I wish you now, then: Pray you, take note of it; and when you have A business for yourself, pray heaven you then 81 Be perfect.

Lucio. I warrant your honour.
Duke. The warrant's for yourself: take heed to it.
Isab. This gentleman told somewhat of my
tale,-

Duke. Words against me! This a good friar, belike!

And to set on this wretched woman here
Against our substitute! Let this friar be found,
Lucio. But yesternight, my lord, she and that
friar,

I saw them at the prison: a saucy friar,
A very scurvy fellow.

Fri. Pet.

Bless'd be your royal grace!

Lucio. Right.

To speak before your time. Proceed.

Isab.

I went

As she from one ungot. Duke.

140

We did believe no less. Know you that Friar Lodowick that she speaks of? Fri. Pet. I know him for a man divine and holy;

Not scurvy, nor a temporary meddler,
As he's reported by this gentleman;
And, on my trust, a man that never yet
Did, as he vouches, misreport your grace.

Lucio. My lord, most villanously; believe it. Fri. Pet. Well; he in time may come to clear himself,

His purpose surfeiting, he sends a warrant

For my poor brother's head.
Duke.

101

This is most likely !

150

Heaven shield your grace

Mari.

No, my lord.

Duke. A widow then?

120

As I, thus wrong'd, hence unbelieved go!

Duke. I know you'd fain be gone. An officer! To prison with her! Shall we thus permit A blasting and a scandalous breath to fall On him so near us? This needs must be a practice. Who knew of your intent and coming hither?

Isab. One that I would were here, Friar Lodowick.

Duke. A ghostly father, belike. Who knows that Lodowick?

Lucio. My lord, I know him; 'tis a meddling friar;

I do not like the man: had he been lay, my lord,

For certain words he spake against your grace 130 In your retirement, I had swing'd him soundly.

Arenothing then: neither maid, widow, nor wife! Lucio. My lord, she may be a punk; for many of them are neither maid, widow, nor wife. Duke. Silence that fellow: I would he had

Duke. This is no witness for Lord Angelo. Mari. Now I come to 't, my lord:

She that accuses him of fornication,
In self-same manner doth accuse my husband;
And charges him, my lord, with such a time,
When, I'll depose, I had him in mine arms
With all the effect of love.

Ang. Charges she more than me?
Mari.

Not that I know. Duke. 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 knows Isabel's.

Ang. Thisisastrange abuse. Let's see thy face.
Mari. My husband bids me; now I will un-
mask.
Unveiling. 201

This is that face, thou cruel Angelo,
Which once thou swor'st was worth the looking

Hath set the women on to this complaint: Your provost knows the place where he abides And he may fetch him.

Duke. Go do it instantly. Exit Provost. And you, my noble and well-warranted cousin, Whom it concerns to hear this matter forth, 251 Do with your injuries as seems you best, In any chastisement: I fora while will leave you; But stir not you till you have well determin'd Upon these slanderers.

Escal. My lord, we'll do it throughly.

Exit DUKE.

220

Escal. In very good time: speak not you to

him till we call upon you.

Lucio. Mum.

As words could make up vows: and, my good lord,

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 230
These poor informal women are no more

But instruments of some more mightier member
That sets them on. Let me have way, my lord,
To find this practice out.
Duke.

Ay, with my heart; And punish them to your height of pleasure. Thou foolish friar, and thou pernicions 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 That's seal'd in approbation? You, Lord Escalus, Sit with my cousin: lend him your kind pains

Escal. Slander to the state! Away with him to prison!

Ang. What can you vouch against him, Signior Lucio?

Is this the man that you did tell us of ?

Lucio. 'Tis he, my lord. Come hither, goodman baldpate: do you know me?

Duke. I remember you, sir, by the sound of your voice: I met you at the prison, in the absence of the duke.

Lucio. O! did you so? And do you remember what you said of the duke ?

Duke. Most notedly, sir.

330

Lucio. Do you so, sir? And was the duke a fleshmonger, a fool, and a coward, as you then reported him to be?

Duke. You must, sir, change persons with me, ere you make that my report: you, indeed, spoke so of him; and much more, much worse.

Lucio. O thou damnable fellow! Did not I pluck thee by the nose for thy speeches ?

Duke. I protest I love the duke as I love myself. Ang. Hark! how the villain would close now, after his treasonable abuses.

342

Escal. Such a fellow is not to be talked withal: away with him to prison! Where is the provost? Away with him to prison! Lay bolts enough upon him, let him speak no more! Away with those giglots too, and with the other confederate companion!

The Provost lays hand on the DUKE.

Duke. Stay, sir; stay awhile. Ang. What! resists he? Help him, Lucio, 350 Lucio. Come, sir; come, sir; come, sir; foh! sir. Why, you bald-pated, lying rascal, you must be hooded, must you? show your knave's visage, with a pox to you! show your sheepbiting face, and be hanged an hour! Will't not off ?

Pulls off the Friar's hood, and discovers the DUKE.

Duke. Thou art the first knave that e'er made a duke.

First, provost, let me bail these gentle three.
To LUCIO. Sneak not away, sir; for the friar

Duke. Come hither, Mariana. Say, wast thou e'er contracted to this woman? Ang. I was, my lord.

Duke. Go take her hence, and marry her instantly.

Do you the office, friar; which consummate, Return him here again. Go with him, provost. Exeunt ANGELO, MARIANA, Friar PETER, and Provost.

Escal. My lord, I am more amaz'd at his dishonour

Than at the strangeness of it.
Duke.

381

Come hither, Isabel. Your friar is now your prince: as I was then Advertising and holy to your business, Not changing heart with habit, I am still Attorney'd at your service. Isab.

O! give me pardon,
That I, your vassal, have employ'd and pain'd
Your unknown sovereignty.
Duke.
You are pardon'd, Isabel:

And now, dear maid, be you as free to us.
Your brother's death, I know, sits at your heart;
And you may marvel why I obscur'd myself, 391
Labouring to save his life, and would not rather
Make rash remonstrance of my hidden power
Than let him so be lost. O most kind maid!
It was the swift celerity of his death,
Which I did think with slower foot came on,
That brain'd my purpose: but, peace be with him!
That life is better life, past fearing death,
Than that which lives to fear: make it your
comfort,

So happy is your brother.
Isab.

I do, my lord. 400

Being criminal, in double violation
Of sacred chastity, and of promise-breach,
Thereon dependent, for your brother's life,
The very mercy of the law cries out
Most audible, even from his proper tongue,
An Angelo for Claudio, death for death!'
Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure,
Like doth quit like, and Measure still for Measure.
Then, Angelo, thy fault thus manifested,

410

vantage,

We do condemn thee to the very block
Where Claudio stoop'd to death, and with like

haste.

Away with him!

Mari.

O my most gracious lord!
I hope you will not mock me with a husband.
Duke. It is your husband mock'd you with a
husband.

Consenting to the safeguard of your honour, 420
I thought your marriage fit; else imputation,
For that he knew you, might reproach your life
And choke your good to come. For his possessions,
Although by confiscation they are ours,
We do instate and widow you withal,

To buy you a better husband.
Mari.

O my dear lord!

Duke.

Prov.

What's he?

His name is Barnardine.

Duke. I would thou hadst done so by Claudio. Go fetch him hither: let me look upon him. 470 Exit Provost.

Escal. I am sorry, one so learned and so wise As you, Lord Angelo, have still appear'd, Should slip so grossly, both in the heat of blood, And lack of temper'd judgment afterward.

Ang. I am sorry that such sorrow I procure ; And so deep sticks it in my penitent heart That I crave death more willingly than mercy: 'Tis my deserving, and I do entreat it.

Re-enter Provost, BARNARDINE, CLAUDIO
muffled, and JULIET.

Duke. Which is that Barnardine?
Prov.
This, my lord.
Duke. There was a friar told me of this man.
Sirrah, thou art said to have a stubborn soul, 481
That apprehends no further than this world,
And squar'st thy life according. Thou 'rt con-

One all of luxury, an ass, a madman:
Wherein have I so deserv'd of you,
That you extol me thus?

Lucio. Faith, my lord, I spoke it but according to the trick. If you will hang me for it, you may; but I had rather it would please you I might be whipped.

510

Duke. Whipp'd first, sir, and hang'd after. Proclaim it, provost, round about the city, Is any woman wrong'd by this lewd fellow, As I have heard him swear himself there's one Whom he begot with child. let her appear, And he shall marry her: the nuptial finish'd, Let him be whipp'd and hang'd.

Lucio. I beseech your highness, do not marry me to a whore. Your highness said even now, I made you a duke: good my lord, do not recompense me in making me a cuckold.

521

Duke. Upon mine honour, thou shalt marry her. Thy slanders I forgive; and therewithal Remit thy other forfeits. Take him to prison, And see our pleasure herein executed.