MEASURE FOR MEASURE. The outline of this Play is taken from a novel of Cinthio, the Italian novelist and cragic author, to whom Shakspeare was likewise indebted for the story of Othello. Measure for Measure, presents us with one of the most perfect of our author's female characters in the person of Isabella. Dr. Blake says, of this beautiful creation, that "Piety, spotless purity, tenderness combined with firmness, and an eloquence the most persuasive, unite to render her singularly interesting and attractive." Of the general excellence of this Drama, Mr. Verplanck justly remarks, that "there is no composition, of the same length, in the language, which has left more of its expressive phrases, its moral aphor isms, its brief sentences, crowded with meaning, fixed on the general memory, and embodied by daily use in every form of popular eloquence, argument, and literature." Our extracts, though necessarily brief, will be found to embody the principal striking beauties of this truly impressive composition. PERSONS REPRESENTED. VICENTIO, Duke of Vienna. ANGELO, lord deputy in the Duke's absence. ESCALUS, an ancient lord, joined with Angelo in the deputation. CLAUDIO, a young gentleman. LUCIO, a fantastic. Two other like gentlemen. VARRIUS, a gentleman, servant to the Duke. Provost. Lords, Gentlemen, Guards, Officers, and other Attendants. SCENE. VIENNA. The Duke of Vienna, determines to examine in person, the condition of his people. To do this effectually he purposes to resign, for a period, his government into the keeping of Lord Angelo, and Escalus, and in disguise to mix with his subjects and learn their actual condition, and ascertain whether the laws are faithfully administered. ACT 1. SCENE I.-An Apartment in the Duke's Palace. Duke. Escalus, Escal. My lord. Duke. Of government the properties to unfold, My strength can give you: Then no more remains For common justice, you are as pregnant in, That we remember: There is our commission, From which we would not have you warp. Ca.. hither, I say, bid come before us Angelo. What figure of us think you he will bear ? For you must know, we have with special soul Lent him our terror, drest him with our love ; Escal. If any in Vienna be of worth Duke. Enter ANGELO. Look, where he comes. Ang. Always obedient to your grace's will, I come to know your pleasure. Duke. Angelo, There is a kind of character in thy life, [Exit an Attendant As if we had them not. Spirits are not finely touch'd. But to fine issues: nor nature never lends Both thanks and use. But I do bend my speech Hold therefore, Angelo; In our remove, be thou at full ourself:- Live in thy tongue and heart: Escalus, Ang. Now, good my lord, Let there be some more test made of my metal, Be stamp'd upon it. Duke. No more evasion: We have with a leaven'd and prepared choice Ang. Yet, give leave, my lord, That we may bring you something on the way. Duke. My haste may not admit it; With any scruple: your scope is as mine own: As to your soul seems good. Give me your hand; But do not like to stage me to their eyes: Ang. The heavens give safety to your purposes! Escal. I shall desire you, sir, to give me leave A power I have; but of what strength and nature Ang. "Tis so with me:--Let us withdraw together And we may soon our satisfaction have Touching that point. I'll wait upon your honor. [Exeunt. The Duke proceeds to a Monastery in the city, and assumes the disguise of a Friar SCENE. A Monastery. Enter Duke, and Friar THOMAS. Duke. No; holy father; throw away that thought; Believe not that the dribbling dart of love Can pierce a complete bosom: why I desire thee Of burning youth. Fri. May your grace speak of it? Duke. My holy sir, none better knows than you (A man of stricture, and firın abstinence,) Fri. Gladly, my lord. Duke. We have strict statutes, and most biting laws, Fri. It rested on your grace To unloose this tied-up justice, when you pleas'd: Than in Lord Angelo. Duke. I do fear, too dreadful: Sith 'twas my fault to give the people scope, When evil deeds have their permissive pass, Who may, in the ambush of my name, strike home, Like a true friar. More reasons for this action, Exeunt ACT II. Angelo assumes the government, with rigid severity; he calls into enactment, old laws, long disused, and makes offenders pay the utmost penalty for their ansgressions. Claudio, a profligate young gentleman, is condemnod to death, under one of these revived laws. He prevails on his sister Isabella, a young novice, to leave the cloister, and go in person to Angelo, and endeavor to obtain a pardon from the Lord Deputy. SCENE.-A hall in Angelo's House. Enter ANGELO, and ESCALUS. Ang. We must not make a scare-crow of the law, Setting it up to fear the birds of prey, And let it keep one shape, till custom make it Their perch, and not their terror. Escal. Ay, but yet Let us be keen, and rather cut a little, Let but your honor know, (Whom I believe to be most strait in virtue,) Ang. 'Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus, |