Enter DUKE, as a Friar, CLAUDIO, and Provost. S° DUKE. O then, you hope of pardon from Lord Angelo? Claud. The miserable have no other medicine, But only hope. I've hope to live, and am prepar'd to die. Duke. 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, That dost this habitation where thou keep'st Of a poor worm: thy best of rest is sleep, That issue out of dust: happy thou art not; For what thou hast not, still thou striv'st to get, And what thou hast, forget'st thou art not certain; : For thy complexion shifts to strange effects, After the moon: if thou art rich, thou'rt poor; For, like an ass whose back with ingots bows, Thou bear'st thy heavy riches but a journey, Do curse the gout, serpigo, and the rheum, For ending thee no sooner thou hast nor youth nor age, But, as it were, an after-dinner's sleep, Dreaming on both; for all thy blessed youth Of palsi'd eld; and when thou art old and rich, What's yet in this, I humbly thank you. To sue to live, I find, I seek to die, And seeking death, find life: let it come on. Isab. [Without.] What, hoa! Peace here; grace and good company! Prov. Who's there? come in the wish deserves a welcome. Enter ISABElla. Duke. Dear sir, ere long I'll visit you again. Isab. My business is a word or two with Claudio. Prov. And very welcome. Look, signior; here's your sister. Duke. Prov. Provost, a word with you. As many as you please. Duke. Bring me to hear them speak, where I may be conceal'd. [Exeunt DUKE and Provost. Now, sister, what's the comfort? Claud. Isab. Why, as all comforts are; most good, most good indeed. Lord Angelo, having affairs to Heaven, Intends you for his swift ambassador, Where you shall be an everlasting leiger: Therefore, your best appointment make with speed; To-morrow you set on. Claud. Is there no remedy? Isab. None, but such remedy, as to save a head, To cleave a heart in twain. Claud. But is there any? Isab. Yes, brother, you may live: Claud. Perpetual durance? Isab. Ay, just; perpetual durance: a restraintThough all the world's vastidity you had To a determin'd scope. Claud. But in what nature? Isab. In such a one as, you consenting to't, Would bark your honour from that trunk you bear, And leave you naked. Claud. Let me know the point. Isab. O! I do fear thee, Claudio; and I quake, Lest thou a feverous life should'st entertain, And six or seven winters more respect, Claud. Why give you me this shame ? Think you I can a resolution fetch From flowery tenderness? If I must die, I will encounter darkness as a bride, And hug it in mine arms. Isab. There spake my brother: there my father's grave Did utter forth a voice. Yes, thou must die: Thou art too noble to conserve a life In base appliances. This outward-sainted deputy, His filth within being cast, he would appear Claud. The priestly Angelo? Isab. O, 'tis the cunning livery of Hell, The damned'st body to invest and cover In priestly guards! Dost thou think, Claudio! Thou might'st be freed. Claud. O, Heavens! it cannot be. Isab. Yes, he would give't thee from this rank offence, So to offend him still. This night's the time That I should do what I abhor to name, Or else thou diest to-morrow. Claud. Thou shalt not do't. Isab. O! were it but my life, I'd throw it down for your deliverance Claud. Thanks, dear Isabel. Isab. Be ready, Claudio, for your death to-morrow. Claud. Yes. Has he affections in him, That thus can make him bite the law by th' nose, When he would force it? Sure, it is no sin n; Or of the deadly seven it is the least. Isab. Which is the least? Claud. If it were damnable, he being so wise, Why would he for the momentary trick Be perdurably fin'd? O Isabel! Isab. What says my brother? Death is a fearful thing. Isab. And shamed life a hateful. Claud. Ay, but to die, and go we know not where ; To lie in cold obstruction, and to rot; This sensible warm motion to become The weariest and most loathed worldly life, To what we fear of death. Isab. Alas! alas! Claud. Sweet sister, let me live. What sin you do to save a brother's life, Nature dispenses with the deed so far, That it becomes a virtue. Isab. O, you beast! O, faithless coward! O, dishonest wretch ! Wilt thou be made a man out of my vice? Is't not a kind of incest to take life From thine own sister's shame? What should I think? Heaven shield, my mother play'd my father fair! For such a warped slip of wilderness |