An hypocrite, a virgin-violator; Is it not strange, and strange? Duke. Nay, ten times strange. Isab. It is not truer he is Angelo, Than this is all as true as it is strange: Duke. Away with her:-Poor soul, She speaks this in the infirmity of sense. Isab. O prince, I cónjure thee, as thou believ'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 impos sible That which but seems unlike: 'tis not impossi ble, But one, the wicked'st caitiff on the ground, In all his dressings, characts, titles, forms, Duke. By mine honesty, If she be mad, (as I believe no other,) As e'er I heard in madness. Isab. O, gracious duke, Harp not on that; nor do not banish reason 1 as shy, as grave, as just, as absolute,] As shy; as reserved, as abstracted: as just; as nice, as exact: as absolute; as complete in all the round of duty. JOHNSON. For inequality:] Do not suppose I am mad, because I speak passionately and unequally. MALONE. To make the truth appear, where it seems hid; Duke. 3 Many that are not mad, Have, sure, more lack of reason.-What would you say? Isab. I am the sister of one Claudio, That's I, an't like your grace: Lucio. For her Isab. Duke. You were not bid to speak. Nor wish'd to hold my peace. Duke. That's he, indeed. No, my good lord; I wish you now then; Pray you, take note of it: and when you have Lucio. I warrant your honour. Duke. The warrant's for yourself; take heed to it. Isab. This gentleman told somewhat of my tale. Duke. It may be right; but you are in the wrong To speak before your time.-Proceed. Isab. To this pernicious caitiff deputy. I went Duke. That's somewhat madly spoken. Isab. The phrase is to the matter. Pardon it; And hide the false, seems true.] i. e. which seems true. Duke. Mended again: the matter;-Proceed. (For this was of much length,) the vile conclusion Release my brother; and, after much debatement, 5 And I did yield to him: But the next morn be times, His purpose surfeiting, he sends a warrant 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, Stands without blemish:-next, it imports no rea son, That with such vehemency he should pursue Faults proper to himself: if he had so offended, on; Confess the truth, and say by whose advice Thou cam'st here to complain. Isab. And is this all? Then, oh, you blessed ministers above, Keep me in patience; and, with ripen'd time, * How he refell'd me,] To refel is to refute. 5 My sisterly remorse-] i. e. pity. 6 fond wretch,] Fond wretch is foolish wretch. 7 In hateful practice:] Practice was used by the old writers for any unlawful or insidious stratagem. Unfold the evil which is here wrapt up In countenance!8-Heaven shield your grace from woe, As I, thus wrong'd, hence unbelieved go! Duke. I know, you'd fain be gone:—An officer! 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, Duke. A ghostly father, belike: Who knows that Lodowick? Lucio. My lord, I know him; 'tis a medling friar; I do not like the man: had he been lay, my lord, And to set on this wretched woman here I saw them at the prison: a sawcy friar, A F. Peter. Blessed be your royal grace! Who is as free from touch or soil with her, We did believe no less. Duke. Know you that friar Lodowick, that she speaks of? F. Peter. I know him for a man divine and holy; In countenance!] i. e. false appearance, hypocrisy. Not scurvy, nor a temporary medler, But at this instant he is sick, my lord, Of a strange fever: Upon his mere request, man; (To justify this worthy nobleman, So vulgarly2 and personally accus'd,) Her shall you hear disproved to her eyes, Duke. Good friar, let's hear it. [ISABELLA is carried off, guarded; and MARIANA comes forward. Do you not smile at this, lord Angelo?- 9 Duke. What, are you his mere request,] i. e. his absolute request. 1 Whensoever he's convented,] i. e. cited, summoned. 2 So vulgarly-] i. e. publickly. married? 3 In this I'll be impartial;] Impartial was sometimes used in the sense of partial. |