no:

I'll perfect him withal ; and be shall bring you And dull to all proceedings. A deflower'd maid !
Before the duke ; and to the head of Angelo And by an eminent body, that enforc'd
Accuse bim home, and home. For my poor self, The law against it!-But that her tender shame
I am combined by a sacred vow,

Will nut proclaim against her maiden loss,
And shall be absent. Wend you with this letter: How might she tongue me? Yet reason dares her?
Command these fretting waters from your eyes
With a light heart ; trust not my boly order, For my authority bears a credent bulk,
If I pervert your course.—Who's here?

That no particular scandal once can touch,

But it confounds the breather. He should have Enter Lucio. Lucio.

Good even!

liv'd, Friar, where is the provost ?

Save that his riotous youth, with dangerous sense,

Might, in the times to come, bave ta'en revenge, Duke.

Not within, sir. Lucio, o, pretty Isabella, I am pale at mine with ransome of such shame. 'Would yet he had

By so receiving a dishonour'd life, neart, to see thine eyes so red; thou must be pa tient? I am fain to dine and sup with water and Alack, when once our grace we have forgot,

liv'd! oran ; I dare not for my head fill my belly ; one fruitful meal would set me to't: But they say the Nothing goes right; we would, and we would not. duke will be here to-morrow. By my troth, Isabel,

[Erit. I lov'd thy brother: if the old fantastical duke of dark corners had been at bome, he bad lived,

SCENE V.-Fields without the Town. [Erit Isabella.

Enter Duke in his own habit, and Friar PETER. Duke. Sir, the duke is marvellous little beholden

Duke. These letters at fit time deliver me. to your reports; but the best is, he lives not in them. Lucio. Friar, thou knowest not the duke so well

[Giving letlers. as I do: he's a better woodman than thou takest The provost kuows our purpose, and our plot. him for.

The matter being afoot, keep your instruction, Duke. Well, you'll answer this one day. Fare And bold you ever to our special drift; ve well.

Though sometimes you do blench from this to that, Lucio. Nay, tarry ; I'll go along with thee; 1 As cause doth minister. Go, call at Flavius' bouse,

And tell him where I stay: gire the like notice can tell thee pretty tales of the duke.

Duke. You have told me too many of him sol- To Valentinus, Rowland, and to Crassus, ready, sir, if thay be true ; if not true, none were And bid them bring the trumpets to the gate; enough.

But send me Flavius first.

F. Peter. Lucio. I was once before bim for getting a wench

It shall be speeded well. with child.

[Erit Friar. Duke. Did you such a thing?

Enter VARRTUS. Lucio. Yes, marry, did I ; but was fain to for. swear it; they would else bave married me to the

Duke. I thank thee, Varrius; thou bast made rotten medlar.

good haste : Duke. Sir, your company is fairer than honest : Come, we will walk : There's other of our friends Rest you well.

Will greet us here anon, my gentle Varri:18. Lucio. By my troth, I'll go with thee to the

[Eaennt. lane's end : If bawdy talk offend you, we'll have very little of it; Nay, friar, I am a kind of burr,

SCENE VI.-Street near the City Gate. I shall stick.

[Exeunt.

Enter ISABELLA and MARIANA.
SCENE IV.-A Room in Angelo's House. Isab. To speak so indirectly, I am loath ;

I would say the truth; but to aecuse bim so,
Enter ANGELO and ESCALUS.

That is your part: yet l'm advis'd to do it;
Escal. Every letter he hath writ hath disvouch'd He says, to veil full purpose.
other.

Maria.

Be rul’d by him. Ang. In most uneven and distracted manner. Isab. Besides, he tells me, that, if porudventure His actions show much like to wadness: pray Hea- He speak against me on the adverse side, ven, his wisdom be not tainted! And why meet him I should not think it strange; for 'tis a physic, at the gates, and re-deliver our authorities there? That's bitter to sweet end. Escal. I guess not.

Mari. I would Friar PeterAng. And why should we proclaim it in an hour

Isab.

0, peace; the (riar is come. before bis entering, that, if any crave redress of injustice, they should exhibit their petition in the

Enter Friar Peter. street ?

F. Peter. Come, I bave found you out a stand Escal. He shows his reason for that: to have a

most fit, despatch of complaints; and to deliver us from de. Where you may have such vantage on the duke, vices hereafter, which shall then have no power to He shall not pass you: Twice hive the trumpets Bland against us.

sounded;
Ang. Well, I beseech you, let it be proclaim'd : The generous and gravest citizens
Betimes i'the morn, I'll call you at your house Have hent the gates, and very near epon
Give notice to such men of sort and suit,

The duke is entring; therefore bencs 1 Tuy, As are to meet bim.

(Esauni. Escal. I shall, sir: fare you well. [Exit. Ang. Good night,This deed unshapes me quite, makes me unpreg

There is another comfirt than this world,
ACT V.

That thou negli ct me not, with that opinion,
That I am touch'd with madness; make not im.

possible SCENE I.- A public Place near the City Gate. That which but seems unlike : 'tis not impossible MARIANA (reiled), Isabella, and Peter, at a dis- But one, the wicked’st caitiff on the ground,

tance. Enter at opposite doors, DUKE, VARRIUS, May seem as shy, as grave, as just, as absolute, Lords; ANGELO, Escalus, LucIO, Provost, Offi

As Angelo; even so may Angelo,

In all bis dressings, characts, titles, forms, cers, and Citizens.

Be an arch-villain ; believe it, royal prince,
Duke. My very worthy cousin, fairly met:- If he be less, he's nothing ; but he's more,
Our old and faithful friend, we are glad to see you. Had I more name for badness.
Ang. and Escal. Happy return be to your royal Duke.

By mine honesty, grace!

If she be mad, as I believe no other,
Duke. Many and heariy thankings to you both. Her madness bath the oddest frame of sense,
We have made inquiry of ou; and we hear Such a dependency of thing on thing,
Such goodness of your justice, that our soul As e'er I heard in maduess.
Cannot but yield gou forth to public thanks,

Isab.

0, gracious duke, Forerunning more requival.

Harp not on that: nor do not banish reason Ang.

You make my boods still grrater. For inequality; but let your reason serve Luke. O, your desert speaks loud ; and 1 To muke the truth appear, where it seems lid : should wrong it,

And hid the false seems true. To lock it in the wards of corert bosom,

Duke.

Many that are not mad, When it deserves with characters of brass

Have, sure, more lack of reason. – W bat would A forted residence, 'gainst the tooth of time,

you say? And razure of oblivion : Give me your hand,

Isah. I am the sister of one Claudio,
And let the subject see, to make them know Condemn'd upon the act of fornication
That outward courtesies would fain proclaim To lose his head; condemn'd by Angelo :
Favours that keep within.-Come, Escalus; 1, in probation of a sisterhood,
You must walk by us on our other hand;

Was sent to by my brother: One Lucio
And good supporters are you.

As then the messenger;
Lucio.

'That's I, an't like your graco : Peter and ISABELLA come forward.

I came to her from Claudio, and desir'd her F. Peter. Now is your time; speak loud, and To try her gracious fortune with Lord Angelo, kneel before bim.

For her poor brother's pardon. Isab. Justice, O royal duke! Vail your regard Isab.

That's lie, indeed. Upon a wrong'i, l'a fain have said, a maid !

Duke. You were not bid to speak. O worthy prince, dishonour not your eye

Luio.

No, my good lord; By throwing it on any other object,

Nor wish'd to hold my peace. Till you bave beard me in my true com;laint, Dukc.

I wish you now then: And given me, justice, justice, justice, justice ! Pray you, take note of it: and when you have Duka. Relate your wrongs : In what? By whom? A business for yourself, pray Heaven, you then Be brief:

Be perfect. Here is Lord Angelo sball give you justice !

Lucio. I warrant your honour. Reveal yourself to him.

Duke. The warrant's for yourself; take heed to it. Isab. 0, worthy duke,

Isab. This gentleman tuld somewhat of my tale. You bid me seek redemption of the devil:

Lucio. Right. Hear me yourself; for that which I must speak Duke. It may be right; but you are in the wrong Must either punish me, not being believ'd, To speak before your time.--Proceed. Or wring redress from you: hear me, O, hear me, Isab.

I went. here.

To this peruicious caitif deputy.
Ang. My lord, her wits, I fear me, are not firm : Duke. That's somewhat madly spoken.
Sbe hath been a suitor to me for ber brother,

Isab.

Pardon it, Cut off by course of justice !

The phrase is to the matter. Isah.

By course of justice ! Duke. Mended again : the matter ;-Proceed. Ang. And she will speak most bitterly, and Isab. In brief,—to set the needless process by, strange.

How I persuaded, how 1 pray'd, and kneelid, Isab. Most strange, but yet most truly, will I How he r«felld me, and how 1 reply'd; speak:

(For this was of mucb length,) the vile conclusion That Angelo's forsworn; is it not strange ? I now begin witb grief and shame to utter: That Angelo's a murderer: is't not strange ? He would not, but by gift of my chaste body That Angelo is an adulterous thief,

To his concupiscible intemperate lust, An bypocrite, a virgin-violator;

Release my brother; and, after much debatement, Is it not stran e, and strange!

My sisterly remorse confutes mine honour. Duke.

Nay, ten times strange. And I did yield to him: But the next mon detimes, Isab. It is not truer he is Angelo,

His purpose surfeiting. he sends a warrant Then this is all as true as it is strange :

For my poor brother's head. Nay, it is ten times true; for truth is truth

Duke.

Tbis is most likely To the end of reckoning.

Isab. O, that it were as like as it is true ! Duke.

Away with her;-Poor soul, Duke. By Heaven, fond wretch, thou know'st She speaks this is the infirmity of sense.

not what thou speak'st; Isab. O prince, I conjure thee, as thou helier'st Or else thou art suborn'd against his honour,

Why, you

cause

Jn hateful practice : First, bis integrity

Give us some seats.-Conne, cousin Angelo, Stands without blemish : -- next, it imports no In this l'll be impartial ; be you judge reason,

Of your own cause.—Is this the witness, friar? That with such vehemency he should pursue First, let her show her face ; and, after, sjeak. Faults proper to himself. if he had so offended, Mari. Pardon, my lord ; I will not show iny fuce He would have neigh'd thy brother by himself, Until my busband bid me. And not bave cut bim off: Some one hath set Duke.

What, are you married you on ;

Mari. No, my lord. Confess the truth, and say by whose advice

Duke.

Are you a maid? Thou cam'st here to complain.

Mari.

No, my lord Isab.

And is this all ? Duke. A widow then ? Then, oh, you blessed minis!ers above,

Mari.

Neither, my lord. Keep me in patience; and with ripen'd time,

Duke. Unfold the evil which is here wrapt up

Are nothing then :- Neither maid, widow, bor In countenance !-Heaven shield your grace from

wife? woe,

Lucio. My lord, she may be a punk; for many As 1, thus wrong'd, hence unbelieved go!

of them are ne ther maid, widow, nor wife. Duke. I know, you'd fain be gune :- An officer ! Duke. Silence that fellow : I would, he had some To prison with her:-Shall we ibus permit A blasting and a scandalous breath to full

To prattle for himself. On him so near us ? This needs must be a practice. Lucio. Well, my lord. -Who knew of your intent, and coming hitber? Mari. My lord, I do confess I ne'er was married; Isab. One ibat I would were here, Friar Lo- And, I confess, besides, I am no maid: dowick.

I have known my husband; yet my husbaud kurs Duke. A ghostly father, belike: Who knows

not that Lodowick?

That ever he knew me. Lucio. My lord, I know him; 'tis a meddling Lucio. He was drunk then, my lord; it can be friar?

no better. I do not like the man: had be been lay, my lord, Duke. For the benefit of silence, would thou For certain words he spake against your grace

wert so too. In your retirement, 1 bad swing'd him roundly. Lucio. Well, my lord. Duke. Words against me? This, a good friar, Duke. This is no witness for Lord Angelo. belike!

Mari. Now I come to't my lord : And to set on this wretched woman here

She, that accuses him of fornication, Against our substitute!-Let this friar be found. In sell-same manner doth accuse my husband; Lucio. But yesternight, my lord, she and that and charges him, my lord, with such a time, friar

Wben I'll depose I had him in mine arms, I saw them at the prison: a saucy friar,

With all the effect of love. A very scurvy fellow.

Ang.

Charges she more than ma ? F. Peter.

Blessed be your royal grace! Mari. Not that I know. I have stood by, my lord, and I have heard

Duke.

No? you say, your husbard, Your royal ear abus'd : First, bath this woman Mari. Why, just, my lord, and that is Angelo, Most wrongfully accus'd your substitute ;

Who thinks, he knows, that be ne'er knew my body, Who is as free from touch or soil with her,

But knows, he thinks, that he knows Isabel's. As she from one ungot.

Ang. This is a strange abuse:-Let's see thy face. Duke.

We did believe no less. Mari. My husband bids me; now I will unmask. Know you that Friar Lodowick that sbe speaks of?

[Unveiling F. Peter. I know bim for a man divine and holy; This is that face, thou cruel Angelo. Not scurvy, nor a temporary meddler,

Which, once thou sworist, was worth the looking As he's reported by this gentleman; And, on my trust, a man that never yet

This is the hand, which, with a vow'd contract, Did, as he vouches, misreport your grace. Was fast belock'd in thine: this is the body

Lucio. My lord, most villanously; believe it. That took away the match from Isabel,
F. Peter. Well, be in time may come to clear And did supply thee at thy garden-house,
bimself;

In her imagin'd person.
But at this instant he is sick, my lord,

Duke.

Know

you

this woman: Of a strange ferer: Upon bis mere request,

Lucio. Carnally, she says. (Being come to knowledge that there was complaint Duke.

Sirrab, no more. Intended 'gainst Lord Angelo,) came I bither, Lucio. Enough, my lord. To speak, as from his mouth, what he doth know Ang. My lord, I must confess, I know this Is true and false ; and wbat he with his oath,

woman; And all probation, will make up full clear, And, five years since, there was some speech of Whensoever he's convented. First, for this woman;

marriage (To justify this worthy nobleman,

Betwixt myself and her; which was broke off, So vulgarly and personally accus'd,)

Partly, for that her promised proportions Her shall you hear disproved to ber eyes,

Came short of composition ; but, in chief, Till she herself confess it.

For that her reputation was disvalued Duke.

Good friar, let's hear it. In levity : since which time of five years, [ISABELLA is carried off, guarded ; and I never spake with her, saw her, nor heard from MARIANA comes forward.

her, Do vou not smile at this, Lord Angelo ?-- Upon my faith and honour. C Ileaven' the vanity of wretched fools !

Mari.

Noble prince,

on :

As there comes light from heaven, and words from Escal. In very good time :— speak not you to breath,

him, till we call upon you. As there is sense in truth, and truth in virtue, Lucio, Mum. J am affianc'u this man's wife, as strongly

Escal. Come, sir : Did you set these women on As words could take up vows: and, my good lord, to slander Lord Angelo? They have confessid you But Tuesday nignt last gone, in his garden house, did. He knew me as a wife: As this is true

Duke. 'Tis false. Let me in safety raise me from my knees;

Escal. How! know you where you are ? Or else for ever be confixed bere,

Duke. Respect to your great piace! and let the A marble monument !

devii Ang.

I did but smile till now; Be sometime honour'd for his burning throne :Now, good my lord, give me the scope of justice; Where is the duke ? 'tis be should hear me speak. My patience here is touch'd: 1 do perceive, Escal. The duke's in us; and we will hear you These poor informal women are no more

speak : But instruments of some more mightier member, Look, you speak justly. That sets them on: Let me bave way, my lord, Duke. Boldly, at least : But, 0, poor souls: To find this practice out.

Come you to seek the lamb here of the fox ? Duke.

Ay, with my heart; Good night to your redress. Is the duke gone? And punish them unto your height of pleasure. Then is your cause gone too. The duke's unjust, Thou foolis! friar; and thou pernicious woman, Thus to retort your manifest appeal Compact with her that's gone! think'st thuu, thy And put your tria, in the villain's mouth, oaths,

Which here you come to accuse: Though they would swear down each particular Lucio. This is the rascal; this is he I spoke of. saint,

Escal. Why, tlou unreverend and unballow'd Were testimonies against bis worth and credit,

friar! That's seal'd in approbation ?-You, lord Escalus, Is't not enough, thou hast suborn'd these women, Sit with iny cousin ; lend him

your

kind pains To accuse this worthy man; but, in four mouth, To find out his abuse, whence 'tis deriv'd, - And in the witness of his proper ear, There is another friar that set them on;

To call him villain? Let him be sent for.

And then to glance from bim to the duke himself; F. Peter. Would he were here, my lord; for be To tax him with injustice ? Take him hence ; indeed,

To the rack with bim :-We'll touze you joint by Hath get the women on to this complaint:

joint, Your provost knows the place where he abides, But we will know this purpose :- What! unjust ? And he may fetch him.

Duke. Be not so hot; the duke Duke. Go, do it instantly.- [Erit Provost. Dare no more stretch this finger of mine, than he And you, my noble and well-warranted cousin, Dare ruck his own; his subject am I not, Whom it concerns to hear this matter forth, Nor here provincial : My business in this stato Do with your injuries as seems you best,

Made me a looker-on here in Vienna, In any chastisement: I for a while

Where I have seen corruption boil and bubble, Will leave you; but stir not you, till you have Till it o'er-run the stew: laws, for all fauits ; weil

But faults so countenanc'd, that the strong statutes Determined upon these slanderers.

Stand like the forfeits in a barber's shop, Escal. My lord, we'll do it thoroughly.-[Erit As much in mock as mark. Duke.] Signior Lucio, did not you say, you knew Escal. Slander to the state ! Away with him to that Friar Lodowick to be a dishonest person ?

prison. Lucio. Cucullus non facit monachum : honest in Ang. What can you vouche agaiost bim, Sigrior jothing, but in his clothes ; aud ono that hath spoke

Lucio? most villanous speeches of the duke.

Is this the man that you did tell us of? Escal. We shall entreat you to abide here till he Lucio. 'Tis he, my lord. Come bither, good-mun come, and enforce them against him: we shall find bald-pate : Do you know me? this friar a notable fellow.

Duke. I remember you, sir, by the sound of your Lucio. As any in Vienna, on my word.

voice : I met you at the prison, in the absence of Escal. Call that same Isabel here once again; the duke. (To an Attendant] I would speak with her: Pray Lucio. O did you so ? And do you rememler sou, my lord, give me leave to question ; you shall what you said of the duke ? See how I'll handle her.

Duke. Most notedly, sir. Lucio. Not better than he, by her own report. Lucio. Do you, so, sir! And was the duke a Escal. Say you?

fesh-monger, a fool, and a coward, as you then reLucio. Marry, sir, I think, if you handled her ported him to be ? privately she would sooner confesso percbance, Duke. You must, sir, change persons with me, publicly sbe'll be ashamed.

ere you make that my report: you, indeed, spoke

so of him; and much more, much worse. Re-enter Officers, with ISABELLA; the Duke, in the

Lucio. O thou damnable fellow! Did not I Friar's habit, and Provost,

pluck thee by the nose, for thy speeches ? Escal. I will go darkly to work with her.

Duke. I protest, I love the duke, as I love myself. Lucio. That's the way; for women are light at Ang. Hark! how the villain would close now, midoight.

after his treasonable abuses.' Escal. Come on mistress : (70 ISABELLA) bere's Escui. Such a fellow is not to be talk'd withal :a gentlewoman denies all that you have said. Away with him to prison :- Where is the provost?

Lucio. My lord, here comes the - rascal I spoke -Away with bim to prison ; lay bolts enough upon of; bere with the provost.

him : let him speak no more :--Away with thngo haste;

giglots too, and with the other confederate compa-vur well de ruided honour, you must pardon nion, [The Provost laus hands on the Duke | For Mariana's sake : but as he adjudy'd your Duke. Stay, sir; stay awhile.

brother, Ang. What! resists be! Help bim, Lucio. (Being criminal, in double violation Lucio. Come, sir ; come, sir; come, sir ; foh, sir: Of sacred chastity, and of promise-breach, Why, you bald-pated, lying rascal! you must be Thereon dependent for your brother's life.) bonded, must you ? Show your knave's visage, with The very mercy of the law cries out a pox to you !' show your sheep-biting face, and be Most audible, eren from his proper tongue, hang'd an hour! Will't not off?

An Angelo for Claudio, death for death. (Pulls of the Friar's hood, and discovers the Duke. Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure; Duke. Thou art the first knave, that e'er made a Like doth quii like, and Measure still for Measure. duke.

Then Angelo, thy fault's thus manifested : First, provost, let me bail these gentle tbree :- Which though thou would'st deny, denies theo Sneak not away, sir; [To Lucio) for the friar and

vantage :

We do condemn thee to the very block you Must have a word anon :-lay hold on him. Where Claudio stoop'd to death, and with like

Lucio. This may prove worse than banging.
Duke. What you have spoke, I pardon ; sit you Away with biin.
down.
[To Escalus. Mari.

0, my most gracious lord, We'll borrow place of him-Sir, by your leave : I hope you will not mock me with a husband !

[To Angelo Duke. It is your busband mock'd you with a Hast thou or word, or wit, or impudence,

husband : That yet can do thee office? If thou hast,

Consenting to the safeguard of your honour, Rely upon it till my tale be heard,

I thought your marriage fit; else imputation, And bold no longer out.

For that he knew you, might reproach your life, Aug.

O my dread lord, And choke your good to come : for his possessions I should be guiltier than my guiltiness,

Although by confiscation they are ours,
To think I can be undiscernible,

We do instate and widow' you withal,
When I perceive your grace, like power divine, To buy you a better husband.
Hath look'd upon my passes . Then, good prince,

Mari,

O, my dear lord, No longer session bold upon my shame,

I crave no other, nor no better man. But let my trial be mine own confession;

Duke. Never crare him ; we are definitive. Immediaté sentence then, and sequent death,

Mari. Gentle, my liege,

[Kneeling Is all ihe grace I beg.

Duke. You do but lose your labour , Duke.

Come hither, Mariana :— Away with him to death. —Now, sir, [T. Lucro] Say, wast thou e'er contracted to this woman? Ang. I was, my lord.

Mari. O, my good lord Sweet Isabel, take Duke. Go take her hence, and marry her, in

my part; stantly.

Lend me your knees, and all my life to come Do you the office, friar ; which consummate, I'll lend you all my life to do you service. Return him here again :-Go with him, provost. Duke. Against all sense you do impórtune her: (Ereunt ANGELO, MARIANA, Peter, and Provost. Should she kneel down, in mercy of this fact, Escal. My lord, I am more amazed at his dis- Her brother's ghost his paved bed would break, honour,

And take her hence in horror. Than at the strangeness of it.

Mari.

Isabel, Duke.

Come hither, Isabel : Sweet Isabel, do yet but kneel by me; Your friar is now your prince: As I was then Hold up your hands, say nothing, I'll speak all. Advertising, and holy to your business,

They say, best men are moulded out of faults ; Not changing beart with habit, I am still And, for the most become much more the better Attorney'd at your service.

For being a litle bad : so may my husband. Isab.

O give me pardon, 0, Isabel ; will you not lend a knee? That I, your vassal, have employd and pain'd Duke. He dies for Claudio's death. Your unknown sovereignty.

Isab.

Most bounteous sir, Duke. You are pardon'd, Isabel :

[Kneeling And now, dear maid, be you as free to us. Look, if it please you, on this man condemn'd, Your brother's death, I know, sits at your heart; As if my brother liv'd: I partly think, And you may marvel, why I obscur'd myself, A due sincerity govern'd his deeds, Labouring to save his life, and would not rather Till be did look on nie; since it is so, Make rash remonstrances of my hidden power, Let him not die: My brother had but justice, Than let him so be lost; O most kind maid, In that he did the thing for which he died : It was the swift celerity of his death,

For Angelo,
Which I did think with slower foot came on, His act did not o'ertake his bad intent;
That brain'd my purpose : But, peace be with bim! And must be buried but as an intent
That life is better life, past fearing death, That perish'd by the way: thoughts are no sud.
Than that which lives to fear: make it your comfort, jects;
So happy is your brother.

Intents but merely thoughts.
Mari.

Merely, my lord.
Re-enter Angelo, Mariana, Peter, and Provost. Duke. Your suit's unprofitable; stand up, I say.--
Isab.
I do, my lord.

I have bethought me of another fault :Duke. For this new-married man, approaching Provost, how came it, Claudio was beheaded here,

At an unusual hour? Whose salt imagination yet hath wrong'd.

Prov.

It was commanded so.