Ang. 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. Escal. My lord, I am more amaz'd at his dishonour, Than at the strangeness of it. Come hither, Isabel: Duke. Isab. O, give me pardon, That I, your vassal, have employ'd and pain'd Duke. You are pardon'd, Isabel: And now, dear maid, be you as free to us. Which I did think with slower foot came on, That brain'd my purpose:* But, peace be with him! Than that which lives to fear: make it your comfort, Re-enter ANGELO, MARIANA, PETER, and Provost. I do, my lord. Your well defended honour, you must pardon For Mariana's sake: but as he adjudg'd your brother, Advertising and holy-] Attentive and faithful. "Make rash remonstrance-] i. e. A premature discovery. brained my purpose:] We still use a similar phrase in conversation. This it was that knocked my design in the head."-JOHNSON. (Being criminal, in double violation Of sacred chastity, and of promise-breach, Most audible, even from his proper tongue, Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure; Which though thou would'st 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. Mari. O, my most gracious lord, 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, We do instate and widow you withal, To buy you a better husband. Mari. I crave no other, nor no better man. O, my dear lord, [Kneeling. Duke. Never crave him; we are definitive. Mari. Gentle, my liege, Duke. Away with him to death.-Now, sir, [to Lucio.] to you. Mari. O, my good lord!-Sweet Isabel, take my part; You do but lose your labour; 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 do you impórtune her: Mari. Isabel, Sweet Isabel, do yet but kneel by me; Hold up your hands, say nothing, I'll speak all. denies thee vantage:] The denial of which will avail thee nothing. They say, best men are moulded out of faults; Most bounteous sir, Look, if it please you, on this man condemn'd, Let him not die: My brother had but justice, His act did not o'ertake his bad intent; And must be buried but as an intent [Kneeling. That perish'd by the way: thoughts are no subjects; Mari. Merely, my lord. Duke. Your suit's unprofitable; stand up, I say.— I have bethought me of another fault :- Prov. It was commanded so. Duke. Had you a special warrant for the deed? Prov. No, my good lord; it was by private message. Duke. For which I do discharge you of your office: Give up your keys. Prov. Pardon me, noble lord: I thought it was a fault, but knew it not; Yet did repent me, after more advice :1 For testimony whereof, one in the prison, Duke. What's he? That Angelo committed all the crimes charged against him, as far as he could commit them is evident. The only intent which his act did not overtake was the defilement of Isabella.-I believe every reader feels some indignation when he finds him spared.-JOHNSON. advice:] Consideration. Prov. [Exit Provost. Escal. I am sorry, one so learned and so wise procure : Ang. I am sorry, that such sorrow I 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, BARNARDINE, CLAUDIO, and JULIET. Duke. Which is that Barnardine? Prov. This, my lord. Duke. There was a friar told me of this man :- And squar'st thy life according. Thou'rt condemn'd; 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? That should have died when Claudio lost his head; [Unmuffles CLAUDIO. Duke. If he be like your brother, [to ISABELLA.] for his Is he pardon'd; And, for your lovely sake, [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; Look that you love your wife; her worth, worth yours."— b quits-] Recompenses.-JOHNSON. her worth, worth yours.-] I have no doubt but Sir Thomas Hanmer was correct in reading her worth works yours, i. e. her virtues atone for your offences. It were indeed a bad compliment to Mariana to compare her worth with that of Angelo. 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, Wherein have I so deserved of you, 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 whipp'd. Duke. Whipp'd first, sir, and hang'd after.— 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.— 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: according to the trick:] To the common practice of pretending familiarity with the great, and representing them as resembling ourselves. d that is more gratulate.] Some other reward in store for him more acceptable than thanks.-M. MASON. |