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Correction and instruction must both work,
Ere this rude beast will profit.

Elh. He must before the deputy, sir; he
has given him warning: the deputy cannot
abide a whoremaster: if he be a whoreton-
ger, and comes before him, he were as good
go a mile on his errand.
[seem to be,
Duke. That we were all, as some would
Free from our faults, as faults from seeming,
.free!
*Enter LUCIO.

Elb. His neck will come to your waist, a cord *, sir.

Clo. I spy comfort; I cry, bail: Here's a gentleman, and a friend of mine.

11

Lucio. How now, noble Pompey? What, at the heels of Cæsar? Art thou led in triumph? What, is there none of Pygmalion's images, newly made woman, to be had now, for putting the hand in the pocket and extracting it clutch'd? What reply? Ha? What say'st thou to this tune, matter, and method? Is't not drown'di' the last rain? Ha? What say'st thou, trot? Is the world as it was, man? Which is the way? Is it sad, and few words? Or how? The trick of it?..

Duke. Still thus, and thus! still worse! Lucio. How doth my dear morsel, thy mistress? Procures she still? Ha?

Clo. Troth, sir, she hath eaten up all her beef, and she is herself in the tubt.

Lucio. Why, 'tis good; it is the right of it; it must be so: Ever your fresh whore, and your powder'd bawd: An unshunn'd consequence; it must be so: Art going to prison, Pompey!

Clo. Yes, faith, sir.

Lucio. Why 'tis not amiss, Pompey: Farewell: Go; say, I sent thee thither. For debt, Pompey? Or how? 4

Duke. I know none: Can you tell me of any? Lucio. Some say, he is with the emperor of Russia; other some, he is in Rome: But where is he, think you? i

Duke. I know not where: But wheresoever, I wish him well.

Lucio. It was a mad fantastical trick of him, to steal from the state, and usurp the beggary he was never born to. Lord Angelo dakes it well in his absence; he puts transgression to't.

》,

Duke. He does well in't.

Lucio. A little more lenity to lechery would do no harm in him: something too crabbed that way, friar.

Duke. It is too general a vice, and severity must cure it.

Lucio. Yes, in good sooth, the vice is of a great kindred; it is well ally'd: but it is impossible to extirp it quité, friar, till eating and drinking be put down. They say, this Angelo was not made by man and woman, after the downright way of creation: Is it true, think you?

Duke. How should he be made then?

Lucio. Some report, a sea-maid spawn'd him :-Some, that he was begot between two stock-fishes:-But it is certain, that when he makes water, his urine is congeal'd ice; that I know to be true: and he is a motion !ungenerative, that's infallible.

Duke. You are pleasant, sir; and speak apace. Lucio. Why, what a ruthless thing is this in him, for the rebellion of a cod-piece, to take away the life of a man? Would the duke, that is absent, have done this? Ere he would have hang'd a man for the getting a hundred bastards, he would have paid for the nursing a thousand: He had some feeling of the sport; he knew the service, and that in

Duke. I never heard the absent duke much detected T for women; he was not inclined that way. Ma

Elb. For being a bawd, for being a bawd.structed him to mercy. Lucio. Well, then imprison him: If imprisonment be the due of a bawd, why, 'tis his right: Bawd is he, doubtless, and of antiquity, too; bawd-born. Farewell, good Pompey: Commend me to the prison, Pompey: You will turn good husband now, Pompey; you will keep the house‡.

Clo. I hope, sir, your good worship will be my bail.

Lucio. No, indeed, will I not, Pompey; it is not the weary. I will pray, Pompey, to increase your bondage: if you take it not patiently, why, your mettle is the more: Adieu, trusty Pompey. Bless you, friar.

Duke. And you.

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Lucio. Does Bridget paint still,Pompey? Ha?
Elb. Come your ways, sir; come.
Clo. You will not bail me then, sir?
Lucio, Then, Pompey nor now.
news abroad, friar? What news?

What

Elb. Come your ways, sir; come.!
Lucio. Go, to kennel, Pompey, go:
[Exeunt ELBOW, Clown, and Officers.
What news, friar, of the duke?

* Tied like your waist with a rope.
Puppet Suspected,

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Lucio. O, sir, you are deceived. Duke. 'Tis not possible., 1 Lucio. Who? not the duke? yes, your beggar of fifty;-and his use was, to put a ducat in her clack-dish: the duke had crotchets in him: He would be drunk too; that let me inform you.

Duke. You do him wrong, surely. Lucio. Sir, I was an inward of his: A shy fellow was the duke: and, I believe, I know the cause of his withdrawing.

Duke. What, I pr'ythee, might be the eanse? Lucio. No, pardon; 'tis a secret must be lock'd within the teeth and the lips: but this I can let you understand,-The greater file** of the subject held the duke to be wise.

Duke. Wise? why, no question but he was. Lucio. A very superficial, ignorant, unweighing†† fellow.

Duke. Either this is envy in you, folly, or mistaking the very stream of his life, and Powdering tub. Stay at home. Fashion.

** The majority of his subjects.

Inconsiderate.

the business he hath helm'd, must, upon a warranted need, give him a better proclamation. Let him be but testimonied in his own bringings forth, and he shall appear to the envious, a scholar, a statesman, and a soldier: Therefore, you speak unskilfully; or, if your knowledge be more, it is much darken'd in your malice.

Lucio. Sir, I know him, and I love him. Duke. Love talks with better knowledge, and knowledge with dearer love.

Lucio. Come, sir, I know what I know. Duke. I can hardly believe that, since you know not what you speak. But, if ever the duke return, (as our prayers are he may,) let me desire you to make your answer before him: If it be honest you have spoke, you have courage to maintain it: I am bound to call upon you; and, I pray you, your name? Lucio. Sir, my name is Lucio; well known to the duke.

Duke. He shall know you better, sir, if I may live to report you.

Lucio. I fear you not.

Duke. O, you hope the duke will return no more; or you imagine me too unhurtful an opposite t. But, indeed, I can do you little harm: you'll forswear this again.

was with child by him in the duke's time, he promised her marriage; his child is a year and a quarter old, come Philip and Jacob: I have kept it myself; and see how he goes about to abuse me.

Escal. That fellow is a fellow of much licence: let him be called before us.-Away with her to prison: Go to; no more words. [Exeunt Bawd and Officers.] Provost, my brother Angelo will not be alter'd, Claudio must die to-morrow: let him be furnished with divines, and bave all charitable preparation: if my brother wrought by my pity, it should not be so with him.

Prov. So please you, this friar hath been with him, and advised him for the entertainment of death.

Escal. Good even, good father.
Duke. Bliss and goodness on you!
Escal. Of whence are you? [is now
Duke. Not of this country, though my chance
To use it for my time: I am a brother
Of gracious order, late come from the see,
In special business from his holiness.

Escal. What news abroad i' the world? Duke. None, but that there is so great a fever on goodness, that the dissolution of it must cure it: novelty is only in request; and Lucio. I'll be hang'd first: thou art deceiv. it is as dangerous to be aged in any kind of ed in me, friar. But no more of this: Canst course, as it is virtuous to be constant in any thou tell, if Claudio die to-morrow, or no? undertaking. There is scarce truth enough Duke. Why should he die, sir? alive, to make societies secure; but security Lucio. Why? for filling a bottle with a tun-enough, to make fellowships accurs'd: much dish. I would, the duke, we talk of, were re-upon this riddle runs the wisdom of the world. turn'd again: this ungenitur'd agent will un- This news is old enough, yet it is every day's people the province with continency; spar-news. I pray you, sir, of what disposition rows must not build in his house eaves, be was the duke? cause they are lecherous. The duke yet would have dark deeds darkly answer'd; he would never bring them to light: would he were return'd! Marry, this Claudio is condemn'd for Escal. Rather rejoicing to see another untrussing. Farewell, good friar; I pr'ythee, merry, than merry at any thing which propray for me. The duke, I say to thee again, fess'd to make him rejoice: a gentleman of would eat mutton on Fridays. He's now all temperance. But leave we him to his past it: yet, and I say to thee, he would events, with a prayer they may prove prospemouth with a beggar, though she smelt brown rous; and let ine desire to know how you find bread and garlick: say, that I said so. Fare-Claudio prepared. I am made to understand, well. that you have lent him visitation.

[Exit. Duke. No might nor greatness in mortality Can censure 'scape; back-wounding calumny The whitest virtue strikes: What king so strong, Can tie the gall up in the slanderous tongue? But who comes here?

Escal. One, that, above all other strifes, contended especially to know himself. Duke. What pleasure was he given to?

Duke. He professes to have received no sinister measure from his judge, but most willingly humbles himself to the determination of justice: yet had be framed to himself, by the instruction of his frailty, many deceiving pro

Enter ESCALUS, Provost, Bawd, and Officers.mises of life; which I, by my good leisure, Escal. Go, away with her to prison.

have discredited to him, and now is he resolv

Bawd. Good my lord, be good to me; youred || to die. honour is accounted a merciful man: good my lord.

Escal. Double and treble admonition, and still forfeit in the same kind? This would make mercy swear, and play the tyrant. Prov. A bawd of eleven years continuance, may it please your honour.

Escul. You have paid the heavens your function, and the prisoner the very debt of your calling. I have labour'd for the poor gentleman, to the extremest shore of my modesty; but my brother justice have I found so severe, that he hath forced me to tell him, he is indeed-justice.

Bawd, My lord, this is one Lucio's infor- Duke, If his own life answer the straitness mation against me: mistress Kate Keep-down of his proceeding, it shall become him well :

• Guided.

! Have a wench...

+ Opponent.
Transgressi a 'gană || Satisfied,

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woe.

Enter DUKE.

I cry you mercy, sir; and well could wish You had not found me here so musical :Let me excuse me, and believe me so,My mirth it much displeas'd, but pleas'd my [such a charm, Duke. 'Tis good though musick oft hath To make bad good, and good provoke to harm. I pray you, tell me, hath any body inquired for me here to-day? much upon this time have I promis'd here to meet.

Mari. You have not been inquired after; I have sat here all day!

། * Enter ISABELLA.

Duke. I do constantly believe you :-The time is come, even now. I shall crave your forbearance a little; may be, I will call upon you anon, for some advantage to yourself. Mari. I am always bound to you. [Exit. Duke. Very well met, and welcome. What is the news from this good deputy? Isab. He hath a garden circunimur'd with brick,

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Whose western side is with a vineyard back'd; And to that vineyard is a planched gate, That makes his opening with this bigger key: This other doth command a little door, Which from the vineyard to the garden leads; There have I made my promise to call on him,

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Twice treble shame on Angelo,
To weed my vice, and let his grow!,
O, what may man within him hide,
Though angel on the outward side!
How may likeness*, madet in crimes,
Making practice on the times,
Draw with idle spiders' strings
Most pond'rous and substantial things!
Craft against vice I must apply:
With Angelo to-night shall lie
His old betrothed, but despis'd;
So disguise shall, by the disguis'd,
Pay with falsehood false exacting,
And perform an old contracting.

IV.

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[Exit,

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Duke. Do you persuade yourself that I respect you?

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Mari. Good friar, I know you do; and have found it. [the hand, Duke. Take then this your companion by Who hath a story ready for your ear:

I shall attend your leisure; but make haste; The vaporous night approaches. a toalet Mari Will't please you walk aside? [Exeunt MARIANA and ISABELLA Duke. O place and greatness, millions of false eyes

Are stuck upon thee! volumes of report Run with these false and most contrarious quests **

Upon thy doings! thousand 'scapes tt of wit Make thee the father of their idle dream, And rack thee in their fancies!-Welcome! How agreed?:

.d

Re-enter MARIANA and ISABELLA. ZA Isabe She'll take the enterprise upon her, If you advise it..sm Mali father, Trained. Walled Gound. ¶ Waits** Inquisitions,inquiries.

Planked, wooden. tt Sallies.

Duke..

It is not my consent,› But my entreaty too. Isab. Little have you to say, When you depart from him, but, soft and Remember now my brother. [low, Mari. Fear me not. Duke. Nor, gentle daughter, fear you not He is your husband on a pre-contract: [atall: To bring you thus together, 'tis no sin; Sith that the justice of your title to him Doth flourish † the deceit. Come, let us go; Our corn's to reap, for yet our tithe's to sow. T *[Exeunt.

SCENE II. A Room in the Prison.

Enter Provost and Clown. Prov. Come hither, sirrah: Can you cut off a man's head?

Clo. If the man be a bachelor, sir, I can: bat if he be a married man, he is his wife's head, and I can never cut off a woman's head. Prov. Come, sir, leave me your snatches, and yield me a direct answer. To-morrow morning are to die Claudio and Barnardine: Here is in our prison a common executioner, who in his office lacks a helper: if you will take it on you to assist him, it shall redeem you from your gyves; if not, you shall have your full time of imprisonment, and your de liverance with an unpitied whipping; for you have been a notorious bawd.

Clo. Sir, I have been an unlawful bawd, time out of mind: but yet I will be content to be a lawful hangman. I would be glad to receive some instruction from my fellow part[horson, there? Prov. What ho, Abhorson! Where's AbEnter ABHORSON.

ner.

Abhor. Do you call, sir?

Prov. Sirrab, here's a fellow will help you to-morrow in your execution: If you think it meet, compound with him by the year, and let him abide here with you; if not, use him for the present, and dismiss him: He cannot plead his estimation with you; he hath been a bawd.

Abhor. A bawd, sir? Fye upon him, he will discredit our mystery. Boboi Prov. Go to, sir; you weigh equally a feather will turn the scale. [Exit. Clo. Pray, sir, by your good favour, (for, surely, sir, a good favour ¶ you have, but that you have a hanging look,) do you call, sir, your occupation a mystery?

Abhor. Ay, sir; a mystery.

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Clo. Painting, sir, I have heard say, is a mystery; and your whores, sir, being members of my occupation, using painting, do prove my occupation a mystery: but what mystery there should be in hanging, if I should be hang'd, I cannot imagine Abhor. Sir, it is a mystery.

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Clo. Proof... to a 1999 3. Abhor, Every true man'sapparel fits your thief: If it be too little for your thief, your

true man thinks it big enough; if it be too big for your thief, your thief thinks it little enough: so every true man's apparel fits your thief, Re-enter Provost.

Prov. Are you agreed?

Clo. Sir, I will serve him; for I do find, your hangman is a more penitent trade than your bawd; he doth oftener ask forgiveness. Prov. You, sirrah, provide your block and your axe, to-morrow four o'clock. Abhor. Come on, bawd; I will instruct thee in my trade; follow.

Clo. I do desire to learn, sir; and, I hope, if you have occasion to use me for your own turn, you shall, find me yare tt; for, truly sir, for your kindness, I owe you a good turn. Prov. Call hither Barnardine and Claudio: [Exeunt Clown and ABHORSON. One has my pity; not a jot the other, Being a murderer, though he were my brother. Enter CLAUDIO.

Look, here's the warrant, Claudio, for thy death: [row 'Tis now dead midnight, and by eight to-morThou must be made immortal. Where's Barnardine? [less labour Claud. As fast lock'd up in sleep, as guiltWhen it lies starkly in the traveller's bones: He will not wake. Prov Who can do good on him Well, go, prepare yourself. But hark, what noise?... [Knocking within. Heaven give your spirits comfort!

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[Exit CLAUDIO.

I hope it is some pardon, or reprieve,
For the most gentle Claudio-Welcome,father..
Enter DUKE.

Not Isabel?

- Duke. The best and wholesomest spirits of the night [here of late? Envelop you, good Provost! Who call'd Prou. None, since the curfew rung. Duke. Prov. No. Duke. They will then, ere't be long.. Prov. What comfort is for Claudio? Duke. There's some in hoped Prov. It is a bitter deputy. Duke. Not so, not so; his life is parallel'd Even with the stroke and line of his great He doth with holy abstinence subdue [justice; That in hims If, which he spurs on his power To qualify in others: were he meal'd fil With that which he corrects, then were her tyrannous [comeBut this being so, he's just.Now are they [Knocking within.-Provost goes out. This is a gentle provost : Seldom, when The steeled gaoler is the friend of men.How now? What noise? That spirit's pos sess'd with haste, [strokes.

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That wounds the unsisting postern with these
Provost returns, speaking to one at the door,
Prou. There he must stay, until the officer
Arise to let him in; he is call'd up

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Since. Gild, or varnish over. Tilth, land prepared for sowing. Fetters.
Countenance, Honest Ready J. Stifly.q25 Moderate.

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Trade. Defiled.

Duke. Have you no countermand for present, or to come insensible of mortality, Claudio yet, and desperately mortal.

But he must die to-morrow?

Prov. None, sir, none. Duke. As near the dawning, Provost, as it is, You shall hear more ere morning. Prov.

Happily*, You something know; yet, I believe there

comes

No countermand; no such example have we:
Besides, upon the very siege of justice,
Lord Angelo hath to the public ear
Profess'd the contrary.

Enter a Messenger.

Duke. This is his lordship's man. Prov. And here comes Claudio's pardon. Mess. My lord hath sent you this note; and by me this further charge, that you swerve not from the smallest article of it, neither in time, matter, or other circumstance. Good morrow; for, as I take it, it is almost day. Prov. I shall obey him. [Exit Messenger. Duke. This is his pardon; purchas'd by such sin, [Aside.

For which the pardoner himself is in:
Hence hath offence his quick celerity,
When it is borne in high authority:
When vice makes mercy, mercy's so extended,
That for the fault's love, is the offender
Now, sir, what news?
[friended.

Prov. I told you: Lord Angelo, belike, thinking me remiss in mine office, awakens me with this unwonted putting on: methinks, strangely; for he hath not used it before.

Duke. Pray you, let's hear.

Prov. [Reads.] Whatsoever you may hear to the contrary, let Claudio be executed by four of the clock; and, in the after noon, Burnardine: for my better satisfaction, let me have Claudio's head sent me by five. Let this be duly perform'd; with a thought, that more depends on it than we must yet deliver. Thus fail not to do your office, as you will answer it at your peril. What say you to this, sir?

Duke. What is that Barnardine, who is to be executed in the afternoon?

Prov. A Bohemian born; but here nursed up and bred one that is a prisoner nine years old §.

Duke. How came it, that the absent duke had not either deliver'd him to his liberty, or executed him? I have heard, it was ever his manner to do so.

Prov. His friends still wrought reprieves for him: And, indeed, his fact, till now in the government of lord Angelo, came not to an undoubtful proof.

Duke. Is it now apparent?

Prov. Most manifest, and not denied by himself.

Duke. Hath he borne himself penitently in prison? How seems he to be touch'd?

Prov. A man that apprehends death no more dreadfully, but as a drunken sleep; careless, reckless, and fearless of what's past,

• Perhaps. ¡ Seat. Spur, incitement.

Duke. He wants advice.

Prov. He will hear none: he hath ever more had the liberty of the prison; give him leave to escape hence, he would not drunk many times a day, if not many days entirely drunk. We have very often awaked him, as if to carry him to execution, and 'show'd hims a seeming warrant for it: it hath not moved him at all.

Duke. More of him anon. There is written in your brow, Provost, honesty and constancy: if I read it not truly, my ancient skill beguiles me; but, in the boldness of my cunning, I will lay myself in hazard. Claudio, whom here you have a warrant to execute, is no greater forfeit to the law than Angelo who hath sentenced him: To make you understand this in a manifested effect, I crave but four days' respite; for the which you are to do me both a present and a dangerous courtesy.

Prov. Pray, sir, in what?

Duke. In the delaying death.

Prov. Alack! how may 1 do it? having the hour limited; and an express command, under penalty, to deliver his head in the view of Angelo? I may make my case as Claudio's, to cross this in the smallest.

Duke. By the vow of mine order, I warrant you, if my instructions may be your guide. Let this Barnardine be this morning executed, and his head borne to Angelo,

Prov. Angelo hath seen them both, and will discover the favour .

Duke. O, death's a great disguiser: and you may add to it. Shave the head, and tie the beard; and say, it was the desire of the penitent to be so bared before his death: You know, the course is common. If any thing fall to you upon this, more than thanks and good fortune, by the saint whom I profess, I will plead against it with my life.

Prov. Pardon me, good father; it is against my oath.

Duke. Were you sworn to the duke, or to the deputy?

Prov. To him, and to his substitutes. Duke. You will think you have made no offence, if the duke avouch the justice of your dealing?

Prov. But what likelihood is in that?

Duke. Not a resemblance, but a certainty. Yet since I see you fearful, that neither my coat, integrity, nor my persuasion, can with ease attempt you, I will go further than L meant, to pluck all fears out of you. Look you, sir, here is the hand and seal of the duke. You know the character, I doubt not; and the signet is not strange to you.

Prov. I know them both.'

Duke. The contents of this is the return of the duke; you shall anon over-read it at your pleasure; where you shall find, within these two days he will be here. This is a thing,

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