For, like an ass, whose back with ingots bows, Do curse the gout, serpigo, and the rheum, For ending thee no sooner. Thou hast nor youth nor age; But, as it were, an after-dinner's sleep, Dreaming on both; for all thy blessed youth Of palsied eld; and when thou art old, and rich, Claud. I humbly thank you. To sue to live, I find, I seek to die: Enter ISABELLA. Isab. What, ho! Peace here; grace and good company! Prov. Who's there? Come in; the wish deserves a welcome. Duke. Dear sir, ere long I'll visit you again. Isab. My business is a word or two with Claudio. your sister. Duke. Provost, a word with you. Prov. As many as you please. Duke. Bring me to hear them speak, where I may be concealed,3 Yet hear them. [Exeunt Duke and Provost. 2 Old age. 1 Serpigo is a leprous eruption. 3 The first folio reads, "Bring them to hear me speak," &c.; the second folio reads, "Bring them to speak." The emendation is by Steevens. Claud. Now, sister, what's the comfort? Isab. Why, as all comforts are, most good indeed: Lord Angelo, having affairs to Heaven, Intends you for his swift ambassador, Where you shall be an everlasting leiger:1 Therefore your best appointment2 make with speed; To-morrow you set on. Claud. Is there no remedy? Isab. None, but such remedy, as to save a head, To cleave a heart in twain. Claud. But is there any? Isab. Yes, brother, you may live ; If you'll implore it, that will free your life, Claud. Perpetual durance? Isab. Ay, just, perpetual durance; a restraint, Though all the world's vastidity3 you had, To a determined scope.* Claud. 4 But in what nature? Isab. In such a one as (you consenting to't) Would bark your honor from that trunk you bear, And leave you naked. 1 A leiger is a resident. 2 i. e. preparation. 3 i. e. vastness of extent. 4 "To a determined scope " —a confinement of your mind to one pain ful idea; to ignominy, of which the remembrance can neither be suppressed nor escaped. 5 "And the poor beetle, that we tread upon, In corporal sufferance finds a pang as great As when a giant dies." This beautiful passage is in all our minds and memories, but it most Claud. Why give you me this shame? Think you I can a resolution fetch From flowery tenderness? If I must die, I will encounter darkness as a bride, And hug it in mine arms. Isab. There spake my brother; there my father's grave Did utter forth a voice! Yes, thou must die: In base appliances. This outward-sainted deputy— Nips youth i' the head, and follies doth enmew,1 His filth within being cast, he would appear Claud. The princely Angelo? Isab. O, 'tis the cunning livery of hell, The damned'st body to invest and cover In princely guards! Dost thou think, Claudio, Thou might'st be freed? Claud. O, Heavens! it cannot be. Isab. Yes, he would give it thee, from this rank offence, So to offend him still: this night's the time That I should do what I abhor to name, Or else thou diest to-morrow. Claud. Isab. O, were it but my life, Thou shalt not do't. I'd throw it down for your deliverance Claud. 3 Thanks, my dear Isabel. Isab. Be ready, Claudio, for your death to-morrow. frequently stands in quotation detached from the antecedent line-"The sense of death is most in apprehension;" without which it is liable to an opposite construction. i To enmew is a term in falconry, signifying to restrain, to keep in a mew or cage either by force or terror. 2 Guards were trimmings, facings, or other ornaments applied upon a dress. It here stands, by synecdoche, for dress. 3 Freely. Claud. Yes.-Has he affections in him, That thus can make him bite the law by the nose, Isab. Which is the least? Claud. If it were damnable, he, being so wise, Why, would he, for the momentary trick, Be perdurably fined?—O Isabel! Isab. What says my brother? Death is a fearful thing. Isab. And shamed life a hateful. Claud. Ay, but to die, and go we know not where; To lie in cold obstruction, and to rot; This sensible warm motion to become A kneaded clod; and the delighted spirit The weariest and most loathed worldly life, To what we fear of death. Isab. Alas! alas! Claud. Sweet sister, let me live: What sin you do to save a brother's life, Nature dispenses with the deed so far, Isab. O, you beast! O, faithless coward! O, dishonest wretch! Wilt thou be made a man out of my vice? Is't not a kind of incest to take life From thine own sister's shame? What should I think? Heaven shield, my mother played my father fair! For such a warped slip of wilderness1 1 Wilderness, for wildness. Ne'er issued from his blood. Take my defiance: Claud. Nay, hear me, Isabel. Thy sin's not accidental, but a trade: Claud. O, fie, fie, fie! [Going. O hear me, Isabella. Re-enter Duke. Duke. Vouchsafe a word, young sister, but one word. Isab. What is your will? Duke. Might you dispense with your leisure, I would by and by have some speech with you: the satisfaction I would require, is likewise your own benefit. Isab. I have no superfluous leisure; my stay must be stolen out of other affairs; but I will attend you a while. Duke. [To CLAUDIO, aside.] Son, I have overheard what hath passed between you and your sister. Angelo had never the purpose to corrupt her; only he hath made an essay of her virtue, to practise his judgment with the disposition of natures: she, having the truth of honor in her, hath made him that gracious denial which he is most glad to receive: I am confessor to Angelo, and I know this to be true; therefore prepare yourself to death: Do not satisfy your resolution1 with hopes that are fallible: to-morrow you must die; go to your knees, and make ready. Claud. Let me ask my sister pardon. I am so out of love with life, that I will sue to be rid of it. 1 Do not satisfy your resolution, appears to signify, do not quench or extinguish your resolution with fallible hopes. |