Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

Can lay on nature, is a paradise

To what we fear of death.

Isab. Alas! alas!
Claud.

Sweet sister, let me live:

What sin you do to save a brother's life,
Nature dispenses with the deed so far,

That it becomes a virtue.

Isab.

O, you beast!
O, faithless coward! O, dishonest wretch!
Wilt thou be made a man out of my vice?

Is't not a kind of incest, to take life
From thine own sister's shame? What should I think?
Heaven shield, my mother play'd my father fair!
For such a warped slip of wilderness

Ne'er issu'd from his blood. Take my defiance:
Die; perish! might but my bending down
Reprieve thee from thy fate, it should proceed:
I'll pray a thousand prayers for thy death,
No word to save thee.

Claud. Nay, hear me, Isabel.
Isab.

O, fie, fie, fie!

Thy sin's not accidental, but a trade: Mercy to thee would prove itself a bawd. 'Tis best that thou diest quickly.

Claud.

Re-enter Duke.

[Going.

O hear me, Isabella.

Duke. Vouchsafe a word, young sister, but one word.

Isab. What is your will?

I would require, is likewise your own benefit.

between which time of the contract, and limit of the solemnity, her brother Frederic was wrecked at sea, having in that perish'd vessel the dowry of his sister. But mark, how heavily this befell to the poor gentlewoman there she lost a noble and renowned brother, in his love toward her ever most kind and natural; with him the portion and sinew of her fortune, her marriage-dowry; with both, her combinate husband, this well-seeming Angelo.

Isab. Can this be so? Did Angelo so leave her? Duke. Left her in her tears, and dry'd not one of them with his comfort; swallowed his vows whole, pretending, in her, discoveries of dishonour: in few, bestowed her on her own lamentation, which she yet wears for his sake; and he, a marble to her tears, is washed with them, but relents not.

Isab. What a merit were it in death, to take this poor maid from the world! What corruption in this life, that it will let this man live!-But how out of this can she avail?

Duke. It is a rupture that you may easily heal and the cure of it not only saves your brother, but keeps you from dishonour in doing it.

Isab. Show me how, good father.

Duke. This fore-named maid hath yet in her the continuance of her first affection; his unjust unkind

ness, that in all reason should have quenched her love, violent and unruly. Go you to Angelo; answer his requiring with a plausible obedience; agree with his to the point: only refer yourself vantage, first, that your stay with him may not be long; that the time may have all shadow silence in it; and the place answer to convenience: this being granted in course, now follows all. We shall advise this wronged maid to stead up your appointment, go in

hath, like an impediment in the current, made it more

Duke. Might you dispense with your leisure, I would by and by have some speech with you: the satisfaction Isab. I have no superfluous leisure; my stay must be stolen out of other affairs; but I will attend you Duke. [To Claudio, aside] Son, I have overheard what hath passed between and your sister. Angelo had never the purpose to corrupt her; only he hath your place; if the encounter acknowledge itself heremade an essay of her virtue, to practise his judgment after, it may compel him to her recompense: and here,

a while.

with the disposition of natures: she, having the truth of honour in her, hath made him that gracious denial which he is most glad to receive: I am confessor to Angelo, and I know this to be true; theref therefore prepare yourself to death: do not satisfy your resolution with hopes that are fallible: to-morrow you must die; go to your knees, and make ready.

Claud. Let me ask my sister pardon. I am so out of love with life, that I will sue to be rid of it.

by this, is your brother saved, your honour untainted, the poor Mariana advantaged, and the corrupt deputy scaled. The maid frame, and make fit for attempt. If you think well to carry this as you may, the doubleness of the benefit defends the deceit from

reproof. What think you of it?

Isab. The image of it gives me contentalready; and, I trust, it will grow to a most prosperous perfection. Duke. It lies much in your holding up: haste you

Duke. Hold you there: farewell. [Exit Claudio, speedily to Angelo; if for this night he entreat you to

Re-enter Provost.

Provost, a word with you.

Prov. What's your will, father? Duke. That now you are come, you will be gone: leave me a while with the maid; my mind promises with my habit, no loss shall touch her by my company. Prov. In good time.

[Exit.

of

Duke. The hand that hath made you fair, hath made you good: the goodness that is cheap in beauty, makes beauty brief in goodness; but grace, being being the soul your complexion, should keep the body of it ever fair. The assault, that Angelo hath made to you, fortune hath convey'd to my understanding; and, but that frailty hath examples for his falling, I should wonder at Angelo. How would you do to content this substitute, and to save your brother?

Isab. I am now going to resolve him: I had rather my brother die by the law, than my son should be unlawfully born. But O, how much is the good duke deceived in Angelo! If ever he return, and I can speak to him, I will open my lips in vain, or discover his government.

Duke. That shall not be much amiss: yet, as the matter now stands, he will avoid your accusation; he made trial of you only. Therefore, fasten your ear on my advisings; to the love I have in doing good, a remedy presents itself. I do make myself believe, that you may most uprighteously do a poor wronged lady a merited benefit; redeem your brother from the angry law; do no stain to your own gracious person; and much please the absent duke, if, peradventure, he shall ever return to have hearing of this business.

Isab. Let me hear you speak further; I have spirit to do any thing that appears not foul in the truth of my spirit.

Duke. Virtue is bold, and goodness never fearful. Have not you heard speak of Mariana, the sister of Frederic, the great soldier, who miscarried at sea? Isab. I have heard of the lady, and good words went with her name.

Duke. Her should this Angelo have married; was affianced to her by oath, and the nuptial appointed:

give promise of satisfaction. I will presently to St. Luke's; there, at the moated grange, resides this dejected Mariana: at that place call upon me; and despatch with Angelo, that it may be quickly. Isab. I thank you for this comfort; fare you well, [Exeunt severally.

good father.

SCENE II. The Street before the Prison. Enter Duke, as a Friar; to him Elbow, Clown, and Officers.

Elb. Nay, if there be no remedy for it, but that you will needs buy and sell men and women like beasts, we shall have all the world drink brown and white bastard.

Duke. O, heavens! what stuff is here!

Clo. 'Twas never merry world, since, of two usuries, the merriest was put down, and the worser allowed by order of law a furr'd gown to keep him warm; and furr'd with fox and lamb-skins too, to signify, that craft, being richer than innocency, stands for the facing.

Elb. Come your way, sir:-Bless you, good father friar.

Duke. And you, good brother father: What offence hath this man made you, sir?

Elb. Marry, sir, he hath offended the law; and, sir, we take him to be a thief too, sir; for we have found upon him, sir, a strange pick-lock, which we have sent to the deputy.

Duke. Fie, sirrah; a bawd, a wicked bawd! The evil that thou causest to be done, That is thy means to live: do thou but think What 'tis to cram a maw, or clothe a back, From such a filthy vice say to thyself,From their abominable and beastly touches I drink, I eat, array myself, and live. Canst thou believe thy living is a life, So stinkingly depending? Go, mend, go, mend. Clo. Indeed, , it t does stink in some sort, sir ir; but yet, sir, I would prove

[sin,

Duke. Nay, if the devil have given the proofs for 'Thou wilt prove his. Take him to prison, officer;

Correction and instruction must both work,
Ere this rude beast will profit.

Elb. He must before the deputy, sir; he has given him warning: the deputy cannot abide a whoremaster; if he be a whoremonger, and comes before him, he were as good go a mile on his errand.

Duke. That we were all, as some would seem to be, Free from our faults, as faults from seeming, free!

Enter Lucio.

Elb. His neck will come to your waist, a cord, sir. Clo. I spy comfort; I cry, bail: here's a gentleman, and a friend of mine.

Lucio. How now, noble Pompey? What, at the heels of Cæsar? Art thou jed in triumph ? What, is there none of Pygmalion's images, newly made woman, to be had now for putting hand in the pocket, and extracting it clutch'd? What reply? Ha? Whatsay'st thou to this tune, matter, and method? Is't not drown'd i'the last rain? Ha? What say'st thou, trot? Is the world as it was, man? Which is the way? Is it sad, and few words? Or how? The trick of it?

Duke. Still thus, and thus! still worse! Lucio. How doth my dear morsel, thy mistress? Procures she still? Ha?

Clo. Troth, sir, she hath eaten up all her beef, and she is herself in the tub.

Lucio. Why, 'tis good; it is the right of it: it must be so: ever your fresh whore, and your powder'd bawd: an unshunn'd consequence; it must be so: art going to prison, Pompey?

Clo. Yes, faith, sir.

Lucio. Why, 'tis not amiss, Pompey: farewell: go: say, I sent thee thither. For debt, Pompey? Or how? Elb. For being a bawd, for being a bawd.

Lucio. Well, then imprison him if imprisonment be the due of a bawd, why, 'tis his right: bawd is he, doubtless, and of antiquity too; bawd-born. Farewell, good Pompey: commend me to the prison, Pompey: you will turn good husband now, Pompey; you will keep the house.

Clo.

I hope, sir, your good worship will be my bail. Lucio. No, indeed, not, Pompey; it is not

the wear. I will pray, Pompey, to increase your bondage: if you take it not patiently, why, your mettle is the more. Adieu, trusty Pompey. Bless you, friar. Duke. And you.

Lucio. Does Bridget paint still, Pompey? Ha?
Elb. Come your ways, sir; come.

Clo. You will not bail me then, sir?

Lucio. Then, Pompey? nor now. What news

abroad, friar? what news?

Elb. Come your ways, sir; come.

Lucio. Go, to kennel, Pompey, go:

[Exeunt Elbow, Clown, and Officers.

What news, friar, of the duke!

Duke. I know none can you tell me of any? Lucio. Some say, he is with the emperor of Russia; other some, he is in Rome: but where is he, think you?

Duke. I know not where: but wheresoever, I wish him well.

Lucio. It was a mad fantastical trick of him, to steal from the state, and usurp the beggary he was never born to. Lord Angelo dukes it well in his absence; he puts transgression to't.

Duke. He does well in't.

Lucio. A little more lenity to lechery would do no harm in him: something too crabbed that way, friar. Duke. It is too too general a vice, and severity must

cure it.

Lucio. Yes, in good sooth, the vice is of a great kindred; it is well ally'd but it is impossible to extirp it quite, friar, till eating and drinking be put down. They say, this Angelo was not made by man and woman, after the downright way of creation is it true, think you?

Duke. How should he be made then? Lucio. Some report, a sea-maid spawn'd him: Some, that he was begot between two stock-fishes but it is certain, that when he makes water, his urine is congeal'd ice; that I know to be true and he is a motion ungenerative, that's infallible.

Duke. You are You are pleasant, sir; and speak apace.

Lucio. Why, what a ruthless thing is this this in him, for the rebellion of a cod-piece, to take away the life of a man? Would the duke, that is absent, have done this? Ere he would have hang'd a man for the getting a hundred bastards, he would have paid for the nursing a thousand: he had some feeling of the sport; heknew the service, and that instructed him to mercy.

Duke. I never heard the absent duke much detected

for women; he was not inclined that way. Lucio. O, sir, you are deceived.

Duke. 'Tis not possible.

Lucio. Who? not the duke? yes, your beggar of fifty; and his use was, to put a ducat in her clackdish the duke had crotchets in him he would be drunk too; that let me inform you.

Duke. You do him wrong, surely.

Lucio. Sir, I was an inward of his: a shy fellow was the duke and, I believe, I know the cause of his withdrawing.

Duke. What, I pr'ythee, might be the cause?

Lucio. No, pardon; 'tis a secret must be lock'd within the teeth and the lips: but this I can let you understand, The greater file of the subject held the duke to be wise.

Duke. Wise? why, no question but he was.

Lucio. A very superficial, ignorant, unweighing fellow.

Duke. Either this is envy in you, folly, or mistaking; the very stream of his life, and the business he hath helmed, must, upon a warranted need, give him a better proclamation. Let him be but testimonied in his own bringings forth, and he shall appear to the envious, a scholar, a statesman, and a soldier: therefore, you speak unskilfully or, if your knowledge be more, it is much darken'd in your malice. Lucio. Sir, I know him, and I love him. Duke. Love talks with better knowledge, and knowledge with dearer love.

Lucio. Come, sir, I know what I know.

Duke. I can hardly believe that, since you know not what you speak. But, if ever the duke return (as our prayers are he may), let me desire you to make your answer before him if it be honest you have spoke, you have courage to maintain it: I am bound to call upon you; and, I pray you, your name.

Lucio. Sir, my name is Lucio; well known to the duke.

Duke. He shall know you better, sir, if I may live to report you. Lucio. I fear you not.

Duke. O, you hope the duke will return no more; or you imagine me too unhurtful an opposite. But, indeed, I can do you little harm you'll forswear this again.

Lucio. I'll be hang'd first: thou art deceived in me, friar. But no more of this canst thou tell, if Claudio die to-morrow, or no?

Duke. Why should he die, sir?

Lucio. Why? for filling a bottle with a tun-dish. I would, the duke, we talk of, were return'd again: this ungenitur'd agent will unpeople the province with continency; sparrows must not build in his house-eaves, because they are lecherous. The duke yet would have dark deeds darkly answer'd; he would never bring them to light: would he were return'd! Marry, this Claudio is condemned for untrussing. Farewell, good friar; I pr'ythee, pray for me. The duke, I say to thee again, would eat mutton on Fridays. He's now past it; yet, and I say to thee, he would mouth with a beggar, though she smelt brown bread and garlick: say, that I said so. Farewell.

[Exit.

Duke. No might, nor greatness in mortality Can censure 'scape; back-wounding calumny The whitest virtue strikes: What king so strong Can tie the gall up in the slanderous tongue? But who comes here?

Enter Escalus, Provost, Bawd, and Officers. Escal. Go, away with her to prison.

Bawd. Good my lord, be good to me; your honour is accounted a merciful man good my lord.

Escal. Double and treble admonition, and still forfeit in the same kind? This would make mercy swear, and play the tyrant.

Prov. A bawd of eleven years continuance, may it please your honour.

Bawd. My lord, this is one Lucio's information against me: mistress Kate Keep-down was with child by him in the duke's time, he promised her marriage; his child is a year and a quarter old, come Philip and Jacob I have kept it myself; and see how he goes about to abuse me.

Escal. That fellow is a fellow of much liceuce: let him he call'd before us. Away with her to prison. Go to; no more words. [Exeunt Bawd and Officers] Provost, my brother Angelo will not be alter'd, Claudio must die to-morrow let him be furnish'd with divines, and have all charitable preparation:

if my brother wrought by my pity, it should not be so with him.

Prov. So please you, this friar hath been with him, and advised him for the entertainment of death.

Escal. Good even, good father.
Duke. Bliss and goodness on you!

Escal. Of whence are you?

Duke. Not of this country, though my chance is now
To use it for my time I am a brother

Of gracious order, late come from the see,
In special business from his holiness.

Escal. What news abroad i'the world ?

Duke. None, but that there is so great a fever on goodness, that the dissolution of it must cure it; novelty is only in request; and it is as dangerous to be constant in any kind of course, as it is virtuous to be constant in any undertaking. There is scarce truth enough alive, to make societies secure; but security enough, to make fellowships accursed: much upon this riddle runs the wisdom of the world. This news is old enough, yet it is every day's news. I pray you, sir, of what disposition was the duke?

Escal. One, that, above all other strifes, contended especially to know himself.

Duke. What pleasure was he given to ?

Escal, Rather rejoicing to see another merry, than merry at any thing which profess'd to make him rejoice; a gentleman of all temperance. But leave we him to his events, with a prayer they may prove prosperous and let me desire to know how you find Claudio prepared. I am made to understand, that you have lent him visitation.

Duke. He professes to have received no sinister measures from his judge, but most willingly humbles himself to the determination of justice: vet had he framed to himself, by the instruction of his frailty, many deceiving promises of life; which I, by my good leisure, have discredited to him, and now is he resolved to die.

Escal. You have paid the heavens your function, and the prisoner the very debt of your calling. I have labour'd for the poor gentleman, to the extremest shore of my modesty; but my brother justice have I found so severe, that he hath forced me to tell him, he is indeed-justice.

Duke. If his own life answers the straitness of his proceeding, it shall become him well; wherein, if he chance to fail, he hath sentenced himself.

Escal. I am going to visit the prisoner: Fare you well. Duke. Peace be with you!

[Exeunt Escalus and Provost.

He, who the sword of heaven will bear,

Should be as holy as severe;
Pattern in himself to know,

Grace to stand, and virtue go:
More nor less to others paying,
Than by self offences weighing.
Shame to him, whose cruel striking
Kills for faults of his own liking!
Twice trebie shame on Angelo,

To weed my vice, and let his grow!
O, what may man within him hide,
Though angel on the outward side!
How may likeness, made in crimes,
Making practice on the times,
Draw with idle spiders' strings
Most pond'rous and substantial things!
Craft against vice I must apply:
With Angelo to-night shall lie
His old betrothed, but despis'd;
So disguise shall, by the disguis'd,
Pay with falsehood false exacting,
And perform an old contracting.

ACT IV.

[Exit.

SCENE 1. A Room in Mariana's House. Mariana discovered silting; a Boy singing.

SONG.

Take, oh take those lips away,

That so sweetly were forsworn; And those eyes, the break of day, Lights that do mislead the morn:

But my kisses bring again,

bring again,

Seals of love, but seal'd in vain,

seal'd in vain.

[blocks in formation]

Duke. Nor, gentle daughter, fear you not at all:

He is your husband on a pre-contract:

To bring you thus together, 'tis no sin;
Sith that the justice of your title to him
Doth flourish the deceit. Come, let us go;

Our corn's to reap, for yet our tithe's to sow. [Exeunt.

SCENE II. 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, aud I can

Mari. Break off thy song, and haste thee quick away; 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 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 yourdeliverance 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 hang-
man. I would be glad to receive some instruction from
my fellow partner.
[there?

Prov. What ho, Abhorson! Where's Abhorson,
Enter Abhorson,

Abhor. Do you call, sir?

Prov. Sirrah, here's a fellow will help you to-morrow

with him by the year, and let him abide here with you; in your execution: if you think him meet, compound 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 mystery; and your whores, sir, being members of n 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.

Clo. Proof.

[blocks in formation]

Who can do good on him?
Well, go, prepare yourself. But hark, what noise?
[Knocking within.
Heaven give your spirits comfort! [Exit Claudio.
By and by:-
I 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 Envelop you, good Provost! Who called here of late ? Prov. None, since the curfew rung.

Duke.

Not Isabel?

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.-- [haste,
How now? What noise? That spirit's possess'd with
That wounds the unsisting postern with these strokes.
Provost returns, speaking to one at the Door.
Prov. There he must stay, until the officer

Arise to let him in; he is call'd up.
Duke. Have you no countermand for Claudio yet,
But he must die to-morrow?
Prov.

None, sir, none.

Duke. As near the dawning, Provost, as it is, You shall hear more ere morning.

Prov.

Happily,

You something know; yet, I believe, there comes
No countermand; no such example have we:

Besides, goath the just
Besides, tepon the very siege of justice

Profess'd the contrary.

Enter a Messenger.

Duke. This is his lordship's man.

Prov. And here comes Claudio's pardon.

Mess. My lord hath sent you this note; and by me this further charge, that you swerve not from the smallest article of it, neither in time, matter, nor other circumstance. Good morrow; for, as I take it, it is almost day.

Exit Messenger.

Prov. I shall obey him.
Duke. This is his pardon; purchased by such sin,
[Aside.

For which the pardoner himself is in:
Hence hath offence his quick celerity,
When it is borne in high authority:
When vice makes mercy, mercy's so extended,
That for the fault's love, is the offender friended.-
Now, sir, what news?

Prov. I told you Lord Angelo, be-like, 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.
Prov. [Reads] Whatsoever you may hear to the con-
of the clock;

trary, let Claudio be executed

by four

and,
i
in the afternoon, Barnardine: for my better satis-
faction, let me have Claudio's head sent me by five. Let
this be duly performed; with a thought, that more de-

pends on it than we must yet deliver. Thus fail not to
what say you to this, sir?
do your office, as you will answer it at your peril.

Duke. What is that Barnardine, who is to be executed in the afternoon?

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 executed him? I have heard, it was ever his manner to do so.

Prov. His friends still wrought reprieves for him: and, indeed, his fact, till now now in in the the government of lord

Angelo, came not to an undoubtful proof.
Duke. Is it now apparent?

Prov. Most manifest, and not denied by himself.

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

a

the liberty of the prison; n; give him leave to escape hence, would not: drunk many times day, if not many many days day entirely drunk. We have very often awaked him, as if to carry him to execution, and show'd 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, Prov. What comfort is for Claudio? is no greater forfeit to the law than Angelo who hath Duke. There's some in hope. sentenced him to make you understand this in a

Prov. No.

Duke.

They will then, ere't be long.

Prov. It is a bitter deputy.

Duke. Not so, not so; his life is parallel'd

Even with the stroke and line of his great justice;
He doth with holy abstinence subdue

That in himself, which he spurs on his power

To qualify in others; were he meal'd

With that which he corrects, then were he tyrannous;

manifested 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?

Duke. In the delaying death. Prov. Alack! how may I do it? having the hour limited; and an express command, under penalty, to

H

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 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 offence, if the duke avouch the justice of your dealing? Prow. But what likelihood is in that?

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 hang'd 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 beseech you, look forward on the journey you shali go. Barnar. I swear, I will not die to-day for any man's persuasion. Duke. But hear you,

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. to me, come to my ward; for thence will not I to

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 over-read 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 ath; perchance, entering into some monastery; but, by chance, nothing of what is writ. Look, the unfolding star calls up the shep

herd 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 absolutely resolve you. Come away; it is almost clear dawn.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II. 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, nine score 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 Starve-lackey 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 in for the Lord's sake.

Enter Abhorson.

Abhor. Sirrah, bring Barnardine hither.

Clo. Master Barnardine! you must rise and be

hang'd, ma ter Barnardine!

Abhor. What, ho, Barnardine

Barnar. Within] A pox o'your throats! Who makes that noise there? What are you?

Clo. Your friends, sir; the hangman: you must be so good, sir, to rise and be put to death.

Barnar. [Within] Away, you rogue, away; Iam sleepy. 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, him, and fetch him out. Clo. He is coming, sir, he is coming; I hear his straw rustle.

Enter Barnardine.

Abhor. Is the axe upon the block, sirrah?
Clo. Very ready, sir.

Barnar. How now, Abhorson? what's the news with you?

Barnar. Not a word; if you have any thing to say

day.

Enter Provost.

[Exit.

[blocks in formation]

Here in the prison, father, There died this morning of a cruel fever a most notorious pirate,

One Ragodiness

A

colour.

man of Claudio's years; his beard, and head,
Just of his colour. What if we do omit
This reprobate, till he were well inclin'd;
And satisfy the deputy with the visage
Of Ragozine, more like to Claudio?

Duke. O, 'tis an accident that heaven provides!
Despatch it presently; the hour draws on
Prefix'd by Angelo: See, this be done,
And sent according to command; whiles I
Persuade this rude wretch willingly to die.

Prov. This shall be done, good father, presently. But Barnardine must die this afternoon: And how shall we continue Claudio, To save me from the danger that might come, If he were known alive?

Duke. Let this be done;--Put them în secret holds,
Both Barnardine and Claudio: Ere twice
The sun hath made his journal greeting to
The under generation, you shall find
Your safety manifested.

Prov. I am your free dependant.
Duke.

Quick, despatch,

[Exit Provost.

And send the head to Angelo.
Now will I write letters to Angelo,-
The provost, he shall bear them, whose contents
Shall witness to him, I am near at home;
And that, by great injunctions, I am bound
To enter publicly: him I'll desire

To meet me at the consecrated fount,

A league below the city; and from thence,
By cold gradation and weal-balanced form,
We shall proceed with Angelo.

[blocks in formation]
« ZurückWeiter »