Sunday, November 09, 2008

Measure for Measure - Act 2 Scene 2

ISABELLA 

    'Save your honour! 

    Exeunt ISABELLA, LUCIO, and Provost 

ANGELO 

    From thee, even from thy virtue! 
    What's this, what's this? Is this her fault or mine? 
    The tempter or the tempted, who sins most? 
    Ha! 
    Not she: nor doth she tempt: but it is I 
    That, lying by the violet in the sun, 
    Do as the carrion does, not as the flower, 
    Corrupt with virtuous season. Can it be 
    That modesty may more betray our sense 
    Than woman's lightness? Having waste ground enough, 
    Shall we desire to raze the sanctuary 
    And pitch our evils there? O, fie, fie, fie! 
    What dost thou, or what art thou, Angelo? 
    Dost thou desire her foully for those things 
    That make her good? O, let her brother live! 
    Thieves for their robbery have authority 
    When judges steal themselves. What, do I love her, 
    That I desire to hear her speak again, 
    And feast upon her eyes? What is't I dream on? 
    O cunning enemy, that, to catch a saint, 
    With saints dost bait thy hook! Most dangerous 
    Is that temptation that doth goad us on 
    To sin in loving virtue: never could the strumpet, 
    With all her double vigour, art and nature, 
    Once stir my temper; but this virtuous maid 
    Subdues me quite. Even till now, 
    When men were fond, I smiled and wonder'd how. 


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