DUKE

E Scalus. Angelo : There is a kind of Character in thy life, That to the observer, does thy history Fully unfold: Thy self, and thy belongings Are not thine own so proper, as to waste Thy self upon thy virtues; they on thee: Heaven does with us, as we, with Torches do, Not light them for themselves: For if our virtues Did not go forth of us, 'twere all alike As if we had them not: Spirits are not finely touched, But to fine issues: nor nature never lends The smallest scruple of her excellence, But Like a thrifty goddess, she determines Her self the glory of a creditor, Both thanks, and use; but I do bend my speech To one that can my partly in him advertise; Hold therefore Angelo : In our remove, be thou at full, our self: Mortality and Mercy in Vienna Live in thy tongue, and heart: Old Escalus Though first in question, is thy secondary. Take thy Commission. Hail to you, Provost, so I think you are. Bound by my charity, and my blessed order, I come to visit the afflicted spirits Here in the prison: do me the common right To let me see them: and to make me know The nature of their crimes, that I may minister To them accordingly. There rest: Your partner (as I hear) must die to morrow, And I am going with instruction to him: Grace go with you, Benedicite. Be absolute for death: either death or life Shall thereby be the sweeter. Reason thus with life: If I do lose thee, I do lose a thing That none but fools would keep: a breath thou art, Servile to all the skyie-influences, That dost this habitation where thou keepest Hourly afflict: Merely, thou art death's fool, For him thou labourest by thy flight to shun, And yet runnest towards him still. Thou art not noble, For all the accommodations that thou bearest, Are nursed by baseness: Thou'rt by no means valiant, For thou dost fear the soft and tender fork Of a poor worm: thy best of rest is sleep, And that thou oft prouoakst, yet grossly fearest Thy death, which is no more. Thou art not thy self, For thou exists on many a thousand grains That issue out of dust. Happy thou art not, For what thou hast not, still thou strivest to get, And what thou hast forgettest. Thou art not certain, For thy complexion shifts to strange effects, After the Moon: If thou art rich, thou'rt poor, For Like and Ass, whose back with Ingots bows; Thou bearest thy heavy riches but a journey, And death unloads thee; Friend hast thou none. For thine own bowels which do call thee, fire The mere effusion of thy proper loins Do curse the Gout, Sapego, and the Rheum For ending thee no sooner. Thou hast nor youth, nor age But as it were and after-dinners sleep Dreaming on both, for all thy blessed youth Becomes as aged, and does beg the alms Of palsied-Eld: and when thou art old, and rich Thou hast neither heat, affection, limb, nor beauty To make thy riches pleasant: what's yet in this That bears the name of life? Yet in this life Lie hid more thousand death's; yet death we fear That makes these odds, all even. Dear sir, ere long I'll visit you again. Provost, a word with you. Bring them to hear me speak, where I may be concealed. Son, I have overheard what hath passed between you & your sister. Angelo had never the purpose to cor rupt her; only he hath made and assay of her virtue, to practice his judgement with the disposition of nature's. She (having the truth of honour in her) hath made him that gracious denial, which he is most glad to receive: I am Confessor to Angelo, and I know this to be true, there before prepare your self to death: do not satisfy your re solution with Hope's that are fallible, to morrow you must die, go to your knees, and make ready. Hold you there: farewell: Provost, a word with you. That shall not be much amiss: yet, as the mat ter now stands, he will avoid your accusation: he made trial of you only. Therefore fasten your ear on my advisings, to the love I have in doing good; a remedy presents it self. I do make my self believe that you may most uprighteously do a poor wronged Lady a me rited benefit; redeem your brother from the angry Law; do no stain to your own gracious person, and much please the absent Duke, if peradventure he shall ever re turn to have hearing of this business. Virtue is bold, and goodness never fearful: Have you not herd speak of Mariana the sister of From dericke the great Soldier, who miscarried at Sea? She should this Angelo have married: was of fianced to her oath, and the nuptial appointed: between which time of the contract, and limit of the solemnity, her brother Frederick was wracked at Sea, having in that perished vessel, the dowry of his sister: but mark how heavily this befell to the poor Gentlewoman, there she lost a noble and renowned brother, in his love towards her, ever most kind and natural: with him the portion and sinew of her fortune, her marriage dowry: with both, her combynate-husband, this well-seeming Angelo. Left her in her tears, & dried not one of them with his comfort: swallowed his vows whole, preten ding in her, discoveries of dishonour: in few, bestowed her on her own lamentation, which she yet wears for his sake: and he, a marble to her tears, is washed with them, but relents not. It is a rupture that you may easily heal: and the cure of it not only saves your brother, but keeps you from dishonour in doing it. 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 it's to cram a maw, or cloth a back From such a filthy vice: say to thy self, From their abominable and beastly touches I drink, I eat away my self, and live: Canst thou believe thy living is a life, So stinkingly depending? Go mend, go mend. 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. That we were all, as some would seem to be From our faults, as faults from seeming free. Still thus, and thus: still worse? And you. I know none: can you tell me of any? I know not where: but wheresoever, I wish him well. He do's well in't. How should he be made then? You are pleasant sir, and speak apace. I never herd the absent Duke much detected for Women, he was not inclined that way. It's not possible. You do him wrong, surely. What (I prithee) might be the cause? Wise? Why no question but he was. Either this is Envy in you, Folly, or mista king: The very stream of his life, and the business he hath helmed, must upon a warranted need, give him a better proclamation. Let him be but testimonied in his own bringings forth, and he shall appear to the envious, a Scholar, a Statesman, and a Soldier: there before you speak unskilfully: or, if your knowledge be more, it is much darkened in your malice. Love talks with better knowledge, & know ledge with deer love. 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 and swer before him: if it be honest you have spoke, you have courage to maintain it; I am bound to call upon you, and I pray you your name? He shall know you better Sir, if I may live to report you. Oh, you hope the Duke will return no more: or you imagine me to unhurtful and opposite: but indeed I can do you little harm: You'll forswear this a gain? Why should he die Sir? No might, nor greatness in mortality Can censure escape: Back-wounding calumny The whitest virtue strikes. What King so strong, Can tie the gall up in the slanderous tonge? But who comes here? Bliss, and goodness on you. Not of this Country, though my chance is now To use it for my time: I am a brother Of gracious Order, late come from the Sea, In special business from his Holiness. None, but that there is so great a Favour on goodness, that the dissolution of it must cure it. No ueltie is only in request, and as it is as dangerous to be aged in any kind of course, as it is virtuous to be con stant in any undertaking. There is scarce truth enough alive to make Societies secure, but Security enough to make Fellowships accursed: Much upon this riddle runs the wisdom of the world: This news is old enough, yet it is every days news. I pray you Sir, of what dis position was the Duke? What pleasure was he given to? He professes to have received no sinister meam sure from his Judge, but most willingly humbles him self to the determination of Justice: yet had he framed to himself (by the instruction of his frailty) many de ceyuing promises of life, which I (by my good leisure) have discredited to him, and now is he resolved to die. If his own life, Answer the straitness of his proceeding, It shall become him well: wherein if he chance to fail he hath sentenced himself. Peace be with you. 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, Then by selfe-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, To draw with idle Spiders strings Most ponderous and substantial things? Craft against vice, I must apply. With Angelo to night shall lie His old betrothed (but despised:) So disguise shall by the disguised Pay with falsehood, false exacting, And perform and old contracting. Take, o take those lips away, that so sweetly were for sworn, And those eyes: the break of day lights that do mislead the Morn; But my kisses bring again, bring again, Seals of love, but sealed in vain, sealed in vain. 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. O Place, and greatness: millions of false eyes Are stuck upon thee: volumes of report Run with these false, and most contrarious Quest Upon thy doings: thousand escapes of wit Make thee the father of their idle dream, And rack thee in their fancies. Welcome, how agreed? It is not my consent, But my entreaty too. The best, and wholsomest spirits of the night, Inuellop you, good Provost: who called here of late? Not Isabel ? They will then er't be long. There's some in hope. Not so, not so: his life is paralleled Even with the stroke and line of his great Justice: He does with holy abstinence subdue That in himself, which he spurs on his pour To qualify in others: were he mealed with that Which he corrects, then were he tirrannous, But this being so, he's joust. Now are they come. This is a gentle Provost, seldom when The steeled Gaoler is the friend of men: How now? what noise? That spirit's possessed with hast, That wounds the unsisting Postern with these strokes. Have you no countermand for Claudio yet? But he must die to morrow? As here the dawning Provost, as it is, You shall hear more ere Morning. This is his Lords man. This is his Pardon purchased by such sin, For which the Pardoner himself is in: Hence hath offence his quick celerity, When it is born in high Authority. When Vice makes Mercy; Mercy's so extended, That for the faults love, is the offender friended. Now Sir, what news? What is that Barnardine, who is to be execu ted in the afternoon? How came it, that the absent Duke had not either delivered him to his liberty, or executed him? I have herd it was ever his manner to do so. It is now apparent? Hath he born himself penitently in prison? How seems he to be touched? He wants advice. More of him anon: There is written in your brow Provost, honesty and constancy; if I read it not truly, my ancient skill beguiles me: but in the boldness of my cunning, I will lay my self in hazard: Claudio, whom here you have warrant to execute, is no greater forfeit to the Law, then Angelo who hath sentenced him. To make you understand this in a manifested effect, I crave but four days respite: for the which, you are to do me both a present, and a dangerous courtesy. In the delaying death. 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 born to Angelo. 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 bar'de before his death: you know the course is common. If any thing fallen to you upon this, more then thanks and good for tune, by the Saint whom I profess, I will plead against it with my life. Were you sworn to the Duke, or to the De putie? You will think you have made no offence, if the Duke avouch the justice of your dealing? Not a resemblance, but a certainty; yet since I see you fearful, that neither my coat, integrity, nor persuasion, can with ease attempt you, I will go further then 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? The Contents of this, is the return of the Duke; you shall anon overread it at your pleasure: where you shall find within these two days, he will be here. This is a thing that Angelo knows not, for he this very day receives letters of strange tenor, perchance of the Dukes death, perchance entering into some More nasterie, but by chance nothing of what is writ. Look, the unfolding 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 Barnardines head: I will give him a present shrift, and advise him for a better place. Yet you are amazed, but this shall absolutely re solve you: Come away, it is almost clear dawn. Sir, induced by my charity, and hearing how hastily you are to depart, I am come to advise you, Comfort you, and pray with you. O sir, you must: and therefore I beseech you Look forward on the journey you shall go. But hear you: Unfit to live, or die: o gravel heart. After him (Fellows) bring him to the block. A creature vnpre-par'd, unmeet for death, And to transport him in the mind he is, Were damnable. O, it's and accident that heaven provides: Dispatch it presently, the hour draws on Prefixed by Angelo: See this be done, And sent according to command, while I Persuade this rude wretch willingly to die. Let this be done, Put them in secret holds, both Barnardine and Claudio, Ere twice the Sun hath made his journal greeting To yond generation, you shall find Your safety manifested. Quick, dispatch, and send the head to Angelo Now will I write Letters to Angelo. (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: him I'll desire To meet me at the consecrated Fount, A League below, the City: and from thence, By cold gradation, and weale-ballanc'd form. We shall proceed with Angelo. Convenient is it: Make a swift return, For I would commune with you of such things, That want no ear but yours. The tongue of Isabel. She's come to know, If yet her brother's pardon be come hither: But I will keep her ignorant of her good, To make her heavenly comforts of despair, When it is least expected. Good morning to you, fair, and gracious daughter. He hath released him, Isabel, from the world, His head is off, and sent to Angelo. It is no other, Show your wisdom daughter in your close patience. This nor hurts him, nor profits you a lot, Forbear it therefore, give your cause to heaven, Mark what I say, which you shall find By every sillable a faithful verity. The Duke comes home to morrow: nay, dry your eyes, One of our Covent, and his Confessor Gives me this instance: Already he hath carried Notice to Escalus and Angelo, Who do prepare to meet him at the gates, There to give up their pour: If you can pace your wis dome, In that good path that I would wish it go, And you shall have your bosom on this wretch, Grace of the Duke, revenges to your heart, And general Honour. Not within Sir. Sir, the Duke is marvelous little beholding to your reports, but the best is, he lives not in them. Well: you'll answer this one day. Fare you well. You have told me too many of him already sir if they be true: if not true, none were enough. Did you such a thing? Sir your company is fairer then honest, rest you well. These Letters at fit time deliver me, The Provost knows our purpose and our plot, The matter being a foot, keep your instruction And hold you ever to our special drift, Though sometime you do blench from this to that As cause does minister: Go call at Flaviam is house, And tell him where I stay: give the Like notice To Valencius, Roland, and to Crassus, And bid them bring the Trumpets to the gate: But send me Flavius first. I thank thee Varrius, thou hast made good hast, Come, we will walk There's other of our friends Will greet us here anon: my gentle Ʋ arrius. Nay it is ten times strange? Away with her: poor soul She speaks this, in the infirmity of sense. 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 ere I herd in madness. Mended again: the matter: proceed. This is most likely. I know you'd feign be gone: And Officer: To prison with her: Shall we thus permit A blasting and a scandalous breath to fallen, On him so near us? This needs must be a practice; Who knew of your intent and coming hither? Words against me? this he good Fryer belike And to set on this wretched woman here Against our Substitute: Let this Fryer be found. We did believe no less. Know you that Friar Lodowick that she speaks of? What, are you married? Are you a Maid? Know you this woman? I, with my heart, And punish them to your height of pleasure. Thou foolish Friar, and thou pernicious woman Compact with her that's gone: thinkest thou, thy oaths, Though they would swear down each particular Saint, Were testimonies against his worth, and credit That's sealed in approbation? you, Lord Escalus Fit with my Cozen, lend him your kind pains To find out this abuse, whence it's derived. There is another Friar that set them on, Let him be sent for. Go, do it instantly: 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. Never crave him, we are definitive. You do but lose your labour. Away with him to death: Now Sir, to you. Against all sense you do importune 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. He die for Claudio's death. Had you a special warrant for the deed? I would thou hadst done so by Claudio : Go fetch him hither, let me look upon him. Which is that Barnardine ? There was a Friar told me of this man. Sirrah, thou art said to have a stubborn soul That apprehends no further then this world, And squar'st thy life according: Thou'rt condemned, But for those earthly faults, I quit them all, And pray thee take this mercy to provide For better times to come: Friar advise him, I leave him to your hand. What muffeld fellow's that? If he be Like your brother, for his sake Is he pardoned, 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 quickening in his eye: Well Angelo, your evil quits you well. Look that you love your wife: her worth, worth yours I find and apt remission in my self: And yet here's one in place I cannot pardon, You sirrah, that knew me for a fool, a Coward, One all of Luxury, and ass, a mad man: Wherein have I so deserved of you That you extol me thus? Whipped first, sir, and hanged after. Proclaim it Provost round about the City; If any woman wronged by this lewd fellow (As I have herd him swear himself there's one whom he begotten with child) let her appear, And he shall marry her: the nuptial finished, Let him be whipped and hanged. 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. Slandering a Prince deserves it. She Claudio that you wronged, look you restore. Joy to you Mariana, love her Angelo : I have confessed her, and I know her virtue. Thanks good friend, Escalus, for thy much goodness, There's more behind that is more gratulate. 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 it self. Dear Isabel, I have a motion much imports your good, Whereto if you'll a willing ear incline; What's mine is yours, and what is yours is mine. So bring us to our Palace, where wee'll show What's yet behind, that meet you all should know. Of Government, the properties to un fold, Would seem in me to affect speech & discourse, Since I am put to know, that your own Science Exceeds (in that) the lists of all advice My strength can give you: Then no more remains But that, to your sufficiency, as your worth is able, And let them work: The nature of our People, Our Cities Institutions, and the Terms For Common Justice, you are as pregnant in As Art, and practice, hath enriched any That we remember: There is our Commission, From which, we would not have you warp; call hither, I say, bid come before us Angelo: What figure of us think you, he will bear. For you must know, we have with special soul Elected him our absence to supply; Lent him our terror, dressed him with our love, And given his Deputation all the Organs Of our own pour: What think you of it? Look where he comes. No more evasion: We have with a leavened, and prepared choice Proceeded to you; therefore take your honours: Our haste from hence is of so quick condition, That it prefers it self, and leaves unquestioned Matters of needful valve: We shall write to you As time, and our concernings shall importune, How it goes with us, and do look to know What does befall you here. So fare you well: To the hopeful execution do I leave you, Of your Commissions. My haste may not admit it, Nor need you (on mine honour) have to do With any scruple: your scope is as mine own, So to enforce, or qualify the Laws As to your soul seems good: Give me your hand, I'll privily away: I love the people, But do not Like to stage me to their eyes: Though it do well, I do not relish well Their loud applause, and Aves vehement: Nor do I think the man of safe discretion That do's affect it. Once more fare you well. I thank you, fare you well. No: holy Father, throw away that thought, Believe not that the dribbling dart of Love Can pierce a complete bosom: why, I desire thee To give me secret harbour, hath a purpose More graven, and wrinkled, then the aims, and ends Of burning youth. My holy Sir, none better knows then you How I have ever loved the life removed And held in idle price, to haunt assemblies Where youth, and cost, witless bravery keeps. I have delivered to Lord Angelo (A man of stricture and firm abstinence) My absolute power, and place here in Ʋ ienna, And he supposes me travailed to Poland, (For so I have strewed it in the common ear) And so it is received: Now (pious Sir) You will demand of me, why I do this. We have strict Statutes, and most biting Laws, (The needful bits and curbs to headstrong weeds,) Which for this fourteen years, we have let slip, Even Like and overgrown Lion in a Cave That goes not out to prey: Now, as found Father's, Having bound up the threatening twigs of birch, Only to stick it in their children's sighed, For terror, not to use: in time the rod More mocked, then feared: so our Decrees, Dead to infliction, to themselves are dead, And liberty, plucks Justice by the nose; The Baby beats the Nurse, and quite a thwart Goes all decorum. I do fear: too dreadful: Sith 'twas my fault, to give the people scope, IT would be my tirrany to strike and gall them, For what I bid them do: For, we bid this be done When evil deeds have their permissive pass, And not the punishment: therefore indeed (my father) I have on Angelo imposed the office, Who may in the ambush of my name, strike home, And yet, my nature never in the fight To do in slander: And to behold his sway I will, as 'twere a brother of your Order, Visit both Prince, and People: Therefore I prithee Supply me with the habit, and instruct me How I may formally in person bear Like a true Friar : More reasons for this Actium At our more leisure, shall I render you; Only, this one: Lord Angelo is precise, Stands at a guard with Envy: scarce confesses That his blood flows: or that his appetite Is more to bred then stone: hence shall we see If power change purpose: what our Seemers be. When must he die? Repent you (fair one) of the sin you carry? Love you the man that wronged you? So then it seems your most offence full act Was mutually committed. Then was your sin of heavier kind then his. It's meet so (daughter) but least you do repent As that the sin hath brought you to this shame, Which sorrow is always towards our selves, not heaven, Showing we would not spare heaven, as we love it, But as we stand in fear. Vouchsafe a word, young sister, but one word. Might you dispense with your leisure, I would by and by have some speech with you: the satisfaction I would require, is likewise your own benefit. That now you are come, you will be gone: leave me a while with the Maid, my mind promises with my habit, no lose shall touch her by my company. The hand that hath made you fair, hath made you good: the goodness that is cheap in beauty, makes beauty brief in goodness; but grace being the soul of your complexion, shall keep the body of it ever fair: the assault that Angelo hath made to you, Fortune hath conveyed to my understanding; and but that frailty hath examples for his falling, I should wonder at Angelo : how will you do to content this Substitute, and to save your Brother? This forenamed Maid hath yet in her the con tinuance of her first affection: his unjust unkindness (that in all reason should have quenched her love) hath (Like and impediment in the Current) made it more vio lent and unruly: Go you to Angelo, answer his requi ring with a plausible obedience, agree with his demands to the point: only refer your self to this advantage; first, that your stay with him may not be long: that the time may have all shadow, and silence in it: and the place answer to convenience: this being granted in course, and now follows all: we shall advise this wronged maid to steed up your appointment, go in your place: if the encounter acknowledge it self hereafter, it may compel him to her recompense; and here, by this is your brother saved, your honour untainted, the poor Mariana advantaged, and the corrupt Deputy scaled. The Maid will I frame, and make fit for his attempt: if you think well to carry this as you may, the doubleness of the benefit defends the deceit from reproof. What think you of it? It lies much in your holding up: haste you spee dily to Angelo, if for this night he entreat you to his bed, give him promise of satisfaction: I will presently to S. Lukes, there at the moated-Grange recides this deie cted Mariana ; at that place call upon me, and dispatch with Angelo, that it may be quickly. O heavens, what stuff is here. And you good Brother Father; what offence hath this man made you, Sir? It is too general a vice, and severity must cure it. It's good; though Music oft hath such a charm To make bade, good; and good prouoake to harm. I pray you tell me, hath any body inquired for me here to day; much upon this time have I promised here to meet. I do constantly believe you: the time is come even now. I shall crave your forbearance a little, may be I will call upon you anon for some advantage to your self. Very well met, and well come: What is the news from this good Deputy? But shall you on your knowledge find this way? Are there no other tokens Between you agreed, concerning her observance? It's well born up. I have not yet made known to Mariana A word of this: what hoa, within; come forth, I pray you be acquainted with this Maid, She comes to do you good. Do you persuade your self that I respect you? Nor gentle daughter, fear you not at all: He is your husband on a precontract: To bring you thus together it's no sin, Sith that the Justice of your title to him Does flourish the deceit. Come, let us go, Our Corn's to reap, for yet our Tithes to sow. Pray you let's hear. Whatsoever you may hear to the contrary, let Claudio be ex ecuted by four of the clock, and in the afternoon Bernar dine: For my better satisfaction, let me have Claudios head sent me by five. Let this be duly performed with a thought that more depends on it, then 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? You shall not be admitted to his sighed. This Letter then to Friar Peter give, It's that he sent me of the Dukes return: Say, by this token, I desire his company At Mariana is 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, I am combined by a sacred Vow, And shall be absent. Weened 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: whose here? My very worthy Cousin, fairly met, Our old, and faithful friend, we are glad to see you. Many and hearty thankings to you both: We have made enquiry of you, and we hear Such goodness of your Justice, that our soul Cannot but yield you forth to public thanks Forerunning more requital. O your desert speaks loud, & I should wrong it To lock it in the wards of covert bosom When it deserves with characters of brass A forted residence against the tooth of time, And razure of oblivion: Give we your hand And let the Subject see, to make them know That outward courtesies would feign proclaim Favours that keep within: Come Escalus, You must walk by us, on our other hand: And good supporters are you. Relate your wrongs; In what, by whom? be brief: Here is Lord Angelo shall give you Justice, Reveal your self to him. Many that are not mad Have sure more lack of reason: What would you say? You were not bid to speak. I wish you now then, Pray you take note of it: and when you have A business for your self: pray heaven you then Be perfect. The warrant's for your self: take heed to't. It may be right, but you are in the wrong To speak before your time: proceed, That's somewhat madly spoken. By heaven (found wretch) y u knowest not what thou speakest, Or else thou art suborned 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 weighed 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 camest here to complain. A ghostly Father, belike: Who knows that Lodowick ? Good Friar, let's hear it: 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 your face, and after, speak. A Widow then? Why you are nothing then: neither Maid, With dow, nor Wife? Silence that fellow: I would he had some cause to prattle for himself. For the benefit of silence, would thou Wertenberg so to. This is no witness for Lord Angelo. No? you say your husband. Sirrah, no more. It's false. Respect to your great place; and let the devil Be sometime honoured, for his burning throne. Where is the Duke ? it's he should hear me speak. Boldly, at least. But o poor souls, Come you to seek the Lamb here of the Fox; Good night to your redress: Is the Duke gone? Then is your cause gone too: The Duke's unjust, Thus to retort your manifest Appeal, And put your trial in the villains mouth, Which here you come to accuse. Be not so hight: the Duke dare No more stretch this finger of mine, then 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 overrun the Stew: Laws, for all faults, But faults so countenanced, that the strong Statutes Stand Like the forfeits in a Barbers shop, As much in mock, as mark. I remember you Sir, by the found of your voice, I met you at the Prison, in the absence of the Duke. Most notedly Sir. You must (Sir) change persons with me, ere you make that my report: you indeed spoke so of him, and much more, much worse. I protest, I love the Duke, as I love my self. Stay Sir, stay a while. Thou art the first knave, that ere madest a Duke. First Provost, let me bail these gentle three: Sneak not away Sir, for the Fryer, and you, Must have a word anon: lay hold on him. What you have spoke, I pardon: fit you down, We'll borrow place of him; Sir, by your leave: Ha'st thou or word, or wit, or impudence, That yet can do thee office? If thou ha'st Rely upon it, till my tale be herd, And hold no longer out. Come hither Mariana, Say: was't thou ere contracted to this woman? Go take her hence, and marry her instantly. Do you the office (Fryer) which consummate, Return him here again: go with him Provost. Come hither Isabel, Your Friar is now your Prince: As I was then Aduertysing, and holy to your business, (Not changing heart with habit) I am still, Atturnied at your service. You are pardoned Isabel : And now, deer Maid, be you as free to us. Your Brother's death I know sits at your heart: And you may marvel, why I obscured my self, Labouring to save his life: and would not rather Make rash remonstrance of my hidden pour, Then 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 brained my purpose: but peace be with him, That life is better life passed fearing death, Then that which lives to fear: make it your comfort, So happy is your Brother. For this new-maried man, approaching here, Whose salt imagination yet hath wronged Your well defended honour: you must pardon For Mariana is sake: But as he adjudged your Brother, Being criminal, in double violation Of sacred Chastity, and of promise-breach, Thereon dependant for your Brother's life, The very mercy of the Law cries out Most audible, even from his proper tongue. And Angelo for Claudio, death for death: Haste still pays haste, and leisure, answers leisure; Like does quit Like, and Measure still for Measure : Then Angelo, thy fault's thus manifested; Which though thou wouldst deny, denies thee vantage. We do condemn thee to the very Block Where Claudio stooped to death; and with Like haste. Away with him. It is your husband mocked 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 confutation they are ours; We do en-state, and widow you with all, To buy you a better husband. Your suite's unprofitable: stand up I say: I have bethought me of another fault. Provost, how came it Claudio was beheaded At and unusual hour? For which I do discharge you of your office, Give up your keys. What's he? I'll teach you how you shall araign your conscie ̄ ce And try your penitence, if it be found, Or hollowly put on. So then you hope of pardon from Lord Angelo ?