Than beauty could displayed.-But mark me; To be received plain, I'll speak more gross: Your brother is to die. Isab. So. Ang. And his offence is so, as it appears Accountant to the law upon that pain.* Isab. True. Ang. Admit no other way to save his life, (As I subscribet 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 Isab. As much for my poor brother, as myself: Ang. Then must your brother die. Isab. And 'twere the cheaper way: Better it were, a brother died at once, Than that a sister, by redeeming him, Should die for ever. Ang. Were not you then as cruel as the senThat you have slander'd so? [tence Isab. Ignomy in ransom, and free pardon, Are of two houses: lawful mercy is Nothing akin to foul redemption. Ang. 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. Isab. O, pardon me, my lord; it oft falls out, To have what we'd have, we speak not what bold; I do arrest your words; Be that you are, Isah. I have no tongue but one: gentle my lord, Let me entreat you speak the former language. Ang. Plainly conceive, I love you. Isub. My brother did love Juliet; and you tell [me, Ang. He shall not, Isabel, if you give me love. That he shall die for it. Isab. I know, your virtue hath a licence in't, Penalty. + Agree to. gnominy. Associate. Own. Conversation. Impressions. Which seems a little fouler than it is, To pluck on others. Ang. Believe me, on mine honour, My words express my purpose. Isub. Ha! little honour to be much believ'd, And most pernicious purpose!-Seeming, seem ing!* I will proclaim thee, Angelo; look for't: true. 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; Yet hath he in him such a mind of honour, Then, Isabel, live chaste, and, brother, die : And fit his mind to death, for his soul's rest. ACT III. [Exit. SCENE I-A Room in the Prison. Enter DUKE, CLAUDIO, and PROVOST. Duke. So, then you hope of pardon from lord Angelo? Claud. The miserable have no other medicine, But only hope: I have hope to live, and am prepar'd to die. Duke. Be absolutes for death; either death, or life, [life,Shall thereby be the sweeter. Reason thus with If I do lose thee, I do lose a thing That none but fools would keep: a breath thou (Servile to all the skiey influences,) That dost this habitation, where thou keep'st, Hourly afflict: merely, thou art death's fool; For him thou labour'st by thy flight to shun, And yet run'st toward him still: Thou art not noble; [art, For all the ccommodations that thou bear'st, Are nurs'd in baseness: Thou art by no means valian., For thou dost fea. The soft and tender fork * Hypocrisy. + Reluctant. + Attestation. Determined that thou n provok'st; yet grossly fear'st 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, forget'st: Thou are 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, Thou hast neither heat, affection, limb, nor [fear, That makes these odds all even. Isab. What, ho! Peace here; grace and good company! Prov. Who's there? come in: the wish deserves a welcome. Duke. Dear Sir, ere long I'll visit you again. Prov. And very welcome. Look, signior, here's your sister. Duke. Provost, a word with you. Yet hear them. [Exeunt DUKE and PROVOST. Lord Angelo, having affairs to heaven, Claud. Is there no remedy? [speed; Isab. None, but such remedy, as to save a To cleave a heart in twain. Claud. But is there any? [head, Isab. Yes, brother, you may live; Claud. Perpetual durance? Isab. Ay, just, perpetual durance; a restraint, Though all the world's vastidity¶ you had. To a determin'd scope. Claud. But in what nature! Isab. In such a one as (you consenting to't) Would bark your honour from that trunk you And leave you naked. Claud. Let me know the point. *Affects, affections. [bear, + Leprous eruptions. Preparation. Isab. O, I do fear thee, Claudio; and I quake Claud. Why give you me this shame? Isab. 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 de puty, Whose settled visage and deliberate word Claud. The princely Angelo? Isub. O, 'tis the cunning livery of hell, The damned'st body to invest and cover In princely guards! Dost thou think, Claudio, If I would yield him my virginity, Thou might'st be freed. Claud. O, heavens! it cannot be. Isab. Yes, he would give it thee, from this rank offence, So to offend him still: This night's the time Claud. Thou shalt not do't. Claud. Thanks, dear Isabel. Isab. Be ready, Claudio, for your death to morrow. Cland. 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. Isab. Which is the least? Claud. If it were damnable, he, being so wise, Why, would he for the momentary trick Be perdurablys fin'd?--O Isabel! Isab. What says my brother? Claud. Death is a fearful thing. Isab. And shamed life a hateful. Claud. Ay, but to die, and go we know not where; To lie in cold obstruction, and to rot: Isab. Alas! alas! Claud. 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. Isab. O, you beast! 0, faithless coward! (), dishonest wretch! Claud. Nay, Hear me, Isabel. Isab. 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. Claud. O hear me, Isabella. Re-enter Duke. [Going. Duke. Vouchsafe a word, young sister, but one word. Isab. 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. Isub. I have no superfluous leisure; my stay must be stolen out of other affairs; but I will attend you a while. Duke. [To CLAUDIO, aside.] Son, I have overheard what hath past between you and your sister. Angelo had never the purpose to corrupt her; only he hath made an essay of her virtue, to practise his judgement 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 falkble: to-morrow you must die; go to your knees, and make ready. Claud. Let me ask my sister pardon. I am 80 out of love with life, that I will sue to be rid of it. Duke. Holds you there: Farewell. [Exit. CLAUDIO. Re-enter PROVOST. Provost, a word with you. Prov. 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. Prov. 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, should keep the body of it ever fair. The assault, that Angelo hath made to you, fortune hath convey'd to my understanding; and, but that frailty hath examples for his falling, I should wonder at Angelo. How would you do to content this substitute, and to save your brother? Isab. 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. ♦ Wildness. + Refusal. An established habit. A Continue in that resolution. 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 hear ing of this business. Isab. Let me hear you speak further; I have spirit to do any thing 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? Isab. I have heard of the lady, and good words went with her name. Duke. Her 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 perish'd vessel the dowry of his sister. "But mark, how heavily this befel 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. Isab. Can this be so? Did Angelo so leave her? Duke. Left her in her tears, and dry'd not one of them with his comfort; swallowed his vows whole, pretending, in her, discoveries of dishonour: in few, bestowed 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. Isub. 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. Isub. Show me how, good father. Duke. This fore-named 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 refert 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, 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. 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? Isub. The image of it gives me content + Gave her up to her sorrows. Over-reacion. * Betrothed. Have recourse to. The already; and, I trust, it will grow to a most | Is it sad, and few words? Or how? The trick 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 St. 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. Isab. 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. Elb. 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? Clo. "Twas never merry world, since, of two usuries, the merriest was put down, and the worser allow'd by order of law a furr'd gown to keep him warm; and furr'd with fox and lamb-skins too, to signify, that craft, being richer than innocency, stands for the facing. of it? Duke. Still thus, and thus! still worse! Lucio. How doth my dear morsel, thy mistress? Procures she still? Ha? Clo. 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 powder'd bawd: An unshunn'd consequence; it must be so: Art going to prison, Pompey! Clo. Yes, faith, Sir. Lucio. Why 'tis not amiss, Pompey: Farewell: Go; say, I sent thee thither. For debt, Pompey? Or how? Elb. For being a bawd, for being a bawd. ment be the due of a bawd, why, 'tis his right: Lucio. Well, then imprison him: If imprisonbawd-born. Farewell, good Pompey: ComBawd is he, doubtless, and of antiquity too; mend me to the prison, Pompey: You will turn good husband now, Pompey; you will keep the house.t Clo. I hope, Sir, your good worship will be my bail. is not the wear. I will pray, Pompey, to inLucio. No, indeed, will I not, Pompey; it Elb. Come your way, Sir:-Bless you, goodly, why, your mettle is the more: Adieu, trusty crease your bondage: if you take it not patientfather friar. Duke. And you, good brother father: What offence hath this man made you, Sir? Elb. 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 pick-lock, which we have sent to the deputy. Duke. Fie, sirrah; a bawd, a wicked bawd! Duke. Nay, if the devil have given thee proofs Elb. He must before the deputy, Sir; he has given him warning: the deputy cannot abide a whoremaster: if he be a whoremonger, 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! Enter Lucio. Elb. His neck will come to your waist, a cord, Sir. Clo. I spy comfort; I cry, bail: Here's a gentleman, and a friend of mine. Lucio. How now, noble Pompey? What, at the heels of Cæsar? 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 clutch'd? What reply? Ha? What say'st thou to this tune, matter, and method? Is't not drown'd i'the last rain? Ha? What say 'st thou, trot? Is the world as it was, man? Which is the way? A solitary farm house. For a Spanish padlock. + A sweet wine. Pompey.-Bless you, friar. Duke. And you. Lucio. Does Bridget paint still, Pompey? Ha? Elb. Come your ways, Sir; come. Clo. You will not bail me, then, Sir? Lucio. Then, Pompey? nor new.-What [Exeunt ELBOW, CLOWN, and Officers. What news, friar, of the duke? Duke. I know none: Can you tell me of Lucio. Some say, he is with the emperor of any? is he, think you? Russia; other some, he is in Rome: But where Duke. I know not where: But wheresoever, I wish him well. Lucio. It was a mad fantastical trick of him, he was never born to. Lord Angelo dukes it to steal from the state, and usurp the beggary well in his absence; he puts transgression to't. Duke. He does well in't. do no harm in him: something too crabbed Lucio. A little more lenity to lechery would 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 possible to extirp it quite, friar, till eating and great kindred; it is well allied: but it is imdrinking be put down. They say, this Angelo downright way of creation: Is it true, think you? was not made by man and woman, after the Duke. How should he be made then? Lucio. Some report, a sea-maid spawn'd him: fishes:-But it is certain, that when he makes -Some, that he was begot between two stockwater, his urine is congeal'd ice; that I know to be true: and he is a motion§ ungenerative, that's infallible. Duke. You are pleasant, Sir; and speak apace. him, for the rebellion of a cod-piece, to take Lucio. Why, what a ruthless thing is this in away the life of a man? Would the duke, that is absent, have done this? Ere he would have hang'd 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. 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. lord. Lucio. Who? not the duke? yes, your beg-honour is accounted a merciful man: good my gar 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 bock'd within the teeth and the lips: but this I can let you understand,-The greater filet of the subject held the duke to be wise. Escal. Double and treble admonition, and still forfeit in the same kind? This would make mercy swear, and play the tyrant. Prov. A bawd of eleven years continuance, may it please your honour. Bawd. My lord, this is one Lucio's information against me: mistress Kate Keep-down 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. Duke. Wise? why, no question but he was. Escal. That fellow is a fellow of much liLucio. A very superficial, ignorant, unweigh-cence:-let him be called before us.-Away ingt 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 darken'd 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 hang'd 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 tundish. I would, the duke, we talk of, were return'd again: this ungenitur'd 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 answer'd; he would never bring them co light: would he were return'd! Marry, this Claudio is condemn'd 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 now 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. * Suspected. Inconsiderate. Have a wenab. The majority of his subjects. Guided. Opponent. with her to prison: Go to; no more words. [Exeunt BAWD and Officers.] Provost, my brother Angelo will not be alter'd, 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. Prov. So please you, this friar hath been with him, and advised him for the entertainment of death. Escal. Good even, good father. Duke. Bliss and goodness on you! Duke. Not of this country, though my chance is now To use it for my time: I am a brother Escal. 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 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 accurs'd: 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? Escal. One, that, above all other strifes, contended especially to know himself. Duke. What pleasure was he given to r Escal. Rather rejoicing to see another merry, than merry at any thing which profess'd 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 1, by my good leisure, have discredited to him, and now he is resolved to die. Escal. You have paid the heavens your fune+ Sauished * Transgress. |