Page 1
Measure for Measure, &c.
ACT. I.
SCENE I. A Large HALL in the Palace.
WHat, Balthazar Return'd from the Wars?
Safe? sure there are yet some Sound in Turin.
Prithee be plain.
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WHat, Balthazar Return'd from the Wars?
Safe? sure there are yet some Sound in Turin.
Prithee be plain.
What's that to Love, Friend Lucio?
Death! there's a Law, sure 'twas made by Eunuchs▪
You sure but Rally; Pray be Serious.
I just Alighted, and came to Pay my Court to the Deputy.
'Tis well; no Flattery.
She's Beautiful indeed. Your Will, fair Maid?
Well; Your Suit?
Heav'n give thee moving Graces.
Must he needs Dye?
There is no Remedy.
I will not do't.
You can then if you wou'd.
That which I shou'd not do, I cannot do.
He's sentenc'd, 'tis too late.
You are too cold.
That's the Vein, touch it boldly, Madam.
He's forfeit to the Law, you lose your time.
You shou'd instruct the Law: Oh! shew some Pity.
That's well urg'd.
To him, he will relent, I find him coming.
Why shew you all this Passion before me?
Ha, my Lord turn back.
I will consider—come again anon.
Away, enough.
Soon as the Opera is over.
Angels Preserve you.
He's grown Thoughtful, I hope he's won.
Please you to sit, they wait but your Command.
Begin the Opera, the Deputy attends.
The First Entertainment.
Enter QUEEN DIDO, Belinda, and Train.
Belinda SINGS.
Grief Encreasing, by Concealing.
Mine admits of no Revealing.
Fate forbids what you Persue,
The Sister, Sir, of Claudio, desires Access.
Well Isabella.
I'm come to know your Pleasure.
If he must Die, then I've no more to say.
Under your Sentence?
Yes.
That is set down in Heaven but not on Earth.
I'd rather give my Body then my Soul.
How, Sir?
True.
Then must your Brother Dye.
We all are frail.
Else let my Brother Dye.
Nay—VVomen are frail too.
I understand you not.
Know then, I Love you.
No: he shall live, if you'l reward my Love.
My Lord, This is too Palpable.
I am Amaz'd.
I do allow it—come let 'em begin.
Repeat this
To Night?
Resistless Jove Commands—
But Fame Alcander.
'Twas that gave Hector,
What?
Renown and Fame.
'Twas Noble and Brave.
'Twas a Death for a Slave.
While he rots in his Grave.
Say, Beldam, what's thy will?
Harm's our Delight, and Mischief all our Skill.
Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, &c.
Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, &c.
I am convinc'd.
Hail to thee, Provost, so I think you are.
I am the Provost: What's your Will, good Fathers?
Must he then die?
Then are you married?
His Name, my Son.
Rise up, my Son.
We promise our Endeavour, Sir, to do it.
Who is this Pedro?
I thank you, Fathers, and desire your Prayrs.
Repent, you Fair One, of the Sin you carry.
THEN you still hope a Pardon from Lord Angelo?
Peace here, and Grace.
That wish deserves a Welcome.
My Sister.
E'r long, my Son, again I'll see you.
Most holy Sir, I thank you.
Well Sister, what's the Comfort?
Is there no Remedy?
Perpetual durance?
But of what Nature?
Let me know my Doom.
What Angelo?
Impossible! it cannot be!—Hypocrite.
By Heav'n thou shalt not do it.
Thanks my Dear Sister.
What says my Brother?
Death is a fearful thing!
Alass! alass!
Ah! My Dear Sister, I would live!
But hear me.
Oh! Fie! fie! fie! how can I think thou art Innocent?
None but in living by a Crime.
Vouchsafe a▪ Word with you, good Sister, but one Word.
What is your Will?
What I hope will be yours too.
Both sunk at Sea, or I mistake.
Thus far how like my Brother's State!
O, base ungrateful Villain!
But is she marry'd?
We both assure you that: You sure may trust us.
Your Blessings, and I'm gone.
All the Duke's Letters are contradictory.
By all that's Good,
Let Jove say what he will, I'll stay.
I come my Lord on the same humble Suit.
This my Lord, is from our purpose.
Stay.
They areindeed most rich and most surprizing.
Why take 'em, Madam, they are freely yours.
But what can I return for such a Gift?
But my Brother, shall he too live?
He shall—No more of Doubts, he shall.
Never fear it, go.
Forget these Scruples.
I swear there shall not.
Two hours hence Sir?
And in the Royal Grotto.
None, my holy Father.
What happy Sounds are these?
Inform her Isabella of the Matter.
With Joy if you advise it.
But as to time and place?
I shall—fear not your Brother.—
But in obeying here I shall break none.
Thou break'st the Laws of pity and compassion.
Well, let me think a while!
Thanks, my holy Father.
What Comfort is for Claudio?
He is a Judge inexorable.
None, Sir, none.
I wish I may.
Pray let us hear it.
—Whatever you may hear to the contrary, let Claudio be executed by six this morning, and Bernardine by twelve; for my better satisfaction, let me have Claudio's Head sent me by seven. Let this be duly executed with a thought that more depends on't than yet you know. Thus fail not to do your Office, as you will answer it at your peril.
What say you to this, Sir?
Gentle Provost, you'll not deny him that?
My Claudio!
My Juliet!
Oh! my Claudio, do I once more behold thee!
No more my Love—
Oh! oh! my heart. Weeps, and shews great sorrow and impatience.
Prethee, my Love, have patience!
Indeed I cannot help it!
You have enough convinc'd me.
Fear not, but do as I advise.
Time forces now your parting.
Alas! my Claudio, must we part for ever!
Oh!
I shall.
Peace hoa! be here.
By your leave.
Good morrow, Gracious Daughter.
This cannot be.
No, I will to him and pull his eyes out.
You will not be admitted to his presence.
I'll be directed by you.
I go to fetch her, and will not fail you.
I cannot guess the reason.
I will.
Room for the Duke, room for the Duke, longlive Vincentio, Duke of Savoy.
Ha! he comes, my guilt, Tho safe hid from him, makes me dread his Presence.You make my Bonds still greater.
Now's your time, speak loud, and kneel before him.
By course of Justice!
And she'll speak bitterly.
All all, most wondrous strange.
Yet, Royal Sir, 'tis all as true as strange.
Away with her, poor Soul, she's mad.
Go on.
One that I wish were here, one Fryer Lodwick
I know him well, a man of truth and justice.
Here comes the proof, my Lord.
First let her shew her face, and after speak,
Are you then marry'd?
Charges she more than me?
Not that I know of.
No? you say your Husband.
I do, my Lord, but that is Angelo.
This is a strange Abuse; let's see thy face.
Know you this woman, Angelo?
My good Lord, I was.
I crave no other, wou'd no better man.
Speak not you for him, my resolve is fixt.
For Claudio's death he dies.
Most certainly.
I was so commanded.
Had you a special Warrant for so doing?
No, my good Lord, it was a private Message.
VVhat is he?
His name is Bernardine.
Is this that Bernardine that you have sav'd.
It is, my Liege, as like to Claudio as himself.
If he be like your Brother he is safe.
My Brother!
My Sister!
Tritons and Nereids come pay your devotion,
To the new rising Star of the Ocean.
Blind they are, but strike the Heart,
See the Spring in all her Glory,
Welcomes Venus to the shore.
The Sun does guild our Bowers,
She gives our Flocks their feeding,
He makes them fit for breeding,
She decks the Plain,
Yes, yes.
No, no.
Fame, Fame will have it so,
Love and Reason answer no.
Yes, yes.
No, no
Love, Reason, Honour, all will have it so.