Nay, ten times strange. Isab. It is not truer he is Angelo, Than this is all as true as it is strange: Nay, it is ten times true; for truth is truth 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 impos sible, 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. do not banish reason 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. Many that are not mad, Have, sure, more lack of reason.-What would you say? Isab. I am the sister of one Claudio, Was sent to by my brother: One Lucio Lucio. That's I, an't like your grace: I came to her from Claudio, and desir'd her To try her gracious fortune with lord Angelo, Isab. Duke. You were not bid to speak. Lucio. Nor wish'd to hold my peace. That's he, indeed. No, my good lord; I wish you now then; Duke. you A business for yourself, pray heaven, you then I warrant your honour. Lucio. to it. my Isab. This gentleman told somewhat of tale. Lucio. Right. 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. Isab. In brief,-to set the needless process by, How I persuaded, how I pray'd, and kneel'd, How he refell'd me, and how I reply'd; (For this was of much length,) the vile conclusion Release my brother; and, after much debatement, And I did yield to him: But the next morn be times, His purpose surfeiting, he sends a warrant For my poor brother's head. Duke. This is most likely! Isab. O, that it were as like as it is true! 6 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 on; Confess the truth, and say by whose advice Isab, And is this all? Then, oh, you blessed ministers above, Keep me in patience; and, with ripen'd time, 4 How he refell'd me,] To refel is to refute, 6 My sisterly remorse-] i. e. pity. fond wretch,] Fond wretch is foolish wretch. "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 ! -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 saucy friar, Blessed be your royal grace! 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, Lucio. My lord, most villainously; believe it. But at this instant he is sick, my lord, Of a strange fever: Upon his mere request, man; First, for this wo (To justify this worthy nobleman, So vulgarly and personally accus'd,) Duke. Good friar, let's hear it. [ISABELLA is carried off, guarded; and MARIANA comes forward. Do you not smile at this, lord Angelo?- Of your own cause.-Is this the witness, friar? Duke. What, are you married? 9 his mere request,] i. e. his absolute request. Whensoever he's convented,] i. e. cited, summoned. * So vulgarly-] i. e. publickly. 3 In this I'll be impartial;] Impartial was sometimes used in the sense of partial. |