Escal. My Lord, I am more amaz’å at his dise

honour, Than at the strangeness of it.

Duke. Come hither, Isabel:
Your friar is now your Prince: As I was then
Advertising, and holy to your business,
Not changing heart with habit, I am still
Attorney'd at your service.

Isab. O, give me pardon,
That I, your vassal, have employ'd and pain'd
Your unknown sovereignty.

Duke. You are pardon'd, Isabel :
And now, dear maid, be you as free to us.
Your brother's death, I know, sits

at your

heart; And you may marvel, why I obscur'd myself, Labouring to

his life; and would not

Tather Make rash remonstrance of my hidden power, Than let him so be lost: 0, most kind maid, It was the swift celerity of his death, Which I did think with slower foot came on, "That brain'd my purpose: But, peace. be with

him! That life is better life, past fearing death, Than that which lives to fear: make it your

comfort, So happy is your brother.

saya

Re-enter ANGELO, MARIANA, PETER, and Provost.

Isab. I do, my Lord.
Duke. For this new • married man, approaching

here,
Whose salt imagination yet hath wrong'd.
Your well-defended honour, you must pardon

For Mariana's sake: but as he adjudg'd your

brother, (Being criminal, in double violation Of sacred chastity, and of promise- breach, Théreon dependant, for your brother's life,) The very mercy of the law cries out Most audible, even from his proper tongue, An Angelo for Claudio , death for death. Haste still pays laste, and leisure answers lei.

sure; Like doth quit like, and Measure still for

Measure, Then, Angelo, thy fault's thus manifested; Which though thou would’st deny, denies thee

vantage; We do condemn thee to the very block Where Claudio stoop'd to death, and with like

haste; Away with him,

Mari. O, my most gracious Lord, I hope you will not mock me with a husband! Duke. It is your husband mock'd you with a

husband : Consenting to the safeguard of your honour, I thonght your marriage fit; else imputation, For that he knew you, might reproach your

life, And choke your good to come: for his posses.

sions,
Althongh by coufiscation they are onrs,
We do instate, and widow you withal,
To buy you a better husband.

Mari. O, my dear Lord,
I crave no other, por no better man.

Duke. Never crave him; we are definitive,
Mari. Geutle; my Liege,

[Kneeling,

sense

Duke. You do but lose your labour;
Away with him to death. Now, Sir, [To Lo.

C10.] to you.
Mari. O, my good Lord! Sweet Isabel, take

my part ;
Jsend me your knees, and all my life to come ,
I'll lend you, all my life to do you service.
Duke. Against all you do importune

her : Should she kneel down, in mercy of this fact, Her brother's ghost his paved bed would break, And take her hence iii horror.

Mari, Isabel, Sweet Isabel, do yet but kneel by me; Hold up your hands, say nothing, I'll speak all They say, best meil are moulded out of faults ; And, for the most, become much

more the

better
For being a little bad: so may my husband.
V, Isabel! will you not lend a knee?

Duke. He dies for. Claudio's death.
Isab. Mo'st bouteous Sir,

[Kneeling. Look, if it please you,

this man

demn'd,
As if my brother liv'd:-1 partly think,
A due sincerity governd his deeds,
Till he did look on me; siuce it is so,
Let him not die: 'My brother had but justice,
In that he did the thing for which he died :
For Angelo,
His act did not o'ertake his bad intent;
And must be buried but as an intent;
That perished by the way: thoughts , are

subjects; Intents but merely thoughts.

Mari. Merely, 'my Lord. In

on

COIL

no

Duke. Your suit's unprofitable; stand up, I

say.
I have bethought me of another fault :
Provast, how came it, Claudio was beheaded
At an unusual hour:

Prov. It was commanded so.
Duke. Had you a special warrant for the

deed?
Prov. No, my good Lord; it was by private

message. Duke. For which I do discharge you of your

office: Give up your keys.

Prov. Pardon me, noble Lord :
I thought it was a fault, but knew it not.
Yet did repent me after wore advice :
1 For testimony whercof, one in the prison,
That should by private order else have died,
I have reserv'd alive.

Duke. What's he?
Prov. His name is Barnardine.
Duke, I would thou had'st done so by Clau.

dio.
Go, fetch him hither; let me look upon him.

[Exit Provost. Escal. I am sorry,

so learned and, so

wise As you, Lord Angelo, have still appear'd, Should- slip--so grossly, both in the heat of

blood, And lack of temper'd judgement afterward.

Ang. I am sorry, that such sorrow I pro:

one

cure :

And so deep sticks it in my penitent hcart, That I crave death more willingly than mercy; 'Tis my dese ing, and I do

it.

Re-enter Provost , BARNARDINE, CLAUDIO', and

JULIET.
Duke. Which is that Barnardine?
Prov. This, my Lord.
Duke. There was

a friar told me of this

man: Sirrah, thon art said to have a stubborn soul, That apprehends no further than this world, And squar'st thy life according, Thou'rt con

demi'd; But, for those earthly faults, I quit them all ;, And pray thee, take this mercy to provide For better times to come : Friar, advise him; I leave him to your hand. What muflled fel.

low's that? Prov. This is another prisoner, that I sav'd, .? That should have died when Claudio lost his

head; As like almost to Claudio, as himself.

[Unmuffles CLAUDIO. Duke. If he be like your brother, (To ISABELLA.]

for his sake Is he pardon'd; And, for your lovely sake, :,: Give me your hand, and say you will be mine, He is my brother 100: But fitter time for that, By this, Lord Angelo perceives he's safe; Methinks, I see a quick’ning in his eye: Well, Angelo, your evil quits you well. Look that you love your wife; her worth, worth

yours. I find an apt remission in myself : And yet here's one in place I cannot pardon ; You, sirrah, [To Lucio.] that knew me for a fool,

a coward, One all of luxury, an ass, 4 madman;