(For this was of much length,) the vile conclusion Release my brother; and, after much debatement, And I did yield to him: But the next morn betimes, 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. And is this all? Then, oh, you blessed ministers above, Keep me in patience; and, with ripen'd time, In countenance !-Heaven shield your grace from woe, Duke. I know, you'd fain be gone :-An officer! -Who knew of your intent, and coming hither? Lucio. My lord, I know him; 'tis a meddling friar; Duke. Words against me? This' a good friar belike! F. Peter. Blessed be your royal grace! Duke. We did believe no less. Know you that friar Lodowick, that she speaks of? 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 So vulgarly and personally accus'd,) Her shall you hear disproved to her eyes, Duke. Good friar, let's hear it. [ISABELLA is carried off, guarded; and MARIANA Do you not smile at this, lord Angelo?— Of your own cause.-Is this the witness, friar? Duke. What, are you married? Mari. No, my lord. Duke. Are you a maid? Mari. 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 To prattle for himself. Lucio. Well, my lord. Mari. My lord, I do confess I ne'er was married; And, I confess, besides, I am no maid: I have known my husband; yet my husband knows not, That ever he knew me. Lucio. He was drunk then, my lord; it can be no better. Duke. For the benefit of silence, 'would thou wert so too. Lucio. Well, my lord. Duke. This is no witness for lord Angelo. She, that accuses him of fornication, In self-same manner doth accuse my husband; Ang. Charges she more than me? 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. Ang. This is a strange abuse.-Let's see thy face. Mari. My husband bids me; now I will unmask. [Unveiling. This is that face, thou cruel Angelo, Which, once thou swor'st, was worth the looking on: This is the hand, which with a vow'd contract Was fast belock'd in thine: this is the body That took away the match from Isabel, In her imagined person. Duke. Know you this woman? Lucio. Carnally, she says. Lucio. Enough, my lord. Ang. My lord, I must confess, I know this woman; And, five years since, there was some speech of marriage Betwixt myself and her; which was broke off, Partly, for that her promised proportions I never spake with her, saw her, nor heard from her, Mari. Noble prince, As there comes light from heaven, and words from breath, As there is sense in truth, and truth in virtue, I am affianc'd this man's wife, as strongly As words could make up vows: and, my good lord, But Tuesday night last gone, in his garden-house, He knew me as a wife: As this is true, Let me in safety raise me from my knees; Or else for ever be confixed here, A marble monument! Ang. I did but smile till now; Now, good my lord, give me the scope of justice; Duke. Ay, with my heart; |