Mariana Angelo's spurned former betrothed, recruited into the plot that exposes him.
Comedy · Measure for Measure

Mariana's lines in Measure for Measure

24 speeches in 3 scenes, with cues

memorizeshakespeare.com/plays/measure-for-measure/character/mariana/lines

8 speeches

Rehearse this scene 6 speeches
Duke Vincentio Take, O, take those lips away, That so sweetly were forsworn; And those eyes, the break of day, Lights that do mislead the morn: But my kisses bring again, bring again; Seals of love, but sealed in vain, sealed in vain.
Mariana
Mariana. Break off thy song, and haste thee quick away: Here comes a man of comfort, whose advice Hath often still'd my brawling discontent.
I cry you mercy, sir; and well could wish You had not found me here so musical: Let me excuse me, and believe me so, My mirth it much displeased, but pleased my woe.
Duke Vincentio 'Tis good; though music oft hath such a charm To make bad good, and good provoke to harm. pray, you, tell me, hath any body inquired or me here to-day? much upon this time have I promised here to meet.
Mariana
Mariana. You have not been inquired after: I have sat here all day.
Duke Vincentio I do constantly believe you. The time is come even now. I shall crave your forbearance a little: may be I will call upon you anon, for some advantage to yourself.
Mariana
Mariana. I am always bound to you.
Duke Vincentio Do you persuade yourself that I respect you?
Mariana
Mariana. Good friar, I know you do, and have found it.
Duke Vincentio Take, then, this your companion by the hand, Who hath a story ready for your ear. I shall attend your leisure: but make haste; The vaporous night approaches.
Mariana
Mariana. Will't please you walk aside?
Isabella Little have you to say When you depart from him, but, soft and low, 'Remember now my brother.'
Mariana
Mariana. Fear me not.

Rehearse this scene 2 speeches
Isabella To speak so indirectly I am loath: I would say the truth; but to accuse him so, ...hat is your part: yet I am advised to do it; He says, to veil full purpose.
Mariana
Mariana. Be ruled by him.
Isabella Besides, he tells me that, if peradventure He speak against me on the adverse side, I should not think it strange; for 'tis a physic That's bitter to sweet end.
Mariana
Mariana. I would Friar Peter--

16 speeches

Rehearse this scene 16 speeches
Duke Vincentio Do you not smile at this, Lord Angelo? O heaven, the vanity of wretched fools! Give us some seats. Come, cousin Angelo; In this I'll be impartial; be you judge Of your own cause. Is this the witness, friar? First, let her show her face, and after speak.
Mariana
Mariana. Pardon, my lord; I will not show my face Until my husband bid me.
Duke Vincentio What, are you married?
Mariana
Mariana. No, my lord.
Duke Vincentio Are you a maid?
Mariana
Mariana. No, my lord.
Duke Vincentio A widow, then?
Mariana
Mariana. Neither, my lord.
Lucio Well, my lord.
Mariana
Mariana. My lord; I do confess I ne'er was married; And I confess besides I am no maid: I have known my husband; yet my husband Knows not that ever he knew me.
Duke Vincentio This is no witness for Lord Angelo.
Mariana
Mariana. Now I come to't my lord She that accuses him of fornication, In self-same manner doth accuse my husband, And charges him my lord, with such a time When I'll depose I had him in mine arms With all the effect of love.
Angelo Charges she more than me?
Mariana
Mariana. Not that I know.
Duke Vincentio No? you say your husband.
Mariana
Mariana. Why, just, my lord, and that is Angelo, Who thinks he knows that he ne'er knew my body, But knows he thinks that he knows Isabel's.
Angelo This is a strange abuse. Let's see thy face.
Mariana
Mariana. My husband bids me; now I will unmask.
This is that face, thou cruel Angelo, Which once thou sworest was worth the looking on; This is the hand which, with a vow'd contract, Was fast belock'd in thine; this is the body That took away the match from Isabel, And did supply thee at thy garden-house In her imagined person.
Angelo My lord, I must confess I know this woman: And five years since there was some speech of marriage Betwixt myself and her; which was broke off, Partly for that her promised proportions Came short of composition, but in chief For that her reputation was disvalued In levity: since which time of five years I never spake with her, saw her, nor heard from her, Upon my faith and honour.
Mariana
Mariana. Noble prince, As there comes light from heaven and words from breath, As there is sense in truth and truth in virtue, I am affianced this man's wife as strongly As words could make up vows: and, my good lord, But Tuesday night last gone in's garden-house He knew me as a wife.
As this is true, Let me in safety raise me from my knees Or else for ever be confixed here, A marble monument!
Duke Vincentio Then, Angelo, thy fault's thus manifested; Which, though thou wouldst deny, denies thee vantage. We do condemn thee to the very block Where Claudio stoop'd to death, and with like haste. Away with him!
Mariana
Mariana. O my most gracious lord, I hope you will not mock me with a husband.
Duke Vincentio It is your husband mock'd you with a husband. Consenting to the safeguard of your honour, I thought your marriage fit; else imputation, For that he knew you, might reproach your life And choke your good to come; for his possessions, Although by confiscation they are ours, We do instate and widow you withal, To buy you a better husband.
Mariana
Mariana. O my dear lord, I crave no other, nor no better man.
Duke Vincentio Never crave him; we are definitive.
Mariana
Mariana. Gentle my liege,--
Duke Vincentio Now, sir, to you.
Mariana
Mariana. O my good lord! Sweet Isabel, take my part; Lend me your knees, and all my life to come I'll lend you all my life to do you service.
Duke Vincentio Against all sense you do importune her: Should she kneel down in mercy of this fact, Her brother's ghost his paved bed would break, And take her hence in horror.
Mariana
Mariana. Isabel, Sweet Isabel, do yet but kneel by me; Hold up your hands, say nothing; I'll speak all. They say, best men are moulded out of faults; And, for the most, become much more the better For being a little bad: so may my husband. O Isabel, will you not lend a knee?
Isabella My brother had but justice, In that he did the thing for which he died: For Angelo, His act did not o'ertake his bad intent, And must be buried but as an intent That perish'd by the way: thoughts are no subjects; Intents but merely thoughts.
Mariana
Mariana. Merely, my lord.