ungenitur'd Agent will unpeople the province with conti-
nency. Sparrows muft not build in his houfe-eaves, because
they are leacherous. The Duke yet would have dark
deeds darkly anfwered; he would never bring them to light;
would he were return'd! Marry, this Claudio is condemn-
ed for untruffing. Farewel, good Friar; I pr'ythee,
pray for me; the Duke, I fay
the Duke, I fay to thee again, would eat
mutton on Fridays. 3 'He's not paft it yet; and, I fay
to thee, he would mouth with a beggar, tho' fhe smelt
of brown bread and garlick: say that I fay fo, farewel.
[Exit.

Duke. No might nor greatness in mortality
Can cenfure 'scape: back-wounding calumny
The whiteft virtue ftrikes. What King so strong
Can tie the gall up in the fland'rous tongue?
But who comes here?

Enter Efcalus, Provost, Bawd, and Officers.
Efcal. Go, away with her to prifon.

Bawd. Good my lord, be good to me; your honour is accounted a merciful man: good my lord.

Efcal. Double and treble abomination, and ftill forfeit in the fame kind? this would make mercy + 'fwerve` 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: miftrefs Kate Keep-down was with child by him in the Duke's time: he promis'd her marriage: his child is a year and a quarter old, come Philip and Jacob: I have kept it myself, and fee how he goes about to abufe me.

Efcal. That fellow is a fellow of much licence; let him be call'd before us. Away with her to prison: go to; no more words. [Exeunt with the Bawd.] Provost, my brother Angelo will not be alter'd; Claudio muft die to

3 He's now paft it; yet, and I fay to thee,

morrow:

4 fwear

morrow: let him be furnifh'd with divines, and have all charitable preparation. If my brother wrought by my pity, it should not be fo with him.

Prov. So please you, this Friar hath been with him, and advis'd him for the entertainment of death.

Efcal. Good even, good father!

Duke. Blifs and goodness on you!

Efcal. Of whence are you?

Duke. Not of this country, tho' my chance is now
To use it for my time: I am a brother

Of gracious order, late come from the See,
In fpecial business from his Holiness.

Efcal. What news abroad i'th' world?

Duke. None, but that there is fo great a fever on goodnefs, that the diffolution of it must cure it. Novelty is only in requeft; and it is as dangerous to be aged in any kind of course, as it is virtuous to be conftant in any undertaking. There is fcarce truth enough alive to make focieties fecure; but fecurity enough to make fellowships accurft. 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 difpofition was the Duke?

Efcal. One that above all other ftrifes Contended fpecially to know himself. Duke. What pleasure was he given to?

Efcal. Rather rejoicing to fee another merry, than merry at any thing which profeft to make him rejoice. A gentleman of all temperance. But leave him to his events, with a prayer they may prove profperous; and let me defire to know how you find Claudio prepar'd? I am made to understand, that you have lent him vifitation.

Duke. He profeffes to have received no finifter meafure from his judge, but most willingly humbles himself to the determination of juftice: yet had he fram'd to himself, by the inftruction of his frailty, many deceiving promises of life, which I by my good leifure have difcredited to him, and now is he refolv'd to die.

Efcal.

Efcal. You have paid the heav'ns your function, and the prifoner the very debt of your calling. I have labour'd for the poor gentleman, to the extremeft fhore of my modefty, but my brother-juftice have I found fo fevere, that he hath forc'd me to tell him, he is indeed Juftice.

Duke. If his own life answer the ftraitness of his proceeding, it fhall become him well; wherein if he chance to fail, he hath fentenc'd himself.

Efcal. I am going to visit the prisoner: fare you well.

SCENE

Duke. Peace be with you!

He who the fword of heav'n will bear,
Should be as holy as fevere:
Pattern in himself to know,
Grace to ftand, and virtue go:
More nor lefs to others paying,
Than by felf-offences weighing.
Shame to him, whose cruel striking
Kills for faults of his own liking!
Twice treble fhame on Angelo,
To weed my vice, and let his grow!
Oh, what may man within him hide,
Tho' angel on the outward fide!
'How may that likenefs

Making practife on the times,

VIII.

fhading crimes,

7 'Draw with idle fpiders ftrings

Moft pond'rous and fubftantial things!
Craft against vice I must apply.
With Angelo to-night fhall lye
His old betrothed, but defpis'd;
So disguise fhall by th' difguis'd
Pay with falfhood falfe exacting,
And perform an old contracting."

5 How may likeness... old edit. Warb. emend. 7 To draw... old edit. Warb, emend.

ACT IV. SCENE I.

Така

A GRANGE.

Enter Mariana, and boy finging.

SON G.

AKE, ob take thofe lips away,
That fo fweetly were forfworn;
And thofe eyes, the break of day,
Lights that do mif-lead the morn;

But my kiffes bring again,

Seals of love, but feal'd in vain.

Enter Duke.

Mari. Break off thy fong, and hafte thee quick away: Here comes a man of comfort, whofe advice

Hath often still'd my brawling difcontent.

I cry you mercy, Sir, and well could wish
You had not found me here fo mufical:

Let me excufe me, and believe me fo,

My mirth it much difpleas'd, but pleas'd my woe.
Duke. 'Tis good; tho' mufick oft hath fuch a charm
To make bad good, and good provoke to harm.

I pray you, tell me, hath any body enquir'd for me here to-day? much upon this time have I promis'd here to 8/meet one.

Mari. You have not been enquir'd after: I have fat here all day.

Enter Ifabel.

Duke. I conftantly believe you: the time is come, even now. I fhall crave your forbearance a little; may be

I

8 to meet.

I will call upon you anon for fome advantage to your

felf.

Mari. I am always bound to you.

SCENE

[Exit.

II.

Duke. Very well met, and well come:
What is the news from this good Deputy?

Ifab. He hath a garden circummur'd with brick,
Whofe western fide is with a vineyard backt;
And to that vineyard is a planched gate,
That makes his opening with this bigger key:
This other doth command a little door,
Which from the vineyard to the garden leads;
There, on the heavy middle of the night,
Have I my promise made to call upon him.

Duke. But fhall you on your knowledge find this way?
Ifab. I've ta'en a due and wary note upon't;
With whifp'ring and moft guilty diligence,
In action all of precept he did fhow me
The way twice o'er.

Duke. Are there no other tokens

Between you 'greed, concerning her obfervance?
Ifab. No; none but only a repair i' th' dark;
And that I have poffeft him, my most stay
Can be but brief; for I have made him know,
I have a fervant comes with me along,
That ftays upon me, whofe perfuafion is
I come about my brother.

Duke. 'Tis well born up.

I have not yet made known to Mariana

A word of this. What hoa! within! come forth!

I pray you, be acquainted with this maid;
She comes to do you good.

Ijab.