FRI. T. May your Grace speak of it? DUKE. My holy Sir, none better knows than you How I have ever lov'd the life remov'd; And held in idle price to haunt assemblies, I have deliver'd to Lord Angelo (A man of strictures and firm abstinence) My absolute power and place here in Vienna, And he supposes me travell'd to Poland; DUKE. We have strict statutes and most biting laws For terror, not to use, do find in time The rod more mock'd than fear'd: so our decrees, Dead to infliction, to themselves are dead; To unloose this tied-up justice when you pleas'd : Than in Lord Angelo. DUKE. I do fear, too dreadful : Sith 'twas my fault to give the people scope, For what I bid them do. For we bid this be done, And not their punishment. Therefore, indeed, my Father, When evil deeds have their permissive pass, I have on Angelo impos'd the office, Who may in the ambush of my name strike home, 40 1 finery. 2 harbours. 3 strictness. 4 person. 5 take, bring. ACT I ISAB. Why her unhappy brother, let me ask ? Lucio. Gentle and fair, your brother kindly greets you : LUCIO. For that which, if myself might be his judge, ISAB. Sir, make me not your story. It is true. I would not though 'tis my familiar sin ISAB. You do blaspheme the good in mocking me. As those that feed grow full ; as blossoming-time ISAB. Some one with child by him? My cousin Juliet? ISAB. Adoptedly: as school-maids change their names By vain, though apt, affection. ISAB. O, let him marry her! She it is. This is the point. The Duke is very strangely gone from hence ; 1 in few words and true. 2 sowing. 3 abundance. 4 beguiled. 30 40 50 ACT I ACT I Sc. V Is very snow-broth; one who never feels Of business 'twixt you and your poor brother. LUCIO. He has censur'd3 him Already; and, as I hear, the Provost hath ISAB. Alas! what poor ability 's in me 60 1 70 And make us lose the good we oft might win, 80 Men give like Gods; but when they weep and kneel, No longer staying but to give the Mother Lucio. I take my leave of you. 5 Good Sir, adieu. [exeunt. 1 dull. 2 custom. 3 condemned. + own. 5 ad primam vesperam. ACT II ACT II SCENE I. A Hall in ANGELO's House. Enter ANGELO, ESCALUS, a Justice, Officers, ANG. We must not make a scarecrow of the Law, And let it keep one shape till custom make it Their perch, and not their terror. ESCAL. Ay, but yet Let us be keen, and rather cut a little Let but your Honour know (Whom I believe to be most strait in virtue) ANG. 'Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus, The jury, passing on the prisoner's life, Guiltier than him they try. To justice, that justice seizes. 3 What's open made What know the laws 20 That thieves do pass on thieves? 'Tis very pregnant :4 The jewel that we find, we stoop and take 't, Because we see it; but what we do not see We tread upon, and never think of it. You may not so extenuate his offence, For I have had such faults; but rather tell me, When I, that censure him, do so offend, Let mine own judgment pattern out my death, 6 1 fright. 2 axe-wise. 3 impose. 4 patent. 5 because. 6 favouring. 30 |