Even like an o'ergrown lion in a cave, That goes not out to prey: Now, as fond fathers For terror, not to use; in time the rod Becomes more mock'd, than feared: so our decrees, Dead to infliction, to themselves are dead; And liberty plucks justice by the nose; The baby beats the nurse, and quite athwart Fri. It rested in your grace To unloose this ty'd-up justice, when you pleas'd: Duke. I do fear, too dreadful : 313 Sith 'twas my fault to give the people scope, father, Therefore, indeed, my I have on Angelo impos'd the office; Who may, in the ambush of my name, strike home, "And yet, my nature never in the sight "To do it slander:" And to behold his sway, I will, as 'twere a brother of your order, 331 Visit both prince and people: therefore, I pr'ythee, Supply me with the habit, and instruct me How I may formally in person bear me Like a true friar More reasons for this action, At our more leisure shall I render you; Is more to bread than stone: Hence shall we see, SCENE V. A Nunnery. Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA. Isab. And have you nuns no farther privileges? Nun. Are not these large enough? 343 Isab. Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; But rather wishing a more strict restraint Upon the sister-hood, the votarists of saint Clare. Lucio. [Within] Ho! Peace be in this place! Isab. Who's that which calls? Nun. It is a man's voice: Gentle Isabella, Turn you the key, and know his business of him ; Then, if you speak, you must not shew your face; Or, if you shew your face, you must not speak. 353 [Exit FRANCISCA. Isab. Peace and prosperity! Who is't that calls?" Enter Enter LUCIO. Lucio. Hail, virgin, if you be; as those cheek-roses A novice of this place, and the fair sister Isab. Why her unhappy brother? let me ask; I am that Isabella, and his sister. 362 Lucio. Gentle and fair, your brother kindly greets you: Not to be weary with you, he's in prison, Isab. Woe me! For what? Lucio. For that, which, if myself might be his judge, He should receive his punishment in thanks : He hath got his friend with child. Isab. Sir, make me not your story. 372 Lucio. Tis true:-I would not (though 'tis my familiar sin With maids to seem the lapwing, and to jest, As with a saint. "Isab. You do blaspheme the good, in mocking me. "Lucio. Do not believe it. Fewness and truth, 'tis thus: "Your brother and his lover have embrac'd: Ciij 382 "As "As those that feed grow full; as blossoming time "That from the seedness the bare fallow brings "To teeming foyson; so her plenteous womb "Expresseth his full tilth and husbandry.” Isab. Some one with child by him?-My cousin Juliet ? Lucio. Is she your cousin? Isab. Adoptedly; as school-maids change their names, By vain though apt affection. Lucio. She it is. Isab. O, let him marry her! Lucio. This is the point. The duke is very strangely gone from hence; Governs lord Angelo; A man whose blood 39.2 403 And prayer And follows close the rigour of the statute, Lucio. Has censur'd him Already; and, as I hear, the provost hath Isab. Alas! what poor ability's in me To do him good? Lucio. Assay the power you have. 412 422 Isab. My power! Alas! I doubt,— Lucio. Our doubts are traitors, And make us lose the good we oft might win, And let him learn to know, when maidens sue, Men give like gods; but when they weep and kneel, As they themselves would owe them. Lucio. But, speedily. Isab. I will about it strait; No longer staying but to give the mother Lucio. I take my leave of you. Isab. Good sir, adieu. 432 ACT |