Prov. No, my good lord; it was by private mes

sage.

Duke. For which I do discharge you of your office: Give up your keys.

Prov. Pardon me, noble lord:

I thought it was a fault, but knew it not;
Yet did repent me after more advice:

For testimony whereof, one in the prison,
That should by private order else have died,
I have reserv'd alive.

Duke. What's he?

Prov. His name is Barnardine.

Duke. I would, thou had'st done so by Claudio.Go, fetch him hither; let me look upon him.

[Exit Provost, into the city.
Escal. I am sorry, one so learned and so wise
As you, lord Angelo, have still appear'd,
Should slip so grossly, both in the heat of blood,
And lack of temper'd judgement afterward.

Ang. I am sorry, that such sorrow I procure :
And so deep sticks it in my penitent heart,
That I crave death more willingly than mercy;
'Tis my deserving, and I do entreat it.

Enter Provost, BARNARDINE, and CLAUDIO muffled, from the city.

Duke. Which is that Barnardine?

Prov. This, my lord.

Duke. There was a friar told me of this man :

Sirrah, thou art said to have a stubborn soul,
That apprehends no further than this world,

And squar'st thy life according. Thou 'rt condemn'd;
But, for those earthly faults, I quit them all;
And pray thee, take this mercy, to provide

For better times to come :

I leave him to your hand.

-Friar, advise him;

[Exeunt BARNARDINE, and Friar PETER, into the city.

What muffled fellow's that?

Prov. This is another prisoner, that I say'd,

Who should have died when Claudio lost his head; As like almost to Claudio, as himself.

Duke. If he be like your brother, for his sake Is he pardon'd.

[CLAUDIO discovers himself, Isabella runs, and embraces him.]

By this, lord Angelo perceives he's safe;
Methinks, I see a quick'ning in his eye:-
Well, Angelo, your evil quits you well:
Look that you love your wife; her worth, worth
yours.-

I find an apt remission in myself;

-

And yet here's one in place I cannot pardon;
You, sirrah, that knew me for a fool, a coward,
One all of luxury, an ass, a madman:~
Wherein have I deserved so of you,

That you extoll 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 whipp'd. Duke. Whipp'd first, sir, and hang'd after.Proclaim it, provost, round about the city, If any woman's wrong'd by this lewd fellow, (As I have heard him swear himself, there's one Whom he begot with child,) let her appear, And he shall marry her: the nuptial finish'd, Let him be whipp'd and hang'd.

Lucio. I beseech your highness, do not marry me to a punk! 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 honour, thou shalt marry her.Thy slanders I forgive; and therewithal

Remit thy other forfeits :-Take him to prison:

And see our pleasure herein executed. ·

Laucio. Marrying a punk, my lord, is pressing to death, whipping, and hanging.

Duke. Sir,

Slandering a prince deserves it.—

[Exeunt Lucio, and two Apparitors.

She, Claudio, that you wrong'd, look you restore :--
Joy to you, Mariana!-love her, Angelo:-
Thanks, good friend Escalus, for thy much goodness;--
Thanks, provost, for thy care, and secrecy;
We shall employ thee in a worthier place.-
For thee, sweet saint,-if, for a brother sav'd,
From that most holy shrine thou wert devote to,
Thou deign to spare some portion of thy love,
Thy duke, thy friar, tempts thee from thy vow:
In its right orb let thy true spirit shine,
Blessing both prince, and people:-thus we'll reign,
Rich in possession of their hearts, and, warn'd
By the abuse of delegated trust,

Engrave this royal maxim on the mind,

To rule ourselves, before we rule mankind.

THE END.

S. GOSNELL, Printer,
Little Queen Street, Holborn.

[Exeunt.