Most older editors have marked this as a separate scene. But many modern editors omit the scene designation (that is, they continue this as scene 1), noting that the Duke does not exit after the last scene. While it is possible that the location has changed, there is a great deal of continuity with the preceding scene. Certainly it is worth noting the (ironic) links between this action and that which has just occurred.

 
 
 
 

A sweet Spanish wine. The obvious word play also means to procreate illegitimate children of several complexions or races.

 
 
 
 

Nonsense, silliness

 
 
 
 

"Things have never been the same," or "The world stopped being cheerful when"

 
 
 
 

Ending money and sexual vice (lechery, fornication, prostitution). The word play is on the term "use," and the image continues the imagery of coins in the play

 
 
 
 

Suppressed, abolished, made illegal

 
 
 
 

In 1570 a statute restricted the amount of interest that could be charged on a loan.

 
 
 
 

The punctuation here makes the passage somewhat ambiguous (though in production the actor would make the phrase more intelligible. Lever (New Arden) suggests that usury is being personified; it may also be that, as the New Oxford suggests the sense is metonymic: "bawds and whores are punished, but the usurer is legally condoned, so that he becomes rich and wears expensive clothing."

 
 
 
 

In Renaissance natural history, the fox symbolized craftiness or slyness; the lamb, innocence

 
 
 
 

Craftiness

 
 
 
 

The facing is the trim on the outside of the garment, usually of a different color and often of fur. Here, craftiness is the trim of the usurer's garment, a quality seen to be more valuable than the innocence of the lamb's wool.

 
 
 
 

Come on; come this way

 
 
 
 

The Duke is engaging in word play here. Friar means "brother," so Elbow had (unconsciously or ignorantly) said "Father brother"; the Duke reverses the terms.

 
 
 
 

A skeleton key. Elbow is being quite literal in this conversation. But there is an irony here, for while Elbow thinks that Pompey is a thief, he is actually a bawd or pimp, and the locks he picks are those on the chastity belts women were given to keep them from illicit sex.

 
 
 
 

A term of address used to men or boys, expressing contempt, reprimand, or assumption of authority on the part of the speaker.

 
 
 
 

stomach

 
 
 
 

offensive, inhuman or beastly

 
 
 
 

sexual contacts

 
 
 
 

punishment

 
 
 
 

operate, take effect

 
 
 
 

must go, must appear

 
 
 
 

Elbow seems to make a distinction between whoremaster and whoremonger when, according to the OED, there is none - a continuation of the theme of meaningless distinctions in the play (compare, for example, the bed trick argument). The sense of the sentence is, "Angelo can't stand those who visit whores, and if Pompey is such a one, it would be better for him to be anywhere else rather than there."

 
 
 
 

This complex sentence has been glossed in several ways. The New Arden says: "Would that we were all as little subject to our faults, as faults are dissociated from seeming (i.e. for persons like Angelo)"; the New Oxford: "would that all men were as free from sin as Angelo seems, or as Pompey is free from hypocrisy"; the New Cambridge: "Really free from our faults, as faults ought to be free from deceptive disguise; the Riverside: "would that we were all free of faults, as some make themselves appear, and that faults were free of dissembling." Whatever the precise meaning, the statement continues the theme of seeming and being, appearance and reality. It also is an ironic comment on Angelo's hypocrisy.

 
 
 
 

His neck will soon resemble your waist: it will have a cord around it. Elbow means that Pompey will soon be hanged; the reference is to the cord around the friar's garment.

 
 
 
 

plead for

 
 
 
 

Lucio is referring to Pompey's being a victim of justice and authority. Lever, in the New Arden, notes: "The historical Pompey was not led in triumph by Caesar, but his sons were, after their defeat at Munda. . . . 'Caesar' here, as in the Gospel, represents state authority."

 
 
 
 

The reference is to Ovid's story of Pygmalion in Metamorphosis X. The story of Pybmalion's statue that came to life was well known to the Elizabethans. The use here, and the statement about their being "newly made woman" (fresh from sexual intercourse) makes it clear that the meaning is prostitutes, women who could be bought with money taken from the pocket (..."extracting it clutched").

 
 
 
 

this phrase is not entirely clear, but probably means, "now out of fashion" (Lever).

 
 
 
 

an old woman; a hag

 
 
 
 

tidbit, here used as a lecherous term for a woman

 
 
 
 

Pompey is again involved in word play. On one level, the beef is salted beef, preserved for future use, and the tub is the place where the beaf was treated. On another level, the beef may well be the prostitutes she was keeping, and the tub a reference to the sweating-tub which was used as a cure for venereal disease.

 
 
 
 

young; unsalted (that is, not yet in need of being preserved)

 
 
 
 

powdered to conceal her age. Also, there is probably a continuation of the salting reference, for salting meat was often called "powdering," and the sweating-tub a "powdering-tub."

 
 
 
 

unavoidable

 
 
 
 

of long standing; for many years

 
 
 
 

Lucio is being sarcastic here. He tells Pompey that he will be a good husband (the OED says, "one who manages his affairs with skill and thrift") now and will stay indoors (an ironic and biting reference to his imprisonment).

 
 
 
 

current fashion

 
 
 
 

punning on "mettle" as "spirit" or "courage" but also as in "metal," his shackles

 
 
 
 

wear cosmetics. Lucio is suggesting that Bridget is a prostitute.

 
 
 
 

That is, "Neither in the past ('then') nor now will I provide your bail."

 
 
 
 

Probably meaning "Off to prison with you." Samuel Johnson suggested that the name "Pompey" was common for dogs, and the New Arden adds that there "may wll be a word-play on 'Pompey--puppy." But all that is speculation.

 
 
 
 

Eccentric, irrational

 
 
 
 

depart surreptitiously; leave secretly

 
 
 
 

Apparently Lucio assumes that the Duke's behavior does not suit his high status, perhaps even to the use of clothing of a lower status. It cannot be, as a few have suggested, that Lucio sees through the Duke's disguise here (otherwise, he would not be surprised at the end of the play), although there may indeed be some humor in the dramatic irony here.

 
 
 
 

plays the part of the duke.

 
 
 
 

that is, he punishes severely those who transgress (violate) the law.

 
 
 
 

gentleness, mildness, leniency

 
 
 
 

Harsh; "Cross-tempered, ill-conditioned, irritable, acrimonious, churlish; having asperity or acerbity of temper. Since 16th c. a frequent epithet of old age, in which perhaps there was at first the sense 'crooked." OED

 
 
 
 

truth. The phrase means "truly" or "It is true."

 
 
 
 

is part of a large family. That is, lechery is quite common.

 
 
 
 

That is, lechery has many strong allies.

 
 
 
 

extirpate, completely wipe out

 
 
 
 

ordinary, normal. The implication is that Angelo was not begotten through sexual intercourse.

 
 
 
 

mermaid

 
 
 
 

term used for cod and other similar fish that were cut open and dried, without using salt for curing (thus, cold and hard. The New Arden suggests that the term also meant one who had no sexual desire.

 
 
 
 

a puppet or automaton (without the power of reproduction)

 
 
 
 

certain

 
 
 
 

joking, being facetious

 
 
 
 

that is, you speak recklessly or chatter idly

 
 
 
 

A codpiece was "a bagged appendage to th front of the close-fitting hose or breeches worn by men from the 15th to the 17th c.: often conspicuous and ornamental." OED Here, the term is being used figuratively to represent the genitals.

 
 
 
 

Lucio is implying that the Duke was prone to lechery.

 
 
 
 

both prostitution and, as Partridge suggests, "sexual attention to a woman."

 
 
 
 

taught him to be merciful

 
 
 
 

accused

 
 
 
 

a beggar woman fifty years of age

 
 
 
 

habit, custom

 
 
 
 

The clack-dish was a wooden bowl used by beggars to collect their money, the lid being "clacked" to make a sound to draw attention. Lucio's implication is sexual here: he means by the phrase "to have sexual intercourse."

 
 
 
 

a whimsical fancy OED

 
 
 
 

intimate friend OED

 
 
 
 

Cautiously reserved; wary in speech or action OED (This is the reference given for this definition. The only other time Shakespeare uses this word is in this play - 5.1.57)

 
 
 
 

Leaving the country

 
 
 
 

The majority of his subjects

 
 
 
 

Thoughtless, inconsiderate OED Lever, however, in the New Arden, defines the word as "injudicious," and suggests it is "[a]nother figure of 'measuring'." Lever is probably right, given the Duke's response, which suggests that the Duke was indeed wise and judicious in his actions.

 
 
 
 

Malignant or hostile feeling; ill-will, malice, enmity OED

 
 
 
 

course, direction

 
 
 
 

Steered, given direction to (as in a helmsman)

 
 
 
 

Allowed by law; approved, justified, sanctioned OED The sense of the sentence is that if there should ever be a real need (as opposed to this conversation with Lucio) for the Duke to defend himself, his actions would provide a positive public assessment of him.

 
 
 
 

Public announcement

 
 
 
 

Judged by the evidence

 
 
 
 

Achievements, public acts. The New Cambridge refers also to Matthew 7, part of the Sermon on the Mount, which provides much of the scriptural material of the play. (Mat 7:15-20 KJV) "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. {16} Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? {17} Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. {18} A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. {19} Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. {20} Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."

 
 
 
 

Full of ill-will; malicious, spiteful

 
 
 
 

ignorantly or foolishly

 
 
 
 

That is, "If you really loved him, you would know him better; and if you knew him better, you would love him even more."

 
 
 
 

true, the truth

 
 
 
 

That is, "It is my duty to summon you to testify to the truth of what you are saying."

 
 
 
 

weak, powerless, harmless

 
 
 
 

opponent

 
 
 
 

deny, repudiate

 
 
 
 

funnel. The bawdy innuendo is obvious.

 
 
 
 

sterile, seedless, without genitals

 
 
 
 

deputy

 
 
 
 

depopulate

 
 
 
 

self-restraint or temperance, especially in reference to sexual relations.

 
 
 
 

Lever, in the New Arden, notes, "Sparrows were traditionally regarded as lecherous (Tilley S 715)."

 
 
 
 

sexual matters ("dark deeds" or "deeds of darkness") privately ("darkly") accounted for.

 
 
 
 

untying the lower garments, undressing

 
 
 
 

The Catholic Church prohibited eating meat on Fridays. But Lucio is also playing with the slang meaning of "mutton," which referred to prostitutes. The implication is that the Duke would do forbidden deeds regardless of the prohibitions against them.

 
 
 
 

Lucio implies that the Duke is past being able to have sexual relations, though he would still be willing to kiss an old beggar.

 
 
 
 

smelt of

 
 
 
 

In the New Arden, Lever notes that "brown bread" is "coarse rye, or rye and wheat bread, the food of the poor, which rapidly turned musty and affected the breath."

 
 
 
 

Neither political power or other authority, nor noble character. "Mortality" refers to human affairs or human character.

 
 
 
 

Escape

 
 
 
 

Backstabbing slander hits and wounds even the most virtuous person.

 
 
 
 

What king is so strong that he

 
 
 
 

My good Lord

 
 
 
 

You have been warned two and three times, and still you are liable for the same punishment.

 
 
 
 

Many critics see this sentence as a reference to the morality plays which were common in England even up to the time of Shakespeare. Herod, especially in plays dealing with the massacre of the innocents, was often portrayed as the archetypal tyrant, ranting and raging and swearing "by Mahound."

 
 
 
 

The Oxford Shakespeare notes: "a legal term (OED 5): a complaint or charge against a person lodged with a court or magistrate. The complainant would often receive a share of any fine imposed, and the term suggests that Lucio is an informer who gets money by betraying his associates to the law.

 
 
 
 

Next May 1, when the annual feast of St. Philip and St. James was held. It was also May Day, a more pagan celebration which usually led to sexual indulgence.

 
 
 
 

Licentiousness, libertinism (OED)

 
 
 
 

Priests, clergy

 
 
 
 

Spiritual preparation for death

 
 
 
 

acted (in his administration of justice) with the same pity I have

 
 
 
 

reception

 
 
 
 

occasion

 
 
 
 

Rome, the Holy See

 
 
 
 

The Pope

 
 
 
 

Goodness is so "sick" that the only cure is for goodness itself to die from the means used to kill the fever.

 
 
 
 

People want only "newfangled" things

 
 
 
 

It is as dangerous to hold constantly to any course of action as it is virtuous to be consistent. Some editors change "constant" to "inconstant" to make the antithesis stronger.

 
 
 
 

The Oxford Shakespeare notes: "Most commentators argue for a financial implication in the second half of the sentence, with security meaning 'financial pledge guaranteeing a loan' and fellowship meaning, in Lever's [New Arden] gloss, 'corporation formed for trading ventures'. But the play on secure and security may be slightly different, with secure meaning 'safe, reliable' and security meaning 'foolish optimism, ignorant belief that all is well' (OED 3 and Macbeth 3.5.32): 'there is hardly enough trustworthiness or reliability around to make it safe to associate with other people, but there is enough foolish confidence to make such associations accursed (because the rogues will take advantage of this naivety'."

 
 
 
 

according to this paradox

 
 
 
 

The act of striving; strong effort (OED)

 
 
 
 

attempted, intended

 
 
 
 

activities, the outcome of his travels

 
 
 
 

unjust treatment

 
 
 
 

verdict

 
 
 
 

imagined, formed in his mind

 
 
 
 

prompting

 
 
 
 

at the appropriate time, in my own timing

 
 
 
 

You have well fulfilled the duties of your religious office

 
 
 
 

limit, boundary

 
 
 
 

the very personification of justice

 
 
 
 

correspond with

 
 
 
 

strictness

 
 
 
 

The authority granted by God to execute justice. Note St. Paul's instructions regarding the Christian duty to submit to authority: (Rom 13:1-5 KJV) Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. {2} Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. {3} For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: {4} For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. {5} Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

 
 
 
 

should be as blameless himself as he is strict in enforcing the law (including the moral law).

 
 
 
 

The ruler should be a pattern for others to follow as they pursue virtuous lives

 
 
 
 

Grace enough to stand firm, and enough active virtue to pursue a virtuous life. The balance is typical of Renaissance humanist thought, which called for a balance between the contemplative and the active life.

 
 
 
 

Neither more nor less

 
 
 
 

Meting out neigher more nor less punishment to others for their sins than he would to himself as he weighs his own offenses correctly.

 
 
 
 

Probably the Duke is referring to his own laxity in enforcing the laws.

 
 
 
 

Seeming appearance as an angel

 
 
 
 

deceit, trickery

 
 
 
 

strands of a spider's web