Just. I humbly thank you.

Isab.

O just, but severe law : Escal. It grieves me for the death of Claudio; I had a brother then.—Heaven keep your honour! But there's no remedy.

[Retiring. Just. Lord Angelo is severe.

Lucio. [To IsaB.] Give 't not o'er so: to him agaill, Escal. It is but needful :

entreat him; Mercy is not itself, that oft looks so;

Kneel down before him, hang upon his gown; Pandon is still the nurse of second woe:

You are too cold : if you should need a pin, But yet,--Poor Claudio !—There is no remedy. You could not with more tame a tongue desire it: Come, sir.

(Exeunt. To him, I say.

Isab. Must he needs die ? SCENE II.-Another Room in the same.

Ang.

Maiden, no remedy.

Isab. Yes; I do think that you might pardon im, Enter Provost and a Servant.

And neither Heaven, nor man, grieve at the mercy. Sere. He's hearing of a cause; he will come straight. Ang. I will not do it. I'll tell him of you.

Isab.

But can you, if you would ? Prot. Pray you do. (Exit Servant.] I 'll know Ang. Look, what I will not that I cannot do. His pleasure; may be, he will relent: Alas,

Isab. But might you do ’t, and do the world ne He hath but as offended in a dream!

wrong, All sects, all ages, smack of this vice; and he

If so your heart were touch'd with that remorse
To die for 't-

As mine is to him ?
Ang.

He's sentenc'd ; 't is too late.
Enter ANGELO.
Lucio. You are too cold.

[To Isas
Ang. Now, what 's the matter, provost ? Isab. Too late? why, no ; I, that do speak a worli,
Prop. Is it your will Claudio shall die to-morrow? May call it back again: Well believe this,“
Ang. Did not I tell thee, yea? hadst thou not order? No ceremony that to great ones 'longs,
Why dost thou ask again?

Not the king's crown, nor the deputed sword, Prob.

Lest I might be too rash : The marshal's truncheon, nor the judge's robe, Under your good correction, I have seen,

Become them with one half so good a grace When, after execution, judgment hath

As mercy does. Repented o'er his doom.

If he had been as you, and you as he, Ang

Go to; let that be mine : You would have slipp a like him; but he, like you, Do you your office, or give up your place,

Would not bave been so stern. And you shall well be spar'd.

Ang.

Pray you, begone. Prot.

I crave your honour's pardon.- Isab. I would to Heaven I had your potency,
That shall be done, sir, with the groaning Juliet ? And you were Isabel ! should it then be thus?
She's very near her hour.

No; I would tell what it were to be a judge,
Ang.
Dispose of her

And what a prisoner.
To some more fitter place; and that with speed.

Lucio. Ay, touch him; there 's the vein. (46.de Re-enter Servant.

Ang. Your brother is a forfeit of the law,

And you but waste your words. Sert. Here is the sister of the man condemn'd,

Isab.

Alas! alas !
Desires access to you.

Why, all the souls that were, were forfeit once ;
Ana.
Hath he a sister?

And He that might the vantage best have took
Pror. Ay, my good lord; a very virtuous maid, Found out the remedy: How would you be,
And to be shortly of a sisterhood,

If He, which is the top of judgment, should If not already

But judge you as you are? O, think on that; Ang. Well, let her be admitted. (Exit Servant. And mercy then will breathe within your lips, See you, the fornicatress be remov'd;

Like man new made.b Let her have needful, but not lavish, means;

Ang.

Be you content, fair maid ;
There shall be order for it.

It is the law, not I, condemns your brother :
Enter Lucio and ISABELLA.

Were he my kinsman, brother, or my son,

It should be thus with him ;-he must die to-morrow. Prov. Save your bonour ! [Offering to retire. Isab. To-morrow? O, that 's sudden! Spare him, Ang. Stay a little while.—[To IsaB.) You are welcome: What's your will?

He 's not prepar'd for death! Even for our kitchens Isab. I am a woeful suitor to your honour,

We kill the fowl of season ;c shall we serve Heaven Please but your honour hear me.

With less respect than we do minister Ang.

Well; what 's your suit ? To our gross selves? Good, good my lord, bethink you : Isa). There is a vice that most I do abhor,

Who is it that hath died for this offence ?
And most desire should meet the blow of justice; There's many have committed it.
For which I would not plead, but that I must;

Lucio.

Ay, well said. Fur which I must not plead, but that I am

Ang. The law hath not been dead, though it hath 'twixt will, and will not.

slept : Ang.

Well; the matter?

Those mauy had not dar'd to do that evil, leab. I have a brother is condemn’d to die:

If the first that did the edict infringe I do beseech you, let it be his fault,

Had answer'd for his deed ; now, 't is awake; And not my brother.

Takes note of what is done; and, like a prophet,
Pror. Heaven give thee moving graces !

Looks in a glass, that shows what future evils
Arg. Condemn the fault, and not the actor of it? (Either now, or by remissness new-conceiv'd,
Way, every fault 's condemn d, ere it be done :
Mine were the very cipher of a function,

a Well believe this-be well assured of this. To fine the faults, whose fine stands in record,

b This has, we think, reference to the fine allusion to the and let go by the actor.

redemption which has gone before: Think on that, and

then be as merciful as a man regenerat. * To fine is to sentence - to bring to an end.

• The fowl of season-when an season.

R

a

spare him :

war,

a

you

win)

:

And so in progress to be hatch'd and born)

Shall I attend your lordship? Are now to have no successive degrees,

Ang.

At any time 'fore noon. But where they live, to end.

Isab. Save your honour !
Isab.
Yet show some pity.

[Exeunt Lucio, IsaB., and Prov. Ang. I show it most of all, when I show justice; Ang.

From thee; even from thy virtue For then I pity those I do not know,

What's this? what 's this? Is this her fault, or mine! Which a dismiss'd offence would after gall;

The tempter or the tempted, who sins mcst? Hu! And do him right, that, answering one foul wrong, Not she; nor doth she tempt: but it is I, Lives not to act another. Be satisfied ;

That, lying by the violet, in the sun, Your brother dies to-morrow; be content.

Do, as the carrion does, not as the flower, Isab. So you must be the first that gives this sentence; Corrupt with virtuous season. Can it be, And he, that suffers : 0, it is excellent

That modesty may more betray our sense To have a giant's strength; but it is tyrannous

Than woman's lightness ? Having waste ground To use it like a giant.

enough, Lucio. That's well said.

Shall we desire to raze the sanctuary, Isab. Could great men thunder

And pitch our evils there? O, fie, fie, fie! As Jove himself does, Jove would ne'er be quiet, What dost thou ? or what art thou, Angelo? For every pelting, petty officer

Dost thou desire her foully, for those things Would use his heaven for thunder: nothing but thunder. That make her good? O, let her brother live: Merciful Heaven !

Thieves for their robbery have authority, Thou rather, with thy sharp and sulphurous bolt, When judges steal themselves. What? do I love her, Splitt'st the unwedgeable and gnarled oak,

That I desire to hear her speak again, Than the soft myrtle : But man, proud man!

And feast upon her eyes? What is 't I dream on? Dress'd in a little brief authority;

O cunning enemy, that, to catch a saint, Most ignorant of what he 's most assurd,

With saints dost bait thy hook! Most dangerous His glassy essence,- like an angry ape,

Is that temptation, that doth goad us on Plays such fantastic tricks before high Heaven, To sin in loving virtue: never could the strumpet, As make the angels weep: who), with our spleens,

With all her double vigour, art, and nature,
Would all themselves laugh mortal."

Once stir my temper; but this virtuous maid
Lucio. O, to him, to him, wench : he will relent, Subdues me quite :-Ever till now,
He is coming, I perceive 't.

When men were fond, I smild and wonder'd how. Erit. Prov.

Pray Heaven, she win him!
Isab. We cannot weigh our brother with ourself:

SCENE III.-A Room in a Prison.
Great men may jest with saints : 't is wit in them;
But, in the less, foul profanation

Enter Duke, habited like a Friar, and Provost. Lucio. Thou 'rt in the right, girl; more o' that. Duke. Hail to you, provost! so I think you are. Isab. That in the captain 's but a choleric word, Prov. I am the provost: What 's your will, good Which in the soldier is flat blasphemy.

friar? Lucio. Art avis'do that? more on 't.

Duke. Bound by my charity, and my bless'd order, Ang. Why do you put these sayings upon mne? I come to visit the afflicted spirits

Isab. Because authority, though it err like others, Here in the prison : do me the common right
Hath yet a kind of medicine in itself,

To let me see them; and to make me know
That skins the vice o' the top: Go to your bosom; The nature of their crimes, that I may minister
Knock there; and ask your heart, what it doth know To them accordingly.
That 's like my brother's fault: if it confess

Prov. I would do more than that if more were needful.
A natural guiltiness, such as is his,
Let it not sound a thought upon your tongue

Enter JULIET.
Against my brother's life.

Look, here comes one; a gentlewoman of mine,
Ang.
She speaks, and 't is

Who, falling in the flaws of her own youth,
Such sense, that my sense breeds with it.-Fare you well. Hath blister'd her report : She is with child ;
Isab. Gentle my lord, turn back.

And he that got it, sentenc'd : a young man
Ang. I will bethink me :-Come again to-morrow. More fit to do another such offence,
Isab. Hark, how I 'll bribe you : Good my lord, Than die for this.
turn back.

Duke.

When must he die ! Ang. How! bribe me?

Prov. As I do think, to-morrow.-Isab. Ay, with such gifts that Heaven shall share I have provided for you; stay a while,

And you shall be conducted.

(TO JULIE Lucio. You had marr'd all else.

Duke. Repent you, fair one, of the sin you carry! Isab. Not with fond shekels of the tested gold,

Juliet. I do; and bear the shame most patiently. Or stones, whose rates are either rich or poor

Duke. I 'll teach you how you shall arraign your As fancy values them; but with true prayers

conscience, That shall be up at heaven, and enter there,

And try your penitence, if it be sound, Ere sunrise : prayers from preservedl souls,

Or hollowly put on. From fasting maids, whose minds are dedicate

Juliet.

I 'll gladly learn. To nothing temporal.

Duke. Love you the man that wrong'd you? Ang.

Well: come to me to-morrow. Juliet. Yes, as I love the woman that wrong d him, Lucio. Go to : 't is well; away. [Aside to ISABEL. Duke. So then, it seems, your most offenceful act Isab. Heaven keep your honour safe!

Was mutually committed ?
Ang.

Amen :
Juliet.

Mutually.
For I am that way going to temptation, [ Aside Duke. Then was your sin of heavier kind than his
Where prayers cross.

Juliet. I do confess it, and repent it, father.
Isab.
At what hour to-morrow

Duke. "T is meet so, daughter : but lest you do repent, 4 We understand this passage, -as they are angels, they werp

As that the sin hath brought you to this shame,ut follv: if they had our spleens, they would lauyh, as mortals.

Which sorrow is always toward ourselves not Heuren.

with you.

.

Showing, we would not spare Heaven, as we love it, Isab. 'Tis set down so in heaven, but not in earth. But as we stand in fear,

Ang. Say you so ? then I shall poze you quickly. Juliet. I do repent me, as it is an evil ;

Which had you rather, That the most just law
And take the shame with joy.

Now took your brother's life; or, to redeem him,
Drike.
There rest.

Give up your body to such sweet uncleanness,
Your partner, as I hear, must die to-morrow,

As she that he hath stain'd? And I am going with instruction to him.

Isab.

Sir, believe this, Grace go with you! Benedicite!

[Exit. I had rather give my body than my soul. Juliet. Must die to-morrow! O, injurious love, Ang. I talk not of your soul: Our compell d sins That respites me a life, whose very comfort

Stand more for number than for accompt. Is still a dying horror!

Isab.

How say you? iproc. *T is pity of him. (Ereunt. Ang. Nay, I 'll not warrant that; for I can speak

Against the thing I say. Answer to this;-
SCENE IV.-A Room in Angelo's House. I, now the voice of the recorded law,
Enter ANGELO.

Pronounce a sentence on your brother's life :
Ang. When I would pray and think, I think and pray

Might there not be a charity in sin, To several subjects: Heaven hath my empty words;

To save this brother's life?

Isab. Whilst my invention, hearing not my tongue,

Please you to do it, Anehors on Isabel : Heaven in my mouth,

I 'll take it as a peril to my soul, As if I did but only chew his name;

It is no sin at all, but charity.

Ang. Pleas'd you to do 't, at peril of your soul, And in my heart, the strong and swelling evil Of my conception: The state whereon I studied

Were equal poise of sin and charity. Is like a good thing, being often read,

Isab. That I do beg his life, if it be sin, Grown fear d and tedious; yea, my gravity,

Heaven let me bear it! you granting of my suit,

If that be sin, I 'll make it my morn prayer
Wherein (let no man hear me) I take pride,

To have it added to the faults of mine,
Could I, with boot, change for an idle plume,
Which the air beats for vain.

And nothing of your answer."

O place! O forin! How often dost thou with thy case, thy habit,

Ang.

Nay, but hear me: Frenca awe from fools, and tie the wiser souls

Your sense pursues not mine : either you are ignorant, To thy false seeming! Blood, thou art blood :

Or seem so, craftily; and that is not good. Let 's write good angel on the devil's horn,

Isab. Let me be ignorant, and in nothing good, T is not the devil's crest

But graciously to know I am no better.

Ang. Thus wisdom wishes to appear most bright, Enter Servant.

When it doth tax itself: as these black masks
How now, who 's there!

Proclaim an enshield beauty ten times louder
Sere.
One Isabel, a sister,

Than beauty could, displayed.—But mark me;
Desires access to you.

To be received plain, I 'll speak more gross :
Ang. Teach her the way. 0 Heavens! (Exit Serv. Your brother is to die.
Why does my blood thus muster to my heart,

Isab. So.
Making both it unable for itself,

Ang. And his offence is so, as it appears And dispossessing all my other parts

Accountant to the law upon that pain.
Of necessary fitness ?

Isab. True,
So play the foolish throngs with one that swoons ; Ang. Admit no other way to save his life,
Come all to help him, and so stop the air

(As I subscribe not that, nor any other, By which he should revive: and even so

But in the loss of question,) that you, bis sister,
The general, subject to a well-wish'd king,

Finding yourself desir'd of such a person,
Quit their own part, and in obsequious fondness Whose credit with the judge, or own great place,
Crowd to his presence, wbere their untaught love Could fetch your brother from the manacles
Must Deeds appear offence.

Of the all-binding law; and that there were

No earthly mean to save him, but that either
Enter ISABELLA.

You must lay down the treasures of your body
How now, fair maid !

To this suppos'd, or else to let him sufler ; Isch.

I am come to know your pleasure. What would you do? Ang. That you might know it would much better Isab. As much for my poor brother as myself: please me,

That is, Were I under the terms of death, l'han to demand what 't is. Your brother cannot live. The impression of keen whips I 'd wear as rubies,

1936. Even so.--Heaven keep your honour! (Retiring. And strip myself to death, as to a bed

Ang. Yet may he live a while; and, it may be, That longing had been sick for, ere I d yield
As long as you, or I: yet he must die.

My body up to shame.
Isab. Under your sentence?

Ang.

Then must your brother clie. Ang. Yea.

Isab. And 't were the cheaper way : Iszh. When, I beseech you? that in his reprieve, Better it were a brother died at once, Linger, or shorter, he may be so fitted,

Than that a sister, by redeeming him, That his soul sicken not.

Should die for ever. Ang. Ha! Fie, these filthy vices ! It were as goal Ang. Were not you then as cruel as the sentence To nardan him that hath from nature stolen

That you have slander'd so?
A man already made, as to remit

Isab. Ignomy in ransom, and free pardon,
Their saucy sweetness, that do coin Heaven's image Are of two houses : lawful mercy
In stamps that are forbid: 't is all as easy

Is nothing kin to foul redemption.
Falsely to take away a life true made,

Ang. You seem'd of late to make the law a tyran: , is to put mettle in restrained means.

And rather prov'd the sliding of your brother To make a false one.

A merriment, than a vice. • lerentina-imagination.

Isab. 1. pardon me, my lord; it oft falls oni, • Cese- outsid& The gmeril-the people.

9

in the pocket Duke. I never heard the absent duke much detected

Ha? What for women; he was not inclined that way. 19 Is 't not Lucio. O, sir, you are deceived.

thou, trot! Duke. T is not possible. e way? Is

Lucio. Who? not the duke ? yes, your beggar of of it? fifty ;-and his use was, to put a ducat in her clack

dish : the duke had crotchets in him: He would be mistress ? drunk too; that let me inform you.

Duke. You do him wrong, surely. beef, and Lucio. Sir, I was an inward of his: A shy fellow

was the duke : and, I believe, I know the cause of his it must withdrawing. bawd: Duke. What, I prithee, might be the cause ? going Lucio. No,-pardon ;—'t is a secret must be locked

within the teeth and the lips : but this I can let you

understand, The greater file of the subject b held the Go; duke to be wise. how

Duke. Wise? why, no question but he was.

Lucio. A very superficial, ignorant, unweighing fellow. aent Duke. Either this is envy in you, folly, or mistaking;

he, the very stream of his life, and the business he hath -11, helmed, must, upon a warranted need, give him a

better proclamation. Let him be but testimonied 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
at you speak. But, if ever the duke return, (as our
vers are he may,) let me desire you to make your
ver before him: If it be honest you have spoke, you
courage to maintain it: I am bound to call upon
and, I pray you, your name.
cio. Sir, my name is Lucio; well known to the duke.
te. He shall know you better, sir, if I may live to
you.
o. I fear you not.
. O, you hope the duke will return no more; or
gine me too unhurtful an opposite.d But, in-
can do you little harm : you forswear this

I'll be banged first : thou art deceived in me,
(ut no more of this : Canst thou tell if Claudio
rrow, or no?
Why should he die, sir?

Why? for filling a bottle with a tun-dish. I he duke we talk of were returned again : this ured agent will unpeople the province with con

; sparrows must not build in his house-eaves, e they are lecherous. The duke yet would have deeds darkly answered; he would never bring

to light : would he were returned! Marry, this udio is condemned for untrussing. Farewell, good ar; I prithee, pray for me. The duke, I say to thee gain, would eat mutton on Fridays. He's now past it; yet, and I say to thee, he would mouth with a beg. gar, though she smelt brown bread and garlic : say, that I said so. Farewell.

[Exit. ut Duke. No might nor greatness in mortality on. Can censure 'scape; back-wounding calumny otion The whitest virtue strikes : What king so strong,

Can tie the gall up in the slanderous tongue !

But who comes here?
him, for
life of a

Enter EscALUS, Provost, Bawd, and Officers. done this? Escal. Go, away with her to prison. etting a bun- Baud. Good my lord, be good to me; your honour the nursing a | is accounted a merciful man : good my lord. sport; he knew

a