Hear me yourself; for that which I must speak, Duke. I wish you now, then; Must either punish me, not being believ'd, Pray you, take note of it: and when you have Or wring redress from you: hear me, O, hear A business for yourself, pray heaven, you then me, here! [firm: Be perfect.
Ang. My lord, her wits, I fear me, are not She hath been a suitor to me for her brother, Cut off by course of justice,Isab.
By course of justice! Ang. And she will speak most bitterly, and strange. [I speak : Isab. Most strange, but yet most truly, will That Angelo's forsworn; is it not strange? That Angelo's a murderer: is't not strange? That Angelo is an adulterous thief, A hypocrite, a virgin-violator; Is it not strange, and strange? Duke.
Nay, it is ten time strange.
Isab. It is not truer he is Angelo,
Than this is all as true as it is strange:
Nay, it is ten times true; for truth is truth
To th' end of reckoning.
Duke.
Away with her,-poor soul,
She speaks this in th' infirmity of sense.
Isab. O prince, I conjure thee, as thou be-
liev'st
There is another comfort than this world,
That thou neglect me not, with that opinion
That I am touch'd with madness; make not
impossible
[sible, That which but seems unlike: 'tis not imposBut one, the wicked'st caitiff on the ground, May seem as shy, as grave, as just, as absolute As Angelo; even so may Angelo,
In all his dressings, characts, titles, forms, Be an arch-villain: believe it, royal prince: If he be less, he's nothing; but he's more, Had I more name for badness.
Duke. By mine honesty, If she be mad, -as I believe no other,Her madness hath the oddest frame of sense, Such a dependency of thing on thing, As e'er I heard in madness. Isab. O gracious duke, Harp not on that; nor do not banish reason For inequality; but let your reason serve To make the truth appear where it seems hid, And hide the false, seems true. Duke. Many that are not mad, Have, sure, more lack of reason.—What would you say?
Isab. I am the sister of one Claudio,
Condemn'd upon the act of fornication
To lose his head; condemn'd by Angelo.
1, in probation of a sisterhood,
Was sent to by my brother; one Lucio
As then the messenger,-
Lucio.
That's I, an't like your grace:
I came to her from Claudio, and desir'd her
To try her gracious fortune with Lord Angelo,
For her poor brother's pardon.
Isab.
That's he indeed. Duke. You were not bid to speak. Lucio. No, my good lord, Nor wish'd to hold my peace.
Lucio. I warrant your honour. [heed to it.
Duke. The warrant's for yourself; take
Isab. This gentleman told somewhat of my
Lucio. Right.
[tale,--
Duke. It may be right; but you are in the
Isab. In brief,-to set the needless process How I persuaded, how I pray'd, and kneel'd, How he refell'd me, and how I replied, (For this was of much length,)--the vile conclusion
I now begin with grief and shame to utter:
He would not, but by gift of my chaste body
To his concupiscible intemperate lust,
Release my brother; and, after much debate-
ment,
My sisterly remorse confutes mine honour, And I did yield to him: but the next morn betimes,
His purpose surfeiting, he sends a warrant
For my poor brother's head.
Duke.
This is most likely !
Isab. O, that it were as like as it is true!
Duke. By heaven, fond wretch! thou know'st
not what thou speak'st,
Or else thou art suborn'd against his honour
In hateful practice. First, his integrity
Stands without blemish: next, it imports no
That with such vehemency he should pursue
Faults proper to himself: if he had so offended,
He would have weigh'd thy brother by himself,
And not have cut him off. Some one hath
set you on:
Confess the truth, and say by whose advice
Thou cam'st here to complain.
Isab.
And is this all?
Then, O! you blessed ministers above,
Keep me in patience; and, with ripen'd time,
Unfold the evil which is here wrapt up
In countenance !-Heaven shield your grace
from woe,
As I, thus wrong'd, hence unbelieved go!
Duke. I know you'd fain be gone.-An
To prison with her !-Shall we thus permit
A blasting and a scandalous breath to fall
On him so near us? This needs must be a
practice.--
Who knew of your intent, and coming hither?
Isab. One that I would were here, friar
Lodowick.
Lucio. My lord, she may be a punk; for many of them are neither maid, widow, nor wife. [some cause
Duke. A ghostly father, belike. Who Are nothing, then :-neither maid, widow, nor knows that Lodowick ? [dling friar ; Lucio. My lord, I know him; 'tis a medI do not like the man: had he been lay, my lord, For certain words he spake against your grace In your retirement, I had swinged him soundly. Duke. Words against me! This' a good friar, belike!
And to set on this wretched woman here
Against our substitute!-Let this friar be found.
Lucio. But yesternight, my lord, she and
that friar,
I saw them at the prison: a saucy friar,
A very scurvy fellow.
F. Peter. Bless'd be your royal grace!
I have stood by, my lord, and I have heard
Your royal ear abus'd. First, hath this woman
Most wrongfully accus'd your substitute,
Who is as free from touch or soil with her,
As she from one ungot.
Duke.
We did believe no less.
Know you that friar Lodowick, that she speaks
[holy:
F. Peter. I know him for a man divine and
Not scurvy, nor a temporary meddler,
As he's reported by this gentleman;
And, on my trust, a man that never yet
Did, as he vouches, misreport your grace.
Lucio. My lord, most villainously; believe it. F. Peter. Well, he in time may come to clear himself;
But at this instant he is sick, my lord,
Of a strange fever. Upon his mere request,-
Being come to knowledge that there was com-
plaint
Intended 'gainst lord Angelo,-came I hither, To speak, as from his mouth, what he doth know
Is true, and false; and what he, with his oath |
And all probation, will make up full clear,
Whensoever he's convented. First, for this
(To justify this worthy nobleman, [woman;
So vulgarly and personally accus'd,)
Her shall you hear disproved to her eyes,
Till she herself confess it.
Until my husband bid me.
Duke.
Mari. No, my lord.
Duke.
Duke. A widow, then?
Mari.
Duke.
Duke. Silence that fellow: I would he had To prattle for himself.
Mari. My lord, I do confess I ne'er was
And I confess, besides, I am no maid:
I have known my husband; yet my husband
That ever he knew me.
[knows not
Lucio. He was drunk, then, my lord: it
can be no better.
[thou wert so too.
of silence, 'would
Duke. For the benefit
Lucio. Well, my lord.
Duke. This is no witness for lord Angelo.
Mari. Now I come to't, my lord :
She that accuses him of fornication,
In self-same manner doth accuse my husband;
And charges him, my lord, with such a time,
When, I'll depose, I had him in mine arms,
With all th' effect of love.
Ang.
Charges she more than me?
Mari. Not that I know.
Duke. No? you say, your husband. Mari. Why, just, my lord, and that is Angelo, Who thinks he knows that he ne'er knew my body;
But knows he thinks that he knows Isabel's. Ang. This is a strange abuse.-Let's see thy face.
Mari. My husband bids me; now I will
unmask.
[Unveiling.
This is that face, thou cruel Angelo, [ing on:
Which once thou swor'st was worth the look-
This is the hand, which, with a vow'd contract,
Was fast belock'd in thine; this is the body
That took away the match from Isabel,
And did supply thee at thy garden-house
In her imagin'd person.
Duke.
Know you this woman?
Lucio. Carnally, she says.
Duke.
Lucio. Enough, my lord. Ang. My lord, I must confess, I know this And five years since there was some speech of
Betwixt myself and her; which was broke off,
Partly, for that her promised proportions
Came short of composition; but, in chief,
For that her reputation was disvalued
In levity: since which time, of five years,
I never spake with her, saw her, nor heard
Upon my faith and honour. [from her,
Mari.
Noble prince,
As there comes light from heaven, and words
from breath,
As there is sense in truth, and truth in virtue,
I am affianc'd this man's wife, as strongly
As words could make up vows: and, my good
No, my lord.
Neither, my lord. But Tuesday night last gone, in's garden-house,
Why, you He knew me as a wife. As this is true,
Let me in safety raise me from my knees;
Or else for ever be confixed here,
A marble monument !
Ang.
I did but smile till now:
Now, good my lord, give me the scope of
justice;
My patience here is touch'd. I do perceive,
These poor informal women are no more
But instruments of some more mightier member,
That sets them on. Let me have way, my lord,
To find this practice out.
Duke.
Ay, with my heart;
And punish them unto your height of plea-
Thou foolish friar; and thou pernicious woman,
Compact with her that's gone, think'st thou
[saint,
Though they would swear down each particular
Were testimonies against his worth and credit,
That's seal'd in approbation? - You, lord
Escalus,
Sit with my cousin ; lend him your kind pains
To find out this abuse, whence 'tis derived.-
There is another friar that set them on;
Let him be sent for.
[for he, indeed,
F. Peter. Would he were here, my lord!!
Hath set the women on to this complaint.
Your provost knows the place where he abides,
And he may fetch him.
Duke. Go do it instantly. [Exit Provost.
And you, my noble and well-warranted cousin,
Whom it concerns to hear this matter forth,
Do with your injuries as seems you best,
In any chastisement: I for a while
Will leave you; but stir not you, till you have
Determined upon these slanderers. [well
Escal. My lord, we'll do it thoroughly.-
[Exit Duke.
Signior Lucio, did not you say you knew that
friar Lodowick to be a dishonest person?
Lucio. Cucullus non facit monachum:
honest in nothing, but in his clothes; and one
that hath spoke most villainous speeches of
the duke.
Escal. We shall entreat you to abide here till he come, and enforce them against him: we shall find this friar a notable fellow.
Lucio. As any in Vienna, on my word. Escal. [To an Attendant.] Call that same Isabel here once again: I would speak with her. [Exit Attendant.] Pray you, my lord, give me leave to question; you shall see how I'll handle her.
a gentlewoman denies all that you have said. Lucio. My lord, here comes the rascal I spoke of; here, with the provost.
Escal. In very good time:-speak not you to him, till we call upon you. Lucio. Mum.
Escal. Come, sir, did you set these women on to slander Lord Angelo? they have confessed you did. Duke. 'Tis false.
Escal. How! know you where you are? Duke. Respect to your great place! and let the devil [throne !-Be sometime honour'd for his burning Where is the duke? 'tis he should hear me speak. [you speak : Escal. The duke's in us; and we will hear Look you speak justly.
Duke. Boldly, at least.-But, O, poor souls!
Come you to seek the lamb here of the fox?
Good night to your redress. Is the duke gone?
Then is your cause gone too. The duke's
Thus to retort your manifest appeal, [unjust,
And put your trial in the villain's mouth
Which here you come to accuse.
Lucio. This is the rascal; this is he I spoke
Escal. Why, thou unreverend and un-
[women
Is't not enough, thou hast suborn'd these
To accuse this worthy man, but, in foul mouth,
And in the witness of his proper ear, [him
To call him villain? and then to glance from
To the duke himself, to tax him with in-
justice?-
[We'll touze you
Take him hence; to the rack with him!-
Joint by joint, but we will know his purpose.-
What! unjust?
Duke. Be not so hot; the duke
[he
Dare no more stretch this finger of mine, than
Dare rack his own his subject am I not,
Nor here provincial. My business in this state
Made me a looker-on here in Vienna,
Where I have seen corruption boil and bubble.
Till it o'er-run the stew laws for all faults;
But faults so countenanc'd, that the strong
Stand like the forfeits in a barber's shop,
As much in mock as mark. [him to prison!
Escal. Slander. to the state!-Away with
Ang. What can you vouch against him,
signior Lucio?
Is this the man that you did tell us of?
Lucio. 'Tis he, my lord. Come hither,
goodman bald-pate: do you know me?
Duke. I remember you, sir, by the sound of your voice: I met you at the prison, in the [port.absence of the duke.
Lucio. Not better than he, by her own re-
Escal. Say you?
Lucio. Marry, sir, I think, if you handled her privately, she would sooner confess : per-member what you said of the duke? chance, publicly she'll be ashamed.
Lucio. O, did you so? And do you re
Escal. I will go darkly to work with her. Lucio. That's the way; for women are light at midnight.
Re-enter Officers with Isabella, Duke, as a friar, and Provost.
Duke. Most notedly, sir.
Lucio. Do you so, sir? And was the duke a fleshmonger, a fool, and a coward, as you then reported him to be?
Duke. You must, sir, change persons with me, ere you make that my report: you, indeed, Escal. [To Isab.] Come on, mistress: here's spoke so of him; and much more, much worse.
Lucio. O thou damnable fellow! Did not Your unknown sovereignty !
I pluck thee by the nose, for thy speeches?
Duke. I protest, I love the duke as I love
myself.
Ang. Hark how the villain would close now, after his treasonable abuses.
Escal. Such a fellow is not to be talk'd withal.-Away with him to prison !-Where is the provost ?-Away with him to prison! Lay bolts enough on him: let him speak no more.-Away with those giglots too, and with the other confederate companion!
[The Provost lays hands on the Duke.
Duke. Stay, sir; stop awhile.
Ang. What! resists he? Help him, Lucio.
Lucio. Come, sir: come, sir; come, sir;
foh! sir. Why, you bald-pated, lying rascal!
you must be hooded, must you! show your
knave's visage, with a pox to you; show your
sheep-biting face, and be hanged an hour!
Will't not off?
[Pulls off the friar's hood, and discovers the
Duke.
[a duke.
Duke. Thou art the first knave that e'er made
First, Provost, let me bail these gentle three.-
[To Lucio.] Sneak not away, sir; for the
friar and you
Must have a word anon.-Lay hold on him.
Lucio. This may prove worse than hanging.
Duke. [To Escalus.] What you have spoke,
I pardon; sit you down :-
We'll borrow place of him.-[To Angelo.]|
Sir, by your leave.
Hast thou or word, or wit, or impudence,
That yet can do thee office? If thou hast,
Rely upon it till my tale be heard,
And hold no longer out.
O my dread lord,
I should be guiltier than my guiltiness,
To think I can be undiscernible,
When I perceive your grace, like power divine,
Hath look'd upon my passes.
Then, good
No longer session hold upon my shame,
But let my trial be mine own confession :
Immediate sentence then, and sequent death,
Is all the grace I beg.
Duke.
Come hither, Mariana.-
Say, wast thou e'er contracted to this woman?
Ang. I was, my lord.
[instantly.
Duke. Go take her hence, and marry her
Do you the office, friar; which consummate,
Return him here again.-Go with him, provost.
[Exeunt Angelo, Mariana, Friar Peter, and
Provost.
Escal. My lord, I am more amaz'd at his
Than at the strangeness of it. [dishonour,
Duke.
Come hither, Isabel.
Your friar is now your prince: as I was then
Advertising and holy to your business,
Not changing heart with habit, I am still
Attorney'd at your service.
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.
Your brother's death, I know, sits at your
heart;
And you may marvel why I obscur'd myself,
Labouring to save his life, and would not
Make rash remonstrance of my hidden power,
Than let him so be lost. O most kind maid,
It was the swift celerity of his death,
Which I did think with slower foot came on,
That brain'd my purpose: but, peace be with
him!
That life is better life, past fearing death,
Than that which lives to fear. Make it your
So happy is your brother.
[comfort,
Isab.
I do, my lord.
Re-enter Angelo, Mariana, Friar Peter,
and Provost.
Duke. For this new-married man approach-
ing here,
Whose salt imagination yet hath wrong'd
Your well-defended honour, you must pardon
For Mariana's sake: but, as he adjudg'd your
(Being criminal, in double violation [brother,
Of sacred chastity, and of promise-breach
Thereon dependent, for your brother's life,)
The very mercy of the law cries out
Most audible, even from his proper tongue,
"An Angelo for Claudio, death for death!
Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers
leisure;
[Measure.
Like doth quit like, and Measure still for
Then, Angelo, thy fault's thus manifested;
Which, though thou wouldst deny, denies
thee vantage;
We do condemn thee to the very block
Where Claudio stoop'd to death, and with
Away with him.
[like haste.--
Mari.
O, my most gracious lord,
I hope you will not mock me with a husband,
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,
For that he knew you, might reproach your life,
And choke your good to come. For his pos-
Although by confiscation they are ours,
We do instate and widow you withal,
To buy you a better husband.
Mari.
O, my dear lord,
I crave no other, nor no better man.
Duke. Never crave him: we are definitive.
Mari. [Kneeling.] Gentle my liege,-
Duke. You do but lose your labour.-
Away with him to death !-[To Lucio.] Now,
sir, to you.
[take my part:
Mari. O, my good lord!-Sweet Isabel,
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 you do importune
Sweet Isabel, do yet but kneel by me: [all.
Hold up your hands, say nothing,-I'll speak
They say best men are moulded out of faults;
And, for the most, become much more the
better
For being a little bad: so may my husband,
O, Isabel! will you not lend a knee?
Duke. He dies for Claudio's death.
Isab. [Kneeling.] Most bounteous sir,
Look, if it please you, on this man condemn'd,
As if my brother liv'd. I partly think,
A due sincerity govern'd his deeds,
Till he did look on me: since it is so,
Let him not die. My brother had but justice,
In that he did the thing for which he died:
For Angelo,
His act did not o'ertake his bad intent;
And must be buried but as an intent
That perish'd by the way: thoughts are no
Intents but merely thoughts. [subjects;
Mari.
Merely, my lord.
Duke. Your suit's unprofitable; stand up, I
I have bethought me of another fault.Provost, how came it Claudio was beheaded At an unusual hour?
Prov. It was commanded so. Duke. Had you a special warrant for the deed? [message. Prov. No, my good lord; it was by private Duke. For which I do discharge you of your Give up your keys. [office; Prov. Pardon me, noble lord: I thought it was a fault, but knew it not; Yet did repent me, after more advice: For testimony whereof, one in the prison, That should by private order else have died, I have reserv'd alive. Duke. Prov. His name is Barnardine. Duke. I would thou hadst done so by Claudio.
Go, fetch him hither; let me look upon him.
[Exit Provost.
Escal. I am sorry, one so learned and so wise
As you, lord Angelo, have still appear'd,
Should slip so grossly, both in the heat of blood,
And lack of temper'd judgment afterward.
Ang. I am sorry that such sorrow I procure:
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, with Barnardine, Claudio,
muffled, and Juliet.
Duke. Which is that Barnardine ?
Prov.
This, my lord.
Duke. There was a friar told me of this
Sirrah, thou art said to have a stubborn soul, That apprehends no further than this world,
And squar'st thy life according. Thou'rt condemned:
But, for those earthly faults, I quit them all;
And pray thee, take this mercy to provide
For better times to come.-Friar, advise him;
I leave him to your hand.-What muffled fel-
low's that?
Prov. This is another prisoner that I sav'd, That should have died when Claudio lost his As like almost to Claudio as himself. [head; [Unmuffles Claudio. Duke. [To Isabella.] If he be like your brother, for his sake
Is he pardon'd; and, for your lovely 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 :
Methinks I see a quick'ning in his eye.--
Well, Angelo, your evil quits you well:
Look that you love your wife; her worth,
worth yours.-
I find an apt remission in myself; [don ;And yet here's one in place I cannot par[To Lucio.] You, sirrah, that knew me for a fool, a coward,
One all of luxury, an ass, a madman;
Wherein have I so deserv'd of you,
That you extol me thus?
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 whipped.
Duke. Whipp'd first, sir, and hang'd after. Proclaim it, provost, round about the city, If any woman's wrong'd by this lewd fellow, (As I have heard him swear, himself, there's one Whom he begot with child,) let her appear, And he shall marry her: the nuptial finish'd, Let him be whipp'd and hang'd.
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 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 re
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;
There's more behind that is more gratulate.—
Thanks, provost, for thy care and secrecy :
We shall employ thee in a worthier place.-
Forgive him, Angelo, that brought you home
The head of Ragozine for Claudio's:
The offence pardons itself.-Dear Isabel,
I have a motion much imports your good;
|