Prov.

I have bethought me of another fault.
Provost, how came it Claudio was beheaded
At an unusual hour?

It was commanded so.
Duke. Had you a special warrant for the deed?

Prov. No, my good lord; it was by private message.
Duke. For which I do discharge you of your office:
Give up your keys.

Frov.

Pardon me, noble lord:
I thought it was a fault, but knew it not;
Yet did repent me, after more advice:
For testimony whereof, one in the prison,

460

That should by private order else have died, 470
I have reserved alive.

Duke. Prov.

What's he?

His name is Barnardine.

Duke. I would thou hadst done so by Claudio.
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 judgement afterward.

Ang. I

am sorry that such sorrow I procure:

And so deep sticks it in my penitent heart,

That I crave death more willingly than mercy; 480 '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 squarest 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 saved,

491

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 quickening in his eye.
Well, Angelo, your evil quits you well:

500

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 knew me for a fool, a

coward.

One all of luxury, an ass, a madman;
Wherein have I so deserved 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 whipt. 510

Duke. Whipt first, sir, and hang'd after.

Proclaim it, provost, round about the city,

If any woman 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 whipt 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 520
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.

530

Thanks, good friend Escalus, for thy much good

ness:

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,

540

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.

Glossary.