Commend me to my brother: soon at night I'll send him certain word of my success. Lucio. I take my leave of you. Enter Angelo, Escalus, and a Justice, Provost, Officers, and other Attendants, behind. Ang. We must not make a scarecrow of the law, Escal. And let it keep one shape, till custom make it Ay, but yet Let us be keen, and rather cut a little, Than fall, and bruise to death. Alas, this gentleman, Let but your honour know, Whom I believe to be most strait in virtue, That, in the working of your own affections, ΙΟ Had time cohered with place or place with wishing, Could have attain'd the effect of your own purpose, Whether you had not sometime in your life And pull'd the law upon you. Ang. 'Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus, The jury, passing on the prisoner's life, 20 May in the sworn twelve have a thief or two That justice seizes: what know the laws That thieves do pass on thieves? 'Tis very pregnant, For I have had such faults; but rather tell me, Where is the provost ? Prov. Here, if it like your honour. See that Claudio 30 [Exit Provost. Escal. [Aside] Well, heaven forgive him! and forgive us all! Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall: Some run from brakes of vice, and answer none; And some condemned for a fault alone. Enter Elbow, and Officers with Froth and Pompey. people in a commonweal that do nothing but use 40 Ang. How now, sir! What's your name? and what's the matter? Elb. If it please your honour, I am the poor Duke's Elb. If it please your honour, I know not well what Escal. This comes off well; here's a wise officer. Elbow is your name? why dost thou not speak, Elbow? Pom. He cannot, sir; he's out at elbow. Ang. What are you, sir? Elb. He, sir! a tapster, sir; parcel-bawd; one that serves a bad woman; whose house, sir, was, as they say, plucked down in the suburbs; and now she professes a hot-house, which, I think, is a very ill house too. Escal. How know you that? Elb. My wife, sir, whom I detest before heaven and your honour, Escal. How? thy wife? Elb. Ay, sir;-whom, I thank heaven, is an honest Escal. Dost thou detest her therefore? Elb. I say, sir, I will detest myself also, as well as she, that this house, if it be not a bawd's house, it is pity of her life, for it is a naughty house. 50 60 70 Escal. How dost thou know that, constable? accused in fornication, adultery, and all unclean- 80 Escal. By the woman's means? Elb. Ay, sir, by Mistress Overdone's means: but as Pom. Sir, if it please your honour, this is not so. Escal. Do you hear how he misplaces? Pom. Sir, she came in great with child; and long- Escal. Go to, go to: no matter for the dish, sir. : in the right but to the point. As I say, this Froth. No, indeed. Pom. Very well;-you being then, if you be re membered, cracking the stones of the foresaid prunes, Froth. Ay, so I did indeed. Pom. Why, very well; I telling you then, if you be remembered, that such a one and such a one were Froth. All this is true. Pom. Why, very well, then,— Escal. Come, you are a tedious fool: to the purpose. IIO cause to complain of? Come me to what was 120 Pom. Sir, your honour cannot come to that yet. Pom. Sir, but you shall come to it, by your honour's leave. And, I beseech you, look into Master Froth. All-hallond eve. Pom. Why, very well; I hope here be truths. He, 130 sir, sitting, as I say, in a lower chair, sir; 'twas in the Bunch of Grapes, where, indeed, you have a delight to sit, have you not? Froth. I have so; because it is an open room, and good for winter. When nights are longest there: I'll take my leave, Hoping you'll find good cause to whip them all. 140 |