The Dramatic Works of William Shakspeare

That with such vehemency he should pursue
Faults proper to himself: if he had so offended,
He would bave weigh'd thy brother by himself,
And not have cut him off: Some one hath set
you on;

Confess the truth, and say by whose advice
Thou cam'st here to complain.

Isab. And is this all?

Then, O you blessed ministers above,
Keep me in patience; and, with ripen'd time,
Unfold the evil which is here wrapt up
In countenance -Heaven shield your grace
from woe,
As I, thus wrong'd, hence unbelieved go !
Duke. I know, you'd fain be gone :-An
officer !

To prison with her :-Shall we thus permit
A blasting and a scandalous breath to fall
On him so near us? This needs must be a
practice.

-Who knew of your intent, and coming hither?
Isab. One that I would were here, friar

dowick.

Duke. A ghostly father belike:-Who knows that Lodowick ?

Lucio. My lord, I know him; 'tis a medling friar ; [lord, I do not like the man had he been lay, my For certain words he spake against your grace In your retirement, I had swing'd him soundly. Duke. Words against me? This' a good friar, belike !

And to set on this wretched woman here
Against our substitute !-Let this friar be found.
Lucio. But yesternight, my lord, she and that

friar

I saw them at the prison: a saucy friar,
A very scurvy fellow.

F. Peter. Blessed be your royal grace!
I have stood by, my lord, and I have heard
Your royal ear abus'd; First, hath this woman
Most wrongfully accus'd your substitute:
Who is as free from touch or soil with her,
As she from one ungot.

Duke. We did believe no less. Know you that friar Lodowick, that she speaks of? F. Peter. I know him for a man divine and

holy; Not scurvy, nor a temporary medler, As he's reported by this gentleman; And, on my trust, a man that never yet Did, as he vouches, misreport your grace. Lucio. My lord, most villanously; believe it. F. Peter. Well, he in time may come to clear himself: But at this instant he is sick, my lord, Of a strange fever: Upon his mere request, (Being come to knowledge that there was complaint

Intended 'gainst lord Angelo,) came I bither, To speak as from his mouth, what he doth know

That ever he knew me.

Lucio. He was drunk then, my lord; it cau Lo-be no better.

Duke. For the benefit of silence, 'would thou wert so too.

Lucio. Well, my lord.

Duke. This is no witness for lord Angelo.
Mari. Now I come to't, my lord:
She, that accuses him of fornication,
In self-same manner doth accuse my husband;
And charges him, my lord, with such a time,
When I'll depoce I had him in mine arms,
With all the effect of love.

(To justify this worthy nobleman,
So vulgarly and personally accus'd,)
Her shall you hear disproved to her eyes,
Till she herself confess it.
Duke. Good friar, let's hear it.

* Conspiracy. Convened.

[ISABELLA is carried off, gvarded; and MARIANA comes forward. Do you not smile at this lord Angelo ?O heaven! the vanity of wretched fools!— Give us some seats.-Come, cousin Angelo In this I'll be impartial; be you judge

Of your own cause.-Is this the witness, friar 1 First, let her show her face; and, after speak. Mari. Pardon, my lord; i will not show my Until my husband bid me.

{face,

Duke. What, are you married?

Mari. No, my lord.
Duke. Are you a maid ?
Mari. No, my lord.
Duke. A widow, then?
Mari. Neither, my lord.
Duke. Why, you

[wife.

Are nothing then :-Neither maid, widow, nor Laucio. My lord, she may be a punk; for many of them are neither maid, widow, nor wife. Duke. Silence that fellow: I would, he had

some cause

To prattle for himself.
Lucio. Well, my lord.

Mari. My lord, I do confess, I ne'er was married;

And, I confess, besides, I am no maid:

I have known my husband; yet my husband knows not,

Ang. Charges she more than me? Mari. Not that I know.

Duke. No you say, your husband.

Mari. Why, just, my lord, and that is Angelo, Who thinks, he knows, that he ne'er knew my body,

But knows he thinks, that he knows Isabel's. Ang. This is a strange abuse: †-Let's see thy face.

Mari. My husband bids me; now I will unmask. [Unveiling. This is that face, thou cruel Angelo, [on: Which once thou swor'st, was worth the looking This is the hand, which, with a vow'd contact, Was fast belock'd in thine: this is the body That took away the match from Isabel, And did supply thee at thy garden-house, In her imagin'd person.

Dake. Know you this woman?
Lucio. Carnally, she says.
Duke. Sirrah, no more.
Lucio. Enough, my lord.

woman;

Ang. My lord, I must confess, I know this, [marriage And, five years since, there was some speech of Betwixt myself and her; which was broke off, Partly, for that her promised proportions. Came short of composition ; ; but, in chief, For that her reputation was disvalued In levity: since which time of five years, I never spake with her, saw her, nor heard from Upon my faith and honour. (her,

Mari. Noble prince,

As there comes light from heaven, and words from breath,

• Publicly

+ Deception. Her fortune fell short.

Your provost knows the place where he abides,
And he may fetch him.

Duke. Ay, with my heart;

oat bs,

And punish them unto your height of pleasure.
Thou foolish friar; and, thou pernicious woman,
Compact with her that's gone! think'st thou, thy
[saint,
Though they would swear down each particular
Were testimonies against his worth and credit,
That's seal'd in approbation ?--You, lord Escalus, Dare
Sit with my cousiu; lend him your kind pains
To find out this abuse, whence 'tis derived.-
There is another friar that set them ou;
Let him be sent for.

Dare

Nor h

Lucio. As any in Vienna, on my word. Escal. Call that same Isabel here once again; [To an Attendant.] I would speak with her: Pray you, my lord, give me leave to question; you shall see how I'll handle her.

Lucio. Not better than he, by her own report.
Escal. Say you?

Lucio. Marry, Sir, I think, if you handled her privately, she would sooner confess; perchance, publicly she'll be ashamed.

Till it

F. Peter. Would he were here, my lord; for But fa he, indeed,

Hath set the women on to this complaint:

Duke. Go, do it instantly.

[Erit PROVOST.
And you, my noble and well-warranted cousin,
Whom it concerns to hear this matter forth,
Do with your injuries as seems you best,
In any chastisement: 1 for a while
Will leave you; but stir not you, till you have
Determined upon these slanderers.

[well

Escal. My lord, we'll do it thoroughly.-[Exit DUKE.] Signior Lucio, did not you say, you knew that friar Lodowick to be a dishonest person ?

what y

Lucio. Lucullus non facit monachum: honest in nothing, but in his clothes; and one that hath spoke most villanous speeches of the duke.

Duh

Luc

Escal. We shall entreat you to abide here till flesh-u he come, and enforce them against him: we shali | reporte find this friar a notable fellow.

Duk

Look

Duke. 'Tis false.

Escal. How! know you where you are?
Duke. Respect to your great place! and let the

devil

Be sometime honour'd for his burning throne :-
Where is the duke? 'tis he should bear me

speak:

• Crazy.

+ Conspiracy.

Is't ne

To ac

And i

To ca
And t

To tax

To the

To the end.

But w

Made Where

after hi Esca

-Away

vost ?-

Re-enter Officers, with ISABELLA, the DUKE, upon b in the Friar's habit, and Provost.

those g

compar

Stand

As mu
Esc

Duk

Ang. Luck

foh, Sir

must be visage,

biting fi

off?

[Pi

Duke

First, Pi
Sneak n

Must ha

Lucio

Duke.

Refer

We'll borrow place of him :-Sir, by your leave: | Although by confiscation they are our's,
[To ANGELO. We do instate and widow you withal,
Hast thou or word, or wit, or impudence,
To buy you a better husband.
That yet can do thee office? If thou hast,
Mari. O my dear lord,
Rely upon it till my tale be heard,
And hold no longer out.

Isab. I do, my lord.

Duke. For this new-married man, approaching here,

Whose salt imagination yet hath wrong'd
Your well-defended honour, you must pardon
For Mariana's sake: but as he adjudg'd your
(Being criminal, in double violation [brother,
Of sacred chastity, and of promise-breach,
Thereon dependent, for your brother's life.)
The very mercy of the law cries out
Most audible, even from his proper tongue,
An Angelo for Claudio, death for death.
Haste still pays haste, and leisure auswers leisure;
Like doth quit like, and Measure still for Mea-

sure.

Then, Angelo, thy fault's thus manifested; Which though thou would'st deny, denies thee

vantage:

We do condemn thee to the very block
Where Claudio stoop'd to death, and with like
Away with him.
[haste ;-
Mari. O my most gracious lord,
I hope you will not mock me with a husband!
Duke. It is your husband mock'd you with a
busband:

Consenting to the safeguard of your honour,
I thought your marriage fit; else imputation,
For that he knew you, might reproach your life,
And choke your good to come: for his possessions,

⚫ Service.

1 Devices.

Attentive.

: Following. Angelo's own tongue.

I crave no other, nor no better man. Duke. Never crave him; we are definitive. Mari. Gentle, my liege,[Kneeling. Duke. You do but lose your labour; Away with him to death.-Now, Sir, to you. [To Lucio. Mari. O my good lord !-Sweet Isabel, take my part:

Lend me your knees, and all my life to come
I'll lend you, all my life to do you service.

Duke. Against all sense you do impórtune

her: Should she kneel down, in mercy of this fact, Her brother's ghost his paved bed would break, And take her hence in borror.

Mari. Isabel,

Sweet Isabel, do yet but kneel by me;
Hold up your hands, say nothing, I'il speak all.
They say, best men are moulded out of faults;
And, for the most, become much more the better
For being a little bad: so may my husband.
O Isabel! will you not lend a knee?
Duke. He dies for Clandio's death.
Isab. Most bounteous Sir,
[Kneeling
Look, if it please you, on this man coudemu'd,
As if my brother liv'd: I partly think,
A due sincerity govern'd his deeds,

Till he did look on me; since it is so,

Let him not die: My brother had but justice,
In that he did the thing for which he died:
For Angelo,

His act did not o'ertake his bad intent;
And must be buried but as an intent

Duke. What's he?

Prov. His name is Barnardine.

Duke. I would thou had'st done so by Claudio. Go, fetch him hither; let me look upon bim. [Exit PROVOST.

Escal. I am sorry, one so learned, and so wise As you, lord Angelo, have still appear'd, Should slip so grossly, both in the heat of blood, And lack of temper'd judgment afterward.

Ang. I am sorry that such sorrow I procure :
And so deep sticks it in my penitent heart,
That I crave death more willingly than mercy;
'Tis my deserving, and I do intreat it.

Re-enter PROVOST, BARNARDINE, CLAUDIO,
and JULIET.
Duke. Which is that Barnardine?
Prov. This, my lord.

Duke. There was a friar told me of this

For better times to come :

-Friar, advise him; I leave him to your hand.-What muffled fellow's that?

Prov. This is another prisoner, that I sav'd, That should have died when Claudio lost bis head; As like almost to Claudio, as himself. [Unmufles CLAUDIO. Duke. If he be like your brother, for his sake [To ISABELLA. Is he pardon'd: And, for your lovely sake, Give me your hand, and say you will be mine, He is my brother too: But fitter time for that. By this, lord Angelo perceives be's safe; Methinks, I see a quick'ning in his eye :Well, Angelo, your evil quits you well: Look that you love your wife; her worth, worth I find an apt remission in myself: And yet here's one in place I cannot pardon ;You, sirrab, [To LUCIO.] that knew me for a fool, a coward,

(your's.

One all of luxury, an ass, a madman ;
Wherein have I so deserved of you,
That you extol me thus ?

Lucio. 'Faith, my lord, I spoke it but according to the trick: If you will hang me for it, you may, but I had rather it would please you, I might be whipp'd.

Duke. Whipp'd first, Sir, and hang'd after.Proclaim it, Provost, round about the city; If any woman's wrong'd by this lewd fellow, (As I have heard him swear himself, there's one Whom he begot with child,) let her appear,

• Requites.

+ Incontinence. Thoughtless practice.

There's more behind, that is more gratulate.+
Thanks, Provost, for thy care and secrecy;
We shall employ thee in a worthier place :-
Forgive him, Angelo, that brought you home
The head of Ragozine for Claudio's :
The offence pardons itself.-Dear Isabel,
I have a motion much imports your good;
Whereto if you'll a willing ear incline,
What's mine is your's, and what is your's
mine :-

So, bring us to our palace ; where we'll show
What's yet behind, that's meet you all should
know.
[Exeunt.

WINTER'S TALE.

LITERARY AND HISTORICAL Notice.

TO the story-book, or Pleasant History (as it is called) of Dorastus and Pawnia, written by Robert Greene, M.A we are indebted for Shakspeare's Winter's Tale. The parts of Antigonus, Paulina, and Autolycus, are of the poet's own invention; and many circumstances of the novel are omitted in the drama. Mr. Walpole ranks it among the historic plays of Shakspeare, and says it was certainly presented, (in compliment to Queen Elizabeth) as an indirect apology for her mother, Anne Boleyn; the unreasonable jealousy and violent conduct of Leontes, forming a true portrait of Henry VIII. who generally made the law the engine of his passions. Several passages, it must be confessed, strongly favour this plausible conjecture, and seem to apply to the real history much closer than to the fable. But Malone and Sir William Blackstone refer to other passages, which would strengthen a contrary opinion; to one, in particular, which could scarcely be in. tended for the ear of her, who had put the Queen of Scots to death. It was, however, probably written immediately upon Elizabeth's death; nor could it fail of being very agreeable to James her successor. An inattention to dramatic rules, so common with Shakspeare, is perhaps more glaringly apparent in this than in any other of his productions; and Pope and Dryden have made it the subject of some ill-advised censure. But had Shakspeare been acquainted with these rules, (which he certainly was not,) the exquisite talent displayed in his writings, is a sufficient apology for the freedom with which he has set them aside. His inexhaustible genius was not to be restrained, nor the restless disposition of an English audience to be gratified, by a close and reverent adherence to the classical uuities of the stage. Hence such a breach in time and probability, as producing, at a rustic festival, a lovely woman, fit to be married, who but a few minutes before, had been deposited on the sea-shore, an infant in swaddling clothes. Hence the celerity with which seas are crossed, countries traversed, battles fought, and marriages accomplished. The Winter's Tale, however, with all its contradictions---with a mean fable, extravagantly conducted---is scarcely inferior to any of Shakspeare's plays. It contains much excellent sentiment, several strongly-marked characters, and a tissue of events fully justifying the title ;---for a jumble of improbable incidents, some merry and some sad, is the legitimate feature of a Christmas story. Still it must be observed, that though the origin and progress of jealousy are always unaccountable, the sudden transition of Leontes from a state of perfect friendship and affection to that of hatred and vindictive rage, is not accompanied by any apparent circumstances to render it probable or natural. Paulina's character is novel, and very pleasingly imagined; and Hermione's defence ts not less beautiful and pathetic than its prototype in Henry VIII. Autolycus, the king of beggars and of pedlars, is one of the most arch and amusing scoundrels ever designed by our poet. His songs are all exceedingly spirited.

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The Dramatic Works of William Shakspeare– With Glossarial Notes, a Sketch of ...