Ang. What can you vouch against him, seignoir Lucio? Is this the man that you did tell us of? Lucio. 'Tis he, my lord. Come hither, goodman baldpate: do you know me? Duke. I remember you, sir, by the sound of your voice: I met you at the prison in the absence of the duke. Lucio. O, did you so? And do you remember what you said of the duke? Duke. Most notedly, sir. Lucio. Do you so, sir? And was the duke a flesh-monger, a fool, and a coward, as you then reported him to be? Duke. You must, sir, change persons with me, ere you make that my report: you, indeed, spoke so of him; and much more, much worse. Lucio. O thou damnable fellow! Did not I pluck thee by the nose, for thy speeches? Duke. I protest, I love the duke, as I love myself. Ang. Hark! how the villain would close now, after his treasonable abuses. Escal. Such a fellow is not to be talked withal: - away with him to prison: Where is the provost ?-Away with him to prison; lay bolts enough upon him:-Let him speak no more:-Away with those giglots too, and with the other confederate companion. [The Provost lays hands on the Duke. Duke. Stay, sir; stay a while. Ang. What! resists he? Help him, Lucio. Lucio. Come, sir; come, sir; come, sir; foh, sir; why, you bald-pated, lying rascal! You must be hooded, must you? Show your knave's visage, with a pox to you! show your sheep-biting face, and be hanged an hour! Wilt not off? [Pulls off the Friar's hood, and discovers the Duke. Duke. Thou art the first knave that e'er made a duke. First, provost, let me bail these gentle three:Sneak not away, sir; [To LUCIO.] for the friar and you Must have a word anon:- lay hold on him. Lucio. This may prove worse than hanging. Duke. What you have spoke, I pardon; sit you down. [To ESCALUS. We'll borrow place of him:- sir, by your leave: Hast thou or word, or wit, or impudence, Ang. O my dread lord, I should be guiltier than my guiltiness, [To ANGELO. To think I can be undiscernible, When I perceive, your grace, like power divine, But let my trial be mine own confession; Duke. Come hither, Mariana; Say, wast thou e'er contracted to this woman ? Ang. I was, my lord. Duke. Go take her hence, and marry her instantly.Do you the office, friar; which consummate, Return him here again:-go with him, provost. [Exeunt ANGELO, MARIANA, PETER, and Provost. Escal. My lord, I am more amazed at his dishonor, Than at the strangeness of it. Duke. Come hither, Isabel: Not changing heart with habit, I am still Isab. O, give me pardon, That I, your vassal, have employed and pained Duke. You are pardoned, Isabel: And now, dear maid, be you as free to us. Your brother's death, I know, sits at your heart; And you may marvel why I obscured myself, Laboring to save his life; and would not rather Make rash remonstrance of my hidden power, Than let him so be lost: 0, most kind maid, It was the swift celerity of his death, Which I did think with slower foot came on, Than that which lives to fear: make it your comfort, Re-enter ANGELO, MARIANA, PETER, and Provost. Isab. I do, my lord. Duke. For this new-married man, approaching here, Whose salt imagination yet hath wronged Your well-defended honor, you must pardon For Mariana's sake; but as he adjudged your brother, VOL. I.-21 (Being criminal, in double violation Most audible, even from his proper tongue, Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure; Which, though thou would'st deny, denies thee vantage: Where Claudio stooped to death, and with like haste; — Away with him. Mari. O, my most gracious lord, Duke. It is your husband mocked you with a husband: Consenting to the safeguard of your honor, I thought your marriage fit; else imputation, We do instate and widow you withal, To buy you a better husband. Mari. O, my dear lord, Duke. [Kneeling. You do but lose your labor; Away with him to death. Now, sir, [To LUCIO.] to you. Mari. O, my good lord!-Sweet Isabel, take my part; Lend me your knees, and, all my life to come, I'll lend you all my life to do you service. Duke. Against all sense you do impórtune her Mari. Duke. He dies for Claudio's death. Isab. Most bounteous sir, [Kneeling. Look, if it please you, on this man condemned, His act did not o'ertake his bad intent; And must be buried but as an intent That perished by the way: thoughts are no subjects; Intents but merely thoughts. Mari. Merely, my lord. Provost, how came it At an unusual hour? Prov. Claudio was beheaded It was commanded so. Duke. Had you a special warrant for the deed? Prov. No, my good lord; it was by private message. Duke. For which I do discharge you of your office: Give up your keys. Prov. Pardon me, noble lord: Prov. His name is Barnardine. Duke. I would thou had'st done so by Claudio. As you, lord Angelo, have still appeared, procure; Ang. I am sorry, that such sorrow I Re-enter Provost, BARNARDINE, CLAUDIO, and JULIET. Prov. This, my lord. Duke. There was a friar told me of this man:- And squar'st thy life according. Thou'rt condemned; I leave him to your hand. What muffled fellow's that? That should have died when Claudio lost his head; Is he pardoned; and, for your lovely sake, Look that you love your wife; her worth, worth yours.- And yet here's one in place I cannot pardon; You, sirrah, [To LUCIO] that knew me for a fool, a coward, One all of luxury, an ass, a madman; Wherein have I so deserved of you, That you extol me thus? Lucio. '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 whipped. Duke. Whipped first, sir, and hanged after.- Lucio. I beseech your highness, do not marry me to a whore! Your highness said even now, I made you a duke; good my lord, do not recompense me in making me a cuckold. Duke. Upon mine honor, thou shalt marry her. Thy slanders I forgive; and therewithal Remit thy other forfeits. Take him to prison: |