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* MEASURE FOR MEASURE.] The ftory is taken from Cinthio's Novels, Decad. 8. Novel 5. POPE.

We are fent to Cinthio for the plot of Meafure for Meafure, and Shakspeare's judgment hath been attacked for fome deviations from him in the conduct of it, when probably all he knew of the matter was from Madam Ifabella, in The Heptameron of Whetflone, Lond. She reports, in the fourth dayes Exercife, the rare Hiftorie of Promos and Caffandra. A marginal note informs us, that Whetstone was the author of the Comedie on that fubje&; which likewife had probably fallen into the hands of Shakspeare.

4to, 1582.

FARMER. There is perhaps not one of Shakspeare's plays more darkened than this by the peculiarities of its author, and the unfkilfulness of its editors, by distortions of phrafe, or negligence of tranfcription. JOHNSON.

Dr. Johnson's remark is fo juft refpecting the corruptions of this play, that I fhall not attempt much reformation in its metre, which is too often rough, redundant, and irregular. Additions and omiffions (however trifling) cannot be made without conftant notice of them; and fuch notices, in the prefent inftance, would fo frequently occur, as to become equally tirefome to the commenfator and the reader.

Shakspeare took the fable of this play from the Promos and Caffandra of George Whetstone, publifhed in 1578. See Theobald's note at the end.

A hint, like a feed, is more or less prolific, according to the qualities of the foil on which it is thrown. This ftory, which in the hands of Whetstone produced little more than barren infipidity, under the culture of Shakspeare became fertile of entertainment. The curious reader will find that the old play of Promos and Caffandra exhibits an almoft complete embryo of Measure for Meafure; yet the hints on which it is formed are fo flight, that it is nearly as impoffible to deie&t them, as it is to point out in the acorn the future ramifications of the oak.

Whetstone opens his play thus:

A& I. Scene i.

Promos, Mayor, Shirife, Sworde bearer: one with a bunche of keyes Phallax, Promos Man.

"You officers which now in Julio staye,

Know you your leadge, the King of Hungarie,
"Sent me to Promos, to joyne with you in fway:
That ftyll we may to Julice have an eye.

Phal.

And now to fhow my rule and power at lardge, "Attentivelie his letters patents heare:

« Phallax, reade out my Soveraines chardge.

As you commaunde I wyll: give heedeful eare.
Phallax readeth the Kinges Letters Pattents, which
must be fayre written in parchment, with fome
great counterfeat zeale.

Pro. Loe, here you fee what is our Soveraignes wyl,

Loe, heare his wifh, that right, not might, beare fwaye: "Loe, heare his care, to weede from good the yll,

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To fcoorge the wights, good lawes that disobay.

Such zeale he beares, unto the common weale,

a (How fo be byds, the ignoraunt to fave)

«As he commaundes, 'the lewde doo rigor feele, &c. &c. &c.

Pro. Both fwoorde and keies, unto my princes ufe,

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I do receyve, and gladlie take my chardge.

"It refteth now, for to reforme abuse,

"We poynt a tyme of councell more at lardge,
"To treate of which, a whyle we wyll depart.
"To worke your wyll, we yeelde a willing hart.

Al. Speake.

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Exeunt. The reader will find the argument of G. Whetstone's Promos and Caffandra, at the end of this play. It is too bulky to be inferted here. See likewife the piece itself among Six old Plays on which Shakspeare founded, &c. published by S. Leacroft, Charingcrofs. STEEVENS.

Measure for Meafure was, I believe, written in 1603. See An Attempt to afcertain the Order of Shakspeare's Plays, Vol. II.

MALONE.

Vincentio, duke of Vienna.

Angelo, lord deputy in the duke's abfence.
Efcalus, an ancient lord, joined with Angelo in
the deputation.
Claudio, a young gentleman.
Lucio, a fantastick.

Two other like gentlemen.

Varrius, * a gentleman, fervant to the duke.

Provoft.
Thomas,
Peter,

A justice.

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Elbow, a fimple conftable.

Froth, a foolish gentleman.

Clown, fervant to Mrs. Over-done.

Abhorfon, an executioner.

Barnardine, a diffolute prifoner.

Ifabella, fifter to Claudio.

Mariana, betrothed to Angelo.

Juliet, beloved by Claudio.

Francifca, a nun.

Miftrefs Over-done, a bawd.

Lords, Gentlemen, Guards, Officers, and other Attendants.

SCENE, Vienna.

* Varrius might be omitted, for he is only once spoken to, and fays nothing. JOHNSON.

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Elb. thou caitif! O thou varlet Othou wicked Hannibal SHAKSPEARE

I respected with her before I was marry'd to her if ever I Measure for Measure

ACT II. SCENE I.

was

respected with her, or she with me, let not your
worship think me the poor dukes officer. –

Angelo's House Escalus, a Justice, Elbow, Froth Clown Officers &c.

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