of my modesty, but my brother Juftice have I found fo fevere, that he hath forc'd me to tell him, he is indeed Justice. Duke. If his own life answer the ftraitness of his proceeding, it shall become him well; wherein if he chance to fail, he hath fentenc'd himself. Efcal. I am going to vifit the prisoner; fare you well. Duke. Peace be with you! He who the fword of heav'n will bear, How may that likeness, made in crimes, (20) Draw with idle fpiders ftrings Moft pond'rous and fubftantial things Craft against vice I must apply. With Angelo to night shall lye (20) How may Likeness made in Crimes, To draw with idle Spider's Strings [Exit. Moft pond'rous and fubftantial Things ?] This obfcure and ungrammatical Paffage Mr. Warburton has restor'd to its Purity, only by adding one Monofyllable, and throwing out another: as he has likewife made it intelligible by the following Comment, "How much Wicked"nefs may a Man hide within, tho' he appears like an Angel with "out! How may that Likeness, made in Crimes, i. e. by Hypocrify; [a pretty paradoxical Expreffion, of an Angel made in Crimes] by impofing on the World, [thus emphatically exprefs'd, making Practife on the Times] draw with its falfe and empty Pretences [which ShakeSpeare finely calls, Spiders Strings;] the most ponderous and fubflantial Things of the World, as Riches, Honour, Power, Reputation, &c. 66 66 His old betrothed, but defpis'd; [Exit. ACT T IV. SCENE, a Grange. Enter Mariana, and boy finging. SONG. AKE, ob, take thofe lips away, (21) T That fo fweetly were forfworns And thofe eyes, the break of day, Lights that do mif-lead the morn ; But my kifles bring again, Seals of love, but feal'd in vain. Enter Duke. Mari. Break off thy fong, and hafte thee quick away: Here comes a man of comfort, whofe advice Hath often still'd my brawling discontent. (21) Take, oh, take thofe Lips away,] This Song, which, no doubt, was a great Favourite in its Time, is inferted in Beaumont and Fletcher's Bloody Brother with this additional Stanza. Hide, ob, hide thofe Hills of Snow, Bound in thofe icy Chains by thee. With this Addition likewife it is printed in the Volume of Shakespeare's Poems. The Reafon, of this fecond Stanza being omitted here, is obMariana has the Song fung, applicable to her Love for Angelo, and his Perjury to her: and the Addition can only fort, when addrefs'd from a Lover to his Mistress, vious. I cry you mercy, Sir, and well could with, My mirth it much difpleas'd, but pleas'd my woe. Duke. 'Tis good; tho' mufick oft hath such a Charm To make bad, good; and good provoke to harm. I pray you, tell me, hath any body enquir'd for me here to day? much upon this time, have I promis'd here to meet. Mari. You have not been enquir'd after: I have fate here all day. Enter Ifabel. Duke. I do conftantly believe you: the time is come, even now. I fhall crave your forbearance a little; may be, I will call upon you anon for fome advantage to your felf. Mari. I am always bound to you. Duke. Very well met, and well come: What is the news from this good Deputy? [Exit. Ifab. He hath a garden circummurd with brick, Ifab. I've ta'en a due and wary note upon't; ·Duke. Are there no other tokens Between you 'greed, concerning her obfervance? That That stays upon me; whose perfuafion is, Duke. 'Tis well born up. I have not yet made known to Mariana A word of this. What, hoa! within! come forth! Enter Mariana. I pray you, be acquainted with this maid; Ifab. I do defire the like. Duke. Do you perfuade your felf that I refpect you? Mari. Good Friar, I know you do; and I have found it. Duke. Take then this your Companion by the hand, Who hath a story ready for your ear: I shall attend your leifure; but make hafte; Mari, Wilt please you walk afide? [Exeunt Mar. and. Ifab. Duke. Oh Place and Greatnefs! millions of false Are ftuck upon thee: volumes of report Run with thefe falfe and moft contrarious quefts eyes And rack thee in their fancies! Welcome; how agreed? Re-enter Mariana, and Isabel. Ifab. She'll take the enterprize upon her, father, If you advise it. Duke. 'Tis not my confent, But my intreaty too. Ifab. Little have you to fay,' When you depart from him, but foft and low, Remember now my brother. Mari. 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 fins. Sith that the juftice of your title to him Doth Doth flourish the deceit. Come, let us go; Our Corn's to reap; for yet our Tilth's to fow. (22) [Exe. SCENE changes to the Prison. Prov. Enter Provoft and Clown. COME hither, firrah: can you cut off a man's head? COM Clown. If the man be a batchelor, Sir, I can: but if he be a marry'd 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 Claudio and Barnardine: here is in our prifon a common executioner, who in his office lacks a helper; if if you will take it on you to affift him, it fhall redeem you from your gyves: if not, you fhall have your full time of imprisonment, and your deliverance with an unpitied whipping; for you have been a notorious bawd. Clown. Sir, I have been an unlawful bawd, time out of mind, but yet I will be content to be a lawful hangman: I would be glad to receive fome inftruction from my fellow-partner. Prov. What hoa, Abhorfon! where's Abhorfon, there? Enter Abhorfon. Abbor. 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, ufe him for the prefent, and difmifs him. He cannot plead his eftimation with you, he hath been a bawd. (22) for get our tythe's to fow.] It must be Tilth; that is, our Tillage is yet to be made; our Grain is yet to be put in the Ground; the Project, from which we expect to profit in the Iffue, is ftill to be put in Hand. Abbor. |