Now took your brother's life; or, to redeem him, Isab. Sir, believe this, 1 I had rather give my body than my soul. 1 How say you? Isab. Pronounce a sentence on your brother's life: To save this brother's life? Isab. Please you to do't, I'll take it as a peril to my soul, It is no sin at all, but charity. Ang. Pleas'd you to do't, at peril of your soul, 2 Were equal poize of sin and charity. Isab. That I do beg his life, if it be sin, Heaven, let me bear it! you granting of my suit, If that be sin, I'll make it my morn prayer To have it added to the faults of mine, And nothing of your answer. Ang. Nay, but hear me : Your sense pursues not mine: either you are ignorant, Or seem so, craftily; and that's not good. Isab. Let me be ignorant, and in nothing good, But graciously to know I am no better. 1 I had rather give my body than my soul.] She means I think, I had rather die, than forfeit my eternal happiness by the prostitution of my person. MALONE. 2 Pleas'd you to do't, at peril, &c.] The reasoning is thus: Angelo asks, whether there might not be a charity in sin to save this brother? Isabella answers, that if Angelo will save him, she will stake her soul that it were charity, not sin. Angelo replies, that if Isabella would save him at the hazard of her soul, it would be not indeed no sin, but asin to which the charity would be equivalent. JOHNSON. Ang. Thus wisdom wishes to appear most bright, Isab. So. Ang. And his offence is so, as it appears Ang. Admit no other way to save his life, Isab. As much for my poor brother, as myself; That longing I have been sick for, ere I'd yield Ang. Then must your brother die. Isab. And 'twere the cheaper way: Better it were, a brother died at once, Than that a sister, by redeeming him, Should die for ever. 3 Proclaim an enshield beauty —] i. e. shielded beauty. + Accountant to the law upon that pain.] Pain or penalty. 5 As I subscribe not that,] To subscribe means, to agree to. Mil ton uses the word in the same sense. 6 But in the loss of question,] i. e. conversation. to let him suffer." MALONE. ተ Ang. Were not you then as cruel as the sentence That you have slander'd so? Isab. Ignomy in ransom7, and free pardon, Are of two houses: lawful mercy is Nothing akin to foul redemption. Ang. You seem'd of late to make the law a tyrant ; And rather prov'd the sliding of A merriment than a vice. your brother Isab. O, pardon me, my lord; it oft falls out, To have what we'd have, we speak not what we mean: For his advantage that I dearly love. Isab. Else let my brother die, 8 If not a feodary, but only he, Ang. And credulous to false prints.1 Ang. I think it well: And from this testimony of your own sex, (Since, I suppose, we are made to be no stronger Than faults may shake our frames,) let me be bold; — I do arrest your words: Be that you are, That is, a woman; if you be more, you're none; If you be one, (as you are well express'd 7 Ignomy in ransom,] So ignominy was formerly written. 8 If not a feodary, but only he, &c.] The meaning should seem to be this: We are all frail, says Angelo. Yes, replies Isabella; if he has not one associate in his crime, if no other person own and follow the same criminal courses which you are now pursuing, let my brother suffer death. MALONE. 9 In profiting by them.] In taking advantage of them, By all external warrants,) show it now, Isab. I have no tongue but one: gentle my lord. Isab. My brother did love Juliet; and you tell me, That he shall die for it. Ang. He shall not, Isabel, if you give me love. Isab. I know, your virtue hath a licence in't,2 Which seems a little fouler than it is, To pluck on others. Ang. Believe me on mine honour, My words express my purpose. Isab. Ha! little honour to be much believ'd, And most pernicious purpose! —seeming, seeming!3I will proclaim thee, Angelo: look for't: Sign me a present pardon for my brother, Or, with an outstretch'd throat, I'll tell the world Ang. Who will believe thee, Isabel? Or else he must not only die the death, 2 · hath a licence in't,] an appearance of licentiousness. 3 Seeming, secming Hypocrisy, hypocrisy. I'll prove a tyrant to him: as for you, [Exit. Isab. To whom shall I complain? Did I tell this, Bidding the law make court'sy to their will; To such abhorr❜d pollution. Then, Isabel, live chaste, and, brother, die; I'll tell him yet of Angelo's request, And fit his mind to death, for his soul's rest. [Exit. ACT III. SCENE I. A Room in the Prison. Enter Duke, CLAUDIO, and Provost. Duke. So, then you hope of pardon from lord An gelo? Claud. The miserable have no other medicine, But only hope; I have hope to live, and am prepar'd to die. Duke. Be absolute for death; either death, or life, 4 -prompture—] Suggestion, temptation, instigation. |