Is't not enough, thou hast suborn'd these women To accuse this worthy man; but, in foul mouth, And in the witness of his proper ear, To call him villain? And then to glance from him to the duke himself; But we will know this purpose :-What! unjust? Dare no more stretch this finger of mine, than he Where I have seen corruption boil and bubble, Escal. Slander to the state! Away with him to Ang. What can you vouch against him, signior 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 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. (1) Accountable. 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 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 sheep-biting 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. Lucio. This may prove worse than hanging. Duke. What you have spoke, I pardon; sit you down. [To Escalus. We'll borrow place of him :-Sir, by your leave: And hold no longer out. Ang. I should be guiltier than my guiltiness, (1) Wantons. 0 my dread lord, (2) Service, When I perceive, your grace, like power divine, But let my trial be mine own confession; Duke. Come hither, Mariana :Say, wast thou e'er contracted to this woman? Ang. I was, my lord. Do Duke. Go, take her hence, and marry her instantly. 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 Advertising, and holy to your business, Not changing heart with habit, I am still Attorney'd at your service. Isab. O, give me pardon, That I, your vassal, have employ'd and pain'd 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 Than let him so be lost: O, most kind maid, power, 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. (1) Devices. (2) Following. Attentive. Re-enter Angelo, Mariana, Peter, and Provost. Isab. I do, my lord. Duke. For this new-married man, approaching here, Whose salt imagination yet hath wrong'd (Being criminal, in double violation Of sacred chastity, and of promise-breach, Most audible, even from his properl tongue, We do condemn thee to the very block Where Claudio stoop'd to death, and with like haste; Away with him. Mari. Consenting to the safeguard of your honour, We do instate and widow you withal, Mari. O, my dear lord, I crave no other, nor no better man. Duke. Never crave him; we are definitive. (1) Angelo's own tongue. [Kneeling. labour Mari. Gentle my liege,— Duke. Away with him to death.-Now, sir, [To Lucio.] to you. You do but lose your Mari. O, my good lord!-Sweet Isabel, take Lend me your knees, and all my life to come Duke. Against all sensel you do importune her: Mari. Isabel, Hold up your hands, say nothing, I'll speak all. Most bounteous sir, For Angelo, His act did not o'ertake his bad intent, And must be buried but as an intent That perish'd by the way: thoughts are no subjects; Intents but merely thoughts. Mari. Merely, my lord. Duke. Your suit's unprofitable; stand up, I say.I have bethought me of another fault :Provost, how came it, Claudio was beheaded At an unusual hour? (1) Reason and affection. |