Attorney'd at your service. Isab. O, give me pardon, That I, your vassal, have employ'd and pain'd Duke. You are pardon'd, Isabel: And now, dear maid, be you as free to us. Which I did think with slower foot came on, Than that which lives to fear: make it your comfort, Re-enter ANGELO, MARIANA, PETER, and Provost. Isab. I do, my lord. 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 brother, (Being criminal, in double violation Of sacred chastity, and of promise-breach, The very mercy of the law cries out Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure; Then, Angelo, thy fault's thus manifested; Which though thou would'st deny, denies thee vantage: 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 husband: We do instate and widow you withal, Mari. O, my dear lord, I crave no other, nor no better man. Duke. Never crave him; we are definitive. Mari. Gentle, my liege,— Duke. You do but lose your labour; [Kneeling. Away with him to death.-Now, sir, [To Lucio.] to you. Mari. O, my good lord !-Sweet Isabel, take my part; Lend me your knees, and all my life to come I'll lend you, all my life to do you service. Duke. Against all sense you do impórtune her: Should she kneel down, in mercy of this fact, Her brother's ghost his paved bed would break, And take her hence in horror. Mari. Isabel, Sweet Isabel, do yet but kneel by me; Hold up your hands, say nothing, I'll speak all. They say, best men are moulded out of faults; And, for the most, become much more the better O, Isabel! will you not lend a knee? Duke. He dies for Claudio's death. Look, if it please you, on this man condemn'd, Let him not die: My brother had but justice, His act did not o'ertake his bad intent; And must be buried but as an intent, [Kneeling. That perish'd by the way: thoughts are no subjects; Mari. Merely, my lord. Duke. Your suit's unprofitable; stand up, I say. I have bethought me of another fault : : Provost, how came it, Claudio was beheaded Prov. 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. Prov. Pardon me, noble lord: I thought it was a fault, but knew it not; Duke. What's he? Prov. His name is Barnardine. Duke. I would thou had'st 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 judgment 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; 'Tis my deserving, and I do entreat it. Re-enter Provost, BARNARDINE, CLAUDIO, 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; That should have died when Claudio lost his head; [Unmuffles CLAUDIO. Duke. If he be like your brother, [To ISABELLA.] for his sake Is he pardon'd; And, for your lovely sake, Give me your hand, and say you will be mine, 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;— You, sirrah, [To LUCIO.] that knew me for a fool, a coward, One all of luxury, an ass, a madman; 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 whipp'd. Duke. Whipp'd first, sir, and hang'd after.— 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. |