Enter LUCIO. Elb. His neck will come to your waist, a cord, sir. Clo. I spy comfort: I cry, bail. Here's a gentleman, and a friend of mine. Lucio. How now, noble Pompey! What, at the wheels of Cæsar? Art thou led in triumph? What, is there none of Pygmalion's images, newly made woman, to be had now, for putting the hand in the pocket and extracting it clutch'd? What reply? Ha! What say'st thou to this tune, matter, and method? Is't not drown'd i' the last rain? Ha! What say'st thou, troth? Is the world as it was, man? Which is the way? Is it sad, and few words, or how? The trick of it? Duke. Still thus, and thus: still worse! Lucio. How doth my dear morsel, thy mistress? Procures she still? Ha! Clo. Troth, sir, she hath eaten up all her beef, and she is herself in the tub. Lucio. Why, 'tis good; it is the right of it; it must be so ever your fresh whore, and your powder'd bawd: an unshunn'd consequence; it must be so. Art going to prison, Pompey? Clo. Yes, faith, sir. Lucio. Why 'tis not amiss, Pompey. Farewell. Go; say, I sent thee thither. For debt, Pompey, or how? Elb. For being a bawd, for being a bawd. Lucio. Well, then imprison him. If imprisonment be the due of a bawd, why, 'tis his right: bawd is he, doubtless, and of antiquity too; bawd-born. Farewell, good Pompey: commend me to the prison, Pompey. You will turn good husband now, Pompey; you will keep the house. Clo. I hope, sir, your good worship will be my bail. Lucio. No, indeed, will I not, Pompey; it is not the wear. I will pray, Pompey, to increase your bondage: if you take it not patiently, why, your mettle is the more. Adieu, trusty Pompey.-Bless you, friar. Duke. And you. Lucio. Does Bridget paint still, Pompey? Ha! Clo. You will not bail me then, sir? that he was begot between two stock-fishes; but it is certain, that when he makes water, his urine is congeal'd ice: that I know to be true; and he is a motion ingenerative, that's infallible. Duke. You are pleasant, sir, and speak apace. Lucio. Why, what a ruthless thing is this in him, for the rebellion of a cod-piece to take away the life of a man? Would the duke that is absent have done this? Ere he would have hang'd a man for the getting a hundred bastards, he would have paid for the nursing a thousand. He had some feeling of the sport: he knew the service, and that instructed him to mercy. Duke. I never heard the absent duke much detected for women: he was not inclined that way. Lucio. O, sir! you are deceived. Duke. "Tis not possible. Lucio. Who? not the duke? yes, your beggar of fifty; and his use was, to put a ducat in her clack-dish. The duke had crotchets in him: he would be drunk too; that let me inform you. Duke. You do him wrong, surely. Lucio. Sir, I was an inward of his. A shy fellow was the duke; and, I believe, I know the cause of his withdrawing. Duke. What, I pr'ythee, might be the cause? Lucio. No, pardon:-'tis a secret must be lock'd within the teeth and the lips; but this I can let you understand, the greater file of the subject held the duke to be wise. Duke. Wise? why, no question but he was. Lucio. A very superficial, ignorant, unweighing fellow. Duke. Either this is envy in you, folly, or mistaking: the very stream of his life, and the business he hath helmed, must, upon a warranted need, give him a better proclamation. Let him be but testimonied in his own bringings forth, and he shall appear to the envious a scholar, a statesman, and a soldier. Therefore, you speak unskilfully; or, if your knowledge be more, it is much darken'd in your malice. Lucio. Sir, I know him, and I love him. Duke. Love talks with better knowledge, and know Lucio. Then, Pompey, nor now. What news abroad, ledge with dearer love. friar? What news? Elb. Come your ways, sir; come. [Exeunt ELBOW, Clown, and Officers. What news, friar, of the duke? Duke. I know none. Can you tell me of any? Lucio. Some say, he is with the emperor of Russia; other some, he is in Rome: but where is he, think you? Duke. I know not where; but wheresoever, I wish him well. Lucio. It was a mad fantastical trick of him, to steal from the state, and usurp the beggary he was never born to. Lord Angelo dukes it well in his absence: he puts transgression to't. Duke. He does well in't. Lucio. A little more lenity to lechery would do no harm in him something too crabbed that way, friar. Duke. It is too general a vice, and severity must cure it. Lucio. Yes, in good sooth, the vice is of a great kindred: it is well allied; but it is impossible to extirp it quite, friar, till eating and drinking be put down. They say, this Angelo was not made by man and woman, after the downright way of creation: is it true, think you? Lucio. Come, sir, I know what I know. Duke. I can hardly believe that, since you know not what you speak. But, if ever the duke return, (as our prayers are he may) let me desire you to make your answer before him: if it be honest you have spoke, you have courage to maintain it. I am bound to call upon you; and, I pray you, your name? Lucio. Sir, my name is Lucio, well known to the Lucio. Why? for filling a bottle with a tun-dish. I would, the duke, we talk of, were return'd again: this ungenitur'd agent will unpeople the province with continency; sparrows must not build in his house-eaves, because they are lecherous. The duke yet would have dark deeds darkly answer'd; he would never bring Lucio. Some report, a sea-maid spawn'd him: some, them to light: would he were return'd! Marry, this Duke. How should he be made then? Claudio is condemn'd for untrussing. Farewell, good Duke. No might nor greatness in mortality Enter ESCALUS, Provost, Bawd, and Officers. Escal. Double and treble admonition, and still forfeit in the same kind? This would make mercy swear, and play the tyrant. Prov. A bawd of eleven years' continuance, may it please your honour. Bawd. My lord, this is one Lucio's information against me. Mistress Kate Keep-down was with child by him in the duke's time: he promised her marriage; his child is a year and a quarter old, come Philip and Jacob. I have kept it myself, and see how he goes about to abuse me! Escal. That fellow is a fellow of much licence :-let him be called before us.-Away with her to prison! Go to; no more words. [Exeunt Bawd and Officers.] Provost, my brother Angelo will not be alter'd; Claudio must die to-morrow. Let him be furnished with divines, and have all charitable preparation: if my brother wrought by my pity, it should not be so with him. Prov. So please you, this friar hath been with him, and advised him for the entertainment of death. Escal. Good even, good father. Duke. Bliss and goodness on you. Escal. Of whence are you? Escal. One that, above all other strifes, contended especially to know himself. Duke. What pleasure was he given to? Escal. Rather rejoicing to see another merry, than merry at any thing which profess'd to make him rejoice: a gentleman of all temperance. But leave we him to his events, with a prayer they may prove prosperous, and let me desire to know how you find Claudio prepared. I am made to understand, that you have lent him visitation, Duke. He professes to have received no sinister measure from his judge, but most willingly humbles himself to the determination of justice; yet had he framed to himself, by the instruction of his frailty, many deceiving promises of life, which I, by my good leisure, have discredited to him, and now is he resolved to die. Escal. You have paid the heavens the due of your function, and the prisoner the very debt of your calling. I have labour'd for the poor gentleman to the extremest shore of my modesty; but my brother justice have I found so severe, that he hath forced me to tell him, he is indeed—justice. Duke. If his own life answer the straitness of his proceeding, it shall become him well; wherein if he chance to fail, he hath sentenced himself. Escal. I am going to visit the prisoner. Fare you well. Duke. Peace be with you! [Exeunt ESCALUS and Provost. Duke. Not of this country, though my chance is now Twice treble shame on Angelo, To use it for my time: I am a brother Of gracious order, late come from the See, Escal. What news abroad i' the world? Duke. None, but that there is so great a fever on goodness, that the dissolution of it must cure it: novelty is only in request; and as it is as dangerous to be aged in any kind of course, as it is virtuous to be constant in any undertaking, there is scarce truth enough alive to make societies secure, but security enough to make fellowships accurs'd. Much upon this riddle runs the wisdom of the world. This news is old enough, yet it is every day's news. I pray you, sir, of what disposition was the duke? To weed my vice, and let his grow! LExit. ACT IV. SCENE I.-A Room at the moated Grange. SONG. Take, O! take those lips away, Here comes a man of comfort, whose advice Enter DUKE. [Exit Boy. I cry you mercy, sir; and well could wish Mari. Break off thy song, and haste thee quick To make bad good, and good provoke to harm. away: I pray you, tell me, hath any body inquired for me here to-day? much upon this time have I promis'd here to meet. Mari. You have not been inquired after: I have sat here all day. Enter ISABELLA. Duke. I do constantly believe you. The time is come, even now. I shall crave your forbearance a little may be, I will call upon you anon, for some advantage to yourself. Mari. I am always bound to you. [Exit. Isab. He hath a garden circummur'd with brick, Duke. But shall you on your knowledge find this Isab. I have ta'en a due and wary note upon't: In action all of precept, he did show me Duke. Duke. "Tis well borne up. I pray you, be acquainted with this maid: I do desire the like. Isab. Who hath a story ready for your ear. I shall attend your leisure: but make haste; Will't please you walk aside? Make thee the father of their idle dreams, And rack thee in their fancies! Re-enter MARIANA and ISABELLA. If you advise it. It is not my consent, But my entreaty too. Isab. Mari. To bring you thus together, 'tis no sin, Sith that the justice of your title to him Doth flourish the deceit. Come, let us go : Enter Provost and Clown. Prov. Come hither, sirrah. Can you cut off a man's head? Clo. If the man be a bachelor, sir, I can; but if he be a married man, he is his wife's head, and I can never cut off a woman's head. Prov. Come, sir; leave me your snatches, and yield me a direct answer. To-morrow morning are to die Claudio and Barnardine: here is in our prison a common executioner, who in his office lacks a helper: if you will take it on you to assist him, it shall redeem you from your gyves; if not, you shall have your full time of imprisonment, and your deliverance with an unpitied whipping, for you have been a notorious bawd. Enter ABHORSON. Prov. Sirrah, here's a fellow will help you to-morrow in your execution. If you think it meet, compound with him by the year, and let him abide here with you; if not, use him for the present, and dismiss him. He cannot plead his estimation with you: he hath been a bawd. Abhor. A bawd, sir? Fie upon him! he will discredit our mystery. Prov. Go to, sir; you weigh equally: a feather will turn the scale. [Exit. Clo. Pray, sir, by your good favour, (for, surely, sir, a good favour you have, but that you have a hanging look,) do you call, sir, your occupation a mystery? Abhor. Ay, sir; a mystery. Clo. Painting, sir, I have heard say, is a mystery; and your whores, sir, being members of my occupation, using painting, do prove my occupation a mystery; but what mystery there should be in hanging, if I should be hang'd, I cannot imagine. Abhor. Sir, it is a mystery. Abhor. Every true man's apparel fits your thief. Re-enter Provost. Clo. Sir, I will serve him; for I do find, your hangman is a more penitent trade than your bawd: he doth oftener ask forgiveness. Prov. You, sirrah, provide your block and your axe to-morrow, four o'clock. Abhor. Come on, bawd; I will instruct thee in my trade: follow. Clo. I do desire to learn, sir; and, I hope, if you have occasion to use me for your own turn, you shall find me yare; for, truly, sir, for your kindness I owe you a good turn. Prov. Call hither Barnardine and Claudio: Th' one has my pity; Being a murderer, though he were my brother. Enter CLAUDio. Look, here's the warrant, Claudio, for thy death: Prov. Who can do good on him? Duke. The best and wholesom'st spirits of the night Prov. No. Not Isabel? Prov. I told you: Lord Angelo, belike thinking me remiss in mine office, awakens me with this unwonted putting on; methinks strangely, for he hath not used it before. Duke. Pray you, let's hear. Prov. [Reads.] "Whatsoever you may hear to the contrary, let Claudio be executed by four of the clock; and, in the afternoon, Barnardine. For my better satisfaction, let me have Claudio's head sent me by five. Let this be duly perform'd; with a thought, that more depends on it than we must yet deliver. Thus fail not to do your office, as you will answer it at your peril."What say you to this, sir? Duke. What is that Barnardine, who is to be executed in the afternoon? Prov. A Bohemian born; but here nursed up and bred: one that is a prisoner nine years old. Duke. How came it, that the absent Duke had not either deliver'd him to his liberty, or executed him? I have heard, it was ever his manner to do so. Prov. His friends still wrought reprieves for him: and, indeed, his fact, till now in the government of There's some in hope. Lord Angelo, came not to an undoubtful proof. Duke. It is now apparent? There will then, ere't be long. Prov. It is a bitter deputy. Duke. Not so, not so: his life is parallel'd This is a gentle provost: seldom, when That wounds the resisting postern with these strokes. Prov. [Speaking to one at the door.] There he must Arise to let him in: he is call'd up. Prov. Most manifest, and not denied by himself. Duke. Hath he borne himself penitently in prison? How seems he to be touch'd? Prov. A man that apprehends death no more dreadfully, but as a drunken sleep; careless, reckless, and fearless of what's past, present, or to come: insensible of mortality, and desperately mortal. Duke. He wants advice. Prov. He will hear none. He hath evermore had the liberty of the prison: give him leave to escape hence, he would not: drunk many times a day, if not many days entirely drunk. We have very oft awaked him, as if to carry him to execution, and show'd him a seeming warrant for it: it hath not moved him at all. Duke. More of him anon. There is written in your brow, provost, honesty and constancy: if I read it not truly, my ancient skill beguiles me; but in the boldness of my cunning I will lay myself in hazard. Duke. Have you no countermand for Claudio yet, Claudio, whom here you have warrant to execute, is But he must die to-morrow? Enter a Messenger. Duke. This is his lordship's man. Mes. My lord hath sent you this note; [giving a paper] and by me this further charge, that you swerve not from the smallest article of it, neither in time, matter, or other circumstance. Good morrow; for, as I take it, it is almost day. Prov. I shall obey him. For which the pardoner himself is in : When it is born in high authority. When vice makes mercy, mercy's so extended, no greater forfeit to the law, than Angelo who hath sentenced him. To make you understand this in a manifested effect, I crave but four days' respite, for the which you are to do me both a present and a dangerous courtesy. Prov. Pray, sir, in what? Duke. In the delaying death. Prov. Alack! how may I do it, having the hour limited, and an express command, under penalty, to deliver his head in the view of Angelo? I may make my case as Claudio's, to cross this in the smallest. Duke. By the vow of mine order, I warrant you: if my instructions may be your guide, let this Barnardine be this morning executed, and his head borne to Angelo. Prov. Angelo hath seen them both, and will discover the favour. Duke. O! death's a great disguiser, and you may add to it. Shave the head, and tie the beard; and say, it was the desire of the penitent to be so bared before his death: you know, the course is common. If any thing fall to you upon this, more than thanks and good fortune, by the saint whom I profess, I will plead against it with my life. Prov. Pardon me, good father: it is against my oath. Duke. Were you sworn to the Duke, or to the deputy? Prov. To him, and to his substitutes. Duke. You will think you have made no offence, if the Duke avouch the justice of your dealing. Prov. But what likelihood is in that? Duke. Not a resemblance, but a certainty. Yet since I see you fearful, that neither my coat, integrity, nor my persuasion, can with ease attempt you, I will go farther than I meant, to pluck all fears out of you. Look you, sir; here is the hand and seal of the Duke: you know the character, I doubt not, and the signet is not strange to you. Prov. I know them both. Duke. The contents of this is the return of the Duke: you shall anon over-read it at your pleasure, where you shall find, within these two days he will be here. This is a thing that Angelo knows not, for he this very day receives letters of strange tenor; perchance, of the Duke's death; perchance, entering into some monastery; but, by chance, nothing of what is writ. Look, the unfolding star calls up the shepherd. Put not yourself into amazement how these things should be all difficulties are but easy when they are known. Call your executioner, and off with Barnardine's head: I will give him a present shrift, and advise him for a better place. Yet you are amazed, but this shall absolutely resolve you. Come away; it [Exeunt. is almost clear dawn. SCENE III.-Another Room in the Same. Clo. I am as well acquainted here, as I was in our Abhor. Sirrah, bring Barnardine hither. Abhor. Truly, sir, I would desire you to clap into your prayers; for, look you, the warrant's come. Burnar. You rogue, I have been drinking all night : I am not fitted for't. Clo. O! the better, sir; for he that drinks all night, and is hang'd betimes in the morning, may sleep the sounder all the next day. Enter DUKE. Abhor. Look you, sir; here comes your ghostly father. Do we jest now, think you? Duke. Sir, induced by my charity, and hearing how hastily you are to depart, I am come to advise you, comfort you, and pray with you. Barnar. Friar, not I: I have been drinking hard all night, and I will have more time to prepare me, or they shall beat out my brains with billets. I will not consent to die this day, that's certain. Duke. O, sir, you must; and therefore, I beseech you, Look forward on the journey you shall go. Duke. But hear you,— Barnar. Not a word: if you have any thing to say to me, come to my ward; for thence will not I to-day. [Exit. Enter Provost. [Exeunt ABHORSON and Clown. Prov. Here in the prison, father, Duke. O, 'tis an accident that heaven provides! Clo. Mr. Barnardine! you must rise and be hang'd, And how shall we continue Claudio, Abhor. What, ho, Barnardine! Barnar. [Within.] A pox o' your throats! Who makes that noise there? What are you? Clo. Your friends, sir; the hangman. You must be so good, sir, to rise and be put to death. Barnar. [Within.] Away, you rogue, away! I am sleepy. Abhor. Tell him, he must awake, and that quickly too. Clo. Pray, master Barnardine, awake till you are executed, and sleep afterwards. Abhor. Go in to him, and fetch him out. To save me from the danger that might come, Duke. Let this be done.-Put them in secret Both Barnardine and Claudio: Ere twice the sun hath made his journal greeting Prov. I am your free dependant. Duke. Quick, despatch, and send the head to Angelo. Now will I write letters to Angelo, Clo. He is coming, sir, he is coming: I hear his Shall witness to him, I am near at home, straw rustle. Enter BARNARDine. Abhor. Is the axe upon the block, sirrah? Clo. Very ready, sir. And that by great injunctions I am bound To enter publicly him I'll desire : To meet me at the consecrated fount, A league below the city; and from thence, Barnar. How now, Abhorson? what's the news with By cold gradation and well-balanc'd form, you? We shall proceed with Angelo. |