text: William Shakespeare Measure for Measure 
   
   
     
   PERSONS REPRESENTED. 
  VICENTIO, Duke of Vienna. 
  ANGELO, Lord Deputy in the Duke's absence. 
  ESCALUS, an ancient Lord, joined with Angelo in the deputation. 
  CLAUDIO, a young Gentleman. 
  LUCIO, a Fantastic. 
  Two other like Gentlemen. 
  VARRIUS, a Gentleman, Servant to the Duke. 
  PROVOST. 
  THOMAS, friar. 
  PETER, friar. 
  A JUSTICE. 
  ELBOW, a simple Constable. 
  FROTH, a foolish Gentleman. 
  CLOWN, Servant to Mistress Overdone. 
  ABHORSON, an Executioner. 
  BARNARDINE, a dissolute Prisoner. 
  ISABELLA, Sister to Claudio. 
  MARIANA, betrothed to Angelo. 
  JULIET, beloved by Claudio.  
  FRANCISCA, a nun. 
  MISTRESS OVERDONE, a Bawd. 
  Lords, Gentlemen, Guards, Officers, and other Attendants. 
  SCENE: Vienna 
  ACT I. 
  SCENE I. An apartment in the DUKE'S Palace. 
  [Enter DUKE, ESCALUS, LORDS, and ATTENDANTS.] 
  DUKE. 
  Escalus, -  
  ESCALUS. 
  My lord. 
  DUKE. 
  Of government the properties to unfold, 
  Would seem in me to affect speech and discourse; 
  Since I am put to know that your own science 
  Exceeds, in that, the lists of all advice 
  My strength can give you: then no more remains 
  But that to your sufficiency, as your worth is able, 
  And let them work. The nature of our people, 
  Our city's institutions, and the terms 
  For common justice, you are as pregnant in 
  As art and practice hath enriched any 
  That we remember. There is our commission, 
  From which we would not have you warp. - Call hither, 
  I say, bid come before us, Angelo. -  
  [Exit an Attendant.] 
  What figure of us think you he will bear? 
  For you must know we have with special soul  
  Elected him our absence to supply; 
  Lent him our terror, drest him with our love, 
  And given his deputation all the organs 
  Of our own power: what think you of it? 
  ESCALUS. 
  If any in Vienna be of worth 
  To undergo such ample grace and honour, 
  It is Lord Angelo. 
  [Enter ANGELO.] 
  DUKE. 
  Look where he comes. 
  ANGELO. 
  Always obedient to your grace's will, 
  I come to know your pleasure. 
  DUKE. 
  Angelo, 
  There is a kind of character in thy life 
  That to th' observer doth thy history 
  Fully unfold. Thyself and thy belongings 
  Are not thine own so proper as to waste 
  Thyself upon thy virtues, they on thee. 
  Heaven doth with us as we with torches do,  
  Not light them for themselves: for if our virtues 
  Did not go forth of us, 'twere all alike 
  As if we had them not. Spirits are not finely touch'd 
  But to fine issues: nor nature never lends 
  The smallest scruple of her excellence 
  But, like a thrifty goddess, she determines 
  Herself the glory of a creditor, 
  Both thanks and use. But I do bend my speech 
  To one that can my part in him advertise; 
  Hold, therefore, Angelo; 
  In our remove be thou at full ourself: 
  Mortality and mercy in Vienna 
  Live in thy tongue and heart! Old Escalus, 
  Though first in question, is thy secondary: 
  Take thy commission. 
  ANGELO. 
  Now, good my lord, 
  Let there be some more test made of my metal, 
  Before so noble and so great a figure 
  Be stamped upon it. 
  DUKE. 
  No more evasion: 
  We have with a leaven'd and prepared choice 
  Proceeded to you; therefore take your honours. 
  Our haste from hence is of so quick condition 
  That it prefers itself, and leaves unquestion'd 
  Matters of needful value. We shall write to you 
  As time and our concernings shall importune, 
  How it goes with us; and do look to know 
  What doth befall you here. So, fare you well: 
  To the hopeful execution do I leave you 
  Of your commissions. 
  ANGELO. 
  Yet give leave, my lord, 
  That we may bring you something on the way. 
  DUKE. 
  My haste may not admit it; 
  Nor need you, on mine honour, have to do 
  With any scruple: your scope is as mine own: 
  So to enforce or qualify the laws 
  As to your soul seems good. Give me your hand; 
  I'll privily away: I love the people, 
  But do not like to stage me to their eyes: 
  Though it do well, I do not relish well  
  Their loud applause and 'aves' vehement: 
  Nor do I think the man of safe discretion 
  That does affect it. Once more, fare you well. 
  ANGELO. 
  The heavens give safety to your purposes! 
  ESCALUS. 
  Lead forth and bring you back in happiness. 
  DUKE. 
  I thank you. Fare you well. 
  [Exit.] 
  ESCALUS. 
  I shall desire you, sir, to give me leave 
  To have free speech with you; and it concerns me 
  To look into the bottom of my place: 
  A pow'r I have, but of what strength and nature 
  I am not yet instructed. 
  ANGELO. 
  'Tis so with me. - Let us withdraw together, 
  And we may soon our satisfaction have 
  Touching that point. 
  ESCALUS. 
  I'll wait upon your honour. 
  [Exeunt.] 
  SCENE II.  A street. 
  [Enter Lucio and two Gentlemen.] 
  LUCIO. 
  If the duke, with the other dukes, come not to composition 
  with the King of Hungary, why then all the dukes fall upon 
  the king. 
  FIRST GENTLEMAN. 
  Heaven grant us its peace, but not the King of Hungary's! 
  SECOND GENTLEMAN. 
  Amen. 
  LUCIO. 
  Thou concludest like the sanctimonious pirate that went to sea 
  with the ten 
  commandments, but scraped one out of the table. 
  SECOND GENTLEMAN. 
  Thou shalt not steal? 
  LUCIO. 
  Ay, that he razed. 
  FIRST GENTLEMAN. 
  Why, 'twas a commandment to command the captain and all the rest 
  from their 
  functions; they put forth to steal. There's not a soldier of us 
  all that, in 
  the thanksgiving before meat, do relish the petition well that 
  prays for 
  peace. 
  SECOND GENTLEMAN. 
  I never heard any soldier dislike it. 
  LUCIO. 
  I believe thee; for I think thou never wast where grace was said. 
  SECOND GENTLEMAN. 
  No? A dozen times at least. 
  FIRST GENTLEMAN. 
  What? in metre? 
  LUCIO. 
  In any proportion or in any language. 
  FIRST GENTLEMAN. 
  I think, or in any religion. 
  LUCIO. 
  Ay! why not? Grace is grace, despite of all controversy. As, for 
  example; - thou 
  thyself art a wicked villain, despite of all grace. 
  FIRST GENTLEMAN. 
  Well, there went but a pair of shears between us. 
  LUCIO. 
  I grant; as there may between the lists and the velvet. Thou art 
  the list. 
  FIRST GENTLEMAN. 
  And thou the velvet: thou art good velvet; thou'rt a three-piled 
  piece, I warrant thee: I had as lief be a list of an English 
  kersey as be piled, as thou art piled, for a French velvet. 
  Do I speak feelingly now? 
  LUCIO. 
  I think thou dost; and, indeed, with most painful feeling of thy 
  speech. I will, out of thine own confession, learn to begin thy 
  health; but, whilst I live, forget to drink after thee. 
  FIRST GENTLEMAN. 
  I think I have done myself wrong; have I not? 
  SECOND GENTLEMAN. 
  Yes, that thou hast, whether thou art tainted or free.  
  LUCIO. 
  Behold, behold, where Madam Mitigation comes! I have purchased as 
  many diseases under her roof as come to -  
  SECOND GENTLEMAN. 
  To what, I pray? 
  FIRST GENTLEMAN. 
  Judge. 
  SECOND GENTLEMAN. 
  To three thousand dollars a year. 
  FIRST GENTLEMAN. 
  Ay, and more. 
  LUCIO. 
  A French crown more. 
  FIRST GENTLEMAN. 
  Thou art always figuring diseases in me, but thou art full of 
  error; I am sound. 
  LUCIO. 
  Nay, not, as one would say, healthy; but so sound as things that 
  are hollow:  thy bones are hollow: impiety has made a feast of thee. 
  [Enter BAWD.] 
  FIRST GENTLEMAN. 
  How now! which of your hips has the most profound sciatica? 
  BAWD. 
  Well, well; there's one yonder arrested and carried to prison was 
  worth five thousand of you all. 
  FIRST GENTLEMAN. 
  Who's that, I pray thee?  
  BAWD. 
  Marry, sir, that's Claudio, Signior Claudio. 
  FIRST GENTLEMAN. 
  Claudio to prison! 'tis not so. 
  BAWD. 
  Nay, but I know 'tis so: I saw him arrested; saw him carried 
  away; and, which is more, within these three days his head to 
  be chopped off. 
  LUCIO. 
  But, after all this fooling, I would not have it so. Art thou 
  sure of this? 
  BAWD. 
  I am too sure of it: and it is for getting Madam Julietta with 
  child. 
  LUCIO. 
  Believe me, this may be: he promised to meet me two hours since, 
  and he was ever precise in promise-keeping. 
  SECOND GENTLEMAN. 
  Besides, you know, it draws something near to the speech we had 
  to such a purpose. 
  FIRST GENTLEMAN. 
  But most of all agreeing with the proclamation. 
  LUCIO. 
  Away; let's go learn the truth of it. 
  [Exeunt Lucio and Gentlemen.] 
  BAWD. 
  Thus, what with the war, what with the sweat, what with the 
  gallows, and what with poverty, I am custom-shrunk. 
  How now! what's the news with you? 
  [Enter CLOWN.] 
  CLOWN. 
  Yonder man is carried to prison. 
  BAWD. 
  Well: what has he done? 
  CLOWN. 
  A woman. 
  BAWD. 
  But what's his offence? 
  CLOWN. 
  Groping for trouts in a peculiar river. 
  BAWD. 
  What! is there a maid with child by him? 
  CLOWN. 
  No; but there's a woman with maid by him. You have not heard of 
  the proclamation, have you? 
  BAWD. 
  What proclamation, man? 
  CLOWN. 
  All houses in the suburbs of Vienna must be plucked down. 
  BAWD. 
  And what shall become of those in the city? 
  CLOWN. 
  They shall stand for seed: they had gone down too, but that a 
  wise burgher put in for them. 
  BAWD. 
  But shall all our houses of resort in the suburbs be pulled down? 
  CLOWN. 
  To the ground, mistress. 
  BAWD. 
  Why, here's a change indeed in the commonwealth! What shall 
  become of me?  
  CLOWN. 
  Come, fear not you; good counsellors lack no clients: though you 
  change your place you need not change your trade; I'll be your 
  tapster still. 
  Courage; there will be pity taken on you: you that have worn your 
  eyes almost out in the service, you will be considered. 
  BAWD. 
  What's to do here, Thomas Tapster? Let's withdraw. 
  CLOWN. 
  Here comes Signior Claudio, led by the provost to prison: and 
  there's Madam Juliet. 
  [Exeunt.] 
  Scene III. The same. 
  [Enter PROVOST, CLAUDIO, JULIET, and Officers; LUCIO and two 
  Gentlemen.] 
  CLAUDIO. 
  Fellow, why dost thou show me thus to the world? 
  Bear me to prison, where I am committed. 
  PROVOST. 
  I do it not in evil disposition, 
  But from Lord Angelo by special charge. 
  CLAUDIO. 
  Thus can the demi-god Authority 
  Make us pay down for our offence by weight. -  
  The words of heaven; - on whom it will, it will; 
  On whom it will not, so; yet still 'tis just.  
  LUCIO. 
  Why, how now, Claudio, whence comes this restraint? 
  CLAUDIO. 
  From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty: 
  As surfeit is the father of much fast, 
  So every scope by the immoderate use 
  Turns to restraint. Our natures do pursue, -  
  Like rats that ravin down their proper bane, -  
  A thirsty evil; and when we drink we die. 
  LUCIO. 
  If I could speak so wisely under an arrest, I would send for 
  certain of my creditors; and yet, to say the truth, I had as 
  lief have the foppery of freedom as the morality of 
  imprisonment. - What's thy offence, Claudio? 
  CLAUDIO. 
  What but to speak of would offend again. 
  LUCIO. 
  What, is't murder? 
  CLAUDIO. 
  No. 
  LUCIO. 
  Lechery? 
  CLAUDIO. 
  Call it so. 
  PROVOST. 
  Away, sir; you must go. 
  CLAUDIO. 
  One word, good friend. - Lucio, a word with you. 
  [Takes him aside.] 
  LUCIO. 
  A hundred, if they'll do you any good. Is lechery so lookeed 
  after?  
  CLAUDIO. 
  Thus stands it with me: - Upon a true contract 
  I got possession of Julietta's bed: 
  You know the lady; she is fast my wife, 
  Save that we do the denunciation lack 
  Of outward order;: this we came not to 
  Only for propagation of a dower 
  Remaining in the coffer of her friends; 
  From whom we thought it meet to hide our love 
  Till time had made them for us. But it chances 
  The stealth of our most mutual entertainment, 
  With character too gross, is writ on Juliet. 
  LUCIO. 
  With child, perhaps? 
  CLAUDIO. 
  Unhappily, even so. 
  And the new deputy now for the duke, -  
  Whether it be the fault and glimpse of newness, 
  Or whether that the body public be 
  A horse whereon the governor doth ride, 
  Who, newly in the seat, that it may know 
  He can command, lets it straight feel the spur: 
  Whether the tyranny be in his place, 
  Or in his eminence that fills it up, 
  I stagger in. - But this new governor 
  Awakes me all the enrolled penalties 
  Which have, like unscour'd armour, hung by the wall 
  So long that nineteen zodiacs have gone round 
  And none of them been worn; and, for a name, 
  Now puts the drowsy and neglected act 
  Freshly on me; 'tis surely for a name. 
  LUCIO. 
  I warrant it is: and thy head stands so tickle on thy shoulders 
  that a milkmaid, if she be in love, may sigh it off. Send after the 
  duke, and appeal to him. 
  CLAUDIO. 
  I have done so, but he's not to be found. 
  I pr'ythee, Lucio, do me this kind service: 
  This day my sister should the cloister enter, 
  And there receive her approbation: 
  Acquaint her with the danger of my state; 
  Implore her, in my voice, that she make friends 
  To the strict deputy; bid herself assay him; 
  I have great hope in that: for in her youth 
  There is a prone and speechless dialect  
  Such as moves men; beside, she hath prosperous art 
  When she will play with reason and discourse, 
  And well she can persuade. 
  LUCIO. 
  I pray she may; as well for the encouragement of the like, which 
  else would stand under grievous imposition, as for the enjoying 
  of thy life, who I would be sorry should be thus foolishly lost 
  at a game of tick-tack. I'll to her. 
  CLAUDIO. 
  I thank you, good friend Lucio. 
  LUCIO. 
  Within two hours, -  
  CLAUDIO. 
  Come, officer, away. 
  [Exeunt.] 
  SCENE IV.  A Monastery. 
  [Enter DUKE and FRIAR THOMAS.] 
  DUKE. 
  No; holy father; throw away that thought; 
  Believe not that the dribbling dart of love 
  Can pierce a complete bosom: why I desire thee 
  To give me secret harbour hath a purpose 
  More grave and wrinkled than the aims and ends 
  Of burning youth. 
  FRIAR. 
  May your grace speak of it? 
  DUKE. 
  My holy sir, none better knows than you 
  How I have ever lov'd the life remov'd, 
  And held in idle price to haunt assemblies 
  Where youth, and cost, a witless bravery keeps. 
  I have deliver'd to Lord Angelo, -  
  A man of stricture and firm abstinence, -  
  My absolute power and place here in Vienna, 
  And he supposes me travell'd to Poland; 
  For so I have strew'd it in the common ear, 
  And so it is received. Now, pious sir,  
  You will demand of me why I do this? 
  FRIAR. 
  Gladly, my lord. 
  DUKE. 
  We have strict statutes and most biting laws, -  
  The needful bits and curbs to headstrong steeds, -  
  Which for this fourteen years we have let sleep, 
  Even like an o'ergrown lion in a cave, 
  That goes not out to prey. Now, as fond fathers, 
  Having bound up the threat'ning twigs of birch, 
  Only to stick it in their children's sight 
  For terror, not to use, in time the rod 
  Becomes more mock'd than fear'd; so our decrees, 
  Dead to infliction, to themselves are dead; 
  And liberty plucks justice by the nose; 
  The baby beats the nurse, and quite athwart 
  Goes all decorum. 
  FRIAR. 
  It rested in your grace 
  To unloose this tied-up justice when you pleas'd; 
  And it in you more dreadful would have seem'd 
  Than in Lord Angelo. 
  DUKE. 
  I do fear, too dreadful: 
  Sith 'twas my fault to give the people scope, 
  'Twould be my tyranny to strike and gall them 
  For what I bid them do: for we bid this be done 
  When evil deeds have their permissive pass 
  And not the punishment. Therefore, indeed, my father, 
  I have on Angelo impos'd the office; 
  Who may, in the ambush of my name, strike home, 
  And yet my nature never in the fight 
  To do in slander. And to behold his sway, 
  I will, as 'twere a brother of your order, 
  Visit both prince and people: therefore, I pr'ythee, 
  Supply me with the habit, and instruct me 
  How I may formally in person bear me 
  Like a true friar. Moe reasons for this action 
  At our more leisure shall I render you; 
  Only, this one: - Lord Angelo is precise; 
  Stands at a guard with envy; scarce confesses 
  That his blood flows, or that his appetite 
  Is more to bread than stone: hence shall we see, 
  If power change purpose, what our seemers be. 
  [Exeunt.] 
  SCENE V. A Nunnery. 
  [Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA.] 
  ISABELLA. 
  And have you nuns no further privileges? 
  FRANCISCA. 
  Are not these large enough? 
  ISABELLA. 
  Yes, truly; I speak not as desiring more, 
  But rather wishing a more strict restraint 
  Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare. 
  LUCIO. 
  [Within.] Ho! Peace be in this place! 
  ISABELLA. 
  Who's that which calls? 
  FRANCISCA. 
  It is a man's voice. Gentle Isabella, 
  Turn you the key, and know his business of him; 
  You may, I may not; you are yet unsworn: 
  When you have vow'd, you must not speak with men 
  But in the presence of the prioress; 
  Then, if you speak, you must not show your face; 
  Or, if you show your face, you must not speak. 
  He calls again; I pray you answer him. 
  [Exit FRANCISCA.] 
  ISABELLA. 
  Peace and prosperity! Who is't that calls? 
  [Enter LUCIO.] 
  LUCIO. 
  Hail, virgin, if you be; as those cheek-roses 
  Proclaim you are no less! Can you so stead me 
  As bring me to the sight of Isabella, 
  A novice of this place, and the fair sister 
  To her unhappy brother Claudio? 
  ISABELLA. 
  Why her unhappy brother? let me ask; 
  The rather, for I now must make you know 
  I am that Isabella, and his sister. 
  LUCIO. 
  Gentle and fair, your brother kindly greets you: 
  Not to be weary with you, he's in prison. 
  ISABELLA. 
  Woe me! For what? 
  LUCIO. 
  For that which, if myself might be his judge, 
  He should receive his punishment in thanks: 
  He hath got his friend with child. 
  ISABELLA. 
  Sir, make me not your story. 
  LUCIO. 
  It is true. 
  I would not - though 'tis my familiar sin 
  With maids to seem the lapwing, and to jest,  
  Tongue far from heart - play with all virgins so: 
  I hold you as a thing ensky'd and sainted; 
  By your renouncement an immortal spirit; 
  And to be talk'd with in sincerity, 
  As with a saint. 
  ISABELLA. 
  You do blaspheme the good in mocking me. 
  LUCIO. 
  Do not believe it. Fewness and truth, 'tis thus: 
  Your brother and his lover have embraced: 
  As those that feed grow full: as blossoming time, 
  That from the seedness the bare fallow brings 
  To teeming foison; even so her plenteous womb 
  Expresseth his full tilth and husbandry. 
  ISABELLA. 
  Some one with child by him? - My cousin Juliet? 
  LUCIO. 
  Is she your cousin? 
  ISABELLA. 
  Adoptedly, as school-maids change their names 
  By vain though apt affection. 
  LUCIO. 
  She it is. 
  ISABELLA. 
  O, let him marry her! 
  LUCIO. 
  This is the point. 
  The duke is very strangely gone from hence;  
  Bore many gentlemen, myself being one, 
  In hand, and hope of action: but we do learn 
  By those that know the very nerves of state, 
  His givings out were of an infinite distance 
  From his true-meant design. Upon his place, 
  And with full line of his authority, 
  Governs Lord Angelo: a man whose blood 
  Is very snow-broth; one who never feels 
  The wanton stings and motions of the sense. 
  But doth rebate and blunt his natural edge 
  With profits of the mind, study, and fast. 
  He, - to give fear to use and liberty, 
  Which have for long run by the hideous law, 
  As mice by lions, - hath pick'd out an act, 
  Under whose heavy sense your brother's life 
  Falls into forfeit: he arrests him on it; 
  And follows close the rigour of the statute 
  To make him an example; all hope is gone. 
  Unless you have the grace by your fair prayer 
  To soften Angelo: and that's my pith 
  Of business 'twixt you and your poor brother. 
  ISABELLA. 
  Doth he so seek his life? 
  LUCIO. 
  Has censur'd him 
  Already; and, as I hear, the provost hath 
  A warrant for his execution. 
  ISABELLA. 
  Alas! what poor ability's in me 
  To do him good. 
  LUCIO. 
  Assay the power you have. 
  ISABELLA. 
  My power! alas, I doubt, -  
  LUCIO. 
  Our doubts are traitors, 
  And make us lose the good we oft might win 
  By fearing to attempt. Go to Lord Angelo, 
  And let him learn to know, when maidens sue, 
  Men give like gods; but when they weep and kneel, 
  All their petitions are as freely theirs 
  As they themselves would owe them. 
  ISABELLA. 
  I'll see what I can do. 
  LUCIO. 
  But speedily. 
  ISABELLA. 
  I will about it straight; 
  No longer staying but to give the Mother  
  Notice of my affair. I humbly thank you: 
  Commend me to my brother: soon at night 
  I'll send him certain word of my success. 
  LUCIO. 
  I take my leave of you. 
  ISABELLA. 
  Good sir, adieu.   
  [Exeunt.] 
  ACT II. 
  Scene I. A hall in ANGELO'S house. 
  [Enter ANGELO, ESCALUS, a JUSTICE, PROVOST, Officers, and other 
  Attendants.] 
  ANGELO. 
  We must not make a scarecrow of the law, 
  Setting it up to fear the birds of prey, 
  And let it keep one shape till custom make it 
  Their perch, and not their terror. 
  ESCALUS. 
  Ay, but yet 
  Let us be keen, and rather cut a little 
  Than fall and bruise to death. Alas! this gentleman, 
  Whom I would save, had a most noble father. 
  Let but your honour know, -  
  Whom I believe to be most strait in virtue, -  
  That, in the working of your own affections, 
  Had time coher'd with place, or place with wishing, 
  Or that the resolute acting of your blood 
  Could have attain'd the effect of your own purpose, 
  Whether you had not sometime in your life 
  Err'd in this point which now you censure him,  
  And pull'd the law upon you. 
  ANGELO. 
  'Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus, 
  Another thing to fall. I not deny 
  The jury, passing on the prisoner's life, 
  May, in the sworn twelve, have a thief or two 
  Guiltier than him they try. What's open made to justice, 
  That justice seizes. What knows the laws 
  That thieves do pass on thieves? 'Tis very pregnant, 
  The jewel that we find, we stoop and take it, 
  Because we see it; but what we do not see 
  We tread upon, and never think of it. 
  You may not so extenuate his offence 
  For I have had such faults; but rather tell me, 
  When I, that censure him, do so offend, 
  Let mine own judgment pattern out my death, 
  And nothing come in partial. Sir, he must die. 
  ESCALUS. 
  Be it as your wisdom will. 
  ANGELO. 
  Where is the provost? 
  PROVOST. 
  Here, if it like your honour. 
  ANGELO. 
  See that Claudio  
  Be executed by nine to-morrow morning: 
  Bring him his confessor; let him be prepard; 
  For that's the utmost of his pilgrimage. 
  [Exit PROVOST.] 
  ESCALUS. 
  Well, heaven forgive him! and forgive us all! 
  Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall: 
  Some run from brakes of vice, and answer none, 
  And some condemned for a fault alone. 
  [Enter ELBOW, FROTH, CLOWN, Officers, &c.] 
  ELBOW. 
  Come, bring them away: if these be good people in a commonweal 
  that do nothing but use their abuses in common houses, I know 
  no law; bring them away. 
  ANGELO. 
  How now, sir! What's your name? and what's the matter? 
  ELBOW. 
  If it please your honour, I am the poor duke's constable, and my 
  name is Elbow; I do lean upon justice, sir, and do bring in here 
  before your good honour two notorious benefactors. 
  ANGELO. 
  Benefactors! Well; what benefactors are they? are they not 
  malefactors? 
  ELBOW. 
  If it please your honour, I know not well what they are; but 
  precise villains they are, that I am sure of; and void of all 
  profanation in the world that good Christians ought to have. 
  ESCALUS. 
  This comes off well; here's a wise officer. 
  ANGELO. 
  Go to; - what quality are they of? Elbow is your name? Why dost 
  thou not speak, Elbow? 
  CLOWN. 
  He cannot, sir; he's out at elbow. 
  ANGELO. 
  What are you, sir? 
  ELBOW. 
  He, sir? a tapster, sir; parcel-bawd; one that serves a bad 
  woman; whose house, sir, was, as they say, plucked down in the 
  suburbs; and now she professes a hot-house, which, I think, is 
  a very ill house too. 
  ESCALUS. 
  How know you that? 
  ELBOW. 
  My wfe, sir, whom I detest before heaven and your honour, -  
  ESCALUS. 
  How! thy wife! 
  ELBOW. 
  Ay, sir; who, I thank heaven, is an honest woman, -  
  ESCALUS. 
  Dost thou detest her therefore? 
  ELBOW. 
  I say, sir, I will detest myself also, as well as she, that this 
  house, if it be not a bawd's house, it is pity of her life, for 
  it is a naughty house. 
  ESCALUS. 
  How dost thou know that, constable?  
  ELBOW. 
  Marry, sir, by my wife; who, if she had been a woman cardinally 
  given, might have been accused in fornication, adultery, and all 
  uncleanliness there. 
  ESCALUS. 
  By the woman's means? 
  ELBOW. 
  Ay, sir, by Mistress Overdone's means: but as she spit in his 
  face, so she defied him. 
  CLOWN. 
  Sir, if it please your honour, this is not so. 
  ELBOW. 
  Prove it before these varlets here, thou honourable man, prove 
  it. 
  ESCALUS. 
  [To ANGELO.] Do you hear how he misplaces? 
  CLOWN. 
  Sir, she came in great with child; and longing, - saving your 
  honour's reverence - for stew'd prunes; sir, we had but two in 
  the house, which at that very distant time stood, as it were, 
  in a fruit dish, a dish of some threepence; your honours have 
  seen such dishes; they are not China dishes, but very good 
  dishes. 
  ESCALUS. 
  Go to, go to; no matter for the dish, sir. 
  CLOWN. 
  No, indeed, sir, not of a pin; you are therein in the right; but 
  to the point. As I say, this Mistress Elbow, being, as I say, 
  with child, and being great-bellied, and longing, as I said, for 
  prunes; and having but two in the dish, as I said, Master Froth 
  here, this very man, having eaten the rest, as I said, and, as I 
  say, paying for them very honestly; - for, as you know, Master 
  Froth, I could not give you threepence again, -  
  FROTH. 
  No, indeed. 
  CLOWN. 
  Very well; you being then, if you be remember'd, cracking the 
  stones of the foresaid prunes, -  
  FROTH. 
  Ay, so I did indeed. 
  CLOWN. 
  Why, very well: I telling you then, if you be remember'd, that 
  such a one and such a one were past cure of the thing you wot of, 
  unless they kept very good diet, as I told you, -  
  FROTH. 
  All this is true. 
  CLOWN. 
  Why, very well then. 
  ESCALUS. 
  Come, you are a tedious fool: to the purpose. What was done to 
  Elbow's wife that he hath cause to complain of? Come me to what 
  was done to her. 
  CLOWN. 
  Sir, your honour cannot come to that yet. 
  ESCALUS. 
  No, sir, nor I mean it not. 
  CLOWN. 
  Sir, but you shall come to it, by your honour's leave. And, I 
  beseech you, look into Master Froth here, sir, a man of fourscore 
  pound a-year; whose father died at Hallowmas: - was't not at 
  Hallowmas, Master Froth? 
  FROTH. 
  All-hallond eve. 
  CLOWN. 
  Why, very well; I hope here be truths: He, sir, sitting, as I 
  say, in a lower chair, sir; - 'twas in the 'Bunch of Grapes', 
  where, indeed, you have a delight to sit, have you not? -  
  FROTH. 
  I have so; because it is an open room, and good for winter. 
  CLOWN. 
  Why, very well then; - I hope here be truths. 
  ANGELO. 
  This will last out a night in Russia, 
  When nights are longest there: I'll take my leave, 
  And leave you to the hearing of the cause; 
  Hoping you'll find good cause to whip them all. 
  ESCALUS. 
  I think no less. Good morrow to your lordship. 
  [Exit ANGELO.] 
  Now, sir, come on; what was done to Elbow's wife, once more? 
  CLOWN. 
  Once, sir? there was nothing done to her once. 
  ELBOW. 
  I beseech you, sir, ask him what this man did to my wife. 
  CLOWN. 
  I beseech your honour, ask me. 
  ESCALUS. 
  Well, sir: what did this gentleman to her? 
  CLOWN. 
  I beseech you, sir, look in this gentleman's face. - Good Master 
  Froth, look upon his honour; 'tis for a good purpose. - Doth your 
  honour mark his face? 
  ESCALUS. 
  Ay, sir, very well. 
  CLOWN. 
  Nay, I beseech you, mark it well. 
  ESCALUS. 
  Well, I do so. 
  CLOWN. 
  Doth your honour see any harm in his face? 
  ESCALUS. 
  Why, no. 
  CLOWN. 
  I'll be supposed upon a book his face is the worst thing about 
  him. Good then; if his face be the worst thing about him, how 
  could Master Froth do the constable's wife any harm? I would 
  know that of your honour. 
  ESCALUS. 
  He's in the right. Constable, what say you to it? 
  ELBOW. 
  First, an it like you, the house is a respected house; next, this 
  is a respected fellow; and his mistress is a respected woman. 
  CLOWN. 
  By this hand, sir, his wife is a more respected person than any 
  of us all. 
  ELBOW. 
  Varlet, thou liest; thou liest, wicked varlet: the time is yet to 
  come that she was ever respected with man, woman, or child. 
  CLOWN. 
  Sir, she was respected with him before he married with her.  
  ESCALUS. 
  Which is the wiser here, Justice or Iniquity? - is this true? 
  ELBOW. 
  O thou caitiff! O thou varlet! O thou wicked Hannibal! I 
  respected with her before I was married to her? If ever I was 
  respected with her, or she with me, let not your worship think 
  me the poor duke's officer. - Prove this, thou wicked Hannibal, 
  or I'll have mine action of battery on thee. 
  ESCALUS. 
  If he took you a box o' th' ear, you might have your action of 
  slander too. 
  ELBOW. 
  Marry, I thank your good worship for it. What is't your worship's 
  pleasure I should do with this wicked caitiff? 
  ESCALUS. 
  Truly, officer, because he hath some offences in him that thou 
  wouldst discover if thou couldst, let him continue in his courses 
  till thou knowest what they are. 
  ELBOW. 
  Marry, I thank your worship for it. - Thou seest, thou wicked 
  varlet, now, what's come upon thee; thou art to continue now, thou 
  varlet; thou art to continue. 
  ESCALUS. 
  [To FROTH.] Where were you born, friend? 
  FROTH. 
  Here in Vienna, sir. 
  ESCALUS. 
  Are you of fourscore pounds a-year?  
  FROTH. 
  Yes, an't please you, sir. 
  ESCALUS. 
  So. - [To the CLOWN.] What trade are you of, sir? 
  CLOWN. 
  A tapster; a poor widow's tapster. 
  ESCALUS. 
  Your mistress' name? 
  CLOWN. 
  Mistress Overdone. 
  ESCALUS. 
  Hath she had any more than one husband? 
  CLOWN. 
  Nine, sir; Overdone by the last. 
  ESCALUS. 
  Nine! - Come hither to me, Master Froth. Master Froth, I would not 
  have you acquainted with tapsters: they will draw you, Master 
  Froth, and you will hang them. Get you gone, and let me hear no 
  more of you. 
  FROTH. 
  I thank your worship. For mine own part, I never come into any 
  room in a taphouse but I am drawn in. 
  ESCALUS. 
  Well, no more of it, Master Froth: farewell.  
  [Exit FROTH.] 
   - Come you hither to me, master tapster; what's your name, master 
  tapster? 
  CLOWN. 
  Pompey. 
  ESCALUS. 
  What else? 
  CLOWN. 
  Bum, sir. 
  ESCALUS. 
  'Troth, and your bum is the greatest thing about you; so that, in 
  the beastliest sense, you are Pompey the great. Pompey, you are 
  partly a bawd, Pompey, howsoever you colour it in being a tapster. 
  Are you not? come, tell me true; it shall be the better for you. 
  CLOWN. 
  Truly, sir, I am a poor fellow that would live. 
  ESCALUS. 
  How would you live, Pompey? by being a bawd? What do you think of 
  the trade, Pompey? is it a lawful trade? 
  CLOWN. 
  If the law would allow it, sir. 
  ESCALUS. 
  But the law will not allow it, Pompey: nor it shall not be 
  allowed in Vienna. 
  CLOWN. 
  Does your worship mean to geld and splay all the youth of the 
  city? 
  ESCALUS. 
  No, Pompey. 
  CLOWN. 
  Truly, sir, in my poor opinion, they will to't then. If your 
  worship will take order for the drabs and the knaves, you need 
  not to fear the bawds. 
  ESCALUS. 
  There is pretty orders beginning, I can tell you. It is but 
  heading and hanging. 
  CLOWN. 
  If you head and hang all that offend that way but for ten year 
  together, you'll be glad to give out a commission for more heads. 
  If this law hold in Vienna ten year, I'll rent the fairest house 
  in it, after threepence a bay. If you live to see this come to 
  pass, say Pompey told you so. 
  ESCALUS. 
  Thank you, good Pompey; and, in requital of your prophecy, hark 
  you, - I advise you, let me not find you before me again upon any 
  complaint whatsoever, no, not for dwelling where you do; if I do, 
  Pompey, I shall beat you to your tent, and prove a shrewd Caesar 
  to you; in plain dealing, Pompey, I shall have you whipt: so for 
  this time, Pompey, fare you well. 
  CLOWN. 
  I thank your worship for your good counsel; but I shall follow it 
  as the flesh and fortune shall better determine. 
  Whip me? No, no; let carman whip his jade; 
  The valiant heart's not whipt out of his trade. 
  [Exit.] 
  ESCALUS. 
  Come hither to me, Master Elbow; come hither, Master Constable. 
  How long have you been in this place of constable? 
  ELBOW. 
  Seven year and a half, sir. 
  ESCALUS. 
  I thought, by the readiness in the office, you had continued in 
  it some time. 
  You say seven years together? 
  ELBOW. 
  And a half, sir. 
  ESCALUS. 
  Alas, it hath been great pains to you! - They do you wrong to put 
  you so oft upon't. Are there not men in your ward sufficient to 
  serve it? 
  ELBOW. 
  Faith, sir, few of any wit in such matters: as they are chosen, 
  they are glad to choose me for them; I do it for some piece of 
  money, and go through with all. 
  ESCALUS. 
  Look you, bring me in the names of some six or seven, the most 
  sufficient of your parish. 
  ELBOW. 
  To your worship's house, sir? 
  ESCALUS. 
  To my house. Fare you well. 
  [Exit ELBOW.] 
  What's o'clock, think you? 
  JUSTICE. 
  Eleven, sir. 
  ESCALUS. 
  I pray you home to dinner with me. 
  JUSTICE. 
  I humbly thank you. 
  ESCALUS. 
  It grieves me for the death of Claudio; 
  But there's no remedy. 
  JUSTICE. 
  Lord Angelo is severe. 
  ESCALUS. 
  It is but needful: 
  Mercy is not itself that oft looks so; 
  Pardon is still the nurse of second woe: 
  But yet, - Poor Claudio! - There's no remedy.  
  Come, sir. 
  [Exeunt.] 
  SCENE II. Another room in the same. 
  [Enter PROVOST and a SERVANT.] 
  SERVANT. 
  He's hearing of a cause; he will come straight. 
  I'll tell him of you. 
  PROVOST. 
  Pray you do. 
  [Exit Servant.] 
  I'll know 
  His pleasure; may be he will relent. Alas, 
  He hath but as offended in a dream! 
  All sects, all ages, smack of this vice; and he 
  To die for it! 
  [Enter ANGELO.] 
  ANGELO. 
  Now, what's the matter, provost? 
  PROVOST. 
  Is it your will Claudio shall die to-morrow? 
  ANGELO. 
  Did not I tell thee yea? hadst thou not order? 
  Why dost thou ask again? 
  PROVOST. 
  Lest I might be too rash: 
  Under your good correction, I have seen 
  When, after execution, judgment hath  
  Repented o'er his doom. 
  ANGELO. 
  Go to; let that be mine: 
  Do you your office, or give up your place, 
  And you shall well be spared. 
  PROVOST. 
  I crave your honour's pardon: 
  What shall be done, sir, with the groaning Juliet? 
  She's very near her hour. 
  ANGELO. 
  Dispose of her 
  To some more fitter place; and that with speed. 
  [Re-enter Servant.] 
  SERVANT. 
  Here is the sister of the man condemned 
  Desires access to you. 
  ANGELO. 
  Hath he a sister? 
  PROVOST. 
  Ay, my good lord; a very virtuous maid, 
  And to be shortly of a sisterhood, 
  If not already. 
  ANGELO. 
  Well, let her be admitted. 
  [Exit Servant.] 
  See you the fornicatress be remov'd;  
  Let her have needful but not lavish means; 
  There shall be order for it. 
  [Enter Lucio and ISABELLA.] 
  PROVOST. 
  [Offering to retire.] Save your honour! 
  ANGELO. 
  Stay a little while. -  [To ISABELLA.] You are welcome. What's 
  your will? 
  ISABELLA. 
  I am a woeful suitor to your honour, 
  Please but your honour hear me. 
  ANGELO. 
  Well; what's your suit? 
  ISABELLA. 
  There is a vice that most I do abhor, 
  And most desire should meet the blow of justice; 
  For which I would not plead, but that I must; 
  For which I must not plead, but that I am 
  At war 'twixt will and will not. 
  ANGELO. 
  Well; the matter? 
  ISABELLA. 
  I have a brother is condemn'd to die; 
  I do beseech you, let it be his fault, 
  And not my brother.  
  PROVOST. 
  Heaven give thee moving graces. 
  ANGELO. 
  Condemn the fault and not the actor of it! 
  Why, every fault's condemn'd ere it be done; 
  Mine were the very cipher of a function, 
  To find the faults whose fine stands in record, 
  And let go by the actor. 
  ISABELLA. 
  O just but severe law! 
  I had a brother, then. - Heaven keep your honour! 
  [Retiring.] 
  LUCIO. 
  [To ISABELLA.] Give't not o'er so: to him again, entreat him; 
  Kneel down before him, hang upon his gown; 
  You are too cold: if you should need a pin, 
  You could not with more tame a tongue desire it: 
  To him, I say. 
  ISABELLA. 
  Must he needs die? 
  ANGELO. 
  Maiden, no remedy. 
  ISABELLA. 
  Yes; I do think that you might pardon him, 
  And neither heaven nor man grieve at the mercy. 
  ANGELO. 
  I will not do't. 
  ISABELLA. 
  But can you, if you would? 
  ANGELO. 
  Look, what I will not, that I cannot do.  
  ISABELLA. 
  But might you do't, and do the world no wrong, 
  If so your heart were touch'd with that remorse 
  As mine is to him? 
  ANGELO. 
  He's sentenc'd; 'tis too late. 
  LUCIO. 
  [To ISABELLA.] You are too cold. 
  ISABELLA. 
  Too late? Why, no; I, that do speak a word, 
  May call it back again. Well, believe this, 
  No ceremony that to great ones 'longs, 
  Not the king's crown nor the deputed sword, 
  The marshal's truncheon nor the judge's robe, 
  Become them with one half so good a grace 
  As mercy does. 
  If he had been as you, and you as he, 
  You would have slipp'd like him; 
  But he, like you, would not have been so stern. 
  ANGELO. 
  Pray you, be gone. 
  ISABELLA. 
  I would to heaven I had your potency, 
  And you were Isabel! should it then be thus? 
  No; I would tell what 'twere to be a judge 
  And what a prisoner. 
  LUCIO. 
  [Aside.] Ay, touch him; there's the vein. 
  ANGELO. 
  Your brother is a forfeit of the law, 
  And you but waste your words. 
  ISABELLA. 
  Alas! alas! 
  Why, all the souls that were were forfeit once; 
  And He that might the vantage best have took 
  Found out the remedy. How would you be 
  If He, which is the top of judgment, should 
  But judge you as you are? O, think on that; 
  And mercy then will breathe within your lips, 
  Like man new made. 
  ANGELO. 
  Be you content, fair maid: 
  It is the law, not I, condemns your brother: 
  Were he my kinsman, brother, or my son, 
  It should be thus with him; - he must die to-morrow. 
  ISABELLA. 
  To-morrow! O, that's sudden! Spare him, spare him! 
  He's not prepared for death. Even for our kitchens 
  We kill the fowl of season: shall we serve heaven 
  With less respect than we do minister 
  To our gross selves? Good, good my lord, bethink you: 
  Who is it that hath died for this offence? 
  There's many have committed it. 
  LUCIO. 
  Ay, well said. 
  ANGELO. 
  The law hath not been dead, though it hath slept: 
  Those many had not dared to do that evil 
  If the first that did the edict infringe 
  Had answer'd for his deed: now 'tis awake; 
  Takes note of what is done; and, like a prophet, 
  Looks in a glass that shows what future evils, -  
  Either now, or by remissness new conceiv'd, 
  And so in progress to be hatch'd and born, -  
  Are now to have no successive degrees, 
  But, where they live, to end. 
  ISABELLA. 
  Yet show some pity. 
  ANGELO. 
  I show it most of all when I show justice; 
  For then I pity those I do not know, 
  Which a dismiss'd offence would after gall, 
  And do him right that, answering one foul wrong, 
  Lives not to act another. Be satisfied; 
  Your brother dies to-morrow; be content.  
  ISABELLA. 
  So you must be the first that gives this sentence; 
  And he that suffers. O, it is excellent 
  To have a giant's strength; but it is tyrannous 
  To use it like a giant. 
  LUCIO. 
  That's well said. 
  ISABELLA. 
  Could great men thunder 
  As Jove himself does, Jove would ne'er be quiet, 
  For every pelting petty officer 
  Would use his heaven for thunder: nothing but thunder. -  
  Merciful Heaven! 
  Thou rather, with thy sharp and sulphurous bolt, 
  Splits the unwedgeable and gnarled oak 
  Than the soft myrtle; but man, proud man! 
  Dress'd in a little brief authority, -  
  Most ignorant of what he's most assured, 
  His glassy essence, - like an angry ape, 
  Plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven 
  As makes the angels weep; who, with our spleens, 
  Would all themselves laugh mortal. 
  LUCIO. 
  O, to him, to him, wench: he will relent;  
  He's coming; I perceive 't. 
  PROVOST. 
  Pray heaven she win him! 
  ISABELLA. 
  We cannot weigh our brother with ourself: 
  Great men may jest with saints: 'tis wit in them; 
  But, in the less, foul profanation. 
  LUCIO. 
  Thou'rt i' the right, girl; more o' that. 
  ISABELLA. 
  That in the captain's but a choleric word 
  Which in the soldier is flat blasphemy. 
  LUCIO. 
  Art advised o' that? more on't. 
  ANGELO. 
  Why do you put these sayings upon me? 
  ISABELLA. 
  Because authority, though it err like others, 
  Hath yet a kind of medicine in itself 
  That skins the vice o' the top. Go to your bosom; 
  Knock there; and ask your heart what it doth know 
  That's like my brother's fault: if it confess 
  A natural guiltiness such as is his, 
  Let it not sound a thought upon your tongue 
  Against my brother's life. 
  ANGELO. 
  She speaks, and 'tis 
  Such sense that my sense breeds with it. -  
  Fare you well.  
  ISABELLA. 
  Gentle my lord, turn back. 
  ANGELO. 
  I will bethink me: - Come again to-morrow. 
  ISABELLA. 
  Hark how I'll bribe you. Good my lord, turn back. 
  ANGELO. 
  How! bribe me? 
  ISABELLA. 
  Ay, with such gifts that heaven shall share with you. 
  LUCIO. 
  You had marr'd all else. 
  ISABELLA. 
  Not with fond shekels of the tested gold, 
  Or stones, whose rates are either rich or poor 
  As fancy values them: but with true prayers, 
  That shall be up at heaven, and enter there, 
  Ere sunrise: prayers from preserved souls, 
  From fasting maids, whose minds are dedicate 
  To nothing temporal. 
  ANGELO. 
  Well; come to me 
  To-morrow. 
  LUCIO. 
  [Aside to ISABELLA.] Go to; 'tis well; away. 
  ISABELLA. 
  Heaven keep your honour safe! 
  ANGELO. 
  [Aside.] Amen: for I 
  Am that way going to temptation, 
  Where prayers cross. 
  ISABELLA. 
  At what hour to-morrow  
  Shall I attend your lordship? 
  ANGELO. 
  At any time 'fore noon. 
  ISABELLA. 
  Save your honour! 
  [Exeunt LUCIO, ISABELLA, PROVOST.] 
  ANGELO. 
  From thee; even from thy virtue! -  
  What's this, what's this? Is this her fault or mine? 
  The tempter or the tempted, who sins most? Ha! 
  Not she; nor doth she tempt; but it is I 
  That, lying by the violet, in the sun 
  Do, as the carrion does, not as the flower, 
  Corrupt with virtuous season. Can it be 
  That modesty may more betray our sense 
  Than woman's lightness? Having waste ground enough, 
  Shall we desire to raze the sanctuary, 
  And pitch our evils there? O, fie, fie, fie! 
  What dost thou? or what art thou, Angelo? 
  Dost thou desire her foully for those things 
  That make her good? O, let her brother live; 
  Thieves for their robbery have authority 
  When judges steal themselves. What! do I love her,  
  That I desire to hear her speak again 
  And feast upon her eyes? What is't I dream on? 
  O cunning enemy, that, to catch a saint, 
  With saints dost bait thy hook! Most dangerous 
  Is that temptation that doth goad us on 
  To sin in loving virtue: never could the strumpet, 
  With all her double vigour, art, and nature, 
  Once stir my temper; but this virtuous maid 
  Subdues me quite. - Ever till now, 
  When men were fond, I smil'd and wonder'd how. 
  [Exit.] 
  SCENE III. A Room in a prison. 
  [Enter DUKE, habited like a Friar, and PROVOST.] 
  DUKE. 
  Hail to you, provost! so I think you are. 
  PROVOST. 
  I am the provost. What's your will, good friar? 
  DUKE. 
  Bound by my charity and my bless'd order, 
  I come to visit the afflicted spirits 
  Here in the prison: do me the common right 
  To let me see them, and to make me know 
  The nature of their crimes, that I may minister 
  To them accordingly. 
  PROVOST. 
  I would do more than that, if more were needful. 
  [Enter JULIET.] 
  Look, here comes one; a gentlewoman of mine, 
  Who, falling in the flaws of her own youth, 
  Hath blister'd her report. She is with child; 
  And he that got it, sentenc'd: a young man 
  More fit to do another such offence  
  Than die for this. 
  DUKE. 
  When must he die? 
  PROVOST. 
  As I do think, to-morrow. -  
  [To JULIET.] I have provided for you; stay awhile 
  And you shall be conducted. 
  DUKE. 
  Repent you, fair one, of the sin you carry? 
  JULIET. 
  I do; and bear the shame most patiently. 
  DUKE. 
  I'll teach you how you shall arraign your conscience, 
  And try your penitence, if it be sound 
  Or hollowly put on. 
  JULIET. 
  I'll gladly learn. 
  DUKE. 
  Love you the man that wrong'd you? 
  JULIET. 
  Yes, as I love the woman that wrong'd him. 
  DUKE. 
  So then, it seems, your most offenceful act 
  Was mutually committed. 
  JULIET. 
  Mutually. 
  DUKE. 
  Then was your sin of heavier kind than his. 
  JULIET. 
  I do confess it, and repent it, father. 
  DUKE. 
  'Tis meet so, daughter: but lest you do repent 
  As that the sin hath brought you to this shame, -  
  Which sorrow is always toward ourselves, not heaven, 
  Showing we would not spare heaven as we love it, 
  But as we stand in fear, -  
  JULIET. 
  I do repent me as it is an evil, 
  And take the shame with joy. 
  DUKE. 
  There rest. 
  Your partner, as I hear, must die to-morrow, 
  And I am going with instruction to him. -  
  Grace go with you! 
  DUKE. 
  Benedicite!  
  [Exit.] 
  JULIET. 
  Must die to-morrow! O, injurious law, 
  That respites me a life whose very comfort 
  Is still a dying horror! 
  PROVOST. 
  'Tis pity of him. 
  [Exeunt.] 
  SCENE IV. A Room in ANGELO'S house. 
  [Enter ANGELO.] 
  ANGELO. 
  When I would pray and think, I think and pray 
  To several subjects. Heaven hath my empty words; 
  Whilst my invention, hearing not my tongue, 
  Anchors on Isabel: Heaven in my mouth, 
  As if I did but only chew his name; 
  And in my heart the strong and swelling evil 
  Of my conception. The state whereon I studied 
  Is, like a good thing, being often read, 
  Grown sear'd and tedious; yea, my gravity, 
  Wherein - let no man hear me - I take pride, 
  Could I with boot change for an idle plume, 
  Which the air beats for vain. O place! O form! 
  How often dost thou with thy case, thy habit, 
  Wrench awe from fools, and tie the wiser souls 
  To thy false seeming! Blood, thou art blood: 
  Let's write good angel on the devil's horn, 
  'Tis not the devil's crest. 
  [Enter Servant.] 
  How now, who's there? 
  SERVANT. 
  One Isabel, a sister, desires access to you. 
  ANGELO. 
  Teach her the way. 
  [Exit SERVANT.] 
  O heavens! 
  Why does my blood thus muster to my heart, 
  Making both it unable for itself 
  And dispossessing all the other parts 
  Of necessary fitness? 
  So play the foolish throngs with one that swoons; 
  Come all to help him, and so stop the air 
  By which he should revive: and even so 
  The general, subject to a well-wished king 
  Quit their own part, and in obsequious fondness 
  Crowd to his presence, where their untaught love 
  Must needs appear offence. 
  [Enter ISABELLA.] 
  How now, fair maid? 
  ISABELLA. 
  I am come to know your pleasure. 
  ANGELO. 
  That you might know it, would much better please me 
  Than to demand what 'tis. Your brother cannot live. 
  ISABELLA. 
  Even so? - Heaven keep your honour! 
  [Retiring.] 
  ANGELO. 
  Yet may he live awhile: and, it may be, 
  As long as you or I: yet he must die. 
  ISABELLA. 
  Under your sentence? 
  ANGELO. 
  Yea. 
  ISABELLA. 
  When? I beseech you? that in his reprieve, 
  Longer or shorter, he may be so fitted 
  That his soul sicken not. 
  ANGELO. 
  Ha! Fie, these filthy vices! It were as good 
  To pardon him that hath from nature stolen 
  A man already made, as to remit 
  Their saucy sweetness that do coin heaven's image 
  In stamps that are forbid; 'tis all as easy 
  Falsely to take away a life true made 
  As to put metal in restrained means 
  To make a false one.  
  ISABELLA. 
  'Tis set down so in heaven, but not in earth. 
  ANGELO. 
  Say you so? then I shall pose you quickly. 
  Which had you rather, - that the most just law 
  Now took your brother's life; or, to redeem him, 
  Give up your body to such sweet uncleanness 
  As she that he hath stain'd? 
  ISABELLA. 
  Sir, believe this, 
  I had rather give my body than my soul. 
  ANGELO. 
  I talk not of your soul; our compell'd sins 
  Stand more for number than for accompt. 
  ISABELLA. 
  How say you? 
  ANGELO. 
  Nay, I'll not warrant that; for I can speak 
  Against the thing I say. Answer to this; -  
  I, now the voice of the recorded law, 
  Pronounce a sentence on your brother's life: 
  Might there not be a charity in sin, 
  To save this brother's life? 
  ISABELLA. 
  Please you to do't, 
  I'll take it as a peril to my soul 
  It is no sin at all, but charity.  
  ANGELO. 
  Pleas'd you to do't at peril of your soul, 
  Were equal poise of sin and charity. 
  ISABELLA. 
  That I do beg his life, if it be sin, 
  Heaven let me bear it! You granting of my suit, 
  If that be sin, I'll make it my morn prayer 
  To have it added to the faults of mine, 
  And nothing of your answer. 
  ANGELO. 
  Nay, but hear me: 
  Your sense pursues not mine: either you are ignorant 
  Or seem so, craftily; and that's not good. 
  ISABELLA. 
  Let me be ignorant, and in nothing good 
  But graciously to know I am no better. 
  ANGELO. 
  Thus wisdom wishes to appear most bright 
  When it doth tax itself: as these black masks 
  Proclaim an enshielded beauty ten times louder 
  Than beauty could, displayed. - But mark me; 
  To be received plain, I'll speak more gross: 
  Your brother is to die. 
  ISABELLA. 
  So. 
  ANGELO. 
  And his offence is so, as it appears, 
  Accountant to the law upon that pain. 
  ISABELLA. 
  True. 
  ANGELO. 
  Admit no other way to save his life, -  
  As I subscribe not that, nor any other, 
  But, in the loss of question, - that you, his sister, 
  Finding yourself desir'd of such a person, 
  Whose credit with the judge, or own great place, 
  Could fetch your brother from the manacles 
  Of the all-binding law; and that there were 
  No earthly mean to save him but that either 
  You must lay down the treasures of your body 
  To this suppos'd, or else to let him suffer; 
  What would you do? 
  ISABELLA. 
  As much for my poor brother as myself: 
  That is, were I under the terms of death, 
  The impression of keen whips I'd wear as rubies, 
  And strip myself to death, as to a bed 
  That longing have been sick for, ere I'd yield 
  My body up to shame. 
  ANGELO. 
  Then must your brother die.  
  ISABELLA. 
  And 'twere the cheaper way: 
  Better it were a brother died at once 
  Than that a sister, by redeeming him, 
  Should die for ever. 
  ANGELO. 
  Were not you, then, as cruel as the sentence 
  That you have slandered so? 
  ISABELLA. 
  Ignominy in ransom and free pardon 
  Are of two houses; lawful mercy 
  Is nothing kin to foul redemption. 
  ANGELO. 
  You seem'd of late to make the law a tyrant; 
  And rather prov'd the sliding of your brother 
  A merriment than a vice. 
  ISABELLA. 
  O, pardon me, my lord! It oft falls out, 
  To have what we would have, we speak not what we mean: 
  I something do excuse the thing I hate 
  For his advantage that I dearly love. 
  ANGELO. 
  We are all frail. 
  ISABELLA. 
  Else let my brother die, 
  If not a feodary, but only he, 
  Owe, and succeed by weakness.  
  ANGELO. 
  Nay, women are frail too. 
  ISABELLA. 
  Ay, as the glasses where they view themselves; 
  Which are as easy broke as they make forms. 
  Women! Help heaven! men their creation mar 
  In profiting by them. Nay, call us ten times frail; 
  For we are soft as our complexions are, 
  And credulous to false prints. 
  ANGELO. 
  I think it well: 
  And from this testimony of your own sex, -  
  Since, I suppose, we are made to be no stronger 
  Than faults may shake our frames, - let me be bold; -  
  I do arrest your words. Be that you are, 
  That is, a woman; if you be more, you're none; 
  If you be one, - as you are well express'd 
  By all external warrants, - show it now 
  By putting on the destin'd livery. 
  ISABELLA. 
  I have no tongue but one: gentle, my lord, 
  Let me intreat you, speak the former language. 
  ANGELO. 
  Plainly conceive, I love you. 
  ISABELLA. 
  My brother did love Juliet; and you tell me 
  That he shall die for it. 
  ANGELO. 
  He shall not, Isabel, if you give me love. 
  ISABELLA. 
  I know your virtue hath a license in't, 
  Which seems a little fouler than it is, 
  To pluck on others. 
  ANGELO. 
  Believe me, on mine honour, 
  My words express my purpose. 
  ISABELLA. 
  Ha! little honour to be much believed, 
  And most pernicious purpose! - Seeming, seeming! -  
  I will proclaim thee, Angelo; look for't: 
  Sign me a present pardon for my brother 
  Or, with an outstretch'd throat, I'll tell the world 
  Aloud what man thou art. 
  ANGELO. 
  Who will believe thee, Isabel? 
  My unsoil'd name, th' austereness of my life, 
  My vouch against you, and my place i' the state, 
  Will so your accusation overweigh 
  That you shall stifle in your own report, 
  And smell of calumny. I have begun, 
  And now I give my sensual race the rein:  
  Fit thy consent to my sharp appetite; 
  Lay by all nicety and prolixious blushes 
  That banish what they sue for: redeem thy brother 
  By yielding up thy body to my will; 
  Or else he must not only die the death, 
  But thy unkindness shall his death draw out 
  To lingering sufferance: answer me to-morrow, 
  Or, by the affection that now guides me most, 
  I'll prove a tyrant to him. As for you, 
  Say what you can, my false o'erweighs your true. 
  [Exit.] 
  ISABELLA. 
  To whom should I complain? Did tell this, 
  Who would believe me? O perilous mouths 
  That bear in them one and the self-same tongue 
  Either of condemnation or approof! 
  Bidding the law make court'sy to their will; 
  Hooking both right and wrong to the appetite, 
  To follow as it draws! I'll to my brother: 
  Though he hath fallen by prompture of the blood, 
  Yet hath he in him such a mind of honour 
  That, had he twenty heads to tender down  
  On twenty bloody blocks, he'd yield them up 
  Before his sister should her body stoop 
  To such abhorr'd pollution. 
  Then, Isabel, live chaste, and, brother, die: 
  More than our brother is our chastity. 
  I'll tell him yet of Angelo's request, 
  And fit his mind to death, for his soul's rest. 
  [Exit.] 
  ACT III. 
  SCENE I. A Room in the prison. 
  [Enter DUKE, CLAUDIO, and PROVOST.] 
  DUKE. 
  So, then you hope of pardon from Lord Angelo? 
  CLAUDIO. 
  The miserable have no other medicine 
  But only hope: 
  I have hope to live, and am prepar'd to die. 
  DUKE. 
  Be absolute for death; either death or life 
  Shall thereby be the sweeter. Reason thus with life, -  
  If I do lose thee, I do lose a thing 
  That none but fools would keep: a breath thou art, 
  Servile to all the skiey influences, 
  That dost this habitation, where thou keep'st 
  Hourly afflict; mere'y, thou art death's fool; 
  For him thou labour'st by thy flight to shun, 
  And yet runn'st toward him still. Thou art not noble; 
  For all the accommodations that thou bear'st 
  Are nurs'd by baseness. Thou art by no means valiant; 
  For thou dost fear the soft and tender fork 
  Of a poor worm. Thy best of rest is sleep,  
  And that thou oft provok'st; yet grossly fear'st 
  Thy death, which is no more. Thou art not thyself: 
  For thou exist'st on many a thousand grains 
  That issue out of dust. Happy thou art not; 
  For what thou hast not, still thou striv'st to get; 
  And what thou hast, forgett'st. Thou art not certain; 
  For thy complexion shifts to strange effects, 
  After the moon. If thou art rich, thou art poor; 
  For, like an ass whose back with ingots bows, 
  Thou bear'st thy heavy riches but a journey, 
  And death unloads thee. Friend hast thou none; 
  For thine own bowels, which do call thee sire, 
  The mere effusion of thy proper loins, 
  Do curse the gout, serpigo, and the rheum, 
  For ending thee no sooner. Thou hast nor youth nor age, 
  But, as it were, an after-dinner's sleep, 
  Dreaming on both: for all thy blessed youth 
  Becomes as aged, and doth beg the alms 
  Of palsied eld; and when thou art old and rich 
  Thou hast neither heat, affection, limb, nor beauty,  
  To make thy riches pleasant. What's yet in this 
  That bears the name of life? Yet in this life 
  Lie hid more thousand deaths: yet death we fear, 
  That makes these odds all even. 
  CLAUDIO. 
  I humbly thank you. 
  To sue to live, I find I seek to die; 
  And, seeking death, find life. Let it come on. 
  ISABELLA. 
  [Within.] What, ho! Peace here; grace and good company! 
  PROVOST. 
  Who's there? come in: the wish deserves a welcome. 
  DUKE. 
  Dear sir, ere long I'll visit you again. 
  CLAUDIO. 
  Most holy sir, I thank you. 
  [Enter ISABELLA.] 
  ISABELLA. 
  My business is a word or two with Claudio. 
  PROVOST. 
  And very welcome. Look, signior, here's your sister. 
  DUKE. 
  Provost, a word with you. 
  PROVOST. 
  As many as you please. 
  DUKE. 
  Bring me to hear them speak, where I may be conceal'd. 
  [Exeunt DUKE and PROVOST.] 
  CLAUDIO. 
  Now, sister, what's the comfort? 
  ISABELLA. 
  Why, 
  As all comforts are; most good, most good, in deed: 
  Lord Angelo, having affairs to heaven, 
  Intends you for his swift ambassador, 
  Where you shall be an everlasting leiger: 
  Therefore, your best appointment make with speed; 
  To-morrow you set on. 
  CLAUDIO. 
  Is there no remedy? 
  ISABELLA. 
  None, but such remedy as, to save a head, 
  To cleave a heart in twain. 
  CLAUDIO. 
  But is there any? 
  ISABELLA. 
  Yes, brother, you may live: 
  There is a devilish mercy in the judge, 
  If you'll implore it, that will free your life, 
  But fetter you till death. 
  CLAUDIO. 
  Perpetual durance? 
  ISABELLA. 
  Ay, just; perpetual durance; a restraint, 
  Though all the world's vastidity you had, 
  To a determin'd scope.  
  CLAUDIO. 
  But in what nature? 
  ISABELLA. 
  In such a one as, you consenting to't, 
  Would bark your honour from that trunk you bear, 
  And leave you naked. 
  CLAUDIO. 
  Let me know the point. 
  ISABELLA. 
  O, I do fear thee, Claudio; and I quake, 
  Lest thou a feverous life shouldst entertain, 
  And six or seven winters more respect 
  Than a perpetual honour. Dar'st thou die? 
  The sense of death is most in apprehension; 
  And the poor beetle that we tread upon 
  In corporal sufferance finds a pang as great 
  As when a giant dies. 
  CLAUDIO. 
  Why give you me this shame? 
  Think you I can a resolution fetch 
  From flowery tenderness? If I must die, 
  I will encounter darkness as a bride 
  And hug it in mine arms. 
  ISABELLA. 
  There spake my brother; there my father's grave 
  Did utter forth a voice! Yes, thou must die:  
  Thou art too noble to conserve a life 
  In base appliances. This outward-sainted deputy, -  
  Whose settled visage and deliberate word 
  Nips youth i' the head, and follies doth emmew 
  As falcon doth the fowl, - is yet a devil; 
  His filth within being cast, he would appear 
  A pond as deep as hell. 
  CLAUDIO. 
  The precise Angelo? 
  ISABELLA. 
  O, 'tis the cunning livery of hell 
  The damned'st body to invest and cover 
  In precise guards! Dost thou think, Claudio, 
  If I would yield him my virginity 
  Thou mightst be freed? 
  CLAUDIO. 
  O heavens! it cannot be. 
  ISABELLA. 
  Yes, he would give it thee, from this rank offence, 
  So to offend him still. This night's the time 
  That I should do what I abhor to name, 
  Or else thou diest to-morrow. 
  CLAUDIO. 
  Thou shalt not do't. 
  ISABELLA. 
  O, were it but my life,  
  I'd throw it down for your deliverance 
  As frankly as a pin. 
  CLAUDIO. 
  Thanks, dear Isabel. 
  ISABELLA. 
  Be ready, Claudio, for your death to-morrow. 
  CLAUDIO. 
  Yes. - Has he affections in him 
  That thus can make him bite the law by the nose 
  When he would force it? Sure it is no sin; 
  Or of the deadly seven it is the least. 
  ISABELLA. 
  Which is the least? 
  CLAUDIO. 
  If it were damnable, he, being so wise, 
  Why would he for the momentary trick 
  Be perdurably fined? - O Isabel! 
  ISABELLA. 
  What says my brother? 
  CLAUDIO. 
  Death is a fearful thing. 
  ISABELLA. 
  And shamed life a hateful. 
  CLAUDIO. 
  Ay, but to die, and go we know not where; 
  To lie in cold obstruction, and to rot; 
  This sensible warm motion to become 
  A kneaded clod; and the delighted spirit 
  To bathe in fiery floods or to reside  
  In thrilling regions of thick-ribbed ice; 
  To be imprison'd in the viewless winds, 
  And blown with restless violence round about 
  The pendent world; or to be worse than worst 
  Of those that lawless and incertain thought 
  Imagine howling! - 'tis too horrible! 
  The weariest and most loathed worldly life 
  That age, ache, penury, and imprisonment 
  Can lay on nature is a paradise 
  To what we fear of death. 
  ISABELLA. 
  Alas, alas! 
  CLAUDIO. 
  Sweet sister, let me live: 
  What sin you do to save a brother's life 
  Nature dispenses with the deed so far 
  That it becomes a virtue. 
  ISABELLA. 
  O you beast! 
  O faithless coward! O dishonest wretch! 
  Wilt thou be made a man out of my vice? 
  Is't not a kind of incest to take life 
  From thine own sister's shame? What should I think?  
  Heaven shield my mother play'd my father fair! 
  For such a warped slip of wilderness 
  Ne'er issued from his blood. Take my defiance: 
  Die; perish! might but my bending down 
  Reprieve thee from thy fate, it should proceed: 
  I'll pray a thousand prayers for thy death, -  
  No word to save thee. 
  CLAUDIO. 
  Nay, hear me, Isabel. 
  ISABELLA. 
  O fie, fie, fie! 
  Thy sin's not accidental, but a trade: 
  Mercy to thee would prove itself a bawd: 
  'Tis best that thou diest quickly. 
  [Going.] 
  CLAUDIO. 
  O, hear me, Isabella. 
  [Re-enter DUKE.] 
  DUKE. 
  Vouchsafe a word, young sister, but one word. 
  ISABELLA. 
  What is your will? 
  DUKE. 
  Might you dispense with your leisure, I would by and by have 
  some speech with you: the satisfaction I would require is 
  likewise your own benefit. 
  ISABELLA. 
  I have no superfluous leisure; my stay must be stolen out of 
  other affairs; but I will attend you awhile. 
  DUKE. 
  [To CLAUDIO aside.] Son, I have overheard what hath passed 
  between you and your sister. Angelo had never the purpose to 
  corrupt her; only he hath made an assay of her virtue to 
  practise his judgment with the disposition of natures; she, 
  having the truth of honour in her, hath made him that gracious 
  denial which he is most glad to receive: I am confessor to 
  Angelo, and I know this to be true; therefore prepare yourself 
  to death. Do not satisfy your resolution with hopes that are 
  fallible: to-morrow you must die; go to your knees and make ready. 
  CLAUDIO. 
  Let me ask my sister pardon. I am so out of love with life that I 
  will sue to be rid of it. 
  DUKE. 
  Hold you there. Farewell.  
  [Exit CLAUDIO.] 
  [Re-enter PROVOST.] 
  Provost, a word with you. 
  PROVOST. 
  What's your will, father? 
  DUKE. 
  That, now you are come, you will be gone. Leave me a while with 
  the maid; my mind promises with my habit no loss shall touch her 
  by my company. 
  PROVOST. 
  In good time. 
  [Exit PROVOST.] 
  DUKE. 
  The hand that hath made you fair hath made you good; the goodness 
  that is cheap in beauty makes beauty brief in goodness; but grace, 
  being the soul of your complexion, shall keep the body of it ever 
  fair. The assault that Angelo hath made to you, fortune hath 
  conveyed to my understanding; and, but that frailty hath examples 
  for his falling, I should wonder at Angelo. How will you do to 
  content this substitute, and to save your brother? 
  ISABELLA. 
  I am now going to resolve him; I had rather my brother die by the 
  law than my son should be unlawfully born. But, O, how much is the 
  good duke deceived in Angelo! If ever he return, and I can speak 
  to him, I will open my lips in vain, or discover his government. 
  DUKE. 
  That shall not be much amiss: yet, as the matter now stands, he 
  will avoid your accusation; he made trial of you only. - Therefore 
  fasten your ear on my advisings; to the love I have in doing good 
  a remedy presents itself. I do make myself believe that you may 
  most uprighteously do a poor wronged lady a merited benefit; 
  redeem your brother from the angry law; do no stain to your own 
  gracious person; and much please the absent duke, if peradventure 
  he shall ever return to have hearing of this business. 
  ISABELLA. 
  Let me hear you speak further; I have spirit to do anything that 
  appears not foul in the truth of my spirit. 
  DUKE. 
  Virtue is bold, and goodness never fearful. Have you not heard 
  speak of Mariana, the sister of Frederick, the great soldier who 
  miscarried at sea? 
  ISABELLA. 
  I have heard of the lady, and good words went with her name. 
  DUKE. 
  She should this Angelo have married; was affianced to her by 
  oath, and the nuptial appointed: between which time of the 
  contract and limit of the solemnity her brother Frederick was 
  wrecked at sea, having in that perished vessel the dowry of his 
  sister. But mark how heavily this befell to the poor gentlewoman: 
  there she lost a noble and renowned brother, in his love toward 
  her ever most kind and natural; with him the portion and sinew of 
  her fortune, her marriage-dowry; with both, her combinate husband, 
  this well-seeming Angelo. 
  ISABELLA. 
  Can this be so? Did Angelo so leave her? 
  DUKE. 
  Left her in her tears, and dried not one of them with his 
  comfort; swallowed his vows whole, pretending, in her, 
  discoveries of dishonour; in few, bestow'd her on her own 
  lamentation, which she yet wears for his sake; and he, a 
  marble to her tears, is washed with them, but relents not. 
  ISABELLA. 
  What a merit were it in death to take this poor maid from the 
  world! What corruption in this life that it will let this man 
  live! - But how out of this can she avail? 
  DUKE. 
  It is a rupture that you may easily heal; and the cure of it not 
  only saves your brother, but keeps you from dishonour in doing it. 
  ISABELLA. 
  Show me how, good father. 
  DUKE. 
  This forenamed maid hath yet in her the continuance of her first 
  affection; his unjust unkindness, that in all reason should have 
  quenched her love, hath, like an impediment in the current, made 
  it more violent and unruly. Go you to Angelo; answer his requiring 
  with a plausible obedience; agree with his demands to the point: 
  only refer yourself to this advantage, - first, that your stay with 
  him may not be long; that the time may have all shadow and silence 
  in it; and the place answer to convenience: this being granted in 
  course, and now follows all. We shall advise this wronged maid to 
  stead up your appointment, go in your place; if the encounter 
  acknowledge itself hereafter, it may compel him to her recompense: 
  and here, by this, is your brother saved, your honour untainted, 
  the poor Mariana advantaged, and the corrupt deputy scaled. The 
  maid will I frame and make fit for his attempt. If you think well 
  to carry this as you may, the doubleness of the benefit defends 
  the deceit from reproof. What think you of it? 
  ISABELLA. 
  The image of it gives me content already; and I trust it will 
  grow to a most prosperous perfection. 
  DUKE. 
  It lies much in your holding up. Haste you speedily to Angelo; if 
  for this night he entreat you to his bed, give him promise of 
  satisfaction. I will presently to Saint Luke's; there, at the 
  moated grange, resides this dejected Mariana. At that place call 
  upon me; and despatch with Angelo, that it may be quickly.  
  ISABELLA. 
  I thank you for this comfort. Fare you well, good father. 
  [Exeunt severally.] 
  Scene II. The Street before the Prison. 
  [Enter DUKE, as a Friar; to him, ELBOW, CLOWN and Officers.] 
  ELBOW. 
  Nay, if there be no remedy for it, but that you will needs buy 
  and sell men and women like beasts, we shall have all the world 
  drink brown and white bastard. 
  DUKE. 
  O heavens! what stuff is here? 
  CLOWN. 
  'Twas never merry world since, of two usuries, the merriest was 
  put down, and the worser allowed by order of law a furred gown 
  to keep him warm; and furred with fox on lamb-skins too, to 
  signify that craft, being richer than innocency, stands for the 
  facing. 
  ELBOW. 
  Come your way, sir. - Bless you, good father friar. 
  DUKE. 
  And you, good brother father. What offence hath this man made 
  you, sir? 
  ELBOW. 
  Marry, sir, he hath offended the law; and, sir, we take him to be 
  a thief too, sir; for we have found upon him, sir, a strange 
  picklock, which we have sent to the deputy. 
  DUKE. 
  Fie, sirrah, a bawd, a wicked bawd; 
  The evil that thou causest to be done, 
  That is thy means to live. Do thou but think 
  What 'tis to cram a maw or clothe a back 
  From such a filthy vice: say to thyself -  
  From their abominable and beastly touches 
  I drink, I eat, array myself, and live. 
  Canst thou believe thy living is a life, 
  So stinkingly depending? Go mend, go mend. 
  CLOWN. 
  Indeed, it does stink in some sort, sir; but yet, sir, I would 
  prove -  
  DUKE. 
  Nay, if the devil have given thee proofs for sin, 
  Thou wilt prove his. Take him to prison, officer; 
  Correction and instruction must both work 
  Ere this rude beast will profit. 
  ELBOW. 
  He must before the deputy, sir; he has given him warning: 
  The deputy cannot abide a whoremaster: if he be a whoremaster, 
  and comes before him, he were as good go a mile on his errand. 
  DUKE. 
  That we were all, as some would seem to be, 
  Free from our faults, as faults from seeming free! 
  ELBOW. 
  His neck will come to your waist, a cord, sir.  
  CLOWN. 
  I spy comfort; I cry bail! Here's a gentleman, and a friend of 
  mine. 
  [Enter LUCIO.] 
  LUCIO. 
  How now, noble Pompey? What, at the wheels of Caesar! Art thou 
  led in triumph? What, is there none of Pygmalion's images, newly 
  made woman, to be had now, for putting the hand in the pocket 
  and extracting it clutched? What reply, ha? What say'st thou to 
  this tune, matter, and method? Is't not drowned i' the last rain, 
  ha? What say'st thou to't? Is the world as it was, man? Which 
  is the way? Is it sad, and few words? or how? The trick of it? 
  DUKE. 
  Still thus, and thus! still worse! 
  LUCIO. 
  How doth my dear morsel, thy mistress? Procures she still, ha? 
  CLOWN. 
  Troth, sir, she hath eaten up all her beef, and she is herself in 
  the tub. 
  LUCIO. 
  Why, 'tis good: it is the right of it: it must be so: ever your 
  fresh whore and your powdered bawd - an unshunned consequence:; 
  it must be so. Art going to prison, Pompey? 
  CLOWN. 
  Yes, faith, sir. 
  LUCIO. 
  Why, 'tis not amiss, Pompey. Farewell; go, say I sent thee 
  thither. For debt, Pompey? or how? 
  ELBOW. 
  For being a bawd, for being a bawd. 
  LUCIO. 
  Well, then, imprison him: if imprisonment be the due of a bawd, 
  why, 'tis his right: bawd is he doubtless, and of antiquity, 
  too: bawd-born. Farewell, good Pompey. Commend me to the prison, 
  Pompey. You will turn good husband now, Pompey; you will keep 
  the house. 
  CLOWN. 
  I hope, sir, your good worship will be my bail. 
  LUCIO. 
  No, indeed, will I not, Pompey; it is not the wear. I will pray, 
  Pompey, to increase your bondage: if you take it not patiently, 
  why, your mettle is the more. Adieu, trusty Pompey. - Bless you, 
  friar. 
  DUKE. 
  And you. 
  LUCIO. 
  Does Bridget paint still, Pompey, ha? 
  ELBOW. 
  Come your ways, sir; come. 
  CLOWN. 
  You will not bail me then, sir? 
  LUCIO. 
  Then, Pompey, nor now. - What news abroad, friar? what news?  
  ELBOW. 
  Come your ways, sir; come. 
  LUCIO. 
  Go, - to kennel, Pompey, go: 
  [Exeunt ELBOW, CLOWN, and Officers.] 
  What news, friar, of the duke? 
  DUKE. 
  I know none. Can you tell me of any? 
  LUCIO. 
  Some say he is with the Emperor of Russia; other some, he is in 
  Rome: but where is he, think you? 
  DUKE. 
  I know not where; but wheresoever, I wish him well. 
  LUCIO. 
  It was a mad fantastical trick of him to steal from the state and 
  usurp the beggary he was never born to. Lord Angelo dukes it well 
  in his absence; he puts transgression to't. 
  DUKE. 
  He does well in't. 
  LUCIO. 
  A little more lenity to lechery would do no harm in him: 
  something too crabbed that way, friar. 
  DUKE. 
  It is too general a vice, and severity must cure it. 
  LUCIO. 
  Yes, in good sooth, the vice is of a great kindred; it is well 
  allied: but it is impossible to extirp it quite, friar, till 
  eating and drinking be put down. They say this Angelo was not 
  made by man and woman after this downright way of creation: 
  is it true, think you? 
  DUKE. 
  How should he be made, then? 
  LUCIO. 
  Some report a sea-maid spawned him; some, that he was begot 
  between two stock-fishes. - But it is certain that when he makes 
  water, his urine is congealed ice; that I know to be true. And 
  he is a motion ungenerative; that's infallible. 
  DUKE. 
  You are pleasant, sir, and speak apace. 
  LUCIO. 
  Why, what a ruthless thing is this in him, for the rebellion of a 
  codpiece to take away the life of a man! Would the duke that is 
  absent have done this? Ere he would have hanged a man for the 
  getting a hundred bastards, he would have paid for the nursing a 
  thousand. He had some feeling of the sport; he knew the service, 
  and that instructed him to mercy. 
  DUKE. 
  I never heard the absent duke much detected for women; he was not 
  inclined that way. 
  LUCIO. 
  O, sir, you are deceived. 
  DUKE. 
  'Tis not possible. 
  LUCIO. 
  Who, not the duke? yes, your beggar of fifty; - and his use was to 
  put a ducat in her clack-dish: the duke had crotchets in him. 
  He would be drunk too: that let me inform you. 
  DUKE. 
  You do him wrong, surely. 
  LUCIO. 
  Sir, I was an inward of his. A shy fellow was the duke: and I 
  believe I know the cause of his withdrawing. 
  DUKE. 
  What, I pr'ythee, might be the cause? 
  LUCIO. 
  No, - pardon; - 'tis a secret must be locked within the teeth and 
  the lips: but this I can let you understand, - the greater file of 
  the subject held the duke to be wise. 
  DUKE. 
  Wise? why, no question but he was. 
  LUCIO. 
  A very superficial, ignorant, unweighing fellow. 
  DUKE. 
  Either this is envy in you, folly, or mistaking; the very stream 
  of his life, and the business he hath helmed, must, upon a 
  warranted need, give him a better proclamation. Let him be but 
  testimonied in his own bringings forth, and he shall appear to 
  the envious a scholar, a statesman, and a soldier. Therefore you 
  speak unskilfully; or, if your knowledge be more, it is much 
  darkened in your malice. 
  LUCIO. 
  Sir, I know him, and I love him. 
  DUKE. 
  Love talks with better knowledge, and knowledge with dearer love. 
  LUCIO. 
  Come, sir, I know what I know. 
  DUKE. 
  I can hardly believe that, since you know not what you speak. 
  But, if ever the duke return, - as our prayers are he may, -  
  let me desire you to make your answer before him. If it be 
  honest you have spoke, you have courage to maintain it: I am 
  bound to call upon you; and, I pray you, your name? 
  LUCIO. 
  Sir, my name is Lucio; well known to the duke. 
  DUKE. 
  He shall know you better, sir, if I may live to report you. 
  LUCIO. 
  I fear you not. 
  DUKE. 
  O, you hope the duke will return no more; or you imagine me too 
  unhurtful an opposite. But, indeed, I can do you little harm: 
  you'll forswear this again. 
  LUCIO. 
  I'll be hanged first! thou art deceived in me, friar. But no 
  more of this. Canst thou tell if Claudio die to-morrow or no? 
  DUKE. 
  Why should he die, sir? 
  LUCIO. 
  Why? for filling a bottle with a tun-dish. I would the duke we 
  talk of were returned again: this ungenitured agent will 
  unpeople the province with continency; sparrows must not build 
  in his house-eaves because they are lecherous. The duke yet 
  would have dark deeds darkly answered; he would never bring them 
  to light: would he were returned! Marry, this Claudio is 
  condemned for untrussing. Farewell, good friar; I pr'ythee pray 
  for me. The duke, I say to thee again, would eat mutton on 
  Fridays. He's not past it; yet, and, I say to thee, he would 
  mouth with a beggar though she smelt brown bread and garlic. 
  Say that I said so. - Farewell. 
  [Exit.] 
  DUKE. 
  No might nor greatness in mortality 
  Can censure 'scape; back-wounding calumny 
  The whitest virtue strikes. What king so strong 
  Can tie the gall up in the slanderous tongue? 
  But who comes here? 
  [Enter ESCALUS, PROVOST, BAWD, and Officers.] 
  ESCALUS. 
  Go, away with her to prison. 
  BAWD. 
  Good my lord, be good to me; your honour is accounted a merciful 
  man; good my lord. 
  ESCALUS. 
  Double and treble admonition, and still forfeit in the same kind? 
  This would make mercy swear and play the tyrant.  
  PROVOST. 
  A bawd of eleven years' continuance, may it please your honour. 
  BAWD. 
  My lord, this is one Lucio's information against me: Mistress 
  Kate Keepdown was with child by him in the duke's time; he 
  promised her marriage: his child is a year and a quarter old 
  come Philip and Jacob; I have kept it myself; and see how he 
  goes about to abuse me. 
  ESCALUS. 
  That fellow is a fellow of much license: - let him be called 
  before us. - Away with her to prison. Go to; no more words. 
  [Exeunt BAWD and Officers.] 
  Provost, my brother Angelo will not be altered, Claudio must die 
  to-morrow: let him be furnished with divines, and have all 
  charitable preparation: if my brother wrought by my pity it 
  should not be so with him. 
  PROVOST. 
  So please you, this friar hath been with him, and advised him for 
  the entertainment of death. 
  ESCALUS. 
  Good even, good father. 
  DUKE. 
  Bliss and goodness on you! 
  ESCALUS. 
  Of whence are you? 
  DUKE. 
  Not of this country, though my chance is now 
  To use it for my time: I am a brother  
  Of gracious order, late come from the see 
  In special business from his holiness. 
  ESCALUS. 
  What news abroad i' the world? 
  DUKE. 
  None, but that there is so great a fever on goodness, that the 
  dissolution of it must cure it: novelty is only in request; and 
  as it is as dangerous to be aged in any kind of course as it is 
  virtuous to be constant in any undertaking. There is scarce truth 
  enough alive to make societies secure; but security enough to 
  make fellowships accurst: much upon this riddle runs the wisdom 
  of the world. This news is old enough, yet it is every day's news. 
  I pray you, sir, of what disposition was the duke? 
  ESCALUS. 
  One that, above all other strifes, contended especially to know 
  himself. 
  DUKE. 
  What pleasure was he given to? 
  ESCALUS. 
  Rather rejoicing to see another merry, than merry at anything 
  which professed to make him rejoice: a gentleman of all temperance. 
  But leave we him to his events, with a prayer they may prove 
  prosperous; and let me desire to know how you find Claudio 
  prepared. I am made to understand that you have lent him 
  visitation.  
  DUKE. 
  He professes to have received no sinister measure from his judge, 
  but most willingly humbles himself to the determination of 
  justice: yet had he framed to himself, by the instruction of his 
  frailty, many deceiving promises of life; which I, by my good 
  leisure, have discredited to him, and now he is resolved to die. 
  ESCALUS. 
  You have paid the heavens your function, and the prisoner the 
  very debt of your calling. I have laboured for the poor gentleman 
  to the extremest shore of my modesty; but my brother justice have 
  I found so severe that he hath forced me to tell him he is indeed 
   - justice. 
  DUKE. 
  If his own life answer the straitness of his proceeding, it shall 
  become him well: wherein if he chance to fail, he hath sentenced 
  himself. 
  ESCALUS. 
  I am going to visit the prisoner. 
  Fare you well. 
  DUKE. 
  Peace be with you! 
  [Exeunt ESCALUS and PROVOST.] 
  He who the sword of heaven will bear 
  Should be as holy as severe; 
  Pattern in himself to know, 
  Grace to stand, and virtue go;  
  More nor less to others paying 
  Than by self-offences weighing. 
  Shame to him whose cruel striking 
  Kills for faults of his own liking! 
  Twice treble shame on Angelo, 
  To weed my vice and let his grow! 
  O, what may man within him hide, 
  Though angel on the outward side! 
  How may likeness, made in crimes, 
  Make a practice on the times, 
  To draw with idle spiders' strings 
  Most pond'rous and substantial things! 
  Craft against vice I must apply; 
  With Angelo to-night shall lie 
  His old betrothed but despis'd; 
  So disguise shall, by the disguis'd, 
  Pay with falsehood false exacting, 
  And perform an old contracting. 
  [Exit.] 
  Act IV. 
  Scene I. A Room in Mariana's House. 
  [MARIANA discovered sitting; a Boy singing.] 
       SONG 
    Take, O, take those lips away, 
      That so sweetly were forsworn; 
    And those eyes, the break of day, 
      Lights that do mislead the morn: 
    But my kisses bring again 
                Bring again; 
    Seals of love, but seal'd in vain,  
                Sealed in vain. 
  MARIANA. 
  Break off thy song, and haste thee quick away; 
  Here comes a man of comfort, whose advice 
  Hath often still'd my brawling discontent. -    
  [Exit BOY.] 
  [Enter DUKE.] 
  I cry you mercy, sir; and well could wish 
  You had not found me here so musical: 
  Let me excuse me, and believe me so,  
  My mirth it much displeas'd, but pleas'd my woe. 
  DUKE. 
  'Tis good: though music oft hath such a charm 
  To make bad good and good provoke to harm. 
  I pray you ,tell me hath anybody inquired for me here to-day? 
  much upon this time have I promised here to meet. 
  MARIANA. 
  You have not been inquired after: I have sat here all day. 
  [Enter ISABELLA.] 
  DUKE. 
  I do constantly believe you. - The time is come even now. I shall 
  crave your forbearance a little: may be I will call upon you anon, 
  for some advantage to yourself. 
  MARIANA. 
  I am always bound to you. 
  [Exit.] 
  DUKE. 
  Very well met, and welcome. 
  What is the news from this good deputy? 
  ISABELLA. 
  He hath a garden circummur'd with brick, 
  Whose western side is with a vineyard back'd; 
  And to that vineyard is a planched gate 
  That makes his opening with this bigger key: 
  This other doth command a little door 
  Which from the vineyard to the garden leads; 
  There have I made my promise to call on him 
  Upon the heavy middle of the night. 
  DUKE. 
  But shall you on your knowledge find this way? 
  ISABELLA. 
  I have ta'en a due and wary note upon't; 
  With whispering and most guilty diligence, 
  In action all of precept, he did show me 
  The way twice o'er. 
  DUKE. 
  Are there no other tokens 
  Between you 'greed concerning her observance? 
  ISABELLA. 
  No, none, but only a repair i' the dark; 
  And that I have possess'd him my most stay 
  Can be but brief: for I have made him know 
  I have a servant comes with me along, 
  That stays upon me; whose persuasion is 
  I come about my brother. 
  DUKE. 
  'Tis well borne up. 
  I have not yet made known to Mariana 
  A word of this. - What ho, within! come forth.  
  [Re-enter MARIANA.] 
  I pray you be acquainted with this maid; 
  She comes to do you good. 
  ISABELLA. 
  I do desire the like. 
  DUKE. 
  Do you persuade yourself that I respect you? 
  MARIANA. 
  Good friar, I know you do, and have found it. 
  DUKE. 
  Take, then, this your companion by the hand, 
  Who hath a story ready for your ear: 
  I shall attend your leisure; but make haste; 
  The vaporous night approaches. 
  MARIANA. 
  Will't please you walk aside? 
  [Exeunt MARIANA and ISABELLA.] 
  DUKE. 
  O place and greatness, millions of false eyes 
  Are stuck upon thee! volumes of report 
  Run with these false, and most contrarious quest 
  Upon thy doings! Thousand 'scapes of wit 
  Make thee the father of their idle dream, 
  And rack thee in their fancies! - Welcome! how agreed? 
  [Re-enter MARIANA and ISABELLA.] 
  ISABELLA. 
  She'll take the enterprise upon her, father, 
  If you advise it. 
  DUKE. 
  It is not my consent, 
  But my entreaty too. 
  ISABELLA. 
  Little have you to say, 
  When you depart from him, but, soft and low, 
  'Remember now my brother.' 
  MARIANA. 
  Fear me not. 
  DUKE. 
  Nor, gentle daughter, fear you not at all; 
  He is your husband on a pre-contract: 
  To bring you thus together 'tis no sin, 
  Sith that the justice of your title to him 
  Doth flourish the deceit. Come, let us go; 
  Our corn's to reap, for yet our tithe's to sow. 
  [Exeunt.] 
  SCENE II. A Room in the prison. 
  [Enter PROVOST and CLOWN.] 
  PROVOST. 
  Come hither, sirrah. Can you cut off a man's head? 
  CLOWN. 
  If the man be a bachelor, sir, I can: but if he be a married man, 
  he's his wife's head, and I can never cut off a woman's head. 
  PROVOST. 
  Come, sir, leave me your snatches and yield me a direct answer. 
  To-morrow morning are to die Claudio and Barnardine. Here is in 
  our prison a common executioner, who in his office lacks a helper; 
  if you will take it on you to assist him, it shall redeem you from 
  your gyves; if not, you shall have your full time of imprisonment, 
  and your deliverance with an unpitied whipping; for you have been 
  a notorious bawd. 
  CLOWN. 
  Sir, I have been an unlawful bawd time out of mind; but yet I 
  will be content to be a lawful hangman. I would be glad to receive 
  some instruction from my fellow-partner. 
  PROVOST. 
  What ho, Abhorson! Where's Abhorson, there? 
  [Enter ABHORSON.] 
  ABHORSON. 
  Do you call, sir? 
  PROVOST. 
  Sirrah, here's a fellow will help you to-morrow in your 
  execution. If you think it meet, compound with him by the year, 
  and let him abide here with you; if not, use him for the 
  present, and dismiss him. He cannot plead his estimation with 
  you; he hath been a bawd. 
  ABHORSON. 
  A bawd, sir? Fie upon him; he will discredit our mystery. 
  PROVOST. 
  Go to, sir; you weigh equally; a feather will turn the scale. 
  [Exit.] 
  CLOWN. 
  Pray, sir, by your good favour, - for, surely, sir, a good favour 
  you have, but that you have a hanging look, - do you call, sir, 
  your occupation a mystery? 
  ABHORSON. 
  Ay, sir; a mystery. 
  CLOWN. 
  Painting, sir, I have heard say, is a mystery; and your whores, 
  sir, being members of my occupation, using painting, do prove 
  my occupation a mystery: but what mystery there should be in 
  hanging, if I should be hanged, I cannot imagine. 
  ABHORSON. 
  Sir, it is a mystery. 
  CLOWN. 
  Proof. 
  ABHORSON. 
  Every true man's apparel fits your thief: if it be too little for 
  your thief, your true man thinks it big enough; if it be too big 
  for your thief, your thief thinks it little enough; so every true 
  man's apparel fits your thief. 
  [Re-enter PROVOST.] 
  PROVOST. 
  Are you agreed? 
  CLOWN. 
  Sir, I will serve him; for I do find your hangman is a more 
  penitent trade than your bawd; he doth oftener ask forgiveness. 
  PROVOST. 
  You, sirrah, provide your block and your axe to-morrow four 
  o'clock. 
  ABHORSON. 
  Come on, bawd; I will instruct thee in my trade; follow. 
  CLOWN. 
  I do desire to learn, sir; and I hope, if you have occasion to 
  use me for your own turn, you shall find me yare; for truly, 
  sir, for your kindness I owe you a good turn. 
  PROVOST. 
  Call hither Barnardine and Claudio. 
  [Exeunt CLOWN and ABHORSON.] 
  One has my pity; not a jot the other, 
  Being a murderer, though he were my brother.  
  [Enter CLAUDIO.] 
  Look, here's the warrant, Claudio, for thy death: 
  'Tis now dead midnight, and by eight to-morrow 
  Thou must be made immortal. Where's Barnardine? 
  CLAUDIO. 
  As fast lock'd up in sleep as guiltless labour 
  When it lies starkly in the traveller's bones: 
  He will not wake. 
  PROVOST. 
  Who can do good on him? 
  Well, go, prepare yourself. But hark, what noise? 
  [Knocking within.]  
  Heaven give your spirits comfort! 
  [Exit CLAUDIO.] 
  By and by! -  
  I hope it is some pardon or reprieve 
  For the most gentle Claudio. - Welcome, father.  
  [Enter DUKE.] 
  DUKE. 
  The best and wholesom'st spirits of the night 
  Envelop you, good provost! Who call'd here of late? 
  PROVOST. 
  None, since the curfew rung. 
  DUKE. 
  Not Isabel? 
  PROVOST. 
  No. 
  DUKE. 
  They will then, ere't be long. 
  PROVOST. 
  What comfort is for Claudio? 
  DUKE. 
  There's some in hope. 
  PROVOST. 
  It is a bitter deputy. 
  DUKE. 
  Not so, not so: his life is parallel'd 
  Even with the stroke and line of his great justice; 
  He doth with holy abstinence subdue 
  That in himself which he spurs on his power 
  To qualify in others: were he meal'd 
  With that which he corrects, then were he tyrannous; 
  But this being so, he's just. - Now are they come. 
  [Knocking within - PROVOST goes out.] 
  This is a gentle provost: seldom when 
  The steeled gaoler is the friend of men. -  
  How now? what noise? That spirit's possess'd with haste  
  That wounds the unsisting postern with these strokes. 
  [PROVOST returns, speaking to one at the door.] 
  PROVOST. 
  There he must stay until the officer 
  Arise to let him in; he is call'd up. 
  DUKE. 
  Have you no countermand for Claudio yet, 
  But he must die to-morrow? 
  PROVOST. 
  None, sir, none. 
  DUKE. 
  As near the dawning, Provost, as it is, 
  You shall hear more ere morning. 
  PROVOST. 
  Happily 
  You something know; yet I believe there comes 
  No countermand; no such example have we: 
  Besides, upon the very siege of justice, 
  Lord Angelo hath to the public ear 
  Profess'd the contrary. 
  [Enter a Messenger.] 
  DUKE. 
  This is his lordship's man. 
  DUKE. 
  And here comes Claudio's pardon. 
  MESSENGER. 
  My lord hath sent you this note; and by me this further charge, 
  that you swerve not from the smallest article of it, neither in 
  time, matter, or other circumstance. Good morrow; for as I take 
  it, it is almost day. 
  PROVOST. 
  I shall obey him. 
  [Exit Messenger.] 
  DUKE. 
  [Aside.] This is his pardon, purchas'd by such sin, 
  For which the pardoner himself is in: 
  Hence hath offence his quick celerity, 
  When it is borne in high authority: 
  When vice makes mercy, mercy's so extended 
  That for the fault's love is the offender friended. -  
  Now, sir, what news? 
  PROVOST. 
  I told you: Lord Angelo, belike thinking me remiss in mine 
  office, awakens me with this unwonted putting-on; methinks 
  strangely, for he hath not used it before. 
  DUKE. 
  Pray you, let's hear. 
  PROVOST. 
  [Reads.] 'Whatsoever you may hear to the contrary, let Claudio be 
  executed by four of the clock; and, in the afternoon, Barnardine: 
  for my better satisfaction, let me have Claudio's head sent me by 
  five. Let this be duly performed; with a thought that more 
  depends on it than we must yet deliver. Thus fail not to do your 
  office, as you will answer it at your peril.' 
  What say you to this, sir? 
  DUKE. 
  What is that Barnardine who is to be executed in the afternoon? 
  PROVOST. 
  A Bohemian born; but here nursed up and bred: one that is a 
  prisoner nine years old. 
  DUKE. 
  How came it that the absent duke had not either delivered him to 
  his liberty or executed him? I have heard it was ever his manner 
  to do so. 
  PROVOST. 
  His friends still wrought reprieves for him; and, indeed, his 
  fact, till now in the government of Lord Angelo, came not to an 
  undoubtful proof. 
  DUKE. 
  It is now apparent? 
  PROVOST. 
  Most manifest, and not denied by himself. 
  DUKE. 
  Hath he borne himself penitently in prison? How seems he to be 
  touched? 
  PROVOST. 
  A man that apprehends death no more dreadfully but as a drunken 
  sleep; careless, reckless, and fearless, of what's past, present, 
  or to come; insensible of mortality and desperately mortal. 
  DUKE. 
  He wants advice. 
  PROVOST. 
  He will hear none; he hath evermore had the liberty of the 
  prison; give him leave to escape hence, he would not: drunk many 
  times a-day, if not many days entirely drunk. We have very oft 
  awaked him, as if to carry him to execution, and showed him a 
  seeming warrant for it: it hath not moved him at all. 
  DUKE. 
  More of him anon. There is written in your brow, Provost, honesty 
  and constancy: if I read it not truly, my ancient skill beguiles me; 
  but in the boldness of my cunning I will lay myself in hazard. 
  Claudio, whom here you have warrant to execute, is no greater 
  forfeit to the law than Angelo who hath sentenced him. To make you 
  understand this in a manifested effect, I crave but four days' 
  respite; for the which you are to do me both a present and a 
  dangerous courtesy. 
  PROVOST. 
  Pray, sir, in what? 
  DUKE. 
  In the delaying death. 
  PROVOST. 
  Alack! How may I do it? having the hour limited; and an express 
  command, under penalty, to deliver his head in the view of Angelo? 
  I may make my case as Claudio's, to cross this in the smallest. 
  DUKE. 
  By the vow of mine order, I warrant you, if my instructions may 
  be your guide. Let this Barnardine be this morning executed, 
  and his head borne to Angelo. 
  PROVOST. 
  Angelo hath seen them both, and will discover the favour. 
  DUKE. 
  O, death's a great disguiser: and you may add to it. Shave the 
  head and tie the beard; and say it was the desire of the penitent 
  to be so bared before his death. You know the course is common. 
  If anything fall to you upon this, more than thanks and good 
  fortune, by the saint whom I profess, I will plead against it with 
  my life. 
  PROVOST. 
  Pardon me, good father; it is against my oath. 
  DUKE. 
  Were you sworn to the duke, or to the deputy? 
  PROVOST. 
  To him and to his substitutes. 
  DUKE. 
  You will think you have made no offence if the duke avouch the 
  justice of your dealing? 
  PROVOST. 
  But what likelihood is in that? 
  DUKE. 
  Not a resemblance, but a certainty. Yet since I see you fearful, 
  that neither my coat, integrity, nor persuasion, can with ease 
  attempt you, I will go further than I meant, to pluck all fears 
  out of you. Look you, sir, here is the hand and seal of the duke. 
  You know the character, I doubt not; and the signet is not 
  strange to you. 
  PROVOST. 
  I know them both. 
  DUKE. 
  The contents of this is the return of the duke; you shall anon 
  over-read it at your pleasure, where you shall find within these 
  two days he will be here. This is a thing that Angelo knows not: 
  for he this very day receives letters of strange tenour: perchance 
  of the duke's death; perchance entering into some monastery; but, 
  by chance, nothing of what is writ. Look, the unfolding star calls 
  up the shepherd. Put not yourself into amazement how these things 
  should be: all difficulties are but easy when they are known. Call 
  your executioner, and off with Barnardine's head: I will give him 
  a present shrift, and advise him for a better place. Yet you are 
  amazed: but this shall absolutely resolve you. Come away; it is 
  almost clear dawn. 
  [Exeunt.] 
  SCENE III. Another Room in the same. 
  [Enter CLOWN.] 
  CLOWN. 
  I am as well acquainted here as I was in our house of profession: 
  one would think it were Mistress Overdone's own house, for here 
  be many of her old customers. First, here's young Master Rash; 
  he's in for a commodity of brown paper and old ginger, nine score 
  and seventeen pounds; of which he made five marks ready money: 
  marry, then ginger was not much in request, for the old women 
  were all dead. Then is there here one Master Caper, at the suit 
  of Master Threepile the mercer, for some four suits of peach- 
  coloured satin, which now peaches him a beggar. Then have we here 
  young Dizy, and young Master Deepvow, and Master Copperspur, and 
  Master Starvelackey, the rapier and dagger man, and young 
  Dropheir that killed lusty Pudding, and Master Forthlight the 
  tilter, and brave Master Shoetie the great traveller, and wild 
  Halfcan that stabbed Pots, and, I think, forty more; all great 
  doers in our trade, and are now 'for the Lord's sake.' 
  [Enter ABHORSON.] 
  ABHORSON. 
  Sirrah, bring Barnardine hither. 
  CLOWN. 
  Master Barnardine! You must rise and be hanged, Master 
  Barnardine! 
  ABHORSON. 
  What ho, Barnardine! 
  BARNARDINE. 
  [Within.] A pox o' your throats! Who makes that noise there? What 
  are you? 
  CLOWN. 
  Your friend, sir; the hangman. You must be so good, sir, to rise 
  and be put to death. 
  BARNARDINE. 
  [Within.] Away, you rogue, away; I am sleepy. 
  ABHORSON. 
  Tell him he must awake, and that quickly too. 
  CLOWN. 
  Pray, Master Barnardine, awake till you are executed, and sleep 
  afterwards. 
  ABHORSON. 
  Go in to him, and fetch him out. 
  CLOWN. 
  He is coming, sir, he is coming; I hear his straw rustle. 
  [Enter BARNARDINE.] 
  ABHORSON. 
  Is the axe upon the block, sirrah?  
  CLOWN. 
  Very ready, sir. 
  BARNARDINE. 
  How now, Abhorson? what's the news with you? 
  ABHORSON. 
  Truly, sir, I would desire you to clap into your prayers; for, 
  look you, the warrant's come. 
  BARNARDINE. 
  You rogue, I have been drinking all night; I am not fitted for't. 
  CLOWN. 
  O, the better, sir; for he that drinks all night and is hanged 
  betimes in the morning may sleep the sounder all the next day. 
  [Enter DUKE.] 
  ABHORSON. 
  Look you, sir, here comes your ghostly father. Do we jest now, 
  think you? 
  DUKE. 
  Sir, induced by my charity, and hearing how hastily you are to 
  depart, I am come to advise you, comfort you, and pray with you. 
  BARNARDINE. 
  Friar, not I; I have been drinking hard all night, and I will 
  have more time to prepare me, or they shall beat out my brains 
  with billets: I will not consent to die this day, that's certain. 
  DUKE. 
  O, Sir, you must; and therefore I beseech you, 
  Look forward on the journey you shall go. 
  BARNARDINE. 
  I swear I will not die to-day for any man's persuasion. 
  DUKE. 
  But hear you, -  
  BARNARDINE. 
  Not a word; if you have anything to say to me, come to my ward; 
  for thence will not I to-day.  
  [Exit.] 
  DUKE. 
  Unfit to live or die. O gravel heart! -  
  After him, fellows; bring him to the block. 
  [Exeunt ABHORSON and CLOWN.] 
  [Enter PROVOST.] 
  PROVOST. 
  Now, sir, how do you find the prisoner? 
  DUKE. 
  A creature unprepar'd, unmeet for death; 
  And to transport him in the mind he is 
  Were damnable. 
  PROVOST. 
  Here in the prison, father, 
  There died this morning of a cruel fever 
  One Ragozine, a most notorious pirate,  
  A man of Claudio's years; his beard and head 
  Just of his colour. What if we do omit 
  This reprobate till he were well inclined; 
  And satisfy the deputy with the visage 
  Of Ragozine, more like to Claudio? 
  DUKE. 
  O, 'tis an accident that Heaven provides! 
  Despatch it presently; the hour draws on 
  Prefix'd by Angelo: see this be done, 
  And sent according to command; whiles I 
  Persuade this rude wretch willingly to die. 
  PROVOST. 
  This shall be done, good father, presently. 
  But Barnardine must die this afternoon: 
  And how shall we continue Claudio, 
  To save me from the danger that might come 
  If he were known alive? 
  DUKE. 
  Let this be done; -  
  Put them in secret holds; both Barnardine and Claudio. 
  Ere twice the sun hath made his journal greeting 
  To the under generation, you shall find 
  Your safety manifested.  
  PROVOST. 
  I am your free dependant. 
  DUKE. 
  Quick, dispatch, and send the head to Angelo. 
  [Exit PROVOST.] 
  Now will I write letters to Angelo, -  
  The provost, he shall bear them, - whose contents 
  Shall witness to him I am near at home, 
  And that, by great injunctions, I am bound 
  To enter publicly: him I'll desire 
  To meet me at the consecrated fount, 
  A league below the city; and from thence, 
  By cold gradation and well-balanced form. 
  We shall proceed with Angelo. 
  [Re-enter PROVOST.] 
  PROVOST. 
  Here is the head; I'll carry it myself. 
  DUKE. 
  Convenient is it. Make a swift return; 
  For I would commune with you of such things 
  That want no ear but yours. 
  PROVOST. 
  I'll make all speed. 
  [Exit.] 
  ISABELLA. 
  [Within.] Peace, ho, be here! 
  DUKE. 
  The tongue of Isabel. - She's come to know 
  If yet her brother's pardon be come hither: 
  But I will keep her ignorant of her good, 
  To make her heavenly comforts of despair 
  When it is least expected. 
  [Enter ISABELLA.] 
  ISABELLA. 
  Ho, by your leave! 
  DUKE. 
  Good morning to you, fair and gracious daughter. 
  ISABELLA. 
  The better, given me by so holy a man. 
  Hath yet the deputy sent my brother's pardon? 
  DUKE. 
  He hath released him, Isabel, from the world: 
  His head is off and sent to Angelo. 
  ISABELLA. 
  Nay, but it is not so. 
  DUKE. 
  It is no other: 
  Show your wisdom, daughter, in your close patience. 
  ISABELLA. 
  O, I will to him and pluck out his eyes! 
  DUKE. 
  You shall not be admitted to his sight.  
  ISABELLA. 
  Unhappy Claudio! Wretched Isabel! 
  Injurious world! Most damned Angelo! 
  DUKE. 
  This nor hurts him nor profits you a jot: 
  Forbear it, therefore; give your cause to Heaven. 
  Mark what I say; which you shall find 
  By every syllable a faithful verity: 
  The duke comes home to-morrow; - nay, dry your eyes; 
  One of our convent, and his confessor, 
  Gives me this instance. Already he hath carried 
  Notice to Escalus and Angelo, 
  Who do prepare to meet him at the gates, 
  There to give up their power. If you can, pace your wisdom 
  In that good path that I would wish it go, 
  And you shall have your bosom on this wretch, 
  Grace of the duke, revenges to your heart, 
  And general honour. 
  ISABELLA. 
  I am directed by you. 
  DUKE. 
  This letter, then, to Friar Peter give; 
  'Tis that he sent me of the duke's return. 
  Say, by this token, I desire his company  
  At Mariana's house to-night. Her cause and yours 
  I'll perfect him withal; and he shall bring you 
  Before the duke; and to the head of Angelo 
  Accuse him home, and home. For my poor self, 
  I am combined by a sacred vow, 
  And shall be absent. Wend you with this letter: 
  Command these fretting waters from your eyes 
  With a light heart; trust not my holy order, 
  If I pervert your course. - Who's here? 
  [Enter LUCIO.] 
  LUCIO. 
  Good even. Friar, where is the provost? 
  DUKE. 
  Not within, sir. 
  LUCIO. 
  O pretty Isabella, I am pale at mine heart to see thine eyes so 
  red; thou must be patient: I am fain to dine and sup with water 
  and bran; I dare not for my head fill my belly; one fruitful meal 
  would set me to't. But they say the duke will be here to-morrow. 
  By my troth, Isabel, I loved thy brother. If the old fantastical 
  duke of dark corners had been at home, he had lived. 
  [Exit ISABELLA.] 
  DUKE. 
  Sir, the duke is marvellous little beholding to your reports; but 
  the best is, he lives not in them. 
  LUCIO. 
  Friar, thou knowest not the duke so well as I do: he's a better 
  woodman than thou takest him for. 
  DUKE. 
  Well, you'll answer this one day. Fare ye well. 
  LUCIO. 
  Nay, tarry; I'll go along with thee; I can tell thee pretty tales 
  of the duke. 
  DUKE. 
  You have told me too many of him already, sir, if they be true: 
  if not true, none were enough. 
  LUCIO. 
  I was once before him for getting a wench with child. 
  DUKE. 
  Did you such a thing? 
  LUCIO. 
  Yes, marry, did I; but I was fain to forswear it: they would else 
  have married me to the rotten medlar. 
  DUKE. 
  Sir, your company is fairer than honest. Rest you well. 
  LUCIO. 
  By my troth, I'll go with thee to the lane's end. If bawdy talk 
  offend you, we'll have very little of it. Nay, friar, I am a kind 
  of burr; I shall stick. 
  [Exeunt.] 
  SCENE IV. A Room in ANGELO'S house. 
  [Enter ANGELO and ESCALUS.] 
  ESCALUS. 
  Every letter he hath writ hath disvouched other. 
  ANGELO. 
  In most uneven and distracted manner. His actions show much like 
  to madness; pray heaven his wisdom be not tainted! And why meet him 
  at the gates, and re-deliver our authorities there? 
  ESCALUS. 
  I guess not. 
  ANGELO. 
  And why should we proclaim it in an hour before his entering 
  that, if any crave redress of injustice, they should exhibit 
  their petitions in the street? 
  ESCALUS. 
  He shows his reason for that: to have a dispatch of complaints; 
  and to deliver us from devices hereafter, which shall then have 
  no power to stand against us. 
  ANGELO. 
  Well, I beseech you, let it be proclaim'd: 
  Betimes i' the morn I'll call you at your house: 
  Give notice to such men of sort and suit 
  As are to meet him. 
  ESCALUS. 
  I shall, sir: fare you well. 
  [Exit.] 
  ANGELO. 
  Good night. -  
  This deed unshapes me quite, makes me unpregnant, 
  And dull to all proceedings. A deflower'd maid! 
  And by an eminent body that enforced 
  The law against it! - But that her tender shame 
  Will not proclaim against her maiden loss, 
  How might she tongue me? Yet reason dares her - no: 
  For my authority bears a so credent bulk, 
  That no particular scandal once can touch 
  But it confounds the breather. He should have liv'd, 
  Save that his riotous youth, with dangerous sense, 
  Might in the times to come have ta'en revenge, 
  By so receiving a dishonour'd life 
  With ransom of such shame. Would yet he had liv'd! 
  Alack, when once our grace we have forgot, 
  Nothing goes right; we would, and we would not. 
  [Exit.] 
  SCENE V. Fields without the town. 
  [Enter DUKE in his own habit, and Friar PETER.] 
  DUKE. 
  These letters at fit time deliver me. [Giving letters.] 
  The provost knows our purpose and our plot. 
  The matter being afoot, keep your instruction 
  And hold you ever to our special drift; 
  Though sometimes you do blench from this to that 
  As cause doth minister. Go, call at Flavius' house, 
  And tell him where I stay: give the like notice 
  To Valentinus, Rowland, and to Crassus, 
  And bid them bring the trumpets to the gate; 
  But send me Flavius first. 
  PETER. 
  It shall be speeded well. 
  [Exit FRIAR.] 
  [Enter VARRIUS.] 
  DUKE. 
  I thank thee, Varrius; thou hast made good haste: 
  Come, we will walk. There's other of our friends 
  Will greet us here anon, my gentle Varrius. 
  [Exeunt.] 
  SCENE VI. Street near the City Gate. 
  [Enter ISABELLA and MARIANA.] 
  ISABELLA. 
  To speak so indirectly I am loath; 
  I would say the truth; but to accuse him so, 
  That is your part: yet I am advis'd to do it; 
  He says, to 'vailfull purpose. 
  MARIANA. 
  Be ruled by him. 
  ISABELLA. 
  Besides, he tells me that, if peradventure 
  He speak against me on the adverse side, 
  I should not think it strange; for 'tis a physic 
  That's bitter to sweet end. 
  MARIANA. 
  I would Friar Peter. -  
  ISABELLA. 
  O, peace! the friar is come. 
  [Enter FRIAR PETER.] 
  PETER. 
  Come, I have found you out a stand most fit, 
  Where you may have such vantage on the duke 
  He shall not pass you. Twice have the trumpets sounded;  
  The generous and gravest citizens 
  Have hent the gates, and very near upon 
  The duke is entering; therefore, hence, away. 
  [Exeunt.] 
  ACT V. 
  SCENE I. A public place near the city gate. 
  [MARIANA (veiled), ISABELLA, and PETER, at a distance. Enter at 
  opposite doors DUKE, VARRIUS, Lords; ANGELO, ESCALUS, LUCIO, 
  PROVOST, Officers, and Citizens.] 
  DUKE. 
  My very worthy cousin, fairly met; -  
  Our old and faithful friend, we are glad to see you. 
  ANGELO and ESCALUS. 
  Happy return be to your royal grace! 
  DUKE. 
  Many and hearty thankings to you both. 
  We have made inquiry of you; and we hear 
  Such goodness of your justice that our soul 
  Cannot but yield you forth to public thanks, 
  Forerunning more requital. 
  ANGELO. 
  You make my bonds still greater. 
  DUKE. 
  O, your desert speaks loud; and I should wrong it 
  To lock it in the wards of covert bosom, 
  When it deserves, with characters of brass, 
  A forted residence 'gainst the tooth of time 
  And rasure of oblivion. Give me your hand, 
  And let the subject see, to make them know 
  That outward courtesies would fain proclaim  
  Favours that keep within. - Come, Escalus; 
  You must walk by us on our other hand: 
  And good supporters are you. 
  [Enter PETER and ISABELLA come forward.] 
  PETER. 
  Now is your time; speak loud, and kneel before him. 
  ISABELLA. 
  Justice, O royal duke! Vail your regard 
  Upon a wrong'd, I'd fain have said, a maid! 
  O worthy prince, dishonour not your eye 
  By throwing it on any other object 
  Till you have heard me in my true complaint, 
  And given me justice, justice, justice, justice! 
  DUKE. 
  Relate your wrongs. In what? By whom? Be brief: 
  Here is Lord Angelo shall give you justice. 
  Reveal yourself to him. 
  ISABELLA. 
  O worthy duke, 
  You bid me seek redemption of the devil: 
  Hear me yourself; for that which I must speak 
  Must either punish me, not being believ'd,  
  Or wring redress from you; hear me, O, hear me here! 
  ANGELO. 
  My lord, her wits, I fear me, are not firm: 
  She hath been a suitor to me for her brother, 
  Cut off by course of justice. 
  ISABELLA. 
  By course of justice! 
  ANGELO. 
  And she will speak most bitterly and strange. 
  ISABELLA. 
  Most strange, but yet most truly, will I speak: 
  That Angelo's forsworn, is it not strange? 
  That Angelo's a murderer, is't not strange? 
  That Angelo is an adulterous thief, 
  An hypocrite, a virgin-violator, 
  Is it not strange and strange? 
  DUKE. 
  Nay, it is ten times strange. 
  ISABELLA. 
  It is not truer he is Angelo 
  Than this is all as true as it is strange: 
  Nay, it is ten times true; for truth is truth 
  To the end of reckoning. 
  DUKE. 
  Away with her! - Poor soul, 
  She speaks this in the infirmity of sense. 
  ISABELLA. 
  O prince! I conjure thee, as thou believ'st  
  There is another comfort than this world, 
  That thou neglect me not with that opinion 
  That I am touch'd with madness: make not impossible 
  That which but seems unlike; 'tis not impossible 
  But one, the wicked'st caitiff on the ground, 
  May seem as shy, as grave, as just, as absolute, 
  As Angelo; even so may Angelo, 
  In all his dressings, characts, titles, forms, 
  Be an arch-villain; believe it, royal prince, 
  If he be less, he's nothing; but he's more, 
  Had I more name for badness. 
  DUKE. 
  By mine honesty, 
  If she be mad, as I believe no other, 
  Her madness hath the oddest frame of sense, 
  Such a dependency of thing on thing, 
  As e'er I heard in madness. 
  ISABELLA. 
  O gracious duke, 
  Harp not on that: nor do not banish reason 
  For inequality; but let your reason serve 
  To make the truth appear where it seems hid 
  And hide the false seems true. 
  DUKE. 
  Many that are not mad 
  Have, sure, more lack of reason. - What would you say? 
  ISABELLA. 
  I am the sister of one Claudio, 
  Condemn'd upon the act of fornication 
  To lose his head; condemn'd by Angelo: 
  I, in probation of a sisterhood, 
  Was sent to by my brother: one Lucio 
  As then the messenger; -  
  LUCIO. 
  That's I, an't like your grace: 
  I came to her from Claudio, and desir'd her 
  To try her gracious fortune with Lord Angelo 
  For her poor brother's pardon. 
  ISABELLA. 
  That's he, indeed. 
  DUKE. 
  You were not bid to speak. 
  LUCIO. 
  No, my good lord; 
  Nor wish'd to hold my peace. 
  DUKE. 
  I wish you now, then; 
  Pray you take note of it: and when you have 
  A business for yourself, pray Heaven you then  
  Be perfect. 
  LUCIO. 
  I warrant your honour. 
  DUKE. 
  The warrant's for yourself; take heed to it. 
  ISABELLA. 
  This gentleman told somewhat of my tale. 
  LUCIO. 
  Right. 
  DUKE. 
  It may be right; but you are in the wrong 
  To speak before your time. - Proceed. 
  ISABELLA. 
  I went 
  To this pernicious caitiff deputy. 
  DUKE. 
  That's somewhat madly spoken. 
  ISABELLA. 
  Pardon it; 
  The phrase is to the matter. 
  DUKE. 
  Mended again. The matter; - proceed. 
  ISABELLA. 
  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, 
  His purpose surfeiting, he sends a warrant 
  For my poor brother's head. 
  DUKE. 
  This is most likely! 
  ISABELLA. 
  O, that it were as like as it is true! 
  DUKE. 
  By heaven, fond wretch, thou know'st not what thou speak'st, 
  Or else thou art suborn'd against his honour 
  In hateful practice. First, his integrity 
  Stands without blemish: - next, it imports no reason 
  That with such vehemency he should pursue 
  Faults proper to himself: if he had so offended, 
  He would have weigh'd thy brother by himself, 
  And not have cut him off. Some one hath set you on; 
  Confess the truth, and say by whose advice 
  Thou cam'st here to complain. 
  ISABELLA. 
  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, 
  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? 
  ISABELLA. 
  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 
  In your retirement, I had swing'd him soundly. 
  DUKE. 
  Words against me? This's 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.  
  PETER. 
  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; 
  Who is as free from touch or soil with her 
  As she from one ungot. 
  DUKE. 
  We did believe no less. 
  Know you that Friar Lodowick that she speaks of? 
  PETER. 
  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 villainously; believe it. 
  PETER. 
  Well, he in time may come to clear himself; 
  But at this instant he is sick, my lord, 
  Of a strange fever. Upon his mere request, -  
  Being come to knowledge that there was complaint 
  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. 
  MARIANA. 
  Pardon, my lord; I will not show my face 
  Until my husband bid me.  
  DUKE. 
  What! are you married? 
  MARIANA. 
  No, my lord. 
  DUKE. 
  Are you a maid? 
  MARIANA. 
  No, my lord. 
  DUKE. 
  A widow, then? 
  MARIANA. 
  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. 
  DUKE. 
  Silence that fellow: I would he had some cause 
  To prattle for himself. 
  LUCIO. 
  Well, my lord. 
  MARIANA. 
  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.  
  MARIANA. 
  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. 
  ANGELO. 
  Charges she more than me? 
  MARIANA. 
  Not that I know. 
  DUKE. 
  No? you say your husband. 
  MARIANA. 
  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. 
  ANGELO. 
  This is a strange abuse. - Let's see thy face. 
  MARIANA. 
  My husband bids me; now I will unmask. [Unveiling.] 
  This is that face, thou cruel Angelo, 
  Which once thou swor'st was worth the looking on: 
  This is the hand which, with a vow'd contract, 
  Was fast belock'd in thine; this is the body 
  That took away the match from Isabel,  
  And did supply thee at thy garden-house 
  In her imagin'd person. 
  DUKE. 
  Know you this woman? 
  LUCIO. 
  Carnally, she says. 
  DUKE. 
  Sirrah, no more. 
  LUCIO. 
  Enough, my lord. 
  ANGELO. 
  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, 
  Partly for that her promis'd proportions 
  Came short of composition; but in chief 
  For that her reputation was disvalued 
  In levity: since which time of five years 
  I never spake with her, saw her, nor heard from her, 
  Upon my faith and honour. 
  MARIANA. 
  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! 
  ANGELO. 
  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 
  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, thinkst 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  
  To find out this abuse, whence 'tis deriv'd. -  
  There is another friar that set them on; 
  Let him be sent for. 
  PETER. 
  Would lie 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. -  
  [Exit PROVOST.] 
  And you, my noble and well-warranted cousin, 
  Whom it concerns to hear this matter forth, 
  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 
  Determined upon these slanderers. 
  ESCALUS. 
  My lord, we'll do it throughly. 
  [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.  
  ESCALUS. 
  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. 
  ESCALUS. 
  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. 
  ESCALUS. 
  Say you? 
  LUCIO. 
  Marry, sir, I think, if you handled her privately, she would 
  sooner confess:  perchance, publicly, she'll be ashamed. 
  [Re-enter Officers, with ISABELLA.] 
  ESCALUS. 
  I will go darkly to work with her. 
  LUCIO. 
  That's the way; for women are light at midnight. 
  ESCALUS. 
  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. 
  [Re-enter  the DUKE in his friar's habit, and PROVOST.] 
  ESCALUS. 
  In very good time: - speak not you to him till we call upon you. 
  LUCIO. 
  Mum. 
  ESCALUS. 
  Come, sir: did you set these women on to slander Lord Angelo? 
  they have confessed you did. 
  DUKE. 
  'Tis false. 
  ESCALUS. 
  How! Know you where you are? 
  DUKE. 
  Respect to your great place! and let the devil 
  Be sometime honour'd for his burning throne! -  
  Where is the duke? 'tis he should hear me speak. 
  ESCALUS. 
  The duke's in us; and we will hear you speak: 
  Look you speak justly. 
  DUKE. 
  Boldly, at least. But, O, poor souls, 
  Come you to seek the lamb here of the fox, 
  Good night to your redress! Is the duke gone? 
  Then is your cause gone too. The duke's unjust 
  Thus to retort your manifest appeal, 
  And put your trial in the villain's mouth 
  Which here you come to accuse.  
  LUCIO. 
  This is the rascal; this is he I spoke of. 
  ESCALUS. 
  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 touze you joint by joint, 
  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'errun the stew: laws for all faults, 
  But faults so countenanc'd that the strong statutes 
  Stand like the forfeits in a barber's shop, 
  As much in mock as mark.  
  ESCALUS. 
  Slander to the state! Away with him to prison! 
  ANGELO. 
  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, good-man bald-pate. 
  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. 
  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. 
  ANGELO. 
  Hark how the villain would gloze now, after his treasonable 
  abuses! 
  ESCALUS. 
  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 hands on the DUKE.] 
  DUKE. 
  Stay, sir; stay awhile. 
  ANGELO. 
  What! resists he? - Help him, Lucio. 
  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: -  
  Sneak not away, sir[To Lucio.]; for the friar and you 
  Must have a word anon: - Lay hold on him. 
  LUCIO. 
  This may prove worse than hanging. 
  DUKE. 
  What you have spoke I pardon; sit you down. - [To ESCALUS.] 
  We'll borrow place of him. - [To ANGELO.] Sir, by your leave. 
  Hast thou or word, or wit, or impudence, 
  That yet can do thee office? If thou hast, 
  Rely upon it till my tale be heard,  
  And hold no longer out. 
  ANGELO. 
  O my dread lord, 
   
   
   
   
  I should be guiltier than my guiltiness, 
  To think I can be undiscernible, 
  When I perceive your grace, like power divine, 
  Hath look'd upon my passes. Then, good Prince, 
  No longer session hold upon my shame, 
  But let my trial be mine own confession: 
  Immediate sentence then, and sequent death, 
  Is all the grace I beg. 
  DUKE. 
  Come hither, Mariana: -  
  Say, wast thou e'er contracted to this woman? 
  ANGELO. 
  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, PETER, and PROVOST.] 
  ESCALUS. 
  My lord, I am more amazed at his dishonour 
  Than at the strangeness of it. 
  DUKE. 
  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. 
  ISABELLA. 
  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, 
  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. 
  ISABELLA. 
  I do, my lord. 
  [Re-enter ANGELO, MARIANA, PETER, and PROVOST.] 
  DUKE. 
  For this new-married man approaching here, 
  Whose salt imagination yet hath wrong'd 
  Your well-defended honour, you must pardon 
  For Mariana's sake: but as he adjudg'd your brother, -  
  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's thus manifested, -  
  Which, though thou wouldst deny, denies thee vantage. -  
  We do condemn thee to the very block 
  Where Claudio stoop'd to death, and with like haste. -  
  Away with him. 
  MARIANA. 
  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, 
  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. 
  MARIANA. 
  O my dear lord, 
  I crave no other, nor no better man. 
  DUKE. 
  Never crave him; we are definitive. 
  MARIANA. 
  Gentle my liege - [Kneeling.] 
  DUKE. 
  You do but lose your labour. -  
  Away with him to death! - [To LUCIO.] Now, sir, to you. 
  MARIANA. 
  O my good lord! - Sweet Isabel, take 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. 
  MARIANA.  
  Isabel, 
  Sweet Isabel, do yet but kneel by me; 
  Hold up your hands, say nothing, - I'll speak all. 
  They say, best men moulded out of faults; 
  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. 
  ISABELLA. 
  [Kneeling.] Most bounteous sir, 
  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, 
  Let him not die. My brother had but justice, 
  In that he did the thing for which he died: 
  For Angelo,  
  His act did not o'ertake his bad intent, 
  And must be buried but as an intent 
  That perish'd by the way. Thoughts are no subjects; 
  Intents but merely thoughts. 
  MARIANA. 
  Merely, my lord. 
  DUKE. 
  Your suit's unprofitable; stand up, I say. -  
  I have bethought me of another fault. -  
  Provost, how came it Claudio was beheaded 
  At an unusual hour? 
  PROVOST. 
  It was commanded so. 
  DUKE. 
  Had you a special warrant for the deed? 
  PROVOST. 
  No, my good lord; it was by private message. 
  DUKE. 
  For which I do discharge you of your office: 
  Give up your keys. 
  PROVOST. 
  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, 
  I have reserved alive.  
  DUKE. 
  What's he? 
  PROVOST. 
  His name is Barnardine. 
  DUKE. 
  I would thou hadst done so by Claudio. -  
  Go fetch him hither; let me look upon him. 
  [Exit PROVOST.] 
  ESCALUS. 
  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. 
  ANGELO. 
  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, with BARNARDINE, CLAUDIO (muffled) and JULIET.] 
  DUKE. 
  Which is that Barnardine? 
  PROVOST. 
  This, my lord. 
  DUKE. 
  There was a friar told me of this man: -  
  Sirrah, thou art said to have a stubborn soul,  
  That apprehends no further than this world, 
  And squar'st thy life according. Thou'rt condemn'd; 
  But, for those earthly faults, I quit them all, 
  And pray thee take this mercy to provide 
  For better times to come: - Friar, advise him; 
  I leave him to your hand. - What muffled fellow's that? 
  PROVOST. 
  This is another prisoner that I sav'd, 
  Who should have died when Claudio lost his head; 
  As like almost to Claudio as himself. 
  [Unmuffles CLAUDIO.] 
  DUKE. 
  If he be like your brother [to ISABELLA], for his sake 
  Is he pardon'd; and for your lovely sake, 
  Give me your hand and say you will be mine; 
  He is my brother too: but fitter time for that. 
  By this Lord Angelo perceives he's safe; 
  Methinks I see a quick'ning in his eye. -  
  Well, Angelo, your evil quits you well": 
  Look that you love your wife; her worth worth yours. -  
  I find an apt remission in myself; 
  And yet here's one in place I cannot pardon. -  
  You, sirrah [to Lucio], that knew me for a fool, a coward,  
  One all of luxury, an ass, a madman; 
  Wherein have I so deserved 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. 
  DUKE. 
  Whipp'd first, sir, and hang'd after. -  
  Proclaim it, Provost, round about the city, 
  If 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. 
  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 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; 
  We shall employ thee in a worthier place. -  
  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 
  What's yet behind that's meet you all should know. 
  [Exeunt.] 
   
   
   Publication Date: May 29th 2008 https://www.bookrix.com/-bx.shakespeare