you say?

Isab. I am the sister of one Claudio, Condemn'd upon the act of fornication

To lose his head; condemn'd by Angelo: I, in probation of a sisterhood,

Was sent to by my brother; one Lucio As then the messenger,

Lucio.

An

120

That's I, an't like your grace: I came to her from Claudio, and desired her Το try her gracious fortune with Lord Angelo For her poor brother's pardon.

Isab.

That's he indeed. Duke. You were not bid to speak. Lucio. No, my good lord; Nor wish'd to hold my peace. Duke. I wish you now, then; Pray you, take note of it: and when you have 80 A business for yourself, pray heaven you then Be perfect. Lucio.

I warrant your honour.

Duke. The warrant's for yourself; take heed to't.

Isab. This gentleman told somewhat of my tale,

Lucio. Right.

Duke. It may be right; but you are i' the wrong To speak before your time. Proceed. Isab.

I went

Isab. One that I would were here, Friar Lodowick.

Duke. A ghostly father, belike. Who knows that Lodowick?

Lucio. My lord, I know him; 'tis a meddling friar ; I do not like the man: had he been lay, my lord, For certain words he spake against your grace your retirement, I had swinged him soundly. Duke. Words against me! this is a good friar,

In

belike!

131

And to set on this wretched woman here
Against our substitute! Let this friar be found.
Lucio. But yesternight, my lord, she and
that friar,

I saw them at the prison: a saucy friar,
A very scurvy fellow.

Fri. P. Blessed be your royal grace!

140

I have stood by, my lord, and I have heard
Your royal ear abused. First, hath this woman
Most wrongfully accused your substitute,
Who is as free from touch or soil with her
As she from one ungot.
Duke.
We did believe no less.
Know you that Friar Lodowick that she speaks of?
Fri. P. I know him for a man divine and holy;
Not scurvy, nor a temporary meddler,
As he's reported by this gentleman;
And, on my trust, a man that never yet
Did, as he vouches, misreport your grace.

Lucio. My lord, most villanously; believe it. Fri. P. Well, he in time may come to clear himself;

Good friar, let's hear it. [Isabella is carried off guarded; and Mariana comes forward.

Do you not smile at this, Lord Angelo?
O heaven, the vanity of wretched fools!
Give us some seats. Come, cousin Angelo;
In this I'll be impartial; be you judge
Of your own cause. Is this the witness, friar?
First, let her show her face, and after speak.
Mari. Pardon, my lord; I will not show my
face

Until my husband bid me.

Duke. What, are you married?
Mari. No, my lord.

Duke. Are you a maid?

Mari. No, my lord.

170

Lucio. Well, my lord.

Duke. This is no witness for Lord Angelo. Mari. Now I come to't, my lord: She that accuses him of fornication,

In self-same manner doth accuse my husband,
And charges him, my lord, with such a time
When I'll depose I had him in mine arms
With all the effect of love.

Ang. Charges she more than me?
Mari.

191

Not that I know. 200 Duke. 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, Which once thou sworest was worth the looking on;

This is the hand which, with a vow'd contract,
Was fast belock'd in thine; this is the body 210
That took away the match from Isabel,
And did supply thee at thy garden-house
In her imagined person.

Duke.

Know you this woman? Lucie. Carnally, she says. Duke.

Sirrah, no more!

Lucio. Enough, my lord.
Ang. My lord, I must confess I know this

In levity: since which time of five years

220

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 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 to your height of pleasure. 240
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,

Were testimonies against his worth and credit
That's seal'd in approbation? You, Lord Escalus,
Sit with my cousin; lend him your kind pains
To find out this abuse, whence 'tis derived.
There is another friar that set them on;
Let him be sent for.

Fri. P. 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.

250

Duke. Go do it instantly. [Exit Provost. 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; But stir not you till you have well determined Upon these slanderers.

Escal. My lord, we'll do it throughly.

260 [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 villanous 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. word.

Lucio. As any in Vienna, on my Escal. Call that same Isabel here once again: I would speak with her. [Exit an Attendant.] 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. Escal. Say you?

Lucio. Marry, sir, I think, if you handled her privately, she would sooner confess: perchance, publicly, she'll be ashamed.

Escal. I will go darkly to work with her. Lucio. That's the way; for women are light at midnight.

281

Mari.

Noble prince,

As there comes light from heaven and words from breath,

As there is sense in truth and truth in virtue,
I am affianced this man's wife as strongly
As words could make up vows: and, my good lord,
But Tuesday night last gone in's garden-house
He knew me as a wife. As this is true,
Let me in safety raise me from my knees;

230

VOST with the DUKE in his friar's habit.

Look you speak justly.

Duke. Boldly, at least. But, O, poor souls, Come you to seek the lamb here of the fox? 300 Good night to your redress! Is the duke gone? Then is your cause gone too. The duke's unjust, Thus to retort your manifest appeal, And put your trial in the villain's mouth 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 To accuse this worthy man, but, in foul mouth And in the witness of his proper ear,

310 To call him villain? and then to glance from him To the duke himself, to tax him with injustice? Take him hence; to the rack with him! We'll touse you

Joint by joint, but we will know his purpose.
What, unjust'!

Duke.

Be not so hot; the duke

Escal. Slander to the state! Away with him to prison !

Ang. What can you vouch against him, Signior Lucio?

Is this the man that you did tell us of?

Lucio. 'Tis he, my lord. Come hither, goodman baldpate: do you know me?

Duke. I remember you, sir, by the sound of your voice: I met you at the prison, in the absence of the duke.

Lucio. O, did you so? And do you remember what you said of the duke?

Duke. Most notedly, sir. Lucio. Do you so, sir? And was the duke a fleshmonger, a fool, and a coward, as you then reported him to be?

Duke. You must, sir, change persons with me, ere you make that my report: you, indeed, spoke so of him; and much more, much worse. 341 Lucio. O thou damnable fellow! Did not I pluck thee by the nose for thy speeches?

Duke. I protest I love the duke as I love myself.

Ang Hark, how the villain would close now, after his treasonable abuses!

Escal. Such a fellow is not to be talked withal. Away with him to prison! Where is the provost?

Away with him to prison ! lay bolts enough upon him: let him speak no more. Away with those giglots too, and with the other confederate companion !

Duke. [To Provost] Stay, sir; stay awhile. Ang. What, resists he? Help him, Lucio. Lucio. Come, sir; come, sir; come, sir; foh, sir! Why, you bald-pated, lying rascal, you must be hooded, must you? Show your knave's visage, with a pox to you! show your sheep-biting face, and be hanged an hour! Will't not off? 360 [Pulls off the friar's hood, and discovers the Duke.

Duke. Thou art the first knave that e'er madest a duke:

First, provost, let me bail these gentle three. [To Lucio] Sneak not away, sir; for the friar and

you

Must have a word anon. Lay hold on him.
Lucio. This may prove worse than hanging.
Duke. [To Escalus] What you have spoke I
pardon: sit you down:

We'll borrow place of him. [To Angelo] Sir, by your leave.

Hast thou or word, or wit, or impudence,
That yet can do thee office? If thou hast,
Rely upon it till my tale be heard,
And hold no longer out.
Ang.

O my dread lord,
I should be guiltier than my guiltiness,
To think I can be undiscernible,

370

When I perceive your grace, like power divine,
Hath look'd upon my passes. Then, good prince,
No longer session hold upon my shame,

But let my trial be mine own confession:
Immediate sentence then and sequent death
Is all the grace I beg.
Duke.

Come hither, Mariana.
Say, wast thou e'er contracted to this woman? 380
Ang. I was, my lord.

Duke. Go take her hence, and marry her instantly.

Do you the office, friar; which consummate,
Return him here again. Go with him, provost.
[Exeunt Angelo, Mariana, Friar Peter
and Provost.
Escal. My lord, I am more amazed at his
dishonour

Than at the strangeness of it.
Duke.
Come hither, Isabel.
Your friar is now your prince: as I was then
Advertising and holy to your business,
Not changing heart with habit, I am still
Attorney'd at your service.
Isab

O, give me pardon,
That I, your vassal, have employ'd and pain' 390
Your unknown sovereignty!
Duke.
You are pardon'd, Isabel:
And now, dear maid, be you as free to us.
Your brother's death, I know, sits at your heart;
And you may marvel why I obscured myself,
Labouring to save his life, and would not rather
Make rash remonstrance of my hidden power
Than let him so be lost. O most kind maid,
It was the swift celerity of his death,
Which I did think with slower foot came on, 400
That brain'd my purpose. But, peace be with
him!

That life is better life, past fearing death,

420

We do condemn thee to the very block
Where Claudio stoop'd to death, and with like
haste.
Away with him!
Mari.
O my most gracious lord,
I hope you will not mock me with a husband.
Duke. It is your husband mock'd you with a
husband.

Consenting to the safeguard of your honour,
I thought your marriage fit; else imputation,
For that he knew you, might reproach your life:
And choke your good to come: for his pos-
sessions,

Although by confiscation they are ours,
We do instate and widow you withal,
To buy you a better husband.

Mari.

O my dear lord, 430 I crave no other, nor no better man. Duke. Never crave him; we are definitive. Mari. Gentle my liege,- [Kneeling. Duke. You do but lose your labour. Away with him to death! [To Lucio] Now, sir,

to you. Mari. O my good lord! Sweet Isabel, take

my part;

Lend me your knees, and all my life to come
I'll lend you all my life to do you. service.

Duke. Against all sense you do importune

her:

Should she kneel down in mercy of this fact, Her brother's ghost his paved bed would break, And take her hence in horror.

Mari.

Isabel,

441

Sweet Isabel, do yet but kneel by me;
Hold up your hands, say nothing; I'll speak all.
They say, best men are moulded out of faults;
And, for the most, become much more the better
For being a little bad: so may my husband.
O Isabel, will you not lend a knee?
Duke. He dies for Claudio's death.
Isab.
Most bounteous sir, [Kneeling.
Look, if it please you, on this man condemn'd,
As if my brother lived: I partly think

450

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

Your suit's unprofitable; stand up,

I have bethought me of another fault.
Provost, how came it Claudio was beheaded
At an unusual hour?

460

Prov.
It was commanded so.
Duke. Had you a special warrant for the
deed?

Prov. No, my good lord; it was by private message.

Duke. For which I do discharge you of your office: Give up your keys.

Prov.

470

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 reserved alive. Duke. 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.

What's he?

Escal. I am sorry, one so learned and so

wise

As you, Lord Angelo, have still appear'd, Should slip so grossly, both in the heat of blood, And lack of temper'd judgement afterward.

Ang. I am sorry that such sorrow I pro

cure :

And so deep sticks it in my penitent heart 480 That I crave death more willingly than mercy; 'Tis my deserving, and I do entreat it. Re-enter PROVOST, with BARNARDINE, CLAUDIO muffled, and Juliet.

Duke. Prov.

Which is that Barnardine?

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 squarest thy life according. Thou'rt con-
demn'd:

But, for those earthly faults, I quit them all;
And pray thee take this mercy to provide
For better times to come. Friar, advise him; 490
I leave him to your hand. What muffled fellow's
that?

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

He is my brother too: but fitter time for that.
By this Lord Angelo perceives he's safe;
Methinks I see a quickening in his eye.
Well, Angelo, your evil quits you well:

500

One all of luxury, an ass, a madman;
Wherein have I so deserved 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 whipt.

Duke. Whipt first, sir, and hanged after. Proclaim it, provost, round about the city, Is any woman 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 whipt and hang'd.

Lucio. I beseech your highness, do not marry me to a whore. Your highness said even now,

And see our pleasure herein executed.
Lucio. Marrying a punk, my lord, is pressing
to death, whipping, and hanging.
Duke. Slandering a prince deserves.it.

530

[Exeunt Officers with Lucio. She, Claudio, that you wrong'd, look you restore. Joy to you, Mariana! Love her, Angelo: I have confess'd her and I know her virtue. Thanks, good friend Escalus, for thy much good

ness:

540

There's more behind that is more gratulate.
Thanks, provost, for thy care and secrecy:
We shall employ thee in,a worthier place.
Forgive him, Angelo, that brought you home
The head of Ragozine for Claudio's:
The offence pardons itself. Dear Isabel,
I have a motion much imports your good;
Whereto if you'll a willing ear incline,
What's mine is yours and what is yours is mine.
So, bring us to our palace; where we'll show
What's yet behind, that's meet you all should
know.
[Exeunt.