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As the from one ungot.
DUKE. We did believe no less.
Know you that Friar Lodowick, which she speaks of ?
Peter. I know him for a man divine and holy :
Not scurvy, nor a temporary medler,
As he's reported by this gentleman;
And, on my trust, a man that never yet
Did, as he vouches, mifreport your grace.
Lucio. My lord, most villainously; believe it.
Peter. Well: he in time may come to clear himself;
But at this instant he is sick my lord,
Of a strange fever. On his meer request,
(Being come to knowledge that there was complaint
Intended 'gainst lord Angelo) came I hither
To speak as from his mouth, what he doth know
Is true, and false; and what he with his oath
By all probation will make up full clear,
Whenever he's convented. First, for this woman;
To justify this worthy nobleman,
So vulgarly and personally accus'd,
Her shall you hear disproved to her eyes,
'Till she herself confefs it.
DUKE. Good Friar, let's hear it,
Do you not smile at this, lord Angelo ?
O heav'n! the vanity of wretched fools !
Give us fome feats ;-come, Cousin Angelo,
In this I will be partial: be you judge
Of your own cause. Is this the witness, Friar?

[Isabella is carried off, guarded SCENE III.

Enter Mariana veil'd. first let her shew her face; and, after, {pcak.

Until my

Mari. Pardon, my lord, I will not shew my face,

husband bid me.
Duke. What, are you marry’d?
Mari. No, my lord.
Duke. Are you a maid ?
Mari. No, my lord.
DUKE. A widow then?
MARI. Neither, my

lord.
Duke. Why, are you nothing then? neither maid, widow,
nor wife.
Lucio. My lord, she may be a punk; for many of them
are neither maid, widow, or wife.
DUKE. Silence that fellow : I would, he had some cause to
prattle for himself.
Lucio. Well, my lord.
Mari. My lord, I do confess, I ne'er was marry’d;
And, I confess, besides, I am no maid ;
I've known my husband; yet my husband knows not,
That ever he knew me.
Lucio. He was drunk then, my lord, it can be no better.
Duke. For the benefit of filence, would thou wert fo too.
Lucio. Well, my lord.
Duke. This is no witness for my lord Angelo.
Mari. Now I come to't, my lord.
She, that accuses him of fornication,
In self-fame manner doth accuse my husband;
And charges him, my lord, with such a time,
When I'll despose I had him in my arms,
With all th' effect of love.
ANG. Charges le more than me?
MARI. Not that I know.
Duke. No? you say, your husband. [To Mariana,
VOL. I.

Y

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 Ilabel's.
Ang. This is a strange abufe-Let's see thy face.
MARI. My husband bids me; now I' will unmask.(Unveiling
This is that face, thou cruel Angelo,
Which, once thou swor'st, was worth the looking on:
This is the hand, which, with a vow'd contract,
Was falt belock'd in thine : this is the body,
That took away the match from Isabel;
And did supply thee at thy garden-house
In her imagin’d person.
DUKE. Know you this woman?
Lucio. Carnally, she says.
Duke. Sirrah, no more.
Lucio. Enough, my lord.
Ang. My lord, I must confess, I know this woman;
And five

years

since there was fome speech of marriage Betwixt myself and her; which was broke off, Partly, for that her promised proportions Came short of composition; but, in chief, For that her reputation was disvalu'd . In levity ; since which time, of five years I never spake with her, saw her, nor heard from her, Upon my faith and honour. MARI. Noble prince, As there comes light from heav'n, and words from breath, As there is sense in truth, and truth in virtue, I am affianc'd this man's wife, as strongly As words could make up vows; and, my good lord, But Tuesday night last gone, it's garden-house, He knew me as a wife. As this is true,

Let me in safety raise me from my knees; Or else for ever be confixed here, A marble monument! ANG. I did but smile 'till now. Now, good my lord, give me the scope of justice ; My patience here is touch'd; I do perceive, These poor informal women are no more But instruments of some more mighty 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, Tho' they would swear down each particular saint, Were testimonies 'gainst his worth and credit, That's seald in approbation? You, lord Escalus, Sit with my cousin ; lend him your kind pains To find out this abuse, whence 'tis deriv'd. There is another Friar, that set them on; Let him be sent for. Peter. Would he were here, my lord; for he, indeed, Hath set the women on to this complaint. Your Provost knows the place, where he abides; And he may fetch him. Duke, Go, do it instantly. And you, my noble and well-warranted cousin, Whom it concerns to hear this matter forth; Do with your injuries as seems you best, In any chastisement: I for a while Will leave you : stir not you, 'till you have well Determined upon these slanderers,

[Exit.

Y Z

SCENE IV. Escal. My lord, we'll do it throughly. Signior Lucio, did not you say, you knew that Friar Lodowick to be a dishonest person? Luc10.“ Cucullus non facit monachum ;" honest in nothing, but in his cloaths; and one that has spoke most villainous speeches of the duke. ESCAL. We shall intreat you to abide here 'till he come, and inforce 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 ; I would speak with her: pray you, my lord, give me leave to question ; you shall see how I'll handle her. Lucro. Not better than he, by her own report. ESCAL. Say you Lucio. Marry, Sir, I think, if you handled her privately, The should sooner confess; perchance, publickly she'll be ashamed.

SCENE V.

?

En er Duke in the Friar's habit, and Provost. Isabella is

brought in. Escal. I will go darkly to work with her. Lucio. That's the way; for women are light at midnight. Escal. Come on, mistress: 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 time-speak not you to hiin, 'till we call upon you. Lucio. Mum