# Result number

Work The work is either a play, poem, or sonnet. The sonnets are treated as single work with 154 parts.

Character Indicates who said the line. If it's a play or sonnet, the character name is "Poet."

Line Shows where the line falls within the work.

The numbering is not keyed to any copyrighted numbering system found in a volume of collected works (Arden, Oxford, etc.) The numbering starts at the beginning of the work, and does not restart for each scene.

Text The line's full text, with keywords highlighted within it, unless highlighting has been disabled by the user.

1

Measure for Measure
[I, 3]

(stage directions)

289

[Enter DUKE VINCENTIO and FRIAR THOMAS]

2

Measure for Measure
[I, 3]

Vincentio

326

I do fear, too dreadful:
Sith 'twas my fault to give the people scope,
'Twould be my tyranny to strike and gall them
For what I bid them do: for we bid this be done,
When evil deeds have their permissive pass
And not the punishment. Therefore indeed, my father,
I have on Angelo imposed the office;
Who may, in the ambush of my name, strike home,
And yet my nature never in the fight
To do in slander. And to behold his sway,
I will, as 'twere a brother of your order,
Visit both prince and people: therefore, I prithee,
Supply me with the habit and instruct me
How I may formally in person bear me
Like a true friar. More reasons for this action
At our more leisure shall I render you;
Only, this one: Lord Angelo is precise;
Stands at a guard with envy; scarce confesses
That his blood flows, or that his appetite
Is more to bread than stone: hence shall we see,
If power change purpose, what our seemers be.

3

Measure for Measure
[II, 3]

(stage directions)

963

[Enter, severally, DUKE VINCENTIO disguised as a]
friar, and Provost]

4

Measure for Measure
[II, 3]

Provost

966

I am the provost. What's your will, good friar?

5

Measure for Measure
[III, 2]

Elbow

1523

Come your way, sir. 'Bless you, good father friar.

6

Measure for Measure
[III, 2]

Lucio

1585

No, indeed, will I not, Pompey; it is not the wear.
I will pray, Pompey, to increase your bondage: If
you take it not patiently, why, your mettle is the
more. Adieu, trusty Pompey. 'Bless you, friar.

7

Measure for Measure
[III, 2]

Lucio

1593

Then, Pompey, nor now. What news abroad, friar?
what news?

8

Measure for Measure
[III, 2]

Lucio

1596

Go to kennel, Pompey; go.
[Exeunt ELBOW, POMPEY and Officers]
What news, friar, of the duke?

9

Measure for Measure
[III, 2]

Lucio

1608

A little more lenity to lechery would do no harm in
him: something too crabbed that way, friar.

10

Measure for Measure
[III, 2]

Lucio

1611

Yes, in good sooth, the vice is of a great kindred;
it is well allied: but it is impossible to extirp
it quite, friar, till eating and drinking be put
down. They say this Angelo was not made by man and
woman after this downright way of creation: is it
true, think you?

11

Measure for Measure
[III, 2]

Lucio

1675

I'll be hanged first: thou art deceived in me,
friar. But no more of this. Canst thou tell if
Claudio die to-morrow or no?

12

Measure for Measure
[III, 2]

Lucio

1679

Why? For filling a bottle with a tundish. I would
the duke we talk of were returned again: the
ungenitured agent will unpeople the province with
continency; sparrows must not build in his
house-eaves, because they are lecherous. The duke
yet would have dark deeds darkly answered; he would
never bring them to light: would he were returned!
Marry, this Claudio is condemned for untrussing.
Farewell, good friar: I prithee, pray for me. The
duke, I say to thee again, would eat mutton on
Fridays. He's not past it yet, and I say to thee,
he would mouth with a beggar, though she smelt brown
bread and garlic: say that I said so. Farewell.

13

Measure for Measure
[III, 2]

Provost

1721

So please you, this friar hath been with him, and
advised him for the entertainment of death.

14

Measure for Measure
[IV, 1]

Mariana

1855

Good friar, I know you do, and have found it.

15

Measure for Measure
[IV, 3]

Barnardine

2168

Friar, not I. I have been drinking hard all night,
and I will have more time to prepare me, or they
shall beat out my brains with billets: I will not
consent to die this day, that's certain.

16

Measure for Measure
[IV, 3]

Vincentio

2265

This letter, then, to Friar Peter give;
'Tis that he sent me of the duke's return:
Say, by this token, I desire his company
At Mariana's house to-night. Her cause and yours
I'll perfect him withal, and he shall bring you
Before the duke, and to the head of Angelo
Accuse him home and home. For my poor self,
I am combined by a sacred vow
And shall be absent. Wend you with this letter:
Command these fretting waters from your eyes
With a light heart; trust not my holy order,
If I pervert your course. Who's here?

17

Measure for Measure
[IV, 3]

Lucio

2278

Good even. Friar, where's the provost?

18

Measure for Measure
[IV, 3]

Lucio

2291

Friar, thou knowest not the duke so well as I do:
he's a better woodman than thou takest him for.

19

Measure for Measure
[IV, 3]

Lucio

2303

By my troth, I'll go with thee to the lane's end:
if bawdy talk offend you, we'll have very little of
it. Nay, friar, I am a kind of burr; I shall stick.

20

Measure for Measure
[IV, 5]

(stage directions)

2344

[Enter DUKE VINCENTIO in his own habit, and FRIAR PETER]