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Duke. You were not bid to speak.

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

No, my good lord ; belike! Nor wish'd to hold my peace.

And to set on this wretched woman here Duke.

I wish you now, then : Against our substitute! Let this friar be found. Pray you, take note of it; and when you have Lucio. But yesternight, my lord, she and that A business for yourself, pray heaven you then 81 friar, Be perfect.

I saw them at the prison : a sancy friar, Lucio. I warrant your honour.

A very scurvy fellow. Duke. The warrant's for yourself: take heed to it. Pri. Pet.

Bless'd be your royal grace ! Isab. This gentleman told somewhat of my I have stood by, my lord, and I have heard tale,

Your royal ear abus'd. First, hath this woman Lucio. Right.

Most wrongfully accus'd your substitute, Duke. It may be right; but you are in the wrong Who is as free from touch or soil with her, To speak before your timé. Proceed.

As she from one ungot.
Isab.
I went Duke.

We did believe no less, To this pernicious caitiff deputy.

Know you that Friar Lodowick that she speaks of? Duke. That's somewhat madly spoken.

Fri. Pet. I know him for a man divine and holy; · Isab.

Pardon it : Not scurvy, nor a temporary meddler, The phrase is to the matter.

As he's reported by this gentleman ; Duke. Mended again : the matter; proceed. And, on my trust, a man that never yet

Isab. In brief, to set the needless process by, Did, as he vouches, misreport your grace. How I persuaded, how I pray'd, and kneeld, Lucio. My lord, most villanously ; believe it. How he refell’d me, and how I replied,

Fri. Pet. Well; he in time may come to clear For this was of much length,—the vile conclusion himself, I now begin with grief and shame to utter. But at this instant he is sick, my lord, He would not, but by gift of my chaste body Of a strange fever. Upon his mere request, To his concupiscible intemperate lust,

Being come to knowledge that there was comRelease my brother; and, after much debatement, plaint My sisterly remorse confutes mine honour, 101 Intended 'gainst Lord Angelo, came I hither, And I did yield to him. But the next morn To speak, as from his mouth, what he doth know betimes,

Is true and false; and what he with his oath His purpose surfeiting, he sends a warrant And all probation will make up full clear, For my poor brother's head.

Whensoever he's convented. First, for this Duke.

This is most likely ! woman,
Isab. O! that it were as like as it is true. To justify this worthy nobleman,
Duke. By heaven, fond wretch ! thou know'st So vulgarly and personally accus'd,
not what thou speak'st,

Her shall you hear disproved to her eyes,
Or else thou art suborn'd against his honour Till she herself confess it.
In hateful practice. First, his integrity

Duke,

Good friar, let's hear it. Stands without blemish ; next, it imports no

ISABELLA is carried of guarded; and reason

MARIANA comes forward. That with such vehemency he should pursue 110 Do you not smile at this, Lord Angelo ? Faults proper to himself : if he had so offended, O heaven! the vanity of wretched fools. He would have weighd thy brother by himself, Give us some seats. Come, cousin Angelo; And not have cut him off. Some one hath set in this I'll be impartial; be you judge you on :

Of your own cause. Is this the witness, friar ? Confess the truth, and say by whose advice First, let her show her face, and after speak. Thou cam'st here to complain.

Mari. Pardon, my lord, I will not show my face Isab.

And is this all ? Until my husband bid me. Then, O you blessed ministers above!

Duke,

What, are you married ? 170 Keep me in patience; and with ripen'd time Mari. No, my lord. Unfold the evil which is here wrapt up

Duke.

Are you a maid ? In countenance. Heaven shield your grace

Mari.

No, my lord. from woe,

Duke. A widow then ? As I, thus wrong'd, hence unbelieved go!

Mari.

Neither, my lord. Duke. I know you'd fain be gone. An officer ! Duke.

Why, you To prison with her.! Shall we thus permit Are nothing then: neither maid, widow, nor wife? A blasting and a scandalous breath to fall

Lucio. My lord, she may be a punk; for many On him so near us? This needs must be a practice. of them are neither maid, widow, nor wife. Who knew of your intent and coming hither? Duke. Silence that fellow : I would he had Isab. One that I would were here, Friar Lodowick.

To prattle for himself. Duke. A ghostly father, belike. Who knows Lucio. Well, my lord. that Lodowick?

Mari. My lord, I do confess I ne'er was married ; Lucio. My lord, I know him ; 'tis a meddling And I confess besides I am no maid : friar ;

I have known my husband, yet my husband I do not like the man : had he been lay, my knows not lord,

That ever he knew me. For certain words he spake against your grace 130 Lucio. He was drunk then my lord : it can be In your retirement, I had swing'd him soundly.

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Duke. For the benefit of silence, would thou To find out this abuse, whence 'tis deriv'd. wert so too!

There is another friar that set them on; Lucio. Well, my lord.

Let him be sent for. Duke. This is no witness for Lord Angelo. Pri. Pet. Would he were here, my lord ; for Mari. Now I come to 't, my lord :

he indeed She that accuses him of fornication, 190 Hath set the women on to this complaint : In self-same manner doth accuse my husband ; Your provost knows the place where he abides And charges him, my lord, with such a time, And he may fetch him. When, I 'll depose, I had him in mine arms Duke. Go do it instantly. Exit Prorost. With all the effect of love.

And you, my noble and well-warranted cousin, Ang. Charges she more than me?

Whom it concerns to hear this matter forth, 231 Mari.

Not that I know. Do with your injuries as seems you best, Duke. No ? you say your husband.

In any chastisement: I for a while will leave you; Mari. Why, just, my lord, and that is Angelo, But stir not you till you have well determin'd Who thinks he knowsthat he ne'er knew my body, Upon these slanderers. But knows he thinks that he knows Isabel's. Escal. My lord, we 'll do it throughly. Ang. This is a strange abuse. Let's seethy face.

Erit DUKE. Mari. My husband bids me; now I will un. Signior Lucio, did not you say you knew that mask.

Unveiling. 201 Friar Lodowick to be a dishonest person ? This is that face, thou cruel Angelo,

Lucio. Cucullus non facit monachum : honest in Which once thou swor'st was worth the looking nothing but in his clothes ; and one that hath on :

spoke most villanous speeches of the duke. This is the hand which, with a vow'd contract, Escal. We shall entreat you to abide here till Was fast belock'd in thine: this is the body he come and enforce them against him. We That took away the match from Isabel,

shall find this friar a notable fellow. And did supply thee at thy garden-house

Lucio. As any in Vienna, on my word. In her imagin'd person.

Escal. Call that same Isabel here once again : Duke.

Know you this woman? | I would speak with her. Erit an Attendant. Lucio. Carnally, she says.

Pray you, my lord, give me leave to question ; Duke.

Sirrah, no more! you shall see how I'll handle her. Lucio. Enough, my lord.

Lucio. Not better than he, by her own report. Ang. My lord, I must confess I knowthis woman; Escal. Say you? And five years since there was some speech of Lucio. Marry, sir, I think, if you handled her marriage

privately, she would sooner confess : perchance, Betwixt myself and her, which was broke off, publicly, she 'll be ashamed. Partly for that her promised proportions

Escal. I will go darkly to work with her. Came short of composition ; but in chief

Lucio. That's the way : for women are light For that her reputation was disvalued

at midnight. In levity: since which time of five years I never spake with her, saw her, nor heard from

Re-enter Officers, with ISABELLA. her,

Escal. Come on, mistress ; here's a gentlel'pon my faith and honour. Mari.

Noble prince,

woman denies all that you have said. As there comes light from heaven and words

Lucio. My lord, here comes the rascal I spoke

of ; here with the provost. from breath, As there is sense in truth and truth in virtue,

Escal. In very good time: speak not you to

him till we call upon you. I am affianc'd this man's wife as strongly As words could make up vows: and, my good lord,

Lucio. Mum. But Tuesday night last gone, in s garden-house Re-enter Duke, disguised as a friar, and Provost. He knew me as a wife. As this is true, Let me in safety raise me from my knees, Escal. Come, sir. Did you set these women Or else for ever be confixed here,

on to slander Lord Angelo ? they have confessed A marble monument. Ang.

I did but smile till now: Duke. 'Tis false. Now, good my lord, give me the scope of justice; Escal. How! know you where you are ? My patience here is touch'd. I do perceive 230 Duke. Respect to your great place! and let These poor informal women are no more

the devil But instruments of some more mightier member Be sometime honour'd for his burning throne. That sets them on. Let me have way, my lord, Where is the duke? 'tis he should hear me speak. To find this practice out.

Escal. The duke's in us, and we will hear you Duke.

Ay, with my heart ; speak :
And punish them to your height of pleasure. Look you speak justiy.
Thou foolish friar, and thou pernicious woman,

Duke. Boldly, at least. But, O! poor souls, Compact with her that 's gone, think'st thou thy Come you to seek the lamb here of the fox? oaths,

Good night to your redress! Is the duke gone? Though they would swear down each particular Then is your canse gone too. The duke's unjust, saint,

Thus to retort your manifest appeal, Were testimonies against his worth and credit And put your trial in the villain's mouth That's seal'd in approbation? You, Lord Escalus, which here you come to accuse. Sit with my cousin : lend him your kind pains Lucio. This is the rascal: this is he I spoke of.

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Escal. Why, thou uureverend and unhallow'd Duke. To ESCALUS. What you have spoke I friar!

pardon ; sit you down : Is 't not enough thou hast suborn'd these women We'll borrow place of him. To ANGELO. Sir, To accuse this worthy man, but, in foul mouth, by your leave. And in the witness of his proper ear,

Hast thou or word, or wit, or impudence, To call him villain ?

That yet can do thee office? If thou hast, And then to glance from him to the duke himself, Rely upon it till my tale be heard, To tax him with injustice? Take him hence; And hold no longer out. To the rack with him! We'll touse you joint Ang.

O my dread lord ! by joint,

should be guiltier than my guiltiness, But we will know his purpose. What, “unjust'! To think I can be undiscernible, Duke. Be not so hot; the duke

When I perceive your grace, like power divine, Dare no more stretch this finger of mine than he Hath look'd upon my passes. Then, good prince, Dare rack his own: his subject am I not, No longer session hold upon my shame, Nor here provincial. My business in this state But let my trial be mine own confession: Made me a looker-on here in Vienna,

Immediate sentence then and sequent death Where I have seen corruption boil and bubble Is all the grace I beg. Till it o'er-run the stew : laws for all faults, Duke.

Come hither, Mariana. But faults so countenanc'd, that the strong Say, wast thon e'er contracted to this woman? statutes

Ang. I was, my lord. Stand like the forfeits in a barber's shop,

Duke. Go take her hence, and marry her As much in mock as mark.

instantly. Escal. Slander to the state! Away with him Do you the office, friar; which consummate, to prison !

Return him here again. Go with him, provost. Ang. What can you vouch against him, Signior Exeunt ANGELO, MARIANA, Friar PETER, Lucio ?

and Prorost. Is this the man that you did tell us of ?

Escal. My lord, I am more amaz’d at bis disLucio. "Tis he, my lord. Come hither, good- honour man baldpate: do you know me?

Than at the strangeness of it. Duke. I remember you, sir, by the sound of Duke.

Come hither, Isabel. your voice : I met you at the prison, in the Your friar is now your prince: as I was then absence of the duke.

Advertising and holy to your business, Laucio. O! did you so? And do you remember Not changing heart with habit, I am still what you said of the duke ?

330 Attorney'd at your service. Duke. Most notedly, sir.

Isab.

0! give me pardon, Lucio. Do you so, sir ? And was the duke a That I, your vassal, have employ'd and pain’d fleshmonger, a fool, and a coward, as you then Your unknown sovereignty. reported him to be?

Duke.

You are pardon'd, Isabel : Duke. You must, sir, change persons with me, And now, dear maid, be you as free to us. ere you make that my report : you, indeed, spoke Your brother's death, I know, sits at your heart : so of him ; and much more, much worse. And you may marvel why I obscur'd myself, :o1

Lucio. O thou damnable fellow! Did not I Labouring to save his life, and would not rather pluck thee by the nose for thy speeches ?

Make rash remonstrance of my hidden power Duke. I protest I love the duke as I love myself. Than let him so be lost. O most kind maid ! Ang. Hark! how the villain would close now, It was the swift celerity of his death, after his treasonable abuses.

Which I did think with slower foot came on, Escal. Such a fellow is not to be talked withal: That brain'd my purpose: but, peace be with him ! away with him to prison! Where is the provost ? That life is better life, past fearing death, Away with him to prison! Lay bolts enough Than that which lives to fear : make it your npon him, let him speak no more! Away with comfort, those giglots too, and with the other confederate So happy is your brother. companion !

Isab.

I do, my lord.
The Prorost lays hand on the DUKE.
Duke. Stay, sir ; stay awhile.

Re-cnter ANGELO, MARIANA, Friar Peter,

and Provost. Ang. What! resists he? Help him, Lucio. 350

Lucio. Come, sir ; come, sir ; come, sir ; foh! Duke. For this new-married man approaching, sir. Why, you bald-pated, lying rascal, you here, must be hooded, must you ? show your knave's Whose salt imagination yet hath wrong'd visage, with a pox to you! show your sheep- Your well-defended honour, you must pardon biting face, and be hanged an hour! Will 't For Mariana's sake. But as he adjudg'd your not off ?

brother,
Pulls off the Friar's hood, and discovers Being criminal, in double violation

the DUKE. Of sacred chastity, and of promise-breach, Duke. Thou art the first knave that e'er made Thereon dependent, for your brother's life, a duke.

The very mercy of the law cries out
First, provost, let me bail these gentle three. Most audible, even from his proper tongue,
To Lucio. Sneak not away, sir ; for the friar - An Angelo for Claudio, death for death!

Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure, Must have a word anon. Lay hold on him. 360 Like doth quit like, and Measure still for Measure.

Lucio. This may prove worse than hanging, Then, Angelo, thy fault thus manifested,

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to you.

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Which, though thou would'st deny, denies thee | I have reserv'd alive. vantage,

Duke.

What's he? We do condemn thee to the very block

Prov.

His name is Barnardine, Where Claudio stoop'd to death, and with like Duke. I would thou hadst done so by Claudio. haste.

Go fetch him hither: let me look upon him. 470 Away with him!

Erit Provost. Mari.

O my most gracious lord ! Esca. I am sorry, one so learned and so wise I hope you will not mock me with a husband. As you, Lord Angelo, have still appear'd, Duke. It is your husband mock'd you with a Should slip so grossly, both in the heat of blood, husband.

And lack of temper'd judgment afterward. Consenting to the safeguard of your honour, 420 Ang. I am sorry that such sorrow I procure ; I thought your marriage fit; else imputation, And so deep sticks it in my penitent heart For that he knew you, might reproach your life That I crave death more willingly than mercy: Andchoke yourgood to come. For his possessions, 'Tis my deserving, and I do entreat it. Although by confiscation they are ours, We do instate and widow you withal,

Re-enter Provost, BARNARDINE, CLAUDIO To buy you a better husband.

muffled, and JULIET. Mari.

O my dear lord !

Duke. Which is that Barnardine ? I crave no other, nor no better man.

Prov.

This, my lord. Duke. Never crave him ; we are definitive. Duke. There was a friar told me of this man. Mari. Gentle my liege !-

K’neeling. Sirrah, thou art said to have a stubborn soul, 4st Duke.

You do but lose your labour. That apprehends no further than this world, Away with him to death! To Lucio. Now, sir, And squar’st thy life according. Thou’rt con

demn'd; Mari. O my good lord! Sweet Isabel, take But, for those earthly faults, I quit them all, my part :

And pray thee take this mercy to provide Lend me your knees, and all my life to come For better times to come. Friar, advise him : I'll lend you all my life to do you service. I leave him to your hand. What muffled fellow's

Duke. Against all sense you do importune her: that ? Should she kneel down in mercy of this fact, Prov. This is another prisoner that I sav'd, Her brother's ghost his paved bed would break, That should have died when Claudio lost his And take her hence in horror.

head, Mari.

Isabel,

As like almost to Claudio as himself. Sweet Isabel, do yet but kneel by me:

l'nmufiles CLAUDIO. Hold up your hands, say nothing, I'll speak all. Duke. To ISABELLA. If he be like your They say, best men are moulded out of faults, 440 brother, for his sake And, for the most, become much more the better Is he pardon'd; and for your lovely sake For being a little bad : so may my husband. Give me your hand and say you will be mine, O Isabel! will you not lend a knee?

He is my brother too. But fitter time for that. Duke. He dies for Claudio's death.

By this Lord Angelo perceives he's safe : Isab. Most bounteous sir, Kneeling. Methinks I see a quick'ning in his eye. Look, if it please you, on this man condemn'd, Well, Angelo, your evil quits you well: As if my brother liv'd. I partly think

Look that you love your wife; her worth worth A due sincerity govern'd his deeds,

yours. Till he did look on me: since it is so,

I find an apt remission in myself, Let him not die. My brother had but justice, And yet here's one in place I cannot pardon. 500 In that he did the thing for which he died : 450 To Lucio. You, sirrah, that knew me for a fool, For Angelo,

a coward, His act did not o'ertake his bad intent,

One all of luxury, an ass, a madman: And must be buried but as an intent

Wherein have I so deserv'd of you, That perish'd by the way. Thoughts are no That you extol me thus ? subjects,

Lucio. Faith, my lord, I spoke it but according Intents but merely thoughts.

to the trick. If you will hang me for it, you Mari.

Merely, my lord. may ; but I had rather it would please you I Duke. Your suit's unprofitable: stand up, I say. might be whipped. I have bethought me of another fault.

Duke. Whipp'd first, sir, and hang'd after. Provost, how came it Claudio was beheaded Proclaim it, provost, round about the city, At an unusual hour ?

Is any woman wrong'd by this lewd fellow, Pror.

It was commanded so. As I have heard him swear himself there's one Duke. Had you a special warrant for the deed? Whom he begot with child. let her appear, Pror. No, my good lord ; it was by private And he shall marry her: the nuptial finish’d, message.

461 Let him be whipp'd and hang’d. Duke. For which I do discharge you of your Lucio. I beseech your highness, do not marry office:

me to a whore. Your highness said even now, I Give up your keys.

made you a duke: good my lord, do not recomProv.

Pardon me, noble lord : pense me in making me a cuckold. I thought it was a fault, but knew it not,

Duke. Upon mine honour, thou shalt marry her. Yet did repent me, after more advice ;

Thy slanders I forgive ; and therewithal For testimony whereof, one in the prison, Remit thy other forfeits. Take him to prison, That should by private order else have died, And see our pleasure herein executed.

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