I should be guiltier than my guiltiness, When I perceive, your grace, like power divine, But let my trial be mine own confession; Duke. Come hither, Mariana:Say, wast thou e'er contracted to this woman? Ang. I was, my lord. Duke. Go take her hence, and marry her instantly. Do you the office, friar; which consummate, Return him here again: - Go with him, provost. [Exeunt ANGELO, MARIANA, PETER, and Provost. Escal. My lord, I am more amaz'd at his dishonour, Than at the strangeness of it. Duke. 3 Come hither, Isabel: Your friar is now your prince: As I was then Isab. O, give me pardon, That I, your vassal, have employ'd and pain'd Duke. You are pardon'd, Isabel: 4 And now, dear maid, be you as free to us. 2 5 my passes;] i. e. what has past in my administration. 3 Advertising, and holy-] Attentive and faithful. 4 be you as free to us.] Be as generous to us. 5 Make rash remonstrance-] i. e. a premature discovery. Which I did think with slower foot came on, That brain'd my purpose: But, peace be with him! Than that which lives to fear: make it your comfort, Re-enter ANGELO, MARIANA, PETER, and Provost. Isab. I do, my lord. Duke. For this new-married man, approaching 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 brother, (Being criminal, in double violation Of sacred chastity, and of promise-breach, Haste, still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure; Which though thou would'st deny, denies thee vantage: Where Claudio stoop'd to death, and with like haste:Away with him. 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, We do instate and widow you withal, To buy you a better husband. 6 denies thee vantage:] The denial of which will avail thee nothing. 6 Mari. O, my dear lord, I crave no other, nor no better man. Mari. Gentle, my liege, — [Kneeling. You do but lose your labour; Away with him to death. Now, sir, [to Lucio.] to you. Mari. O, my good lord! - Sweet Isabel, take my part; Lend me your knees, and all my life to come Duke. Against all sense you do impórtune her: Mari. Duke. He dies for Claudio's death. Most bounteous sir, Look, if it please you, on this man condemn'd, Let him not die: My brother had but justice, His act did not o'ertake his bad intent; And must be buried but as an intent; [Kneeling. That perish'd by the way: thoughts are no subjects; Intents but merely thoughts. Mari. Merely, my lord. Duke. Your suit's unprofitable; stand up, I say. I have bethought me of another fault:- Prov. It was commanded so. Duke Had you a special warrant for the deed? Prov. No, my good lord; it was by private message. Duke. For which I do discharge you of your office: Give up your keys. Prov. Pardon me, noble lord: Duke. Prov. What's he? His name is Barnardine. Duke I would thou had'st 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 Aug. I am sorry, that such sorrow I procure Re-enter Provost, BARNARDINE, CLAUDIO, and JULIET. Duke. Which is that Barnardine? Prov. This, my lord. Duke There was a friar told me of this man Sirrah, thou art said to have a stubborn soul, That apprehends no further than this world, And squar'st thy life according. Thou'rt condemn'd; 7 - after more advice:] after more consideration. But, for those earthly faults, I quit them all; - . I leave him to your hand. What muffled fellow's that? That should have died when Claudio lost his head; [Unmuffles CLAUDIO. Duke. If he be like your brother, [to ISABELLA.] for his sake Is he pardon'd; And, for your lovely sake, yours. And yet here's one in place I cannot pardon : -- You, sirrah, [to Lucio.] that knew me for a fool, a coward, One all of luxury, an ass, a madman; Wherein have I so deserved of you, That you extol me thus? Laucio. 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 whipp'd. 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 8 ·according to the trick:] To the trick of the times. |