Duke. Were you sworn to the duke, or to the deputy? Prov. To him, and to his substitutes. Duke. You will think you have made no offence, if the duke avouch the justice of your dealing? 280 Prov. But what likelihood is in that? Duke. Not a resemblance, but a certainty. Yet since I see you fearful, that neither my coat, integrity, nor my persuasion, can with ease attempt you, I will go further than I meant, to pluck all fears out of you. Look you, sir, here is the hand and seal of the duke; You know the character, I doubt not; and the signet is not strange to you. “ Prov. I know them both. 289 Duke: The contents of this is the return of the duke; you shall anon over-read it at your pleasure; where you shall find, within these two days he will be here. This is a thing, that Angelo knows not: for he this very day receives letters of strange tenor; perchance of the duke's death; perchance, entering into some monastery; but, by chance, nothing of what is writ.Look, the unfolding star calls up the shepherd: Put not yourself into amazement, how these things should be all difficulties are but easy when they are known! Call your executioner, and off Dwith Barnardine's head: I will give him a present shrift, and advise him for a better place. Yet you are amaz'd; but this shall absolutely resolve you. Come taway; it is almost clear dawn. [Exeunt:] 304 SCENE SCENE IV. Enter Clown. Clown. I am as well acquainted here, as I was in our house of profession: one would think, it were mistress Over-done's own house, for here be many "of her old customers. First, here's young master Rash; he's in for a commodity of brown paper and "old ginger, ninescore and seventeen pounds; of which " he made five marks, ready money: marry, then ginger was not much in request, for the old women were all dead. Then is there here one master Caper, at the suit of master Three-pile the mercer, for some "four suits of peach'd-colour'd satin, which now 66 peaches him a beggar. Then have we here young "Dizy, and young master Deep-vow, and master "Copper-spur, and master Starve-lacky the rapier and dagger man, and young Drop-heir that kill'd "lusty Pudding, and master Forth-right the tilter, "and brave master Shoe-tye the great traveller, and "wild Half-can that stabb'd Pots, and, I think, forty "more; all great doers in our trade, and are now in for the Lord's sake." Enter ABHORSON. Abhor. Sirrah, bring Barnardine hither. 324 Clown. Master Barnardine! you must rise and be hang'd, master Barnardine! Abhor. Abhor. What, ho, Barnardine! Barnar. [Within.] A pox o' your throats! Who makes that noise there? What are you? 330 Clown. Your friends, sir; the hangman: You must be so good, sir, to rise and be put to death. 'Barnar. [Within.] Away you rogue, away; I am sleepy. Abhor. Tell him, he must awake, and that quickly too. Clown. Pray, master Barnardine, awake till you are executed, and sleep afterwards. Abhor. Go in to him, and fetch him out. Clown. He is coming, sir, he is coming; I hear his straw rustle. Enter BARNARDINE. Abhor. Is the axe upon the block, sirrah? 341 Barnar. How now, Abhorson! what's the news with you? Abhor. Truly, sir, I would desire you to clap into your prayers; for, look you, the warrant's come. Barnar. You rogue, I have been drinking all night, I am not fitted for't. Clown, Oh, the better, sir; for he that drinks all night, and is hang'd betimes in the morning, may sleep the sounder all the next day. Enter Duke. 352 Abhor. Look you, sir, here comes your ghostly father; Do we jest now, think you? Duke. Duke. Sir, induced by my charity, and hearing how hastily you are to depart, I am come to advise you, comfort you, and pray with you. Barnar. Friar, not I; I have been drinking hard all night, and I will have more time to prepare me, or they shall beat out my brains with billets: I will not consent to die this day, that's certain. 361 Duke. Oh, sir, you must: and therefore, I beseech you, look forward on the journey you shall go. Barnar. I swear, I will not die to-day for any man's persuasion. Duke. But hear you, Barnar. Not a word: if you have any thing to say to me, come to my ward; for thence will not I to-day. [Exit. Enter Provost. Duke. Unfit to live, or die: "Oh, gravel heart!"After him, fellows; bring him to the block." 370 [Exeunt ABHORSON and Clown. Prov. Now, sir, how do you find the prisoner? Duke. A creature unprepar'd, unmeet for death; And, to transport him in the mind he is, Were damnable. Prov. Here in the prison, father, There dy'd this morning of a cruel fever A man of Claudio's years; his beard and head, 380 And And satisfy the deputy with the visage Of Ragozine, more like to Claudio? Duke. O, 'tis an accident that heaven provides! Prov. This shall be done, good father, presently. "But Barnardine must die this afternoon :" And how shall we continue Claudio, To save me from the danger that might come, Duke. Let this be done,-Put them In secret holds, both Barnardine and Claudio: Your safety manifested. Prov. I am your free dependent. 390 Duke. Quick, dispatch, and send the head to An gelo. Now will I write letters to Angelo, [Exit Provost 400 The provost, he shall bear them, whose contents Shall witness to him, I am near at home; And that, by great injunctions, I am bound To enter publickly: him I'll desire To meet me at the consecrated fount, Re-enter |