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 countermaud; no such example have we:
Besides, upon the very siege of justice,
Lord Angelo hath to the public ear
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, or other
circumstance. Good morrow; for, as I take it, it is al-
most day.

Prov. Who can do good on him?
Well, go, prepare yourself. But hark, what noise?
[Knocking within.
Heaven give your spirits comfort! [Exit Claudio.] By
I hope it is some pardon,or reprieve, and by:-
For the most gentle Claudio.-Welcome, father!
Enter Duke.

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;
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. Prov. There he must stay, until the officer

To make you understand this in a 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 li-
mited, 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 Barnar-
dine be this morning executed, and his head borne to
Angelo.

Enter ABHORSON.

Abhor. Sirrah, bring Barnardine hither! Clo. Master Barnardine !you must rise and be hang'd, master Barnardine!

Abhor. What, ho, Barnardine! Barn. [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! I am sleepy. Abhor. Tell him, he must awake,and that quickly too. Clo. Pray, master Barnardine, awake till you are executed, and sleep afterwards.

Prov. Angelo hath seen them both, and will discover Abhor. Go in to him, and fetch him out! the favour.

Duke. O, death's a great disguiser: and you may a 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.

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?

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.

Enter Duke.

Abhor. Look you, sir, here comes your ghostly father. Do we jest now, think you?

Clo. O, the better, sir; for he that drinks all night, Duke. You will think you have made no offence, if and is hanged betimes in the morning, may sleep the the duke avouch the justice of your dealing? sounder all the next day. 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 monastery; but, by chance, nothing of what is writ. 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 absolutely resolve you. Come away; it is almost clear dawn. [Exeunt. SCENE III.-Another room in the same. Enter Clown.

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. [Exit.

Enter Provost.
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.

Clo.I am as well acquainted here, as I was in our house Prov. Here in the prison, father,
of profession: one would think, it were mistress There died this morning of a cruel fever
Over-done's own house; for here be many of her old One Ragozine, a most notorious pirate,
customers. First, here's young master Rash; he's in A man of Claudio's years; his beard, and head
for a commodity of brown paper and old ginger, nine- Just of his colour: what if we do omit
score and seventeen pounds; of which he made five This reprobate, till he were well inclined,
marks, ready money: marry, then, ginger was not And satisfy the deputy with the visage
much in request, for the old women were all dead. Of Ragozine, more like to Claudio?
Then is there here one master Caper, at the suit of Duke. O, 'tis an accident that heaven provides!
master Three-pile the mercer, for some four suits of Despatch it presently; the hour draws on
peach-coloured satin, which now peaches him a beg-Prefix'd by Angelo. See, this be done,
gar. Then have we here young Dizy, and young mas- And sent according to command; whiles I
ter Deep-vow, and master Copper-spur, and master Persuade this rude wretch willingly to die.

Starve-lackey the rapier and dagger-man, and young Prov. This shall be done, good father, presently. Drop-heir that kill'd lusty Pudding, and master Forth- But Barnardine must die this afternoon: right the tilter, and brave master Shoe-tie the great And how shall we continue Claudio,

traveller, and wild Half-can that stabb'd Potts, and, To save me from the danger that might come, Ithink, forty more; all great doers in our trade, and If he were known alive?

are now for the Lord's sake.

Duke. Let this be done.-Put them in secret holds,

Isab. 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;

eyes;

Enter Lucio.

Lucio. Good even!
Friar, where is the provost?
Duke. 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 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; 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.
with child.
Lucio. I was once before him for getting a wench

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 bur, I shall stick. [Exeunt.

SCENE IV.--A room in Angelo's house.

Enter ANGELO and ESCALUS. Escal. Every letter he hath writ, hath disvouch'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 be fore 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 dispatch 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: nay, dry your Betimes i' the morn, I'll call you at house:

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,

your

Give notice to such men of sort and suit,

As are to meet him.

Escal. I shall, sir: fare you well!

Ang. Good night!

[Exit.

This deed unshapes me quite, makes me unpregnant,

There to give up their power. If you can, pace your And dull to all proceedings. A deflower'd maid!

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 that he 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?

And by an eminent body, that enforc'd

The law against it!-But that her tender shame
Will not proclaim against her maiden loss,

How might she tongue me? Yet reason dares her?-no:
For my authority bears a credent bulk,
That no particular scandal once can touch,
But it confounds the breather. He should have liv'd,
Save that his riotous youth, with dangerous sense,
Might, in the times to come, have ta'en revenge,
By so receiving a dishonour'd life,

With ransom of such shame. 'Would yet he had liv'd!
Alack, when once our grace we have forgot,
Nothing goes right;we would, and we would not.[Exit.
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
To Valentinus, Rowland, and to Crassus,
And bid them bring the trumpets to the gate;
But send me Flavius first!

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 loath;
I would say the truth; but to accuse him so,'
That is your part: yet I'm advis'd to do it;
He says, to veil full purpose.

Mari. Berul'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 physic,
That's bitter to sweet end.

Mari. I would, friar Peter

Isab. 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

Have hent the gates, and very near upon

And given me, justice, justice, justice, justice!
Duke. Relate your wrongs! In what? By whom? Be
brief!

Here is lord Angelo shall give you justice;
Reveal yourself to him!

Isab. O, worthy duke,

You bid me seek redemption of the devil.

Hear me yourself: for that, which I must speak,
Must either punish me, not being believ'd,

Or wring redress from you: hear me, O, hear me, here!
Ang. My lord, her wits, I fear me, are not firm:
She hath been a suitor to me for her brother,
Cut off by course of justice.

Isab. By course of justice!

Ang. And she will speak most bitterly, and strange.
Isab. Most strange, but yet most truly, will I speak:
That Angelo's forsworn; is it not strange?
That Angelo's a murderer; is't not strange?
That Angelo is an adulterous thief,
An hypocrite, a virgin violator,
Is it not strange, and strange?
Duke. 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,
But one, the wicked'st caitiff on the ground,
May seem as shy, as grave, as just, as absolute,
As Angelo; even so may Angelo,

The duke is ent'ring; therefore hence, away [Exeunt, In all his dressings, characts, titles, forms,

SCENEI. A public place near the city gate. MARIANA, (veiled,) 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 public thanks,
Forerunning more requital.

Ang. You make my bonds still greater.

Be an arch-villain: believe it, royal prince,
If he be less, he's nothing; but he's more,
Had I more name for badness.
Duke. By mine honesty,

If she be mad, (as I believe no other,)
Her madness hath the oddest frame of sense,
Such a dependency of thing on thing,
As e'er I heard in madness.
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, seems true!

Duke. Many that are not mad,
Have, sure, more lack of reason.-
say?

Isab. I am the sister of one Claudio,

What would you

Duke. O, your desert speaks loud; and I should Condemn'd upon the act of fornication

wrong it,

To lock it in the wards of covert bosom,
When it deserves with characters of brass
A forted residence, 'gainst the tooth of time,
And razure of oblivion. Give me your hand,
And let the subject see, to make them know,
That outward courtesies would fain proclaim
Favours that keep within.-Come, Escalus!
You must walk by us on our other hand;—
And good supporters are you.

Peter and IsabelLA come forward.

F. Peter. Now is your time; speak loud, and kneel
before him!

Isab. Justice, O royal duke! Vail your regard
Upon a wrong'd, I'd fain have said, a maid!

O worthy prince, dishonour not your eye

By throwing it on any other object,

Till you have heard me in my true complaint,

To lose his head; condemn'd by Angelo:
I, in probation of a sisterhood,
Was sent to by my brother: one Lucio
As then the messenger;-

Lucio. That's I, an't like your grace:

I came to her from Claudio, and desir'd her
To try her gracious fortune with lord Angelo
For her poor brother's pardon.

Isab. That's he, indeed.

Duke. You were not bid to speak.
Lucio. No, my good lord;
Nor wish'd to hold my peace.
Duke. I wish you now then;

Pray you, take note of it: and when you have
A business for yourself, pray heaven, you then
Be perfect!

Lucio. I warrant your honour.

Duke. The warrant's for yourself: take heed to it!