Original: When I would pray and think, I think and pray
Modern: When I try to pray and think holy thoughts, my thinking and praying are divided

Original: To several subjects. Heaven hath my empty words;
Modern: Between different things. Heaven only gets my empty words;

Original: Whilst my invention, hearing not my tongue,
Modern: While my imagination, not listening to what I’m saying out loud,

Original: Anchors on Isabel: Heaven in my mouth,
Modern: Stays fixed on Isabella: I speak of Heaven with my mouth,

Original: As if I did but only chew his name;
Modern: As if I’m just chewing on God’s name without meaning it;

Original: And in my heart the strong and swelling evil
Modern: And in my heart there’s a strong and growing evil

Original: Of my conception. The state, whereon I studied
Modern: From my desires. The government position that I worked so hard to master

Original: Is like a good thing, being often read,
Modern: Is like a good book that’s been read too many times,

Original: Grown fear’d and tedious; yea, my gravity,
Modern: It’s become dull and boring; yes, even my serious dignity,

Original: Wherein—let no man hear me—I take pride,
Modern: Which—let no one hear me say this—I take pride in,

Original: Could I with boot change for an idle plume,
Modern: I would gladly trade for a worthless feather

Original: Which the air beats for vain. O place, O form,
Modern: That just blows around uselessly in the wind. Oh position of power, oh outward appearance,

Original: How often dost thou with thy case, thy habit,
Modern: How often do you, with your official robes and clothing,

Original: Wrench awe from fools and tie the wiser souls
Modern: Force respect from foolish people and trap even the wiser ones

Original: To thy false seeming! Blood, thou art blood:
Modern: Into believing your false image! Lust, you are just lust:

Original: Let’s write good angel on the devil’s horn:
Modern: It’s like writing “good angel” on the devil’s horn:

Original: ‘Tis not the devil’s crest.
Modern: That doesn’t make it the devil’s true symbol.

In Act II, Scene iv of “Measure for Measure,” Angelo sits alone in his chamber, struggling with his unexpected and unwelcome attraction to Isabella following their previous encounter. He attempts to pray but finds himself unable to concentrate on holy matters, as his thoughts continually return to Isabella’s beauty and virtue. Angelo is deeply disturbed by this transformation in himself, recognizing that he is experiencing lust for a woman he should regard as pure and untouchable. He questions whether this temptation comes from his own sinful nature or from some external force, and wrestles with the realization that Isabella’s very goodness and piety are what make her so desirable to him.

When Isabella arrives for their second meeting, accompanied by Lucio and Provost (who then leave them alone), Angelo begins to speak more directly about his proposition. He tells Isabella that her brother’s life could be spared, but only if she yields her body to him. Isabella initially misunderstands his meaning, thinking he speaks of legal fines or ransoms, but Angelo makes his intentions increasingly clear. When Isabella finally comprehends that Angelo is demanding she sacrifice her chastity to save Claudio’s life, she rejects the proposal outright, declaring she would rather let her brother die than commit such a sin. Angelo gives her time to consider his offer, warning that if she refuses, not only will Claudio die, but his execution will be prolonged and tortuous, and no one will believe her accusations against Angelo should she attempt to expose him.

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.