Duke. He dies for Claudio's death.

Isa. Most bounteous sir,

[Kneeling.

Look, if it please you, on this man condemn'd,,
As if my brother liv'd: I partly think,

A due sincerity govern'd his deeds,

Till he did look on me; since 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 perish'd by the way: thoughts are no subjects; Intents but merely thoughts.

Mari. Merely, my lord.

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

:

[They rise.

I have bethought me of another fault :-
Provost, 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 mes

sage.

Duke. For which I do discharge you of your of

fice:

Give up your keys.

Prov. Pardon me, noble lord:

I thought it was a fault, but knew it not;
Yet did repent me after more advice:
For testimony whereof, 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 hadst done so by Claudio.

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

[Exit PROVOST, into the City.

Esca. I am sorry, one so learned and so wise
As you, Lord Angelo, have still appear'd,
Should slip so grossly, both in heat of blood,
And lack of temper'd judgment afterward.

Ang. I am sorry, that such sorrow I procure:
And so deep sticks it in my penitent heart,
That I crave death more willingly than mercy:
'Tis my deserving, and I do entreat it.

Enter PROVOST, BARNARDINE, and CLAUDIO, muffled, from the City.

Duke. Which is that Barnardine ?

Prov. This, my lord.

Duke. There was a friar told me of this man:Sirrah, thou art said to have a stubborn soul, That apprehends no further than this world,

And squar'st thy life according. Thou art condemn'd;

But, for those earthly faults, I quit them all;
And pray thee, take this mercy, to provide
For better times to come:-

I leave him to your

hand.

Friar, advise him;

[Exeunt BARNARDINE and FRIAR PETER, into the City.

What muffled fellow's that?

Prov. This is another prisoner, that I sav'd, Who should have died when Claudio lost his head; As like almost to Claudio, as himself.

Duke. If he be like your brother, for his sake Is he pardon'd.

[CLAUDIO discovers himself,-ISABELLA runs
and embraces him.

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.

H

I find an apt remission in myself;

And yet here's one in place I cannot pardon ;-
You, sirrah, that knew me for a fool, a coward,
One all of luxury, an ass, a madman :—
Wherein have I deserved so of you,

That you extol me thus?

Lucio. 'Faith, my lord, I spoke it but according to the trick: If you will hang me for it, you may; but I had rather it would please you, I might be whipp'd. Duke. Whipp'd first, sir, and hang'd after.Proclaim it, Provost, round about the city, If any woman's wrong'd by this lewd fellow, (As I have heard him swear himself, there's one Whom he begot with child,) let her appear, And he shall marry her: the nuptial finish'd, Let him be whipp'd and hang'd.

Lucio. I beseech your highness, do not marry me to a punk! Your highness said, even now, I made you a duke; good my lord, do not recompense me, in making me a cuckold.

Duke. Upon mine honour, thou shalt marry her.— Thy slanders I forgive; and therewithal

Remit thy other forfeits :-Take him to prison:
And see our pleasure herein executed.

Lucio. Marrying a punk, my lord, is pressing to death, whipping, and hanging.

Duke. Sir,

Slandering a prince deserves it.

[Exeunt Lucio, and two APPAritors. She, Claudio, that you wrong'd, look you restore:— Joy to you, Mariana!—love her, Angelo : Thanks, good friend Escalus, for thy much good

ness:

:

Thanks, Provost, for thy care, and secrecy;
We shall employ thee in a worthier place.-
For thee, sweet saint,-if for a brother sav'd,
From that most holy shrine thou wert devote to,
Thou deign to spare some portion of thy love,

Thy Duke, thy Friar, tempts thee from thy vow:
In its right orb let thy true spirit shine,
Blessing both prince and people:-thus we'll reign,
Rich in possession of their hearts, and, warn'd
By the abuse of delegated trust,

Engrave this royal maxim on the mind,
To rule ourselves, before we rule mankind.

[Exeunt.

THE END.