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 still 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.

Duke. Wise? why, no question but he was. Lucio. A very superficial, ignorant, unweighing fellow.

come Philip and Jacob: I have kept it myself; and 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 pretestimonied 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!
Escal. Of whence are 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 sec,
(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
Dame?

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 underwith 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'y thee, 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 muttons 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. I So. Farewell. [Exit. have labour'd for the poor gentleman, to the ex

(1) Suspected. (2) The majority of his subjects. (8) Inconsiderate. (4) Guided. (5) Opponent.

(6) Have a wench.
(8) Satisfied.

(7) Transgress.

tremest shore of my modesty; but my brother jus-is come, even now. I shall crave your forbearance tice have I found so severe, that he hath forced me a little; may be, I will call upon you anon, for to tell him, he is indeed-justice. some advantage to yourself.

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.
He, who the sword of heaven will bear,
Should be as holy as severe;
Pattern in himself to know,

Grace to stand, and virtue go;
More nor less to others paying,
Than by self-offences weighing.
Shame to him, whose cruel striking
Kills for faults of his own liking!
Twice treble shame on Angelo,
To weed my vice, and let his grow!
O, what may man within him hide,
Though angel on the outward side!
How may likeness,' made in crimes,
Making practice on the times,
Draw with idle spiders' strings

Most pond'rous and substantial things!
Craft against vice I must apply:
With Angelo to-night shall lie
His old betrothed, but despis'd;
So disguise shall, by the disguis'd,
Pay with falsehood false exacting,
And perform an old contracting.

ACT IV.

[Exit.

I

charm,

To make bad, good, and good provoke to harm. pray you, tell me, hath any body inquired for me here to-day? much upon this time have I promis'd

here to meet.

Mari. You have not been inquired after: I have sat here all day.

Enter Isabella.

[Exit.

Mari. I am always bound to you.
Duke. Very well met, and welcome.
What is the news from this good deputy?
Isab. He hath a garden circummur'd3 with brick,
Whose western side is with a vineyard back'd;
And to that vineyard is a planched gate,
That makes his opening with this bigger key:
This other doth command a little door,
Which from the vineyard to the garden leads;
There have I made my promise to call on him,
Upon the heavy middle of the night.

Duke. But shall you on your knowledge find
this way?

Isab. I have ta'en a due and wary note upon't;
With whispering and most guilty diligence,
In action all of precept, he did show me
The way twice o'er.

Duke.
Are there no other tokens
Between you 'greed, concerning her observance?
Isab. No, none, but only a repair i' the dark;
And that I have possess'd him, my most stay
Can be but brief: for I have made him know,
I have a servant comes with me along,
That stays upon me; whose persuasion is,
I come about my brother.

Duke.

"Tis well borne up.

I have not yet made known to Mariana
A word of this:-What, ho! within! come forth!

Re-enter Mariana.

Who hath a story ready for your ear:

I shall attend your leisure; but make haste;
The vaporous night approaches.
Mari.

Will't please you walk aside?
[Exeunt Mariana and Isabella.

Duke. O place and greatness, millions of false

eyes

Are stuck upon thee! volumes of report

Run with these false and most contrarious quests"
Upon thy doings! thousand 'scapes of wit
Make thee the father of their idle dream,
And rack thee in their fancies!-Welcome! How

agreed?

Re-enter Mariana and Isabella.

Isab. She'll take the enterprise upon her, father,
If you advise it.
It is not my consent,

Duke.

But my entreaty too.
Isab.

Little have you to say,

When you depart from him, but, soft and low,
Remember now my brother.
Mari.

Fear me not.
Duke. Nor, gentle daughter, fear you not at all:
He is your husband on a pre-contract:
To bring you thus together, 'tis no sin;

Duke. I do constantly believe you :-The time Sith' that the justice of your title to him

(1) Appearance.

(3) Walled round.

(5) Informed.

(2) Trained.

(4) Planked, wooden.

(6) Waits.

Doth flourish the deceit. Come, let us go;

(7) Inquisitions, inquiries. (8) Sallies. (9) Since. (10) Gild or varnish over.

Our corn's to reap, for yet our tithe's' to sow.

SCENE II-A room in the prison.
Provost and Clown.

[Exeunt.
Enter

Prov. Come hither, sirrah: can you cut off man's head?

a

One has my pity; not a jot the other,
Being a murderer, though he were my brother.
Enter Claudio.

Look, here's the warrant, Claudio, for thy death:
'Tis now dead midnight, and by eight to-morrow
Thou must be made immortal. Where's Barnardine?
Claud. As fast lock'd up in sleep, as guiltless
labour

Clo. If the man be a bachelor, sir, I can: but if
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.

Prov. Come, sir, leave me your snatches, and Prov. 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:

[Knocking within.

him, it shall redeem you from your gyves;2 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 my 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?
night
Prov. None, since the curfew rung.
Duke.

Prov. No.
Duke.

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.will turn the scale.

Abhor. A bawd, sir? Fie upon him, he will discredit our mystery.3

[Exit.

[Knocking within-Provost goes out.

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?

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 hangman 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.

Provost returns, speaking to one at the door.
Prov. There he must stay, until the officer
Arise to let him in; he is call'd up.
Duke. Have you no countermand for Claudio yet,
But he must die to-morrow?
Prov.
None, sir, none.
Duke. As near the dawning, Provost, as it is,
You shall hear more ere morning.
Prov.
Happily, 10
You something know; yet, I believe, there comes
No countermand; no such example have we :
Besides, upon the very siege11 of justice,
Lord Angelo hath to the public ear
Profess'd the contrary.

Enter a Messenger.

Duke. This is his lordship's man. Prov. And here comes Claudio's pardon. Mess. My lord hath sent you this note; and by me this further charge, that you swerve not from Clo. I do desire to learn, sir; and, I hope, if you the smallest article of it, neither in time, matter, have occasion to use me for your own turn, you nor other circumstance. Good morrow; for, as Í shall find me yare: for, truly, sir, for your kind- take it, it is almost day. ness, I owe you a good turn. Prov. Call hither, Barnardine and Claudio: [Exeunt Clown and Abhorson.

For which the pardoner himself is in:
Hence hath offence his quick celerity,
When it is borne in high authority:

When vice makes mercy, mercy's so extended,

Duke. O, death's a great disguiser: and you may add to it. Shave the head, and tie the beard; and say, it was the desire of the penitent to be so bared before his death; you know, the course is

That for the fault's love, is the offender friended.common. If any thing fall to you upon this, more Now, sir, what news?

than thanks and good fortune, by the saint whom

Prov. I told you: Lord Angelo, belike, think- I profess, I will plead against it with my life. ing me remiss in mine office, awakens me with this Prov. Pardon me, good father; it is against my unwonted putting on: methinks, strangely; for he hath not used it before.

oath.

Duke. Were you sworn to the duke, or to the deputy?

Duke. Pray you, let's hear. Prov. [Reads.] Whatsoever you may hear to the contrary, let Claudio be executed by four of the clock; and, in the afternoon, Barnardine: if for my better satisfaction, let me have Claudio's head sent me by five. Let this be duly perform'd; with a thought, that more depends on it than we must yet deliver. Thus fail not to do your office, as you will answer it at your peril. What say you to this, sir?

Duke. What is that Barnardine, who is to executed in the afternoon?

be

Prov. To him, and to his substitutes.
Duke. You will think you have made no offence,
the duke avouch the justice of your dealing?
Prov. But what likelihood is in that?

Duke. Not a resemblance, but a certainty. Yet since I see you fearful, that neither my coat, integrity, nor my persuasion, can with ease attempt you, I will go further than I meant, to pluck all fears out of you. Look you, sir, here is the hand and seal of the duke. You know the character, I doubt not; and the signet is not strange to you. Prov. I know them both.

Prov. A Bohemian born; but here nursed up and bred: one that is a prisoner nine years old.2 Duke. The contents of this is the return of the Duke. How came it, that the absent duke had duke; you shall anon over-read it at your pleanot either deliver'd him to his liberty, or executed sure; where you shall find, within these two days him? I have heard, it was ever his manner to do so. he will be here. This is a thing, that Angelo Prov. His friends still wrought reprieves for knows not: for he this very day receives letters of him and, indeed, his fact, till now in the govern- strange tenor; perchance, of the duke's death; ment of lord Angelo, came not to an undoubtful perchance, entering into some monastery; but, by proof.

chance, nothing of what is writ.-Look, the un folding star calls up the shepherd: put not your self into amazement, how these things should be. all difficulties are but easy when they are known. Call your executioner, and off with Barnardine's Prov. A man that apprehends death no more head: I will give him a present shrift, and advise dreadfully, but as a drunken sleep; careless, reck- him for a better place. Yet you are amazed; but less, and fearless of what's past, present, or to this shall absolutely resolve you. Come away; it come; insensible of mortality, and desperately is almost clear dawn. mortal.

Duke. Is it now apparent?
Prov. Most manifest, and not denied by himself.
Duke. Hath he borne himself penitently in
prison? How seems he to be touch'd'?

Duke. He wants advice.

[Exeunt. SCENE III-Another room in the same. Enter Clown.

Prov. He will hear none: he hath evermore had the liberty of the prison; give him leave to escape Clo. I am as well acquainted here, as I was in our hence, he would not: drunk many times a day, if house of profession: one would think, it were misnot many days entirely drunk. We have very tress Over-done's own house, for here be many of often awaked him, as if to carry him to execution, her old customers. First, here's young master Rash; and show'd him a seeming warrant for it: it hath he's in for a commodity of brown paper and old not mov'd him at all. ginger, ninescore and seventeen pounds; of which Duke. More of him anon. There is written in he inade five marks, ready money: marry, then, your brow, provost, honesty and constancy: If I ginger was not much in request, for the old women read it not truly, my ancient skill beguiles me; were all dead. Then is there here one master Cabnt in the boldness of my cunning, I will lay my-per, at the suit of master Three-pile the mercer, for self in hazard. Claudio, whom here you have a some four suits of peach-colour'd satin, which now warrant to execute, is no greater forfeit to the law peaches him a beggar. Then have we here young than Angelo who hath sentenced him: to make Dizy, and young master Deep-vow, and master you understand this in a manifested effect, I crave Copper-spur, and master Starve-lackey the rapier but four days respite; for the which you are to do me both a present and a dangerous courtesy. Prov. Pray, sir, in what?

Duke. In the delaying death.

Prov. Alack! how may I do it? having the hour limited; and an express command, under penalty, to deliver his head in the view of Angelo? I may make my case as Claudio's, to cross this in the smallest.

Duke. By the vow of mine order, I warrant you, if my instructions may be your guide. Let this Barnardine be this morning executed, and his head) be borne to Angelo.

Prov. Angelo hath seen them both, and will discover the favour."

(1) Spur, incitement. (2) Nine years in prison.

and dagger-man, and young Drop-heir that kill'd lusty Pudding, and master Forthright the tilter, and brave master Shoe-tie the great traveller, and wild Half-cann that sta b'd Pots, and, I think, forty more; all great doers in our trade, and are now for the Lord's sake.

Enter Abhorson.

Abhor. Sirrah, bring Barnardine hither. Clo. Master Barnardine! you must rise and be hang'd, master Barnardine.

Abhor. What, ho, Barnardine!

Barnar. [Within.] A pox o' your throats! Who makes that noise there? What are you?

Clo. Your friends, sir; the hangman: you must

(3) Countenance.

be so good, sir, to rise and be put to death. Barnar. [Within.] Away, you rogue, away; am sleepy.

Abhor. Tell him, he must awake, and that quickly too.

Clo. Pray, master Barnardine, awake till you are executed, and sleep afterwards.

Abhor. Go in to him, and fetch him out.

Both Barnardine and Claudio: Ere twice
The sun hath made his journal greeting to
The under generation, you shall find
Your safety manifested.

Prov. I am your free dependant.
Duke.

Quick, despatch,

And send the head to Angelo.
Now will I write letters to Angelo,-

[Exit Provost.

Clo. He is coming, sir, he is coming; I hear his The provost, he shall bear them,-whose contents straw rustle.

Enter Barnardine.

Abhor. Is the axe upon the block, sirrah?
Clo. Very ready, sir.

Barnar. How now, Abhorson? what's the news with you?

Abhor. Truly, sir, I would desire you to clap into your prayers; for, look you, the warrant's come. Barnar. You rogue, I have been drinking all night, I am not fitted for't.

Clo. O, the better, sir; for he that drinks all night, and is hang'd betimes in the morning, may sleep the sounder all the next day.

Enter Duke.

Abhor. Look you, sir, here comes your ghostly father; do we jest now, think you?

Shall witness to him, I am near at home;
And that, by great injunctions, I am bound
To enter publicly: him I'll desire

To meet me at the consecrated fount,
A league below the city; and from thence,
By cold gradation and weal-balanced form,
We shall proceed with Angelo.

Re-enter Provost.

Prov. Here is the head; I'll carry it myself. Duke. Convenient is it: Make a swift return; For I would commune with you of such things, That want no ear but yours.

Prov.

I'll make all speed.
[Exit.
Isab. [Within.] Peace, ho, be here!
Duke. The tongue of Isabel :-She's come to
know,

Duke. Sir, induced by my charity, and hearing If yet her brother's pardon be come hither:
how hastily you are to depart, I am come to advise But I will keep her ignorant of her good,
you, comfort you, and pray with you.
To make her heavenly comforts of despair,
When it is least expected.

Barnar. Friar, not I; I have been drinking hard all night, and I will have more time to prepare me, or they shall beat out my brains with billets: I will not consent to die this day, that's certain.

Duke. O, sir, you must: and therefore, I beseech you,

Look forward on the journey you shall go.

Enter Isabella.

Isub. Ho, by your leave.

Duke. Good morning to you, fair and gracious daughter.

Isab. The better, given me by so holy a man.

Barnar. I swear, I will not die to-day for any Hath yet the deputy sent my brother's pardon?

man's persuasion.

Duke. But hear you,

Barnar. Not a word; if you have any thing to say to me, come to my ward; for thence will not I to-day.

Enter Provost.

[Exit.

Duke. Unfit to live, or die: O, gravel heart!-
After him, fellows; bring him to the block.
[Exeunt Abhorson and Clown.
Prov. Now, sir, how do you find the prisoner?.
Duke. A creature unprepar'd, unmeet for death;
And, to transport him in the mind he is,
Were damnable.

Prov.
Here in the prison, father,
There died this morning of a cruel fever
One Ragozine, a most notorious pirate,
A man of Claudio's years; his beard, and head,
Just of his colour: What if we do omit
This reprobate, till he were well inclin'd;
And satisfy the deputy with the visage
Of Ragozine, more like to Claudio?

Duke. O, 'tis an accident that Heaven provides!
Despatch it presently; the hour draws on
Prefix'd by Angelo: See, this be done,
And sent according to command; whiles I
Persuade this rude wretch willingly to die.
Prov. This shall be done, good father, presently.
But Barnardine must die this afternoon:
And how shall we continue Claudio,
To save me from the danger that might come,
If he were known alive?

Duke. Let this be done;-Put them in secret
holds,

(1) The antipodes. (2) Your heart's desire.

your wisdom

In that good path that I would wish it go;
And you shall have your bosom2 on this wretch,
Grace of the duke, revenges to your heart,
And general honour.

Isab.
I am directed by you.
Duke. This letter then to friar Peter give;
'Tis that he sent me of the duke's return:
Say, by this token, I desire his company
At Mariana's house to night. Her cause, and yours,
I'll perfect him withal; and he shall bring you
Before the duke; and to the head of Angelo
Accuse him home, and home. For my poor self,