MEASURE FOR MEASURE
by William Shakespeare
Contents
Dramatis Personæ
Vincentio, DUKE of Vienna
ESCALUS, an ancient Lord
PROVOST
ELBOW, a simple constable
ABHORSON, an executioner
A JUSTICE
VARRIUS, a Gentleman, Servant to the Duke
ANGELO, Deputy to the Duke
MARIANA, betrothed to Angelo
BOY, singer
SERVANT, to Angelo
MESSENGER, from Angelo
ISABELLA, Sister to Claudio
FRANCISCA, a nun
CLAUDIO, a young Gentleman
JULIET, betrothed to Claudio
LUCIO, a fantastic
Two GENTLEMEN
FRIAR THOMAS
FRIAR PETER
Mistress Overdone, a BAWD
POMPEY, Servant to Mistress Overdone
FROTH, a foolish gentleman
BARNARDINE, a dissolute prisoner
Lords, Officers, Servants, Citizens and Attendants
SCENE: Vienna
ACT I
SCENE I. An apartment in the Duke’s palace.
Enter Duke, Escalus, Lords and Attendants.
DUKE.
Escalus.
ESCALUS.
My lord.
DUKE.
Of government the properties to unfold
Would seem in me t’ 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,