Must have a word anon :-lay hold on him. down.[To Escalus. We'll borrow place of him :-Sir, by your leave: [To Angelo. Hast thou or word, or wit, or impudence, And hold no longer out. Ang. O my dread lord, I should be guiltier than my guiltiness, To think I can be undiscernible, When I perceive, your grace, like power divine, But let my trial be mine own confession ; Duke. Come hither, Mariana :Say, wast thou e'er contracted to this woman? Ang. I was, my lord. Duke. Go, take her hence, and marry her instantly. Do you the office, friar; which consummate, Return him here again :-Go with him, Provost. [Exeunt Angelo, Mariana, Peter, and Provost. Escal. My lord, I am more amazed at his dishonour, Than at the strangeness of it. Duke. Come hither, Isabel: Your friar is now your prince: As I was then Advertising §, and holy to your business, Not changing heart with habit, I am still Attorney'd at your service. Isab. O, give me pardon, That I, your vassal, have employ'd and pain'd Your unknown sovereignty. And now, dear maid, be you as free to us. Which I did think with slower foot came on, Than that which lives to fear: make it your comfort, So happy is your brother. Re-enter Angelo, Mariana, Peter, and Provost. Isab. I do, my lord. Duke. For this new-married man, approaching here, Whose salt imagination yet hath wrong'd Of sacred chastity, and of promise-breach, Most audible, even from his proper* tongue, Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure; Which though thou wouldst deny, denies thee vantage: We do condemn thee to the very block Where Claudio stoop'd to death, and with like haste; Away with him. Mari. O, my most gracious lord, * Angelo's own tongue. Duke. It is your husband mock'd you with a hus band: Consenting to the safeguard of your honour, I thought your marriage fit; else imputation, We do instate and widow you withal, Mari. O, my dear lord, I crave no other, nor no better man. [Kneeling. Duke. You do but lose your labour : Away with him to death -Now, sir, [To Lucio.] to you. Mari. O, my good lord !-Sweet Isabel, take my part; Lend me your knees, and all my life to come Duke. Against all sense* you do impórtune her: Mari. Isabel, Sweet Isabel, do yet but kneel by me; Hold up your hands, say nothing, I'll speak all. They say, best men are moulded out of faults; And, for the most, become much more the better For being a little bad: so may my husband. O, Isabel! will you not bend a knee ? Duke. He dies for Claudio's death! Most bounteous sir, [Kneeling. Look, if it please you, on this man condemn'd, VOL. I. * Reason and affection. In that he did the thing for which he died: For Angelo, His act did not o'ertake his bad intent, And must be buried but as an intent That perish'd by the way: thoughts are no subjects; Intents but merely thoughts. Mari. Merely, my lord. Duke. Your suit's unprofitable; stand up, I say.I have bethought me of another fault :— Provost, how came it, Claudio was beheaded At an unusual hour? Prov. It was commanded so. Duke. Had you a special warrant for the deed ? Prov. No, my good lord; it was by private message. Duke. For which I do discharge you of your of fice; Give up your keys. Prov. Duke. Prov. What's he? His name is Barnardine. Duke. I would thou had'st done so by Claudio.Go, fetch him hither; let me look upon him. [Exit Provost. Escal. I am sorry, one so learned and so wise Ang. I am sorry, that such sorrow I procure: * Consideration. Re-enter Provost, Barnardine, Claudio, and Juliet. Duke. Which is that Barnardine ? Prov. This, my lord. But, for those earthly faults, I quit them all; Prov. This is another prisoner, that I sav'd, [Unmuffles Claudio. Duke. If he be like your brother, [To Isabella.] for his sake Is he pardon'd: And, for your lovely sake, I find an apt remission in myself: And yet here's one in place I cannot pardon; One all of luxury †, an ass, a madman; Lucio. 'Faith, my lord, I spoke it but according to the trick. If you will hang me for it, you may, * Requites. Thoughtless practice. +Incontinence. |