My words express my purpose. Isab. Ha! little honour to be much believ'd, And most pernicious purpose! -Seeming, seeming!! I will proclaim thee, Angelo; look for't: Sign me a present pardon for my brother, Or, with an outstretch'd throat, I'll tell the world Aloud, what man thou art. Ang. Who will believe thee, Isabel? That you shall stifle in your own report, Isab. To whom shall I complain? Did I tell this, (1) Hypocrisy. (2) Attestation. (3) Reluctant. Then Isabel, live chaste, and, brother, die: I'll tell him yet of Angelo's request, And fit his mind to death, for his soul's rest. [Exit. ACT III. SCENE I.-A room in the prison. Enter Duke, Claudio, and Provost. Duke. So, then you hope of pardon from lord Angelo? Claud. The miserable have no other medicine, But only hope: I have hope to live, and am prepar'd to die. Duke. Be absolute1 for death; either death, or life, Shall thereby be the sweeter. Reason thus with life, If I do lose thee, I do lose a thing That none but fools would keep: a breath thou art (Servile to all the skiey influences,) That dost this habitation, where thou keep'st, valiant: For thou dost fear the soft and tender fork (1) Determined. For thy complexion shifts to strange effects, 1 nor age; But, as it were, an after-dinner's sleep, 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. As many as you please. Duke. Bring them to speak, where I may be conceal'd, (1) Affects, affections. (2) Leprous eruptions. (3) Old age. Yet hear them. [Exeunt Duke and Provost. Claud. Now, sister, what's the comfort? Isab. Why, as all comforts are; most good in deed; Lord Angelo, having affairs to heaven, 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; There is a devilish mercy in the judge, If you'll implore it, that will free your life, But fetter you till death. Claud. Perpetual durance? Isab. Ay, just, perpetual durance; a restraint, Though all the world's vastidity you had, To a determin'd scope. But in what nature? Isab. In such a one as (you consenting to't) Would bark your honour from that trunk you bear, And leave you naked. Claud. Let me know the point. Isab. O, I do fear thee, Claudio; and I quake Lest thou a feverous life should'st entertain, As when a giant dies. 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 In base appliances. This outward-sainted deputy, Claud. The princely Angelo? Isab. O, 'tis the cunning livery of hell, 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. Thanks, dear Isabel. I'd throw it down for your deliverance As frankly as a pin. Isab. Be ready, Claudio, for your death to-mor row. Claud. Yes.-Has he affections in him, Or of the deadly seven it is the least. Claud. If it were damnable, he, being so wise, Why, would he for the momentary trick (1) Shut up. (2) Laced robes. (3) Freely. |