Duke. Thou art the first knave, that e'er made a duke. First, Provost, let me bail these gentle three : Sneak not away, sir; [to Lucio.] for the friar and you Must have a word anon :-lay hold on him. Lucio. This may prove worse than hanging. down. [To Escalus. We'll borrow place of him :-Sir, by your leave: Hast thou or word, or wit, or impudence, And hold no longer out. Ang. [To Angelo. O my dread lord, I should be guiltier than my guiltiness, To think I can be undiscernable, When I perceive, your grace, like power divine, No longer session hold upon my shame, But let my trial be mine own confession; Duke. Come hither, Mariana:Say, wast thou e'er contracted to this woman? Ang. I was, my lord. Duke. Go take her hence, and marry her instantly. Do you the office, friar; which consummate, Return him here again :-Go with him, Provost. [Exeunt Angelo, Mariana, Peter, and Provost. Escal. My lord, I am more amaz'd at his dishonour, Than at the strangeness of it. Duke. Come hither, Isabel: Your friar is now your prince: As I was then Not changing heart with habit, I am still Isab. O, give me pardon, That I, your vassal, have employ'd and pain'd Duke. You are pardon'd, Isabel: And now, dear maid, be you as free to us. him! That life is better life, past fearing death, Than that which lives to fear: make it your comfort, So happy is your brother. Re-enter ANGELO, MARIANA, PETER, and Provost. Isab. I do, my lord. Duke. For this new-married man, approaching here, Whose salt imagination yet hath wrong'd Your well-defended honour, you must pardon For Mariana's sake: but as he adjudg'd your brother, (Being criminal, in double violation Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure; Which though thou would'st deny, denies thee vantage: We do condemn thee to the very block Where Claudio stoop'd to death, and with like haste ;Away with him. Mari. O, my most gracious lord, Duke. It is your husband mock'd you with a husband: Consenting to the safeguard of your honour, I thought your marriage fit; else imputation, We do instate and widow you withal, To buy you a better husband. Mari. I crave no other, nor no better man. O, my dear lord, [Kneeling. You do but lose your labour; Duke. Never crave him; we are definitive. Mari. Gentle, my liege, Duke. Away with him to death.-Now, sir, [to Lucio.] to you. Mari. O, my good lord!-Sweet Isabel, take my part; Lend me your knees; and all my life to come Duke. Against all sense you do impórtune her: Her brother's ghost his paved bed would break, Mari. Isabel, Sweet Isabel, do yet but kneel by me ; Hold up your hands, say nothing, I'll speak all. O, Isabel! will you not lend a knee? Duke. He dies for Claudio's death. Isab. Most bounteous sir, [Kneeling. Look, if it please you, on this man condemn'd, A due sincerity govern'd his deeds, Let him not die: My brother had but justice, In that he did the thing for which he died : For Angelo, His act did not o'ertake his bad intent; And must be buried but as an intent That perish'd by the way: thoughts are no subjects; Intents but merely thoughts. Mari. VOL. II. Merely, my lord. CC Duke. Your suit's unprofitable; stand up, I say.I have bethought me of another fault : Provost, how came it, Claudio was beheaded Prov. sage. Duke. For which I do discharge you of your office : Give up your keys. Prov. Duke. Prov. What's he? His name is Barnardine. Duke. I would thou had'st done so by Claudio.Go, fetch him hither; let me look upon him. [Exit Provost. Escal. I am sorry, one so learned and so wise Ang. I am sorry, that such sorrow I procure : |