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

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

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

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

a

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.

Enter Abhorson.

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

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? [Knocking within. 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;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.

Enter Duke.

Duke. The best and wholesomest spirits of the
night
Envelop you, good provost! Who call'd here of late?
Prov. None, since the curfew rung.
Duke.

Not Isabel?

Prov. No.
Duke.
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

Abhor. A bawd, sir? Fie upon him, he will dis-To qualify in others: were he meal'd
With that which he corrects, then were he tyrannous;
credit our mystery.'

Prov. Go to, sir; you weigh equally; a feather But this being so, he's just.-Now are they come.will turn the scale. [Knocking within-Provost goes out.

[Exit.

Clo. Pray, sir, by your good favour (for, surely, This is a gentle provost: 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?

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?

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.

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.

with haste,

That wounds the unsisting postern with these strokes.

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?

Abhor. Every true man's apparel fits your thief: if it be too little for your thief, your true an 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.

None, sir, none, Duke. As near the dawning, Provost, as it is, You shall hear more ere morning.

Happily, 10

Prov.
You something know; yet, I believe, there comes
No countermand; no such example have we;
Besides, upon the very siege of justice,
Lord Angelo hath to the public ear
Profess'd the contrary.

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.

Enter a Messenger.
Duke. This is his lordship's man.
Prov. And here comes Claudio's pardon.

Abhor. Come on, bawd; I will instruct thee in my trade; follow.

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.

Prov. I shall obey him.
Duke. This is his pardon;
sin,

[Exit Messenger. purchased by such [Aside.

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

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, 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 profess, I will plead against it with my life. Prov. Pardon me, good father; it is against my oath.

I

Prov. I told you: Lord Angelo, belike, thinking me remiss in mine office, awakens me with this unwonted putting on: methinks, strangely; for he hath not used it before.

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

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.

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?

Dake. What is that Barnardine, who is to be

executed in the afternoon?

Duke. The contents of this is the return of the

Prov. A Bohemian born; but here nursed up and bred: one that is a prisoner nine years old.2 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 difliculties are but easy when they are known. Call your executioner, and off with Barnardine's

:

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

Duke. He wants advice.

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

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.

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.

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

1

Prov. I am your free dependant.
Duke.

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. Go in to him, and fetch him out.

straw rustle.

Clo. He is coming, sir, he is coming; I hear his The provost, he shall bear them,-whose contents
Shall witness to him, I am near at home;
And that, by great injunctions, I am bound
To enter publicly: hin 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.

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. [Exit.

Enter Provost.

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: Sce, 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?

Quick, despatch, [Exil Provost.

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

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

(1) The antipodes.

(2) Your heart's desire.

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

Enter Isabella.

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

Look forward on the journey you shall go.

Barnar. I swear, I will not die to-day for any Hath yet the deputy sent my brother's pardon? Isab. The better, given me by so holy a man.

man's persuasion.

Duke. He hath releas'd him, Isabel, from the
world;

His head is off, and sent to Angelo.
Isab. Nay, but it is not so.
Duke.
It is no other:
Show your wisdom, daughter, in your close pa-
tience.

Isab. O, I will to him, and pluck out his eyes.
Duke. You shall not be admitted to his sight.

Isab world audio! Wretched Isabel!

Injurious

Most damned Angelo!

Duke. This nor hurts him, nor profits you a jot:
Forbear it therefore; give your cause to Heaven.
Mark what I say; which you shall find,
By every syllable, a faithful verity:

The duke comes home to-morrow ;-nay, dry your

Isah. [Within.] Peace, ho, be here!
Duke. The tongue of Isabel :-She's come to

know,

Isab. Ho, by your leave.

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

I am combined by a sacred vow,
And shall be absent. Wend' you with this letter:
Command these fretting waters from your eyes
With a light heart; trust not my holy order,
If I pervert your course.-Who's here?

Enter Lucio.

Good even!

Lucio.
Friar, where is the provost ?
Duke.

But it confounds the breather. He should have liv'd,
Save that his riotous youth, with dangerous sense,
Might, in the times to come, have ta'en revenge,
By so receiving a dishonour'd life,

Not within, sir.

pa

Lucio. O, pretty Isabella, I am pale at mine With ransom of such shame. Would yet he heart, to see thine eyes so red: thou must be had liv'd! tient: I am fain to dine and sup with water and Alack, when once our grace we have forgot, bran; I dare not for ny head fill my belly; one Nothing goes right; we would and we would not. fruitful meal would set me to't: But they say the duke will be here to-morrow. By my troth, Isabel,

[Exit. Enter

I lov'd thy brother: if the old fantastical duke of SCENE V.-Fields without the town. dark corners had been at home, he had lived.

Duke in his own habit, and Friar Peter. [Exit Isabella. Duke. These letters at fit time deliver me. Duke. Sir, the duke is marvellous little beholden| to your reports; but the best is, he lives not in them. The provost knows our purpose, and our plot. [Giving letters. Lucio. Friar, thou knowest not the duke so well The matter being afoot, keep your instruction, as I do: he's a better woodman than thou takest And hold you ever to our special drift:

him for.

Duke. Well, you'll answer this one day.

ye well.

Lucio. Nay, tarry; I'll go along with thee; can tell thee pretty tales of the duke.

Though sometimes you do blench" from this to that,
Fare 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,
And bid them bring the trumpets to the gate;
al-But send me Flavius first.

Duke. You have told me too many of him ready, sir, if they be true; if not true, none were enough.

F. Peter.

Lucio. I was once before him for getting a wench with child.

Duke. Sir, your company is fairer than honest: Rest you well.

Lucio. By my troth, I'll go with thee to the Jane's end: If bawdy talk offend you, we'll have very little of it: Nay, friar, I am a kind of burr, I shall stick. [Exeunt. SCENE IV.A room in Angelo's house. Enter Angelo and Escalus.

The law against it!-But that her tender shame
Will not proclaim against her maiden loss,
How might she tongue me? Yet reason dares
her?-no:

It shall be speeded well. [Exit Friar. Enter Varrius.

Duke. Did you such a thing?

Duke. I thank thee, Varrius; thou hast made good haste;

Lucio. Yes, marry, did : but was fain to for- Come, we will walk: There's other of our friends swear it; they would else have married me to the Will greet us here anon, my gentle Varrius. [Exe.

rotten medlar.

Ang. In most uneven and distracted manner. His actions show much like to madness: pray Heaven, his wisdom be not tainted! And why meet him at the gates, and re-deliver our authorities there? Escal. I guess not.

For my authority bears a credent' bulk,
That no particular scandal once can touch,

-

Escal. Every letter he hath writ hath dis-I

vouch'de other.

SCENE VI.-Street near the city gate. Enter

Isabella and Mariana.

(1) Go. (2) Contradicted. (3) Figure and rank.
(4) Calls, challenges her to do it.
(5) Credit unquestionable. (6) Utterer.

That is

Isab. To speak so indirectly, I am loath;
would say the truth; but to accuse him so,
your part: yet I am advis'd to do it;
He says, to veil fulls purpose.
Mari.
Be rul'd by him.
Isab. Besides, he tells me, that, if peradventure
should not think it strange: for 'tis a physic,
He speak against me on the adverse side,

That's bitter to sweet end.
Mari. I would, friar Peter,-
Isab.

Ang. And why should we proclaim it in an hour before his entering, that if any crave redress of injus- Where you may have such vantage on the duke, tice, they should exhibit their petitions in the streetle shall not pass you: Twice have the trumpets Escal. He shows his reason for that: to have a sounded;

O, peace; the friar is come.

Enter Friar Peter.

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

despatch of complaints; and to deliver us from The generous and gravest citizens
devices hereafter, which shall then have no power Have hent the gates, and very near upon
to stand against us.
The duke is ent'ring; therefore hence, away. [Ere.

Ang. Well, I beseech you, let it be proclaim'd:
Betimes i' the morn, I'll call you at your house:
Give notice to such men of sort and suit,
As are to meet him.

Escal. I shall, sir: fare you well. [Exit.
Ang. Good night.-
This deed unshapes me quite, makes me unpreg-
nant,

And dull to all proceedings. A deflower'd maid!
And by an eminent body, that enfore'd

ACT V.

SCENE I-A public place near the city gate. Mariana (reiled,) 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. In all his dressings, characts, titles, forms,
Ang. & Escal. Happy return be to your royal Be an arch-villain: believe it, royal prince,
grace!
If he be less, he's nothing; but he's more,
Had I more name for badness.
Duke.

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.

Friar 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 give 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,

Or wring redress from you: hear me, O, hear me,
here.

Ang. My lord, her wits, I fear me, are not firm:
She hath been a suitor to me for her brother,
Cut off by course of justice.
Isab.
By course of justice!
Ang. And she will speak most bitterly, and

strange.

Isab. Most strange, but yet most truly, will I

speak:

That Angelo's forsworn; is it not strange?
That Angelo's a murderer; is't not strange?
That Angelo is an adulterous thief,

A hypocrite, a virgin-violator
Is it not strange, and strange
Duke.

By mine honesty,
If she be mad (as I believe no other,)
Her madness hath the oddest frame of sense,
Such a dependency of thing on thing,
As e'er I heard in madness.
Isab.

O, gracious duke,
Harp not on that; nor do not banish reason
For inequality: but let your reason serve
To make the truth appear, where it seems hid
And hide the false, seems true.

Duke.
Many that are not mad,
Have, sure, more lack of reason. What would
you say?

Isab. I am the sister of one Claudio,
Condemn'd upon the act of fornication
To lose his head; condemn'd by Angelo:
I, in probation of a sisterhood,

Was sent to by my brother: One Lucio
As then the messenger ;-
Lucio.

I

That's I, an't like your grace :
came to her from Claudio, and desir'd her
To try her gracious fortune with lord Angelo,
For her poor brother's pardon.

Isab.

That's he indeed.

Duke. You were not bid to speak.
Lucio.

Nor wish'd to hold my peace.

Duke.

No, my good lord;

I wish you now then;
Pray you, take note of it: and when you have
A business for yourself, pray heaven, you then
Be perfect.

Lucio.
I warrant your honour.
Duke. The warrant's for yourself; take heed

to it.

Isab. This gentleman told somewhat of my tale.
Lucio. Right.

Duke. It may be right; but you are in the wrong
To speak before your time.-Proceed.

Isab.

I went

To this pernicious caitiff deputy.
Duke. That's somewhat madly spoken.
Isab.

The phrase is to the matter.

Pardon it;

Duke. Mended again: the matter:-Proceed.
Isab. 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

Nay, ten times strange. To his concupiscible intemperate lust,

Isab. It is not truer he is Angelo,
Than this is all as true as it is strange:
Nay, it is ten times true; for truth is truth
To the end of reckoning,
Duke.
Away with her :-Poor soul,
She speaks this in the infirmity of sense.
Isab. O prince, I conjure thee, as thou believ'st
There is another comfort than this world,
That thou neglect me not, with that opinion
That I am touch'd with madness: make not im-
possible

That which but seems unlike: 'tis not impos-
sible.

But one, the wicked'st caitiff on the ground,
May seem as shy, as grave, as just, as absolute,
As Angelo; even so may Angelo,

(1) Lower. (2) Habits and characters of office.
(3) Refuted. (4) Pity. (5) Foolish.

Release my brother; and, after much debatement,
My sisterly remorse confutes mine honour,
And I did yield to him: But the next morn betimes,
For my poor brother's head.
His purpose surfeiting, he sends a warrant

Duke.

This is most likely!
Isab. 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,
Stands without blemish: next, it imports no reason,
In hateful practice :-First, his integrity
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:

(6) Conspiracy.

P