Open Source Shakespeare

Speeches (Lines) for Abhorson
in "Measure for Measure"

Total: 13

# Act, Scene, Line
(Click to see in context)
Speech text

1

IV,2,1905

(stage directions). [Enter ABHORSON]

Abhorson. Do you call, sir?


2

IV,2,1911

Provost. Sirrah, here's a fellow will help you to-morrow in
your execution. If you think it meet, compound with
him by the year, and let him abide here with you; if
not, use him for the present and dismiss him. He
cannot plead his estimation with you; he hath been a bawd.

Abhorson. A bawd, sir? fie upon him! he will discredit our mystery.


3

IV,2,1918

Pompey. Pray, sir, by your good favour,—for surely, sir, a
good favour you have, but that you have a hanging
look,—do you call, sir, your occupation a mystery?

Abhorson. Ay, sir; a mystery


4

IV,2,1924

Pompey. Painting, sir, I have heard say, is a mystery; and
your whores, sir, being members of my occupation,
using painting, do prove my occupation a mystery:
but what mystery there should be in hanging, if I
should be hanged, I cannot imagine.

Abhorson. Sir, it is a mystery.


5

IV,2,1926

Pompey. Proof?

Abhorson. Every true man's apparel fits your thief: if it be
too little for your thief, your true man thinks it
big enough; if it be too big for your thief, your
thief thinks it little enough: so every true man's
apparel fits your thief.


6

IV,2,1938

Provost. You, sirrah, provide your block and your axe
to-morrow four o'clock.

Abhorson. Come on, bawd; I will instruct thee in my trade; follow.


7

IV,3,2137

(stage directions). [Enter ABHORSON]

Abhorson. Sirrah, bring Barnardine hither.


8

IV,3,2140

Pompey. Master Barnardine! you must rise and be hanged.
Master Barnardine!

Abhorson. What, ho, Barnardine!


9

IV,3,2146

Barnardine. [Within] Away, you rogue, away! I am sleepy.

Abhorson. Tell him he must awake, and that quickly too.


10

IV,3,2149

Pompey. Pray, Master Barnardine, awake till you are
executed, and sleep afterwards.

Abhorson. Go in to him, and fetch him out.


11

IV,3,2151

Pompey. He is coming, sir, he is coming; I hear his straw rustle.

Abhorson. Is the axe upon the block, sirrah?


12

IV,3,2155

Barnardine. How now, Abhorson? what's the news with you?

Abhorson. Truly, sir, I would desire you to clap into your
prayers; for, look you, the warrant's come.


13

IV,3,2162

Pompey. O, the better, sir; for he that drinks all night,
and is hanged betimes in the morning, may sleep the
sounder all the next day.

Abhorson. Look you, sir; here comes your ghostly father: do
we jest now, think you?