Duke. For this new-marry'd man, approaching Whofe falt imagination yet hath wrong'd [here, Your well-defended honour, you must pardon him For Mariana's fake: But as he adjudg'd your bro(Being criminal, in double violation [ther Of sacred chastity; and of promife-breach, [hafte ;Mari. Oh, my moft gracious lord, I hope, you will not mock me with a husband! Duke. It is your husband mock'd you with a hufband: Confenting to the fafeguard of your honour, We do enftate and widow you withal, To buy you a better husband. Mari. Oh, my dear lord, I crave no other, nor no better man. Duke. Never crave him; we are definitive. Duke. You do but lofe your labour; Away Away with him to death.-Now, fir, to you. [To Lucio. Mari. Oh, my good lord!-Sweet Isabel, take my part; Lend me your knees, and all my life to come Duke. Against all fense you do importune her: Mari. Ifabel, Sweet Ifabel, do yet but kneel by me; Hold up your hands, fay nothing, I'll fpeak all. Duke. He dies for Claudio's death. [Kneeling. Look, if it please you, on this man condemn'd, 'Till he did look on me; fince it is fo, Let him not die: my brother had but justice His act did not o'ertake his bad intent; And must be bury'd but as an intent, That perifh'd by the way: thoughts are no fubjects; Intents, but merely thoughts. Mari. Merely, my lord. Duke. Your fuit's unprofitable; stand up, I say.— I have bethought me of another fault :Provost, how came it, Claudio was beheaded At At an unusual hour? Prov. It was commanded fo. Duke. Had you a fpecial warrant for the deed? Prov. No, my good lord; it was by private me fage. Duke. For which I do difcharge you of your Give up your keys. Prov. Pardon me, noble lord: I thought it was a fault, but knew it not; [office: For teftimony whereof, one in the prifon, Duke. What's he? Prov. His name is Barnardine. Duke. I would, thou had'st done fo by Claudio.Go, fetch him hither; let me look upon him. [Exit Provf Efcal. I am forry, one fo learned and fo wife As you, lord Angelo, have still appear'd, Should flip fo grofsly, both in the heat of blood, And lack of temper'd judgment afterward. Ang. I am forry, that fuch forrow I procure; And fo deep sticks it in my penitent heart, That I crave death more willingly than mercy; 'Tis my deferving, and I do entreat it. Re-enter Provoft, BARNARDINE, CLAUDIO, and Jv LIETTA. Duke. Which is that Barnardine? Prov. This, my lord. Duke. There was a friar told me of this man:Sirrah, thou art faid to have a stubborn foul, That apprehends no further than this world, Ad And fquar'ft thy life according: Thou'rt condemn'd; But, for those earthly faults I quit them all; For better times to come :-Friar, advise him; Prov. This is another prifoner, that I fav'd, Who fhould have dy'd when Claudio loft his head; As like almost to Claudio, as himself. Duke. If he be like your brother, for his fake [To ISAB. Is he pardon'd; and, for your lovely fake, 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 fafe; Methinks, I fee a quick'ning in his eye :Well, Angelo, your evil quits you well: Look, that you love your wife; her worth, worth I find an apt remiflion in myself; [yours.-And yet here's one in place I cannot pardon :You, firrah, that knew me for a fool, a coward, [To LUCIO. One all of luxury, an afs, a mad-man; Wherein have I deferved fo 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 whip'd. Duke. Whip'd first, fir, and hang'd after. Proclaim it, provoft, round about the city; If any woman's wrong'd by this lewd fellow (As I have heard him fwear himself, there's one I W Whom he begot with child), let her appear, Lucio. I befeech your highnefs, do not marry me to a whore! your highness faid even now, I made you a duke; good, my lord, do not recompense me, in making me a cuckold. Duke. Upon mine honour, thou fhalt marry her. Thy flanders 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 preffing to death, whipping, and hanging. Duke. Sland'ring a prince deferves it. She, Claudio, that you wrong'd, look you restore.- What's mine is yours, and what is yours is mine:- [Exeunt THE END. |