretch ! Wilt thou be made a man out of my vice ? Is't not a kind of incest, to take life [think 1 From thine own sister's shame ] What should I Heaven shield, my mother play'd my father fan-! For such a warped slip of wilderness Ne'er issu'd from his blood, 'i'ake my defiance • Die; perish ! might but my bending down Reprieve thee from thy fate, it should proceed I'll pray a thousand prayers for thy death, No word to save thee. Claud. Nay, hear me, Isabel. hab. C , fye, 'j e ff € Thy sin's not accidental, but a trade : Mercy to thee would prove itself a bawd: 'Tis best that thou diest quickly. [^Going Claud. O hear me, Isabella. Re-enter Duke. Duke. Vouchsafe a word, young sister, but ona word. hab. What is your will 1 Duke. Might you dispense with your leisure, I would by and by have some speech with you : the satisfaction I would require, is liliewise your own benefit. hah. I have no superfluous leisure ; my stay must be stolen out of other affairs ; but I will attend you awhile. Duke. [7b Claudio, aside.^ Son, I have over heard what hath passed between you and your sister. Angelo had never the purpose to corrupt her ; only he hath made an essay of her virtue, to practise his judgment with the disposition of natures ; she, having the truth of honor in her, hath made him that gracious denial which he is most glad to receive: I am confessor to Angelo, and I know this to be true ; therefore prepare yourself to death : Do not satisfy your resolution with hopes that are fallible : to-moiTOw you must die ; go to your knees, and make ready. Claud. Let me ask my sister pardon. I am so out of love with life, that I will sue to be rid of it. Duke. Hold you there : Farewell. \^Exit Claudio. Re-enter Provost. Provost, a word with you. Prov. What's your will, father ? Duke. That now you are come you will be gone. Leave me awhile with the maid ; my mind pro- mises with my habit, no loss shall touch her by my company. Prov. In good time. [Exit Provost. Duke. The hand that hath made you fiiir, hath made you good : the goodness that is cheap in beauty, makes beauty brief in goodness : but grace, being the soul of your complexion, should keep the body of it ever fair. The assault that Angelo hath made to you, fortune hath convcy'd to my understanding; and, but that frailty hath examples for his falling, I should wonder at Angelo. How would you do to content this substitute, and to save your brothei ? Isab. I am now going to resolve him : I had rather my brother die by the law, than my son should be unlawfully born. But O, how much is the good duke deceived in Angelo! If ever ho return, and I can speak to him, I will open mv lips in vain, or discover his government. Duke. That shall not be much amiss : Yet, aa the matter now stands, he will avoid your accu sation ; he made trial of you only. — Therefor«^ 100 MEASUEE FOR MEASURE. Act Til iisti'ii your rar on my advisings : to the love I li;ivc in doing good, a remedy presents itself. I do make myself believe, that you may most up- righfeously do a poor wronged lady a merited benefit ; redeem your brother from the angry law ; do no stain to your own gracious person ; and much please the absent duke, if, peradventure, he shill ever return to have hearing of this business. Isuh. liCt me hear you speak further ; I have spirit to do any thing that appears not foul in the f ruth of my spirit. DuLe. Virtue i.s bold, and goodness never fearful. Have you not heard speak of Mariana the sister of Frederick, the great soldier, who miscarried at sea? hah. I have heard of tlie lady, and good words went with her name. Duke. Her should this Angelo have married ; was affianced to her by oath, and the nuptial appointed : between which time of the contract, and limit of the .solemnity, her brother Frederick was wrecked at sea, having in that perished vessel the dowry of his sister. But mark, how heavily this befel to the poor gentlewoman : there she lost a noble and re- nowned brother, in his love toward her ever most kind and natural ; with him, the portion and sinew of her fortune, her marriage-dowry ; with both, her combinate'' husband, this well-seeming Angelo. Isab. Can this be so ] Did Angelo so leave her 1 Duke. Left her in her tears, and dry'd not one of them with his comfort ; swallowed his vows whole, pretending in her discoveries of dishonor : in few, bestowed her on her own lamentation, which she yet wears for his sake ; and he, a marble to her tears, is washed with them, but relents not. Isab. What a merit were it m death, to take this poor maiden from the world ! What corrup- tion in this life, that it will let this man live ! — but how out of this can she avail ? Duke. It is a rupture that you may easily heal : and the cure of it not only saves your brother, but keeps you from dishonor in doing it. Isuh. Show me how, good father. Duke. This fore-named maid hath yet in her the continuance of her first affection ; his unjust un- kindness, that in all reason should havo quenched her love, hath, like an impediment in the cunent, made it more violent and unruly. Go you to Angelo ; answer his requiring with a plausible obedience ; agree with his demands to the point : only refer yourself to this advantage, — first, that your stay with him may not be long ; that the time may have all shadow and silence in it ; and the place answer to convenience : this being granted in course, now follows all. We shall advise this wronged maid to stead up your appointment, go in your place ; if the encounter acknowledge itself hereafter, it may • compel him to her recompense : and here, by this, is your brother saved, your honor untainted, the poor Mariana advantaged, and the corrupt deputy scaled." The maid will I frame, and make fit for his attempt. If you think well to carry this as you may, the doubleness of the benefit defends the de- ceit from reproof. What think yon of it ? hah. The image of it gives me content already; and I trust it will grow to a most prosperous perfection. Duke. It lies much in your holding up : Haste you speedily to Angelo ; if for this night he entreat you to his bed, give him promise of satisfaction. I will presently to St. Luke's ; there, at the moated » Betrothed. ' Over-reached. grange, resides this dejected Mariana: Attha place call upon me ; and despatch with Angelo, lh» it may be quickly. hah. I thank you for this comfort: Fare you well, good father. \_Exeu7it s:.veraii^ SCENE II.— T/;e Street before the I rison. Enter Duke, as a friar ,- to him Elbow, Clown, and Officers. Elb. Nay, if there be no remedy of it, but that you will needs buy and sell men and' women like beasts, we shall have all the world drink brown and white bastard.' Duke. O, heavens ! what stuff is here ; Clo. 'Twas never merry world, since, of twc usuries, the merriest was put down, and the worser allow'd by order of law a furr'd gown to keep him warm; and furr'd with fox and lamb skins too, to signify, that craft, being richer than innocency, stands for the facing. Elb. Come your way, sir; — Bless you, good fa ther friar. Duke. And you, good brother father: What offence hath this man made you, sir ? Elb. Marry, sir, he hath offended the law ; and, sir, we take him to be a thief too, sir : for we have found upon him^ sir, a strange pick-lock, which we have sent to the deputy. Duke. Fye, sirrah ; a bawd, a wicked bawd ! The evil that thou causest to be done. That is thy means to live : do thou but think What 'tis to cram a maw, or clothe a back, From such a filthy vice : say to thyself, — From their abominable and beastly touches I drink, I eat, array myself, and live. Canst thou believe thy living is a life, So stinkingly depending 1 Go, mend, go, menu. Clo. Indeed, it docs stink in some sort, sir ; bm yet, sir, I would prove [for sin, Duke. Nay, if the devil have given thee proofs Thou wilt prove his. Take him to prison, officer ; Correction and instruction must both work. Ere this rude beast will profit. Elb. He must before the deputy, sir ; he has given him warning ; the deputy cannot abide a whore- master: if he be a whoremonger, and comes before him, he were as good go a mile on his en^and. Duke. That we were all, as some would seem to be. Free from our faults, as faults from seeming free ! Enter Lucto. Elb. His neck will come to your waist, a cord, sir Clo. I spy comfort ; I cry bail : Here's a gentle- man, and a friend of mine. Lucia. How now, noble Pompcy .' What, at the heels of Cffisar ? Art thou led in triumph 1 What is there none of Pygmalion's images, newly mado woman, to be had now, for putting the hand in the pocket, and extracting it clutch'd 1 What reply 1 Ha 1 What say'st thou to this tune, matter, and method ? Is't not drown'd i' the last rain 1 Ha 1 What say'st thou, trot? Is the world as it v/as man ? Which is the way ? Is it sad, and few words ? Or how ? The trick of it ? Duke. Still thus, and thus ! still worse . Lucio. How doth my dear morsel, thy mistres* Procures she still ? Ha ? Clo. Troth, sir, she hath eaten up all her beef and she is herself hi the tub.* » A sweet wine. « Powdering tub OCENE 11. MEASURE FOR MI^ASURE. 101 Lucio. Why, 'tis good ; it is the right of it ; it must be so : ever your fresh whore, and j >ur pov/- der'd bawd : i»n unshunn'd consequence ; it must be so : art going to prison, Pompey ? Clo. Yes, faith, sir. Lticio. Why, 'tis not amiss, Pompey : Farewell : (lO ; say I sent thee thither. For debt, Pompey ? Or how ? El/j. For being a bawd, for being a bawd. Lucio. Well, then imprison him : if imprison- ment be the due of a bawd, why, 'tis his right : bawd is he, doubtless, and of antiquity too ; bawd- born. Farewell, good Pompey : commend me to the prison, Pompey ; you will turn good husband now, Pompey ; you will keep the house.' Clo. I hope, sir, your good worship will be my bail. Lucio. No, indeed, will I not, Pompey ; it is not the wear. I will pray, Pompey, to increase your bondage : if you take it not patiently, why your mettle is the more : Adieu, trusty Pompey. — Bless you, friar. Duke. And you. Lucio. Does Bridget paint still, Pompey ? Ha 1 Elb. Come your ways, sir ; come. Clo. You will not bail me then, sir 1 lAicio. Then, Pompey ? nor now — What news abroad, friar ? Wliat news ] Elb. Come your ways, sir; come. Lticio. Go, — to kennel, Pompey, go : [Exeunt Elbow, Clown, and Officers. What news, friar, of the duke ] Duke. I know none : Can you tell me of any 1 Lucio. Some say, he is with the emperor of Russia ; other some, he is in Rome : But where is he, think you 1 Duke. I know not where : But wheresoever, I wish him well. Lucio. It was a mad fantastical trick of him, to steal from the state, and usurp the beggary he was never born to. Lord Angelo dukes it well in his absence ; he puts transgression to't. Duke. He does well in't. Lucio. A little more lenity to lechery would do no harm in him : something too crabbed that way, friar. [cure it. Duke. It is too general a vice, and severity must Lticio. Yes, in good sooth, the vice is of a great kindred • it is well allied : but it is impossible to extirp it quite, friar, till eating and drinking be put down. They say, this Angelo was not made by man and woman, after the downright way of crea- tion : is it true, think you ? Duke. How should he be made then ? Lucio. Some report, a sea-maid spawn'd him : — Some, that he was begot between two stock-fishes : but it is certain, that when he makes water, his urine is congeal'd ice; that I know to be true : and, he is a motion' ungcnerative, that's infallible. Duke. You are pleasant, sir ; and speak apace. Lucio. Why, what a ruthless thing is this in him, for the rebellion of a cod-piece, to take away the life of a man ? Would the duke, that is absent, have done this ] Ere he would have liang'd a man for the getting a hundred bastards, he would have paid for the nursing a thousand : he hid some feel- ing of the sport ; he knew the service, and that in- structed him to mercy. Duke. I never heard the absent Juke much d(- tccted for women ; lie w?s not inclined »hat way. 1 Stay at borne. • Pnppf I. 8 Lucio. O sir, you are deceived. Duke. 'Tis not possible. Lucio. Who? not the duke] yes, your beggar of fifty; — and his use was, to put a ducat in hei clack-dish :' the duke had crochets in hun : Ha would be drunk too ; that let me inform you. Duke. You do him vn-ong, surely. Ijucio. Sir, I was an inward of his : a shy fel'ow was the duke : and I beUeve I know the cause of his withdrawing. Duke. What, I pr'ythee, might be the cause ? Lucio. No, — pardon ; — 'tis a secret must be lock'd within the teeth and the lips: but this I caa let you understand, — The greater file of the bi b- ject held the duke to be wise. Duke. Wise 1 why, no question but he was. Lucio. A very superficial, ignorant, unweighing fellow. Duke. Either this is envy in you, folly, or mistak- ing ; the very stream of his life, and the business he hath helmed,' must, upon a warranted need, give him a better proclamation. Let him be but testi- monied in his own bringings forth, and he shall appear to the envious, a scholar, a statesman, and a soldier ; Therefore, you speak unskilfully ; or, if your knowledge be more, it is much darken'd in your malice. Lucio. Sir, I know him, and I love him. Duke. "Love talks with better knowledge, and knowledge with dearer love. Lucio. Come, sir, I know what I know. Duke. I can hardly believe that, since you know not what you speak. But, if ever the duke return, (as our prayers are he may,) let me desire you to make your answer before him : if it be honest you have spoke, you have courage to maintain it : I am bound to call upon you : and, I pray you, your name ? Lucio. Sir, my name is Lucio, well known to the duke. Duke. He shall know you better, sir, if I may live to report you. Lucio. I fear you not. Duke. 0, you hope the duke will return no more ; or you imagine me too unhurtfui an oppo- site. But, indeed, I can do you httle harm : you'll forswear this again. Lucio. I'll be hanged first : thou art deceived in me, friar. But no more of this : can'st thou tell, if Claudio die to-morrow, or no T Duke. Why should he die, sir 1 Lucio. M'^hy ? for filling a bottle with a tun-dish. I would, the duke, we talk of, were return'd again : this ungenitur'd agent will unpeople the province with continency ; sparrows must not build in hii house-eaves, because they are lecherous. The duke yet would have dark deeds darkly answer'd , he would never bring them to light : would he ■^erc return'd ! Marry, this Claudio is condemned for untrussing. Farewell, good friar : I pr'ythee pray for me. The duke, I say to thee again, would eat mutton on Fridays. He's now past it ; yet, and I say to thee, he would mouth with a beggar, though she .smelt brown bread and garlic : say, that I said so. Farewell. [Exit Duke. No might nor greatness in mortality Can censure 'scape ; back-wounding calumny » Clack-ilhh : The beggars, two or three ronturies ago, u.'sed to proclaim their want by a wooden dish with a moveable cover, which they clacked, to s'low that theil vessel wi.s empty. I Gaid.-d. 102 MEASURE FOR MEASURE. Act IV The whitest virtue strikes : What king so strong, Can tie the gall up in the slanderous tongue ? But who comes here 1 Enter Escalus, Provost, Bawd, and Officers. Escal. Go, away with her to prison. Bawd. Good my lord, be good to me ; your honor is accounted a merciful man : good my lord. Escal. Double and treble admonition, and still forfeit" in the same kind ! This would make mercy swear, and play the tyrant. Prov. A bawd of eleven years continuance, may it please your honor. Bawd. My lord, this is one Lucio's information against me : mistress Kate Keep-down was with child by him in the duke's time, he promised her marriage ; his child is a year and a quarter old, come Philip and Jacob : I have kept it myself; and see how he goes about to abuse me. Escal. That fellow is a fellow of much license : — let him be called before us. — Away with her to prison : Go to ; no more words. [^Exeunt Bawd and Officers.] Provost, my brother Angelo will not be altered ; Claudio must die to-morrow : let iiim lie furnished with divines, and have all charitable pre- paration : if my brother wrought by my pity, it should not be so with him. Prov. So please you, this friar hath been with him, and advised him for the entertainment of death. Escal. Good even, good father. Duke. Bliss and goodness on you ! Escal. Of whence are you ? Duke. Not of this country, though my chance is To use it for my time : I am a brother [now Of gracious order, late come from the see. In special business from his holiness. Escal. What news abroad i' the world 1 Duke. None, but that there is so great a fever on goodness that the dissolution of it must cure it: novelty is only in request ; and it is as dangerous to be aged in any kind of course, as it is virtuous to be constant in any undertaking. There is scarce truth enough alive, to make societies secure ; but security enough, to make fellowship accurs'd : much upon this riddle runs the wisdom of the world. This news is old enough, yet it is every day's news. I pray you, sir, of what disposition was the duke ? Escal. One that, above all other strifes, con- tended especially to know himself. Duke. What pleasure was he given to ? Escal. Rather rejoicing to see zv )\hcr merry, than m<;rry at any thing which profeus'd to make him rejoice: a gentleman of all ten-.f eiance. But leave we him to his events, with a praver they may prove prosperous : and let me desire to know how you find Claudio prepared. I am made to under- stand, that you have lent him visitation. Duke. He professes to have received no sinister measure from his judge, but most willingly huml)l(^s himself to the determination of justice : yet had he framed to himself, by the instruction of his frailly, many deceiving promises of life : which I, by my good leisure, have discredited to him, and now is he resolved to die. Escal. Yot have paid the heavens your function, and the prisoner the very debt of your calling. ] have labor'd for the poor gentleman, to the cx- tremest shore of my modesty ; but my brother justice have I found so severe, that he hath forced me to tell him, he is indeed — ^justice. Duke. If his own life answer the straitness of hia pi-oceeding, it shall become him well ; wherein, if he chance to fail, he hath sentenced himself. Escal. I am going to visit the prisoner : Fare you well. Duke. Peace be with you ! [^Exeunt Escalus and Provost He, who the sword of heaven would bear Should be as holy as severe ; Pattern in himself to know, Grace to stand, and virtue go ; More or less to others paying, Than by self-offences weighing. Shame to him, whose cruel striking Kills for faults of his own liking ! Twice treble shame on Angelo, To weed my vice and let his grow ! O, what may man within him hide. Though angel on the outward side ! How may likeness, made in crimes, Making practice on the times. Draw with idle spiders' strings Most pond'rous and substantial things ! Craft against vice I must apply : With Angelo to-night shall lie His old betrothed, but despis'd ; So disguise shall, by the disguis'd, Pay with falsehood false exacting, And perform an old contracting. [Ejnt ACT IV. SCENE I. — A Room in Mariana's House. S\ KYUkU A discovered sitting ; a Boy singing. SONG. Take, oh, fake those lips away, That so sweetly ivere forsworn ,- And those eyes, the break of day. Lights that do mislead the morn ; But my kisses bring again, bring again, Sea/s of love, but seaPd 'n vain, seal'd in vain. Mart. Break off thy song, and haste thee quick airay ; 'Transgress. Here comes a man of comfort, whose advice Hath often still'd my brawling discontent. — \_Exii n< y Enter Duke. I cry you mercy, sir ; and well could wish You had not found me here so musical : Let me excuse me, and believe me so, — My mirth it much displeas'd, but pleas'd my woe. Duke. 'Tis good : though music oft hath such a charm, To make bad good, and good provoke to harm. I pray you, tell me, hath any body enquired for me here to-day 1 much upon this time have I promis'd here to meet. Mari. You have not been inquired after : I havf sat here all day. Scene II MEASURE FOR MEASURE. 103 Enter Isabella Duke. I do constantly heliove you : — The time Is come even now. I shall crave your forbearance a little : mny be, I will call upon you anon, for r,omc advantage to yourself. Mari. I am always bound to you. \Exit. Duke. Very v/ell met, ant! welcome. What is the news from this good deputy 1 Isab. He hath a garden circummur'd^ with brick, Whose western side is with a vineyard back'd; And to that vineyard is a planched* gate, That makes his opening with this bigger key : This other doth command a little door, Which from the vineyard to the garden leads ; There have I made my promise to call on him, Upon the heavy middle of the night. Duke. But shall you on your knowledge find this way T Isab. I have ta'en a due and wary note upon't ; With whispering and most guilty diligence, In action all of precept, he did show me The way twice o'er. Duke. Are there no other tokens Between you 'greed, concerning her observance ? hah. No, none, but only a repair i' the dark ; And that I have possess'd him, my most stay Can be but brief: for I have made him know, I have a servant comes with me along, That stays upon me ; whose persuasion is, I come about my brother. Duke. 'Tis well borne up. r have not yet made known to Mariana A word of this : — What ho ! within ! come forth ! Re-enter Mariana. I pray you, be acquainted with this maid ; She comes to do you good. Isab. I do desire the like. Duke. Do you persuade yourself that I respect you ? Mari. Good friar, I know you do ; and have found it. Duke. Take then this your companion by the hand. Who hath a story ready for your ear : [ shall attend your leisure ; but make haste ; The vaporous night approaches. Mari. Will 't please you walk aside ! ^Exeunt Mariana and Isabella. Duke. place and greatness, millions of false Are stuck upon thee ! volumes of report [eyes Hun with these false and most contrarious quests' Upon thy doings ! thousand 'scapes' of wit Make thee the father of their idle dream, And rack thee in their fancies ! — Welcome ! How agreed ? Re-enter Mariana, and Isabella. hab She'll take the enterprise upon her, father. If you advise it. Duke. It is not my consent, But my intrcaty too. hab. Little have you to say, When you depart from him, but soft and low, Netne ruber now nit/ brother. Man. Fear me not. Duke. Nor, gentle daughter, fear not you at all : lie is your husband on a pre-contnlct : To bring you thus together, 'tis no sin ; ' Wiillcd round. ' Inquisitions, InquirieB « Planked, wooden. • SaUies. Sith that the justice of your title to him Doth flourish'' the deceit. Come, let us go ; Our corn's to reap, for yet our tithe's' to sow. [^Exeunt SCENE II. — A Room in the Prison Enter Provost and Clown. Prov. Come hither, sirrah : Can you cut ofi a man's head ? Clo. If the man be a batchelor, sir, I can : but if he be a married man, he is his wife's head, and I can never cut off a woman's head 1 Prov. Come, sir, leave me your snatches, and yield me a direct answer. To-morrow morning are to die Claudio and Barnardine : here is in our pri- son a common executioner, who in his office lacks a helper : if you will take it on you to assist him, it shall redeem you from your gyves ;' if not, you shall have your full time of imprisonment, and youi deliverance with an unpitied whipping ; for you have been a notorious bawd. C/o. Sir, I have been an unlawful bawd, time out of mind ; but yet I will be content to be a law ful hangman. I would be glad to receive some instruction from my fellow-partner. Prov. What ho, Abhorson ! Where's Abhorson, there ? Enter Abhorson. Abhor. Do you call, sir 1 Prov. Sirrah, here's a fellow will help you to- morrow in your execution : If you think it meet, compound with him by the year, and let him abide here with you ? if not, use him for the present, and dismiss him : he cannot plead his estimation with you ; he hath been a bawd. Abhor. A bawd, sir? Fye upon him, he will discredit our mystery.' Prov. Go to, sir ; you weigh equally ; a feather will turn the .scale. [Exit. Clo. Pray, sir, by your good favor, (for, surely, sir, a good favor you have, but that you have a haiiging look,) do you call, sir, your occupation a mystery ? Abhor. Ay, sir ; a mystery. Clo. Painting, sir, I have heard say, is a mys- tery ; and your whores, sir, being members of my occupation, using painting, do prove my occupa tion a mystery : but what mystery there should bo in hanging, if I should be hanged, I cannot imagine. Abhor. Sir, it is a mystery. Clo. Proof. Abhor. Every true man's apparel fits your thief: if it be too little for your thief, your true man thinks it big enough ; if it be too big for your thief, your thief thinks it little enough : so every true man's apparel fits your thief. Re-enter Provost. Prov. Are you agreed 1 Clo. Sir, I will serve him ; for I do find, your hangman is a more penitent trade than your bawd ; he doth often ask forgiveness. Prov. You, sirrah, provide your block and your axe, to-morrow, four o'clock. Abhor. Come on, bawd ; I will instruct thee in my trade ; follow. Clo. I do desire to learn, sir ; and, I hope, if you have occasion to use me for your own turn, jo»' 1 Oilil, or Tarnish over. • Tilth, land prepared for sowing. • Fetters. 'Trada 104 MEASURE FOR MEASURE. Act ly shall find me yaie ;° for truly, air, far your lyndness, I owe you a good turn. Prov. Call hither Barnardine and Claudio: [Exeunt Clown and ABHonsojf One lias my {)ity ; not a jot the other, Being a murderer, though he were my brother. Enter Claudio. Look, here's the warrant, Claudio, for thy death : 'Tis now dead midnight, and by eight to-morrow Thou must be made immortal. Where's Bainardiiie! Claud. As fast lock'd up in sleep, as guiltless labor When t lies starkly in the traveller's bones : He will not wake. Prov. Who can do good on him? Well, go, prepare yourself. B at hnrk, what noise ? [Knocking williin. Heaven give your spirits comfort ! [Exit CLAUiiio. By and by: — I hope it is some pardon or reprieve, For the most gentle Claudio. — ^Welcome, father. Enter Duke. Duke. The best and wholesomest spirits of the night Envelope you, good provost! Who call'd here of late? Prov. None, since the curlew rung. Duke. Not Isabel ? Prov. No. Duke. They will then, ere't be long. Prov. What comlbrt is for Claudio? Duke. There's some in hope. Prov. It is a bitter deputy. Duke. Not so, not so ; his life is parallel'd Even with the stroke and line of his great justice ; He doth with holy abstinence subdue That in himself which he spurs on his power To qualify in others: werchemeal'd' With that which he con-ects, then were he tyrannous; But this being so, he's just. — Now are they come. [Knocking within. — Provost goes out. This is a gentle provost: Seldom, when The steeled gaoler is the friend of men. — How now ? what noise ? That spirit's possess'd with haste. That wounds the unsisting postern with these strokes. Provost returns, speaking to one at the door. Prov. There he must stay until the officer Arise to let him in; he is calTd up. Duke. Have you no countermand for Claudio yet. But he must die to-morrow ? Prov. None sir, none. Duke. As near the dawning, provost, as it is, \'()u shall hear more ere morning. Prov. Happily,' Yoix something know ; yet, I believe, there comes No countermand ; no such example have we: Besides, upon the very siege' of justice, Lord Angelo hath to the public ear Profess'd the contrary. Enter a Messenger. Duke. This is his lordship's man. Prov. And here comes Claudio's pardon. Mess. My ' rd hath sent you tliis note ; and by tte this furthi r tharge, that you swerve not from • Ready. • Perhaps. ' Defiled. •Seat. the smallest article of it, neither in time, mattei or other circum.stance. Goo/' morrow; for, as 1 take it, it is almost day. Prov. I shall obey him. [Exit Messenget Duke. This is his pardon ;purchas'd by such sin [Aside. For which the pardoner himself is in; Hence hath oflcnce his quick celerity, When it is borne in high authority : When vice makes mercy, mercy's so extended. That for the fault's love, is the offender friended. - Now, sir, what news? Prov. I told you ; Lord Angelo, belike, thinking me remiss in mine office, awakens m« with this un wonted putting on: methinks, strangely; for he hath not used it before. Duke. Pray you, let's hear. Prov. [Reads.] Whatsoever you may hear to the contrary, let Claudio be executed by four of the clock: and, in the afternoon, Barnardine: for my better satisfaction, let me have Claudio's head sent me by Jive. Let this be duly performed: with a thought, that more depends on it than ive must yet deliver. Thus fail not to do your office, ai you ivill ansiver it at your peril. What say you to this, sir ? Duke. What is that Barnardine, who is to be executed in the afternoon ? Prov. A Bohemian born ; but here nursed up and bred : one that is a prisoner nine years old.' Duke. How came it, that the absent duke had not either delivered him to his liberty, or executed him ? I have heard, it was ever his manner to do so. Prov. His friends still wrought reprieves for him ; And, indeed, his fact, till now in the government of lord Angelo, came not to an undoubtful proof. Duke. Is it now apparent? Prov. Most manifest, and not denied by himself. Duke. Hath he borne himself penitently in prison? How seems he to be touch'd ? Pror. A man that apprehends death no more, dreadfully, but as a drunken sleep; careless, reck- less, and fearless of what's past, present, or to come ; insensible of mortality, and desperately mortal. Duke. He wants advice. Prov. He will hear none : he hath evermore had the liberty of the prison; give him leave to escape hence, he would not; drunk many times a day, if not many days entirely drunk. Wc have very often awaked him, as if to carry him to execution, and showed him a seeming warrant for it ; it hath not moved him at all. Duke. More of him anon. There is written in your brow, provost, honesty and constancy : if 1 read it not truly, my ancient skill beguiles me; bu» in the boldness of my cunning, I will lay myself m hazard. Claudio, whom here you have a waiTant to execute, is no gi-eater forfeit to the law than Angelo who hath sentenced him : To make you understand this in a manifested effect, I crave but four days' respite ; for the which you are to do me both a present and a dangerous courtesy. Prov. Pray, sir, in what? Duke. In the delaying death. Pro*. Alack ! how may I do it — having the houi limited ; and an express command, under penalty, to deliver his head in the view of Angelo ? I mav make my case as Claudio's, to cross this in thi sninllost. ' Nine years in prisoD PCENE III. MEASURE FOR MEASURE. 105 Duke. By the vow of mine order, I warrant you, if my instructions may be your guide. Let this Barnardinc he tlus morning executed, and hi.s head borne to Angclo. Prov. Angcio hath seen them both, and will dis- Rover the tavor.* Duke. O, death's a great disguiser: and you may add to it. Shave the head, and tie the beard ; and say, it was the desire of the penitent to be so bared before his death : you know, the course is common. If any thing fall to you upon this, more than thanks and good fortune, by the saint whom I profess, I will plead against it with my life. Prov. Pardon me, good father ; it is against my oath. Duke. Were you sworn to the duke, or to the Prov. To him, anur house of profession ; one would think it were mistress Overdone's own house, for here be many of her old customers. First, here's young master Rash ; he's in for a commodity of brown paper and old ginger, ninescore and seventeen pounds ; of which he made five marks, ready money : marry, then, ginger was not much in request, for the old women were all dead. Then there is here one master Caper, at the suit of master Three-pile the mercer, for some four suits of peach-color'd satin, which now peaches him a beggar. Then have we here young Dizy, and young master Deep-vow, and master Copper-spur, and master Star\e-lackey the rapier and dagger-man, and young Drop-heir that kill'd lusty Pudding, and mas'er Forthright the tilter, and i)ravc master Shoe-tie the great traveller, and wild Half-cann that stabb'd Potts, ind, I think, forty more ; all great doers in our trade, and are now foi th ' Lord's sake. Enter Abhorson. Abhor. Sin ah, bring Barnardine hither. 'Coontenance. Clo. Master Barnardine! you must lisc and b« hang'd, master Barnardine ! Abhor. What, ho, Barnardine ! Barnar. [^WUhin.l A pox o' your throats! Who makes that noise there ? What are you ? Clo. Your friends, sir, the hangmen : You must be so good, sir, to rise and be put to death. Barnar. [^Within.'] Away, you rogue, away ; I am sleepy. Abhor. Tell him, he must awake, and that quickly too. Clo. Pray, master Barnardine, awake till yaa are executed, and sleep aftei-wards. Abhor. Go in to him, and fetch him oi t. Clo. He is coming, sir, h« is coming ; I Ite&i hia straw rustle. Enter Barnardine. Abhor. Is the axe upon the block, sirrah ? Clo. Very ready, sir. Barnar. How now, Abhorson 1 what's the news with you ? Abhor. Truly, sir, I would desire you to clap into your prayers : for, look you, the warrant's come. Barnar. You rogue, I have been drinking al' night ; I am not fitted for't. Ch. O, the better, sir; for he that drinks all night, and is hang'd betimes in the morning, may sleep the sounder all the next day. Enter Duke. Abhor. Look you, sir, here comes your ghostly father : Do we jest now, think you ? Duke. Sir, induced by my charity, and hearing how hastily you are to depart, I am come to advise you, comfort you, and pray with you. Barnar. Friar, not I ; I have been drinking hard all night, and I will have more time to prepare me, or they .shall beat out my brains with billets : I will not consent to die this day, that's certain. Duke. O, sir, you must : and therefore I beseech Look forward on the journey you shall go. [you, Barnar. I swear, I will not die to-day for any man's persuasion. Duke. But hear you — Barnar. Not a word; if you have any thing to say to me, come to my ward ; for thence will not I to-day. ^Exit. Enter Provost. Duke. Unfit to live, or die : 0, gravel heart ! — After him, fellows ; bring him to the block. [^Exeunt Abhorson and Clown. Prov. Now, sir, how do you find the prisoner ? Duke. A creature unprepared, unmeet for death; And, to transport him in the mind Le is. Were damnable. Prov. Here, in the prison, father. There died this morning of a cruel fever One Ragozinc, a most notorious pirate, A man of Claudio's years ; his beard and head, Just of his color : What if we do omit This reprobate, till he were well inclined ; And satisfy the deputy with the visage Of Ragozine, more like to Claudio ? Duke. O, 'tis an accident that heaven provide* Despatch it presently ; the hour draws on Prefix'd by Angelo: Sec this be done, And sent according to command ; whiles 1 Persuade lliis rude wretch willingly to die. Prov. This shall be done, good father, prescnllv But Barnardine must die this afternoon : 106 MEASURE FOR MEASURE. Act IV. And how ->hiill wc coiitinuo (Jla'.dio, To save inc fnmi the danger lh