No Fear Shakespeare: Measure for Measure: Act 1 Scene 2

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Original Text	Modern Text
A Street.	A Street.
Enter LUCIO and two Gentlemen	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.	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 GENTLEMAN Heaven grant us its peace, but not the King of 5 Hungary’s!	FIRST GENTLEMAN Heaven grant us its peace, but not the King of Hungary’s!
SECOND GENTLEMAN Amen.	SECOND GENTLEMAN Amen.
LUCIO Thou concludest like the sanctimonious pirate, that went to sea with the Ten Commandments, but scraped one out of the table.	LUCIO Thou concludest like the sanctimonious pirate, that went to sea with the Ten Commandments, but scraped one out of the table.
SECOND GENTLEMAN 10 ‘Thou shalt not steal’?	SECOND GENTLEMAN ‘Thou shalt not steal’?
LUCIO Ay, that he razed.	LUCIO Ay, that he razed.
FIRST GENTLEMAN 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 15 the thanksgiving before meat, do relish the petition well that prays for peace.	FIRST GENTLEMAN 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.
SECOND GENTLEMAN I never heard any soldier dislike it.	SECOND GENTLEMAN I never heard any soldier dislike it.
LUCIO I believe thee; for I think thou never wast where grace was said.	LUCIO I believe thee; for I think thou never wast where grace was said.
SECOND GENTLEMAN 20 No? a dozen times at least.	SECOND GENTLEMAN No? a dozen times at least.
FIRST GENTLEMAN What, in metre?	FIRST GENTLEMAN What, in metre?
LUCIO In any proportion or in any language.	LUCIO In any proportion or in any language.
FIRST GENTLEMAN I think, or in any religion.	FIRST GENTLEMAN I think, or in any religion.
LUCIO Ay, why not? Grace is grace, despite of all 25 controversy: as, for example, thou thyself art a wicked villain, despite of all grace.	LUCIO Ay, why not? Grace is grace, despite of all controversy: as, for example, thou thyself art a wicked villain, despite of all grace.
FIRST GENTLEMAN Well, there went but a pair of shears between us.	FIRST GENTLEMAN Well, there went but a pair of shears between us.
LUCIO I grant; as there may between the lists and the velvet. Thou art the list.	LUCIO I grant; as there may between the lists and the velvet. Thou art the list.
FIRST GENTLEMAN 30 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?	FIRST GENTLEMAN 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 35 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.	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.
FIRST GENTLEMAN I think I have done myself wrong, have I not?	FIRST GENTLEMAN I think I have done myself wrong, have I not?
SECOND GENTLEMAN 40 Yes, that thou hast, whether thou art tainted or free.	SECOND GENTLEMAN 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—	LUCIO Behold, behold, where Madam Mitigation comes! I have purchased as many diseases under her roof as come to—
SECOND GENTLEMAN To what, I pray?	SECOND GENTLEMAN To what, I pray?
LUCIO Judge.	LUCIO Judge.
SECOND GENTLEMAN To three thousand dolours “dolours”: A pun, meaning both the French word for “sadnesses” and “dollars.” dolours a year.	SECOND GENTLEMAN To three thousand dolours “dolours”: A pun, meaning both the French word for “sadnesses” and “dollars.” dolours a year.
FIRST GENTLEMAN Ay, and more.	FIRST GENTLEMAN Ay, and more.
LUCIO A French crown A pun. A French crown is both a coin and a reference to a bald head, which often resulted from treatment for syphilis (“the French disease”). A French crown more.	LUCIO A French crown A pun. A French crown is both a coin and a reference to a bald head, which often resulted from treatment for syphilis (“the French disease”). A French crown more.
FIRST GENTLEMAN Thou art always figuring diseases in me; but thou art full of error; I am sound.	FIRST GENTLEMAN Thou art always figuring diseases in me; but thou art full of error; I am sound.
LUCIO 50 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.	LUCIO 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	Enter MISTRESS OVERDONE
FIRST GENTLEMAN How now! which of your hips has the most profound sciatica?	FIRST GENTLEMAN How now! which of your hips has the most profound sciatica?
MISTRESS OVERDONE Well, well; there’s one yonder arrested and carried 55 to prison was worth five thousand of you all.	MISTRESS OVERDONE Well, well; there’s one yonder arrested and carried to prison was worth five thousand of you all.
SECOND GENTLEMAN Who’s that, I pray thee?	SECOND GENTLEMAN Who’s that, I pray thee?
MISTRESS OVERDONE Marry, sir, that’s Claudio, Signior Claudio.	MISTRESS OVERDONE Marry, sir, that’s Claudio, Signior Claudio.
FIRST GENTLEMAN Claudio to prison? ’tis not so.	FIRST GENTLEMAN Claudio to prison? ’tis not so.
MISTRESS OVERDONE Nay, but I know ’tis so: I saw him arrested, saw 60 him carried away; and, which is more, within these three days his head to be chopped off.	MISTRESS OVERDONE 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?	LUCIO But, after all this fooling, I would not have it so. Art thou sure of this?
MISTRESS OVERDONE I am too sure of it: and it is for getting Madam 65 Julietta with child.	MISTRESS OVERDONE I am too sure of it: and it is for getting Madam Julietta with child.
LUCIO Believe me, this may be: he promised to meet me two hours since, and he was ever precise in promise-keeping.	LUCIO Believe me, this may be: he promised to meet me two hours since, and he was ever precise in promise-keeping.
SECOND GENTLEMAN Besides, you know, it draws something near to the 70 speech we had to such a purpose.	SECOND GENTLEMAN Besides, you know, it draws something near to the speech we had to such a purpose.
FIRST GENTLEMAN But, most of all, agreeing with the proclamation.	FIRST GENTLEMAN But, most of all, agreeing with the proclamation.
LUCIO Away! let’s go learn the truth of it.	LUCIO Away! let’s go learn the truth of it.
Exeunt LUCIO and Gentlemen	Exeunt LUCIO and Gentlemen
MISTRESS OVERDONE Thus, what with the war, what with the sweat “the sweat” could mean the plague of sweating sickness, or it could refer to “the sweating tub,” a kind of hot tub treatment for STDs. the sweat, what with the gallows and what with poverty, I am 75 custom-shrunk.	MISTRESS OVERDONE Thus, what with the war, what with the sweat “the sweat” could mean the plague of sweating sickness, or it could refer to “the sweating tub,” a kind of hot tub treatment for STDs. the sweat, what with the gallows and what with poverty, I am custom-shrunk.
Enter POMPEY	Enter POMPEY
How now! what’s the news with you?	How now! what’s the news with you?
POMPEY Yonder man is carried to prison.	POMPEY Yonder man is carried to prison.
MISTRESS OVERDONE Well; what has he done?	MISTRESS OVERDONE Well; what has he done?
POMPEY A woman.	POMPEY A woman.
MISTRESS OVERDONE 80 But what’s his offence?	MISTRESS OVERDONE But what’s his offence?
POMPEY Groping for trouts in a peculiar river.	POMPEY Groping for trouts in a peculiar river.
MISTRESS OVERDONE What, is there a maid with child by him?	MISTRESS OVERDONE What, is there a maid with child by him?
POMPEY No, but there’s a woman with maid by him. You have not heard of the proclamation, have you?	POMPEY No, but there’s a woman with maid by him. You have not heard of the proclamation, have you?
MISTRESS OVERDONE 85 What proclamation, man?	MISTRESS OVERDONE What proclamation, man?
POMPEY All houses in the suburbs of Vienna must be plucked down.	POMPEY All houses in the suburbs of Vienna must be plucked down.
MISTRESS OVERDONE And what shall become of those in the city?	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.	POMPEY They shall stand for seed: they had gone down too, but that a wise burgher put in for them.
MISTRESS OVERDONE 90 But shall all our houses of resort in the suburbs be pulled down?	MISTRESS OVERDONE But shall all our houses of resort in the suburbs be pulled down?
POMPEY To the ground, mistress.	POMPEY To the ground, mistress.
MISTRESS OVERDONE Why, here’s a change indeed in the commonwealth! What shall become of me?	MISTRESS OVERDONE Why, here’s a change indeed in the commonwealth! What shall become of me?
POMPEY 95 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 A tapster was a bartender. tapster still. Courage! there will be pity taken on you: you that have worn your eyes almost out in the service, you 100 will be considered.	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 A tapster was a bartender. 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.	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.	POMPEY Here comes Signior Claudio, led by the provost to prison; and there’s Madam Juliet.
Exeunt	Exeunt
Enter Provost, CLAUDIO , JULIET , and Officers	Enter Provost, CLAUDIO , JULIET , and Officers
CLAUDIO Fellow, why dost thou show me thus to the world? 105 Bear me to prison, where I am committed.	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.	PROVOST I do it not in evil disposition, But from Lord Angelo by special charge.
CLAUDIO Thus can the demigod Authority A Biblical reference, specifically Romans 9: “Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.” Thus can the demigod Authority Make us pay down for our offence by weight A Biblical reference, specifically Romans 9: “Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.” Make us pay down for our offence by weight The words of heaven; on whom it will, it will; A Biblical reference, specifically Romans 9: “Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.” The words of heaven; on whom it will, it will; On whom it will not, so A Biblical reference, specifically Romans 9: “Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.” On whom it will not, so; yet still ’tis just.	CLAUDIO Thus can the demigod Authority A Biblical reference, specifically Romans 9: “Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.” Thus can the demigod Authority Make us pay down for our offence by weight A Biblical reference, specifically Romans 9: “Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.” Make us pay down for our offence by weight The words of heaven; on whom it will, it will; A Biblical reference, specifically Romans 9: “Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.” The words of heaven; on whom it will, it will; On whom it will not, so A Biblical reference, specifically Romans 9: “Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.” On whom it will not, so; yet still ’tis just.
Re-enter LUCIO and two Gentlemen	Re-enter LUCIO and two Gentlemen
LUCIO Why, how now, Claudio! Whence comes this restraint?	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, 115 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.	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 I could speak so wisely under an arrest, I would 120 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?	LUCIO If I 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.	CLAUDIO What but to speak of would offend again.
LUCIO 125 What, is’t murder?	LUCIO What, is’t murder?
CLAUDIO No.	CLAUDIO No.
LUCIO Lechery?	LUCIO Lechery?
CLAUDIO Call it so.	CLAUDIO Call it so.
PROVOST Away, sir, you must go.	PROVOST Away, sir, you must go.
CLAUDIO 130 One word, good friend. Lucio, a word with you.	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?	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: 135 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, 140 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.	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?	LUCIO With child, perhaps?
CLAUDIO 145 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, 150 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 155 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 160 Freshly on me: ’tis surely for a name.	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.	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 165 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: 170 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 175 When she will play with reason and discourse, And well she can persuade.	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 180 would be sorry should be thus foolishly lost at a game of tick-tack A board game in which pegs are inserted into holes—so, a game with a sexual connotation. game of tick-tack. I’ll to her.	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 A board game in which pegs are inserted into holes—so, a game with a sexual connotation. game of tick-tack. I’ll to her.
CLAUDIO I thank you, good friend Lucio.	CLAUDIO I thank you, good friend Lucio.
LUCIO Within two hours.	LUCIO Within two hours.
CLAUDIO Come, officer, away!	CLAUDIO Come, officer, away!
Exeunt	Exeunt

Original Text

Modern Text

dolours

dolours

A French crown

A French crown

the sweat

the sweat

tapster

tapster

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

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

game of tick-tack

game of tick-tack

Original Text

Modern Text

dolours

dolours

A French crown

A French crown

the sweat

the sweat

tapster

tapster

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

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

game of tick-tack

game of tick-tack

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