Claud. Thus can the demi-god, Authority, Make us pay down for our offence by weight. The words of heaven; -on whom it will, it will; On whom it will not, so; yet still 'tis just. Lucio. Why, how now, Claudio? whence comes this restraint? Claud. From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty: So every scope by the immoderate use, Lucio. If I could speak so wisely under an arrest, I would send for certain of my creditors: And yet, to say the truth, I had as lief have the foppery of freedom, as the morality of imprisonment. What's thy offence, Claudio? Claud. What, but to speak of would offend again. Claud. No. Lucio. Lechery? Claud. Call it so. Prov. Away, sir; you must go. Claud. One word, good friend :— Lucio, a word with you. [Takes him aside. Lucio. A hundred, if they'll do you any good.. Is lechery so look'd after? Claud. Thus stands it with me:- Upon a true con tract, I got possession of Julietta's bed; You know the lady; she is fast my wife, 2 Like rats that ravin-] To ravin was formerly used for eagerly or voraciously devouring any thing. 3- this we came not to, Only or propagation of a dower. From whom we thought it meet to hide our love, Claud. Unhappily, even so. And the new deputy now for the duke, A horse whereon the governor doth ride, Or in his eminence that fills it up, I stagger in : But this new governor Awakes me all the enroll'd penalties, Which have, like unscour'd armour, hung by the wall So long, that nineteen zodiacks have gone round, And none of them been worn; and, for a name, Now puts the drowsy and neglected act Freshly on me : 'tis surely, for a name. Lucio. I warrant, it is: and thy head stands so tickle on thy shoulders, that a milk-maid, if she be in love, may sigh it off. Send after the duke, and appeal to him. Claud. I have done so, but he's not to be found. I pr'ythee, Lucio, do me this kind service: This day my sister should the cloister enter, means Remaining in the coffer of her friends ;] I suppose the speaker for the sake of getting such a dower as her friends might hereafter bestow on her, when time had reconciled them to her clandestine marriage. STEEVENS. 4 -the fault and glimpse of newness;] The fault and glimpse is the same as the faulty glimpse. And the meaning seems to be-Whether it be the fault of newness, a fault arising from the mind being dazzled by a novel authority, of which the new governor has yet had only a glimpse, has yet taken only a hasty survey; or whether, &c. Shakspeare has many similar expressions. MALONE. 5 so tickle-] i. e. ticklish. 5 And there receive her approbation 6; Lucio. I pray, she may: as well for the encouragement of the like, which else would stand under grievous imposition; as for the enjoying of thy life, who I would be sorry should be thus foolishly lost at a game of ticktack. I'll to her. Claud. I thank you, good friend Lucio. Claud. Come, officer, away. SCENE IV. A Monastery. Enter DUKE and Friar THOMAS. [Exeunt. Duke. No, holy father; throw away that thought; Believe not that the dribbling darts of love Can pierce a cómplete bosom: why I desire thee Fri. May your grace speak of it? Duke. My holy sir, none better knows than you How I have ever lov'd the life remov'd9; 6 her approbation;] i. e. enter on her probation. 71 prone and speechless dialect,] Prone, perhaps, may stand for humble; as a prone posture is a posture of supplication. 8 Believe not that the dribbling dart,] A dribber, in archery, was a term of contempt. 9 the life remov'd;] i. e. a life of retirement. And held in idle price to haunt assemblies, 1 Where youth, and cost, and witless bravery keeps.2 I have deliver'd to lord Angelo (A man of stricture, and firm abstinence,) My absolute power and place here in Vienna, Fri. Gladly, my lord. Duke. We have strict statutes, and most biting laws, That goes not out to prey: Now, as fond fathers Becomes more mock'd, than fear'd: so our decrees, The baby beats the nurse, and quite athwart Fri. It rested in your grace To unloose this tied-up justice, when you pleas'd Duke. 3 I do fear, too dreadful: Sith 'twas my fault to give the people scope, 'Twould be my tyranny to strike, and gall them For what I bid them do: For we bid this be done, And not the punishment. Therefore, indeed, my father, Who may, in the ambush of my name, strike home, 1 witless bravery -] Bravery, or showy dress. keeps.] i. e. dwells, resides. 2 3 Sith] i. e. since. And yet my nature never in the sight, To do it slander: And to behold his sway, Visit both prince and people: therefore, I pr'ythee, Only, this one: - Lord Angelo is precise; 4 Stands at a guard with envy; scarce confesses Is more to bread than stone: Hence shall we see, SCENE V. A Nunnery. Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA. Isab. And have you nuns no further privileges? Isab. Yes, truly; I speak not as desiring more; [Within. Who's that which calls? Fran. It is a man's voice: Gentle Isabella, You may, Turn you the key, and know his business of him ; Then, if you speak, you must not show your face; 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? 4 Stands at a guard-] Stands on his defence. |