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Measure For Measure

<h3 class = "extended">THE WORKS</h3> <h6>OF</h6> <h1 class = "red">WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE</h1> <h6>EDITED BY</h6> <h4>WILLIAM GEORGE CLARK, M.A.</h4> <h6 class = "close"> FELLOW AND TUTOR OF TRINITY COLLEGE, AND PUBLIC ORATOR IN THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE;</h6> <h4 class = "smallcaps">and JOHN GLOVER, M.A.</h4> <h6 class = "close"> LIBRARIAN OF TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE.</h6> <h5>  VOLUME I.  </h5> <table class = "contents" summary = "List of Scenes"> <tr> <td></td> <td colspan = "2"> Dramatis Personæ</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Act I</td> <td>Scene 1</td> <td>An apartment in the Duke’s palace.</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>Scene 2</td> <td>A street.</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>Scene 3</td> <td>A monastery.</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>Scene 4</td> <td>A nunnery.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Act II</td> <td>Scene 1</td> <td>A hall in Angelo’s house.</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>Scene 2</td> <td>Another room in the same.</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>Scene 3</td> <td>A room in a prison.</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>Scene 4</td> <td>A room in Angelo’s house.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Act III</td> <td>Scene 1</td> <td>A room in the prison.</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>Scene 2</td> <td>The street before the prison.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Act IV</td> <td>Scene 1</td> <td>The moated grange at St Luke’s.</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>Scene 2</td> <td>A room in the prison.</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>Scene 3</td> <td>Another room in the same.</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>Scene 4</td> <td>A room in Angelo’s house.</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>Scene 5</td> <td>Fields without the town.</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>Scene 6</td> <td>Street near the city-gate.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Act V</td> <td>Scene 1</td> <td>The city-gate.</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td colspan = "2">   Endnotes</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td colspan = "2"> Critical Apparatus (“Linenotes”) </td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td colspan = "2"> Texts Used (from general preface) </td> </tr> </table> 293 <h2>MEASURE FOR MEASURE.</h2> <hr class = "small"> 294 <h3> DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.1</h3> <div class = "center"> <table summary = ""> <tr><td> Vincentio, the Duke. Angelo, Deputy. Escalus, an ancient Lord. Claudio, a young gentleman. Lucio, a fantastic. Two other gentlemen. Provost. <table class = "bracket" summary = ""> <tr> <td class = "charname">Thomas,</td> <td class = "bracket l2" rowspan = "2">two friars.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class = "charname">Peter,</td> </tr> </table> A Justice2. Varrius2. Elbow, a simple constable. Froth, a foolish gentleman. Pompey, servant to Mistress Overdone3. Abhorson, an executioner. Barnardine, a dissolute prisoner.   Isabella, sister to Claudio. Mariana, betrothed to Angelo. Juliet, beloved of Claudio. Francisca, a nun. Mistress Overdone, a bawd.   Lords, Officers, Citizens, Boy, and Attendants2. </td></tr> </table></div> <h5 class = "stagedir"> Scene—Vienna.</h5> <div class = "apparatus"> 1. Dramatis Personæ] The Names of all the Actors Ff (added at the end of the play). 2. Omitted in Ff. 3. Clowne. Ff. </div> <hr class = "mid"> 295 <h2>MEASURE FOR MEASURE.</h2> <hr class = "mid"> <h3 class = "act">ACT I.</h3> <h4 class = "scene"> I. 1 Scene I. An apartment in the Duke’s palace.</h4> <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Duke, Escalus, Lords and Attendants.</h5> Duke. Escalus. Escal. My lord. <div class = "verse"> Duke. Of government the properties to unfold, Would seem in me to affect speech and discourse; 5 Since I am put to know that your own science Exceeds, in that, the lists of all advice My strength can give you: then no more remains, But that to your sufficiency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . as your worth is able, 10 And let them work. The nature of our people, 296 Our city’s institutions, and the terms For common justice, you’re as pregnant in As art and practice hath enriched any That we remember. There is our commission, 15 From which we would not have you warp. Call hither, I say, bid come before us Angelo. Exit an Attendant. What figure of us think you he will bear? For you must know, we have with special soul Elected him our absence to supply; 20 Lent him our terror, dress’d him with our love, And given his deputation all the organs Of our own power: what think you of it? </div> <div class = "verse"> Escal. If any in Vienna be of worth To undergo such ample grace and honour, It is Lord Angelo. </div> I. 1. 25 Duke. Look where he comes. <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Angelo.</h5> <div class = "verse"> Ang. Always obedient to your Grace’s will, I come to know your pleasure. </div> <div class = "verse"> Duke. Angelo, There is a kind of character in thy life, That to th’ observer doth thy history 30 Fully unfold. Thyself and thy belongings Are not thine own so proper, as to waste Thyself upon thy virtues, they on thee. Heaven doth with us as we with torches do, Not light them for themselves; for if our virtues 35 Did not go forth of us, ’twere all alike As if we had them not. Spirits are not finely touch’d But to fine issues; nor Nature never lends The smallest scruple of her excellence, But, like a thrifty goddess, she determines 297 40 Herself the glory of a creditor, Both thanks and use. But I do bend my speech To one that can my part in him advertise; Hold therefore, Angelo:— In our remove be thou at full ourself; 45 Mortality and mercy in Vienna Live in thy tongue and heart: old Escalus, Though first in question, is thy secondary. Take thy commission. </div> <div class = "verse"> Ang. Now, good my lord, Let there be some more test made of my metal, I. 1. 50 Before so noble and so great a figure Be stamp’d upon it. </div> <div class = "verse"> Duke. No more evasion: We have with a leaven’d and prepared choice Proceeded to you; therefore take your honours. Our haste from hence is of so quick condition, 55 That it prefers itself, and leaves unquestion’d Matters of needful value. We shall write to you, As time and our concernings shall importune, How it goes with us; and do look to know What doth befall you here. So, fare you well: 60 To the hopeful execution do I leave you Of your commissions. </div> <div class = "verse"> Ang. Yet, give leave, my lord, That we may bring you something on the way. </div> <div class = "verse"> Duke. My haste may not admit it; Nor need you, on mine honour, have to do 65 With any scruple; your scope is as mine own, So to enforce or qualify the laws 298 As to your soul seems good. Give me your hand: I’ll privily away. I love the people, But do not like to stage me to their eyes: 70 Though it do well, I do not relish well Their loud applause and Aves vehement; Nor do I think the man of safe discretion That does affect it. Once more, fare you well. </div> Ang. The heavens give safety to your purposes! I. 1. 75 Escal. Lead forth and bring you back in happiness! Duke. I thank you. Fare you well. Exit. <div class = "verse"> Escal. I shall desire you, sir, to give me leave To have free speech with you; and it concerns me To look into the bottom of my place: 80 A power I have, but of what strength and nature I am not yet instructed. </div> <div class = "verse"> Ang. ’Tis so with me. Let us withdraw together, And we may soon our satisfaction have Touching that point. </div> Escal. I’ll wait upon your honour. Exeunt. <h4 class = "scene"> I. 2 Scene II. A street.</h4> <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Lucio and two Gentlemen.</h5> Lucio. If the duke, with the other dukes, come not to composition with the King of Hungary, why then all the dukes fall upon the king. First Gent. Heaven grant us its peace, but not the 5 King of Hungary’s! Sec. Gent. Amen. Lucio. Thou concludest like the sanctimonious pirate, that went to sea with the Ten Commandments, but scraped one out of the table. 10 Sec. Gent. ‘Thou shalt not steal’? Lucio. Ay, that he razed. 299 First Gent. Why, ’twas a commandment to command the captain and all the rest from their functions: they put forth to steal. There’s not a soldier of us all, that, in the 15 thanksgiving before meat, do relish the petition well that prays for peace. Sec. Gent. I never heard any soldier dislike it. Lucio. I believe thee; for I think thou never wast where grace was said. 20 Sec. Gent. No? a dozen times at least. First Gent. What, in metre? Lucio. In any proportion or in any language. First Gent. I think, or in any religion. Lucio. Ay, why not? Grace is grace, despite of all I. 2. 25 controversy: as, for example, thou thyself art a wicked villain, despite of all grace. First Gent. Well, there went but a pair of shears between us. Lucio. I grant; as there may between the lists and the 30 velvet. Thou art the list. First Gent. And thou the velvet: thou art good velvet; thou’rt a three-piled piece, I warrant thee: I had as lief be a list of an English kersey, as be piled, as thou art piled, for a French velvet. Do I speak feelingly now? 35 Lucio. I think thou dost; and, indeed, with most painful feeling of thy speech: I will, out of thine own confession, learn to begin thy health; but, whilst I live, forget to drink after thee. First Gent. I think I have done myself wrong, have 40 I not? Sec. Gent. Yes, that thou hast, whether thou art tainted or free.     300 Lucio. Behold, behold, where Madam Mitigation comes! I have purchased as many diseases under her roof 45 as come to— Sec. Gent. To what, I pray? Lucio. Judge. Sec. Gent. To three thousand dolours a year. First Gent. Ay, and more. I. 2. 50 Lucio. A French crown more. First Gent. Thou art always figuring diseases in me; but thou art full of error; I am sound. Lucio. Nay, not as one would say, healthy; but so sound as things that are hollow: thy bones are hollow; 55 impiety has made a feast of thee. <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Mistress Overdone.</h5> First Gent. How now! which of your hips has the most profound sciatica? Mrs Ov. Well, well; there’s one yonder arrested and carried to prison was worth five thousand of you all. 60 Sec. Gent. Who’s that, I pray thee? Mrs Ov. Marry, sir, that’s Claudio, Signior Claudio. First Gent. Claudio to prison? ’tis not so. Mrs Ov. Nay, but I know ’tis so: I saw him arrested; saw him carried away; and, which is more, within these 65 three days his head to be chopped off. Lucio. But, after all this fooling, I would not have it so. Art thou sure of this? <div class = "verse"> Mrs Ov. I am too sure of it: and it is for getting Madam Julietta with child. </div> 70 Lucio. Believe me, this may be: he promised to meet me two hours since, and he was ever precise in promise-keeping. Sec. Gent. Besides, you know, it draws something near to the speech we had to such a purpose. 301 I. 2. 75 First Gent. But, most of all, agreeing with the proclamation. Lucio. Away! let’s go learn the truth of it. Exeunt Lucio and Gentlemen. Mrs Ov. Thus, what with the war, what with the sweat, what with the gallows, and what with poverty, I am 80 custom-shrunk. <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Pompey.</h5> How now! what’s the news with you? Pom. Yonder man is carried to prison. Mrs Ov. Well; what has he done? Pom. A woman. 85 Mrs Ov. But what’s his offence? Pom. Groping for trouts in a peculiar river. Mrs Ov. What, is there a maid with child by him? <div class = "verse"> Pom. No, but there’s a woman with maid by him. You have not heard of the proclamation, have you? </div> 90 Mrs Ov. What proclamation, man? Pom. All houses in the suburbs of Vienna must be plucked down. Mrs Ov. And what shall become of those in the city? Pom. They shall stand for seed: they had gone down too, 95 but that a wise burgher put in for them. Mrs Ov. But shall all our houses of resort in the suburbs be pulled down? Pom. To the ground, mistress. Mrs Ov. Why, here’s a change indeed in the commonwealth! I. 2. 100 What shall become of me? Pom. Come; fear not you: good counsellors lack no clients: though you change your place, you need not change your trade; I’ll be your tapster still. Courage! there will be pity taken on you: you that have worn your 105 eyes almost out in the service, you will be considered. Mrs Ov. What’s to do here, Thomas tapster? let’s withdraw. 302 Pom. Here comes Signior Claudio, led by the provost to prison; and there’s Madam Juliet. Exeunt. <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Provost, Claudio, Juliet, and Officers.</h5> <div class = "verse"> 110 Claud. Fellow, why dost thou show me thus to the world? Bear me to prison, where I am committed. </div> <div class = "verse"> Prov. I do it not in evil disposition, But from Lord Angelo by special charge. </div> <div class = "verse"> Claud. Thus can the demigod Authority 115 Make us pay down for our offence by weight The words of heaven;—on whom it will, it will; On whom it will not, so; yet still ’tis just. </div> <h5 class = "stagedir"> Re-enter Lucio and two Gentlemen.</h5> Lucio. Why, how now, Claudio! whence comes this restraint? <div class = "verse"> Claud. From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty: 120 As surfeit is the father of much fast, So every scope by the immoderate use Turns to restraint. Our natures do pursue, Like rats that ravin down their proper bane, A thirsty evil; and when we drink we die. </div> I. 2. 125 Lucio. If I could speak so wisely under an arrest, I would send for certain of my creditors: and yet, to say the truth, I had as lief have the foppery of freedom as the morality of imprisonment. What’s thy offence, Claudio? Claud. What but to speak of would offend again. 130 Lucio. What, is’t murder? 303 Claud. No. Lucio. Lechery? Claud. Call it so. Prov. Away, sir! you must go. 135 Claud. One word, good friend. Lucio, a word with you. <div class = "verse"> Lucio. A hundred, if they’ll do you any good. Is lechery so look’d after? </div> <div class = "verse"> Claud. Thus stands it with me:—upon a true contract I got possession of Julietta’s bed: 140 You know the lady; she is fast my wife, Save that we do the denunciation lack Of outward order: this we came not to, Only for propagation of a dower Remaining in the coffer of her friends; 145 From whom we thought it meet to hide our love Till time had made them for us. But it chances The stealth of our most mutual entertainment With character too gross is writ on Juliet. </div> Lucio. With child, perhaps? <div class = "verse"> Claud. Unhappily, even so. I. 2. 150 And the new Deputy now for the Duke,— Whether it be the fault and glimpse of newness, Or whether that the body public be A horse whereon the governor doth ride, Who, newly in the seat, that it may know 155 He can command, lets it straight feel the spur; Whether the tyranny be in his place, Or in his eminence that fills it up. I stagger in:—but this new governor Awakes me all the enrolled penalties 160 Which have, like unscour’d armour, hung by the wall So long, that nineteen zodiacs have gone round, And none of them been worn; and, for a name, 304 Now puts the drowsy and neglected act Freshly on me: ’tis surely for a name. </div> 165 Lucio. I warrant it is: and thy head stands so tickle on thy shoulders, that a milkmaid, if she be in love, may sigh it off. Send after the duke, and appeal to him. <div class = "verse"> Claud. I have done so, but he’s not to be found. I prithee, Lucio, do me this kind service: 170 This day my sister should the cloister enter And there receive her approbation: Acquaint her with the danger of my state; Implore her, in my voice, that she make friends To the strict deputy; bid herself assay him: I. 2. 175 I have great hope in that; for in her youth There is a prone and speechless dialect, Such as move men; beside, she hath prosperous art When she will play with reason and discourse, And well she can persuade. </div> 180 Lucio. I pray she may; as well for the encouragement of the like, which else would stand under grievous imposition, as for the enjoying of thy life, who I would be sorry should be thus foolishly lost at a game of tick-tack. I’ll to her. 185 Claud. I thank you, good friend Lucio. Lucio. Within two hours. Claud. Come, officer, away! Exeunt. 305 <h4 class = "scene"> I. 3 Scene III. A monastery.</h4> <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Duke and Friar Thomas.</h5> <div class = "verse"> Duke. No, holy father; throw away that thought; Believe not that the dribbling dart of love Can pierce a complete bosom. Why I desire thee To give me secret harbour, hath a purpose 5 More grave and wrinkled than the aims and ends Of burning youth. </div> Fri. T. May your grace speak of it? <div class = "verse"> Duke. My holy sir, none better knows than you How I have ever loved the life removed, And held in idle price to haunt assemblies 10 Where youth, and cost, and witless bravery keeps. I have deliver’d to Lord Angelo, A man of stricture and firm abstinence, My absolute power and place here in Vienna, And he supposes me travell’d to Poland; 15 For so I have strew’d it in the common ear, And so it is received. Now, pious sir, You will demand of me why I do this? </div> Fri. T. Gladly, my lord. <div class = "verse"> Duke. We have strict statutes and most biting laws, 20 The needful bits and curbs to headstrong weeds, Which for this fourteen years we have let slip; Even like an o’ergrown lion in a cave, That goes not out to prey. Now, as fond fathers, Having bound up the threatening twigs of birch, I. 3. 25 Only to stick it in their children’s sight 306 For terror, not to use, in time the rod Becomes more mock’d than fear’d; so our decrees. Dead to infliction, to themselves are dead; And liberty plucks justice by the nose; 30 The baby beats the nurse, and quite athwart Goes all decorum. </div> <div class = "verse"> Fri. T. It rested in your Grace To unloose this tied-up justice when you pleased: And it in you more dreadful would have seem’d Than in Lord Angelo. </div> <div class = "verse"> Duke. I do fear, too dreadful: 35 Sith ’twas my fault to give the people scope, ’Twould be my tyranny to strike and gall them For what I bid them do: for we bid this be done, When evil deeds have their permissive pass, And not the punishment. Therefore, indeed, my father, 40 I have on Angelo imposed the office; Who may, in the ambush of my name, strike home, And yet my nature never in the fight To do in slander. And to behold his sway, I will, as ’twere a brother of your order, 45 Visit both prince and people: therefore, I prithee, Supply me with the habit, and instruct me How I may formally in person bear me Like a true friar. More reasons for this action At our more leisure shall I render you; I. 3. 50 Only, this one: Lord Angelo is precise; 307 Stands at a guard with envy; scarce confesses That his blood flows, or that his appetite Is more to bread than stone: hence shall we see, If power change purpose, what our seemers be. </div> Exeunt. <h4 class = "scene"> I. 4 Scene IV. A nunnery.</h4> <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Isabella and Francisca.</h5> Isab. And have you nuns no farther privileges? Fran. Are not these large enough? <div class = "verse"> Isab. Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; But rather wishing a more strict restraint 5 Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare. </div> Lucio [within]. Ho! Peace be in this place! Isab. Who’s that which calls? <div class = "verse"> Fran. It is a man’s voice. Gentle Isabella, Turn you the key, and know his business of him; You may, I may not; you are yet unsworn. 10 When you have vow’d, you must not speak with men But in the presence of the prioress: Then, if you speak, you must not show your face; Or, if you show your face, you must not speak. He calls again; I pray you, answer him. Exit. </div> 15 Isab. Peace and prosperity! Who is’t that calls? <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Lucio.</h5> <div class = "verse"> Lucio. Hail, virgin, if you be, as those cheek-roses Proclaim you are no less! Can you so stead me As bring me to the sight of Isabella, A novice of this place, and the fair sister 20 To her unhappy brother Claudio? </div> <div class = "verse"> Isab. Why, ‘her unhappy brother’? let me ask The rather, for I now must make you know I am that Isabella and his sister. </div> <div class = "verse"> Lucio. Gentle and fair, your brother kindly greets you: 308 I. 4. 25 Not to be weary with you, he’s in prison. </div> Isab. Woe me! for what? <div class = "verse"> Lucio. For that which, if myself might be his judge, He should receive his punishment in thanks: He hath got his friend with child. </div> Isab. Sir, make me not your story. <div class = "verse"> 30 Lucio. It is true. I would not—though ’tis my familiar sin With maids to seem the lapwing, and to jest, Tongue far from heart—play with all virgins so: I hold you as a thing ensky’d and sainted; 35 By your renouncement, an immortal spirit; And to be talk’d with in sincerity, As with a saint. </div> Isab. You do blaspheme the good in mocking me. <div class = "verse"> Lucio. Do not believe it. Fewness and truth, ’tis thus:— 40 Your brother and his lover have embraced: As those that feed grow full,—as blossoming time, That from the seedness the bare fallow brings To teeming foison,—even so her plenteous womb Expresseth his full tilth and husbandry. </div> 45 Isab. Some one with child by him?—My cousin Juliet? Lucio. Is she your cousin? <div class = "verse"> Isab. Adoptedly; as school-maids change their names By vain, though apt, affection. </div> Lucio. She it is. Isab. O, let him marry her. <div class = "verse"> Lucio. This is the point. I. 4. 50 The duke is very strangely gone from hence; Bore many gentlemen, myself being one, In hand, and hope of action: but we do learn 309 By those that know the very nerves of state, His givings-out were of an infinite distance 55 From his true-meant design. Upon his place, And with full line of his authority, Governs Lord Angelo; a man whose blood Is very snow-broth; one who never feels The wanton stings and motions of the sense, 60 But doth rebate and blunt his natural edge With profits of the mind, study and fast. He—to give fear to use and liberty, Which have for long run by the hideous law, As mice by lions—hath pick’d out an act, 65 Under whose heavy sense your brother’s life Falls into forfeit: he arrests him on it; And follows close the rigour of the statute, To make him an example. All hope is gone, Unless you have the grace by your fair prayer 70 To soften Angelo: and that’s my pith of business ’Twixt you and your poor brother. </div> Isab. Doth he so seek his life? <div class = "verse"> Lucio. Has censured him Already; and, as I hear, the provost hath A warrant for his execution. </div> <div class = "verse"> I. 4. 75 Isab. Alas! what poor ability’s in me To do him good? </div> Lucio. Assay the power you have. Isab. My power? Alas, I doubt,— <div class = "verse"> Lucio. Our doubts are traitors, And make us lose the good we oft might win By fearing to attempt. Go to Lord Angelo, 80 And let him learn to know, when maidens sue, 310 Men give like gods; but when they weep and kneel, All their petitions are as freely theirs As they themselves would owe them. </div> Isab. I’ll see what I can do. Lucio. But speedily. <div class = "verse"> 85 Isab. I will about it straight; No longer staying but to give the Mother Notice of my affair. I humbly thank you: Commend me to my brother: soon at night I’ll send him certain word of my success. </div> Lucio. I take my leave of you. 90 Isab. Good sir, adieu. Exeunt. <h3 class = "act">ACT II.</h3> <h4 class = "scene"> II. 1 Scene I. A hall in Angelo’s house.</h4> <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Angelo, Escalus, and a Justice, Provost, Officers, and other Attendants, behind.</h5> <div class = "verse"> Ang. We must not make a scarecrow of the law, Setting it up to fear the birds of prey, And let it keep one shape, till custom make it Their perch, and not their terror. </div> <div class = "verse"> Escal. Ay, but yet 5 Let us be keen, and rather cut a little, Than fall, and bruise to death. Alas, this gentleman, Whom I would save, had a most noble father! Let but your honour know, Whom I believe to be most strait in virtue, 10 That, in the working of your own affections, Had time cohered with place or place with wishing, Or that the resolute acting of your blood Could have attain’d the effect of your own purpose, Whether you had not sometime in your life 311 15 Err’d in this point which now you censure him, And pull’d the law upon you. </div> <div class = "verse"> Ang. ’Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus, Another thing to fall. I not deny, The jury, passing on the prisoner’s life, 20 May in the sworn twelve have a thief or two Guiltier than him they try. What’s open made to justice, That justice seizes: what know the laws That theives do pass on thieves? ’Tis very pregnant, The jewel that we find, we stoop and take’t, II. 1. 25 Because we see it; but what we do not see We tread upon, and never think of it. You may not so extenuate his offence For I have had such faults; but rather tell me, When I, that censure him, do so offend, 30 Let mine own judgement pattern out my death, And nothing come in partial. Sir, he must die.     </div> Escal. Be it as your wisdom will. Ang. Where is the provost? Prov. Here, if it like your honour. <div class = "verse"> Ang. See that Claudio Be executed by nine to-morrow morning: 35 Bring him his confessor, let him be prepared; For that’s the utmost of his pilgrimage. </div> Exit Provost. <div class = "verse"> Escal. [Aside] Well, heaven forgive him! and forgive us all! Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall: Some run from brakes of ice, and answer none; 40 And some condemned for a fault alone. </div> 312 <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Elbow, and Officers with Froth and Pompey.</h5> Elb. Come, bring them away: if these be good people in a commonweal that do nothing but use their abuses in common houses, I know no law: bring them away. Ang. How now, sir! What’s your name? and what’s 45 the matter? Elb. If it please your honour, I am the poor Duke’s constable, and my name is Elbow: I do lean upon justice, sir, and do bring in here before your good honour two notorious benefactors. II. 1. 50 Ang. Benefactors? Well; what benefactors are they? are they not malefactors? Elb. If it please your honour, I know not well what they are: but precise villains they are, that I am sure of; and void of all profanation in the world that good Christians 55 ought to have. Escal. This comes off well; here’s a wise officer. Ang. Go to: what quality are they of? Elbow is your name? why dost thou not speak, Elbow? Pom. He cannot, sir; he’s out at elbow. 60 Ang. What are you, sir? Elb. He, sir! a tapster, sir; parcel-bawd; one that serves a bad woman; whose house, sir, was, as they say, plucked down in the suburbs; and now she professes a hot-house, which, I think, is a very ill house too. 65 Escal. How know you that? Elb. My wife, sir, whom I detest before heaven and your honour,— Escal. How? thy wife? Elb. Ay, sir;—whom, I thank heaven, is an honest 70 woman,— Escal. Dost thou detest her therefore? Elb. I say, sir, I will detest myself also, as well as she, that this house, if it be not a bawd’s house, it is pity of her life, for it is a naughty house. II. 1. 75 Escal. How dost thou know that, constable? 313 Elb. Marry, sir, by my wife; who, if she had been a woman cardinally given, might have been accused in fornication, adultery, and all uncleanliness there. Escal. By the woman’s means? 80 Elb. Ay, sir, by Mistress Overdone’s means: but as she spit in his face, so she defied him. Pom. Sir, if it please your honour, this is not so. Elb. Prove it before these varlets here, thou honourable man; prove it. 85 Escal.   Do you hear how he misplaces? Pom. Sir, she came in great with child; and longing, saving your honour’s reverence, for stewed prunes; sir, we had but two in the house, which at that very distant time stood, as it were, in a fruit-dish, a dish of some three-pence; 90 your honours have seen such dishes; they are not China dishes, but very good dishes,— Escal. Go to, go to: no matter for the dish, sir. Pom. No, indeed, sir, not of a pin; you are therein in the right: but to the point. As I say, this Mistress Elbow, 95 being, as I say, with child, and being great-bellied, and longing, as I said, for prunes; and having but two in the dish, as I said, Master Froth here, this very man, having eaten the rest, as I said, and, as I say, paying for them very honestly; for, as you know, Master Froth, I could not II. 1. 100 give you three-pence again. Froth. No, indeed. Pom. Very well;—you being then, if you be remembered, cracking the stones of the foresaid prunes,— Froth. Ay, so I did indeed. Pom. Why, very well; I telling you then, if you be remembered, 105 that such a one and such a one were past cure of the thing you wot of, unless they kept very good diet, as I told you,— Froth. All this is true. 110 Pom. Why, very well, then,— 314 Escal. Come, you are a tedious fool: to the purpose. What was done to Elbow’s wife, that he hath cause to complain of? Come me to what was done to her. Pom. Sir, your honour cannot come to that yet. 115 Escal. No, sir, nor I mean it not. Pom. Sir, but you shall come to it, by your honour’s leave. And, I beseech you, look into Master Froth here, sir; a man of fourscore pound a year; whose father died at Hallowmas:—was’t not at Hallowmas, Master Froth?— 120 Froth. All-hallond eve. Pom. Why, very well; I hope here be truths. He, sir, sitting, as I say, in a lower chair, sir; ’twas in the Bunch of Grapes, where, indeed, you have a delight to sit, have you not? II. 1. 125 Froth. I have so; because it is an open room, and good for winter. Pom. Why, very well, then; I hope here be truths. <div class = "verse"> Ang. This will last out a night in Russia, When nights are longest there: I’ll take my leave, 130 And leave you to the hearing of the cause; Hoping you’ll find good cause to whip them all. </div> Escal. I think no less. Good morrow to your lordship. Exit Angelo. Now, sir, come on: what was done to Elbow’s wife, once more? 135 Pom. Once, sir? there was nothing done to her once. Elb. I beseech you, sir, ask him what this man did to my wife. Pom. I beseech your honour, ask me. Escal. Well, sir; what did this gentleman to her? 140 Pom. I beseech you, sir, look in this gentleman’s face. Good Master Froth, look upon his honour; ’tis for a good purpose. Doth your honour mark his face? Escal. Ay, sir, very well. Pom. Nay, I beseech you, mark it well. 145 Escal. Well, I do so. 315 Pom. Doth your honour see any harm in his face? Escal. Why, no. Pom. I’ll be supposed upon a book, his face is the worst thing about him. Good, then; if his face be the worst II. 1. 150 thing about him, how could Master Froth do the constable’s wife any harm? I would know that of your honour. Escal. He’s in the right. Constable, what say you to it? Elb. First, an it like you, the house is a respected house; next, this is a respected fellow; and his mistress is 155 a respected woman. Pom. By this hand, sir, his wife is a more respected person than any of us all. Elb. Varlet, thou liest; thou liest, wicked varlet! the time is yet to come that she was ever respected with 160 man, woman, or child. Pom. Sir, she was respected with him before he married with her. Escal. Which is the wiser here? Justice or Iniquity? Is this true? 165 Elb. O thou caitiff! O thou varlet! O thou wicked Hannibal! I respected with her before I was married to her! If ever I was respected with her, or she with me, let not your worship think me the poor duke’s officer. Prove this, thou wicked Hannibal, or I’ll have mine action of battery 170 on thee. Escal. If he took you a box o’ th’ ear, you might have your action of slander too. Elb. Marry, I thank your good worship for it. What is’t your worship’s pleasure I shall do with this wicked II. 1. 175 caitiff? Escal. Truly, officer, because he hath some offences in him that thou wouldst discover if thou couldst, let him continue in his courses till thou knowest what they are. Elb. Marry, I thank your worship for it. Thou seest, 180 thou wicked varlet, now, what’s come upon thee: thou art to continue now, thou varlet; thou art to continue. Escal. Where were you born, friend? Froth. Here in Vienna, sir. Escal. Are you of fourscore pounds a year? 185 Froth. Yes, an’t please you, sir. 316 Escal. So. What trade are you of, sir? Pom. A tapster; a poor widow’s tapster. Escal. Your mistress’ name? Pom. Mistress Overdone. 190 Escal. Hath she had any more than one husband? Pom. Nine, sir; Overdone by the last. Escal. Nine! Come hither to me, Master Froth. Master Froth, I would not have you acquainted with tapsters: they will draw you, Master Froth, and you will hang 195 them. Get you gone, and let me hear no more of you. Froth. I thank your worship. For mine own part, I never come into any room in a taphouse, but I am drawn in. Escal. Well, no more of it, Master Froth: farewell. [Exit Froth.] Come you hither to me, Master tapster. II. 1. 200 What’s your name, Master tapster? Pom. Pompey. Escal. What else? Pom. Bum, sir. Escal. Troth, and your bum is the greatest thing about 205 you; so that, in the beastliest sense, you are Pompey the Great. Pompey, you are partly a bawd, Pompey, howsoever you colour it in being a tapster, are you not? come, tell me true: it shall be the better for you. Pom. Truly, sir, I am a poor fellow that would live. 210 Escal. How would you live, Pompey? by being a bawd? What do you think of the trade, Pompey? is it a lawful trade? Pom. If the law would allow it, sir. Escal. But the law will not allow it, Pompey; nor it 215 shall not be allowed in Vienna. Pom. Does your worship mean to geld and splay all the youth of the city? Escal. No, Pompey. Pom. Truly, sir, in my poor opinion, they will to’t, 220 then. If your worship will take order for the drabs and the knaves, you need not to fear the bawds. 317 Escal. There are pretty orders beginning, I can tell you: it is but heading and hanging. Pom. If you head and hang all that offend that way II. 1. 225 but for ten year together, you’ll be glad to give out a commission for more heads: if this law hold in Vienna ten year, I’ll rent the fairest house in it after three-pence a bay: if you live to see this come to pass, say Pompey told you so. Escal. Thank you, good Pompey; and, in requital of 230 your prophecy, hark you: I advise you, let me not find you before me again upon any complaint whatsoever; no, not for dwelling where you do: if I do, Pompey, I shall beat you to your tent, and prove a shrewd Cæsar to you; in plain dealing, Pompey, I shall have you whipt: so, for 235 this time, Pompey, fare you well. Pom. I thank your worship for your good counsel: [Aside] but I shall follow it as the flesh and fortune shall better determine. <div class = "verse"> Whip me? No, no; let carman whip his jade: 240 The valiant heart is not whipt out of his trade. Exit. </div> Escal. Come hither to me, Master Elbow; come hither, Master constable. How long have you been in this place of constable? Elb. Seven year and a half, sir. 245 Escal. I thought, by your readiness in the office, you had continued in it some time. You say, seven years together? Elb. And a half, sir. Escal. Alas, it hath been great pains to you. They do you wrong to put you so oft upon’t: are there not men II. 1. 250 in your ward sufficient to serve it? Elb. Faith, sir, few of any wit in such matters: as they are chosen, they are glad to choose me for them; I do it for some piece of money, and go through with all. Escal. Look you bring me in the names of some six 255 or seven, the most sufficient of your parish. Elb. To your worship’s house, sir? 318 <div class = "verse"> Escal. To my house. Fare you well. Exit Elbow. What’s o’clock, think you? </div> Just. Eleven, sir. 260 Escal. I pray you home to dinner with me. Just. I humbly thank you. <div class = "verse"> Escal. It grieves me for the death of Claudio; But there’s no remedy. </div> Just. Lord Angelo is severe. <div class = "verse"> Escal. It is but needful: 265 Mercy is not itself, that oft looks so; Pardon is still the nurse of second woe: But yet,—poor Claudio! There is no remedy. Come, sir. </div> Exeunt. <h4 class = "scene"> II. 2 Scene II. Another room in the same.</h4> <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Provost and a Servant.</h5> <div class = "verse"> Serv. He’s hearing of a cause; he will come straight: I’ll tell him of you. </div> <div class = "verse"> Prov. Pray you, do. [Exit Servant.] I’ll know His pleasure; may be he will relent. Alas, He hath but as offended in a dream! 5 All sects, all ages smack of this vice; and he To die for ’t! </div> <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Angelo.</h5> <div class = "verse"> Ang. Now, what’s the matter, provost? </div> Prov. Is it your will Claudio shall die to-morrow? <div class = "verse"> Ang. Did not I tell thee yea? hadst thou not order? Why dost thou ask again? </div> <div class = "verse"> Prov. Lest I might be too rash: 10 Under your good correction, I have seen, When, after execution, Judgement hath Repented o’er his doom. </div> 319 <div class = "verse"> Ang. Go to; let that be mine: Do you your office, or give up your place, And you shall well be spared. </div> <div class = "verse"> Prov. I crave your honour’s pardon. 15 What shall be done, sir, with the groaning Juliet? She’s very near her hour. </div> <div class = "verse"> Ang. Dispose of her To some more fitter place, and that with speed. </div> <h5 class = "stagedir"> Re-enter Servant.</h5> <div class = "verse"> Serv. Here is the sister of the man condemn’d Desires access to you. </div> Ang. Hath he a sister? <div class = "verse"> 20 Prov. Ay, my good lord; a very virtuous maid, And to be shortly of a sisterhood, If not already. </div> <div class = "verse"> Ang. Well, let her be admitted. Exit Servant. See you the fornicatress be removed: Let her have needful, but not lavish, means; There shall be order for ’t. </div> <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Isabella and Lucio.</h5> II. 2. 25 Prov. God save your honour! Ang. Stay a little while. [To Isab.] You’re welcome: what’s your will? <div class = "verse"> Isab. I am a woeful suitor to your honour, Please but your honour hear me. </div> Ang. Well; what’s your suit? <div class = "verse"> Isab. There is a vice that most I do abhor, 30 And most desire should meet the blow of justice; For which I would not plead, but that I must; For which I must not plead, but that I am At war ’twixt will and will not. </div> 320 Ang. Well; the matter? <div class = "verse"> Isab. I have a brother is condemn’d to die: 35 I do beseech you, let it be his fault, And not my brother. </div> Prov. [Aside] Heaven give thee moving graces! <div class = "verse"> Ang. Condemn the fault, and not the actor of it? Why, every fault’s condemn’d ere it be done: Mine were the very cipher of a function, 40 To fine the faults whose fine stands in record, And let go by the actor. </div> <div class = "verse"> Isab. O just but severe law! I had a brother, then.—Heaven keep your honour! </div> <div class = "verse"> Lucio. [Aside to Isab.] Give’t not o’er so: to him again, entreat him; Kneel down before him, hang upon his gown: 45 You are too cold; if you should need a pin, You could not with more tame a tongue desire it: To him, I say! </div> Isab. Must he needs die? Ang. Maiden, no remedy. <div class = "verse"> Isab. Yes; I do think that you might pardon him, II. 2. 50 And neither heaven nor man grieve at the mercy. </div> Ang. I will not do’t. Isab. But can you, if you would? Ang. Look, what I will not, that I cannot do. <div class = "verse"> Isab. But might you do’t, and do the world no wrong, If so your heart were touch’d with that remorse As mine is to him. </div> 55 Ang. He’s sentenced; ’tis too late. Lucio. [Aside to Isab.] You are too cold. <div class = "verse"> Isab. Too late? why, no; I, that do speak a word, May call it back again. Well, believe this, 321 No ceremony that to great ones ’longs, 60 Not the king’s crown, nor the deputed sword, The marshal’s truncheon, nor the judge’s robe, Become them with one half so good a grace As mercy does. If he had been as you, and you as he, 65 You would have slipt like him; but he, like you, Would not have been so stern. </div> Ang. Pray you, be gone. <div class = "verse"> Isab. I would to heaven I had your potency, And you were Isabel! should it then be thus? No; I would tell what ’twere to be a judge, And what a prisoner. </div> 70 Lucio. [Aside to Isab.] Ay, touch him; there’s the vein. <div class = "verse"> Ang. Your brother is a forfeit of the law, And you but waste your words. </div> <div class = "verse"> Isab. Alas, alas! Why, all the souls that were were forfeit once; And He that might the vantage best have took II. 2. 75 Found out the remedy. How would you be, If He, which is the top of judgement, should But judge you as you are? O, think on that; And mercy then will breathe within your lips, Like man new made. </div> <div class = "verse"> Ang. Be you content, fair maid; 80 It is the law, not I condemn your brother: Were he my kinsman, brother, or my son, It should be thus with him: he must die to-morrow. </div> <div class = "verse"> Isab. To-morrow! O, that’s sudden! Spare him, spare him! He’s not prepared for death. Even for our kitchens 85 We kill the fowl of season: shall we serve heaven With less respect than we do minister To our gross selves? Good, good my lord, bethink you; 322 Who is it that hath died for this offence? There’s many have committed it. </div> Lucio. [Aside to Isab.] Ay, well said. <div class = "verse"> 90 Ang. The law hath not been dead, though it hath slept: Those many had not dared to do that evil, If the first that did the edict infringe Had answer’d for his deed: now ’tis awake, Takes note of what is done; and, like a prophet, 95 Looks in a glass, that shows what future evils, Either now, or by remissness new-conceived, And so in progress to be hatch’d and born, Are now to have no successive degrees, But, ere they live, to end. </div> Isab. Yet show some pity. <div class = "verse"> II. 2. 100 Ang. I show it most of all when I show justice; For then I pity those I do not know, Which a dismiss’d offence would after gall; And do him right that, answering one foul wrong. Lives not to act another. Be satisfied; 105 Your brother dies to-morrow; be content. </div> <div class = "verse"> Isab. So you must be the first that gives this sentence. And he, that suffers. O, it is excellent To have a giant’s strength; but it is tyrannous To use it like a giant. </div> Lucio. [Aside to Isab.] That’s well said. <div class = "verse"> 110 Isab. Could great men thunder As Jove himself does, Jove would ne’er be quiet, For every pelting, petty officer Would use his heaven for thunder. Nothing but thunder! Merciful Heaven, 323 115 Thou rather with thy sharp and sulphurous bolt Split’st the unwedgeable and gnarled oak Than the soft myrtle: but man, proud man, Drest in a little brief authority, Most ignorant of what he’s most assured, 120 His glassy essence, like an angry ape, Plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven As make the angels weep; who, with our spleens, Would all themselves laugh mortal. </div> <div class = "verse"> Lucio. [Aside to Isab.] O, to him, to him, wench! he will relent; He’s coming; I perceive’t. </div> II. 2. 125 Prov. [Aside] Pray heaven she win him! <div class = "verse"> Isab. We cannot weigh our brother with ourself: Great men may jest with saints; ’tis wit in them. But in the less foul profanation. </div> Lucio. Thou’rt i’ the right, girl; more o’ that. <div class = "verse"> 130 Isab. That in the captain’s but a choleric word, Which in the soldier is flat blasphemy. </div> Lucio. [Aside to Isab.] Art avised o’ that? more on’t. Ang. Why do you put these sayings upon me? <div class = "verse"> Isab. Because authority, though it err like others. 135 Hath yet a kind of medicine in itself, That skins the vice o’ the top. Go to your bosom; Knock there, and ask your heart what it doth know That’s like my brother’s fault: if it confess A natural guiltiness such as is his, 140 Let it not sound a thought upon your tongue Against my brother’s life. </div> <div class = "verse"> Ang. [Aside] She speaks, and ’tis Such sense, that my sense breeds with it. Fare you well. </div> 324 Isab. Gentle my lord, turn back. Ang. I will bethink me: come again to-morrow. 145 Isab. Hark how I’ll bribe you: good my lord, turn back. Ang. How? bribe me? Isab. Ay, with such gifts that heaven shall share with you. Lucio. [Aside to Isab.] Yon had marr’d all else. <div class = "verse"> Isab. Not with fond shekels of the tested gold, II. 2. 150 Or stones whose rates are either rich or poor As fancy values them; but with true prayers That shall be up at heaven and enter there Ere sun-rise, prayers from preserved souls, From fasting maids whose minds are dedicate To nothing temporal. </div> 155 Ang. Well; come to me to-morrow. Lucio. [Aside to Isab.] Go to; ’tis well; away! Isab. Heaven keep your honour safe! <div class = "verse"> Ang. [Aside] Amen: For I am that way going to temptation, Where prayers cross. </div> <div class = "verse"> Isab. At what hour to-morrow Shall I attend your lordship? </div> 160 Ang. At any time ’fore noon. Isab. ’Save your honour! Exeunt Isabella, Lucio, and Provost. <div class = "verse"> Ang. From thee,—even from thy virtue! What’s this, what’s this? Is this her fault or mine? The tempter or the tempted, who sins most? Ha! 165 Not she; nor doth she tempt: but it is I That, lying by the violet in the sun, Do as the carrion does, not as the flower, 325 Corrupt with virtuous season. Can it be That modesty may more betray our sense 170 Than woman’s lightness? Having waste ground enough, Shall we desire to raze the sanctuary, And pitch our evils there? O, fie, fie, fie! What dost thou, or what art thou, Angelo? Dost thou desire her foully for those things II. 2. 175 That make her good? O, let her brother live: Thieves for their robbery have authority When judges steal themselves. What, do I love her, That I desire to hear her speak again, And feast upon her eyes? What is’t I dream on? 180 O cunning enemy, that, to catch a saint, With saints dost bait thy hook! Most dangerous Is that temptation that doth goad us on To sin in loving virtue: never could the strumpet, With all her double vigour, art and nature, 185 Once stir my temper; but this virtuous maid Subdues me quite. Ever till now, When men were fond, I smiled, and wonder’d how. Exit. </div> <h4 class = "scene"> II. 3 Scene III. A room in a prison.</h4> <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter, severally, Duke disguised as a friar, and Provost.</h5> Duke. Hail to you, provost!—so I think you are. Prov. I am the provost. What’s your will, good friar? <div class = "verse"> Duke. Bound by my charity and my blest order, I come to visit the afflicted spirits 5 Here in the prison. Do me the common right To let me see them, and to make me know The nature of their crimes, that I may minister To them accordingly. </div> Prov. I would do more than that, if more were needful. 326 <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Juliet.</h5> <div class = "verse"> 10 Look, here comes one: a gentlewoman of mine, Who, falling in the flaws of her own youth, Hath blister’d her report: she is with child; And he that got it, sentenced; a young man More fit to do another such offence 15 Than die for this. </div> Duke. When must he die? <div class = "verse"> Prov. As I do think, to-morrow. I have provided for you: stay awhile, To Juliet. And you shall be conducted. </div> Duke. Repent you, fair one, of the sin you carry? 20 Jul. I do; and bear the shame most patiently. <div class = "verse"> Duke. I’ll teach you how you shall arraign your conscience, And try your penitence, if it be sound, Or hollowly put on. </div> Jul. I’ll gladly learn. Duke. Love you the man that wrong’d you? II. 3. 25 Jul. Yes, as I love the woman that wrong’d him. <div class = "verse"> Duke. So, then, it seems your most offenceful act Was mutually committed? </div> Jul. Mutually. Duke. Then was your sin of heavier kind than his. Jul. I do confess it, and repent it, father. <div class = "verse"> 30 Duke. ’Tis meet so, daughter: but lest you do repent, As that the sin hath brought you to this shame, Which sorrow is always towards ourselves, not heaven, Showing we would not spare heaven as we love it, But as we stand in fear,— </div> <div class = "verse"> 35 Jul. I do repent me, as it is an evil, And take the shame with joy. </div> 327 <div class = "verse"> Duke. There rest. Your partner, as I hear, must die to-morrow, And I am going with instruction to him. Grace go with you, Benedicite! Exit. </div> <div class = "verse"> 40 Jul. Must die to-morrow! O injurious love, That respites me a life, whose very comfort Is still a dying horror! </div> Prov. ’Tis pity of him. Exeunt. <h4 class = "scene"> II. 4 Scene IV. A room in Angelo’s house.</h4> <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Angelo.</h5> <div class = "verse"> Ang. When I would pray and think, I think and pray To several subjects. Heaven hath my empty words; Whilst my invention, hearing not my tongue, Anchors on Isabel: Heaven in my mouth, 5 As if I did but only chew his name; And in my heart the strong and swelling evil Of my conception. The state, whereon I studied, Is like a good thing, being often read, Grown fear’d and tedious; yea, my gravity, 10 Wherein—let no man hear me—I take pride, Could I with boot change for an idle plume, Which the air beats for vain. O place, O form, How often dost thou with thy case, thy habit, Wrench awe from fools, and tie the wiser souls 15 To thy false seeming! Blood, thou art blood: 328 Let’s write good angel on the devil’s horn; ’Tis not the devil’s crest. <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter a Servant.</h5> How now! who’s there? </div> Serv. One Isabel, a sister, desires access to you. <div class = "verse"> Ang. Teach her the way. O heavens! 20 Why does my blood thus muster to my heart, Making both it unable for itself, And dispossessing all my other parts Of necessary fitness? So play the foolish throngs with one that swoons: II. 4. 25 Come all to help him, and so stop the air By which he should revive: and even so The general, subject to a well-wish’d king, Quit their own part, and in obsequious fondness Crowd to his presence, where their untaught love Must needs appear offence. <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Isabella.</h5> 30 How now, fair maid? </div> Isab. I am come to know your pleasure. <div class = "verse"> Ang. That you might know it, would much better please me Than to demand what ’tis. Your brother cannot live. </div> Isab. Even so.—Heaven keep your honour! <div class = "verse"> 35 Ang. Yet may he live awhile; and, it may be, As long as you or I: yet he must die. </div> Isab. Under your sentence? Ang. Yea. 329 <div class = "verse"> Isab. When, I beseech you? that in his reprieve, 40 Longer or shorter, he may be so fitted That his soul sicken not. </div> <div class = "verse"> Ang. Ha! fie, these filthy vices! It were as good To pardon him that hath from nature stolen A man already made, as to remit 45 Their saucy sweetness that do coin heaven’s image In stamps that are forbid: ’tis all as easy Falsely to take away a life true made, As to put metal in restrained means To make a false one. </div> II. 4. 50 Isab. ’Tis set down so in heaven, but not in earth. <div class = "verse"> Ang. Say you so? then I shall pose you quickly. Which had you rather,—that the most just law Now took your brother’s life; or, to redeem him, Give up your body to such sweet uncleanness As she that he hath stain’d? </div> <div class = "verse"> 55 Isab. Sir, believe this, I had rather give my body than my soul. </div> <div class = "verse"> Ang. I talk not of your soul: our compell’d sins Stand more for number than for accompt. </div> Isab. How say you? <div class = "verse"> Ang. Nay, I’ll not warrant that; for I can speak 60 Against the thing I say. Answer to this:— I, now the voice of the recorded law, Pronounce a sentence on your brother’s life: Might there not be a charity in sin To save this brother’s life? </div> <div class = "verse"> Isab. Please you to do’t, 65 I’ll take it as a peril to my soul, It is no sin at all, but charity. </div> <div class = "verse"> Ang. Pleased you to do’t at peril of your soul, 330 Were equal poise of sin and charity. </div> <div class = "verse"> Isab. That I do beg his life, if it be sin, 70 Heaven let me bear it! you granting of my suit, If that be sin, I’ll make it my morn prayer To have it added to the faults of mine, And nothing of your answer. </div> <div class = "verse"> Ang. Nay, but hear me. Your sense pursues not mine: either you are ignorant, II. 4. 75 Or seem so, craftily; and that’s not good. </div> <div class = "verse"> Isab. Let me be ignorant, and in nothing good, But graciously to know I am no better. </div> <div class = "verse"> Ang. Thus wisdom wishes to appear most bright When it doth tax itself; as these black masks 80 Proclaim an enshield beauty ten times louder Than beauty could, display’d. But mark me; To be received plain, I’ll speak more gross: Your brother is to die. </div> Isab. So. <div class = "verse"> 85 Ang. And his offence is so, as it appears, Accountant to the law upon that pain. </div> Isab. True. <div class = "verse"> Ang. Admit no other way to save his life,— As I subscribe not that, nor any other, 90 But in the loss of question,—that you, his sister, Finding yourself desired of such a person, Whose credit with the judge, or own great place, Could fetch your brother from the manacles Of the all-building law; and that there were 95 No earthly mean to save him, but that either You must lay down the treasures of your body 331 To this supposed, or else to let him suffer; What would you do? </div> <div class = "verse"> Isab. As much for my poor brother as myself: II. 4. 100 That is, were I under the terms of death, The impression of keen whips I’ld wear as rubies, And strip myself to death, as to a bed That longing have been sick for, ere I’ld yield My body up to shame. </div> Ang. Then must your brother die. <div class = "verse"> 105 Isab. And ’twere the cheaper way: Better it were a brother died at once, Than that a sister, by redeeming him, Should die for ever. </div> <div class = "verse"> Ang. Were not you, then, as cruel as the sentence 110 That you have slander’d so? </div> <div class = "verse"> Isab. Ignomy in ransom and free pardon Are of two houses: lawful mercy Is nothing kin to foul redemption. </div> <div class = "verse"> Ang. You seem’d of late to make the law a tyrant; 115 And rather proved the sliding of your brother A merriment than a vice. </div> <div class = "verse"> Isab. O, pardon me, my lord; it oft falls out, To have what we would have, we speak not what we mean: I something do excuse the thing I hate, 120 For his advantage that I dearly love. </div> Ang. We are all frail. <div class = "verse"> Isab. Else let my brother die, If not a feodary, but only he Owe and succeed thy weakness. </div> 332 Ang. Nay, women are frail too. <div class = "verse"> II. 4. 125 Isab. Ay, as the glasses where they view themselves; Which are as easy broke as they make forms. Women!—Help Heaven! men their creation mar In profiting by them. Nay, call us ten times frail; For we are soft as our complexions are, And credulous to false prints. </div> <div class = "verse"> 130 Ang. I think it well: And from this testimony of your own sex,— Since, I suppose, we are made to be no stronger Than faults may shake our frames,—let me be bold;— I do arrest your words. Be that you are, 135 That is, a woman; if you be more, you’re none; If you be one,—as you are well express’d By all external warrants,—show it now, By putting on the destined livery. </div> <div class = "verse"> Isab. I have no tongue but one: gentle my lord, 140 Let me entreat you speak the former language. </div> Ang. Plainly conceive, I love you. <div class = "verse"> Isab. My brother did love Juliet, And you tell me that he shall die for it. </div> Ang. He shall not, Isabel, if you give me love. <div class = "verse"> 145 Isab. I know your virtue hath a license in’t, Which seems a little fouler than it is, To pluck on others. </div> <div class = "verse"> Ang. Believe me, on mine honour, My words express my purpose. </div> <div class = "verse"> Isab. Ha! little honour to be much believed, II. 4. 150 And most pernicious purpose!—Seeming, seeming!— I will proclaim thee, Angelo; look for’t: Sign me a present pardon for my brother, Or with an outstretch’d throat I’ll tell the world aloud What man thou art. </div> <div class = "verse"> Ang. Who will believe thee, Isabel? 155 My unsoil’d name, the austereness of my life, My vouch against you, and my place i’ the state, 333 Will so your accusation overweigh, That you shall stifle in your own report, And smell of calumny. I have begun; 160 And now I give my sensual race the rein: Fit thy consent to my sharp appetite; Lay by all nicety and prolixious blushes, That banish what they sue for; redeem thy brother By yielding up thy body to my will; 165 Or else he must not only die the death, But thy unkindness shall his death draw out To lingering sufferance. Answer me to-morrow. Or, by the affection that now guides me most, I’ll prove a tyrant to him. As for you, 170 Say what you can, my false o’erweighs your true. Exit. </div> <div class = "verse"> Isab. To whom should I complain? Did I tell this, Who would believe me? O perilous mouths, That bear in them one and the self-same tongue, Either of condemnation or approof; II. 4. 175 Bidding the law make court’sy to their will; Hooking both right and wrong to the appetite, To follow as it draws! I’ll to my brother: Though he hath fall’n by prompture of the blood, Yet hath he in him such a mind of honour, 180 That, had he twenty heads to tender down On twenty bloody blocks, he’ld yield them up, Before his sister should her body stoop To such abhorr’d pollution. Then, Isabel, live chaste, and, brother, die: 185 More than our brother is our chastity. I’ll tell him yet of Angelo’s request, And fit his mind to death, for his soul’s rest. Exit. </div> 334 <h3 class = "act">ACT III.</h3> <h4 class = "scene"> III. 1 Scene I. A room in the prison.</h4> <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Duke disguised as before, Claudio, and Provost.</h5> Duke. So, then, you hope of pardon from Lord Angelo? <div class = "verse"> Claud. The miserable have no other medicine But only hope: I’ve hope to live, and am prepar’d to die. </div> <div class = "verse"> 5 Duke. Be absolute for death; either death or life Shall thereby be the sweeter. Reason thus with life: If I do lose thee, I do lose a thing That none but fools would keep: a breath thou art, Servile to all the skyey influences. 10 That dost this habitation, where thou keep’st, Hourly afflict: merely, thou art death’s fool; For him thou labour’st by thy flight to shun, And yet runn’st toward him still. Thou art not noble; For all the accommodations that thou bear’st 15 Are nursed by baseness. Thou’rt by no means valiant; For thou dost fear the soft and tender fork Of a poor worm. Thy best of rest is sleep, And that thou oft provokest; yet grossly fear’st Thy death, which is no more. Thou art not thyself; 20 For thou exist’st on many a thousand grains That issue out of dust. Happy thou art not; For what thou hast not, still thou strivest to get. And what thou hast, forget’st. Thou art not certain; For thy complexion shifts to strange effects, III. 1 25 After the moon. If thou art rich, thou’rt poor; For, like an ass whose back with ingots bows, 335 Thou bear’st thy heavy riches but a journey, And death unloads thee. Friend hast thou none; For thine own bowels, which do call thee sire, 30 The mere effusion of thy proper loins, Do curse the gout, serpigo, and the rheum, For ending thee no sooner. Thou hast nor youth nor age. But, as it were, an after-dinner’s sleep, Dreaming on both; for all thy blessed youth 35 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. What’s yet in this That bears the name of life? Yet in this life 40 Lie hid more thousand deaths: yet death we fear, That makes these odds all even. </div> <div class = "verse"> Claud. I humbly thank you. To sue to live, I find I seek to die; And, seeking death, find life: let it come on. </div> Isab. [within] What, ho! Peace here; grace and good company! 45 Prov. Who’s there? come in: the wish deserves a welcome. Duke. Dear sir, ere long I’ll visit you again. Claud. Most holy sir, I thank you. <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Isabella.</h5> Isab. My business is a word or two with Claudio. Prov. And very welcome. Look, signior, here’s your III. 1 50 sister. Duke. Provost, a word with you. Prov. As many as you please. 336 Duke. Bring me to hear them speak, where I may be concealed. Exeunt Duke and Provost. 55 Claud. Now, sister, what’s the comfort? <div class = "verse"> Isab. Why, As all comforts are; most good, most good indeed. Lord Angelo, having affairs to heaven, Intends you for his swift ambassador, 60 Where you shall be an everlasting leiger: Therefore your best appointment make with speed; To-morrow you set on. </div> Claud. Is there no remedy? <div class = "verse"> Isab. None, but such remedy as, to save a head, To cleave a heart in twain. </div> Claud. But is there any? <div class = "verse"> 65 Isab. Yes, brother, you may live: There is a devilish mercy in the judge, If you’ll implore it, that will free your life, But fetter you till death. </div> Claud. Perpetual durance? <div class = "verse"> Isab. Ay, just; perpetual durance, a restraint, 70 Though all the world’s vastidity you had, To a determined scope. </div> Claud. But in what nature? <div class = "verse"> Isab. In such a one as, you consenting to’t, Would bark your honour from that trunk you bear, And leave you naked. </div> Claud. Let me know the point. <div class = "verse"> III. 1 75 Isab. O, I do fear thee, Claudio; and I quake, Lest thou a feverous life shouldst entertain, And six or seven winters more respect 337 Than a perpetual honour. Darest thou die? 75 The sense of death is most in apprehension; And the poor beetle, that we tread upon, In corporal sufferance finds a pang as great As when a giant dies. </div> <div class = "verse"> Claud. Why give you me this shame? Think you I can a resolution fetch 80 From flowery tenderness? If I must die, I will encounter darkness as a bride, And hug it in mine arms. </div> <div class = "verse"> Isab. There spake my brother; there my father’s grave Did utter forth a voice. Yes, thou must die: 85 Thou art too noble to conserve a life In base appliances. This outward-sainted deputy, Whose settled visage and deliberate word Nips youth i’ the head, and follies doth emmew As falcon doth the fowl, is yet a devil; 90 His filth within being cast, he would appear A pond as deep as hell. </div> Claud. The prenzie Angelo! <div class = "verse"> Isab. O, ’tis the cunning livery of hell, The damned’st body to invest and cover In prenzie guards! Dost thou think, Claudio?— 95 If I would yield him my virginity, Thou mightst be freed. </div> Claud. O heavens! it cannot be. <div class = "verse"> Isab. Yes, he would give’t thee, from this rank offence, So to offend him still. This night’s the time That I should do what I abhor to name, 338 Or else thou diest to-morrow. </div> III. 1 100 Claud. Thou shalt not do’t. <div class = "verse"> Isab. O, were it but my life, I’ld throw it down for your deliverance As frankly as a pin. </div> Claud. Thanks, dear Isabel. Isab. Be ready, Claudio, for your death to-morrow. <div class = "verse"> 105 Claud. Yes. Has he affections in him, That thus can make him bite the law by the nose, When he would force it? Sure, it is no sin; Or of the deadly seven it is the least. </div> Isab. Which is the least? <div class = "verse"> 110 Claud. If it were damnable, he being so wise, Why would he for the momentary trick Be perdurably fined?—O Isabel! </div> Isab. What says my brother? Claud. Death is a fearful thing. Isab. And shamed life a hateful. <div class = "verse"> 115 Claud. Ay, but to die, and go we know not where; To lie in cold obstruction and to rot; This sensible warm motion to become A kneaded clod; and the delighted spirit To bathe in fiery floods, or to reside 120 In thrilling region of thick-ribbed ice; To be imprison’d in the viewless winds, And blown with restless violence round about The pendent world; or to be worse than worst Of those that lawless and incertain thought III. 1 125 Imagine howling:—’tis too horrible! The weariest and most loathed worldly life That age, ache, penury, and imprisonment 339 Can lay on nature is a paradise To what we fear of death. </div> Isab. Alas, alas! <div class = "verse"> 130 Claud. Sweet sister, let me live: What sin you do to save a brother’s life, Nature dispenses with the deed so far That it becomes a virtue. </div> <div class = "verse"> Isab. O you beast! O faithless coward! O dishonest wretch! 135 Wilt thou be made a man out of my vice? Is’t not a kind of incest, to take life From thine own sister’s shame? What should I think? Heaven shield my mother play’d my father fair! For such a warped slip of wilderness 140 Ne’er issued from his blood. Take my defiance! Die, perish! Might but my bending down Reprieve thee from thy fate, it should proceed: I’ll pray a thousand prayers for thy death, No word to save thee. </div> Claud. Nay, hear me, Isabel. <div class = "verse"> 145 Isab. O, fie, fie, fie! Thy sin’s not accidental, but a trade. Mercy to thee would prove itself a bawd: ’Tis best that thou diest quickly.    </div> Claud. O, hear me, Isabella! <h5 class = "stagedir"> Re-enter Duke.</h5> Duke. Vouchsafe a word, young sister, but one word. III. 1 150 Isab. What is your will? Duke. Might you dispense with your leisure, I would by and by have some speech with you: the satisfaction I would require is likewise your own benefit. Isab. I have no superfluous leisure; my stay must be 155 stolen out of other affairs; but I will attend you awhile. Walks apart. 340 Duke. Son, I have overheard what hath passed between you and your sister. Angelo had never the purpose to corrupt her; only he hath made an assay of her virtue to practise his judgement with the disposition of natures: 160 she, having the truth of honour in her, hath made him that gracious denial which he is most glad to receive. I am confessor to Angelo, and I know this to be true; therefore prepare yourself to death: do not satisfy your resolution with hopes that are fallible: to-morrow you must die; go 165 to your knees, and make ready. Claud. Let me ask my sister pardon. I am so out of love with life, that I will sue to be rid of it. Duke. Hold you there: farewell. [Exit Claudio.] Provost, a word with you! <h5 class = "stagedir"> Re-enter Provost.</h5> 170 Prov. What’s your will, father? Duke. That now you are come, you will be gone. Leave me awhile with the maid: my mind promises with my habit no loss shall touch her by my company. Prov. In good time. Exit Provost. Isabella comes forward. III. 1 175 Duke. The hand that hath made you fair hath made you good: the goodness that is cheap in beauty makes beauty brief in goodness; but grace, being the soul of your complexion, shall keep the body of it ever fair. The assault that Angelo hath made to you, fortune hath conveyed to 180 my understanding; and, but that frailty hath examples for his falling, I should wonder at Angelo. How will you do to content this substitute, and to save your brother? Isab. I am now going to resolve him: I had rather my brother die by the law than my son should be unlawfully 185 born. But, O, how much is the good Duke deceived in Angelo! If ever he return and I can speak to him, I will open my lips in vain, or discover his government. 341 Duke. That shall not be much amiss: yet, as the matter now stands, he will avoid your accusation; he made trial 190 of you only. Therefore fasten your ear on my advisings: to the love I have in doing good a remedy presents itself. I do make myself believe that you may most uprighteously do a poor wronged lady a merited benefit; redeem your brother from the angry law; do no stain to your own gracious 195 person; and much please the absent Duke, if peradventure he shall ever return to have hearing of this business. Isab. Let me hear you speak farther. I have spirit to do any thing that appears not foul in the truth of my spirit. Duke. Virtue is bold, and goodness never fearful. Have III. 1 200 you not heard speak of Mariana, the sister of Frederick the great soldier who miscarried at sea? Isab. I have heard of the lady, and good words went with her name. Duke. She should this Angelo have married; was affianced 205 to her by oath, and the nuptial appointed: between which time of the contract and limit of the solemnity, her brother Frederick was wrecked at sea, having in that perished vessel the dowry of his sister. But mark how heavily this befell to the poor gentlewoman: there she lost a noble 210 and renowned brother, in his love toward her ever most kind and natural; with him, the portion and sinew of her fortune, her marriage-dowry; with both, her combinate husband, this well-seeming Angelo. Isab. Can this be so? did Angelo so leave her? 215 Duke. Left her in her tears, and dried not one of them with his comfort; swallowed his vows whole, pretending in her discoveries of dishonour: in few, bestowed her on her own lamentation, which she yet wears for his sake; and he, a marble to her tears, is washed with them, but relents not. 220 Isab. What a merit were it in death to take this poor 342 maid from the world! What corruption in this life, that it will let this man live! But how out of this can she avail? Duke. It is a rupture that you may easily heal: and the cure of it not only saves your brother, but keeps you III. 1 225 from dishonour in doing it. Isab. Show me how, good father. Duke. This forenamed maid hath yet in her the continuance of her first affection: his unjust unkindness, that in all reason should have quenched her love, hath, like an impediment 230 in the current, made it more violent and unruly. Go you to Angelo; answer his requiring with a plausible obedience; agree with his demands to the point; only refer yourself to this advantage, first, that your stay with him may not be long; that the time may have all shadow and 235 silence in it; and the place answer to convenience. This being granted in course,—and now follows all,—we shall advise this wronged maid to stead up your appointment, go in your place; if the encounter acknowledge itself hereafter, it may compel him to her recompense: and here, by 240 this, is your brother saved, your honour untainted, the poor Mariana advantaged, and the corrupt Deputy scaled. The maid will I frame and make fit for his attempt. If you think well to carry this as you may, the doubleness of the benefit defends the deceit from reproof. What think 245 you of it? Isab. The image of it gives me content already; and I trust it will grow to a most prosperous perfection. Duke. It lies much in your holding up. Haste you speedily to Angelo: if for this night he entreat you to his III. 1 250 bed, give him promise of satisfaction. I will presently to Saint Luke’s: there, at the moated grange, resides this dejected Mariana. At that place call upon me; and dispatch with Angelo, that it may be quickly. Isab. I thank you for this comfort. Fare you well, 255 good father. Exeunt severally. 343 <h4 class = "scene"> III. 2 Scene II. The street before the prison.</h4> <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter, on one side, Duke disguised as before; on the other, Elbow, and Officers with Pompey.</h5> Elb. Nay, if there be no remedy for it, but that you will needs buy and sell men and women like beasts, we shall have all the world drink brown and white bastard. Duke. O heavens! what stuff is here? 5 Pom. ’Twas never merry world since, of two usuries, the merriest was put down, and the worser allowed by order of law a furred gown to keep him warm; and furred with fox and lamb-skins too, to signify, that craft, being richer than innocency, stands for the facing. 10 Elb. Come your way, sir. ’Bless you, good father friar. Duke. And you, good brother father. What offence hath this man made you, sir? Elb. Marry, sir, he hath offended the law: and, sir, we take him to be a thief too, sir; for we have found upon him, 15 sir, a strange picklock, which we have sent to the Deputy. <div class = "verse"> Duke. Fie, sirrah! a bawd, a wicked bawd! The evil that thou causest to be done, That is thy means to live. Do thou but think What ’tis to cram a maw or clothe a back 20 From such a filthy vice: say to thyself, From their abominable and beastly touches I drink, I eat, array myself, and live. Canst thou believe thy living is a life, So stinkingly depending? Go mend, go mend. </div> III. 2 25 Pom. Indeed, it does stink in some sort, sir; but yet, sir, I would prove— 344 <div class = "verse"> Duke. Nay, if the devil have given thee proofs for sin, Thou wilt prove his. Take him to prison, officer: Correction and instruction must both work 30 Ere this rude beast will profit. </div> Elb. He must before the Deputy, sir; he has given him warning: the Deputy cannot abide a whoremaster: if he be a whoremonger, and comes before him, he were as good go a mile on his errand. <div class = "verse"> 35 Duke. That we were all, as some would seem to be, From our faults, as faults from seeming, free!     </div> Elb. His neck will come to your waist,—a cord, sir. Pom. I spy comfort; I cry bail. Here’s a gentleman and a friend of mine. <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Lucio.</h5> 40 Lucio. How now, noble Pompey! What, at the wheels of Caesar? art thou led in triumph? What, is there none of Pygmalion’s images, newly made woman, to be had now, for putting the hand in the pocket and extracting it clutched? What reply, ha? What sayest thou to this tune, 45 matter and method? Is’t not drowned i’ the last rain, ha? What sayest thou, Trot? Is the world as it was, man? Which is the way? Is it sad, and few words? or how? The trick of it? Duke. Still thus, and thus; still worse! III. 2 50 Lucio. How doth my dear morsel, thy mistress? Procures she still, ha? Pom. Troth, sir, she hath eaten up all her beef, and she is herself in the tub. 345 Lucio. Why, ’tis good; it is the right of it; it must be 55 so: ever your fresh whore and your powdered bawd: an unshunned consequence; it must be so. Art going to prison, Pompey? Pom. Yes, faith, sir. Lucio. Why, ’tis not amiss, Pompey. Farewell: go, 60 say I sent thee thither. For debt, Pompey? or how? Elb. For being a bawd, for being a bawd. Lucio. Well, then, imprison him: if imprisonment be the due of a bawd, why, ’tis his right: bawd is he doubtless, and of antiquity too; bawd-born. Farewell, good Pompey. 65 Commend me to the prison, Pompey: you will turn good husband now, Pompey; you will keep the house. Pom. I hope, sir, your good worship will be my bail. Lucio. No, indeed, will I not, Pompey; it is not the wear. I will pray, Pompey, to increase your bondage: if 70 you take it not patiently, why, your mettle is the more. Adieu, trusty Pompey. ’Bless you, friar. Duke. And you. Lucio. Does Bridget paint still, Pompey, ha? Elb. Come your ways, sir; come. III. 2 75 Pom. You will not bail me, then, sir? Lucio. Then, Pompey, nor now. What news abroad, friar? what news? Elb. Come your ways, sir; come. Lucio. Go to kennel, Pompey; go. [Exeunt Elbow, 80 Pompey and Officers.] What news, friar, of the Duke? Duke. I know none. Can you tell me of any? Lucio. Some say he is with the Emperor of Russia; other some, he is in Rome: but where is he, think you? Duke. I know not where; but wheresoever, I wish him 85 well. Lucio. It was a mad fantastical trick of him to steal from the state, and usurp the beggary he was never born to. Lord Angelo dukes it well in his absence; he puts transgression to’t. 346 90 Duke. He does well in’t. Lucio. A little more lenity to lechery would do no harm in him: something too crabbed that way, friar. Duke. It is too general a vice, and severity must cure it. 95 Lucio. Yes, in good sooth, the vice is of a great kindred; it is well allied: but it is impossible to extirp it quite, friar, till eating and drinking be put down. They say this Angelo was not made by man and woman after this downright way of creation: is it true, think you? III. 2 100 Duke. How should he be made, then? Lucio. Some report a sea-maid spawned him; some, that he was begot between two stock-fishes. But it is certain that, when he makes water, his urine is congealed ice; that I know to be true: and he is a motion generative; 105 that’s infallible. Duke. You are pleasant, sir, and speak apace. Lucio. Why, what a ruthless thing is this in him, for the rebellion of a codpiece to take away the life of a man! Would the Duke that is absent have done this? Ere he 110 would have hanged a man for the getting a hundred bastards, he would have paid for the nursing a thousand: he had some feeling of the sport; he knew the service, and that instructed him to mercy. Duke. I never heard the absent Duke much detected 115 for women; he was not inclined that way. Lucio. O, sir, you are deceived. Duke. ’Tis not possible. Lucio. Who, not the Duke? yes, your beggar of fifty; and his use was to put a ducat in her clack-dish: the Duke 120 had crotchets in him. He would be drunk too; that let me inform you. Duke. You do him wrong, surely. 347 Lucio. Sir, I was an inward of his. A shy fellow was the Duke: and I believe I know the cause of his III. 2 125 withdrawing. Duke. What, I prithee, might be the cause? Lucio. No, pardon; ’tis a secret must be locked within the teeth and the lips: but this I can let you understand, the greater file of the subject held the Duke to be wise. 130 Duke. Wise! why, no question but he was. Lucio. A very superficial, ignorant, unweighing fellow. Duke. Either this is envy in you, folly, or mistaking: the very stream of his life and the business he hath helmed must, upon a warranted need, give him a better proclamation. 135 Let him be but testimonied in his own bringings-forth, and he shall appear, to the envious, a scholar, a statesman and a soldier. Therefore you speak unskilfully; or if your knowledge be more, it is much darkened in your malice. 140 Lucio. Sir, I know him, and I love him. Duke. Love talks with better knowledge, and knowledge with dearer love. Lucio. Come, sir, I know what I know. Duke. I can hardly believe that, since you know not 145 what you speak. But, if ever the Duke return, as our prayers are he may, let me desire you to make your answer before him. If it be honest you have spoke, you have courage to maintain it: I am bound to call upon you; and, I pray you, your name? III. 2 150 Lucio. Sir, my name is Lucio; well known to the duke. Duke. He shall know you better, sir, if I may live to report you. Lucio. I fear you not. 155 Duke. O, you hope the Duke will return no more; or you imagine me too unhurtful an opposite. But, indeed, I can do you little harm; you’ll forswear this again. 348 Lucio. I’ll be hanged first: thou art deceived in me, friar. But no more of this. Canst thou tell if Claudio die 160 to-morrow or no? Duke. Why should he die, sir? Lucio. Why? For filling a bottle with a tun-dish. I would the Duke we talk of were returned again: this ungenitured agent will unpeople the province with continency; 165 sparrows must not build in his house-eaves, because they are lecherous. The Duke yet would have dark deeds darkly answered; he would never bring them to light: would he were returned! Marry, this Claudio is condemned for untrussing. Farewell, good friar: I prithee, pray for 170 me. The Duke, I say to thee again, would eat mutton on Fridays. He’s not past it yet, and I say to thee, he would mouth with a beggar, though she smelt brown bread and garlic: say that I said so. Farewell. Exit. <div class = "verse"> Duke. No might nor greatness in mortality III. 2 175 Can censure ’scape; back-wounding calumny The whitest virtue strikes. What king so strong Can tie the gall up in the slanderous tongue? But who comes here? </div> <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Escalus, Provost, and Officers with Mistress Overdone.</h5> Escal. Go; away with her to prison! 180 Mrs Ov. Good my lord, be good to me; your honour is accounted a merciful man; good my lord. Escal. Double and treble admonition, and still forfeit in the same kind! This would make mercy swear and play the tyrant. 185 Prov. A bawd of eleven years’ continuance, may it please your honour. Mrs Ov. My lord, this is one Lucio’s information against me. Mistress Kate Keepdown was with child by 349 him in the Duke’s time; he promised her marriage: his 190 child is a year and a quarter old, come Philip and Jacob: I have kept it myself; and see how he goes about to abuse me! Escal. That fellow is a fellow of much license: let him be called before us. Away with her to prison! Go 195 to; no more words. [Exeunt Officers with Mistress Ov.] Provost, my brother Angelo will not be altered; Claudio must die to-morrow: let him be furnished with divines, and have all charitable preparation. If my brother wrought by my pity, it should not be so with him. III. 2 200 Prov. So please you, this friar hath been with him, and advised him for the entertainment of death. Escal. Good even, good father. Duke. Bliss and goodness on you! Escal. Of whence are you? <div class = "verse"> 205 Duke. Not of this country, though my chance is now To use it for my time: I am a brother Of gracious order, late come from the See In special business from his Holiness. </div> Escal. What news abroad i’ the world? 210 Duke. None, but that there is so great a fever on goodness, that the dissolution of it must cure it: novelty is only in request; and it is as dangerous to be aged in any kind of course, as it is virtuous to be constant in any undertaking. There is scarce truth enough alive to make societies 215 secure; but security enough to make fellowships accurst:— much upon this riddle runs the wisdom of the world. This news is old enough, yet it is every day’s news. I pray you, sir, of what disposition was the Duke? Escal. One that, above all other strifes, contended 220 especially to know himself. Duke. What pleasure was he given to? Escal. Rather rejoicing to see another merry, than 350 merry at any thing which professed to make him rejoice: a gentleman of all temperance. But leave we him to his III. 2 225 events, with a prayer they may prove prosperous; and let me desire to know how you find Claudio prepared. I am made to understand that you have lent him visitation. Duke. He professes to have received no sinister measure from his judge, but most willingly humbles himself to 230 the determination of justice: yet had he framed to himself, by the instruction of his frailty, many deceiving promises of life; which I, by my good leisure, have discredited to him, and now is he resolved to die. Escal. You have paid the heavens your function, and 235 the prisoner the very debt of your calling. I have laboured for the poor gentleman to the extremest shore of my modesty: but my brother justice have I found so severe, that he hath forced me to tell him he is indeed Justice. Duke. If his own life answer the straitness of his proceeding, 240 it shall become him well; wherein if he chance to fail, he hath sentenced himself. Escal. I am going to visit the prisoner. Fare you well. <div class = "verse"> Duke. Peace be with you! Exeunt Escalus and Provost. He who the sword of heaven will bear 245 Should be as holy as severe; Pattern in himself to know, Grace to stand, and virtue go; More nor less to others paying Than by self-offences weighing. III. 2 250 Shame to him whose cruel striking Kills for faults of his own liking! Twice treble shame on Angelo, To weed my vice and let his grow! O, what may man within him hide, 255 Though angel on the outward side! 351 How may likeness made in crimes, Making practice on the times, To draw with idle spiders’ strings Most ponderous and substantial things! 260 Craft against vice I must apply: With Angelo to-night shall lie His old betrothed but despised; So disguise shall, by the disguised, Pay with falsehood false exacting, 265 And perform an old contracting. Exit. </div> <h3 class = "act">ACT IV.</h3> <h4 class = "scene"> IV. 1 Scene I. The moated grange at St Luke’s.</h4> <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Mariana and a Boy.</h5> <h5 class = "stagedir"> Boy sings.</h5> <div class = "verse"> Take, O, take those lips away, That so sweetly were forsworn; And those eyes, the break of day, Lights that do mislead the morn: 5 But my kisses bring again, bring again; Seals of love, but sealed in vain, sealed in vain. </div> <div class = "verse"> Mari. Break off thy song, and haste thee quick away: Here comes a man of comfort, whose advice Hath often still’d my brawling discontent. </div> Exit Boy. <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Duke disguised as before.</h5> <div class = "verse"> 10 I cry you mercy, sir; and well could wish 352 You had not found me here so musical: Let me excuse me, and believe me so, My mirth it much displeased, but pleased my woe. </div> <div class = "verse"> Duke. ’Tis good; though music oft hath such a charm 15 To make bad good, and good provoke to harm. </div> I pray you, tell me, hath any body inquired for me here to-day? much upon this time have I promised here to meet. Mari. You have not been inquired after: I have sat here all day. <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Isabella.</h5> 20 Duke. I do constantly believe you. The time is come even now. I shall crave your forbearance a little: may be I will call upon you anon, for some advantage to yourself. Mari. I am always bound to you. Exit. <div class = "verse"> Duke. Very well met, and well come. IV. 1 25 What is the news from this good Deputy? </div> <div class = "verse"> Isab. He hath a garden circummured with brick, Whose western side is with a vineyard back’d; And to that vineyard is a planched gate, That makes his opening with this bigger key: 30 This other doth command a little door Which from the vineyard to the garden leads; There have I made my promise Upon the heavy middle of the night To call upon him. </div> 35 Duke. But shall you on your knowledge find this way? <div class = "verse"> Isab. I have ta’en a due and wary note upon’t: 353 With whispering and most guilty diligence, In action all of precept, he did show me The way twice o’er. </div> <div class = "verse"> Duke. Are there no other tokens 40 Between you ’greed concerning her observance? </div> <div class = "verse"> Isab. No, none, but only a repair i’ the dark; And that I have possess’d him my most stay Can be but brief; for I have made him know I have a servant comes with me along, 45 That stays upon me, whose persuasion is I come about my brother. </div> <div class = "verse"> Duke. ’Tis well borne up. I have not yet made known to Mariana A word of this. What, ho! within! come forth! <h5 class = "stagedir"> Re-enter Mariana.</h5> I pray you, be acquainted with this maid; She comes to do you good. </div> IV. 1 50 Isab. I do desire the like. Duke. Do you persuade yourself that I respect you? Mari. Good friar, I know you do, and have found it. <div class = "verse"> Duke. Take, then, this your companion by the hand, Who hath a story ready for your ear. 55 I shall attend your leisure: but make haste; The vaporous night approaches. </div> Mari. Will’t please you walk aside? Exeunt Mariana and Isabella. <div class = "verse"> Duke. O place and greatness, millions of false eyes Are stuck upon thee! volumes of report 60 Run with these false and most contrarious quests Upon thy doings! thousand escapes of wit Make thee the father of their idle dreams, And rack thee in their fancies! 354 <h5 class = "stagedir"> Re-enter Mariana and Isabella.</h5> Welcome, how agreed? </div> <div class = "verse"> Isab. She’ll take the enterprise upon her, father, If you advise it. </div> <div class = "verse"> 65 Duke. It is not my consent, But my entreaty too. </div> <div class = "verse"> Isab. Little have you to say When you depart from him, but, soft and low, ‘Remember now my brother.’ </div> Mari. Fear me not. <div class = "verse"> Duke. Nor, gentle daughter, fear you not at all. 70 He is your husband on a pre-contract: To bring you thus together, ’tis no sin, Sith that the justice of your title to him Doth flourish the deceit. Come, let us go: Our corn’s to reap, for yet our tithe’s to sow. </div> Exeunt. <h4 class = "scene"> IV. 2 Scene II. A room in the prison.</h4> <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Provost and Pompey.</h5> Prov. Come hither, sirrah. Can you cut off a man’s head? Pom. If the man be a bachelor, sir, I can; but if he be a married man, he’s his wife’s head, and I can never cut off a woman’s head. 5 Prov. Come, sir, leave me your snatches, and yield me a direct answer. To-morrow morning are to die Claudio and Barnardine. Here is in our prison a common executioner, who in his office lacks a helper: if you will take it on you to assist him, it shall redeem you from your gyves; 10 if not, you shall have your full time of imprisonment, and your deliverance with an unpitied whipping, for you have been a notorious bawd. 355 Pom. Sir, I have been an unlawful bawd time out of mind; but yet I will be content to be a lawful hangman. I 15 would be glad to receive some instruction from my fellow partner. Prov. What, ho! Abhorson! Where’s Abhorson, there? <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Abhorson.</h5> Abhor. Do you call, sir? Prov. Sirrah, here’s a fellow will help you to-morrow 20 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. Abhor. A bawd, sir? fie upon him! he will discredit IV. 2 25 our mystery. Prov. Go to, sir; you weigh equally; a feather will turn the scale. Exit. Pom. Pray, sir, by your good favour,—for surely, sir, a good favour you have, but that you have a hanging look,— 30 do you call, sir, your occupation a mystery? Abhor. Ay, sir; a mystery. Pom. 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 35 what mystery there should be in hanging, if I should be hanged, I cannot imagine. Abhor. Sir, it is a mystery. Pom. Proof? Abhor. Every true man’s apparel fits your thief: if it 40 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. 356 <h5 class = "stagedir"> Re-enter Provost.</h5> Prov. Are you agreed? Pom. Sir, I will serve him; for I do find your hangman 45 is a more penitent trade than your bawd; he doth oftener ask forgiveness. Prov. You, sirrah, provide your block and your axe to-morrow four o’clock. Abhor. Come on, bawd; I will instruct thee in my IV. 2 50 trade; follow. Pom. I do desire to learn, sir: and I hope, if you have occasion to use me for your own turn, you shall find me yare; for, truly, sir, for your kindness I owe you a good turn. <div class = "verse"> 55 Prov. Call hither Barnardine and Claudio: Exeunt Pompey and Abhorson. The one has my pity; not a jot the other, Being a murderer, though he were my brother. <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Claudio.</h5> Look, here’s the warrant, Claudio, for thy death: ’Tis now dead midnight, and by eight to-morrow 60 Thou must be made immortal. Where’s Barnardine? </div> <div class = "verse"> Claud. As fast lock’d up in sleep as guiltless labour When it lies starkly in the traveller’s bones: He will not wake. </div> <div class = "verse"> Prov. Who can do good on him? Well, go, prepare yourself. [Knocking within.] But, hark, what noise?— 65 Heaven give your spirits comfort! [Exit Clandio.] By and by.— I hope it is some pardon or reprieve For the most gentle Claudio. 357 <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Duke disguised as before.</h5> Welcome, father. </div> <div class = "verse"> Duke. The best and wholesomest spirits of the night Envelop you, good Provost! Who call’d here of late? </div> 70 Prov. None, since the curfew rung. Duke. Not Isabel? Prov. No. Duke. They will, then, ere’t be long. Prov. What comfort is for Claudio? Duke. There’s some in hope. Prov. It is a bitter Deputy. <div class = "verse"> IV. 2 75 Duke. Not so, not so; his life is parallel’d Even with the stroke and line of his great justice: He doth with holy abstinence subdue That in himself which he spurs on his power To qualify in others: were he meal’d with that 80 Which he corrects, then were he tyrannous; But this being so, he’s just. Knocking within. Now are they come. Exit Provost. This is a gentle provost: seldom when The steeled gaoler is the friend of men. Knocking within. How now! what noise? That spirit’s possessed with haste 85 That wounds the unsisting postern with these strokes. </div> <h5 class = "stagedir"> Re-enter Provost.</h5> <div class = "verse"> Prov. There he must stay until the officer Arise to let him in: he is call’d up. </div> <div class = "verse"> Duke. Have you no countermand for Claudio yet, But he must die to-morrow? </div> Prov. None, sir, none. 358 <div class = "verse"> 90 Duke. As near the dawning, provost, as it is, You shall hear more ere morning. </div> <div class = "verse"> Prov. Happily You something know; yet I believe there comes No countermand; no such example have we: Besides, upon the very siege of justice 95 Lord Angelo hath to the public ear Profess’d the contrary. <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter a Messenger.</h5> This is his lordship’s man. </div> Duke. And here comes Claudio’s pardon. Mes. [Giving a paper] My lord hath sent you this note; and by me this further charge, that you swerve not from the IV. 2 100 smallest article of it, neither in time, matter, or other circumstance. Good morrow; for, as I take it, it is almost day. Prov. I shall obey him. Exit Messenger. <div class = "verse"> Duke. [Aside] This is his pardon, purchased by such sin For which the pardoner himself is in. 105 Hence hath offence his quick celerity, When it is borne in high authority: When vice makes mercy, mercy’s so extended, That for the fault’s love is the offender friended. Now, sir, what news? </div> 110 Prov. I told you. Lord Angelo, belike thinking me remiss in mine office, awakens me with this unwonted putting-on; methinks strangely, for he hath not used it before. Duke. Pray you, let’s hear. Prov. [Reads] Whatsoever you may hear to the contrary, let Claudio be executed 115 by four of the clock; and in the afternoon Barnardine: for my better satisfaction, let me have Claudio’s head sent me by five. 359 Let this be duly performed; with a thought that more depends on it than we must yet deliver. Thus fail not to do your office, as you will answer it at your peril. 120 What say you to this, sir? Duke. What is that Barnardine who is to be executed in the afternoon? Prov. A Bohemian born, but here nursed up and bred; one that is a prisoner nine years old. IV. 2 125 Duke. How came it that the absent Duke had not either delivered him to his liberty or executed him? I have heard it was ever his manner to do so. Prov. His friends still wrought reprieves for him: and, indeed, his fact, till now in the government of Lord Angclo, 130 came not to an undoubtful proof. Duke. It is now apparent? Prov. Most manifest, and not denied by himself. Duke. Hath he borne himself penitently in prison? how seems he to be touched? 135 Prov. A man that apprehends death no more dreadfully but as a drunken sleep; careless, reckless, and fearless of what’s past, present, or to come; insensible of mortality, and desperately mortal. Duke. He wants advice. 140 Prov. He will hear none: he hath evermore had the liberty of the prison; give him leave to escape hence, he would not: drunk many times a day, if not many days entirely drunk. We have very oft awaked him, as if to carry him to execution, and showed him a seeming warrant for it: 145 it hath not moved him at all. Duke. More of him anon. There is written in your brow, provost, honesty and constancy: if I read it not truly, my ancient skill beguiles me; but, in the boldness of my cunning, I will lay my self in hazard. Claudio, whom here IV. 2 150 you have warrant to execute, is no greater forfeit to the law than Angelo who hath sentenced him. To make you 360 understand this in a manifested effect, I crave but four days’ respite; for the which you are to do me both a present and a dangerous courtesy. 155 Prov. Pray, sir, in what? Duke. In the delaying death. Prov. Alack, how may I do it, having the hour limited, and an express command, under penalty, to deliver his head in the view of Angelo? I may make my case as Claudio’s, 160 to cross this in the smallest. Duke. By the vow of mine order I warrant you, if my instructions may be your guide. Let this Barnardine be this morning executed, and his head borne to Angelo. Prov. Angelo hath seen them both, and will discover 165 the favour. Duke. O, death’s a great disguiser; and you may add to it. Shave the head, and tie the beard; and say it was the desire of the penitent to be so bared before his death: you know the course is common. If any thing fall to you 170 upon this, more than thanks and good fortune, by the Saint whom I profess, I will plead against it with my life. Prov. Pardon me, good father; it is against my oath. Duke. Were you sworn to the Duke, or to the Deputy? Prov. To him, and to his substitutes. IV. 2 175 Duke. You will think you have made no offence, if the Duke avouch the justice of your dealing? Prov. But what likelihood is in that? Duke. Not a resemblance, but a certainty. Yet since I see you fearful, that neither my coat, integrity, nor persuasion 180 can with ease attempt you, I will go further than I meant, to pluck all fears out of you. Look you, sir, here is the hand and seal of the Duke: you know the character, I doubt not; and the signet is not strange to you. Prov. I know them both. 185 Duke. The contents of this is the return of the Duke: you shall anon over-read it at your pleasure; where you 361 shall find, within these two days he will be here. This is a thing that Angelo knows not; for he this very day receives letters of strange tenour; perchance of the Duke’s 190 death; perchance entering into some monastery; but, by chance, nothing of what is writ. Look, the unfolding star calls up the shepherd. Put not yourself into amazement how these things should be: all difficulties are but easy when they are known. Call your executioner, and off with 195 Barnardine’s head: I will give him a present shrift and advise him for a better place. Yet you are amazed; but this shall absolutely resolve you. Come away; it is almost clear dawn. Exeunt. <h4 class = "scene"> IV. 3 Scene III. Another room in the same.</h4> <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Pompey.</h5> Pom. I am as well acquainted here as I was in our house of profession: one would think it were Mistress Overdone’s own house, for here be many of her old customers. First, here’s young Master Rash; he’s in for a commodity 5 of brown paper and old ginger, nine-score and seventeen pounds; of which he made five marks, ready money: marry, then ginger was not much in request, for the old women were all dead. Then is there here one Master Caper, at the suit of Master Three-pile the mercer, for some four 10 suits of peach-coloured satin, which now peaches him a beggar. Then have we here young Dizy, and young Master Deep-vow, and Master Copper-spur, and Master Starve-lackey the rapier and dagger man, and young Drop-heir that killed lusty Pudding, and Master Forthlight the 15 tilter, and brave Master Shooty the great traveller, and wild Half-can that stabbed Pots, and, I think, forty more; 362 all great doers in our trade, and are now ‘for the Lord’s sake.’ <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Abhorson.</h5> Abhor. Sirrah, bring Barnardine hither. 20 Pom. Master Barnardine! you must rise and be hanged, Master Barnardine! Abhor. What, ho, Barnardine! Bar. [Within] A pox o’ your throats! Who makes that noise there? What are you? IV. 3 25 Pom. Your friends, sir; the hangman. You must be so good, sir, to rise and be put to death. Bar. [Within] Away, you rogue, away! I am sleepy. Abhor. Tell him he must awake, and that quickly too. Pom. Pray, Master Barnardine, awake till you are 30 executed, and sleep afterwards. Abhor. Go in to him, and fetch him out. Pom. He is coming, sir, he is coming; I hear his straw rustle. Abhor. Is the axe upon the block, sirrah? 35 Pom. Very ready, sir. <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Barnardine.</h5> Bar. How now, Abhorson? what’s the news with you? Abhor. Truly, sir, I would desire you to clap into your prayers; for, look you, the warrant’s come. Bar. You rogue, I have been drinking all night; I am 40 not fitted for ’t. Pom. 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. Abhor. Look you, sir; here comes your ghostly father: 45 do we jest now, think you? <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Duke disguised as before.</h5> Duke. Sir, induced by my charity, and hearing how 363 hastily you are to depart, I am come to advise you, comfort you and pray with you. Bar. Friar, not I: I have been drinking hard all night, IV. 3 50 and I will have more time to prepare me, or they shall beat out my brains with billets: I will not consent to die this day, that’s certain. <div class = "verse"> Duke. O, sir, you must: and therefore I beseech you Look forward on the journey you shall go. </div> 55 Bar. I swear I will not die to-day for any man’s persuasion. Duke. But hear you. Bar. Not a word: if you have any thing to say to me, come to my ward; for thence will not I to-day. Exit. <div class = "verse"> 60 Duke. Unfit to live or die: O gravel heart! After him, fellows; bring him to the block. </div> Exeunt Abhorson and Pompey. <h5 class = "stagedir"> Re-enter Provost.</h5> Prov. Now, sir, how do you find the prisoner? <div class = "verse"> Duke. A creature unprepared, unmeet for death; And to transport him in the mind he is Were damnable. </div> <div class = "verse"> 65 Prov. Here in the prison, father, There died this morning of a cruel fever One Ragozine, a most notorious pirate, A man of Claudio’s years; his beard and head Just of his colour. What if we do omit 70 This reprobate till he were well inclined; And satisfy the Deputy with the visage Of Ragozine, more like to Claudio? </div> <div class = "verse"> Duke. O, ’tis an accident that heaven provides! Dispatch it presently; the hour draws on IV. 3 75 Prefix’d by Angelo: see this be done, And sent according to command; whiles I 364 Persuade this rude wretch willingly to die. </div> <div class = "verse"> Prov. This shall be done, good father, presently. But Barnardine must die this afternoon: 80 And how shall we continue Claudio, To save me from the danger that might come If he were known alive? </div> <div class = "verse"> Duke. Let this be done. Put them in secret holds, both Barnardine and Claudio: Ere twice the sun hath made his journal greeting 85 To the under generation, you shall find Your safety manifested. </div> Prov. I am your free dependant. <div class = "verse"> Duke. Quick, dispatch, and send the head to Angelo. Exit Provost. Now will I write letters to Angelo,— 90 The provost, he shall bear them,—whose contents Shall witness to him I am near at home, And that, by great injunctions, I am bound To enter publicly: him I’ll desire To meet me at the consecrated fount, 95 A league below the city; and from thence, By cold gradation and well-balanced form, We shall proceed with Angelo. </div> <h5 class = "stagedir"> Re-enter Provost.</h5> Prov. Here is the head; I’ll carry it myself. <div class = "verse"> Duke. Convenient is it. Make a swift return; IV. 3 100 For I would commune with you of such things That want no ear but yours. </div> Prov. I’ll make all speed. Exit. Isab. [Within] Peace, ho, be here! <div class = "verse"> Duke. The tongue of Isabel. She’s come to know 365 If yet her brother’s pardon be come hither: 105 But I will keep her ignorant of her good, To make her heavenly comforts of despair, When it is least expected. </div> <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Isabella.</h5> Isab. Ho, by your leave! Duke. Good morning to you, fair and gracious daughter. <div class = "verse"> Isab. The better, given me by so holy a man. 110 Hath yet the Deputy sent my brother’s pardon? </div> <div class = "verse"> Duke. He hath released him, Isabel, from the world: His head is off, and sent to Angelo. </div> Isab. Nay, but it is not so. <div class = "verse"> Duke. It is no other: show your wisdom, daughter, 115 In your close patience. </div> Isab. O, I will to him and pluck out his eyes! Duke. You shall not be admitted to his sight. <div class = "verse"> Isab. Unhappy Claudio! wretched Isabel! Injurious world! most damned Angelo! </div> <div class = "verse"> 120 Duke. This nor hurts him nor profits you a jot; Forbear it therefore; give your cause to heaven. Mark what I say, which you shall find By every syllable a faithful verity: The Duke comes home to-morrow;—nay, dry your eyes; IV. 3 125 One of our covent, and his confessor, Gives me this instance: already he hath carried Notice to Escalus and Angelo; Who do prepare to meet him at the gates, There to give up their power. If you can, pace your wisdom 366 130 In that good path that I would wish it go; And you shall have your bosom on this wretch, Grace of the Duke, revenges to your heart, And general honour. </div> Isab. I am directed by you. <div class = "verse"> Duke. This letter, then, to Friar Peter give; 135 ’Tis that he sent me of the Duke’s return: Say, by this token, I desire his company At Mariana’s house to-night. Her cause and yours I’ll perfect him withal; and he shall bring you Before the Duke; and to the head of Angelo 140 Accuse him home and home. For my poor self, I am combined by a sacred vow, And shall be absent. Wend you with this letter: Command these fretting waters from your eyes With a light heart; trust not my holy order, 145 If I pervert your course.—Who’s here? </div> <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Lucio.</h5> Lucio. Good even. Friar, where’s the provost? Duke. Not within, sir. Lucio. O pretty Isabella, I am pale at mine heart to see thine eyes so red: thou must be patient. I am fain IV. 3 150 to dine and sup with water and bran; I dare not for my head fill my belly; one fruitful meal would set me to’t. But they say the Duke will be here to-morrow. By my troth, Isabel, I loved thy brother: if the old fantastical Duke of dark corners had been at home, he had lived. Exit Isabella. 155 Duke. Sir, the Duke is marvellous little beholding to your reports; but the best is, he lives not in them. Lucio. Friar, thou knowest not the Duke so well as I do: he’s a better woodman than thou takest him for. 367 Duke. Well, you’ll answer this one day. Fare ye well. 160 Lucio. Nay, tarry; I’ll go along with thee: I can tell thee pretty tales of the Duke. Duke. You have told me too many of him already, sir, if they be true; if not true, none were enough. Lucio. I was once before him for getting a wench 165 with child. Duke. Did you such a thing? Lucio. Yes, marry, did I: but I was fain to forswear it; they would else have married me to the rotten medlar. Duke. Sir, your company is fairer than honest. Rest 170 you well. Lucio. By my troth, I’ll go with thee to the lane’s end: if bawdy talk offend you, we’ll have very little of it. Nay, friar, I am a kind of burr; I shall stick. Exeunt. <h4 class = "scene"> IV. 4 Scene IV. A room in Angelo’s house.</h4> <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Angelo and Escalus.</h5> Escal. Every letter he hath writ hath disvouched other. Ang. In most uneven and distracted manner. His actions show much like to madness: pray heaven his wisdom be not tainted! And why meet him at the gates, 5 and redeliver our authorities there? Escal. I guess not. Ang. And why should we proclaim it in an hour before his entering, that if any crave redress of injustice, they should exhibit their petitions in the street? 10 Escal. He shows his reason for that: to have a dispatch of complaints, and to deliver us from devices hereafter, which shall then have no power to stand against us. 368 Ang. Well, I beseech you, let it be proclaimed betimes i’ the morn; I’ll call you at your house: give notice to such 15 men of sort and suit as are to meet him. Escal. I shall, sir. Fare you well. <div class = "verse"> Ang. Good night. Exit Escalus. This deed unshapes me quite, makes me unpregnant, And dull to all proceedings. A deflower’d maid! 20 And by an eminent body that enforced The law against it! But that her tender shame Will not proclaim against her maiden loss, How might she tongue me! Yet reason dares her no; For my authority bears of a credent bulk, IV. 4 25 That no particular scandal once can touch But it confounds the breather. He should have lived, Save that his riotous youth, with dangerous sense, Might in the times to come have ta’en revenge, By so receiving a dishonour’d life 30 With ransom of such shame. Would yet he had lived! Alack, when once our grace we have forgot, Nothing goes right: we would, and we would not. Exit. </div> <h4 class = "scene"> IV. 5 Scene V. Fields without the town.</h4> <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Duke in his own habit, and Friar Peter.</h5> <div class = "verse"> Duke. These letters at fit time deliver me: Giving letters. The provost knows our purpose and our plot. The matter being afoot, keep your instruction, And hold you ever to our special drift; 369 5 Though sometimes you do blench from this to that, As cause doth minister. Go call at Flavius’ house, And tell him where I stay: give the like notice To Valentius, Rowland, and to Crassus, And bid them bring the trumpets to the gate; But send me Flavius first. </div> 10 Fri. P. It shall be speeded well. Exit. <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Varrius.</h5> <div class = "verse"> Duke. I thank thee, Varrius; thou hast made good haste: Come, we will walk. There’s other of our friends Will greet us here anon, my gentle Varrius. </div> Exeunt. <h4 class = "scene"> IV. 6 Scene VI. Street near the city-gate.</h4> <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Isabella and Mariana.</h5> <div class = "verse"> Isab. To speak so indirectly I am loath: I would say the truth; but to accuse him so, That is your part: yet I am advised to do it; He says, to veil full purpose. </div> Mari. Be ruled by him. <div class = "verse"> 5 Isab. Besides, he tells me that, if peradventure He speak against me on the adverse side, I should not think it strange; for ’tis a physic That’s bitter to sweet end. </div> Mari. I would Friar Peter— Isab. O, peace! the friar is come. <h5 class = "stagedir"> Enter Friar Peter.</h5> <div class = "verse"> 10 Fri. P. Come, I have found you out a stand most fit, Where you may have such vantage on the Duke, 370 He shall not pass you. Twice have the trumpets sounded; The generous and gravest citizens Have hent the gates, and very near upon 15 The Duke is entering: therefore, hence, away! </div> Exeunt. <h3 class = "act">ACT V.</h3> <h4 class = "scene"> V. 1 Scene I. The city-gate.</h4> <h5 class = "stagedir long"> Mariana veiled, Isabella, and Friar Peter, at their stand. Enter Duke, Varrius, Lords, Angelo, Escalus, Lucio, Provost, Officers, and Citizens, at several doors.</h5> <div class = "verse"> Duke. My very worthy cousin, fairly met! Our old and faithful friend, we are glad to see you. </div> <div class = "verse"> <table class = "bracket" width = "100%" summary = ""> <tr> <td class = "charname">Ang.</td> <td class = "bracket l2" rowspan = "2">Happy return be to your royal Grace!</td> </tr> <tr> <td class = "charname">Escal.</td> </tr> </table></div> <div class = "verse"> Duke. Many and hearty thankings to you both. 5 We have made inquiry of you; and we hear Such goodness of your justice, that our soul Cannot but yield you forth to public thanks, Forerunning more requital. </div> Ang. You make my bonds still greater. <div class = "verse"> Duke. O, your desert speaks loud; and I should wrong it, 10 To lock it in the wards of covert bosom, When it deserves, with characters of brass, A forted residence ’gainst the tooth of time And razure of oblivion. Give me your hand, And let the subject see, to make them know 15 That outward courtesies would fain proclaim 371 Favours that keep within. Come, Escalus; You must walk by us on our other hand: And good supporters are you. </div> <h5 class = "stagedir"> Friar Peter and Isabella come forward.</h5> Fri. P. Now is your time: speak loud, and kneel before him. <div class = "verse"> 20 Isab. Justice, O royal Duke! Vail your regard Upon a wrong’d, I would fain have said, a maid! O worthy prince, dishonour not your eye By throwing it on any other object Till you have heard me in my true complaint, V. 1 25 And given me justice, justice, justice, justice! </div> <div class = "verse"> Duke. Relate your wrongs; in what? by whom? be brief. Here is Lord Angelo shall give you justice: Reveal yourself to him. </div> <div class = "verse"> Isab. O worthy Duke, You bid me seek redemption of the devil: 30 Hear me yourself; for that which I must speak Must either punish me, not being believed, Or wring redress from you. Hear me, O hear me, here! </div> <div class = "verse"> Ang. My lord, her wits, I fear me, are not firm: She hath been a suitor to me for her brother Cut off by course of justice,— </div> 35 Isab. By course of justice! Ang. And she will speak most bitterly and strange. <div class = "verse"> Isab. Most strange, but yet most truly, will I speak: That Angelo’s forsworn; is it not strange? That Angelo’s a murderer; is’t not strange? 40 That Angelo is an adulterous thief, 372 An hypocrite, a virgin-violator; Is it not strange and strange? </div> Duke. Nay, it is ten times strange. <div class = "verse"> Isab. It is not truer he is Angelo Than this is all as true as it is strange: 45 Nay, it is ten times true; for truth is truth To th’ end of reckoning. </div> <div class = "verse"> Duke. Away with her!—Poor soul, She speaks this in th’ infirmity of sense. </div> <div class = "verse"> Isab. O prince, I conjure thee, as thou believest There is another comfort than this world, V. 1 50 That thou neglect me not, with that opinion That I am touch’d with madness! Make not impossible That which but seems unlike: ’tis not impossible But one, the wicked’st caitiff on the ground, May seem as shy, as grave, as just, as absolute 55 As Angelo; even so may Angelo, In all his dressings, characts, titles, forms, Be an arch-villain; believe it, royal prince: If he be less, he’s nothing; but he’s more, Had I more name for badness. </div> <div class = "verse"> Duke. By mine honesty, 60 If she be mad,—as I believe no other,— Her madness hath the oddest frame of sense, Such a dependency of thing on thing, As e’er I heard in madness. </div> <div class = "verse"> Isab. O gracious Duke, Harp not on that; nor do not banish reason 65 For inequality; but let your reason serve To make the truth appear where it seems hid, And hide the false seems true. </div> 373 <div class = "verse"> Duke. Many that are not mad Have, sure, more lack of reason. What would you say? </div> <div class = "verse"> Isab. I am the sister of one Claudio, 70 Condemn’d upon the act of fornication To lose his head; condemn’d by Angelo: I, (in probation of a sisterhood,) Was sent to by my brother; one Lucio As then the messenger,— </div> <div class = "verse"> Lucio. That’s I, an’t like your Grace: V. 1 75 I came to her from Claudio, and desired her To try her gracious fortune with Lord Angelo For her poor brother’s pardon. </div> Isab. That’s he indeed. Duke. You were not bid to speak. <div class = "verse"> Lucio. No, my good lord; Nor wish’d to hold my peace. </div> <div class = "verse"> Duke. I wish you now, then; 80 Pray you, take note of it: and when you have A business for yourself, pray heaven you then Be perfect. </div> Lucio. I warrant your honour. Duke. The warrant’s for yourself; take heed to’t. Isab. This gentleman told somewhat of my tale,— 85 Lucio. Right. <div class = "verse"> Duke. It may be right; but you are i’ the wrong To speak before your time. Proceed. </div> <div class = "verse"> Isab. I went To this pernicious caitiff Deputy,— </div> Duke. That’s somewhat madly spoken. <div class = "verse"> Isab. Pardon it; 90 The phrase is to the matter. </div> Duke. Mended again. The matter;—proceed. 374 <div class = "verse"> Isab. In brief,—to set the needless process by, How I persuaded, how I pray’d, and kneel’d, How he refell’d me, and how I replied,— 95 For this was of much length,—the vile conclusion I now begin with grief and shame to utter: He would not, but by gift of my chaste body To his concupiscible intemperate lust, Release my brother; and, after much debatement, V. 1 100 My sisterly remorse confutes mine honour, And I did yield to him: but the next morn betimes, His purpose surfeiting, he sends a warrant For my poor brother’s head. </div> Duke. This is most likely! Isab. O, that it were as like as it is true! <div class = "verse"> 105 Duke. By heaven, fond wretch, thou know’st not what thou speak’st, Or else thou art suborn’d against his honour In hateful practice. First, his integrity Stands without blemish. Next, it imports no reason That with such vehemency he should pursue 110 Faults proper to himself: if he had so offended, He would have weigh’d thy brother by himself, And not have cut him off. Some one hath set you on: Confess the truth, and say by whose advice Thou camest here to complain. </div> <div class = "verse"> Isab. And is this all? 115 Then, O you blessed ministers above, Keep me in patience, and with ripen’d time Unfold the evil which is here wrapt up In countenance!—Heaven shield your Grace from woe. As I, thus wrong’d, hence unbelieved go! </div> <div class = "verse"> 120 Duke. I know you’ld fain be gone.—An officer! 375 To prison with her!—Shall we thus permit A blasting and a scandalous breath to fall On him so near us? This needs must be a practice. Who knew of your intent and coming hither? </div> V. 1 125 Isab. One that I would were here, Friar Lodowick. Duke. A ghostly father, belike. Who knows that Lodowick? <div class = "verse"> Lucio. My lord, I know him; ’tis a meddling friar; I do not like the man: had he been lay, my lord, For certain words he spake against your Grace 130 In your retirement, I had swinged him soundly. </div> <div class = "verse"> Duke. Words against me! this’s a good friar, belike! And to set on this wretched woman here Against our substitute! Let this friar be found. </div> <div class = "verse"> Lucio. But yesternight, my lord, she and that friar, 135 I saw them at the prison: a saucy friar, A very scurvy fellow. </div> <div class = "verse"> Fri. P. Blessed be your royal Grace! I have stood by, my lord, and I have heard Your royal ear abused. First, hath this woman 140 Most wrongfully accused your substitute, Who is as free from touch or soil with her As she from one ungot. </div> <div class = "verse"> Duke. We did believe no less. Know you that Friar Lodowick that she speaks of? </div> <div class = "verse"> Fri. P. I know him for a man divine and holy; Not scurvy, nor a temporary meddler, As he’s reported by this gentleman; And, on my trust, a man that never yet Did, as he vouches, misreport your Grace. </div> Lucio. My lord, most villanously; believe it. <div class = "verse"> V. 1 150 Fri. P. Well, he in time may come to clear himself; 376 But at this instant he is sick, my lord, Of a strange fever. Upon his mere request,— Being come to knowledge that there was complaint Intended ’gainst Lord Angelo,—came I hither, 155 To speak, as from his mouth, what he doth know Is true and false; and what he with his oath And all probation will make up full clear, Whensoever he’s convented. First, for this woman, To justify this worthy nobleman, 160 So vulgarly and personally accused, Her shall you hear disproved to her eyes, Till she herself confess it. </div> <div class = "verse"> Duke. Good friar, let’s hear it. Isabella is carried off guarded; and Mariana comes forward. Do you not smile at this, Lord Angelo?— O heaven, the vanity of wretched fools!— 165 Give us some seats. Come, cousin Angelo; In this I’ll be impartial; be you judge Of your own cause. Is this the witness, friar? First, let her show her face, and after speak.     </div> <div class = "verse"> Mari. Pardon, my lord; I will not show my face 170 Until my husband bid me. </div> Duke. What, are you married? Mari. No, my lord. Duke. Are you a maid? Mari. No, my lord. V. 1 175 Duke. A widow, then? Mari. Neither, my lord. 377 Duke. Why, you are nothing, then:—neither maid, widow, nor wife? Lucio. My lord, she may be a punk; for many of them 180 are neither maid, widow, nor wife. <div class = "verse"> Duke. Silence that fellow: I would he had some cause To prattle for himself. </div> Lucio. Well, my lord. <div class = "verse"> Mari. My lord, I do confess I ne’er was married; 185 And I confess, besides, I am no maid: I have known my husband; yet my husband Knows not that ever he knew me. </div> Lucio. He was drunk, then, my lord: it can be no better. Duke. For the benefit of silence, would thou wert so too! 190 Lucio. Well, my lord. Duke. This is no witness for Lord Angelo. <div class = "verse"> Mari. Now I come to’t, my lord: She that accuses him of fornication, In self-same manner doth accuse my husband; 195 And charges him, my lord, with such a time When I’ll depose I had him in mine arms With all th’ effect of love. </div> Ang. Charges she more than me? Mari. Not that I know. Duke. No? you say your husband. <div class = "verse"> V. 1 200 Mari. Why, just, my lord, and that is Angelo, Who thinks he knows that he ne’er knew my body, But knows he thinks that he knows Isabel’s. </div> Ang. This is a strange abuse. Let’s see thy face. <div class = "verse"> Mari. My husband bids me; now I will unmask. Unveiling. 205 This is that face, thou cruel Angelo, Which once thou sworest was worth the looking on; This is the hand which, with a vow’d contract, Was fast belock’d in thine; this is the body That took away the match from Isabel, 378 210 And did supply thee at thy garden-house In her imagined person. </div> Duke. Know you this woman? Lucio. Carnally, she says. Duke. Sirrah, no more! Lucio. Enough, my lord. <div class = "verse"> Ang. My lord, I must confess I know this woman: 215 And five years since there was some speech of marriage Betwixt myself and her; which was broke off, Partly for that her promised proportions Came short of composition; but in chief, For that her reputation was disvalued 220 In levity: since which time of five years I never spake with her, saw her, nor heard from her, Upon my faith and honour. </div> <div class = "verse"> Mari. Noble prince, As there comes light from heaven and words from breath, As there is sense in truth and truth in virtue, V. 1 225 I am affianced this man’s wife as strongly As words could make up vows: and, my good lord, But Tuesday night last gone in’s garden-house He knew me as a wife. As this is true, Let me in safety raise me from my knees; 230 Or else for ever be confixed here, A marble monument! </div> <div class = "verse"> Ang. I did but smile till now: Now, good my lord, give me the scope of justice; My patience here is touch’d. I do perceive These poor informal women are no more 235 But instruments of some more mightier member That sets them on: let me have way, my lord, To find this practice out. </div> <div class = "verse"> Duke. Ay, with my heart; And punish them to your height of pleasure. Thou foolish friar; and thou pernicious woman, 379 240 Compact with her that’s gone, think’st thou thy oaths, Though they would swear down each particular saint, Were testimonies against his worth and credit, That’s seal’d in approbation? You, Lord Escalus, Sit with my cousin; lend him your kind pains 245 To find out this abuse, whence ’tis derived. There is another friar that set them on; Let him be sent for. </div> <div class = "verse"> Fri. P. Would he were here, my lord! for he, indeed, Hath set the women on to this complaint: V. 1 250 Your provost knows the place where he abides, And he may fetch him. </div> <div class = "verse"> Duke. Go do it instantly. Exit Provost. And you, my noble and well-warranted cousin, Whom it concerns to hear this matter forth, Do with your injuries as seems you best, 255 In any chastisement: I for a while will leave you; But stir not you till you have well determined Upon these slanderers. </div> Escal. My lord, we’ll do it throughly. [Exit Duke.] Signior Lucio, did not you say you knew that Friar Lodowick 260 to be a dishonest person? Lucio. ‘Cucullus non facit monachum:’ honest in nothing but in his clothes; and one that hath spoke most villanous speeches of the Duke. Escal. We shall entreat you to abide here till he come, 265 and enforce them against him: we shall find this friar a notable fellow. Lucio. As any in Vienna, on my word. Escal. Call that same Isabel here once again: I would speak with her. [Exit an Attendant.] Pray you, my lord, 270 give me leave to question; you shall see how I’ll handle her. Lucio. Not better than he, by her own report. Escal. Say you? 380 Lucio. Marry, sir, I think, if you handled her privately, V. 1 275 she would sooner confess: perchance, publicly, she’ll be ashamed. Escal. I will go darkly to work with her. Lucio. That’s the way; for women are light at midnight. <h5 class = "stagedir"> Re-enter Officers with Isabella; and Provost with the Duke in his friar’s habit.</h5> Escal. Come on, mistress: here’s a gentlewoman denies 280 all that you have said. Lucio. My lord, here comes the rascal I spoke of; here with the provost. Escal. In very good time: speak not you to him till we call upon you. 285 Lucio. Mum. Escal. Come, sir: did you set these women on to slander Lord Angelo? they have confessed you did. Duke. ’Tis false. Escal. How! know you where you are? <div class = "verse"> 290 Duke. Respect to your great place! and let the devil Be sometime honour’d for his burning throne! Where is the Duke? ’tis he should hear me speak. </div> <div class = "verse"> Escal. The Duke’s in us; and we will hear you speak: Look you speak justly. </div> <div class = "verse"> 295 Duke. Boldly, at least. But, O, poor souls, Come you to seek the lamb here of the fox? Good night to your redress! Is the Duke gone? Then is your cause gone too. The Duke’s unjust, Thus to retort your manifest appeal, V. 1 300 And put your trial in the villain’s mouth Which here you come to accuse. </div> 381 Lucio. This is the rascal; this is he I spoke of. <div class = "verse"> Escal. Why, thou unreverend and unhallow’d friar, Is’t not enough thou hast suborn’d these women 305 To accuse this worthy man, but, in foul mouth, And in the witness of his proper ear, To call him villain? and then to glance from him To the Duke himself, to tax him with injustice? Take him hence; to the rack with him! We’ll touse you 310 Joint by joint, but we will know his purpose. What, ‘unjust’! </div> <div class = "verse"> Duke. Be not so hot; the Duke Dare no more stretch this finger of mine than he Dare rack his own: his subject am I not, Nor here provincial. My business in this state 315 Made me a looker-on here in Vienna, Where I have seen corruption boil and bubble Till it o’er-run the stew; laws for all faults, But faults so countenanced, that the strong statutes Stand like the forfeits in a barber’s shop, 320 As much in mock as mark. </div> Escal. Slander to the state! Away with him to prison! <div class = "verse"> Ang. What can you vouch against him, Signior Lucio? Is this the man that you did tell us of? </div> Lucio. ’Tis he, my lord. Come hither, goodman bald-pate: V. 1 325 do you know me? Duke. I remember you, sir, by the sound of your voice: I met you at the prison, in the absence of the Duke. Lucio. O, did you so? And do you remember what you said of the Duke? 330 Duke. Most notedly, sir. Lucio. Do you so, sir? And was the Duke a flesh-monger, 382 a fool, and a coward, as you then reported him to be? Duke. You must, sir, change persons with me, ere you 335 make that my report: you, indeed, spoke so of him; and much more, much worse. Lucio. O thou damnable fellow! Did not I pluck thee by the nose for thy speeches? Duke. I protest I love the Duke as I love myself. 340 Ang. Hark, how the villain would close now, after his treasonable abuses! Escal. Such a fellow is not to be talked withal. Away with him to prison! Where is the provost? Away with him to prison! lay bolts enough upon him: let him speak 345 no more. Away with those giglets too, and with the other confederate companion! Duke. [To Provost] Stay, sir; stay awhile. Ang. What, resists he? Help him, Lucio. Lucio. Come, sir; come, sir; come, sir; foh, sir! V. 1 350 Why, you bald-pated, lying rascal, you must be hooded, must you? Show your knave’s visage, with a pox to you! show your sheep-biting face, and be hanged an hour! Will’t not off? Pulls off the friar’s hood, and discovers the Duke. <div class = "verse"> Duke. Thou art the first knave that e’er madest a Duke. 355 First, provost, let me bail these gentle three. [To Lucio] Sneak not away, sir; for the friar and you Must have a word anon. Lay hold on him. </div> Lucio. This may prove worse than hanging. <div class = "verse"> Duke. [To Escalus] What you have spoke I pardon: sit you down: 360 We’ll borrow place of him. [To Angelo] Sir, by your leave. Hast thou or word, or wit, or impudence, That yet can do thee office? If thou hast, 383 Rely upon it till my tale be heard, And hold no longer out. </div> <div class = "verse"> Ang. O my dread lord, 365 I should be guiltier than my guiltiness, To think I can be undiscernible, When I perceive your Grace, like power divine, Hath look’d upon my passes. Then, good prince, No longer session hold upon my shame, 370 But let my trial be mine own confession: Immediate sentence then, and sequent death, Is all the grace I beg. </div> <div class = "verse"> Duke. Come hither, Mariana. Say, wast thou e’er contracted to this woman? </div> Ang. I was, my lord. <div class = "verse"> V. 1 375 Duke. Go take her hence, and marry her instantly. Do you the office, friar; which consummate, Return him here again. Go with him, provost. </div> Exeunt Angelo, Mariana, Friar Peter and Provost. <div class = "verse"> Escal. My lord, I am more amazed at his dishonour Than at the strangeness of it. </div> <div class = "verse"> Duke. Come hither, Isabel. 380 Your friar is now your prince: as I was then Advertising and holy to your business, Not changing heart with habit, I am still Attorney’d at your service. </div> <div class = "verse"> Isab. O, give me pardon, That I, your vassal, have employ’d and pain’d Your unknown sovereignty! </div> <div class = "verse"> 385 Duke. You are pardon’d, Isabel: And now, dear maid, be you as free to us. Your brother’s death, I know, sits at your heart; And you may marvel why I obscured myself, Labouring to save his life, and would not rather 390 Make rash remonstrance of my hidden power 384 Than let him so be lost. O most kind maid, It was the swift celerity of his death, Which I did think with slower foot came on, That brain’d my purpose. But, peace be with him! 395 That life is better life, past fearing death, Than that which lives to fear: make it your comfort, So happy is your brother. </div> Isab. I do, my lord. <h5 class = "stagedir"> Re-enter Angelo, Mariana, Friar Peter, and Provost.</h5> <div class = "verse"> Duke. For this new-married man, approaching here, Whose salt imagination yet hath wrong’d V. 1 400 Your well-defended honour, you must pardon For Mariana’s sake: but as he adjudged your brother,— Being criminal, in double violation Of sacred chastity, and of promise-breach Thereon dependent, for your brother’s life,— 405 The very mercy of the law cries out Most audible, even from his proper tongue, ‘An Angelo for Claudio, death for death!’ Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure; Like doth quit like, and MEASURE still FOR MEASURE. 410 Then, Angelo, thy fault’s thus manifested; Which, though thou wouldst deny, denies thee vantage. We do condemn thee to the very block Where Claudio stoop’d to death, and with like haste. Away with him! </div> <div class = "verse"> Mari. O my most gracious lord, 415 I hope you will not mock me with a husband. </div> <div class = "verse"> Duke. It is your husband mock’d you with a husband. 385 Consenting to the safeguard of your honour, I thought your marriage fit; else imputation, For that he knew you, might reproach your life, 420 And choke your good to come: for his possessions, Although by confiscation they are ours, We do instate and widow you withal, To buy you a better husband. </div> <div class = "verse"> Mari. O my dear lord, I crave no other, nor no better man. </div> V. 1 425 Duke. Never crave him; we are definitive. Mari. Gentle my liege,— Kneeling. <div class = "verse"> Duke. You do but lose your labour. Away with him to death! [To Lucio] Now, sir, to you. </div> <div class = "verse"> Mari. O my good lord! Sweet Isabel, take my part; Lend me your knees, and all my life to come 430 I’ll lend you all my life to do you service. </div> <div class = "verse"> Duke. Against all sense you do importune her: Should she kneel down in mercy of this fact, Her brother’s ghost his paved bed would break, And take her hence in horror. </div> <div class = "verse"> Mari. Isabel, 435 Sweet Isabel, do yet but kneel by me; Hold up your hands, say nothing,—I’ll speak all. They say, best men are moulded out of faults; And, for the most, become much more the better For being a little bad: so may my husband. 440 O Isabel, will you not lend a knee? </div> Duke. He dies for Claudio’s death. <div class = "verse"> Isab. Most bounteous sir, Kneeling. Look, if it please you, on this man condemn’d, As if my brother lived: I partly think A due sincerity govern’d his deeds, 445 Till he did look on me: since it is so, Let him not die. My brother had but justice, In that he did the thing for which he died: 386 For Angelo, His act did not o’ertake his bad intent; V. 1 450 And must be buried but as an intent That perish’d by the way: thoughts are no subjects; Intents, but merely thoughts. </div> Mari. Merely, my lord. <div class = "verse"> Duke. Your suit’s unprofitable; stand up, I say. I have bethought me of another fault. 455 Provost, how came it Claudio was beheaded At an unusual hour? </div> Prov. It was commanded so. Duke. Had you a special warrant for the deed? Prov. No, my good lord; it was by private message. <div class = "verse"> Duke. For which I do discharge you of your office: Give up your keys. </div> <div class = "verse"> 460 Prov. Pardon me, noble lord: I thought it was a fault, but knew it not; Yet did repent me, after more advice: For testimony whereof, one in the prison, That should by private order else have died, I have reserved alive. </div> Duke. What’s he? 465 Prov. His name is Barnardine. <div class = "verse"> Duke. I would thou hadst done so by Claudio. Go fetch him hither; let me look upon him. </div> Exit Provost. <div class = "verse"> Escal. I am sorry, one so learned and so wise As you, Lord Angelo, have still appear’d, 470 Should slip so grossly, both in the heat of blood, And lack of temper’d judgment afterward. </div> <div class = "verse"> Ang. I am sorry that such sorrow I procure: And so deep sticks it in my penitent heart, That I crave death more willingly than mercy; V. 1 475 ’Tis my deserving, and I do entreat it. </div> 387 <h5 class = "stagedir"> Re-enter Provost, with Barnardine, Claudio muffled, and Juliet.</h5> Duke. Which is that Barnardine? Prov. This, my lord. <div class = "verse"> Duke. There was a friar told me of this man. Sirrah, thou art said to have a stubborn soul, That apprehends no further than this world, 480 And squarest thy life according. Thou’rt condemn’d: But, for those earthly faults, I quit them all; And pray thee take this mercy to provide For better times to come. Friar, advise him; I leave him to your hand. What muffled fellow’s that? </div> <div class = "verse"> 485 Prov. This is another prisoner that I saved, Who should have died when Claudio lost his head; As like almost to Claudio as himself. Unmuffles Claudio. </div> <div class = "verse"> Duke. [To Isabella] If he be like your brother, for his sake Is he pardon’d; and, for your lovely sake, 490 Give me your hand, and say you will be mine, He is my brother too: but fitter time for that. By this Lord Angelo perceives he’s safe; Methinks I see a quickening in his eye. Well, Angelo, your evil quits you well: 495 Look that you love your wife; her worth worth yours. I find an apt remission in myself; And yet here’s one in place I cannot pardon. [To Lucio] You, sirrah, that knew me for a fool, a coward, One all of luxury, an ass, a madman; V. 1 500 Wherein have I so deserved of you, That you extol me thus? </div> 388 Lucio. ’Faith, my lord, I spoke it but according to the trick. If you will hang me for it, you may; but I had rather it would please you I might be whipt. <div class = "verse"> 505 Duke. Whipt first, sir, and hang’d after. Proclaim it, provost, round about the city, Is any woman wrong’d by this lewd fellow, As I have heard him swear himself there’s one Whom he begot with child, let her appear, 510 And he shall marry her: the nuptial finish’d, Let him be whipt and hang’d. </div> Lucio. I beseech your highness, do not marry me to a whore. Your highness said even now, I made you a Duke: good my lord, do not recompense me in making me a 515 cuckold. <div class = "verse"> Duke. Upon mine honour, thou shalt marry her. Thy slanders I forgive; and therewithal Remit thy other forfeits.—Take him to prison; And see our pleasure herein executed. </div> 520 Lucio. Marrying a punk, my lord, is pressing to death, whipping, and hanging. <div class = "verse"> Duke. Slandering a prince deserves it. Exeunt Officers with Lucio. She, Claudio, that you wrong’d, look you restore. Joy to you, Mariana! Love her, Angelo: V. 1 525 I have confess’d her, and I know her virtue. Thanks, good friend Escalus, for thy much goodness: There’s more behind that is more gratulate. Thanks, provost, for thy care and secrecy: We shall employ thee in a worthier place. 530 Forgive him, Angelo, that brought you home The head of Ragozine for Claudio’s: The offence pardons itself. Dear Isabel, I have a motion much imports your good; 389 Whereto if you’ll a willing ear incline, 535 What’s mine is yours, and what is yours is mine. So, bring us to our palace; where we’ll show What’s yet behind, that’s meet you all should know. </div> Exeunt. <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

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