Measure for Measure: Act II, Scene iv; First Folio
Measure for Measure. Act 2, Scene 4. Angelo
(This text is featured in our interview with Terry Knickerbocker)
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1168 Who will beleeue thee Isabell?
1169 My vnsoild name, th’ austeerenesse of my life,
1170 My vouch against you, and my place i’th State,
1171 Will so your accusation ouer-weigh,
1172 That you shall stifle in your owne reporr,
1173 And smell of calumnie. I haue begun,
1174 And now I giue my sensuall race, the reine,
1175 Fit thy consent to my sharpe appetite,
1176 Lay by all nicetie, and prolixious blushes
1177 That banish what they sue for: Redeeme thy brother,
1178 By yeelding vp thy bodie to my will,
1179 Or else he must not onelie die the death,
1180 But thy vnkindnesse shall his death draw out
1181 To lingring sufferance: Answer me to morrow,
1182 Or by the affection that now guides me most,
1183 Ile proue a Tirant to him. As for you,
1184 Say what you can; my false, ore-weighs your true.