Efcal. You have paid the heav'ns your function, and the prifoner the very debt of your calling. I have labour'd for the poor gentleman, to the extremeft fhore of my modefty; 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 anfwer 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 prifoner; fare you well. Duke. SCENE EACE be with you! VIII. [Exit. P He, who the word of heav'n will bear, Should be as holy as fevere: Draw with idle fpiders' ftrings [Exit. ACT Mari. Break off thy song, and hafte thee quick away: Here comes a man of comfort, whofe advice Hath often still'd my brawling difcontent. I cry you mercy, Sir, and well could wish, You had not found me here fo mufical: Let me excufe me, and believe me fo, My mirth is much difpleas'd, but pleas'd my woe. Duke. 'Tis good; tho' mufic oft hath fuch a charm To make bad, good; and good provoke to harm. 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. I 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 yourself. Mari. I am always bound to you. Ꭰ ; Exit. SCENE Duke. What is the news from this good deputy? ERY well met, and welcome: Ifab. He hath a garden circummur'd with brick, Whofe western fide is with a vineyard backt; And to that vineyard is a planched gate, That makes his opening with this bigger key: This other doth command a little door, Which from the vineyard to the garden leads; There, on the heavy middle of the night, Have I my promise made to call upon him. Duke. But fhall you on your knowledge find this Ifab. I've ta'en a due and wary note upon't; The way twice o'er. Duke. Are there no other tokens Between you 'greed, concerning her obfervance ? Duke. 'Tis well born up. I have not yet made known to Mariana A word of this. What, hoa! within! come forth! Ι pray you be acquainted with this maid; She comes to do you good. Ifab. I do defire the like. Duke. Do you perfuade yourfelf 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 fhall attend your leifure; but make haste; Mari. Wilt please you walk afide? [Exeunt Mar. and Ifab. Duke. O place and greatness! millions of false eyes Are stuck upon thee: volumes of report Make thee the father of their idle dreams, And rack thee in their fancies! welcome; how agreed? Re-enter Mariana, and Ifabel. HE'LL take the enterprize upon her, father, Ifab. SH 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 hulband on a pre-contract; To bring you thus together, 'tis no fin; Come, let us go; Our corn's to reap; *for yet our tilth's to fow.Exeu. for yet our tythe's to sow.] 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. Mr. Theobald. D 6 SCENE Changes to the Prifon. Enter Provoft and Clown. Prov-C man's head? OME hither, firrah: can you cut off a 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 fnatches, and yield me a direct anfwer. 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 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. 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, ufe him for the prefent, and difmiss him. He cannot plead his eftimation with you, he hath been a bawd. Abhor. A bawd, Sir? fie upon him, he will difcredit our miftery. Prov. Go to, Sir, you weigh equally; a feather will turn the scale. [Exit. Clown. Pray, Sir, by your good favour; (for, furely, |