I have deliver'd to lord Angelo (A man of stricture, and firm abstinence) My absolute power and place here in Vienna, Duke. We have strict statutes, and most biting laws, (The needful bits and curbs to head-strong weeds ',) Which for this fourteen years we have let sleep'; 6 Even like an o'er-grown lion in a cave, That goes not out to prey: now, as fond fathers, Becomes more mock'd, than fear'd; so our decrees, The baby beats the nurse, and quite athwart Fri. It rested in your grace To unloose this tied-up justice, when you pleas'd; Duke. I do fear, too dreadful: Sith 'twas my fault to give the people scope, 'Twould be my tyranny to strike and gall them 5 The needful bits and curbs to head-strong WEEDS,] Malone reads for instead of "to," and steeds instead of "weeds," following Theobald, who first made the unnecessary alteration from the text as it stands in all the folios. Weed is a term still commonly applied to an ill-conditioned horse. 6 -FOURTEEN years] In the preceding scene Claudio has said "nineteen zodiacs." 7 We have let SLEEP;] In the folios slip is printed, in all probability, for "sleep" the simile which follows seems to correct the error; and in the next act Angelo says that the law "hath slept." 8 For TERROR,] The second folio, in opposition to the first, reads, "for error." In the next line Pope supplied a deficiency by inserting "becomes," which, if not the right word, can hardly be said to be a wrong one. For what I bid them do: for we bid this be done, And not the punishment. Therefore, indeed, my father, Who may, in th' ambush of my name, strike home, To do in slander". And to behold his sway, I will, as 'twere a brother of your order, Visit both prince and people: therefore, I pr'ythee, Like a true friar. More reasons for this action, Is more to bread than stone: hence shall we see, [Exeunt. SCENE V. A Nunnery. Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA. Isab. And have you nuns no farther privileges? Isab. Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more, And yet my nature never in the FIGHT, To do IN slander.] This is the old and true reading of all the folios, the meaning being," And yet my nature never in the fight, or contest, with crime, to do what is necessary under an imputation, or slander, of too great severity." It has usually been altered, since Sir Thomas Hanmer's edition, thus : "And yet my nature never in the sight, To do it slander." Lucio. [Within.] Ho! Peace be in this place! Isab. Who's that which calls? Fran. It is a man's voice. Gentle Isabella, Turn you the key, and know his business of him : Then, if you speak, you must not show your face; Or, if you show your face, you must not speak. He calls again: I pray you, answer him. [Exit FRANCISCA. Isab. Peace and prosperity! Who is't that calls? Enter LUCIO. Lucio. Hail, virgin, if you be, as those cheek-roses Proclaim you are no less, can you so stead me, As bring me to the sight of Isabella, A novice of this place, and the fair sister To her unhappy brother Claudio? Isab. Why her unhappy brother? let me ask, The rather, for I now must make you know I am that Isabella, and his sister. 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. He hath got his friend with child. Isab. Sir, make me not your story'. Lucio. "Tis true. I would not, though 'tis my familiar sin With maids to seem the lapwing, and to jest, Tongue far from heart, play with all virgins so: 1 Sir, make me not your story.] i. e. "Do not make me your story or jest," to which Lucio very naturally answers, ""Tis true." Malone altered the passage to "Sir, mock me not-your story," which renders Lucio's reply impertinent. I hold you as a thing ensky'd, and sainted By your renouncement, an immortal spirit, As with a saint. Isab. You do blaspheme the good in mocking me. Lucio. Do not believe it. Fewness and truth, 'tis thus: Your brother and his lover have embrac'd: As those that feed grow full; as blossoming time, Isab. Some one with child by him?-My cousin Lucio. Is she your cousin? Isab. Adoptedly; as school-maids change their names By vain, though apt, affection. Lucio. Isab. O let him marry her. Lucio. She it is. This is the point. The duke is very strangely gone from hence, Governs lord Angelo; a man whose blood Which have, for long, run by the hideous law, And follows close the rigour of the statute, you and Of business 'twixt Has censur'd him Lucio. Already; and, as I hear, the provost hath A warrant for his execution. Isab. Alas! what poor ability's in me To do him good? Lucio. Assay the power you have. Our doubts are traitors, And make us lose the good we oft might win, As they themselves would owe them. Lucio. Isab. I will about it straight, But speedily. No longer staying but to give the mother Notice of my affair. affair. I humbly thank you: Commend me to my brother; soon at night I'll send him certain word of my success. Isab. Good sir, adieu. [Exeunt. |