But no more of this: C Why should he die, sir? tell if Claudio die to-morrow, or no? Duke. Lucio. Why? for filling a bottle The duke yet would b that dish. I would, the duke, we talk turn'd again: this ungenitur'd aged must not build in his house-eare city people the province with continen fa are lecferous. Dos-deeds darkly answered; he would se them to light: 'would, fie were retare friar; I pr'ythee, pray f and this Claudio is condemn'd for un well, goo to thee again, would eat Fridays. He's now past it; yet, a m: thee, he would mouch with a begg ck-she smelt brown bread and garlick said so. Farewell. kes Duke. No might nor greatness in m Isab. I have ta'en a due and wary note upon't: With whispering and most guilty diligence, In action all of precept, he did show me The way twice o'er. Duke. Are there no other tokens Between you 'greed, concerning her observance? Isab. No, none, but only a repair i' the dark; And that I have possess'd him, my most stay Can be but brief; for I have made him know, I have a servant comes with me along, That stays upon me; whose persuasion is, I come about my brother. Duke. "Tis well borne up, 1 have not yet made known to Mariana A word of this:-What, ho! within! come forth! Re-enter Mariana. 1 pray you, be acquainted with this maid; She comes to do you good. Isab. I do desire the like. Duke. Do you persuade yourself that I respect you? Mari. Good friar, I know you do; and have found it. Duke. Take then this your companion by the hand, Who hath a story ready for your ear: I shall attend your leisure; but make haste; Will't please you walk aside? [Exeunt Mariana and Isabella. Duke. O place and greatness; millions of false Prov. What ho, Abhorson! Where's Abhor. son, there? Enter Abhorson. Abhor. Do you call, sir? Prov. Sirrah, here's a fellow will help you to-morrow in your execution: If you think it meet, compound with him by the year, and let him abide here with you; if not, use him for the present, and dismiss him: He cannot plead his estimation with you; he hath been a bawd. Abhor. A bawd, sir? Fie upon him, he will discredit our mystery. Prov. Go to, sir; you weigh equally: a feather will turn the scale. [Exit. Clo. Pray, sir, by your good favour (for, surely, sir, a good favour you have, but that you have a hanging look,) do you call, sir, your occupation a mystery? Abhor. Ay, sir; a mystery. Clo. Painting, sir, I have heard say, is a mys tery: and your whores, sir, being members of my occupation, using painting, do prove my occupation a mystery: but what mystery there should be in hanging, if I should be hang'd, I cannot imagine. Abhor. Sir, it is a mystery. Abhor. Every true man's apparel fits your thief: If it be too little for your thief, your true man thinks it big enough; if it be too big for your thief, your thief thinks it little enough: so every true man's apparel fits your thief. Re-enter Provost. Prov. Are you agreed? Clo. Sir, I will serve him: for I do find, your hangman is a more penitent trade than your bawd: he doth oftener ask forgiveness. Prov. You, sirrah, provide your block and your axe, to-morrow four o'clock. Abhor. Come on, bawd: 1 will instruct thee Isab. She'll take the enterprise upon her, in my trade; follow. Clo. If the man be a bachelor, sir, I can: but if he be a married man, he is his wife's head, and I can never cut off a woman's head. Clo. I do desire to learn, sir; and, 1 hope, if you have occasion to use me for your own turn, you shall find me yare: for, truly, sir, for your kindness, I owe you a good turn. Prov. Call hither Barnardine and Claudio: [Exeunt Clown and Abhorson. One has my pity; not a jot the other, Being a murderer, though he were my brother. Enter Claudio. Look, here's the warrant, Claudio, for thy death: 'Tis now dead midnight, and by eight to-morrow Thou must be made immortal. Where's Barnardine? Claud. As fast lock'd up in sleep, as guiltless labour When it lies starkly in the traveller's bones: Prov. Who can do good on him? Well, go, prepare yourself. But hark, what [Knocking within. noise? Heaven give your spirits comfort! [Erit Claudio.] By and by : Enter Duke. Prov. Come, sir, leave me your snatches, and I hope it is some pardon, or reprieve, yield me a direct answer. To-morrow morning For the most gentle Claudio.-Welcome, father. are to die Claudio and Barnardine: Here is in our prison a common executioner, who in his office lacks a helper: if you will take it on you to assist him, it shall redeem you from your gyves; if not, you shall have your full time of imprisonment, and your deliverance with an unpitied whipping: for you have been a notorious bawd. Clo. Sir, I have been an unlawful bawd, time out of mind; but yet I will be content to be a lawful hangman. I would be glad to receive some instruction from my fellow partner. Duke. The best and wholesomest spirits of the night Envelope you, good Provost ! Who call'd hers of late? Prov. None, since the curfew rung. There's some in hop Prov. It is a bitter deputy. tice: He doth with holy abstinence subdne rannous; But this being so, he's just.-Now are they come. [Knocking within.-Provost goes out. This is a gentle provost: Seldom when The steeled gaoler is the friend of men.How now? What noise? That spirit's possess'd with haste, That wounds the unsisting postern with these strokes. Provost returns, speaking to one at the door. Duke. Have you no countermand for Claudio yet, None, sir, none. Prov. You something know; yet, I believe, there comes No countermand; no such example have we Enter a Messenger. Duke. This is his lordship's man. For which the pardoner himself is in: ed. Now, sir, what news? Prov. I told you: Lord Angelo, belike, thinking me remiss in mine office, awakens me with this unwonted putting on methiuks, strangely; for he hath not used it before. Duke. Pray you, let's hear. Prov. [Reads.] Whatsoever you may hear to the contrary, let Claudio be executed by four of the clock: and, in the afternoon, Barnardine; for my better satisfaction, let me have Claudio's head sent me by five. Let this be duly performed; with a thought, that more depends on it than we must yet deliver. Thus fail not to do your office, as you will answer it at your peril. What say you to this, sir? Duke. What is that Barnardine, who is to be executed in the afternoon? Duke. Hath he borne himself penitently in prison 7 How seems he to be touch'd? Prov. A man that apprehends death no more dreadfully, but as a drunken sleep: careless, reckless, and fearless of what's past, present, or to come: insensible of mortality, and despe rately mortal. Duke. He wants advice. Prov. He will hear none: he hath evermore had the liberty of the prison; give him leave to escape hence, he would not: drunk many times a day, if not many days entirely drunk. We have very often awaked him, as if to carry him to execution, and showed him a seeming warrant for it: it hath not moved him at all. Duke. More of him anon. There is written in your brow, Provost, honesty and constancy: if I read it not truly, my ancient skill beguiles me: but in the boldness of my cunning, I will lay myself in hazard. Claudio, whom here you have a warrant to execute, is no greater forfeit him: To make you understand this in a manito the law than Angelo who hath sentenced fested effect, I crave but four days respite; for the which you are to do me both a present and a dangerous courtesy. Prov. Pray, sir, in what? Prov. Alack! how may I do it? having the Duke. In the delay ing death. penalty, to deliver his head in the view of hour limited; and an express command, under Angelo? I may make my case as Claudio's, to cross this in the smallest. Duke. By the vow of mine order, I warrant you, if my instructions may be your guide. Let this Barnardine be this morning executed, and his head borne to Angelo. Prov. Angelo hath seen them both, and will discover the favour. Duke. O, death's a great disguiser: and you may add to it. Shave the head, and tie the beard; and say, it was the desire of the penitent to be so bared before his death: You know, the course is common. If any thing fall to you upon this, more than thanks and good fortune, by the saint whom I profess, I will plead against it with my life. Prov. Pardon me, good father; it, is against my oath. Duke. Were you sworn to the duke, or to the deputy? Prov. To him, and to his substitutes. Duke. You will think you have made no of fence, if the duke avouch the justice of your dealing? Prov. But what likelihood is in that? Duke. Not a resemblance, but a certainty. Yet since I see you fearful, that neither my coat, integrity, nor my persuasion, can with ease attempt you, I will go further than I meant, to pluck all fears out of you. Look you, sir, here is the hand and seal of the duke. You know the character, I doubt not; and the signet is not strange to you. Prov. I know them both. Duke. The contents of this is the return of the duke; you shall anon overread it at your pleasure: where you shall find, within these two days he will be here. This is a thing that Angelo knows not: for he this very day receives letters of strange tenor; perchance, of the duke's death; perchance, entering into some monas Prov. A Bohemian born; but here nursed up and bred one that is a prisoner nine years old. Duke. How came it that the absent duke had not either deliver'd him to his liberty, or exe-tery; but, by chance, nothing of what is writ. cuted him? I have heard, it was ever his manDer to do so. Prov. His friends still wrought reprieves for him: And, indeed, his fact, till now in the government of Lord Angelo, came not to an undoubtful proof. Duke. Is it now apparent? Look, the unfolding star calls up the shepherd. Put not yourself into amazement, how these things should be: all difficulties are but easy when they are known. Call your executioner, and off with Barnardine's head: I will give him a present shrift, and advise him for a better place. Yet you are amazed but this shall abclear dawn. [Exeunt. Prov. Most manifest, and not denied by him-solutely resolve you. Come away; it is almost self. SCENE III. Another Room in the same. Enter Clown. Clo. I am as well acquainted here, as I was in our house of profession: one would think it were mistress Over-done's own house, for here be many of her old customers. First, here's young master Rash: he's in for a commodity of brown paper and old ginger, ninescore and seventeen pounds; of which he made five marks, ready money marry, then, ginger was not much in request, for the old women were all dead. Then is there here one master Caper, at the suit of master Three-pile the mercer, for some four suits of peach-colour'd satin, which now peaches him a beggar. Then have we here young Dizy, and young master Deep-vow, and master Copper-spur, and master Starvelackey the rapier and dagger man, and young Drop-heir that kill'd lusty Pudding, and master Forthright the tilter, and brave master Shoe-tie the great traveller, and wild Half-can that stabb'd Potts, and, I think, forty more all great doers in our trade, and are now for the Lord's sake. Enter Abhorson. Abhor. Sirrah, bring Barnardine hither. Abhor. What, ho, Barnardine! Abhor. Tell him he must awake, and that quickly too. Clo. Pray, master Barnardine, awake till you are executed, and sleep afterwards. Abhor. Go in to him, and fetch him out. Abhor. Look you, sir, here comes your ghostly father; Do we jest now, think you? Duke. Sir, induced by my charity, and hearing how hastily you are to depart, I am come to advise you, comfort you, and pray with you. Barnar. Friar, not I; I have been drinking hard all night, and I will have more time to prepare me, or they shall beat out my brains with billets: I will not consent to die this day, that's certain. Duke. O, sir, you must: and therefore, 1 be. seech you, Look forward on the journey you shall go. Barnar. I swear, I will not die to-day for any man's persuasion. Duke. But hear you. Barnar. Not a word; if you have any thing to say to me, come to my ward; for thence will not I to-day. [Exit. Enter Provost. Prov. Now, sir, how do you find the prisoner? Prov. Here in the prison, father, Duke. Let this be done:-Put them in secret Both Barnardine and Claudio: Ere twice Prov. 1 am your free dependant. Quick, despatch, [Exit Provost. And send the head to Angelo. tenis To meet me at the consecrated fount, Re-enter Provost. Prov. Here is the nead; I'll carry it myself. Isab. [Within.] Peace, ho, be here! If yet her brother's pardon be come hither: Enter Isabella. Isab. Ho. by your leave. Isab. The better, given me by so holy a man. Hath yet the deputy sent my brother's pardon? His head is off, and sent to Angelo. Isab. O, I will to him, and pluck out his eyes. Duke. This nor hurts him, nor profits you a Duke. Unfit to live, or die: O, gravel heart!-Forbear it therefore; give your canse to heaven. After him, fellows; bring him to the block. Mark what I say, which you shall find [Exeunt Abhorson and Clown. By every syllable a faithful verity: The duke comes home to-morrow ;-nay, dry your eyes; One of our convent, and his confessor, Who do prepare to meet him at the gates, In that good path that I would wish it go; yours, I am combined by a sacred vow, And shall be absent. Wend you with this letter; Lucio. Friar, where is the Provost ? Duke. Good even! Not within, sir, Lucio. O, pretty Isabella, I am pale at mine heart, to see thine eyes so red: thou must be patient: I am fain to dine and sup with water and bran; I dare not for my head fill my belly; one fruitful meal would set me to't: But they say the duke will be here to-morrow. By my troth, Isabel, I lov'd thy brother: if the old fantastical duke of dark corners had been at home, he had lived. [Exit Isabella. Duke. Sir, the duke is marvellous little beholden to your reports; but the best is, he lives not in thein. Lucio. Friar, thou knowest not the duke so well as I do: he's a better woodman than thou takest him for. Duke. Well, you'll answer this one day. Fare ye well. Lucio. Nay, tarry; I'll go along with thee; I can tell thee pretty tales of the duke. Duke. You have told me too many of him already, sir, if they be true; if not true, none were enough. Lucio. I was once before him for getting a wench with child. Duke. Did you such a thing? Lucio. Yes, marry, did I; but was fain to forswear it; they would else have married me to the rotten medlar. Duke. Sir, your company is fairer than honest: Rest you well. Lucio. By my troth, I'll go with thee to the lane's end: If bawdy talk offend you, we'll have very little of it: Nay, friar, I am a kind of burr, I shall stick. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. A Room in Angelo's House. Enter Angelo and Escalus. Escal Every letter he hath writ hath disvonch'd other. Ang. In most uneven and distracted manner. His actions show much like to madness: 'pray heaven, his wisdom be not tainted! And why meet him at the gates, and re-deliver our authorities there? Escal. I guess not. Ang. And why should we proclaim it in an hour before his entering, that, if any crave redress of injustice, they should exhibit their petitions in the street? Escal. He shows his reason for that: to have a despatch of complaints: and to deliver us from devices hereafter, which shall then have no power to stand against us. Ang. Well, I beseech you, let it be proclaim'd: Betimes i' the morn, I'll call you at your house: Give notice to such men of sort and suit As are to meet him. Escal. Ang. Good night. I shall, sir; fare you well. [Exit. This deed unshapes me quite, makes me unpregnant, And dull to all proceedings. A deflower'd maid! And by an eminent body, that enforc'd The law against it !-But that her tender shame For my authority bears a credent bulk, Save that his riotous youth, with dangerous SCENE V. Fields without the Town. Enter Duke in his own habit, and Friar Peter. Duke. These letters at fit time deliver me. [Giving letters. The provost knows our purpose, and our plot. The matter being afoot, keep your instruction, And hold you ever to our special drift; Though sometimes you do blench from this to that, As cause doth minister. Go, call at Flavius' house, And tell him where I stay: give the like notice But send me Flavius first. It shall be speeded well. [Exit Friar. Enter Varrius. Duke. I thank thee, Varrius; thou hast made good haste: Come, we will walk : There's other of our friends Will greet us here anon, my gentle Varrius. [Exeunt. SCENE VI. Street near the City Gate. Enter Isabella and Mariana. Isab. To speak so indirectly, I am loath; That is your part: Yet I'm advis'd to do it; I would say the truth; but to accuse him so, He says, to 'vailfull purpose. Mari. Be rul'd by him. Isab. Besides, he tells me, that, if peradventure He speak against me on the adverse side, I should not think it strange; for 'tis a physick, That's bitter to sweet end. Mari. I would, friar PeterIsab. O, peace; the friar is come. Enter Friar Peter. F. Peter. Come, I have found you out a stand most fit, Where you may have such vantage on the duke, He shall not pass you; Twice have the trumpets sounded; The generous and gravest citizens [Exeunt |