![Cover of Measure for Measure The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [9 vols.]](/covers/23045.jpg)
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Public-domain ebook sourced from Project Gutenberg #23045.
This volume presents William Shakespeare’s comedy Measure for Measure as it appears in the Cambridge edition of 1863, edited by William George Clark and John Glover. The front matter explains the scholarly apparatus: general notes sit at the end of the play, text‑critical notes follow each scene, and line numbers and original line breaks are preserved. The drama opens in the Duke’s palace, where the aging ruler confides his intention to delegate authority to his deputy Angelo, setting the stage for a discussion of law, mercy and the responsibilities of power. The cast list, introduced immediately after the title page, names the principal figures, Vincentio the Duke, Angelo, the aged lord Escalus, the young Claudio, his sister Isabella, and a host of other characters, providing a clear roadmap for the unfolding action.
The language is unmistakably early‑modern English, with its characteristic syntax, rhetorical flourishes and occasional textual variants noted in the scholarly footnotes. Readers who appreciate the richness of Shakespeare’s verse, the interplay of comedy and moral debate, and the historical context of 17th‑century drama will find this edition rewarding. It especially suits students, scholars, and theatre enthusiasts who enjoy a carefully edited text that balances fidelity to the original with helpful annotations.
The opening · free to read
Duke. Angelo, There is a kind of character in thy life, That to th' observer doth thy history Fully unfold. Thyself and thy belongings 30 Are not thine own so proper, as to waste Thyself upon thy virtues, they on thee. Heaven doth with us as we with torches do, Not light them for themselves; for if our virtues Did not go forth of us, 'twere all alike 35 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, 40 Both thanks and use. But I do bend my speech To one that can my part in him advertise; Hold therefore, Angelo:-- In our remove be thou at full ourself; Mortality and mercy in Vienna 45 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 50 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 55 Matters of needful value. We shall write to you, As time and our concernings shall importune, How it goes with us; and do look to know What doth befall you here. So, fare you well: To the hopeful execution do I leave you 60 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, have to do With any scruple; your scope is as mine own, 65 So to enforce or qualify the laws 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 70 Their loud applause and Aves vehement; Nor do I think the man of safe discretion That does affect it. Once more, fare you well.
Ang. The heavens give safety to your purposes!
Escal. Lead forth and bring you back in happiness! 75
Duke. I thank you. Fare you 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 80 I am not yet instructed.
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. [_Exeunt._
NOTES: I, 1.
SCENE I. Lords and Attendants.] Singer. Lords. Ff. and Attendants. Capell. 5: _put_] not Pope. apt Collier MS. 7, 8: _remains, But that_] remains; Put that Rowe. 8, 9: _But that to your sufficiency ..._] But that to your sufficiency you add Due diligency ... Theobald conj. But that to your sufficiency you joyn A will to serve us ... Hanmer. But that to your sufficiency you put A zeal as willing ... Tyrwhitt conj. But that to your sufficiencies your worth is abled Johnson conj. But your sufficiency as worth is able Farmer conj. Your sufficiency ... able Steevens conj. But that your sufficiency be as your worth is stable Becket conj. But state to your sufficiency ... Jackson conj. But thereto your sufficiency ... Singer. But add to your sufficiency your worth Collier MS. But that [tendering his commission] to your sufficiency. And, as your worth is able, let them work Staunton conj. But that to your sufficiency I add Commission ample Spedding conj. See note (I). 11: _city's_] cities Ff. 16: [Exit an Attendant.] Capell. 18: _soul_] roll Warburton. seal Johnson conj. 22: _what_] say, what Pope. 25: SCENE II. Pope. 27: _your pleasure_] F1. your Graces pleasure F2 F3 F4. 28: _life_] look Johnson conj. 28, 29: _character ... history_] history ... character Monck Mason conj. 32: _they_] them Hanmer. 35, 36: _all alike As if we_] all as if We Hanmer. 37: _nor_] om. Pope. 42: _my part in him_] in my part me Hanmer. my part to him Johnson conj. in him, my part Becket conj. 43: _Hold therefore, Angelo:--_] Hold therefore, Angelo: [Giving him his commission] Hanmer. Hold therefore. Angelo, Tyrwhitt conj. Hold therefore, Angelo, our place and power: Grant White. 45: _Mortality_] Morality Pope. 51: _upon it_] upon 't Capell. _No more_] Come, no more Pope. 52: _leaven'd and prepared_] Ff. leven'd and prepar'd Rowe. prepar'd and leaven'd Pope. prepar'd and level'd Warburton. prepar'd unleaven'd Heath conj. 56: _to you_] om. Hanmer. 61: _your commissions_] F1. your commission F2 F3 F4. our commission Pope. 66: _laws_] law Pope. 76: [Exit.] F2. [Exit. (after line 75) F1. 84: _your_] you F2.
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 Gent. Heaven grant us its peace, but not the King of Hungary's! 5
Sec. Gent. Amen.
Lucio. Thou concludest like the sanctimonious pirate, that went to sea with the Ten Commandments, but scraped one out of the table.
First Gent. 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 15 prays for peace.
Sec. Gent. I never heard any soldier dislike it.
Lucio. I believe thee; for I think thou never wast where grace was said.
Sec. Gent. No? a dozen times at least. 20
First Gent. What, in metre?
Lucio. In any proportion or in any language.
First 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 25 villain, despite of all grace.
First Gent. 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. 30
First Gent. 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. I think thou dost; and, indeed, with most painful 35 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 Gent. I think I have done myself wrong, have I not? 40
Sec. 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-- 45
Sec. Gent. To what, I pray?
Lucio. Judge.
Sec. Gent. To three thousand dolours a year.
First Gent. Ay, and more.
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