(Being come to knowledge that there was com plaint Intended 'gainst lord Angelo,) came I hither, 6 Whensoever he's convented. First, for this wo man; (To justify this worthy nobleman, So vulgarly and personally accus'd,) Her shall you hear disproved to her eyes, Till she herself confess it. Duke. Good friar, let's hear it. [ISABELLA is carried off, guarded; and Do you not smile at this, lord Angelo?- Mari. Pardon, my lord; I will not show my face, Until my husband bid me. Duke. What, are you married? Mari. No, my lord. Duke. Are you a maid? Mari. No, my lord. Duke, A widow then? Mari. Neither, my lord. Duke. Why, you Are nothing then:-Neither maid, widow, nor wife? Lucio. My lord, she may be a punk; for many of them are neither maid, widow, nor wife. 6 Convened. 7 Publickly. Duke. Silence that fellow; I would he had some cause To prattle for himself. Lucio. Well, my lord. Mari. My lord, I do confess I ne'er was married; And, I confess, besides, I am no maid : I have known my husband; yet my husband knows not, That ever he knew me. Lucio. He was drunk then, my lord; it can be no better. Duke. For the benefit of silence, 'would thou wert so too. Lucio. Well, my lord. Duke. This is no witness for lord Angelo. Mari. Now I come to't, my lord: In self-same manner doth accuse my husband; With all the effect of love. Ang. Mari. Not that I know. Duke. Charges she more than me ? No? you say, your husband. Mari. Why, just, my lord, and that is Angelo, Who thinks he knows, that he ne'er knew my body, But knows, he thinks, that he knew Isabel's. Ang. This is a strange abuse:8- Let's see thy face. Mari. My husband bids me; now I will un mask. This is that face, thou cruel Angelo, [Unveiling. Which once thou swor'st was worth the looking on: 8 Deception. This is the hand, which, with a vow'd contract, That took away the match from Isabel, And did supply thee at thy garden-house, In her imagin'd person. Lucio. Carnally, she says. Duke. Know you this woman? Sirrah, no more, Duke. Lucio. Enough, my lord. Ang. My lord, I must confess, I know this woman; And, five years since, there was some speech of marriage Betwixt myself and her; which was broke off, Mari. Noble prince, As there comes light from heaven, and words from breath, As there is sense in truth, and truth in virtue, I am affianc'd this man's wife, as strongly As words could make up vows: and, my good lord, But Tuesday night last gone, in his garden-house, He knew me as a wife: As this is true Let me in safety raise me from my knees; Or else for ever be confixed here, A marble monument! Ang. I did but smile till now; Now, good my lord, give me the scope of justice; My patience here is touch'd: I do perceive, 9 Her fortune fell short. These poor informal women are no more To find this practice 2 out. Duke. Ay, with my heart; And punish them unto your height of pleasure. Thou foolish friar: and thou pernicious woman, Compact with her that's gone! think'st thou, thy oaths, Though they would swear down each particular saint, Were testimonies against his worth and credit, Let him be sent for. F. Peter. Would he were here, my lord; for he, indeed, Hath set the women on to this complaint: Duke. Go, do it instantly. [Exit Provost. And you, my noble and well-warranted cousin, Will leave you; but stir not you, till you have well Escal. My lord, we'll do it thoroughly. - [Exit. Duke.] Signior Lucio, did not you say, you knew that friar Lodowick to be a dishonest person? Lucio. Cucullus non facit monachum: honest in nothing, but in his clothes; and one that hath spoke most villainous speeches of the duke. 1 Crazy. 2 Conspiracy. 3 To the end. Escal. We shall entreat you to abide here till he come, and enforce them against him: we shall find this friar a notable fellow. Lucio. As any in Vienna, on my word. Escal. Call that same Isabel here once again; [To an Attendant.] I would speak with her: Pray you, my lord, give me leave to question; you shall see how I'll handle her. Lucio. Not better than he, by her own report. Escal. Say you? Lucio. Marry, sir, I think, if you handled her privately, she would sooner confess; perchance, publickly she'll be ashamed. Re-enter Officers, with ISABELLA; the Duke, in the Friar's habit, and Provost. Escal. I will go darkly to work with her. Lucio. That's the way; for women are light at midnight. Escal. Come on, mistress: [TO ISABELLA] here's a gentlewoman denies all that you have said. Lucio. My lord, here comes the rascal I spoke of; here with the provost. Escal. In very good time: - speak not you to him, till we call upon you. Lucio. Mum. Escal. Come, sir: Did you set these women on to slander lord Angelo? they have confess'd you did. Duke. 'Tis false. Escal. How! know you where you are? Duke. Respect to your great place! and let the devil |