Had answer'd for his deed: now, 'tis awake; Takes uote of what is done; and, like a prophet, Looks in a glass, that shows what future evils, Isab. Yet show some pity. From fasting maids, whose minds are dedicate To nothing temporal. Ang. Well come to me To-morrow. Lucio. Go to; it is well; away. Aside to ISABELLA. Isab. Heaven keep your honour safe! Am that way going to temptation, Ang. I show it most of all, when I show Where prayers cross. justice; For then I pity those I do not know, Which a dismiss'd offence would after gall; And do bim right, that answering one foul wrong, Lives not to act another. Be satisfied; Isab. So, you must be the first that gives this sentence; And he, that suffers: Oh! it is excellent Lucio. That's well said. Isab. Could great men thunder As Jove himself does, Jove would ne'er be quiet, For every pelting, petty officer, Would use his heaven for thunder; nothing but thunder. Merciful heaven! Thou rather, with thy sharp and sulphurous bolt, Split'st the unwedgeable and gnarled + oak, Most ignorant of what he's most assur'd- Lucio. Oh! to him, to him, wench: he will relent; He's coming, I perceive't. Prov. Pray heaven, she win him! Isab. At what hour to-morrow Shall I attend your lordship? Ang. At any time 'fore noou. [Aside. [Exeunt LUCIO, ISABELLA, and PROVOST. Ang. From thee; even from thy virtue !What's this? what's this? Is this her fault, or mine? The tempter, or the tempted, who sins most? Not she; nor doth she tempt: but it is I, Shall we desire to raze the sanctuary, And pitch our evils there? O fie, fie, fle! love her, That I desire to hear her speak again, With all her double vigour, art, and nature, Isab. We cannot weigh our brother with our-Once stir my temper; but this virtuous maid self: Great men may jest with saints: 'tis wit in them; But, in the less, foul profanation. Lucio. Thou'rt in the right, girl; more o'that. Isab. That in the captain's but a choleric word, Which in the soldier is flat blasphemy. Lucio. Art advis'd o' that? more on't. Hath yet a kind of medicine in itself, That skins the vice o' the top: Go to your bosom; Knock there; and ask your heart, what it doth know That's like my brother's fault: if it confess Let it not sound a thought upon your tongue Ang. She speaks, and 'tis Such sense, that my sense breeds with it. Subdues me quite ;-Ever, till now, When men were fond, I smil'd, and wonder'd how. [Exit. SCENE II1.- A Room in a Prison. Enter DUKE habited like a Friar, and Duke. Hail to you, provost! so, I think you are. Prov. I am the provost: What's your will, good friar? Duke. Bound by my charity, and my bless'd order, I come to visit the afflicted spirits Here in the prison: do me the common right Prov. I would do more than that, if more were needful. Enter JULIET. Look, here comes one; a gentlewoman of mine, Who falling in the flames of her own youth, Hath blister'd her report: She is with child. And he that got it, sentenc'd: a young man More fit to do another such offence, Isub. Ay, with such gifts, that heaven shall Than die for this. share with you. Lucio. You had marr'd all, else. Isab. Not with fond shekels of the tested gold, Or stones, whose rates are either rich, or poor, • Paltry. Ang. When I would pray and think, I think and pray To several subjects: heaven hath my empty words; Whilst my invention, hearing not my tongue, And in my heart, the strong and swelling evil of my conception: The state, whereon studied, I Is like a good thing, being often read, Let's write good angel on the devil's horn, prieve, Longer, or shorter, he may so be fitted, Ang. Ha! Fie, these filthy vices ! It were as good To pardon bim, that hath from nature stolen In stamps that are forbid : 'tis all as easy Isab. 'Tis set down so in heaven, but not in earth. Ang. Say you so? then I shall pose you quickly. Which had you rather, That the most just law, Against the thing I say. Answer to this ;— To save this brother's life? Isab. Please you to do't, I'll take it as a peril to my soul, Ang. Pleas'd you to do't, at peril of your soul, Were equal poise of sin and charity. Isab. That I do beg his life, if it be sin, Heaven, let me bear it! you granting of mny suit, If that be sin, I'll make it my morn prayer Ang. Nay, but bear me: Your sense pursues not mine: either you are ignorant, Or seem so, craftily; and that's not good. Isab. Let me be ignorant, and in nothing good, But graciously to know I am no better. Ang. Thus wisdom wishes to appear most bright, When it doth tax itself: as these black maski Proclaim an enshield beauty ten times cauer Than beauty could displayed.-But mark me; To be received plain, I'll speak more gress: Your brother is to die. Isab. So. Ang. And bis offence is so, as it appears Accountant to the law upon that pain. + Isab. True. Ang. Admit no other way to save his life, (As I subscribe not that, nor any other, But in the loss of question, 6) that you, bis sister, Finding yourself desir'd of such a person, Whose credit with the judge, or owa great place, Could fetch your brother from the manacles Of the all-binding law; and that there were No earthly mean to save him, but that either Isab. As much for my poor brother, as nyself: Ang. Then must your brother die. Ang. Were not you then as cruel as the sen- Isab. Ignomy in ransom, and free pardon, Ang. You seem'd of late to make the law a And rather prov'd the sliding of your brother Isab. O pardon me, my lord; it oft falls out, we mean: I something do excuse the thing I hate, Ang. We are all frail. Isab. Else let my brother die, If not a feodary, but only he, Ang. Nay, women are frail too. Isab. Ay, as the glasses where they view Which are as easy broke as they make forms. mar [frail In profiting by them. Nay, call us ten times Ang. I think it well. And from this testimony of your own sex, By yielding up thy body to my will; true. Who would believe me? O perilous mouths, Then, Isabel, live chaste, and, brother, die : ACT III. SCENE 1.-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 I do arrest your words; Be that you are, That none but fools would keep a breath thou Isab. I have no tongue but one: gentle my lord, Let me entreat you speak the former language. Ang. Plainly conceive, I love you. Isab. My brother did love Juliet; and you tell Isab. I know, your virtue hath a licence in't, Ang. Believe me, on mine honour, My words express my purpose. Isab. Ha little honour to be much believ'd, And most pernicious purpose 1-Seeming, seeming! | I will proclaim thee, Angelo; look for't: [world [state, Ang. Who will believe thee, Isabel? blushes, [art, That dost this habitation, where thou keep'st, Hourly afflict mercly, thou art death's fool; 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, For thou dost fear the soft and tender fork thyself; For thou exist'st on many a thousand grains certain; For thy complexion shifts to strange effects,+ But, as it were, an after-dinner's sleep, Claud. I bumbly thank you. Isab. What, ho! Peace here; grace and good company! Prou. Who's there? come in; the wish deserves a welcome. Duke. Dear Sir, ere long I'll visit you again. Claud, Most holy Sir, I thank you. Isab. My business is a word or two with Claudio. Prov. And very welcome. here's your sister. Look, signior, Duke. Provost, a word with you. Duke. Bring them to speak, where I may be conceal'd, Yet hear them. [Exeunt DUKE and PROVOST. Lord Angelo, having affairs to heaven, 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 ; Cland. Perpetual durance? Isub. Ay, just, perpetual durance; a restraint, Though all the world's vastidity ‡ 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 Aud leave you naked. Claud. Let me know the point. [bear, Isab. Oh! I do fear thee, Claudio ; and I quake Claud. Why give you me this shame ? And hug in it mine arms. Isab. There spake my brother; there my father's grave Did utter forth a voice! Yes, thon must die : Thou art too noble to conserve a life Claud. O heavens! it cannot be. Isab. Yes, he would give it Lace, from this rank offence, So to offend him still: This night's the time Claud. Thou shalt not do't. Isab, Oh! were it but my life, 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 uer, When he would force it? Sure it is no sia, Or of the deadly seven it is the least. Isab. Which is the least? Claud. If it were damnable, be, being so warWhy, would he for the momentary trick Be perdurably + fin'd ?—O Isabel! Isab. What says my brother? Claud. Death is a fearful thing. Isab. And shamed life a hateful. Claud. Ay, but to die, and go we know not To lie in cold obstruction, and to rot: where: This sensible warm motion to become A kneaded clod; and the delighted spirit To bathe in fiery floods, or to reside In thrilling regions of thick-ribbed ice; To be imprison'd in the viewless! winds, And blown with restless violence rouwl shust The pendent world; or to be worse taa * ́ Of those, that lawless and inc-rtain thoughts Imagine howling -tis too horrible! The weariest and most loathed wordly hê, That age, ache, penury, and imprisonment Can lay on nature, is a paradise To what we fear of death, Isab. Alas! alas ! Claud. Sweet sister let me live; What sin you do to save a brother's life, Nature dispenses with the deed so far, That it becomes a virtue. Isab. O you beast! O faithless coward! O dishonest wretch ! From thine own sister's shame ? What shamid I think? Heaven shield, my mother play'd my father (ar! | Ne'er issu'd from his blood. Take my defiance: 1 Claud. Nay, hear me, Isabel. Isab. O fie, fie, fie! Thy sin's not accidental, but a trade: Re-enter Duke. Duke. Vouchsafe a word, young sister, but one word. Isab. What is your will? Duke. Might you dispense with your le In base appliances. This outward-sainted de- I would by and by bave some speech with TWRI puty, Whose settled visage and deliberate word Nips youth i'the head, and follies doth enmew, ý Claud. The princely Angelo ? Isub. Oh! tis the cunning livery of hell, The damned'st, body to invest and cover In princely guards! Dost thou think, Claudio, If I would yield him my virginity, Thou might'st be freed. the satisfaction I would require, is likewise y at own benefit. Isab. I have no superfluous leisure; my s must be stolen out of other affairs; but I wat attend you a while. Duke. To CLAUDIO, aside.] Son, I have ov heard what hath past between you and sister. Angelo bad never the purpose to O rupt her; only he hath made an essay of bef virtue, to practise his judgracat with the s position of natures: she, having the towth s honour in her, bath made him that gracious éc nial which he is most glad to receive: I am confessor to Angelo, and I know this to be true; therefore prepare yourself to death: Do not satisfy your resolution with hopes that are fallible: to-morrow you must die; go to your knees, and make ready. Claud. Let me ask my sister pardon. I am so out of love with life, that I will sue to be rid of it. Duke. Hold you there: Farewell. [Exit CLAUDIO. Re-enter PROVOST. Provost, a word with you. tion in this life, that it will let this man live !-But how out of this can she avail? Duke. It is a rupture that you may easily heal and the cure of it not only saves your brother, but keeps you from dishonour in doing it. Isab. Show me how, good father. Duke. This fore-named maid hath yet in her the continuance of her first affection; his unjust unkindness, that in all reason should have quenched her love, hath, like an impediment in the current, made it more violent and unruly. Go you to Angelo; answer his requiring with a plausible obedience; agree with his demands to the point: only refer yourself to this adProv. What's your will, father? vantage,-first, that your stay with him may not Duke. That now you are come, you will be be long; that the time may have all shadow and gone: Leave me a while with the maid my silence in it; and the place answer to convenimind promises with my habit, no loss shall touch ence: this being granted in course, now follows her by my company. all. We shall advise this wronged maid to stead Prov. In good time. [Exit PROVOST. up your appointment, go in your place: if the Duke. The band that hath made your fair, encounter acknowledge itself hereafter, it may hath made you good: the goodness, that is compel him to her recompense and here, by cheap in beauty, makes beauty brief in good-this, is your brother saved, your honour auness; but grace, being the soul of your com- tainted, the poor Mariana advantaged, and the plexion, should keep the body of it ever fair.corrupt deputy scaled. The maid will I frame, The assault, that Angelo hath made to you, and make fit for his attempt. If you think well fortune hath convey'd to my understanding; to carry this as you may, the doubleness of the and, but that frailty hath examples for his fall- benefit defends the deceit from reproof. What ing, I should wonder at Angelo. How would think you of it ? you do to content this substitute, and to save your brother? Isab. I am now going to resolve him: I had rather my brother die by the law, than my son should be unlawfully born. But oh! how much is the good duke deceived in Angelo! If ever he return, and I can speak to him, I will open my lips in vain, or discover his government. Isab. The image of it gives me content already; and, I trust, it will grow to a most prosperous perfection. quickly. Duke. It lies much in your holding up: Haste you speedily to Angelo; if for this night he entreat you to his bed, give him promise of satisfaction. I will presently to St. Luke's; there, at the inoated grange, resides this deDuke. That shall not be much amiss: Yet, as jected Mariana: At that place call upon me the matter now stands, he will avoid your ac-and despatch with Angelo, that it may be ensation; he made trial of you only.-There fore, fasten your ear on my advisings; to the love I have in doing good, a remedy presents itself. I do make myself believe, that you may most uprighteously do a poor wronged lady a merited benefit; redeem your brother from the angry law; do no stain to your own gracious person; and much please the absent duke, if, peradventure, he shall ever return to have bearing of this business. Isab. Let me hear you speak further; I have spirit to do any thing that appears not foul iu the truth of my spirit. Duke. Virtue is bold, and goodness never fearful. Have you not heard speak of Mariana the sister of Frederick, the great soldier, who miscarried at sea? Isab. I have heard of the lady, and good words went with her name. Isab. I thank you for this comfort: Fare you SCENE II.-The Street before the Prison. Elb. Nay, if there be no remedy for it, but that you will needs buy and sell men and women like beasts, we shall have all the world drink brown and white bastard. Duke. O heavens! what stuff is here ? Clo. 'Twas never merry world, since, of two usuries, the merriest was put down, and the worser allow'd by order of law a furr'd gown to keep him warm; and furr'd with fox and lambskins too, to signify, that craft, being richer than innocency, stands for the facing. Elb. Come your way, Sir :-Bless you, good father friar. Duke. Her should this Angelo have married ; was affianced to her by oath, and the nuptial appointed: between which time of the contract, Duke. And you, good brother father: What and limit of the solemnity, her brother Frede-offence hath this man made you, Sir? rick was wrecked at sea, having in that perish'd Elb. Marry, Sir, he hath offended the law; vessel the dowry of his sister. But mark, how and, Sir, we take him to be a thief too, Sir; heavily this befel to the poor gentlewoman: for we have found upon him, Sir, a strange there she lost a noble and renowned brother, in his love toward her ever most kind and natural; with him the portion and sinew of her fortune, her marriage-dowry; with both, ber combinate husband, this well-seeming Angelo. Isab. Can this be so? Did Angelo so leave her? pick-lock, which we have sent to the deputy. Duke. Nay, if the devil have given thee proofs Thou wilt prove his. Take him to prison, officer; Tora Spaaisn padlock." |