Mrs. Ov. And what shall become of those in the city? ΙΟΙ Pom. They shall stand for seed: they had gone down too, but that a wise burgher put in for them. Mrs. Ov. But shall all our houses of resort in the suburbs be pulled down? Pom. To the ground, mistress. Mrs. Ov. Why, here's a change indeed in the commonwealth! What shall become of me? Pom. Come, fear not you: good counsellors lack no clients: though you change your place, you need not change your trade; I'll be your tapster still. Courage! there will be pity taken on you: you that have worn your eyes almost out in the service, you will be considered. Mrs. Ov. What's to do here, Thomas tapster? let's withdraw. Pom. Here comes Signior Claudio, led by the provost to prison; and there's Madam Juliet. [Exeunt. Enter PROVOST, CLAUDIO, JULIET, and Officers. Claud. Fellow, why dost thou show me thus to the world? Bear me to prison, where I am committed. Re-enter LUCIO and two Gentlemen. I 20 Lucio. Why, how now, Claudio! whence comes this restraint? Claud. From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty: As surfeit is the father of much fast, So every scope by the immoderate use 130 *Devour. Lucio. If I could speak so wisely under an arrest, I would send for certain of my creditors: and yet, to say the truth, I had as lief have the foppery of freedom as the morality of imprisonment. What's thy offence, Claudio? Claud. What but to speak of would offend again. Lucio. What, is't murder? Lucio. Lechery? Claud. Call it so. Prov. Away, sir! you must go. 140 Claud. One word, good friend. Lucio, a word with you. Lucio. A hundred, if they'll do you any good. Is lechery so look'd after? Claud. Thus stands it with me: upon a true contract I got possession of Julietta's bed: 150 You know the lady; she is fast* my wife, *Assuredly. †Obtaining. From whom we thought it meet to hide our love Till time had made them for us. But it chances The stealth of our most mutual entertainment Unhappily, even so. 160 And the new deputy now for the dukeWhether it be the fault and glimpse of newness, Or whether that the body public be A horse whereon the governor doth ride, Who, newly in the seat, that it may know 170 Which have, like unscour'd armour, hung by the wall So long that nineteen zodiacs have gone round And none of them been worn; and, for a name, Now puts the drowsy and neglected act Freshly on me: 'tis surely for a name. Lucio. I warrant it is: and thy head stands so tickle* on thy shoulders that a milkmaid, if she be in love, may sigh it off. Send after the duke and appeal to him. Claud. I have done so, found. *Ticklish. but he's not to be I prithee, Lucio, do me this kind service: 180 Acquaint her with the danger of my state: 191 Lucio. I pray she may; as well for the encouragement of the like, which else would stand under grievous imposition, as for the enjoying of thy life, who I would be sorry should be thus foolishly lost at a game of tick-tack. I'll to her. Claud. I thank you, good friend Lucio. Within two hours. Lucio. Claud. Come, officer, away! SCENE III. A monastery. Enter DUKE and FRIAR THOMAS. [Exeunt. Duke. No, holy father; throw away that thought; Believe not that the dribbling* dart of love *weak. Can pierce a complete bosom. Why I desire thee To give me secret harbour, hath a purpose More grave and wrinkled than the aims and ends Of burning youth. Fri. T. May your grace speak of it? Duke. My holy sir, none better knows than you How I have ever loved the life removed* II A man of stricturet and firm abstinence, †Strictness. Fri. T. Duke. We have strict statutes and most biting laws, The needful bits and curbs to headstrong weeds, That goes not out to prey. Now, as fond fathers, Becomes more mock'd than fear'd; so our decrees, Fri. T. 30 It rested in your grace To unloose this tied-up justice when you pleased: And it in you more dreadful would have seem'd Than in Lord Angelo. Duke. I do fear, too dreadful: Sith 'twas my fault to give the people scope, Twould be my tyranny to strike and gall them For what I bid them do: for we bid this be done, When evil deeds have their permissive pass And not the punishment. Therefore indeed, my father, 40 strike home, I have on Angelo imposed the office; Visit both prince and people: therefore, I prithee, 50 Supply me with the habit and instruct me SCENE IV. A nunnery. Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA. Isab. And have you nuns no farther privileges? Fran. Are not these large enough? Isab. Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; But rather wishing a more strict restraint Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare. Lucio. [Within] Ho! Peace be in this place! Who's that which calls? Isab. Fran. It is a man's voice. Gentle Isabella, Turn you the key, and know his business of him; You may, I may not; you are yet unsworn. When you have vow'd, you must not speak with men But in the presence of the prioress: IO Then, if you speak, you must not show your face, Or, if you show your face, you must not speak. He calls again; I pray you, answer him. [Exit. Isab. Peace and prosperity! Who is't that calls? Enter LUCIO. Lucio. Hail, virgin, if you be, as those cheek roses Proclaim you are no less! Can you so stead* me As bring me to the sight of Isabella, A novice of this place and the fair sister To her unhappy brother Claudio? *Profit. 20 Isab. Why 'her unhappy brother?' let me ask, The rather for I now must make you know I am that Isabella and his sister. |