Pro.

Here in the prison, father,

There died this morning of a cruel fever

One Ragozine, a most notorious pirate,

A man of Claudio's years: his beard and head
Just of his color. What if we do omit

This reprobate, till he were well inclined;
And satisfy the deputy with the visage
Of Ragozine, more like to Claudio?

Duke. O, 'tis an accident that Heaven provides !
Despatch it presently: the hour draws on
Prefix'd by Angelo. See, this be done,
And sent according to command; whiles I
Persuade this rude wretch willingly to die.

Pro. This shall be done, good father, presently. But Barnardine must die this afternoon :

And how shall we continue Claudio,

To save me from the danger that might come,

If he were known alive?

Duke. Let this be done :-Put them in secret

holds,

Both Barnardine and Claudio. Ere twice

The sun hath made his journal greeting to

The under generation,1 you shall find

Your safety manifested.

Pro. I am your free dependent.
Duke.

And send the head to Angelo.

Quick, despatch,

[Exit Provost.

Now will I write letters to Angelo:

:

1 The Antipodes.

The provost, he shall bear them,-whose contents
Shall witness to him, I am near at home;
And that, by great injunctions, I am bound
To enter publicly: him I'll desire

To meet me at the consecrated fount,

A league below the city; and from thence,
By cold gradation and weal-balanced form,
We shall proceed with Angelo.

Re-enter PROVOST.

Pro. Here is the head: I'll carry it myself. Duke. Convenient is it. Make a swift return; For I would commune with you of such things, That want no ear but yours.

Pro.

I'll make all speed.

Isa. [within.] Peace, ho, be here!

[Exit.

Duke. The tongue of Isabel.-She's come to

know,

If yet her brother's pardon be come hither:

But I will keep her ignorant of her good,
To make her heavenly comforts of despair,
When it is least expected.

Isa.

Enter ISABElla.

Ho, by your leave.

Duke. Good morning to you, fair and gracious

daughter.

Isa. The better, given me by so holy a man.

Hath yet the deputy sent my brother's pardon?

Duke. He hath released him, Isabel, from the

world:

His head is off, and sent to Angelo.

Isa. Nay, but it is not so.
Duke.

It is no other :

Show your wisdom, daughter, in your close patience.

Isa. O, I will to him, and pluck out his eyes. Duke. You shall not be admitted to his sight. Isa. Unhappy Claudio! wretched Isabel! Injurious world! most damned Angelo!

Duke. This nor hurts him, nor profits you a jot: Forbear it therefore; give your cause to Heaven. Mark what I say; which you shall find,

By every syllable, a faithful verity:

The duke comes home to-morrow;-nay, dry your

eyes;

One of our convent, and his confessor,

Gives me this instance.1 Already he hath carried Notice to Escalus and Angelo;

Who do prepare to meet him at the gates, There to give up their power. If you can, pace your wisdom

In that good path that I would wish it go;

And you shall have your bosom on this wretch,
Grace of the duke, revenges to your heart,

And general honor.

Isa.

I am directed by you.

Duke. This letter then to friar Peter give;

"Tis that he sent me of the duke's return:

Say, by this token, I desire his company

At Mariana's house to-night. Her cause and yours
I'll perfect him withal; and he shall bring you
Before the duke, and to the head of Angelo
Accuse him home and home. For my poor self,

I am combined 1 by a sacred vow,

And shall be absent. Wend 2 you with this letter
Command these fretting waters from your eyes
With a light heart: trust not my holy order,
If I pervert your course.-Who's here?

:

I

Lucio. O, pretty Isabella, I am pale at mine heart to see thine eyes so red: thou must be patient. am fain to dine and sup with water and bran; I dare not for my head fill my belly; one fruitful meal would set me to 't. But they say the duke will be here to-morrow.-By my troth, Isabel, I loved thy brother: if the old fantastical duke of dark corners had been at home, he had lived.

[Exit Isabella.

Duke. Sir, the duke is marvellous little beholden to your reports; but the best is, he lives not in them.

Lucio. Friar, thou knowest not the duke so well as I do he's a better woodman than thou takest him for.

Duke. Well, you'll answer this one day. Fare ye well.

Lucio. Nay, tarry; I'll go along with thee; I can tell thee pretty tales of the duke.

Duke. You have told me too many of him already, sir, if they be true; if not true, none were enough. Lucio. I was once before him for getting a wench with child.

Duke. Did you such a thing?

Lucio. Yes, marry, did I; but was fain to forswear it: they would else have married me to the rotten medlar.

Duke. Sir, your company is fairer than honest. Rest you well.

Lucio. By my troth, I'll go with thee to the lane's end. If bawdy talk offend you, we 'll have very little of it. Nay, friar, I am a kind of burr; I shall stick. [Exeunt.

SCENE IV.

A room in Angelo's house.

Enter ANGELO and ESCALUS.

Esc. Every letter he hath writ hath disvouched 1

other.

• Contradicted.