had the liberty of the prison; give him leave to escape hence, he would not: drunk many times a day, if not many days entirely drunk. We have very often awak'd him, as if to carry him to execution, and shew'd him a seeming warrant for 5 it; it hath not mov'd 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 my-10 self 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? Due. In the delaying death. will give him a present shrift, and advise him for a better place. Yet you are amaz'd, but this shall absolutely resolve you. Come away; it is almost clear dawn. [Exeunt. SCENE III. Clown. I am as well acquainted here, as I was in our house of profession: one would think, it were mistress Over-done's own house, for here be many of her old customers. First, here's young master Rash; he's in for a commodity of brown paper and old ginger, ninescore and seventeen pounds; of which he made five marks, ready mo15ney: marry, then, ginger was not much in request, for the old women were all dead. Then is there here one master Caper, at the suit of master Three-pile the mercer, for some four suits of peach-colour'd sattin, which now peaches him a beggar. Then have we here young Dizy, and young master Deep-vow, and master Copperspur, and master Starve-lacky the rapier and dagger-man, and young Drop-heir that kill'd lusty Pudding, and master Forthright the tilter, and brave master Shoe-tye the great traveller, and wild Half-can that stabb'd Pots, and, I think, forty more; all great doers in our trade, and are now in for the Lord's sake2. Prov. Alack! how may I do it? having the hour limited; and an express command, under 20 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, if my instructions may be your guide. Let 25 this Barnardine be this morning executed, and his head borne to Angelo. Prov. Angelo hath seen them both, and will| discover the favour. Duke. Oh, death's a great disguiser: and you may 30 add to it. Shave the head, and tie the beard; and say, it was the desire of the penitent to be so barb'd before his death: you know the course iscommon. If any thing fall to you upon this, more than thanks and good fortune, by the saint whom 135 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? 40 Duke. Not a resemblance, but a certainty. Yet 45 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, 150 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 55 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 60 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: Enter Abhorson. Abhor. Sirrah, bring Barnardine hither. Clown. Master Barnardine! you must rise and be hang'd, master Barnardine! Abhor. What, ho, Barnardine! Barnar. [Within.] A pox o' your throats! Who makes that noise there? What are you? Clown. Your friends, sir; the hangman: You must be so good, sir, to rise and be put to death. Barnar. [Within.] Away you rogue, away; I Jam sleepy. Abhor. Tell him he must awake, and that quickly too. Clown. Pray, master Barnardine, awake till you are executed, and sleep afterwards. Abhor. Go in to him, and fetch him out. Clown. He is coming, sir, he is coming; I hear his straw rustle. Enter Barnardine. Abhor. Is the ax upon the block, sirrah? Barnar. How now, Abhorson? what's the news with you? Abhor. Truly, sir, I would desire you to clap into your prayers; for look you, the warrant's come. Barnar. You rogue, I have been drinking all night, I am not fitted for't. Clown. Oh, the better, sir; for he that drinks all night, and is hang'd betimes in the morning, may sleep the sounder all the next day. Enter Duke. Abhor. Look you, sir, here comes your ghostly father; Do we jest now, think you? Duke. Sir, induced by my charity, and hearing how hastily you are to depart, I am come to advise you, comfort you, and pray with you. 'That is,-here writ-the Duke pointing to the letter in his hand. soners begging of passengers for the Lord's sake. That, an allusion to pri- Duke. Unfit to live, or die: Oh, gravel heart!After him, fellows; bring him to the block. [Exeunt Abhorson and Clown. Prov. Now, sir, how do you find the prisoner? Duke. A creature unprepar'd, unmeet for death And, to transport him' in the mind he is, Were damnable. Prov. Here in the prison, father, A man of Claudio's years; his beard, and head, Duke. O, 'tis an accident that heaven provides! Pro. This shall he 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, you shall find Your safety manifested. Prov. I am your free dependent. 15 [tience. Shew your wisdom, daughter, in your close pa- Duke. This nor hurts him, nor profits you a jot: [eyes; The duke comes home to-morrow;-nay, dry your One of our convent, and his confessor, 25Gives me this instance: already he hath carry'd Notice to Escalus and Angelo; Who do prepare to meet him at the gates, 30 la that good path, that I would wish it go; 135 Isab. I am directed by you. Duke. This letter then to friar Peter give; Duke. Quick, dispatch, and send the head to 45 Now will I write letters to Angelo,— The provost, he shall bear them,-whose contents Re-enter Provost. 50 Enter Lucio. Lucio. Good even! Friar, where is the provost? Duke. Not within, sir. [ter: Lucio. O pretty Isabella, I am pale at mine heart, to see thine eyes so red: thou must be patient: I am fain to dine and sup with water and bran; I dare not for my head fill my belly; one fruitful 55 meal would set ine to't: 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 had liv’d. That is, to remove him out of this world to the other. I am bound, 4 That is, go. That is, your wish. 'That is, Duke. 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. Lucio. I was once before him for getting a wench with child. Duke. Did you such a thing? Lucio. Yes, marry, did I: but I was fain to forswear it; they would else have marry'd me to the rotten medlar. Duke. Sir, your company is fairer than honest: Rest you well. Lucio. By my troth, I'll go with thee to the lane's end: if bawdy talk offend you, we'll have very little of it: Nay, friar, I am a kind of burr, I shall stick. SCENE IV. 15 SCENE V. Changes to the Fields without the Town. Enter Angelo and Escalus. Escal. Every letter he hath writ hath disvouch'd other. Ang. In most uneven and distracted manner.His actions shew much like to madness; pray heaven, his wisdom be not tainted! And why meet him at the gates, and re-deliver our authorities there? 25 30 35 Ang. Well; I beseech you let it be proclaim'd: 40, Isab. Besides, he tells me, that, if peradventure I should not think it strange; for 'tis a physick, Mari. I would, friar Peter- Enter Friar Peter. [fit, Peter. Come, Ihave found you out a stand most Where you may have such'vantage on the duke, He shall not pass you: Twice have the trumpets 50 The generous and gravest citizens [sounded; Have heut the gates, and very near upon The duke is entering; therefore hence, away. [Exeunt Ang. You make my bonds still greater. As e'er I heard in madness. Harp not on that; nor do not banish reason To lock it in the wards of covert bosom, Enter Peter and Isabella Peter. Now is your time; speak loud, and kneel| before him. Isab. Justice, O royal duke! Vail' your regard Duke. Relate your wrongs: In what? by whom? Isab. Oh, worthy duke, You bid me seek redemption of the devil: Isab. By course of justice! 10 15 20 Have, sure, more lack of reason.-What would you Was sent to by my brother; one Lucio Lucio. That's I, an't like your grace: Isab. That's he, indeed. Duke. You were not bid to speak. Nor wish'd to hold my peace. Duke. I wish you now, then; Pray you, take note of it: and when you have 25 A business for yourself, pray heaven, you then Be perfect. 30| Ang. And she will speak most bitterly and strange. Duke. Nay, it is ten times strange. Duke. Away with her:-Poor soul, fit. Lucio. I warrant your honour. Duke. The warrant's for yourself; take heed to Lucio. Right. Duke. It may be right; but you are in the wrong To this pernicious caitiff deputy. Duke. That's somewhat madly spoken. The phrase is to the matter. Duke. Mended again: the matter;-Proceed. Isab. In brief,-to set the needless process by, 40 How I persuaded, how I pray'd, and kneeľ'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 chaste body 45 To his concupiscible intemperate lust, Isab. O prince, I conjure thee, as thou believ'st In all his dressings, characts,, titles, forms, Duke. By mine honesty, If she be mad, (as I believe no other) 1 To vuil means to let fall, or to lower. 55 Or else thou art suborn'd against his honour i. e. As perfect, as exact in the performance of his duty. Foolish. Isub. Act 5. Scene 1.] Isab. And is this all? Mari. No, my lor 1. Then, oh, you blessed ministers above, [friar: Duke. Words against me? this a good friar belike! Peter. Blessed be your royal grace! Duke. We did believe no less. [of? Know you that friar Lodowick, which she speaks Not scurvy, nor a temporary meddler, As he's reported by this gentleman; Of a strange fever: Upon his mere request, [plaint Duke. Good friar, let's hear it. Duke. What, are you marry'd? 20 Duke. Are you a .naid? Duke. Why, you are nothing then:- Lucio. My lord, she may be a punk; for many Lucio. Well, my lord. Mari. Mylord, I'do confess, I ne'er was marry'd; [not, [better. have known iny husband; yetmy husband knows That ever he knew me. Lucio. He was drunk then, my lord; it can be no [so too. Duke. This is no witness for lord Angelo. 30 35 Ang. Charges she more than me? husband; [riana. Duke. No? You say, your husband. [To Mu- Ang. This is a strange abuse. Let's see thy face. Duke. Know you this woman? 'Perpetual, That is, her promis'd fortune fell short of the agreement. H 2 * Abuse here signifies deception. Or |