Measure for Measure: ACT IV , SCENE IV. A room in ANGELO's house.

Measure for Measure: ACT IV


	Introduction

	ACT I

	ACT II

	ACT III

	ACT IV

		SCENE I. The moated grange at ST. LUKE's.

		SCENE II. A room in the prison.

		SCENE III. Another room in the same.

		SCENE IV. A room in ANGELO's house.

		SCENE V. Fields without the town.

		SCENE VI. Street near the city gate.

	ACT V

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SCENE IV. A room in ANGELO's house.

Enter ANGELO and ESCALUS

ESCALUS

Every letter he hath writ hath disvouched other.

ANGELO

      In most uneven and distracted manner. His actions
      show much like to madness: pray heaven his wisdom be
      not tainted! And why meet him at the gates, and
5     redeliver our authorities there

ESCALUS

I guess not.

ANGELO

      And why should we proclaim it in an hour before his
      entering, that if any crave redress of injustice,
      they should exhibit their petitions in the street?

ESCALUS

10    He shows his reason for that: to have a dispatch of
      complaints, and to deliver us from devices
      hereafter, which shall then have no power to stand
      against us.

ANGELO

      Well, I beseech you, let it be proclaimed betimes
15    i' the morn; I'll call you at your house: give
      notice to such men of sort and suit as are to meet
      him.

ESCALUS

I shall, sir. Fare you well.

ANGELO

Good night.

Exit ESCALUS

20    This deed unshapes me quite, makes me unpregnant
      And dull to all proceedings. A deflower'd maid!
      And by an eminent body that enforced
      The law against it! But that her tender shame
      Will not proclaim against her maiden loss,
25    How might she tongue me! Yet reason dares her no;
      For my authority bears of a credent bulk,
      That no particular scandal once can touch
      But it confounds the breather. He should have lived,
      Save that riotous youth, with dangerous sense,
30    Might in the times to come have ta'en revenge,
      By so receiving a dishonour'd life
      With ransom of such shame. Would yet he had lived!
      A lack, when once our grace we have forgot,
      Nothing goes right: we would, and we would not.

Exit

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