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. I pray you, be acquainted with this maid; 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. ( place and greatness; millions of false Prov. What ho, Abhorson! Where's Abhorson, 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 7 Abhor. Ay, sir; a mystery. Clo. Painting, sir, I have heard say, is a mystery: 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 1 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: I will instruct thee - Isab. She'll take the enterprise upon her, in my trade; follow. father, 1 SCENE 11. A Room in the Prison. Enter Provost and Clown. Prov. Come hither, sirrah: Can you cut off a man's head? 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. Prov. Come, sir, leave me your snatches, and yield me a direct answer. To-morrow morning are to die Claudio and Barnardine: Here is in our prison a common executioner, who in hist 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 notorions bawd. Clo. Sir, I have been an unlawful bawd, time out of mind; but yet I will be content to be a fawful hangman. I would be glad to receive some instruction from my fellow partner. Clo. I do desire to learn, sir; and, I 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 : He will not wake. Prov. noise Who can do good on him? Well, go, prepare yourself. But hark, what [Knocking within. Heaven give your spirits comfort! [Exit Claudio.] By and by :hope it is some pardon, or reprieve, For the most gentle Claudio.-Welcome, father. Enter Duke. Duke. The best and wholesomest spirits of the night Envelope you, good Provost ! Who call'd here of late 7 Prov. None, since the curfew rung. Not Isabel 7 Prov. I told you: Lord Angelo, belike, thinking me remiss in mine office, awakens me with this unwonted putting on : methinks, strangely; for he hath not used it before. Duke. 'Pray you, let's hear. Duke. Hath he borne himself penitently in prison? 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 desperately 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 begnifes me: but in the boldness of my canning, 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 7 having the Duke. In the delaying death. hour limited; and an express command, under penalty, to deliver his head in the view of 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 tavour. 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 apon 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. Prov. [Reads.] Whatsoever you may hear to Yet since I see you fearful, that neither my the contrary, let Claudio be executed by four of coat, integrity, nor my persuasion, can with the clock: and, in the afternoon, Barnardine; ease attempt you, I will go further than I for my better satisfaction, let me have Clau- meant, to pluck all fears out of you. Look dio's head sent me by five. Let this be duly you, sir, here is the hand and seal of the duke. performed; with a thought, that more depends You know the character, I doubt not; and the on it than we must yet deliver. Thus fail not signet is not strange to you. to do your office, as you will answer it at your peril. What say you to this, sir? 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 Prov. A Bohemian born; but here nursed up Angelo knows not: for he this very day receives. and bred one that is a prisoner nine years old. letters of strange tenor; perchance, of the duke's Duke. How came it that the absent duke had death; perchance, entering into some monas 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 man-Look, the unfolding star calls up the shepherd. ner 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. 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 abProv. Most manifest, and not denied by him-solutely resolve you. Come away; it is almost Iclear dawn. [Exeunt. Duke. Is it now apparent? self. Prov. Now, sir, how do you find the prisoner? 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 Here in the prison, father, be many of her old customers. First, here's There died this morning of a cruel fever young master Rash: he's in for a commodity One Ragozine, a most notorious pirate, of brown paper and old ginger, ninescore and A man of Claudio's years: his beard and head, seventeen pounds; of which he made five marks, Just of his colour: What if we do omit ready money marry, then, ginger was not This reprobate, till he were well inclined; much in request, for the old women were all And satisfy the deputy with the visage dead. Then is there here one master Caper, at Of Ragozine, more like to Claudio the suit of master Three-pile the mercer, for Duke. O, 'tis an accident that heaven provides! some four suits of peach-colour'd satin, which Despatch it presently; the hour draws on now peaches him a beggar. Then have we Prefix'd by Angelo; See, this be done, here young Dizy, and young master Deep-vow, And sent according to command; whiles 1 and master Copper-spar, and master Starve- Persuade this rude wretch willingly to die. Jackey the rapier and dagger man, and young Prov. This shall be done, good father, preDrop-heir that kill'd Insty Pudding, and master sently. Forthright the tilter, and brave master Shoe-tie But Barnardine must die this afternoon : the great traveller, and wild Half-can that And how shall we continue Claudio, stabb'd Ponts, and, think, forty more: all great To save me from the danger that might come, doers in our trade, and are now for the Lord's If he were known alive 7 sake. Enter Abhorson Abhor. Sirrah, bring Barnardine hither, 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. Clo. He is coming, r, he is coming: I hear bis straw rustle. Enter Barnardine. Abhor. Is the axe upon the block, sirrah? Barnar. How now, Abhorson? what's the news with you? Abhor. Truly, sir, I would desire you to clap into your prayers; for, look you, the warrant's come. Barnar. You rogue, I have been drinking all night, I am not fitted for't. Clo. O, the better, sir; for he that drinks all night, and is hanged betimes in the morning, may sleep the sounder all the next day. Enter Duke. 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, I 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. Enter Provost. [Exit. Duke. Let this be done :-Put them in secret holds, Both Barnardine and Claudio: Ere twice Prov. 1 am your free dependant. Quick, despatch, (Exit Provost. And send the head to Angelo. tents Shall witness to him, I am near at home; To meet me at the consecrated fount, Re-enter Provost. Prov. Here is the nerd; 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. His head is off, and sent to Angelo. It is no other; Show your wisdom, danghter, in your close patience. Isab. O, I will to him, and pluck out his eyes. Duke. Unfit to live, or die: O, gravel heart!-Forbear it therefore; give your cause 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, lov'd thy brother: if the old fantastical duke of dark corners had been at home, he had lived. [Erit Isabella. Duke. Sir, the duke is marvellous little beholden to your reports; but the best is, he lives not in them. 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; J 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 ; 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. 1 SCENE V. Fields without the Town. Enter Duke in his own habit, and Friar Peter. Duke. These letters at fit time deliver me. The provost knows our purpose, and our plot. [Giving letters. 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 F. Peter. 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 luath; 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 ACT V. SCENE 1. A publick place near the City Gate. Mariana (veil'd,) Isabella, and Peter, at a distance. Enter at opposite doors, Duke, Varrius, Lords; Angelo, Escalus, Lucio, Provost, Officers, and Citizens. Duke. My very worthy cousin, fairly met :Our old and faithful friend, we are glad to see you. Ang. and Escal. Happy return be to your royal grace! Duke. Many and hearty thankings to you both. We have made inquiry of you; and we hear Such goodness of your justice, that our soul Cannot but yield you forth to publick thanks, Forerunning more requital. Ang. You make my bonds still greater. Duke. O, your desert speaks loud; and I should wrong it, To lock it in the wards of covert bosom, Peter and Isabella come forward. F. Peter. Now is your time; speak loud, and kneel before him. Laab. Justice, O royal duke! Veil your regard Here is Lord Angelo shall give you justice! Ang. My lord, her wits, I fear me, are not firm: Isab. Most strange, but yet most truly, will 1 speak: That Angelo's forsworn; is it not strange? A hypocrite, a virgin-violator; ? Nay, ten times strange. Isab. It is not truer he is Angelo, Than this is all as true as it is strange; Nay, it is ten times true; for truth is truth To the end of reckoning. Duke. Away with her :-Poor soul, She speaks this in the infirmity of sense. Isab. O prince, I conjure thee, as thou believ'st There is another comfort than this world, That thou neglect me not, with that opinion That I am touch'd with madness: make not impossible That which but seems unlike: 'tis not impossible, In all his dressings, characts, titles, forms, Her madness hath the oddest frame of sense, Isab O, gracious duke, Harp not on that; nor do not banish reason For inequality: but let your reason serve To make the truth appear, where it seems hid; And hide the false, seen.s true. Duke. Many that are not mad, Have, sure, more lack of reason.-What would you say? Isab. I am the sister of one Claudio, I came to her from Claudio, and desir'd her That's he, indeed. Duke. You were not bid to speak. Lucio. No, my good lord; Nor wish'd to hold my peace. Lucio. I warrant your honour. Duke. The warrant's for yourself; take heed to it. Isab. This gentleman told somewhat of my tale. Lucio. Right. Duke. It may be right; but you are in the wrong To this pernicious caitiff deputy. Isab. The phrase is to the matter. I went Pardon it: Duke. Mended again: the matter:-Proceed. Isab. In brief,-to set the needless process by, How I persuaded, how I pray'd, and kneel'd, How he refell'd me, and how I reply'd ; (For this was of much length,) the vile conclusion I now begin with grief and shame to utter; His purpose surfeiting, he sends a warrant Duke. Or else thou art suborn'd against his honour, reason, That with such vehemency he should pursue Confess the truth, and say by whose advice As I, thus wrong'd, hence unbelieved go! |