Measvre, For Measure

 
 Actus primus, Scena prima.
 
 Enter Duke, Escalus, Lords.
 
   Duke. Escalus
 
    Esc. My Lord
 
    Duk. Of Gouernment, the properties to vnfold,
 Would seeme in me t' affect speech & discourse,
 Since I am put to know, that your owne Science
 Exceedes (in that) the lists of all aduice
 My strength can giue you: Then no more remaines
 But that, to your sufficiency, as your worth is able,
 And let them worke: The nature of our People,
 Our Cities Institutions, and the Termes
 For Common Iustice, y'are as pregnant in
 As Art, and practise, hath inriched any
 That we remember: There is our Commission,
 From which, we would not haue you warpe; call hither,
 I say, bid come before vs Angelo:
 What figure of vs thinke you, he will beare.
 For you must know, we haue with speciall soule
 Elected him our absence to supply;
 Lent him our terror, drest him with our loue,
 And giuen his Deputation all the Organs
 Of our owne powre: What thinke you of it?
   Esc. If any in Vienna be of worth
 To vndergoe such ample grace, and honour,
 It is Lord Angelo.
 
 Enter Angelo.
 
   Duk. Looke where he comes
 
    Ang. Alwayes obedient to your Graces will,
 I come to know your pleasure
 
    Duke. Angelo:
 There is a kinde of Character in thy life,
 That to th' obseruer, doth thy history
 Fully vnfold: Thy selfe, and thy belongings
 Are not thine owne so proper, as to waste
 Thy selfe vpon thy vertues; they on thee:
 Heauen doth with vs, as we, with Torches doe,
 Not light them for themselues: For if our vertues
 Did not goe forth of vs, 'twere all alike
 As if we had them not: Spirits are not finely touch'd,
 But to fine issues: nor nature neuer lends
 The smallest scruple of her excellence,
 But like a thrifty goddesse, she determines
 Her selfe the glory of a creditour,
 Both thanks, and vse; but I do bend my speech
 To one that can my part in him aduertise;
 Hold therefore Angelo:
 In our remoue, be thou at full, our selfe:
 Mortallitie and Mercie in Vienna
 Liue in thy tongue, and heart: Old Escalus
 Though first in question, is thy secondary.
 Take thy Commission
 
    Ang. Now good my Lord
 Let there be some more test, made of my mettle,
 Before so noble, and so great a figure
 Be stamp't vpon it
 
    Duk. No more euasion:
 We haue with a leauen'd, and prepared choice
 Proceeded to you; therefore take your honors:
 Our haste from hence is of so quicke condition,
 That it prefers it selfe, and leaues vnquestion'd
 Matters of needfull value: We shall write to you
 As time, and our concernings shall importune,
 How it goes with vs, and doe looke to know
 What doth befall you here. So fare you well:
 To th' hopefull execution doe I leaue you,
 Of your Commissions
 
    Ang. Yet giue leaue (my Lord,)
 That we may bring you something on the way
 
    Duk. My haste may not admit it,
 Nor neede you (on mine honor) haue to doe
 With any scruple: your scope is as mine owne,
 So to inforce, or qualifie the Lawes
 As to your soule seemes good: Giue me your hand,
 Ile priuily away: I loue the people,
 But doe not like to stage me to their eyes:
 Though it doe well, I doe not rellish well
 Their lowd applause, and Aues vehement:
 Nor doe I thinke the man of safe discretion
 That do's affect it. Once more fare you well
 
    Ang. The heauens giue safety to your purposes
 
    Esc. Lead forth, and bring you backe in happinesse.
 
 Enter.
 
   Duk. I thanke you, fare you well
 
    Esc. I shall desire you, Sir, to giue me leaue
 To haue free speech with you; and it concernes me
 To looke into the bottome of my place:
 A powre I haue, but of what strength and nature,
 I am not yet instructed
 
    Ang. 'Tis so with me: Let vs withdraw together,
 And we may soone our satisfaction haue
 Touching that point
 
    Esc. Ile wait vpon your honor.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 
 Scena Secunda.
 
 Enter Lucio, and two other Gentlemen.
 
   Luc. If the Duke, with the other Dukes, come not to
 composition with the King of Hungary, why then all the
 Dukes fall vpon the King
 
    1.Gent. Heauen grant vs its peace, but not the King
 of Hungaries
 
    2.Gent. Amen
 
    Luc. Thou conclud'st like the Sanctimonious Pirat,
 that went to sea with the ten Commandements, but
 scrap'd one out of the Table
 
    2.Gent. Thou shalt not Steale?
   Luc. I, that he raz'd
 
    1.Gent. Why? 'twas a commandement, to command
 the Captaine and all the rest from their functions: they
 put forth to steale: There's not a Souldier of vs all, that
 in the thanks-giuing before meate, do rallish the petition
 well, that praies for peace
 
    2.Gent. I neuer heard any Souldier dislike it
 
    Luc. I beleeue thee: for I thinke thou neuer was't
 where Grace was said
 
    2.Gent. No? a dozen times at least
 
    1.Gent. What? In meeter?
   Luc. In any proportion: or in any language
 
    1.Gent. I thinke, or in any Religion
 
    Luc. I, why not? Grace, is Grace, despight of all controuersie:
 as for example; Thou thy selfe art a wicked
 villaine, despight of all Grace
 
    1.Gent. Well: there went but a paire of sheeres betweene
 vs
 
    Luc. I grant: as there may betweene the Lists, and
 the Veluet. Thou art the List
 
    1.Gent. And thou the Veluet; thou art good veluet;
 thou'rt a three pild-peece I warrant thee: I had as liefe
 be a Lyst of an English Kersey, as be pil'd, as thou art
 pil'd, for a French Veluet. Do I speake feelingly now?
   Luc. I thinke thou do'st: and indeed with most painfull
 feeling of thy speech: I will, out of thine owne confession,
 learne to begin thy health; but, whilst I liue forget
 to drinke after thee
 
    1.Gen. I think I haue done my selfe wrong, haue I not?
   2.Gent. Yes, that thou hast; whether thou art tainted,
 or free.
 
 Enter Bawde.
 
   Luc. Behold, behold, where Madam Mitigation comes.
 I haue purchas'd as many diseases vnder her Roofe,
 As come to
   2.Gent. To what, I pray?
   Luc. Iudge
 
    2.Gent. To three thousand Dollours a yeare
 
    1.Gent. I, and more
 
    Luc. A French crowne more
 
    1.Gent. Thou art alwayes figuring diseases in me; but
 thou art full of error, I am sound
 
    Luc. Nay, not (as one would say) healthy: but so
 sound, as things that are hollow; thy bones are hollow;
 Impiety has made a feast of thee
 
    1.Gent. How now, which of your hips has the most
 profound Ciatica?
   Bawd. Well, well: there's one yonder arrested, and
 carried to prison, was worth fiue thousand of you all
 
    2.Gent. Who's that I pray'thee?
   Bawd. Marry Sir, that's Claudio, Signior Claudio
 
    1.Gent. Claudio to prison? 'tis not so
 
    Bawd. Nay, but I know 'tis so: I saw him arrested:
 saw him carried away: and which is more, within these
 three daies his head to be chop'd off
 
    Luc. But, after all this fooling, I would not haue it so:
 Art thou sure of this?
   Bawd. I am too sure of it: and it is for getting Madam
 Iulietta with childe
 
    Luc. Beleeue me this may be: he promis'd to meete
 me two howres since, and he was euer precise in promise
 keeping
 
    2.Gent. Besides you know, it drawes somthing neere
 to the speech we had to such a purpose
 
    1.Gent. But most of all agreeing with the proclamatio[n]
 
    Luc. Away: let's goe learne the truth of it.
 
 Enter.
 
   Bawd. Thus, what with the war; what with the sweat,
 what with the gallowes, and what with pouerty, I am
 Custom-shrunke. How now? what's the newes with
 you.
 
 Enter Clowne.
 
   Clo. Yonder man is carried to prison
 
    Baw. Well: what has he done?
   Clo. A Woman
 
    Baw. But what's his offence?
   Clo. Groping for Trowts, in a peculiar Riuer
 
    Baw. What? is there a maid with child by him?
   Clo. No: but there's a woman with maid by him:
 you haue not heard of the proclamation, haue you?
   Baw. What proclamation, man?
   Clow. All howses in the Suburbs of Vienna must bee
 pluck'd downe
 
    Bawd. And what shall become of those in the Citie?
   Clow. They shall stand for seed: they had gon down
 to, but that a wise Burger put in for them
 
    Bawd. But shall all our houses of resort in the Suburbs
 be puld downe?
   Clow. To the ground, Mistris
 
    Bawd. Why heere's a change indeed in the Commonwealth:
 what shall become of me?
   Clow. Come: feare not you; good Counsellors lacke
 no Clients: though you change your place, you neede
 not change your Trade: Ile bee your Tapster still; courage,
 there will bee pitty taken on you; you that haue
 worne your eyes almost out in the seruice, you will bee
 considered
 
    Bawd. What's to doe heere, Thomas Tapster? let's
 withdraw?
   Clo. Here comes Signior Claudio, led by the Prouost
 to prison: and there's Madam Iuliet.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 
 Scena Tertia.
 
 Enter Prouost, Claudio, Iuliet, Officers, Lucio, & 2.Gent.
 
   Cla. Fellow, why do'st thou show me thus to th' world?
 Beare me to prison, where I am committed
 
    Pro. I do it not in euill disposition,
 But from Lord Angelo by speciall charge
 
    Clau. Thus can the demy-god (Authority)
 Make vs pay downe, for our offence, by waight
 The words of heauen; on whom it will, it will,
 On whom it will not (soe) yet still 'tis iust
 
    Luc. Why how now Claudio? whence comes this restraint
 
    Cla. From too much liberty, (my Lucio) Liberty
 As surfet is the father of much fast,
 So euery Scope by the immoderate vse
 Turnes to restraint: Our Natures doe pursue
 Like Rats that rauyn downe their proper Bane,
 A thirsty euill, and when we drinke, we die
 
    Luc. If I could speake so wisely vnder an arrest, I
 would send for certaine of my Creditors: and yet, to say
 the truth, I had as lief haue the foppery of freedome, as
 the mortality of imprisonment: what's thy offence,
 Claudio?
   Cla. What (but to speake of) would offend againe
 
    Luc. What, is't murder?
   Cla. No
 
    Luc. Lecherie?
   Cla. Call it so
 
    Pro. Away, Sir, you must goe
 
    Cla. One word, good friend:
 Lucio, a word with you
 
    Luc. A hundred:
 If they'll doe you any good: Is Lechery so look'd after?
   Cla. Thus stands it with me: vpon a true contract
 I got possession of Iulietas bed,
 You know the Lady, she is fast my wife,
 Saue that we doe the denunciation lacke
 Of outward Order. This we came not to,
 Onely for propogation of a Dowre
 Remaining in the Coffer of her friends,
 From whom we thought it meet to hide our Loue
 Till Time had made them for vs. But it chances
 The stealth of our most mutuall entertainment
 With Character too grosse, is writ on Iuliet
 
    Luc. With childe, perhaps?
   Cla. Vnhappely, euen so.
 And the new Deputie, now for the Duke,
 Whether it be the fault and glimpse of newnes,
 Or whether that the body publique, be
 A horse whereon the Gouernor doth ride,
 Who newly in the Seate, that it may know
 He can command; lets it strait feele the spur:
 Whether the Tirranny be in his place,
 Or in his Eminence that fills it vp
 I stagger in: But this new Gouernor
 Awakes me all the inrolled penalties
 Which haue (like vn-scowr'd Armor) hung by th' wall
 So long, that ninteene Zodiacks haue gone round,
 And none of them beene worne; and for a name
 Now puts the drowsie and neglected Act
 Freshly on me: 'tis surely for a name
 
    Luc. I warrant it is: And thy head stands so tickle on
 thy shoulders, that a milke-maid, if she be in loue, may
 sigh it off: Send after the Duke, and appeale to him
 
    Cla. I haue done so, but hee's not to be found.
 I pre'thee (Lucio) doe me this kinde seruice:
 This day, my sister should the Cloyster enter,
 And there receiue her approbation.
 Acquaint her with the danger of my state,
 Implore her, in my voice, that she make friends
 To the strict deputie: bid her selfe assay him,
 I haue great hope in that: for in her youth
 There is a prone and speechlesse dialect,
 Such as moue men: beside, she hath prosperous Art
 When she will play with reason, and discourse,
 And well she can perswade
 
    Luc. I pray shee may; aswell for the encouragement
 of the like, which else would stand vnder greeuous imposition:
 as for the enioying of thy life, who I would be
 sorry should bee thus foolishly lost, at a game of ticketacke:
 Ile to her
 
    Cla. I thanke you good friend Lucio
 
    Luc. Within two houres
 
    Cla. Come Officer, away.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 
 Scena Quarta.
 
 Enter Duke and Frier Thomas.
 
   Duk. No: holy Father, throw away that thought,
 Beleeue not that the dribling dart of Loue
 Can pierce a compleat bosome: why, I desire thee
 To giue me secret harbour, hath a purpose
 More graue, and wrinkled, then the aimes, and ends
 Of burning youth
 
    Fri. May your Grace speake of it?
   Duk. My holy Sir, none better knowes then you
 How I haue euer lou'd the life remoued
 And held in idle price, to haunt assemblies
 Where youth, and cost, witlesse brauery keepes.
 I haue deliuerd to Lord Angelo
 (A man of stricture and firme abstinence)
 My absolute power, and place here in Vienna,
 And he supposes me trauaild to Poland,
 (For so I haue strewd it in the common eare)
 And so it is receiu'd: Now (pious Sir)
 You will demand of me, why I do this
 
    Fri. Gladly, my Lord
 
    Duk. We haue strict Statutes, and most biting Laws,
 (The needfull bits and curbes to headstrong weedes,)
 Which for this foureteene yeares, we haue let slip,
 Euen like an ore-growne Lyon in a Caue
 That goes not out to prey: Now, as fond Fathers,
 Hauing bound vp the threatning twigs of birch,
 Onely to sticke it in their childrens sight,
 For terror, not to vse: in time the rod
 More mock'd, then fear'd: so our Decrees,
 Dead to infliction, to themselues are dead,
 And libertie, plucks Iustice by the nose;
 The Baby beates the Nurse, and quite athwart
 Goes all decorum
 
    Fri. It rested in your Grace
 To vnloose this tyde-vp Iustice, when you pleas'd:
 And it in you more dreadfull would haue seem'd
 Then in Lord Angelo
 
    Duk. I doe feare: too dreadfull:
 Sith 'twas my fault, to giue the people scope,
 'Twould be my tirrany to strike and gall them,
 For what I bid them doe: For, we bid this be done
 When euill deedes haue their permissiue passe,
 And not the punishment: therefore indeede (my father)
 I haue on Angelo impos'd the office,
 Who may in th' ambush of my name, strike home,
 And yet, my nature neuer in the sight
 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 pre'thee
 Supply me with the habit, and instruct me
 How I may formally in person beare
 Like a true Frier: Moe reasons for this action
 At our more leysure, shall I render you;
 Onely, this one: Lord Angelo is precise,
 Stands at a guard with Enuie: scarce confesses
 That his blood flowes: or that his appetite
 Is more to bread then stone: hence shall we see
 If power change purpose: what our Seemers be.
 
 Enter.
 
 
 Scena Quinta.
 
 Enter Isabell and Francisca a Nun.
 
   Isa. And haue you Nuns no farther priuiledges?
   Nun. Are not these large enough?
   Isa. Yes truely; I speake not as desiring more,
 But rather wishing a more strict restraint
 Vpon the Sisterhood, the Votarists of Saint Clare.
 
 Lucio within.
 
   Luc. Hoa? peace be in this place
 
    Isa. Who's that which cals?
   Nun. It is a mans voice: gentle Isabella
 Turne you the key, and know his businesse of him;
 You may; I may not: you are yet vnsworne:
 When you haue vowd, you must not speake with men,
 But in the presence of the Prioresse;
 Then if you speake, you must not show your face;
 Or if you show your face, you must not speake.
 He cals againe: I pray you answere him
 
    Isa. Peace and prosperitie: who is't that cals?
   Luc. Haile Virgin, (if you be) as those cheeke-Roses
 Proclaime you are no lesse: can you so steed me,
 As bring me to the sight of Isabella,
 A Nouice of this place, and the faire Sister
 To her vnhappie brother Claudio?
   Isa. Why her vnhappy Brother? Let me aske,
 The rather for I now must make you know
 I am that Isabella, and his Sister
 
    Luc. Gentle & faire: your Brother kindly greets you;
 Not to be weary with you; he's in prison
 
    Isa. Woe me; for what?
   Luc. For that, which if my selfe might be his Iudge,
 He should receiue his punishment, in thankes:
 He hath got his friend with childe
 
    Isa. Sir, make me not your storie
 
    Luc. 'Tis true; I would not, though 'tis my familiar sin,
 With Maids to seeme the Lapwing, and to iest
 Tongue, far from heart: play with all Virgins so:
 I hold you as a thing en-skied, and sainted,
 By your renouncement, an imortall spirit
 And to be talk'd with in sincerity,
 As with a Saint
 
    Isa. You doe blaspheme the good, in mocking me
 
    Luc. Doe not beleeue it: fewnes, and truth; tis thus,
 Your brother, and his louer haue embrac'd;
 As those that feed, grow full: as blossoming Time
 That from the seednes, the bare fallow brings
 To teeming foyson: euen so her plenteous wombe
 Expresseth his full Tilth, and husbandry
 
    Isa. Some one with childe by him? my cosen Iuliet?
   Luc. Is she your cosen?
   Isa. Adoptedly, as schoole-maids change their names
 By vaine, though apt affection
 
    Luc. She it is
 
    Isa. Oh, let him marry her
 
    Luc. This is the point.
 The Duke is very strangely gone from hence;
 Bore many gentlemen (my selfe being one)
 In hand, and hope of action: but we doe learne,
 By those that know the very Nerues of State,
 His giuing-out, were of an infinite distance
 From his true meant designe: vpon his place,
 (And with full line of his authority)
 Gouernes Lord Angelo; A man, whose blood
 Is very snow-broth: one, who neuer feeles
 The wanton stings, and motions of the sence;
 But doth rebate, and blunt his naturall edge
 With profits of the minde: Studie, and fast
 He (to giue feare to vse, and libertie,
 Which haue, for long, run-by the hideous law,
 As Myce, by Lyons) hath pickt out an act,
 Vnder whose heauy sence, your brothers life
 Fals into forfeit: he arrests him on it,
 And followes close the rigor of the Statute
 To make him an example: all hope is gone,
 Vnlesse you haue the grace, by your faire praier
 To soften Angelo: And that's my pith of businesse
 'Twixt you, and your poore brother
 
    Isa. Doth he so,
 Seeke his life?
   Luc. Has censur'd him already,
 And as I heare, the Prouost hath a warrant
 For's execution
 
    Isa. Alas: what poore
 Abilitie's in me, to doe him good
 
    Luc. Assay the powre you haue
 
    Isa. My power? alas, I doubt
 
    Luc. Our doubts are traitors
 And makes vs loose the good we oft might win,
 By fearing to attempt: Goe to Lord Angelo
 And let him learne to know, when Maidens sue
 Men giue like gods: but when they weepe and kneele,
 All their petitions, are as freely theirs
 As they themselues would owe them
 
    Isa. Ile see what I can doe
 
    Luc. But speedily
 
    Isa. I will about it strait;
 No longer staying, but to giue the Mother
 Notice of my affaire: I humbly thanke you:
 Commend me to my brother: soone at night
 Ile send him certaine word of my successe
 
    Luc. I take my leaue of you
 
    Isa. Good sir, adieu.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 
 Actus Secundus. Scoena Prima.
 
 Enter Angelo, Escalus, and seruants, Iustice.
 
   Ang. We must not make a scar-crow of the Law,
 Setting it vp to feare the Birds of prey,
 And let it keepe one shape, till custome make it
 Their pearch, and not their terror
 
    Esc. I, but yet
 Let vs be keene, and rather cut a little
 Then fall, and bruise to death: alas, this gentleman
 Whom I would saue, had a most noble father,
 Let but your honour know
 (Whom I beleeue to be most strait in vertue)
 That in the working of your owne affections,
 Had time coheard with Place, or place with wishing,
 Or that the resolute acting of our blood
 Could haue attaind th' effect of your owne purpose,
 Whether you had not sometime in your life
 Er'd in this point, which now you censure him,
 And puld the Law vpon you
 
    Ang. 'Tis one thing to be tempted (Escalus)
 Another thing to fall: I not deny
 The Iury passing on the Prisoners life
 May in the sworne-twelue haue a thiefe, or two
 Guiltier then him they try; what's open made to Iustice,
 That Iustice ceizes; What knowes the Lawes
 That theeues do passe on theeues? 'Tis very pregnant,
 The Iewell that we finde, we stoope, and take't,
 Because we see it; but what we doe not see,
 We tread vpon, and neuer thinke of it.
 You may not so extenuate his offence,
 For I haue had such faults; but rather tell me
 When I, that censure him, do so offend,
 Let mine owne Iudgement patterne out my death,
 And nothing come in partiall. Sir, he must dye.
 
 Enter Prouost.
 
   Esc. Be it as your wisedome will
 
    Ang. Where is the Prouost?
   Pro. Here if it like your honour
 
    Ang. See that Claudio
 Be executed by nine to morrow morning,
 Bring him his Confessor, let him be prepar'd,
 For that's the vtmost of his pilgrimage
 
    Esc. Well: heauen forgiue him; and forgiue vs all:
 Some rise by sinne, and some by vertue fall:
 Some run from brakes of Ice, and answere none,
 And some condemned for a fault alone.
 
 Enter Elbow, Froth, Clowne, Officers.
 
   Elb. Come, bring them away: if these be good people
 in a Common-weale, that doe nothing but vse their
 abuses in common houses, I know no law: bring them
 away
 
    Ang. How now Sir, what's your name? And what's
 the matter?
   Elb. If it please your honour, I am the poore Dukes
 Constable, and my name is Elbow; I doe leane vpon Iustice
 Sir, and doe bring in here before your good honor,
 two notorious Benefactors
 
    Ang. Benefactors? Well: What Benefactors are they?
 Are they not Malefactors?
   Elb. If it please your honour, I know not well what
 they are: But precise villaines they are, that I am sure of,
 and void of all prophanation in the world, that good
 Christians ought to haue
 
    Esc. This comes off well: here's a wise Officer
 
    Ang. Goe to: What quality are they of? Elbow is
 your name?
 Why do'st thou not speake Elbow?
   Clo. He cannot Sir: he's out at Elbow
 
    Ang. What are you Sir?
   Elb. He Sir: a Tapster Sir: parcell Baud: one that
 serues a bad woman: whose house Sir was (as they say)
 pluckt downe in the Suborbs: and now shee professes a
 hot-house; which, I thinke is a very ill house too
 
    Esc. How know you that?
   Elb. My wife Sir? whom I detest before heauen, and
 your honour
 
    Esc. How? thy wife?
   Elb. I Sir: whom I thanke heauen is an honest woman
 
    Esc. Do'st thou detest her therefore?
   Elb. I say sir, I will detest my selfe also, as well as she,
 that this house, if it be not a Bauds house, it is pitty of her
 life, for it is a naughty house
 
    Esc. How do'st thou know that, Constable?
   Elb. Marry sir, by my wife, who, if she had bin a woman
 Cardinally giuen, might haue bin accus'd in fornication,
 adultery, and all vncleanlinesse there
 
    Esc. By the womans meanes?
   Elb. I sir, by Mistris Ouerdons meanes: but as she spit
 in his face, so she defide him
 
    Clo. Sir, if it please your honor, this is not so
 
    Elb. Proue it before these varlets here, thou honorable
 man, proue it
 
    Esc. Doe you heare how he misplaces?
   Clo. Sir, she came in great with childe: and longing
 (sauing your honors reuerence) for stewd prewyns; sir,
 we had but two in the house, which at that very distant
 time stood, as it were in a fruit dish (a dish of some three
 pence; your honours haue seene such dishes) they are not
 China-dishes, but very good dishes
 
    Esc. Go too: go too: no matter for the dish sir
 
    Clo. No indeede sir not of a pin; you are therein in
 the right: but, to the point: As I say, this Mistris Elbow,
 being (as I say) with childe, and being great bellied, and
 longing (as I said) for prewyns: and hauing but two in
 the dish (as I said) Master Froth here, this very man, hauing
 eaten the rest (as I said) & (as I say) paying for them
 very honestly: for, as you know Master Froth, I could not
 giue you three pence againe
 
    Fro. No indeede
 
    Clo. Very well: you being then (if you be remembred)
 cracking the stones of the foresaid prewyns
 
    Fro. I, so I did indeede
 
    Clo. Why, very well: I telling you then (if you be
 remembred) that such a one, and such a one, were past
 cure of the thing you wot of, vnlesse they kept very good
 diet, as I told you
 
    Fro. All this is true
 
    Clo. Why very well then
 
    Esc. Come: you are a tedious foole: to the purpose:
 what was done to Elbowes wife, that hee hath cause to
 complaine of? Come me to what was done to her
 
    Clo. Sir, your honor cannot come to that yet
 
    Esc. No sir, nor I meane it not
 
    Clo. Sir, but you shall come to it, by your honours
 leaue: And I beseech you, looke into Master Froth here
 sir, a man of foure-score pound a yeare; whose father
 died at Hallowmas: Was't not at Hallowmas Master
 Froth?
   Fro. Allhallond-Eue
 
    Clo. Why very well: I hope here be truthes: he Sir,
 sitting (as I say) in a lower chaire, Sir, 'twas in the bunch
 of Grapes, where indeede you haue a delight to sit, haue
 you not?
   Fro. I haue so, because it is an open roome, and good
 for winter
 
    Clo. Why very well then: I hope here be truthes
 
    Ang. This will last out a night in Russia
 When nights are longest there: Ile take my leaue,
 And leaue you to the hearing of the cause;
 Hoping youle finde good cause to whip them all.
 
 Enter.
 
   Esc. I thinke no lesse: good morrow to your Lordship.
 Now Sir, come on: What was done to Elbowes
 wife, once more?
   Clo. Once Sir? there was nothing done to her once
 
    Elb. I beseech you Sir, aske him what this man did to
 my wife
 
    Clo. I beseech your honor, aske me
 
    Esc. Well sir, what did this Gentleman to her?
   Clo. I beseech you sir, looke in this Gentlemans face:
 good Master Froth looke vpon his honor; 'tis for a good
 purpose: doth your honor marke his face?
   Esc. I sir, very well
 
    Clo. Nay, I beseech you marke it well
 
    Esc. Well, I doe so
 
    Clo. Doth your honor see any harme in his face?
   Esc. Why no
 
    Clo. Ile be supposd vpon a booke, his face is the worst
 thing about him: good then: if his face be the worst
 thing about him, how could Master Froth doe the Constables
 wife any harme? I would know that of your
 honour
 
    Esc. He's in the right (Constable) what say you to it?
   Elb. First, and it like you, the house is a respected
 house; next, this is a respected fellow; and his Mistris is
 a respected woman
 
    Clo. By this hand Sir, his wife is a more respected person
 then any of vs all
 
    Elb. Varlet, thou lyest; thou lyest wicked varlet: the
 time is yet to come that shee was euer respected with
 man, woman, or childe
 
    Clo. Sir, she was respected with him, before he married
 with her
 
    Esc. Which is the wiser here; Iustice or Iniquitie? Is
 this true?
   Elb. O thou caytiffe: O thou varlet: O thou wicked
 Hanniball; I respected with her, before I was married
 to her? If euer I was respected with her, or she with me,
 let not your worship thinke mee the poore Dukes Officer:
 proue this, thou wicked Hanniball, or ile haue
 mine action of battry on thee
 
    Esc. If he tooke you a box o'th' eare, you might haue
 your action of slander too
 
    Elb. Marry I thanke your good worship for it: what
 is't your Worships pleasure I shall doe with this wicked
 Caitiffe?
   Esc. Truly Officer, because he hath some offences in
 him, that thou wouldst discouer, if thou couldst, let him
 continue in his courses, till thou knowst what they are
 
    Elb. Marry I thanke your worship for it: Thou seest
 thou wicked varlet now, what's come vpon thee. Thou
 art to continue now thou Varlet, thou art to continue
 
    Esc. Where were you borne, friend?
   Froth. Here in Vienna, Sir
 
    Esc. Are you of fourescore pounds a yeere?
   Froth. Yes, and't please you sir
 
    Esc. So: what trade are you of, sir?
   Clo. A Tapster, a poore widdowes Tapster
 
    Esc. Your Mistris name?
   Clo. Mistris Ouerdon
 
    Esc. Hath she had any more then one husband?
   Clo. Nine, sir: Ouerdon by the last
 
    Esc. Nine? come hether to me, Master Froth; Master
 Froth, I would not haue you acquainted with Tapsters;
 they will draw you Master Froth, and you wil hang them:
 get you gon, and let me heare no more of you
 
    Fro. I thanke your worship: for mine owne part, I
 neuer come into any roome in a Tap-house, but I am
 drawne in
 
    Esc. Well: no more of it Master Froth: farewell:
 Come you hether to me, Mr. Tapster: what's your name
 Mr. Tapster?
   Clo. Pompey
 
    Esc. What else?
   Clo. Bum, Sir
 
    Esc. Troth, and your bum is the greatest thing about
 you, so that in the beastliest sence, you are Pompey the
 great; Pompey, you are partly a bawd, Pompey; howsoeuer
 you colour it in being a Tapster, are you not? come,
 tell me true, it shall be the better for you
 
    Clo. Truly sir, I am a poore fellow that would liue
 
    Esc. How would you liue Pompey? by being a bawd?
 what doe you thinke of the trade Pompey? is it a lawfull
 trade?
   Clo. If the Law would allow it, sir
 
    Esc. But the Law will not allow it Pompey; nor it
 shall not be allowed in Vienna
 
    Clo. Do's your Worship meane to geld and splay all
 the youth of the City?
   Esc. No, Pompey
 
    Clo. Truely Sir, in my poore opinion they will too't
 then: if your worship will take order for the drabs and
 the knaues, you need not to feare the bawds
 
    Esc. There is pretty orders beginning I can tell you:
 It is but heading, and hanging
 
    Clo. If you head, and hang all that offend that way
 but for ten yeare together; you'll be glad to giue out a
 Commission for more heads: if this law hold in Vienna
 ten yeare, ile rent the fairest house in it after three pence
 a Bay: if you liue to see this come to passe, say Pompey
 told you so
 
    Esc. Thanke you good Pompey; and in requitall of
 your prophesie, harke you: I aduise you let me not finde
 you before me againe vpon any complaint whatsoeuer;
 no, not for dwelling where you doe: if I doe Pompey, I
 shall beat you to your Tent, and proue a shrewd Cæsar
 to you: in plaine dealing Pompey, I shall haue you whipt;
 so for this time, Pompey, fare you well
 
    Clo. I thanke your Worship for your good counsell;
 but I shall follow it as the flesh and fortune shall better
 determine. Whip me? no, no, let Carman whip his Iade,
 The valiant heart's not whipt out of his trade.
 
 Enter.
 
   Esc. Come hether to me, Master Elbow: come hither
 Master Constable: how long haue you bin in this place
 of Constable?
   Elb. Seuen yeere, and a halfe sir
 
    Esc. I thought by the readinesse in the office, you had
 continued in it some time: you say seauen yeares together
 
    Elb. And a halfe sir
 
    Esc. Alas, it hath beene great paines to you: they do
 you wrong to put you so oft vpon't. Are there not men
 in your Ward sufficient to serue it?
   Elb. 'Faith sir, few of any wit in such matters: as they
 are chosen, they are glad to choose me for them; I do it
 for some peece of money, and goe through with all
 
    Esc. Looke you bring mee in the names of some sixe
 or seuen, the most sufficient of your parish
 
    Elb. To your Worships house sir?
   Esc. To my house: fare you well: what's a clocke,
 thinke you?
   Iust. Eleuen, Sir
 
    Esc. I pray you home to dinner with me
 
    Iust. I humbly thanke you
 
    Esc. It grieues me for the death of Claudio
 But there's no remedie:
   Iust. Lord Angelo is seuere
 
    Esc. It is but needfull.
 Mercy is not it selfe, that oft lookes so,
 Pardon is still the nurse of second woe:
 But yet, poore Claudio; there is no remedie.
 Come Sir.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 
 Scena Secunda.
 
 Enter Prouost, Seruant.
 
   Ser. Hee's hearing of a Cause; he will come straight,
 I'le tell him of you
 
    Pro. 'Pray you doe; Ile know
 His pleasure, may be he will relent; alas
 He hath but as offended in a dreame,
 All Sects, all Ages smack of this vice, and he
 To die for't?
 
 Enter Angelo.
 
   Ang. Now, what's the matter Prouost?
   Pro. Is it your will Claudio shall die to morrow?
   Ang. Did not I tell thee yea? hadst thou not order?
 Why do'st thou aske againe?
   Pro. Lest I might be too rash:
 Vnder your good correction I haue seene
 When after execution, Iudgement hath
 Repented ore his doome
 
    Ang. Goe to; let that be mine,
 Doe you your office, or giue vp your Place,
 And you shall well be spar'd
 
    Pro. I craue your Honours pardon:
 What shall be done Sir, with the groaning Iuliet?
 Shee's very neere her howre
 
    Ang. Dispose of her
 To some more fitter place; and that with speed
 
    Ser. Here is the sister of the man condemn'd,
 Desires accesse to you
 
    Ang. Hath he a Sister?
   Pro. I my good Lord, a very vertuous maid,
 And to be shortlie of a Sister-hood,
 If not alreadie
 
    Ang. Well: let her be admitted,
 See you the Fornicatresse be remou'd,
 Let her haue needfull, but not lauish meanes,
 There shall be order for't.
 
 Enter Lucio and Isabella.
 
   Pro. 'Saue your Honour
 
    Ang. Stay a little while: y'are welcome: what's your will?
   Isab. I am a wofull Sutor to your Honour,
 'Please but your Honor heare me
 
    Ang. Well: what's your suite
 
    Isab. There is a vice that most I doe abhorre,
 And most desire should meet the blow of Iustice;
 For which I would not plead, but that I must,
 For which I must not plead, but that I am
 At warre, twixt will, and will not
 
    Ang. Well: the matter?
   Isab. I haue a brother is condemn'd to die,
 I doe beseech you let it be his fault,
 And not my brother
 
    Pro. Heauen giue thee mouing graces
 
    Ang. Condemne the fault, and not the actor of it,
 Why euery fault's condemnd ere it be done:
 Mine were the verie Cipher of a Function
 To fine the faults, whose fine stands in record,
 And let goe by the Actor
 
    Isab. Oh iust, but seuere Law:
 I had a brother then; heauen keepe your honour
 
    Luc. Giue't not ore so: to him againe, entreat him,
 Kneele downe before him, hang vpon his gowne,
 You are too cold: if you should need a pin,
 You could not with more tame a tongue desire it:
 To him, I say
 
    Isab. Must he needs die?
   Ang. Maiden, no remedie
 
    Isab. Yes: I doe thinke that you might pardon him,
 And neither heauen, nor man grieue at the mercy
 
    Ang. I will not doe't
 
    Isab. But can you if you would?
   Ang. Looke what I will not, that I cannot doe
 
    Isab. But might you doe't & do the world no wrong
 If so your heart were touch'd with that remorse,
 As mine is to him?
   Ang. Hee's sentenc'd, tis too late
 
    Luc. You are too cold
 
    Isab. Too late? why no: I that doe speak a word
 May call it againe: well, beleeue this
 No ceremony that to great ones longs,
 Not the Kings Crowne; nor the deputed sword,
 The Marshalls Truncheon, nor the Iudges Robe
 Become them with one halfe so good a grace
 As mercie does: If he had bin as you, and you as he,
 You would haue slipt like him, but he like you
 Would not haue beene so sterne
 
    Ang. Pray you be gone
 
    Isab. I would to heauen I had your potencie,
 And you were Isabell: should it then be thus?
 No: I would tell what 'twere to be a Iudge,
 And what a prisoner
 
    Luc. I, touch him: there's the veine
 
    Ang. Your Brother is a forfeit of the Law,
 And you but waste your words
 
    Isab. Alas, alas:
 Why all the soules that were, were forfeit once,
 And he that might the vantage best haue tooke,
 Found out the remedie: how would you be,
 If he, which is the top of Iudgement, should
 But iudge you, as you are? Oh, thinke on that,
 And mercie then will breathe within your lips
 Like man new made
 
    Ang. Be you content, (faire Maid)
 It is the Law, not I, condemne your brother,
 Were he my kinsman, brother, or my sonne,
 It should be thus with him: he must die to morrow
 
    Isab. To morrow? oh, that's sodaine,
 Spare him, spare him:
 Hee's not prepar'd for death; euen for our kitchins
 We kill the fowle of season: shall we serue heauen
 With lesse respect then we doe minister
 To our grosse-selues? good, good my Lord, bethink you;
 Who is it that hath di'd for this offence?
 There's many haue committed it
 
    Luc. I, well said
 
    Ang. The Law hath not bin dead, thogh it hath slept
 Those many had not dar'd to doe that euill
 If the first, that did th' Edict infringe
 Had answer'd for his deed. Now 'tis awake,
 Takes note of what is done, and like a Prophet
 Lookes in a glasse that shewes what future euils
 Either now, or by remissenesse, new conceiu'd,
 And so in progresse to be hatch'd, and borne,
 Are now to haue no successiue degrees,
 But here they liue to end
 
    Isab. Yet shew some pittie
 
    Ang. I shew it most of all, when I show Iustice;
 For then I pittie those I doe not know,
 Which a dismis'd offence, would after gaule
 And doe him right, that answering one foule wrong
 Liues not to act another. Be satisfied;
 Your Brother dies to morrow; be content
 
    Isab. So you must be y first that giues this sentence,
 And hee, that suffers: Oh, it is excellent
 To haue a Giants strength: but it is tyrannous
 To vse it like a Giant
 
    Luc. That's well said
 
    Isab. Could great men thunder
 As Ioue himselfe do's, Ioue would neuer be quiet,
 For euery pelting petty Officer
 Would vse his heauen for thunder;
 Nothing but thunder: Mercifull heauen,
 Thou rather with thy sharpe and sulpherous bolt
 Splits the vn-wedgable and gnarled Oke,
 Then the soft Mertill: But man, proud man,
 Drest in a little briefe authoritie,
 Most ignorant of what he's most assur'd,
 (His glassie Essence) like an angry Ape
 Plaies such phantastique tricks before high heauen,
 As makes the Angels weepe: who with our spleenes,
 Would all themselues laugh mortall
 
    Luc. Oh, to him, to him wench: he will relent,
 Hee's comming: I perceiue't
 
    Pro. Pray heauen she win him
 
    Isab. We cannot weigh our brother with our selfe,
 Great men may iest with Saints: tis wit in them,
 But in the lesse fowle prophanation
 
    Luc. Thou'rt i'th right (Girle) more o'that
 
    Isab. That in the Captaine's but a chollericke word,
 Which in the Souldier is flat blasphemie
 
    Luc. Art auis'd o'that? more on't
 
    Ang. Why doe you put these sayings vpon me?
   Isab. Because Authoritie, though it erre like others,
 Hath yet a kinde of medicine in it selfe
 That skins the vice o'th top; goe to your bosome,
 Knock there, and aske your heart what it doth know
 That's like my brothers fault: if it confesse
 A naturall guiltinesse, such as is his,
 Let it not sound a thought vpon your tongue
 Against my brothers life
 
    Ang. Shee speakes, and 'tis such sence
 That my Sence breeds with it; fare you well
 
    Isab. Gentle my Lord, turne backe
 
    Ang. I will bethinke me: come againe to morrow
 
    Isa. Hark, how Ile bribe you: good my Lord turn back
 
    Ang. How? bribe me?
   Is. I, with such gifts that heauen shall share with you
 
    Luc. You had mar'd all else
 
    Isab. Not with fond Sickles of the tested-gold,
 Or Stones, whose rate are either rich, or poore
 As fancie values them: but with true prayers,
 That shall be vp at heauen, and enter there
 Ere Sunne rise: prayers from preserued soules,
 From fasting Maides, whose mindes are dedicate
 To nothing temporall
 
    Ang. Well: come to me to morrow
 
    Luc. Goe to: 'tis well; away
 
    Isab. Heauen keepe your honour safe
 
    Ang. Amen.
 For I am that way going to temptation,
 Where prayers crosse
 
    Isab. At what hower to morrow,
 Shall I attend your Lordship?
   Ang. At any time 'fore-noone
 
    Isab. 'Saue your Honour
 
    Ang. From thee: euen from thy vertue.
 What's this? what's this? is this her fault, or mine?
 The Tempter, or the Tempted, who sins most? ha?
 Not she: nor doth she tempt: but it is I,
 That, lying by the Violet in the Sunne,
 Doe as the Carrion do's, not as the flowre,
 Corrupt with vertuous season: Can it be,
 That Modesty may more betray our Sence
 Then womans lightnesse? hauing waste ground enough,
 Shall we desire to raze the Sanctuary
 And pitch our euils there? oh fie, fie, fie:
 What dost thou? or what art thou Angelo?
 Dost thou desire her fowly, for those things
 That make her good? oh, let her brother liue:
 Theeues for their robbery haue authority,
 When Iudges steale themselues: what, doe I loue her,
 That I desire to heare her speake againe?
 And feast vpon her eyes? what is't I dreame on?
 Oh cunning enemy, that to catch a Saint,
 With Saints dost bait thy hooke: most dangerous
 Is that temptation, that doth goad vs on
 To sinne, in louing vertue: neuer could the Strumpet
 With all her double vigor, Art, and Nature
 Once stir my temper: but this vertuous Maid
 Subdues me quite: Euer till now
 When men were fond, I smild, and wondred how.
 
 Enter.
 
 
 Scena Tertia.
 
 Enter Duke and Prouost.
 
   Duke. Haile to you, Prouost, so I thinke you are
 
    Pro. I am the Prouost: whats your will, good Frier?
   Duke. Bound by my charity, and my blest order,
 I come to visite the afflicted spirits
 Here in the prison: doe me the common right
 To let me see them: and to make me know
 The nature of their crimes, that I may minister
 To them accordingly
 
    Pro. I would do more then that, if more were needfull
 
 Enter Iuliet.
 
 Looke here comes one: a Gentlewoman of mine,
 Who falling in the flawes of her owne youth,
 Hath blisterd her report: She is with childe,
 And he that got it, sentenc'd: a yong man,
 More fit to doe another such offence,
 Then dye for this
 
    Duk. When must he dye?
   Pro. As I do thinke to morrow.
 I haue prouided for you, stay a while
 And you shall be conducted
 
    Duk. Repent you (faire one) of the sin you carry?
   Iul. I doe; and beare the shame most patiently
 
    Du. Ile teach you how you shal araign your conscie[n]ce
 And try your penitence, if it be sound,
 Or hollowly put on
 
    Iul. Ile gladly learne
 
    Duk. Loue you the man that wrong'd you?
   Iul. Yes, as I loue the woman that wrong'd him
 
    Duk. So then it seemes your most offence full act
 Was mutually committed
 
    Iul. Mutually
 
    Duk. Then was your sin of heauier kinde then his
 
    Iul. I doe confesse it, and repent it (Father.)
   Duk. 'Tis meet so (daughter) but least you do repent
 As that the sin hath brought you to this shame,
 Which sorrow is alwaies toward our selues, not heauen,
 Showing we would not spare heauen, as we loue it,
 But as we stand in feare
 
    Iul. I doe repent me, as it is an euill,
 And take the shame with ioy
 
    Duke. There rest:
 Your partner (as I heare) must die to morrow,
 And I am going with instruction to him:
 Grace goe with you, Benedicite.
 
 Enter.
 
   Iul. Must die to morrow? oh iniurious Loue
 That respits me a life, whose very comfort
 Is still a dying horror
 
    Pro. 'Tis pitty of him.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 
 Scena Quarta.
 
 Enter Angelo.
 
   An. When I would pray, & think, I thinke, and pray
 To seuerall subiects: heauen hath my empty words,
 Whilst my Inuention, hearing not my Tongue,
 Anchors on Isabell: heauen in my mouth,
 As if I did but onely chew his name,
 And in my heart the strong and swelling euill
 Of my conception: the state whereon I studied
 Is like a good thing, being often read
 Growne feard, and tedious: yea, my Grauitie
 Wherein (let no man heare me) I take pride,
 Could I, with boote, change for an idle plume
 Which the ayre beats for vaine: oh place, oh forme,
 How often dost thou with thy case, thy habit
 Wrench awe from fooles, and tye the wiser soules
 To thy false seeming? Blood, thou art blood,
 Let's write good Angell on the Deuills horne
 'Tis not the Deuills Crest: how now? who's there?
 
 Enter Seruant.
 
   Ser. One Isabell, a Sister, desires accesse to you
 
    Ang. Teach her the way: oh, heauens
 Why doe's my bloud thus muster to my heart,
 Making both it vnable for it selfe,
 And dispossessing all my other parts
 Of necessary fitnesse?
 So play the foolish throngs with one that swounds,
 Come all to help him, and so stop the ayre
 By which hee should reuiue: and euen so
 The generall subiect to a wel-wisht King
 Quit their owne part, and in obsequious fondnesse
 Crowd to his presence, where their vn-taught loue
 Must needs appear offence: how now faire Maid.
 
 Enter Isabella.
 
   Isab. I am come to know your pleasure
 
    An. That you might know it, wold much better please me,
 Then to demand what 'tis: your Brother cannot liue
 
    Isab. Euen so: heauen keepe your Honor
 
    Ang. Yet may he liue a while: and it may be
 As long as you, or I: yet he must die
 
    Isab. Vnder your Sentence?
   Ang. Yea
 
    Isab. When, I beseech you: that in his Reprieue
 (Longer, or shorter) he may be so fitted
 That his soule sicken not
 
    Ang. Ha? fie, these filthy vices: It were as good
 To pardon him, that hath from nature stolne
 A man already made, as to remit
 Their sawcie sweetnes, that do coyne heauens Image
 In stamps that are forbid: 'tis all as easie,
 Falsely to take away a life true made,
 As to put mettle in restrained meanes
 To make a false one
 
    Isab. 'Tis set downe so in heauen, but not in earth
 
    Ang. Say you so: then I shall poze you quickly.
 Which had you rather, that the most iust Law
 Now tooke your brothers life, and to redeeme him
 Giue vp your body to such sweet vncleannesse
 As she that he hath staind?
   Isab. Sir, beleeue this.
 I had rather giue my body, then my soule
 
    Ang. I talke not of your soule: our compel'd sins
 Stand more for number, then for accompt
 
    Isab. How say you?
   Ang. Nay Ile not warrant that: for I can speake
 Against the thing I say: Answere to this,
 I (now the voyce of the recorded Law)
 Pronounce a sentence on your Brothers life,
 Might there not be a charitie in sinne,
 To saue this Brothers life?
   Isab. Please you to doo't,
 Ile take it as a perill to my soule,
 It is no sinne at all, but charitie
 
    Ang. Pleas'd you to doo't, at perill of your soule
 Were equall poize of sinne, and charitie
 
    Isab. That I do beg his life, if it be sinne
 Heauen let me beare it: you granting of my suit,
 If that be sin, Ile make it my Morne-praier,
 To haue it added to the faults of mine,
 And nothing of your answere
 
    Ang. Nay, but heare me,
 Your sence pursues not mine: either you are ignorant,
 Or seeme so crafty; and that's not good
 
    Isab. Let be ignorant, and in nothing good,
 But graciously to know I am no better
 
    Ang. Thus wisdome wishes to appeare most bright,
 When it doth taxe it selfe: As these blacke Masques
 Proclaime an en-shield beauty ten times louder
 Then beauty could displaied: But marke me,
 To be receiued plaine, Ile speake more grosse:
 Your Brother is to dye
 
    Isab. So
 
    Ang. And his offence is so, as it appeares,
 Accountant to the Law, vpon that paine
 
    Isab. True
 
    Ang. Admit no other way to saue his life
 (As I subscribe not that, nor any other,
 But in the losse of question) that you, his Sister,
 Finding your selfe desir'd of such a person,
 Whose creadit with the Iudge, or owne great place,
 Could fetch your Brother from the Manacles
 Of the all-building-Law: and that there were
 No earthly meane to saue him, but that either
 You must lay downe the treasures of your body,
 To this supposed, or else to let him suffer:
 What would you doe?
   Isab. As much for my poore Brother, as my selfe;
 That is: were I vnder the tearmes of death,
 Th' impression of keene whips, I'ld weare as Rubies,
 And strip my selfe to death, as to a bed,
 That longing haue bin sicke for, ere I'ld yeeld
 My body vp to shame
 
    Ang. Then must your brother die
 
    Isa. And 'twer the cheaper way:
 Better it were a brother dide at once,
 Then that a sister, by redeeming him
 Should die for euer
 
    Ang. Were not you then as cruell as the Sentence,
 That you haue slander'd so?
   Isa. Ignomie in ransome, and free pardon
 Are of two houses: lawfull mercie,
 Is nothing kin to fowle redemption
 
    Ang. You seem'd of late to make the Law a tirant,
 And rather prou'd the sliding of your brother
 A merriment, then a vice
 
    Isa. Oh pardon me my Lord, it oft fals out
 To haue, what we would haue,
 We speake not what we meane;
 I something do excuse the thing I hate,
 For his aduantage that I dearely loue
 
    Ang. We are all fraile
 
    Isa. Else let my brother die,
 If not a fedarie but onely he
 Owe, and succeed thy weaknesse
 
    Ang. Nay, women are fraile too
 
    Isa. I, as the glasses where they view themselues,
 Which are as easie broke as they make formes:
 Women? Helpe heauen; men their creation marre
 In profiting by them: Nay, call vs ten times fraile,
 For we are soft, as our complexions are,
 And credulous to false prints
 
    Ang. I thinke it well:
 And from this testimonie of your owne sex
 (Since I suppose we are made to be no stronger
 Then faults may shake our frames) let me be bold;
 I do arrest your words. Be that you are,
 That is a woman; if you be more, you'r none.
 If you be one (as you are well exprest
 By all externall warrants) shew it now,
 By putting on the destin'd Liuerie
 
    Isa. I haue no tongue but one; gentle my Lord,
 Let me entreate you speake the former language
 
    Ang. Plainlie conceiue I loue you
 
    Isa. My brother did loue Iuliet,
 And you tell me that he shall die for't
 
    Ang. He shall not Isabell if you giue me loue
 
    Isa. I know your vertue hath a licence in't,
 Which seemes a little fouler then it is,
 To plucke on others
 
    Ang. Beleeue me on mine Honor,
 My words expresse my purpose
 
    Isa. Ha? Little honor, to be much beleeu'd,
 And most pernitious purpose: Seeming, seeming.
 I will proclaime thee Angelo, looke for't.
 Signe me a present pardon for my brother,
 Or with an out-stretcht throate Ile tell the world aloud
 What man thou art
 
    Ang. Who will beleeue thee Isabell?
 My vnsoild name, th' austeerenesse of my life,
 My vouch against you, and my place i'th State,
 Will so your accusation ouer-weigh,
 That you shall stifle in your owne report,
 And smell of calumnie. I haue begun,
 And now I giue my sensuall race, the reine,
 Fit thy consent to my sharpe appetite,
 Lay by all nicetie, and prolixious blushes
 That banish what they sue for: Redeeme thy brother,
 By yeelding vp thy bodie to my will,
 Or else he must not onelie die the death,
 But thy vnkindnesse shall his death draw out
 To lingring sufferance: Answer me to morrow,
 Or by the affection that now guides me most,
 Ile proue a Tirant to him. As for you,
 Say what you can; my false, ore-weighs your true.
 
 Exit
 
   Isa. To whom should I complaine? Did I tell this,
 Who would beleeue me? O perilous mouthes
 That beare in them, one and the selfesame tongue,
 Either of condemnation, or approofe,
 Bidding the Law make curtsie to their will,
 Hooking both right and wrong to th' appetite,
 To follow as it drawes. Ile to my brother,
 Though he hath falne by prompture of the blood,
 Yet hath he in him such a minde of Honor,
 That had he twentie heads to tender downe
 On twentie bloodie blockes, hee'ld yeeld them vp,
 Before his sister should her bodie stoope
 To such abhord pollution.
 Then Isabell liue chaste, and brother die;
 ``More then our Brother, is our Chastitie.
 Ile tell him yet of Angelo's request,
 And fit his minde to death, for his soules rest.
 
 Enter.
 
 
 Actus Tertius. Scena Prima.
 
 Enter Duke, Claudio, and Prouost.
 
   Du. So then you hope of pardon from Lord Angelo?
   Cla. The miserable haue no other medicine
 But onely hope: I'haue hope to liue, 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 loose thee, I do loose a thing
 That none but fooles would keepe: a breath thou art,
 Seruile to all the skyie-influences
 That dost this habitation where thou keepst
 Hourely afflict: Meerely, thou art deaths foole,
 For him thou labourst by thy flight to shun,
 And yet runst toward him still. Thou art not noble,
 For all th' accommodations that thou bearst,
 Are nurst by basenesse: Thou'rt by no meanes valiant,
 For thou dost feare the soft and tender forke
 Of a poore worme: thy best of rest is sleepe,
 And that thou oft prouoakst, yet grosselie fearst
 Thy death, which is no more. Thou art not thy selfe,
 For thou exists on manie a thousand graines
 That issue out of dust. Happie thou art not,
 For what thou hast not, still thou striu'st to get,
 And what thou hast forgetst. Thou art not certaine,
 For thy complexion shifts to strange effects,
 After the Moone: If thou art rich, thou'rt poore,
 For like an Asse, whose backe with Ingots bowes;
 Thou bearst thy heauie riches but a iournie,
 And death vnloads thee; Friend hast thou none.
 For thine owne bowels which do call thee, fire
 The meere effusion of thy proper loines
 Do curse the Gowt, Sapego, and the Rheume
 For ending thee no sooner. Thou hast nor youth, nor age
 But as it were an after-dinners sleepe
 Dreaming on both, for all thy blessed youth
 Becomes as aged, and doth begge the almes
 Of palsied-Eld: and when thou art old, and rich
 Thou hast neither heate, affection, limbe, nor beautie
 To make thy riches pleasant: what's yet in this
 That beares the name of life? Yet in this life
 Lie hid moe thousand deaths; yet death we feare
 That makes these oddes, all euen
 
    Cla. I humblie thanke you.
 To sue to liue, I finde I seeke to die,
 And seeking death, finde life: Let it come on.
 
 Enter Isabella.
 
   Isab. What hoa? Peace heere; Grace, and good companie
 
    Pro. Who's there? Come in, the wish deserues a
 welcome
 
    Duke. Deere sir, ere long Ile visit you againe
 
    Cla. Most holie Sir, I thanke you
 
    Isa. My businesse is a word or two with Claudio
 
    Pro. And verie welcom: looke Signior, here's your
 sister
 
    Duke. Prouost, a word with you
 
    Pro. As manie as you please
 
    Duke. Bring them to heare me speak, where I may be
 conceal'd
 
    Cla. Now sister, what's the comfort?
   Isa. Why,
 As all comforts are: most good, most good indeede,
 Lord Angelo hauing affaires to heauen
 Intends you for his swift Ambassador,
 Where you shall be an euerlasting Leiger;
 Therefore your best appointment make with speed,
 To Morrow you set on
 
    Clau. Is there no remedie?
   Isa. None, but such remedie, as to saue a head
 To cleaue a heart in twaine:
   Clau. But is there anie?
   Isa. Yes brother, you may liue;
 There is a diuellish mercie in the Iudge,
 If you'l implore it, that will free your life,
 But fetter you till death
 
    Cla. Perpetuall durance?
   Isa. I iust, perpetuall durance, a restraint
 Through all the worlds vastiditie you had
 To a determin'd scope
 
    Clau. But in what nature?
   Isa. In such a one, as you consenting too't,
 Would barke your honor from that trunke you beare,
 And leaue you naked
 
    Clau. Let me know the point
 
    Isa. Oh, I do feare thee Claudio, and I quake,
 Least thou a feauorous life shouldst entertaine,
 And six or seuen winters more respect
 Then a perpetuall Honor. Dar'st thou die?
 The sence of death is most in apprehension,
 And the poore Beetle that we treade vpon
 In corporall sufferance, finds a pang as great,
 As when a Giant dies
 
    Cla. Why giue you me this shame?
 Thinke you I can a resolution fetch
 From flowrie tendernesse? If I must die,
 I will encounter darknesse as a bride,
 And hugge it in mine armes
 
    Isa. There spake my brother: there my fathers graue
 Did vtter forth a voice. Yes, thou must die:
 Thou art too noble, to conserue a life
 In base appliances. This outward sainted Deputie,
 Whose setled visage, and deliberate word
 Nips youth i'th head, and follies doth emmew
 As Falcon doth the Fowle, is yet a diuell:
 His filth within being cast, he would appeare
 A pond, as deepe as hell
 
    Cla. The prenzie, Angelo?
   Isa. Oh 'tis the cunning Liuerie of hell,
 The damnest bodie to inuest, and couer
 In prenzie gardes; dost thou thinke Claudio,
 If I would yeeld him my virginitie
 Thou might'st be freed?
   Cla. Oh heauens, it cannot be
 
    Isa. Yes, he would giu't thee; from this rank offence
 So to offend him still. This night's the time
 That I should do what I abhorre to name,
 Or else thou diest to morrow
 
    Clau. Thou shalt not do't
 
    Isa. O, were it but my life,
 I'de throw it downe for your deliuerance
 As frankely as a pin
 
    Clau. Thankes deere Isabell
 
    Isa. Be readie Claudio, for your death to morrow
 
    Clau. Yes. Has he affections in him,
 That thus can make him bite the Law by th' nose,
 When he would force it? Sure it is no sinne,
 Or of the deadly seuen it is the least
 
    Isa. Which is the least?
   Cla. If it were damnable, he being so wise,
 Why would he for the momentarie tricke
 Be perdurablie fin'de? Oh Isabell
 
    Isa. What saies my brother?
   Cla. Death is a fearefull thing
 
    Isa. And shamed life, a hatefull
 
    Cla. I, but to die, and go we know not where,
 To lie in cold obstruction, and to rot,
 This sensible warme motion, to become
 A kneaded clod; And the delighted spirit
 To bath in fierie floods, or to recide
 In thrilling Region of thicke-ribbed Ice,
 To be imprison'd in the viewlesse windes
 And blowne with restlesse violence round about
 The pendant world: or to be worse then worst
 Of those, that lawlesse and incertaine thought,
 Imagine howling, 'tis too horrible.
 The weariest, and most loathed worldly life
 That Age, Ache, periury, and imprisonment
 Can lay on nature, is a Paradise
 To what we feare of death
 
    Isa. Alas, alas
 
    Cla. Sweet Sister, let me liue.
 What sinne you do, to saue a brothers life,
 Nature dispenses with the deede so farre,
 That it becomes a vertue
 
    Isa. Oh you beast,
 Oh faithlesse Coward, oh dishonest wretch,
 Wilt thou be made a man, out of my vice?
 Is't not a kinde of Incest, to take life
 From thine owne sisters shame? What should I thinke,
 Heauen shield my Mother plaid my Father faire:
 For such a warped slip of wildernesse
 Nere issu'd from his blood. Take my defiance,
 Die, perish: Might but my bending downe
 Repreeue thee from thy fate, it should proceede.
 Ile pray a thousand praiers for thy death,
 No word to saue thee
 
    Cla. Nay heare me Isabell
 
    Isa. Oh fie, fie, fie:
 Thy sinn's not accidentall, but a Trade;
 Mercy to thee would proue it selfe a Bawd,
 'Tis best that thou diest quickly
 
    Cla. Oh heare me Isabella
 
    Duk. Vouchsafe a word, yong sister, but one word
 
    Isa. What is your Will
 
    Duk. Might you dispense with your leysure, I would
 by and by haue some speech with you: the satisfaction I
 would require, is likewise your owne benefit
 
    Isa. I haue no superfluous leysure, my stay must be
 stolen out of other affaires: but I will attend you a while
 
    Duke. Son, I haue ouer-heard what hath past between
 you & your sister. Angelo had neuer the purpose to corrupt
 her; onely he hath made an assay of her vertue, to
 practise his iudgement with the disposition of natures.
 She (hauing the truth of honour in her) hath made him
 that gracious deniall, which he is most glad to receiue: I
 am Confessor to Angelo, and I know this to be true, therfore
 prepare your selfe to death: do not satisfie your resolution
 with hopes that are fallible, to morrow you
 must die, goe to your knees, and make ready
 
    Cla. Let me ask my sister pardon, I am so out of loue
 with life, that I will sue to be rid of it
 
    Duke. Hold you there: farewell: Prouost, a word
 with you
 
    Pro. What's your will (father?)
   Duk. That now you are come, you wil be gone: leaue
 me a while with the Maid, my minde promises with my
 habit, no losse shall touch her by my company
 
    Pro. In good time.
 
 Enter.
 
   Duk. The hand that hath made you faire, hath made
 you good: the goodnes that is cheape in beauty, makes
 beauty briefe in goodnes; but grace being the soule of
 your complexion, shall keepe the body of it euer faire:
 the assault that Angelo hath made to you, Fortune hath
 conuaid to my vnderstanding; and but that frailty hath
 examples for his falling, I should wonder at Angelo: how
 will you doe to content this Substitute, and to saue your
 Brother?
   Isab. I am now going to resolue him: I had rather
 my brother die by the Law, then my sonne should be vnlawfullie
 borne. But (oh) how much is the good Duke
 deceiu'd in Angelo: if euer he returne, and I can speake
 to him, I will open my lips in vaine, or discouer his gouernment
 
    Duke. That shall not be much amisse: yet, as the matter
 now stands, he will auoid your accusation: he made
 triall of you onelie. Therefore fasten your eare on my
 aduisings, to the loue I haue in doing good; a remedie
 presents it selfe. I doe make my selfe beleeue that you
 may most vprighteously do a poor wronged Lady a merited
 benefit; redeem your brother from the angry Law;
 doe no staine to your owne gracious person, and much
 please the absent Duke, if peraduenture he shall euer returne
 to haue hearing of this businesse
 
    Isab. Let me heare you speake farther; I haue spirit to
 do any thing that appeares not fowle in the truth of my
 spirit
 
    Duke. Vertue is bold, and goodnes neuer fearefull:
 Haue you not heard speake of Mariana the sister of Fredericke
 the great Souldier, who miscarried at Sea?
   Isa. I haue heard of the Lady, and good words went
 with her name
 
    Duke. Shee should this Angelo haue married: was affianced
 to her oath, and the nuptiall appointed: between
 which time of the contract, and limit of the solemnitie,
 her brother Fredericke was wrackt at Sea, hauing in that
 perished vessell, the dowry of his sister: but marke how
 heauily this befell to the poore Gentlewoman, there she
 lost a noble and renowned brother, in his loue toward
 her, euer most kinde and naturall: with him the portion
 and sinew of her fortune, her marriage dowry: with
 both, her combynate-husband, this well-seeming
 Angelo
 
    Isab. Can this be so? did Angelo so leaue her?
   Duke. Left her in her teares, & dried not one of them
 with his comfort: swallowed his vowes whole, pretending
 in her, discoueries of dishonor: in few, bestow'd
 her on her owne lamentation, which she yet weares for
 his sake: and he, a marble to her teares, is washed with
 them, but relents not
 
    Isab. What a merit were it in death to take this poore
 maid from the world? what corruption in this life, that
 it will let this man liue? But how out of this can shee auaile?
   Duke. It is a rupture that you may easily heale: and the
 cure of it not onely saues your brother, but keepes you
 from dishonor in doing it
 
    Isab. Shew me how (good Father.)
   Duk. This fore-named Maid hath yet in her the continuance
 of her first affection: his vniust vnkindenesse
 (that in all reason should haue quenched her loue) hath
 (like an impediment in the Current) made it more violent
 and vnruly: Goe you to Angelo, answere his requiring
 with a plausible obedience, agree with his demands
 to the point: onely referre your selfe to this aduantage;
 first, that your stay with him may not be long: that the
 time may haue all shadow, and silence in it: and the place
 answere to conuenience: this being granted in course,
 and now followes all: wee shall aduise this wronged
 maid to steed vp your appointment, goe in your place:
 if the encounter acknowledge it selfe heereafter, it may
 compell him to her recompence; and heere, by this is
 your brother saued, your honor vntainted, the poore
 Mariana aduantaged, and the corrupt Deputy scaled.
 The Maid will I frame, and make fit for his attempt: if
 you thinke well to carry this as you may, the doublenes
 of the benefit defends the deceit from reproofe. What
 thinke you of it?
   Isab. The image of it giues me content already, and I
 trust it will grow to a most prosperous perfection
 
    Duk. It lies much in your holding vp: haste you speedily
 to Angelo, if for this night he intreat you to his bed,
 giue him promise of satisfaction: I will presently to S[aint].
 Lukes, there at the moated-Grange recides this deiected
 Mariana; at that place call vpon me, and dispatch
 with Angelo, that it may be quickly
 
    Isab. I thank you for this comfort: fare you well good
 father.
 
 Enter.
 
 Enter Elbow, Clowne, Officers.
 
   Elb. Nay, if there be no remedy for it, but that you
 will needes buy and sell men and women like beasts, we
 shall haue all the world drinke browne & white bastard
 
    Duk. Oh heauens, what stuffe is heere
 
    Clow. Twas neuer merry world since of two vsuries
 the merriest was put downe, and the worser allow'd by
 order of Law; a fur'd gowne to keepe him warme; and
 furd with Foxe and Lamb-skins too, to signifie, that craft
 being richer then Innocency, stands for the facing
 
    Elb. Come your way sir: 'blesse you good Father
 Frier
 
    Duk. And you good Brother Father; what offence
 hath this man made you, Sir?
   Elb. Marry Sir, he hath offended the Law; and Sir,
 we take him to be a Theefe too Sir: for wee haue found
 vpon him Sir, a strange Pick-lock, which we haue sent
 to the Deputie
 
    Duke. Fie, sirrah, a Bawd, a wicked bawd,
 The euill that thou causest to be done,
 That is thy meanes to liue. Do thou but thinke
 What 'tis to cram a maw, or cloath a backe
 From such a filthie vice: say to thy selfe,
 From their abhominable and beastly touches
 I drinke, I eate away my selfe, and liue:
 Canst thou beleeue thy liuing is a life,
 So stinkingly depending? Go mend, go mend
 
    Clo. Indeed, it do's stinke in some sort, Sir:
 But yet Sir I would proue
 
    Duke. Nay, if the diuell haue giuen thee proofs for sin
 Thou wilt proue his. Take him to prison Officer:
 Correction, and Instruction must both worke
 Ere this rude beast will profit
 
    Elb. He must before the Deputy Sir, he ha's giuen
 him warning: the Deputy cannot abide a Whore-master:
 if he be a Whore-monger, and comes before him,
 he were as good go a mile on his errand
 
    Duke. That we were all, as some would seeme to bee
 From our faults, as faults from seeming free.
 
 Enter Lucio.
 
   Elb. His necke will come to your wast, a Cord sir
 
    Clo. I spy comfort, I cry baile: Here's a Gentleman,
 and a friend of mine
 
    Luc. How now noble Pompey? What, at the wheels
 of Cæsar? Art thou led in triumph? What is there none
 of Pigmalions Images newly made woman to bee had
 now, for putting the hand in the pocket, and extracting
 clutch'd? What reply? Ha? What saist thou to this
 Tune, Matter, and Method? Is't not drown'd i'th last
 raine? Ha? What saist thou Trot? Is the world as it was
 Man? Which is the way? Is it sad, and few words?
 Or how? The tricke of it?
   Duke. Still thus, and thus: still worse?
   Luc. How doth my deere Morsell, thy Mistris? Procures
 she still? Ha?
   Clo. Troth sir, shee hath eaten vp all her beefe, and
 she is her selfe in the tub
 
    Luc. Why 'tis good: It is the right of it: it must be
 so. Euer your fresh Whore, and your pouder'd Baud, an
 vnshun'd consequence, it must be so. Art going to prison
 Pompey?
   Clo. Yes faith sir
 
    Luc. Why 'tis not amisse Pompey: farewell: goe say
 I sent thee thether: for debt Pompey? Or how?
   Elb. For being a baud, for being a baud
 
    Luc. Well, then imprison him: If imprisonment be
 the due of a baud, why 'tis his right. Baud is he doubtlesse,
 and of antiquity too: Baud borne. Farwell good
 Pompey: Commend me to the prison Pompey, you will
 turne good husband now Pompey, you will keepe the
 house
 
    Clo. I hope Sir, your good Worship wil be my baile?
   Luc. No indeed wil I not Pompey, it is not the wear:
 I will pray (Pompey) to encrease your bondage if you
 take it not patiently: Why, your mettle is the more:
 Adieu trustie Pompey.
 Blesse you Friar
 
    Duke. And you
 
    Luc. Do's Bridget paint still, Pompey? Ha?
   Elb. Come your waies sir, come
 
    Clo. You will not baile me then Sir?
   Luc. Then Pompey, nor now: what newes abroad Frier?
 What newes?
   Elb. Come your waies sir, come
 
    Luc. Goe to kennell (Pompey) goe:
 What newes Frier of the Duke?
   Duke. I know none: can you tell me of any?
   Luc. Some say he is with the Emperor of Russia: other
 some, he is in Rome: but where is he thinke you?
   Duke. I know not where: but wheresoeuer, I wish
 him well
 
    Luc. It was a mad fantasticall tricke of him to steale
 from the State, and vsurpe the beggerie hee was neuer
 borne to: Lord Angelo Dukes it well in his absence: he
 puts transgression too't
 
    Duke. He do's well in't
 
    Luc. A little more lenitie to Lecherie would doe no
 harme in him: Something too crabbed that way, Frier
 
    Duk. It is too general a vice, and seueritie must cure it
 
    Luc. Yes in good sooth, the vice is of a great kindred;
 it is well allied, but it is impossible to extirpe it quite,
 Frier, till eating and drinking be put downe. They say
 this Angelo was not made by Man and Woman, after
 this downe-right way of Creation: is it true, thinke
 you?
   Duke. How should he be made then?
   Luc. Some report, a Sea-maid spawn'd him. Some,
 that he was begot betweene two Stock-fishes. But it
 is certaine, that when he makes water, his Vrine is congeal'd
 ice, that I know to bee true: and he is a motion
 generatiue, that's infallible
 
    Duke. You are pleasant sir, and speake apace
 
    Luc. Why, what a ruthlesse thing is this in him, for
 the rebellion of a Cod-peece, to take away the life of a
 man? Would the Duke that is absent haue done this?
 Ere he would haue hang'd a man for the getting a hundred
 Bastards, he would haue paide for the Nursing a
 thousand. He had some feeling of the sport, hee knew
 the seruice, and that instructed him to mercie
 
    Duke. I neuer heard the absent Duke much detected
 for Women, he was not enclin'd that way
 
    Luc. Oh Sir, you are deceiu'd
 
    Duke. 'Tis not possible
 
    Luc. Who, not the Duke? Yes, your beggar of fifty:
 and his vse was, to put a ducket in her Clack-dish; the
 Duke had Crochets in him. Hee would be drunke too,
 that let me informe you
 
    Duke. You do him wrong, surely
 
    Luc. Sir, I was an inward of his: a shie fellow was
 the Duke, and I beleeue I know the cause of his withdrawing
 
    Duke. What (I prethee) might be the cause?
   Luc. No, pardon: 'Tis a secret must bee lockt within
 the teeth and the lippes: but this I can let you vnderstand,
 the greater file of the subiect held the Duke to be
 wise
 
    Duke. Wise? Why no question but he was
 
    Luc. A very superficiall, ignorant, vnweighing fellow
   Duke. Either this is Enuie in you, Folly, or mistaking:
 The very streame of his life, and the businesse he
 hath helmed, must vppon a warranted neede, giue him
 a better proclamation. Let him be but testimonied in
 his owne bringings forth, and hee shall appeare to the
 enuious, a Scholler, a Statesman, and a Soldier: therefore
 you speake vnskilfully: or, if your knowledge bee
 more, it is much darkned in your malice
 
    Luc. Sir, I know him, and I loue him
 
    Duke. Loue talkes with better knowledge, & knowledge
 with deare loue
 
    Luc. Come Sir, I know what I know
 
    Duke. I can hardly beleeue that, since you know not
 what you speake. But if euer the Duke returne (as our
 praiers are he may) let mee desire you to make your answer
 before him: if it bee honest you haue spoke, you
 haue courage to maintaine it; I am bound to call vppon
 you, and I pray you your name?
   Luc. Sir my name is Lucio, wel known to the Duke
 
    Duke. He shall know you better Sir, if I may liue to
 report you
 
    Luc. I feare you not
 
    Duke. O, you hope the Duke will returne no more:
 or you imagine me to vnhurtfull an opposite: but indeed
 I can doe you little harme: You'll for-sweare this againe?
   Luc. Ile be hang'd first: Thou art deceiu'd in mee
 Friar. But no more of this: Canst thou tell if Claudio
 die to morrow, or no?
   Duke. Why should he die Sir?
   Luc. Why? For filling a bottle with a Tunne-dish:
 I would the Duke we talke of were return'd againe: this
 vngenitur'd Agent will vn-people the Prouince with
 Continencie. Sparrowes must not build in his house-eeues,
 because they are lecherous: The Duke yet would
 haue darke deeds darkelie answered, hee would neuer
 bring them to light: would hee were return'd. Marrie
 this Claudio is condemned for vntrussing. Farwell good
 Friar, I prethee pray for me: The Duke (I say to thee
 againe) would eate Mutton on Fridaies. He's now past
 it, yet (and I say to thee) hee would mouth with a beggar,
 though she smelt browne-bread and Garlicke: say
 that I said so: Farewell.
 
 Enter.
 
   Duke. No might, nor greatnesse in mortality
 Can censure scape: Back-wounding calumnie
 The whitest vertue strikes. What King so strong,
 Can tie the gall vp in the slanderous tong?
 But who comes heere?
 
 Enter Escalus, Prouost, and Bawd.
 
   Esc. Go, away with her to prison
 
    Bawd. Good my Lord be good to mee, your Honor
 is accounted a mercifull man: good my Lord
 
    Esc. Double, and trebble admonition, and still forfeite
 in the same kinde? This would make mercy sweare
 and play the Tirant
 
    Pro. A Bawd of eleuen yeares continuance, may it
 please your Honor
 
    Bawd. My Lord, this is one Lucio's information against
 me, Mistris Kate Keepe-downe was with childe by
 him in the Dukes time, he promis'd her marriage: his
 Childe is a yeere and a quarter olde come Philip and Iacob:
 I haue kept it my selfe; and see how hee goes about
 to abuse me
 
    Esc. That fellow is a fellow of much License: Let
 him be call'd before vs, Away with her to prison: Goe
 too, no more words. Prouost, my Brother Angelo will
 not be alter'd, Claudio must die to morrow: Let him be
 furnish'd with Diuines, and haue all charitable preparation.
 If my brother wrought by my pitie, it should not
 be so with him
 
    Pro. So please you, this Friar hath beene with him,
 and aduis'd him for th' entertainment of death
 
    Esc. Good' euen, good Father
 
    Duke. Blisse, and goodnesse on you
 
    Esc. Of whence are you?
   Duke. Not of this Countrie, though my chance is now
 To vse it for my time: I am a brother
 Of gracious Order, late come from the Sea,
 In speciall businesse from his Holinesse
 
    Esc. What newes abroad i'th World?
   Duke. None, but that there is so great a Feauor on
 goodnesse, that the dissolution of it must cure it. Noueltie
 is onely in request, and as it is as dangerous to be
 aged in any kinde of course, as it is vertuous to be constant
 in any vndertaking. There is scarse truth enough
 aliue to make Societies secure, but Securitie enough to
 make Fellowships accurst: Much vpon this riddle runs
 the wisedome of the world: This newes is old enough,
 yet it is euerie daies newes. I pray you Sir, of what disposition
 was the Duke?
   Esc. One, that aboue all other strifes,
 Contended especially to know himselfe
 
    Duke. What pleasure was he giuen to?
   Esc. Rather reioycing to see another merry, then
 merrie at anie thing which profest to make him reioice.
 A Gentleman of all temperance. But leaue wee him to
 his euents, with a praier they may proue prosperous, &
 let me desire to know, how you finde Claudio prepar'd?
 I am made to vnderstand, that you haue lent him visitation
 
    Duke. He professes to haue receiued no sinister measure
 from his Iudge, but most willingly humbles himselfe
 to the determination of Iustice: yet had he framed
 to himselfe (by the instruction of his frailty) manie deceyuing
 promises of life, which I (by my good leisure)
 haue discredited to him, and now is he resolu'd to die
 
    Esc. You haue paid the heauens your Function, and
 the prisoner the verie debt of your Calling. I haue labour'd
 for the poore Gentleman, to the extremest shore
 of my modestie, but my brother-Iustice haue I found so
 seuere, that he hath forc'd me to tell him, hee is indeede
 Iustice
 
    Duke. If his owne life,
 Answere the straitnesse of his proceeding,
 It shall become him well: wherein if he chance to faile
 he hath sentenc'd himselfe
 
    Esc I am going to visit the prisoner, Fare you well
 
    Duke. Peace be with you.
 He who the sword of Heauen will beare,
 Should be as holy, as seueare:
 Patterne in himselfe to know,
 Grace to stand, and Vertue go:
 More, nor lesse to others paying,
 Then by selfe-offences weighing.
 Shame to him, whose cruell striking,
 Kils for faults of his owne liking:
 Twice trebble shame on Angelo,
 To weede my vice, and let his grow.
 Oh, what may Man within him hide,
 Though Angel on the outward side?
 How may likenesse made in crimes,
 Making practise on the Times,
 To draw with ydle Spiders strings
 Most ponderous and substantiall things?
 Craft against vice, I must applie.
 With Angelo to night shall lye
 His old betroathed (but despised:)
 So disguise shall by th' disguised
 Pay with falshood, false exacting,
 And performe an olde contracting.
 
 Exit
 
 Actus Quartus. Scoena Prima.
 
 Enter Mariana, and Boy singing.
 
 Song.
 
 Take, oh take those lips away,
 that so sweetly were forsworne,
 And those eyes: the breake of day
 lights that doe mislead the Morne;
 But my kisses bring againe, bring againe,
 Seales of loue, but seal'd in vaine, seal'd in vaine.
 
 Enter Duke.
 
   Mar. Breake off thy song, and haste thee quick away,
 Here comes a man of comfort, whose aduice
 Hath often still'd my brawling discontent.
 I cry you mercie, Sir, and well could wish
 You had not found me here so musicall.
 Let me excuse me, and beleeue me so,
 My mirth it much displeas'd, but pleas'd my woe
 
    Duk. 'Tis good; though Musick oft hath such a charme
 To make bad, good; and good prouoake to harme.
 I pray you tell me, hath any body enquir'd for mee here
 to day; much vpon this time haue I promis'd here to
 meete
 
    Mar. You haue not bin enquir'd after: I haue sat
 here all day.
 
 Enter Isabell.
 
   Duk. I doe constantly beleeue you: the time is come
 euen now. I shall craue your forbearance a little, may be
 I will call vpon you anone for some aduantage to your
 selfe
 
    Mar. I am alwayes bound to you.
 
 Enter.
 
   Duk. Very well met, and well come:
 What is the newes from this good Deputie?
   Isab. He hath a Garden circummur'd with Bricke,
 Whose westerne side is with a Vineyard back't;
 And to that Vineyard is a planched gate,
 That makes his opening with this bigger Key:
 This other doth command a little doore,
 Which from the Vineyard to the Garden leades,
 There haue I made my promise, vpon the
 Heauy midle of the night, to call vpon him
 
    Duk. But shall you on your knowledge find this way?
   Isab. I haue t'ane a due, and wary note vpon't,
 With whispering, and most guiltie diligence,
 In action all of precept, he did show me
 The way twice ore
 
    Duk. Are there no other tokens
 Betweene you 'greed, concerning her obseruance?
   Isab. No: none but onely a repaire ith' darke,
 And that I haue possest him, my most stay
 Can be but briefe: for I haue made him know,
 I haue a Seruant comes with me along
 That staies vpon me; whose perswasion is,
 I come about my Brother
 
    Duk. 'Tis well borne vp.
 I haue not yet made knowne to Mariana
 
 Enter Mariana.
 
 A word of this: what hoa, within; come forth,
 I pray you be acquainted with this Maid,
 She comes to doe you good
 
    Isab. I doe desire the like
 
    Duk. Do you perswade your selfe that I respect you?
   Mar. Good Frier, I know you do, and haue found it
 
    Duke. Take then this your companion by the hand
 Who hath a storie readie for your eare:
 I shall attend your leisure, but make haste
 The vaporous night approaches
 
    Mar. Wilt please you walke aside.
 
 Enter.
 
   Duke. Oh Place, and greatnes: millions of false eies
 Are stucke vpon thee: volumes of report
 Run with these false, and most contrarious Quest
 Vpon thy doings: thousand escapes of wit
 Make thee the father of their idle dreame,
 And racke thee in their fancies. Welcome, how agreed?
 
 Enter Mariana and Isabella.
 
   Isab. Shee'll take the enterprize vpon her father,
 If you aduise it
 
    Duke. It is not my consent,
 But my entreaty too
 
    Isa. Little haue you to say
 When you depart from him, but soft and low,
 Remember now my brother
 
    Mar. Feare me not
 
    Duk. Nor gentle daughter, feare you not at all:
 He is your husband on a pre-contract:
 To bring you thus together 'tis no sinne,
 Sith that the Iustice of your title to him
 Doth flourish the deceit. Come, let vs goe,
 Our Corne's to reape, for yet our Tithes to sow.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 
 Scena Secunda.
 
 Enter Prouost and Clowne.
 
   Pro. Come hither sirha; can you cut off a mans head?
   Clo. If the man be a Bachelor Sir, I can:
 But if he be a married man, he's his wiues head,
 And I can neuer cut off a womans head
 
    Pro. Come sir, leaue me your snatches, and yeeld mee
 a direct answere. To morrow morning are to die Claudio
 and Barnardine: heere is in our prison a common executioner,
 who in his office lacks a helper, if you will take
 it on you to assist him, it shall redeeme you from your
 Gyues: if not, you shall haue your full time of imprisonment,
 and your deliuerance with an vnpittied whipping;
 for you haue beene a notorious bawd
 
    Clo. Sir, I haue beene an vnlawfull bawd, time out of
 minde, but yet I will bee content to be a lawfull hangman:
 I would bee glad to receiue some instruction from
 my fellow partner
 
    Pro. What hoa, Abhorson: where's Abhorson there?
 
 Enter Abhorson.
 
   Abh. Doe you call sir?
   Pro. Sirha, here's a fellow will helpe you to morrow
 in your execution: if you thinke it meet, compound with
 him by the yeere, and let him abide here with you, if not,
 vse him for the present, and dismisse him, hee cannot
 plead his estimation with you: he hath beene a Bawd
 
    Abh. A Bawd Sir? fie vpon him, he will discredit our
 mysterie
 
    Pro. Goe too Sir, you waigh equallie: a feather will
 turne the Scale.
 
 Enter.
 
   Clo. Pray sir, by your good fauor: for surely sir, a
 good fauor you haue, but that you haue a hanging look:
 Doe you call sir, your occupation a Mysterie?
   Abh. I Sir, a Misterie
 
    Clo. Painting Sir, I haue heard say, is a Misterie; and
 your Whores sir, being members of my occupation, vsing
 painting, do proue my Occupation, a Misterie: but
 what Misterie there should be in hanging, if I should
 be hang'd, I cannot imagine
 
    Abh. Sir, it is a Misterie
 
    Clo. Proofe
 
    Abh. Euerie true mans apparrell fits your Theefe
 
    Clo. If it be too little for your theefe, your true man
 thinkes it bigge enough. If it bee too bigge for your
 Theefe, your Theefe thinkes it little enough: So euerie
 true mans apparrell fits your Theefe.
 Enter Prouost.
 
   Pro. Are you agreed?
   Clo. Sir, I will serue him: For I do finde your Hangman
 is a more penitent Trade then your Bawd: he doth
 oftner aske forgiuenesse
 
    Pro. You sirrah, prouide your blocke and your Axe
 to morrow, foure a clocke
 
    Abh. Come on (Bawd) I will instruct thee in my
 Trade: follow
 
    Clo. I do desire to learne sir: and I hope, if you haue
 occasion to vse me for your owne turne, you shall finde
 me y'are. For truly sir, for your kindnesse, I owe you a
 good turne.
 
 Exit
 
   Pro. Call hether Barnardine and Claudio:
 Th' one has my pitie; not a iot the other,
 Being a Murtherer, though he were my brother.
 
 Enter Claudio.
 
 Looke, here's the Warrant Claudio, for thy death,
 'Tis now dead midnight, and by eight to morrow
 Thou must be made immortall. Where's Barnardine?
   Cla. As fast lock'd vp in sleepe, as guiltlesse labour,
 When it lies starkely in the Trauellers bones,
 He will not wake
 
    Pro. Who can do good on him?
 Well, go, prepare your selfe. But harke, what noise?
 Heauen giue your spirits comfort: by, and by,
 I hope it is some pardon, or repreeue
 For the most gentle Claudio. Welcome Father.
 
 Enter Duke.
 
   Duke. The best, and wholsomst spirits of the night,
 Inuellop you, good Prouost: who call'd heere of late?
   Pro. None since the Curphew rung
 
    Duke. Not Isabell?
   Pro. No
 
    Duke. They will then er't be long
 
    Pro. What comfort is for Claudio?
   Duke. There's some in hope
 
    Pro. It is a bitter Deputie
 
    Duke. Not so, not so: his life is paralel'd
 Euen with the stroke and line of his great Iustice:
 He doth with holie abstinence subdue
 That in himselfe, which he spurres on his powre
 To qualifie in others: were he meal'd with that
 Which he corrects, then were he tirrannous,
 But this being so, he's iust. Now are they come.
 This is a gentle Prouost, sildome when
 The steeled Gaoler is the friend of men:
 How now? what noise? That spirit's possest with hast,
 That wounds th' vnsisting Posterne with these strokes
 
    Pro. There he must stay vntil the Officer
 Arise to let him in: he is call'd vp
 
    Duke. Haue you no countermand for Claudio yet?
 But he must die to morrow?
   Pro. None Sir, none
 
    Duke. As neere the dawning Prouost, as it is,
 You shall heare more ere Morning
 
    Pro. Happely
 You something know: yet I beleeue there comes
 No countermand: no such example haue we:
 Besides, vpon the verie siege of Iustice,
 Lord Angelo hath to the publike eare
 Profest the contrarie.
 
 Enter a Messenger.
 
   Duke. This is his Lords man
 
    Pro. And heere comes Claudio's pardon
 
    Mess. My Lord hath sent you this note,
 And by mee this further charge;
 That you swerue not from the smallest Article of it,
 Neither in time, matter, or other circumstance.
 Good morrow: for as I take it, it is almost day
 
    Pro. I shall obey him
 
    Duke. This is his Pardon purchas'd by such sin,
 For which the Pardoner himselfe is in:
 Hence hath offence his quicke celeritie,
 When it is borne in high Authority.
 When Vice makes Mercie; Mercie's so extended,
 That for the faults loue, is th' offender friended.
 Now Sir, what newes?
   Pro. I told you:
 Lord Angelo (be-like) thinking me remisse
 In mine Office, awakens mee
 With this vnwonted putting on, methinks strangely:
 For he hath not vs'd it before
 
    Duk. Pray you let's heare.
 
 The Letter.
 
 Whatsoeuer you may heare to the contrary, let Claudio be executed
 by foure of the clocke, and in the afternoone Bernardine:
 For my better satisfaction, let mee haue Claudios
 head sent me by fiue. Let this be duely performed with a
 thought that more depends on it, then we must yet deliuer.
 Thus faile not to doe your Office, as you will answere it at
 your perill.
 What say you to this Sir?
   Duke. What is that Barnardine, who is to be executed
 in th' afternoone?
   Pro. A Bohemian borne: But here nurst vp & bred,
 One that is a prisoner nine yeeres old
 
    Duke. How came it, that the absent Duke had not
 either deliuer'd him to his libertie, or executed him? I
 haue heard it was euer his manner to do so
 
    Pro. His friends still wrought Repreeues for him:
 And indeed his fact till now in the gouernment of Lord
 Angelo, came not to an vndoubtfull proofe
 
    Duke. It is now apparant?
   Pro. Most manifest, and not denied by himselfe
 
    Duke. Hath he borne himselfe penitently in prison?
 How seemes he to be touch'd?
   Pro. A man that apprehends death no more dreadfully,
 but as a drunken sleepe, carelesse, wreaklesse, and
 fearelesse of what's past, present, or to come: insensible
 of mortality, and desperately mortall
 
    Duke. He wants aduice
 
    Pro. He wil heare none: he hath euermore had the liberty
 of the prison: giue him leaue to escape hence, hee
 would not. Drunke many times a day, if not many daies
 entirely drunke. We haue verie oft awak'd him, as if to
 carrie him to execution, and shew'd him a seeming warrant
 for it, it hath not moued him at all
 
    Duke. More of him anon: There is written in your
 brow Prouost, honesty and constancie; if I reade it not
 truly, my ancient skill beguiles me: but in the boldnes
 of my cunning, I will lay my selfe in hazard: Claudio,
 whom heere you haue warrant to execute, is no greater
 forfeit to the Law, then Angelo who hath sentenc'd him.
 To make you vnderstand this in a manifested effect, I
 craue but foure daies respit: for the which, you are to
 do me both a present, and a dangerous courtesie
 
    Pro. Pray Sir, in what?
   Duke. In the delaying death
 
    Pro. Alacke, how may I do it? Hauing the houre limited,
 and an expresse command, vnder penaltie, to deliuer
 his head in the view of Angelo? I may make my
 case as Claudio's, to crosse this in the smallest
 
    Duke. By the vow of mine Order, I warrant you,
 If my instructions may be your guide,
 Let this Barnardine be this morning executed,
 And his head borne to Angelo
 
    Pro. Angelo hath seene them both,
 And will discouer the fauour
 
    Duke. Oh, death's a great disguiser, and you may
 adde to it; Shaue the head, and tie the beard, and say it
 was the desire of the penitent to be so bar'de before his
 death: you know the course is common. If any thing
 fall to you vpon this, more then thankes and good fortune,
 by the Saint whom I professe, I will plead against
 it with my life
 
    Pro. Pardon me, good Father, it is against my oath
 
    Duke. Were you sworne to the Duke, or to the Deputie?
   Pro. To him, and to his Substitutes
 
    Duke. You will thinke you haue made no offence, if
 the Duke auouch the iustice of your dealing?
   Pro. But what likelihood is in that?
   Duke. Not a resemblance, but a certainty; yet since
 I see you fearfull, that neither my coate, integrity, nor
 perswasion, can with ease attempt you, I wil go further
 then I meant, to plucke all feares out of you. Looke
 you Sir, heere is the hand and Seale of the Duke: you
 know the Charracter I doubt not, and the Signet is not
 strange to you?
   Pro. I know them both
 
    Duke. The Contents of this, is the returne of the
 Duke; you shall anon ouer-reade it at your pleasure:
 where you shall finde within these two daies, he wil be
 heere. This is a thing that Angelo knowes not, for hee
 this very day receiues letters of strange tenor, perchance
 of the Dukes death, perchance entering into some Monasterie,
 but by chance nothing of what is writ. Looke,
 th' vnfolding Starre calles vp the Shepheard; put not
 your selfe into amazement, how these things should be;
 all difficulties are but easie when they are knowne. Call
 your executioner, and off with Barnardines head: I will
 giue him a present shrift, and aduise him for a better
 place. Yet you are amaz'd, but this shall absolutely resolue
 you: Come away, it is almost cleere dawne.
 
 Enter.
 
 
 Scena Tertia.
 
 Enter Clowne.
 
   Clo. I am as well acquainted heere, as I was in our
 house of profession: one would thinke it were Mistris
 Ouerdons owne house, for heere be manie of her olde
 Customers. First, here's yong Mr Rash, hee's in for a
 commoditie of browne paper, and olde Ginger, nine
 score and seuenteene pounds, of which hee made fiue
 Markes readie money: marrie then, Ginger was not
 much in request, for the olde Women were all dead.
 Then is there heere one Mr Caper, at the suite of Master
 Three-Pile the Mercer, for some foure suites of Peachcolour'd
 Satten, which now peaches him a beggar.
 Then haue we heere, yong Dizie, and yong Mr Deepevow,
 and Mr Copperspurre, and Mr Starue-Lackey the Rapier
 and dagger man, and yong Drop-heire that kild lustie
 Pudding, and Mr Forthlight the Tilter, and braue Mr
 Shootie the great Traueller, and wilde Halfe-Canne that
 stabb'd Pots, and I thinke fortie more, all great doers in
 our Trade, and are now for the Lords sake.
 
 Enter Abhorson.
 
   Abh. Sirrah, bring Barnardine hether
 
    Clo. Mr Barnardine, you must rise and be hang'd,
 Mr Barnardine
 
    Abh. What hoa Barnardine.
 
 Barnardine within.
 
   Bar. A pox o'your throats: who makes that noyse
 there? What are you?
   Clo. Your friends Sir, the Hangman:
 You must be so good Sir to rise, and be put to death
 
    Bar. Away you Rogue, away, I am sleepie
 
    Abh. Tell him he must awake,
 And that quickly too
 
    Clo. Pray Master Barnardine, awake till you are executed,
 and sleepe afterwards
 
    Ab. Go in to him, and fetch him out
 
    Clo. He is comming Sir, he is comming: I heare his
 Straw russle.
 
 Enter Barnardine.
 
   Abh. Is the Axe vpon the blocke, sirrah?
   Clo. Verie readie Sir
 
    Bar. How now Abhorson?
 What's the newes with you?
   Abh. Truly Sir, I would desire you to clap into your
 prayers: for looke you, the Warrants come
 
    Bar. You Rogue, I haue bin drinking all night,
 I am not fitted for't
 
    Clo. Oh, the better Sir: for he that drinkes all night,
 and is hanged betimes in the morning, may sleepe the
 sounder all the next day.
 
 Enter Duke.
 
   Abh. Looke you Sir, heere comes your ghostly Father:
 do we iest now thinke you?
   Duke. Sir, induced by my charitie, and hearing how
 hastily you are to depart, I am come to aduise you,
 Comfort you, and pray with you
 
    Bar. Friar, not I: I haue bin drinking hard all night,
 and I will haue more time to prepare mee, or they shall
 beat out my braines with billets: I will not consent to
 die this day, that's certaine
 
    Duke. Oh sir, you must: and therefore I beseech you
 Looke forward on the iournie you shall go
 
    Bar. I sweare I will not die to day for anie mans perswasion
 
    Duke. But heare you:
   Bar. Not a word: if you haue anie thing to say to me,
 come to my Ward: for thence will not I to day.
 
 Exit
 
 Enter Prouost.
 
   Duke. Vnfit to liue, or die: oh grauell heart.
 After him (Fellowes) bring him to the blocke
 
    Pro. Now Sir, how do you finde the prisoner?
   Duke. A creature vnprepar'd, vnmeet for death,
 And to transport him in the minde he is,
 Were damnable
 
    Pro. Heere in the prison, Father,
 There died this morning of a cruell Feauor,
 One Ragozine, a most notorious Pirate,
 A man of Claudio's yeares: his beard, and head
 Iust of his colour. What if we do omit
 This Reprobate, til he were wel enclin'd,
 And satisfie the Deputie with the visage
 Of Ragozine, more like to Claudio?
   Duke. Oh, 'tis an accident that heauen prouides:
 Dispatch it presently, the houre drawes on
 Prefixt by Angelo: See this be done,
 And sent according to command, whiles I
 Perswade this rude wretch willingly to die
 
    Pro. This shall be done (good Father) presently:
 But Barnardine must die this afternoone,
 And how shall we continue Claudio,
 To saue me from the danger that might come,
 If he were knowne aliue?
   Duke. Let this be done,
 Put them in secret holds, both Barnardine and Claudio,
 Ere twice the Sun hath made his iournall greeting
 To yond generation, you shal finde
 Your safetie manifested
 
    Pro. I am your free dependant.
 
 Enter.
 
   Duke. Quicke, dispatch, and send the head to Angelo
 Now wil I write Letters to Angelo,
 (The Prouost he shal beare them) whose contents
 Shal witnesse to him I am neere at home:
 And that by great Iniunctions I am bound
 To enter publikely: him Ile desire
 To meet me at the consecrated Fount,
 A League below the Citie: and from thence,
 By cold gradation, and weale-ballanc'd forme.
 We shal proceed with Angelo.
 
 Enter Prouost.
 
   Pro. Heere is the head, Ile carrie it my selfe
 
    Duke. Conuenient is it: Make a swift returne,
 For I would commune with you of such things,
 That want no eare but yours
 
    Pro. Ile make all speede.
 
 Exit
 
 Isabell within.
 
   Isa. Peace hoa, be heere
 
    Duke. The tongue of Isabell. She's come to know,
 If yet her brothers pardon be come hither:
 But I will keepe her ignorant of her good,
 To make her heauenly comforts of dispaire,
 When it is least expected.
 
 Enter Isabella.
 
   Isa. Hoa, by your leaue
 
    Duke. Good morning to you, faire, and gracious
 daughter
 
    Isa. The better giuen me by so holy a man,
 Hath yet the Deputie sent my brothers pardon?
   Duke. He hath releasd him, Isabell, from the world,
 His head is off, and sent to Angelo
 
    Isa. Nay, but it is not so
 
    Duke. It is no other,
 Shew your wisedome daughter in your close patience
 
    Isa. Oh, I wil to him, and plucke out his eies
 
    Duk. You shal not be admitted to his sight
 
    Isa. Vnhappie Claudio, wretched Isabell,
 Iniurious world, most damned Angelo
 
    Duke. This nor hurts him, nor profits you a iot,
 Forbeare it therefore, giue your cause to heauen.
 Marke what I say, which you shal finde
 By euery sillable a faithful veritie.
 The Duke comes home to morrow: nay drie your eyes,
 One of our Couent, and his Confessor
 Giues me this instance: Already he hath carried
 Notice to Escalus and Angelo,
 Who do prepare to meete him at the gates,
 There to giue vp their powre: If you can pace your wisdome,
 In that good path that I would wish it go,
 And you shal haue your bosome on this wretch,
 Grace of the Duke, reuenges to your heart,
 And general Honor
 
    Isa. I am directed by you
 
    Duk. This Letter then to Friar Peter giue,
 'Tis that he sent me of the Dukes returne:
 Say, by this token, I desire his companie
 At Mariana's house to night. Her cause, and yours
 Ile perfect him withall, and he shal bring you
 Before the Duke; and to the head of Angelo
 Accuse him home and home. For my poore selfe,
 I am combined by a sacred Vow,
 And shall be absent. Wend you with this Letter:
 Command these fretting waters from your eies
 With a light heart; trust not my holie Order
 If I peruert your course: whose heere?
 
 Enter Lucio.
 
   Luc. Good' euen;
 Frier, where's the Prouost?
   Duke. Not within Sir
 
    Luc. Oh prettie Isabella, I am pale at mine heart, to
 see thine eyes so red: thou must be patient; I am faine
 to dine and sup with water and bran: I dare not for my
 head fill my belly. One fruitful Meale would set mee
 too't: but they say the Duke will be heere to Morrow.
 By my troth Isabell I lou'd thy brother, if the olde fantastical
 Duke of darke corners had bene at home, he had
 liued
 
    Duke. Sir, the Duke is marueilous little beholding
 to your reports, but the best is, he liues not in them
 
    Luc. Friar, thou knowest not the Duke so wel as I
 do: he's a better woodman then thou tak'st him for
 
    Duke. Well: you'l answer this one day. Fare ye well
 
    Luc. Nay tarrie, Ile go along with thee,
 I can tel thee pretty tales of the Duke
 
    Duke. You haue told me too many of him already sir
 if they be true: if not true, none were enough
 
    Lucio. I was once before him for getting a Wench
 with childe
 
    Duke. Did you such a thing?
   Luc. Yes marrie did I; but I was faine to forswear it,
 They would else haue married me to the rotten Medler
 
    Duke. Sir your company is fairer then honest, rest you
 well
 
    Lucio. By my troth Ile go with thee to the lanes end:
 if baudy talke offend you, wee'l haue very litle of it: nay
 Friar, I am a kind of Burre, I shal sticke.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 Scena Quarta.
 
 Enter Angelo & Escalus.
 
   Esc. Euery Letter he hath writ, hath disuouch'd other
 
    An. In most vneuen and distracted manner, his actions
 show much like to madnesse, pray heauen his wisedome
 bee not tainted: and why meet him at the gates and deliuer
 our authorities there?
   Esc. I ghesse not
 
    Ang. And why should wee proclaime it in an howre
 before his entring, that if any craue redresse of iniustice,
 they should exhibit their petitions in the street?
   Esc. He showes his reason for that: to haue a dispatch
 of Complaints, and to deliuer vs from deuices heereafter,
 which shall then haue no power to stand against
 vs
 
    Ang. Well: I beseech you let it bee proclaim'd betimes
 i'th' morne, Ile call you at your house: giue notice
 to such men of sort and suite as are to meete him
 
    Esc. I shall sir: fareyouwell.
 
 Enter.
 
   Ang. Good night.
 This deede vnshapes me quite, makes me vnpregnant
 And dull to all proceedings. A deflowred maid,
 And by an eminent body, that enforc'd
 The Law against it? But that her tender shame
 Will not proclaime against her maiden losse,
 How might she tongue me? yet reason dares her no,
 For my Authority beares of a credent bulke,
 That no particular scandall once can touch
 But it confounds the breather. He should haue liu'd,
 Saue that his riotous youth with dangerous sense
 Might in the times to come haue ta'ne reuenge
 By so receiuing a dishonor'd life
 With ransome of such shame: would yet he had liued.
 Alack, when once our grace we haue forgot,
 Nothing goes right, we would, and we would not.
 
 Enter.
 
 
 Scena Quinta.
 
 Enter Duke and Frier Peter.
 
   Duke. These Letters at fit time deliuer me,
 The Prouost knowes our purpose and our plot,
 The matter being a foote, keepe your instruction
 And hold you euer to our speciall drift,
 Though sometimes you doe blench from this to that
 As cause doth minister: Goe call at Flauia's house,
 And tell him where I stay: giue the like notice
 To Valencius, Rowland, and to Crassus,
 And bid them bring the Trumpets to the gate:
 But send me Flauius first
 
    Peter. It shall be speeded well.
 
 Enter Varrius.
 
   Duke. I thank thee Varrius, thou hast made good hast,
 Come, we will walke: There's other of our friends
 Will greet vs heere anon: my gentle Varrius.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 
 Scena Sexta.
 
 Enter Isabella and Mariana.
 
   Isab. To speake so indirectly I am loath,
 I would say the truth, but to accuse him so
 That is your part, yet I am aduis'd to doe it,
 He saies, to vaile full purpose
 
    Mar. Be rul'd by him
 
    Isab. Besides he tells me, that if peraduenture
 He speake against me on the aduerse side,
 I should not thinke it strange, for 'tis a physicke
 That's bitter, to sweet end.
 
 Enter Peter.
 
   Mar. I would Frier Peter
   Isab. Oh peace, the Frier is come
 
    Peter. Come I haue found you out a stand most fit,
 Where you may haue such vantage on the Duke
 He shall not passe you:
 Twice haue the Trumpets sounded.
 The generous, and grauest Citizens
 Haue hent the gates, and very neere vpon
 The Duke is entring:
 Therefore hence away.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 
 Actus Quintus. Scoena Prima.
 
 Enter Duke, Varrius, Lords, Angelo, Esculus, Lucio, Citizens at
 seuerall
 doores.
 
   Duk. My very worthy Cosen, fairely met,
 Our old, and faithfull friend, we are glad to see you
 
    Ang. Esc. Happy returne be to your royall grace
 
    Duk. Many and harty thankings to you both:
 We haue made enquiry of you, and we heare
 Such goodnesse of your Iustice, that our soule
 Cannot but yeeld you forth to publique thankes
 Forerunning more requitall
 
    Ang. You make my bonds still greater
 
    Duk. Oh your desert speaks loud, & I should wrong it
 To locke it in the wards of couert bosome
 When it deserues with characters of brasse
 A forted residence 'gainst the tooth of time,
 And razure of obliuion: Giue we your hand
 And let the Subiect see, to make them know
 That outward curtesies would faine proclaime
 Fauours that keepe within: Come Escalus,
 You must walke by vs, on our other hand:
 And good supporters are you.
 
 Enter Peter and Isabella.
 
   Peter. Now is your time
 Speake loud, and kneele before him
 
    Isab. Iustice, O royall Duke, vaile your regard
 Vpon a wrong'd (I would faine haue said a Maid)
 Oh worthy Prince, dishonor not your eye
 By throwing it on any other obiect,
 Till you haue heard me, in my true complaint,
 And giuen me Iustice, Iustice, Iustice, Iustice
 
    Duk. Relate your wrongs;
 In what, by whom? be briefe:
 Here is Lord Angelo shall giue you Iustice,
 Reueale your selfe to him
 
    Isab. Oh worthy Duke,
 You bid me seeke redemption of the diuell,
 Heare me your selfe: for that which I must speake
 Must either punish me, not being beleeu'd,
 Or wring redresse from you:
 Heare me: oh heare me, heere
 
    Ang. My Lord, her wits I feare me are not firme:
 She hath bin a suitor to me, for her Brother
 Cut off by course of Iustice
 
    Isab. By course of Iustice
 
    Ang. And she will speake most bitterly, and strange
 
    Isab. Most strange: but yet most truely wil I speake,
 That Angelo's forsworne, is it not strange?
 That Angelo's a murtherer, is't not strange?
 That Angelo is an adulterous thiefe,
 An hypocrite, a virgin violator,
 Is it not strange? and strange?
   Duke. Nay it is ten times strange?
   Isa. It is not truer he is Angelo,
 Then this is all as true, as it is strange;
 Nay, it is ten times true, for truth is truth
 To th' end of reckning
 
    Duke. Away with her: poore soule
 She speakes this, in th' infirmity of sence
 
    Isa. Oh Prince, I coniure thee, as thou beleeu'st
 There is another comfort, then this world,
 That thou neglect me not, with that opinion
 That I am touch'd with madnesse: make not impossible
 That which but seemes vnlike, 'tis not impossible
 But one, the wickedst caitiffe on the ground
 May seeme as shie, as graue, as iust, as absolute:
 As Angelo, euen so may Angelo
 In all his dressings, caracts, titles, formes,
 Be an arch-villaine: Beleeue it, royall Prince
 If he be lesse, he's nothing, but he's more,
 Had I more name for badnesse
 
    Duke. By mine honesty
 If she be mad, as I beleeue no other,
 Her madnesse hath the oddest frame of sense,
 Such a dependancy of thing, on thing,
 As ere I heard in madnesse
 
    Isab. Oh gracious Duke
 Harpe not on that; nor do not banish reason
 For inequality, but let your reason serue
 To make the truth appeare, where it seemes hid,
 And hide the false seemes true
 
    Duk. Many that are not mad
 Haue sure more lacke of reason:
 What would you say?
   Isab. I am the Sister of one Claudio,
 Condemnd vpon the Act of Fornication
 To loose his head, condemn'd by Angelo,
 I, (in probation of a Sisterhood)
 Was sent to by my Brother; one Lucio
 As then the Messenger
 
    Luc. That's I, and't like your Grace:
 I came to her from Claudio, and desir'd her,
 To try her gracious fortune with Lord Angelo,
 For her poore Brothers pardon
 
    Isab. That's he indeede
 
    Duk. You were not bid to speake
 
    Luc. No, my good Lord,
 Nor wish'd to hold my peace
 
    Duk. I wish you now then,
 Pray you take note of it: and when you haue
 A businesse for your selfe: pray heauen you then
 Be perfect
 
    Luc. I warrant your honor
 
    Duk. The warrant's for your selfe: take heede to't
 
    Isab. This Gentleman told somewhat of my Tale
 
    Luc. Right
 
    Duk. It may be right, but you are i'the wrong
 To speake before your time: proceed,
   Isab. I went
 To this pernicious Caitiffe Deputie
 
    Duk. That's somewhat madly spoken
 
    Isab. Pardon it,
 The phrase is to the matter
 
    Duke. Mended againe: the matter: proceed
 
    Isab. In briefe, to set the needlesse processe by:
 How I perswaded, how I praid, and kneel'd,
 How he refeld me, and how I replide
 (For this was of much length) the vild conclusion
 I now begin with griefe, and shame to vtter.
 He would not, but by gift of my chaste body
 To his concupiscible intemperate lust
 Release my brother; and after much debatement,
 My sisterly remorse, confutes mine honour,
 And I did yeeld to him: But the next morne betimes,
 His purpose surfetting, he sends a warrant
 For my poore brothers head
 
    Duke. This is most likely
 
    Isab. Oh that it were as like as it is true
 
    Duk. By heauen (fond wretch) y knowst not what thou speak'st,
 Or else thou art suborn'd against his honor
 In hatefull practise: first his Integritie
 Stands without blemish: next it imports no reason,
 That with such vehemency he should pursue
 Faults proper to himselfe: if he had so offended
 He would haue waigh'd thy brother by himselfe,
 And not haue cut him off: some one hath set you on:
 Confesse the truth, and say by whose aduice
 Thou cam'st heere to complaine
 
    Isab. And is this all?
 Then oh you blessed Ministers aboue
 Keepe me in patience, and with ripened time
 Vnfold the euill, which is heere wrapt vp
 In countenance: heauen shield your Grace from woe,
 As I thus wrong'd, hence vnbeleeued goe
 
    Duke. I know you'ld faine be gone: An Officer:
 To prison with her: Shall we thus permit
 A blasting and a scandalous breath to fall,
 On him so neere vs? This needs must be a practise:
 Who knew of your intent and comming hither?
   Isa. One that I would were heere, Frier Lodowick
 
    Duk. A ghostly Father, belike:
 Who knowes that Lodowicke?
   Luc. My Lord, I know him, 'tis a medling Fryer,
 I doe not like the man: had he been Lay my Lord,
 For certaine words he spake against your Grace
 In your retirment, I had swing'd him soundly
 
    Duke. Words against mee? this' a good Fryer belike
 And to set on this wretched woman here
 Against our Substitute: Let this Fryer be found
 
    Luc. But yesternight my Lord, she and that Fryer
 I saw them at the prison: a sawcy Fryar,
 A very scuruy fellow
 
    Peter. Blessed be your Royall Grace:
 I haue stood by my Lord, and I haue heard
 Your royall eare abus'd: first hath this woman
 Most wrongfully accus'd your Substitute,
 Who is as free from touch, or soyle with her
 As she from one vngot
 
    Duke. We did beleeue no lesse.
 Know you that Frier Lodowick that she speakes of?
   Peter. I know him for a man diuine and holy,
 Not scuruy, nor a temporary medler
 As he's reported by this Gentleman:
 And on my trust, a man that neuer yet
 Did (as he vouches) mis-report your Grace
 
    Luc. My Lord, most villanously, beleeue it
 
    Peter. Well: he in time may come to cleere himselfe;
 But at this instant he is sicke, my Lord:
 Of a strange Feauor: vpon his meere request
 Being come to knowledge, that there was complaint
 Intended 'gainst Lord Angelo, came I hether
 To speake as from his mouth, what he doth know
 Is true, and false: And what he with his oath
 And all probation will make vp full cleare
 Whensoeuer he's conuented: First for this woman,
 To iustifie this worthy Noble man
 So vulgarly and personally accus'd,
 Her shall you heare disproued to her eyes,
 Till she her selfe confesse it
 
    Duk. Good Frier, let's heare it:
 Doe you not smile at this, Lord Angelo?
 Oh heauen, the vanity of wretched fooles.
 Giue vs some seates, Come cosen Angelo,
 In this I'll be impartiall: be you Iudge
 Of your owne Cause: Is this the Witnes Frier?
 
 Enter Mariana.
 
 First, let her shew your face, and after, speake
 
    Mar. Pardon my Lord, I will not shew my face
 Vntill my husband bid me
 
    Duke. What, are you married?
   Mar. No my Lord
 
    Duke. Are you a Maid?
   Mar. No my Lord
 
    Duk. A Widow then?
   Mar. Neither, my Lord
 
    Duk. Why you are nothing then: neither Maid, Widow,
 nor Wife?
   Luc. My Lord, she may be a Puncke: for many of
 them, are neither Maid, Widow, nor Wife
 
    Duk. Silence that fellow: I would he had some cause
 to prattle for himselfe
 
    Luc. Well my Lord
 
    Mar. My Lord, I doe confesse I nere was married,
 And I confesse besides, I am no Maid,
 I haue known my husband, yet my husband
 Knowes not, that euer he knew me
 
    Luc. He was drunk then, my Lord, it can be no better
 
    Duk. For the benefit of silence, would thou wert so to
 
    Luc. Well, my Lord
 
    Duk. This is no witnesse for Lord Angelo
 
    Mar. Now I come to't, my Lord.
 Shee that accuses him of Fornication,
 In selfe-same manner, doth accuse my husband,
 And charges him, my Lord, with such a time,
 When I'le depose I had him in mine Armes
 With all th' effect of Loue
 
    Ang. Charges she moe then me?
   Mar. Not that I know
 
    Duk. No? you say your husband
 
    Mar. Why iust, my Lord, and that is Angelo,
 Who thinkes he knowes, that he nere knew my body,
 But knows, he thinkes, that he knowes Isabels
 
    Ang. This is a strange abuse: Let's see thy face
 
    Mar. My husband bids me, now I will vnmaske.
 This is that face, thou cruell Angelo
 Which once thou sworst, was worth the looking on:
 This is the hand, which with a vowd contract
 Was fast belockt in thine: This is the body
 That tooke away the match from Isabell,
 And did supply thee at thy garden-house
 In her Imagin'd person
 
    Duke. Know you this woman?
   Luc. Carnallie she saies
 
    Duk. Sirha, no more
 
    Luc. Enough my Lord
 
    Ang. My Lord, I must confesse, I know this woman,
 And fiue yeres since there was some speech of marriage
 Betwixt my selfe, and her: which was broke off,
 Partly for that her promis'd proportions
 Came short of Composition: But in chiefe
 For that her reputation was dis-valued
 In leuitie: Since which time of fiue yeres
 I neuer spake with her, saw her, nor heard from her
 Vpon my faith, and honor
 
    Mar. Noble Prince,
 As there comes light from heauen, and words fro[m] breath,
 As there is sence in truth, and truth in vertue,
 I am affianced this mans wife, as strongly
 As words could make vp vowes: And my good Lord,
 But Tuesday night last gon, in's garden house,
 He knew me as a wife. As this is true,
 Let me in safety raise me from my knees,
 Or else for euer be confixed here
 A Marble Monument
 
    Ang. I did but smile till now,
 Now, good my Lord, giue me the scope of Iustice,
 My patience here is touch'd: I doe perceiue
 These poore informall women, are no more
 But instruments of some more mightier member
 That sets them on. Let me haue way, my Lord
 To finde this practise out
 
    Duke. I, with my heart,
 And punish them to your height of pleasure.
 Thou foolish Frier, and thou pernicious woman
 Compact with her that's gone: thinkst thou, thy oathes,
 Though they would swear downe each particular Saint,
 Were testimonies against his worth, and credit
 That's seald in approbation? you, Lord Escalus
 Sit with my Cozen, lend him your kinde paines
 To finde out this abuse, whence 'tis deriu'd.
 There is another Frier that set them on,
 Let him be sent for
 
    Peter. Would he were here, my Lord, for he indeed
 Hath set the women on to this Complaint;
 Your Prouost knowes the place where he abides,
 And he may fetch him
 
    Duke. Goe, doe it instantly:
 And you, my noble and well-warranted Cosen
 Whom it concernes to heare this matter forth,
 Doe with your iniuries as seemes you best
 In any chastisement; I for a while
 Will leaue you; but stir not you till you haue
 Well determin'd vpon these Slanderers.
 
 Enter.
 
   Esc. My Lord, wee'll doe it throughly: Signior Lucio,
 did not you say you knew that Frier Lodowick to be a
 dishonest person?
   Luc. Cucullus non facit Monachum, honest in nothing
 but in his Clothes, and one that hath spoke most villanous
 speeches of the Duke
 
    Esc. We shall intreat you to abide heere till he come,
 and inforce them against him: we shall finde this Frier a
 notable fellow
 
    Luc. As any in Vienna, on my word
 
    Esc. Call that same Isabell here once againe, I would
 speake with her: pray you, my Lord, giue mee leaue to
 question, you shall see how Ile handle her
 
    Luc. Not better then he, by her owne report
 
    Esc. Say you?
   Luc. Marry sir, I thinke, if you handled her priuately
 She would sooner confesse, perchance publikely she'll be
 asham'd.
 
 Enter Duke, Prouost, Isabella
 
   Esc. I will goe darkely to worke with her
 
    Luc. That's the way: for women are light at midnight
 
    Esc. Come on Mistris, here's a Gentlewoman,
 Denies all that you haue said
 
    Luc. My Lord, here comes the rascall I spoke of,
 Here, with the Prouost
 
    Esc. In very good time: speake not you to him, till
 we call vpon you
 
    Luc. Mum
 
    Esc. Come Sir, did you set these women on to slander
 Lord Angelo? they haue confes'd you did
 
    Duk. 'Tis false
 
    Esc. How? Know you where you are?
   Duk. Respect to your great place; and let the diuell
 Be sometime honour'd, for his burning throne.
 Where is the Duke? 'tis he should heare me speake
 
    Esc. The Duke's in vs: and we will heare you speake,
 Looke you speake iustly
 
    Duk. Boldly, at least. But oh poore soules,
 Come you to seeke the Lamb here of the Fox;
 Good night to your redresse: Is the Duke gone?
 Then is your cause gone too: The Duke's vniust,
 Thus to retort your manifest Appeale,
 And put your triall in the villaines mouth,
 Which here you come to accuse
 
    Luc. This is the rascall: this is he I spoke of
 
    Esc. Why thou vnreuerend, and vnhallowed Fryer:
 Is't not enough thou hast suborn'd these women,
 To accuse this worthy man? but in foule mouth,
 And in the witnesse of his proper eare,
 To call him villaine; and then to glance from him,
 To th'Duke himselfe, to taxe him with Iniustice?
 Take him hence; to th' racke with him: we'll towze you
 Ioynt by ioynt, but we will know his purpose:
 What? vniust?
   Duk. Be not so hot: the Duke dare
 No more stretch this finger of mine, then he
 Dare racke his owne: his Subiect am I not,
 Nor here Prouinciall: My businesse in this State
 Made me a looker on here in Vienna,
 Where I haue seene corruption boyle and bubble,
 Till it ore-run the Stew: Lawes, for all faults,
 But faults so countenanc'd, that the strong Statutes
 Stand like the forfeites in a Barbers shop,
 As much in mocke, as marke
 
    Esc. Slander to th' State:
 Away with him to prison
 
    Ang. What can you vouch against him Signior Lucio?
 Is this the man you did tell vs of?
   Luc. 'Tis he, my Lord: come hither goodman bald-pate,
 doe you know me?
   Duk. I remember you Sir, by the sound of your voice,
 I met you at the Prison, in the absence of the Duke
 
    Luc. Oh, did you so? and do you remember what you
 said of the Duke
 
    Duk. Most notedly Sir
 
    Luc. Do you so Sir: And was the Duke a flesh-monger,
 a foole, and a coward, as you then reported him
 to be?
   Duk. You must (Sir) change persons with me, ere you
 make that my report: you indeede spoke so of him, and
 much more, much worse
 
    Luc. Oh thou damnable fellow: did I not plucke thee
 by the nose, for thy speeches?
   Duk. I protest, I loue the Duke, as I loue my selfe
 
    Ang. Harke how the villaine would close now, after
 his treasonable abuses
 
    Esc. Such a fellow is not to be talk'd withall: Away
 with him to prison: Where is the Prouost? away with
 him to prison: lay bolts enough vpon him: let him speak
 no more: away with those Giglets too, and with the other
 confederate companion
 
    Duk. Stay Sir, stay a while
 
    Ang. What, resists he? helpe him Lucio
 
    Luc. Come sir, come sir, come sir: foh sir, why you
 bald-pated lying rascall: you must be hooded must you?
 show your knaues visage with a poxe to you: show your
 sheepe-biting face, and be hang'd an houre: Will't
 not off?
   Duk. Thou art the first knaue, that ere mad'st a Duke.
 First Prouost, let me bayle these gentle three:
 Sneake not away Sir, for the Fryer, and you,
 Must haue a word anon: lay hold on him
 
    Luc. This may proue worse then hanging
 
    Duk. What you haue spoke, I pardon: sit you downe,
 We'll borrow place of him; Sir, by your leaue:
 Ha'st thou or word, or wit, or impudence,
 That yet can doe thee office? If thou ha'st
 Rely vpon it, till my tale be heard,
 And hold no longer out
 
    Ang. Oh, my dread Lord,
 I should be guiltier then my guiltinesse,
 To thinke I can be vndiscerneable,
 When I perceiue your grace, like powre diuine,
 Hath look'd vpon my passes. Then good Prince,
 No longer Session hold vpon my shame,
 But let my Triall, be mine owne Confession:
 Immediate sentence then, and sequent death,
 Is all the grace I beg
 
    Duk. Come hither Mariana,
 Say: was't thou ere contracted to this woman?
   Ang. I was my Lord
 
    Duk. Goe take her hence, and marry her instantly.
 Doe you the office (Fryer) which consummate,
 Returne him here againe: goe with him Prouost.
 
 Enter.
 
   Esc. My Lord, I am more amaz'd at his dishonor,
 Then at the strangenesse of it
 
    Duk. Come hither Isabell,
 Your Frier is now your Prince: As I was then
 Aduertysing, and holy to your businesse,
 (Not changing heart with habit) I am still,
 Atturnied at your seruice
 
    Isab. Oh giue me pardon
 That I, your vassaile, haue imploid, and pain'd
 Your vnknowne Soueraigntie
 
    Duk. You are pardon'd Isabell:
 And now, deere Maide, be you as free to vs.
 Your Brothers death I know sits at your heart:
 And you may maruaile, why I obscur'd my selfe,
 Labouring to saue his life: and would not rather
 Make rash remonstrance of my hidden powre,
 Then let him so be lost: oh most kinde Maid,
 It was the swift celeritie of his death,
 Which I did thinke, with slower foot came on,
 That brain'd my purpose: but peace be with him,
 That life is better life past fearing death,
 Then that which liues to feare: make it your comfort,
 So happy is your Brother.
 
 Enter Angelo, Maria, Peter, Prouost.
 
   Isab. I doe my Lord
 
    Duk. For this new-maried man, approaching here,
 Whose salt imagination yet hath wrong'd
 Your well defended honor: you must pardon
 For Mariana's sake: But as he adiudg'd your Brother,
 Being criminall, in double violation
 Of sacred Chastitie, and of promise-breach,
 Thereon dependant for your Brothers life,
 The very mercy of the Law cries out
 Most audible, euen from his proper tongue.
 An Angelo for Claudio, death for death:
 Haste still paies haste, and leasure, answers leasure;
 Like doth quit like, and Measure still for Measure:
 Then Angelo, thy fault's thus manifested;
 Which though thou would'st deny, denies thee vantage.
 We doe condemne thee to the very Blocke
 Where Claudio stoop'd to death, and with like haste.
 Away with him
 
    Mar. Oh my most gracious Lord,
 I hope you will not mocke me with a husband?
   Duk. It is your husband mock't you with a husband,
 Consenting to the safe-guard of your honor,
 I thought your marriage fit: else Imputation,
 For that he knew you, might reproach your life,
 And choake your good to come: For his Possessions,
 Although by confutation they are ours;
 We doe en-state, and widow you with all,
 To buy you a better husband
 
    Mar. Oh my deere Lord,
 I craue no other, nor no better man
 
    Duke. Neuer craue him, we are definitiue
 
    Mar. Gentle my Liege
 
    Duke. You doe but loose your labour.
 Away with him to death: Now Sir, to you
 
    Mar. Oh my good Lord, sweet Isabell, take my part,
 Lend me your knees, and all my life to come,
 I'll lend you all my life to doe you seruice
 
    Duke. Against all sence you doe importune her,
 Should she kneele downe, in mercie of this fact,
 Her Brothers ghost, his paued bed would breake,
 And take her hence in horror
 
    Mar. Isabell:
 Sweet Isabel, doe yet but kneele by me,
 Hold vp your hands, say nothing: I'll speake all.
 They say best men are moulded out of faults,
 And for the most, become much more the better
 For being a little bad: So may my husband.
 Oh Isabel: will you not lend a knee?
   Duke. He dies for Claudio's death
 
    Isab. Most bounteous Sir.
 Looke if it please you, on this man condemn'd,
 As if my Brother liu'd: I partly thinke,
 A due sinceritie gouerned his deedes,
 Till he did looke on me: Since it is so,
 Let him not die: my Brother had but Iustice,
 In that he did the thing for which he dide.
 For Angelo, his Act did not ore-take his bad intent,
 And must be buried but as an intent
 That perish'd by the way: thoughts are no subiects
 Intents, but meerely thoughts
 
    Mar. Meerely my Lord
 
    Duk. Your suite's vnprofitable: stand vp I say:
 I haue bethought me of another fault.
 Prouost, how came it Claudio was beheaded
 At an vnusuall howre?
   Pro. It was commanded so
 
    Duke. Had you a speciall warrant for the deed?
   Pro. No my good Lord: it was by priuate message
 
    Duk. For which I doe discharge you of your office,
 Giue vp your keyes
 
    Pro. Pardon me, noble Lord,
 I thought it was a fault, but knew it not,
 Yet did repent me after more aduice,
 For testimony whereof, one in the prison
 That should by priuate order else haue dide,
 I haue reseru'd aliue
 
    Duk. What's he?
   Pro. His name is Barnardine
 
    Duke. I would thou hadst done so by Claudio:
 Goe fetch him hither, let me looke vpon him
 
    Esc. I am sorry, one so learned, and so wise
 As you, Lord Angelo, haue stil appear'd,
 Should slip so grosselie, both in the heat of bloud
 And lacke of temper'd iudgement afterward
 
    Ang. I am sorrie, that such sorrow I procure,
 And so deepe sticks it in my penitent heart,
 That I craue death more willingly then mercy,
 'Tis my deseruing, and I doe entreat it.
 
 Enter Barnardine and Prouost, Claudio, Iulietta.
 
   Duke. Which is that Barnardine?
   Pro. This my Lord
 
    Duke. There was a Friar told me of this man.
 Sirha, thou art said to haue a stubborne soule
 That apprehends no further then this world,
 And squar'st thy life according: Thou'rt condemn'd,
 But for those earthly faults, I quit them all,
 And pray thee take this mercie to prouide
 For better times to come: Frier aduise him,
 I leaue him to your hand. What muffeld fellow's that?
   Pro. This is another prisoner that I sau'd,
 Who should haue di'd when Claudio lost his head,
 As like almost to Claudio, as himselfe
 
    Duke. If he be like your brother, for his sake
 Is he pardon'd, and for your louelie sake
 Giue me your hand, and say you will be mine,
 He is my brother too: But fitter time for that:
 By this Lord Angelo perceiues he's safe,
 Methinkes I see a quickning in his eye:
 Well Angelo, your euill quits you well.
 Looke that you loue your wife: her worth, worth yours
 I finde an apt remission in my selfe:
 And yet heere's one in place I cannot pardon,
 You sirha, that knew me for a foole, a Coward,
 One all of Luxurie, an asse, a mad man:
 Wherein haue I so deseru'd of you
 That you extoll me thus?
   Luc. 'Faith my Lord, I spoke it but according to the
 trick: if you will hang me for it you may: but I had rather
 it would please you, I might be whipt
 
    Duke. Whipt first, sir, and hang'd after.
 Proclaime it Prouost round about the Citie,
 If any woman wrong'd by this lewd fellow
 (As I haue heard him sweare himselfe there's one
 whom he begot with childe) let her appeare,
 And he shall marry her: the nuptiall finish'd,
 Let him be whipt and hang'd
 
    Luc. I beseech your Highnesse doe not marry me to
 a Whore: your Highnesse said euen now I made you a
 Duke, good my Lord do not recompence me, in making
 me a Cuckold
 
    Duke. Vpon mine honor thou shalt marrie her.
 Thy slanders I forgiue, and therewithall
 Remit thy other forfeits: take him to prison,
 And see our pleasure herein executed
 
    Luc. Marrying a punke my Lord, is pressing to death,
 Whipping and hanging
 
    Duke. Slandering a Prince deserues it.
 She Claudio that you wrong'd, looke you restore.
 Ioy to you Mariana, loue her Angelo:
 I haue confes'd her, and I know her vertue.
 Thanks good friend, Escalus, for thy much goodnesse,
 There's more behinde that is more gratulate.
 Thanks Prouost for thy care, and secrecie,
 We shall imploy thee in a worthier place.
 Forgiue him Angelo, that brought you home
 The head of Ragozine for Claudio's,
 Th' offence pardons it selfe. Deere Isabell,
 I haue a motion much imports your good,
 Whereto if you'll a willing eare incline;
 What's mine is yours, and what is yours is mine.
 So bring vs to our Pallace, where wee'll show
 What's yet behinde, that meete you all should know.
 
 The Scene Vienna.
 
 The names of all the Actors.
 
  Vincentio: the Duke.
  Angelo, the Deputie.
  Escalus, an ancient Lord.
  Claudio, a yong Gentleman.
  Lucio, a fantastique.
  2. Other like Gentlemen.
  Prouost.
  Thomas. 2. Friers.
  Peter.
  Elbow, a simple Constable.
  Froth, a foolish Gentleman.
  Clowne.
  Abhorson, an Executioner.
  Barnardine, a dissolute prisoner.
  Isabella, sister to Claudio.
  Mariana, betrothed to Angelo.
  Iuliet, beloued of Claudio.
  Francisca, a Nun.
  Mistris Ouer-don, a Bawd.
 
 FINIS. MEASVRE, For Measure.