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.5

Lucio. Why, 'tis good; it is the right of it; it must be so: ever your fresh whore, and your powder'd bawd: an unshunn'd consequence; it must be so: art going to prison, Pompey? Clo. Yes, faith, sir.

SCENE II.-The street before the prison. Enter Lucio. Why, 'tis not amiss, Pompey: farewell: Duke, as a friar; to him Elbow, Clown, and go; say, I sent thee thither. For debt, Pompey ? Or how?

Officers.

you speedily to Angelo; if for this night he entreat] you 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,

Elb. For being a bawd, for being a bawd.

Lucio. Well, then imprison him: if imprisonment be the due of a bawd, why, 'tis his right: bawd is he, doubtless, and of antiquity too; bawe 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 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.

Elb. Come your way, sir :-Bless you, good father friar.

bondage: if you take it not patiently, why, your mettle is the more. Adieu, trusty Pompey.-Bless you, 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!
The evil that thou causest to be done,
That is thy means to live: do thou but think
What 'tis to cram a maw, or clothe a back,
From such a filthy vice: say to thyself,-
Fr their abominable and beastly touches
I drink, I eat, array myself, and live.
Canst thou believe thy living is a life,
So stinkingly depending? Go, mend, go, mend.
Clo. Indeed, it does stink in some sort, sir; but
yet, sir, I would prove-

Duke. Nay, if the devil have given thee proofs
for sin,
Thou wilt prove his. Take him to prison, officer;
Correction and instruction must both work,
Ere this rude beast will profit.

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!

Elb. Nay, if there be no remedy for it, but that you will needs buy and sell men and women like beasts, we shall have all the world drink brown and white bastard.*

Duke. And you.

Lucio. Does Bridget paint still, Pompey? Ha?
Elb. Come your ways, sir; come.

Clo. You will not bail me then, sir?

Lucio. Then, Pompey? nor now.-What news abroad, friar? what news?

Elb. Come your ways, sir; come.
Lucio. Go,-to kennel, Pompey, go:

(1) A solitary farm-house. (2) A sweet wine. (3) For a Spanish padlock.

Tied like your waist with a rope.

[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 Russia; other some, he is in Rome: but where 3 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 harin 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

Enter Lucio.

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 creation: 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 sea-maid spawn'd him:is there none of Pygmalion's images, newly made Some, that he was begot between two stock-fishes: 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 motions ungenerative, that's infallible. method? Is't not drown'd i' the last rain? Ha? What say'st thou, trot? Is the world as it was, man? Which the way? Is it sad, and few

Duke. You are pleasant, sir; and speak apace. 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

words? Or how? The trick of it?

Duke. Still thus, and thus! still worse!

paid for the nursing a thousand: he had some feel-1
ing of the sport; he knew the service, and that in-
structed him to mercy.

Duke. I never heard the absent duke much de-
tected for women; he was not inclined that way.
Lucio. O, sir, you are deceived.
Dike. 'Tis not possible.

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.

Dake. You do him wrong, surely. Lacio. Sir, I was an inward of his: a shy fellow was the duke: and, I believe, I know the cause of his withdrawing.

it

4

Enter Escalus, Provost, Bawd, and Officers.
Escal. Go, away with her to prison.
Bawd. Good my lord, be good to me; your ho-
nour 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.

Prov. A bawd of eleven years continuance, may please your honour.

Bawd. My lord, this is one Lucio's information

Duke. What, I pr'ythee, might be the cause? 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 file 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 see how he goes about to abuse me.

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

Escal. That fellow is a fellow of much license: -let him be called before us.-Away with her to prison: Go to; no more words. [Exeunt Bawd and

Duke. Either this is envy in you, folly, or mistaking; 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.

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

Lucio. Come, sir, I know what I know.

now

To use it for my time: I am a brother
Of gracious order, late come from the sce,
In special business from his holiness.

Duke. I can hardly believe that, since you know
not what you speak. But, if ever the duke return
(as our prayers are he may,) let me desire you to
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. 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. 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 hère ?

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

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.

[Exit.

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.

Mari. I am always bound to you.
Duke. Very well met, and welcome.
What is the news from this good deputy?

Duke. Peace be with you!

Isab. He hath a garden circummur'da 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?

[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.

[Exit.

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.

Appearance. (2) Trained.
Walled round. (4) Planked, wooden.
Informed.
(6) Waits.

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.

I pray you, be acquainted with this maid;
She comes to do you good.
Isab.
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.

Duke. Take then this your companion by the
hand,

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
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.

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;

Enter Isabella.

Duke. I do constantly believe you:-The time Sith that the justice of your title to him Doth flourish the deceit. Come, let us go;

(7) Inquisitions, inquiries. (8) Sallios, (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. 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.