Ifab. Moft ftrange, but yet moft truly, will I speak; Duke. Nay, it is ten times ftrange. Duke. Away with her: poor foul, She speaks this in th' infirmity of sense. Ifab. O prince, I conjure thee, as thou believ'ft That, which but feems unlike; 'tis not impoffible, In all his dreffings, caracts, titles, forms, Duke. By mine honesty, If fhe be mad, as I believe no other, Ifab. Gracious Duke, Harp not on That; nor do not banish reason To make the truth appear, where it seems hid; Duke. Many, that are not mad, Jab. Ifab. I am the fifter of one Claudio, Was fent to by my brother; one Lucio, Lucio. That's I, an't like your Grace: To try her gracious fortune with lord Angelo, Ifab. That's he, indeed. Duke. You were not bid to speak. [To Lucio. Lucio. No, my good lord, nor wish'd to hold my peace. Duke. I wish you now then; Pray, you, take note of it: and when you have Lucio. I warrant your Honour. Duke. The warrant's for yourself; take heed to't. Ifab. This gentleman told somewhat of my tale. Lucio. Right. Duke. It may be right, but you are in the wrong To speak before your time. Proceed. Ifab. I went To this pernicious caitiff Deputy. Duke. That's fomewhat madly spoken. The phrafe is to the matter. Duke. Mended again: the matter;-proceed. Release my brother; and after much debatement, My fifterly Remorfe confutes mine Honour, Duke. This is most likely! Ifab. Oh, that it were as like, as it is true! Or elfe thou art fuborn'd againft his honour Stands without blemish; next, it imports no reason, Ifab. And is this all? Then, oh, you bleffed minifters above! you on; Grace from woe, In countenance: Heav'n fhield. your A blafting and a fcandalous breath to fall On him fo near us? this needs must be a practice. Who knew of your intent, and coming hither? Ifab. One that I would were here, Friar Lodowick. Duke. A ghoftly father, belike: Who knows that Lodowick? Lucio. My lord, I know him; 'tis a meddling Friar; I do not like the man; had he been Lay, my lord, For certain words he fpake against your Grace In your retirement, I had fwing'd him foundly. Duke. Words against me? this is a good Friar, belike; And to fet on this wretched woman here Against our fubftitute! let this Friar be found. Lucio. But yefternight, my lord, fhe and that Friar, I saw them at the prison: a faucy Friar, A very fcurvy fellow. Peter. Bleffed be your royal Grace! I have stood by, my lord, and I have heard Duke. We did believe no less. Know you that Friar Lodowick, which she speaks of? As he's reported by this gentleman; And, on my Trust, a man that never yet Did, as he vouches, mifreport your Grace. Of a ftrange fever. On his mere request, (Being come to knowledge that there was Complaint Intended 'gainst lord Angelo) came I hither To speak as from his mouth, what he doth know So vulgarly and perfonally accus'd, Her fhall you hear difproved to her eyes, 'Till fhe herself confefs it. Duke. Good Friar, let's hear it. Do you not fmile at this, lord Angelo? Is this the witness, Friar? SCENE. Firft let her fhew her face; and, after speak. Mari. Pardon, my lord, I will not shew my face, Until my husband bid me. Duke. What, are you marry'd? Mari. No, my lord. Duke. Are you a maid? Mari. No, my lord. Duke. A widow then? Mari. Neither, my lord. Duke. Why, are you nothing then? neither maid, widow, nor wife? Lucio. My lord, fhe may be a punk; for many of them are neither maid, widow, nor wife. Duke. Silence that fellow: I would, he had some cause to prattle for himself. Lucio. Well, my lord. Mari. My lord, I do confefs, I ne'er was marry'd; And, I confefs, befides, I am no maid; I've known my husband; yet my husband knows not, That ever he knew me. Lucio. He was drunk then, my lord; it can be no better. Duke. For the benefit of filence, would thou wert fo too. Lucio. Well, my lord. Duke. This is no witness for lord Angelo. She, that accufes him of fornication, In felf-fame manner doth accuse my husband When I'll depose I had him in mine arms, Ang. Charges fhe more than me? Mari. Not that I know. Duke. |