第3章

Re-enterProvostProvostHereisthehead;I’llcarryitmyself。DUKEVINCENTIOConvenientisit。Makeaswiftreturn;

ForIwouldcommunewithyouofsuchthingsThatwantnoearbutyours。ProvostI’llmakeallspeed。

ExitISABELLA[Within]Peace,ho,behere!DUKEVINCENTIOThetongueofIsabel。She’scometoknowIfyetherbrother’spardonbecomehither:

ButIwillkeepherignorantofhergood,Tomakeherheavenlycomfortsofdespair,Whenitisleastexpected。

EnterISABELLAISABELLAHo,byyourleave!DUKEVINCENTIOGoodmorningtoyou,fairandgraciousdaughter。ISABELLAThebetter,givenmebysoholyaman。

Hathyetthedeputysentmybrother’spardon?DUKEVINCENTIOHehathreleasedhim,Isabel,fromtheworld:

HisheadisoffandsenttoAngelo。ISABELLANay,butitisnotso。DUKEVINCENTIOItisnoother:showyourwisdom,daughter,Inyourclosepatience。ISABELLAO,Iwilltohimandpluckouthiseyes!DUKEVINCENTIOYoushallnotbeadmittedtohissight。ISABELLAUnhappyClaudio!wretchedIsabel!

Injuriousworld!mostdamnedAngelo!DUKEVINCENTIOThisnorhurtshimnorprofitsyouajot;

Forbearittherefore;giveyourcausetoheaven。

MarkwhatIsay,whichyoushallfindByeverysyllableafaithfulverity:

Thedukecomeshometo-morrow;nay,dryyoureyes;

Oneofourconvent,andhisconfessor,Givesmethisinstance:alreadyhehathcarriedNoticetoEscalusandAngelo,Whodopreparetomeethimatthegates,Theretogiveuptheirpower。Ifyoucan,paceyourwisdomInthatgoodpaththatIwouldwishitgo,Andyoushallhaveyourbosomonthiswretch,Graceoftheduke,revengestoyourheart,Andgeneralhonour。ISABELLAIamdirectedbyyou。DUKEVINCENTIOThisletter,then,toFriarPetergive;

’Tisthathesentmeoftheduke’sreturn:

Say,bythistoken,IdesirehiscompanyAtMariana’shouseto-night。HercauseandyoursI’llperfecthimwithal,andheshallbringyouBeforetheduke,andtotheheadofAngeloAccusehimhomeandhome。Formypoorself,IamcombinedbyasacredvowAndshallbeabsent。Wendyouwiththisletter:

CommandthesefrettingwatersfromyoureyesWithalightheart;trustnotmyholyorder,IfIpervertyourcourse。Who’shere?

EnterLUCIOLUCIOGoodeven。Friar,where’stheprovost?DUKEVINCENTIONotwithin,sir。LUCIOOprettyIsabella,Iampaleatminehearttoseethineeyessored:thoumustbepatient。Iamfaintodineandsupwithwaterandbran;Idarenotformyheadfillmybelly;onefruitfulmealwouldsetmeto’t。Buttheysaythedukewillbehereto-morrow。Bymytroth,Isabel,Ilovedthybrother:

iftheoldfantasticaldukeofdarkcornershadbeenathome,hehadlived。

ExitISABELLADUKEVINCENTIOSir,thedukeismarvellouslittlebeholdingtoyourreports;butthebestis,helivesnotinthem。LUCIOFriar,thouknowestnotthedukesowellasIdo:

he’sabetterwoodmanthanthoutakesthimfor。DUKEVINCENTIOWell,you’llanswerthisoneday。Fareyewell。LUCIONay,tarry;I’llgoalongwiththeeIcantelltheeprettytalesoftheduke。DUKEVINCENTIOYouhavetoldmetoomanyofhimalready,sir,iftheybetrue;ifnottrue,nonewereenough。LUCIOIwasoncebeforehimforgettingawenchwithchild。DUKEVINCENTIODidyousuchathing?LUCIOYes,marry,didIbutIwasfaintoforswearit;

theywouldelsehavemarriedmetotherottenmedlar。DUKEVINCENTIOSir,yourcompanyisfairerthanhonest。

Restyouwell。LUCIOBymytroth,I’llgowiththeetothelane’send:

ifbawdytalkoffendyou,we’llhaveverylittleofit。Nay,friar,Iamakindofburr;Ishallstick。

ExeuntSCENEIV。AroominANGELO’shouse。EnterANGELOandESCALUSESCALUSEveryletterhehathwrithathdisvouchedother。ANGELOInmostunevenanddistractedmanner。Hisactionsshowmuchliketomadness:prayheavenhiswisdombenottainted!Andwhymeethimatthegates,andredeliverourauthoritiesthereESCALUSIguessnot。ANGELOAndwhyshouldweproclaimitinanhourbeforehisentering,thatifanycraveredressofinjustice,theyshouldexhibittheirpetitionsinthestreet?ESCALUSHeshowshisreasonforthat:tohaveadispatchofcomplaints,andtodeliverusfromdeviceshereafter,whichshallthenhavenopowertostandagainstus。ANGELOWell,Ibeseechyou,letitbeproclaimedbetimesi’themorn;I’llcallyouatyourhouse:givenoticetosuchmenofsortandsuitasaretomeethim。ESCALUSIshall,sir。Fareyouwell。ANGELOGoodnight。

ExitESCALUS

Thisdeedunshapesmequite,makesmeunpregnantAnddulltoallproceedings。Adeflower’dmaid!

AndbyaneminentbodythatenforcedThelawagainstit!ButthathertendershameWillnotproclaimagainsthermaidenloss,Howmightshetongueme!Yetreasondaresherno;

Formyauthoritybearsofacredentbulk,ThatnoparticularscandaloncecantouchButitconfoundsthebreather。Heshouldhavelived,Savethatriotousyouth,withdangeroussense,Mightinthetimestocomehaveta’enrevenge,Bysoreceivingadishonour’dlifeWithransomofsuchshame。Wouldyethehadlived!

Alack,whenonceourgracewehaveforgot,Nothinggoesright:wewould,andwewouldnot。

ExitSCENEV。Fieldswithoutthetown。EnterDUKEVINCENTIOinhisownhabit,andFRIARPETERDUKEVINCENTIOTheselettersatfittimedelivermeGivinglettersTheprovostknowsourpurposeandourplot。

Thematterbeingafoot,keepyourinstruction,Andholdyouevertoourspecialdrift;

Thoughsometimesyoudoblenchfromthistothat,Ascausedothminister。GocallatFlavius’house,AndtellhimwhereIstay:givethelikenoticeToValentinus,Rowland,andtoCrassus,Andbidthembringthetrumpetstothegate;

ButsendmeFlaviusfirst。FRIARPETERItshallbespeededwell。

ExitEnterVARRIUSDUKEVINCENTIOIthankthee,Varrius;thouhastmadegoodhaste:

Come,wewillwalk。There’sotherofourfriendsWillgreetushereanon,mygentleVarrius。

ExeuntSCENEVI。Streetnearthecitygate。EnterISABELLAandMARIANAISABELLATospeaksoindirectlyIamloath:

Iwouldsaythetruth;buttoaccusehimso,Thatisyourpart:yetIamadvisedtodoit;

Hesays,toveilfullpurpose。MARIANABeruledbyhim。ISABELLABesides,hetellsmethat,ifperadventureHespeakagainstmeontheadverseside,Ishouldnotthinkitstrange;for’tisaphysicThat’sbittertosweetend。MARIANAIwouldFriarPeter——ISABELLAO,peace!thefriariscome。

EnterFRIARPETERFRIARPETERCome,Ihavefoundyououtastandmostfit,Whereyoumayhavesuchvantageontheduke,Heshallnotpassyou。Twicehavethetrumpetssounded;

ThegenerousandgravestcitizensHavehentthegates,andverynearuponThedukeisentering:therefore,hence,away!

ExeuntACTVSCENEI。Thecitygate。MARIANAveiled,ISABELLA,andFRIARPETER,attheirstand。

EnterDUKEVINCENTIO,VARRIUS,Lords,ANGELO,ESCALUS,LUCIO,Provost,Officers,andCitizens,atseveraldoorsDUKEVINCENTIOMyveryworthycousin,fairlymet!

Ouroldandfaithfulfriend,wearegladtoseeyou。ANGELOESCALUSHappyreturnbetoyourroyalgrace!DUKEVINCENTIOManyandheartythankingstoyouboth。

Wehavemadeinquiryofyou;andwehearSuchgoodnessofyourjustice,thatoursoulCannotbutyieldyouforthtopublicthanks,Forerunningmorerequital。ANGELOYoumakemybondsstillgreater。DUKEVINCENTIOO,yourdesertspeaksloud;andIshouldwrongit,Tolockitinthewardsofcovertbosom,Whenitdeserves,withcharactersofbrass,Afortedresidence’gainstthetoothoftimeAndrazureofoblivion。Givemeyourhand,Andletthesubjectsee,tomakethemknowThatoutwardcourtesieswouldfainproclaimFavoursthatkeepwithin。Come,Escalus,Youmustwalkbyusonourotherhand;

Andgoodsupportersareyou。

FRIARPETERandISABELLAcomeforwardFRIARPETERNowisyourtime:speakloudandkneelbeforehim。ISABELLAJustice,Oroyalduke!VailyourregardUponawrong’d,Iwouldfainhavesaid,amaid!

Oworthyprince,dishonournotyoureyeBythrowingitonanyotherobjectTillyouhaveheardmeinmytruecomplaintAndgivenmejustice,justice,justice,justice!DUKEVINCENTIORelateyourwrongs;inwhat?bywhom?

bebrief。

HereisLordAngeloshallgiveyoujustice:

Revealyourselftohim。ISABELLAOworthyduke,Youbidmeseekredemptionofthedevil:

Hearmeyourself;forthatwhichImustspeakMusteitherpunishme,notbeingbelieved,Orwringredressfromyou。Hearme,Ohearme,here!ANGELOMylord,herwits,Ifearme,arenotfirm:

ShehathbeenasuitortomeforherbrotherCutoffbycourseofjustice,——ISABELLABycourseofjustice!ANGELOAndshewillspeakmostbitterlyandstrange。ISABELLAMoststrange,butyetmosttruly,willIspeak:

ThatAngelo’sforsworn;isitnotstrange?

ThatAngelo’samurderer;is’tnotstrange?

ThatAngeloisanadulterousthief,Anhypocrite,avirgin-violator;

Isitnotstrangeandstrange?DUKEVINCENTIONay,itistentimesstrange。ISABELLAItisnottruerheisAngeloThanthisisallastrueasitisstrange:

Nay,itistentimestrue;fortruthistruthTotheendofreckoning。DUKEVINCENTIOAwaywithher!Poorsoul,Shespeaksthisintheinfirmityofsense。ISABELLAOprince,Iconjurethee,asthoubelievestThereisanothercomfortthanthisworld,Thatthouneglectmenot,withthatopinionThatIamtouch’dwithmadness!MakenotimpossibleThatwhichbutseemsunlike:’tisnotimpossibleButone,thewicked’stcaitiffontheground,Mayseemasshy,asgrave,asjust,asabsoluteAsAngelo;evensomayAngelo,Inallhisdressings,characts,titles,forms,Beanarch-villain;believeit,royalprince:

Ifhebeless,he’snothing;buthe’smore,HadImorenameforbadness。DUKEVINCENTIOByminehonesty,Ifshebemad,——asIbelievenoother,——

Hermadnesshaththeoddestframeofsense,Suchadependencyofthingonthing,Ase’erIheardinmadness。ISABELLAOgraciousduke,Harpnotonthat,nordonotbanishreasonForinequality;butletyourreasonserveTomakethetruthappearwhereitseemshid,Andhidethefalseseemstrue。DUKEVINCENTIOManythatarenotmadHave,sure,morelackofreason。Whatwouldyousay?ISABELLAIamthesisterofoneClaudio,Condemn’dupontheactoffornicationTolosehishead;condemn’dbyAngelo:

I,inprobationofasisterhood,Wassenttobymybrother;oneLucioAsthenthemessenger,——LUCIOThat’sI,an’tlikeyourgrace:

IcametoherfromClaudio,anddesiredherTotryhergraciousfortunewithLordAngeloForherpoorbrother’spardon。ISABELLAThat’sheindeed。DUKEVINCENTIOYouwerenotbidtospeak。LUCIONo,mygoodlord;

Norwish’dtoholdmypeace。DUKEVINCENTIOIwishyounow,then;

Prayyou,takenoteofit:andwhenyouhaveAbusinessforyourself,prayheavenyouthenBeperfect。LUCIOIwarrantyourhonour。DUKEVINCENTIOThewarrantsforyourself;takeheedto’t。ISABELLAThisgentlemantoldsomewhatofmytale,——LUCIORight。DUKEVINCENTIOItmayberight;butyouarei’thewrongTospeakbeforeyourtime。Proceed。ISABELLAIwentTothisperniciouscaitiffdeputy,——DUKEVINCENTIOThat’ssomewhatmadlyspoken。ISABELLAPardonit;

Thephraseistothematter。DUKEVINCENTIOMendedagain。Thematter;proceed。ISABELLAInbrief,tosettheneedlessprocessby,HowIpersuaded,howIpray’d,andkneel’d,Howherefell’dme,andhowIreplied,——

Forthiswasofmuchlength,——thevileconclusionInowbeginwithgriefandshametoutter:

Hewouldnot,butbygiftofmychastebodyTohisconcupiscibleintemperatelust,Releasemybrother;and,aftermuchdebatement,Mysisterlyremorseconfutesminehonour,AndIdidyieldtohim:butthenextmornbetimes,Hispurposesurfeiting,hesendsawarrantFormypoorbrother’shead。DUKEVINCENTIOThisismostlikely!ISABELLAO,thatitwereaslikeasitistrue!DUKEVINCENTIOByheaven,fondwretch,thouknowistnotwhatthouspeak’st,Orelsethouartsuborn’dagainsthishonourInhatefulpractise。First,hisintegrityStandswithoutblemish。Next,itimportsnoreasonThatwithsuchvehemencyheshouldpursueFaultspropertohimself:ifhehadsooffended,Hewouldhaveweigh’dthybrotherbyhimselfAndnothavecuthimoff。Someonehathsetyouon:

Confessthetruth,andsaybywhoseadviceThoucamestheretocomplain。ISABELLAAndisthisall?

Then,Oyoublessedministersabove,Keepmeinpatience,andwithripen’dtimeUnfoldtheevilwhichisherewraptupIncountenance!Heavenshieldyourgracefromwoe,AsI,thuswrong’d,henceunbelievedgo!DUKEVINCENTIOIknowyou’ldfainbegone。Anofficer!

Toprisonwithher!ShallwethuspermitAblastingandascandalousbreathtofallOnhimsonearus?Thisneedsmustbeapractise。

WhoknewofYourintentandcominghither?ISABELLAOnethatIwouldwerehere,FriarLodowick。DUKEVINCENTIOAghostlyfather,belike。WhoknowsthatLodowick?LUCIOMylord,Iknowhim;’tisameddlingfriar;

Idonotliketheman:hadhebeenlay,mylordForcertainwordshespakeagainstyourgraceInyourretirement,Ihadswingedhimsoundly。DUKEVINCENTIOWordsagainstme?thisisagoodfriar,belike!

AndtosetonthiswretchedwomanhereAgainstoursubstitute!Letthisfriarbefound。LUCIOButyesternight,mylord,sheandthatfriar,Isawthemattheprison:asaucyfriar,Averyscurvyfellow。FRIARPETERBlessedbeyourroyalgrace!

Ihavestoodby,mylord,andIhaveheardYourroyalearabused。First,haththiswomanMostwrongfullyaccusedyoursubstitute,WhoisasfreefromtouchorsoilwithherAsshefromoneungot。DUKEVINCENTIOWedidbelievenoless。

KnowyouthatFriarLodowickthatshespeaksof?FRIARPETERIknowhimforamandivineandholy;

Notscurvy,noratemporarymeddler,Ashe’sreportedbythisgentleman;

And,onmytrust,amanthatneveryetDid,ashevouches,misreportyourgrace。LUCIOMylord,mostvillanously;believeit。FRIARPETERWell,heintimemaycometoclearhimself;

Butatthisinstantheissickmylord,Ofastrangefever。Uponhismererequest,BeingcometoknowledgethattherewascomplaintIntended’gainstLordAngelo,cameIhither,Tospeak,asfromhismouth,whathedothknowIstrueandfalse;andwhathewithhisoathAndallprobationwillmakeupfullclear,Whensoeverhe’sconvented。First,forthiswoman。

Tojustifythisworthynobleman,Sovulgarlyandpersonallyaccused,Hershallyouheardisprovedtohereyes,Tillsheherselfconfessit。DUKEVINCENTIOGoodfriar,let’shearit。

ISABELLAiscarriedoffguarded;andMARIANAcomesforwardDoyounotsmileatthis,LordAngelo?

Oheaven,thevanityofwretchedfools!

Giveussomeseats。Come,cousinAngelo;

InthisI’llbeimpartial;beyoujudgeOfyourowncause。Isthisthewitness,friar?

First,lethershowherface,andafterspeak。MARIANAPardon,mylord;IwillnotshowmyfaceUntilmyhusbandbidme。DUKEVINCENTIOWhat,areyoumarried?MARIANANo,mylord。DUKEVINCENTIOAreyouamaid?MARIANANo,mylord。DUKEVINCENTIOAwidow,then?MARIANANeither,mylord。DUKEVINCENTIOWhy,youarenothingthen:neithermaid,widow,norwife?LUCIOMylord,shemaybeapunk;formanyofthemareneithermaid,widow,norwife。DUKEVINCENTIOSilencethatfellow:IwouldhehadsomecauseToprattleforhimself。LUCIOWell,mylord。MARIANAMylord;IdoconfessIne’erwasmarried;

AndIconfessbesidesIamnomaid:

Ihaveknownmyhusband;yetmyhusbandKnowsnotthateverheknewme。LUCIOHewasdrunkthen,mylord:itcanbenobetter。DUKEVINCENTIOForthebenefitofsilence,wouldthouwertsotoo!LUCIOWell,mylord。DUKEVINCENTIOThisisnowitnessforLordAngelo。MARIANANowIcometo’tmylordShethataccuseshimoffornication,Inself-samemannerdothaccusemyhusband,Andchargeshimmylord,withsuchatimeWhenI’lldeposeIhadhiminminearmsWithalltheeffectoflove。ANGELOChargesshemorethanme?MARIANANotthatIknow。DUKEVINCENTIONo?yousayyourhusband。MARIANAWhy,just,mylord,andthatisAngelo,Whothinksheknowsthathene’erknewmybody,ButknowshethinksthatheknowsIsabel’s。ANGELOThisisastrangeabuse。Let’sseethyface。MARIANAMyhusbandbidsme;nowIwillunmask。

UnveilingThisisthatface,thoucruelAngelo,Whichoncethousworestwasworththelookingon;

Thisisthehandwhich,withavow’dcontract,Wasfastbelock’dinthine;thisisthebodyThattookawaythematchfromIsabel,Anddidsupplytheeatthygarden-houseInherimaginedperson。DUKEVINCENTIOKnowyouthiswoman?LUCIOCarnally,shesays。DUKEVINCENTIOSirrah,nomore!LUCIOEnough,mylord。ANGELOMylord,ImustconfessIknowthiswoman:

AndfiveyearssincetherewassomespeechofmarriageBetwixtmyselfandher;whichwasbrokeoff,PartlyforthatherpromisedproportionsCameshortofcomposition,butinchiefForthatherreputationwasdisvaluedInlevity:sincewhichtimeoffiveyearsIneverspakewithher,sawher,norheardfromher,Uponmyfaithandhonour。MARIANANobleprince,Astherecomeslightfromheavenandwordsfrombreath,Asthereissenseintruthandtruthinvirtue,Iamaffiancedthisman’swifeasstronglyAswordscouldmakeupvows:and,mygoodlord,ButTuesdaynightlastgonein’sgarden-houseHeknewmeasawife。Asthisistrue,LetmeinsafetyraisemefrommykneesOrelseforeverbeconfixedhere,Amarblemonument!ANGELOIdidbutsmiletillnow:

Now,goodmylord,givemethescopeofjusticeMypatiencehereistouch’d。IdoperceiveThesepoorinformalwomenarenomoreButinstrumentsofsomemoremightiermemberThatsetsthemon:letmehaveway,mylord,Tofindthispractiseout。DUKEVINCENTIOAy,withmyheartAndpunishthemtoyourheightofpleasure。

Thoufoolishfriar,andthouperniciouswoman,Compactwithherthat’sgone,think’stthouthyoaths,Thoughtheywouldsweardowneachparticularsaint,WeretestimoniesagainsthisworthandcreditThat’sseal’dinapprobation?You,LordEscalus,Sitwithmycousin;lendhimyourkindpainsTofindoutthisabuse,whence’tisderived。

Thereisanotherfriarthatsetthemon;

Lethimbesentfor。FRIARPETERWouldhewerehere,mylord!forheindeedHathsetthewomenontothiscomplaint:

YourprovostknowstheplacewhereheabidesAndhemayfetchhim。DUKEVINCENTIOGodoitinstantly。

ExitProvostAndyou,mynobleandwell-warrantedcousin,Whomitconcernstohearthismatterforth,Dowithyourinjuriesasseemsyoubest,Inanychastisement:Iforawhilewillleaveyou;

ButstirnotyoutillyouhavewelldeterminedUpontheseslanderers。ESCALUSMylord,we’lldoitthroughly。

ExitDUKE

SigniorLucio,didnotyousayyouknewthatFriarLodowicktobeadishonestperson?LUCIO’Cucullusnonfacitmonachum:’honestinnothingbutinhisclothes;andonethathathspokemostvillanousspeechesoftheduke。ESCALUSWeshallentreatyoutoabideheretillhecomeandenforcethemagainsthim:weshallfindthisfriaranotablefellow。LUCIOAsanyinVienna,onmyword。ESCALUSCallthatsameIsabelhereonceagain;

Iwouldspeakwithher。

ExitanAttendantPrayyou,mylord,givemeleavetoquestion;

youshallseehowI’llhandleher。LUCIONotbetterthanhe,byherownreport。ESCALUSSayyou?LUCIOMarry,sir,Ithink,ifyouhandledherprivately,shewouldsoonerconfess:perchance,publicly,she’llbeashamed。ESCALUSIwillgodarklytoworkwithher。LUCIOThat’stheway;forwomenarelightatmidnight。

Re-enterOfficerswithISABELLA;andProvostwiththeDUKEVINCENTIO

inhisfriar’shabitESCALUSComeon,mistress:here’sagentlewomandeniesallthatyouhavesaid。LUCIOMylord,herecomestherascalIspokeof;herewiththeprovost。ESCALUSInverygoodtime:speaknotyoutohimtillwecalluponyou。LUCIOMum。ESCALUSCome,sir:didyousetthesewomenontoslanderLordAngelo?theyhaveconfessedyoudid。DUKEVINCENTIO’Tisfalse。ESCALUSHow!knowyouwhereyouare?DUKEVINCENTIORespecttoyourgreatplace!andletthedevilBesometimehonour’dforhisburningthrone!

Whereistheduke?’tisheshouldhearmespeak。ESCALUSTheduke’sinus;andwewillhearyouspeak:

Lookyouspeakjustly。DUKEVINCENTIOBoldly,atleast。But,O,poorsouls,Comeyoutoseekthelambhereofthefox?

Goodnighttoyourredress!Isthedukegone?

Thenisyourcausegonetoo。Theduke’sunjust,Thustoretortyourmanifestappeal,Andputyourtrialinthevillain’smouthWhichhereyoucometoaccuse。LUCIOThisistherascal;thisisheIspokeof。ESCALUSWhy,thouunreverendandunhallow’dfriar,Is’tnotenoughthouhastsuborn’dthesewomenToaccusethisworthyman,but,infoulmouthAndinthewitnessofhisproperear,Tocallhimvillain?andthentoglancefromhimTothedukehimself,totaxhimwithinjustice?

Takehimhence;totherackwithhim!We’lltouseyouJointbyjoint,butwewillknowhispurpose。

What’unjust’!DUKEVINCENTIOBenotsohot;thedukeDarenomorestretchthisfingerofminethanheDarerackhisown:hissubjectamInot,Norhereprovincial。MybusinessinthisstateMademealookeronhereinVienna,WhereIhaveseencorruptionboilandbubbleTillito’er-runthestew;lawsforallfaults,Butfaultssocountenanced,thatthestrongstatutesStandliketheforfeitsinabarber’sshop,Asmuchinmockasmark。ESCALUSSlandertothestate!Awaywithhimtoprison!ANGELOWhatcanyouvouchagainsthim,SigniorLucio?

Isthisthemanthatyoudidtellusof?LUCIO’Tishe,mylord。Comehither,goodmanbaldpate:

doyouknowme?DUKEVINCENTIOIrememberyou,sir,bythesoundofyourvoice:I

metyouattheprison,intheabsenceoftheduke。LUCIOO,didyouso?Anddoyourememberwhatyousaidoftheduke?DUKEVINCENTIOMostnotedly,sir。LUCIODoyouso,sir?Andwasthedukeafleshmonger,afool,andacoward,asyouthenreportedhimtobe?DUKEVINCENTIOYoumust,sir,changepersonswithme,ereyoumakethatmyreport:you,indeed,spokesoofhim;

andmuchmore,muchworse。LUCIOOthoudamnablefellow!DidnotIplucktheebythenoseforthyspeeches?DUKEVINCENTIOIprotestIlovethedukeasIlovemyself。ANGELOHark,howthevillainwouldclosenow,afterhistreasonableabuses!ESCALUSSuchafellowisnottobetalkedwithal。

Awaywithhimtoprison!Whereistheprovost?Awaywithhimtoprison!layboltsenoughuponhim:lethimspeaknomore。Awaywiththosegiglotstoo,andwiththeotherconfederatecompanion!DUKEVINCENTIO[ToProvost]Stay,sir;stayawhile。ANGELOWhat,resistshe?Helphim,Lucio。LUCIOCome,sir;come,sir;come,sir;foh,sir!Why,youbald-pated,lyingrascal,youmustbehooded,mustyou?Showyourknave’svisage,withapoxtoyou!

showyoursheep-bitingface,andbehangedanhour!

Will’tnotoff?

Pullsoffthefriar’shood,anddiscoversDUKEVINCENTIODUKEVINCENTIOThouartthefirstknavethate’ermadestaduke。

First,provost,letmebailthesegentlethree。

ToLUCIO

Sneaknotaway,sir;forthefriarandyouMusthaveawordanon。Layholdonhim。LUCIOThismayproveworsethanhanging。DUKEVINCENTIO[ToESCALUS]WhatyouhavespokeIpardon:

sityoudown:

We’llborrowplaceofhim。

ToANGELO

Sir,byyourleave。

Hastthouorword,orwit,orimpudence,Thatyetcandotheeoffice?Ifthouhast,Relyuponittillmytalebeheard,Andholdnolongerout。ANGELOOmydreadlord,Ishouldbeguiltierthanmyguiltiness,TothinkIcanbeundiscernible,WhenIperceiveyourgrace,likepowerdivine,Hathlook’duponmypasses。Then,goodprince,Nolongersessionholduponmyshame,Butletmytrialbemineownconfession:

ImmediatesentencethenandsequentdeathIsallthegraceIbeg。DUKEVINCENTIOComehither,Mariana。

Say,wastthoue’ercontractedtothiswoman?ANGELOIwas,mylord。DUKEVINCENTIOGotakeherhence,andmarryherinstantly。

Doyoutheoffice,friar;whichconsummate,Returnhimhereagain。Gowithhim,provost。

ExeuntANGELO,MARIANA,FRIARPETERandProvostESCALUSMylord,IammoreamazedathisdishonourThanatthestrangenessofit。DUKEVINCENTIOComehither,Isabel。

Yourfriarisnowyourprince:asIwasthenAdvertisingandholytoyourbusiness,Notchangingheartwithhabit,IamstillAttorney’datyourservice。ISABELLAO,givemepardon,ThatI,yourvassal,haveemploy’dandpain’dYourunknownsovereignty!DUKEVINCENTIOYouarepardon’d,Isabel:

Andnow,dearmaid,beyouasfreetous。

Yourbrother’sdeath,Iknow,sitsatyourheart;

AndyoumaymarvelwhyIobscuredmyself,Labouringtosavehislife,andwouldnotratherMakerashremonstranceofmyhiddenpowerThanlethimsobelost。Omostkindmaid,Itwastheswiftcelerityofhisdeath,WhichIdidthinkwithslowerfootcameon,Thatbrain’dmypurpose。But,peacebewithhim!

Thatlifeisbetterlife,pastfearingdeath,Thanthatwhichlivestofear:makeityourcomfort,Sohappyisyourbrother。ISABELLAIdo,mylord。

Re-enterANGELO,MARIANA,FRIARPETER,andProvostDUKEVINCENTIOForthisnew-marriedmanapproachinghere,Whosesaltimaginationyethathwrong’dYourwelldefendedhonour,youmustpardonForMariana’ssake:butasheadjudgedyourbrother,——

Beingcriminal,indoubleviolationOfsacredchastityandofpromise-breachThereondependent,foryourbrother’slife,——

TheverymercyofthelawcriesoutMostaudible,evenfromhispropertongue,’AnAngeloforClaudio,deathfordeath!’

Hastestillpayshaste,andleisureanswersleisure;

Likedothquitlike,andMEASUREstillFORMEASURE。

Then,Angelo,thyfault’sthusmanifested;

Which,thoughthouwouldstdeny,deniestheevantage。

WedocondemntheetotheveryblockWhereClaudiostoop’dtodeath,andwithlikehaste。

Awaywithhim!MARIANAOmymostgraciouslord,Ihopeyouwillnotmockmewithahusband。DUKEVINCENTIOItisyourhusbandmock’dyouwithahusband。

Consentingtothesafeguardofyourhonour,Ithoughtyourmarriagefit;elseimputation,Forthatheknewyou,mightreproachyourlifeAndchokeyourgoodtocome;forhispossessions,Althoughbyconfiscationtheyareours,Wedoinstateandwidowyouwithal,Tobuyyouabetterhusband。MARIANAOmydearlord,Icravenoother,nornobetterman。DUKEVINCENTIONevercravehim;wearedefinitive。MARIANAGentlemyliege,——

KneelingDUKEVINCENTIOYoudobutloseyourlabour。

Awaywithhimtodeath!

ToLUCIO

Now,sir,toyou。MARIANAOmygoodlord!SweetIsabel,takemypart;

Lendmeyourknees,andallmylifetocomeI’lllendyouallmylifetodoyouservice。DUKEVINCENTIOAgainstallsenseyoudoimportuneher:

Shouldshekneeldowninmercyofthisfact,Herbrother’sghosthispavedbedwouldbreak,Andtakeherhenceinhorror。MARIANAIsabel,SweetIsabel,doyetbutkneelbyme;

Holdupyourhands,saynothing;I’llspeakall。

Theysay,bestmenaremouldedoutoffaults;

And,forthemost,becomemuchmorethebetterForbeingalittlebad:somaymyhusband。

OIsabel,willyounotlendaknee?DUKEVINCENTIOHediesforClaudio’sdeath。ISABELLAMostbounteoussir,KneelingLook,ifitpleaseyou,onthismancondemn’d,Asifmybrotherlived:IpartlythinkAduesinceritygovern’dhisdeeds,Tillhedidlookonme:sinceitisso,Lethimnotdie。Mybrotherhadbutjustice,Inthathedidthethingforwhichhedied:

ForAngelo,Hisactdidnoto’ertakehisbadintent,AndmustbeburiedbutasanintentThatperish’dbytheway:thoughtsarenosubjects;

Intentsbutmerelythoughts。MARIANAMerely,mylord。DUKEVINCENTIOYoursuit’sunprofitable;standup,I

say。

Ihavebethoughtmeofanotherfault。

Provost,howcameitClaudiowasbeheadedAtanunusualhour?ProvostItwascommandedso。DUKEVINCENTIOHadyouaspecialwarrantforthedeed?ProvostNo,mygoodlord;itwasbyprivatemessage。DUKEVINCENTIOForwhichIdodischargeyouofyouroffice:

Giveupyourkeys。ProvostPardonme,noblelord:

Ithoughtitwasafault,butknewitnot;

Yetdidrepentme,aftermoreadvice;

Fortestimonywhereof,oneintheprison,Thatshouldbyprivateorderelsehavedied,Ihavereservedalive。DUKEVINCENTIOWhat’she?ProvostHisnameisBarnardine。DUKEVINCENTIOIwouldthouhadstdonesobyClaudio。

Gofetchhimhither;letmelookuponhim。

ExitProvostESCALUSIamsorry,onesolearnedandsowiseAsyou,LordAngelo,havestillappear’d,Shouldslipsogrossly,bothintheheatofblood。

Andlackoftemper’djudgmentafterward。ANGELOIamsorrythatsuchsorrowIprocure:

AndsodeepsticksitinmypenitentheartThatIcravedeathmorewillinglythanmercy;

’Tismydeserving,andIdoentreatit。

Re-enterProvost,withBARNARDINE,CLAUDIOmuffled,andJULIETDUKEVINCENTIOWhichisthatBarnardine?ProvostThis,mylord。DUKEVINCENTIOTherewasafriartoldmeofthisman。

Sirrah,thouartsaidtohaveastubbornsoul。

Thatapprehendsnofurtherthanthisworld,Andsquarestthylifeaccording。Thou’rtcondemn’d:

But,forthoseearthlyfaults,Iquitthemall;

AndpraytheetakethismercytoprovideForbettertimestocome。Friar,advisehim;

Ileavehimtoyourhand。Whatmuffledfellow’sthat?ProvostThisisanotherprisonerthatIsaved。

WhoshouldhavediedwhenClaudiolosthishead;

AslikealmosttoClaudioashimself。

UnmufflesCLAUDIODUKEVINCENTIO[ToISABELLA]Ifhebelikeyourbrother,forhissakeIshepardon’d;and,foryourlovelysake,Givemeyourhandandsayyouwillbemine。

Heismybrothertoo:butfittertimeforthat。

BythisLordAngeloperceiveshe’ssafe;

MethinksIseeaquickeninginhiseye。

Well,Angelo,yourevilquitsyouwell:

Lookthatyouloveyourwife;herworthworthyours。

Ifindanaptremissioninmyself;

Andyethere’soneinplaceIcannotpardon。

ToLUCIO

You,sirrah,thatknewmeforafool,acoward,Oneallofluxury,anass,amadman;

WhereinhaveIsodeservedofyou,Thatyouextolmethus?LUCIO’Faith,mylord。Ispokeitbutaccordingtothetrick。Ifyouwillhangmeforit,youmay;butI

hadratheritwouldpleaseyouImightbewhipt。DUKEVINCENTIOWhiptfirst,sir,andhangedafter。

Proclaimit,provost,roundaboutthecity。

Isanywomanwrong’dbythislewdfellow,AsIhaveheardhimswearhimselfthere’soneWhomhebegotwithchild,letherappear,Andheshallmarryher:thenuptialfinish’d,Lethimbewhiptandhang’d。LUCIOIbeseechyourhighness,donotmarrymetoawhore。

Yourhighnesssaidevennow,Imadeyouaduke:

goodmylord,donotrecompensemeinmakingmeacuckold。DUKEVINCENTIOUponminehonour,thoushaltmarryher。

ThyslandersIforgive;andtherewithalRemitthyotherforfeits。Takehimtoprison;

Andseeourpleasurehereinexecuted。LUCIOMarryingapunk,mylord,ispressingtodeath,whipping,andhanging。DUKEVINCENTIOSlanderingaprincedeservesit。

ExitOfficerswithLUCIO

She,Claudio,thatyouwrong’d,lookyourestore。

Joytoyou,Mariana!Loveher,Angelo: