Cut off by course of justice.

Isab. By course of justice!

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Ang. And she will speak most bitterly, and strange. Isab. Most strange, but yet most truly, will I speak : That Angelo's forsworn; is it not strange ? That Angelo's a murtherer; is't not strange? "That Angelo is an adulterous thief," An hypocrite; a virgin violater; Is it not strange, and strange? Duke. Nay, it is ten times strange. Isab. It is not truer he is Angelo, Than this is all as true as it is strange :

Nay, it is ten times true; for truth is truth

To the end of reckoning.

Duke. Away with her :-Poor soul,

She speaks this in the infirmity of sense.

Isab. O prince, I conjure thee, as thou believ'st There is another comfort than this world,

That thou neglect me not, with that opinion

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That I am touch'd with madness: make not impossible

That which but seems unlike: 'tis not impossible,
But one, the wicked'st caitiff on the ground,
May seem as shy, as grave, as just, as absolute,
As Angelo; even so may Angelo,

In all his dressings, characts, titles, forms,
Be an arch villain: believe it, royal prince,
If he be less, he's nothing; but he's more,
Had I more name for badness,

Duke. By mine honesty,

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If

If she be mad (as I believe no other)

Her madness hath the oddest frame of sense,
Such a dependency of thing on thing,
As e'er I heard in madness,

Isab. Gracious duke,

Harp not on that; nor do not banish reason
For inequality: but let your reason serve

To make the truth appear, where it seems hid;
Not hide the false, seems true.

Duke. Many that are not mad,

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Have, sure, more lack of reason.-What would you say?

Isab. I am the sister of one Claudio,
Condemn'd upon the act of fornication
To lose his head; condemn'd by Angelo :
I, in probation of a sisterhood,

Was sent to by my brother: One Lucio
Was then the messenger;→

Lucio. That's I, an't like your grace :

I came to her from Claudio, and desir'd her
To try her gracious fortune with lord Angelo,
For her poor brother's pardon.

Isab. That's he, indeed.

Duke. You were not bid to speak:

Lucio. No, my good lord;

Nor wish'd to hold my peace.

Duke. I wish you now then;

Pray you, take note of it: and when you have
A business for yourself, pray

heaven, you then

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Be perfect.

Lucio. I warrant your honour.

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Duke. The warrant's for yourself; take heed to it.
Isab. This gentleman told somewhat of my tale.
Lucio. Right.

Duke. It may be right; but you are in the wrong To speak before your time.Proceed.

Isab. I went

To this pernicious caitiff-deputy.

Duke. That's somewhat madly spoken.
Isab. Pardon it;

The phrase is to the matter.

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Duke. Mended again: the matter;—Proceed. Isab. In brief,-to set the needless process by, How I persuaded, how I pray'd, and kneel'd, How he refell'd me, and how I reply'd; (For this was of much length) the vile conclusion I now begin with grief and shame to utter : He would not, but by gift of my chašte body "To his concupiscible intemperate lust,” Release my brother; and, after much debatement, My sisterly remarse confutes my honour, And I did yield to him: But the next morn betimes, His purpose surfeiting, he sends a warrant

For my poor brother's head.

Duke. This is most likely!

Isab. Oh, that it were as like, as it is true!

Duke. By heaven, fond wretch, thou know'st not

what thou speak'st;

Or else thou art suborn'd against his honour
In hateful practice: First, his integrity

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Stands

Stands without blemish :-next, it imports no reason,
That with such vehemency he should pursue
Faults proper to himself: if he had so offended,
He would have weigh'd thy brother by himself,
And not have cut him off: Some one hath set you on;
Confess the truth, and say by whose advice
Thou cam'st here to complain ?

Isab. And is this all?

Then, oh, you blessed ministers above,

Keep me in patience; and, with ripen'd time,
Unfold the evil which is here wrapt up

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In countenance !-Heaven shield your grace from woe,
As I, thus wrong'd, hence unbelieved go!

Duke. I know, you'd fain be gone :—An officer-
To prison with her :-Shall we thus permit
A blasting and a scandalous breath to fall
On him so near us? This needs must be a practice.
Who knew of your intent, and coming hither? 141
Isab. One that I would were here, friar Lodowick.
Duke. A ghostly father, belike: who knows that
Lodowick?

Lucio. My lord, I know him; 'tis a meddling friar;
I do not like the man: had he been lay, my lord,
For certain words he spake against your grace
In your retirement, I had swing'd him soundly.

Duke. Words against me? this' a good friar belike!
And to set on this wretched woman here

1 Against our substitute!-Let this friar be found.
Lucio. But yesternight, my lord, she and that
I saw them at the prison: a sawcy friar,

friar

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