us.

a

not?

In our remove, be thou at full ourself:

controversy : As for example: Thou thyself art a wickel Mortality and mercy in Vienna

villain, despite of all grace. Live in thy tongue and heart : Old Escalus,

I Gent. Well, there went but a pair of shears between Though first in question, is thy secondary : Take thy commission.

Lucio. I grant; as there may between the lists and Ang. Now, good my lord,

the velvet : Thou art the list. Let there be some more test made of my metal,

1 Gent. And thou the velvet : thou art good velret; Before so noble and so great a figure

thou 'rt a three-piled piece, I warrant thee: I had as Be stamp'd upon it.

lief be a list of an English kersey, as be piled, as thou Duke, No more evasion :

art piled, for a French velvet. Do I speak feelingly We have with a leaven's and prepared choice

now? Proceeded to you; therefore take your honours.

Lucio. I think thou dost; and, indeed, with most Our haste from hence is of so quick condition,

painful feeling of thy speech: I will, out of thine own That it prefers itself, and leaves unquestion'd

confession, learn to begin thy health ; but whilst I live, Matters of needful value. We shall write to you, forget to drink after thee. As time and our concernings shall importune,

I Gent. I think I have done myself wrong; have I How it goes with us; and do look to know What doth befall you here. So, fare you well :

2 Gent. Yes, that thou hast; whether thou art To the hopeful execution do I leave you

tainted or free. Of your commissions.

Lucio. Behold, bebold, where madam Mitigation Ang.

Yet, give leave, my lord, comes! I have purchased as many diseases under her That we may bring you something on the way.

roof as come to Duke. M; haste may not admit it;

2 Gent. To what, I pray ? Nor need you, on mine honour, have to do

Lucio. Judge. With any scruple: your scope is as mine own:

2 Gent. To three thousand dollars a-year. So to enforce or qualify the laws

1 Gent. Ay, and more. As to your soul seems good. Give me your hand; Lucio. A French crown more. I 'll privily away: I love the people,

I Gent. Thou art always figuring diseases in me: but But do not like to stage me to their eyes:

thou art full of error; I am sound. Though it do well, I do not relish well

Lucio. Nay, not as one would say, healthy; but so Their loud applause, and aves vehement :

sound as things that are hollow : thy bones are hollow: Nor do I think the man of safe discretion

impiety has made a feast of thee. That does affect it. Once more, fare you well. Ang. The Heavens give safety to your purposes !

Enter Bawd. Escal. Lead forth, and bring you back in happiness. I Gent. How now? Which of your hips has the most Duke. I thank you: Fare you well. (Exit. profound sciatica ? Escal. I shall desire you, sir, to give me leave

Bawd. Well, well; there's one yonder arrested, and To have free speech with you; and it concerns me carried to prison, was worth five thousand of you all. To look into the bottom of my place:

1 Gent. Who's that, I

pray

thee? A power I have; but of what strength and nature Bawd. Marry, sir, that 's Claudio, signior Claudio. I am not yet instructed.

I Gent. Claudio to prison ! 't is not so. Ang. 'T is so with me :-Let us withdraw together, Bawd. Nay, but I know 't is so : I saw him arrested; And we may soon our satisfaction have

saw him carried away; and, which is more, within these Touching that point.

three days his head 's to be chopped off. Escal. I'll wait upon your honour. (Exeunt. Lucio. But, after all this fooling, I would not have it

so : Art thou sure of this? SCENE II.-A Street.

Bawd. I am too sure of it; and it is for getting ma

dam Julietta with child. Enter Lucio and two Gentlemen.

Lucio. Believe me, this may be : he promised to meet

me two hours since; and he was ever precise in promiseLucio. If the duke, with the other dukes, come not to keeping. Composition with the king of Hungary, why, then all 2 Gent. Besides, you know, it draws something near the dukes fall upon the king.

to the speech we had to such a purpose. I Gent. Heaven grant us its peace, but not the king I Gent. But most of all, agreeing with the proclamaof Hungary's!

tion. 2 Gent. Amen.

Lucio. Away ; Let's go learn the truth of it. Lucio. Thou concludest like the sanctimonious pi

[Excunt Lucio and Gentlemen. rate, that went to sea with the ten commandments, but Baud. Thus, what with the war, what with the sweat, scraped one out of the table.

what with the gallows, and what with poverty, I am 2 Gent. Thou shalt not steal ?

custom-shrunk. How now ? what's the news with you? Lucio. Ay, that he razed.

Enter Clown. 1 Gent. Why, 't was a commandment to command the captain and all the rest from their functions; they Clo. Yonder man is carried to prison, put forth to steal: There 's not a soldier of us all, that, Baud. Well; what has he done? in the thanksgiving before meat, doth relish the petition Clo. A woman. well that prays for peace.

Bard. But what 's his offence ? 2 Gent. I never heard any soldier dislike it.

Clo. Groping for trouts in a peculiar river. Lucio. I believe thee; for I think thou never wast Bawd. What, is there a maid with child by him ? where grace was said.

Clo. No; but there 's a woman with maid by him : 2 Gent. No? a dozen times at least.

You have not heard of the proclamation, have you ? I Gent. What? in metre?

Bawd. What proclamation, man ! Lucis. In any proportion, or in any language.

C'lo. All houses in the suburbs of Vienna must be I Gent. I think, or in any religion.

plucked down. Lucio. Ay! why not? Grace is grace, despite of all

a

a

b

Band. And what shall become of those in the city? A horse whereon he governor doth ride,

Clo. They shall stand for seed : they had gone down Who, newly in the seat, that it may know too, but that a wise burgher put in for them.

He can command, lets it straight feel the spiur; Baud. But shall all our houses of resort in the sub- Whether the tyranny be in his place, urhus be pulled down !

Or in his eminence that fills it up, Clo. To the ground, mistress.

I stagger in :-But this new governor Band. Why, here's a change, indeed, in the com- Awakes me all the enrolled penalties, monwealth! What shall become of me?

Which have, like unscour'd armour, hung by the Clo. Come; fear not you: good counsellors lack no

wall clients : though you change your place, you need not So long, that nineteen zodiacs have gone round, change your trade; I 'll be your tapster still. Courage; And none of them been worn; and, for a naine, there will be pity taken on you: you that have worn Now puts the drowsy and neglected act your eyes almost out in the service, you will be consi- Freshly on me :—'t is surely for a name. dered.

Lucio. I warrant, it is : and thy head stands so Bard. What 's to do here, Thomas Tapster ? Let 's tickle on thy shoulders, that a milkmaid, if she be in withdraw.

love, may sigh it off. Send after the duke, and appeal Clo. Here comes signior Claudio, led by the provost to him. to prison : and there's madam Juliet. [Exeunt. Claud. I have done so, but he's not to be found.

I prithee, Lucio, do me this kind service;
SCENE III.—The same.

This day my sister should the cloister enter,

And there receive her approbation;" Enter Provost, Claudio, Juliet, and Officers ; Lucio Acquaint her with the danger of my state; and two Gentlemen.

Implore her in my voice, that she make friends Claud. Fellow, why dost thou show me thus to the To the strict deputy; bid herself assay him; world?

I have great hope in that: for in her youth Bear me to prison, where I am committed.

There is a prone b and speechless dialect, Pro. I do it not in evil disposition,

Such as moves men; beside, she hath prosperous art But from lord Angelo by special charge.

When she will play with reason and discourse, Claud. Thus can the demi-god, Authority,

And well she can persuade. Make us pay down for our offence by weight.

Lucio. I

pray

she may: as well for the encourageThe wonis of Heaven;-on whom it will, it will; ment of the like, which else would stand under grievous On whom it will not, so; yet still 't is just.

imposition; as for the enjoying of thy life, who I would Lucio. Why, how now, Claudio? whence comes this be sorry should be thus foolishly lost at a game of tick restraint ?

tack. I'll to her. Claud. From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty : Claud. I thank you, good friend Lucio. As surfeit is the father of much fast,

Lucio. Within two hours. So every scope, by the immoderate use,

Claud. Come, officer, away.

[Exeunt. Tums to restraint: Our natures do pursue (Like rats that ravin down their proper banel

SCENE IV.-A Monastery.
A thirsty evil, and when we drink we die.
Lucio. If I could speak so wisely under an arrest, I

Enter Duke and Friar Tuomas. would send for certain of my creditors : And yet, to say Duke. No, holy father; throw away that thought ; the truth, I had as lief have the foppery of freedom as Believe not that the dribbling dart of love the morality of imprisonment.-What's thy ofience, Can pierce a complete bosom : why I desire thee Claudio ?

To give me secret harbour, hath a purpose Claud. What but to speak of would offend again. More grave and wrinkled than the aims and ends Luo. What! is 't murther ?

Of burning youth. Claud. No.

Fri.

May your grace speak of it? Lucio. Lechery?

Duke. My holy sir, none better knows than you Claud. Call it so.

How I have ever lov'd the life remov d ; Pro. Away, sir; you must go.

And held in idle price to haunt assemblies, Claud. One word, good friend :-Lucio, a word with Where youth, and cost, and witless bravery keeps. you.

(Takes him aside. I bave deliver'd to lord Angelo Lucio. A hundred, if they 'll do you any good.-- (A man of strictured and firm abstinence) is lechery so look d after ?

My absolute power and place here in Vienna, Claud. Tbus stands it with me:-Upon a true con- And he supposes me travell'd to Poland; tract,

For so I have strew'd it in the common ear, I got possession of Julietta's bed;

And so it is receiy'd : Now, pious sir, You know the lady; she is fast my wise,

You will demand of me why I do this? Sare that we do the denunciation lack

Fri. Gladly, my lord. Of cutward order: this we came not to,

Duke. We have strict statutes, and most biting laws Only for propagation of a dower

(The needful bits and curbs to headstrong steeds) Renaining in the coffer of her friends;

Which for this fourteen years we have let slip;e
From whom we thought it meet to hide our love, Even like an o'ergrown lion in a cave,
Till time had made them for us. But it chances, That goes not out to prey: Now, as fond fathers
The stealth of our most mutual entertainment,

Having hound up the threat'ning twigs of birchi,
With character too gross, is writ on Juliet.

Only to stick it in their children's sight, Lucio. With child, perhaps ?

For terror, not to use, in time the rod Claud.

Unhappily, even so. Ard the new deputy now for the duke,–

* Approbation--probation. Whether it be the fault and glimpse of newness ;

• Prune. It appears to us that the word is here used in th> Or wbether that the body public be

sease of humble.
c Keeps-dwells.

d Stricture_strictness. • To gay down by weight is to say the full price or penalty. Slip. The Duke compares himself with the avimal “ who * Ravin-devour greedily.

e

MEASURE FOR MEASURE.

Acri
Becomes more mock'd than fear'd : 80 our decrecs, With maids to seem the lapwing, and to jest,
Dead to infliction, to themselves are dead;

Tongue far from heart,-play with all virgins so:
And liberty plucks justice by the nose;

I hold you as a thing enskied, and sainted ;
The baby beats the nurse, and quite athwart

By your renouncement, an immortal spirit;
Goes all decorum.

And to be talk'd with in sincerity,
Fri.
It rested in your grace

As with a saint.
To unloose this tied-up justice when you pleas'u : Isab. You do blaspheme the good, in mocking me.
And it in you more dreadful would have seem u

Lucio. Do not believe it. Fewness and truth, 't it
Than in lord Angelo.

thus :
Duke.
I do fear, too dreadful:

Your brother and his lover I have embrac'd :
Sith 't was my fault to give the people scope,

As those that feed grow full; as blossoming time,
"T would he my tyranny to strike and gall them That from the seedness the bare fallow brings
For what I bid them do : For we bid this be done, To teeming foison; even so her plenteous womb
When evil deeds have their permissive pass,

Expresseth his full tilth and husbandry.
And not the punishment. Therefore, indeed, my father, İsab. Some one with child by him ?-My cousin
I have on Angelo impos d the office;

Juliet?
Who
may,

in the ambush of my name, strike home, Lucio. Is she your cousin ?
And yet my nature never in the fight,

Isab. Adoptedly; as schoolmaids change their To do in slander : And to behold his sway,

names,
I will, as 't were a brother of your order,

By vain though apt affection.
Visit both prince and people : therefore, I prithee,

Lucio.

She it is. Supply me with the habit, and instruct me

Isab. O, let him

marry

her! How I may formally in person bear

Lucia.

This is the point.
Like a true friar. More reasons for this action, The duke is very strangely gone from hence;
At our more leisure shall I render you;

Bore many gentlemen, myself being one,
Only this one :-Lord Angelo is precise;

In hand, and hope of action : but we do leam Stands at a guard with envy; scarce confesses

By those that know the very nerves of state,
That his blood flows, or that his appetite

His givings out were of an infinite distance
Is more to bread than stone: Hence shall we see, From his true-meant design. Upon his place,
If power change purpose, what our seemers be. [Exeunt. And with full line of his authority,

Governs lord Angelo: a man whose blood
SCENE V.-A Nunery.

Is very snow-broth; one who never feels
Enter Isabella and FRANCISCA.

The wanton stings and motions of the sense;

But doth rebate and blunt his natural edge
Isab. And have you nuns no further privileges ? With profits of the mind, study and fast.
Fran. Are not these large enough?

He (to give fear to use and liberty,
Isab. Yes, truly : I speak not as desiring more; Which have, for long, run by the hideous law,
But rather wishing a more strict restraint

As mice by lions) hath pick'd out an act,
Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of saint Clare.

Under whose heavy scnse your brother's life
Lucio. Ho! Peace be in this place! [Within. Falls into forfeit: he arrests him on it;
Isab.

Who is that which calls ? And follows close the rigour of the statute,
Fran. It is a man's voice: Gentle Isabella,

To make him an example; all hope is gone,
Turn you the key, and know his business of him; Unless you have the grace by your fair prayer
I may not; you are yet unsworn :

To soften Angelo: And that 's my pith of business
When you have vow'd, you must not speak with men, "Twixt you and your poor brother.
But in the presence of the prioress :

Isab.

Doth he so
Then, if you speak, you must not show your face; Seek his life?
Or, if you show your face, you must not speak.

Lucio. Hath censur'd b him already,
He calls again; I pray you answer him. [Exit Fran. And, as I hear, the provost hath a warrant
Isab. Peace and prosperity! Who is 't that calls ? For his execution.

Isab.

Alas! what poor
Enter Lucio.

Ability is in me to do him good?
Lucio. Hail, virgin, if you be; as those cheek-roses

Lucio. Assay the power you have. Proclaim you are no less! Can you so stead me,

Isab.

My power! Alas! I doult As bring me to the sight of Isabella,

Lucio. Our doubts are traitors, A novice of this place, and the fair sister

And make us lose the good we oft might win, To her unhappy brother Claudio?

By fearing to attempt: Go to lord Angelo, Isab. Why her unbappy brother ? let me ask; And let him learn to know, when maidens sue The rather, for I now must make you know

Men give like gods; but when they weep and kneel, I am that Isabella, and his sister.

All their petitions are as freely theirs Lucio. Gentle and fair, your brother kindly greets As they themselves would owe them. you :

Isab. I 'll see what I can do. Not to be weary with you, he 's in prison.

Lucio.

But speedily.
Isab. Woe me! For what?

Isab. I will about it straight;
Lucio. For that, which if myself might be his judge, No longer staying but to give the mother
Ile should receive his punishment in thanks :

Notice of my affair. I humbly thank you :
He hath got his friend with child.

Commend me to my brother : soon at night Isab. Sir, make me not your story.

I'll send him certain word of my success. Lrcio. "T is true. I would not-though it is my Lucio. I take my leave of you. familiar sin

You may,

ACT JI.

woman,

a

a

SCENE I.-A Hall in Angelo's House. they are : but precise villains they are, that I am sure Enter Angelo, Escalus, a Justice, Provost," Officers, of; and void of all profanation in the world, that yout

christians ought to have. and other Attendants.

Escal. This comes off well; here's a wise officer. Ang. We must not make a scarecrow of the law, Ang. Go to: What quality are they of? Elbow is Setting it up to fear the birds of prey,

your name? Why dost thou not speak, Elbow? And let it keep one shape, till custom make it

Clo. He cannot, sir; he 's out at elbow. Their perch, and not their terror.

Ang. What are you,

sir ? Escal.

Ay, but yet

Elb. He, sir? a tapster, sir; parcel-bawd; one that Let us be keen, and rather cut a little,

serves a bad woman ; whose house, sir, was, as they say, Than fall, and bruise to death : Alas! this gentleman, plucked down in the suburbs; and now she professes a Whom I would save, had a most noble father.

hot-house, which, I think, is a very ill house too. Let but your bonour know,

Escal. How know you that? (Whom I believe to be most straight in virtue,)

Elb. My wife, sir, whom I detest before Heaven and That, in the working of your own affections,

your honour, Had time coher’d with place, or place with wishing, Escal. How! thy wife? Or that the resolute acting of our blood d

Elb. Ay, sir ; whom, I thank Heaven, is an honest Cald have attaind the effect of your own purpose, Cether you had not sometime in your life

Escal. Dost thou detest her therefore? Er'd in this point which now you censure him,

EU. I say, sir, I will detest myself also, as well as And palld the law upon you.

she, that this house, if it be not a bawd's house, it is pity Ang. "T is one thing to be tempted, Escalus, . of her life, for it is a naughty house. Another thing to fall. I not deny,

Escal. How dost thou know that, constable ? The jury, passing on the prisoner's life,

Elb. Marry, sir, by my wife; who, if she had been a Mas, in the sworn twelve, have a thief or two

woman cardinally given, might have been accused in Gailities than him they try: What's open made to fornication, adultery, and all uncleanliness there. justice,

Escal. By the woman's means ? That justice seizes. What know the laws,

Elb. Ay, sir, by mistress Overdone's means : but as That thieves do pass on' thieves ? T is very pregnant, she spit in his face, so she defied him. The jewel that we find we stoop and take it,

Cio. Sir, if it please your honour, this is not so. Because we see it; but what we do not see

Elb. Prove it before these varlets here, thou honourWe tread upon, and never think of it.

able man, prove it. You may not so extenuate his offence,

Escal. Do you hear how he misplaces ? [ To Ano Put I have had such faults; but rather tell me

Clo. Sir, she came in great with child; and longing When I, that censure him, do so oflend,

(saving your honour's reverence) for stewed prunes : sir, le mine own judgment pattern out my death, we bad but two in the house, which at that very distant And nothing come in partial. Sir, he must die. time stood, as it were, in a fruit-dish, a dish of some Escol. Be it as your wisdom will.

three-pence; your honours have seen such dishes; they Ang.

Where is the provost? are not China dishes, but very good dishes. Pror. Here, if it like your honour.

Escal. Go to, go to; no matter for the dish, sir. Ang.

See that Claudio Clo. No, indeed, sir, not of a pin ; you are therein Be executed by nine to-morrow morning :

in the right : but, to the point: As I say, this mistress Bring him his confessor, let him be prepard;

Elbow, being, as I say, with child, and being great For that's the utmost of his pilgrimage. . [Erit Prov: bellied, and longing, as I said, for prumes ; and having

Escal. Well, Heaven forgive him! and forgive us all! but two in the dish, as I said, master Froth here, this Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall :

very man, having eaten the rest, as I said, and, as I Sume run from brakes of ice, and answer none; say, paying for them very honestly ;-for, as you know, And some condemned for a fault alone.

master Froth, I could not give you three-pence again. Enter Elbow, FROTH, Clown, Officers, &c.

Froth. No, indeed.

Clo. Very well : you being then, if you be rememEh. Come, bring them away: if these be good bered, cracking the stones of the foresaid prunes. periple in a commonweal that do nothing but use their Froth. Ay, so I did, indeed. abwes in com non houses, I know no law; bring them Clo. Why, very well : I telling you then, if you be away.

remembered, that such a one, and such a one, were past Ång. How now, sir! What's your name? and what's

cure of the thing you wot of, unless they kept very good the matter?

diet, as I told you. Eib. If it please your honour, I am the poor duke's Froth. All this is true. Constable, and my name is Elbow; I do lean upon Clo. Why, very well then. astice, sir, and do bring in here before your good ho- Escal. Come, you are a tedious fool : to the purpose. pour two notorious benefactors.

- What was done to Elbow's wife, that he hath cause Ang. Benefactors? Well; what benefactors are they? to complain of? Come me to what was done to her. are they not malefactors ?

Clo. Sir, your honour cannot come to that yet. Ei. If it please your honcur, I know not well what

Escal. No, sir, nor I mean it not. * The Prorost is nere a kind of sheriff--a keeper of prisoners. leave: And, I beseech you, look into master Froth here,

Clo. Sir, but you shall come to it, by your honour's 7. fear-lo affright. • Fall. The verb is here nsen actively. We still say to fall sir; a man of fourscore pound a-year; whose father died trer, and probably Shak-pere had this image in his inind. at Hallowmas:- Was 't not at Hallowinas, master Froth? Our tmav mean, our natire--the nature of man.

Froth. All-hallownd eve. • We must understand for afler censure him. 'PR-coudemn, adjulicate.

& For--because. Clo. Why, very well; I hope here be truths: He,

you.

:

a

sir, sitting, as I say, in a lower chair, sir;—'t was in Escal. Nine !—Come hither to me, master Froth. the Bunch of Grapes, where, indeed, you have a delight Master Froth, I would not have you acquainted with to sit: Have you not ?

tapsters: they will draw you, master Froth, and you Froth. I have so; because it is an open room, and will hang them : Get you gone, and let me hear no good for winter.

more of Clo. Why, very well then ;-I hope here be truths. Froth. I thank your worship: For mine own part, I Ang. This will last out a night in Russia,

never come into any room in a taphouse, but I am When nights are longest there: I 'll take my leave, drawn in. And leave you to the bearing of the cause;

Escal. Well; no more of it, master Froth : farewell. Hoping you 'll find good cause to whip them all. [Exit Froth.]—Come you hither to me, master tapÉscal. I think no less : Good morrow to your lordship. ster; what 's your name, master tapster ?

[Exit ANGELO. Clo. Pompey. Now, sir, come on : What was done to Elbow's wife, once Escal. What else? more?

Clo. Bum, sir. Clo. Once, sir? there was nothing done to her once. Escal. 'Troth, and your bum is the greatest thing

Elb. I beseech you, sir, ask him what this man did about you; so that, in the beastliest sense, you are to my wife.

Pompey the great. Pompey, you are partly a bawd, Clo. I beseech your honour, ask me.

Pompey, howsoever you colour it in being a tajster. Escal. Well, sir: What did this gentleman to her ? Are you not ? come, tell me true; it shall be the better

Clo. I beseech you, sir, look in this gentleman's face: for you. -Good master Froth, look upon his honour; 't is for a Clo. Truly, sir, I am a poor fellow that would live. good purpose: Doth your honour mark his face?

Escal. How would you live, Pompey? by being a Escal. Ay, sir, very well.

bawd? What do you think of the trade, Pompey ? is Clo. Nay, I beseech you, mark it well.

it a lawful trade? Escal. Well, I do so.

Clo. If the law would allow it, sir. Clo. Doth your honour see any harm in his face? Escal. But the law will not allow it, Pompey: nor Escal. Why, no.

it shall not be allowed in Vienna. Clo. I'll be supposed upon a book, his face is the Clo. Does your worship mean to geld and splay all worst thing about him: Good then; if his face be the the youth of the city? worst thing about him, how could master Froth do the Escal. No, Pompey. constable's wife any harm? I would know that of Clo. Truly, sir, in my poor opinion, they will to 't your honour.

then: If your worship will take order for the drabs and Escal. He's in the right: Constable, what say you the knaves, you need not to fear the bawds. to it?

Escal. There are pretty orders beginning, I can tell Elb. First, an it like you, the house is a respected you: It is but heading and hanging. house; next, this is a respected fellow; and his mistress Clo. If you head and hang all that offend that way is a respected woman.

but for ten year together, you 'll be glad to give out a Clo. By this hand, sir, his wife is a more respected commission for more heads. If this law hold in Vienna person than any of us all.

ten year, I 'll rent the fairest house in it after threeElb. Varlet, thou liest; thou liest, wicked varlet: pence a bay: If you live to see this come to pass, say, the time is yet to come that she was ever respected, with Pompey told you so. man, woman, or child.

Escal. Thank you, good Pompey: and, in requital of Clo. Sir, she was respected with him before he mar- your prophecy, hark you,—I advise you, let me not tinti ried with her.

you before me again upon any complaint whatsoerer, Escal. Which is the wiser here? Justice, or Iniquity? no, not for dwelling where you do; if I do, Pompey, I Is this true ?

shall beat you to your tent, and prove a shrewd Cæsa Elb. O thou caitif!! O thou varlet ! O thou wicked to you; in plain dealing, Pompey, I shall have you Hannibal! I respected with her, before I was married whipped : so for this time, Pompey, fare you well. to her! If ever I was respected with her, or she with Clo. I thank your worship for your good counsel;

let not your worship think me the poor duke's but I shall follow it as the flesh and fortune shall better officer :-Prove this, thou wicked Hannibal, or I'll determine. have mine action of battery on thee.

Whip me ? No, no; let carman wbip his jade; Escal. If he took you a box o' th' ear, you might The valiant heart 's not whipped out of his trade. (Er. have your action of slander too.

Escal. Come hither to me, master Elbow ; come El. Marry, I thank your good worship for it: What hither, master constable. How long have you been in is 't your worship's pleasure I should do with this wicked this place of constable ? caitiff?

Elb. Seven year and a half, sir. Escal. Truly, officer, because he hath some offences in Escal. I thought, by your readiness in the office, you him that thou wouldst discover if thou couldst, let him had continued in it some time: You say, seven years continue in his courses till thou know`st what they are. together?

Elb. Marry, I thank your worship for it:- Thou Elb. And a half, sir. seest, thou wicked varlet now, what 's come upon thee; Escal. Alas! it hath been great pains to you! They thou art to continue now, thou varlet ; thou art to con- do you wrong to put you so oft upon 't: Are there not tinue.

men in your ward sufficient to serve it? Escal. Where were you borri, friend? [To Froth. Elb. Faith, sir, few of any wit in such matters : as Froth. Here in Vienna, sir.

they are chosen, they are glad to choose me for them : Escal. Are you of fourscore pounds a-year ? I do it for some piece of money, and go through with all Froth. Yes, an 't please you, sir.

Escal. Look you bring me in the names of some six Escal. So.-What trade are you of, sir? [To the Clo. or seven, the most sufficient of your parish. Clo. A tapster; a poor widow's tapster.

Elb. To your worship’s house, sir ? Escal. Your mistress's name?

Escal. To my house : Fare you well. [Erit Elbow.] Clo. Mistress Overdone.

What 's o'clock, think you?
Escal. Hath she had any more than one husband ? Just. Eleven, sir.
Clo. Nine, sir; Overdone by the last.

Escal. I pray you home to dinner with me.

me,