You have not heard of the proclamation, have you? MISTRESS OVERDONE What proclamation, man? POMPEY All houses in the suburbs of Vienna must be plucked down. MISTRESS OVERDONE And what shall become of those in the city? POMPEY They shall stand for seed: they had gone down too, but that a wise burgher put in for them. MISTRESS OVERDONE But shall all our houses of resort in the suburbs be pulled down? POMPEY To the ground, mistress. MISTRESS OVERDONE Why, here's a change indeed in the commonwealth!
What shall become of me? POMPEY Come; fear you not: 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. MISTRESS OVERDONE What's to do here, Thomas tapster? let's withdraw. POMPEY Here comes Signior Claudio, led by the provost to prison; and there's Madam Juliet.
Exeunt Enter Provost, CLAUDIO, JULIET, and Officers CLAUDIO Fellow, why dost thou show me thus to the world?
Bear me to prison, where I am committed. Provost I do it not in evil disposition, But from Lord Angelo by special charge. CLAUDIO Thus can the demigod 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.
Re-enter LUCIO and two Gentlemen LUCIO Why, how now, Claudio! whence comes this restraint? CLAUDIO 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 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? CLAUDIO What but to speak of would offend again. LUCIO What, is't murder? CLAUDIO No. LUCIO Lechery? CLAUDIO Call it so. Provost Away, sir! you must go. CLAUDIO 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? CLAUDIO 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, 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? CLAUDIO 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 emmence 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. 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. CLAUDIO 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 move 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. CLAUDIO I thank you, good friend Lucio. LUCIO Within two hours. CLAUDIO Come, officer, away!
