Enter LUCIO.

Lucio. Good even!
Friar, where is the provost?
Duke. Not within, Sir.

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 meal would set me 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 lived. [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.

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 was fain to forswear it; they would else have married 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.

[Exeunt. SCENE IV.-A Room in ANGELO'S House. Enter ANGELO and ESCALUS. Escal. Every letter he hath writ hath disvouch'dt other.

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 you at your house:
Give notice to such men of sort and suit,
As are to meet him.

Escal. I shall, Sir: fare you well.
Ang. Good night.-

[Exit.

This deed unshapes me quite, makes me un

For my authority bears a credent+ bulk, That no particular scandal once can touch, But it confounds the breather. He should have liv'd, [sense, Save that his riotous youth, with dangerous Might, in the times to come, have ta'en revenge, By so receiving a dishonour'd life, With ransom of such shame. 'Would yet he had liv'd!

Alack, when once our grace we have forgot, Nothing goes right; we would, and we would [Exit.

not.

SCENE V.-Fields without the Town. 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 blenchs from this to that, [house,

As cause doth minister. Go, call at Flavius'
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. It shall be speeded well.

Enter VARRIUS.

[Exit FRIAR.

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|| purpose.

Mari. Be rul'd by him.

Isub. Besides, he tells me, that, if peradven

ture

He speak against me on the adverse side,
I should not think it strange; for 'tis a physic,
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,

[duke, Where you may have such vantage¶ on the 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.

Duke. My very worthy cousin, fairly met:Our old and faithful friend, we are glad to see

you.

Ang. und Escal. Happy return be to your royal grace!

Duke. Many and hearty thankings to you both.

We have made inquiry of you; and we hear Such goodness of your justice, that our soul Cannot but yield you forth to public thanks, Forerunning more requital.

Ang. You make my bonds still greater.

In all his dressings, characts, titles, forms, Be an arch-villain: believe it, royal prince, If he be less, he's nothing; but he's more, Had I more name for badness.

Duke. By mine honesty,

If she be mad, (as I believe no other,)
Her madness hath the oddest frame of sense,
Such a dependency of thing on thing,
As e'er I heard in madness.

Isab. O, gracious duke,

Harp not on that; nor do not banish reason For inequality: but let your reason serve

should wrong it,

To lock it in the wards of covert bosom, When it deserves with characters of brass A forted residence, 'gainst the tooth of time, And razure of oblivion: Give me your hand, And let the subject see, to make them know That outward courtesies would fain proclaim Favours that keep within.-Come, Escalus; You must walk by us on our other hand;And good supporters are you.

PETER and ISABELLA come forward.

F. Peter. Now is your time; speak loud, and kneel before him.

Isab. Justice, O royal duke! Vail your
regard

Upon a wrong'd, I'd fain have said, a maid!
O'worthy prince, dishonour not your eye
By throwing it on any other object,
Till you have heard me in my true complaint,
And give me justice, justice, justice, justice!
Duke. Relate your wrongs: In what? By
whom? Be brief:

Here is lord Angelo shall give you justice;
Reveal yourself to him.

Isab. O, worthy duke,

You bid me seek redemption of the devil:
Hear me yourself; for that which I must speak
Must either punish me, not being believ❜d,
Or wring redress from you: hear me, O, hear
me, here.

Ang. My lord, her wits, I fear me, are not
firm:

She hath been a suitor to me for her brother, Cut off by course of justice.

Isab. By course of justice!

Ang. And she will speak most bitterly, and strange.

Isab. Most strange, but yet most truly, will
I speak :

That Angelo's forsworn; is it not strange?
That Angelo's a murderer; is't not strange?
That Angelo is an adulterous thief,
An hypocrite, a virgin-violator;
Is it not strange, and strange?
Duke. Nay, ten times strange.
Isab. It is not truer he is Angelo,
Than this is all as true as it is strange:
Nay, it is ten times true; for truth is truth
To the end of reckoning.

Duke. Away with her:-Poor soul,
She speaks this in the infirmity of sense.
Isab. O prince, I conjure thee, as thou be-
liev'st

There is another comfort than this world,
That thou neglect me not, with that opinion
That I am touch'd with madness: make not
impossible
[ble,
That which but seems unlike: 'tis not impossi-
But one, the wicked'st caitiff on the ground,
May seem as shy, as grave, as just, as absolute,
As Angelo; even so may Angelo,

* Lower.

And hide the false, seems true.

Duke. Many that are not mad,

Have, sure, more lack of reason.-What would 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;

Lucio. That's I, an't like your grace:
I come to her from Claudio, and desir'd her
To try her gracious fortune with lord Angelo,
For her poor brother's pardon.

Isab. That's he, indeed.

Duke. You were not bid to speak.
Lucio. No, my good lord;
Nor wish'd to hold my peace.

Duke. I wish you now then;

Pray you, take note of it: and when you have A business for yourself, pray heaven, you then Be perfect.

Lucio. I warrant your honour.

Duke. The warrant's for yourself; take heed

to it.

Isab. This gentleman told somewhat of my tale.

Lucio. Right.

Duke. It may be right; but you are in the To speak before your time.-Proceed. [wrong Isab. I went

To this pernicious caitiff deputy.

Duke. That's somewhat madly spoken.
Isab. Pardon it;

The phrase is to the matter.

Duke. Mended again: the matter;-Proceed. Isab. In brief,-to set the needless process by, How I persuaded, how I pray'd, and kneel'd, How he refell'dt me, and how I reply'd; (For this was of much length,) the vile con

clusion

I now begin with grief and shame to utter:
He would not, but by gift of my chaste body
To his concupiscible intemperate lust, [ment,
Release my brother; and, after much debate-
My sisterly remorset confutes mine honour,
And I did yield to him: But the next morn
betimes,

His purpose surfeiting, he sends a warrant
For my poor brother's head.

Duke. This is most likely!

Isab. O, that it were as like, as it is true! Duke. By heaven, fonds wretch, thou know'st not what thou speak'st; Or else thou art suborn'd against his honour, In hateful practice: First, his integrity Stands without blemish:-next it imports no

practice.

-Who knew of your intent, and coming hither? Isab. One that I would were here, friar Lodowick.

Duke. A ghostly father belike :-Who knows that Lodowick?

Lucio. My lord, I know him; 'tis a medling friar; [lord, I do not like the man: had he been lay, my For certain words he spake against your grace In your retirement, I had swing'd* him soundly. Duke. Words against me? This' a good friar, belike!

And to set on this wretched woman here Against our substitute!-Let this friar be found. Lucio. But yesternight, my lord, she and that

friar

I saw them at the prison: a saucy friar,
A very scurvy fellow.

F. Peter. Blessed be your royal grace!
I have stood by, my lord, and I have heard
Your royal ear abus'd: First, hath this woman
Most wrongfully accus'd your substitute;
Who is as free from touch or soil with her,
As she from one ungot.

Duke. We did believe no less. [of? Know you that friar Lodowick, that she speaks F. Peter. I know him for a man divine and Not scurvy, nor a temporary medler, [holy; As he's reported by this gentleman; And, on my trust, a man that never yet Did, as he vouches, misreport your grace. Lucio. My lord, most villainously; believe it. F. Peter. Well, he in time may come to clear himself;

But at this instant he is sick, my lord, Of a strange fever: Upon his meret request, (Being come to knowledge that there was com

plaint

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
(To justify this worthy nobleman, [woman;
So vulgarly and personally accus'd,)
Her shall you hear disproved to her eyes,
Till she herself confess it.

Duke. Good friar, let's hear it.

[ISABELLA is carried off, guarded; and MARIANA comes forward. Do you not smile at this lord Angelo?O heaven! the vanity of wretched fools!Give us some seats.-Come, cousin Angelo; In this I'll be impartial; be you judge Of your own cause.-Is this the witness, friar? First, let her show her face; and, after speak.

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. This is no witness for lord Angelo.
Mari. Now I come to't, my lord:
She, that accuses him of fornication,
In self-same manner doth accuse my husband;
And charges him, my lord, with such a time,
When I'll depose I had him in mine arms,
With all the effect of love.

Ang. Charges she more than me?
Mari. Not that I know.

Duke. No? you say, your husband.

Mari. Why, just, my lord, and that is Angelo, Who thinks, he knows, that he ne'er knew my

body,

But knows he thinks, that he knows Isabel's. Ang. This is a strange abuse:*-Let's see

thy face.

mask.

Mari. My husband bids me; now I will un-
[Unveiling.
This is that face, thou cruel Angelo, [on:
Which once thou swor'st, was worth the looking
This is the hand, which, with a vow'd contract,
Was fast belock'd in thine: this is the body
That took away the match from Isabel,
And did supply thee at thy garden-house,
In her imagin'd person.

Duke. Know you this woman?
Lucio. Carnally, she says.
Duke. Sirrah, no more.
Lucio. Enough, my lord.

Ang. My lord, I must confess, I know this

woman;

[marriage And, five years since, there was some speech of Betwixt myself and her; which was broke off, Partly, for that her promised proportions Came short of composition ; but, in chief, For that her reputation was disvalued In levity: since which time of five years, I never spake with her, saw her, nor heard from Upon my faith and honour. [her,

Mari. Noble prince,

As there comes light from heaven, and words from breath,

As there is sense in truth, and truth in virtue, I am affianc'd this man's wife, as strongly As words could make up vows: and, my good lord, [house, But Tuesday night last gone, in his gardenHe knew me as a wife: As this is true

Let me in safety raise me from my knees; Or else for ever be confixed here,

A marble monument!

Ang. I did but smile till now; [tice; Now, good my lord, give me the scope of jusMy patience here is touch'd: I do perceive, These poor informal women are no more But instruments of some more mightier member, That sets them on: Let me have way, my lord, To find this practice out.

Duke. Ay, with my heart; [sure. And punish them unto your height of pleaThou foolish friar; and thou pernicious woman, Compact with her that's gone! think'st thou, thy oaths,

Though they would swear down each parti

cular saint,

Were testimonies against his worth and credit, That's seal'd in approbation?—You, lord Escalus,

Sit with my cousin; lend him your kind pains
To find out this abuse, whence 'tis deriv'd.-
There is another friar that set them on;
Let him be sent for.

F. Peter. Would he were here, my lord; for he, indeed,

Hath set the women on to this complaint: Your provost knows the place where he abides, And he may fetch him.

Duke. Go, do it instantly. [Exit PROVOST. And you, my noble and well-warranted cousin, Whom it concerns to hear this matter forth, Do with your injuries as seems you best, In any chastisement: I for a while Will leave you; but stir not you, till you have Determined upon these slanderers. [well

Escal. My lord, we'll do it thoroughly.-[Exit DEKE] 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 theduke. Escul. 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. Escal. Call that same Isabel here once again; [To an Attendant.] I would speak with her: Pray you, my lord, give me leave to question; you shall see how I'll handle her.

Lucio. Not better than he, by her own report. Escal. Say you?

Lucio. Marry, Sir, I think, if you handled her privately, she would sooner confess; perchance, publicly 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.

Escul. Come on, mistress: [To ISABELLA.] here's a gentlewoman denies all that you have

said.

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:

Escal. The duke's in us; and we will hear you Look, you speak justly.

Duke. Boldly, at least:-But, O, poor souls, Come you to seek the lamb here of the fox? Good night to your redress. Is the duke gone? Then is your cause gone too. The duke's unThus to retort your manifest appeal, [just, And put your trial in the villain's mouth, Which here you come to acuse.

Lucio. This is the rascal; this is he I spoke of. Escul. Why, thou unreverend and unhallow'd friar!

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?
[self;
And then to glance from him to the duke him-
To tax him with injustice?-Take him hence;
To the rack with him :-We'll touze you joint
by joint,
[just?
But we will know this purpose:-What! un-
Duke. Be not so hot; the duke
Dare no more stretch this finger of mine, than he
Dare rack his own; his subject am I not,
Nor here provincial:† My business in this state
Made me a looker-on here in Vienna,
Where I have seen corruption boil and bubble,
Till it o'er-run the stew : laws, for all faults;
But faults so countenanc'd, and the strong

statutes

Stand like the forfeits in a barber's shop,
As much in mock as mark.

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 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 lesh-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 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, Sír; 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 + Accountabic. + Wantons.

* Refer back.

[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: [TO ANGELO. Hast thou or word, or wit, or impudence, That yet can do thee office? If thou hast, Rely upon it till my tale be heard, And hold no longer out.

Ang. O my dread lord,

I should be guiltier than my guiltiness,
To think I can be undiscernible,

When I perceive, your grace, like power divine, Hath look'd upon my passes: Then, good prince,

No longer session hold upon my shame,
But let my trial be mine own confession;
Immediate sentence then, and sequent‡ death,
Is all the grace I beg.

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 disThan at the strangeness of it. [honour,

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,

We do condemn thee to the very block
Where Claudio stoop'd to death, and with like
Away with him.
[haste;-

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,
I thought your marriage fit; else imputation,
For that he knew you, might reproach your life,
And choke your good to come: for his posses-
Although by confiscation they are ours, [sions,
We do instate and widow you withal,
To buy you a better husband.

Mari. O, my dear lord,

I crave no other, nor no better man.

Duke. Never crave him; we are definitive. Muri. Gentle, my liege,- [Kneeling. Duke. You do but lose your labour; Away with him to death.-Now, Sir, to you. [TO LUCIO.

Mari. O, my good lord!-Sweet Isabel, take

Mari. Isabel,

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: O, 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
So happy is your brother.
[comfort,

Re-enter ANGELO, MARIANA, PETER, and
PROVOST.

O, Isabel! will you not lend a knee?
Duke. He dies for Claudio's death.
Isab. Most bounteous Sir, [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,
In that he did the thing for which he died:
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 sub-
Intents but merely thoughts.
[jects;

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?

Prov. It was commanded so.

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 Give up your keys. [office:

Prov. Pardon me, noble lord:
I thought it was a fault, but knew it not;