Aloud what man thou art. Ang. Who will believe thee, Ifabel? My unfoil'd name, th' auftereness of my life, That you shall stifle in your own report, Say what you can, my falfe o'erweighs your true. Ifab. To whom fhould I complain? did I tell this, a Bidding the law make court'fy to their will, To fuch abhorr'd pollution. Then, Ifabel, live chafte, and, brother, die; And fit his mind to death for his foul's reft. VOL. I. a Approof here is to be taken in the fense of approbation. [Exit. [Exit. ACT *** ACT III. SCENE I. The Prison. Enter Duke, Claudio, and Provost. DUKE. O, then you hope for pardon from lord Angelo? Duke. Be abfolute for death; or death or life A thing that none but fools would keep, a breath That do this habitation where thou keep'ft And yet run'ft tow'rd him ftill. Thou art not noble; Are nurs'd by baseness: thou'rt by no means valiant; Of a poor worm. Thy best of rest is fleep, Thy death, which is no more. Thou'rt not thyself; In the fimplicity of the ancient shows upon our flage it was common to bring in two figures, one reprefenting a fool, the other death or fate: the turn and contrivance of the piece was to make the fool lay many fratagems to avoid death, which yet brought him more immediately into the jaws of it. After After the moon. Though thou art rich, thou'rt poor; And death unloadeth thee. Friend haft thou none; For thine own bowels which do call thee fire, Do curfe the gout, ferpigo, and the rheum, For ending thee no fooner. Thou haft nor youth, nor age; Claud. I humbly thank you. To fue to live, I find, I feek to die, And, feeking death, find life: let it come on. Enter Ifabella. Ifab. What, ho! peace here, grace, and good company! Prov. Who's there? come in: the wish deserves a welcome. Duke. Dear fir, ere long I'll vifit you again. Claud. Moft holy fir, I thank you. Ifab. My bufinefs is a word or two with Claudio. Prov. And very welcome. Signior, here's your sister. Duke. Provoft, a word with you. Prov. As many as you please. Duke. Bring them to fpeak where I may be conceal'd, Yet hear them. [Exeunt Duke and Provost. SCENE II. Claud. Now, good fifter, what's the comfort? Ifab. Why, as all comforts are; most good in speed : Tt 2 Lord Lord Angelo, having affairs to heav'n, Intends for his fwift ambassador; you Where you shall be an everlasting leger. Therefore your best appointment make with speed; Claud. Is there no remedy? Ifab. None, but fuch remedy, as, to save a head, Muft cleave a heart in twain. Claud. But is there any? Ifab. Yes, brother, you may live: If you'll implore it, that will free your life, Claud. Perpetual durance? Ifab. Ay, juft; perpetual durance; a restraint, Claud. But in what nature? Ifab. In fuch a one, as, you consenting to't, Would bark your honour from that trunk you bear, And leave you naked. Claud. Let me know the point. Ifab. O, I do fear thee, Claudio, and I quake, Than a perpetual honour. Dar'ft thou die? Claud. Why give you me this shame? Ifab. There fpake my brother; there my father's 's grave Did utter forth a voice. Yes, thou muft die: In bafe appliance. This outward-fainted deputy, Claud. The priestly Angelo? Ifab. O, 'tis the cunning livery of hell, In prieftly guards! Doft thou think, Claudio? Thou might'ft be freed. Claud. O heav'ns! it cannot be. Ifab. Yes, he would grant thee, for this rank offence, So to offend him ftill. This night's the time That I fhould do what I abhor to name, Or elfe thou dy't to-morrow. Ifab. O, were it but my life, I'd throw it down for your deliverance As frankly as a pin. Claud. Thanks, deareft Isabel. Ifab. Be ready, Claudio, for your death to-morrow. Claud. Yes. Has he then affections in him, That thus can make him bite the law by th' nose, Or of the deadly feven it is the least. Ifab. Which is the leaft? Claud. If it were damnable, he, being fo wife, Why, would he for the momentary trick Be perdurably fin'd? o Ifabel! Claud.. |