F. Peter. Well, he in time may come to clear him self; But at this instant he is sick, my lord, Of a strange fever: Upon his mere* request To speak, as from his mouth, what he doth know So vulgarly and personally accus'd), Her shall you hear disproved to her eyes, Duke. Good friar, let's hear it. [Isabella is carried off, guarded; and Do you not smile at this, lord Angelo ?- Of your own cause. Is this the witness, friar? Why, you Are nothing then :-Neither maid, widow, nor wife? Lucio. My lord, she may be a punk; for many of them are neither maid, widow, nor wife. Duke. Silence that fellow: I would, he had some Lucio. Well, my lord. Mari. My lord, I do confess I ne'er was married; And, I confess, besides, I am no maid: I have known my husband; yet my husband knows not, That ever he knew me. Lucio. He was drunk then, my lord; it can be ne better. 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, In self same manner doth accuse my husband; With all the effect of love. Ang. Charges she more than me? Mari. Not that I know. No? you say, your husband. Mari. Why, just, my lord, and that is Angelo, Who thinks, he knows, that he ne'er knew my body, But knows, he thinks, that he knows Isabel's. Ang. This is a strange abuse-Let's see thy face. Mari. My husband bids me; now I will unmask. [Unveiling. This is that face, thou cruel Angelo, And did supply thee at thy garden-house, Duke. Know you this woman? Sirrah, no more. Lucio. Carnally, she says. • Deception. Lucio. Enough, my lord. Ang. My lord, I must confess, I know this wo man; And, five years since, there was some speech of marriage Betwixt myself and her; which was broke off, I never spake with her, sa her, nor heard from her, Mari. Noble prince, As there comes light from heaven, and words from breath, As there is sense in truth, and truth in virtue, As words could make up vows: and, my good lord, Let me in safety raise me from my knees; Or else for ever be confixed here, A marble monument! I did but smile till now; Ang. Now, good my lord, give me the scope of justice; My patience here is touch'd: I do perceive, These poor informalt women are no more But instruments of some more mightier member, That sets them on: Let me have way, my lord, To find this practice out. Duke. Ay, with my heart; And punish them unto your height of pleasure.Thou foolish friar; and thou pernicious woman, Compact with her that's gone! think'st thou, thy oaths, Though they would swear down each particular saint, *Her fortune fell short. + Crazy. Were testimonies against his worth and credit, F. Peter. Would he were here, my lord; for he, Hath set the women on to this complaint: Duke. Go, do it instantly. [Erit Provost. And you, my noble and well-warranted cousin, In any chastisement: I for a while Will leave you; but stir not you, till you have well Escal. My lord, we'll do it thoroughly.— [Exit Duke.] Signior Lucio, did not you say, you knew that friar Lodowick to be a dishonest person? Lucio. Cucullus non facit monachum: honest in nothing, but in his clothes; and one that hath spoke most villainous speeches of the duke. Escal. We shall entreat you to abide here till he come, and enforce them against him: we shall find this friar a notable fellow. Lucio. As any in Vienna, on my word. Escal. Call that same Isabel here once again; [To an attendant.] I would speak with her: Pray you, my lord, give me leave to question; you shall see how I'll handle her. Lucio. Not better than he, by her own report. Lucio. Marry, sir, I think, if you handled her privately, she would sooner confess; perchance, publickly she'll be ashamed. Re-enter Officers, with Isabella; the Duke, in the friar's habit, and Provost. Escal. I will go darkly to work with her. Lucio. That's the way; for women are light at midnight. Escal. Come on, mistress: [To Isabella.] here's a gentlewoman denies all that you have said. Lucio. My lord, here comes the rascal I spoke of; here, with the provot. Escal. In very good tie:-speak not you to him, till we call upon you. Lucio. Mum. Escal. Come, sir: Did you set these women on to slander lord Angelo? they have confess'd you did. Duke. 'Tis false. Escal. How! know you where you are? Duke. Respect to your great place! and let the devil Be sometime honour'd for his burning throne:Where is the duke? 'tis he should hear me speak. Escal. The duke's in us; and we will hear you speak: Look, you speak justly. Duke. Boldly, at least :-But, O, poor souls, Which here you come to accuse. Lucio. This is the rascal; this is he I spoke of. Escal. Why, thou unreverend and unhallow'd friar! Is't not enough, thou hast suborn'd these women Refer back. |