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ACT I.

SCENE I. — An Apartment in the Duke's Palace.

Enter Duke, ESCALUS, and Lords.

Duke. Escalus, Esc. My lord.

Duke. Of government the properties to unfold, Would seem in me t'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, y'are as pregnant in

As art and practice hath enriched any

That we remember: There is our commission,

| How it goes with us, and do look to know
What doth befall you here. So, fare you well:
To th' hopeful execution do I leave you
Of your commissions.

Ang.
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

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From which we would not have you warp. Call hither, That does affect it. Once more, fare you well.

I say, bid come before us Angelo.

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 deputations all the organs
Of our own power: What think you of it?
Esc. If any in Vienna be of worth
To undergo such ample grace and honour,
It is lord Angelo.

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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, them 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.

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Ang. The heavens give safety to your purposes! Esc. Lead forth, and bring you back in happiness! Duke. I thank you. - Fare you well. [Exit. Esc. 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 power I have, but of what strength and nature, I am not yet instructed.

Ang. 'Tis so with me:-Let us withdraw together, And we may soon our satisfaction have Touching that point.

Esc.

I'll wait upon your honour.

SCENE II. A Street.

Enter Lucio, and two Gentlemen.

[Exeunt.

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.

1st Gent. Heaven grant us its peace; but not the king of Hungary's!

2d Gent. Amen.

Lucio. Thou concludest like the sanctimonious pirate, that went to sea with the ten commandments, but scraped one out of the table.

2d Gent. Thou shalt not steal? Lucio. Ay, that he razed.

1st Gent. 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, doth relish the petition well that prays for peace. 2d Gent. I never heard any soldier dislike it. Lucio. I believe thee; for, I think, thou never wast where grace was said. But see, where Madam Mitigation comes.

Enter Mrs. OVERDONE.

Overdone. There's one yonder, arrested and carried to prison, was worth five thousand of you all. 1st. Gent. Who's that, I pray thee? Overd. Marry sir, that's Claudio, Signior Claudio. 1st Gent. Claudio to prison! 'tis not so.

Overd. Nay, but I know 'tis so: I saw him arrested; saw him carried away; and, which is more, within these three days his head's to be chopped off. Lucio. But, after all this fooling, I would not have it so: art thou sure of this?

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Claud. No.
Prov. Away, sir; you must go.
Claud. One word, good friend:
with you.

[ Lucio. A hundred, if they'll do y Claud. Thus stands it with me:

I got possession of Julietta's bed;
You know the lady; she is fast my
Save that we do the denunciation la
Of outward order: this we came no
Only for propagation of a dower
Remaining in the coffer of her frien
From whom we thought it meet to
Till time had made them for us. ]
The stealth of our most mutual inte
With character too gross, is writ on
Lucio. With child, perhaps?
Claud. Unhappily, even so.
And the new deputy now for the du
Whether it be the fault and glimpse
Or whether that the body public be
A horse whereon the governor doth
Who, newly in the seat, that it may
He can command, let's it straight fe
Whether the tyranny be in his place
Or in his eminence that fills it up,
I stagger in: - But this new govern
Awakes me all the enrolled penaltie
Which have, like unscour'd armour, b
So long, that nineteen zodiacs have
And none of them been worn; and,
Now puts the drowsy and neglected
Freshly on me: 'tis surely, for a

Lucio. I warrant, it is: and thy tickle on thy shoulders, that a milk-1 in love, may sigh it off. Send after appeal to him.

Claud. I have done so, but he's n I pr'ythee, Lucio, do me this kind so This day my sister should the cloiste And there receive her approbation: Acquaint her with the danger of my Implore her, in my voice, that she m To the strict deputy: bid herself ass I have great hope in that: for in her There is a prone and speechless diale Such as moves men: beside, she hath When she will play with reason and And well she can persuade.

Lucio. I pray, she may: as well ragement of the like, which else wou grievous imposition; as for the enjoy who I would be sorry should be thus I'll to her.

Claud. I thank you, good friend I
Lucio. Within two hours,-
Claud. Come, officer, away.

SCENE IV.A Monast

Enter Duke and Friar THO Duke. No; holy father; throw away Believe not that the dribbling dart of Can pierce a complete bosom: why To give me secret harbour, hath a pu

How I have ever lov'd the life remov'd;
And held in idle price to haunt assemblies,
Where youth and cost, and 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 receiv'd: Now, pious sir,
You will demand of me, why I do this?
Fri. Gladly, my lord.

Duke. We have strict statutes, and most biting

laws,

(The needful bits and curbs for head-strong steeds,)
Which for these 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.

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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 sight,
To do it 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. More 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.

SCENE V. - A Nunnery.

Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA.

[Exeunt.

Isab. And have you nuns no further privileges ? Fran. Are not these large enough? Isab. Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; But rather wishing a more strict restraint Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of saint Clare. Lucio. Ho! Peace be in this place! [Within. Isab. Who's that which calls? Fran. 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

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Or if you show your face, you must not speak. 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
To her unhappy brother Claudio?

The rather, for I now must make you know
Isab. Why her unhappy brother? let me ask;
I am that Isabella, and his sister.

Lucio. Gentle and fair, your brother kindly greets

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The duke is very strangely gone from hence;
In hand, and hope of action: but we do learn
Bore many gentlemen, myself being one,

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.
Isab. Doth he so seek his life?

Lucio.
Has censur'd him
Already; and, as I hear, the provost hath
A warrant for his execution.

Isab. Alas! what poor ability's in me To do him good?

1 Do not make a jest of me.

2 In few and true words.

3 Sentenced,

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Whom I would save, had a most noble father.
Let but your honour know,

(Whom I believe to be most straight 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 some time in your life
Err'd in this point which now you censure him,
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

Enter Provost and a Servant.

Serv. He's hearing of a cause; he will come straight.

I'll tell him of you.

Prov. Pray you, do. [Erit Servant.] I'll know his pleasure; may be, he will relent:

Ang.

Enter ANGELO.

Now, what's the matter, Provost? Prov. Is it your will Claudio shall die tomorrow?

Ang. Did I not tell thee, yea? hadst thou not order?

Why dost thou ask again?

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Guiltier than him they try: What's open made to To some more fitter place; and that with speed.

justice,

That justice seizes. What know 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.
Escal. Be it as your wisdom will.
Ang.
Where is the provost?
Prov. Here, if it like your honour.
Ang.
See that Claudio
Be executed by nine to-morrow morning:
Bring him his confessor, let him be prepared :
For that's the utmost of his pilgrimage.

[Exeunt ANGELO and Provost.

Escal. Well, heaven forgive him; and forgive

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Well; what's your suit?

Ang Isab. 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.

Ang.

Isab. I have a brother is condemn'd to die:
I do beseech you, let it be his fault,
And not my brother.

Prov.

Heaven give thee moving graces!
Ang. 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.
Isab.

Well; the matter? | Those many had not dar'd to do that evil,
If the first man 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.
Isab.
Ang. 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;

O just, but severe law! I had a brother then. - Heaven keep your honour! [Retiring. to him

Lucio. [To ISAB.] Give't not o'er so:
again, intreat 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.

Isab. Must he needs die?
Ang.

Maiden, no remedy,

Isab. Yes; I do think that you might pardon him.
And neither heaven, nor man, grieve at the mercy.
Ang. I will not do't.
Isab.
But can you, if you would?
Ang. Look, what I will not, that I cannot do.
Isab. 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.

Ang.

He's. sentenc'd: 'tis too late.
Lucio. You are too cold.
[To ISABELLA.
Isab. 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 slipt like him;
But he like you, would not have been so stern.
Ang. Pray you, begone.

Isab. 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. Ay, touch him: there's the vein. [Aside.
Ang. Your brother is a forfeit of the law,
And you but waste your words.

Isab.

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.

Ang.
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.
Isab. To-morrow? O, that's sudden! Spare him,
spare him:

He's not prepar'd for death!

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.

Ang. The law hath not been dead, though it

hath slept:

Yet show some pity.

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Plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven,
As make the angels weep.

Luc. O, to him, to him, wench: he will relent;
He's coming, I perceive't.

Prov.

Pray heaven she win him! Isab. We cannot weigh our brother with yourself: Great men may jest with saints: 'tis wit in them; But, in the less, foul profanation.

Lucio. Thou'rt in the right, girl; more o' that.
Isab. That in the captain's but a choleric word,
Which in the soldier is flat blasphemy.

Lucio. Art advis'd o'that? more on't.
Ang. Why do you put these sayings upon me?
Isab. 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.

Ang.

She speaks, and 'tis

Such sense, that my sense breeds with it. Fare

you well.
Isab. Gentle my lord, turn back.
Ang. I will bethink me: --

morrow.

Come again to

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