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 talk'd 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 hang'd an hour! Will't 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: [TO ANGELO. Hast thou or word, or wit, or impudence, And hold no longer out. Ang. O my dread lord, I should be guiltier than my guiltiness, 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 amaz'd at his dishonour, Than at the strangeness of it. Duke. Come hither, Isabel: Your friar is now your prince: As I was then 6 Advértising, and holy to your business, Not changing heart with habit, I am still 3 Service. 4 Devices. 5 Following. 6 Attentive. O, give me pardon, Attorney'd at your service. Isab. That I, your vassal, have employ'd and pain'd Your unknown sovereignty. Duke. And now, dear maid, be You are pardon'd, Isabel : you as free to us. Your brother's death, I know, sits at your heart; Which I did think with slower foot came on, That brain'd my purpose: But, peace be with him! That life is better life, past fearing death, Than that which lives to fear: make it your comfort, So happy is your brother. 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 wrong'd Your well-defended honour, you must pardon Of sacred chastity, and of promise-breach, 7 Angelo's own tongue. Hastes till pays haste, and leisure answers leisure; Mari. very block O, my most gracious lord, Duke. It is your husband mock'd you with a husband: Consenting to the safeguard of your honour, you We do instate and widow Mari. withal, I crave no other, nor no better man. Duke. Never crave him; we are definitive. Duke. [Kneeling. You do but lose your labour ; 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, my all life to do Duke. Against all sense3 you do impórtune her: Should she kneel down, in mercy of this fact, 3 Reason and affection. Her brother's ghost his paved bed would break, Mari. Isabel, Sweet Isabel, do yet but kneel by me; Hold up your hands, say nothing, I'll speak all. Most bounteous sir, [Kneeling. Look, if it please you, on this man condemn'd, Let him not die: My brother had but justice, In that he did the thing for which he died : His act did not o'ertake his bad intent? And must be buried but as an intent That perish'd by the way: thoughts are no subjects; Intents but merely thoughts. Mari. Merely, my lord. Duke. Your suit's unprofitable; stand up, I say. I have bethought me of another fault: Provost, how came it, Claudio was beheaded At an unusual hour? Prov. It was commanded so. Duke. Had you a special warrant for the deed? Prov. No, my good lord; it was by private message. |