end. If bawdy talk offend you, we'll have very little of it. Nay, friar, I am a kind of burr; I shall stick. SCENE IV. A room in Angelo's House Enter ANGELO and ESCALUS [Exeunt. Escalus. Every letter he hath writ hath disvouched other. Angelo. In most uneven and distracted manner. His actions show much like to madness; pray heaven his wisdom be not tainted! And why meet him at the gates, and redeliver our authorities there? Escalus. I guess not. Angelo. And why should we proclaim it in an hour before his entering, that if any crave redress of injustice they should exhibit their petitions in the street? Escalus. He shows his reason for that: to have a dispatch of complaints, and to deliver us from devices hereafter, which shall then have no power to stand against us. Angelo. Well, I beseech you, let it be proclaimed betimes i' the morn; I'll call you at your house. Give notice to such men of sort and suit as are to meet him. Escalus. I shall, sir. Fare you well. Angelo. Good night. II 20 [Exit Escalus. This deed unshapes me quite, makes me unpregnant And dull to all proceedings. A deflower'd maid! And by an eminent body that enforc'd The law against it! But that her tender shame How might she tongue me! Yet reason dares her no; That no particular scandal once can touch But it confounds the breather. He should have liv'd, With ransom of such shame. Would yet he had liv'd! 29 Nothing goes right; we would, and we would not. [Exit. SCENE V. Fields without the Town Enter DUKE in his own habit, and FRIAR Peter Duke. These letters at fit time deliver me. [Giving letters. The provost knows our purpose and our plot. Though sometimes you do blench from this to that, Friar Peter. It shall be speeded well. [Exit. Enter VARRIUS Duke. I thank thee, Varrius; thou hast made good haste. Come, we will walk. There's other of our friends SCENE VI. Street near the City Gate Enter ISABELLA and MARIANA Isabella. To speak so indirectly I am loath. I would say the truth, but to accuse him so, That is your part; yet I am advis'd to do it, He says, to veil full purpose. Mariana. 12 [Exeunt. Be rul'd by him. Isabella. Besides, he tells me that, if peradventure He speak against me on the adverse side, I should not think it strange; for 't is a physic That 's bitter to sweet end. Mariana. I would Friar Peter Isabella. O, peace! the friar is come. Enter FRIAR PETER Friar Peter. Come, I have found you out a stand most fit, Where you may have such vantage on the duke 10 He shall not pass you. Twice have the trumpets sounded; The generous and gravest citizens Have hent the gates, and very near upon The duke is entering; therefore, hence, away! [Exeunt. MARIANA veiled, ISABELLA, and FRIAR PETER, at their stand. Enter DUKE, VARRIUS, Lords, ANGELO, ESCALUS, LUCIO, PROVOST, Officers, and Citizens, at several doors Duke. My very worthy cousin, fairly met! Our old and faithful friend, we are glad to see you. Angelo. Escalus. Happy return be to your royal grace ! Duke. Many and hearty thankings to you both. Angelo. You make my bonds still greater. Duke. O, your desert speaks loud; and I should wrong it, To lock it in the wards of covert bosom When it deserves, with characters of brass, FRIAR PETER and ISABELLA come forward ΤΟ Friar Peter. Now is your time; speak loud and kneel before him. Isabella. Justice, O royal duke! Vail your regard Upon a wrong'd, I would fain have said, a maid! O worthy prince, dishonour not your eye By throwing it on any other object Till you have heard me in my true complaint 21 |