For thy complexion shifts to strange effects*, Do curse the gout, serpigot, and the rheum, But, as it were, an after-dinner's sleep, Dreaming on both for all thy blessed youth Of palsied eld‡; and when thou art old, and rich, Lie hid more thousand deaths: yet death we fear, That makes these odds all even. # Claud. I humbly thank you. To sue to live, I find, I seek to die; And, seeking death, find life: Let it come on. Enter Isabella. Isab. What, ho! Peace here; grace and good company! Prov. Who's there? come in: the wish deserves a welcome. Duke. Dear sir, ere long I'll visit you again. Isab. My business is a word or two with Claudio. your sister. Duke. Provost, a word with you. Prov. As many as you please. * Affects, affections. + Old age. + Leprous eruptions. Duke. Bring them to speak, where I may be conceal'd, Yet hear them. Claud. [Exeunt Duke and Provost. Now, sister, what's the comfort? Isab. Why, as all comforts are; most good in deed; Lord Angelo, having affairs to heaven, Intends you for his swift embassador, Where you shall be an everlasting leiger* : Therefore your best appointmentt make with speed; To-morrow you set on. Claud. Is there no remedy? Isab. None, but such remedy, as, to save a head, To cleave a heart in twain. Claud. But is there any? Isab. Yes, brother, you may live; There is a devilish mercy in the judge, If you'll implore it, that will free your life, Claud. Perpetual durance? Isab. Ay, just, perpetual durance; a restraint, Though all the world's vastidity‡ you had, To a determin'd scope. Claud. But in what nature? Isab. In such a one as (you consenting to't) Would bark your honour from that trunk you bear, And leave you naked. Claud. Let me know the point. Isab. O, I do fear thee, Claudio; and I quake Lest thou a feverous life should'st entertain, And six or seven winters more respect Than a perpetual honour. Dar'st thou die? The sense of death is most in apprehension; And the poor beetle, that we tread upon, In corporal sufferance finds a pang as great As when a giant dies. Claud. Why give you me this shame! • Resident. + Preparation. Vastness of extent. Think you I can a resolution fetch From flowery tenderness? If I must die, I will encounter darkness as a bride, And hug it in mine arms. Isab. There spake my brother; there my father's grave Did utter forth a voice! Yes, thou must die: In base appliances. This outward-sainted deputy, Claud. The princely Angelo ? Isab. O, 'tis the cunning livery of hell, The damned'st body to invest and cover In princely guardst! Dost thou think, Claudio, Thou might'st be freed? Claud. O, heavens! it cannot be. Isab. Yes, he would give it thee, from this rank offence, So to offend him still: This night's the time That I should do what I abhor to name, Or else thou diest to-morrow. Claud. Isab. O, were it but my life, Thou shalt not do't. I'd throw it down for your deliverance As frankly as a pin. Claud. Thanks, dear Isabel. Isab. Be ready, Claudio, for your death to-morrow. Claud. Yes. Has he affections in him, That thus can make him bite the law by the nose, When he would force it? Sure it is no sin; Or of the deadly seven it is the least. Isab. Which is the least? Claud. If it were damnable, he, being so wise, Shut up. + Laced robes. + Freely. Why, would he for the momentary trick Isab. What says my brother? Death is a fearful thing. Isab. And shamed life a hateful. Claud. Ay, but to die, and go we know not where; To lie in cold obstruction, and to rot; This sensible warm motion to become A kneaded cold; and the delighted spirit The weariest and most loathed worldly life, ? That age, ach, penury, and imprisonment Can lay on nature, is a paradise To what we fear of death. Isab. Alas! alas! Claud. Sweet sister, let me live: What sin you do to save a brother's life, Nature dispenses with the deed so far, That it becomes a virtue. Isab. O, you beast! O, faithless coward! O, dishonset wretch! Wilt thou be made a man out of my vice? From thine own sister's shame? What should I think? Heaven shield, my mother play'd my father fair! Ne'er issu'd from his blood. Take my defiances: * Lastingly. + Invisible. Wildness. § Refusal. Claud. Nay, Hear me, Isabel. Isab. O, fy, fy, fy! [Going. Thy sin's not accidental, but a trade* : Mercy to thee would prove itself a bawd: "Tis best that thou diest quickly. claud. O hear me, Isabella. Re-enter Duke. Duke. Vouchsafe a word, young sister, but one word. Isab. What is your will? Duke. Might you dispense with your leisure, I would by and by have some speech with you: the satisfaction I would require, is likewise your own benefit. Isab. I have no superfluous leisure; my stay must be stolen out of other affairs; but I will attend you a while. Duke. [To Claudio, aside.] Son, I have overheard what hath passed between you and your sister. Angelo had never the purpose to corrupt her; only he hath made an essay of her virtue, to practise his judgement with the disposition of natures: she, having the truth of honour in her, hath made him that gracious denial which he is most glad to receive: I am confessor to Angelo, and I know this to be true; therefore prepare yourself to death: do not satisfy your resolution with hopes that are fallible: to-morrow you must die; go to your knees, and make ready. Claud. Let me ask my sister pardon. I am so · out of love with life, that I will sue to be rid of it. Duke. Holdt you there: farewell. Re-enter Provost. [Exit Claudio. Provost, a word with you. * An established habit. + Continue in that resolution. |