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, For all the accommodations that thou bear'st, valiant ; For thou dost fear the soft and tender fork For thou exist'st on many a thousand grains tain; For thy complexion shifts to strange effects7, Do curse the gout, serpigo3, and the rheum, But, as it were, an after-dinner's sleep, 7 Affects, affections. Leprous eruptions. Dreaming on both; for all thy blessed youth Of palsied eld9; and when thou art old, and rich, Claud. I humbly thank you. To sue to live, I find, I seek to die: And, seeking death, find life: Let it come on. 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 them to speak, where I may be con ceal'd, Yet hear them. Claud. [Exeunt Duke and Provost. Now, sister, what's the comfort? Isab. Why, as all comforts are; most good in deed: Lord Angelo, having affairs to heaven, Intends you for his swift embassador, 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; Claud. Perpetual durance? Claud. 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, And six or seven winters more respect Than a perpetual honour. Dar'st thou die? The sense of death is most in apprehension; And the poor beetle that we tread upon, In corporal sufferance, finds a pang as great 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 grave 2 Preparation. my father's 3 Vastness of extent. Did utter forth a voice! Yes, thou must die: In base appliances. This outward-sainted deputy,— Claud. The princely Angelo? Isab. O, 'tis the cunning livery of hell, In princely guards!5 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. Isab. Be ready, Claudio, for your death to-mor row. Claud. Yes. Has he affections in him, That thus can make him bite the law by the nose, When he would force it? Sure it is no sin; Or of the deadly seven it is the least? Isab. Which is the least? Claud. If it were damnable, he, being so wise, 5 Laced robes. + Shut up. 6 Freely. Why, would he for the momentary trick 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 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, That it becomes a virtue. 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 play'd my father fair! For such a warped slip of wilderness 9 7 Lastingly. 8 Invisible.> 9 Wildness. |