Measure for Measure
Act IV, Scene 6
A street near the city gate.
Mariana in the South
This painting is based on a poem by Tennyson which was in turn inspired by Mariana from Measure for Measure.
John William Waterhouse, circa 1897
- Enter Isabella and Mariana.
Isabella
1 - 4- To speak so indirectly I am loath.
- I would say the truth, but to accuse him so,
- That is your part. Yet I am advis’d to do it,
- He says, to veil full purpose.
Mariana
5- Be rul’d by him.
Isabella
6 - 9- 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.
- Enter Friar Peter.
Mariana
10- I would Friar Peter—
Isabella
11- O, peace, the friar is come.
Friar Peter
12 - 17- Come, I have found you out a stand most fit,
- Where you may have such vantage on the Duke,
- He shall not pass you. Twice have the trumpets sounded;
- The generous and gravest citizens
- Have hent the gates, and very near upon
- The Duke is ent’ring; therefore hence away!
- Exeunt.
Character study for unspecifed character in Measure for Measure
Edwin Austin Abbey, unknown date