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Though sometimes you do blench from this to that, | That is your part: yet I'm advis'd to do it ;

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,

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He says, to veil full purpose.

Mari.

Be rul'd by him. Isab. Besides, he tells me, that, if peradventure He speak against me on the adverse side,

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

Mari. I would, friar Peter

Isab.

O, peace; the friar is come. Enter Friar PETER.

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

Where you may have such vantage on the duke, He shall not pass you; Twice have the trumpets sounded;

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The generous and gravest citizens

Have hent the gates, and very near upon

The duke is ent'ring; therefore hence, away.

[Exeunt.

ACT V.

SCENE I. - A publick 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 Escal. 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 wrong it,

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
Favours 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.

Isab. Justice, O royal duke! Vail your regard
Upon a wrong'd, I'd fain have said, a maid!
O worthy prince, dishonour 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.

Isab.
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 believ❜d,

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Duke. Mended again: the matter; - Proceed. Lab. In brief,-to set the needless process by, How I persuaded, how I pray'd, and kneel'd, How he refell'd me, and how I reply'd; (For this was of much length,) the vile conclusion I now begin with grief and shame to utter: He would not, but by gift of my chaste body To his concupiscible intemperate lust, Release my brother; and, after much debatement, My sisterly remorse confutes mine honour,

And I did yield to him: But the next morn betimes, His purpose surfeiting, he sends a warrant

For

my poor brother's head. Duke.

This is most likely!
Isad. O, that it were as like as it is true!
Duke. By heaven, fond wretch, thou know'st not
what thou speak'st;

Or else thou art suborn'd against his honour,
In hateful practice: First, his integrity
Stands without blemish :-next, it imports no reason,
That with such vehemency he should pursue
Faults proper to himself: if he had so offended,
He would have weigh'd thy brother by himself,
And not have cut him off: Some one hath set
you on;

Confess the truth, and say by whose advice
Thou cam'st here to complain.

Isab

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Blessed be your royal grace! I have stood by, my lord, and I have heard Your royal ear abus'd: First, hath this woman Most wrongfully accus'd your substitute; Who is as free from touch or soil with her, As she from one ungot.

Duke.

We did believe no less. Know you that friar Lodowick, that she speaks of? F. Peter. I know him for a man divine and holy; Not scurvy, nor a temporary meddler, As he's reported by this gentleman; And, on my trust, a man that never yet Did, as he vouches, misreport your grace.

Lucio. My lord, most villainously; 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,
(Being come to knowledge that there was complaint
Intended 'gainst lord Angelo,) came I bither,
To speak, as from his mouth, what he doth know
Is true, and false; and what he with his oath,
And all probation, will make up full clear,
Whensoever he's convented. First, for this woman;
(To justify this worthy nobleman,
So vulgarly and personally accus'd,)
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;
In this I'll be impartial; be you judge
Of your own cause. Is this the witness, friar?
First, let her show her face; and, after, speak.
Mari. Pardon, my lord; I will not show my face,
Until my husband bid me.

Duke.

What, are you married?

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And is this all?

Duke. A widow then? Mari.

No, my lord. Neither, my lord.

Then, oh, you blessed ministers above,
Keep me in patience; and, with ripen'd time,
Unfold the evil which is here wrapt up
In countenance ! - Heaven shield your grace from
woe,

As I, thus wrong'd, hence unbelieved go!

Duke. I know, you'd fain be gone: - An officer! Te prison with her :- Shall we thus permit A blasting and a scandalous breath to fall

On him so near us? This needs must be a practice. -Who knew of your intent, and coming hither?

Duke.

Why, you 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

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I have known my husband; yet my husband knows | That's seal'd in approbation?— You, lord Escalus,
not,
Sit with my cousin; lend him your kind pains
To find out this abuse, whence 'tis deriv'd, ·

That ever he knew me.

Lucio. He was drunk then, my lord; it can be There is another friar that set them on;

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. Mari. Now I come to't, my lord: She, that accuses him of fornication, In self-same manner doth accuse my husband; And charges him, my lord, with such a time, When I'll depose I had him in mine arms, With all the effect of love.

Aug.

Charges she more than me? Mari. Not that I know. Duke. No? you say, your husband. Mari. 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:-Let's see thy face. Mari. My husband bids me; now I will unmask. [Unveiling.

This is that face, thou cruel Angelo,
Which, once thou swor'st, was worth the looking on:
This is the hand, which, with a vow'd contract,
Was fast belock'd in thine: this is the body
That took away the match from Isabel,
And did supply thee at thy garden-house,
In her imagin'd person.

Duke.

Know you this woman?

Lucio. Carnally, she says. Duke.

Lucio. Enough, my lord.

Sirrah, no more.

Ang. My lord, I must confess, I know this

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Ang. I did but smile till now; Now, good my lord, give me the scope of justice; My patience here is touch'd: I do perceive, These poor informal women are no more But instruments of some more mightier member, That sets them on: Let me have way, my lord, To find this practice out. 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,
And he may fetch him.

Duke. Go, do it instantly. - [Exit Provost.
And you, my noble and well-warranted cousin,
Whom it concerns to hear this matter forth,
Do with your injuries as seems you best,
In any chastisement: I for a while

Will leave you; but stir not you, till you have well Determined upon these slanderers.

Escal. 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: honest in nothing, but in his clothes; and one that hath spoke most villainous speeches of the duke.

Escal. We shall entreat you to abide here till he come, and enforce them against him: we shall find this friar a notable fellow.

Lucio. As any in Vienna, on my word.

Escal. Call that same Isabel here once again; [To an Attendant.] I would speak with her: Pray you, my lord, give me leave to question; you shall see how I'll handle her.

Lucio. Not better than he, by her own report.
Escal. Say you?

Lucio. Marry, sir, I think, if you handled her privately, she would sooner confess: perchance, publickly she'll be ashamed.

Re-enter Officers, with ISABELLA; the DUKE, in the Friar's habit, and Provost.

Escal. I will go darkly to work with her.

Lucio. That's the way; for women are light at midnight.

Escal. Come on mistress: [To ISABELLA] here's a gentlewoman denies all that you have said. Lucio. My lord, here comes the rascal I spoke of; here with the provost.

Escal. In very good time: him, till we call upon you. Lucio. Mum.

:

speak not you to

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Is't not enough, thou hast suborn'd these women,

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I should be guiltier than my guiltiness, To think I can be undiscernible,

To accuse this worthy man; but, in foul mouth, And in the witness of his proper ear,

To call him villain?

And then to glance from him to the duke himself; Te tax him with injustice? Take him hence;

To the rack with him:- We'll touze you joint by joint,

But we will know this purpose:-What! unjust?
Duke. Be not so hot; the duke

Dare no more stretch this finger of mine, than he
Dare rack his own; his subject am I not,
Nor here provincial: My business in this state
Made me a looker-on here in Vienna,

Where I have seen corruption boil and bubble,
Till it o'er-run the stew: laws, for all faults;
But faults so countenanc'd, that the strong statutes
Stand like the forfeits in a barber's shop,

As much in mock as mark.

Escal. Slander to the state! Away with him to prison.

Ang, What can you vouch against him, signior Lucio?

Is this the man that you did tell us of?

Lucio. 'Tis he, my lord. Come hither good-man bald-pate: Do you know me?

Duke. I remember you, sir, by the sound of your voice. I met you at the prison, in the absence of

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Duke. Most notedly, sir.

Lucio. Do you, so, sir? And was the duke a fest-monger, a fool, and a coward, as you then reparted him to be?

Dake. You must,, sir, change persons with me, ere you make that my report: you, indeed, spoke se of him; and much more, much worse.

Luris. O thou damnable fellow! Did not I pluck thee by the nose, for thy speeches?

Dube. I protest, I love the duke, as I love myself. dag. Hark! how the villain would close now, after Lis treasonable abuses.

El Such a fellow is not to be talk'd withal :Away with him to prison: - Where is the provost ? -Away with him to prison; lay bolts enough upon him: let him speak no more: — -Away with those ggles too, and with the other confederate compasion. [The Provost lays hands on the DUKE. Duke. Stay, sir; stay awhile.

Aug. What! resists he! Help him, Lucio.

Lacio. Come, sir; come, sir; come, sir; foh, sir: Why, you bald-pated, lying rascal! you must be hooded, must you? Show your knave's visage, with a pox to you! show your sheep-biting face, and be hung'd an hour! Will't not off?

Pulls off the Friar's hood, and discovers the DUKE. Duke. Thou art the first knave, that e'er made a duke.

First, provost, let me bail these gentle three:
Sneak not away, sir; [to Lucio. ] for the friar and you
Must have a word anon: - lay hold on him.

Lucio. This may prove worse than hanging. Duke. What you have spoke, I pardon; sit you down. [TO ESCALUS. We'll borrow place of him- Sir, by your leave: [To ANGELO.

Hast thou or word, or wit, or impudence,
That yet can do thee office? If thou hast,
Rely upon it till my tale be heard,

And hold no longer out.
Ang.

O my dread lord,

When I perceive, your grace, like power divine,
Hath look'd upon my passes; Then, good prince,
No longer session hold upon my shame,
But let my trial be mine own confession:
Immediate sentence then, and sequent deau,
Is all the grace I beg.

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 dis-
honour,

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.

Duke.

You are pardon'd, Isabel:
And now, dear maid, be you as free to us.
Your brother's death, I know, sits at your heart;
And you may marvel, why I obscur'd myself,
Labouring to save his life; and would not rather
Make rash remonstrance of my hidden power,
Than let him so be lost: O most kind maid,
It was the swift celerity of his death,
Which I did think with slower foot came on,
That brain'd my purpose: But, peace be with him!
That life better life, past fearing death,
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
Your well defended honour, you must pardon
For Mariana's sake: but as he adjudg'd your
brother,

(Being criminal, in double violation
Of sacred chastity, and of promise-breach,
Thercon dependent, for your brother's life,)
The very mercy of the law cries out
Most audible, even from his proper tongue,
An Angelo for Claudio, death for death.
Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure;
Like doth quit like, and Measure still for Measure.
Then, Angelo, thy fault's thus manifested:
Which though thou would'st 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,
I hope you will not mock me with a husband!
Duke. It is your husband mock'd you with a
husband:

Consenting to the safeguard of your honour,
I thought your marriage fit; else imputation,
For that he knew you, might reproach your life,

And choke your good to come: for his possessions,
Although by confiscation they are ours,
We do instate and widow you withal,

To buy you a better husband.

Mari.

O, my dear lord,
I crave no other, nor no better man.
Duke. Never crave him; we are definitive.
Mari. Gentle, my liege,
Duke.

[Kneeling. 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
I'll lend you all my life to do you service.

Duke. Against all sense you do impórtune her:
Should she kneel down, in mercy of this fact,
Her brother's ghost his paved bed would break,
And take her hence in horror.

Mari.

Isabel,

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Duke.

Prov.

What's he?

His name is Barnardine.

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Is he pardon'd; And, for your lovely sake,
Give me your hand, and say you will be mine,
He is my brother too: But fitter time for that.
By this, lord Angelo perceives he's safe;
Methinks, I see a quick'ning in his eye : —
Well, Angelo, your evil quits you well:

Look that you love your wife; her worth, worth

yours.

I find an apt remission in myself:

And yet here's one in place I cannot pardon:
You, sirrah, [to LUCIO.] that knew me for a fool,
a coward,

One all of luxury, an ass, a madman;
Wherein have I so deserv'd of you,
That you extol me thus?

Lucio. 'Faith, my lord, I spoke it but according to
the trick: If you will hang me for it, you may, but I
had rather it would please you, I might be whipp'd.
Duke. Whipp'd first, sir, and hang'd after,
Proclaim it, provost, round about the city;
If any woman's wrong'd by this lewd fellow,
(As I have heard him swear himself, there's one
Whom he begot with child,) let her appear,
And he shall marry her: the nuptial finish'd,
Let him be whipp'd and hang'd.

Lucio. I beseech your highness, do not marry me to a whore! Your highness said even now, I made you a duke; good my lord, do not recompense me, in making me a cuckold.

Duke. Upon mine honour, thou shalt marry her
Thy slanders I forgive; and therewithal
Remit thy other forfeits :- Take him to prison :
And see our pleasure herein executed.

-

Lucio. Marrying a punk, my lord, is pressing to death, whipping, and hanging.

Duke. Slandering a prince deserves it.

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I have confess'd her, and I know her virtue, Thanks, good friend Escalus, for thy much goodness: Duke. I would thou had'st done so by Claudio,-There's more behind, that is more gratulate. Go, fetch him hither; let me look upon him. [Erit Provost. Escal. I am sorry, one so learned and so wise As you, lord Angelo, have still appear'd, Should slip so grossly, both in the heat of blood, And lack of temper'd judgment afterward.

Ang. I am sorry, that such sorrow I procure:
And so deep sticks it in my penitent heart,
That I crave death more willingly than mercy;
'Tis my deserving, and I do entreat it.

Thanks, provost, for thy care, and secrecy ;
We shall employ thee in a worthier place:
Forgive him, Angelo, that brought you home
The head of Ragozine for Claudio's ;
The offence pardons itself. Dear Isabel,
I have a motion much imports your good;
Whereto if you'll a willing ear incline,
What's mine is your's and what is your's is mine:
So, bring us to our palace; where we'll show
What's yet behind, that's meet you all should know
[Exeter

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