"Clown. No; but there's a woman with maid by "him: You have not heard of the proclamation, have "you?

"Bawd. What proclamation, man?

181

"Clown. All houses in the suburbs of Vienna must " be pluck'd down.

" Bawd. And what shall become of those in the city? "Clown. They shall stand for seed: they had gone "down too, but that a wise burgher put in for them.

"Bawd. But shall all our houses of resort in the " suburbs be pull'd down?

"Clown. To the ground, mistress.

"Bawd. Why here's a change, indeed, in the com"monwealth! What shall become of me?

192

"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 almost out in the "service, you will be considered.

"Bawd. What's to do here, Thomas Tapster? Let's withdraw.

"Clown. Here comes signior Claudio, led by the " provost to prison? and there's madam Juliet. 202 "[Exeunt Barwd and Clown."

SCENE SCENE III.

Enter Provost, CLAUDIO, JULIET, and Officers; LUCIO and two Gentlemen.

Claud. Fellow, why dost thou shew me thus to the

world?

Bear me to prison, where I am committed.
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.

Lucio. Why, how now, Claudio? whence comes this restraint ?

212

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 ?

223

Claud. What, but to speak of, would offend again. Lucio. What is it? murder?

Claud. No.

Lucio. Lechery ?

Claud. Call it so.

Prov. Away, sir; you must go.

Claud. One word, good friend :-Lucio, a word

with you.

Lucio. A hundred, if they'll do you any good.Is lechery so look'd after ?

238

Claud. Thus stands it with me, -Upon a true con

tract,

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 entertainment,
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;

Or whether that the body public be
A horse whereon the governor doth ride,
Who, newly in the seat, that it may know
He can command, let's it straight feel the spur:
Whether the tyranny be in his place,
Or in his eminence that fills it up,
I stagger in :-But this new governor

243

252

4

Awakes

Awakes me all the enrolled penalties,
Which have, like unscour'd armour, hung by the

wall,

So long, that nineteen zodiacks 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. 264

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 make 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,

272

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 encouragement 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.

282

Lucio.

Lucio. Within two hours,
Claud. Come, officer, away.

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV.

A 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 thee To give me secret harbour, 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;

298

And held in idle price to haunt assemblies,

Where youth, and cost, and witless bravery keeps.

I have deliver'd to lord Angelo

(A man of stricture, and firm abstinence)

My absolute power and place here in Vienna,

And he supposes me travelled to Poland;

For so I have strew'd it in the common ear,

And so it is receiv'd: Now, pious sir,

You will demand of me, why I do this?

302

Fri. Gladly, my lord.

Duke. We have strict statutes, and most biting

laws

(The needful bits and curbs for head-strong steeds) Which for these nineteen years we have let sleep;