Like doth quit like, and Measure still for Measure.37 Then, Angelo, thy fault's thus manifested;

Which, though thou wouldst deny, denies thee van

We do condemn thee to the very block

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,
For that he knew you, might reproach your life,
And choke your good to come: For his possessions,
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. Gentle my liege,

Duke.

[Kneeling.

You do but lose your labor:

Away with him to death. [To LUCIO.] Now, sir,

to you.

Mari. O, my good lord!

my part:

Sweet Isabel, take

Lend me your knees, and all my life to come
I'll lend you; all my life to do you service.

37 Measure still for measure. This appears to have been a current expression for retributive justice. So, in 3 Henry VI., Act. ii. sc. 6: Measure for measure must be answered." Perhaps the proverb grew from the Scripture,- - With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again."

38 That is, "To deny which will avail thee nothing."

H.

40

Duke. Against all sense 39 you do impórtune her: Should she kneel down in mercy of this fact, Her brother's ghost his paved bed would break, And take her hence in horror.

Mari.

Isabel,

41

Sweet Isabel, do yet but kneel by me:
Hold up your hands, say nothing, I'll speak all.
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: 2 thoughts are no sub

jects;

Intents but merely thoughts.

Mari.

Merely, my lord.

Duke. Your suit's unprofitable: stand up, I say.

39 That is, against reason and affection. 40 That is, to beg for mercy on this act.

H.

41 On the principle that Nature or Providence often uses our vices to scourge down our pride; as in All's Well that Ends Well, Act iv. sc. 3: "Our virtues would be proud, if our faults whipp'd them not."

H.

42 That is, like the traveller, who dies on his journey, is obscurely interred, and thought of no more:

"Illum expirantem

Obliti ignoto camporum in pulvere linquunt."

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? 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:
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. What's he?

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, 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:
But, for those earthly 43 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 fellow's that?

Prov. This is another prisoner that I sav'd,

That should have died when Claudio lost his head; As like almost to Claudio, as himself.

[Unmuffles CLAUDIO. Duke. [To ISAB.] 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 quickening in his eye:-
Well, Angelo, your evil quits" you well:
Look that you love your wife; her worth, worth
yours.45

I find an apt remission in myself;

And yet here's one in place I cannot pardon:
[To LUCIO.] You, sirrah, that knew me for a fool,
a coward,

One all of luxury,46 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: 47 If you will hang me for it, you may;

43 That is, so far as they are punishable on earth.

44 Requites.

45 That is, "her value is equal to yours; the match is not unworthy of you."

46 Incontinence.

47 Thoughtless practice.

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 duke good my lord, do not recompense me in making me a cuckold.

Duke. Upon mine honour, thou shalt marry her. Thy slanders I forgive; and therewithal

Remit thy other forfeits : 48.

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 restore.
Joy to you, Mariana! — love her, Angelo:

I have confess'd her, and I know her virtue.
Thanks, good friend Escalus, for thy much good-

ness:

There's more behind, that is more gratulate.49
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,

49 Dr. Johnson says, forfeits means punishments; but is it not more likely to signify misdoings, transgressions, from the French forfait? Steevens's note affords instances of the word in this