Appreciations, p. 179). There are, moreover, striking parallelisms of
expression in the two plays. Similarly, incidents in Measure for Measure
recall All's Well that Ends Well; Isabella and Helena seem almost twin-
sisters ; but the questions at issue concerning the latter play are too
intricate to warrant us in drawing conclusions as regards the date of the
former play.

Source of the Play. The plot of Measure for Measure was ulti-
mately derived from the Hecatommithi of Giraldi Cinthiof (Decad. 8,
Nov. 5): the direct source, however, was a dramatisation of the story
by George Whetstone, whose Prumos and Cassandra, never acted, w^as
printed in 1578. The title of this tedious production is noteworthy as
indicating the rough outline of Shakespeare's original: —

The Ri^^ht Excellent and Famous j Histori/j of Promos and Cassandra ;/ divided
into iiuo Comical Discourses, j In the frst part is shoivn,j tlie unsufferahle abuse of
a leivd Magistrate,! the virtuous behaviour of a chaste Ladij:j the uncontrolled
leivdness of a favoured Courtesan, j and the undeserved estimation of a pernicious
Parasite. I In the second part is discoursed,! ''''"' p^'f'-'^^ magnanimity of a noble
King I in checking Vice and favouring Virtue:! Wherein is shozvn! the Ruin and
Overthroiv of dishonest practices,! ivith the advancement of upright dealing,! {Cp.
Hazlitt's Shakespeare Library ; Part II. Vol. ii.)

In 1582 Whetstone included a prose version of the same story in his
Heptameron of Civil Discourses, — a version probably known to Shakespeare ;
it has even been inferred that " in this narrative he may well have caught
the first glimpse of a composition with nobler proportions."

The old play of Promos and Cassandra may claim the distinction of hav-
ing provided the rough material for Me.isure for Measure; the earlier
production should be read in order to understand, somewhat at least,

* Cp. The Chronological Order of Shakespeare's Plays; H.P.Stokes; 106-109.

t Concerning the historical basis of the story, cp. Notes and Queries, July 29th 1893 ;
in 1547 a Hungarian student in Vienna narrated the occurrence in a letter to a friend
in Sarvar : (fp. also Goulast's Histoires adntirables et inintorablcs aiivennes de Nostre
Temps, 1607). It would seem that the .suliject had already been dramatized by Claude
Rouillet in his I'hilamire, published in 1563, two years before Cinthio's Hecatommithi.



MEASURE FOR MEASURE Preface

how Shakespeare has transformed his crude original ; how he has infused
into it a loftier motive ; how he has ennobled its heroine, and created
new episodes and new characters. The picture of the wronged, dejected
mistress of the moated grange is wholly Shakespeare's.

Duration of Action. The time of action consists of four days : —

Day I. Act I. Scene i. may be taken as a kind of prelude, after which
some little interval must be supposed in order to permit the new governors
of the city to settle to their work. The rest of the play is comprised in
three consecutive days.

Day 2 commences with Act I. Scene ii. and ends with Act IV. Scene ii.

Day 3 commences with Act IV. Scene ii. and ends with Act IV.
Scene iv.

Day 4 includes Act IV. Scenes v. and vi., and the whole of Act V
which is one scene only (P. A. Daniel ; On the Tlmn in Shakespeare's Plays ;
N^ezu Shakespeare Soc, 1877-79),



DRAMATIS PERSONtE.



ViNCENTio, the Duke.

AngeLO, Deputy.

EsCALUS, an ancient Lord.

Claudio, a young gentleman.

Lucio, a fantastic.

Two other gentlemen.

Provost.

Thomas, 'j

„ > tivo friars.

Peter, J "^

A Justice.

Varrius.

Elbow, a simple constable.

Froth, a foolish gentleman.

PoMPEY, servant to Mistress Overdone.

AbhorSON, an executioner.

Barnardine, a dissolute prisoner.

Isabella, sister to Claudio.
Mariana, betrothed to Angelo.
Juliet, beloved of Claudio.
FrANCISCA, a nun.

Mistress Overdone, a ba-wd.

Lords, Officers, Citizens, Boy, and Attendants.

Scene: F^ienna.



Measure for Measure.

ACT FIRST.
Scene I.

An apartment in the Duhes 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 [you add

Due diligency] as your worth is able.

And let them work. The nature of our people, lo

Our city's institutions, and the terms

For common justice, you're as pregnant in

As art and practice hath enriched any

That we remember. There is our commission.

From which we would not have you warp. Call hither,

I say, bid come before us Angelo. [^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, 20

And given his deputation all the organs

Of our own power : what think you of it ?



Act I. Sc. i. MEASURE FOR MEASURE

Escal. If any in Vienna be of worth

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

Duke. Look where he comes.

Enter Angelo.

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 th' observer doth thy history
Fully unfold. Thyself and thy belongings go

Are not thine own so proper, as to waste
Thyself upon thy virtues, they on thee.
Heaven doth with us as we with torches do,
Not light them for themselves ; for if our virtues
Did not go forth of us, 'twere all alike
As if we had them not. Spirits are not finely touch'd
But to fine issues ; nor Nature never lends
The smallest scruple of her excellence,
But, like a thrifty goddess, she determines
Herself the glory of a creditor, ^o

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,



MEASURE FOR MEASURE ^ct I. Sc. i.

Before so noble and so great a figure 5°

Be stamp'd upon it.

Duke. No more evasion :

We have with a Jeaven'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 60

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.

But do not like to stage me to their eyes :

Though it do well, I do not relish well 70

Their loud applause and Aves vehement •,

Nor do I think the man of safe discretion

That does affect it. Once more, fare you well.

Ang. The heavens give safety to your purposes !

Escal. Lead forth and bring you back in happiness !

Duke. I thank you. Fare you well. \^Exit.

Escal. I shall desire you, sir, to give me leave

To have free speech with you ; and it concerns me
To look into the bottom of my place :



Act I. Sc. ii. MEASURE FOR MEASURE

A power I have, but of what strength and nature 80

I am not yet instructed.
Aug. 'Tis so with me. Let us withdraw together,

And we may soon our satisfaction have

Touching that point.
Escal. I'll wait upon your honour.

\_Exeiint.

Scene II.

A street.
Enter Lticio and ttuo Gentlemen.

Lucio. If the Duke, with the other dukes, come not to
composition with the King of Hungary, why then
all the dukes fall upon the king.

First Gent. Heaven grant us its peace, but not the
King of Hungary's !

^ec. Gent. Amen.

Lucio. Thou concludest like the sanctimonious pirate,
that went to sea with the Ten Commandments,
but scraped one out of the table.

Sec. Gent. ' Thou shalt not steal ' } lO

Lucio. Ay, that he razed.

First Gent. Why, 'twas a commandment to command
the captain and all the rest from their functions :
they put forth to steal. There 's not a soldier
of us all, that, in the thanksgiving before
meat, do relish the petition well that prays for
peace.

Sec. Gent. I never heard any soldier dislike it.

Lucio. I believe thee ; for I think thou never wast

where grace was said. 20



MEASURE FOR MEASURE Act I. Sc. ii.

Sec. Gent. No ? a dozen times at least.

First Gent. What, in metre ?

Lucio. In any proportion or in any language.

First Gent. I think, or in any religion.

Lticio. Ay, why not ^ Grace is grace, despite of all

controversy : as, for example, thou thyself art a

wicked villain, despite of all grace.
First Gent. Well, there went but a pair of shears

between us.
Lucio. I grant ; as there may between the lists and the 30

velvet. Thou art the list.
First Gent. And thou the velvet : thou art good

velvet ; thou 'rt a three-piled piece, I warrant

thee : I had as lief be a list of an English

kersey, as be piled, as thou art piled, 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. 40

First Gent. I think I have done myself wrong, have

I not ?
Sec. 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 — •
Sec. Gent. To what, I pray ?
Lucio. Judge.

Sec. Gent. To three thousand dolours a year. 50

First Gent. Ay, and more.
Lucio. A French crown more.



Act I. Sc. ii. MEASURE FOR MEASURE

First Gent. Thou art always figuring diseases in me ;
but thou art full of error ; I am sound.

Liiclo. 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 Mistress Overdone.

First Gent. How now ! which of your hips has the

most profound sciatica ?
Mrs Ov. Well, well ; there 's one yonder arrested 60

and carried to prison was worth five thousand

of you all.
Sec. Gent. Who 's that, I pray thee ?
Mrs Ov. Marry, sir, that 's Claudio, Signior Claudio.
First Gent. Claudio to prison ? 'tis not so.
Mrs Ov. Nay, but I know 'tis so : I saw him arrested ;

saw him carried away ; and, which is more, within

these three days his head to be chopped off.
Lucio. But, after all this fooling, I would not have

it so. Art thou sure of this ? 70

Mrs Ov. I am too sure of it : and it is for getting

Madam Julietta with child.
Lucio. Believe me, this may be : he promi'^ed to meet

me two hours since, and he was ever precise in

promise-keeping.
Sec. Gent. Besides, you know, it draws something

near to the speech we had to such a purpose.
First Gent. But, most of all, agreeing with the pro-
clamation.
Lucio. Away ! let's go learn the truth of it. 80

\_Exeunt Lucio and Gentlemen.
Mrs Ov. Thus, what with the war, what with the



MEASURE FOR MEASURE ^^^ ^- ^c n.

sweat, what with the gallows, and what with
poverty, I am custom-shrunk.

Enter Pompey.

How now ! what 's the news with you ?

Pom. Yonder man is carried to prison.

Mrs Ov. Well ; what has he done ?

Pom. A woman.

Mrs Ov. But what 's his offence ?

Pom. Groping for trouts in a peculiar river.

Mrs Ov. What, is there a maid with child by him ? 90

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

Mrs Ov. What proclamation, man ?

Po7n. All houses in the suburbs of Vienna must be
plucked down.

Mrs Ov. And what shall become of those in the city .''

Pom. They shall stand for seed : they had gone down
too, but that a wise burgher put in for them.

Mrs Ov. But shall all our houses of resort in the

suburbs be pulled down ? lOO

Pom. To the ground, mistress.

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

Pom. Come ; fear not you : good counsellors lack no
clients : though you change your place, you need
not change your trade ; I '11 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.

Mrs Ov. What's to do here, Thomas tapster? let's no
withdraw.



Act I. Sc. ii. MEASURE FOR MEASURE

Pom. Here comes Signior Claudio, led by the provost

to prison ; and there 's Madam Juliet. [Exeunt.

Enter Provost, Claudio, Juliet and Officers.

Claud. Fellow, why dost thou show 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 demigod Authority

Make us pay down for our offence by weight

The words of heaven ; — on whom it will, it will ; 120

On whom it will not, so; yet still 'tis just.

Re-enter Lucio and tivo Gentlemen.
Lucio. Why, how now, Claudio ! whence comes this re-
straint ?

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 banc,
A thirsty evil ; and when we drink we die.

Lucio. If I could speak so wisely under an arrest, I 130
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.

Lucio. Lechery ?

Claud. Call it so.



MEASURE FOR MEASURE Act I. Sc. ii.

Prov. Away, sir ! you must go. 140

Claud. One word, good friend. Lucio, a word with you.

Lucio. A hundred, if they '11 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 ; 150

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 160

He can command, lets it straight feel the spur j
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
Which have, like unscour'd armour, 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. 1 70



Act I. Sc. iii. MEASURE FOR MEASURE

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 i8o
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 move men; besides, 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 encourage-
ment 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 fool- 190
ishly lost at a game of tick-tack. I '11 to her.

Claud. I thank you, good friend Lucio.

Lucio. Within two hours.

Claud. Come, officer, away ! [Exeunt.

Scene III.

A monastery.

Enter Duke and Friar Thomas.

Duke. No, holy father ; throw away that thought ;
Believe not that the dribbling dart of love



MEASURE FOR MEASURE Act I. Sc. iii.

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. T. May your grace speak of it r

Duke. My holy sir, none better knows than you
How I have ever loved the life removed,
And held in idle price to haunt assemblies
Where youth, and cost, and witless bravery keeps. lo
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 received. Now, pious sir,
You will demand of me why I do this.

Fri. T. Gladly, my lord.

Duke. We have strict statutes and most biting laws,

The needful bits and curbs to headstrong weeds, 20

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 threatening twigs of birch.

Only to stick it in their children's sight

For terror, 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 30

Goes all decorum.

Fri. T. It rested in your Grace

To unloose this tied-up justice when you pleased :



Act I. Sc. iv. MEASURE FOR MEASURE

And it in you more dreadful would have seem'd
Than in Lord Angelo.
Duke. I do fear, too dreadful :

Sith 'twas my fault to give the people scope,
'Twould 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

father,
I have on Angelo imposed the office ; 40

Who may, in the ambush of my name, strike home.
And yet my nature never in the fight
To do in slander. And to behold his sway,
I will, as 'twere a brother of your order,
Visit both prince and people : therefore, I prithee,
Supply me with the habit, and instruct me
How I may formally in person bear me
Like a true friar. Moe reasons for this action
At our more leisure shall I render you ;
Only, this one : 1-ord Angelo is precise ; 50

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 IV.

A tiufinery.

Enter Isabella and Francisca.

Isab. And have you nuns no farther privileges .?
Fran. Are not these large enough ?



MEASURE FOR MEASURE Act I. Sc. iv.

Isab. Yes, truly : I speak not as desiring more ;
But rather wishing a more strict restraint
Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare.

Lucio. \_with'nt\ Ho ! Peace be in this place !

Isab. Who '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 vow'd, you must not speak with men

But in the presence of the prioress : 1 1

Then, if you speak, you must not show your face ;

Or, if you show your face, you must not speak.

He calls again j I pray you, answer him. [Exit.

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 Isabella,
A novice of this place, and the fair sister
To her unhappy brother Claudio ? 20

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 you :
Not to be weary with you, he 's in prison.

Isab. Woe me ! for what ?

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

Isab. Sir, make me not your story.

Lucio. It is true. 30



Act I. Sc. iv. MEASURE FOR MEASURE

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 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, 'tis thus : —
Your brother and his lover have embraced : 40

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.

Isab. Some one with child by him .? — My cousin Juliet .''

Lucio. Is she your cousin ?

Isab. Adoptedly j as school-maids change their names
By vain, though apt, affection.

Lucio. She it is.

Isab. O, let him marry her.

Lucio. This is the point.

The duke is very strangely gone from hence ; 5°

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 whose blood

Is very snow-broth ; one who never feels

The wanton stings and motions of the sense.

But doth rebate and blunt his natural edge 60



MEASURE FOR MEASURE Act I. Sc. iv.

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 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. 7 1

Isab. Doth he so seek his life .'*

Lucio. Has censured him

Already ; and, as I hear, the provost hath
A warrant for his execution.

Isab. Alas ! what poor ability 's in me
To do him good ?

Lucio. Assay the power you have.

Isab. My power ? Alas, I doubt, —

Lucio. Our doubts are traitors.

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, 80
Men give like gods ; but when they weep and

kneel,
All their petitions are as freely theirs
As they themselves would owe them.

Isab. I '11 see what I can do.

Lucio. But speedily.

Isab. I will about it straight ;

No longer staying but to give the Mother
Notice of my affair. I humbly thank you :



Act II. Sc i. MEASURE FOR MEASURE

Commend me to my brother : soon at night
I '11 send him certain word of my success.

Lucio. I take my leave of you.

Isab. Good sir, adieu. 90

\_Exeimt.

ACT SECOND.
Scene I.

A hall hi Angela^ s house.

Enter Angela, Escalus, afjd a Justice^ Provost, Officers, and
other Attendants, behind.

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.
Than fall, and bruise to death. Alas, this gentleman.
Whom I would save, had a most noble father !
Let but your honour know,
Whom I believe to be most strait in virtue,
That, in the working of your own affections, lo

Had time cohered 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 puU'd the law upon you.

Ang. 'Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus,
Another thing to fall. I not deny.



MEASURE FOR MEASURE Act II. Sc. i.

The jury, passing on the prisoner's life,

May in the sworn twelve have a thief or two 20