-let him be called before us. Away with her to prison: Go to; no more words. [Exeunt with the Bard.] Provost, my brother Angelo will not be alter'd, Claudio must die to-morrow: let him be furnish'd with divines, and have all charitable preparation: if my brother wrought by my pity, it should not be so with him.

Prov. So please you, this friar has been with him, and advis'd him for the entertainment of death.

Escal. Good even, good father.

Duke. Bliss and goodness on you!
Escal. Of whence are you?

[is now
Duke. Not of this country, though my chance
To use it for my time: I am a brother
Of gracious order, lately come from the see,
In special business from his holiness.

measure from his judge, but most willingly humbles himself to the determination of justice: yet had he fram'd to himself, by the instruction of his frailty, many deceiving promises of life; which 51, by my good leisure, have discredited to him, and now is he resolved to die.

Escal. You have paid the heavens your funetion, and the prisoner the very debt of your calling. I have laboured for the poor gentleman, to the ex10 tremest shore of my modesty; but my brother justice have I found so severe, that he hath forc'd me to tell him, he is indeed-justice.

Duke. If his own life answer the straitness of his proceeding, it shall become him well; wherein 15 if he chance to fail, he hath sentenc'd himself. Escal. I am going to visit the prisoner: Fare you well. [Exit.

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 20 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 25 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, con-30 tended 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 35 leave we him to his events, with a prayer they may prove prosperous; and let me desire to know, how you find Claudio prepar'd? I am made to understand, that you have lent him visitation. Duke. He professes to have received no sinister 40

Duke. Peace be with you!
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 nor 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!
Oh, what may man within him hide,
Though angel on the outward side!
How may that likeness, made in crimes,
Making practice on the times,
Draw with idle spiders' strings
Most pond'rous and substantial things!
Craft against vice I must apply:
With Angelo to-night shall lye
His old betrothed, but despis'd;
So disguise shall, by the disguis'd,
Pay with falsehood false exacting,
And perform an old contracting.

[Exit.

SCENE I
A Grange.

ACT IV.

Here comes a man of comfort, whose advice 5Hath often still'd my brawling discontent.Enter Duke.

I cry you mercy, sir; and well could wish, You had not found me here so musical: 55 Let me excuse me, and believe me so,

My mirth it much displeas'd, but pleas'd my woe. Duke.'Tis good: tho' musick oft hath sucha charm, To make bad, good, and good provoke to harm. pray you, tell me, hath any body enquired for 60me here to-day? much upon this time, have I promis'd here to meet.

Mari. You have not been enquir'd after: I have sat here all day.

Enter

Enter Isabel.

[Exit.

Remember now my

brother.

Mari. Fear me not.

[all:

Duke. Nor, gentle daughter, fear you not at He is your husband on a pre-contract: 5 To bring you thus together, 'tis no sin; Sith that the justice of your title to him Doth flourish the deceit. Come, let us go; Our corn's to reap, for yet our tithe's to sow.a [Exeunt.

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? [brick,
Isub. He hath a garden circummur'd with
Whose western side is with a vineyard back'd; [10]
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. [this way
Duke. But shall you on your knowledge find
Isab. I have ta'en a due and wary note upon't:
With whispering and most guilty diligence,
In action all of precept', he did shew 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 i' 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 [forth!
A word of this:-What, ho! within! come
Re-enter Marinna.

Duke. Do you persuade yourself that I respect Mari. Good friar, I know you do; and have [hand,

found it.

SCENE II.
Changes to the prison.

Enter Procost and Clown.

Prov. Come hither, sirrah: Can you cut off a 15 man's head?

Clown. If the man be a bachelor, sir, I can: but if he be a marry'd man, he is his wife's head, and I can never cut off a woman's head.

Prov. Come, sir, leave me your snatches, and 20 yield me a direct answer. To-morrow morning are to die Claudio and Barnardine: Here is in our prison a common executioner, who in his office lacks a helper: if you will take it on you to assist him, it shall redeein you from your gyves; if not, you shall have your full time of imprisonment, and your deliverance with an unpity'd whipping, for you have been a notorious bawd.

25

Crown. Sir, I have been an unlawful bawd, time out of mind; but yet I will be content to be 30 a lawful hangman. I would be glad to receive some instruction from my fellow-partner. Prov. What ho, Abhorson! where's Abhorson there?

35

Duke. Take then this your companion by the 40
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 Isabel. 45
Duke. O place and greatness, millions of false"
Are stuck upon thee! volumes of report [eyes
Run with these false and most contrarious quest'
Upon thy doings! thousand 'scapes of wit
Make thee the father of their idle dream, [agreed: 50
And rack thee in their fancies! Welcome: How
Re-enter Mariana and Isabel.

Isab. She'll take the enterprize upon her, father,
If you advise it.

Duke. It is not my consent,

But my intreaty too.

Isab. Little have you to say,

When you depart froin him, but soft and slow,

Enter Abhorson.

Abhor. Do you call, sir?

Prov. Sirrah, here's a fellow will help you tomorrow in your execution: if you think it meet, compound with him by the year, and let him abide here with you; if not, use him for the present, and dismiss him: he cannot plead his esti mation with you, he hath been a bawd.

Abhor. A bawd, sir? tie upon him, he will discredit our mistery'.

Prov. Go to, sir; you weigh equally; a feather will turn the scale.

[Exit.

Clown. Pray, sir, by your good favour (for, surely, sir, a good favour you have, but that you have a hanging look) do you call, sir, your occupation a mistery?

Abhor. Ay, sir; a mistery.

Clown. Painting, sir, I have heard say,isamistery; and your whores, sir, being members of my occupation, using painting, do prove my occupation a mistery: but what mistery there should be in 55 hanging, if I should be hanged, I cannot imagine. Abhor. Sir, it is a mistery.

Clown. Proof.

[thief. Abhor. Every true man's apparel fits your

4

' Certainly. 2 That is, walled round. That is, a gate made of boards or planks. * That is, in direction given not by words, but by mute signs. Meaning, I have informned or acquainted him. Traiterous. Different reports. That is, ornament. a The various editors seem to be mistaken in this passage; which rather alludes to the accomplishment of the purpose drawing near, altho' the tilth was not yet sown as Shakspeare elsewhere uses the word:

'Dr. Warburton here observes, that the word mystery, when used to signify a trade or manual profession, should be spelt with an i, and not a y. Favour signifies countenance.

Clown.

94

thief, your

Clown. If it be too little for your true man thinks it big enough; if it be too big for your thie, your thief thinks it little enough: so every true man's apparel fits your thief. Re-enter Provost.

Prov. Are you agreed?

Clown. Sir, I will serve him; for I do find, your hangman is a more penitent trade than your bawd; he doth oftner ask forgiveness.

Duke. As near the dawning, provost, as it is,
You shall hear more ere morning.
Prov. Happily,

You something know; yet, I believe there comes
5 No countermand; no such example have we:
Besides, upon the very siege' of justice,
Lord Angelo hath to the public ear
Profess'd the contrary.

Prov. You, sirrah, provide your block and 10 your axe, to-morrow, four o'clock.

Abhor. Come on, bawd; I will instruct thee in my trade; follow.

Clown. I do desire to learn, sir; and, I hope, if you have occasion to use me for your own 15 turn, you shall find me yare': for truly, sir, for your kindness, I owe you a good turn.

[Exit.

Prov. Call hither Barnardine and Claudio:
One has my pity; not a jot the other,
Being a murtherer, though he were my brother. 20
Enter Claudio.

Look, here's the warrant, Claudio, for thy death:
Tis now dead midnight, and by eight to-morrow
Thou must be made immortal. Where's Barnar-
[labour 25
dine?

Claud. As fast lock'd up in sleep, as guiltless
When it lies starkly' in the traveller's bones:
He will not wake.

Prov. Who can do good on him?
Well, go, prepare yourself. [Exit Claud.] But, 30
[Knock within.
hark, what noise?
Heaven give your spirits comfort!-By and by;-
I hope it is some pardon or reprieve,
For the most gentle Claudio.-Welcome, father.
Enter Duke.

Duke. Thebestand wholsomest spirits of the night
Envelop you,good provost! Who call'd here of late?
Prov. None since the curfew rung.
Duke. Not Isabel?

Prov. No.

Duke. They will then, ere 't be long.
Proc. What comfort is for Claudio?
Duke. There's some in hope.

Prov. It is a bitter deputy.

Duke. Not so, not so: his life is parallel'd

Even with the stroke and line of his great justice;
He doth with holy abstinence subdue

That in himself, which he spurs on his power
To qualify in others: were he mealed

[nous;

Enter a Messenger.

Duke. This is his lordship's man.
Prov. And here comes Claudio's pardon.
Mess. My lord hath sent you this note; and
by me this further charge, that you swerve not
from the smallest article of it, neither in time,
matter, or other circumstance. Good-morrow;
for, as I take it, it is almost day.
{Exit Messenger.
Prov. I shall obey him.
Duke. This is his pardon; purchas'd by such sin,
[Aside.

For which the pardoner himself is in:
Hence hath offence his quick celerity,
When it is borne in high authority:
When vice makes mercy, mercy's so extended,
[friended.
That, for the fault's love, is the offender
Now, sir, what news?
Prov. I told you;-Lord Angelo, be-like,
thinking me remiss in my office, awakens me
with this unwonted putting on: methinks,
strangely for he hath not us'd it before.
Duke. Pray you, let's hear.

Provost reads the letter.

Whatsoever you may hear to the contrary, let Claudio be executed by four of the clock; and, in the afternoon, Barnardine; for my better satisfuc35tion,let me huvi Claudio's head sent me byfive. Let this be duly perform'd; with a thought, that more dependsonit than we must yet deliver. Thus jail not todo your offic,as you willanswer it at your peril. What say you to this, sir?

40

Duke. What is that Barnardine, who is to be executed in the afternoon?

Prov. A Bohemian born; but here nurs'd up and bred: one that is a prisoner nine years old. Duke. How came it, that the absent duke had 45 not either deliver'd him to his liberty, or executed him? I have heard, it was ever his manner to do so.

Prov. His friends still wrought reprieves for him: And, indeed, his fact, till now in the goWith that, which he corrects, then were he tyran-50vernment of lord Angelo, came not to an unBut this being so, he's just.-Now are they come.

[Knock. Provost goes out.

This is a gentle provost; seldom, when
The steeled gaoler is the friend of men.-
How now what noise! that spirit's possess'd with
[strokes.
haste,
That wounds the unresisting postern with these
Provost returns, speaking to one at the door.
Prov. There must he stay, until the officer
Arise to let him in; he is called up.

[yet,
Duke. Have you no countermand for Claudio
Put he must die to-morrow?

Prov. None, sir, none.

55

doubtful proof.

Duke. Is it now apparent?

Prot. Most manifest, and not deny'd by himself.

Duke. Hath he borne himself penitently in prison? how seems he to be touch'd?

Prov. A man that apprehends death no more dreadfully, but as a drunken sleep; careless, reckless, and fearless of what's past, present, or 6oto come; insensible of mortality, and desperatey mortal.

Duke. He wants advice.

Prov. He will hear none: he hath evermore

1 Handy. 2 Stiffly.
3 That is, to temper, to moderate.
• Like to die in a desperate state without repentance.

had the liberty of the prison; give him leave to escape hence, he would not: drunk many times a day, if not many days entirely drunk. We have very often awak'd him, as if to carry him to execution, and shew'd him a seeming warrant for 5 it; it hath not mov'd him at all.

Duke. More of him anon. There is written in] your brow, Provost, honesty, and constancy: if I read it not truly, my ancient skill beguiles me; but in the boldness of my cunning, I will lay my-10 self in hazard. Claudio, whom here you have a warrant to execute, is no greater forfeit to the law than Angelo who hath sentenc'd him: To make you understand this in a manifested effect, I crave but four days respite; for the which you are to do 15 me both a present and a dangerous courtesy. Prov. Pray, sir, in what? Due. In the delaying death.

Prov. Alack! how may I do it? having the hour limited; and an express command, under 20 penalty, to deliver his head in the view of Angelo? I may make my case as Claudio's, to cross

this in the smallest.

Duke. By the vow of mine order, I warrant you, if my instructions may be your guide. Let 25 this Barnardine be this morning executed, and his head borne to Angelo.

Prov. Angelo hath seen them both, and will discover the favour.

Duke. Oh, death's a great disguiser: and you may 30 add to it. Shave the head, and tie the beard; and say, it was the desire of the penitent to be so barb'd before his death: you know the course is common. If any thing fall to you upon this, more than thanks and good fortune, by the saint whom 135 profess, I will plead against it with my life.

Prov. Pardon me, good father; it is against my oath.

Duke. Were you sworn to the duke, or to the deputy?

Prov. To him and to his substitutes.
Duke. You will think you have made no offence,
if the duke avouch the justice of your dealing?
Proc. But what likelihood is in that?

40

Duke. Not a resemblance, but a certainty. Yet 45 since I see you fearful, that neither my coat, integrity, nor my persuasion, can with ease attempt you, I will go further than I meant, to pluck all fears out of you. Look you, sir, here is the hand and seal of the duke: You know the character, 150 doubt not; and the signet is not strange to you. Prov. I know them both. '

Duke. The contents of this is the return of the duke; you shall anon over-read it at your pleasure; where you shall find, within these two days he 55 will be here. This is a thing, that Angelo knows not: for he this very day receives letters of strange tenor; perchance, of the duke's death; perchance, entering into some monastery; but, by chance, nothing of what is writ. Look, the unfolding star calls up the shepherd: Put not yourself into amazement, how these things should be: all difliculties are but easy when they are known. Cali your executioner, and off with Barnardine's head:

I will give him a present shrift, and advise him
for a better place. Yet you are amaz'd, but this
shall absolutely resolve you. Come away; it is
Jalmost clear dawn.
[Exeunt.

SCENE III.
Enter Clown.

Clown. I am as well acquainted bere, as I was in our house of profession: one would think, it were mistress Over-done's own house, for here be many of her old customers. First, here's young master Rash; he's in for a commodity of brown paper and old ginger, ninescore and seventeen pounds; of which he made tive marks, ready money: marry, then, ginger was not much in request, for the old women were all dead. Then is there here one master Caper, at the suit of master Three-pile the mercer, for some four suits of peach-colour'd sattin, which now peaches him a beggar. Then have we here young Dizy, and young master Deep-vow, and master Copperspur, and master Starve-lacky the rapier and dagger-man, and young Drop-heir that kill'd lusty Pudding, and master Forthright the tilter, and brave master Shoe-tye the great traveller, and wild Half-can that stabb'd Pots, and, I think, forty more; all great doers in our trade, and are now in for the Lord's sake2.

Enter Abhorsen.

Abhor. Sirrah, bring Barnardine hither. Clown. Master Barnardine! you must rise and be hang'd, master Barnardine!

Abhor. What, ho, Barnardine! Barnar. [Within.] A pox o' your throats! Who makes that noise there? What are you?

Clown. Your friends, sir; the hangman: You must be so good, sir, to rise and be put to death. Barnar. [Within.] Away you rogue, away; 1 Jam sleepy.

Abhor. Tell him he must awake, and that quickly too.

Clown. Pray, master Barnardine, awake till you are executed, and sleep afterwards.

Abhor, Go in to him, and fetch him out. Clown. He is coming, sir, he is coming; I hear his straw rustle.

Enter Barnardine.

Abhor. Is the ax upon the block, sirrah?
Clown. Very ready, sir.
Barnar. How now, Abhorson? what's the
news with you?

Abhor. Truly, sir, I would desire you to clap in to your prayers; for look you, the warrant's come. Barnar. You rogue, I have been drinking all night, I am not fitted for't.

Clown. Oh, the better, sir; for he that drinks all night, and is hang'd betimes in the morning, may sleep the sounder all the next day.

Enter Duke.

Abhor. Look you, sir, here comes your ghostly father; Do we jest now, think you?

Duke. Sir, induced by my charity, and hearing how hastily you are to depart, I am come to advise you, comfort you, and pray with you.

That is,-here writ-the Duke pointing to the letter in his hand. * That is, an allusion to prisoners begging of passengers for the Lord's sake.

Burnar.

Barnar. Friar, not I; I have been drinking hard all night, and I will have more time to prepare me, or they shall beat out my brains with billets: I will not consent to die this day, that's certain.

Duke. Oh, sir, you must: and therefore I beseech 5 you, look forward on the journey you shall go.

Barnar. I swear, I will not die to-day for any man's persuasion.

Barnar. Not a word: if you have any thing to 10 say to me, come to my ward; for thence will I not to day.

The duke comes home to-morrow;-nay, dry your
One of our convent, and his confessor,
25Gives me this instance: already he hath carry'd
Notice to Escalus and Angelo;

Who do prepare to meet him at the gates,
There to give up their power. If you can, pace
your wisdom

30 In that good path, that I would wish it go;
And you shall have your bosom2 on this wretch,
Grace of the duke, revenges to your heart,
And general honour.

35

Isab. I am directed by you.

Duke. This letter then to friar Peter give;
Tis he that sent me of the duke's return:
Say, by this token, I desire his company [yours,
At Mariana's house to-night. Her cause and
Pll perfect him withal; and he shall bring you
40 Before the duke; and to the head of Angelo
Accuse him homie and home. For my poor self,
I am combined' by a sacred vow,
[ter:
And shall be absent. Wend' you with this let-
Command these fretting waters from your eyes
With a light heart; trust not my holy order,
If I pervert your course.-Who's here?
Enter Lucio.

Duke. Quick, dispatch, and send the head to 45
Angelo.
[Exit Provost.
Now will I write letters to Angelo,

The provost, he shall bear them,-whose contents
Shalf witness to him, I am near at home;
And that, by great injunctions, I am bound
To enter publickly: him I'll desire
To meet me at the consecrated fount,
A league below the city; and from thence,
By cold gradation and well-balane'd form,
We shall proceed with Angelo.

50

Lucio. O pretty Isabella, I am pale at mine heart, to see thine eyes so red: thou must be patient: I am fain to dine and sup with water and bran; I dare not for my head fill my belly; one fruitful 53 meal would set me to't: But they say the duke will be here to-morrow. By my troth, Isabel, I lov'd thy brother: if the old fantastical duke of dark corners had been at home, he had liv’d.

60

That is, to remove him out of this world to the other. I am bound.