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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 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. Unfit to live, or die: O, gravel heart!— After him, fellows; bring him to the block.

[Exeunt Abhorson and Clown.

Prov. Now, sir, how do you find the prisoner?
Duke. A creature unprepar'd, unmeet for death;

And, to transport him in the mind he is,

Were damnable.

Prov.

Here in the prison, father,

There died this morning of a cruel fever

One Ragozine, a most notorious pirate,

A 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!
Dispatch 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 in secret holds, Both Barnardine and Claudio: Ere twice

The sun hath made his journal greeting to

The under generation "7, you shall find

You safety manifested.

Prov. I am your free dependant.
Duke.

And send the head to Angelo.

Quick, despatch,

[Exit Provost,

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 publickly: 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,

Re-enter Provost.

Prov. Here is the head; I'll carry it myself. Duke. Convenient is it: Make a swift return; For I would commune with you of such things, That want no ear but

yours.

Prov.

I'll make all speed.

[Exit.

Isab. [Within.] Peace, ho, be here!

Duke. The tongue of Isabel:-She's come to know,

If yet her brother's pardon be come hither:

But I will keep her ignorant of her good,

To make her heavenly comforts of despair,
When it is least expected.

Isab.

Enter ISABELLA.

Ho, by your leave.

Duke. Good morning to you, fair and gracious

daughter.

Isab. The better, given me by so holy a man.

Hath yet the deputy sent my brother's pardon?

Duke. He hath releas'd him, Isabel, from the

world;

His head is off, and sent to Angelo.

Isab. Nay, but it is not so.

Duke.

It is no other:

Show your wisdom, daughter, in your close patience.
Isab. O, I will to him, and pluck out his eyes.
Duke. You shall not be admitted to his sight.
Isab. Unhappy Claudio! Wretched Isabel !
Injurious world! Most damned Angelo !

Duke. This nor hurts him, nor profits you a jot: Forbear it therefore; give your cause to heaven. Mark what I say; which you shall find

By every syllable, a faithful verity:

The duke comes home to-morrow ;-nay, dry your

eyes;

One of our convent, and his confessor,

Gives me this instance: Already he hath carried
Notice to Escalus and Angelo;

Who do prepare to meet him at the gates,

There to give up their power. If you can, pace your

wisdom

In that good path that I would wish it go;

And you
shall have your bosom on this wretch,
Grace of the duke, revenges to your heart,
And general honour.

Isab..

I am directed by you.

Duke. This letter then to friar Peter give; "Tis he that sent me of the duke's return:

Say, by this token, I desire his company

At Mariana's house to-night. Her cause, and yours,
I'll perfect him withal; and he shall bring you
Before the duke; and to the head of Angelo
Accuse him home, and home. For my poor self,
I am combined by a sacred vow,

And shall be absent. Wend you with this letter:
Command these fretting waters from your eyes
With a light heart; trust not my holy order,
If I pervert your course.-Who's here?

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