Claudio's lines in Measure for Measure

Claudio. Fellow, why dost thou show me thus to the world? Bear me to prison, where I am committed.

Claudio. Thus can the demigod Authority Make us pay down for our offence by weight The words of heaven; on whom it will, it will; On whom it will not, so; yet still 'tis just.

Claudio. From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty: As surfeit is the father of much fast, So every scope by the immoderate use Turns to restraint. Our natures do pursue, Like rats that ravin down their proper bane, A thirsty evil; and when we drink we die.

Claudio. What but to speak of would offend again.

Claudio. No.

Claudio. Call it so.

Claudio. One word, good friend. Lucio, a word with you.

Claudio. Thus stands it with me: upon a true contract I got possession of Julietta's bed: You know the lady; she is fast my wife, Save that we do the denunciation lack Of outward order: this we came not to, Only for propagation of a dower Remaining in the coffer of her friends, From whom we thought it meet to hide our love Till time had made them for us.

But it chances The stealth of our most mutual entertainment With character too gross is writ on Juliet.

Claudio. Unhappily, even so.

And the new deputy now for the duke— Whether it be the fault and glimpse of newness, Or whether that the body public be A horse whereon the governor doth ride, Who, newly in the seat, that it may know He can command, lets it straight feel the spur; Whether the tyranny be in his place, Or in his eminence that fills it up, I stagger in:--but this new governor Awakes me all the enrolled penalties Which have, like unscour'd armour, hung by the wall So long that nineteen zodiacs have gone round And none of them been worn; and, for a name, Now puts the drowsy and neglected act Freshly on me: 'tis surely for a name.

Claudio. I thank you, good friend Lucio.

Claudio. Come, officer, away!

Claudio. The miserable have no other medicine But only hope: I've hope to live, and am prepared to die.

Claudio. I humbly thank you. To sue to live, I find I seek to die; And, seeking death, find life: let it come on.

Claudio. Most holy sir, I thank you.

Claudio. Now, sister, what's the comfort?

Claudio. Is there no remedy?

Claudio. But is there any?

Claudio. Perpetual durance?

Claudio. But in what nature?

Claudio. Let me know the point.

Claudio. Why give you me this shame? Think you I can a resolution fetch From flowery tenderness? If I must die, I will encounter darkness as a bride, And hug it in mine arms.

Claudio. The prenzie Angelo!

Claudio. O heavens! it cannot be.

Claudio. Thou shalt not do't.

Claudio. Thanks, dear Isabel.

Claudio. Yes. Has he affections in him, That thus can make him bite the law by the nose, When he would force it? Sure, it is no sin, Or of the deadly seven, it is the least.

Claudio. If it were damnable, he being so wise, Why would he for the momentary trick Be perdurably fined? O Isabel!

Claudio. Death is a fearful thing.

Claudio. Ay, but to die, and go we know not where; To lie in cold obstruction and to rot; This sensible warm motion to become A kneaded clod; and the delighted spirit To bathe in fiery floods, or to reside In thrilling region of thick-ribbed ice; To be imprison'd in the viewless winds, And blown with restless violence round about The pendent world; or to be worse than worst Of those that lawless and incertain thought Imagine howling: 'tis too horrible!

The weariest and most loathed worldly life That age, ache, penury and imprisonment Can lay on nature is a paradise To what we fear of death.

Claudio. Sweet sister, let me live: What sin you do to save a brother's life, Nature dispenses with the deed so far That it becomes a virtue.

Claudio. Nay, hear me, Isabel.

Claudio. O hear me, Isabella!

Claudio. Let me ask my sister pardon. I am so out of love with life that I will sue to be rid of it.

Claudio. As fast lock'd up in sleep as guiltless labour When it lies starkly in the traveller's bones: He will not wake.