Measure for Measure 102.html

<span id = 2095 ></span><span id = 2097 ><p>SCENE I. An apartment in the DUKE'S palace.</p><p>Enter DUKE VINCENTIO, ESCALUS, Lords and Attendants <br />DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Escalus.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />My lord.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Of government the properties to unfold,<br />Would seem in me to affect speech and discourse;<br />Since I am put to know that your own science<br />Exceeds, in that, the lists of all advice<br />My strength can give you: then no more remains,<br />But that to your sufficiency as your Worth is able,<br />And let them work. The nature of our people,<br />Our city's institutions, and the terms<br />For common justice, you're as pregnant in<br />As art and practise hath enriched any<br />That we remember. There is our commission,<br />From which we would not have you warp. Call hither,<br />I say, bid come before us Angelo.</p><p>Exit an Attendant</p><p>What figure of us think you he will bear?<br />For you must know, we have with special soul<br />Elected him our absence to supply,<br />Lent him our terror, dress'd him with our love,<br />And given his deputation all the organs<br />Of our own power: what think you of it?</p><p>ESCALUS <br />If any in Vienna be of worth<br />To undergo such ample grace and honour,<br />It is Lord Angelo.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Look where he comes.</p><p>Enter ANGELO</p><p>ANGELO <br />Always obedient to your grace's will,<br />I come to know your pleasure.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Angelo,<br />There is a kind of character in thy life,<br />That to the observer doth thy history<br />Fully unfold. Thyself and thy belongings<br />Are not thine own so proper as to waste<br />Thyself upon thy virtues, they on thee.<br />Heaven doth with us as we with torches do,<br />Not light them for themselves; for if our virtues<br />Did not go forth of us, 'twere all alike<br />As if we had them not. Spirits are not finely touch'd<br />But to fine issues, nor Nature never lends<br />The smallest scruple of her excellence<br />But, like a thrifty goddess, she determines<br />Herself the glory of a creditor,<br />Both thanks and use. But I do bend my speech<br />To one that can my part in him advertise;<br />Hold therefore, Angelo:--<br />In our remove be thou at full ourself;<br />Mortality and mercy in Vienna<br />Live in thy tongue and heart: old Escalus,<br />Though first in question, is thy secondary.<br />Take thy commission.</p><p>ANGELO <br />Now, good my lord,<br />Let there be some more test made of my metal,<br />Before so noble and so great a figure<br />Be stamp'd upon it.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />No more evasion:<br />We have with a leaven'd and prepared choice<br />Proceeded to you; therefore take your honours.<br />Our haste from hence is of so quick condition<br />That it prefers itself and leaves unquestion'd<br />Matters of needful value. We shall write to you,<br />As time and our concernings shall importune,<br />How it goes with us, and do look to know<br />What doth befall you here. So, fare you well;<br />To the hopeful execution do I leave you<br />Of your commissions.</p><p>ANGELO <br />Yet give leave, my lord,<br />That we may bring you something on the way.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />My haste may not admit it;<br />Nor need you, on mine honour, have to do<br />With any scruple; your scope is as mine own<br />So to enforce or qualify the laws<br />As to your soul seems good. Give me your hand:<br />I'll privily away. I love the people,<br />But do not like to stage me to their eyes:<br />Through it do well, I do not relish well<br />Their loud applause and Aves vehement;<br />Nor do I think the man of safe discretion<br />That does affect it. Once more, fare you well.</p><p>ANGELO <br />The heavens give safety to your purposes!</p><p>ESCALUS <br />Lead forth and bring you back in happiness!</p><p>DUKE <br />I thank you. Fare you well.</p><p>Exit</p><p>ESCALUS <br />I shall desire you, sir, to give me leave<br />To have free speech with you; and it concerns me<br />To look into the bottom of my place:<br />A power I have, but of what strength and nature<br />I am not yet instructed.</p><p>ANGELO <br />'Tis so with me. Let us withdraw together,<br />And we may soon our satisfaction have<br />Touching that point.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />I'll wait upon your honour.</p><p>Exeunt<br /></p></span><span id = 2098 ><p>SCENE II. A Street.</p><p>Enter LUCIO and two Gentlemen <br />LUCIO <br />If the duke with the other dukes come not to<br />composition with the King of Hungary, why then all<br />the dukes fall upon the king.</p><p>First Gentleman <br />Heaven grant us its peace, but not the King of<br />Hungary's!</p><p>Second Gentleman <br />Amen.</p><p>LUCIO <br />Thou concludest like the sanctimonious pirate, that<br />went to sea with the Ten Commandments, but scraped<br />one out of the table.</p><p>Second Gentleman <br />'Thou shalt not steal'?</p><p>LUCIO <br />Ay, that he razed.</p><p>First Gentleman <br />Why, 'twas a commandment to command the captain and<br />all the rest from their functions: they put forth<br />to steal. There's not a soldier of us all, that, in<br />the thanksgiving before meat, do relish the petition<br />well that prays for peace.</p><p>Second Gentleman <br />I never heard any soldier dislike it.</p><p>LUCIO <br />I believe thee; for I think thou never wast where<br />grace was said.</p><p>Second Gentleman <br />No? a dozen times at least.</p><p>First Gentleman <br />What, in metre?</p><p>LUCIO <br />In any proportion or in any language.</p><p>First Gentleman <br />I think, or in any religion.</p><p>LUCIO <br />Ay, why not? Grace is grace, despite of all<br />controversy: as, for example, thou thyself art a<br />wicked villain, despite of all grace.</p><p>First Gentleman <br />Well, there went but a pair of shears between us.</p><p>LUCIO <br />I grant; as there may between the lists and the<br />velvet. Thou art the list.</p><p>First Gentleman <br />And thou the velvet: thou art good velvet; thou'rt<br />a three-piled piece, I warrant thee: I had as lief<br />be a list of an English kersey as be piled, as thou<br />art piled, for a French velvet. Do I speak<br />feelingly now?</p><p>LUCIO <br />I think thou dost; and, indeed, with most painful<br />feeling of thy speech: I will, out of thine own<br />confession, learn to begin thy health; but, whilst I<br />live, forget to drink after thee.</p><p>First Gentleman <br />I think I have done myself wrong, have I not?</p><p>Second Gentleman <br />Yes, that thou hast, whether thou art tainted or free.</p><p>LUCIO <br />Behold, behold. where Madam Mitigation comes! I<br />have purchased as many diseases under her roof as come to--</p><p>Second Gentleman <br />To what, I pray?</p><p>LUCIO <br />Judge.</p><p>Second Gentleman <br />To three thousand dolours a year.</p><p>First Gentleman <br />Ay, and more.</p><p>LUCIO <br />A French crown more.</p><p>First Gentleman <br />Thou art always figuring diseases in me; but thou<br />art full of error; I am sound.</p><p>LUCIO <br />Nay, not as one would say, healthy; but so sound as<br />things that are hollow: thy bones are hollow;<br />impiety has made a feast of thee.</p><p>Enter MISTRESS OVERDONE</p><p>First Gentleman <br />How now! which of your hips has the most profound sciatica?</p><p>MISTRESS OVERDONE <br />Well, well; there's one yonder arrested and carried<br />to prison was worth five thousand of you all.</p><p>Second Gentleman <br />Who's that, I pray thee?</p><p>MISTRESS OVERDONE <br />Marry, sir, that's Claudio, Signior Claudio.</p><p>First Gentleman <br />Claudio to prison? 'tis not so.</p><p>MISTRESS OVERDONE <br />Nay, but I know 'tis so: I saw him arrested, saw<br />him carried away; and, which is more, within these<br />three days his head to be chopped off.</p><p>LUCIO <br />But, after all this fooling, I would not have it so.<br />Art thou sure of this?</p><p>MISTRESS OVERDONE <br />I am too sure of it: and it is for getting Madam<br />Julietta with child.</p><p>LUCIO <br />Believe me, this may be: he promised to meet me two<br />hours since, and he was ever precise in<br />promise-keeping.</p><p>Second Gentleman <br />Besides, you know, it draws something near to the<br />speech we had to such a purpose.</p><p>First Gentleman <br />But, most of all, agreeing with the proclamation.</p><p>LUCIO <br />Away! let's go learn the truth of it.</p><p>Exeunt LUCIO and Gentlemen</p><p>MISTRESS OVERDONE <br />Thus, what with the war, what with the sweat, what<br />with the gallows and what with poverty, I am<br />custom-shrunk.</p><p>Enter POMPEY</p><p>How now! what's the news with you?</p><p>POMPEY <br />Yonder man is carried to prison.</p><p>MISTRESS OVERDONE <br />Well; what has he done?</p><p>POMPEY <br />A woman.</p><p>MISTRESS OVERDONE <br />But what's his offence?</p><p>POMPEY <br />Groping for trouts in a peculiar river.</p><p>MISTRESS OVERDONE <br />What, is there a maid with child by him?</p><p>POMPEY <br />No, but there's a woman with maid by him. You have<br />not heard of the proclamation, have you?</p><p>MISTRESS OVERDONE <br />What proclamation, man?</p><p>POMPEY <br />All houses in the suburbs of Vienna must be plucked down.</p><p>MISTRESS OVERDONE <br />And what shall become of those in the city?</p><p>POMPEY <br />They shall stand for seed: they had gone down too,<br />but that a wise burgher put in for them.</p><p>MISTRESS OVERDONE <br />But shall all our houses of resort in the suburbs be<br />pulled down?</p><p>POMPEY <br />To the ground, mistress.</p><p>MISTRESS OVERDONE <br />Why, here's a change indeed in the commonwealth!<br />What shall become of me?</p><p>POMPEY <br />Come; fear you not: good counsellors lack no<br />clients: though you change your place, you need not<br />change your trade; I'll be your tapster still.<br />Courage! there will be pity taken on you: you that<br />have worn your eyes almost out in the service, you<br />will be considered.</p><p>MISTRESS OVERDONE <br />What's to do here, Thomas tapster? let's withdraw.</p><p>POMPEY <br />Here comes Signior Claudio, led by the provost to<br />prison; and there's Madam Juliet.</p><p>Exeunt</p><p>Enter Provost, CLAUDIO, JULIET, and Officers</p><p>CLAUDIO <br />Fellow, why dost thou show me thus to the world?<br />Bear me to prison, where I am committed.</p><p>Provost <br />I do it not in evil disposition,<br />But from Lord Angelo by special charge.</p><p>CLAUDIO <br />Thus can the demigod Authority<br />Make us pay down for our offence by weight<br />The words of heaven; on whom it will, it will;<br />On whom it will not, so; yet still 'tis just.</p><p>Re-enter LUCIO and two Gentlemen</p><p>LUCIO <br />Why, how now, Claudio! whence comes this restraint?</p><p>CLAUDIO <br />From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty:<br />As surfeit is the father of much fast,<br />So every scope by the immoderate use<br />Turns to restraint. Our natures do pursue,<br />Like rats that ravin down their proper bane,<br />A thirsty evil; and when we drink we die.</p><p>LUCIO <br />If could speak so wisely under an arrest, I would<br />send for certain of my creditors: and yet, to say<br />the truth, I had as lief have the foppery of freedom<br />as the morality of imprisonment. What's thy<br />offence, Claudio?</p><p>CLAUDIO <br />What but to speak of would offend again.</p><p>LUCIO <br />What, is't murder?</p><p>CLAUDIO <br />No.</p><p>LUCIO <br />Lechery?</p><p>CLAUDIO <br />Call it so.</p><p>Provost <br />Away, sir! you must go.</p><p>CLAUDIO <br />One word, good friend. Lucio, a word with you.</p><p>LUCIO <br />A hundred, if they'll do you any good.<br />Is lechery so look'd after?</p><p>CLAUDIO <br />Thus stands it with me: upon a true contract<br />I got possession of Julietta's bed:<br />You know the lady; she is fast my wife,<br />Save that we do the denunciation lack<br />Of outward order: this we came not to,<br />Only for propagation of a dower<br />Remaining in the coffer of her friends,<br />From whom we thought it meet to hide our love<br />Till time had made them for us. But it chances<br />The stealth of our most mutual entertainment<br />With character too gross is writ on Juliet.</p><p>LUCIO <br />With child, perhaps?</p><p>CLAUDIO <br />Unhappily, even so.<br />And the new deputy now for the duke--<br />Whether it be the fault and glimpse of newness,<br />Or whether that the body public be<br />A horse whereon the governor doth ride,<br />Who, newly in the seat, that it may know<br />He can command, lets it straight feel the spur;<br />Whether the tyranny be in his place,<br />Or in his emmence that fills it up,<br />I stagger in:--but this new governor<br />Awakes me all the enrolled penalties<br />Which have, like unscour'd armour, hung by the wall<br />So long that nineteen zodiacs have gone round<br />And none of them been worn; and, for a name,<br />Now puts the drowsy and neglected act<br />Freshly on me: 'tis surely for a name.</p><p>LUCIO <br />I warrant it is: and thy head stands so tickle on<br />thy shoulders that a milkmaid, if she be in love,<br />may sigh it off. Send after the duke and appeal to<br />him.</p><p>CLAUDIO <br />I have done so, but he's not to be found.<br />I prithee, Lucio, do me this kind service:<br />This day my sister should the cloister enter<br />And there receive her approbation:<br />Acquaint her with the danger of my state:<br />Implore her, in my voice, that she make friends<br />To the strict deputy; bid herself assay him:<br />I have great hope in that; for in her youth<br />There is a prone and speechless dialect,<br />Such as move men; beside, she hath prosperous art<br />When she will play with reason and discourse,<br />And well she can persuade.</p><p>LUCIO <br />I pray she may; as well for the encouragement of the<br />like, which else would stand under grievous<br />imposition, as for the enjoying of thy life, who I<br />would be sorry should be thus foolishly lost at a<br />game of tick-tack. I'll to her.</p><p>CLAUDIO <br />I thank you, good friend Lucio.</p><p>LUCIO <br />Within two hours.</p><p>CLAUDIO <br />Come, officer, away!</p><p>Exeunt</p><p>&nbsp;</p></span><span id = 2101 ><p>SCENE III. A monastery.</p><p>Enter DUKE VINCENTIO and FRIAR THOMAS <br />DUKE VINCENTIO <br />No, holy father; throw away that thought;<br />Believe not that the dribbling dart of love<br />Can pierce a complete bosom. Why I desire thee<br />To give me secret harbour, hath a purpose<br />More grave and wrinkled than the aims and ends<br />Of burning youth.</p><p>FRIAR THOMAS <br />May your grace speak of it?</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />My holy sir, none better knows than you<br />How I have ever loved the life removed<br />And held in idle price to haunt assemblies<br />Where youth, and cost, and witless bravery keeps.<br />I have deliver'd to Lord Angelo,<br />A man of stricture and firm abstinence,<br />My absolute power and place here in Vienna,<br />And he supposes me travell'd to Poland;<br />For so I have strew'd it in the common ear,<br />And so it is received. Now, pious sir,<br />You will demand of me why I do this?</p><p>FRIAR THOMAS <br />Gladly, my lord.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />We have strict statutes and most biting laws.<br />The needful bits and curbs to headstrong weeds,<br />Which for this nineteen years we have let slip;<br />Even like an o'ergrown lion in a cave,<br />That goes not out to prey. Now, as fond fathers,<br />Having bound up the threatening twigs of birch,<br />Only to stick it in their children's sight<br />For terror, not to use, in time the rod<br />Becomes more mock'd than fear'd; so our decrees,<br />Dead to infliction, to themselves are dead;<br />And liberty plucks justice by the nose;<br />The baby beats the nurse, and quite athwart<br />Goes all decorum.</p><p>FRIAR THOMAS <br />It rested in your grace<br />To unloose this tied-up justice when you pleased:<br />And it in you more dreadful would have seem'd<br />Than in Lord Angelo.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />I do fear, too dreadful:<br />Sith 'twas my fault to give the people scope,<br />'Twould be my tyranny to strike and gall them<br />For what I bid them do: for we bid this be done,<br />When evil deeds have their permissive pass<br />And not the punishment. Therefore indeed, my father,<br />I have on Angelo imposed the office;<br />Who may, in the ambush of my name, strike home,<br />And yet my nature never in the fight<br />To do in slander. And to behold his sway,<br />I will, as 'twere a brother of your order,<br />Visit both prince and people: therefore, I prithee,<br />Supply me with the habit and instruct me<br />How I may formally in person bear me<br />Like a true friar. More reasons for this action<br />At our more leisure shall I render you;<br />Only, this one: Lord Angelo is precise;<br />Stands at a guard with envy; scarce confesses<br />That his blood flows, or that his appetite<br />Is more to bread than stone: hence shall we see,<br />If power change purpose, what our seemers be.</p><p>Exeunt<br /></p></span><span id = 2102 ><p>SCENE IV. A nunnery.</p><p>Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA <br />ISABELLA <br />And have you nuns no farther privileges?</p><p>FRANCISCA <br />Are not these large enough?</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Yes, truly; I speak not as desiring more;<br />But rather wishing a more strict restraint<br />Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare.</p><p>LUCIO <br />[Within] Ho! Peace be in this place!</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Who's that which calls?</p><p>FRANCISCA <br />It is a man's voice. Gentle Isabella,<br />Turn you the key, and know his business of him;<br />You may, I may not; you are yet unsworn.<br />When you have vow'd, you must not speak with men<br />But in the presence of the prioress:<br />Then, if you speak, you must not show your face,<br />Or, if you show your face, you must not speak.<br />He calls again; I pray you, answer him.</p><p>Exit</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Peace and prosperity! Who is't that calls</p><p>Enter LUCIO</p><p>LUCIO <br />Hail, virgin, if you be, as those cheek-roses<br />Proclaim you are no less! Can you so stead me<br />As bring me to the sight of Isabella,<br />A novice of this place and the fair sister<br />To her unhappy brother Claudio?</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Why 'her unhappy brother'? let me ask,<br />The rather for I now must make you know<br />I am that Isabella and his sister.</p><p>LUCIO <br />Gentle and fair, your brother kindly greets you:<br />Not to be weary with you, he's in prison.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Woe me! for what?</p><p>LUCIO <br />For that which, if myself might be his judge,<br />He should receive his punishment in thanks:<br />He hath got his friend with child.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Sir, make me not your story.</p><p>LUCIO <br />It is true.<br />I would not--though 'tis my familiar sin<br />With maids to seem the lapwing and to jest,<br />Tongue far from heart--play with all virgins so:<br />I hold you as a thing ensky'd and sainted.<br />By your renouncement an immortal spirit,<br />And to be talk'd with in sincerity,<br />As with a saint.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />You do blaspheme the good in mocking me.</p><p>LUCIO <br />Do not believe it. Fewness and truth, 'tis thus:<br />Your brother and his lover have embraced:<br />As those that feed grow full, as blossoming time<br />That from the seedness the bare fallow brings<br />To teeming foison, even so her plenteous womb<br />Expresseth his full tilth and husbandry.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Some one with child by him? My cousin Juliet?</p><p>LUCIO <br />Is she your cousin?</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Adoptedly; as school-maids change their names<br />By vain though apt affection.</p><p>LUCIO <br />She it is.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />O, let him marry her.</p><p>LUCIO <br />This is the point.<br />The duke is very strangely gone from hence;<br />Bore many gentlemen, myself being one,<br />In hand and hope of action: but we do learn<br />By those that know the very nerves of state,<br />His givings-out were of an infinite distance<br />From his true-meant design. Upon his place,<br />And with full line of his authority,<br />Governs Lord Angelo; a man whose blood<br />Is very snow-broth; one who never feels<br />The wanton stings and motions of the sense,<br />But doth rebate and blunt his natural edge<br />With profits of the mind, study and fast.<br />He--to give fear to use and liberty,<br />Which have for long run by the hideous law,<br />As mice by lions--hath pick'd out an act,<br />Under whose heavy sense your brother's life<br />Falls into forfeit: he arrests him on it;<br />And follows close the rigour of the statute,<br />To make him an example. All hope is gone,<br />Unless you have the grace by your fair prayer<br />To soften Angelo: and that's my pith of business<br />'Twixt you and your poor brother.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Doth he so seek his life?</p><p>LUCIO <br />Has censured him<br />Already; and, as I hear, the provost hath<br />A warrant for his execution.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Alas! what poor ability's in me<br />To do him good?</p><p>LUCIO <br />Assay the power you have.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />My power? Alas, I doubt--</p><p>LUCIO <br />Our doubts are traitors<br />And make us lose the good we oft might win<br />By fearing to attempt. Go to Lord Angelo,<br />And let him learn to know, when maidens sue,<br />Men give like gods; but when they weep and kneel,<br />All their petitions are as freely theirs<br />As they themselves would owe them.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />I'll see what I can do.</p><p>LUCIO <br />But speedily.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />I will about it straight;<br />No longer staying but to give the mother<br />Notice of my affair. I humbly thank you:<br />Commend me to my brother: soon at night<br />I'll send him certain word of my success.</p><p>LUCIO <br />I take my leave of you.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Good sir, adieu.</p><p>Exeunt</p><p>&nbsp;</p></span><span id = 2103 ></span><span id = 2104 ><p>SCENE I. A hall In ANGELO's house.</p><p>Enter ANGELO, ESCALUS, and a Justice, Provost, Officers, and other Attendants, behind <br />ANGELO <br />We must not make a scarecrow of the law,<br />Setting it up to fear the birds of prey,<br />And let it keep one shape, till custom make it<br />Their perch and not their terror.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />Ay, but yet<br />Let us be keen, and rather cut a little,<br />Than fall, and bruise to death. Alas, this gentleman<br />Whom I would save, had a most noble father!<br />Let but your honour know,<br />Whom I believe to be most strait in virtue,<br />That, in the working of your own affections,<br />Had time cohered with place or place with wishing,<br />Or that the resolute acting of your blood<br />Could have attain'd the effect of your own purpose,<br />Whether you had not sometime in your life<br />Err'd in this point which now you censure him,<br />And pull'd the law upon you.</p><p>ANGELO <br />'Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus,<br />Another thing to fall. I not deny,<br />The jury, passing on the prisoner's life,<br />May in the sworn twelve have a thief or two<br />Guiltier than him they try. What's open made to justice,<br />That justice seizes: what know the laws<br />That thieves do pass on thieves? 'Tis very pregnant,<br />The jewel that we find, we stoop and take't<br />Because we see it; but what we do not see<br />We tread upon, and never think of it.<br />You may not so extenuate his offence<br />For I have had such faults; but rather tell me,<br />When I, that censure him, do so offend,<br />Let mine own judgment pattern out my death,<br />And nothing come in partial. Sir, he must die.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />Be it as your wisdom will.</p><p>ANGELO <br />Where is the provost?</p><p>Provost <br />Here, if it like your honour.</p><p>ANGELO <br />See that Claudio<br />Be executed by nine to-morrow morning:<br />Bring him his confessor, let him be prepared;<br />For that's the utmost of his pilgrimage.</p><p>Exit Provost</p><p>ESCALUS <br />[Aside] Well, heaven forgive him! and forgive us all!<br />Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall:<br />Some run from brakes of ice, and answer none:<br />And some condemned for a fault alone.</p><p>Enter ELBOW, and Officers with FROTH and POMPEY</p><p>ELBOW <br />Come, bring them away: if these be good people in<br />a commonweal that do nothing but use their abuses in<br />common houses, I know no law: bring them away.</p><p>ANGELO <br />How now, sir! What's your name? and what's the matter?</p><p>ELBOW <br />If it Please your honour, I am the poor duke's<br />constable, and my name is Elbow: I do lean upon<br />justice, sir, and do bring in here before your good<br />honour two notorious benefactors.</p><p>ANGELO <br />Benefactors? Well; what benefactors are they? are<br />they not malefactors?</p><p>ELBOW <br />If it? please your honour, I know not well what they<br />are: but precise villains they are, that I am sure<br />of; and void of all profanation in the world that<br />good Christians ought to have.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />This comes off well; here's a wise officer.</p><p>ANGELO <br />Go to: what quality are they of? Elbow is your<br />name? why dost thou not speak, Elbow?</p><p>POMPEY <br />He cannot, sir; he's out at elbow.</p><p>ANGELO <br />What are you, sir?</p><p>ELBOW <br />He, sir! a tapster, sir; parcel-bawd; one that<br />serves a bad woman; whose house, sir, was, as they<br />say, plucked down in the suburbs; and now she<br />professes a hot-house, which, I think, is a very ill house too.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />How know you that?</p><p>ELBOW <br />My wife, sir, whom I detest before heaven and your honour,--</p><p>ESCALUS <br />How? thy wife?</p><p>ELBOW <br />Ay, sir; whom, I thank heaven, is an honest woman,--</p><p>ESCALUS <br />Dost thou detest her therefore?</p><p>ELBOW <br />I say, sir, I will detest myself also, as well as<br />she, that this house, if it be not a bawd's house,<br />it is pity of her life, for it is a naughty house.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />How dost thou know that, constable?</p><p>ELBOW <br />Marry, sir, by my wife; who, if she had been a woman<br />cardinally given, might have been accused in<br />fornication, adultery, and all uncleanliness there.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />By the woman's means?</p><p>ELBOW <br />Ay, sir, by Mistress Overdone's means: but as she<br />spit in his face, so she defied him.</p><p>POMPEY <br />Sir, if it please your honour, this is not so.</p><p>ELBOW <br />Prove it before these varlets here, thou honourable<br />man; prove it.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />Do you hear how he misplaces?</p><p>POMPEY <br />Sir, she came in great with child; and longing,<br />saving your honour's reverence, for stewed prunes;<br />sir, we had but two in the house, which at that very<br />distant time stood, as it were, in a fruit-dish, a<br />dish of some three-pence; your honours have seen<br />such dishes; they are not China dishes, but very<br />good dishes,--</p><p>ESCALUS <br />Go to, go to: no matter for the dish, sir.</p><p>POMPEY <br />No, indeed, sir, not of a pin; you are therein in<br />the right: but to the point. As I say, this<br />Mistress Elbow, being, as I say, with child, and<br />being great-bellied, and longing, as I said, for<br />prunes; and having but two in the dish, as I said,<br />Master Froth here, this very man, having eaten the<br />rest, as I said, and, as I say, paying for them very<br />honestly; for, as you know, Master Froth, I could<br />not give you three-pence again.</p><p>FROTH <br />No, indeed.</p><p>POMPEY <br />Very well: you being then, if you be remembered,<br />cracking the stones of the foresaid prunes,--</p><p>FROTH <br />Ay, so I did indeed.</p><p>POMPEY <br />Why, very well; I telling you then, if you be<br />remembered, that such a one and such a one were past<br />cure of the thing you wot of, unless they kept very<br />good diet, as I told you,--</p><p>FROTH <br />All this is true.</p><p>POMPEY <br />Why, very well, then,--</p><p>ESCALUS <br />Come, you are a tedious fool: to the purpose. What<br />was done to Elbow's wife, that he hath cause to<br />complain of? Come me to what was done to her.</p><p>POMPEY <br />Sir, your honour cannot come to that yet.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />No, sir, nor I mean it not.</p><p>POMPEY <br />Sir, but you shall come to it, by your honour's<br />leave. And, I beseech you, look into Master Froth<br />here, sir; a man of four-score pound a year; whose<br />father died at Hallowmas: was't not at Hallowmas,<br />Master Froth?</p><p>FROTH <br />All-hallond eve.</p><p>POMPEY <br />Why, very well; I hope here be truths. He, sir,<br />sitting, as I say, in a lower chair, sir; 'twas in<br />the Bunch of Grapes, where indeed you have a delight<br />to sit, have you not?</p><p>FROTH <br />I have so; because it is an open room and good for winter.</p><p>POMPEY <br />Why, very well, then; I hope here be truths.</p><p>ANGELO <br />This will last out a night in Russia,<br />When nights are longest there: I'll take my leave.<br />And leave you to the hearing of the cause;<br />Hoping you'll find good cause to whip them all.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />I think no less. Good morrow to your lordship.</p><p>Exit ANGELO</p><p>Now, sir, come on: what was done to Elbow's wife, once more?</p><p>POMPEY <br />Once, sir? there was nothing done to her once.</p><p>ELBOW <br />I beseech you, sir, ask him what this man did to my wife.</p><p>POMPEY <br />I beseech your honour, ask me.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />Well, sir; what did this gentleman to her?</p><p>POMPEY <br />I beseech you, sir, look in this gentleman's face.<br />Good Master Froth, look upon his honour; 'tis for a<br />good purpose. Doth your honour mark his face?</p><p>ESCALUS <br />Ay, sir, very well.</p><p>POMPEY <br />Nay; I beseech you, mark it well.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />Well, I do so.</p><p>POMPEY <br />Doth your honour see any harm in his face?</p><p>ESCALUS <br />Why, no.</p><p>POMPEY <br />I'll be supposed upon a book, his face is the worst<br />thing about him. Good, then; if his face be the<br />worst thing about him, how could Master Froth do the<br />constable's wife any harm? I would know that of<br />your honour.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />He's in the right. Constable, what say you to it?</p><p>ELBOW <br />First, an it like you, the house is a respected<br />house; next, this is a respected fellow; and his<br />mistress is a respected woman.</p><p>POMPEY <br />By this hand, sir, his wife is a more respected<br />person than any of us all.</p><p>ELBOW <br />Varlet, thou liest; thou liest, wicked varlet! the<br />time has yet to come that she was ever respected<br />with man, woman, or child.</p><p>POMPEY <br />Sir, she was respected with him before he married with her.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />Which is the wiser here? Justice or Iniquity? Is<br />this true?</p><p>ELBOW <br />O thou caitiff! O thou varlet! O thou wicked<br />Hannibal! I respected with her before I was married<br />to her! If ever I was respected with her, or she<br />with me, let not your worship think me the poor<br />duke's officer. Prove this, thou wicked Hannibal, or<br />I'll have mine action of battery on thee.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />If he took you a box o' the ear, you might have your<br />action of slander too.</p><p>ELBOW <br />Marry, I thank your good worship for it. What is't<br />your worship's pleasure I shall do with this wicked caitiff?</p><p>ESCALUS <br />Truly, officer, because he hath some offences in him<br />that thou wouldst discover if thou couldst, let him<br />continue in his courses till thou knowest what they<br />are.</p><p>ELBOW <br />Marry, I thank your worship for it. Thou seest, thou<br />wicked varlet, now, what's come upon thee: thou art<br />to continue now, thou varlet; thou art to continue.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />Where were you born, friend?</p><p>FROTH <br />Here in Vienna, sir.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />Are you of fourscore pounds a year?</p><p>FROTH <br />Yes, an't please you, sir.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />So. What trade are you of, sir?</p><p>POMPHEY <br />Tapster; a poor widow's tapster.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />Your mistress' name?</p><p>POMPHEY <br />Mistress Overdone.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />Hath she had any more than one husband?</p><p>POMPEY <br />Nine, sir; Overdone by the last.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />Nine! Come hither to me, Master Froth. Master<br />Froth, I would not have you acquainted with<br />tapsters: they will draw you, Master Froth, and you<br />will hang them. Get you gone, and let me hear no<br />more of you.</p><p>FROTH <br />I thank your worship. For mine own part, I never<br />come into any room in a tap-house, but I am drawn<br />in.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />Well, no more of it, Master Froth: farewell.</p><p>Exit FROTH</p><p>Come you hither to me, Master tapster. What's your<br />name, Master tapster?</p><p>POMPEY <br />Pompey.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />What else?</p><p>POMPEY <br />Bum, sir.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />Troth, and your bum is the greatest thing about you;<br />so that in the beastliest sense you are Pompey the<br />Great. Pompey, you are partly a bawd, Pompey,<br />howsoever you colour it in being a tapster, are you<br />not? come, tell me true: it shall be the better for you.</p><p>POMPEY <br />Truly, sir, I am a poor fellow that would live.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />How would you live, Pompey? by being a bawd? What<br />do you think of the trade, Pompey? is it a lawful trade?</p><p>POMPEY <br />If the law would allow it, sir.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />But the law will not allow it, Pompey; nor it shall<br />not be allowed in Vienna.</p><p>POMPEY <br />Does your worship mean to geld and splay all the<br />youth of the city?</p><p>ESCALUS <br />No, Pompey.</p><p>POMPEY <br />Truly, sir, in my poor opinion, they will to't then.<br />If your worship will take order for the drabs and<br />the knaves, you need not to fear the bawds.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />There are pretty orders beginning, I can tell you:<br />it is but heading and hanging.</p><p>POMPEY <br />If you head and hang all that offend that way but<br />for ten year together, you'll be glad to give out a<br />commission for more heads: if this law hold in<br />Vienna ten year, I'll rent the fairest house in it<br />after three-pence a bay: if you live to see this<br />come to pass, say Pompey told you so.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />Thank you, good Pompey; and, in requital of your<br />prophecy, hark you: I advise you, let me not find<br />you before me again upon any complaint whatsoever;<br />no, not for dwelling where you do: if I do, Pompey,<br />I shall beat you to your tent, and prove a shrewd<br />Caesar to you; in plain dealing, Pompey, I shall<br />have you whipt: so, for this time, Pompey, fare you well.</p><p>POMPEY <br />I thank your worship for your good counsel:</p><p>Aside</p><p>but I shall follow it as the flesh and fortune shall<br />better determine.<br />Whip me? No, no; let carman whip his jade:<br />The valiant heart is not whipt out of his trade.</p><p>Exit</p><p>ESCALUS <br />Come hither to me, Master Elbow; come hither, Master<br />constable. How long have you been in this place of constable?</p><p>ELBOW <br />Seven year and a half, sir.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />I thought, by your readiness in the office, you had<br />continued in it some time. You say, seven years together?</p><p>ELBOW <br />And a half, sir.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />Alas, it hath been great pains to you. They do you<br />wrong to put you so oft upon 't: are there not men<br />in your ward sufficient to serve it?</p><p>ELBOW <br />Faith, sir, few of any wit in such matters: as they<br />are chosen, they are glad to choose me for them; I<br />do it for some piece of money, and go through with<br />all.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />Look you bring me in the names of some six or seven,<br />the most sufficient of your parish.</p><p>ELBOW <br />To your worship's house, sir?</p><p>ESCALUS <br />To my house. Fare you well.</p><p>Exit ELBOW</p><p>What's o'clock, think you?</p><p>Justice <br />Eleven, sir.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />I pray you home to dinner with me.</p><p>Justice <br />I humbly thank you.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />It grieves me for the death of Claudio;<br />But there's no remedy.</p><p>Justice <br />Lord Angelo is severe.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />It is but needful:<br />Mercy is not itself, that oft looks so;<br />Pardon is still the nurse of second woe:<br />But yet,--poor Claudio! There is no remedy.<br />Come, sir.</p><p>Exeunt</p><p>&nbsp;</p></span><span id = 2105 ><p>SCENE II. Another room in the same.</p><p>Enter Provost and a Servant <br />Servant <br />He's hearing of a cause; he will come straight<br />I'll tell him of you.</p><p>Provost <br />Pray you, do.</p><p>Exit Servant</p><p>I'll know<br />His pleasure; may be he will relent. Alas,<br />He hath but as offended in a dream!<br />All sects, all ages smack of this vice; and he<br />To die for't!</p><p>Enter ANGELO</p><p>ANGELO <br />Now, what's the matter. Provost?</p><p>Provost <br />Is it your will Claudio shall die tomorrow?</p><p>ANGELO <br />Did not I tell thee yea? hadst thou not order?<br />Why dost thou ask again?</p><p>Provost <br />Lest I might be too rash:<br />Under your good correction, I have seen,<br />When, after execution, judgment hath<br />Repented o'er his doom.</p><p>ANGELO <br />Go to; let that be mine:<br />Do you your office, or give up your place,<br />And you shall well be spared.</p><p>Provost <br />I crave your honour's pardon.<br />What shall be done, sir, with the groaning Juliet?<br />She's very near her hour.</p><p>ANGELO <br />Dispose of her<br />To some more fitter place, and that with speed.</p><p>Re-enter Servant</p><p>Servant <br />Here is the sister of the man condemn'd<br />Desires access to you.</p><p>ANGELO <br />Hath he a sister?</p><p>Provost <br />Ay, my good lord; a very virtuous maid,<br />And to be shortly of a sisterhood,<br />If not already.</p><p>ANGELO <br />Well, let her be admitted.</p><p>Exit Servant</p><p>See you the fornicatress be removed:<br />Let have needful, but not lavish, means;<br />There shall be order for't.</p><p>Enter ISABELLA and LUCIO</p><p>Provost <br />God save your honour!</p><p>ANGELO <br />Stay a little while.</p><p>To ISABELLA</p><p>You're welcome: what's your will?</p><p>ISABELLA <br />I am a woeful suitor to your honour,<br />Please but your honour hear me.</p><p>ANGELO <br />Well; what's your suit?</p><p>ISABELLA <br />There is a vice that most I do abhor,<br />And most desire should meet the blow of justice;<br />For which I would not plead, but that I must;<br />For which I must not plead, but that I am<br />At war 'twixt will and will not.</p><p>ANGELO <br />Well; the matter?</p><p>ISABELLA <br />I have a brother is condemn'd to die:<br />I do beseech you, let it be his fault,<br />And not my brother.</p><p>Provost <br />[Aside] Heaven give thee moving graces!</p><p>ANGELO <br />Condemn the fault and not the actor of it?<br />Why, every fault's condemn'd ere it be done:<br />Mine were the very cipher of a function,<br />To fine the faults whose fine stands in record,<br />And let go by the actor.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />O just but severe law!<br />I had a brother, then. Heaven keep your honour!</p><p>LUCIO <br />[Aside to ISABELLA] Give't not o'er so: to him<br />again, entreat him;<br />Kneel down before him, hang upon his gown:<br />You are too cold; if you should need a pin,<br />You could not with more tame a tongue desire it:<br />To him, I say!</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Must he needs die?</p><p>ANGELO <br />Maiden, no remedy.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Yes; I do think that you might pardon him,<br />And neither heaven nor man grieve at the mercy.</p><p>ANGELO <br />I will not do't.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />But can you, if you would?</p><p>ANGELO <br />Look, what I will not, that I cannot do.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />But might you do't, and do the world no wrong,<br />If so your heart were touch'd with that remorse<br />A s mine is to him?</p><p>ANGELO <br />He's sentenced; 'tis too late.</p><p>LUCIO <br />[Aside to ISABELLA] You are too cold.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Too late? why, no; I, that do speak a word.<br />May call it back again. Well, believe this,<br />No ceremony that to great ones 'longs,<br />Not the king's crown, nor the deputed sword,<br />The marshal's truncheon, nor the judge's robe,<br />Become them with one half so good a grace<br />As mercy does.<br />If he had been as you and you as he,<br />You would have slipt like him; but he, like you,<br />Would not have been so stern.</p><p>ANGELO <br />Pray you, be gone.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />I would to heaven I had your potency,<br />And you were Isabel! should it then be thus?<br />No; I would tell what 'twere to be a judge,<br />And what a prisoner.</p><p>LUCIO <br />[Aside to ISABELLA]<br />Ay, touch him; there's the vein.</p><p>ANGELO <br />Your brother is a forfeit of the law,<br />And you but waste your words.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Alas, alas!<br />Why, all the souls that were were forfeit once;<br />And He that might the vantage best have took<br />Found out the remedy. How would you be,<br />If He, which is the top of judgment, should<br />But judge you as you are? O, think on that;<br />And mercy then will breathe within your lips,<br />Like man new made.</p><p>ANGELO <br />Be you content, fair maid;<br />It is the law, not I condemn your brother:<br />Were he my kinsman, brother, or my son,<br />It should be thus with him: he must die tomorrow.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />To-morrow! O, that's sudden! Spare him, spare him!<br />He's not prepared for death. Even for our kitchens<br />We kill the fowl of season: shall we serve heaven<br />With less respect than we do minister<br />To our gross selves? Good, good my lord, bethink you;<br />Who is it that hath died for this offence?<br />There's many have committed it.</p><p>LUCIO <br />[Aside to ISABELLA] Ay, well said.</p><p>ANGELO <br />The law hath not been dead, though it hath slept:<br />Those many had not dared to do that evil,<br />If the first that did the edict infringe<br />Had answer'd for his deed: now 'tis awake<br />Takes note of what is done; and, like a prophet,<br />Looks in a glass, that shows what future evils,<br />Either new, or by remissness new-conceived,<br />And so in progress to be hatch'd and born,<br />Are now to have no successive degrees,<br />But, ere they live, to end.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Yet show some pity.</p><p>ANGELO <br />I show it most of all when I show justice;<br />For then I pity those I do not know,<br />Which a dismiss'd offence would after gall;<br />And do him right that, answering one foul wrong,<br />Lives not to act another. Be satisfied;<br />Your brother dies to-morrow; be content.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />So you must be the first that gives this sentence,<br />And he, that suffer's. O, it is excellent<br />To have a giant's strength; but it is tyrannous<br />To use it like a giant.</p><p>LUCIO <br />[Aside to ISABELLA] That's well said.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Could great men thunder<br />As Jove himself does, Jove would ne'er be quiet,<br />For every pelting, petty officer<br />Would use his heaven for thunder;<br />Nothing but thunder! Merciful Heaven,<br />Thou rather with thy sharp and sulphurous bolt<br />Split'st the unwedgeable and gnarled oak<br />Than the soft myrtle: but man, proud man,<br />Drest in a little brief authority,<br />Most ignorant of what he's most assured,<br />His glassy essence, like an angry ape,<br />Plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven<br />As make the angels weep; who, with our spleens,<br />Would all themselves laugh mortal.</p><p>LUCIO <br />[Aside to ISABELLA] O, to him, to him, wench! he<br />will relent;<br />He's coming; I perceive 't.</p><p>Provost <br />[Aside] Pray heaven she win him!</p><p>ISABELLA <br />We cannot weigh our brother with ourself:<br />Great men may jest with saints; 'tis wit in them,<br />But in the less foul profanation.</p><p>LUCIO <br />Thou'rt i' the right, girl; more o, that.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />That in the captain's but a choleric word,<br />Which in the soldier is flat blasphemy.</p><p>LUCIO <br />[Aside to ISABELLA] Art avised o' that? more on 't.</p><p>ANGELO <br />Why do you put these sayings upon me?</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Because authority, though it err like others,<br />Hath yet a kind of medicine in itself,<br />That skins the vice o' the top. Go to your bosom;<br />Knock there, and ask your heart what it doth know<br />That's like my brother's fault: if it confess<br />A natural guiltiness such as is his,<br />Let it not sound a thought upon your tongue<br />Against my brother's life.</p><p>ANGELO <br />[Aside] She speaks, and 'tis<br />Such sense, that my sense breeds with it. Fare you well.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Gentle my lord, turn back.</p><p>ANGELO <br />I will bethink me: come again tomorrow.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Hark how I'll bribe you: good my lord, turn back.</p><p>ANGELO <br />How! bribe me?</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Ay, with such gifts that heaven shall share with you.</p><p>LUCIO <br />[Aside to ISABELLA] You had marr'd all else.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Not with fond shekels of the tested gold,<br />Or stones whose rates are either rich or poor<br />As fancy values them; but with true prayers<br />That shall be up at heaven and enter there<br />Ere sun-rise, prayers from preserved souls,<br />From fasting maids whose minds are dedicate<br />To nothing temporal.</p><p>ANGELO <br />Well; come to me to-morrow.</p><p>LUCIO <br />[Aside to ISABELLA] Go to; 'tis well; away!</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Heaven keep your honour safe!</p><p>ANGELO <br />[Aside] Amen:<br />For I am that way going to temptation,<br />Where prayers cross.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />At what hour to-morrow<br />Shall I attend your lordship?</p><p>ANGELO <br />At any time 'fore noon.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />'Save your honour!</p><p>Exeunt ISABELLA, LUCIO, and Provost</p><p>ANGELO <br />From thee, even from thy virtue!<br />What's this, what's this? Is this her fault or mine?<br />The tempter or the tempted, who sins most?<br />Ha!<br />Not she: nor doth she tempt: but it is I<br />That, lying by the violet in the sun,<br />Do as the carrion does, not as the flower,<br />Corrupt with virtuous season. Can it be<br />That modesty may more betray our sense<br />Than woman's lightness? Having waste ground enough,<br />Shall we desire to raze the sanctuary<br />And pitch our evils there? O, fie, fie, fie!<br />What dost thou, or what art thou, Angelo?<br />Dost thou desire her foully for those things<br />That make her good? O, let her brother live!<br />Thieves for their robbery have authority<br />When judges steal themselves. What, do I love her,<br />That I desire to hear her speak again,<br />And feast upon her eyes? What is't I dream on?<br />O cunning enemy, that, to catch a saint,<br />With saints dost bait thy hook! Most dangerous<br />Is that temptation that doth goad us on<br />To sin in loving virtue: never could the strumpet,<br />With all her double vigour, art and nature,<br />Once stir my temper; but this virtuous maid<br />Subdues me quite. Even till now,<br />When men were fond, I smiled and wonder'd how.</p><p>Exit</p><p>&nbsp;</p></span><span id = 2106 ><p>SCENE III. A room in a prison.</p><p>Enter, severally, DUKE VINCENTIO disguised as a friar, and Provost <br />DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Hail to you, provost! so I think you are.</p><p>Provost <br />I am the provost. What's your will, good friar?</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Bound by my charity and my blest order,<br />I come to visit the afflicted spirits<br />Here in the prison. Do me the common right<br />To let me see them and to make me know<br />The nature of their crimes, that I may minister<br />To them accordingly.</p><p>Provost <br />I would do more than that, if more were needful.</p><p>Enter JULIET</p><p>Look, here comes one: a gentlewoman of mine,<br />Who, falling in the flaws of her own youth,<br />Hath blister'd her report: she is with child;<br />And he that got it, sentenced; a young man<br />More fit to do another such offence<br />Than die for this.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />When must he die?</p><p>Provost <br />As I do think, to-morrow.<br />I have provided for you: stay awhile,</p><p>To JULIET</p><p>And you shall be conducted.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Repent you, fair one, of the sin you carry?</p><p>JULIET <br />I do; and bear the shame most patiently.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />I'll teach you how you shall arraign your conscience,<br />And try your penitence, if it be sound,<br />Or hollowly put on.</p><p>JULIET <br />I'll gladly learn.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Love you the man that wrong'd you?</p><p>JULIET <br />Yes, as I love the woman that wrong'd him.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />So then it seems your most offenceful act<br />Was mutually committed?</p><p>JULIET <br />Mutually.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Then was your sin of heavier kind than his.</p><p>JULIET <br />I do confess it, and repent it, father.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />'Tis meet so, daughter: but lest you do repent,<br />As that the sin hath brought you to this shame,<br />Which sorrow is always towards ourselves, not heaven,<br />Showing we would not spare heaven as we love it,<br />But as we stand in fear,--</p><p>JULIET <br />I do repent me, as it is an evil,<br />And take the shame with joy.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />There rest.<br />Your partner, as I hear, must die to-morrow,<br />And I am going with instruction to him.<br />Grace go with you, Benedicite!</p><p>Exit</p><p>JULIET <br />Must die to-morrow! O injurious love,<br />That respites me a life, whose very comfort<br />Is still a dying horror!</p><p>Provost <br />'Tis pity of him.</p><p>Exeunt</p><p>&nbsp;</p></span><span id = 2109 ><p>SCENE IV. A room in ANGELO's house.</p><p>Enter ANGELO <br />ANGELO <br />When I would pray and think, I think and pray<br />To several subjects. Heaven hath my empty words;<br />Whilst my invention, hearing not my tongue,<br />Anchors on Isabel: Heaven in my mouth,<br />As if I did but only chew his name;<br />And in my heart the strong and swelling evil<br />Of my conception. The state, whereon I studied<br />Is like a good thing, being often read,<br />Grown fear'd and tedious; yea, my gravity,<br />Wherein--let no man hear me--I take pride,<br />Could I with boot change for an idle plume,<br />Which the air beats for vain. O place, O form,<br />How often dost thou with thy case, thy habit,<br />Wrench awe from fools and tie the wiser souls<br />To thy false seeming! Blood, thou art blood:<br />Let's write good angel on the devil's horn:<br />'Tis not the devil's crest.</p><p>Enter a Servant</p><p>How now! who's there?</p><p>Servant <br />One Isabel, a sister, desires access to you.</p><p>ANGELO <br />Teach her the way.</p><p>Exit Servant</p><p>O heavens!<br />Why does my blood thus muster to my heart,<br />Making both it unable for itself,<br />And dispossessing all my other parts<br />Of necessary fitness?<br />So play the foolish throngs with one that swoons;<br />Come all to help him, and so stop the air<br />By which he should revive: and even so<br />The general, subject to a well-wish'd king,<br />Quit their own part, and in obsequious fondness<br />Crowd to his presence, where their untaught love<br />Must needs appear offence.</p><p>Enter ISABELLA</p><p>How now, fair maid?</p><p>ISABELLA <br />I am come to know your pleasure.</p><p>ANGELO <br />That you might know it, would much better please me<br />Than to demand what 'tis. Your brother cannot live.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Even so. Heaven keep your honour!</p><p>ANGELO <br />Yet may he live awhile; and, it may be,</p><p>As long as you or I <br />yet he must die.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Under your sentence?</p><p>ANGELO <br />Yea.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />When, I beseech you? that in his reprieve,<br />Longer or shorter, he may be so fitted<br />That his soul sicken not.</p><p>ANGELO <br />Ha! fie, these filthy vices! It were as good<br />To pardon him that hath from nature stolen<br />A man already made, as to remit<br />Their saucy sweetness that do coin heaven's image<br />In stamps that are forbid: 'tis all as easy<br />Falsely to take away a life true made<br />As to put metal in restrained means<br />To make a false one.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />'Tis set down so in heaven, but not in earth.</p><p>ANGELO <br />Say you so? then I shall pose you quickly.<br />Which had you rather, that the most just law<br />Now took your brother's life; or, to redeem him,<br />Give up your body to such sweet uncleanness<br />As she that he hath stain'd?</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Sir, believe this,<br />I had rather give my body than my soul.</p><p>ANGELO <br />I talk not of your soul: our compell'd sins<br />Stand more for number than for accompt.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />How say you?</p><p>ANGELO <br />Nay, I'll not warrant that; for I can speak<br />Against the thing I say. Answer to this:<br />I, now the voice of the recorded law,<br />Pronounce a sentence on your brother's life:<br />Might there not be a charity in sin<br />To save this brother's life?</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Please you to do't,<br />I'll take it as a peril to my soul,<br />It is no sin at all, but charity.</p><p>ANGELO <br />Pleased you to do't at peril of your soul,<br />Were equal poise of sin and charity.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />That I do beg his life, if it be sin,<br />Heaven let me bear it! you granting of my suit,<br />If that be sin, I'll make it my morn prayer<br />To have it added to the faults of mine,<br />And nothing of your answer.</p><p>ANGELO <br />Nay, but hear me.<br />Your sense pursues not mine: either you are ignorant,<br />Or seem so craftily; and that's not good.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Let me be ignorant, and in nothing good,<br />But graciously to know I am no better.</p><p>ANGELO <br />Thus wisdom wishes to appear most bright<br />When it doth tax itself; as these black masks<br />Proclaim an enshield beauty ten times louder<br />Than beauty could, display'd. But mark me;<br />To be received plain, I'll speak more gross:<br />Your brother is to die.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />So.</p><p>ANGELO <br />And his offence is so, as it appears,<br />Accountant to the law upon that pain.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />True.</p><p>ANGELO <br />Admit no other way to save his life,--<br />As I subscribe not that, nor any other,<br />But in the loss of question,--that you, his sister,<br />Finding yourself desired of such a person,<br />Whose credit with the judge, or own great place,<br />Could fetch your brother from the manacles<br />Of the all-building law; and that there were<br />No earthly mean to save him, but that either<br />You must lay down the treasures of your body<br />To this supposed, or else to let him suffer;<br />What would you do?</p><p>ISABELLA <br />As much for my poor brother as myself:<br />That is, were I under the terms of death,<br />The impression of keen whips I'ld wear as rubies,<br />And strip myself to death, as to a bed<br />That longing have been sick for, ere I'ld yield<br />My body up to shame.</p><p>ANGELO <br />Then must your brother die.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />And 'twere the cheaper way:<br />Better it were a brother died at once,<br />Than that a sister, by redeeming him,<br />Should die for ever.</p><p>ANGELO <br />Were not you then as cruel as the sentence<br />That you have slander'd so?</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Ignomy in ransom and free pardon<br />Are of two houses: lawful mercy<br />Is nothing kin to foul redemption.</p><p>ANGELO <br />You seem'd of late to make the law a tyrant;<br />And rather proved the sliding of your brother<br />A merriment than a vice.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />O, pardon me, my lord; it oft falls out,<br />To have what we would have, we speak not what we mean:<br />I something do excuse the thing I hate,<br />For his advantage that I dearly love.</p><p>ANGELO <br />We are all frail.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Else let my brother die,<br />If not a feodary, but only he<br />Owe and succeed thy weakness.</p><p>ANGELO <br />Nay, women are frail too.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Ay, as the glasses where they view themselves;<br />Which are as easy broke as they make forms.<br />Women! Help Heaven! men their creation mar<br />In profiting by them. Nay, call us ten times frail;<br />For we are soft as our complexions are,<br />And credulous to false prints.</p><p>ANGELO <br />I think it well:<br />And from this testimony of your own sex,--<br />Since I suppose we are made to be no stronger<br />Than faults may shake our frames,--let me be bold;<br />I do arrest your words. Be that you are,<br />That is, a woman; if you be more, you're none;<br />If you be one, as you are well express'd<br />By all external warrants, show it now,<br />By putting on the destined livery.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />I have no tongue but one: gentle my lord,<br />Let me entreat you speak the former language.</p><p>ANGELO <br />Plainly conceive, I love you.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />My brother did love Juliet,<br />And you tell me that he shall die for it.</p><p>ANGELO <br />He shall not, Isabel, if you give me love.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />I know your virtue hath a licence in't,<br />Which seems a little fouler than it is,<br />To pluck on others.</p><p>ANGELO <br />Believe me, on mine honour,<br />My words express my purpose.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Ha! little honour to be much believed,<br />And most pernicious purpose! Seeming, seeming!<br />I will proclaim thee, Angelo; look for't:<br />Sign me a present pardon for my brother,<br />Or with an outstretch'd throat I'll tell the world aloud<br />What man thou art.</p><p>ANGELO <br />Who will believe thee, Isabel?<br />My unsoil'd name, the austereness of my life,<br />My vouch against you, and my place i' the state,<br />Will so your accusation overweigh,<br />That you shall stifle in your own report<br />And smell of calumny. I have begun,<br />And now I give my sensual race the rein:<br />Fit thy consent to my sharp appetite;<br />Lay by all nicety and prolixious blushes,<br />That banish what they sue for; redeem thy brother<br />By yielding up thy body to my will;<br />Or else he must not only die the death,<br />But thy unkindness shall his death draw out<br />To lingering sufferance. Answer me to-morrow,<br />Or, by the affection that now guides me most,<br />I'll prove a tyrant to him. As for you,<br />Say what you can, my false o'erweighs your true.</p><p>Exit</p><p>ISABELLA <br />To whom should I complain? Did I tell this,<br />Who would believe me? O perilous mouths,<br />That bear in them one and the self-same tongue,<br />Either of condemnation or approof;<br />Bidding the law make court'sy to their will:<br />Hooking both right and wrong to the appetite,<br />To follow as it draws! I'll to my brother:<br />Though he hath fallen by prompture of the blood,<br />Yet hath he in him such a mind of honour.<br />That, had he twenty heads to tender down<br />On twenty bloody blocks, he'ld yield them up,<br />Before his sister should her body stoop<br />To such abhorr'd pollution.<br />Then, Isabel, live chaste, and, brother, die:<br />More than our brother is our chastity.<br />I'll tell him yet of Angelo's request,<br />And fit his mind to death, for his soul's rest.</p><p>Exit</p><p>&nbsp;</p></span><span id = 2110 ></span><span id = 2111 ><p>SCENE I. A room in the prison.</p><p>Enter DUKE VINCENTIO disguised as before, CLAUDIO, and Provost <br />DUKE VINCENTIO <br />So then you hope of pardon from Lord Angelo?</p><p>CLAUDIO <br />The miserable have no other medicine<br />But only hope:<br />I've hope to live, and am prepared to die.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Be absolute for death; either death or life<br />Shall thereby be the sweeter. Reason thus with life:<br />If I do lose thee, I do lose a thing<br />That none but fools would keep: a breath thou art,<br />Servile to all the skyey influences,<br />That dost this habitation, where thou keep'st,<br />Hourly afflict: merely, thou art death's fool;<br />For him thou labour'st by thy flight to shun<br />And yet runn'st toward him still. Thou art not noble;<br />For all the accommodations that thou bear'st<br />Are nursed by baseness. Thou'rt by no means valiant;<br />For thou dost fear the soft and tender fork<br />Of a poor worm. Thy best of rest is sleep,<br />And that thou oft provokest; yet grossly fear'st<br />Thy death, which is no more. Thou art not thyself;<br />For thou exist'st on many a thousand grains<br />That issue out of dust. Happy thou art not;<br />For what thou hast not, still thou strivest to get,<br />And what thou hast, forget'st. Thou art not certain;<br />For thy complexion shifts to strange effects,<br />After the moon. If thou art rich, thou'rt poor;<br />For, like an ass whose back with ingots bows,<br />Thou bear's thy heavy riches but a journey,<br />And death unloads thee. Friend hast thou none;<br />For thine own bowels, which do call thee sire,<br />The mere effusion of thy proper loins,<br />Do curse the gout, serpigo, and the rheum,<br />For ending thee no sooner. Thou hast nor youth nor age,<br />But, as it were, an after-dinner's sleep,<br />Dreaming on both; for all thy blessed youth<br />Becomes as aged, and doth beg the alms<br />Of palsied eld; and when thou art old and rich,<br />Thou hast neither heat, affection, limb, nor beauty,<br />To make thy riches pleasant. What's yet in this<br />That bears the name of life? Yet in this life<br />Lie hid moe thousand deaths: yet death we fear,<br />That makes these odds all even.</p><p>CLAUDIO <br />I humbly thank you.<br />To sue to live, I find I seek to die;<br />And, seeking death, find life: let it come on.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />[Within] What, ho! Peace here; grace and good company!</p><p>Provost <br />Who's there? come in: the wish deserves a welcome.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Dear sir, ere long I'll visit you again.</p><p>CLAUDIO <br />Most holy sir, I thank you.</p><p>Enter ISABELLA</p><p>ISABELLA <br />My business is a word or two with Claudio.</p><p>Provost <br />And very welcome. Look, signior, here's your sister.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Provost, a word with you.</p><p>Provost <br />As many as you please.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Bring me to hear them speak, where I may be concealed.</p><p>Exeunt DUKE VINCENTIO and Provost</p><p>CLAUDIO <br />Now, sister, what's the comfort?</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Why,<br />As all comforts are; most good, most good indeed.<br />Lord Angelo, having affairs to heaven,<br />Intends you for his swift ambassador,<br />Where you shall be an everlasting leiger:<br />Therefore your best appointment make with speed;<br />To-morrow you set on.</p><p>CLAUDIO <br />Is there no remedy?</p><p>ISABELLA <br />None, but such remedy as, to save a head,<br />To cleave a heart in twain.</p><p>CLAUDIO <br />But is there any?</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Yes, brother, you may live:<br />There is a devilish mercy in the judge,<br />If you'll implore it, that will free your life,<br />But fetter you till death.</p><p>CLAUDIO <br />Perpetual durance?</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Ay, just; perpetual durance, a restraint,<br />Though all the world's vastidity you had,<br />To a determined scope.</p><p>CLAUDIO <br />But in what nature?</p><p>ISABELLA <br />In such a one as, you consenting to't,<br />Would bark your honour from that trunk you bear,<br />And leave you naked.</p><p>CLAUDIO <br />Let me know the point.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />O, I do fear thee, Claudio; and I quake,<br />Lest thou a feverous life shouldst entertain,<br />And six or seven winters more respect<br />Than a perpetual honour. Darest thou die?<br />The sense of death is most in apprehension;<br />And the poor beetle, that we tread upon,<br />In corporal sufferance finds a pang as great<br />As when a giant dies.</p><p>CLAUDIO <br />Why give you me this shame?<br />Think you I can a resolution fetch<br />From flowery tenderness? If I must die,<br />I will encounter darkness as a bride,<br />And hug it in mine arms.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />There spake my brother; there my father's grave<br />Did utter forth a voice. Yes, thou must die:<br />Thou art too noble to conserve a life<br />In base appliances. This outward-sainted deputy,<br />Whose settled visage and deliberate word<br />Nips youth i' the head and follies doth emmew<br />As falcon doth the fowl, is yet a devil<br />His filth within being cast, he would appear<br />A pond as deep as hell.</p><p>CLAUDIO <br />The prenzie Angelo!</p><p>ISABELLA <br />O, 'tis the cunning livery of hell,<br />The damned'st body to invest and cover<br />In prenzie guards! Dost thou think, Claudio?<br />If I would yield him my virginity,<br />Thou mightst be freed.</p><p>CLAUDIO <br />O heavens! it cannot be.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Yes, he would give't thee, from this rank offence,<br />So to offend him still. This night's the time<br />That I should do what I abhor to name,<br />Or else thou diest to-morrow.</p><p>CLAUDIO <br />Thou shalt not do't.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />O, were it but my life,<br />I'ld throw it down for your deliverance<br />As frankly as a pin.</p><p>CLAUDIO <br />Thanks, dear Isabel.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Be ready, Claudio, for your death tomorrow.</p><p>CLAUDIO <br />Yes. Has he affections in him,<br />That thus can make him bite the law by the nose,<br />When he would force it? Sure, it is no sin,<br />Or of the deadly seven, it is the least.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Which is the least?</p><p>CLAUDIO <br />If it were damnable, he being so wise,<br />Why would he for the momentary trick<br />Be perdurably fined? O Isabel!</p><p>ISABELLA <br />What says my brother?</p><p>CLAUDIO <br />Death is a fearful thing.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />And shamed life a hateful.</p><p>CLAUDIO <br />Ay, but to die, and go we know not where;<br />To lie in cold obstruction and to rot;<br />This sensible warm motion to become<br />A kneaded clod; and the delighted spirit<br />To bathe in fiery floods, or to reside<br />In thrilling region of thick-ribbed ice;<br />To be imprison'd in the viewless winds,<br />And blown with restless violence round about<br />The pendent world; or to be worse than worst<br />Of those that lawless and incertain thought<br />Imagine howling: 'tis too horrible!<br />The weariest and most loathed worldly life<br />That age, ache, penury and imprisonment<br />Can lay on nature is a paradise<br />To what we fear of death.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Alas, alas!</p><p>CLAUDIO <br />Sweet sister, let me live:<br />What sin you do to save a brother's life,<br />Nature dispenses with the deed so far<br />That it becomes a virtue.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />O you beast!<br />O faithless coward! O dishonest wretch!<br />Wilt thou be made a man out of my vice?<br />Is't not a kind of incest, to take life<br />From thine own sister's shame? What should I think?<br />Heaven shield my mother play'd my father fair!<br />For such a warped slip of wilderness<br />Ne'er issued from his blood. Take my defiance!<br />Die, perish! Might but my bending down<br />Reprieve thee from thy fate, it should proceed:<br />I'll pray a thousand prayers for thy death,<br />No word to save thee.</p><p>CLAUDIO <br />Nay, hear me, Isabel.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />O, fie, fie, fie!<br />Thy sin's not accidental, but a trade.<br />Mercy to thee would prove itself a bawd:<br />'Tis best thou diest quickly.</p><p>CLAUDIO <br />O hear me, Isabella!</p><p>Re-enter DUKE VINCENTIO</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Vouchsafe a word, young sister, but one word.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />What is your will?</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Might you dispense with your leisure, I would by and<br />by have some speech with you: the satisfaction I<br />would require is likewise your own benefit.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />I have no superfluous leisure; my stay must be<br />stolen out of other affairs; but I will attend you awhile.</p><p>Walks apart</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Son, I have overheard what hath passed between you<br />and your sister. Angelo had never the purpose to<br />corrupt her; only he hath made an essay of her<br />virtue to practise his judgment with the disposition<br />of natures: she, having the truth of honour in her,<br />hath made him that gracious denial which he is most<br />glad to receive. I am confessor to Angelo, and I<br />know this to be true; therefore prepare yourself to<br />death: do not satisfy your resolution with hopes<br />that are fallible: tomorrow you must die; go to<br />your knees and make ready.</p><p>CLAUDIO <br />Let me ask my sister pardon. I am so out of love<br />with life that I will sue to be rid of it.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Hold you there: farewell.</p><p>Exit CLAUDIO</p><p>Provost, a word with you!</p><p>Re-enter Provost</p><p>Provost <br />What's your will, father</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />That now you are come, you will be gone. Leave me<br />awhile with the maid: my mind promises with my<br />habit no loss shall touch her by my company.</p><p>Provost <br />In good time.</p><p>Exit Provost. ISABELLA comes forward</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />The hand that hath made you fair hath made you good:<br />the goodness that is cheap in beauty makes beauty<br />brief in goodness; but grace, being the soul of<br />your complexion, shall keep the body of it ever<br />fair. The assault that Angelo hath made to you,<br />fortune hath conveyed to my understanding; and, but<br />that frailty hath examples for his falling, I should<br />wonder at Angelo. How will you do to content this<br />substitute, and to save your brother?</p><p>ISABELLA <br />I am now going to resolve him: I had rather my<br />brother die by the law than my son should be<br />unlawfully born. But, O, how much is the good duke<br />deceived in Angelo! If ever he return and I can<br />speak to him, I will open my lips in vain, or<br />discover his government.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />That shall not be much amiss: Yet, as the matter<br />now stands, he will avoid your accusation; he made<br />trial of you only. Therefore fasten your ear on my<br />advisings: to the love I have in doing good a<br />remedy presents itself. I do make myself believe<br />that you may most uprighteously do a poor wronged<br />lady a merited benefit; redeem your brother from<br />the angry law; do no stain to your own gracious<br />person; and much please the absent duke, if<br />peradventure he shall ever return to have hearing of<br />this business.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Let me hear you speak farther. I have spirit to do<br />anything that appears not foul in the truth of my spirit.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Virtue is bold, and goodness never fearful. Have<br />you not heard speak of Mariana, the sister of<br />Frederick the great soldier who miscarried at sea?</p><p>ISABELLA <br />I have heard of the lady, and good words went with her name.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />She should this Angelo have married; was affianced<br />to her by oath, and the nuptial appointed: between<br />which time of the contract and limit of the<br />solemnity, her brother Frederick was wrecked at sea,<br />having in that perished vessel the dowry of his<br />sister. But mark how heavily this befell to the<br />poor gentlewoman: there she lost a noble and<br />renowned brother, in his love toward her ever most<br />kind and natural; with him, the portion and sinew of<br />her fortune, her marriage-dowry; with both, her<br />combinate husband, this well-seeming Angelo.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Can this be so? did Angelo so leave her?</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Left her in her tears, and dried not one of them<br />with his comfort; swallowed his vows whole,<br />pretending in her discoveries of dishonour: in few,<br />bestowed her on her own lamentation, which she yet<br />wears for his sake; and he, a marble to her tears,<br />is washed with them, but relents not.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />What a merit were it in death to take this poor maid<br />from the world! What corruption in this life, that<br />it will let this man live! But how out of this can she avail?</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />It is a rupture that you may easily heal: and the<br />cure of it not only saves your brother, but keeps<br />you from dishonour in doing it.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Show me how, good father.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />This forenamed maid hath yet in her the continuance<br />of her first affection: his unjust unkindness, that<br />in all reason should have quenched her love, hath,<br />like an impediment in the current, made it more<br />violent and unruly. Go you to Angelo; answer his<br />requiring with a plausible obedience; agree with<br />his demands to the point; only refer yourself to<br />this advantage, first, that your stay with him may<br />not be long; that the time may have all shadow and<br />silence in it; and the place answer to convenience.<br />This being granted in course,--and now follows<br />all,--we shall advise this wronged maid to stead up<br />your appointment, go in your place; if the encounter<br />acknowledge itself hereafter, it may compel him to<br />her recompense: and here, by this, is your brother<br />saved, your honour untainted, the poor Mariana<br />advantaged, and the corrupt deputy scaled. The maid<br />will I frame and make fit for his attempt. If you<br />think well to carry this as you may, the doubleness<br />of the benefit defends the deceit from reproof.<br />What think you of it?</p><p>ISABELLA <br />The image of it gives me content already; and I<br />trust it will grow to a most prosperous perfection.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />It lies much in your holding up. Haste you speedily<br />to Angelo: if for this night he entreat you to his<br />bed, give him promise of satisfaction. I will<br />presently to Saint Luke's: there, at the moated<br />grange, resides this dejected Mariana. At that<br />place call upon me; and dispatch with Angelo, that<br />it may be quickly.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />I thank you for this comfort. Fare you well, good father.</p><p>Exeunt severally</p><p>&nbsp;</p></span><span id = 2112 ><p>SCENE II. The street before the prison.</p><p>Enter, on one side, DUKE VINCENTIO disguised as before; on the other, ELBOW, and Officers with POMPEY <br />ELBOW <br />Nay, if there be no remedy for it, but that you will<br />needs buy and sell men and women like beasts, we<br />shall have all the world drink brown and white bastard.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />O heavens! what stuff is here</p><p>POMPEY <br />'Twas never merry world since, of two usuries, the<br />merriest was put down, and the worser allowed by<br />order of law a furred gown to keep him warm; and<br />furred with fox and lamb-skins too, to signify, that<br />craft, being richer than innocency, stands for the facing.</p><p>ELBOW <br />Come your way, sir. 'Bless you, good father friar.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />And you, good brother father. What offence hath<br />this man made you, sir?</p><p>ELBOW <br />Marry, sir, he hath offended the law: and, sir, we<br />take him to be a thief too, sir; for we have found<br />upon him, sir, a strange picklock, which we have<br />sent to the deputy.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Fie, sirrah! a bawd, a wicked bawd!<br />The evil that thou causest to be done,<br />That is thy means to live. Do thou but think<br />What 'tis to cram a maw or clothe a back<br />From such a filthy vice: say to thyself,<br />From their abominable and beastly touches<br />I drink, I eat, array myself, and live.<br />Canst thou believe thy living is a life,<br />So stinkingly depending? Go mend, go mend.</p><p>POMPEY <br />Indeed, it does stink in some sort, sir; but yet,<br />sir, I would prove--</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Nay, if the devil have given thee proofs for sin,<br />Thou wilt prove his. Take him to prison, officer:<br />Correction and instruction must both work<br />Ere this rude beast will profit.</p><p>ELBOW <br />He must before the deputy, sir; he has given him<br />warning: the deputy cannot abide a whoremaster: if<br />he be a whoremonger, and comes before him, he were<br />as good go a mile on his errand.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />That we were all, as some would seem to be,<br />From our faults, as faults from seeming, free!</p><p>ELBOW <br />His neck will come to your waist,--a cord, sir.</p><p>POMPEY <br />I spy comfort; I cry bail. Here's a gentleman and a<br />friend of mine.</p><p>Enter LUCIO</p><p>LUCIO <br />How now, noble Pompey! What, at the wheels of<br />Caesar? art thou led in triumph? What, is there<br />none of Pygmalion's images, newly made woman, to be<br />had now, for putting the hand in the pocket and<br />extracting it clutch'd? What reply, ha? What<br />sayest thou to this tune, matter and method? Is't<br />not drowned i' the last rain, ha? What sayest<br />thou, Trot? Is the world as it was, man? Which is<br />the way? Is it sad, and few words? or how? The<br />trick of it?</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Still thus, and thus; still worse!</p><p>LUCIO <br />How doth my dear morsel, thy mistress? Procures she<br />still, ha?</p><p>POMPEY <br />Troth, sir, she hath eaten up all her beef, and she<br />is herself in the tub.</p><p>LUCIO <br />Why, 'tis good; it is the right of it; it must be<br />so: ever your fresh whore and your powdered bawd:<br />an unshunned consequence; it must be so. Art going<br />to prison, Pompey?</p><p>POMPEY <br />Yes, faith, sir.</p><p>LUCIO <br />Why, 'tis not amiss, Pompey. Farewell: go, say I<br />sent thee thither. For debt, Pompey? or how?</p><p>ELBOW <br />For being a bawd, for being a bawd.</p><p>LUCIO <br />Well, then, imprison him: if imprisonment be the<br />due of a bawd, why, 'tis his right: bawd is he<br />doubtless, and of antiquity too; bawd-born.<br />Farewell, good Pompey. Commend me to the prison,<br />Pompey: you will turn good husband now, Pompey; you<br />will keep the house.</p><p>POMPEY <br />I hope, sir, your good worship will be my bail.</p><p>LUCIO <br />No, indeed, will I not, Pompey; it is not the wear.<br />I will pray, Pompey, to increase your bondage: If<br />you take it not patiently, why, your mettle is the<br />more. Adieu, trusty Pompey. 'Bless you, friar.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />And you.</p><p>LUCIO <br />Does Bridget paint still, Pompey, ha?</p><p>ELBOW <br />Come your ways, sir; come.</p><p>POMPEY <br />You will not bail me, then, sir?</p><p>LUCIO <br />Then, Pompey, nor now. What news abroad, friar?<br />what news?</p><p>ELBOW <br />Come your ways, sir; come.</p><p>LUCIO <br />Go to kennel, Pompey; go.</p><p>Exeunt ELBOW, POMPEY and Officers</p><p>What news, friar, of the duke?</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />I know none. Can you tell me of any?</p><p>LUCIO <br />Some say he is with the Emperor of Russia; other<br />some, he is in Rome: but where is he, think you?</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />I know not where; but wheresoever, I wish him well.</p><p>LUCIO <br />It was a mad fantastical trick of him to steal from<br />the state, and usurp the beggary he was never born<br />to. Lord Angelo dukes it well in his absence; he<br />puts transgression to 't.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />He does well in 't.</p><p>LUCIO <br />A little more lenity to lechery would do no harm in<br />him: something too crabbed that way, friar.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />It is too general a vice, and severity must cure it.</p><p>LUCIO <br />Yes, in good sooth, the vice is of a great kindred;<br />it is well allied: but it is impossible to extirp<br />it quite, friar, till eating and drinking be put<br />down. They say this Angelo was not made by man and<br />woman after this downright way of creation: is it<br />true, think you?</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />How should he be made, then?</p><p>LUCIO <br />Some report a sea-maid spawned him; some, that he<br />was begot between two stock-fishes. But it is<br />certain that when he makes water his urine is<br />congealed ice; that I know to be true: and he is a<br />motion generative; that's infallible.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />You are pleasant, sir, and speak apace.</p><p>LUCIO <br />Why, what a ruthless thing is this in him, for the<br />rebellion of a codpiece to take away the life of a<br />man! Would the duke that is absent have done this?<br />Ere he would have hanged a man for the getting a<br />hundred bastards, he would have paid for the nursing<br />a thousand: he had some feeling of the sport: he<br />knew the service, and that instructed him to mercy.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />I never heard the absent duke much detected for<br />women; he was not inclined that way.</p><p>LUCIO <br />O, sir, you are deceived.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />'Tis not possible.</p><p>LUCIO <br />Who, not the duke? yes, your beggar of fifty; and<br />his use was to put a ducat in her clack-dish: the<br />duke had crotchets in him. He would be drunk too;<br />that let me inform you.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />You do him wrong, surely.</p><p>LUCIO <br />Sir, I was an inward of his. A shy fellow was the<br />duke: and I believe I know the cause of his<br />withdrawing.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />What, I prithee, might be the cause?</p><p>LUCIO <br />No, pardon; 'tis a secret must be locked within the<br />teeth and the lips: but this I can let you<br />understand, the greater file of the subject held the<br />duke to be wise.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Wise! why, no question but he was.</p><p>LUCIO <br />A very superficial, ignorant, unweighing fellow.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Either this is the envy in you, folly, or mistaking:<br />the very stream of his life and the business he hath<br />helmed must upon a warranted need give him a better<br />proclamation. Let him be but testimonied in his own<br />bringings-forth, and he shall appear to the<br />envious a scholar, a statesman and a soldier.<br />Therefore you speak unskilfully: or if your<br />knowledge be more it is much darkened in your malice.</p><p>LUCIO <br />Sir, I know him, and I love him.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Love talks with better knowledge, and knowledge with<br />dearer love.</p><p>LUCIO <br />Come, sir, I know what I know.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />I can hardly believe that, since you know not what<br />you speak. But, if ever the duke return, as our<br />prayers are he may, let me desire you to make your<br />answer before him. If it be honest you have spoke,<br />you have courage to maintain it: I am bound to call<br />upon you; and, I pray you, your name?</p><p>LUCIO <br />Sir, my name is Lucio; well known to the duke.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />He shall know you better, sir, if I may live to<br />report you.</p><p>LUCIO <br />I fear you not.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />O, you hope the duke will return no more; or you<br />imagine me too unhurtful an opposite. But indeed I<br />can do you little harm; you'll forswear this again.</p><p>LUCIO <br />I'll be hanged first: thou art deceived in me,<br />friar. But no more of this. Canst thou tell if<br />Claudio die to-morrow or no?</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Why should he die, sir?</p><p>LUCIO <br />Why? For filling a bottle with a tundish. I would<br />the duke we talk of were returned again: the<br />ungenitured agent will unpeople the province with<br />continency; sparrows must not build in his<br />house-eaves, because they are lecherous. The duke<br />yet would have dark deeds darkly answered; he would<br />never bring them to light: would he were returned!<br />Marry, this Claudio is condemned for untrussing.<br />Farewell, good friar: I prithee, pray for me. The<br />duke, I say to thee again, would eat mutton on<br />Fridays. He's not past it yet, and I say to thee,<br />he would mouth with a beggar, though she smelt brown<br />bread and garlic: say that I said so. Farewell.</p><p>Exit</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />No might nor greatness in mortality<br />Can censure 'scape; back-wounding calumny<br />The whitest virtue strikes. What king so strong<br />Can tie the gall up in the slanderous tongue?<br />But who comes here?</p><p>Enter ESCALUS, Provost, and Officers with MISTRESS OVERDONE</p><p>ESCALUS <br />Go; away with her to prison!</p><p>MISTRESS OVERDONE <br />Good my lord, be good to me; your honour is accounted<br />a merciful man; good my lord.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />Double and treble admonition, and still forfeit in<br />the same kind! This would make mercy swear and play<br />the tyrant.</p><p>Provost <br />A bawd of eleven years' continuance, may it please<br />your honour.</p><p>MISTRESS OVERDONE <br />My lord, this is one Lucio's information against me.<br />Mistress Kate Keepdown was with child by him in the<br />duke's time; he promised her marriage: his child<br />is a year and a quarter old, come Philip and Jacob:<br />I have kept it myself; and see how he goes about to abuse me!</p><p>ESCALUS <br />That fellow is a fellow of much licence: let him be<br />called before us. Away with her to prison! Go to;<br />no more words.</p><p>Exeunt Officers with MISTRESS OVERDONE</p><p>Provost, my brother Angelo will not be altered;<br />Claudio must die to-morrow: let him be furnished<br />with divines, and have all charitable preparation.<br />if my brother wrought by my pity, it should not be<br />so with him.</p><p>Provost <br />So please you, this friar hath been with him, and<br />advised him for the entertainment of death.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />Good even, good father.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Bliss and goodness on you!</p><p>ESCALUS <br />Of whence are you?</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Not of this country, though my chance is now<br />To use it for my time: I am a brother<br />Of gracious order, late come from the See<br />In special business from his holiness.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />What news abroad i' the world?</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />None, but that there is so great a fever on<br />goodness, that the dissolution of it must cure it:<br />novelty is only in request; and it is as dangerous<br />to be aged in any kind of course, as it is virtuous<br />to be constant in any undertaking. There is scarce<br />truth enough alive to make societies secure; but<br />security enough to make fellowships accurst: much<br />upon this riddle runs the wisdom of the world. This<br />news is old enough, yet it is every day's news. I<br />pray you, sir, of what disposition was the duke?</p><p>ESCALUS <br />One that, above all other strifes, contended<br />especially to know himself.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />What pleasure was he given to?</p><p>ESCALUS <br />Rather rejoicing to see another merry, than merry at<br />any thing which professed to make him rejoice: a<br />gentleman of all temperance. But leave we him to<br />his events, with a prayer they may prove prosperous;<br />and let me desire to know how you find Claudio<br />prepared. I am made to understand that you have<br />lent him visitation.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />He professes to have received no sinister measure<br />from his judge, but most willingly humbles himself<br />to the determination of justice: yet had he framed<br />to himself, by the instruction of his frailty, many<br />deceiving promises of life; which I by my good<br />leisure have discredited to him, and now is he<br />resolved to die.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />You have paid the heavens your function, and the<br />prisoner the very debt of your calling. I have<br />laboured for the poor gentleman to the extremest<br />shore of my modesty: but my brother justice have I<br />found so severe, that he hath forced me to tell him<br />he is indeed Justice.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />If his own life answer the straitness of his<br />proceeding, it shall become him well; wherein if he<br />chance to fail, he hath sentenced himself.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />I am going to visit the prisoner. Fare you well.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Peace be with you!</p><p>Exeunt ESCALUS and Provost</p><p>He who the sword of heaven will bear<br />Should be as holy as severe;<br />Pattern in himself to know,<br />Grace to stand, and virtue go;<br />More nor less to others paying<br />Than by self-offences weighing.<br />Shame to him whose cruel striking<br />Kills for faults of his own liking!<br />Twice treble shame on Angelo,<br />To weed my vice and let his grow!<br />O, what may man within him hide,<br />Though angel on the outward side!<br />How may likeness made in crimes,<br />Making practise on the times,<br />To draw with idle spiders' strings<br />Most ponderous and substantial things!<br />Craft against vice I must apply:<br />With Angelo to-night shall lie<br />His old betrothed but despised;<br />So disguise shall, by the disguised,<br />Pay with falsehood false exacting,<br />And perform an old contracting.</p><p>Exit</p><p>&nbsp;</p></span><span id = 2113 ></span><span id = 2114 ><p>SCENE I. The moated grange at ST. LUKE's.</p><p>Enter MARIANA and a Boy </p><p>Boy sings <br />Take, O, take those lips away,<br />That so sweetly were forsworn;<br />And those eyes, the break of day,<br />Lights that do mislead the morn:<br />But my kisses bring again, bring again;<br />Seals of love, but sealed in vain, sealed in vain.</p><p>MARIANA <br />Break off thy song, and haste thee quick away:<br />Here comes a man of comfort, whose advice<br />Hath often still'd my brawling discontent.</p><p>Exit Boy</p><p>Enter DUKE VINCENTIO disguised as before</p><p>I cry you mercy, sir; and well could wish<br />You had not found me here so musical:<br />Let me excuse me, and believe me so,<br />My mirth it much displeased, but pleased my woe.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />'Tis good; though music oft hath such a charm<br />To make bad good, and good provoke to harm.<br />I pray, you, tell me, hath any body inquired<br />for me here to-day? much upon this time have<br />I promised here to meet.</p><p>MARIANA <br />You have not been inquired after:<br />I have sat here all day.</p><p>Enter ISABELLA</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />I do constantly believe you. The time is come even<br />now. I shall crave your forbearance a little: may<br />be I will call upon you anon, for some advantage to yourself.</p><p>MARIANA <br />I am always bound to you.</p><p>Exit</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Very well met, and well come.<br />What is the news from this good deputy?</p><p>ISABELLA <br />He hath a garden circummured with brick,<br />Whose western side is with a vineyard back'd;<br />And to that vineyard is a planched gate,<br />That makes his opening with this bigger key:<br />This other doth command a little door<br />Which from the vineyard to the garden leads;<br />There have I made my promise<br />Upon the heavy middle of the night<br />To call upon him.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />But shall you on your knowledge find this way?</p><p>ISABELLA <br />I have ta'en a due and wary note upon't:<br />With whispering and most guilty diligence,<br />In action all of precept, he did show me<br />The way twice o'er.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Are there no other tokens<br />Between you 'greed concerning her observance?</p><p>ISABELLA <br />No, none, but only a repair i' the dark;<br />And that I have possess'd him my most stay<br />Can be but brief; for I have made him know<br />I have a servant comes with me along,<br />That stays upon me, whose persuasion is<br />I come about my brother.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />'Tis well borne up.<br />I have not yet made known to Mariana<br />A word of this. What, ho! within! come forth!</p><p>Re-enter MARIANA</p><p>I pray you, be acquainted with this maid;<br />She comes to do you good.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />I do desire the like.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Do you persuade yourself that I respect you?</p><p>MARIANA <br />Good friar, I know you do, and have found it.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Take, then, this your companion by the hand,<br />Who hath a story ready for your ear.<br />I shall attend your leisure: but make haste;<br />The vaporous night approaches.</p><p>MARIANA <br />Will't please you walk aside?</p><p>Exeunt MARIANA and ISABELLA</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />O place and greatness! millions of false eyes<br />Are stuck upon thee: volumes of report<br />Run with these false and most contrarious quests<br />Upon thy doings: thousand escapes of wit<br />Make thee the father of their idle dreams<br />And rack thee in their fancies.</p><p>Re-enter MARIANA and ISABELLA</p><p>Welcome, how agreed?</p><p>ISABELLA <br />She'll take the enterprise upon her, father,<br />If you advise it.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />It is not my consent,<br />But my entreaty too.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Little have you to say<br />When you depart from him, but, soft and low,<br />'Remember now my brother.'</p><p>MARIANA <br />Fear me not.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Nor, gentle daughter, fear you not at all.<br />He is your husband on a pre-contract:<br />To bring you thus together, 'tis no sin,<br />Sith that the justice of your title to him<br />Doth flourish the deceit. Come, let us go:<br />Our corn's to reap, for yet our tithe's to sow.</p><p>Exeunt<br /></p></span><span id = 2115 ><p>SCENE II. A room in the prison.</p><p>Enter Provost and POMPEY <br />Provost <br />Come hither, sirrah. Can you cut off a man's head?</p><p>POMPEY <br />If the man be a bachelor, sir, I can; but if he be a<br />married man, he's his wife's head, and I can never<br />cut off a woman's head.</p><p>Provost <br />Come, sir, leave me your snatches, and yield me a<br />direct answer. To-morrow morning are to die Claudio<br />and Barnardine. Here is in our prison a common<br />executioner, who in his office lacks a helper: if<br />you will take it on you to assist him, it shall<br />redeem you from your gyves; if not, you shall have<br />your full time of imprisonment and your deliverance<br />with an unpitied whipping, for you have been a<br />notorious bawd.</p><p>POMPEY <br />Sir, I have been an unlawful bawd time out of mind;<br />but yet I will be content to be a lawful hangman. I<br />would be glad to receive some instruction from my<br />fellow partner.</p><p>Provost <br />What, ho! Abhorson! Where's Abhorson, there?</p><p>Enter ABHORSON</p><p>ABHORSON <br />Do you call, sir?</p><p>Provost <br />Sirrah, here's a fellow will help you to-morrow in<br />your execution. If you think it meet, compound with<br />him by the year, and let him abide here with you; if<br />not, use him for the present and dismiss him. He<br />cannot plead his estimation with you; he hath been a bawd.</p><p>ABHORSON <br />A bawd, sir? fie upon him! he will discredit our mystery.</p><p>Provost <br />Go to, sir; you weigh equally; a feather will turn<br />the scale.</p><p>Exit</p><p>POMPEY <br />Pray, sir, by your good favour,--for surely, sir, a<br />good favour you have, but that you have a hanging<br />look,--do you call, sir, your occupation a mystery?</p><p>ABHORSON <br />Ay, sir; a mystery</p><p>POMPEY <br />Painting, sir, I have heard say, is a mystery; and<br />your whores, sir, being members of my occupation,<br />using painting, do prove my occupation a mystery:<br />but what mystery there should be in hanging, if I<br />should be hanged, I cannot imagine.</p><p>ABHORSON <br />Sir, it is a mystery.</p><p>POMPEY <br />Proof?</p><p>ABHORSON <br />Every true man's apparel fits your thief: if it be<br />too little for your thief, your true man thinks it<br />big enough; if it be too big for your thief, your<br />thief thinks it little enough: so every true man's<br />apparel fits your thief.</p><p>Re-enter Provost</p><p>Provost <br />Are you agreed?</p><p>POMPEY <br />Sir, I will serve him; for I do find your hangman is<br />a more penitent trade than your bawd; he doth<br />oftener ask forgiveness.</p><p>Provost <br />You, sirrah, provide your block and your axe<br />to-morrow four o'clock.</p><p>ABHORSON <br />Come on, bawd; I will instruct thee in my trade; follow.</p><p>POMPEY <br />I do desire to learn, sir: and I hope, if you have<br />occasion to use me for your own turn, you shall find<br />me yare; for truly, sir, for your kindness I owe you<br />a good turn.</p><p>Provost <br />Call hither Barnardine and Claudio:</p><p>Exeunt POMPEY and ABHORSON</p><p>The one has my pity; not a jot the other,<br />Being a murderer, though he were my brother.</p><p>Enter CLAUDIO</p><p>Look, here's the warrant, Claudio, for thy death:<br />'Tis now dead midnight, and by eight to-morrow<br />Thou must be made immortal. Where's Barnardine?</p><p>CLAUDIO <br />As fast lock'd up in sleep as guiltless labour<br />When it lies starkly in the traveller's bones:<br />He will not wake.</p><p>Provost <br />Who can do good on him?<br />Well, go, prepare yourself.</p><p>Knocking within</p><p>But, hark, what noise?<br />Heaven give your spirits comfort!</p><p>Exit CLAUDIO</p><p>By and by.<br />I hope it is some pardon or reprieve<br />For the most gentle Claudio.</p><p>Enter DUKE VINCENTIO disguised as before</p><p>Welcome father.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />The best and wholesomest spirts of the night<br />Envelope you, good Provost! Who call'd here of late?</p><p>Provost <br />None, since the curfew rung.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Not Isabel?</p><p>Provost <br />No.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />They will, then, ere't be long.</p><p>Provost <br />What comfort is for Claudio?</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />There's some in hope.</p><p>Provost <br />It is a bitter deputy.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Not so, not so; his life is parallel'd<br />Even with the stroke and line of his great justice:<br />He doth with holy abstinence subdue<br />That in himself which he spurs on his power<br />To qualify in others: were he meal'd with that<br />Which he corrects, then were he tyrannous;<br />But this being so, he's just.</p><p>Knocking within</p><p>Now are they come.</p><p>Exit Provost</p><p>This is a gentle provost: seldom when<br />The steeled gaoler is the friend of men.</p><p>Knocking within</p><p>How now! what noise? That spirit's possessed with haste<br />That wounds the unsisting postern with these strokes.</p><p>Re-enter Provost</p><p>Provost <br />There he must stay until the officer<br />Arise to let him in: he is call'd up.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Have you no countermand for Claudio yet,<br />But he must die to-morrow?</p><p>Provost <br />None, sir, none.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />As near the dawning, provost, as it is,<br />You shall hear more ere morning.</p><p>Provost <br />Happily<br />You something know; yet I believe there comes<br />No countermand; no such example have we:<br />Besides, upon the very siege of justice<br />Lord Angelo hath to the public ear<br />Profess'd the contrary.</p><p>Enter a Messenger</p><p>This is his lordship's man.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />And here comes Claudio's pardon.</p><p>Messenger <br />[Giving a paper]<br />My lord hath sent you this note; and by me this<br />further charge, that you swerve not from the<br />smallest article of it, neither in time, matter, or<br />other circumstance. Good morrow; for, as I take it,<br />it is almost day.</p><p>Provost <br />I shall obey him.</p><p>Exit Messenger</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />[Aside] This is his pardon, purchased by such sin<br />For which the pardoner himself is in.<br />Hence hath offence his quick celerity,<br />When it is born in high authority:<br />When vice makes mercy, mercy's so extended,<br />That for the fault's love is the offender friended.<br />Now, sir, what news?</p><p>Provost <br />I told you. Lord Angelo, belike thinking me remiss<br />in mine office, awakens me with this unwonted<br />putting-on; methinks strangely, for he hath not used it before.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Pray you, let's hear.</p><p>Provost <br />[Reads]<br />'Whatsoever you may hear to the contrary, let<br />Claudio be executed by four of the clock; and in the<br />afternoon Barnardine: for my better satisfaction,<br />let me have Claudio's head sent me by five. Let<br />this be duly performed; with a thought that more<br />depends on it than we must yet deliver. Thus fail<br />not to do your office, as you will answer it at your peril.'<br />What say you to this, sir?</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />What is that Barnardine who is to be executed in the<br />afternoon?</p><p>Provost <br />A Bohemian born, but here nursed un and bred; one<br />that is a prisoner nine years old.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />How came it that the absent duke had not either<br />delivered him to his liberty or executed him? I<br />have heard it was ever his manner to do so.</p><p>Provost <br />His friends still wrought reprieves for him: and,<br />indeed, his fact, till now in the government of Lord<br />Angelo, came not to an undoubtful proof.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />It is now apparent?</p><p>Provost <br />Most manifest, and not denied by himself.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Hath he born himself penitently in prison? how<br />seems he to be touched?</p><p>Provost <br />A man that apprehends death no more dreadfully but<br />as a drunken sleep; careless, reckless, and fearless<br />of what's past, present, or to come; insensible of<br />mortality, and desperately mortal.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />He wants advice.</p><p>Provost <br />He will hear none: he hath evermore had the liberty<br />of the prison; give him leave to escape hence, he<br />would not: drunk many times a day, if not many days<br />entirely drunk. We have very oft awaked him, as if<br />to carry him to execution, and showed him a seeming<br />warrant for it: it hath not moved him at all.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />More of him anon. There is written in your brow,<br />provost, honesty and constancy: if I read it not<br />truly, my ancient skill beguiles me; but, in the<br />boldness of my cunning, I will lay myself in hazard.<br />Claudio, whom here you have warrant to execute, is<br />no greater forfeit to the law than Angelo who hath<br />sentenced him. To make you understand this in a<br />manifested effect, I crave but four days' respite;<br />for the which you are to do me both a present and a<br />dangerous courtesy.</p><p>Provost <br />Pray, sir, in what?</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />In the delaying death.</p><p>Provost <br />A lack, how may I do it, having the hour limited,<br />and an express command, under penalty, to deliver<br />his head in the view of Angelo? I may make my case<br />as Claudio's, to cross this in the smallest.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />By the vow of mine order I warrant you, if my<br />instructions may be your guide. Let this Barnardine<br />be this morning executed, and his head born to Angelo.</p><p>Provost <br />Angelo hath seen them both, and will discover the favour.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />O, death's a great disguiser; and you may add to it.<br />Shave the head, and tie the beard; and say it was<br />the desire of the penitent to be so bared before his<br />death: you know the course is common. If any thing<br />fall to you upon this, more than thanks and good<br />fortune, by the saint whom I profess, I will plead<br />against it with my life.</p><p>Provost <br />Pardon me, good father; it is against my oath.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Were you sworn to the duke, or to the deputy?</p><p>Provost <br />To him, and to his substitutes.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />You will think you have made no offence, if the duke<br />avouch the justice of your dealing?</p><p>Provost <br />But what likelihood is in that?</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Not a resemblance, but a certainty. Yet since I see<br />you fearful, that neither my coat, integrity, nor<br />persuasion can with ease attempt you, I will go<br />further than I meant, to pluck all fears out of you.<br />Look you, sir, here is the hand and seal of the<br />duke: you know the character, I doubt not; and the<br />signet is not strange to you.</p><p>Provost <br />I know them both.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />The contents of this is the return of the duke: you<br />shall anon over-read it at your pleasure; where you<br />shall find, within these two days he will be here.<br />This is a thing that Angelo knows not; for he this<br />very day receives letters of strange tenor;<br />perchance of the duke's death; perchance entering<br />into some monastery; but, by chance, nothing of what<br />is writ. Look, the unfolding star calls up the<br />shepherd. Put not yourself into amazement how these<br />things should be: all difficulties are but easy<br />when they are known. Call your executioner, and off<br />with Barnardine's head: I will give him a present<br />shrift and advise him for a better place. Yet you<br />are amazed; but this shall absolutely resolve you.<br />Come away; it is almost clear dawn.</p><p>Exeunt</p><p>&nbsp;</p></span><span id = 2116 ><p>SCENE III. Another room in the same.</p><p>Enter POMPEY <br />POMPEY <br />I am as well acquainted here as I was in our house<br />of profession: one would think it were Mistress<br />Overdone's own house, for here be many of her old<br />customers. First, here's young Master Rash; he's in<br />for a commodity of brown paper and old ginger,<br />ninescore and seventeen pounds; of which he made<br />five marks, ready money: marry, then ginger was not<br />much in request, for the old women were all dead.<br />Then is there here one Master Caper, at the suit of<br />Master Three-pile the mercer, for some four suits of<br />peach-coloured satin, which now peaches him a<br />beggar. Then have we here young Dizy, and young<br />Master Deep-vow, and Master Copperspur, and Master<br />Starve-lackey the rapier and dagger man, and young<br />Drop-heir that killed lusty Pudding, and Master<br />Forthlight the tilter, and brave Master Shooty the<br />great traveller, and wild Half-can that stabbed<br />Pots, and, I think, forty more; all great doers in<br />our trade, and are now 'for the Lord's sake.'</p><p>Enter ABHORSON</p><p>ABHORSON <br />Sirrah, bring Barnardine hither.</p><p>POMPEY <br />Master Barnardine! you must rise and be hanged.<br />Master Barnardine!</p><p>ABHORSON <br />What, ho, Barnardine!</p><p>BARNARDINE <br />[Within] A pox o' your throats! Who makes that<br />noise there? What are you?</p><p>POMPEY <br />Your friends, sir; the hangman. You must be so<br />good, sir, to rise and be put to death.</p><p>BARNARDINE <br />[Within] Away, you rogue, away! I am sleepy.</p><p>ABHORSON <br />Tell him he must awake, and that quickly too.</p><p>POMPEY <br />Pray, Master Barnardine, awake till you are<br />executed, and sleep afterwards.</p><p>ABHORSON <br />Go in to him, and fetch him out.</p><p>POMPEY <br />He is coming, sir, he is coming; I hear his straw rustle.</p><p>ABHORSON <br />Is the axe upon the block, sirrah?</p><p>POMPEY <br />Very ready, sir.</p><p>Enter BARNARDINE</p><p>BARNARDINE <br />How now, Abhorson? what's the news with you?</p><p>ABHORSON <br />Truly, sir, I would desire you to clap into your<br />prayers; for, look you, the warrant's come.</p><p>BARNARDINE <br />You rogue, I have been drinking all night; I am not<br />fitted for 't.</p><p>POMPEY <br />O, the better, sir; for he that drinks all night,<br />and is hanged betimes in the morning, may sleep the<br />sounder all the next day.</p><p>ABHORSON <br />Look you, sir; here comes your ghostly father: do<br />we jest now, think you?</p><p>Enter DUKE VINCENTIO disguised as before</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Sir, induced by my charity, and hearing how hastily<br />you are to depart, I am come to advise you, comfort<br />you and pray with you.</p><p>BARNARDINE <br />Friar, not I I have been drinking hard all night,<br />and I will have more time to prepare me, or they<br />shall beat out my brains with billets: I will not<br />consent to die this day, that's certain.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />O, sir, you must: and therefore I beseech you<br />Look forward on the journey you shall go.</p><p>BARNARDINE <br />I swear I will not die to-day for any man's<br />persuasion.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />But hear you.</p><p>BARNARDINE <br />Not a word: if you have any thing to say to me,<br />come to my ward; for thence will not I to-day.</p><p>Exit</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Unfit to live or die: O gravel heart!<br />After him, fellows; bring him to the block.</p><p>Exeunt ABHORSON and POMPEY</p><p>Re-enter Provost</p><p>Provost <br />Now, sir, how do you find the prisoner?</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />A creature unprepared, unmeet for death;<br />And to transport him in the mind he is<br />Were damnable.</p><p>Provost <br />Here in the prison, father,<br />There died this morning of a cruel fever<br />One Ragozine, a most notorious pirate,<br />A man of Claudio's years; his beard and head<br />Just of his colour. What if we do omit<br />This reprobate till he were well inclined;<br />And satisfy the deputy with the visage<br />Of Ragozine, more like to Claudio?</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />O, 'tis an accident that heaven provides!<br />Dispatch it presently; the hour draws on<br />Prefix'd by Angelo: see this be done,<br />And sent according to command; whiles I<br />Persuade this rude wretch willingly to die.</p><p>Provost <br />This shall be done, good father, presently.<br />But Barnardine must die this afternoon:<br />And how shall we continue Claudio,<br />To save me from the danger that might come<br />If he were known alive?</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Let this be done.<br />Put them in secret holds, both Barnardine and Claudio:<br />Ere twice the sun hath made his journal greeting<br />To the under generation, you shall find<br />Your safety manifested.</p><p>Provost <br />I am your free dependant.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Quick, dispatch, and send the head to Angelo.</p><p>Exit Provost</p><p>Now will I write letters to Angelo,--<br />The provost, he shall bear them, whose contents<br />Shall witness to him I am near at home,<br />And that, by great injunctions, I am bound<br />To enter publicly: him I'll desire<br />To meet me at the consecrated fount<br />A league below the city; and from thence,<br />By cold gradation and well-balanced form,<br />We shall proceed with Angelo.</p><p>Re-enter Provost</p><p>Provost <br />Here is the head; I'll carry it myself.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Convenient is it. Make a swift return;<br />For I would commune with you of such things<br />That want no ear but yours.</p><p>Provost <br />I'll make all speed.</p><p>Exit</p><p>ISABELLA <br />[Within] Peace, ho, be here!</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />The tongue of Isabel. She's come to know<br />If yet her brother's pardon be come hither:<br />But I will keep her ignorant of her good,<br />To make her heavenly comforts of despair,<br />When it is least expected.</p><p>Enter ISABELLA</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Ho, by your leave!</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Good morning to you, fair and gracious daughter.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />The better, given me by so holy a man.<br />Hath yet the deputy sent my brother's pardon?</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />He hath released him, Isabel, from the world:<br />His head is off and sent to Angelo.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Nay, but it is not so.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />It is no other: show your wisdom, daughter,<br />In your close patience.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />O, I will to him and pluck out his eyes!</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />You shall not be admitted to his sight.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Unhappy Claudio! wretched Isabel!<br />Injurious world! most damned Angelo!</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />This nor hurts him nor profits you a jot;<br />Forbear it therefore; give your cause to heaven.<br />Mark what I say, which you shall find<br />By every syllable a faithful verity:<br />The duke comes home to-morrow; nay, dry your eyes;<br />One of our convent, and his confessor,<br />Gives me this instance: already he hath carried<br />Notice to Escalus and Angelo,<br />Who do prepare to meet him at the gates,<br />There to give up their power. If you can, pace your wisdom<br />In that good path that I would wish it go,<br />And you shall have your bosom on this wretch,<br />Grace of the duke, revenges to your heart,<br />And general honour.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />I am directed by you.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />This letter, then, to Friar Peter give;<br />'Tis that he sent me of the duke's return:<br />Say, by this token, I desire his company<br />At Mariana's house to-night. Her cause and yours<br />I'll perfect him withal, and he shall bring you<br />Before the duke, and to the head of Angelo<br />Accuse him home and home. For my poor self,<br />I am combined by a sacred vow<br />And shall be absent. Wend you with this letter:<br />Command these fretting waters from your eyes<br />With a light heart; trust not my holy order,<br />If I pervert your course. Who's here?</p><p>Enter LUCIO</p><p>LUCIO <br />Good even. Friar, where's the provost?</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Not within, sir.</p><p>LUCIO <br />O pretty Isabella, I am pale at mine heart to see<br />thine eyes so red: thou must be patient. I am fain<br />to dine and sup with water and bran; I dare not for<br />my head fill my belly; one fruitful meal would set<br />me to 't. But they say the duke will be here<br />to-morrow. By my troth, Isabel, I loved thy brother:<br />if the old fantastical duke of dark corners had been<br />at home, he had lived.</p><p>Exit ISABELLA</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Sir, the duke is marvellous little beholding to your<br />reports; but the best is, he lives not in them.</p><p>LUCIO <br />Friar, thou knowest not the duke so well as I do:<br />he's a better woodman than thou takest him for.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Well, you'll answer this one day. Fare ye well.</p><p>LUCIO <br />Nay, tarry; I'll go along with thee<br />I can tell thee pretty tales of the duke.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />You have told me too many of him already, sir, if<br />they be true; if not true, none were enough.</p><p>LUCIO <br />I was once before him for getting a wench with child.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Did you such a thing?</p><p>LUCIO <br />Yes, marry, did I but I was fain to forswear it;<br />they would else have married me to the rotten medlar.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Sir, your company is fairer than honest. Rest you well.</p><p>LUCIO <br />By my troth, I'll go with thee to the lane's end:<br />if bawdy talk offend you, we'll have very little of<br />it. Nay, friar, I am a kind of burr; I shall stick.</p><p>Exeunt</p><p>&nbsp;</p></span><span id = 2117 ><p>SCENE IV. A room in ANGELO's house.</p><p>Enter ANGELO and ESCALUS <br />ESCALUS <br />Every letter he hath writ hath disvouched other.</p><p>ANGELO <br />In most uneven and distracted manner. His actions<br />show much like to madness: pray heaven his wisdom be<br />not tainted! And why meet him at the gates, and<br />redeliver our authorities there</p><p>ESCALUS <br />I guess not.</p><p>ANGELO <br />And why should we proclaim it in an hour before his<br />entering, that if any crave redress of injustice,<br />they should exhibit their petitions in the street?</p><p>ESCALUS <br />He shows his reason for that: to have a dispatch of<br />complaints, and to deliver us from devices<br />hereafter, which shall then have no power to stand<br />against us.</p><p>ANGELO <br />Well, I beseech you, let it be proclaimed betimes<br />i' the morn; I'll call you at your house: give<br />notice to such men of sort and suit as are to meet<br />him.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />I shall, sir. Fare you well.</p><p>ANGELO <br />Good night.</p><p>Exit ESCALUS</p><p>This deed unshapes me quite, makes me unpregnant<br />And dull to all proceedings. A deflower'd maid!<br />And by an eminent body that enforced<br />The law against it! But that her tender shame<br />Will not proclaim against her maiden loss,<br />How might she tongue me! Yet reason dares her no;<br />For my authority bears of a credent bulk,<br />That no particular scandal once can touch<br />But it confounds the breather. He should have lived,<br />Save that riotous youth, with dangerous sense,<br />Might in the times to come have ta'en revenge,<br />By so receiving a dishonour'd life<br />With ransom of such shame. Would yet he had lived!<br />A lack, when once our grace we have forgot,<br />Nothing goes right: we would, and we would not.</p><p>Exit</p><p>&nbsp;</p></span><span id = 2118 ><p>SCENE V. Fields without the town.</p><p>Enter DUKE VINCENTIO in his own habit, and FRIAR PETER <br />DUKE VINCENTIO <br />These letters at fit time deliver me</p><p>Giving letters</p><p>The provost knows our purpose and our plot.<br />The matter being afoot, keep your instruction,<br />And hold you ever to our special drift;<br />Though sometimes you do blench from this to that,<br />As cause doth minister. Go call at Flavius' house,<br />And tell him where I stay: give the like notice<br />To Valentinus, Rowland, and to Crassus,<br />And bid them bring the trumpets to the gate;<br />But send me Flavius first.</p><p>FRIAR PETER <br />It shall be speeded well.</p><p>Exit</p><p>Enter VARRIUS</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />I thank thee, Varrius; thou hast made good haste:<br />Come, we will walk. There's other of our friends<br />Will greet us here anon, my gentle Varrius.</p><p>Exeunt</p><p>&nbsp;</p></span><span id = 2119 ><p>SCENE VI. Street near the city gate.</p><p>Enter ISABELLA and MARIANA <br />ISABELLA <br />To speak so indirectly I am loath:<br />I would say the truth; but to accuse him so,<br />That is your part: yet I am advised to do it;<br />He says, to veil full purpose.</p><p>MARIANA <br />Be ruled by him.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Besides, he tells me that, if peradventure<br />He speak against me on the adverse side,<br />I should not think it strange; for 'tis a physic<br />That's bitter to sweet end.</p><p>MARIANA <br />I would Friar Peter--</p><p>ISABELLA <br />O, peace! the friar is come.</p><p>Enter FRIAR PETER</p><p>FRIAR PETER <br />Come, I have found you out a stand most fit,<br />Where you may have such vantage on the duke,<br />He shall not pass you. Twice have the trumpets sounded;<br />The generous and gravest citizens<br />Have hent the gates, and very near upon<br />The duke is entering: therefore, hence, away!</p><p>Exeunt</p><p>&nbsp;</p></span><span id = 2120 ></span><span id = 2122 ><p>SCENE I. The city gate.</p><p>MARIANA veiled, ISABELLA, and FRIAR PETER, at their stand. Enter DUKE VINCENTIO, VARRIUS, Lords, ANGELO, ESCALUS, LUCIO, Provost, Officers, and Citizens, at several doors <br />DUKE VINCENTIO <br />My very worthy cousin, fairly met!<br />Our old and faithful friend, we are glad to see you.</p><p>ANGELO ESCALUS <br />Happy return be to your royal grace!</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Many and hearty thankings to you both.<br />We have made inquiry of you; and we hear<br />Such goodness of your justice, that our soul<br />Cannot but yield you forth to public thanks,<br />Forerunning more requital.</p><p>ANGELO <br />You make my bonds still greater.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />O, your desert speaks loud; and I should wrong it,<br />To lock it in the wards of covert bosom,<br />When it deserves, with characters of brass,<br />A forted residence 'gainst the tooth of time<br />And razure of oblivion. Give me your hand,<br />And let the subject see, to make them know<br />That outward courtesies would fain proclaim<br />Favours that keep within. Come, Escalus,<br />You must walk by us on our other hand;<br />And good supporters are you.</p><p>FRIAR PETER and ISABELLA come forward</p><p>FRIAR PETER <br />Now is your time: speak loud and kneel before him.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Justice, O royal duke! Vail your regard<br />Upon a wrong'd, I would fain have said, a maid!<br />O worthy prince, dishonour not your eye<br />By throwing it on any other object<br />Till you have heard me in my true complaint<br />And given me justice, justice, justice, justice!</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Relate your wrongs; in what? by whom? be brief.<br />Here is Lord Angelo shall give you justice:<br />Reveal yourself to him.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />O worthy duke,<br />You bid me seek redemption of the devil:<br />Hear me yourself; for that which I must speak<br />Must either punish me, not being believed,<br />Or wring redress from you. Hear me, O hear me, here!</p><p>ANGELO <br />My lord, her wits, I fear me, are not firm:<br />She hath been a suitor to me for her brother<br />Cut off by course of justice,--</p><p>ISABELLA <br />By course of justice!</p><p>ANGELO <br />And she will speak most bitterly and strange.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Most strange, but yet most truly, will I speak:<br />That Angelo's forsworn; is it not strange?<br />That Angelo's a murderer; is 't not strange?<br />That Angelo is an adulterous thief,<br />An hypocrite, a virgin-violator;<br />Is it not strange and strange?</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Nay, it is ten times strange.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />It is not truer he is Angelo<br />Than this is all as true as it is strange:<br />Nay, it is ten times true; for truth is truth<br />To the end of reckoning.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Away with her! Poor soul,<br />She speaks this in the infirmity of sense.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />O prince, I conjure thee, as thou believest<br />There is another comfort than this world,<br />That thou neglect me not, with that opinion<br />That I am touch'd with madness! Make not impossible<br />That which but seems unlike: 'tis not impossible<br />But one, the wicked'st caitiff on the ground,<br />May seem as shy, as grave, as just, as absolute<br />As Angelo; even so may Angelo,<br />In all his dressings, characts, titles, forms,<br />Be an arch-villain; believe it, royal prince:<br />If he be less, he's nothing; but he's more,<br />Had I more name for badness.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />By mine honesty,<br />If she be mad,--as I believe no other,--<br />Her madness hath the oddest frame of sense,<br />Such a dependency of thing on thing,<br />As e'er I heard in madness.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />O gracious duke,<br />Harp not on that, nor do not banish reason<br />For inequality; but let your reason serve<br />To make the truth appear where it seems hid,<br />And hide the false seems true.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Many that are not mad<br />Have, sure, more lack of reason. What would you say?</p><p>ISABELLA <br />I am the sister of one Claudio,<br />Condemn'd upon the act of fornication<br />To lose his head; condemn'd by Angelo:<br />I, in probation of a sisterhood,<br />Was sent to by my brother; one Lucio<br />As then the messenger,--</p><p>LUCIO <br />That's I, an't like your grace:<br />I came to her from Claudio, and desired her<br />To try her gracious fortune with Lord Angelo<br />For her poor brother's pardon.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />That's he indeed.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />You were not bid to speak.</p><p>LUCIO <br />No, my good lord;<br />Nor wish'd to hold my peace.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />I wish you now, then;<br />Pray you, take note of it: and when you have<br />A business for yourself, pray heaven you then<br />Be perfect.</p><p>LUCIO <br />I warrant your honour.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />The warrants for yourself; take heed to't.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />This gentleman told somewhat of my tale,--</p><p>LUCIO <br />Right.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />It may be right; but you are i' the wrong<br />To speak before your time. Proceed.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />I went<br />To this pernicious caitiff deputy,--</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />That's somewhat madly spoken.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Pardon it;<br />The phrase is to the matter.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Mended again. The matter; proceed.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />In brief, to set the needless process by,<br />How I persuaded, how I pray'd, and kneel'd,<br />How he refell'd me, and how I replied,--<br />For this was of much length,--the vile conclusion<br />I now begin with grief and shame to utter:<br />He would not, but by gift of my chaste body<br />To his concupiscible intemperate lust,<br />Release my brother; and, after much debatement,<br />My sisterly remorse confutes mine honour,<br />And I did yield to him: but the next morn betimes,<br />His purpose surfeiting, he sends a warrant<br />For my poor brother's head.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />This is most likely!</p><p>ISABELLA <br />O, that it were as like as it is true!</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />By heaven, fond wretch, thou knowist not what thou speak'st,<br />Or else thou art suborn'd against his honour<br />In hateful practise. First, his integrity<br />Stands without blemish. Next, it imports no reason<br />That with such vehemency he should pursue<br />Faults proper to himself: if he had so offended,<br />He would have weigh'd thy brother by himself<br />And not have cut him off. Some one hath set you on:<br />Confess the truth, and say by whose advice<br />Thou camest here to complain.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />And is this all?<br />Then, O you blessed ministers above,<br />Keep me in patience, and with ripen'd time<br />Unfold the evil which is here wrapt up<br />In countenance! Heaven shield your grace from woe,<br />As I, thus wrong'd, hence unbelieved go!</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />I know you'ld fain be gone. An officer!<br />To prison with her! Shall we thus permit<br />A blasting and a scandalous breath to fall<br />On him so near us? This needs must be a practise.<br />Who knew of Your intent and coming hither?</p><p>ISABELLA <br />One that I would were here, Friar Lodowick.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />A ghostly father, belike. Who knows that Lodowick?</p><p>LUCIO <br />My lord, I know him; 'tis a meddling friar;<br />I do not like the man: had he been lay, my lord<br />For certain words he spake against your grace<br />In your retirement, I had swinged him soundly.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Words against me? this is a good friar, belike!<br />And to set on this wretched woman here<br />Against our substitute! Let this friar be found.</p><p>LUCIO <br />But yesternight, my lord, she and that friar,<br />I saw them at the prison: a saucy friar,<br />A very scurvy fellow.</p><p>FRIAR PETER <br />Blessed be your royal grace!<br />I have stood by, my lord, and I have heard<br />Your royal ear abused. First, hath this woman<br />Most wrongfully accused your substitute,<br />Who is as free from touch or soil with her<br />As she from one ungot.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />We did believe no less.<br />Know you that Friar Lodowick that she speaks of?</p><p>FRIAR PETER <br />I know him for a man divine and holy;<br />Not scurvy, nor a temporary meddler,<br />As he's reported by this gentleman;<br />And, on my trust, a man that never yet<br />Did, as he vouches, misreport your grace.</p><p>LUCIO <br />My lord, most villanously; believe it.</p><p>FRIAR PETER <br />Well, he in time may come to clear himself;<br />But at this instant he is sick my lord,<br />Of a strange fever. Upon his mere request,<br />Being come to knowledge that there was complaint<br />Intended 'gainst Lord Angelo, came I hither,<br />To speak, as from his mouth, what he doth know<br />Is true and false; and what he with his oath<br />And all probation will make up full clear,<br />Whensoever he's convented. First, for this woman.<br />To justify this worthy nobleman,<br />So vulgarly and personally accused,<br />Her shall you hear disproved to her eyes,<br />Till she herself confess it.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Good friar, let's hear it.</p><p>ISABELLA is carried off guarded; and MARIANA comes forward</p><p>Do you not smile at this, Lord Angelo?<br />O heaven, the vanity of wretched fools!<br />Give us some seats. Come, cousin Angelo;<br />In this I'll be impartial; be you judge<br />Of your own cause. Is this the witness, friar?<br />First, let her show her face, and after speak.</p><p>MARIANA <br />Pardon, my lord; I will not show my face<br />Until my husband bid me.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />What, are you married?</p><p>MARIANA <br />No, my lord.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Are you a maid?</p><p>MARIANA <br />No, my lord.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />A widow, then?</p><p>MARIANA <br />Neither, my lord.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Why, you are nothing then: neither maid, widow, nor wife?</p><p>LUCIO <br />My lord, she may be a punk; for many of them are<br />neither maid, widow, nor wife.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Silence that fellow: I would he had some cause<br />To prattle for himself.</p><p>LUCIO <br />Well, my lord.</p><p>MARIANA <br />My lord; I do confess I ne'er was married;<br />And I confess besides I am no maid:<br />I have known my husband; yet my husband<br />Knows not that ever he knew me.</p><p>LUCIO <br />He was drunk then, my lord: it can be no better.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />For the benefit of silence, would thou wert so too!</p><p>LUCIO <br />Well, my lord.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />This is no witness for Lord Angelo.</p><p>MARIANA <br />Now I come to't my lord<br />She that accuses him of fornication,<br />In self-same manner doth accuse my husband,<br />And charges him my lord, with such a time<br />When I'll depose I had him in mine arms<br />With all the effect of love.</p><p>ANGELO <br />Charges she more than me?</p><p>MARIANA <br />Not that I know.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />No? you say your husband.</p><p>MARIANA <br />Why, just, my lord, and that is Angelo,<br />Who thinks he knows that he ne'er knew my body,<br />But knows he thinks that he knows Isabel's.</p><p>ANGELO <br />This is a strange abuse. Let's see thy face.</p><p>MARIANA <br />My husband bids me; now I will unmask.</p><p>Unveiling</p><p>This is that face, thou cruel Angelo,<br />Which once thou sworest was worth the looking on;<br />This is the hand which, with a vow'd contract,<br />Was fast belock'd in thine; this is the body<br />That took away the match from Isabel,<br />And did supply thee at thy garden-house<br />In her imagined person.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Know you this woman?</p><p>LUCIO <br />Carnally, she says.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Sirrah, no more!</p><p>LUCIO <br />Enough, my lord.</p><p>ANGELO <br />My lord, I must confess I know this woman:<br />And five years since there was some speech of marriage<br />Betwixt myself and her; which was broke off,<br />Partly for that her promised proportions<br />Came short of composition, but in chief<br />For that her reputation was disvalued<br />In levity: since which time of five years<br />I never spake with her, saw her, nor heard from her,<br />Upon my faith and honour.</p><p>MARIANA <br />Noble prince,<br />As there comes light from heaven and words from breath,<br />As there is sense in truth and truth in virtue,<br />I am affianced this man's wife as strongly<br />As words could make up vows: and, my good lord,<br />But Tuesday night last gone in's garden-house<br />He knew me as a wife. As this is true,<br />Let me in safety raise me from my knees<br />Or else for ever be confixed here,<br />A marble monument!</p><p>ANGELO <br />I did but smile till now:<br />Now, good my lord, give me the scope of justice<br />My patience here is touch'd. I do perceive<br />These poor informal women are no more<br />But instruments of some more mightier member<br />That sets them on: let me have way, my lord,<br />To find this practise out.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Ay, with my heart<br />And punish them to your height of pleasure.<br />Thou foolish friar, and thou pernicious woman,<br />Compact with her that's gone, think'st thou thy oaths,<br />Though they would swear down each particular saint,<br />Were testimonies against his worth and credit<br />That's seal'd in approbation? You, Lord Escalus,<br />Sit with my cousin; lend him your kind pains<br />To find out this abuse, whence 'tis derived.<br />There is another friar that set them on;<br />Let him be sent for.</p><p>FRIAR PETER <br />Would he were here, my lord! for he indeed<br />Hath set the women on to this complaint:<br />Your provost knows the place where he abides<br />And he may fetch him.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Go do it instantly.</p><p>Exit Provost</p><p>And you, my noble and well-warranted cousin,<br />Whom it concerns to hear this matter forth,<br />Do with your injuries as seems you best,<br />In any chastisement: I for a while will leave you;<br />But stir not you till you have well determined<br />Upon these slanderers.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />My lord, we'll do it throughly.</p><p>Exit DUKE</p><p>Signior Lucio, did not you say you knew that<br />Friar Lodowick to be a dishonest person?</p><p>LUCIO <br />'Cucullus non facit monachum:' honest in nothing<br />but in his clothes; and one that hath spoke most<br />villanous speeches of the duke.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />We shall entreat you to abide here till he come and<br />enforce them against him: we shall find this friar a<br />notable fellow.</p><p>LUCIO <br />As any in Vienna, on my word.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />Call that same Isabel here once again; I would speak with her.</p><p>Exit an Attendant</p><p>Pray you, my lord, give me leave to question; you<br />shall see how I'll handle her.</p><p>LUCIO <br />Not better than he, by her own report.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />Say you?</p><p>LUCIO <br />Marry, sir, I think, if you handled her privately,<br />she would sooner confess: perchance, publicly,<br />she'll be ashamed.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />I will go darkly to work with her.</p><p>LUCIO <br />That's the way; for women are light at midnight.</p><p>Re-enter Officers with ISABELLA; and Provost with the DUKE VINCENTIO in his friar's habit</p><p>ESCALUS <br />Come on, mistress: here's a gentlewoman denies all<br />that you have said.</p><p>LUCIO <br />My lord, here comes the rascal I spoke of; here with<br />the provost.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />In very good time: speak not you to him till we<br />call upon you.</p><p>LUCIO <br />Mum.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />Come, sir: did you set these women on to slander<br />Lord Angelo? they have confessed you did.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />'Tis false.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />How! know you where you are?</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Respect to your great place! and let the devil<br />Be sometime honour'd for his burning throne!<br />Where is the duke? 'tis he should hear me speak.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />The duke's in us; and we will hear you speak:<br />Look you speak justly.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Boldly, at least. But, O, poor souls,<br />Come you to seek the lamb here of the fox?<br />Good night to your redress! Is the duke gone?<br />Then is your cause gone too. The duke's unjust,<br />Thus to retort your manifest appeal,<br />And put your trial in the villain's mouth<br />Which here you come to accuse.</p><p>LUCIO <br />This is the rascal; this is he I spoke of.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />Why, thou unreverend and unhallow'd friar,<br />Is't not enough thou hast suborn'd these women<br />To accuse this worthy man, but, in foul mouth<br />And in the witness of his proper ear,<br />To call him villain? and then to glance from him<br />To the duke himself, to tax him with injustice?<br />Take him hence; to the rack with him! We'll touse you<br />Joint by joint, but we will know his purpose.<br />What 'unjust'!</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Be not so hot; the duke<br />Dare no more stretch this finger of mine than he<br />Dare rack his own: his subject am I not,<br />Nor here provincial. My business in this state<br />Made me a looker on here in Vienna,<br />Where I have seen corruption boil and bubble<br />Till it o'er-run the stew; laws for all faults,<br />But faults so countenanced, that the strong statutes<br />Stand like the forfeits in a barber's shop,<br />As much in mock as mark.</p><p>ESCALUS <br />Slander to the state! Away with him to prison!</p><p>ANGELO <br />What can you vouch against him, Signior Lucio?<br />Is this the man that you did tell us of?</p><p>LUCIO <br />'Tis he, my lord. Come hither, goodman baldpate:<br />do you know me?</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />I remember you, sir, by the sound of your voice: I<br />met you at the prison, in the absence of the duke.</p><p>LUCIO <br />O, did you so? And do you remember what you said of the duke?</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Most notedly, sir.</p><p>LUCIO <br />Do you so, sir? And was the duke a fleshmonger, a<br />fool, and a coward, as you then reported him to be?</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />You must, sir, change persons with me, ere you make<br />that my report: you, indeed, spoke so of him; and<br />much more, much worse.</p><p>LUCIO <br />O thou damnable fellow! Did not I pluck thee by the<br />nose for thy speeches?</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />I protest I love the duke as I love myself.</p><p>ANGELO <br />Hark, how the villain would close now, after his<br />treasonable abuses!</p><p>ESCALUS <br />Such a fellow is not to be talked withal. Away with<br />him to prison! Where is the provost? Away with him<br />to prison! lay bolts enough upon him: let him<br />speak no more. Away with those giglots too, and<br />with the other confederate companion!</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />[To Provost] Stay, sir; stay awhile.</p><p>ANGELO <br />What, resists he? Help him, Lucio.</p><p>LUCIO <br />Come, sir; come, sir; come, sir; foh, sir! Why, you<br />bald-pated, lying rascal, you must be hooded, must<br />you? Show your knave's visage, with a pox to you!<br />show your sheep-biting face, and be hanged an hour!<br />Will't not off?</p><p>Pulls off the friar's hood, and discovers DUKE VINCENTIO</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Thou art the first knave that e'er madest a duke.<br />First, provost, let me bail these gentle three.</p><p>To LUCIO</p><p>Sneak not away, sir; for the friar and you<br />Must have a word anon. Lay hold on him.</p><p>LUCIO <br />This may prove worse than hanging.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />[To ESCALUS] What you have spoke I pardon: sit you down:<br />We'll borrow place of him.</p><p>To ANGELO</p><p>Sir, by your leave.<br />Hast thou or word, or wit, or impudence,<br />That yet can do thee office? If thou hast,<br />Rely upon it till my tale be heard,<br />And hold no longer out.</p><p>ANGELO <br />O my dread lord,<br />I should be guiltier than my guiltiness,<br />To think I can be undiscernible,<br />When I perceive your grace, like power divine,<br />Hath look'd upon my passes. Then, good prince,<br />No longer session hold upon my shame,<br />But let my trial be mine own confession:<br />Immediate sentence then and sequent death<br />Is all the grace I beg.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Come hither, Mariana.<br />Say, wast thou e'er contracted to this woman?</p><p>ANGELO <br />I was, my lord.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Go take her hence, and marry her instantly.<br />Do you the office, friar; which consummate,<br />Return him here again. Go with him, provost.</p><p>Exeunt ANGELO, MARIANA, FRIAR PETER and Provost</p><p>ESCALUS <br />My lord, I am more amazed at his dishonour<br />Than at the strangeness of it.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Come hither, Isabel.<br />Your friar is now your prince: as I was then<br />Advertising and holy to your business,<br />Not changing heart with habit, I am still<br />Attorney'd at your service.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />O, give me pardon,<br />That I, your vassal, have employ'd and pain'd<br />Your unknown sovereignty!</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />You are pardon'd, Isabel:<br />And now, dear maid, be you as free to us.<br />Your brother's death, I know, sits at your heart;<br />And you may marvel why I obscured myself,<br />Labouring to save his life, and would not rather<br />Make rash remonstrance of my hidden power<br />Than let him so be lost. O most kind maid,<br />It was the swift celerity of his death,<br />Which I did think with slower foot came on,<br />That brain'd my purpose. But, peace be with him!<br />That life is better life, past fearing death,<br />Than that which lives to fear: make it your comfort,<br />So happy is your brother.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />I do, my lord.</p><p>Re-enter ANGELO, MARIANA, FRIAR PETER, and Provost</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />For this new-married man approaching here,<br />Whose salt imagination yet hath wrong'd<br />Your well defended honour, you must pardon<br />For Mariana's sake: but as he adjudged your brother,--<br />Being criminal, in double violation<br />Of sacred chastity and of promise-breach<br />Thereon dependent, for your brother's life,--<br />The very mercy of the law cries out<br />Most audible, even from his proper tongue,<br />'An Angelo for Claudio, death for death!'<br />Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure;<br />Like doth quit like, and MEASURE still FOR MEASURE.<br />Then, Angelo, thy fault's thus manifested;<br />Which, though thou wouldst deny, denies thee vantage.<br />We do condemn thee to the very block<br />Where Claudio stoop'd to death, and with like haste.<br />Away with him!</p><p>MARIANA <br />O my most gracious lord,<br />I hope you will not mock me with a husband.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />It is your husband mock'd you with a husband.<br />Consenting to the safeguard of your honour,<br />I thought your marriage fit; else imputation,<br />For that he knew you, might reproach your life<br />And choke your good to come; for his possessions,<br />Although by confiscation they are ours,<br />We do instate and widow you withal,<br />To buy you a better husband.</p><p>MARIANA <br />O my dear lord,<br />I crave no other, nor no better man.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Never crave him; we are definitive.</p><p>MARIANA <br />Gentle my liege,--</p><p>Kneeling</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />You do but lose your labour.<br />Away with him to death!</p><p>To LUCIO</p><p>Now, sir, to you.</p><p>MARIANA <br />O my good lord! Sweet Isabel, take my part;<br />Lend me your knees, and all my life to come<br />I'll lend you all my life to do you service.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Against all sense you do importune her:<br />Should she kneel down in mercy of this fact,<br />Her brother's ghost his paved bed would break,<br />And take her hence in horror.</p><p>MARIANA <br />Isabel,<br />Sweet Isabel, do yet but kneel by me;<br />Hold up your hands, say nothing; I'll speak all.<br />They say, best men are moulded out of faults;<br />And, for the most, become much more the better<br />For being a little bad: so may my husband.<br />O Isabel, will you not lend a knee?</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />He dies for Claudio's death.</p><p>ISABELLA <br />Most bounteous sir,</p><p>Kneeling</p><p>Look, if it please you, on this man condemn'd,<br />As if my brother lived: I partly think<br />A due sincerity govern'd his deeds,<br />Till he did look on me: since it is so,<br />Let him not die. My brother had but justice,<br />In that he did the thing for which he died:<br />For Angelo,<br />His act did not o'ertake his bad intent,<br />And must be buried but as an intent<br />That perish'd by the way: thoughts are no subjects;<br />Intents but merely thoughts.</p><p>MARIANA <br />Merely, my lord.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Your suit's unprofitable; stand up, I say.<br />I have bethought me of another fault.<br />Provost, how came it Claudio was beheaded<br />At an unusual hour?</p><p>Provost <br />It was commanded so.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Had you a special warrant for the deed?</p><p>Provost <br />No, my good lord; it was by private message.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />For which I do discharge you of your office:<br />Give up your keys.</p><p>Provost <br />Pardon me, noble lord:<br />I thought it was a fault, but knew it not;<br />Yet did repent me, after more advice;<br />For testimony whereof, one in the prison,<br />That should by private order else have died,<br />I have reserved alive.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />What's he?</p><p>Provost <br />His name is Barnardine.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />I would thou hadst done so by Claudio.<br />Go fetch him hither; let me look upon him.</p><p>Exit Provost</p><p>ESCALUS <br />I am sorry, one so learned and so wise<br />As you, Lord Angelo, have still appear'd,<br />Should slip so grossly, both in the heat of blood.<br />And lack of temper'd judgment afterward.</p><p>ANGELO <br />I am sorry that such sorrow I procure:<br />And so deep sticks it in my penitent heart<br />That I crave death more willingly than mercy;<br />'Tis my deserving, and I do entreat it.</p><p>Re-enter Provost, with BARNARDINE, CLAUDIO muffled, and JULIET</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Which is that Barnardine?</p><p>Provost <br />This, my lord.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />There was a friar told me of this man.<br />Sirrah, thou art said to have a stubborn soul.<br />That apprehends no further than this world,<br />And squarest thy life according. Thou'rt condemn'd:<br />But, for those earthly faults, I quit them all;<br />And pray thee take this mercy to provide<br />For better times to come. Friar, advise him;<br />I leave him to your hand. What muffled fellow's that?</p><p>Provost <br />This is another prisoner that I saved.<br />Who should have died when Claudio lost his head;<br />As like almost to Claudio as himself.</p><p>Unmuffles CLAUDIO</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />[To ISABELLA] If he be like your brother, for his sake<br />Is he pardon'd; and, for your lovely sake,<br />Give me your hand and say you will be mine.<br />He is my brother too: but fitter time for that.<br />By this Lord Angelo perceives he's safe;<br />Methinks I see a quickening in his eye.<br />Well, Angelo, your evil quits you well:<br />Look that you love your wife; her worth worth yours.<br />I find an apt remission in myself;<br />And yet here's one in place I cannot pardon.</p><p>To LUCIO</p><p>You, sirrah, that knew me for a fool, a coward,<br />One all of luxury, an ass, a madman;<br />Wherein have I so deserved of you,<br />That you extol me thus?</p><p>LUCIO <br />'Faith, my lord. I spoke it but according to the<br />trick. If you will hang me for it, you may; but I<br />had rather it would please you I might be whipt.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Whipt first, sir, and hanged after.<br />Proclaim it, provost, round about the city.<br />Is any woman wrong'd by this lewd fellow,<br />As I have heard him swear himself there's one<br />Whom he begot with child, let her appear,<br />And he shall marry her: the nuptial finish'd,<br />Let him be whipt and hang'd.</p><p>LUCIO <br />I beseech your highness, do not marry me to a whore.<br />Your highness said even now, I made you a duke:<br />good my lord, do not recompense me in making me a cuckold.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Upon mine honour, thou shalt marry her.<br />Thy slanders I forgive; and therewithal<br />Remit thy other forfeits. Take him to prison;<br />And see our pleasure herein executed.</p><p>LUCIO <br />Marrying a punk, my lord, is pressing to death,<br />whipping, and hanging.</p><p>DUKE VINCENTIO <br />Slandering a prince deserves it.</p><p>Exit Officers with LUCIO</p><p>She, Claudio, that you wrong'd, look you restore.<br />Joy to you, Mariana! Love her, Angelo:<br />I have confess'd her and I know her virtue.<br />Thanks, good friend Escalus, for thy much goodness:<br />There's more behind that is more gratulate.<br />Thanks, provost, for thy care and secrecy:<br />We shill employ thee in a worthier place.<br />Forgive him, Angelo, that brought you home<br />The head of Ragozine for Claudio's:<br />The offence pardons itself. Dear Isabel,<br />I have a motion much imports your good;<br />Whereto if you'll a willing ear incline,<br />What's mine is yours and what is yours is mine.<br />So, bring us to our palace; where we'll show<br />What's yet behind, that's meet you all should know.</p><p>Exeunt<br /></p></span>