Ang. In most uneven and distracted manner. His actions show much like to madness: pray Heaven, his wisdom be not tainted! And why meet him at the gates, and re-deliver our authorities there?

Esc. I guess not.

Ang. And why should we proclaim it in an hour before his entering, that, if any crave redress of injustice, they should exhibit their petitions in the street?

Esc. He shows his reason for that: to have a

despatch of complaints; and to deliver us from devices hereafter, which shall then have no power to stand against us.

house :

Ang. Well, I beseech you, let it be proclaim'd: Betimes i' the morn, I'll call you at your Give notice to such men of sort and suit,1

As are to meet him.

Esc.

I shall, sir: fare you well. [Exit.

Ang. Good night.

This deed unshapes me quite, makes me

pregnant,

2

And dull to all proceedings. A deflower'd maid!
And by an eminent body, that enforced

The law against it!—But that her tender shame
Will not proclaim against her maiden loss,

un

How might she tongue me? Yet reason dares her ?3

-no:

1 Figure and rank.

2 Unprepared.

3 Yet does not reason challenge or incite her to accuse me?

SHAK.

II.

P

For my authority bears off a credent bulk,1
That no particular scandal once can touch,

But it confounds the breather. He should have lived,

Save that his riotous youth, with dangerous sense, Might, in the times to come, have ta'en revenge, By so receiving a dishonor'd life,

With ransom of such shame. Would yet he had lived!

Alack, when once our grace we have forgot, Nothing goes right; we would, and we would not. [Exit.

SCENE V.

Fields without the town.

Enter DUKE in his own habit, and FRIAR PETER.

Duke. These letters at fit time deliver me.

[giving letters.

The provost knows our purpose, and our plot.
The matter being afoot, keep your instruction,
And hold you ever to our special drift;

Though sometimes you do blench 3 from this to that,
As cause doth minister. Go, call at Flavius' house,
And tell him where I stay: give the like notice
To Valentinus, Rowland, and to Crassus,
And bid them bring the trumpets to the gate;
But send me Flavius first.

1 Carries with it unquestionable credit. 3 Start off.

2 Utterer.

F. Peter.

It shall be speeded well.

[Exit Friar.

Enter VARRIUS.

Duke. I thank thee, Varrius; thou hast made

good haste:

Come, we will walk. There's other of our friends Will greet us here anon, my gentle Varrius.

[Exeunt.

SCENE VI.

Street near the city gate.

Enter ISABELLA and MARIANA.

Isa. To speak so indirectly, I am loath:
I would say the truth; but to accuse him so,
That is your part: yet I'm advised to do it;
He says, to veil full purpose.1

Mar.

Be ruled by him.

Isa. Besides, he tells me, that, if peradventure
He speak against me on the adverse side,

I should not think it strange; for 'tis a physic,
That's bitter to sweet end.

Mar. I would, friar Peter

Isa.

O, peace; the friar is come.

Enter FRIAR peter.

F. Peter. Come, I have found you cut a stand most fit,

To hide the whole extent of our design.

Where you may have such vantage on the duke,

He shall not pass you. Twice have the trumpets sounded;

The generous 1 and gravest citizens

Have hent the gates, and very near upon

The duke is entering; therefore hence, away.

[Exeunt.

ACT V.

SCENE I.

A public place near the city gate.

MARIANA (veiled), ISABELLA, and PETER, at a distance. Enter, at opposite doors, DUKE, VARRIUS, Lords; ANGELO, ESCALUS, LUCIO, PROVOST, Officers, and Citizens.

:

Duke. My very worthy cousin, fairly met :Our old and faithful friend, we are glad to see you. Ang and Esc. Happy return be to your royal

grace!

Duke. Many and hearty thankings to you both. We have made inquiry of you; and we hear Such goodness of your justice, that our soul Cannot but yield you forth to public thanks, Forerunning more requital.

Ang.

You make my bonds still greater. Duke. O, your desert speaks loud; and I should

To lock it in the wards of covert bosom,
When it deserves with characters of brass
A forted residence 'gainst the tooth of time,
And razure of oblivion. Give me your hand,
And let the subject see, to make them know,
That outward courtesies would fain proclaim
Favors that keep within.-Come, Escalus;
You must walk by us on our other hand ;—
And good supporters are you.

peter and ISABELLA come forward.

F. Peter. Now is your time; speak loud, and kneel before him.

Isa. Justice, O royal duke! Vail1 your regard
Upon a wrong'd, I'd fain have said, a maid!
O worthy prince, dishonor not your eye
By throwing it on any other object,

Till you have heard me in my true complaint,
And given me justice, justice, justice, justice!
Duke. Relate your wrongs. In what? By whom?
Be brief.

Here is lord Angelo shall give you justice;
Reveal yourself to him.

Isa.

O, worthy duke,

You bid me seek redemption of the devil:
Hear me yourself; for that which I must speak
Must either punish me, not being believed,

Or wring redress from you: hear me, O, hear me, here.

I Lower.