Harp not on that; nor do not banish reason Have, sure, more lack of reason.-What would you say? Isab. I am the sister of one Claudio, Was sent to by my brother: One Lucio As then the messenger; Lucio, That's I, an't like your grace; I came to her from Claudio, and desir'd her To try her gracious fortune with lord Angelo, Isab. 1 That's he, indeed. Duke. You were not bid to speak. Nor wish'd to hold my peace. Duke. No, my good lord; 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 it. Isab. 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. Isab. To this pernicious caitiff deputy. I went Duke. That's somewhat madly spoken. The phrase is to the matter. Pardon it; Duke. Mended again: the matter;-Proceed. Isab. In brief,-to set the needless process by, How I persuaded, how I pray'd, and kneel'd, How he refell'd9 me, and how I reply'd ; (For this was of much length,) the vile conclusion I now begin with grief and shame to utter: He would not, but by gift of my chaste body To his concupiscible intemperate lust, Release my brother; and, after much debatement, My sisterly remorse' confutes mine honour, And I did yield to him: But the next morn betimes, His purpose surfeiting, he sends a warrant For my poor brother's head. Duke. This is most likely! Isab. O, that it were as like, as it is true! Duke. By heaven, fond2 wretch, thou know'st not what thou speak'st; Or else thou art suborn'd against his honour, Stands without blemish:-next, it imports no reason, Keep me in patience; and, with ripen'd time, In countenance!-Heaven shield your grace from woe, As I, thus wrong'd, hence unbelieved go! Duke. I know, you'd fain be gone: An officer ! To prison with her :-Shall we thus permit A blasting and a scandalous breath to fall On him so near us? This needs must be a practice. -Who knew of your intent, and coming hither? Isab. One that I would were here, friar Lodowick. Duke. A ghostly father, belike:-Who knows that Lodowick? Lucio. My lord, I know him; 'tis a medling friar ; I do not like the man had he been lay, my lord, For certain words he spake against your grace In your retirement, I had swing'd him soundly. Duke. Words against me? This' a good friar, belike! And to set on this wretched woman here Against our substitute !-Let this friar be found. Lucio. But yesternight, my lord, she and that friar I saw them at the prison: a sawcy friar, A very scurvy fellow. F. Peter. Blessed be your royal grace! I have stood by, my lord, and I have heard As she from one ungot. Duke. We did believe no less. Know you that friar Lodowick, that she speaks of! 4 Beat. F. Peter. I know him for a man divine and holy; Not scurvy, nor a temporary medler, As he's reported by this gentleman; And, on my trust, a man that never yet Did, as he vouches, misreport your grace. Lucio. My lord, most villainously; believe it. F. Peter. Well, he in time may come to clear himself; But at this instant he is sick, my lord, Of a strange fever: Upon his mere 5 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 7 So vulgarly and personally accus'd,) Her shall you hear disproved to her eyes, Till she herself confess it. Duke. Good friar, let's hear it, [ISABELLA is carried off, guarded; and Do you not smile at this lord Angelo?— Of your own cause.-Is this the witness, friar? my face, Until $ Simple. 6 Convened. 7 Publickly. Why, you Are nothing then:-Neither maid, widow, nor wife? Lucio. My lord, she 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 confess I ne'er was married; And, I confess, besides, I am no maid : I have 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 silence, 'would thou wert so too. Lucio. Well, my lord. Duke. This is no witness for lord Angelo. She, that accuses him of fornication, In self-same manner doth accuse my husband; Ang. Charges she more than me? |