Duke. We did believe no less. Know you that friar Lodowick, that she speaks of? And, on my trust, a man that never yet Did, as he vouches, misreport your grace. Lucio. My lord, most villanously; believe it. F. Peter. Well, he in time may come to clear himself; But at this instant he is sick, my lord, Of a strange fever. Upon his mere request, man; (To justify this worthy nobleman, So vulgarly and personally accused) Her shall you hear disproved to her eyes, Till she herself confess it. Duke. Good friar, let's hear it. [Isabella is carried off, guarded; and Mariana comes forward. Do you not smile at this, lord Angelo ? O heaven! the vanity of wretched fools! Give us some seats.-Come, cousin Angelo; Of your own cause.-Is this the witness, friar? Mar. Pardon, my lord; I will not show my face, Until my husband bid me. 'Duke. What, are you married? Are nothing then :-neither maid, widow, nor wife? Lucio. My lord, she may be a punk; for many of them are neither maid, widow, nor wife. Duke. Silence that fellow. I would, he had some cause To prattle for himself. Lucio. Well, my lord. Mar. My lord, I do confess I ne'er was married; And, I confess, besides, I am no maid : I have known my husband; yet my husband knows not That ever he knew me. Lucio. He was drunk then, my lord; it can be no better. Duke. For the benefit of silence, would thou wert so too! Lucio. Well, my lord. Duke. This is no witness for lord Angelo. Mar. Now I come to 't, my lord : In self-same manner doth accuse my husband; Ang. Charges she more than me? Mar. Not that I know. Duke. No? you say, your husband. Mar. Why, just, my lord, and that is Angelo, Who thinks, he knows, that he ne'er knew my body; But knows, he thinks, that he knows Isabel's. Ang. This is a strange abuse.1-Let's see thy face. Mar. My husband bids me; now I will unmask. [unveiling. This is that face, thou cruel Angelo, on : This is the hand, which, with a vow'd contract, Duke. Know you this woman? Sirrah, no more. Lucio. Carnally, she says. Duke. Lucio. Enough, my lord. 1 Deception. Ang. My lord, I must confess, I know this woman ; And, five years since, there was some speech of marriage Betwixt myself and her; which was broke off, : I never spake with her, saw her, nor heard from ner, Upon my faith and honor. As there comes light from heaven, and words from breath, As there is sense in truth, and truth in virtue, As words could make up vows: and, my good lord, Let me in safety raise me from my knees ; Or else for ever be confixed here, A marble monument ! I did but smile till now: Ang. These poor informal 3 women are no more 1 Fell short of the contract. 2 Betrothed. • Conspiracy. Duke. Ay, with my heart; And punish them unto your height of pleasure.Thou foolish friar! and thou pernicious woman, Compact with her that's gone! think'st thou, thy oaths, Though they would swear down each particular saint, Were testimonies against his worth and credit, Let him be sent for. F. Peter. Would he were here, my lord! for he, indeed, Hath set the women on to this complaint: Your provost knows the place where he abides, Duke. Go, do it instantly. [Exit Provost. And you, my noble and well-warranted cousin, In any chastisement. I for awhile have well Esc. My lord, we'll do it thoroughly.-[Exit Duke.] Signior Lucio, did not you say, you knew that friar Lodowick to be a dishonest person? Lucio. Cucullus non facit monachum: 2 honest in 1 To the end. 2 A hood makes not a monk. |