Prov. Goto, sir; you weigh equally; a feather will | Arise to let him in; he is call'd up. turn the scale. [Exit. Clo. 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 mystery? Abhor. Ay, sir, a mystery. Clo. Painting, sir, I have heard say, is a mystery; and your whores, sir, being members of my occupation, using painting, do prove my occupation a mystery: but what mystery there should be in hanging, if I should be hanged, I cannot imagine. Abhor. Sir, it is a mystery. Clo. Proof! Abhor.Every true man's apparel fits your thief:if it be too little for your thief, your true man thinks it big enough; if it be too big for your thief, your thief thinks it little enough: so every true man's apparel fits your thief. Re-enter Provost. Prov. Are you agreed? Clo. Sir, I will serve him; for I do find, your hangman is a more penitent trade, than your bawd; he doth oftener ask forgiveness. Prov. You, sirrah, provide your block and your axe, to-morrow four o'clock. Abhor. Come on, bawd! I will instruct thee in my trade; follow! Clo. Ido desire to learn, sir; and, I hope, if you have occasion to use me for your own turn, you shall find me yare; for truly, sir, for your kindness, I owe you a good turn. Prov. Call hither Barnardine and Claudio! Look, here's the warrant, Claudio, for thy death: Prov. Who can do good on him? Duke. The best and wholesomest spirits of the night 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; That in himself, which he spurs on his power This is a gentle provost! seldom, when That wounds the unsisting postern with these strokes. Provost returns, speaking to one at the door. Prov. There he must stay, until the officer Duke. Have you no countermand for Claudio yet, Duke. As near the dawning, provost, as it is, You something know ; yet, I believe, there comes Enter a Messenger. Duke. This is his lordship's man. Prov. I shall obey him. For which the pardoner himself is in: Prov. I told you: Lord Angelo, belike, thinking me remiss in mine office, awakens me with this unwonted putting on: methinks, strangely; for he hath not used it before. Duke. Pray you, let's hear. Prov. [Reads.] Whatsoever you may hear to the contrary, let Claudio be executed by four of the clock; and, in the afternoon, Barnardine: for my better satisfaction, let me have Claudio's head sent me by five. Let this be duly performed; with a thought, that more depends on it than we must yet deliver. Thus fail not to do your office, as you will answer it at your peril.-What say you to this, sir? Duke. What is that Barnardine, who is to be exccuted in the afternoon? Prov. A Bohemian born; but here nursed up and bred: one that is a prisoner nine years old. Duke. How came it, that the absent duke had 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 government of lord Angelo, came not to an undoubtful proof. Duke. Is it now apparent? Prov. Most manifest, and not denied 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 to come; insensible of mortality, and desperately mortal. Duke. He wants advise. Prov. He will hear none: he hath evermore 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 awaked him, as if to carry him to execution, and showed him a seeming warrant for it: it hath not mov'd him at all. Duke. More of him anon. There is written in your brow, provost, honesty and constancy: ifI read it not truly, my ancient skill beguiles me; but in the boldness of my cunning, I will lay myself in hazard. Claudio, whom here you have a warrant to execute, is no greater forfeit to the law, than Angelo, who hath sentenced him: To make you understand this in a manifested effect, I| Prov. Alack! how may I do it? having the hour limited, and an express command, under 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 this Barnardine be this morning executed, and his head borne to Angelo. Prov. Angelo hath seen them both, and will discover the favour. Duke. O, death's a great disguiser: and you may add to it. Shave the head, and tie the beard and say, it was the desire of the penitent to be so bared 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 I 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. Enter ABHORSON. Abhor. Sirrah, bring Barnardine hither! Clo. Master Barnardine !you must rise and be hang'd, master Barnardine! Abhor. What, ho, Barnardine! Barn. [Within.] A pox o' your throats! Who makes Abhor. Go in to him, and fetch him out! Abhor. Is the axe upon the block, sirrah? Barnar. How now, Abhorson? what's the news with you? Abhor. Truly, sir, I would desire you to clap into your prayers; for, look you, the warrant's come. Barnar. You rogue, I have been drinking all night, I am not fitted for't. Enter Duke. Clo. O, the better, sir; for he that drinks all night, Duke. You will think you have made no offence, if and is hanged betimes in the morning, may sleep the the duke avouch the justice of your dealing? sounder all the next day. Prov. But what likelihood is in that? Duke. Not a resemblance, but a certainty. Yet 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, I doubt not; and the signet is not strange to you. Prov. I know them both. 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. 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. O, sir, you must: and therefore, I beseech you, look forward on the journey you shall go. Barnar. I swear, I will not die to-day for any man's persuasion. Duke. But hear you, Duke. The contents of this is the return of the duke; you shall anon overread it at your pleasure; where you shall find, within these two days he 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 difficulties are but easy, when they are known. Call your executioner, and off with Barnardine's head. I Duke. Unfit to live, or die: O, gravel heart!will give him a present shrift, and advise him for a bet-After him, fellows; bring him to the block! ter place. Yet you are amazed; but this shall absolutely resolve you. Come away; it is almost clear dawn. [Exeunt. SCENE III.-Another room in the same. Enter Clown. Barnar. Not a word; if you have any thing to say to me, come to my ward: for thence will not I to-day. [Exit. Enter Provost. [Exeunt Abhorson and Clown. Clo.I am as well acquainted here, as I was in our house Prov. Here in the prison, father, of profession: one would think, it were mistress There died this morning of a cruel fever Over-done's own house; for here be many of her old One Ragozine, a most notorious pirate, customers. First, here's young master Rash; he's in A man of Claudio's years; his beard, and head for a commodity of brown paper and old ginger, nine-Just of his colour: what if we do omit score and seventeen pounds; of which he made five This reprobate, till he were well inclined, marks, ready money: marry, then, ginger was not And satisfy the deputy with the visage much in request, for the old women were all dead. Of Ragozine, more like to Claudio? Then is there here one master Caper, at the suit of Duke. O, 'tis an accident that heaven provides! master Three-pile the mercer, for some four suits of Despatch it presently; the hour draws on peach-coloured satin, which now peaches him a beg-Prefix'd by Angelo. See, this be done, gar. Then have we here young Dizy, and young mas- And sent according to command; whiles I ter Deep-vow, and master Copper-spur, and master Persuade this rude wretch willingly to die. Starve-lackey the rapier and dagger-man, and young Prov. This shall be done, good father, presently. Drop-heir that kill'd lusty Pudding,and master Forth- But Barnardine must die this afternoon: right the tilter, and brave master Shoe-tie the great And how shall we continue Claudio, traveller, and wild Half-can that stabb'd Potts, and, I think, forty more; all great doers in our trade, and arenow for the Lord's sake. To save me from the danger that might come, Duke. Let this be done.-Pat them in secret holds, Show your wisdom, daughter, in your close patience! Duke. This nor hurts him, nor profits you a jot: eyes; Enter LUCIO. Lucio. Good even! 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 meal would set me to't. But they say the duke will be here to-morrow. By my troth, Isabel, Ilov'd thy brother: if the old fantastical duke of dark corners had been at home, he had lived. [Exit Isabella. Duke. Sir, the duke is marvellous little beholden to your reports; but the best is, he lives not in them. Lucio. Friar, thou knowest not the duke so well, as I do: he's a better woodman than thou takest him for. Duke. Well, you'll answer this one day. Fare ye well! Lucio. Nay, tarry; I'll go along with thee; I can tell thee pretty tales of the duke. Duke. You have told me too many of him already, sir, if they be true; if not true, none were enough. with child. Lucio. I was once before him for getting a wench Duke. Did you such a thing? Lucio. Yes, marry, did I: but was fain to forswear it; they would else have married me to the rotten medlar. Duke. Sir, your company is fairer than honest. Rest you well! Lucio. By my troth, I'll go with thee to the lane's end: if bawdy talk offend you, we'll have very little of it.Nay, friar, I am a kind of bur, I shall stick. [Exeunt. SCENE IV.--A room in Angelo's house. Enter ANGELO and ESCALUS. Escal. Every letter he hath writ, hath disvouch'd other. Ang. In most uneven and distracted manner. His actions show much like to madness: pray heaven, his wisdom be not tainted! And why meet him at the gates, and re-deliver our authorities there? Escal. I guess not. Ang. And why should we proclaim it in an hour before his entering, that if any crave redress of injustice, they should exhibit their petitions in the street? Escal. He shows his reason for that: to have a dispatch of complaints, and to deliver us from devices hereafter, which shall then have no power to stand against us. Ang. Well, I beseech you, let it be proclaim'd: nay, dry your Betimes i' the morn, I'll call house: you at your Give notice to such men of sort and suit, As are to meet him. One of our convent, and his confessor, Who do prepare to meet him at the gates, Escal. I shall, sir: fare you well! Ang. Good night ! [Exit. This deed unshapes me quite, makes me unpregnant, There to give up their power. If you can, pace your And dull to all proceedings. A deflower'd maid! wisdom In that good path, that I would wish it go; And you shall have your bosom on this wretch, Isab. I am directed by you. Duke. This letter then to friar Peter give; And shall be absent. Wend you with this letter: And by an eminent body, that enforc'd The law against it!-But that her tender shame How might she tongue me? Yet reason dares her?-no: But it confounds the breather. He should have liv'd, With ransom of such shame. 'Would yet he had liv'd! [Giving letters. The provost knows our purpose and our plot. F. Peter. It shall be speeded well. [Exit Friar. Duke. I thank thee, Varrius; thou hast made good haste: Come, we will walk. There's other of our friends SCENE VI.-Street near the city gate. Isab. To speak so indirectly, I am loath; Mari. Berul'd by him! Isab. Besides, he tells me, that, if peradventure He speak against me on the adverse side, I should not think it strange; for 'tis a physic, Mari. I would, friar Peter Isab. O, peace! the friar is come. Enter Friar PETER. SCENE I.-A public place near the city gate. MARIANA, (veiled,) ISABELLA, and PETER, at a distance. Enter at opposite doors, Duke, VARRIUS, Lords; ANGELO, ESCALUS, Lucio, Provost, Officers, and Citizens. Duke. My very worthy cousin, fairly met!— Our old and faithful friend, we are glad to see you. Ang. and Escal. Happy return be to your royal grace! Duke. Many and hearty thankings to you both! We have made inquiry of you; and we hear Such goodness of your justice, that our soul Cannot but yield you forth to public thanks, Forerunning more requital. Ang. You make my bonds still greater. And given me, justice, justice, justice, justice! Here is lord Angelo shall give you justice; Isab. O, worthy duke, You bid me seek redemption of the devil. Hear me yourself: for that, which I must speak, Or wring redress from you: hear me, O, hear me, here! Isab. By course of justice! Ang. And she will speak most bitterly, and strange. Isab. Most strange, but yet most truly, will I speak: That Angelo's forsworn; is it not strange? That Angelo's a murderer; is't not strange? That Angelo is an adulterous thief, An hypocrite, a virgin violator, Is it not strange, and strange? Duke. 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 trae; for truth is truth To the end of reckoning. Duke. Away with her!-Poor soul, In all his dressings, characts, titles, forms, If she be mad, (as I believe no other,) Harp not on that; nor do not banish reason Duke. Many that are not mad, Have, sure, more lack of reason. What would you say? Isab. I am the sister of one Claudio, Duke. O, your desert speaks loud; and I should Condemn'd upon the act of fornication wrong it, To lock it in the wards of covert bosom, PETER and ISABELLA come forward. F. Peter. Now is your time; speak loud, and kneel before him! Isab. Justice, O royal duke! Vail your regard Upon a wrong'd, I'd fain have said, a maid! O worthy prince, dishonour not your eye By throwing it on any other object, Till you have heard me in my true complaint, To lose his head; condemn'd by Angelo: 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 Isab. That's he, indeed. Duke. You were not bid to speak. Duke. I wish you now then; Pray you, take note of it: and when you have Lucio. I warrant your honour. Duke. The warrant's for yourself: take heed to it! Isab. This gentleman told somewhat of my tale. Duke. It may be right; but you are in the wrong Isab. I went To this pernicious caitiff deputy. Duke. That's somewhat madly spoken. The phrase is to the matter. Duke. Mended again: the matter:-Proceed! (For this was of much length,) the vile conclusion And I did yield to him: but the next morn betimes, Duke. This is most likely! Isab. O, that it were as like, as it is true! Duke. By heaven, fond wretch, thou know'st not Or else thou art suborn'd against his honour, Stands without blemish:-next, it imports no reason, And not have cut him off. Some one hath set you on: Isab. And is this all? Then, oh, you blessed ministers above, In countenance!-Heaven shield your grace from woe, On him so near us? This needs must be a practice. Lucio. My lord, I know him: 'tis a meddling friar. F. Peter. Blessed be your royal grace! I have stood by, my lord, and I have heard Duke. We did believe no less. Know you that friar Lodowick, that she speaks of? As he's reported by this gentleman; Lucio. My lord, most villainously; believe it! F. Peter. Well, he in time may come to clear himself; To speak, as from his mouth, what he doth know So vulgarly and personally accus'd,) Duke. Good friar, let's hear it.— [Isabella is carried off, guarded; and Mariana Do you not smile at this, lord Angelo?- Of your own cause.-Is this the witness, friar? Duke. What, are you married? Are nothing then: -neither maid, widow, nor wife? Duke.Silence that fellow! I would, he had some cause To prattle for himself. Lucio. Well, my lord. Mari. My lord, I do confess I ne'er was married; I have known my husband; yet my husband knows not, Lucio. He was drunk then, my lord; it can be no Duke. For the benefit of silence, 'would thou wert so too. Lucio. Well, my lord. Duke. This is no witness for lord Angelo. She, that accuses him of fornication, Ang. Charges she more than me? Duke. No? you say, your husband. Mari. Why, just, my lord, and that is Angelo, This is that face, thou cruel Angelo, Duke. Know you this woman? |