Duke. O,'t is an accident that heaven provides! But Barnardine must die this afternoon: To save me from the danger that might come Duke. Let this be done. Put them in secret holds, both Barnardine and Claudio: 91 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. 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, I am combined by a sacred vow, And shall be absent. Wend you with this letter: 150 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. Lucio. Good even. Friar, where's the pro vost! Duke. Not within, sir. Lucio. O pretty Isabella, I am pale at mine heart to see thine eyes so red: thou must be patient. I am fain to dine and sup with water and bran; I dare not for my head fill my belly; one fruitful meal would set me to't. But they say the duke will be here to-morrow. By my troth, Isabel, I lov'd thy brother: if the old fantastical duke of dark corners had been at home, he had lived. [Exit Isabella. Duke. Sir, the duke is marvellous little beholding to your reports; but the best is, he lives not in them. Lucio. Friar, thou knowest not the duke so well as I do: he's a better woodman than thou tak'st him for. 171 Lucio. Yes, marry, did I: but I was fain to forswear it; they would else have married me to the rotten medlar. Duke. Sir, your company is fairer than honest. Rest you well. Lucio. By my troth, I'll go with thee to the lane'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, with letters. Escal. Every letter he hath writ hath disVouch'd other. 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 reliver1 our authorities there? Ang. And why should we proclaim it in an hour before his ent'ring, that if any crave redress of injustice, they should exhibit their petitions in the street? Escal. He shows his reason for that; to have a dispatch of complaints, and to deliver us from devices hereafter, which shall then have no power to stand against us. 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 Will not proclaim against her maiden loss, How might she tongue me!3 Yet reason dares. her no; For my authority bears of a credent bulk, 1 Relirer, redeliver. VOL. V. 2 Unpregnant, unready. 3 Tongue me, speak of me. 209 4 Particular, personal. 126 Vail your [Kneeling. Isab. Justice, O royal duke! regard Upon a wrong'd, I would 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 given 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! 32 If she be mad,-as I believe no other,- Isab. Duke. Many that are not mad Have, sure, more lack of reason. What would 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. 82 Duke. The warrant 's for yourself; take heed to 't. 2 Characts, i.e. characters, distinctive marks. 3 As, i.e. that. 4 The false, seems true, i.e. the false that seems true. |