If I would yield him my virginity, Claud. O heavens! it cannot be. /sad. Yes. he would give 't thee, from this rank offence. So to offend him still. This night's the time Claud. Thou shah not do't. /sab. O 1 were it but my life, I'd throw it down for your deliverance As frankly as a pin. Claud. Thanks, dear Isabel. /sab. Be ready. Claudio, for your death to-morrow. Claud. Yes.—Has he affections In him. /sab. Which is the least? Claud. If it were damnable, he being so wise, iVhy would he for the momentary trick Be perfurably fin'd ?—O Isabel 1 /sab. What says my brother? Claud. Death is a fearful thing. /sab. And shamed life a hateful. Claud. Ay. but to die, and go we know not where; To lie in cold obstruction, and to rot i This sensible warm motion to become A kneaded clod; and the delighted spirit To bathe in fiery floods, or to reside In thrilling region of thick-ribbed ice; To be imprison'd in the viewless winds. And blown with restless violence round about The pendent world; or to be worse than worst Of those that lawless and incertain thoughts Imagine howling !—'tis too horrible! The weariest and most loathed worldly life That age, ache, penury, and imprisonment Can lay on nature, is a paradise To what we fear of death. /sab. Alas, alas 1 Claud. Sweet sister, let me live: What sin you do to save a brother's life. /sab. O you beast 1 O faithless coward 1 O dishonest wretch I Claud. Nay, hear me, Isabel. /sab. O. fie, fie, fie I Thy sin's not accidental, but a trade. Claud. O, hear me, Isabella. Re-enter Duke. Duke. Vouchsafe a word, young sister; but one word. /sab. What is your will? Duke. Might you dispense with your leisure, I would by and by have some speech with you: the satisfaction I would require, is likewise your own benefit. /sab. I have no superfluous leisure: iny stay must be stolen out of other affairs; but I will attend you a while. Duke [Aside to Claudio.] Son, I have overheard what hath past between you and your sister. Angelo had never the purpose to corrupt her; only he hath made an assay of her virtue, to practise his judgment with the disposition of natures: she, having the truth of honour in her, hath made him that gracious denial which he is most glad to receive. I am confessor to Angelo, and I know this to be true; therefore prepare {'ourself to death. Do not satisfy your resolution with lopes that are fallible : to-morrow you must die; go to your knees, and make ready. Claud. 1 .ei me ask my sister pardon. I am so out of love with life, that 1 will sue to be rid of it. Duke. Hold you there: farewell. [Exit Claudio. Re-enter Provost. Provost, a word with you. Prcv. What's your will, father? Duke. That now you are come, you will be gone. Leave ine a while with the maid: my mind promises with my habit no loss shall touch her by my company. Prov. In good time. [KxtL Duke. The hand that hath made you fair hath made you good : the goodness that is cheap in beauty, makes beauty brief in goodness; but grace, being the soul of vour complexion, shall keep the body of it ever fair. The assault that Angelo hath made to you. fortune hath conveyed to my understanding: and. but that frailty hath examples for his falling, I should wonder at Angelo. How would you do to content this substitute, and to save your brother? /sab. I am now going to resolve him ; I had rather 'p the" my brother die by the law, than my son should be unlawfully bom. But O, how much is the good duke deceived in Angelo! If ever he return, and I can speak to him, I will open my lips in vain, or discover his government. Duke. That shall not be much amiss: yet, as the matter now stands, he will avoid your accusation ;—"he made trial of you only.'" Therefore, fasten your ear on my advisings: to the love I have in doine good, a remidy presents it<e f. I do make myself believe, that you may most uprightcously do a poor wronged lady a merited benefit;redeem your brother from the angry law; do no stain to your own eracious person; and much please the absent duke, if ;>eradvcnture he shall ever return to have hearing of this business. /sab. Let me hear you speak further; I have spirit to do anything that appears not foul in the truth of my spirit. Duke. Virtue is bold, and goodness never fearful. Have you not heard speak or Mariana, the sister of Frederick, the ereat soldier who miscarried at sea? /sab. I have heard of the lady, and good words went with her name. Duke. She should this Angelo have married; was affianced to her by oath, and the nuptial appointed: between which time of the contract, and limit of the solemnity, her brother Frederick was wrecked at sea, having in that perished vessel the dowry of his sister. But mark how heavily this befell to the poor gentlewoman: there she lost a noble and renowned brother, in his love toward her ever most kind and natural; with him, the portion and sinew of her fortune, her marriage-dowry; with both, her combinate husband, this well-seeming Angelo. /sab. Can this be so? Did Angelo so leave her? Duke. Left her in her tears, and dried not one of them with his comfort; swallowed his vows whole, Cretcnding in her, discoveries of dishonour: in few, cstowed her on her own lamentation, which she yet wears for his sake; and he, a marble to her tears, is washed with them, but relents not. /sab. What a merit were it in death to take this poor maid from the world I What corruption in this life, that it will let this man live !—But how out of this can she avail? Duke. It is a rupture that you may easily heal; and the cure of it not only saves your brother, but keeps you from dishonour in doing it, /sab. Show me how, good father. Duke. This fore-named maid hath yet in her the continuance of her first affection: his unjust unkindness, that in all reason should have quenched her love, hath, like an impediment in the current, made it more violent and unruly. Go you to Angelo; answer his requiring with a plausible obedience; agree with his demands to the point; only refer yourself to this advantage,—first, that your stay with him may not be lonj*; that the time may have all shadow and silence in it; and the place answer to convenience: this being granted m course, now follows all. We shall advise this wronged maid to stead up your appointment, go in your |>lace ; if the encounter acknowledge itself hereafter, it may compel him to her recompense: and here, by this, is your brother saved, your honour untainted, the poor Marianaadvnntaged, and the corrupt deputy scaled. The maicl wdl I frame, and make fit for his attempt. If you think well to carry this, as you may, the doublcness of th^ benefit defends the deceit for reproof. What th:nk you of it? /sab. Theim .ge of it gives me content already; and I trust it will grow to a most prosperous perfection. Duke. It lius much in your holding up. Haste you speedily to Angelo: if for this night he entreat you to his bed, give him promise of satisfaction. I will presently to St. Luke's: there, at the moated grange, resides this dejected Mariana. At that place call upon me; and despatch with Angelo, that it may be quickly. Isab. I thank you for this comfort. Fare you well, good father. [Exeunt. SCENE II.—The Street before the Prison Enter Duke, as a friar; to him Elbow, and Officers, with Clown. Elb, Nay, if there be no remedy for it, but that you will needs buy and sell men and women like beasts, we shall have all the world drink brown and white bastard. Duke, O heavens 1 what stuff is here f Clo. *Twas never merry world, since, of two usuries, the merriest was put down, and the worser allowed by order of law a furred gown to keep him warm; and furred with fox and lamb skins too, to signify, that craft, being richer than uuiocency, stands tor the facing. [friar. Elo. Come your way, sir.—Bless you, good father Duke. And you, good brother father. What offence hath this man made you, sir? Elb. Marry, sir, he hath offended the law: and, sir, we take him to be a thief too, sir; for we have found upon him, sir, a strange pick-lock, which we have sent to the deputy. Duke. Fie, sirrah! a bawd, a wicked bawd I Clo: Indeed, it does stink in some sort, sir; but yet, sir, I would prove— [sin, Duke- Nay, if the devil have given thee proofs for Thou wilt prove his.—Take htm to prison, officer: Correction and instruction must both work, Efe this rude beast will profit. Elb. He must before the deputy, sir; he has given him warning. The deputy cannot abide a whoremaster: if he be a whoremonger, and comes before him, he were as good go a mile on his errand. Duke. That we were all, as some would seem to be. From our faults, as faults from seeming, free t Elb. His neck will come to your waist,—a cord, sir. Clo. I spy comfort: I cry. Bail Here's a gentleman, and a friend of mine. Enter Lucia. Lucio. How now, noble Pompey! What, at the wheels of Caesar! Art thou led m triumph? What— is there none of Pygmalion's images, newly made woman, to be had now, for putting the hand in the pocket and extracting it clutched? What reply? ha? Whatsay'st thou to this tune, matter, and method? Is *t not drowned V the last rain, ha? What sayest thou lo't? Is the world as it was, man? Which is the way? Is it sad, and few words? or how I The trick of it? Duke. StiU thus, and thus 1 still worse 1 Lucio. How doth my dear morsel, thy mistress? Procures she still, ha? Clo. Troth, sir, she hath eaten up all her beef, and sho is herself in the tub. Lucio. Why, 'tis good; it is the right of it; it must be so: ever your fresh whore, and your powdered bawd: an unshunned consequence; it must be so. Art going to prison, Pompey? Clo. Yes, faith, sir. Lucio. Why, 'tis not amiss, Pompey. Farewell. Go, say I sent thee thither. For debt, Pompey? or how? Elb. For being a bawd, for being a bawd. Lucio. Well, then, imprison him. If imprisonment be the due of a bawd, why, 'tis his right: bawd is he, doubtless, and of antiquity, too; bawd-born.—Farewell, good Pompey: commend me to the prison, Pompey. You will turn good husband, now, Pompey: you will keep the house. Clo. I hope, sir, your good worship will be my bail. Lucio. No, indu^l will 1 not, Fompey; it not the wear. I will pray, Pompey, to increase your bondage: I if you take it not patiently, why, your metal is the 'more. Adieu, trusty Pompey.—Bless you, friar. Duke. And you. Lucio. Does Bridget paint still. Pompey, ha I Elb. Com: your ways, sir; come. Clo. You will not bail me, then, sir? Lucio. Then, Pompey/ nor now. — What news abroad, friar? What news? Eib. Come your ways, sir; come. Lucia. Go,—to kennel, Pompey, go. [Exeunt Elbow, and (Jlncers, with Clown. What news, friar, of the duke? Duke. I know none. Can you tell me of any? Lucio. Some say, he is with the emperor of Russia; other some, he is in Rome: but where is he, think you? [him well. Duke. I know not where; but wheresoever, I wish Lucio. It was a mad fantastical trick of him to steal from the state, and usurp the beggary he was never born to. Lord Angelo dukes it well in his absence; lie puts transgression to't. Duke. He (Toes well in't Lucio A little more lenity to lechery would do no harm in him: something too crabbed that way, friar. Duke. It is too general a vice, ami seventy must cure it. Lucio. Yes, in good sooth, the vice is of a great kindred; it is well allied: but it is impossible to cxtirp it quite, friar, till eating and drinking be put down. They say, this Angelo was not made by man and woman, after the downright way of creation: is it true, Duke. How should he be made, then? (think you? Lucio. Some report, a sea-maid spawn'd him; some, that he was begot between two stock-fishes. But it is certain, that when he makes water, his urine is congealed ice; that I know to be true: and he is a motion ungenerative; that's infallible. Duke. You are pleasant, sir, and speak apace. Lucio. Why, what a ruthless thing is this in him, for the rebellion of a cod-pi Jcc to take away the life of a man! Would the duke that is absent have done this? Ere he would have hanged a man for the getting a hundred bastards, he would have paid for the nursing a thousand: he had some feeling of the sport; he knew the service, and that instructed liirato mercy. Duke. I never heard the absent duke much detected for women; he was not inclined that way. Lucio. O, sir, you are deceived. Duke. *Tis not possible. Lucio. Who? not the duke? yes, your beggar of fifty; and his use was, to put a ducat in her clackdish: the duke had crotchets in him: he would be drunk too; that let me inform you. Duke. You do him wrong, surely. Lucio. Sir, I was an inward of his. A shy fellow was the duke: and, I believe. I know the cause of his withdrawing. Duke. What, I pr'ythee. might be the cause? Lucio. No,—pardon;—'tis a secret must be locked within the teetn and the lips; but this I can let you understand,—the greater file of the subject held the duke to be wise. Duke. Wise? why, no question but he was. [low. Lucio. A very superficial, ignorant, unweighing fel Duke. Either this is envy in you, folly, or mistaking: the very stream of his life, and the business he hath helmed, must, upon a warranted need, give him a better proclamation. Let him be but testiinonied in his own bringings forth, and he shall appear to the envious, a scholar, a statesman, and a soldier. Therefore, you speak unskilfully; or, if your knowledge be more, it is much darkened in your malice. Lucio. Sir, I know him, and I love him. Duke. Love talks with better knowledge, and knowledge with dearer love. Lucio. Come, sir, I know what I know. Duke. I can hardly believe that, since you know not what you speak. But. if ever the duke return, (as our prayers are he may,) let me desire you to make your answer before him: if it be honest you have spoke, you have courage to maintain it: I am bound to call upon you; and, 1 pray you, your name? [duke. Lucio. Sir, my name is Lucio; well known to the Duke. He shall know you better, sir, if I may live to report you. Lucio. 1 fear you not. Duke. O, you hope the duke will return no more; or you imagine me too unhurtfui an opposite. But, indeed, I can do you little harm: youll forswear this Lucie 111 be hanged first i thou art deceived In Eucio. Why, for filling a bottle with a tun-dish, would the duke we talk of were returned again: this ungenitured agent will unpeople the province with continency; sparrows must not build in his houseeaves, because they are lecherous. The duke yet would have dark deeds darkly answered; he would never bring them to light: would he were returned! Marry, this Claudio is condemned for untrussing. Farewell, good friar; 1 pr'ythee, pray for me. The duke, I say to thee again, would eat mutton on Fridays. He's now past it: yet, and 1 say to thee, he would mouth with a beggar, though she smelt brown bread and garlic: say tliat I said so. FarewelL [Exit. Duke. No might nor greatness m mortality Enter E seal us. Provost, and Officers with Escal. Go; away with her to prison I Mrs. Ov. Good my lord, be good to me; your honour is accounted a merciful man; good my lord. Escal. Double and treble admonition, and still forfeit in the same kind t This would make mercy swear, and play the tyrant. [please your honour. Prov. A bawd of eleven years' continuance, may it Mrs. Ov. My lord, this is one L,ucio"s information against me. Mistress Kate Keep-down was with chUd by him in the duke's time; he promised her marriage: his child is a year and a quarter old, come Philip and Jacob: I have kept it myself; and see how he goes about to abuse me! Escal. That fellow is a fellow of much licence:—let him be called before us.—Away with her to prison I— Go to; no more words. [Exeunt Officers with Mrs, Overdone.] Provost, my brother Angelo will not be altered, Claudio must die to-morrow: let him be furnished with divines, and have all charitable preparation ; if my brother wrought by my pity, it should not be so with him, Prcrv. So please you, this friar hath been with him, and advised him for the entertainment of death. Escal. Good even, good father. Duke, Bliss and goodness on you I Escal. Of whence are yon! Duke. Not of this country, though my chance Is now Escal. What hews abroad i' the world? Duke. None, but there is so great a fever on gnodness, that the dissolution of it must cure it: novJ y is only in request; and it is as dangerous to be aged in any kind of course, as it is virtuous to be constant in any undertaking: there is scarce truth enough alive to make societies secure; but security enou^ii to make fellowships accursed:—much upon this riddle runs the wisdom of the world. This news i.-> old enough, yet it is every day's news. 1 pray you, sir, of what disposition was the duke? Escal. One that, above all other strifes, contended especially to know himself. Duke. What pleasure was he given to? Escal. Rather rejoicing to see another merry, than merry at anything which professed to make him rejoice: a gentleman of all temperance. But leave we nim to his events, with a prayer they may prove prosperous: and let ine desire to know how you find Claudio prepared. I am made to understand, that you have lent him visitation. Duke. He professes to have received no sinister measure from his judge, but most willingly humbles himself to the determination of justice: yet had he framed to himself, by the instruction of his frailty, many deceiving promises of life; which I, by mv good leisure, have discredited to hiin, and now is he resolved to die. Escal. You have paid the heavens your function, and the prisoner the very debt of your calling. I have laboured for the poor gentleman to ths extremes! share of iny modesty; but my brother justice have I found so severe, that he hath forced me to tell him, he is indeed—justice. proceeding, it shall become hint well; wherein if he chance to fail, he hath sentenced himself. [ Exeunt Escalus and Provost. He, who the sword of heaven will bear, Should be as holy as severe; Pattern in himself to know, Grace to stand, and virtue go; More nor less to others paying. Than by self offences weighing. Shame to him, whose cruel striking Kills for faults of his own liking I Twice treble shame on Angelo, To weed my vice, and let his growt O, what may man within him hide. Though angel on the outward side I How may likeness, made in crimes. Making practice on the times. To draw with idle spiders' strings Most pond'rous and substantial things I Craft against vice I must apply. With Angelo to-night shall he His old betrothed, but despis'd: So disguise shall, by the disguis'd. Pay with falsehood false exacting. And perform an old contracting, [Exit. ACT IV. SCENE I.—Before the mealed Grange. Mariana discovered sitting; a Boy singing, SONG. Take, O, take those lips away. That so sweetly were forsworn; Lights that do mislead the morn bring again; Seals of love, but seal'd in vain, seal'd in -vain. Mori. Break off thy song, and haste thee quick away: Here comes a man of comfort, whose advice [Exit Boy. Enter Duke. To make bad good, and good provoke to harm.— Mari. You have not been inquired after: 1 have sat Enter Isabella. /sab. He hath a garden circummur'd with brick. Duke. But shall you on your knowledge find this Duke. Are there no other tokens Between you 'greed, concerning her observance I ls:tb. No, none, but only a repair V the dark; And that I have possess'd him my most stay Duke. *Tis well borne up. I have not yet made known to Mariana Re-enter Mariana. Isab. I do desire the like. Duke. Do you persuade yourself that I respect you? (it. Mart. Good friar, I know you do, and have found Duke. Take, then, this your companion by the hand, Who hath a story ready for your ear. I shall attend your leisure : but make haste; The vaporous night approaches. Mart. Will't please you walk aside? {Exeunt Mariana and Isabella. Duke. O place and greatness! millions of false eyes Are stuck upon thee. Volumes of report Run with these false and most contrarious quests Upon thy doings! thousand 'scapes of wit Make thee the father of their idle dream, And rack thee in their fancies! Re-enter Mariana and Isabella. Welcome I How agreed? Isab. Shell take the enterprise upon her, father, If you advise it. Duke. It is not my consent, But my entreaty too. Isab. Little have you to say, "When you depart from him, but, soft and low, "Remember now my brother." Mart. Fear me not. Duke. Nor, gentle daughter, fear you not at all. He is your husband on a pre-contract: To bring you thus together, 'tis no sin, Sith that the justice of your title to him Doth flourish the deceit. Come, let us go: Our corn's to reap, for yet our tithe's to sow. [Exeunt. SCENE 11.—A Room in the Prison. Enter Provost and Clown. Prov. Come hither, sirrah. Can you cut off a man's head? Clo. If the man be a bachelor, sir, I can ; but if he be a married man, he is his wife's head, and I can never cut off a woman's head. Prov. Come, sir; leave me your snatches, and yield me^a direct answer. To-morrow morning are to die Clamiio and Barnardine. Here Is in our prison a common executioner, who in his office lacks a helper If you will take it on you to assist him. It shall redeen you from your gyves; if not, you shall have your full time of imprisonment, and your deliverance with an unpitied whipping, for you have been a notorious bawd. Clo. Sir, I have been an unlawful bawd, time out of mind; but yet I wiil be content to be a lawful hangman. I would be glad to receive some instruction from iny fellow partner. Prov. What ho, Abhorson I Where's Abhorson, there? Enter Abhorson. Abhor. Do you call, sir! Prov. Sirrah, here's a fellow will help you to-morrow in your execution. If you think it meet, compound with him by the year, and let him abide here with you; if not, use him for the present, and dismiss him; he cannot plead his estimation with you; he hath been a bawd. Abhor. A bawd, sir? Fie upon himl he will discredit our mystery, Prov. Go to, sir; you weigh equally; a feather will turn the scale. [Exit. Clo. Pray, sir, by your good favour,—for surely, sir, a good favour you have, but that you have a hanging look,—do you call, sir, your occupation a mystery? Abhor. Ay, sir; a mystery. Clo. Painting, sir, I have heard say, is a mystery; and your whores, sir, being members of iny occupation, using painting, do prove my occupation a mystery: but what mystery there should be in hanging, if) I should be hanged, 1 cannot imagine. Abhor. Sir. it is a mystery. Clo. Proof? Abhor. Every true man's apparel fits your thief— Clo. If it be too little for your thief, your true man inks it big enough; if it be too big For your thief, _ iur thief thinks it little enough: so, every true man's apparel fits your thief. Re-enter Provost. Prov. Are you agreed? Clo. Sir, I will serve him; for I do find, your hangman is a more penitent trade than your bawd,—lie loth often ask forgiveness. Prov. You, sirrah, provide your block and your axe to-morrow, four o'clock. Abhor. Come on, bawd; I will instruct thee in my rndc; follow. Clo. I do desire to learn, sir; and, I hope, if you have occasion to use me for your own turn, you shall find me yare ; for, truly, sir, for your kindness 1 owe you a good turn. Prov. Call hither Barnardine and Claudio: [Exeunt Clown and Abhorson. TV one has my pity; not a jot the other. Being a murderer, though he were my brother. Enter Claudio. Look, here's the warrant, Claudio. for thy death: Tis now dead midnight, and by eight to-morrow Thou must be made immortal. Where's Barnardine? Claud. As fast lock'd up in sleep, as guiltless labour. When it lies starkly in the traveller's, bones: He will not wake. Prov. Who can do good on him? Well, go, prepare yourself. [Knocking within.] But hark, what noise ?— Heaven give your spirits comfort 1—[Exit Claudio.] By and by !— Enter Duke. Welcome, father. Duke. The best and wholcsom'st spirits of t he night Envelop you, good provost I Who call'd here of late? Prov. None, since the curfew rung. Duke. Not Isabel? Prov. No, Duke. They will, then, ere't be long. Prov. What comfort is for Claudio? Duke. There's some in hope. Prov. It is a bitter deputy. Duke. Not so, not so; his life is parallel'd Now are they coine. [Exit Provost. This is a gentle provost: seldom, when That wounds th* unsisting postern with these strokes. Prov. There he must stay until the officer Arise to let him in : he is call'd up. Duke. Have you no countermand for Claudio yet, But he must die to-morrow? Prov. None, sir. none. Duke. As near the dawning, provost, as it is. Prov. Happily, £hut a Messenger. This is his lordship's man. Duke. And here comes Claudio's pardon. Mes. [Givinga paper.] My lord hath sent you thisnote; and by me thisfartnercharge,—that you swerve not from the smallest article of it, neither in time, matter, or other circumstance. Good-morrow; for, as I take it, it is almost day. Prov. I shall obey him. [Exit Messenger. Duke. [Aside.] This is his pardon, purchased by For which the pardoner himself is in. [such sia Hence hath offence his quick celerity. Prov. I told you: Lord Angelo, belike thinking me lemiss in mine office, awakens inc with this unwonted putting on; methinks strangely, for he hath not used Duke. Pray you, let's hear. |_it before. Prov. I Reads.] "Whatsoever you may hear to the contrary, let Claudio be executed by four of the clock; and, in the afternoon, Barnardine. For my better satisfaction, let me have Claudia's head sent me by five. Let this be duly performed; -with a thought tltat more depends on it than we must yet deliver. Thus fail not to do your office, as you will answer it at your peril."' What say you to this, sir? (cuted this afternoon? Duke. What is that Barnardine who is to be exe Prov. A Bohemian born; but here nursed up and bred: one that is a prisoner nine years old. Duke. How came it that the absent duke had not either delivered him to his liberty, or executed him? I have heard it was ever his manner to do so. Prov. His friends still wrought reprieves for him: and, indeed, his fact, till now in the government of Lord Angelo, came not to an undoubtful proof. Duke. It is now apparent? Prov. Most manifest, and not denied by himself. Duke. Hath he borne himself penitently in prison I How seems he to be touched? Prov. A man that apprehends death no more dreadfully bvit as a drunken sleep; careless, reckless, and fearless of what's past, present, or to come ; insensible of mortality, and desperately mortal. Duke. He wants advice. Prov. He will hear none: he hath evermore 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 oft awaked him, as if to carry him to execution, and showed him a seeming warrant for it: it hath not moved him at all. Duke. More of him anon. There is written in your brow, provost, honesty and constancy: if I read i not truly, my ancient skill beguiles me; but, in the boldness of my cunning, I will lay myself in hazard. Claudio, whom here you have warrant to execute, is no greater forfeit to the law than Angelo who hath sentenced 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? Duke. In the delaying death. Prov. Alack! how may I do it,—having the hour limited, and an express command, under 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 this Barnardine be this morning executed, and his head borne to Angelo. [the favour. Prov. Angelo hath seen them both, and will discover Duke. O, death's a great disgiu'ser; and you may add to it. Shave the nead, and tie the beard; and say it was the desire of the penitent to be so bared before his death: you know the course is common. If anything fall to you upon this, more than thanks and good fortune, by the saint whom I profess, I will plead ngainst it with my life. Prov. Pardon me, goodfather; it is against my oath. Duke. Wereyousworntotheduke 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 m that? Duke. Not a resemblance, but a certainty. Yet since I see you fearful, that neither my coat, integrity, nor persuasion, can with ease attempt you, I will go farther 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, I 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 will be here. This is a thing that Angelo knows not; for he this very day receives letters of strange tenor ; perchance, 01 the duke's death; perchmce, entering into some monastery; but by chance, nothing of what writ. Look, the unfolding 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: I will give him a present shrift, and advise lina 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.—Another Room in the Prison. Enter Clown. Clo. I am as well acquainted here, as I was in our house of profession: one would think it were mistress Overdone'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 lie made five marks ready money: marry, then ginger was not much in request, fur the old women were all dead. Then is there here one master Caper, at the suit of master Threepile the mercer, for some four suits of peachcolour d satin, which now peaches him a beggar. Then have we young Dizzy, and young master Dccpvow, and master Copper-spur, and master Starve-lackey, the rapier and dagger-man, and young Drop-heir that kill'd lusty Pudding, and master Forthright, the tilter, and brave master Shoe-tie the great traveller, and wild Halfcan that stabbed Pots, and, I think, forty more; all great doers in our trade, and are now for the Lord's sake. Enter Abhorson. Abhor. Sirrah, bring Barnardine hither. Clo. Master Barnardine 1 you must rise and be hanged, master Barnardine. Abhor. What ho I Barnardine I Bamar. \lVithin.\ A pox o' your throats I Who makes that noise there? What are you? Clo. Your friend, sir; the hangman. You must be so good, sir, to rise and be put to death. Bamar. [Within.] Away, you rogue, away I I am sleepy. Jtoo. Abhor. TeD him he must awake, and that quickly Clo. Pray, master Barnardine, awake till you are executed, and sleep afterwards. Abhor. Go in to him, and fetch him out. Clo, He is coming, sir, he is coming; I hear his straw rustle. Abhor. Is the axe upon the block, sirrah 1 Clo. Very ready, sir. Enter Barnardine. Barnar. How now, Abhorson I 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, Clo. O, the better, sir; for he that drinks all night, and is hang'd betimes in the morning, may sleep the sounder ahthe next day. A bhor. Look you, sir; here comes your ghostly father: do we jest now, think you? Enter Duke, disguised as before. 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. Barnar. Friar, not I: I have been drinking hard all night, and I will have more time to prepare me, or they shall beat out my brains with billets: 1 will not consent to die this day, that's certain. Duke. O, sir, you must: and therefore, I beseech Look forward on the journey you shall go. [you, Barnar. I swear I will not die to-day for any man's persuasion. Duke. But hear you,— Barnar. Not a word: if you have anything to say to me. come to iny ward; for thence will not I to-day. [Exit, Duke. Unfit to live, or die. O, gravel heart 1— After him, fellows; bring him to the block. [Exeunt Abhorson and Clown. Enter Provost. 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 died this morning of a cruel fever |