DUKE
. . . Reason thus with life:
If I do lose thee, I do lose a thing
That none but fools would keep;
. . .
Thou hast nor youth, nor age,
But as it were an after-dinner's sleep,
Dreaming on both, for all thy blessed youth
Becomes as aged, and doth beg the alms
Of palsied eld; and when thou art old, and rich,
Thou hast neither heat, affection, limb, nor beauty,
To make thy riches pleasant. . . .

In this passage from "Measure for Measure," the Duke, disguised as Friar Lodowick, shares a philosophical reflection with Claudio, who faces execution. The Duke suggests that life itself is not a treasure to be clung to at all costs. He paints a picture of life as a transient state, lacking true possession of either youth or old age. Youth swiftly fades, leaving one reliant on the charity of time, and old age, though potentially wealthy, is stripped of vitality and joy. Through this contemplation, the Duke attempts to comfort Claudio by diminishing the fear of death and exposing the illusionary value society places on life’s temporal pleasures. This brings a poignant commentary on the human condition, emphasizing the inevitable decay and the futility of material pursuits.