SCENE II.

Duke. Nor, gentle daughter, fear you not at all: He is your husband on a pre-contract: To bring you thus together, 'tis no sin; Sith that the justice of your title to him Doth flourish the deceit. Our corn's to reap, for yet our tithe's 3 to sow.

Come, let us go;

[Exeunt.

SCENE II. - A Room in the Prison.

Enter Provost and Clown.

Prov. Come hither, sirrah: Can you cut off a man's head?

Clo. If the man be a batchelor, sir, I can: but if he be a married man, he is his wife's head, and I can never cut off a woman's head.

Prov. Come, sir, leave me your snatches, and To-morrow morning are yield me a direct answer. to die Claudio and Barnardine: here is in our prison a common executioner, who in his office lacks a helper if you will take it on you to assist him, it shall redeem you from your gyves; if not, you shall have your full time of imprisonment, and your deliverance with an unpitied whipping.

Clo. Sir, I will be content to be a lawful hangman. I would be glad to receive some instruction from my fellow-partner.

Prov. What ho, Abhorson! Where's Abhorson, there?

Enter ABHORSON.

Abhor. Do you call, sir?

Prov. Sirrah, here's a fellow will help you tomorrow in your execution: If you think it meet, compound with him by the year, and let him abide here with you? if not, use him for the present, and dismiss him.

Abhor. Fye upon him, he will discredit our mys

tery.5

Prov. Go to, sir; you weigh equally; a feather [Exit. will turn the scale. Clo. Pray, sir, by your good favour, (for, surely, sir, a good favour you have, but that you have a hanging look,) do you call, sir, your occupation a mystery?

Abhor. Ay, sir; a mystery.

Clo. Painting, sir, I have heard say, is a mystery, but what mystery there should be in hanging, if I should be hanged, I cannot imagine.

Abhor. Sir, it is a mystery.

Clo. Proof.

99

Prov.

Enter Duke.

Welcome, father.

late?

Prov. None, since the curfew rung. Duke.

Prov. No. Duke.

Not Isabel?

They will then, ere't be long.
Prov. What comfort is for Claudio?
Duke.

There's some in hope.

Prov. It is a bitter deputy. Duke. Not so, not so; his life is parallel'd Even with the stroke and line of his great justice; That in himself, which he spurs on his power He doth with holy abstinence subdue With that which he corrects, then were he tyrannous; To qualify in others: were he meal'd 7 Now are they come. Provost goes out. But this being so, he's just.

[Knocking within. · This is a gentle provost : Seldom, when The steel'd gaoler is the friend of men. — How now? what noise? That spirit's possess'd with haste,

That wounds the unsisting postern with these strokes.

Provost returns, speaking to one at the door. Prov. There he must stay until the officer Arise to let him in; he is call'd up. Duke. Have you no countermand for Claudio yet, None, sir, none. Prov. But he must die to-morrow? Duke. As near the dawning, provost, as it is, You shall hear more ere morning.

Prov.

Happily 8,

You something know; yet, I believe, there comes
No countermand; no such example have we:
Besides, upon the very siege 9 of justice,
Lord Angelo hath to the public ear
Profess'd the contrary.

Enter a Messenger.

Duke. This is his lordship's man. Prov. And here comes Claudio's pardon. Mess. My lord hath sent you this note; and by me this further charge, that you swerve not from

7 Defiled. 9 Seat.

the smallest article of it, neither in time, matter, or other circumstance. Good morrow; for, as I take it, it is almost day.

Prov. I shall obey him. [Erit Messenger. Duke. This is his pardon; purchas'd by such sin,

[Aside.

For which the pardoner himself is in:
Hence hath offence his quick celerity,
When it is borne in high authority:
When vice makes mercy, mercy's so extended,
That for the fault's love, is the offender friended.—
Now, sir, what news?

Prov. I told you: Lord Angelo, belike, thinking me remiss in mine office, awakens me with this unwonted putting on: methinks, strangely; for he hath not used it before.

Duke. Pray you, let's hear.

Prov. [Reads.] Whatsoever you may hear to the contrary, let Claudio be executed by four of the clock: and, in the afternoon, Barnardine: for my better satisfaction, let me have Claudio's head sent me by five. Let this be duly performed with a thought, that more depends on it than we must yet deliver. Thus fail not to do your office, as you will answer it at your peril. What say you to this, sir?

:

Duke. What is that Barnardine, who is to be executed in the afternoon?

Prov. A Bohemian born; but here nursed up and bred one that is a prisoner nine years old.

Duke. How came it, that the absent duke had not either delivered him to his liberty, or executed him? I have heard, it was ever his manner to do so. Prov. His friends still wrought reprieves for him: And, indeed, his fact, till now in the government of lord Angelo, came not to an undoubtful proof. Duke. Is it now apparent?

Prov. Most manifest, and not denied by himself. Duke. Hath he borne himself penitently in prison? How seems he to be touch'd?

Prov. A man that apprehends death no more, dreadfully, but as a drunken sleep; careless, reckless, and fearless of what's past, present, or to come; insensible of mortality, and desperately mortal. Duke. He wants advice.

Prov. He will hear none: he hath evermore had the liberty of the prison; give him leave to escape hence, he would not: drunk many times a day, if We have very not many days entirely drunk. often awaked him, as if to carry him to execution, and showed him a seeming warrant for it: it hath not moved him at all.

Duke. More of him anon. There is written in your brow, provost, honesty and constancy: if I read it not truly, my ancient skill beguiles me; but in the boldness of my cunning, I will lay myself in hazard. Claudio, whom here you have a warrant to execute, is no greater forfeit to the law than Angelo who hath sentenc'd him: To make you understand this in a manifested effect, I crave but four days' respite; for the which you are to do me both a present and a dangerous courtesy. Prov. Pray, sir, in what?

Duke. In the delaying death.

Prov. Alack! how may I do it? having the hour limited; and an express command, under penalty, to deliver his head in the view of Angelo? I may make my case as Claudio's, to cross this in the smallest.

Duke. By the vow of mine order, I warrant you, 1 Nine years in prison.

Let this

if my instructions may be your guide. Barnardine be this morning executed, and his head borne to Angelo.

Prov. Angelo hath seen them both, and will discover the favour.2

Duke. O, death's a great disguiser: and you may add to it. Shave the head, and tie the beard; and say, it was the desire of the penitent to be so bared before his death: you know, the course is common. If any thing fall to you upon this, more than thanks and good fortune, by the saint whom I profess, I will plead against it with my life.

Prov. Pardon me, good father; it is against my oath.

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? Prov. But what likelihood is in that?

Yet

Duke. Not a resemblance, but a certainty. 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.

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 with Barnardine's head: I will give him a present shrift, and advise him for a better place. you are amazed; but this shall absolutely resolve you. Come away, it is almost clear dawn.

Yet

[Exeunt.

Another Room in the same.
Enter Clown.

Clo. I am as well acquainted here, as I was in our house of profession: one would think, it were mistress Overdone's own house, for here be many of her old customers.

Look forward on the journey you shall go.

Enter ISABElla.

Isab. Ho, by your leave.

Duke. Good morning to you, fair and gracious daughter.

Isab. The better, given me by so holy a man.

Duke. But hear you

Prov.

Here, in the prison, father,

There died this morning of a cruel fever
One Ragozine, a most notorious pirate,

A man of Claudio's years; his beard and head,
Just of his colour: What if we do omit
This reprobate, till he were well inclined;
And satisfy the deputy with the visage
Of Ragozine, more like to Claudio?

Duke. O, 'tis an accident that heaven provides!
Despatch it presently; the hour draws on
Prefix'd by Angelo: See this bedone,
And sent according to command; whiles I
Persuade this rude wretch willingly to die.

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, If he were known alive?

Duke. Let this be done: put them in secret holds, Both Barnardine and Claudio: Ere twice The sun hath made his journal greeting to The under generation 3, you shall find Your safety manifested.

Prov. I am your free dependant.

3 The antipodes.

Duke. He hath releas'd him, Isabel, from the world;

His head is off, and sent to Angelo.

Isab. Nay, but it is not so.
Duke.

It is no other : Show your wisdom, daughter, in your close patience. Isab. Unhappy Claudio! Wretched Isabel! Injurious world! Accursed Angelo !

Duke. This nor hurts him, nor profits you a jot; Forbear it therefore; give your cause to heaven. Mark what I say; which you shall find By every syllable, a faithful verity:

The duke comes home to-morrow; - nay, dry your

eyes;

One of our convent, and his confessor,
Gives me this instance: Already he hath carried
Notice to Escalus and Angelo ;

Who do prepare to meet him at the gates,
There to give up their power. If you can, pace

your wisdom

In that good path that I would wish it go;
And you shall have your bosom 4 on this wretch,
Grace of the duke, revenges to your heart,
And general honour.

Isab.
I am directed by you.
Duke. This letter then to friar Peter give;
'Tis that he sent me of the duke's return:
Say, by this token, I desire his company
At Mariana's house to-night. Her cause, and yours,
I'll perfect him withal; and he shall bring you
Before the duke; and to the head of Angelo
Accuse him home, and home. For my poor self,
I am combined by a sacred vow,

And shall be absent. Wend 5 you with this letter
Command these fretting waters from your eyes
With a light heart; trust not my holy order,
If I pervert your course. — Who's here?

Lucio.

Enter LUCIO.

Friar, where is the provost?

Duke.

Good even!

Not within, sir. Lucio. O, pretty Isabella, I am pale at mine heart, to see thine eyes so red: thou must be patient: But they say the duke will be here to-morrow. By my troth, Isabel, I lov'd thy brother: if the old fantastical duke of dark corners had been at home, he [Exit ISABELLA. Duke. Sir, the duke is marvellous little beholden to your reports; but the best is, he lives not in them. Lucio. Friar, thou knowest not the duke so well as I do he's a better woodman than thou takest him for.

had lived.

Duke. Well, you'll answer this one day. Fare ye well.

Lucio. Nay, tarry; I'll go along with thee; I can tell thee pretty tales of the duke.

Duke. You have told me too many of him already, sir, if they be true; if not true, none were enough; but, sir, your company is fairer than honest: Rest you well.

Lucio. By my troth, I'll go with thee to the lane's end: Nay, friar, I am a kind of burr, I shall [Exeunt.

stick.

Ang. In most uneven and distracted manner. His actions show much like to madness: pray, heaven, his wisdom be not tainted! And why meet him at the gates, and re-deliver our authorities there? Escal. I guess not.

Ang. And why should we proclaim it in an hour before his entering, that, if any crave redress of injustice, they should exhibit their petitions in the street?

Escal. He shows his reason for that: to have a despatch of complaints; and to deliver us from devices hereafter, which shall then have no power to stand against us.

Ang. Well, I beseech you, let it be proclaim'd: Betimes i' the morn, I'll call at your house: you Give notice to such men of sort and suit6 As are to meet him. Escal.

-

I shall, sir: fare you well.

[Exit.

Ang. Good night. This deed unshapes me quite, makes me unpregnant, And dull to all proceedings. A deflower'd maid! And by an eminent body, that enforc'd

Enter Duke in his own habit, and Friar Peter. Duke. These letters at fit time deliver me. [Giving letters. The provost knows our purpose, and our plot. The matter being afoot, keep your instruction, And hold you ever to our special drift; Though sometimes you do blench 7 from this to that, As cause doth minister. Go, call at Flavius' house, And tell him where I stay: give the like notice To Valentinus, Rowland, and to Crassus, And bid them bring the trumpets to the gate; But send me Flavius first.

F. Peter.

Duke. I thank thee, Varrius; thou hast made

Come, we will walk: There's other of our friends good haste: Will greet us here anon, my gentle Varrius. [Exeunt.

SCENE VI. · Street near the city gate.

Enter ISABELLA and MARIANA.
Isab. To speak so indirectly, I am loath;
I would say the truth; but to accuse him so,
That is your part: yet I'm advis'd to do it;
He says, to veil full 8 purpose.

Mari.
Be rul'd by him.
Isab. Besides, he tells me, that if peradventure
He speak against me on the adverse side,

I should not think it strange; for 'tis a physick
That's bitter to sweet end.
Mari. I would, friar Peter -
Isab.

O, peace; the friar is come.
Enter Friar PETER.

F. Peter. Come, I have found you out a stand most fit,

Where you may have such vantage on the duke, He shall not pass you; Twice have the trumpets sounded;

The generous and gravest citizens
Have hent the gates, and very near upon
The duke is ent'ring; therefore hence, away. [Exeunt.