POMPEY. Here comes Signior Claudio, led by the provost to prison; and there's Madam Juliet. (Exeunt.) (Enter Provost, Claudio, Juliet, & Officers.) CLAUDIO. Fellow, why dost thou show me thus to the world? PROVOST. I do it not in evil disposition, But from Lord Angelo by special charge. CLAUDIO. Thus can the demigod Authority Make us pay down for our offence by weight The words of heaven;-on whom it will, it will; On whom it will not, so; yet still 'tis just. LUCIO. (Re-enter Lucio & two Gentlemen.) Why, how now, Claudio! whence comes this restraint? CLAUDIO. From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty: 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? CLAUDIO. What but to speak of would offend again. LUCIO. What, is 't murder? CLAUDIO. No. LUCIO. Lechery? CLAUDIO. Call it so. PROVOST. Away, sir! you must go. CLAUDIO. One word, good friend.-Lucio, a word with you. LUCIO. A hundred, if they 'll do you any good. CLAUDIO. Thus stands it with me: upon a true contract You know the lady; she is fast my wife, Remaining in the coffer of her friends; 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 With character too gross is writ on Juliet. LUCIO. With child, perhaps? CLAUDIO. Unhappily, even so. And the new Deputy now for the Duke,— A horse whereon the governor doth ride, Who, newly in the seat, that it may know He can command, lets it straight feel the spur; Or in his eminence that fills it up, I stagger in:-but this new governor Which have, like unscour'd armour, hung by the wall So long, that nineteen zodiacs have gone round, 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. CLAUDIO. I have done so, but he's not to be found. Implore her, in my voice, that she make friends Such as moves men; beside, she hath prosperous art 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. CLAUDIO. I thank you, good friend Lucio. LUCIO. Within two hours. CLAUDIO. Come, officer, away! (Exeunt.) SCENE III. A monastery. Enter Duke and Friar Thomas. DUKE. No; holy father, throw away that thought; Believe not that the dribbling dart of love Can pierce a complete bosom. Why I desire thee More grave and wrinkled than the aims and ends FRIAR THOMAS. DUKE. May your grace speak of it? My holy sir, none better knows than you And held in idle price to haunt assemblies Where youth, and cost, and witless bravery keeps. A man of stricture and firm abstinence, My absolute power and place here in Vienna, For so I have strew'd it in the common ear, And so it is receiv'd. Now, pious sir, FRIAR THOMAS. We have strict statutes and most biting laws, That goes not out to prey. Now, as fond fathers, Becomes more mock'd than fear'd; so our decrees, And liberty plucks justice by the nose; FRIAR THOMAS. It rested in your Grace To unloose this tied-up justice when you pleas'd; 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, For we bid this be done, When evil deeds have their permissive pass, Therefore, indeed, my father, I have on Angelo impos'd the office; Who may, in the ambush of my name, strike home, And yet my nature never in the fight To do in slander. And to behold his sway, I will, as 'twere a brother of your order, Visit both prince and people: therefore, I prithee, How I may formally in person bear me Is more to bread than stone: hence shall we see, (Exeunt.) Enter Isabella and SCENE IV. A nunnery. Francisca. ISABELLA. And have you nuns no farther privileges? FRANCISCA. Are not these large enough? ISABELLA. Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; But rather wishing a more strict restraint The votarists of Saint Clare. LUCIO.(Within.) Ho! Peace be in this place! ISABELLA. FRANCISCA. Who's that which calls? 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: Then, if you speak, you must not show your face; ISABELLA. Peace and prosperity! Who is 't that calls? (Enter Lucio.) LUCIO. Hail! virgin, if you be, as those cheek-roses A novice of this place, and the fair sister Why, 'her unhappy brother'? let me ask (Exit.) |