Escal. What news abroad i' the world? Duke. None, but that there is so great a fever on goodness, that the dissolution of it must cure it: novelty is only in request; and it is as dangerous to be aged in any kind of course, as it is virtuous to be constant in any undertaking. There is scarce truth enough alive, to make societies secure; but security enough, to make fellowships accurs'd:" much upon this riddle runs the wisdom of the world. This news is old enough, yet it is every day's news. I pray you, sir, of what disposition was the duke?

Escal. One, that, above all other strifes, contended especially to know himself.

Duke. What pleasure was he given to?

Escal. Rather rejoicing to see another merry, than merry at any thing which profess'd to make him rejoice: a gentleman of all temperance. But leave we him to his events, with a prayer they may prove prosperous; and let me desire to know how you find Claudio prepared. I am made to understand, that you have lent him visitation.

Duke. He professes to have received no sinister measure from his judge, but most willingly humbles himself to the determination of justice: yet had he framed to himself, by the instruction of his frailty, many deceiving promises of life; which I, by my good leisure, have discredited to him, and now is he resolved to die.

Escal. You have paid the heavens your function,

There is scarce truth enough alive, to make societies secure; but security enough, to make fellowships accurs'd:] The sense is, "There scarcely exists sufficient honesty in the world to make social life secure; but there are occasions enough where a man may be drawn in to become surety, which will make him pay dearly for his friendships."

1 resolved-]ie. satisfied.

and the prisoner the very debt of your calling. I have labour'd for the poor gentleman, to the extremest shore of my modesty; but my brother justice have I found so severe, that he hath forced me to tell him, he is indeed-justice.3

Duke. If his own life answer the straitness of his proceeding, it shall become him well; wherein, if he chance to fail, he hath sentenced himself. Escal. I am going to visit the prisoner: Fare you well.

Duke. Peace be with you!

[Exeunt ESCALUS and Provost.

He, who the sword of heaven will bear,

Should be as holy as severe;

Pattern in himself to know,"
Grace to stand, and virtue go;
More or less to others paying,
Than by self-offences weighing.
Shame to him, whose cruel striking
Kills for faults of his own liking!
Twice treble shame on Angelo,
To weed my vice, and let his grow!
O, what may man within him hide,
Though angel on the outward side!
How may likeness, made in crimes,
Making practice on the times,
Draw with idle spiders' strings
Most pond'rous and substantial things!'

8 he is indeed-justice.] Summum jus, summa injuria. 9 Pattern in himself to know,] "Pattern in himself to know, is to feel in his own breast that virtue which he makes others

practise.

How may likeness, made in crimes,

Making practice on the times,

Draw with idle spiders' strings,

Most pond'rous and substantial things !] Likeness is here used for specious or seeming virtue. So, before: "O, seeming, seeming!" The sense then of the passage is,-How many persons,

Take, oh take those lips away,
That so sweetly were forsworn;
And those eyes, the break of day,
Lights that do mislead the morn:
But my kisses bring again,

bring again,
Seals of love, but seal'd in vain,

seal'd in vain.

Mari. Break off thy song, and haste thee quick

away;

Here comes a man of comfort, whose advice Hath often still'd my brawling discontent.[Exit Boy.

assuming the likeness or semblance of virtue, while they are in fact guilty of the grossest crimes, impose with this counterfeit sanctity upon the world in order to draw to themselves by the flimsiest pretensions the most solid advantages; i. e. pleasure, honour, repu tation, &c. MALONE.

I

Enter Duke.

cry you mercy, sir; and well could wish You had not found me here so musical:

Let me excuse me, and believe me so,—
My mirth it much displeas'd, but pleas'd my woe.
Duke. 'Tis good: though musick oft hath such a
charm,

To make bad, good, and good provoke to harm.
I pray you, tell me, hath any body inquired for me
here to-day? much upon this time have I promis'd
here to meet.

Mari. You have not been inquired after: I have sat here all day.

Enter ISABElla.

Duke. I do constantly believe you :-The time is come, even now. I shall crave your forbearance a little; may be, I will call upon you anon, for some advantage to yourself.

Mari. I am always bound to you.

Duke. Very well met, and welcome. What is the news from this good deputy?

[Exit.

Isab. He hath a garden circummur'd with brick,

Whose western side is with a vineyard back'd;

And to that vineyard is a planched gate,
That makes his opening with this bigger key:
This other doth command a little door,
Which from the vineyard to the garden leads;
There have I made my promise to call on him,
Upon the heavy middle of the night.

Duke. But shall you on your knowledge find this way?

Isab. I have ta'en a due and wary note upon't;

constantly] Certainly; without fluctuation of mind. a planched gate,] i. e. a gate made of boards.

With whispering and most guilty diligence,
In action all of precept, he did show me
The way twice o'er.

Duke.
Are there no other tokens
Between you 'greed, concerning her observance ?
Isab. No, none, but only a repair ï' the dark;
And that I have possess'd him,' my most stay
Can be but brief: for I have made him know,
I have a servant comes with me along,
That stays upon me; whose persuasion is,
I come about my brother.

Duke.

'Tis well borne up.

I have not yet made known to Mariana

A word of this:-What, ho! within! come forth!

Re-enter MARIANA.

I pray you be acquainted with this maid;
She comes to do you good.

Isab.

I do desire the like.

Duke. Do you persuade yourself, that I respect you?

Mari. Good friar, I know you do; and have found it.

Duke. Take then this your companion by the hand,

Who hath a story ready for your ear:

I shall attend your leisure; but make haste

The vaporous night approaches.

Mari.

Will't please you walk aside? [Exeunt MARIANA and ISABELLA.

Duke. O place and greatness, millions of false

eyes

Are stuck upon thee! volumes of report

In action all of precept,] i. e. in direction given not by words, but by mute signs.

S I have possess'd him,] I have informed him,

VOL. II,