2391Isab. Most strange: but yet most truely wil I speake,

2392That Angelo's forsworne, is it not strange?

2393That Angelo's a murtherer, is't not strange?

2394That Angelo is an adulterous thiefe,

2395An hypocrite, a virgin violator,

2396Is it not strange? and strange?

2397Duke. Nay it is ten times strange?

2398Isa. It is not truer he is Angelo,

2399Then this is all as true, as it is strange;

2400Nay, it is ten times true, for truth is truth

2401To th' end of reckning.

2402Duke. Away with her: poore soule

2403She speakes this, in th' infirmity of sence.

2404Isa. Oh Prince, I coniure thee, as thou beleeu'st

2405There is another comfort, then this world,

2406That thou neglect me not, with that opinion

2407That I am touch'd with madnesse: make not impossible

2408That which but seemes vnlike, 'tis not impossible

2409But one, the wickedst caitiffe on the ground

2410May seeme as shie, as graue, as iust, as absolute:

2411As Angelo, euen so may Angelo

2412In all his dressings, caracts, titles, formes,

2413Be an arch-villaine: Beleeue it, royall Prince

2414If he be lesse, he's nothing, but he's more,

2415Had I more name for badnesse.

2416Duke. By mine honesty

2417If she be mad, as I beleeue no other,

2418Her madnesse hath the oddest frame of sense,

2419Such a dependancy of thing, on thing,

2420As ere I heard in madnesse.

2421Isab. Oh gracious Duke

2422Harpe not on that; nor do not banish reason

2423For inequality, but let your reason serue

2424To make the truth appeare, where it seemes hid,

2425And hide the false seemes true.

2426Duk. Many that are not mad

2427Haue sure more lacke of reason:

2428What would you say?

2429Isab. I am the Sister of one Claudio,

2430Condemnd vpon the Act of Fornication

2431To loose his head, condemn'd by Angelo,

2432I, (in probation of a Sisterhood)

2433Was sent to by my Brother; one Lucio

2434As then the Messenger.

2435Luc. That's I, and't like your Grace:

2436I came to her from Claudio, and desir'd her,

2437To try her gracious fortune with Lord Angelo,

2438For her poore Brothers pardon.

2439Isab. That's he indeede.

2440Duk. You were not bid to speake.

2441Luc. No, my good Lord,

2442Nor wish'd to hold my peace.

2443Duk. I wish you now then,

2444Pray you take note of it: and when you haue

2445A businesse for your selfe: pray heauen you then

2446Be perfect.

2447Luc. I warrant your honor.

2448Duk. The warrant's for your selfe: take heede to't.

2449Isab. This Gentleman told somewhat of my Tale.

2450Luc. Right.

2451Duk. It may be right, but you are i'the wrong

2452To speake before your time: proceed,

2453Isab. I went

2454To this pernicious Caitiffe Deputie.

2455Duk. That's somewhat madly spoken.

2456Isab. Pardon it,

2457The phrase is to the matter.

2458Duke. Mended againe: the matter: proceed.

2459Isab. In briefe, to set the needlesse processe by:

2460How I perswaded, how I praid, and kneel'd,

2461How he refeld me, and how I replide

2462(For this was of much length) the vild conclusion

2463I now begin with griefe, and shame to vtter.

2464He would not, but by gift of my chaste body

2465To his concupiscible intemperate lust

2466Release my brother; and after much debatement,

2467My sisterly remorse, confutes mine honour,

2468And I did yeeld to him: But the next morne betimes,

2469His purpose surfetting, he sends a warrant

2470For my poore brothers head.

2471Duke. This is most likely.

2472Isab. Oh that it were as like as it is true.

2473Duk. By heauen (fond wretch) y^u knowst not what thou (speak'st,

2474Or else thou art suborn'd against his honor

2475In hatefull practise: first his Integritie

2476Stands without blemish: next it imports no reason,

2477That with such vehemency he should pursue

2478Faults proper to himselfe: if he had so offended

2479He would haue waigh'd thy brother by himselfe,

2480And not haue cut him off: some one hath set you on:

2481Confesse the truth, and say by whose aduice

2482Thou cam'st heere to complaine.

2483Isab. And is this all?

2484Then oh you blessed Ministers aboue

2485Keepe me in patience, and with ripened time

2486Vnfold the euill, which is heere wrapt vp

2487In countenance: heauen shield your Grace from woe,

2488As I thus wrong'd, hence vnbeleeued goe.

2489Duke. I know you'ld faine be gone: An Officer:

2490To prison with her: Shall we thus permit

2491A blasting and a scandalous breath to fall,

2492On him so neere vs? This needs must be a practise:

2493Who knew of your intent and comming hither?

2494Isa. One that I would were heere, Frier Lodowick.

2495Duk. A ghostly Father, belike:

2496Who knowes that Lodowicke?

2497Luc. My Lord, I know him, 'tis a medling Fryer,

2498I doe not like the man: had he been Lay my Lord,

2499For certaine words he spake against your Grace

2500In your retirment, I had swing'd him soundly.

2501Duke. Words against mee? this 'a good Fryer belike

2502And to set on this wretched woman here

2503Against our Substitute: Let this Fryer be found.

2504Luc. But yesternight my Lord, she and that Fryer

2505I saw them at the prison: a sawcy Fryar,

2506A very scuruy fellow.

2507Peter. Blessed be your Royall Grace:

2508I haue stood by my Lord, and I haue heard

2509Your royall eare abus'd: first hath this woman

2510Most wrongfully accus'd your Substitute,

2511Who is as free from touch, or soyle with her

2512As she from one vngot.

2513Duke. We did beleeue no lesse.

2514Know you that Frier Lodowick that she speakes of?

2515Peter. I know him for a man diuine and holy,

2516Not scuruy, nor a temporary medler

2517As he's reported by this Gentleman:

2518And on my trust, a man that neuer yet

2519Did (as he vouches) mis-report your Grace.

2520Luc. My Lord, most villanously, beleeue it.

2521Peter. Well: he in time may come to cleere himselfe;

2522But at this instant he is sicke, my Lord: