And must be buried but as an intent

That perish'd by the way: thoughts are no sub

jects;

Intents but merely thoughts.

Mari.

Merely, my lord.
Duke. Your suit's unprofitable; stand up, I say.-
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

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:7
For testimony whereof, one in the prison,
That should by private order else have died,
I have reserv'd alive.

Duke.

Prov.

What's he?

your

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 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.

7

after more advice: ] after more consideration.

*

Whereto if you'll a willing ear incline,
What's mine is your's, and what is your's is mine:-
So, bring us to our palace; where we'll show
What's yet behind, that's meet you all should know.
[Exeunt

1 Of this play, the light or comick part is very natural and pleasing, but the grave scenes, if a few passages be excepted, have more labour than elegance. The plot is rather intricate than artful. The time of the action is indefinite; some time, we know not how much, must have elapsed between the recess of the Duke and the imprisonment of Claudio; for he must have learned the story of Mariana in his disguise, or he delegated his power to a man already known to be corrupted. The unities of action and place are sufficiently preserved. JOHNSON.

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 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:-Take him to prison:
And see our pleasure herein executed.

Lucio. Marrying a punk, my lord, is pressing to death, whipping, and hanging.

Duke. Sland'ring 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.
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,
I have a motion much imports your good;

8

9

according to the trick:] To the trick of the times. that is more gratulate.] Some other reward in store for him, more acceptable than thanks.

Whereto if you'll a willing ear incline,
What's mine is your's, and what is your's is mine:-
So, bring us to our palace; where we'll show
What's yet behind, that's meet you all should know.
[Exeunt

Of this play, the light or comick part is very natural and pleasing, but the grave scenes, if a few passages be excepted, have more labour than elegance. The plot is rather intricate than artful. The time of the action is indefinite; some time, we know not how much, must have elapsed between the recess of the Duke and the imprisonment of Claudio; for he must have learned the story of Mariana in his disguise, or he delegated his power to a man already known to be corrupted. The unities of action and place are sufficiently preserved. JOHNSON.