Lucio. I warrant your honour.
Duke. The warrant's for yourself: take heed to it. Isab. This gentleman told somewhat of my tale,
Bless'd be your royal grace! I have stood by, my lord, and I have heard Your royal ear abus'd. First, hath this woman Most wrongfully accus'd your substitute,
Lucio. Right.
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 time. Proceed.
As she from one ungot.
Isab.
I went
To this pernicious caitiff deputy.
1
Duke. That's somewhat madly spoken.
Isab.
Duke.
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;
Pardon it: 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.
91
Lucio. My lord, most villanously; believe it. Fri. Pet. Well; he in time may come to clear himself,
150
But at this instant he is sick, my lord,
Of a strange fever. Upon his mere request,
Being come to knowledge that there was com-
plaint
The phrase is to the matter.
Duke. Mended again: the matter; proceed.
Isab. In brief, to set the needless process by,
How I persuaded, how I pray'd, and kneel'd,
How he refell'd me, and how I replied,-
For this was of much length,-the vile conclusion
I now begin with grief and shame to utter.
He would not, but by gift of my chaste body
To his concupiscible intemperate lust,
Release my brother; and, after much debatement,
My sisterly remorse confutes mine honour,
And I did yield to him. But the next morn
betimes,
101
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.
Isab.
And is this all?
Then, O you blessed ministers above!
Keep me in patience; and with ripen'd time
Unfold the evil which is here wrapt up
In countenance.
Heaven shield your grace
from woe,
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.
Intended 'gainst Lord Angelo, came I hither,
To speak, as from his mouth, what he doth know
Is true and false; and what he with his oath
And all probation will make up full clear,
Whensoever he's convented. First, for this
woman,
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
MARIANA comes forward.
Do you not smile at this, Lord Angelo?
O heaven! the vanity of wretched fools.
Give us some seats. Come, cousin Angelo;
In this I'll be impartial; be you judge
Of your own cause. Is this the witness, friar?
First, let her show her face, and after speak.
Mari. Pardon, my lord, I will not show my face
Until my husband bid me.
Duke.
What, are you married? 170
Mari. No, my lord.
Duke.
Are you a maid?
No, my lord.
Neither, my lord.
Mari.
Duke. A widow then?
Mari.
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.
Duke. Silence that fellow: I would he had
Duke. For the benefit of silence, would thou | To find out this abuse, whence 'tis deriv'd. wert so too!
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. This is a strange abuse. Let's see thy face. Mari. My husband bids me; now I will unUnveiling. 201 This is that face, thou cruel Angelo, Which once thou swor'st was worth the looking
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,
There is another friar that set them on; Let him be sent for.
Fri. Pet. Would he were here, my lord; for he indeed
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. 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 for a 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.
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, Or else for ever be confixed here,
A marble monument.
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 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 That's seal'd in approbation? You, Lord Escalus, Sit with my cousin : lend him your kind pains
Escal. Come, sir. Did you set these women on to slander Lord Angelo? they have confessed did.
Escal. Why, thou unreverend and unhallow'd
friar!
Is 't not enough thou hast suborn'd these women
To accuse this worthy man, but, in foul mouth,
And in the witness of his proper ear,
To call him villain?
And then to glance from him to the duke himself,
To tax him with injustice? Take him hence;
To the rack with him! We'll touse you joint
by joint,
311
But we will know his purpose. What, 'unjust'!
Duke. Be not so hot; the duke
Dare no more stretch this finger of mine than he
Dare rack his own: his subject am I not,
Nor here provincial. My business in this state
Made me a looker-on here in Vienna,
Where I have seen corruption boil and bubble
Till it o'er-run the stew: laws for all faults,
But faults so countenanc'd, that the strong
Duke. To ESCALUS. What you have spoke I
pardon; sit you down :
To ANGELO. Sir,
by your leave.
We 'll borrow place of him.
Hast thou or word, or wit, or impudence,
That yet can do thee office? If thou hast,
And hold no longer out.
Rely upon it till my tale be heard,
statutes
Stand like the forfeits in a barber's shop,
As much in mock as mark.
Ang.
O my dread lord!
I should be guiltier than my guiltiness,
When I perceive your grace, like power divine,
To think I can be undiscernible,
No longer session hold upon my shame,
Hath look'd upon my passes. Then, good prince,
But let my trial be mine own confession :
Immediate sentence then and sequent death
Is all the grace I beg.
Come hither, Mariana.
Duke.
Ang. I was, my lord.
Say, wast thou e'er contracted to this woman?
Duke. Go take her hence, and marry her
instantly.
Return him here again.
Do you the office, friar;
Go with him, provost. which consummate, Exeunt ANGELO, MARIANA, Friar PETER, and Provost. Escal. My lord, I am more amaz'd at his dishonour
281
320
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?
Come hither, goodLucio. 'Tis he, my lord. man 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.
Laucio. O! did you so? And do you remember what you said of the duke?
330
Duke. Most notedly, sir.
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. Did not I Lucio. O thou damnable fellow! 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!
Than at the strangeness of it.
Come hither, Isabel.
Duke.
Advertising and holy to your business,
Your friar is now your prince: as I was then
Not changing heart with habit, I am still
Attorney'd at your service.
O! give me pardon,
Isab.
That I, your vassal, have employ'd and pain'd
You are pardon'd, Isabel:
Duke.
Your unknown sovereignty.
And now, dear maid, be you as free to us.
And you may marvel why I obscur'd myself, 391
Your brother's death, I know, sits at your heart;
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!
Which I did think with slower foot came on,
It was the swift celerity of his death,
That brain'd my purpose: but, peace be with him!
That life is better life, past fearing death,
comfort,
Than that which lives to fear: make it your
I do, my lord.
Isab.
So happy is your brother.
Re-enter ANGELO, MARIANA, Friar PETER,
and Provost.
Duke. For this new-married man approaching
here,
Whose salt imagination yet hath wrong'd
But as he adjudg'd your
Your well-defended honour, you must pardon
brother,
For Mariana's sake.
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
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 sheep-
biting 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
and you
Must have a word anon. Lay hold on him.
Lucio. This may prove worse than hanging.
360
Which, though thou would'st deny, denies thee | I have reserv'd alive. vantage,
What's he?
Duke.
Prov.
We do condemn thee to the very block
Where Claudio stoop'd to death, and with like
haste.
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.
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.
I crave no other, nor no better man.
Duke. Never crave him; we are definitive.
Mari. Gentle my liege!—
Kneeling.
Duke.
You do but lose your labour.
Away with him to death! To LUCIO. Now, sir,
to you.
433
Sweet Isabel, take
Mari. O my good lord!
my part:
Lend me your knees, and all my life to come
I'll lend you all my life to do you service.
Duke. Against all sense you do importune her:
Should she kneel down in mercy of this fact,
Her brother's ghost his paved bed would break,
And take her hence in horror.
Mari.
Isabel,
Sweet Isabel, do yet but kneel by me:
Hold up your hands, say nothing, I'll speak all.
They say, best men are moulded out of faults, 440
And, for the most, become much more the better
For being a little bad: so may my husband.
O Isabel! will you not lend a knee?
Duke. He dies for Claudio's death.
Isab.
Most bounteous sir, Kneeling.
Look, if it please you, on this man condemn'd,
As if my brother liv'd. I partly think
A due sincerity govern'd his deeds,
Till he did look on me: since it is so,
His act did not o'ertake his bad intent,
And must be buried but as an intent
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.
yours.
I find an apt remission in myself,
Let him not die. My brother had but justice,
In that he did the thing for which he died:
For Angelo,
450
And yet here's one in place I cannot pardon. 500
To LUCIO. You, sirrah, that knew me for a fool,
a coward,
One all of luxury, an ass, a madman :
Wherein have I so deserv'd of you,
That perish'd by the way. Thoughts are no That you extol me thus?
Prov.
Pardon me, noble lord :
I thought it was a fault, but knew it not,
Yet did repent me, after more advice;
For testimony whereof, one in the prison,
That should by private order else have died,
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.
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.
Lucio. Marrying a punk, my lord, is pressing | We shall employ thee in a worthier place. to death, whipping and hanging.
Duke. Slandering a prince deserves it.
Exeunt Officers with LUCIO.
She, Claudio, that you wrong'd, look you restore.
Joy to you, Mariana! love her, Angelo:
I have confess'd her and I know her virtue.
Thanks, good friend Escalus, for thy much
goodness:
There's more behind that is more gratulate.
Thanks, provost, for thy care and secrecy :
Forgive him, Angelo, that brought you home
The head of Ragozine for Claudio's :
The offence pardons itself. Dear Isabel,
I have a motion much imports your good;
Whereto if you 'll a willing ear incline,
What's mine is yours and what is yours is
mine.
So, bring us to our palace; where we'll show 540
What's yet behind, that's meet you all should
know.
Exeunt.
SOLINUS, Duke of Ephesus.
EGEON, a Merchant of Syracuse.
ANTIPHOLUS of Ephesus, Twin Brothers, Sons to
ANTIPHOLUS of Syracuse, Eyeon and Emilia.
DROMIO of Ephesus,
Twin Brothers, Attendants
DROMIO of Syracuse, on the two Antipholuses.
BALTHAZAR, a Merchant.
A Merchant, Friend to Antipholus of Syracuse.
A Merchant trading with Angelo.
EMILIA, Wife to Eyeon, an Abbess at Ephesus.
ADRIANA, Wife to Antipholus of Ephesus.
LUCIANA, her Sister.
LUCE, Servant to Adriana.
A Courtezan.
Gaolers, Officers, and other Attendants.
SCENE.-Ephesus.
SCENE I-A Hall in the DUKE'S Palace.
Enter DUKE, ÆGEON, Gaoler, Officers, and other
Attendants.
Ege. Proceed, Solinus, to procure my fall,
And by the doom of death end woes and all.
Duke. Merchant of Syracusa, plead no more.
I am not partial to infringe our laws:
The enmity and discord which of late
Sprung from the rancorous outrage of your duke
To merchants, our well-dealing countrymen,
Who, wanting guilders to redeem their lives,
Have seal'd his rigorous statutes with their bloods,
Excludes all pity from our threat ning looks.
For, since the mortal and intestine jars
"Twixt thy seditious countrymen and us,
It hath in solemn synods been decreed,
Both by the Syracusians and ourselves,
To admit no traffic to our adverse towns:
Nay, more, if any born at Ephesus
Be seen at Syracusian marts and fairs;
Again, if any Syracusian born
Come to the bay of Ephesus, he dies,
His goods confiscate to the duke's dispose;
Unless a thousand marks be levied,
To quit the penalty and to ransom him.
Thy substance, valued at the highest rate,
Cannot amount unto a hundred marks;
Therefore by law thou art condemn'd to die.
Ege. Yet this my comfort: when your words
are done,
My woes end likewise with the evening sun.
Duke. Well, Syracusian; say in brief the cause
Why thou departedst from thy native home,
And for what cause thou cam'st to Ephesus. 36
Age. A heavier task could not have been
impos'd
Than I to speak my griefs unspeakable;
Yet, that the world may witness that my end
Was wrought by nature, not by vile offence,
I'll utter what my sorrow gives me leave.
In Syracusa was I born, and wed
Unto a woman, happy but for me,
And by me too, had not our hap been bad.
With her I liv'd in joy: our wealth increas'd
By prosperous voyages I often made
To Epidamnum; till my factor's death,
And the great care of goods at random left,
Drew me from kind embracements of my spouse:
From whom my absence was not six months old,
Before herself, almost at fainting under
The pleasing punishment that women bear,
Had made provision for her following me,
And soon and safe arrived where I was.
There had she not been long but she became
A joyful mother of two goodly sons;
And, which was strange, the one so like the other,
As could not be distinguish'd but by names.
That very hour and in the self-same inn,
A meaner woman was delivered
Of such a burden, male twins, both alike.
Those, for their parents were exceeding poor
I bought, and brought up to attend my sons.
My wife, not meanly proud of two such boys,
Made daily motions for our home return :
Unwilling I agreed; alas! too soon
We came aboard.
|