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dep nds on it than we must yet deliver. Thus fail not to do your office, as you will answ.r it at your peril. What say you to this, sir?

DUKE. What is that Barnardine, who is to be executed in the afternoon?

PROV. A Bohemian born, but here nursed up and bred: one that is a prisoner nine years old.

DUKE. How came it that the absent duke had not either delivered him to his liberty or executed him? I have heard it was ever his manner to do so. PROV. His friends still wrought reprieves for him: and, indeed, his fact, till now in the government of lord Angelo, came not to an undoubtful proof. DUKE. It is now apparent?

PROV. Most manifest, and not denied by himself. DUKE. Hath he borne himself penitently in prison? How seems he to be touched?

PROV. A man that apprehends death no more dreadfully but as a drunken sleep; careless, reckless, and fearless of what 's past, present, or to come; insensible of mortality, and desperately mortal.

DUKE He wants advice.

PROV. He will hear none. He hath evermore had the liberty of the prison; give him leave to escape hence, he would not: drunk many times a day, if not many days entirely drunk. We have very oft awaked him, as if to carry him to execution, and showed him a seeming warrant for it; it hath not moved him at all. DUKE. 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 myself in hazard. Claudio, whom here you have warrant to execute is no greater forfeit to the law than 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.

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.

if

DUKE. By the vow of mine order I warrant you: my instructions may be your guide, let this Barnardine be this morning executed, and his head borne to Angelo.

PROV. Angelo hath seen them both, and will discover the favour.

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 common. If anything fall to you upon this, more than thanks and good fortune, by the Saint whom I profess, I will plead against it with my life.

PROV. Pardon me, good father; it is against my

oath.

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, if 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 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. The contents of this is the return of the duke: you shall anon over-read 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 tenour; perchance, of the duke's death; perchance, entering into some monastery; but, by chance, nothing of what is writ. Look, the unfolding star calls up the shepherd. Put not yourself into amazement how these things should be: all difficulties are but easy when they are known. Call your executioner, and off with Barnardine's head: I will give him a present shrift, and advise him for a better place. Yet you are amazed; but this shall absolutely resolve you. it is almost clear dawn.

SCENE III.-Another Room in the same.

Enter POMPEY.

POM. I am as well acquainted here, as I was in our house of profession: one would think it were mistress Overdone's own house, for here be many of her old customers. First, here s young master Rash; he's in for a commodity of brown paper and old ginger, nine. score and seventeen pounds; of which he made five marks, ready money: marry, then ginger was not much in request, for the old women were all dead. Then is there here one master Caper, at the suit of master Threep'le the mercer, for some four suits of peach-coloured satin, which now peaches him a beg

gar. Then have we here young Dizzy, and young master Deepvow, and master Copperspur, and master Starvelackey, the rapier and dagger-man, and young Dropheir that killed lusty Pudding, and master Forthright the tilter, and brave master Shoetie the great traveller, and wild Halfcan that stabbed Pots, and, I think, forty more; all great doers in our trade, and are now for the Lord's sake.

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BARNAR. How now, Abhorson! what's the news with you?

ABHOR. Truly, sir, I would desire you to clap into your prayers; for, look you, the warrant 's come. BARNAR. You rogue, I have been drinking all night; I am not fitted for 't.

Poм. O, the better, sir; for he that drinks all night, and is hanged betimes in the morning, may sleep the sounder all the next day.

ABHOR. Look you, sir; here comes your ghostly father: do we jest now, think you?

Enter DUKE, disguised as before. DUKE. 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.

BARNAR. Friar, not I: I have been drinking hard all night, and I will have more time to prepare me, or they shall beat out my brains with billets. I will not consent to die this day, that 's certain. DUKE. O, sir, you must; and therefore, I beseech

you

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Dispatch it presently; the hour draws on

Prefix'd by Angelo: see this be done,

And sent according to command, whiles I
Persuade this rude wretch willingly to die.

PROV. This shall be done, good father, presently.
But Barnardine must die this afternoon;
And how shall we continue Claudio,
To save me from the danger that might come,
If he were known alive?
DUKE.
Let this be done.

Put them in secret holds, both Barnardine and Claudio:
Ere twice the sun hath made his journai greeting,
To yonder generation you shall find
Your safety manifested.

PROV. I am your free dependant.
DUKE. Quick, despatch, and send the head to
Angelo.
[Exit Provost.
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 well-balanc'd form,
We shall proceed with Angelo.

Re-enter Provost with Ragozine's head.
PROV. Here is the head; I'll carry it myself.
DUKE. Convenient is it. Make a swift return,
For I would commune with you of such things
That want no ear but yours.
PROV.
I'll make all speed. [Exit.
ISAB. [Without.] Peace, ho, be here!
DUKE. 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.

ISAB.

Enter ISABELLA.

Ho! by your leave. DUKE. Good morning to you, fair and gracious daughter.

ISAB. The better, given me by so holy a man.
Hath yet the deputy sent my brother's pardon?
DUKE. He hath releas'd him, Isabel, from the
world:

His head is off, and sent to Angelo.
ISAB. Nay, but it is not so.
DUKE.

It is no other.
Show your wisdom, daughter, in your close patience.
ISAB. O, I will to him, and pluck out his eyes!
DUKE. You shall not be admitted to his sight.
ISAB. Unhappy Claudio! Wretched Isabel!
Injurious world! Most damned Angelo!

DUKE. This nor hurts him, nor profits you a jot:
Forbear it therefore; give your cause to heaven.
Mark what I say, which you shall find
By every syllable 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 power. If you can, pace your

wisdom

Look forward on the journey you shall go.
BARNAR. I swear, I will not die to-day for any In that good path that I would wish it go;
man's persuasion.

DUKE. But hear you,

BARNAR. Not a word: if you have any thing to say
to me, come to my ward; for thence will not I to-day.
[Exit.
DUKE. Unfit to live, or die: O, gravel heart!-
After him, fellows: bring him to the block.
[Exeunt ABHORSON and POMPEY.
Enter Provost.

PROV. Now, sir; how do you find the prisoner?
DUKE. A creature unprepar'd, unmeet for death,
And to transport him in the mind he is,

Were damnable.
PROV.

There died this morning of a cruel fever
Here in the prison, father,
Come away;
[Exeunt. One Ragozine, a most notorious pirate,
A man of Claudio's years; his beard and head
Just of his colour. What if we do omit
This reprobate till he were well inclin'd,
And satisfy the deputy with the visage
Of Ragozine, more like to Claudio?
DUKE. O, 'tis an accident that heaven provides!

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
Command these fretting waters from your eyes
With a light heart; trust not my holy order,
If I pervert your course.-Who's here?

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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 tomorrow. By my troth, Isabel, I loved 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 beholden 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 takest him for.

DUKE. Well, you'll answer this one day. Fare ye

well.

LUCIO. Nay, tarry; I'll go along with thee: I can tell thee pretty tales of the duke.

DUKE. You have told me too many of him already, sir, if they be true; if not true, none were enough. LUCIO. I was once before him for getting a wench with child.

DUKE. Did you such a thing? 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.

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before his entering. 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
As are to meet him.

ESCAL. I shall, sir: fare you well.
ANG. Good night.-

[Exit ESCALUS.
This deed unshapes me quite, makes me unpregnant,
And dull to all proceedings. A deflower'd maid!
And by an eminent body that enforc'd
The law against it!-But that her tender shame
Will not proclaim against her maiden loss,
How might she tongue me! Yet reason dares her no;
For my authority rears of a credent bulk
That no particular scandal once can touch,
But it confounds the breather. He should have liv'd,
Save that his riotous youth, with dangerous sense,
Might in the times to come have ta'en revenge,
By so receiving a dishonour'd life

With ransom of such shame. Would yet he had liv'd!
Alack, when once our grace we have forgot,
Nothing goes right! we would, and we would not.
[Exit.

SCENE V.-An open Place without the City. Enter DUKE, in his own habit, and FRIAR Peter. DUKE. These letters at fit time deliver me:

[Giving letters.

The provost knows our purpose and our plot.
The matter being afoot, keep your instruction
And hold you ever to our special drift,
Though sometimes you do blench from this to that,
As cause doth minister. Go, call at Flavius' house,

ANG. And why should we proclaim it in an hour | And tell him where I stay: give the like notice

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DUKE. Many and hearty thankings to you both
We have made inquiry of you; and we hear
Such goodness of your justice, that our soul
Cannot but yield you forth to public thanks,
Forerunning more requital.

ANG.
You make my bonds still greater.
DUKE. O, your desert speaks loud; and I should
wrong it,

To lock it in the wards of covert bosom,
When it deserves, with characters of brass,
A forted residence 'gainst the tooth of time,
And razure of oblivion. Give me your hand,
And let the subject see, to make them know
That outward courtesies would fain proclaim
Favours that keep within.-Come, Escalus;
You must walk by us on our other hand:---
And good supporters are you.

FRIAR PETER and ISABELLA come forward. F. PETER Now is your time: speak loud, kneel before him.

and

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ANG. My lord, her wits, I fear me, are not firm: She hath been a suitor to me for her brother, Cut off by course of justice,

ISAB.

By course of justice! ANG. And she will speak most bitterly and strange. ISAB. Most strange, but yet most truly, will I speak: That Angelo's forsworn, is it not strange? That Angelo's a murderer, is 't not strange? That Angelo is an adulterous thief, An hypocrite, a virgin-violator, Is it not strange and strange? DUKE. Nay, it is ten times strange. ISAB. It is not truer he is Angelo, Than this is all as true as it is strange: Nay, it is ten times true; for truth is truth To the end of reckoning.

DUKE. Away with her!-Poor soul, She speaks this in the infirmity of sense.

ISAB. O prince, I conjure thee, as thou believ'st
There is another comfort than this world,
That thou neglect me not, with that opinion
That I am touch'd with madness! Make not impos-
sible

That which but seems unlike: 'tis not impossible,
But one, the wicked'st caitiff on the ground,
May seem as shy, as grave, as just, as absolute,
As Angelo; even so may Angelo,

In all his dressings, characts, titles, forms,
Be an arch-villian: believe it, royal prince:
If he be less, he's nothing; but he's more,
Had I more name for badness.

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To make the truth appear where it seems hid,
And hide the false seems true.
DUKE.
Many that are not mad.
Have, sure, more lack of reason.-What would you
say?

ISAB. I am the sister of one Claudio,
Condemn'd upon the act of fornication
To lose his head; condemn'd by Angelo:
I, in probation of a sisterhood,
Was sent to by my brother; one Lucio,
As then the messenger—
LUCIO.

That's I, an 't like your grace:

I came to her from Claudio, and desir'd her
To try her gracious fortune with lord Angelo,
For her poor brother's pardon.
ISAB.

That 's he, indeed.
DUKE. You were not bid to speak.
LUCIO.
No, my good lord;

Nor wish'd to hold my peace.
DUKE.

I wish you now,
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.

then:

DUKE. The warrant 's for yourself: take heed to it. ISAB. This gentleman told somewhat of my tale, LUCIO. Right.

DUKE. It may be right; but you are i' the wrong To speak before your time.-Proceed.

ISAB.

I went

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My sisterly remorse confutes mine honour,

And I did yield to him: but the next morn betimes,
His purpose surfeiting, he sends a warrant
For my poor brother's head.

DUKE.

This is most likely!
ISAB. O, that it were as like as it is true!
DUKE. By heaven, fond wretch! thou know'st not
what thou speak'st,

Or else thou art suborn'd 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 weigh'd 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 cam'st here to complain.

ISAB.

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DUKE. This is no witness for lord Angelo.
MARI. Now I come to 't, my lord:
She that accuses him of fornication,
In self-same manner doth accuse my husband;
And charges him, my lord, with such a time
When I'll depose I had him in mine arms
And is this all? With all the effect of love.
ANG.
MARI. Not that I know.
DUKE.
No? you say your husband.
MARI. Why, just, my lord, and that is Angelo,
Who thinks he knows that he ne'er knew my body,
But knows he thinks that he knows Isabel's.

Then, O, you blessed ministers above,
Keep me in patience, and, with ripen'd time,
Unfold the evil which is here wrapt up

In countenance!-Heaven shield your grace from woe,
As I, thus wrong'd, hence unbelieved go!

DUKE. I know you d fain be gone.-An officer!

To prison with her!-Shall we thus permit
A blasting and a scandalous breath to fall
On him so near us? This needs must be a practice.-
Who knew of your intent and coming hither?
ISAB. One that I would were here, friar Lodowick.
DUKE. A ghostly father, belike.-Who knows that
Lodowick?

Lucio. My lord, I know him; 'tis a meddling friar;

I do not like the man: had he been lay, my lord,
For certain words he spake against your grace
In your retirement, I had swinged him soundly.
DUKE. Words against me! this a good friar, belike!
And to set on this wretched woman here
Against our substitute!-Let this friar be found.
LUCIO. But yesternight, my lord, she and that friar,
I saw them at the prison: a saucy friar,
A very scurvy fellow.

F. PETER.

Bless'd be your royal grace!

I have stood by, my lord, and I have heard
Your royal ear abus'd. First, hath this woman
Most wrongfully accus'd your substitute,
Who is as free from touch or soil with her,
As she from one ungot.

DUKE.

We did believe no less. Know you that friar Lodowick that she speaks of? F. PETER. I know him for a man divine and holy: Not scurvy, nor a temporary meddler,

As he's reported by this gentleman;

And, on my trust, a man that never yet

Did, as he vouches, misreport your grace.

LUCIO. My lord, most villainously; believe it.

F. PETER. Well, he in time may come to clear himself;

But at this instant he is sick, my lord,
Of a strange fever. Upon his mere request,-
Being come to knowledge that there was complaint
Intended 'gainst lord. Angelo,-came. I hither,
To speak, as from his mouth, what he doth know
Is true and false; and what he with his oath,
And all probation, will make up full clear,
Whensoever he's convented. First, for this woman,-
To justify this worthy nobleman,

So vulgarly and personally accus'd,
Her shall you hear disproved to her eyes,
Till she herself confess it.
DUKE.
Good friar, let's hear it.
[ISABELLA is carried off guarded; and
MARIANA comes forward.

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 her face, and after speak.
MARI. Pardon, my lord, I will not show my face,
Until my husband bid me.

DUKE.

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What, are you married?

Are you a maid?

No, my lord. DUKE. A widow then? MARI. Neither, my lord. DUKE. Why, you are nothing then :-neither maid, widow, nor wife?

LUCIO. My lord, she may be a punk; for many of them are neither maid, widow, nor wife. DUKE. Silence that fellow; I would, he had some

cause

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nothing but in his clothes; and one that hath spoke most villainous speeches of the duke

ESCAL. We shall entreat you to abide here till he come, and enforce them against him: we shall find this friar a notable fellow.

LUCIO. As any in Vienna, on my word.

ESCAL. Call that same Isabel here once again: I would speak with her. [Exit an Attendant.] Pray you, my lord, give me leave to question; you shall see how I'll handle her.

LUCIO. Not better than he, by her own report.
ESCAL. Say you?

LUCIO. Marry, sir, I think, if you handled her privately, she would sooner confess: perchance, publicly, she 'll be ashamed.

a

ESCAL I will go darkly to work with her. LUCIO. That's the way; for women are light at midnight.

Re-enter Officers with ISABELLA.

ESCAL. [To ISABELLA.] Come on, mistress: here's gentlewoman denies all that you have said.

LUCIO. My lord, here comes the rascal I spoke of; here, with the provost.

ESCAL. In very good time:-speak not you to him till we call upon you. LUCIO. Mum.

Re-enter DUKE, disguised as a Friar, and Provost. ESCAL. Come, sir: did you set these women on to slander lord Angelo? they have confessed you did. DUKE. 'Tis false.

ESCAL. How! know you where you are?

DUKE. Respect to your great place! and let the devil

Be sometime honour'd for his burning throne!Where is the duke? 'tis he should hear me speak. ESCAL. The duke's in us, and we will hear you speak:

Look you speak justly.

DUKE. 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,

I never spake with her, saw her, nor heard from her, And put your trial in the villain's mouth,
Upon my faith and honour.

MARI.

Noble prince,

As there comes light from heaven, and words from

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Now, good my lord, give me the scope of justice;
My patience here is touch'd. I do perceive,
These poor informal women are no more
But instruments of some more mightier member,
That sets them on: let me have way, my lord,
To find this practice out.
DUKE.
Ay, with my heart;
And punish them to your height of pleasure.-
Thou foolish friar; and thou pernicious woman,
Compact with her that's gone, think'st thou thy oaths,
Though they would swear down each particular saint,
Were testimonies against his worth and credit,
That's seal'd in approbation ?—You, lord Escalus,
Sit with my cousin : lend him your kind pains
To find out this abuse, whence 'tis deriv'd.-
There is another friar that set them on;
Let him be sent for.

F. PETER. Would he were here, my lord! for he, indeed,

Hath set the women on to this complaint:
Your provost knows the place where he abides,
And he may fetch him.
DUKE.
Go, do it instantly.-
[Exit Provost.
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 awhile
Will leave you; but stir not you, till you have well
Determined upon these slanderers.

ESCAL. My lord, we'll do it thoroughly.-[Exit DUKE] Signior Lucio, did not you say you knew that friar Lodowick to be a dishonest person?

LUCIO. Cucullus non facit monachum: honest in

Which here you come to accuse.

LUCIO. This is the rascal; this is he I spoke of. ESCAL. Why, thou unreverend and unhallow'd friar,

Is 't not enough thou hast suborn'd these women
To accuse this worthy man, but, in foul mouth,
And in the witness of his proper ear,

To call him villain? and then to glance from him
To the duke himself, to tax him with injustice?-
Take him hence; to the rack with him!-We'll touse

you

Joint by joint, but we will know his purpose.---
What? unjust!

DUKE. Be not so hot; the duke dare
No more stretch this finger of mine, than 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 o'er-run the stew: laws for all faults,
But faults so countenanc d, that the strong statutes
Stand like the forfeits in a barber's shop,
As much in mock as mark.

ESCAL. Slander to the state! Away with him to prison!

ANG. What can you vouch against him, signior Lucio?

Is this the man that you did tell us of?

LUCIO. 'Tis he, my lord.-Come hither, goodman bald-pate: do you know me?

DUKE. I remember you, sir, by the sound of your voice: I met you at the prison, in the absence of the duke.

LUCIO. O. did you so? and do you remember what you said of the duke?

DUKE. Most notedly, sir.

LUCIO. Do you so, sir? and was the duke a fleshmonger, a fool, and a coward, as you then reported him to be?

DUKE. You must, sir, change persons with me, ere you make that my report: you, indeed, spoke so of him; and much more, much worse.

LUCIO. O, thou damnable fellow! did not I pluck thee by the nose, for thy speeches?

DUKE. I protest, I love the duke as I love myself. ANG. Hark how the villain would close now, after his treasonable abuses!

ESCAL. Such a fellow is not to be talked withalaway with him to prison!-where is the provost ?away with him to prison! lay bolts enough upon him: let him speak no more.-Away with those giglots too, and with the other confederate companion!

[The Provost lays hand on the DUKE. DUKE. Stay, sir; stay a while. ANG. What! resists he?-Help him, Lucio. LUCIO. Come, sir; come, sir; come, sir; foh, sir! Why you bald-pated, lying rascal! you must be hooded, must you? Show your knave's visage, with a pox to you! show your sheep-biting face, and be hanged an hour! Will 't not off?

[Pulls off the Friar's hood, and discovers the DUKE. DUKE. Thou art the first knave that e'er made a duke.

First, provost, let me bail these gentle three.

Of sacred chastity, and of promise-breach
Thereon dependent,-for your brother's life,
The very mercy of the law cries out
Most audible, even from his proper tongue,
An Angelo for Claudio, death for death!
Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure;
Like doth quit like. and Measure still for Measure.
Then, Angelo, thy fault thus manifested,-
Which, though thou wouldst deny, denies thee van-
tage,-
We do condemn thee to the very block
Where Claudio stoop'd to death, and with like haste.
Away with him!
MARI.
O, my most gracious lord,

I hope you will not mock me with a husband!
DUKE. It is your husband mock'd you with a hus-
band:

Sneak not away, sir; [To Lucio.] for the friar and Consenting to the safeguard of your honour,

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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 confiscation they are ours,
We do instate and widow you withal,
To buy you a better husband.
MARI.

O, my dear lord,
I crave no other, nor no better man.
DUKE. Never crave him; we are definitive.
MARI. Gentle my liege,-
[Kneeling.
DUKE.
You do but lose your labour.
Away with him to death!-[7o LUCIO.] Now, sir, to

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DUKE. Go take her hence, and marry her in- Hold up your hands, say nothing,-I'll speak all. stantly.

Do you the office, friar; which consummate,
Return him here again.-Go with him, provost.

[Exeunt ANGELO, MARIANA, FRIAR PETER,
and Provost.

ESCAL. My lord, I am more amaz'd at his dishonour,

Than at the strangeness of it.

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O, give me pardon, That I, your vassal, have employ'd and pain'd Your unknown sovereignty!

DUKE.

You are pardon'd, Isabel:
And now, dear maid, be you as free to us.
Your brother's death, I know, sits at your heart;
And you may marvel why I obscur'd myself,
Labouring to save his life, and would not rather
Make rash remonstrance of my hidden power,
Than 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 brain'd my purpose: but, peace be with him!
That life is better life, past fearing death,
Than that which lives to fear: make it your comfort,
So happy is your brother.
ISAB.

I do, my lord.

Re-enter ANGELO, MARIANA, FRIAR PETER, and Provost.

DUKE. For this new-married man, approaching here,

Whose salt imagination yet hath wrong'd
Your well-defended honour, you must pardon

For Mariana's sake: but as he adjudg'd your bro

ther,

Being criminal, in double violation

They say, best men are moulded out of faults,
And, for the most, become much more the better
For being a little bad: so may my husband.
O, Isabel! will you not lend a knee?
DUKE. He dies for Claudio's death.
ISAB.

Most bounteous sir, [Kneeling.

Look, if it please you, on this man condemn'd,
As if my brother liv'd: I partly think,
A due sincerity govern'd his deeds,

Till he did look on me: since it is so,
Let him not die. My brother had but justice,
In that he did the thing for which he died:
For Angelo,

His act did not o'ertake his bad intent;
And must be buried but as an intent

That perish'd by the way: thoughts are no subjects;
Intents but merely thoughts.

MARI.

Merely, my lord.

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Go, fetch him hither; let me look upon him.
[Exit Provost.
ESCAL. I am sorry, one so learned and so wise
As you, lord Angelo, have still appear'd,
Should slip so grossly, both in the heat of blood,
And lack of temper'd judgment afterward.

ANG. I am sorry that such sorrow I procure; And so deep sticks it in 1y penitent heart, That I crave death more willingly than mercy; 'Tis my deserving, and I do entreat it. Re-enter Provost, with BARNARDINE, CLAUDIO, muffled, and JULIET.

DUKE. Which is that Barnardine?

PROV. This, my lord. DUKE. There was a friar told me of this man.Sirrah, thou art said to have a stubborn soul, That apprehends no further than this world, And squar'st thy life according. Thou 'rt condemn'd; 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 muffled fellow's that?

PROV. This is another prisoner that I sav'd, Who should have died when Claudio lost his head; As like almost to Claudio as himself.

[Unmuffles CLAUDIO. DUKE. [To ISABELLA.] If he be like your brother, for his sake

Is he pardon'd; 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 quick'ning in his eye.-
Well, Angelo, your evil quits you well:

Look that you love your wife; her worth, worth yours.-
I find an apt remission in myself;

And yet here's one in place I cannot pardon. [To LUCIO.] You, sirrah, that know me for a fool, a

coward,

One all of luxury, an ass, a madman;
Wherein have I deserved so of you,
That you extol me thus?

LUCIO. Faith, my lord, I spoke it but according to
the trick. If you will hang me for it, you may; but
I had rather it would please you I might be whipped.
DUKE. Whipp'd first, sir, and hang'd after.-
Proclaim it, provost, round about the city,
If any woman's wrong'd by this lewd fellow,
-As I have heard him swear himself there's one
Whom he begot with child,-let her appear,
And he shall marry her: the nuptial finish'd,
Let him be whipp'd and hang'd.

LUCIO. I beseech your highness, do not marry me to a whore! Your highness said even now, I made you a duke: good my lord, do not recompense me in making me a cuckold.

DUKE. 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.

LUCIO. Marrying a punk, my lord, is pressing to death, whipping, and hanging.

DUKE. Slandering a prince deserves it.-
[Exeunt Officers with LUCIO.
She, Claudio, that you wrong'd, look you restore.—
Joy to you, Mariana!-Love her, Angelo:

I have confess'd 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 itself.-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 we 'll show
What's yet behind, that 's meet you all should know.
[Exeunt.

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SHAL. Sir Hugh, persuade me not; I will make a Star-chamber matter of it: if he were twenty sir John Falstaffs, he shall not abuse Robert Shallow, esquire. SLEN. In the county of Gloster, justice of peace, and coram.

SHAL. Ay, cousin Slender, and Cust-alorum. SLEN. Ay, and ratolorum too: and a gentleman born, master parson; who writes himself armigero in any bill, warrant, quittance, or obligation; armigero. SHAL. Ay, that I do; and have done any time these three hundred years.

SLEN. All his successors, gone before him, hath done 't; and all his ancestors, that come after him, may: they may give the dozen white luces in their

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Sir Hugh, persuade me not; I will make a Star-chamber matter of it.

ACT

I.

SCENE I.-Windsor. Before Page's House. SHAL. Not a whit.

EVA. Yes, per-lady; if he has a quarter of your coat, there is put three skirts for yourself, in my simple conjectures: but that is all one: if sir John Falstaff have committed disparagements unto you, I am of the church, and will be glad to do my penevolence, to make atonements and compromises petween you.

SHAL. The Council shall hear it; it is a riot. EVA. It is not meet the Council hear a riot; there is no fear of Got in a riot: the Council, look you, shall desire to hear the fear of Got, and not to hear a riot; take your vizaments in that. SHAL. Ha! o' my life, if I were young again, the

sword should end it.

EVA. It is petter that friends is the sword, and end it: and there is also another device in my prain, which, peradventure, prings goot discretions with it. There is Anne Page, which is daughter to master George Page, which is pretty virginity.

SLEN. Mistress Anne Page? she has brown hair, and speaks small like a woman.

EVA. It is that fery person for all the 'orld, as just as you will desire; and seven hundred pounds of monies, and gold, and silver, is her grandsire, upon his death's-ped, (Got deliver to a joyful resurrections!) give, when she is aple to overtake seventeen years old: it were a goot motion, if we leave our pribbles and

prabbles, and desire a marriage petween master Abraham and mistress Anne Page.

SHAL. Did her grandsire leave her seven hundred pound? EVA. Ay, and her father is make her a petter penny. SHAL. I know the young gentlewoman; she has good gifts.

EVA. Seven hundred pounds, and possibilities, is goot gifts.

SHAL Well, let us see honest master Page: is Falstaff there?

EVA. Shall I tell you a lie? I do despise a liar, as I do despise one that is false; or. as I despise one that is not true. The knight, sir John, is there; and, I peseech you, pe ruled by your well-willers. I will peat the door [Knocks.] for master Page. What, hoa! Got pless your house here!

Enter PAGE.

PAGE. Who's there?

EVA. Here is Got's plessing, and your friend, and justice Shallow: and here young master Slender; that, peradventures, shall tell you another tale, if matters grow to your likings.

PAGE. I am glad to see your worslaps well: I thank you for my venison, master Shallow.

SHAL. Master Page, I am glad to see you; much

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