D, faithless coward! O, dishonest wretch! Heaven shield, my mother play'd my father fair! Claud. Nay, hear me, Isabel. O, fie, fie, fie! [Going. Duke. That shall not be much amiss: yet, as the matter now stands, he will avoid your accusation. he made trial of you only.-Therefore, fasten your ear on my advisings; to the love I have in doing good, a remedy presents itself. I do make myseli believe, that you may most uprighteously do a poor wronged lady a merited benefit; redeem your brother from the angry law; do no stain to your own gracious person; and much please the absent duke, if, peradventure, he shall ever return to have hear ing of this business. Isab. Let me hear you speak further; I have spirit to do any thing that appears not foul in the truth of my spirit. Duke. Virtue is bold, and goodness never fearfu.. Have not you heard speak of Mariana, the sister of Frederick, the great soldier, who miscarried at sea? Isab. I have heard of the lady, and good words went with her name. Duke. Her should this Angelo have married; was Duke. Vouchsafe a word, young sister, but one affianced to her by oath, and the nuptial appointed: word. between which time of the contract, and limit of the Isab. What is your will? solemnity, her brother Frederick was wrecked at Duke. Might you dispense with your leisure, I sea, having in that perish'd vessel the dowry of his would by and by have some speech with you: the sister. But mark, how heavily this befel to the poor satisfaction I would require, is likewise your own gentlewoman: there she lost a noble and renowned brother, in his love toward her ever most kind and natural; with him the portion and sinew of her fortune, her marriage-dowry; with both, her combinates husband, this well-seeming Angelo. benefit. Isab. I have no superfluous leisure; my stay must be stolen out of other affairs; but I will attend you a while. Duke. [To Claudio, aside.] Son, I have overIsab. Can this be so? Did Angelo so leave her? heard what hath passed between you and your sis-| Duke. Left her in her tears, and dry'd not one of ter. Angelo had never the purpose to corrupt her; them with his comfort; swallowed his vows whole, only he hath made an essay of her virtue, to practise pretending, in her, discoveries of dishonour: in few, his judgment with the disposition of natures: she, bestowed her on her own lamentation, which she having the truth of honour in her, hath made him yet wears for his sake; and he, a marble to her that gracious denial which he is most glad to re- tears, is washed with them, but relents not. ceive; I am confessor to Angelo, and I know this to Isab. What a merit were it in death, to take this be true; therefore prepare yourself to death: do not poor maid from the world! What corruption in this satisfy your resolution with hopes that are fallible: life, that it will let this man live!-But how out of to-morrow you must die; go to your knees, and this can she avail? make ready. Claud. Let me ask my sister pardon. I am so out of love with life, that I will sue to be rid of it. Duke. Hold you there: farewell. [Ex. Claud. Re-enter Provost. Provost, a word with you. Prov. What's your will, father? pany. Duke. It is a rupture that you may easily heal: and the cure of it not only saves your brother, but keeps you from dishonour in doing it. Isab. Show me how, good father. Duke. This fore-named maid hath yet in her the continuance of her first affection; his unjust unkindness, that in all reason should have quenched her love, hath, like an impediment in the current, Duke. That now you are come, you will be gone: made it more violent and unruly. Go you to Anleave me a while with the maid; my mind promises gelo; answer his requiring with a plausible obedi with my habit, no loss shall touch her by my com-ence; agree with his demands to the point: only refer yourself to this advantage,-first, that your Prov. In good time. [Exit Provost. stay with him may not be long; that the time may Duke. The hand that hath make you fair, hath have all shadow and silence in it; and the place nade you good: the goodness, that is cheap in answer to convenience: this being granted in beauty, makes beauty brief in goodness; but grace, course, now follows all. We shall advise this being the soul of your complexion, should keep the wronged maid to stead up your appointment, go in body of it ever fair. The assault, that Angelo hath your place; if the encounter acknowledge itself made to you, fortune hath convey'd to my under- hereafter, it may compel him to her recompense; standing; and, but that frailty hath examples for and here, by this, is your brother saved, your ho his falling, I should wonder at Angelo. How would nour untainted, the poor Mariana advantaged, and you do to content this substitute, and to save your the corrupt deputy scaled. The maid will I frame, brother? and make fit for his attempt. If you think well to Isab. I am now going to resolve him: I had carry this as you may, the doubleness of the benefit rather my brother die by the law, than my son defends the deceit from reproof. What think you should be unlawfully born. But O, how much is the good duke deceived in Angelo! If ever he return, and I can speak to him, I will open my lips In vain, or discover his government. of it? Isab. The image of it gives me content already ; and, I trust, it will grow to a most prosperous per fection. Duke. It lies much in your holding up: haste (5) Betrothed. (6) Gave her up to her sorrows (7) Have recourse to. (8) Over-reached. you speedily to Angelo; if for this night he entreat yon to his bed, give him promise of satisfaction. I will presently to St. Luke's; there, at the moated grange,' resides this dejected Mariana; at that place call upon me; and despatch with Angelo, that it may be quickly. Isab. I thank you for this comfort: fare you well, good father. [Exeunt severally. SCENE II.-The street before the prison. Enter Duke, as a friar; to him Elbow, Clown, and Officers. 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. it Lucio. Why, 'tis good; it is the right of it; must be so: ever your fresh whore, and your pow. der'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 1 Or how? Elb. For being a bawd, for being a bawd. Elb. Nay, if there be no remedy for it, but that Lucio. Well, then imprison him: if imprisonyou will needs buy and sell men and women like men be the due of a bawd, why, 'tis his right: beasts, we shall have all the world drink brown and bawd is he, doubtless, and of antiquity too; bawdwhite bastard. 2 born. Farewell, good Pompey: commend me to the prison, Pompey: you will turn good husband Duke. O, heavens! what stuff is here? Clo. 'Twas never merry world, since, of two now, Pompey; you will keep the house. usuries, the merriest was put down, and the worser Clo. I hope, sir, your good worship will be my allow'd by order of law a furr'd gown to keep bail. him warm; and furr'd with fox and lamb-skins Lucio. No, indeed, will I not, Pompey; it is not too, to signify, that craft, being richer than inno- the wear. I will pray, Pompey, to increase your cency, stands for the facing. bondage: if you take it not patiently, why, your mettle is the more. Adieu, trusty Pompey.—Bless you, friar. Elb. Come your way, sir:-Bless you, good fa ther friar. Duke. And you, good brother father: What offence hath this man made you, sir? Elb. Marry, sir, he hath offended the law: and, sir, we take him to be a thief too, sir; for we have found upon him, sir, a strange pick-lock, which we have sent to the deputy. Duke. Fie, sirrah; a bawd, a wicked bawd! Duke. Nay, if the devil have given thee proofs Thou wilt prove his. Take him to prison, officer; Elb. He must before the deputy, sir; he has given him warning: the deputy cannot abide a whoremaster: if he be a whoremonger, and comes before him, he were as good go a mile on his errand. Duke. That we were all, as some would seem to be, Free from our faults, as faults from seeming, free! Enter Lucio. Duke. And you. Lucio. Does Bridget paint still, Pompey? Ha? Lucio. Then, Pompey? nor now.-What news abroad, 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 Rus sia; 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 ally'd: but it is impossible to extirp it quite, friar, till eating and drinking be put Elb. His neck will come to your waist, a cord, sir. down. They say, this Angelo was not made by Clo. I spy comfort; I cry, bail: here's a gentle-man and woman, after the downright way of crea tion: is it true, think you? man, and a friend of mine. Duke. How should he be made then? Lucio. How now, noble Pompey? What, at the heels of Cæsar? Art thou led in triumph? What, Lucio. Some report, a sca-maid spawn'd him:is there none of Pygmalion's images, newly made Some, that he was begot between two stock-i-hes: woman, to be had now, for putting the hand in the but it is certain, that when he makes water, his pocket, and extracting it clutch'd? What reply? urine is congeal'd ice; that I know to be true: and Ha? What say'st thou to this tune, matter, and he is a motion ungenerative, that's infallible. method? Is't not drown'd the last rain? Ha? Duke. You are pleasant, sir; and speak apace. What say'st thou, trot? 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! (1) A solitary farm-house. '2) A sweet wine. (3) For a Spanish padlock. Tied like your waist with a rope. 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 Lucio. Who? not the duke? yes, your beggar of fifty-and his use was, to put a ducat in her clackdish 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. No might nor greatness in mortality Can censure 'scape; back-wounding calumny The whitest virtue strikes: What king so strong, Can tie the gall up in the slanderous tongue? But who comes here? Enter Escalus, Provost, Bawd, and Officers. Escal. Go, away with her to prison. Bawd. Good my lord, be good to me; your honour is accounted a merciful man: good my lord. Escal, Double and treble admonition, and stil. forfeit" in the same kind? This would make mercy swear, and play the tyrant. it Prov. A bawd of eleven years continuance, may please your honour. Duke. What, I pr'ythee, might be the cause? Bawd. My lord, this is one Lucio's information Lucio. No, pardon;tis a secret must be against me: mistress Kate Keep-down was with lock'd within the teeth and the lips; but this I can child by him in the duke's time, he promised her let you understand,-The greater file2 of the sub-marriage; his child is a year and a quarter old, ject held the duke to be wise. come Philip and Jacob: I have kept it myself; and Duke. Wise? why, no question but he was. Lucio. A very superficial, ignorant, unweighing3 fellow. 4 see how he goes about to abuse me. Escal. That fellow is a fellow of much license: -let him be called before us.-Away with her to Duke. Either this is envy in you, folly, or mis- prison: Go to; no more words. [Exeunt Bawd and taking; the very stream of his life, and the business Officers.] Provost, my brother Angelo will not be he hath helmed, must, upon a warranted need, alter'd, Claudio must die to-morrow; let him be give him a better proclamation. Let him be but furnished with divines, and have all charitable preLestimonied in his own bringings forth, and he shall paration: if my brother wrought by my pity, it appear to the envious, a scholar, a statesman, and should not be so with him. 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 knowledge with dearer love. Lucio. Come, sir, I know what I know. 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! Duke. Not of this country, though my chance is now Duke. I can hardly believe that, since you know To use it for my time: I am a brother not what you speak. But, if ever the duke return Of gracious order, late come from the see, (as our prayers are he may,) let me desire you to In special business from his holiness. make your answer before him: if it be honest you Escal. What news abroad i' the world' 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 duke. Duke. He shall know you better, sir, if I may live to report you. Lucio. I fear you not. Duke. O, you hope the duke will return no more; or you imagine me too unhurtful an opposite. But, indeed, I can do you little harm: you'll forswear this again. Lucio. I'll be hang'd first: thou art deceived in me, friar. But no more of this: can'st thou tell, if Claudio die to-morrow, or no? Duke. Why should he die, sir? 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 it is as dangerous to be constant 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. pray you, sir, of what disposition was the duke? Escal. One, that, above all other strifes, contended especially to know himself. I 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 Lucio. Why? for filling a bottle with a tun-dish. leave we him to his events, with a prayer they may I would, the duke, we talk of, were return'd again: prove prosperous: and let me desire to know how this ungenitur'd agent will unpeople the province you find Claudio prepared. I am made to under with continency; sparrows must not build in his stand, that you have lent him visitation. house-eaves, because they are lecherous. The duke Duke. He professes to have received no sinister yet would have dark deeds darkly answer'd; he measures from his judge, but most willingly humwould never bring them to light: would he were bles himself to the determination of justice: yet return'd! Marry, this Claudio is condemned for had he framed to himself, by the instruction of his untrussing. Farewell, good friar; I pr'ythee, pray frailty, many deceiving promises of life; which I, for me. The duke, I say to thee again, would eat by my good leisure, have discredited to him, and mutton on Fridays. He's now past it; yet, and I now is he resolved to die. say to thee, he would mouth with a beggar, though Escal. You have paid the heavens your function, she smelt brown bread and garlic: say, that I said and the prisoner the very debt of your calling. so. Farewell. [Exit. have labour'd for the poor gentleman, to the ex (1) Suspected. (2) The majority of his subjects. (s Inconsiderate. (4) Guided. 751 Opponent. (6) Have a wench. (7) Transgress. tremest shore of my modesty; but my brother jus-is come, even now. I shall crave your forbearance ice have I found so severe, that he hath forced me a little may be, I will call upon you anon, for o tell him, he is indeed-justice. Duke. If his own life answers 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. Most pond'rous and substantial things! ACT IV. [Exit. I cry you mercy, sir; and well could wish To make bad, good, and good provoke to harm. here to meet. Mari. You have not been inquired after: I have sat here all day. Enter Isabella. some advantage to yourself. [Exit. Mari. I am always bound to you. Duke. But shall you on your knowledge find Isab. I have ta'en a due and wary note upon't; I have not yet made known to Mariana A word of this:-What, ho! within! come forth. I Re-enter Mariana. pray you, be acquainted with this maid; I do desire the like. Duke. Do you persuade yourself that I respect you? Mari. Good friar, I know you do; and have found it. Are stuck upon thee! volumes of report Run with these false and most contrarious quests' And rack thee in their fancies!-Welcome! How Re-enter Mariana and Isabella. Isab. She'll take the enterprise upon her, father, If you advise it. Duke. But my entreaty too. It is not my consent, Little have you to say, When you depart from him, but, soft and low, Mari. Duke. I do constantly believe you:-The time Sith that the justice of your title to him Our corn's to reap, for yet our tithe's' to sow. One has my pity; not a jot the other, [Exeunt. Being a murderer, though he were my Irother. Enter Claudio. SCENE 11.-A room in the prison. Enter Prov. Come hither, sirrah: can you cut off man's head? a Clo. If the man be a bachelor, sir, I can: but if Look, here's the warrant, Claudio, for thy death: he be a married man, he is his wife's head, and I When it lies starkly' in the traveller's bones: can never cut off a woman's head. He will not wake. [Knocking withen Prov. Come, sir, leave me your snatches, and Who can do good on him yield me a direct answer. To-morrow morning Well, go, prepare yourself. But hark, what noise. are to die Claudio and Barnardine: here is in our prison a common executioner, who in his office Heaven give your spirits comfort! [Exit Claudio. lacks a helper: if you will take it on you to assist By and by : :- him, it shall redeem you from your gyves; if not, I hope it is some pardon, or reprieve, you shall have your full time of imprisonment, and For the most gentle Claudio.-Welcome, father. your deliverance with an unpitied whipping; for you have been a notorious bawd. Clo. Sir, I have been an unlawful bawd, time out of mind; but yet I will be content to be a lawful hangman. I would be glad to receive some instruction from iny fellow partner. Prov. What ho, Abhorson! Where's Abhorson, there ? Enter Abhorson. Abhor. Do you call, sir? Prov. Sirrah, here's a fellow will help you tomorrow in your execution: if you think him 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. Enter Duke. Duke. The best and wholesomest spirits of the Envelop you, good provost! Who call'd here of late? Prov. No. Not Isabel? They will then, ere't be long. Prov. What comfort is for Claudio? Duke. There's some in hope. Prov. It is a bitter deputy. Duke. Not so, not so; his life is parallel'd Even with the stroke and line of his great justice, He doth with holy abstinence subdue That in himself, which he spurs on his power To qualify in others: were he meal'd With that which he corrects, then were he tyrannous; Prov. Go to, sir; you weigh equally; a feather But this being so, he's just.-Now are they come.[Knocking within-Provost goes ort. Abhor. A bawd, sir? Fie upon him, he will discredit our mystery. will turn the scale. [Exit. Clo. Pray, sir, by your good favour (for, surely, This is a gentle provosť: Seldom, when sir, a good favour you have, but that you have a The steeled gaoler is the friend of men. hanging look,) do you call, sir, your occupation a How now? What noise? That spirit's possess'd mystery? That wounds the unsisting postern with these strokes. 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. Clo. Proof. Abhor. Every true' man's apparel fits your thief: if it be too little for your thief, your true man thinks it big enough; if it be too big for your thief, your thief thinks it little enough: so every true man's apparel fits your thief. Re-enter Provost. Prov. Are you agreed? Clo. Sir, I will serve him; for I do find, your nangman 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: (1) Tilth, land prepared for sowing. (2) Fetters. with haste, Provost returns, speaking to one at the door. Happily," 10 You something know; yet, I believe, there comes Enter a Messenger. Mess. My lord hath sent you this note; and by me this further charge, that you swerve not from the smallest article of it, neither in time, matter, nor other circumstance. Good morrow; for, as I take it, it is almost day. Prov. I shall obey him. |
