Ang. I think it well: And from this testimony of your own sex (Since I suppose we are made to be no stronger Than faults may shake our frames), let me be bold ; I do arrest your words; Be that you are, That is, a woman; if you be more, you're none; By all external warrants), show it now, By putting on the destined livery. Isab. I have no tongue but one: gentle my lord, Let me entreat you speak the former language. Ang. Plainly conceive, I love you. Isab. My brother did love Juliet; and you tell me, That he shall die for it. Ang. He shall not, Isabel, if you give me love. Isab. I know, your virtue hath a license in't, Which seems a little fouler than it is, To pluck on others. Ang. Believe me, on mine honour, My words express my purpose. Isab. Ha! little honour to be much believed, And most pernicious purpose!-Seeming, seeming!* Sign me a present pardon for my brother, Or, with an outstretch'd throat, I'll tell the world Ang. Who will believe thee, Isabel ? My unsoil'd name, the austereness of my life, My voucht against you, and my place i' the state, That you shall stifle in your own report, That banish what they sue for; redeem thy brother Or else he must not only die the death, But thy unkindness shall his death draw out Isab. To whom shall I complain? Did I tell this, * Hypocrisy. † Attestation. Reluctant. Exit. Yet hath he in him such a mind of honour, Then, Isabel, live chaste, and, brother, die : And fit his mind to death, for his soul's rest. [Exit. ACT III. SCENE I-A Room in the Prison. Enter DUKE, CLAUDIO, and PROVOST. Duke. So, then you hope of pardon from lord Angelo? But only hope : I have hope to live, and am prepared to die. Duke. Be absolute* for death; either death or life, Shall thereby be the sweeter. Reason thus with life:If I do lose thee, I do lose a thing That none but fools would keep a breath thou art (Servile to all the skiey influences), That dost this habitation, where thou keep'st, Hourly afflict: merely, thou art death's fool; And yet runn'st toward him still: Thou art not noble: Are nursed in baseness: Thou art by no means valiant, Of a poor worm: Thy best of rest is sleep, And that thou oft provok'st; yet grossly fear'st Thy death, which is no more. Thou art not thyself; That issue out of dust: Happy thou art not; For what thou hast not, still thou striv'st to get; And what thou hast, forget'st: Thou art not certain; And death unloads thee: Friend hast thou none; The mere effusion of thy proper loins, Do curse the gout, serpigo, and the rheum, For ending thee no sooner: Thou hast nor youth, nor age; Dreaming on both: for all thy blessed youth Determined. † Affects, affections. Leprous eruptions. Becomes as aged, and doth beg the alms Of palsied eld; and when thou art old, and rich, Claud. I humbly thank you. To sue to live, I find, I seek to die: And, seeking death, find life: Let it come on. Enter ISABELLA. Isab. What, ho! Peace here; grace and good company! Prov. Who's there? come in: the wish deserves a welcome. Duke. Dear sir, ere long, I'll visit you again. Claud. Most holy sir, I thank you. Isab. My business is a word or two with Claudio. Prov. And very welcome. Look, signior, here's your sister. Duke. Provost, a word with you. Prov. As many as you please. Duke. Bring them to speak, where I may be conceal'd, Yet hear them. [Exeunt DUKE and PROVOST. Claud. Now, sister, what's the comfort? Isab. Why, as all comforts are; most good indeed : Lord Angelo, having affairs to heaven, Intends you for a swift ambassador, Where you shall be an everlasting leiger:† Therefore your best appointment‡ make with speed; Claud. Is there no remedy? Isab. None, but such remedy, as to save a head, To cleave a heart in twain. Claud. But is there any? Isab. Yes, brother, you may live; There is a devilish mercy in the judge, If you'll implore it, that will free your life, But fetter you till death. Claud. Perpetual durance? Isab. Ay, just, perpetual durance; a restraint, Claud. But in what nature ? Isab. In such a one as (you consenting to't) Would bark your honour from that trunk you bear, And leave you naked. Claud. Let me know the point. Isab. O, I do fear thee, Claudio; and I quake Lest thou a feverous life shouldst entertain, Than a perpetual honour. Dar'st thou die? * Old age. + Preparation. + Resident. § Vastness of extent. The sense of death is most in apprehension; Claud. Why give you me this shame ? I will encounter darkness as a bride, And hug it in mine arms. Isab. There spake my brother; there my father's graye Did utter forth a voice! Yes, thou must die: Thou art too noble to conserve a life In base appliances. This outward sainted deputy, Whose settled visage and deliberate word Nips youth i' the head, and follies doth enmew,* His filth within being cast, he would appear Claud. The princely Angelo! Isab. O, 'tis the cunning livery of hell, The damned'st body to invest and cover * In princely guards!+ Dost thou think, Claudio, Thou mightst be freed? Claud. O heavens! it cannot be. Isab. Yes, he would give it thee, for this rank offence So to offend him still: This night's the time That I should do what I abhor to name, Or else thou diest to-morrow. Claud. Thou shalt not do't. I'd throw it down for your deliverance As frankly as a pin. Claud. Thanks, dear Isabel. Isab. Be ready, Claudio, for your death to-morrow, That thus can make him bite the law by the nose, Or of the deadly seven it is the least. Isab. Which is the least? Claud. If it were damnable, he, being so wise, Why, would he for the momentary trick Be perdurablys fined ?-O Isabel! Isab. What says my brother? Claud. Death is a fearful thing. Isab. And shamed life a hateful. Claud. Ay, but to die, and go we know not where; To lie in cold obstruction, and to rot: This sensible warm motion to become A kneaded clod; and the delighted spirit To bathe in fiery floods, or to reside * Shut up. + Freely. + Laced robes. § Lastingly. In thrilling regions of thick-ribbed ice; 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! Is't not a kind of incest, to take life From thine own sister's shame? What should I think? For such a warped slip of wilderness + Ne'er issued from his blood. Take my defiance: Reprieve thee from thy fate, it should proceed: 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. O, hear me, Isabella. Re-enter DUKE. Duke. Vouchsafe a word, young sister, but one word. [Going. Duke. Might you dispense with your leisure, I would by-andby have some speech with you: the satisfaction I would require, is likewise your own benefit. Isab. I have no superfluous leisure; my stay must be stolen out of other affairs; but I will attend you awhile. Duke [to CLAUDIO, aside]. Son, I have overheard what hath pass'd between you and your sister. Angelo had never the purpose to corrupt her; only he hath made an essay of her virtue, to practise his judgment 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; therefore prepare yourself to death: Do not satisfy your resolution with hopes that are * Invisible. + Refusal. † Wildness. § An established habit. |