Know you that friar Lodowick, that she speaks of? F. Peter. I know him for a man divine and holy; Not scurvy, nor a temporary meddler, But at this instant he is sick, my lord, Intended 'gainst lord Angelo,) came I hither, To speak, as from his mouth, what he doth know Is true, and false; and what he with his oath, And all probation, will make up full clear, Whensoever he's convented. First, for this wo man; (To justify this worthy nobleman, Duke. Good friar, let's hear it.— [Isabella is carried off, guarded; and Ma- Do you not smile at this, lord Angelo?- Until my husband bid me. Duke. What, are you married? Duke. Are you a maid!? Mari. No, my lord. Duke. This is no witness for lord Angelo. Ang. Charges she more than me? Duke. No? you say, your husband. But knows, he thinks, that he knows Isabel's. Ang. This is a strange abuse :-Let's see thy face. Mari. My husband bids me; now I will unmask. [Unveiling. This is that face, thou cruel Angelo, Which, once thou swor'st, was worth the looking on: This is the hand, which, with a vow'd contract, Duke. Know you this woman? Ang. My lord, I must confess, I know this Mari. My lord, I do confess I ne'er was mar- Let me in safety raise me from my knees; ried; And, I confess, besides, I am no maid: I have known my husband; yet my husband knows not, That ever he knew me. 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. Duke. Ay, with my heart; And punish them unto your height of pleasure. Though they would swear down each particular Were testimonies against his worth and credit, Sit with my cousin; lend him your kind pains F. Peter. Would he were here, my lord; for Hath set the women on to this complaint: Duke. Go, do it instantly.- [Exit Provost. Will leave you; but stir not you, till you have Determined upon these slanderers. Escal. My lord, we'll do it thoroughly.[Exit Duke. Signior Lucio, did not you say, you knew that 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 villainous 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 privately, she would sooner confess; perchance, publickly she'll be ashamed. Re-enter Officers, with ISABELLA; the Duke in the Friar's habit, and Provost. Escal. I will go darkly to work with her. Lucio. That's the way; for women are light at midnight. Escal. Come on, mistress: To Isabella.] here's a gentlewoman denies all that you have said. Lucio. My lord, here comes the rascal I spoke of; here with the provost. Escal. In very good time: speak not you to him, till we call upon you. Lucio. Mum. Be sometime honour'd for his burning throne:Where is the duke? 'tis he should hear me speak. Escal. The duke's in us; and we will hear you speak: Look, you speak justly. Duke. Boldly, at least:-But, O, poor souls, Lucio. This is the rascal; this is he I spoke of. Is't not enough, thou hast suborn'd these women To call him villain? And then to glance from him to the duke himself; But we will know this purpose:-What! unjust? tutes Stand like the forfeits in a barber's shop, Escal. Slander to the state! Away with him 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 bald-pate: 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 flesh-monger, 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. Lucio. O thou damnable fellow! Did not I Escal. Come, sir: Did you set these women pluck thee by the nose, for thy specches? 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 talk'd withal:-Away with him to prison:-Where is the provost-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. [The Provost lays hands on the Duke. Duke. Stay, sir; stay a while. 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, with a pox to you! show your sheepbiting face, and be hang'd an hour! Will't not off? [Pulls off the Friar's hood, and discovers the Duke. Duke. Thou art the first knave, that e'er made a duke. First, provost, let me bail these gentle three :Sneak not away, sir; [To Lucio.] for the friar and you Must have a word anon:-lay hold on him. Ang. O my dread lord, I should be guiltier than my guiltiness, Duke. Come hither, Mariana: Say, wast thou e'er contracted to this woman? Ang. I was, my lord. Duke. Go, take her hence, and marry her instantly. Do you the office, friar; which consummate, Return him here again :-Go with him, Provost. [Exeunt Angelo, Mariana, Peter, and Provost. Escal. My lord, I am more amaz'd at his dishonour, Than at the strangeness of it. Duke. Come hither, Isabel: Your friar is now your prince: As I was then Isab. O, give me pardon, 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 obscur❜d myself, Labouring to save his life; and would not rather Make rash remonstrance of my hidden power, Than let him so be lost: 0, most kind maid, It was the swift celerity of his death, Which I did think with slower foot came on, 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 comfort, So happy is your brother. haste; Away with him. Mari. O, my most gracious lord, I hope you will not mock me with a husband! Duke. It is your husband mock'd you with a husband: Consenting to the safeguard of your honour, Although by confiscation they are ours, Mari. O, my dear lord, I crave no other, nor no better man. [Kneeling. Duke. You do but lose your labour: Away with him to death.-Now, sir, [To Lucio.] Lend me your knees, and all my life to come Duke. Against all sense you do importune her: Mari. Isabel, Sweet Isabel, do yet but kneel by me; Hold up your hands, say nothing, I'll speak all. [Kneeling. Look, if it please you, on this man condemn'd, As if my brother liv'd: I partly think, A due sincerity govern'd his deeds, Till he did look on me; since it is so, Let him not die: My brother had but justice, His act did not o'ertake his bad intent, And must be buried but as an intent, Re-enter Provost, BARNARDINE, CLAUDIO, and Duke. Which is that Barnardine? Duke. There was a friar told me of this man :- But, for those earthly faults, I quit them all; Prov. This is another prisoner, that I sav'd, [Unmuffles Claudio. Duke. If he be like your brother, [To Isabella.] for his sake Is he pardon'd; And, for your lovely sake, That perish'd by the way: thoughts are no sub- By this, lord Angelo perceives he's safe; jects; Intents but merely thoughts. Mari. Merely, my lord. Duke. Your suit's unprofitable; stand up, I Give up your keys. Prov. Pardon me, noble lord: I thought it was a fault, but knew it not; Duke. What's he? Prov. His name is Barnardine. Duke. I would thou had'st done so by Clau- Go, fetch him hither; let me look upon him. Ang, I am sorry, that such sorrow I procure: Methinks, I see a quick'ning in his eye :— I find an apt remission in myself: 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 whipp'd. Duke. Whipp'd first, sir, and hang'd after.- Lucio. I beseech your highness, do not marry me to a whore! 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 Lucio. Marrying a punk, my lord, is pressing to death, whipping, and hanging. Duke. Sland'ring a prince deserves it.- store. Joy to you, Mariana !-love her, Angelo; There's more behind, that is more gratulate.- The offence pardons itself.-Dear Isabel, So bring us to our palace; where we'll show What's yet behind, that's meet you all should know. [Exeunt. |