Bidding the law make court'sy to their will; On twenty bloody blocks, he'd yield them up, Then Isabel, live chaste, and, brother, die: I'll tell him yet of Angelo's request, And fit his mind to death, for his soul's rest. [Exit. ACT III. SCENE I. A Room in the Prison. Enter Duke, CLAUDIO, and Provost. Duke. So, then you hope of pardon from lord. Angelo ? Claud. The miserable have no other medicine, But only hope : I have hope to live, and am prepar'd to die. Duke. Be absolute for death; either death, or life, Shall thereby be the sweeter. Reason thus with life,→→ If I do lose thee, I do lose a thing That none but fools would keep: a breath thou art, (Servile to all the skiey influences,) That dost this habitation, where thou keep'st, ❝ Determined. For him thou labour'st by thy flight to shun, And yet run'st toward him still: Thou art not noble; For all the accommodations that thou bear'st, Are nurs'd by baseness: Thou art by no means valiant; Of a poor worm: Thy best of rest is sleep, That issue out of dust: Happy thou art not: 8 Do curse the gout, serpigo, and the rheum, For ending thee no sooner: Thou hast nor youth, nor age; But, as it were, an after-dinner's sleep, Dreaming on both: for all thy blessed youth Of palsied eld; and when thou art old, and rich, Lie hid more thousand deaths: yet death we fear, 7 Affects, affections. 8 Leprous eruptions. 9 Old age, Claud. I humbly thank you. To sue to live, I find, I seek to die; And, seeking death, find life: Let it come on. Enter ISABELLA. Isab. What, ho! Peace here; grace and good company! Prov. Who's there? come in: the wish deserves a welcome. Duke. Dear sir, ere long I'll visit you again. Isab. My business is a word or two with Claudio. your sister. Duke. Provost, a word with you Prov. As many as you please. Duke. Bring them to speak, where I may be con ceal'd, Yet hear them. Claud. [Exeunt Duke and Provost. Now, sister, what's the comfort? Isab. Why, as all comforts are; most good in deed: Lord Angelo, having affairs to heaven, Intends you for his swift embassador, Where you shall be an everlasting leiger:1 Therefore your best appointment' make with speed; To-morrow you set on. Claud. Is there no remedy? Isab. None, but such remedy, as to save a head, To cleave a heart in twain. Claud. But is there any? Isab. Yes, brother, you may live; 1 Resident. 2 Preparation. There is a devilish mercy in the judge, If you'll implore it, that will free your life, Claud. Perpetual durance? Isab. Ay, just, perpetual durance; a restraint, Though all the world's vastidity 3 you had, To a determin'd scope. Claud. But in what nature? Isab. In such a one as (you consenting to't) Would bark your honour from that trunk you bear, And leave you naked. Claud. Let me know the point. Isab. O, I do fear thee, Claudio; and I quake, Claud. Why give you me this shame ? Think you I can a resolution fetch From flowery tenderness? If I must die, I will encounter darkness as a bride, And hug it in mine arms. Isab. There spake my brother; there my grave Did utter forth a voice! Yes, thou must die: Thou art too noble to conserve a life father's In base appliances. This outward-sainted deputy, Whose settled visage and deliberate word 3 Vastness of extent. Nips youth i'the head, and follies doth enmew,+ His filth within being cast, he would appear Claud. The princely Angelo ? Isab. O, 'tis the cunning livery of hell, The damned'st body to invest and cover In princely guards!5 Dost thou think, Claudio, Thou might'st be freed? Claud. O, heavens! it cannot be. Isab. Yes, he would give it thee, from this rank offence, So to offend him still: This night's the time That I should do what I abhor to name, Or else thou diest to-morrow. Claud. Isab. O, were it but my life, Thou shalt not do't. I'd throw it down for your deliverance As frankly as a pin. 6 Claud. Thanks, dear Isabel. Isab. Be ready, Claudio, for your death to-morrow. Claud. Yes. Has he affections in him, That thus can make him bite the law by the nose, When he would force it? Sure it is no sin; Or of the deadly seven it is the least. Isab. Which is the least? Claud. If it were damnable, he, being so wise, Why, would he for the momentary trick Be perdurably 7 fin'd?-O Isabel! Isab. What says my brother? 4 Shut up. 5 Laced robes. 6 Freely. 7 Lastingly. |