Of here and every where. I had a sister,
Whom the blind waves and surges have devour'd :-
For charity, what kin are you to me?
What countryman? what name? what parentage?
Vio. Of Messaline: Sebastian was my father;

Such a Sebastian was my brother too,

So went he suited to his watery tomb:

If spirits can assume both form and suit,

You come to fright us.

Seb. A spirit I am, indeed;

But amin that dimension grossly clad,
Which from the womb I did participate.
Were you a woman, as the rest goes even,
I should my tears let fall upon your cheek,
And say: Thrice welcome, drowned Viola!
Vio. My father had a mole upon his brow.
Seb. And so had mine.

Vio. And died that day, when Viola from her birth Had number'd thirteen years.

Seb. O, that record is lively in my soul!

He finished, indeed, his mortal act
That day, that made my sister thirteen years.
Vio. If nothing lets to make us happy both,

But this my masculine usurp'd attire,
Do not embrace me, till each circumstance

Of place, time, fortune, do cohere, and jump,
That I am Viola: which to confirm,

I'll bring you to a captain in this town,

Where lie my maiden weeds; by whose gentle help
I was preserv'd, to serve this noble count:
All the occurrence of my fortune since
Hath been between this lady, and this lord.

Seb. So comes it, lady, you have been mistook :

But nature to her bias drew in that.

You would have been contracted to a maid;

[To Olivia.

Clo. So I do, madonna; but to read his right wits, is to read thus: therefore perpend, my princess, and give ear!

Oli. Read it you, sirrah! [To Fabian. Fab. [reads.] By the Lord, madam, you wrong me, and the world shall know it: though you have put me into darkness, and given your drunken cousin rule over me, yet have I the benefit of my senses as well, as your ladyship. I have your own letter that induced me to the semblance I put on; with the which I doubt not but to do myself much right, or you much shame. Think of me as you please. I leave my duty a little unthought of, and speak out of my injury. The madly-used MALVOLIO.

Oli. Did he write this? Clo. Ay, madam.

Duke. This savours not much of distraction. Oli. See him delivered, Fabian; bring him hither! [Exit Fabian.

My lord, so please you, these things further thought on, To think me as well a sister as a wife,

One day shall crown the alliance on't, so please you, Here at my house, and at my proper cost.

Duke. Madam, I am most apt to embrace your offer.Your master quits you, [To Viola.] and, for your

service done him,

So much against the mettle of your sex,

So far beneath your soft and tender breeding, And since you call'd me master for so long, Here is my hand; you shall from this time be Your master's mistress.

Oli. A sister?-you are she.

Re-enter FABIAN, with MALVOLIO.

Duke. Is this the madman?
Oli. Ay, my lord, the same:-

How now, Malvolio?

Nor are you therein, by my life, deceiv'd,

Mal. Madam, you have done me wrong,

You are betroth'd both to a maid and man.

Notorious wrong.

Duke. Be not amaz'd; right noble is his blood.

Oli. Have I, Malvolio? no.

If this be so, as yet the glass seems true,

Mal. Lady, you have. Pray you, peruse that letter:

I shall have share in this most happy wreck:

You must not now deny it is your hand,

Oli. Alas, Malvolio, this is not my writing, Though, I confess, much like the character: But, out of question, 'tis Maria's hand.

Is now in durance; at Malvolio's suit,

A gentleman, and follower of my lady's.

And yet, alas, now I remember me,

They say, poor gentleman, he's much distract.

Re-enter Clown with a letter.

A most extracting frenzy of mine own

From my remembrance clearly banish'd his.-
How does he, sirrah?

Clo. Truly, madam, he holds Belzebub at the stave's end, as well as a man in his case may do: he has here writa letter to you, I should have given it you to-day morning; butasa madman's epistles are no gos gospels, so it skills not much, when they are delivered.

Oli. Openit, and read it!

And now I do bethink me, it was she

First told me, thou wast mad; then cam'st in smiling,
And in such forms which here were presuppos'd
Upon thee in the letter. Pr'ythee, be content!
This pratice hath most shrewdly pass'd upon thee;
But, when we know the grounds and authors of it,
Thou shalt be both the plaintiff and the judge
Of thine own cause.

grounds

Fab. Good madam, hear me speak,

Oli. Hownow! art thou mad?

Clo. No, madam, I do but read madness: an your ladyship will have it as it ought to be, you must allow vox.

Oli. Pr'ythee, readi'thy right wits!

Taint the condition of this present hour,
Which I have wonder'd at. In hope, it shall not,
Most freely I confess, myself, and Toby,
Set this device against Malvolio here,

Upon some stubboru and uncourteous parts,
We had conceiv'd against him: Maria writ

The letter, at Sir Toby's great importance;
In recompense whereof he hath married her.
How with a sportful malice it was follow'd,
May rather pluck on laughter, than revenge;
If that the injuries be justly weigh'd,
That have on both sides past.

Oli. Alas, poor fool! how have they baffled thee!
Clo. Why, some are born great, some achieve great-
ness, and some have greatness thrown upon them.
I was one, sir, in this interlude; one sir Topas, sir; but
that's all one: By the Lord, fool, I am not mad;
But do you remember? Madam, why laugh you at
such abarren rascal? an you smile not, he's gagg'd:
And thus the whirligig of time brings in his revenges.
Mal. I'll be revenged on the whole pack of you. [Exit.
Oli. Hehath been most notoriously abus'd.
Duke. Pursue him, and entreat him to a peace!-
He hath not told us of the captain yet;
When that is known, and golden time convents,
A solemn combination shall be made
Of our dear souls. - Mean time, sweet sister,
We will not part from hence. --Cesario, come!
For so you shall be, while you are a man;
But, when in other habits you are seen,
Orsino's mistress, and his fancy's queen.

[Exeunt.

SONG.

Clo. When that I was and a tiny little boy,
With hey, ho, the wind and therain,
A foolish thing was but a toy;
For the rain it raineth every day.

But when I came to man's estate,
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain,
'Gainst knave and thief men shut their gate,
For the rain itrainethevery day.

But when I came, alas! to wive,
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain,
By swaggering could I never thrive,
For the rain it raineth every day.

But when I came unto my bed,
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain,
With toss-pots still had drunken head,
For the rain it raineth every day.
A great while ago the world begun,
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain,
But that's allone, our play is done,
And we'll strive to please you every day.

[Exit.

ANGELO, lord deputy in the duke's absence..

deputation.

CLAUDIO, a young gentleman.

VINCENTIO, duke of Vienna.

ELBOW, a simple constable. FROTH, a foolish gentleman.

ABHORSON, an executioner.

BERNARDINE, a dissolute prisoner.

ISABELLA, sister to Claudio.

Lucio, a fantastic.

Two other like gentlemen.

VARRIUS, a gentleman, servant to the duke.

Lords, Gentlemen, Guards, Officers, and other At

tendants.

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 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.

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,

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

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 impórtune,
How it goes with us; and do look to know
What doth befal 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, haveto do
With any scruple: your scope is as mine own:
So to enforce, or qualify the laws,

2 Gent. I never heard any soldier dislike it. Lucio. I believe thee; for, I think, thou never wast

where grace was said.

2 Gent. No? a dozen times at least.

1 Gent. What? in metre?

Lucio. In any proportion, or in any language.

1 Gent. I think, or in any religion.

Lucio. Ay! why not? Grace is grace, despite of all controversy: as for example, thou thyself art a wicked villain, despite of all grace.

1 Gent. Well, there went but a pair of sheers 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-pil'd piece, I warrant thee: I had as lief be a list of an English kersey, as be pil'd, as thou art pil'd, 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.

1 Gent. I think, I have done myself wrong; have I not? 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 ?

1 Gent. 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 hollow; impicty has made a feast of thee.

Enter Bawd.

1 Gent. How now? Which of your hips has the most profound sciatica?

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

Their loud applause, and aves vehement; Nor do I think the man of safe discretion,

That does affectit. Once more, fare you
Ang. The heavens give safety to your purposes!
Escal. Lead forth, and bring you back in happiness!
Duke. I thank you: fare you well.

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:

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

Bawd. Marry, sir, that's Claudio, signior Claudio. 1 Gent. Claudio to prison! 'tis not so. Bawd. Nay, but I know, 'tis so! I saw him arrested; saw him carried away; and, which is more, within these three days his head's to be chopped off.

I am not yet instructed.

Bawd. Well, well; there's one yonder arrested, and carried to prison, was worth five thousand of you all. 1 Gent. Who's that, I pray thee?

Ang. "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.

SCENE II. - A street.

Enter LUCIO and two 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.

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

2 Gent. Amen.

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?
C'lo. Groping for trouts in a peculiar river.

Bawd. What, is there a maid with child by him?

Fri. It rested in your grace

To unloose this tied-up justice, when you pleas'd:
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 impos'd the office;

Who may, in the ambush of my name, strike home,
And yet my nature never in the sight,
To do it slander: and to behold his sway,
I will, as 'twere a brother of your order,

Visit both prince and people; therefore, Ipr'ythee,

Supply me with the habit, and instruct me,

How I may formally in person bear me,

Like a true friar! More reasons for this action,

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; as school-maids change their

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;
Boremany gentlemen, myself being one,
In bad, a duope of action: but we do learn
By those tha 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 scow-broth; one who never feels
The wanton stings and motions of the sense;
But doth rebate and blunt his natural edge
With profits of the mind, study and fast.
He (to give fear to use and liberty,
Which have, forlong, run by the hideous law,
Asmice by licus,) 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 himazezample: 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. Doth he so seek his life?

Lucio. H'as censur'd 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,

names,

I'll send him certain word of my success.

Isab. Good sir, adieu!

[Exeunt.

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.