Previous
Act 3, Scene 2
Measure for Measure Translation Act 4, Scene 1
Enter MARIANA and a Boy
BOY
Take, O, take those lips away, That so sweetly were forsworn; And those eyes, the break of day, Lights that do mislead the morn: But my kisses bring again, bring again; Seals of love, but sealed in vain, sealed in vain.
BOY
[Singing]
Take, oh, take those lips away
That so sweetly promised you'd be faithful to me;
And those eyes that, like the dawn,
Make you think that morning has come.
But kiss me again and again,
To prove your love, though it's all fake, all fake.
Enter DUKE VINCENTIO disguised as before
MARIANA
Break off thy song, and haste thee quick away: Here comes a man of comfort, whose advice Hath often still'd my brawling discontent.
MARIANA
End your song there and go away now. Here comes a religious man whose advice always makes me feel better when I'm upset.
Ask LitCharts AI:
The answer to your questions
Get instant explanations to your questions about anything we cover.
Powered by LitCharts content and AI.
Learn More
Powered by LitCharts content and AI.
Ask LitCharts AI:
The answer to your questions
Ask LitCharts AI:
The answer to your questions
Learn More
Exit Boy.
MARIANA
I cry you mercy, sir; and well could wish You had not found me here so musical: Let me excuse me, and believe me so, My mirth it much displeased, but pleased my woe.
MARIANA
Forgive me, sir. I wish you hadn't found me listening to music. Let me excuse myself, and please believe me: it didn't make me happy, it just made me sadder.
DUKE VINCENTIO
'Tis good; though music oft hath such a charm To make bad good, and good provoke to harm. I pray, you, tell me, hath any body inquired for me here to-day? much upon this time have I promised here to meet.
DUKE VINCENTIO
That's all right, although music often has the power to turn bad into good, and good into bad. Please tell me, has anyone asked for me here today? I promised to meet someone here at this time.
MARIANA
You have not been inquired after:I have sat here all day.
MARIANA
No one has asked for you. I've sat here all day.
Enter ISABELLA
DUKE VINCENTIO
I do constantly believe you. The time is come evennow. I shall crave your forbearance a little: maybe I will call upon you anon, for some advantage to yourself.
DUKE VINCENTIO
Of course, I believe you. It's just coming to be the time now. Please wait here for a minute—I'll come back to you shortly with some news that will help you.
MARIANA
I am always bound to you.
MARIANA
I will always follow your instructions.
Exit
DUKE VINCENTIO
Very well met, and well come.What is the news from this good deputy?
DUKE VINCENTIO
Good to see you. And you're welcome here. What's the news from the good deputy?
ISABELLA
He hath a garden circummured with brick, Whose western side is with a vineyard back'd; And to that vineyard is a planched gate, That makes his opening with this bigger key: This other doth command a little door Which from the vineyard to the garden leads; There have I made my promise Upon the heavy middle of the night To call upon him.
ISABELLA
[Showing him a ring of keys] He has a garden with a brick wall around it; the western side backs up onto a vineyard. To enter the vineyard, there's a gate that can be opened with this bigger key. This other one opens a little door between the vineyard and the garden. I promised to meet him there in the middle of the night.
DUKE VINCENTIO
But shall you on your knowledge find this way?
DUKE VINCENTIO
But do you know how to get there?
ISABELLA
I have ta'en a due and wary note upon't: With whispering and most guilty diligence, In action all of precept, he did show me The way twice o'er.
ISABELLA
I was careful to remember it. He showed me the way twice, whispering and looking guilty about everything he did.
DUKE VINCENTIO
Are there no other tokensBetween you 'greed concerning her observance?
DUKE VINCENTIO
And you didn't agree on any other details for the meeting?
ISABELLA
No, none, but only a repair i' the dark; And that I have possess'd him my most stay Can be but brief; for I have made him know I have a servant comes with me along, That stays upon me, whose persuasion is I come about my brother.
ISABELLA
No, none, just that we'll meet in the dark and that I can only stay for a little while. I told him that my servant will come with me and wait for me, thinking I'm visiting my brother.
DUKE VINCENTIO
'Tis well borne up.I have not yet made known to MarianaA word of this. What, ho! within! come forth!
DUKE VINCENTIO
That's well done. I haven't told Mariana about this yet.
[To MARIANA] Hello there! You in there, come out!
Re-enter MARIANA
I pray you, be acquainted with this maid;She comes to do you good.
Please be introduced. Here's a girl who's come to help you.
ISABELLA
I do desire the like.
ISABELLA
That's what I hope.
DUKE VINCENTIO
Do you persuade yourself that I respect you?
DUKE VINCENTIO
You know that I respect you, right?
MARIANA
Good friar, I know you do, and have found it.
MARIANA
Good friar, I know you do; I've found you to be respectful.
DUKE VINCENTIO
Take, then, this your companion by the hand, Who hath a story ready for your ear. I shall attend your leisure: but make haste; The vaporous night approaches.
DUKE VINCENTIO
Take this girl's hand, then, and listen to the story she has to tell you. I'll wait for you. But hurry—it's nearly nightfall.
MARIANA
Will't please you walk aside?
MARIANA
Will you come walk with me alone?
Exeunt MARIANA and ISABELLA
DUKE VINCENTIO
O place and greatness! millions of false eyes Are stuck upon thee: volumes of report Run with these false and most contrarious quests Upon thy doings: thousand escapes of wit Make thee the father of their idle dreams And rack thee in their fancies.
DUKE VINCENTIO
Oh, rank! Oh, power! Millions of eyes are on you at all times. The history books are full of misleading, misguided attempts to secure you. You always seem to remain out of reach, which is why you continue to fill people's dreams and take up all their waking thoughts.
Re-enter MARIANA and ISABELLA
DUKE VINCENTIO
Welcome, how agreed?
DUKE VINCENTIO
Welcome back. Have you both agreed?
ISABELLA
She'll take the enterprise upon her, father,If you advise it.
ISABELLA
Father, she'll do it, if you tell her to.
DUKE VINCENTIO
It is not my consent,But my entreaty too.
DUKE VINCENTIO
I don't just agree to it, I'm asking her to do it, too.
ISABELLA
Little have you to sayWhen you depart from him, but, soft and low,"Remember now my brother."
ISABELLA
You don't have to say anything when you leave him, except whisper, "Remember my brother, now."
MARIANA
Fear me not.
MARIANA
Don't worry.
DUKE VINCENTIO
Nor, gentle daughter, fear you not at all. He is your husband on a pre-contract: To bring you thus together, 'tis no sin, Sith that the justice of your title to him Doth flourish the deceit. Come, let us go: Our corn's to reap, for yet our tithe's to sow.
DUKE VINCENTIO
And you, my daughter, don't you worry at all. He's your husband by engagement. It's not sinful for you to have sex with him. The fact that you're legally bound to him as a wife makes the trick the opposite of dishonest. Come on, let's go. It's time to put our plan into action.
Exeunt
