Measure For Measure by William Shakespeare

Measure For Measure

written by William Shakespeare

ANGELO "What's this? What's this? Is this her fault or mine?

The tempter or the tempted, who sins most, ha?

Not she; not 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 women's likeness? Having waste ground enough,

Shale 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 doth bait thy hook! Most dangerous

Is that temptation which 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. Ever till now

When men were found, I smiled, and wondered how."

Act II Scene II