_Pom._ A woman.

_Mrs Ov._ But what's his offence? 85

_Pom._ Groping for trouts in a peculiar river.

_Mrs Ov._ What, is there a maid with child by him?

_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? 90

_Pom._ 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. 95

_Mrs Ov._ But shall all our houses of resort in the suburbs be pulled down?

_Pom._ To the ground, mistress.

_Mrs Ov._ Why, here's a change indeed in the commonwealth!

What shall become of me? 100

_Pom._ 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. 105

_Mrs Ov._ What's to do here, Thomas tapster? let's withdraw.

_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? 110 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 demiG.o.d Authority Make us pay down for our offence by weight 115 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?

_Claud._ From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty: As surfeit is the father of much fast, 120 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 125 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? 130

_Claud._ No.

_Lucio._ Lechery?

_Claud._ Call it so.

_Prov._ Away, sir! you must go.

_Claud._ One word, good friend. Lucio, a word with you. 135

_Lucio._ A hundred, if they'll 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, 140 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 145 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,-- 150 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; 155 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.

_Lucio._ I warrant it is: and thy head stands so tickle 165 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 170 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 a.s.say him: I have great hope in that; for in her youth 175 There is a p.r.o.ne 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 180 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. 185

_Lucio._ Within two hours.

_Claud._ Come, officer, away!

[_Exeunt._

NOTES: I, 2.

SCENE II.] SCENE III. Pope.

12: First Gent. _Why, 'twas_] 1. Gent. _Why? 'twas_ Ff.

First Gent. _Why?_ Luc. _'Twas_ Singer.

15: _before_] _after_ Hanmer. See note (II).

_do_] _doth_ Hanmer. _does_ Warburton.

22-26: Lucio. _In any proportion ... language._ First Gent. _I think ... religion._ Lucio. _Ay, why not?... all grace._] Lucio. _Not in any profession ... language, I ... religion._ 2. Gent. _And why not?... controversy._ Lucio. _As for ... all grace._ Hanmer.

See note (III).

29: _lists_] _list_ Anon. conj.