Imagens da página
PDF
ePub

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.
Enter Clown.

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?
Clown. Very ready, sir.

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-
Barnar,

[ocr errors]
[blocks in formation]

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,
There dy'd 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 inclin'd;
And satisfy the deputy with the visage
Of Ragozine, more like to Claudio?

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

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

[blocks in formation]

[tience.

Shew your wisdom, daughter, in your close pa-
Isab. Oh, I will to him, and pluck out his eyes.
Duke. You shall not be admitted to his sight.
Isab. Unhappy Claudio! Wretched Isabel!
Injurious world! Most damned Angelo!

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

[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,
There to give up their power. If you can, pace
your wisdom

30 la that good path, that I would wish it go;
And you shall have your bosom2 on this wretch,
Grace of the duke, revenges to your heart,
And general honour.

135

Isab. I am directed by you.

Duke. This letter then to friar Peter give;
Tis he that sent me of the duke's return:
Say, by this token, I desire his company [yours,
At Mariana's house to-night. Her cause and
I'll perfect him withal; and he shall bring you
40 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' you with this let-
Command these fretting waters from your eyes
With a light heart; trust not my holy order,
If I pervert your course.-Who's here?

Duke. Quick, dispatch, and send the head to 45
Angelo.
[Exit Provost.

Now will I write letters to Angelo,—

The provost, he shall bear them,-whose contents
Shall witness to him, I am near at home;
And that, by great injunctions, I am bound
To enter publickly: him I'll desire
To meet me at the consecrated fount,
A league below the city; and from thence,
By cold gradation and well-balanc'd form,
We shall proceed with Angelo.

Re-enter Provost.

[blocks in formation]

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.

[blocks in formation]

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.
Changes to the Palace.

[blocks in formation]

15

SCENE V.

Changes to the 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 aloot, keep your instruction,
And hold you ever to our special drift;
[Exeunt.Though sometimes you do blench from this to that,
20 As cause doth minister. Go, call at Flavius' house,
And tell him, where I stay: give the like notice
Unto Valentius, Rowland, and to Crassus,
And bid them bring the trumpets to the gate;
But send me Flavius first.

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?

[blocks in formation]

25

30

35

[blocks in formation]

Ang. Well; I beseech you let it be proclaim'd: 40,
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.

[blocks in formation]

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-
Isub. Oh, peate; the friar is come.

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

[blocks in formation]

Ang. You make my bonds still greater.
Duke. Oh, your desert speaks loud; and I should
wrong it,

As e'er I heard in madness.
Isab. Gracious duke,

Harp not on that; nor do not banish reason
For inequality: but let your reason serve
5To make the truth appear, where it seems hid;
Not hide the false, seems true.

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 subjects 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;-[out,
And good supporters are you. As the Dukeisgoing,

Enter Peter and Isabella

Peter. Now is your time; speak loud, and kneel|

before him.

Isab. Justice, O royal duke! Vail' your regard
Upon a wrong'd, I would fain have said, a maid!
Oh worthy prince, dishonour not your eye
By throwing it on any other object,
Till you have heard me in my true complaint,
And given me justice, justice, justice, justice!

Duke. Relate your wrongs: In what? by whom?
Here is lord Angeloshall give you justice; [bebrief:
Reveal yourself to him.

Isab. Oh, 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, [here.
Or wring redress from you: hear me, oh, hear me,
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!

10

15

20

[blocks in formation]

Have, sure, more lack of reason.-What would you
Isab. I am the sister of one Claudio,
Condemn'd upon the act of fornication
To lose his head; condemn'd by Angelo:
in probation of a sisterhood,

Was sent to by my brother; one Lucio
Was then the messenger;-

Lucio. That's I, an't like your grace:
I came 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 25 A business for yourself, pray heaven, you then Be perfect.

30|

Ang. And she will speak most bitterly and strange.
Isab. Moststrangebut yetmost truly, will I speak; 35
That Angelo's forsworn; is it not strange?
That Angelo's a murtherer; is't not strange?
That Angelo is an adulterous thief,
An hypocrite, a virgin violator;
Is it not strange, and strange?

Duke. Nay, it is 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.

fit.

Lucio. I warrant your honour.

Duke. The warrant's for yourself; take heed to
Isab. This gentleman told somewhat of my tale.

Lucio. Right.

Duke. It may be right; but you are in the wrong
To speak before your time.--Proceed.
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, 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
There is another comfort than this world,
That thou neglect me not, with that opinion [sible 50
That I am touch'd with madness: make not impos-
That which but seems unlike: 'tis not impossible
But one, the wicked'st caitiff on the ground,
May seem as shy, as grave, as just, as absolute2,
As Angelo; even so may Angelo.

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,

1 To vuil means to let fall, or to lower.
'His appearance of virtue. 4 Characters.
. Stratagem.

[blocks in formation]

55 Or else thou art suborn'd against his honour
In hateful practice': First, his integrity
Stands without blemish:-next it imports no rea-
That with such vehemency he should pursue
Faults proper to himself: if he had so offended,
Cole would have weigh'd thy brother by himself, [on;
And not have cut him off: Some one hath set you
Confess the truth, and say by whose advice
Thou cam'st here to complain,

i. e. As perfect, as exact in the performance of his duty.
* Reluted. • Pity.
7 Probable.

Foolish.

Isub.

Act 5. Scene 1.]

Isab. And is this all?

Mari. No, my lor 1.

Then, oh, you blessed ministers above,
Keep me in patience; and, with ripen'd time,
[woe,
Unfold the evil which is here wrapt up
In countenance1!-Heaven shield your grace from 5
As I, thus wrong'd, hence unbelieved go! [cer-
Duke. I know, you'd fain be gone:-an offi-
To prison with her:-Shall we thus permit
A blasting and a scandalous breath to fall
On him so near us? This needs must be a practice 2.10
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?

[friar:
Lucio. My lord, I know him; 'tis a meddling 15
I do not like the man: had he been lay, my lord,
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.

Peter. Blessed be your royal grace!
I have stood by, my lord, and I have heard
Your royal ear abused: First, hath this woman
Most wrongfully accused 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, which she speaks
Peter. I know him for a man divine and holy;

Not scurvy, nor a temporary meddler,

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.
Peter. Wellhe in time may come to clear himself;
But at this instant he is sick, my lord,

Of a strange fever: Upon his mere request, [plaint
(Being come to knowledge that there was com-
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,
Whenever he's convented. First, for this woman,
(To justify this worthy nobleman,
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.
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 will be impartial; be you judge
Of your own cause.-Is this the witness, friar?
[Isabella is carried off, guarded.
Enter Mariana veil'd.
First, let her shew her face; and, after, speak.
Mari. Pardon, my lord; I will not shew iny face,
Until my husband bid me.

Duke. What, are you marry'd?

[blocks in formation]

20

Duke. Are you a .naid?
Mari. No, my lord.
Duke. A widow then?
Mari. Neither, my lord.

Duke. Why, you are nothing then:-
Neither maid, widow, nor wite?

Lucio. My lord, she may be a punk; for many
of them are neither maid, widow, nor wife.
Duke. Silence that fellow: I would he had some
[cause
To prattle for himself.

Lucio. Well, my lord.

Mari. Mylord, I'do confess, I ne'er was marry'd;
And, I confess, besides, I am no maid:

[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
Duke. For the benefit of silence, 'would thou wert
Lucio. Well, my lord.

[so too.

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
And charges him, my lord, with such a time,
25 When Pll depose I had him in mine arms,
With all the effect of love.

30

35

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

husband;

[riana.

Duke. No? You say, your husband. [To Mu-
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.
Muri. My husband bids me; now I will unmask.
This is that face, thou cruel Angelo, [Unveiling.
Which, once thouswor'st,was worth the looking on:
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,
40 And did supply thee at thy garden-house,
In her imagin'd person.

Duke. Know you this woman?
Lucio. Carnally, she

[blocks in formation]

'Perpetual,

That is, her promis'd fortune fell short of the agreement.

H 2

* Abuse here signifies deception.

Or

« AnteriorContinuar »