cozened.

raise all Windsor.

Mrs. Page. Why, did you take her in green? Caius. Ay, be gar, and 't is a boy; be gar, I'll [Exit Caius. Ford. This is strange: Who hath got the right Anne? [Fenton. Page. My heart misgives me: Here comes master Enter Fenton and Anne Page. How now, master Fenton? [pardon Anne. Pardon, good father! good, my mother, Page. Now, mistress? how chance you went not with master Slender? [maid? Mrs. Page. Why went you not with master doctor, Fent. You do amaze her: Hear the truth of it. You would have married her most shamefully,

[her.

chas'd.

[Exeunt.

VINCENTIO, the Duke. ANGELO,the deputy [in the Duke's absence].

ESCALUS, an ancient lord [joined
with Angelo in the deputation].
CLAUDIO, a young gentleman.
LUCIO, a fantastic.

Two other like gentlemen.
Provost.

ACT I.

SCENE I.-An Apartment in the Duke's Palace. Enter Duke, Escalus, Lords, and Attendants. Duke. Escalus,- Escal. My lord.

Duke. Of government the properties to unfold, Would seem in me to affect speech and discourse; Since I am put to know, that your own science Exceeds, in that, the lists of all advice

My strength can give you: Then, no more remains:
But that, to your sufficiency as your worth, is able;
And let them work. The nature of our people,
Our city's institutions, and the terms
For common justice, you are as pregnant in,
As art and practice hath enriched any
That we reinember: There is our commission,
From which we would not have you warp.-Call
I say, bid come before us Angelo.- [hither,
[Exit an Attendant.
What figure of us think you he will bear?
For you must know, we have with special soul
Elected him our absence to supply;
Lent him our terror, dress'd him with our love;
And given his deputation all the organs
Of our own power: What think you of it?
Escal. If any in Vienna be of worth

To undergo such ample grace and honour,
It is lord Angelo.

Enter Angelo.

Duke. Look, where he comes. Ang. Always obedient to your grace's will, I come to know your pleasure. Duke. Angelo, There is a kind of character in thy life, That, to the observer, doth thy history Fully unfold: Thyself and thy belongings Are not thine own so proper, as to waste Thyself upon thy virtues, they on thee.

ISABELLA, sister to Claudio.
MARIANA, betrothed to Angelo.
JULIET, beloved of Claudio.
FRANCISCA, a nun.
Mistress OVERDONE, a bawd.
Lords, Gentlemen, Guards, Of-
ficers, and other Attendants.
SCENE.-VIENNA.

Heaven doth with us as we with torches do;
Not light them for themselves: for if our virtues
Did not go forth of us, 't were all alike

As if we had them not. Spirits are not finely touch'd
But to find issues: nor nature never lends
The smallest scruple of her excellence,
But, like a thrifty goddess, she determines
Herself the glory of a creditor,

Both thanks and use. But I do bend my speech
To one that can my part in him advertise;
Hold, therefore, Angelo;

In our remove, be thou at full ourself:
Mortality and mercy in Vienna

Live in thy tongue and heart: Old Escalus,
Though first in question, is thy secondary:
Take thy commission. Ang. Now, good my lord,
Let there be some more test made of my metal,
Before so noble and so great a figure
Be stamp'd upon it. Duke. No more evasion:
We have with a leaven'd and prepared choice
Proceeded to you; therefore take your honours.
Our haste from hence is of so quick condition,
That it prefers itself, and leaves unquestion'd'
Matters of needful value. We shall write to you,
As time and our concernings shall importune,
How it goes with us; and do look to know
What doth befall you here. So, fare you well:
To the hopeful execution do I leave you
Of your commissions.
Ang.
Yet, give leave, my lord,
That we may bring you something on the way.
Duke. My haste may not admit it;

Nor need you, on mine honour, have to do
With any scruple: your scope is as mine own:

So to enforce or qualify the laws

As to your soul seems good. Give me your hand; I'll privily away: I love the people,

Bt do not like to stage me to their eyes:
Though it do well, I do not relish well
Ther loud applause, and aves vehement:
Noido I think the man of safe discretion
Tha does affect it. Once more, fare you well.
An. The heavens give safety to your purposes!
Escl. Lead forth, and bring you back in happi-

ness.

[Exit.

Duk. I thank you : Fare you well.
Escd. I shall desire you, sir, to give me leave
To hae free speech with you; and it concerns me
To loc into the bottom of my place:

A powr I have; but of what strength and nature
I am ne yet instructed.

Ang. Tis so with me :-Let us withdraw together,
And wemay soon our satisfaction have
Touching that point.
Escal

I'll wait upon your honour.
[Exeunt.

SCENE II.-A Street. Inter Lucio and two Gentlemen. Lucio. I the duke, with the other dukes, come not to corposition with the king of Hungary, why, then all the dukes fall upon the king.

1 Gent. Heaven grant us its peace, but not the king of Hugary's! 2 Gent. Amen. Lucio. Thou concludest like the sanctimonious pirate, the went to sea with the ten commandments, but craped one out of the table. 2 Gent. Thu shalt not steal? Lucio. Ay that he razed.

1 Gent. Why, 't was a commandment to command the captainand all the rest from their functions; they put forh to steal: There's not a soldier of us all, that, in the thanksgiving before meat, doth relish the peition well that prays for peace. 2 Gent. I never heard any soldier dislike it. Lucio. I beleve thee; for I think thou never wast where grace vas said.

2 Gent. No: a dozen times at least.

1 Gent. Wha? in metre?

Lucio. In any proportion, or in any language. 1 Gent. I think, or in any religion. Lucio. Ay! vhy not? grace is grace, despite of all controversy: As for example: Thou thyself art a wicked villan, despite of all grace.

1 Gent. Well,there went but a pair of shears be

tween us.

Lucio. I grant; as there may between the lists and the velvet Thou art the list.

1 Gent. And thou the velvet: thou art good velvet; thou art a three-piled piece, I warrant thee: I had as lief be alist of an English kersey, as be piled, as thou art pilel, for a French velvet. Do I speak feelingly now?

Lucio. I think thou dost; and, indeed, with most painful feeling of thy speech: I will, out of thine own confession, learn to begin thy health; but whilst I live, forget to drink after thee. [not? : Gent. I think I have done myself wrong; have I 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?

Lucio. Judge.

2 Gent. To three thousand dollars a-year.
1 Gent. Ay, and more.
Lucio. A French crown more.

1 Gent. Thou art always figuring diseases 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 hol-
low: impiety has made a feast of thee.

Enter Bawd.

ed; 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 proclamation.

Lucio. Away; let's go learn the truth of it. [Exeunt Lucio and 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? Enter Clown.

Clo. Yonder man is carried to prison.
Bawd. Well; what has he done?
Clo. A woman.

Bawd. But what's his offence.

Clo. Groping for trouts in a peculiar river. Bawd. What, is there a maid with child by him? Clo. No; but there's a woman with maid by him: You have not heard of the proclamation, have you? Bawd. What proclamation, man?

Clo. All houses in the suburbs of Vienna must be plucked down.

Bawd. And what shall become of those in the city? Clo. 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 pulled down?

Clo. To the ground, mistress.

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

Clo. 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.

Clo. Here comes signior Claudio, led by the provost to prison: and there 's madam Juliet. [Exeunt.

SCENE III.-The same.

Enter Provost, Claudio, Juliet, and Officers; Lucio and two Gentlemen.

Claud. Fellow, why dost thou show me thus to the Bear me to prison, where I am committed. [world? 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 't is just. Lucio. Why, how now Claudio? 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.
Lucio. What is 't murder? Claud. No.
Claud. Call it so.
Lucio. Lechery?
Pro. 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?

E

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 hath 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, lets 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
Awakes me all the enrolled penalties,
[wall
Which have, like unscour'd armour, hung by the
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 :-'t is surely for a name.

Lucio. I warrant, it is: and thy head stands so tickle on thy shoulders, that a milkmaid, 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 prithee, 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, 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.
Lucio. Within two hours.

Claud. Come, officer, away.

SCENE IV.-A Monastery.
Enter Duke and Friar Thomas.

[Exeunt.

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 removed;
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 travell'd 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?
Fri. Gladly, my lord.

Duke. We have strict statutes, and most biting laws,
(The needful bits and curbs to headstrong steeds,)
Which for this fourteen years we have let slip;
Even like an o'ergrown lion in a cave,
That goes not out to prey: Now, as fond fathers
Having bound up the threat'ning twigs of birch,
Only to stick it in their children's sight,
For terrcr, not to use, in time the rod
[Becomes] more mock'd than fear'd: so our decrees,
Dead to infliction, to themselves are dead;
And liberty plucks justice by the nose;
The baby beats the nurse, and quite athwart
Goes all decorum. Fri. It rested in your grace

To unloose this tied-up justice, when you pleasd: And it in you more dreadful would have seem' Than in lord Angelo.

Duke. I do fear, too dreadful: Sith 't was my fault to give the people scope, 'T would be my tyranny to strike and gall them For what I bid them do: For we bid this be done, When evil deeds have their permissive pass, And not the punishment. Therefore, indeed, my I have on Angelo impos'd the office; father, Who may, in the ambush of my name, strik: home, And yet my nature never in the fight, To do in slander: And to behold his sway

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

Visit both prince and people: therefore, 1 prithee,
Supply me with the habit, and instruct me
How I may formally in person bear

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 conesses
That his blood flows, or that his appetit
Is more to bread than stone: Hence shall we see,
If power change purpose, what our seeners be.
[Exeunt.

SCENE V.-A Nunnery.
Enter Isabella and Francisc.

Isab. And have you nuns no further privileges?
Fran. Are not these large enough?
Isab. Yes, truly: I speak not as desiing more ;
But rather wishing a more strict restrant
Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of saint Clare.
Lucio. Ho! Peace be in this place! [Within.

Isab.
Who's tha which calls?
Fran. It is a man's voice: Gentle Isbella,
Turn you the key, and know his business of him;
You may, I may not; you are yet unworn:
When you have vow'd, you must not sɔeak with men,
Then, if you speak, you must not show your face;
But in the presence of the prioress:
Or, if you show your face, you must not speak.
He calls again; I pray you answer hm. [Exit Fra.
Isab. Peace and prosperity! Who is 't that calls?
Enter Lucio.

Lucio. Hail, virgin, if you be; as those cheek-roses Proclaim you are no less! Can you so stead me, As bring me to the sight of Isabelli,

A novice of this place, and the fair sister
To her unhappy brother Claudio?

Isab. Why her unhappy 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
Not to be weary with you, he 's in prison.
Isab. Woe me! For what?

you;

Lucio. For that, which if myself might be his judge,
He should receive his punishment in thanks:
He hath got his friend with child.

[familiar sin

Isab. Sir, make me not your story.
Lucio. T is true. I would not-though 't is my
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 talk'd with in sincerity,
As with a saint.

Isab. You do blaspheme the good, in mocking me.
Lucio. Do not believe it. Fewness and truth, 't is
Your brother and his lover have embrac'd: [thus:
As those that feed grow full; as blossoming time,
That from the seedness the bare fallow brings
To teeming foison; even so her plenteous womb
Expresseth his full tilth and husbandry.

[Juliet?

Isab. Some one with child by him?-My cousin
Lucio. Is she your cousin?
Isab. Adoptedly; as schoolmaids change their
By vain though apt affection.
[names,
Lucio.

She it is.

Isab. O, let him marry her! Lucio. This is the point. The duke has 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,

For that 's the utmost of his pilgrimage. [Exit Pro. Escal. Well, heaven forgive him! and forgive us Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall: fall! Some run from brakes of ice, and answer none; And some condemned for a fault alone.

Hs givings out were of an infinite distance
Fran his true-meant design. Upon his place,
And with full line of his authority,
Governs lord Angelo: a man whose blood
Is vry snow-broth; one who never feels
Thevanton stings and motions of the sense;
But woth rebate and blunt his natural edge
Withprofits of the mind, study and fast.
He (t give fear to use and liberty,
Which have, for long, run by the hideous law,
As mie by lions) hath pick'd out an act,
Underwhose heavy sense your brother's life
Falls ino forfeit: he arrests him on it;
And folows close the rigour 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.
Isab.

Seek his ife?

Doth he so

Lucio. Hath censur'd him already, And, as Ihear, the provost hath a warrant For his execution. Isab. Alas! what poor Ability's a me to do him good! Lucio. Asay the power you have. My power!

Alas! I doubt

Isab. Lucio. Our doubts are traitors, And make is lose the good we oft might win, By fearing b attempt: Go to lord Angelo, And let himlearn to know, when maidens sue Men give like gods; but when they weep and kneel, All their pettions are as freely theirs As they thenselves would owe them. Isab. I'll see what I can do. Lucio. Isab. I will about it straight; No longer staying but to give the mother Notice of my affair. I humbly thank you: Commend me o my brother: soon at night I'll send him certain word of my success. Lucio. I take my leave of you. Isub.

But speedily.

Good sir, adieu. [Exeunt.
ACT II.

SCENE I-A Hall in Angelo's House.
Enter Angelo, Escalus, a Justice, Provost,
Officers, and other Attendants.

Ang. We must not make a scarecrow of the law,
Setting it up to fear the birds of prey,

And let it 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 [man,
Than fall, and bruise to death: Alas! this gentle-
Whom I would save, had a most noble father.,
Let but your honour know,

(Whom I believe to be most straight in virtue,)
That, in the working of your own affections,
Had time coher'd with place, or place with wishing,
Or that the resolute acting of your blood
Could have attain'd the effect of your own purpose,
Whether you had not sometime in your life
Err'd in this point which now you censure him,
And pull'd the law upon you.

Ang. T is 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 made
To justice, that justice seizes. What know the laws,
That thieves do pass on thieves? 'T is very preg-
The jewel that we find we stoop and take it," [nant,
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.
Ang.

Where is the provost?
Prov. Here, if it like your honour.
Ang.

See that Claudio Be executed by nine to-morrow morning: Bring him his confessor, let him be prepar'd;

Escal. How! thy wife?

[woman,

Elb. Ay, sir; whom, I thank heaven, is an honest 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 been accused in fornication, adultery, and all uncleanliness there. Escal. By the woman's means?

Elb. Ay, sir, by mistress Overdone's means; but as she spit in his face, so she defied him.

Clo. Sir, if it please your honour, this is not so. Elb. Prove it before these varlets here, thou honourable man, prove it.

Escal. Do you hear how he misplaces? [To Ang. Clo. Sir, she came in great with child; and longing (saving your honour's reverence) for stewed prunes; sir, we had but two in the house, which at that very distant time stood, as it were, in a fruitdish, a dish of some three-pence; your honours have seen such dishes; they are not China dishes, but very good dishes.

Escal. Go to, go to; no matter for the dish, sir. Clo. No, indeed, sir, not of a pin; you are therein in the right: but, to the point: As I say, this mistress Elbow, being, as I say, with child, and being great bellied, and longing, as I said, for prunes; and having but two in the dish, as I said, master 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 three-pence again. Froth. No, indeed. Clo. Very well: you being then, if you be remembered, cracking the stones of the foresaid prunes. Froth. Ay, so I did, indeed.

Clo. Why, very well: I telling you then, if you be remembered, that such a one, and such a one, were past cure of the thing you wot of, unless they kept very good diet, as I told you..

Froth. All this is true.

Clo. Why, very well then.

Escal. Come, you are a tedious fool: to the purpose.-What was done to Elbow's wife, that he hath cause to complain of? Come we to what was done to her.

Clo. Sir, your honour cannot come to that yet.
Escal. No, sir, nor I mean it not.

Clo. Sir, but you shall come to it, by your honour's leave: And, I beseech you, look into master Froth here, sir; a man of fourscore pound a-year; whose father died at Hallowmas :-Was 't not at Hallowmas, master Froth? Froth, All-hallownd eve. Clo. Why, very well; I hope here be truths: He, sir, sitting, as I say, in a lower chair, sir;-'t was 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: I'll 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. Now, sir, come on: What was done to Elbow's wife, once more? [once. Clo. Once, sir? there was nothing done to her Elb. I beseech you, sir, ask him what this man did to my wife.

Clo. I beseech your honour, ask me.

Escal. Well, sir: what did this gentleman to her? Clo. I beseech you, sir, look in this gentleman's face-Good master Froth, look upon his honour; 't is for a good purpose: Doth your honour mark his face? Escal. Ay, sir, very well.

Clo. Nay, I beseech you, mark it well.
Escal. Well, I do so.

Clo. Doth your honour see any harm in his face?
Escal. Why, no.

Clo. I'll be supposed upon a book, his face is the worst thing about him: Good then; if his face be the worst thing about him, how could master Froth do the constable's wife any harm? I would know that of your honour. [to it? Escal. He's in the right: Constable, what say you 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 more respected person than any of us all.

Elb. Varlet, thou liest; thou liest, wicked varlet: the time is yet to come that she was ever respected, with man, woman, or child.

Clo. Sir, she was respected with him before he married with her.

Escal. Which is the wiser here? Justice, or Iniquity? Is this true?

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 your worship think me the poor duke's officer:-Prove this, thou wicked Hannibal, or I'll have mine action of battery on thee. Escal. If he took you a box o' th' 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 thou 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?
Froth. Yes, an 't please you, sir.

Escal. So. What trade are you of, sir? [To Clo.
Clo. A tapster; a poor widow's tapster.
Escal. Your mistress's name?

Clo. Mistress Overdone.

Escal. Hath she had any more than one husband? Clo. Nine, sir; Over-done by the last. Escal. Nine! Come hither to me, master Froth. Master Froth, I would not have you acquainted with tapsters: they will draw you, master Froth, and you will hang them: Get you gone, and let me hear no more of you.

Froth. I thank your worship: For mine 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 Froth.-Come you hither to me, mas. ter tapster; what 's your naine, master tapste:? Clo. Pompey. Escal. What else?

Cio. Bum, sir.

Escal. Troth, and your bum is the greatest thing about you; so that, in the beastliest sense, you are Pompey the great. Pompey, you are partly a bawd, Pompey, howsoever you colour it in being a tapster. Are you not? come, tell me true; it shall be the better for

Clo. Truly, sir, You. am a poor fellow that would live. Escal. How would you live, Pompey? by being a bawd? What do you think of the trade, Pompey? is it a lawful trade?

Clo. If the law would allow it, sir. Escal. But the law will not allow it, Ponpey: nor it shall not be allowed in Vienna. Clo. Does your worship mean to geld and spay all the youth of the city? 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 year 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 in it after three-pence a bay: If you live to see this come to pass, say, Pompey told you so. Escal. Thank you, good Pompey: ind, 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 Cæsar to you; in plain dealing, Pompey, I shall have you whipp'd: so for this time, Pompey, fare you well.

Clo. I thank your worship for your good counsel; 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 whipp'd cut 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 year and a half, sir. Escal. I thought, by your readiness in the office, you had continued in it some time: You say, seven years together? Elb. And a half, sir. Escal. Alas! it hath been great pains to you! They do you wrong to put you so oft upon 't: Are there not men in your ward sufficient to serve it? Elb. Faith, sir, few of any wt in such matters: as they are chosen, they are giad to choose ine for them; I do it for somne piece of money, and go through with all.

Escal. Look, you bring me in the names of some six or seven the most sufficient of your parish. Elb. To your worship's house, sir? Escal. To my house: Fare you well. [Exit Elbow.] What 's o'clock, think you? Just. Eleven, sir.

Escal. I pray you home to dinner with me.
Just. I humbly thank you.

Escal. It grieves me for the death of Claudio;
But there's no remedy.

Fust. Lord Angelo is severe.
Escal.

It is but needful:

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.-Another Room in the same. Enter Provost and a Servant. Serv. He 's hearing of a cause; he will come I'll tell him of you. [straight. Prov. Pray you do. [Exit Servant.] I'll know His pleasure; may be, he will relent: Alas,