4EScalus.

5Esc. My Lord.

6Duk. Of Gouernment, the properties to vn- (fold,

7Would seeme in me t' affect speech & discourse,

8Since I am put to know, that your owne Science

9Exceedes (in that) the lists of all aduice

10My strength can giue you: Then no more remaines

11But that, to your sufficiency, as your worth is able,

12And let them worke: The nature of our People,

13Our Cities Institutions, and the Termes

14For Common Iustice, y'are as pregnant in

15As Art, and practise, hath inriched any

16That we remember: There is our Commission,

17From which, we would not haue you warpe; call hither,

18I say, bid come before vs Angelo:

19What figure of vs thinke you, he will beare.

20For you must know, we haue with speciall soule

21Elected him our absence to supply;

22Lent him our terror, drest him with our loue,

23And giuen his Deputation all the Organs

24Of our owne powre: What thinke you of it?

25Esc.If any in Vienna be of worth

26To vndergoe such ample grace, and honour,

27It is Lord Angelo.

29Duk.Looke where he comes.

30Ang. Alwayes obedient to your Graces will,

31I come to know your pleasure.

32Duke. Angelo:

33There is a kinde of Character in thy life,

34That to th' obseruer, doth thy history

35Fully vnfold: Thy selfe, and thy belongings

36Are not thine owne so proper, as to waste

37Thy selfe vpon thy vertues; they on thee :

38Heauen doth with vs, as we, with Torches doe,

39Not light them for themselues: For if our vertues

40Did not goe forth of vs, 'twere all alike

41As if we had them not: Spirits are not finely tonch'd,

42But to fine issues: nor nature neuer lends

43The smallest scruple of her excellence,

44But like a thrifty goddesse, she determines

45Her selfe the glory of a creditour,

46Both thanks, and vse; but I do bend my speech

47To one that can my part in him aduertise;

48Hold therefore Angelo:

49In our remoue, be thou at full, our selfe:

50Mortallitie and Mercie in Vienna

51Liue in thy tongue, and heart: Old Escalus

52Though first in question, is thy secondary.

53Take thy Commission.

54Ang.Now good my Lord

55Let there be some more test, made of my mettle,

56Before so noble, and so great a figure

57Be stamp't vpon it.

58Duk.No more euasion:

59We haue with a leauen'd, and prepared choice

60Proceeded to you; therefore take your honors:

61Our haste from hence is of so quicke condition,

62That it prefers it selfe, and leaues vnquestion'd

63Matters of needfull value: We shall write to you

64As time, and our concernings shall importune,

65How it goes with vs, and doe looke to know

66What doth befall you here. So fare you well:

67To th' hopefull execution doe I leaue you,

68Of your Commissions

69Ang.Yet giue leaue (my Lord,)

70That we may bring you something on the way

71Duk.My haste may not admit it,

72Nor neede you (on mine honor) haue to doe

73With any scruple: your scope is as mine owne,

74So to inforce, or qualifie the Lawes

75As to your soule seemes good: Giue me your hand,

76Ile priuily away: I loue the people,

77But doe not like to stage me to their eyes:

78Though it doe well, I doe not rellish well

79Their lowd applause, and Aues vehement:

80Nor doe I thinke the man of safe discretion

81That do's affect it. Once more fare you well.

82Ang.The heauens giue safety to your purposes.

83Esc.Lead forth, and bring you backe in happi-

84nesse. Exit.

85Duk. I thanke you, fare you well.

86Esc.I shall desire you, Sir, to giue me leaue

87To haue free speech with you; and it concernes me

88To looke into the bottome of my place :

89A powre I haue, but of what strength and nature,

90I am not yet instructed.

91Ang.'Tis so with me: Let vs with-draw together,

92And we may soone our satisfaction haue

93Touching that point.

94Esc.Ile wait vpon your honor. Exeunt.

97Luc. If the Duke, with the other Dukes, come not to

98composition with the King of Hungary, why then all the

99Dukes fall vpon the King.

1001. Gent. Heauen grant vs its peace, but not the King

101of Hungaries.

1022. Gent. Amen.

103Luc. Thou conclud'st like the Sanctimonious Pirat,

104that went to sea with the ten Commandements, but

105scrap'd one out of the Table.

1062. Gent. Thou shalt not Steale?

107Luc. I, that he raz'd.

1081. Gent. Why? 'twas a commandement, to command

109the Captaine and all the rest from their functions: they

110put forth to steale: There's not a Souldier of vs all, that

111in the thanks-giuing before meate, do rallish the petition

112well, that praies for peace.

1132. Gent. I neuer heard any Souldier dislike it.

114Luc. I beleeue thee: for I thinke thou neuer was't

115where Grace was said.

1162. Gent. No? a dozen times at least.

1171. Gent. What? In meeter?

118Luc. In any proportion. or in any language.

1191. Gent. I thinke, or in any Religion.

120Luc. I, why not? Grace, is Grace, despight of all con-

121trouersie: as for example; Thou thy selfe art a wicked

122villaine, despight of all Grace.

1231. Gent. Well: there went but a paire of sheeres be-

124tweene vs.

125Luc. I grant: as there may betweene the Lists, and

126the Veluet. Thou art the List.

1271. Gent. And thou the Veluet; thou art good veluet;

128thou'rt a three pild-peece I warrant thee: I had as liefe

129be a Lyst of an English Kersey, as be pil'd, as thou art

130pil'd, for a French Veluet. Do I speake feelingly now?

131Luc. I thinke thou do'st: and indeed with most pain-

132full feeling of thy speech: I will, out of thine owne con-

133fession, learne to begin thy health; but, whilst I liue for-

134get to drinke after thee.

1351. Gen. I think I haue done my selfe wrong, haue I not?

1362. Gent. Yes, that thou hast; whether thou art tainted,

138Luc. Behold, behold, where Madam Mitigation comes.

139I haue purchas'd as many diseases vnder her Roofe,

140As come to

1412. Gent. To what, I pray?

142Luc. Iudge.

1432. Gent. To three thousand Dollours a yeare.

1441. Gent. I, and more.

145Luc. A French crowne more.

1461. Gent. Thou art alwayes figuring diseases in me; but

147thou art full of error, I am sound.

148Luc. Nay, not (as one would say) healthy: but so

149sound, as things that are hollow; thy bones are hollow;

150Impiety has made a feast of thee.

1511. Gent. How now, which of your hips has the most

152profound Ciatica?

153Bawd. Well, well: there's one yonder arrested, and

154carried to prison, was worth fiue thousand of you all.

1552. Gent. Who's that I pray'thee?

156Bawd. Marry Sir, that's Claudio, Signior Claudio.

1571. Gent. Claudio to prison? 'tis not so.

158Bawd. Nay, but I know 'tis so: I saw him arrested:

159saw him carried away: and which is more, within these

160three daies his head to be chop'd off.

161Luc. But, after all this fooling, I would not haue it so:

162Art thou sure of this?

163Bawd. I am too sure of it: and it is for getting Madam

164Iulietta with childe.

165Luc. Beleeue me this may be: he promis'd to meete

166me two howres since, and he was euer precise in promise

167keeping.

1682. Gent. Besides you know, it drawes somthing neere

169to the speech we had to such a purpose.

1701. Gent. But most of all agreeing with the proclamatiō.

171Luc. Away: let's goe learne the truth of it. Exit.

172Bawd. Thus, what with the war; what with the sweat,

173what with the gallowes, and what with pouerty, I am

174Custom-shrunke. How now? what's the newes with

176Clo. Yonder man is carried to prison.

177Baw. Well: what has he done?

178Clo. A Woman.

179Baw. But what's his offence?

180Clo. Groping for Trowts, in a peculiar Riuer.

181Baw. What? is there a maid with child by him?

182Clo. No: but there's a woman with maid by him :

183you haue not heard of the proclamation, haue you?

184Baw. What proclamation, man?

185Clow. All howses in the Suburbs of Vienna must bee

186pluck'd downe.

187Bawd. And what shall become of those in the Citie?

188Clow. They shall stand for seed: they had gon down

189to, but that a wise Burger put in for them.

190Bawd. But shall all our houses of resort in the Sub-

191urbs be puld downe?

192Clow. To the ground, Mistris.

193Bawd. Why heere's a change indeed in the Common-

194wealth: what shall become of me?

195Clow. Come: feare not you; good Counsellors lacke

196no Clients: though you change your place, you neede

197not change your Trade: Ile bee your Tapster still; cou-

198rage, there will bee pitty taken on you; you that haue

199worne your eyes almost out in the seruice, you will bee

200considered.

201Bawd. What's to doe heere, Thomas Tapster? let's

202withdraw?

203Clo. Here comes Signior Claudio, led by the Prouost

204to prison: and there's Madam Iuliet. Exeunt.

207Cla. Fellow, why do'st thou show me thus to th' world?

208Beare me to prison, where I am committed.

209Pro. I do it not in euill disposition,

210But from Lord Angelo by speciall charge.

211Clau. Thus can the demy-god (Authority)

212Make vs pay downe, for our offence, by waight

213The words of heauen; on whom it will, it will,

214On whom it will not (soe) yet still 'tis iust.

215Luc. Why how now Claudio? whence comes this re-(straint.

216Cla. From too much liberty, (my Lucio) Liberty

217As surfet is the father of much fast,

218So euery Scope by the immoderate vse

219Turnes to restraint: Our Natures doe pursue

220Like Rats that rauyn downe their proper Bane,

221A thirsty euill, and when we drinke, we die.

222Luc. If I could speake so wisely vnder an arrest, I

223would send for certaine of my Creditors: and yet, to say

224the truth, I had as lief haue the foppery of freedome, as

225the mortality of imprisonment: what's thy offence,

226Claudio?

227Cla. What (but to speake of) would offend againe.

228Luc. What, is't murder?

229Cla. No.

230Luc. Lecherie?

231Cla. Call it so.

232Pro. Away, Sir, you must goe.

233Cla. One word, good friend:

234Lucio, a word with you.

235Luc. A hundred:

236If they'll doe you any good: Is Lechery so look'd after?

237Cla. Thus stands it with me: vpon a true contract

238I got possession of Iulietas bed,

239You know the Lady, she is fast my wife,

240Saue that we doe the denunciation lacke

241Of outward Order. This we came not to,

242Onely for propogation of a Dowre

243Remaining in the Coffer of her friends,

244From whom we thought it meet to hide our Loue

245Till Time had made them for vs. But it chances

246The stealth of our most mutuall entertainment

247With Character too grosse, is writ on Iuliet.

248Luc. With childe, perhaps?

249Cla. Vnhappely, euen so.

250And the new Deputie, now for the Duke,

251Whether it be the fault and glimpse of newnes,

252Or whether that the body publique, be

253A horse whereon the Gouernor doth ride,

254Who newly in the Seate, that it may know

255He can command; lets it strait feele the spur:

256Whether the Tirranny be in his place,

257Or in his Eminence that fills it vp

258I stagger in: But this new Gouernor

259Awakes me all the inrolled penalties

260Which haue (like vn-scowr'd Armor) hung by th' wall

261So long, that ninteene Zodiacks haue gone round,

262And none of them beene worne; and for a name

263Now puts the drowsie and neglected Act

264Freshly on me: 'tis surely for a name.

265Luc. I warrant it is: And thy head stands so tickle on

266thy shoulders, that a milke-maid, if she be in loue, may

267sigh it off: Send after the Duke, and appeale to him.

268Cla. I haue done so, but hee's not to be found.

269I pre'thee ( Lucio) doe me this kinde seruice :

270This day, my sister should the Cloyster enter,

271And there receiue her approbation.

272Acquaint her with the danger of my state,

273Implore her, in my voice, that she make friends

274To the strict deputie: bid her selfe assay him,

275I haue great hope in that: for in her youth

276There is a prone and speechlesse dialect,

277Such as moue men: beside, she hath prosperous Art

278When she will play with reason, and discourse,

279And well she can perswade.

280Luc. I pray shee may; aswell for the encouragement

281of the like, which else would stand vnder greeuous im-

282position: as for the enioying of thy life, who I would be

283sorry should bee thus foolishly lost, at a game of ticke-

284tacke: Ile to her.

285Cla. I thanke you good friend Lucio.

286Luc. Within two houres.

287Cla. Come Officer, away. Exeunt.

290Duk. No: holy Father, throw away that thought,

291Beleeue not that the dribling dart of Loue

292Can pierce a compleat bosome: why, I desire thee

293To giue me secret harbour, hath a purpose

294More graue, and wrinkled, then the aimes, and ends

295Of burning youth.

296Fri. May your Grace speake of it?

297Duk. My holy Sir, none better knowes then you

298How I haue euer lou'd the life remoued

299And held in idle price, to haunt assemblies

300Where youth, and cost, witlesse brauery keepes.

301I haue deliuerd to Lord Angelo

302(A man of stricture and firme abstinence)

303My absolute power, and place here in Vienna,

304And he supposes me trauaild to Poland,

305(For so I haue strewd it in the common eare)

306And so it is receiu'd: Now (pious Sir)

307You will demand of me, why I do this.

308Fri. Gladly, my Lord.

309Duk. We haue strict Statutes, and most biting Laws,

310(The needfull bits and curbes to headstrong weedes,)

311Which for this foureteene yeares, we haue let slip,

312Euen like an ore-growne Lyon in a Caue

313That goes not out to prey: Now, as fond Fathers,

314Hauing bound vp the threatning twigs of birch,

315Onely to sticke it in their childrens sight,

316For terror, not to vse: in time the rod

317More mock'd, then fear'd: so our Decrees,

318Dead to infliction, to themselues are dead,

319And libertie, plucks Iustice by the nose;

320The Baby beates the Nurse, and quite athwart

321Goes all decorum.

322Fri. It rested in your Grace

323To vnloose this tyde-vp Iustice, when you pleas'd:

324And it in you more dreadfull would haue seem'd

325Then in Lord Angelo.

326Duk. I doe feare: too dreadfull:

327Sith 'twas my fault, to giue the people scope,

328'Twould be my tirrany to strike and gall them,

329For what I bid them doe: For, we bid this be done

330When euill deedes haue their permissiue passe,

331And not the punishment: therefore indeede (my father)

332I haue on Angelo impos'd the office,

333Who may in th' ambush of my name, strike home,

334And yet, my nature neuer in the sight

335To do in slander: And to behold his sway

336I will, as 'twere a brother of your Order,

337Visit both Prince, and People: Therefore I pre'thee

338Supply me with the habit, and instruct me

339How I may formally in person beare

340Like a true Frier: Moe reasons for this action

341At our more leysure, shall I render you;

342Onely, this one: Lord Angelo is precise,

343Stands at a guard with Enuie: scarce confesses

344That his blood flowes: or that his appetite

345Is more to bread then stone: hence shall we see

346If power change purpose: what our Seemers be. Exit.

F2 Scoena

349Isa. And haue you Nuns no farther priuiledges?

350Nun. Are not these large enough?

351Isa. Yes truely; I speake not as desiring more,

352^But rather wishing a more strict restraint

353Vpon the Sisterhood, the Votarists of Saint Clare.

355Luc. Hoa? peace be in this place.

356Isa. Who's that which cals?

357Nun. It is a mans voice: gentle Isabella

358Turne you the key, and know his businesse of him;

359You may; I may not: you are yet vnsworne:

360When you haue vowd, you must not speake with men,

361But in the presence of the Prioresse;

362Then if you speake, you must not show your face;

363Or if you show your face, you must not speake:

364He cals againe: I pray you answere him.

365Isa. Peace and prosperitie: who is't that cals?

366Luc. Haile Virgin, (if you be) as those cheeke-Roses

367Proclaime you are no lesse: can you so steed me,

368As bring me to the sight of Isabella,

369A Nouice of this place, and the faire Sister

370To her vnhappie brother Claudio?

371Isa. Why her vnhappy Brother? Let me aske,

372The rather for I now must make you know

373I am that Isabella, and his Sister.

374Luc. Gentle & faire: your Brother kindly greets you;

375Not to be weary with you; he's in prison.

376Isa. Woe me; for what?

377Luc. For that, which if my selfe might be his Iudge,

378He should receiue his punishment, in thankes:

379He hath got his friend with childe.

380Isa. Sir, make me not your storie.

381Luc. 'Tis true; I would not, though 'tis my familiar sin,

382With Maids to seeme the Lapwing, and to iest

383Tongue, far from heart: play with all Virgins so:

384I hold you as a thing en-skied, and sainted,

385By your renouncement, an imortall spirit

386And to be talk'd with in sincerity,

387As with a Saint.

388Isa. You doe blaspheme the good, in mocking me.

389Luc. Doe not beleeue it: fewnes, and truth; tis thus,

390Your brother, and his louer haue embrac'd;

391As those that feed, grow full: as blossoming Time

392That from the seednes, the bare fallow brings

393To teeming foyson: euen so her plenteous wombe

394Expresseth his full Tilth, and husbandry.

395Isa. Some one with childe by him? my cosen Iuliet?

396Luc. Is she your cosen?

397Isa. Adoptedly, as schoole-maids change their names

398By vaine, though apt affection.

399Luc. She it is.

400Isa. Oh, let him marry her.

401Luc. This is the point.

402The Duke is very strangely gone from hence;

403Bore many gentlemen (my selfe being one)

404In hand, and hope of action: but we doe learne,

405By those that know the very Nerues of State,

406His giuing-out, were of an infinite distance

407From his true meant designe: vpon his place,

408(And with full line of his authority)

409Gouernes Lord Angelo; A man, whose blood

410Is very snow-broth: one, who neuer feeles

411The wanton stings, and motions of the sence;

412But doth rebate, and blunt his naturall edge

413With profits of the minde: Studie, and fast

414He (to giue feare to vse, and libertie,

415Which haue, for long, run-by the hideous law,

416As Myce, by Lyons) hath pickt out an act,

417Vnder whose heauy sence, your brothers life

418Fals into forfeit : he arrests him on it,

419And followes close the rigor of the Statute

420To make him an example: all hope is gone,

421Vnlesse you haue the grace, by your faire praier

422To soften Angelo: And that's my pith of businesse

423'Twixt you, and your poore brother.

424Isa. Doth he so,

425Seeke his life?

426Luc. Has censur'd him already,

427And as I heare, the Prouost hath a warrant

428For's execution.

429Isa. Alas: what poore

430Abilitie's in me, to doe him good.

431Luc. Assay the powre you haue.

432Isa. My power? alas, I doubt.

433Luc. Our doubts are traitors

434And makes vs loose the good we oft might win,

435By fearing to attempt: Goe to Lord Angelo

436And let him learne to know, when Maidens sue

437Men giue like gods: but when they weepe and kneele,

438All their petitions, are as freely theirs

439As they themselues would owe them.

440Isa. Ile see what I can doe.

441Luc. But speedily.

442Isa. I will about it strait;

443No longer staying, but to giue the Mother

444Notice of my affaire: I humbly thanke you:

445Commend me to my brother: soone at night

446Ile send him certaine word of my successe.

447Luc. I take my leaue of you.

448Isa. Good sir, adieu. Exeunt.

451Ang. We must not make a scar-crow of the Law,

452Setting it vp to feare the Birds of prey,

453And let it keepe one shape, till custome make it

454Their pearch, and not their terror.

455Esc. I, but yet

456Let vs be keene, and rather cut a little

457Then fall, and bruise to death: alas, this gentleman

458Whom I would saue, had a most noble father,

459Let but your honour know

460(Whom I beleeue to be most strait in vertue)

461That in the working of your owne affections,

462Had time coheard with Place, or place with wishing,

463Or that the resolute acting of our blood

464Could haue attaind th' effect of your owne purpose,

465Whether you had not sometime in your life

466Er'd in this point, which now you censure him,

467And puld the Law vpon you.

468Ang. 'Tis one thing to be tempted ( Escalus)

469Another thing to fall: I not deny

470The Iury passing on the Prisoners life

471May in the sworne-twelue haue a thiefe, or two

472Guiltier then him they try; what's open made to Iustice,

473That Iustice ceizes; What knowes the Lawes

474That theeues do passe on theeues? 'Tis very pregnant,

475The Iewell that we finde, we stoope, and take't,

476Because we see it; but what we doe not see,

477We tread vpon, and neuer thinke of it.

478You may not so extenuate his offence,

479For I haue had such faults; but rather tell me

480When I, that censure him, do so offend,

481Let mine owne Iudgement patterne out my death,

482And nothing come in partiall. Sir, he must dye.

484Esc. Be it as your wisedome will.

485Ang. Where is the Prouost?

486Pro. Here if it like your honour.

487Ang. See that Claudio

488Be executed by nine to morrow morning,

489Bring him his Confessor, let him be prepar'd,

490For that's the vtmost of his pilgrimage.

491Esc. Well: heauen forgiue him; and forgiue vs all :

492Some rise by sinne, and some by vertue fall:

493Some run from brakes of Ice, and answere none,

494And some condemned for a fault alone.

496Elb. Come, bring them away: if these be good peo-

497ple in a Common-weale, that doe nothing but vse their

498abuses in common houses, I know no law : bring them

499away.

500Ang. How now Sir, what's your name? And what's

501the matter?

502Elb. If it please your honour, I am the poore Dukes

503Constable, and my name is Elbow; I doe leane vpon Iu-

504stice Sir, and doe bring in here before your good honor,

505two notorious Benefactors.

506Ang. Benefactors? Well: What Benefactors are they?

507Are they not Malefactors?

508Elb. If it please your honour, I know not well what

509they are: But precise villaines they are, that I am sure of,

510and void of all prophanation in the world, that good

511Christians ought to haue.

512Esc. This comes off well: here's a wise Officer.

513Ang. Goe to: What quality are they of? Elbow is

514your name?

515Why do'st thou not speake Elbow?

516Clo. He cannot Sir: he's out at Elbow.

517Ang. What are you Sir?

518Elb. He Sir: a Tapster Sir: parcell Baud: one that

519serues a bad woman: whose house Sir was (as they say)

520pluckt downe in the Suborbs: and now shee professes a

521hot-house; which, I thinke is a very ill house too.

522Esc. How know you that?

523Elb. My wife Sir? whom I detest before heauen, and

524your honour.

525Esc. How? thy wife?

526Elb. I Sir: whom I thanke heauen is an honest wo-

527man.

528Esc. Do'st thou detest her therefore?

529Elb. I say sir, I will detest my selfe also, as well as she,

530that this house, if it be not a Bauds house, it is pitty of her

531life, for it is a naughty house.

532Esc. How do'st thou know that, Constable?

533Elb. Marry sir, by my wife, who, if she had bin a wo-

534man Cardinally giuen, might haue bin accus'd in forni-

535cation, adultery, and all vncleanlinesse there.

536Esc. By the womans meanes?

537Elb. I sir, by Mistris Ouer-dons meanes: but as she spit

538in his face, so she defide him.

539Clo. Sir, if it please your honor, this is not so.

540Elb. Proue it before these varlets here, thou honora-

541ble man, proue it.

542Esc. Doe you heare how he misplaces?

543Clo. Sir, she came in great with childe: and longing

544(sauing your honors reuerence) for stewd prewyns; sir,

545we had but two in the house, which at that very distant

546time stood, as it were in a fruit dish (a dish of some three

547pence; your honours haue seene such dishes) they are not

548China-dishes, but very good dishes.

549Esc. Go too: go too: no matter for the dish sir.

550Clo. No indeede sir not of a pin; you are therein in

551the right: but, to the point: As I say, this Mistris Elbow,

552being (as I say) with childe, and being great bellied, and

553longing (as I said) for prewyns: and hauing but two in

554the dish (as I said) Master Froth here, this very man, ha-

555uing eaten the rest (as I said) & (as I say) paying for them

556very honestly: for, as you know Master Froth, I could not

557giue you three pence againe.

558Fro. No indeede.

559Clo. Very well: you being then (if you be remem-

560bred) cracking the stones of the foresaid prewyns.

561Fro. I, so I did indeede.

562Clo. Why, very well: I telling you then (if you be

563remembred) that such a one, and such a one, were past

564cure of the thing you wot of, vnlesse they kept very good

565diet, as I told you.

566Fro. All this is true.

567Clo. Why very well then.

568Esc. Come: you are a tedious foole: to the purpose:

569what was done to Elbowes wife, that hee hath cause to

570complaine of? Come me to what was done to her.

571Clo. Sir, your honor cannot come to that yet.

572Esc. No sir, nor I meane it not.

573Clo. Sir, but you shall come to it, by your honours

574leaue: And I beseech you, looke into Master Froth here

575sir, a man of foure-score pound a yeare; whose father

576died at Hallowmas: Was't not at Hallowmas Master

577Froth?

578Fro. Allhallond-Eue.

579Clo. Why very well: I hope here be truthes: he Sir,

580sitting (as I say) in a lower chaire, Sir, 'twas in the bunch

581of Grapes, where indeede you haue a delight to sit, haue

582you not?

583Fro. I haue so, because it is an open roome, and good

584for winter.

585Clo. Why very well then: I hope here be truthes.

586Ang. This will last out a night in Russia

587When nights are longest there: Ile take my leaue,

588And leaue you to the hearing of the cause;

589Hoping youle finde good cause to whip them all. Exit.

590Esc. I thinke no lesse: good morrow to your Lord-

591ship. Now Sir, come on: What was done to Elbowes

592wife, once more?

593Clo. Once Sir? there was nothing done to her once.

594Elb. I beseech you Sir, aske him what this man did to

595my wife.

596Clo. I beseech your honor, aske me.

597Esc. Well sir, what did this Gentleman to her?

598Clo. I beseech you sir, looke in this Gentlemans face:

599good Master Froth looke vpon his honor; 'tis for a good

600purpose: doth your honor marke his face?

F3 Esc. I

601Esc. I sir, very well.

602Clo. Nay, I beseech you marke it well.

603Esc. Well, I doe so.

604Clo. Doth your honor see any harme in his face?

605Esc. Why no.

606Clo. Ile be supposd vpon a booke, his face is the worst

607thing about him: good then: if his face be the worst

608thing about him, how could Master Froth doe the Con-

609stables wife any harme? I would know that of your

610honour.

611Esc. He's in the right (Constable) what say you to it?

612Elb. First, and it like you, the house is a respected

613house; next, this is a respected fellow; and his Mistris is

614a respected woman.

615Clo. By this hand Sir, his wife is a more respected per-

616son then any of vs all.

617Elb. Varlet, thou lyest; thou lyest wicked varlet: the

618time is yet to come that shee was euer respected with

619man, woman, or childe.

620Clo. Sir, she was respected with him, before he mar-

621ried with her.

622Esc. Which is the wiser here; Iustice or Iniquitie? Is

623this true?

624Elb. O thou caytiffe: O thou varlet: O thou wick-

625ed Hanniball; I respected with her, before I was married

626to her? If euer I was respected with her, or she with me,

627let not your worship thinke mee the poore Dukes Offi-

628cer: proue this, thou wicked Hanniball, or ile haue

629mine action of battry on thee.

630Esc. If he tooke you a box o'th' eare, you might haue

631your action of slander too.

632Elb. Marry I thanke your good worship for it: what

633is't your Worships pleasure I shall doe with this wick-

634ed Caitiffe?

635Esc. Truly Officer, because he hath some offences in

636him, that thou wouldst discouer, if thou couldst, let him

637continue in his courses, till thou knowst what they are.

638Elb. Marry I thanke your worship for it: Thou seest

639thou wicked varlet now, what's come vpon thee. Thou

640art to continue now thou Varlet, thou art to continue.

641Esc. Where were you borne, friend?

642Froth. Here in Vienna, Sir.

643Esc. Are you of fourescore pounds a yeere?

644Froth. Yes, and't please you sir.

645Esc. So: what trade are you of, sir?

646Clo. A Tapster, a poore widdowes Tapster.

647Esc. Your Mistris name?

648Clo. Mistris Ouer- don.

649Esc. Hath she had any more then one husband?

650Clo. Nine, sir: Ouer-don by the last.

651Esc. Nine? come hether to me, Master Froth; Master

652Froth, I would not haue you acquainted with Tapsters;

653they will draw you Master Froth, and you wil hang them:

654get you gon, and let me heare no more of you.

655Fro. I thanke your worship: for mine owne part, I

656neuer come into any roome in a Tap-house, but I am

657drawne in.

658Esc. Well: no more of it Master Froth: farewell:

659Come you hether to me, M. Tapster: what's your name

660Mr. Tapster?

661Clo. Pompey.

662Esc. What else?

663Clo. Bum, Sir.

664Esc. Troth, and your bum is the greatest thing about

665you, so that in the beastliest sence, you are Pompey the

666great; Pompey, you are partly a bawd, Pompey; howso-

667euer you colour it in being a Tapster, are you not? come,

668tell me true, it shall be the better for you.

669Clo. Truly sir, I am a poore fellow that would liue.

670Esc. How would you liue Pompey? by being a bawd?

671what doe you thinke of the trade Pompey? is it a lawfull

672trade?

673Clo. If the Law would allow it, sir.

674Esc. But the Law will not allow it Pompey; nor it

675shall not be allowed in Vienna.

676Clo. Do's your Worship meane to geld and splay all

677the youth of the City?

678Esc. No, Pompey.

679Clo. Truely Sir, in my poore opinion they will too't

680then: if your worship will take order for the drabs and

681the knaues, you need not to feare the bawds.

682Esc. There is pretty orders beginning I can tell you:

683It is but heading, and hanging.

684Clo. If you head, and hang all that offend that way

685but for ten yeare together; you'll be glad to giue out a

686Commission for more heads: if this law hold in Vienna

687ten yeare, ile rent the fairest house in it after three pence

688a Bay: if you liue to see this come to passe, say Pompey

689told you so.

690Esc. Thanke you good Pompey; and in requitall of

691your prophesie, harke you: I aduise you let me not finde

692you before me againe vpon any complaint whatsoeuer;

693no, not for dwelling where you doe: if I doe Pompey, I

694shall beat you to your Tent, and proue a shrewd Casar

695to you: in plaine dealing Pompey, I shall haue you whipt;

696so for this time, Pompey, fare you well.

697Clo. I thanke your Worship for your good counsell;

698but I shall follow it as the flesh and fortune shall better

699determine. Whip me? no, no, let Carman whip his Iade,

700The valiant heart's not whipt out of his trade. Exit.

701Esc. Come hether to me, Master Elbow: come hither

702Master Constable: how long haue you bin in this place

703of Constable?

704Elb. Seuen yeere, and a halfe sir.

705Esc. I thought by the readinesse in the office, you had

706continued in it some time: you say seauen yeares toge-

707ther.

708Elb. And a halfe sir.

709Esc. Alas, it hath beene great paines to you: they do

710you wrong to put you so oft vpon't. Are there not men

711in your Ward sufficient to serue it?

712Elb. 'Faith sir, few of any wit in such matters: as they

713are chosen, they are glad to choose me for them; I do it

714for some peece of money, and goe through with all.

715Esc. Looke you bring mee in the names of some sixe

716or seuen, the most sufficient of your parish.

717Elb. To your Worships house sir?

718Esc. To my house: fare you well: what's a clocke,

719thinke you?

720Iust. Eleuen, Sir.

721Esc. I pray you home to dinner with me.

722Iust. I humbly thanke you.

723Esc. It grieues me for the death of Claudio

724But there's no remedie:

725Iust. Lord Angelo is seuere.

726Esc. It is but needfull.

727Mercy is not it selfe, that oft lookes so,

728Pardon is still the nurse of second woe:

729But yet, poore Claudio; there is no remedie.

730Come Sir. Exeunt.

733Ser. Hee's hearing of a Cause; he will come straight,

734I'le tell him of you.

735Pro. 'Pray you doe; Ile know

736His pleasure, may be he will relent; alas

737He hath but as offended in a dreame,

738All Sects, all Ages smack of this vice, and he

739To die for't?

741Ang. Now, what's the matter Prouost?

742Pro. Is it your will Claudio shall die to morrow?

743Ang. Did not I tell thee yea? hadst thou not order?

744Why do'st thou aske againe?

745Pro. Lest I might be too rash:

746Vnder your good correction I haue seene

747When after execution, Iudgement hath

748Repented ore his doome.

749Ang. Goe to; let that be mine,

750Doe you your office, or giue vp your Place,

751And you shall well be spar'd.

752Pro. I craue your Honours pardon:

753What shall be done Sir, with the groaning Iuliet?

754Shee's very neere her howre.

755Ang. Dispose of her

756To some more fitter place; and that with speed.

757Ser. Here is the sister of the man condemn'd,

758Desires accesse to you.

759Ang. Hath he a Sister?

760Pro. I my good Lord, a very vertuous maid,

761And to be shortlie of a Sister-hood,

762If not alreadie.

763Ang. Well: let her be admitted,

764See you the Fornicatresse be remou'd,

765Let her haue needfull, but not lauish meanes,

766There shall be order for't.

768Pro. 'Saue your Honour.

769Ang. Stay a little while: y'are welcome: what's your (will?

770Isab. I am a wofull Sutor to your Honour,

771'Please but your Honor heare me.

772Ang. Well: what's your suite.

773Isab. There is a vice that most I doe abhorre,

774And most desire should meet the blow of Iustice;

775For which I would not plead, but that I must,

776For which I must not plead, but that I am

777At warre, twixt will, and will not.

778Ang. Well: the matter?

779Isab. I haue a brother is condemn'd to die,

780I doe beseech you let it be his fault,

781And not my brother.

782Pro. Heauen giue thee mouing graces.

783Ang. Condemne the fault, and not the actor of it,

784Why euery fault's condemnd ere it be done:

785Mine were the verie Cipher of a Function

786To fine the faults, whose fine stands in record,

787And let goe by the Actor :

788Isab. Oh iust, but seuere Law:

789I had a brother then; heauen keepe your honour.

790Luc. Giue't not ore so: to him againe, entreat him,

791Kneele downe before him, hang vpon his gowne,

792You are too cold: if you should need a pin,

793You could not with more tame a tongue desire it:

794To him, I say.

795Isab. Must he needs die?

796Ang. Maiden, no remedie.

797Isab. Yes: I doe thinke that you might pardon him,

798And neither heauen, nor man grieue at the mercy.

799Ang. I will not doe't.

800Isab. But can you if you would?

801Ang. Looke what I will not, that I cannot doe.

802Isab. But might you doe't & do the world no wrong

803If so your heart were touch'd with that remorse,

804As mine is to him?

805Ang. Hee's sentenc'd, tis too late.

806Luc. You are too cold.

807Isab. Too late? why no: I that doe speak a word

808May call it againe: well, beleeue this

809No ceremony that to great ones longs,

810Not the Kings Crowne; nor the deputed sword,

811The Marshalls Truncheon, nor the Iudges Robe

812Become them with one halfe so good a grace

813As mercie does: If he had bin as you, and you as he,

814You would haue slipt like him, but he like you

815Would not haue beene so sterne.

816Ang. Pray you be gone.

817Isab. I would to heauen I had your potencie,

818And you were Isabell: should it then be thus?

819No: I would tell what 'twere to be a Iudge,

820And what a prisoner.

821Luc. I, touch him: there's the veine.

822Ang. Your Brother is a forfeit of the Law,

823And you but waste your words.

824Isab. Alas, alas:

825Why all the soules that were, were forfeit once,

826And he that might the vantage best haue tooke,

827Found out the remedie: how would you be,

828If he, which is the top of Iudgement, should

829But iudge you, as you are? Oh, thinke on that,

830And mercie then will breathe within your lips

831Like man new made.

832Ang. Be you content, (faire Maid)

833It is the Law, not I, condemne your brother,

834Were he my kinsman, brother, or my sonne,

835It should be thus with him: he must die to morrow.

836Isab. To morrow? oh, that's sodaine,

837Spare him, spare him:

838Hee's not prepar'd for death; euen for our kitchins

839We kill the fowle of season: shall we serue heauen

840With lesse respect then we doe minister

841To our grosse-selues? good, good my Lord, bethink you;

842Who is it that hath di'd for this offence?

843There's many haue committed it.

844Luc. I, well said.

845Ang. The Law hath not bin dead, thogh it hath slept

846Those many had not dar'd to doe that euill

847If the first, that did th' Edict infringe

848Had answer'd for his deed. Now 'tis awake,

849Takes note of what is done, and like a Prophet

850Lookes in a glasse that shewes what future euils

851Either now, or by remissenesse, new conceiu'd,

852And so in progresse to be hatch'd, and borne,

853Are now to haue no successiue degrees,

854But here they liue to end.

855Isab. Yet shew some pittie.

856Ang. I shew it most of all, when I show Iustice;

857For then I pittie those I doe not know,

858Which a dismis'd offence, would after gaule

859And doe him right, that answering one foule wrong

860Liues not to act another. Be satisfied;

861Your Brother dies to morrow; be content.

862Isab. So you must be y^e first that giues this sentence,

863And hee, that suffers: Oh, it is excellent

864To haue a Giants strength: but it is tyrannous

865To vse it like a Giant.

866Luc. That's well said.

867Isab. Could great men thunder

868As Ioue himselfe do's, Ioue would neuer be quiet,

869For euery pelting petty Officer

870Would vse his heauen for thunder;

871Nothing but thunder: Mercifull heauen,

872Thou rather with thy sharpe and sulpherous bolt

873Splits the vn-wedgable and gnarled Oke,

874Then the soft Mertill: But man, proud man,

875Drest in a little briefe authoritie,

876Most ignorant of what he's most assur'd,

877(His glassie Essence) like an angry Ape

878Plaies such phantastique tricks before high heauen,

879As makes the Angels weepe: who with our spleenes,

880Would all themselues laugh mortall.

881Luc. Oh, to him, to him wench: he will relent,

882Hee's comming: I perceiue't.

883Pro. Pray heauen she win him.

884Isab. We cannot weigh our brother with our selfe,

885Great men may iest with Saints: tis wit in them,

886But in the lesse fowle prophanation.

887Luc. Thou'rt i'th right (Girle) more o'that.

888Isab. That in the Captaine's but a chollericke word,

889Which in the Souldier is flat blasphemie.

890Luc. Art auis'd o'that? more on't.

891Ang. Why doe you put these sayings vpon me?

892Isab. Because Authoritie, though it erre like others,

893Hath yet a kinde of medicine in it selfe

894That skins the vice o'th top; goe to your bosome,

895Knock there, and aske your heart what it doth know

896That's like my brothers fault: if it confesse

897A naturall guiltinesse, such as is his,

898Let it not sound a thought vpon your tongue

899Against my brothers life.

900Ang. Shee speakes, and 'tis such sence

901That my Sence breeds with it; fare you well.

902Isab. Gentle my Lord, turne backe.

903Ang. I will bethinke me: come againe to morrow.

904Isa. Hark, how Ile bribe you: good my Lord turn back.

905Ang. How? bribe me?

906Is. I, with such gifts that heauen shall share with you.

907Luc. You had mar'd all else.

908Isab. Not with fond Sickles of the tested-gold,

909Or Stones, whose rate are either rich, or poore

910As fancie values them: but with true prayers,

911That shall be vp at heauen, and enter there

912Ere Sunne rise: prayers from preserued soules,

913From fasting Maides, whose mindes are dedicate

914To nothing temporall.

915Ang. Well: come to me to morrow.

916Luc. Goe to: 'tis well; away.

917Isab. Heauen keepe your honour safe.

918Ang. Amen.

919For I am that way going to temptation,

920Where prayers crosse.

921Isab. At what hower to morrow,

922Shall I attend your Lordship?

923Ang. At any time 'fore-noone.

924Isab. 'Saue your Honour.

925Ang. From thee: euen from thy vertue.

926What's this? what's this? is this her fault, or mine?

927The Tempter, or the Tempted, who sins most? ha?

928Not she: nor doth she tempt: but it is I,

929That, lying by the Violet in the Sunne,

930Doe as the Carrion do's, not as the flowre,

931Corrupt with vertuous season: Can it be,

932That Modesty may more betray our Sence

933Then womans lightnesse? hauing waste ground enough,

934Shall we desire to raze the Sanctuary

935And pitch our euils there? oh fie, fie, fie:

936What dost thou? or what art thou Angelo?

937Dost thou desire her fowly, for those things

938That make her good? oh, let her brother liue :

939Theeues for their robbery haue authority,

940When Iudges steale themselues: what, doe I loue her,

941That I desire to heare her speake againe?

942And feast vpon her eyes? what is't I dreame on?

943Oh cunning enemy, that to catch a Saint,

944With Saints dost bait thy hooke: most dangerous

945Is that temptation, that doth goad vs on

946To sinne, in louing vertue: neuer could the Strumpet

947With all her double vigor, Art, and Nature

948Once stir my temper: but this vertuous Maid

949Subdues me quite: Euer till now

950When men were fond, I smild, and wondred how. Exit.

953Duke. Haile to you, Prouost, so I thinke you are.

954Pro. I am the Prouost: whats your will, good Frier?

955Duke. Bound by my charity, and my blest order,

956I come to visite the afflicted spirits

957Here in the prison: doe me the common right

958To let me see them: and to make me know

959The nature of their crimes, that I may minister

960To them accordingly.

961Pro. I would do more then that, if more were needfull

963Looke here comes one: a Gentlewoman of mine,

964Who falling in the flawes of her owne youth,

965Hath blisterd her report: She is with childe,

966And he that got it, sentenc'd: a yong man,

967More fit to doe another such offence,

968Then dye for this.

969Duk. When must he dye?

970Pro. As I do thinke to morrow.

971I haue prouided for you, stay a while

972And you shall be conducted.

973Duk. Repent you (faire one) of the sin you carry?

974Iul. I doe; and beare the shame most patiently.

975Du. Ile teach you how you shal araign your conscieñce

976And try your penitence, if it be sound,

977Or hollowly put on.

978Iul. Ile gladly learne.

979Duk. Loue you the man that wrong'd you?

980Iul. Yes, as I loue the woman that wrong'd him.

981Duk. So then it seemes your most offence full act

982Was mutually committed.

983Iul. Mutually.

984Duk. Then was your sin of heauier kinde then his.

985Iul. I doe confesse it, and repent it (Father.)

986Duk. 'Tis meet so (daughter) but least you do repent

987As that the sin hath brought you to this shame,

988Which sorrow is alwaies toward our selues, not heauen,

989Showing we would not spare heauen, as we loue it,

990But as we stand in feare.

991Iul. I doe repent me, as it is an euill,

992And take the shame with ioy.

993Duke. There rest:

994Your partner (as I heare) must die to morrow,

995And I am going with instruction to him:

996Grace goe with you, Benedicite. Exit.

997Iul. Must die to morrow? oh iniurious Loue

998That respits me a life, whose very comfort

999Is still a dying horror.

1000Pro. 'Tis pitty of him. Exeunt.

1003An. When I would pray, & think, I thinke, and pray

1004To seuerall subiects: heauen hath my empty words,

1005Whilst my Inuention, hearing not my Tongue,

1006Anchors on Isabell: heauen in my mouth,

1007As if I did but onely chew his name,

1008And in my heart the strong and swelling euill

1009Of my conception: the state whereon I studied

1010Is like a good thing, being often read

1011Growne feard, and tedious: yea, my Grauitie

1012Wherein (let no man heare me) I take pride,

1013Could I, with boote, change for an idle plume

1014Which the ayre beats for vaine: oh place, oh forme,

1015How often dost thou with thy case, thy habit

1016Wrench awe from fooles, and tye the wiser soules

1017To thy false seeming? Blood, thou art blood,

1018Let's write good Angell on the Deuills horne

1019'Tis not the Deuills Crest: how now? who's there?

1021Ser. One Isabell, a Sister, desires accesse to you.

1022Ang. Teach her the way: oh, heauens

1023Why doe's my bloud thus muster to my heart,

1024Making both it vnable for it selfe,

1025And dispossessing all my other parts

1026Of necessary fitnesse?

1027So play the foolish throngs with one that swounds,

1028Come all to help him, and so stop the ayre

1029By which hee should reuiue: and euen so

1030The generall subiect to a wel-wisht King

1031Quit their owne part, and in obsequious fondnesse

1032Crowd to his presence, where their vn-taught loue

1033Must needs appear offence: how now faire Maid.

1035Isab. I am come to know your pleasure.

1036An. That you might know it, wold much better please (me,

1037Then to demand what 'tis: your Brother cannot liue.

1038Isab. Euen so: heauen keepe your Honor.

1039Ang. Yet may he liue a while : and it may be

1040As long as you, or I: yet he must die.

1041Isab. Vnder your Sentence?

1042Ang. Yea.

1043Isab. When, I beseech you: that in his Reprieue

1044(Longer, or shorter) he may be so fitted

1045That his soule sicken not.

1046Ang. Ha? fie, these filthy vices: It were as good

1047To pardon him, that hath from nature stolne

1048A man already made, as to remit

1049Their sawcie sweetnes, that do coyne heauens Image

1050In stamps that are forbid: 'tis all as easie,

1051Falsely to take away a life true made,

1052As to put mettle in restrained meanes

1053To make a false one.

1054Isab. 'Tis set downe so in heauen, but not in earth.

1055Ang. Say you so: then I shall poze you quickly.

1056Which had you rather, that the most iust Law

1057Now tooke your brothers life, and to redeeme him

1058Giue vp your body to such sweet vncleannesse

1059As she that he hath staind?

1060Isab. Sir, beleeue this.

1061I had rather giue my body, then my soule.

1062Ang. I talke not of your soule: our compel'd sins

1063Stand more for number, then for accompt.

1064Isab. How say you?

1065Ang. Nay Ile not warrant that : for I can speake

1066Against the thing I say: Answere to this,

1067I (now the voyce of the recorded Law)

1068Pronounce a sentence on your Brothers life,

1069Might there not be a charitie in sinne,

1070To saue this Brothers life?

1071Isab. Please you to doo't,

1072Ile take it as a perill to my soule,

1073It is no sinne at all, but charitie.

1074Ang. Pleas'd you to doo't, at perill of your soule

1075Were equall poize of sinne, and charitie.

1076Isab. That I do beg his life, if it be sinne

1077Heauen let me beare it: you granting of my suit,

1078If that be sin, Ile make it my Morne-praier,

1079To haue it added to the faults of mine,

1080And nothing of your answere.

1081Ang. Nay, but heare me,

1082Your sence pursues not mine: either you are ignorant,

1083Or seeme so crafty; and that's not good.

1084Isab. Let be ignorant, and in nothing good,

1085But graciously to know I am no better.

1086Ang. Thus wisdome wishes to appeare most bright,

1087When it doth taxe it selfe: As these blacke Masques

1088Proclaime an en-shield beauty ten times louder

1089Then beauty could displaied: But marke me,

1090To be receiued plaine, Ile speake more grosse:

1091Your Brother is to dye.

1092Isab. So.

1093Ang. And his offence is so, as it appeares,

1094Accountant to the Law, vpon that paine.

1095Isab. True.

1096Ang. Admit no other way to saue his life

1097(As I subscribe not that, nor any other,

1098But in the losse of question) that you, his Sister,

1099Finding your selfe desir'd of such a person,

1100Whose creadit with the Iudge, or owne great place,

1101Could fetch your Brother from the Manacles

1102Of the all-building-Law: and that there were

1103No earthly meane to saue him, but that either

1104You must lay downe the treasures of your body,

1105To this supposed, or else to let him suffer:

1106What would you doe?

1107Isab. As much for my poore Brother, as my selfe;

1108That is: were I vnder the tearmes of death,

1109Th' impression of keene whips, I'ld weare as Rubies,

1110And strip my selfe to death, as to a bed,

1111That longing haue bin sicke for, ere I'ld yeeld

1112My body vp to shame.

1113Ang. Then must your brother die.

1114Isa. And 'twer the cheaper way:

1115Better it were a brother dide at once,

1116Then that a sister, by redeeming him

1117Should die for euer.

1118Ang. Were not you then as cruell as the Sentence,

1119That you haue slander'd so?

1120Isa. Ignomie in ransome, and free pardon

1121Are of two houses: lawfull mercie,

1122Is nothing kin to fowle redemption.

1123Ang. You seem'd of late to make the Law a tirant,

1124And rather prou'd the sliding of your brother

1125A merriment, then a vice.

1126Isa. Oh pardon me my Lord, it oft fals out

1127To haue, what we would haue,

1128We speake not what vve meane;

1129I something do excuse the thing I hate,

1130For his aduantage that I dearely loue.

1131Ang. We are all fraile.

1132Isa. Else let my brother die,

1133If not a fedarie but onely he

1134Owe, and succeed thy weaknesse.

1135Ang. Nay, women are fraile too.

1136Isa. I, as the glasses where they view themselues,

1137Which are as easie broke as they make formes:

1138Women? Helpe heauen; men their creation marre

1139In profiting by them: Nay, call vs ten times fraile,

1140For we are soft, as our complexions are,

1141And credulous to false prints.

1142Ang. I thinke it well:

1143And from this testimonie of your owne sex

1144(Since I suppose we are made to be no stronger

1145Then faults may shake our frames) let me be bold;

1146I do arrest your words. Be that you are,

1147That is a woman; if you be more, you'r none.

1148If you be one (as you are well exprest

1149By all externall warrants) shew it now,

1150By putting on the destin'd Liuerie.

1151Isa. I haue no tongue but one; gentle my Lord,

1152Let me entreate you speake the former language.

1153Ang. Plainlie conceiue I loue you.

1154Isa. My brother did loue Iuliet,

1155And you tell me that he shall die for't.

1156Ang. He shall not Isabell if you giue me loue.

1157Isa. I know your vertue hath a licence in't,

1158Which seemes a little fouler then it is,

1159To plucke on others.

1160Ang. Beleeue me on mine Honor,

1161My words expresse my purpose.

1162Isa. Ha? Little honor, to be much beleeu'd,

1163And most pernitious purpose: Seeming, seeming.

1164I will proclaime thee Angelo, looke for't.

1165Signe me a present pardon for my brother,

1166Or with an out-stretcht throate Ile tell the world aloud

1167What man thou art.

1168Ang. Who will beleeue thee Isabell?

1169My vnsoild name, th' austeerenesse of my life,

1170My vouch against you, and my place i'th State,

1171Will so your accusation ouer-weigh,

1172That you shall stifle in your owne reporr,

1173And smell of calumnie. I haue begun,

1174And now I giue my sensuall race, the reine,

1175Fit thy consent to my sharpe appetite,

1176Lay by all nicetie, and prolixious blushes

1177That banish what they sue for: Redeeme thy brother,

1178By yeelding vp thy bodie to my will,

1179Or else he must not onelie die the death,

1180But thy vnkindnesse shall his death draw out

1181To lingring sufferance: Answer me to morrow,

1182Or by the affection that now guides me most,

1183Ile proue a Tirant to him. As for you,

1184Say what you can; my false, ore-weighs your true. Exit

1185Isa. To whom should I complaine? Did I tell this,

1186Who would beleeue me? O perilous mouthes

1187That beare in them, one and the selfesame tongue,

1188Either of condemnation, or approofe,

1189Bidding the Law make curtsie to their will,

1190Hooking both right and wrong to th' appetite,

1191To follow as it drawes. Ile to my brother,

1192Though he hath falne by prompture of the blood,

1193Yet hath he in him such a minde of Honor,

1194That had he twentie heads to tender downe

1195On twentie bloodie blockes, hee'ld yeeld them vp,

1196Before his sister should her bodie stoope

1197To such abhord pollution.

1198Then Isabell liue chaste, and brother die;

1199"More then our Brother, is our Chastitie.

1200Ile tell him yet of Angelo's request,

1201And fit his minde to death, for his soules rest. Exit.

1204Du. So then you hope of pardon from Lord Angelo?

1205Cla. The miserable haue no other medicine

1206But onely hope: I'haue hope to liue, and am prepar'd to

1207die.

1208Duke. Be absolute for death: either death or life

1209Shall thereby be the sweeter. Reason thus with life:

1210If I do loose thee, I do loose a thing

1211That none but fooles would keepe: a breath thou art,

1212Seruile to all the skyie-influences

1213That dost this habitation where thou keepst

1214Hourely afflict: Meerely, thou art deaths foole,

1215For him thou labourst by thy flight to shun,

1216And yet runst toward him still. Thou art not noble,

1217For all th' accommodations that thou bearst,

1218Are nurst by basenesse: Thou'rt by no meanes valiant,

1219For thou dost feare the soft and tender forke

1220Of a poore worme: thy best of rest is sleepe,

1221And that thou oft prouoakst, yet grosselie fearst

1222Thy death, which is no more. Thou art not thy selfe,

1223For thou exists on manie a thousand graines

1224That issue out of dust. Happie thou art not,

1225For what thou hast not, still thou striu'st to get,

1226And what thou hast forgetst. Thou art not certaine,

1227For thy complexion shifts to strange effects,

1228After the Moone: If thou art rich, thou'rt poore,

1229For like an Asse, whose backe with Ingots bowes;

1230Thou bearst thy heauie riches but a iournie,

1231And death vnloads thee; Friend hast thou none.

1232For thine owne bowels which do call thee, fire

1233The meere effusion of thy proper loines

1234Do curse the Gowt, Sapego, and the Rheume

1235For ending thee no sooner. Thou hast nor youth, nor age

1236But as it were an after-dinners sleepe

1237Dreaming on both, for all thy blessed youth

1238Becomes as aged, and doth begge the almes

1239Of palsied-Eld: and when thou art old, and rich

1240Thou hast neither heate, affection, limbe, nor beautie

1241To make thy riches pleasant: what's yet in this

1242That beares the name of life? Yet in this life

1243Lie hid moe thousand deaths; yet death we feare

1244That makes these oddes, all euen.

1245Cla. I humblie thanke you.

1246To sue to liue, I finde I seeke to die,

1247And seeking death, finde life: Let it come on.

1249Isab. What hoa? Peace heere; Grace, and good com-

1250panie.

1251Pro. Who's there? Come in, the wish deserues a

1252welcome.

1253Duke. Deere sir, ere long Ile visit you againe.

1254Cla. Most holie Sir, I thanke you.

1255Isa. My businesse is a word or two with Claudio.

1256Pro. And verie welcom: looke Signior, here's your

1257sister.

1258Duke. Prouost, a word with you.

1259Pro. As manie as you please.

1260Duke. Bring them to heare me speak, where I may be

1261conceal'd.

1262Cla. Now sister, what's the comfort?

1263Isa. Why,

1264As all comforts are: most good, most good indeede,

1265Lord Angelo hauing affaires to heauen

1266Intends you for his swift Ambassador,

1267Where you shall be an euerlasting Leiger;

1268Therefore your best appointment make with speed,

1269To Morrow you set on.

1270Clau. Is there no remedie?

1271Isa. None, but such remedie, as to saue a head

1272To cleaue a heart in twaine:

1273Clau. But is there anie?

1274Isa. Yes brother, you may liue;

1275There is a diuellish mercie in the Iudge,

1276If you'l implore it, that will free your life,

1277But fetter you till death.

1278Cla. Perpetuall durance?

1279Isa. I iust, perpetuall durance, a restraint

1280Through all the worlds vastiditie you had

1281To a determin'd scope.

1282Clau. But in what nature?

1283Isa. In such a one, as you consenting too't,

1284Would barke your honor from that trunke you beare,

1285And leaue you naked.

1286Clau. Let me know the point.

1287Isa. Oh, I do feare thee Claudio, and I quake,

1288Least thou a feauorous life shouldst entertaine,

1289And six or seuen winters more respect

1290Then a perpetuall Honor. Dar'st thou die?

1291The sence of death is most in apprehension,

1292And the poore Beetle that we treade vpon

1293In corporall sufferance, finds a pang as great,

1294As when a Giant dies.

1295Cla. Why giue you me this shame?

1296Thinke you I can a resolution fetch

1297From flowrie tendernesse? If I must die,

1298I will encounter darknesse as a bride,

1299And hugge it in mine armes.

1300Isa. There spake my brother: there my fathers graue

1301Did vtter forth a voice. Yes, thou must die:

1302Thou art too noble, to conserue a life

1303In base appliances. This outward sainted Deputie,

1304Whose setled visage, and deliberate word

1305Nips youth i'th head, and follies doth emmew

1306As Falcon doth the Fowle, is yet a diuell:

1307His filth within being cast, he would appeare

1308A pond, as deepe as hell.

1309Cla. The prenzie, Angelo?

1310Isa. Oh 'tis the cunning Liuerie of hell,

1311The damnest bodie to inuest, and couer

1312In prenzie gardes; dost thou thinke Claudio,

1313If I would yeeld him my virginitie

1314Thou might'st be freed?

1315Cla. Oh heauens, it cannot be.

1316Isa. Yes, he would giu't thee; from this rank offence

1317So to offend him still. This night's the time

1318That I should do what I abhorre to name,

1319Or else thou diest to morrow.

1320Clau. Thou shalt not do't.

1321Isa. O, were it but my life,

1322I'de throw it downe for your deliuerance

1323As frankely as a pin.

1324Clau. Thankes deere Isabell.

1325Isa. Be readie Claudio, for your death to morrow.

1326Clau. Yes. Has he affections in him,

1327That thus can make him bite the Law by th' nose,

1328When he would force it? Sure it is no sinne,

1329Or of the deadly seuen it is the least.

1330Isa. Which is the least?

1331Cla. If it were damnable, he being so wise,

1332Why would he for the momentarie tricke

1333Be perdurablie fin'de? Oh Isabell.

1334Isa. What saies my brother?

1335Cla. Death is a fearefull thing.

1336Isa. And shamed life, a hatefull.

1337Cla. I, but to die, and go we know not where,

1338To lie in cold obstruction, and to rot,

1339This sensible warme motion, to become

1340A kneaded clod; And the delighted spirit

1341To bath in fierie floods, or to recide

1342In thrilling Region of thicke-ribbed Ice,

1343To be imprison'd in the viewlesse windes

1344And blowne with restlesse violence round about

1345The pendant world: or to be worse then worst

1346Of those, that lawlesse and incertaine thought,

1347Imagine howling, 'tis too horrible.

1348The weariest, and most loathed worldly life

1349That Age, Ache, periury, and imprisonment

1350Can lay on nature, is a Paradise

1351To what we feare of death.

1352Isa. Alas, alas.

1353Cla. Sweet Sister, let me liue.

1354What sinne you do, to saue a brothers life,

1355Nature dispenses with the deede so farre,

1356That it becomes a vertue.

1357Isa. Oh you beast,

1358Oh faithlesse Coward, oh dishonest wretch,

1359Wilt thou be made a man, out of my vice?

1360Is't not a kinde of Incest, to take life

1361From thine owne sisters shame? What should I thinke,

1362Heauen shield my Mother plaid my Father faire:

1363For such a warped slip of wildernesse

1364Nere issu'd from his blood. Take my defiance,

1365Die, perish: Might but my bending downe

1366Repreeue thee from thy fate, it should proceede.

1367Ile pray a thousand praiers for thy death,

1368No word to saue thee.

1369Cla. Nay heare me Isabell.

1370Isa. Oh fie, fie, fie:

1371Thy sinn's not accidentall, but a Trade;

1372Mercy to thee would proue it selfe a Bawd,

1373'Tis best that thou diest quickly.

1374Cla. Oh heare me Isabella.

1375Duk. Vouchsafe a word, yong sister, but one word.

1376Isa. What is your Will.

1377Duk. Might you dispense with your leysure, I would

1378by and by haue some speech with you : the satisfaction I

1379would require, is likewise your owne benefit.

1380Isa. I haue no superfluous leysure, my stay must be

1381stolen out of other affaires : but I will attend you a while.

1382Duke. Son, I haue ouer-heard what hath past between

1383you & your sister. Angelo had neuer the purpose to cor-

1384rupt her; onely he hath made an assay of her vertue, to

1385practise his iudgement with the disposition of natures.

1386She (hauing the truth of honour in her) hath made him

1387that gracious deniall, which he is most glad to receiue: I

1388am Confessor to Angelo, and I know this to be true, ther-

1389fore prepare your selfe to death: do not satisfie your re-

1390solution with hopes that are fallible, to morrow you

1391must die, goe to your knees, and make ready.

1392Cla. Let me ask my sister pardon, I am so out of loue

1393with life, that I will sue to be rid of it.

1394Duke. Hold you there: farewell: Prouost, a word

1395with you.

1396Pro. What's your will (father?)

1397Duk. That now you are come, you wil be gone : leaue

1398me a while with the Maid, my minde promises with my

1399habit, no losse shall touch her by my company.

1400Pro. In good time. Exit.

1401Duk. The hand that hath made you faire, hath made

1402you good : the goodnes that is cheape in beauty, makes

1403beauty briefe in goodnes; but grace being the soule of

1404your complexion, shall keepe the body of it euer faire:

1405the assault that Angelo hath made to you, Fortune hath

1406conuaid to my vnderstanding; and but that frailty hath

1407examples for his falling, I should wonder at Angelo: how

1408will you doe to content this Substitute, and to saue your

1409Brother?

1410Isab. I am now going to resolue him: I had rather

1411my brother die by the Law, then my sonne should be vn-

1412lawfullie borne. But (oh) how much is the good Duke

1413deceiu'd in Angelo: if euer he returne, and I can speake

1414to him, I will open my lips in vaine, or discouer his go-

1415uernment.

1416Duke. That shall not be much amisse: yet, as the mat-

1417ter now stands, he will auoid your accusation: he made

1418triall of you onelie. Therefore fasten your eare on my

1419aduisings, to the loue I haue in doing good; a remedie

1420presents it selfe. I doe make my selfe beleeue that you

1421may most vprighteously do a poor wronged Lady a me-

1422rited benefit; redeem your brother from the angry Law;

1423doe no staine to your owne gracious person, and much

1424please the absent Duke, if peraduenture he shall euer re-

1425turne to haue hearing of this businesse.

1426Isab. Let me heare you speake farther; I haue spirit to

1427do any thing that appeares not fowle in the truth of my

1428spirit.

1429Duke. Vertue is bold, and goodnes neuer fearefull:

1430Haue you not heard speake of Mariana the sister of Fre-

1431dericke the great Souldier, who miscarried at Sea?

1432Isa. I haue heard of the Lady, and good words went

1433with her name.

1434Duke. Shee should this Angelo haue married : was af-

1435fianced to her oath, and the nuptiall appointed: between

1436which time of the contract, and limit of the solemnitie,

1437her brother Fredericke was wrackt at Sea, hauing in that

1438perished vessell, the dowry of his sister: but marke how

1439heauily this befell to the poore Gentlewoman, there she

1440lost a noble and renowned brother, in his loue toward

1441her, euer most kinde and naturall: with him the portion

1442and sinew of her fortune, her marriage dowry: with

1443both, her combynate-husband, this well-seeming

1444Angelo.

1445Isab. Can this be so? did Angelo so leaue her?

1446Duke. Left her in her teares, & dried not one of them

1447with his comfort: swallowed his vowes whole, preten-

1448ding in her, discoueries of dishonor: in few, bestow'd

1449her on her owne lamentation, which she yet weares for

1450his sake: and he, a marble to her teares, is washed with

1451them, but relents not.

1452Isab. What a merit were it in death to take this poore

1453maid from the world? what corruption in this life, that

1454it will let this man liue? But how out of this can shee a-

1455uaile?

1456Duke. It is a rupture that you may easily heale: and the

1457cure of it not onely saues your brother, but keepes you

1458from dishonor in doing it.

1459Isab. Shew me how (good Father.)

1460Duk. This fore-named Maid hath yet in her the con-

1461tinuance of her first affection: his vniust vnkindenesse

1462(that in all reason should haue quenched her loue) hath

1463(like an impediment in the Current) made it more vio-

1464lent and vnruly: Goe you to Angelo, answere his requi-

1465ring with a plausible obedience, agree with his demands

1466to the point: onely referre your selfe to this aduantage;

1467first, that your stay with him may not be long : that the

1468time may haue all shadow, and silence in it: and the place

1469answere to conuenience : this being granted in course,

1470and now followes all: wee shall aduise this wronged

1471maid to steed vp your appointment, goe in your place:

1472if the encounter acknowledge it selfe heereafter, it may

1473compell him to her recompence; and heere, by this is

1474your brother saued, your honor vntainted, the poore

1475Mariana aduantaged, and the corrupt Deputy scaled.

1476The Maid will I frame, and make fit for his attempt: if

1477you thinke well to carry this as you may, the doublenes

1478of the benefit defends the deceit from reproofe. What

1479thinke you of it?

1480Isab. The image of it giues me content already, and I

1481trust it will grow to a most prosperous perfection.

1482Duk. It lies much in your holding vp: haste you spee-

1483dily to Angelo, if for this night he intreat you to his bed,

1484giue him promise of satisfaction: I will presently to S.

1485Lukes, there at the moated-Grange recides this deie-

1486cted Mariana; at that place call vpon me, and dispatch

1487with Angelo, that it may be quickly.

1488Isab. I thank you for this comfort: fare you well good

1489father. Exit.

1491Elb. Nay, if there be no remedy for it, but that you

1492will needes buy and sell men and women like beasts, we

1493shall haue all the world drinke browne & white bastard.

1494Duk. Oh heauens, what stuffe is heere.

1495Clow. Twas neuer merry world since of two vsuries

1496the merriest was put downe, and the worser allow'd by

1497order of Law; a fur'd gowne to keepe him warme; and

1498furd with Foxe and Lamb-skins too, to signifie, that craft

1499being richer then Innocency, stands for the facing.

1500Elb. Come your way sir : 'blesse you good Father

1501Frier.

1502Duk. And you good Brother Father; what offence

1503hath this man made you, Sir?

1504Elb. Marry Sir, he hath offended the Law; and Sir,

1505we take him to be a Theefe too Sir: for wee haue found

1506vpon him Sir, a strange Pick-lock, which we haue sent

1507to the Deputie.

1508Duke. Fie, sirrah, a Bawd, a wicked bawd,

1509The euill that thou causest to be done,

1510That is thy meanes to liue. Do thou but thinke

1511What 'tis to cram a maw, or cloath a backe

1512From such a filthie vice: say to thy selfe,

1513From their abhominable and beastly touches

1514I drinke, I eate away my selfe, and liue:

1515Canst thou beleeue thy liuing is a life,

1516So stinkingly depending? Go mend, go mend.

1517Clo. Indeed, it do's stinke in some sort, Sir:

1518But yet Sir I would proue.

1519Duke. Nay, if the diuell haue giuen thee proofs for sin

1520Thou wilt proue his. Take him to prison Officer:

1521Correction, and Instruction must both worke

1522Ere this rude beast will profit.

1523Elb. He must before the Deputy Sir, he ha's giuen

1524him warning: the Deputy cannot abide a Whore-ma-

1525ster: if he be a Whore-monger, and comes before him,

1526he were as good go a mile on his errand.

1527Duke. That we were all, as some would seeme to bee

1528From our faults, as faults from seeming free.

1530Elb. His necke will come to your wast, a Cord sir.

1531Clo. I spy comfort, I cry baile: Here's a Gentleman,

1532and a friend of mine.

1533Luc. How now noble Pompey? What, at the wheels

1534of Casar? Art thou led in triumph? What is there none

1535of Pigmalions Images newly made woman to bee had

1536now, for putting the hand in the pocket, and extracting

1537clutch'd? What reply? Ha? What saist thou to this

1538Tune, Matter, and Method? Is't not drown'd i'th last

1539raine? Ha? What saist thou Trot? Is the world as it was

1540Man? Which is the vvay? Is it sad, and few words?

1541Or how? The tricke of it?

1542Duke. Still thus, and thus: still vvorse?

1543Luc. How doth my deere Morsell, thy Mistris? Pro-

1544cures she still? Ha?

1545Clo. Troth sir, shee hath eaten vp all her beefe, and

1546she is her selfe in the tub.

1547Luc. Why 'tis good: It is the right of it: it must be

1548so. Euer your fresh Whore, and your pouder'd Baud, an

1549vnshun'd consequence, it must be so. Art going to pri-

1550son Pompey?

1551Clo. Yes faith sir.

1552Luc. Why 'tis not amisse Pompey: farewell: goe say

1553I sent thee thether: for debt Pompey? Or how?

1554Elb. For being a baud, for being a baud.

1555Luc. Well, then imprison him: If imprisonment be

1556the due of a baud, why 'tis his right. Baud is he doubt-

1557lesse, and of antiquity too: Baud borne. Farwell good

1558Pompey: Commend me to the prison Pompey, you will

1559turne good husband now Pompey, you vvill keepe the

1560house.

1561Clo. I hope Sir, your good Worship wil be my baile?

1562Luc. No indeed vvil I not Pompey, it is not the wear:

1563I will pray ( Pompey) to encrease your bondage if you

1564take it not patiently: Why, your mettle is the more:

1565Adieu trustie Pompey.

1566Blesse you Friar.

1567Duke. And you.

1568Luc. Do's Bridget paint still, Pompey? Ha?

1569Elb. Come your waies sir, come.

1570Clo. You will not baile me then Sir?

1571Luc. Then Pompey, nor now: what newes abroad Fri-

1572er? What newes?

1573Elb. Come your waies sir, come.

1574Luc. Goe to kennell ( Pompey) goe:

1575What newes Frier of the Duke?

1576Duke. I know none: can you tell me of any?

1577Luc. Some say he is with the Emperor of Russia: other

1578some, he is in Rome: but where is he thinke you?

1579Duke. I know not where: but wheresoeuer, I wish

1580him well.

1581Luc. It was a mad fantasticall tricke of him to steale

1582from the State, and vsurpe the beggerie hee was neuer

1583borne to: Lord Angelo Dukes it well in his absence: he

1584puts transgression too't.

1585Duke. He do's well in't.

1586Luc. A little more lenitie to Lecherie would doe no

1587harme in him: Something too crabbed that way, Frier.

1588Duk. It is too general a vice, and seueritie must cure it.

1589Luc. Yes in good sooth, the vice is of a great kindred;

1590it is vvell allied, but it is impossible to extirpe it quite,

1591Frier, till eating and drinking be put downe. They say

1592this Angelo vvas not made by Man and Woman, after

1593this downe-right vvay of Creation: is it true, thinke

1594you?

1595Duke. How should he be made then?

1596Luc. Some report, a Sea-maid spawn'd him. Some,

1597that he vvas begot betweene two Stock-fishes. But it

1598is certaine, that when he makes water, his Vrine is con-

1599geal'd ice, that I know to bee true: and he is a motion

1600generatiue, that's infallible.

1601Duke. You are pleasant sir, and speake apace.

1602Luc. Why, what a ruthlesse thing is this in him, for

1603the rebellion of a Cod-peece, to take away the life of a

1604man? Would the Duke that is absent haue done this?

1605Ere he vvould haue hang'd a man for the getting a hun-

1606dred Bastards, he vvould haue paide for the Nursing a

1607thousand. He had some feeling of the sport, hee knew

1608the seruice, and that instructed him to mercie.

1609Duke. I neuer heard the absent Duke much detected

1610for Women, he was not enclin'd that vvay.

1611Luc. Oh Sir, you are deceiu'd.

1612Duke. 'Tis not possible.

1613Luc. Who, not the Duke? Yes, your beggar of fifty:

1614and his vse was, to put a ducket in her Clack-dish; the

1615Duke had Crochets in him. Hee would be drunke too,

1616that let me informe you.

1617Duke. You do him wrong, surely.

1618Luc. Sir, I vvas an inward of his: a shie fellow vvas

1619the Duke, and I beleeue I know the cause of his vvith-

1620drawing.

1621Duke. What (I prethee) might be the cause?

1622Luc. No, pardon: 'Tis a secret must bee lockt with-

1623in the teeth and the lippes: but this I can let you vnder-

1624stand, the greater file of the subiect held the Duke to be

1625vvise.

1626Duke. Wise? Why no question but he was.

1627Luc. A very superficiall, ignorant, vnweighing fellow

1628Duke. Either this is Enuie in you, Folly, or mista-

1629king: The very streame of his life, and the businesse he

1630hath helmed, must vppon a warranted neede, giue him

1631a better proclamation. Let him be but testimonied in

1632his owne bringings forth, and hee shall appeare to the

1633enuious, a Scholler, a Statesman, and a Soldier: there-

1634fore you speake vnskilfully: or, if your knowledge bee

1635more, it is much darkned in your malice.

G Luc.

1636Luc. Sir, I know him, and I loue him.

1637Duke. Loue talkes with better knowledge, & know-

1638ledge with deare loue.

1639Luc. Come Sir, I know what I know.

1640Duke. I can hardly beleeue that, since you know not

1641what you speake. But if euer the Duke returne (as our

1642praiers are he may) let mee desire you to make your an-

1643swer before him: if it bee honest you haue spoke, you

1644haue courage to maintaine it; I am bound to call vppon

1645you, and I pray you your name?

1646Luc. Sir my name is Lucio, wel known to the Duke.

1647Duke. He shall know you better Sir, if I may liue to

1648report you.

1649Luc. I feare you not.

1650Duke. O, you hope the Duke will returne no more:

1651or you imagine me to vnhurtfull an opposite: but indeed

1652I can doe you little harme: You'll for-sweare this a-

1653gaine?

1654Luc. Ile be hang'd first: Thou art deceiu'd in mee

1655Friar. But no more of this: Canst thou tell if Claudio

1656die to morrow, or no?

1657Duke. Why should he die Sir?

1658Luc. Why? For filling a bottle with a Tunne-dish:

1659I would the Duke we talke of were return'd againe: this

1660vngenitur'd Agent will vn-people the Prouince with

1661Continencie. Sparrowes must not build in his house-

1662eeues, because they are lecherous: The Duke yet would

1663haue darke deeds darkelie answered, hee would neuer

1664bring them to light: would hee were return'd. Marrie

1665this Claudio is condemned for vntrussing. Farwell good

1666Friar, I prethee pray for me: The Duke (I say to thee

1667againe) would eate Mutton on Fridaies. He's now past

1668it, yet (and I say to thee) hee would mouth with a beg-

1669gar, though she smelt browne-bread and Garlicke: say

1670that I said so: Farewell. Exit.

1671Duke. No might, nor greatnesse in mortality

1672Can censure scape: Back-wounding calumnie

1673The whitest vertue strikes. What King so strong,

1674Can tie the gall vp in the slanderous tong?

1675But who comes heere?

1677Esc. Go, away with her to prison.

1678Bawd. Good my Lord be good to mee, your Honor

1679is accounted a mercifull man: good my Lord.

1680Esc. Double, and trebble admonition, and still for-

1681feite in the same kinde? This would make mercy sweare

1682and play the Tirant.

1683Pro. A Bawd of eleuen yeares continuance, may it

1684please your Honor.

1685Bawd. My Lord, this is one Lucio's information a-

1686gainst me, Mistris Kate Keepe-downe was with childe by

1687him in the Dukes time, he promis'd her marriage: his

1688Childe is a yeere and a quarter olde come Philip and Ia-

1689cob: I haue kept it my selfe; and see how hee goes about

1690to abuse me.

1691Esc. That fellow is a fellow of much License: Let

1692him be call'd before vs, Away with her to prison: Goe

1693too, no more words. Prouost, my Brother Angelo will

1694not be alter'd, Claudio must die to morrow: Let him be

1695furnish'd with Diuines, and haue all charitable prepara-

1696tion. If my brother wrought by my pitie, it should not

1697be so with him.

1698Pro. So please you, this Friar hath beene with him,

1699and aduis'd him for th' entertainment of death.

1700Esc. Good' euen, good Father.