Original: Thus stands it with me: upon a true contract
Modern: Here’s my situation: we made a real promise to each other

Original: I got possession of Julietta’s bed:
Modern: I slept with Julietta:

Original: You know the lady; she is fast my wife,
Modern: You know her; she’s basically my wife,

Original: Save that we do the denunciation lack
Modern: Except that we’re missing the public announcement

Original: Of outward order: this we came not to,
Modern: Of a proper ceremony: we didn’t do this

Original: Only for propagation of a dower
Modern: Only because we were waiting for her inheritance

Original: Remaining in the coffer of her friends,
Modern: That’s still locked up with her family’s money,

Original: From whom we thought it meet to hide our love
Modern: From whom we thought it was right to hide our love

Original: Till time had made them for us. But it chances
Modern: Until the right time came for us. But as it happens

Original: The stealth of our most mutual entertainment
Modern: Our secret intimate relationship

Original: With character too gross is writ on Juliet.
Modern: Has left too obvious a mark on Juliet.

Original: Unhappily, even so.
Modern: Unfortunately, yes.

Original: And the new deputy now for the duke—
Modern: And the new governor replacing the duke—

Original: Whether it be the fault and glimpse of newness,
Modern: Whether it’s because he’s new and wants to prove himself,

Original: Or whether that the body public be
Modern: Or whether the general public is like

Original: A horse whereon the governor doth ride,
Modern: A horse that the ruler rides,

Original: Who, newly in the seat, that it may know
Modern: Who, just getting in the saddle, wants to make sure it knows

Original: He can command, lets it straight feel the spur;
Modern: He’s in control, so he immediately uses his spurs;

Original: Whether the tyranny be in his place,
Modern: Whether the harsh rule comes from the position itself,

Original: Or in his emmence that fills it up,
Modern: Or from the man who holds the position,

Original: I stagger in:—but this new governor
Modern: I can’t tell:—but this new governor

Original: Awakes me all the enrolled penalties
Modern: Is bringing back all the written laws

Original: Which have, like unscour’d armour, hung by the wall
Modern: Which have, like rusty armor, hung on the wall

Original: So long that nineteen zodiacs have gone round
Modern: So long that nineteen years have passed

Original: And none of them been worn; and, for a name,
Modern: And none of them been used; and, just to make a reputation,

Original: Now puts the drowsy and neglected act
Modern: Now he’s applying the sleepy and forgotten law

Original: Freshly on me: ‘tis surely for a name.
Modern: Strictly to me: it’s definitely just to build his reputation.

In Act I, Scene ii of “Measure for Measure,” the scene opens with Lucio and two gentlemen engaged in witty banter about fortune, disease, and morality. Their conversation is interrupted by the entrance of Mistress Overdone, a bawd who brings news that Claudio has been arrested and sentenced to death for getting Juliet with child. The gentlemen express surprise at this harsh punishment, particularly given that Claudio and Juliet were betrothed, which in their view makes the offense less severe.

Claudio then appears under guard, accompanied by the Provost who is escorting him to prison. Claudio explains to Lucio that he has been condemned under a strict law that Angelo, the Duke’s deputy, has chosen to enforce after years of leniency. He describes how he and Juliet had a secret contract of marriage but delayed the public ceremony due to financial considerations regarding her dowry. Claudio asks Lucio to find his sister Isabella, who is about to enter a nunnery, and persuade her to appeal to Angelo for mercy. Lucio agrees to this request, and the scene concludes with Claudio being led away to prison while Lucio prepares to seek out Isabella.

Measure for Measure opens in Vienna, where Duke Vincentio announces he must leave the city on urgent business and appoints his deputy Angelo to govern in his absence, with the elder lord Escalus as Angelo’s advisor. The Duke actually remains in Vienna disguised as a friar to observe how Angelo will rule. Angelo immediately begins strictly enforcing long-neglected laws against sexual immorality, ordering the demolition of brothels and condemning Claudio to death for getting his betrothed Juliet pregnant before their official marriage ceremony.

Claudio’s sister Isabella, a novice nun, pleads with Angelo for her brother’s life. Angelo, struck by Isabella’s beauty and virtue, propositions her: he will spare Claudio’s life if she will sleep with him. Isabella refuses and tells her brother of Angelo’s corrupt bargain. When Claudio, desperate to live, begs Isabella to sacrifice her chastity for his life, she angrily rejects the idea. The disguised Duke, who has been counseling prisoners, overhears this conversation and devises a plan.

The Duke arranges for Mariana, Angelo’s former betrothed whom he abandoned when her dowry was lost, to take Isabella’s place in a secret nighttime encounter with Angelo - a “bed trick” that Angelo believes is with Isabella. Despite this fulfillment of the bargain, Angelo still orders Claudio’s execution. The Duke, still disguised, arranges for another prisoner’s head to be sent to Angelo instead of Claudio’s, saving Claudio’s life while letting Angelo believe his order was carried out.

In the final act, the Duke returns publicly to Vienna, and Isabella openly accuses Angelo of corruption before the Duke (not knowing he already knows everything). The Duke pretends to disbelieve her until he reveals his true identity and Angelo’s crimes. Angelo confesses and is sentenced to marry Mariana and then be executed, though Mariana and Isabella both plead for his life. The Duke pardons Angelo, reveals that Claudio is alive, and proposes marriage to Isabella, leaving her response ambiguous in the text.