Our haste from hence is of so quick condition, Ang. Yet give leave, my lord, That we may bring you something on the way. Nor need you, on mine honor, have to do As to your soul seems good. Give me your hand. But do not like to stage me to their eyes: Duke. I thank you: fare you well. [Exit. pirate, that went to sea with the ten commandments, 2nd Gent. Thou shalt not steal? 1st. Gent. Why, 't was a commandment to command the captain and all the rest from their functions; they put forth to steal: There's not a soldier of us all, that, in the thanksgiving before meat, doth relish the petition well that prays for peace. 2nd Gent. I never heard any soldier dislike it. Lucio. I believe thee; for I think thou never wast were grace was said. 2nd Gent. No? a dozen times at least. Lucio. In any proportion, or in any language. Lucio. Ay! why not? Grace is grace, despite of all controversy: as for example; thou thyself art a wicked villain, despite of all grace. 1st Gent. Well, there went but a pair of shears between us. Lucio. I grant; as there may between the lists and the velvet: thou art the list. 1st Gent. And thou the velvet: thou art good velvet; thou art a three-piled piece, I warrant thee: I had as lief be a list of an English kersey, as be piled, as thou art piled, for a French velvet. A power I have; but of what strength and nature Do I speak feelingly now? Lucio. I think thou dost; and, indeed, with Ang. 'Tis so with me:-let us withdraw to- most painful feeling of thy speech: I will out of so sound as things that are hollow: thy bones are hollow impiety has made a feast of thee. Enter Bawd. 1st Gent. How now? which of your hips has the most profound sciatica? Bard. Well, well; there's one yonder arrested and carried to prison, was worth five thousand of you all. dio. 1st Gent. Who's that, I pray thee? Bawd. And what shall become of those in the city? Clo. They shall stand for seed: they had gone down too, but that a wise burgher put in for them. Bawd. But shall all our houses of resort in the suburbs be pulled down? Clo. To the ground, mistress. Bawd. Why, here's a change, indeed, in the commonwealth? What shall become of me? Clo. Come; fear not you; good counselors lack Bawd. Marry, sir, that's Claudio, Signior Clau- no clients: though you change your place, you need 1st Gent. Claudio to prison! 't is not so. Bawd. Nay, but I know 't is so: I saw him arrested; saw him carried away; and, which is more, within these three days his head's to be chopped off. Lucio. But, after all this fooling, I would not have it so: Art thou sure of this? Bawd. I am too sure of it: and it is for getting Madam Julietta with child. Lucio. Believe me, this may be; he promised to meet me two hours since; and he was ever precise in promise-keeping. 2nd Gent. Besides, you know, it draws something near to the speech we had to such a purpose. 1st Gent. But most of all, agreeing with the proclamation. Lucio. Away; let's go learn the truth of it. [Exeunt LUCIO and Gentlemen. Bawd. Thus, what with the war, what with the || sweat, what with the gallows, and what with poverty, I am custom-shrunk. How now? what's the news with you? Enter Clown. Clo. Yonder man is carried to prison. Clo. A woman. Bawd. But what 's his offense? Clo. Groping for trouts in a peculiar river. Bawd. What, is there a maid with child by him? Clo. No; but there is a woman with maid by him: You have not heard of the proclamation, have you? Bawd. What proclamation, man? Clo. All the houses in the suburbs of Vienna rest, I would send for certain of my creditors: and must be plucked down. yet, to say the truth, I had as lief have the foppery of freedom, as the morality of imprisonment. What I pr'y thee, Lucio, do me this kind service: Claud. What but to speak of would offend And there receive her approbation: again. Lucio. What is it? murder? Claud. No. Lucio. Lechery? Claud. Call it so. Prov. Away, sir; you must go. Claud. One word, good friend :- Lucio, a word with you. [Takes him aside. Lucio. A hundred, if they 'll do you any good. Is lechery so looked after? Acquaint her with the danger of my state; Such as moves men: beside, she hath prosperous art, When she will play with reason and discourse, Lucio. I pray she may as well for the encour Claud. Thus stands it with me: - Upon a true agement of the like, which else would stand under And the new deputy now for the Duke, Which have, like unscoured armor, hung by the wall Claud. I have done so, but he's not to be found. Duke. No, holy father; throw away that thought: Believe not that the dribbling dart of love Friar. May your grace speak of it! Duke. My holy sir, none better knows than you How I have ever loved the life removed; And held in idle price to haunt assemblies, Where youth, and cost, and witless bravery keeps. I have delivered to Lord Angelo (A man of stricture and firm abstinence) My absolute power and place here in Vienna, And he supposes me traveled to Poland; For so I have strewed it in the common ear, And so it is received: Now, pious sir, You will demand of me, why I do this? Friar. Gladly, my lord. Duke. We have strict statutes and most biting laws (The needful bits and curbs for headstrong steeds), Which for these fourteen years we have let sleep; Even like an o'ergrown lion in a cave, That goes not out to prey: Now, as fond fathers But rather wishing a more strict restraint Fran. It is a man's voice. Gentle Isabella, Turn you the key, and know his business of him; You may, I may not; you are yet unsworn: Becomes more mocked than feared: so ours de- When you have vowed, you must not speak with And not the punishment. Therefore, indeed, my To her unhappy brother Claudio? father, I have on Angelo imposed the office; k; Isab. Why her unhappy brother? let me ask The rather, for I now must make you know Who may, in the ambush of my name, strike home, I am that Isabella, and his sister. And yet my nature never in the sight To do it slander: And to behold his sway, I will, as 't were a brother of your order, Visit both prince and people; therefore, I pr'y thee - Is more to bread than stone: Hence shall we see, If power change purpose, what our seemers be. [Exeunt. SCENE V.-A Nunnery. Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA. Isab. And have you nuns no farther privileges? Fran. Are not these large enough? Lucio. Gentle and fair, your brother kindly greets you: Not to be weary with you, he 's in prison. Isab. Woe me! For what? Lucio. For that which, if myself might be his judge, He should receive his punishment in thanks: Isab. Sir, make me not your story. Lucio. 'T is true. I would not (though 't is my familiar sin With maids to seem the lapwing, and to jest As with a saint. Isab. You do blaspheme the good, in mocking me. Lucio. Do not believe it. Fewness and truth, 't is thus: Isab. Yes, truly; I speak not as desiring more; Your brother and his lover have embraced : As those that feed grow full; as blossoming time, And follows close the rigor of the statute, Isab. Some one with child by him? -My cousin Of business 'twixt you and your poor brother. Juliet? Lucio. Is she your cousin? Isab. Doth he so seek his life? Isab. Adoptedly; as schoolmaids change their Already; and, as I hear, the Provost hath The Duke is very strangely gone from hence; In hand, and hope of action: but we do learn And make us lose the good we oft might win, All their petitions are as freely theirs Isab. I will about it straight; No longer staying but to give the mother Isab. my Good sir, adieu. [Exeunt. Ang. We must not make a scarecrow of the law Had time cohered with place, or place with wish Whether you had not, sometime in your life, Than fall, and bruise to death: Alas! this gentle- Erred in this point which now you censure him, man, And pulled the law upon you. |