alive to make societies fecure; but fecurity 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. I pray you, fir, of what difpofition was the duke? Efcal. One that above all other ftrifes Contented specially to know himself. Duke. What pleasure was he given to? merry at Efcal. Rather rejoicing to fee another merry, than merr any thing which profess'd to make him rejoice: a gentleman of all temperance. But leave him to his events, with a prayer may prove profperous; and let me defire to know how you Claudio prepar'd? I am made to understand, that you have him vifitation. hey find lent Food Hie. Duke. He profeffes to have received no sinister measure From his judge, but most willingly humbles himself to the determina tion of juftice: yet had he fram'd to himself, by the inftruction of his frailty, many deceiving promises of life, which I, by my leifure, have difcredited to him, and now is he refolv'd to Efcal. You have pay'd the heavens your function, and prifoner the very debt of your calling. I have labour'd for poor gentleman, to the extremeft shore of my modefty, but brother-justice have I found fo fevere, that he hath forc'd m tell him, he is indeed justice. the the my to Duke. If his own life answer the straitness of his proceeding it shall become him well; wherein if he chance to fail, he ath fentenc'd himself. Efcal. I am going to visit the prisoner: fare you well. [Zxit. SCENE Duke. Peace be with you! VIII. He who the fword of heav'n will bear, Should be as holy as severe : Shame Shame to him, whose cruel ftriking *** [Exit. Mari. Break off thy fong, and hafte thee quick away: Here comes a man of comfort, whofe advice Hath often still'd my brawling discontent. VOL. I. X x I cry I cry you mercy, fir, and well could wish Let me excufe me, and believe me so, My mirth it much difpleas'd, but pleas'd my wo. Duke. 'Tis good; though musick oft hath such a charm To make bad good, and good provoke to harm. I pray you, tell me, hath any body inquir'd for me here to-day? much upon this time have I promis'd here to meet one. Mari. You have not been inquir'd after: I have fat here all day. Enter Ifabel. Duke. I do conftantly believe you: the time is come, now. I fhall crave your forbearance a little; may be, I will upon you anon for fome advantage to yourself. Mari. I am always bound to you. SCENE II. Duke. Very well met, and well come: What is the news from this good deputy? Ifab. He hath a garden circummur'd with brick, Duke. But fhall you on your knowledge find this way? With whisp’ring and moft guilty diligence, In action all of precept he did fhow me The way twice o'er. Duke. Are there no other tokens Between you 'greed, concerning her observance ? even call Exit. And And that I have poffefs'd him, my most stay Duke. 'Tis 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. Ifab. I do defire the like. Duke. Do you perfuade yourself that I respect you? Mari. Good friar, I know you do, and I have found it. Duke. Take then this your companion by the hand, Who hath a story ready for your ear: I shall attend your leifure; but make haste; The vaporous night approaches. Mari. Will't please you walk afide? [Ex. Mari. and Ifab. Duke. O place and greatness! millions of false eyes Are stuck upon thee: volumes of report Run with their falfe and most contrarious quefts Make thee the father of their idle dreams, And rack thee in their fancies! Well! agreed? If Re-enter Mariana, and Isabel. Ifab. She'll take the enterprise upon her, father, you advise it. Duke. 'Tis not my confent, But my entreaty too. Ifab. Little have you to fay When you depart from him, but foft and low, "Remember now my brother. Mari. Fear me not. Duke. Nor, gentle daughter, fear you not at all: [Exeunt. Pro. COM SCENE V. A Prifon. Enter Provoft, and Clown. (OME hither, firrah: can you cut off a man's head? Clown. If the man be a bachelor, fir, I can: bat if he be a marry'd man, he is his wife's head, and I can never off a woman's head. Prov. Come, fir, leave me your snatches, and yield n direct answer. To-morrow morning are to die Claudio Barnardine; here is in our prifon a common executioner, in his office lacks a helper; if you will take it on you to him, it shall redeem you from your gyves: if not, you fhall your full time of imprisonment, and your deliverance with unpity'd whipping; for you have been a notorious bawd. cut e a and vho fift ave an Clown. 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 fome inftruction from my fellow-partner. Prov. What hoa, Abhorfon! where's Abhorfon there? Enter Abhorfon. Abhor. Do you call, fir? our Prov. Sirrah, here's a fellow will help you to-morrow in execution: if you think it meet, compound with him by the year, and |