Have, sure, more lack of reason. What would As I, thus wrong'd, hence unbelieved go Duke. I know you'ld fain be gone. officer ! 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 As then the messenger, An 120 70 To prison with her! Shall we thus permit Lucio. That's I, an't like your grace: I came to her from Claudio, and desired her To try her gracious fortune with Lord Angelo For her poor brother's pardon. Isab. That's he indeed. Right. And to set on this wretched woman here I saw them at the prison: a saucy friar, Fri. P. Blessed be your royal grace! Duke. It may be right; but you are i'the wrong Your royal ear abused. First, hath this woman To speak before your time. Proceed. Isab. I went 140 Most wrongfully accused your substitute, 150 But at this instant he is sick, my lord, man, To justify this worthy nobleman, 160 Good friar, let's hear it. Until my husband bid me. 170 In countenance ! from woe, Heaven shield your grace Duke. A widow, then? MEASURE FOR MEASURE. Why, you are nothing then: neither maid, widow, nor wife? Lucio. My lord, she may be a punk: for many of them are neither maid, widow, nor wife. Duke Silence that fellow: I would he had 181 some cause To prattle for himself. Lucio. Well, my lord. Mari My lord, I do confess I ne'er was mar- And I confess besides I am no maid: I have known my husband; yet my husband Lucio. He was drunk then my lord: it can be no better. Duke. For the benefit of silence, would thou wert so too! Lucio. Well, my lord. Ang. Charges she more than me? Mari 191 Duke. face. Mari. My husband bids me; This is the hand which, with a vow'd contract, - Duke. Lucio. Carnally, she says. Sirrah, no more! Lucio. Enough, my lord. woman: And five years since there was some speech of marriage Betwixt myself and her; which was broke off, 220 For that her reputation was disvalued In levity: since which time of five years 89 Or else for ever be confixed here, Though they would swear down each particular That's seal'd in approbation? You, Lord Escalus, Fri. P. Would he were here, my lord! for he Hath set the women on to this complaint: 250 Duke. Go do it instantly. [Exit Provost. Escal. My lord, we'll do it throughly. 260 Signior Lucio, did not you say you knew that [Exit Duke. Friar Lodowick to be a dishonest person? Lucio. Cucullus non facit monachum:' honest in nothing but in his clothes; and one that hath spoke most villanous speeches of the duke. Escal. We shall entreat you to abide here till he come and enforce them against him: we shall find this friar a notable fellow. Lucio. As any in Vienna, on my word. Lucio. Not better than he, by her own report. Lucio. Marry, sir, I think, if you handled her Escal. I will go darkly to work with her. Lucio. That's the way; for women are light at midnight. 281 I never spake with her, saw her, nor heard from her, Re-enter OFFICERS with ISABELLA; and PRO- on to slander Lord Angelo? they have confessed you did. Duke. "Tis false. 291 Escal. How! know you where you are? Duke. Respect to your great place and let the devil Be sometime honour'd for his burning throne! Where is the duke? 'tis he should hear me speak. 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! Duke. To Provost] Stay, sir; stay awhile. 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, and be hanged an hour! Will't not off? Escal. The duke's in us; and we will hear with a pox to you! show your sheep-biting face, you speak: Look you speak justly. Duke. Boldly, at least. But, O, poor souls, Come you to seek the lamb here of the fox? 300 Good night to your redress! Is the duke gone? Then is your cause gone too. The duke's unjust, Thus to retort your manifest appeal, And put your trial in the villain's mouth Which here you come to accuse. Lucio. This is the rascal; this is he I spoke of. Escal. Why, thou unreverend and unhallow'd friar, Is't not enough thou hast suborn'd these women Joint by joint, but we will know his purpose. Be not so hot; the duke Escal. Slander to the state! Away with him to prison! Ang. What can you vouch against him, Signior Lucio? Is this the man that you did tell us of? Lucio. 'Tis he, my lord. Come hither, goodman baldpate: do you know me? Duke. I remember you, sir, by the sound of your voice: I met you at the prison, in the absence of the duke. Lucio. O, did you so? And do you remember what you said of the duke? Duke. Most notedly, sir. Lucio. Do you so, sir? And was the duke a fleshmonger, a fool, and a coward, as you then reported him to be? 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. 341 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 talked withal. Away with him to prison! Where is the provost? 360 [Pulls off the friar's hood, and discovers the Duke. Duke. Thou art the first knave that e'er madest a duke. First, provost, let me bail these gentle three. Must have a word anon. Lay hold on him. We'll borrow place of him. [To Angelo] Sir, by your leave. 370 Hast thou or word, or wit, or impudence, Come hither, Mariana. Duke. Go take her hence, and marry her instantly. Do you the office, friar; which consummate, Than at the strangeness of it. Isab. O, give me pardon, 390 That I, your vassal, have employ'd and pain'd' Your unknown sovereignty! Duke. You are pardon'd, Isabel: And now, dear maid, be you as free to us. Your brother's death, I know, sits at your heart; And you may marvel why I obscured myself, Labouring to save his life, and would not rather Make rash remonstrance of my hidden power Than let him so be lost. O most kind maid, It was the swift celerity of his death, Which I did think with slower foot came on, 400 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 A due sincerity govern'd his deeds, Then, Angelo, thy fault's thus manifested; Which, though thou wouldst deny, denies thee vantage. We do condemn thee to the very block Prov. Duke. Had you a special warrant for the deed? Prov. No, my good lord; it was by private message. 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: Where Claudio stoop'd to death, and with like For testimony whereof, one in the prison, haste. Away with him! 420 Mari. O my most gracious lord, I hope you will not mock me with a husband. Duke. It is your husband mock'd with a husband. you Consenting to the safeguard of your honour, Although by confiscation they are ours, Mari. O my dear lord, 430 I crave no other, nor no better man. Duke. Never crave him; we are definitive. Mari. Gentle my liege,- [Kneeling. Duke. You do but lose your labour. Away with him to death! [To Lucio] Now, sir, to you. Mari. O my good lord! Sweet Isabel, take my part; Lend me your knees, and all my life to come Duke. Against all sense you do importune her: Should she kneel down in mercy of this fact, Mari. Isabel, 441 Sweet Isabel, do yet but kneel by me; Most bounteous sir, [Kneeling. Look, if it please you, on this man condemn'd, my brother lived: I partly think He is my brother too: but fitter time for that. 500 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 Look that you love your wife; her worth worth Remit thy other forfeits. Take him to prison; yours. I find an apt remission in myself; And yet here's one in place I cannot pardon. [To Lucio] You, sirrah, that knew me for a fool, a coward, One all of luxury, an ass, a madman; 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 whipt. Duke. Whipt first, sir, and hanged after. Proclaim it, provost, round about the city, Is any woman wrong'd by this lewd fellow, As I have heard him swear himself there's one Whom he begot with child, let her appear, Lucio. I beseech your highness, do not marry me to a whore. Your highness said even now, And see our pleasure herein executed. 540 There's more behind that is more gratulate. know. |