To do it slander: and to behold his sway, Visit both prince and people: therefore, I pr'ythee, Like a true friar. More reasons for this action, Is more to bread than stone: hence shall we see, SCENE V. A Nunnery. Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA. Isab. And have you nuns no further privileges? Isab. Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; [Within. Isab. Turn you the key, and know his business of him; When you have vow'd, you must not speak with men, Then, if you speak, you must not show your face; He calls again; I pray you answer him. [Exit Francisca, Isab. 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 Isab. 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 Not to be weary with you, he's in prison. Isab. Woe me! For what? [you: Lucio. For that, which, if myself might be his judge, He should receive his punishment in thanks: He hath got his friend with child. Isab. Sir, make me not your story. It is true. I would not-though 'tis my familiar sin As with a saint. 1sab. You do blaspheme the good, in mocking me. Lucio. Do not believe it. Fewness and truth, 'tis Your brother and his lover have embrac'd: [thus: 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. Isab. Some one with child by him?-My cousin Juliet? Lucio. Is she your cousin? Isab. Adoptedly; as school-maids change their names, By vain though apt affection. Lucio. She it is. Isab. O, let him marry her! Governs lord Angelo; a man, whose blood Is very snow-broth; one who never feels Lucio. Has censur'd him Already; and, as I hear, the provost hath Isab. Alas! what poor ability's in me Lucio. Assay the power you have. Our doubts are traitors, And make us lose the good we oft might win, As they themselves would owe them. Isab. I'll see what I can do. Lucio. I will about it straight ; But speedily. No longer staying but to give the mother Isab. Good sir, adieu. SCENE 1. A Hall in ANGELO's House. Enter ANGELO, ESCALUS, a Justice, Provost, Officers, and Attendants. Ang. We must not make a scare-crow 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. Escal. 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,) Could have attain'd the effect of your own purpose, And pull'd the law upon you. Ang. "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 thieves do pass on thieves? "Tis very pregnant, Let mine own judgment pattern out my death, Ang. Where is the provost? Pro. Here, if it like your honour. Ang. See that Claudio Be executed by nine to-morrow morning: For that's the utmost of his pilgrimage. [Exit Provost. Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall: Some run from brakes of vice, and answer none; Enter ELBOW, FROTH, CLOWN, Officers, &c. Elb. 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. Ang. How now, sir! what's your name? and what's the matter? Elb. 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. Ang. Benefactors? Well; what benefactors are they? are they not malefactors? |