To unloose this tied-up justice, when you pleas'd: And it in you more dreadful would have seem'd, Than in lord Angelo. Duke. I do fear, too dreadful : Sith 'twas my fault to give the people scope, 'Twould be my tyranny to strike, and gall thei For what I bid them do: For we bid this be done, When evil deeds have their permissive pass, And not the punishment. father, Therefore, indeed, my I have on Angelo impos'd the office; Who may, in the ambush of my name, strike home, And yet my nature never in the sight, To do it slander: And to behold his sway, I will, as 'twere a brother of your order, Visit both prince and people: therefore, I pr'ythee, Like a true friar. More reasons for this action, Is more to bread than stone: Hence shall we see, SCENE V. A Nunnery. Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA. [Exeunt. Isab. And have you nuns no further privileges? Isab. Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; 6 Since. 7 On his defence. But rather wishing a more strict restraint Isab. [Within.] Who's that which calls? Fran. It is a man's voice: Gentle Isabella, Turn you the key, and know his business of him; You may, I may not; you are yet unsworn: When you have vow'd, you must not speak with men, But in the presence of the prioress: Then, if you speak, you must not show your face; Or, if you show your face, you must not speak. pray you, answer him. [Exit FRANCISCA. Isab. Peace and prosperity! Who is't that calls? Enter LUCIO. Lucio. Hail, virgin, if you be; as those cheek-roses Proclaim you are no less! Can you so stead me, As bring me to the sight of Isabella, A novice of this place, and the fair sister To her unhappy brother Claudio? Isab. Why her unhappy brother? let me ask; The rather, for I now must make I am that Isabella, and his sister. you know Lucio. Gentle and fair, your brother kindly greets you: Not to be weary with you, he's in prison. Isab. Woe me! For what? Lucio. For that, which, if myself might be his judge, He should receive his punishment in thanks: He hath got his friend with child. Isab. Sir, make me not your story.8 * Do not make a jest of me. Lucio. It is true. I would not-though 'tis my familiar sin As with a saint. Isab. You do blaspheme the good, in mocking me. Lucio. Do not believe it. Fewness and truth 9, 'tis thus: Your brother and his lover have embrac'd: As those that feed grow full; as blossoming time, İsab. Some one with child by him? - My cousin Lucio. Is she your cousin? Isab. Adoptedly; as school-maids change their names, By vain though apt affection. Lucio. She it is. Isab. O let him marry her! Lucio. This is the point. The duke is very strangely gone from hence; Bore many gentlemen, myself being one, In hand, and hope of action: but we do learn By those that know the very nerves of state, His givings out were of an infinite distance From his true-meant design. Upon his place, And with full line 3 of his authority, Governs lord Angelo; a man, whose blood 9 In few and true words. 2 Tilling. 1 Breeding plenty. 3 Extent. Is very snow-broth; one who never feels Which have, for long, run by the hideous law, Isab. Doth he so seek his life? Lucio. Has censur'd 5 him Already; and, as I hear, the provost hath A warrant for his execution. Isab. Alas! what poor ability's in me To do him good? Lucio. Our doubts are traitors, Assay the power you have. Isab. My power! Alas! I doubt, Lucio. And make us lose the good we oft might win, By fearing to attempt: Go to lord Angelo, And let him learn to know, when maidens sue, Men give like gods; but when they weep and kneel, All their petitions are as freely theirs As they themselves would owe 6 Isab. I will about it straight; 4 Power of gaining favour. 6 Have. them. But speedily. 5 Sentenced. No longer staying but to give the mother 7 Isab. ACT II. Good sir, adieu. [Exeunt. SCENE I. A Hall in Angelo's House. Enter ANGELO, ESCALUS, a Justice, Provost, Ang. We must not make a scare-crow of the Setting it up to fear the birds of prey, And let it keep one shape, till custom make it Escal. Ay, but yet Let us be keen, and rather cut a little, Than fall, and bruise to death: Alas! this gentle. man, Whom I would save, had a most noble father, (Whom I believe to be most strait in virtue,) Or that the resolute acting of your blood Could have attain'd the effect of your own purpose, Whether you had not sometime in your life |