2146After him (Fellowes) bring him to the blocke.

2147Pro. Now Sir, how do you finde the prisoner?

2148Duke. A creature vnpre-par'd, vnmeet for death,

2149And to transport him in the minde he is,

2150Were damnable.

2151Pro. Heere in the prison, Father,

2152There died this morning of a cruell Feauor,

2153One Ragozine, a most notorious Pirate,

2154A man of Claudio's yeares: his beard, and head

2155Iust of his colour. What if we do omit

2156This Reprobate, til he were wel enclin'd,

2157And satisfie the Deputie with the visage

2158Of Ragozine, more like to Claudio?

2159Duke. Oh, 'tis an accident that heauen prouides:

2160Dispatch it presently, the houre drawes on

2161Prefixt by Angelo: See this be done,

2162And sent according to command, whiles I

2163Perswade this rude wretch willingly to die.

2164Pro. This shall be done (good Father) presently:

2165But Barnardine must die this afternoone,

2166And how shall we continue Claudio,

2167To saue me from the danger that might come,

2168If he were knowne aliue?

2169Duke. Let this be done,

2170Put them in secret holds, both Barnardine and Claudio,

2171Ere twice the Sun hath made his iournall greeting

2172To yond generation, you shal finde

2173Your safetie manifested.

2174Pro. I am your free dependant. Exit.

2175Duke. Quicke, dispatch, and send the head to Angelo

2176Now wil I write Letters to Angelo,

2177(The Prouost he shal beare them) whose contents

2178Shal witnesse to him I am neere at home:

2179And that by great Iniunctions I am bound

2180To enter publikely : him Ile desire

2181To meet me at the consecrated Fount,

2182A League below the Citie: and from thence,

2183By cold gradation, and weale-ballanc'd forme.

2184We shal proceed with Angelo.

2186Pro. Heere is the head, Ile carrie it my selfe.

2187Duke. Conuenient is it: Make a swift returne,

2188For I would commune with you of such things,

2189That want no eare but yours.

2190Pro. Ile make all speede. Exit

2192Isa. Peace hoa, be heere.

2193Duke. The tongue of Isabell. She's come to know,

2194If yet her brothers pardon be come hither:

2195But I will keepe her ignorant of her good,

2196To make her heauenly comforts of dispaire,

2197When it is least expected.

2199Isa. Hoa, by your leaue.

2200Duke. Good morning to you, faire, and gracious

2201daughter.

2202Isa. The better giuen me by so holy a man,

2203Hath yet the Deputie sent my brothers pardon?

2204Duke. He hath releasd him, Isabell, from the world,

2205His head is off, and sent to Angelo.

2206Isa. Nay, but it is not so.

2207Duke. It is no other,

2208Shew your wisedome daughter in your close patience.

2209Isa. Oh, I wil to him, and plucke out his eies.

2210Duk. You shal not be admitted to his sight.

2211Isa. Vnhappie Claudio, wretched Isabell,

2212Iniurious world, most damned Angelo.

2213Duke. This nor hurts him, nor profits you a iot,

2214Forbeare it therefore, giue your cause to heauen,

2215Marke what I say, which you shal finde

2216By euery sillable a faithful veritie.

2217The Duke comes home to morrow: nay drie your eyes,

2218One of our Couent, and his Confessor

2219Giues me this instance: Already he hath carried

2220Notice to Escalus and Angelo,

2221Who do prepare to meete him at the gates,

2222There to giue vp their powre: If you can pace your wis-(dome,

2223In that good path that I would wish it go,

2224And you shal haue your bosome on this wretch,

2225Grace of the Duke, reuenges to your heart,

2226And general Honor.

2227Isa. I am directed by you.

2228Duk. This Letter then to Friar Peter giue,

2229'Tis that he sent me of the Dukes returne:

2230Say, by this token, I desire his companie

2231At Mariana's house to night. Her cause, and yours

2232Ile perfect him withall, and he shal bring you

2233Before the Duke; and to the head of Angelo

2234Accuse him home and home. For my poore selfe,

2235I am combined by a sacred Vow,

2236And shall be absent. Wend you with this Letter :

2237Command these fretting waters from your eies

2238With a light heart; trust not my holie Order

2239If I peruert your course: whose heere?

2241Luc. Good' euen;

2242Frier, where's the Prouost?

2243Duke. Not within Sir.

2244Luc. Oh prettie Isabella, I am pale at mine heart, to

2245see thine eyes so red: thou must be patient; I am faine

2246to dine and sup with water and bran: I dare not for my

2247head fill my belly. One fruitful Meale would set mee

2248too't: but they say the Duke will be heere to Morrow.

2249By my troth Isabell I lou'd thy brother, if the olde fan-

2250tastical Duke of darke corners had bene at home, he had

2251liued.

2252Duke. Sir, the Duke is marueilous little beholding

2253to your reports, but the best is, he liues not in them.

2254Luc. Friar, thou knowest not the Duke so wel as I

2255do: he's a better woodman then thou tak'st him for.

2256Duke. Well: you'l answer this one day. Fare ye well.

2257Luc. Nay tarrie, Ile go along with thee,

2258I can tel thee pretty tales of the Duke.

2259Duke. You haue told me too many of him already sir

2260if they be true: if not true, none were enough.

2261Lucio. I was once before him for getting a Wench

2262with childe.

2263Duke. Did you such a thing?

2264Luc. Yes marrie did I; but I was faine to forswear it,

2265They would else haue married me to the rotten Medler.

2266Duke. Sir your company is fairer then honest, rest you

2267well.

2268Lucio. By my troth Ile go with thee to the lanes end:

2269if baudy talke offend you, wee'l haue very litle of it: nay

2270Friar, I am a kind of Burre, I shal sticke. Exeunt

2273Esc. Euery Letter he hath writ, hath disuouch'd other.