Escal. Double and treble admonition, and still 205 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.

Mrs. Ov. My lord, this is one Lucio's informa- 210 tion against me. Mistress Kate Keepdown was with child by him in the Duke's time. He promis'd 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 215 abuse me!

Escal. That fellow is a fellow of much license; let him be call'd before us. Away with her to prison! Go to; no more words. [Exeunt Officers with Mistress Ov.] Provost, my brother Angelo will not be alter'd; Claudio must die to-morrow. Let him be furnish'd 220 with divines, and have 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 advis'd him for the entertainment of 225 death.

Escal. Good even, good father.

Duke. Bliss and goodness on you!

Escal. Of whence are you?

Duke. Not of this country, though my chance is now 230

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 235 on goodness, that the dissolution of it must

cure it.
Novelty is only in request; and it is
as dangerous to be aged in any kind of course,
as it is virtuous to be constant in any under-
taking. There is scarce truth enough alive to 240
make societies secure; but security enough to
make fellowships accurst. Much upon this rid-
dle runs the wisdom of the world.

This news is old enough, yet it is every day's news. I pray you, sir, of what disposition was the Duke? Escal. One that, above all other strifes, contended especially to know himself.

245

Duke. What pleasure was he given to? Escal. Rather rejoicing to see another merry, than merry at anything which profess'd to make 250 him rejoice; a gentleman of all temperance. But leave we him to his events, with a prayer they may prove prosperous; and let me desire to know how you find Claudio prepar'd.

I am made to understand that you have lent 255 him visitation.

Duke. He professes to have received no sinister

measure from his judge, but most willingly

humbles himself to the determination of justice; yet had he framed to himself, by the instruction of his frailty, many deceiving promises 260 of life, which I by my good leisure have discredited to him, and now is he resolv'd to die. Escal. 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 265 extremest shore of my modesty; but my brother justice have I found so severe, that he

hath forc'd me to tell him he is indeed Justice. Duke. If his own life answer the straitness of his proceeding, it shall become him well; wherein 270 if he chance to fail, he hath sentenc'd himself. Escal. I am going to visit the prisoner. Fare you

O, what may man within him hide,
Though angel on the outward side!
How may likeness made in crimes,
Making practice on the times,

To draw with idle spiders' strings

285

Most ponderous and substantial things!
Craft against vice I must apply.
With Angelo to-night shall lie
His old betrothed but despised;
So disguise shall, by the disguised,
Pay with falsehood false exacting,
And perform an old contracting.

290

295 Exit.

ACT FOURTH

SCENE I

[The moated grange at St. Luke's.]

Enter Mariana, and Boy singing.

SONG.

Take, O, take those lips away,
That so sweetly were forsworn ;
And those eyes, the break of day,
Lights that do mislead the morn;

But my kisses bring again, bring again;
Seals of love, but seal'd in vain, seal'd in vain.

Enter Duke [disguised as before].

5

Mari. Break off thy song, and haste thee quick

away.

Here comes a man of comfort, whose advice
Hath often still'd my brawling discontent.

[Exit Boy.]

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,

10

My mirth it much displeas'd, but pleas'd my woe. Duke. 'Tis good; though music oft hath such a charm To make bad good, and good provoke to harm. 15