Duke.He hath released 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: showyour wisdom, daughter,115In yourclosepatience.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!Injuriousworld! most damned Angelo!120Duke.Thisnor hurtshim nor profits you a jot;Forbear it therefore; give your cause to heaven.Mark what Isay, which you shallfindBy every syllable a faithful verity:The Duke comes home to-morrow;—nay, dry your eyes;IV. 3125One of ourcovent, and his confessor,Gives me thisinstance: already he hath carriedNotice to Escalus and Angelo;Who do prepare to meet him at the gates,There to give up their power.If you can, pace your wisdom130In that good path that I wouldwish 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;135’Tis that he sent me of the Duke’s return:Say, by this token, I desire his companyAt Mariana’s houseto-night. Her cause and yoursI’ll perfect him withal; and he shall bring youBefore the Duke; and to the head of Angelo140Accuse him home and home. For my poor self,I amcombinedby a sacred vow,And shall be absent. Wend you with this letter:Command these fretting waters from your eyesWith a light heart; trust not my holy order,145If I pervert your course.—Who’shere?EnterLucio.Lucio.Good even. Friar, where’s 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 fainIV. 3150to 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 loved thy brother: if the old fantastical Duke of dark corners had been at home, he had lived.Exit Isabella.155Duke.Sir, the Duke is marvellous littlebeholdingto 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.160Lucio.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; ifnot true, none were enough.Lucio.I was once before him for getting a wench165with child.Duke.Did you such a thing?Lucio.Yes, marry, did I: but I was fain to forswear it; they would else have married me to the rotten medlar.Duke.Sir, your company is fairer than honest. Rest170you 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 ofit. Nay, friar, I am a kind of burr; I shall stick.Exeunt.IV. 4Scene IV.A room inAngelo’shouse.EnterAngeloandEscalus.Escal.Every letter he hath writ hath disvouched 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,5andredeliverour authorities there?Escal.I guess not.Ang.And why should we proclaim it in an hour before his entering, that if any crave redress of injustice, they should exhibit their petitions in the street?10Escal.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 beproclaimedbetimes i’ the morn; I’ll call you at your house: give notice to such15men of sort and suit as are to meet him.Escal.I shall, sir. Fare you well.Ang.Good night.Exit Escalus.This deed unshapes me quite, makes me unpregnant,Anddull to all proceedings. A deflower’d maid!20And by an eminent body that enforcedThe law against it! But that her tender shameWill not proclaim against her maiden loss,How might she tongue me! Yet reasondares her no;For my authoritybears of a credent bulk,IV. 425That no particular scandal once can touchBut it confounds the breather. He should have lived,Save that his riotous youth, with dangerous sense,Might in the times to come have ta’en revenge,By so receiving a dishonour’d life30With ransom of such shame. Would yet he had lived!Alack, when once our grace we have forgot,Nothing goes right: we would, and we would not.Exit.IV. 5Scene V.Fields without the town.EnterDukein his own habit, andFriar 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;5Though sometimes you do blench from this to that,As cause doth minister.Gocall atFlavius’house,And tell him where I stay: give the like noticeTo Valentius, Rowland, and to Crassus,And bid them bring the trumpets to the gate;But send me Flavius first.10Fri. P.It shall be speeded well.Exit.EnterVarrius.Duke.I thank thee, Varrius; thou hast made good haste:Come, we will walk. There’s other of our friendsWill greet us here anon, my gentle Varrius.Exeunt.IV. 6Scene VI.Street near the city-gate.EnterIsabellaandMariana.Isab.To speak so indirectly I am loath:I wouldsay the truth; but to accuse him so,That is your part: yetI amadvised to do it;He says,to veil fullpurpose.Mari.Be ruled by him.5Isab.Besides, he tells me that, if peradventureHe speak against me on the adverse side,I should not think it strange; for ’tis a physicThat’s bitter to sweet end.Mari.I would Friar Peter—Isab.O, peace! the friar is come.EnterFriar Peter.10Fri. P.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 citizensHave hent the gates, and very near upon15The Duke is entering: therefore, hence, away!Exeunt.ACT V.V. 1Scene I.The city-gate.Marianaveiled,Isabella, andFriar Peter, at their stand.EnterDuke, Varrius, Lords, Angelo, Escalus, Lucio,Provost, Officers, andCitizens, at several doors.Duke.My very worthy cousin, fairly met!Our old and faithful friend, we are glad to see you.Ang.Happy return be to your royal Grace!Escal.Duke.Many and heartythankingsto you both.5We havemade inquiry of you; and we hearSuch goodness of your justice, that our soulCannot but yield you forth to public thanks,Forerunning more requital.Ang.You make my bonds still greater.Duke.O, your desert speaks loud; and I shouldwrong it,10To lock it in the wards of covert bosom,When it deserves, with characters of brass,A forted residence ’gainst the tooth of timeAnd razure of oblivion. Givemeyour hand,And let thesubjectsee, to make them know15That outward courtesies would fain proclaimFavours that keep within. Come, Escalus;You must walk by us on our other hand:And good supporters are you.Friar PeterandIsabellacome forward.Fri. P.Now is your time: speak loud, and kneel before him.20Isab.Justice, O royal Duke! Vail your regardUpon a wrong’d,I wouldfain have said, a maid!O worthy prince, dishonour not your eyeBy throwing it on any other objectTill you have heard me in my true complaint,V. 125Andgivenme 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:30Hear me yourself; for that which I must speakMust either punish me, not being believed,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 brotherCut off by course of justice,—35Isab.Bycourse of justice!Ang.And she will speak most bitterlyand strange.Isab.Moststrange, but yetmost truly, will I speak:That Angelo’s forsworn; is it not strange?That Angelo’s a murderer; is’t not strange?40That Angelo is an adulterous thief,An hypocrite, a virgin-violator;Is itnot strange and strange?Duke.Nay, it is ten times strange.Isab.It is not truer he is AngeloThan this is all as true as it is strange:45Nay, it is ten times true; for truth is truthTo th’ end of reckoning.Duke.Away with her!—Poor soul,She speaks this in th’infirmityof sense.Isab.O prince, I conjure thee, as thou believestThere is another comfort than this world,V. 150That thou neglect me not, with that opinionThat I am touch’d with madness! Make not impossibleThat which but seems unlike: ’tis not impossibleBut one, the wicked’st caitiff on the ground,May seem as shy, as grave, as just,as absolute55AsAngelo; even so may Angelo,In all his dressings, characts, titles, forms,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,60If she be mad,—as I believe no other,—Her madness hath the oddest frame of sense,Such a dependency of thing on thing,Ase’erI heard in madness.Isab.Ogracious Duke,Harp not on that;nordo not banish reason65Forinequality; but let your reasonserveTo make the truthappear where it seems hid,And hidethe false seems true.Duke.Manythat arenot madHave, sure, more lack ofreason. What would you say?Isab.I am the sister of one Claudio,70Condemn’d upon the act of fornicationTo lose his head; condemn’d by Angelo:I, (in probation of a sisterhood,)Was sent to by my brother; oneLucioAsthen the messenger,—Lucio.That’s I, an’t like your Grace:V. 175I came to her from Claudio, and desired herTo try her gracious fortune with Lord AngeloFor 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;80Pray you, take note of it: and when you haveA business for yourself, pray heaven you thenBe perfect.Lucio.I warrantyour honour.Duke.The warrant’s for yourself;take heed to’t.Isab.This gentleman toldsomewhatof my tale,—85Lucio.Right.Duke.It may be right; but you are i’ the wrongTo speak before your time. Proceed.Isab.I wentTo this pernicious caitiff Deputy,—Duke.That’s somewhat madly spoken.Isab.Pardon it;90The phrase is to the matter.Duke.Mendedagain.The matter;—proceed.Isab.In brief,—to set the needlessprocessby,How I persuaded, how I pray’d, and kneel’d,How herefell’dme, and how I replied,—95For this was of much length,—the vile conclusionI now begin with grief and shame to utter:He would not, but by gift of my chaste bodyTo hisconcupiscibleintemperate lust,Release my brother;and, after much debatement,V. 1100My sisterly remorse confutes mine honour,And I did yield to him:but thenext morn betimes,His purposesurfeiting, he sends a warrantFor my poor brother’s head.Duke.This is most likely!Isab.O, that it were as like as it is true!105Duke.By heaven, fond wretch, thou know’st not what thou speak’st,Or else thou art suborn’d against his honourIn hateful practice.First, his integrityStands without blemish.Next, it imports no reasonThat with suchvehemencyhe should pursue110Faults proper to himself:if he had sooffended,He wouldhave weigh’d thy brother by himself,And not have cut him off. Some one hath set you on:Confess the truth, and say by whose adviceThou camest here to complain.Isab.And is this all?115Then, O you blessed ministers above,Keep me in patience, and with ripen’d timeUnfold the evil which is here wrapt upIn countenance!—Heaven shield your Grace from woe.As I, thus wrong’d, hence unbelieved go!120Duke.I know you’ld fain be gone.—An officer!To prison with her!—Shall we thus permitA blasting and a scandalous breath to fallOn him so near us? Thisneedsmust be a practice.Who knew ofyourintent and coming hither?V. 1125Isab.One that I would were here, Friar Lodowick.Duke.A ghostly father, belike. Who knows that Lodowick?Lucio.My lord, I know him; ’tis a meddling friar;I do not like the man: had he been lay, my lord,For certain words he spake against your Grace130In your retirement, I had swinged him soundly.Duke.Words against me!this’sa good friar, belike!And to set on this wretched woman hereAgainst our substitute! Let this friar be found.Lucio.But yesternight, my lord, she and that friar,135I saw them at the prison: a saucy friar,A very scurvy fellow.Fri. P.Blessedbe yourroyalGrace!I have stood by, my lord, and I have heardYour royal ear abused. First, hath this woman140Most wrongfully accused your substitute,Who is as free from touch or soil with herAs she from one ungot.Duke.We did believe no less.Know you that Friar Lodowickthat she speaks of?Fri. P.I know him for a man divine and holy;Not scurvy, nor atemporarymeddler,As he’s reported by this gentleman;And, on mytrust, a man that never yetDid, as he vouches, misreport your Grace.Lucio.My lord, mostvillanously; believe it.V. 1150Fri. P.Well, he in time may come to clear himself;But at this instant he is sick, my lord,Of astrangefever. Upon his mere request,—Being come to knowledge that there was complaintIntended’gainstLord Angelo,—came I hither,155To speak, as from his mouth, what he doth knowIs true and false; andwhat he withhis oathAndall probation will make up full clear,Whensoever he’s convented. First, for this woman,To justify this worthy nobleman,160So vulgarly and personally accused,Her shall you hear disproved to her eyes,Till she herself confess it.Duke.Good friar, let’s hear it.Isabella is carried off guarded; and Mariana comes forward.Do you not smile at this, Lord Angelo?—O heaven, the vanity of wretched fools!—165Give us some seats. Come, cousin Angelo;In thisI’ll be impartial; be you judgeOf your own cause. Is this the witness, friar?First, let her showher face, and after speak.Mari.Pardon, my lord; I will not show my face170Until my husband bid me.Duke.What, are you married?Mari.No, my lord.Duke.Are you a maid?Mari.No, my lord.V. 1175Duke.A widow, then?Mari.Neither, my lord.Duke.Why, you arenothing, then:—neither maid, widow, nor wife?Lucio.My lord, she may be a punk; for many of them180are neither maid, widow, nor wife.Duke.Silence that fellow: I would he had some causeTo prattle for himself.Lucio.Well, my lord.Mari.My lord, I do confess I ne’er was married;185And I confess, besides, I am no maid:I have known my husband; yet myhusbandKnows notthat ever he knew me.Lucio.He was drunk, then, my lord: it can be no better.Duke.For the benefit of silence, would thou wert so too!190Lucio.Well, my lord.Duke.This is no witness for Lord Angelo.Mari.Now I come to’t, my lord:She that accuses him of fornication,In self-same manner doth accuse my husband;195And charges him, my lord,with such a timeWhen I’ll depose I had him in mine armsWith all th’ effect of love.Ang.Charges she more than me?Mari.Not that I know.Duke.No?you say your husband.V. 1200Mari.Why, just, my lord, and that is Angelo,Who thinks he knows that he ne’er knew my body,But knows he thinks thathe knowsIsabel’s.Ang.This is a strange abuse. Let’s see thy face.Mari.My husband bids me; now I will unmask.Unveiling.205This is that face, thou cruel Angelo,Which once thou sworest was worth the looking on;This is the hand which, with a vow’d contract,Was fast belock’d in thine; this is the bodyThat took away the match from Isabel,210And did supply thee at thy garden-houseIn her imagined person.Duke.Know you this woman?Lucio.Carnally, she says.Duke.Sirrah, no more!Lucio.Enough,my lord.Ang.My lord, I must confess I know this woman:215And five years since there was some speech of marriageBetwixt myself and her; which was broke off,Partly for that her promised proportionsCame short of composition; but in chief,For that her reputation was disvalued220In levity: since which time of five yearsI never spakewith her, saw her, norheard from her,Upon my faith and honour.Mari.Noble prince,As there comes light from heaven and words from breath,As there is sense in truth and truth in virtue,V. 1225I am affianced this man’s wife as stronglyAs words could make up vows: and, my good lord,But Tuesday night last gone in’s garden-houseHe knew me as a wife. As this is true,Let me in safety raise me from my knees;230Or else for ever be confixed here,A marble monument!Ang.I did but smile till now:Now, good my lord, give me the scope of justice;My patience here is touch’d. I do perceiveThese poorinformalwomen are no more235But instruments of some moremightiermemberThat sets them on: let me have way, my lord,To find this practice out.
Duke.He hath released him, Isabel, from the world:His head is off, and sent to Angelo.
Duke.He hath released 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: showyour wisdom, daughter,115In yourclosepatience.
Duke.It is no other: showyour wisdom, daughter,
115In yourclosepatience.
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!Injuriousworld! most damned Angelo!
Isab.Unhappy Claudio! wretched Isabel!
Injuriousworld! most damned Angelo!
120Duke.Thisnor hurtshim nor profits you a jot;Forbear it therefore; give your cause to heaven.Mark what Isay, which you shallfindBy every syllable a faithful verity:The Duke comes home to-morrow;—nay, dry your eyes;IV. 3125One of ourcovent, and his confessor,Gives me thisinstance: already he hath carriedNotice to Escalus and Angelo;Who do prepare to meet him at the gates,There to give up their power.If you can, pace your wisdom130In that good path that I wouldwish it go;And you shall have your bosom on this wretch,Grace of the Duke, revenges to your heart,And general honour.
120Duke.Thisnor hurtshim nor profits you a jot;
Forbear it therefore; give your cause to heaven.
Mark what Isay, which you shallfind
By every syllable a faithful verity:
The Duke comes home to-morrow;—nay, dry your eyes;
IV. 3125One of ourcovent, and his confessor,
Gives me thisinstance: 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
130In that good path that I wouldwish 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;135’Tis that he sent me of the Duke’s return:Say, by this token, I desire his companyAt Mariana’s houseto-night. Her cause and yoursI’ll perfect him withal; and he shall bring youBefore the Duke; and to the head of Angelo140Accuse him home and home. For my poor self,I amcombinedby a sacred vow,And shall be absent. Wend you with this letter:Command these fretting waters from your eyesWith a light heart; trust not my holy order,145If I pervert your course.—Who’shere?
Duke.This letter, then, to Friar Peter give;
135’Tis that he sent me of the Duke’s return:
Say, by this token, I desire his company
At Mariana’s houseto-night. Her cause and yours
I’ll perfect him withal; and he shall bring you
Before the Duke; and to the head of Angelo
140Accuse him home and home. For my poor self,
I amcombinedby 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,
145If I pervert your course.—Who’shere?
Lucio.Good even. Friar, where’s 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 fainIV. 3150to 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 loved thy brother: if the old fantastical Duke of dark corners had been at home, he had lived.
Exit Isabella.
155Duke.Sir, the Duke is marvellous littlebeholdingto 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.
160Lucio.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; ifnot true, none were enough.
Lucio.I was once before him for getting a wench165with child.
Duke.Did you such a thing?
Lucio.Yes, marry, did I: but I was fain to forswear it; they would else have married me to the rotten medlar.
Duke.Sir, your company is fairer than honest. Rest170you 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 ofit. Nay, friar, I am a kind of burr; I shall stick.
Exeunt.
Escal.Every letter he hath writ hath disvouched 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,5andredeliverour authorities there?
Escal.I guess not.
Ang.And why should we proclaim it in an hour before his entering, that if any crave redress of injustice, they should exhibit their petitions in the street?
10Escal.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 beproclaimedbetimes i’ the morn; I’ll call you at your house: give notice to such15men of sort and suit as are to meet him.
Escal.I shall, sir. Fare you well.
Ang.Good night.Exit Escalus.This deed unshapes me quite, makes me unpregnant,Anddull to all proceedings. A deflower’d maid!20And by an eminent body that enforcedThe law against it! But that her tender shameWill not proclaim against her maiden loss,How might she tongue me! Yet reasondares her no;For my authoritybears of a credent bulk,IV. 425That no particular scandal once can touchBut it confounds the breather. He should have lived,Save that his riotous youth, with dangerous sense,Might in the times to come have ta’en revenge,By so receiving a dishonour’d life30With ransom of such shame. Would yet he had lived!Alack, when once our grace we have forgot,Nothing goes right: we would, and we would not.Exit.
Ang.Good night.
Exit Escalus.
This deed unshapes me quite, makes me unpregnant,
Anddull to all proceedings. A deflower’d maid!
20And by an eminent body that enforced
The law against it! But that her tender shame
Will not proclaim against her maiden loss,
How might she tongue me! Yet reasondares her no;
For my authoritybears of a credent bulk,
IV. 425That no particular scandal once can touch
But it confounds the breather. He should have lived,
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
30With ransom of such shame. Would yet he had lived!
Alack, when once our grace we have forgot,
Nothing goes right: we would, and we would not.Exit.
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;5Though sometimes you do blench from this to that,As cause doth minister.Gocall atFlavius’house,And tell him where I stay: give the like noticeTo Valentius, Rowland, and to Crassus,And bid them bring the trumpets to the gate;But send me Flavius first.
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;
5Though sometimes you do blench from this to that,
As cause doth minister.Gocall atFlavius’house,
And tell him where I stay: give the like notice
To Valentius, Rowland, and to Crassus,
And bid them bring the trumpets to the gate;
But send me Flavius first.
10Fri. P.
It shall be speeded well.Exit.
Duke.I thank thee, Varrius; thou hast made good haste:Come, we will walk. There’s other of our friendsWill greet us here anon, my gentle 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.
Isab.To speak so indirectly I am loath:I wouldsay the truth; but to accuse him so,That is your part: yetI amadvised to do it;He says,to veil fullpurpose.
Isab.To speak so indirectly I am loath:
I wouldsay the truth; but to accuse him so,
That is your part: yetI amadvised to do it;
He says,to veil fullpurpose.
Mari.
Be ruled by him.
5Isab.Besides, he tells me that, if peradventureHe speak against me on the adverse side,I should not think it strange; for ’tis a physicThat’s bitter to sweet end.
5Isab.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.
10Fri. P.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 citizensHave hent the gates, and very near upon15The Duke is entering: therefore, hence, away!
10Fri. P.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
15The Duke is entering: therefore, hence, away!
Exeunt.
Duke.My very worthy cousin, fairly met!Our old and faithful friend, we are glad to see you.
Duke.My very worthy cousin, fairly met!
Our old and faithful friend, we are glad to see you.
Ang.Happy return be to your royal Grace!Escal.
Duke.Many and heartythankingsto you both.5We havemade inquiry of you; and we hearSuch goodness of your justice, that our soulCannot but yield you forth to public thanks,Forerunning more requital.
Duke.Many and heartythankingsto you both.
5We havemade 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.
Duke.O, your desert speaks loud; and I shouldwrong it,10To lock it in the wards of covert bosom,When it deserves, with characters of brass,A forted residence ’gainst the tooth of timeAnd razure of oblivion. Givemeyour hand,And let thesubjectsee, to make them know15That outward courtesies would fain proclaimFavours that keep within. Come, Escalus;You must walk by us on our other hand:And good supporters are you.
Duke.O, your desert speaks loud; and I shouldwrong it,
10To 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. Givemeyour hand,
And let thesubjectsee, to make them know
15That 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.
Fri. P.Now is your time: speak loud, and kneel before him.
20Isab.Justice, O royal Duke! Vail your regardUpon a wrong’d,I wouldfain have said, a maid!O worthy prince, dishonour not your eyeBy throwing it on any other objectTill you have heard me in my true complaint,V. 125Andgivenme justice, justice, justice, justice!
20Isab.Justice, O royal Duke! Vail your regard
Upon a wrong’d,I wouldfain 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,
V. 125Andgivenme 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.
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:30Hear me yourself; for that which I must speakMust either punish me, not being believed,Or wring redress from you.Hear me, O hear me, here!
Isab.
O worthy Duke,
You bid me seek redemption of the devil:
30Hear me yourself; for that which I must speak
Must either punish me, not being believed,
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 brotherCut off by course of justice,—
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,—
35Isab.
Bycourse of justice!
Ang.And she will speak most bitterlyand strange.
Isab.Moststrange, but yetmost truly, will I speak:That Angelo’s forsworn; is it not strange?That Angelo’s a murderer; is’t not strange?40That Angelo is an adulterous thief,An hypocrite, a virgin-violator;Is itnot strange and strange?
Isab.Moststrange, but yetmost truly, will I speak:
That Angelo’s forsworn; is it not strange?
That Angelo’s a murderer; is’t not strange?
40That Angelo is an adulterous thief,
An hypocrite, a virgin-violator;
Is itnot strange and strange?
Duke.
Nay, it is ten times strange.
Isab.It is not truer he is AngeloThan this is all as true as it is strange:45Nay, it is ten times true; for truth is truthTo th’ end of reckoning.
Isab.It is not truer he is Angelo
Than this is all as true as it is strange:
45Nay, it is ten times true; for truth is truth
To th’ end of reckoning.
Duke.Away with her!—Poor soul,She speaks this in th’infirmityof sense.
Duke.
Away with her!—Poor soul,
She speaks this in th’infirmityof sense.
Isab.O prince, I conjure thee, as thou believestThere is another comfort than this world,V. 150That thou neglect me not, with that opinionThat I am touch’d with madness! Make not impossibleThat which but seems unlike: ’tis not impossibleBut one, the wicked’st caitiff on the ground,May seem as shy, as grave, as just,as absolute55AsAngelo; even so may Angelo,In all his dressings, characts, titles, forms,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.
Isab.O prince, I conjure thee, as thou believest
There is another comfort than this world,
V. 150That 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
55AsAngelo; even so may Angelo,
In all his dressings, characts, titles, forms,
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,60If she be mad,—as I believe no other,—Her madness hath the oddest frame of sense,Such a dependency of thing on thing,Ase’erI heard in madness.
Duke.
By mine honesty,
60If she be mad,—as I believe no other,—
Her madness hath the oddest frame of sense,
Such a dependency of thing on thing,
Ase’erI heard in madness.
Isab.Ogracious Duke,Harp not on that;nordo not banish reason65Forinequality; but let your reasonserveTo make the truthappear where it seems hid,And hidethe false seems true.
Isab.
Ogracious Duke,
Harp not on that;nordo not banish reason
65Forinequality; but let your reasonserve
To make the truthappear where it seems hid,
And hidethe false seems true.
Duke.Manythat arenot madHave, sure, more lack ofreason. What would you say?
Duke.
Manythat arenot mad
Have, sure, more lack ofreason. What would you say?
Isab.I am the sister of one Claudio,70Condemn’d upon the act of fornicationTo lose his head; condemn’d by Angelo:I, (in probation of a sisterhood,)Was sent to by my brother; oneLucioAsthen the messenger,—
Isab.I am the sister of one Claudio,
70Condemn’d upon the act of fornication
To lose his head; condemn’d by Angelo:
I, (in probation of a sisterhood,)
Was sent to by my brother; oneLucio
Asthen the messenger,—
Lucio.That’s I, an’t like your Grace:V. 175I came to her from Claudio, and desired herTo try her gracious fortune with Lord AngeloFor her poor brother’s pardon.
Lucio.
That’s I, an’t like your Grace:
V. 175I came to her from Claudio, and desired 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.
Lucio.
No, my good lord;
Nor wish’d to hold my peace.
Duke.I wish you now, then;80Pray you, take note of it: and when you haveA business for yourself, pray heaven you thenBe perfect.
Duke.
I wish you now, then;
80Pray you, take note of it: and when you have
A business for yourself, pray heaven you then
Be perfect.
Lucio.
I warrantyour honour.
Duke.The warrant’s for yourself;take heed to’t.
Isab.This gentleman toldsomewhatof my tale,—
85Lucio.Right.
Duke.It may be right; but you are i’ the wrongTo speak before your time. Proceed.
Duke.It may be right; but you are i’ the wrong
To speak before your time. Proceed.
Isab.I wentTo this pernicious caitiff Deputy,—
Isab.
I went
To this pernicious caitiff Deputy,—
Duke.That’s somewhat madly spoken.
Isab.Pardon it;90The phrase is to the matter.
Isab.
Pardon it;
90The phrase is to the matter.
Duke.Mendedagain.The matter;—proceed.
Isab.In brief,—to set the needlessprocessby,How I persuaded, how I pray’d, and kneel’d,How herefell’dme, and how I replied,—95For this was of much length,—the vile conclusionI now begin with grief and shame to utter:He would not, but by gift of my chaste bodyTo hisconcupiscibleintemperate lust,Release my brother;and, after much debatement,V. 1100My sisterly remorse confutes mine honour,And I did yield to him:but thenext morn betimes,His purposesurfeiting, he sends a warrantFor my poor brother’s head.
Isab.In brief,—to set the needlessprocessby,
How I persuaded, how I pray’d, and kneel’d,
How herefell’dme, and how I replied,—
95For this was of much length,—the vile conclusion
I now begin with grief and shame to utter:
He would not, but by gift of my chaste body
To hisconcupiscibleintemperate lust,
Release my brother;and, after much debatement,
V. 1100My sisterly remorse confutes mine honour,
And I did yield to him:but thenext morn betimes,
His purposesurfeiting, he sends a warrant
For my poor brother’s head.
Duke.
This is most likely!
Isab.O, that it were as like as it is true!
105Duke.By heaven, fond wretch, thou know’st not what thou speak’st,Or else thou art suborn’d against his honourIn hateful practice.First, his integrityStands without blemish.Next, it imports no reasonThat with suchvehemencyhe should pursue110Faults proper to himself:if he had sooffended,He wouldhave weigh’d thy brother by himself,And not have cut him off. Some one hath set you on:Confess the truth, and say by whose adviceThou camest here to complain.
105Duke.By heaven, fond wretch, thou know’st not what thou speak’st,
Or else thou art suborn’d against his honour
In hateful practice.First, his integrity
Stands without blemish.Next, it imports no reason
That with suchvehemencyhe should pursue
110Faults proper to himself:if he had sooffended,
He wouldhave weigh’d thy brother by himself,
And not have cut him off. Some one hath set you on:
Confess the truth, and say by whose advice
Thou camest here to complain.
Isab.And is this all?115Then, O you blessed ministers above,Keep me in patience, and with ripen’d timeUnfold the evil which is here wrapt upIn countenance!—Heaven shield your Grace from woe.As I, thus wrong’d, hence unbelieved go!
Isab.
And is this all?
115Then, O you blessed ministers above,
Keep me in patience, and with ripen’d time
Unfold the evil which is here wrapt up
In countenance!—Heaven shield your Grace from woe.
As I, thus wrong’d, hence unbelieved go!
120Duke.I know you’ld fain be gone.—An officer!To prison with her!—Shall we thus permitA blasting and a scandalous breath to fallOn him so near us? Thisneedsmust be a practice.Who knew ofyourintent and coming hither?
120Duke.I know you’ld fain be gone.—An officer!
To prison with her!—Shall we thus permit
A blasting and a scandalous breath to fall
On him so near us? Thisneedsmust be a practice.
Who knew ofyourintent and coming hither?
V. 1125Isab.One that I would were here, Friar Lodowick.
Duke.A ghostly father, belike. Who knows that Lodowick?
Lucio.My lord, I know him; ’tis a meddling friar;I do not like the man: had he been lay, my lord,For certain words he spake against your Grace130In your retirement, I had swinged him soundly.
Lucio.My lord, I know him; ’tis a meddling friar;
I do not like the man: had he been lay, my lord,
For certain words he spake against your Grace
130In your retirement, I had swinged him soundly.
Duke.Words against me!this’sa good friar, belike!And to set on this wretched woman hereAgainst our substitute! Let this friar be found.
Duke.Words against me!this’sa good friar, belike!
And to set on this wretched woman here
Against our substitute! Let this friar be found.
Lucio.But yesternight, my lord, she and that friar,135I saw them at the prison: a saucy friar,A very scurvy fellow.
Lucio.But yesternight, my lord, she and that friar,
135I saw them at the prison: a saucy friar,
A very scurvy fellow.
Fri. P.Blessedbe yourroyalGrace!I have stood by, my lord, and I have heardYour royal ear abused. First, hath this woman140Most wrongfully accused your substitute,Who is as free from touch or soil with herAs she from one ungot.
Fri. P.Blessedbe yourroyalGrace!
I have stood by, my lord, and I have heard
Your royal ear abused. First, hath this woman
140Most wrongfully accused your substitute,
Who is as free from touch or soil with her
As she from one ungot.
Duke.We did believe no less.Know you that Friar Lodowickthat she speaks of?
Duke.
We did believe no less.
Know you that Friar Lodowickthat she speaks of?
Fri. P.I know him for a man divine and holy;Not scurvy, nor atemporarymeddler,As he’s reported by this gentleman;And, on mytrust, a man that never yetDid, as he vouches, misreport your Grace.
Fri. P.I know him for a man divine and holy;
Not scurvy, nor atemporarymeddler,
As he’s reported by this gentleman;
And, on mytrust, a man that never yet
Did, as he vouches, misreport your Grace.
Lucio.My lord, mostvillanously; believe it.
V. 1150Fri. P.Well, he in time may come to clear himself;But at this instant he is sick, my lord,Of astrangefever. Upon his mere request,—Being come to knowledge that there was complaintIntended’gainstLord Angelo,—came I hither,155To speak, as from his mouth, what he doth knowIs true and false; andwhat he withhis oathAndall probation will make up full clear,Whensoever he’s convented. First, for this woman,To justify this worthy nobleman,160So vulgarly and personally accused,Her shall you hear disproved to her eyes,Till she herself confess it.
V. 1150Fri. P.Well, he in time may come to clear himself;
But at this instant he is sick, my lord,
Of astrangefever. Upon his mere request,—
Being come to knowledge that there was complaint
Intended’gainstLord Angelo,—came I hither,
155To speak, as from his mouth, what he doth know
Is true and false; andwhat he withhis oath
Andall probation will make up full clear,
Whensoever he’s convented. First, for this woman,
To justify this worthy nobleman,
160So vulgarly and personally accused,
Her shall you hear disproved to her eyes,
Till she herself confess it.
Duke.Good friar, let’s hear it.Isabella is carried off guarded; and Mariana comes forward.Do you not smile at this, Lord Angelo?—O heaven, the vanity of wretched fools!—165Give us some seats. Come, cousin Angelo;In thisI’ll be impartial; be you judgeOf your own cause. Is this the witness, friar?First, let her showher face, and after speak.
Duke.
Good friar, let’s hear it.
Isabella is carried off guarded; and Mariana comes forward.
Do you not smile at this, Lord Angelo?—
O heaven, the vanity of wretched fools!—
165Give us some seats. Come, cousin Angelo;
In thisI’ll be impartial; be you judge
Of your own cause. Is this the witness, friar?
First, let her showher face, and after speak.
Mari.Pardon, my lord; I will not show my face170Until my husband bid me.
Mari.Pardon, my lord; I will not show my face
170Until my husband bid me.
Duke.What, are you married?
Mari.No, my lord.
Duke.Are you a maid?
Mari.No, my lord.
V. 1175Duke.A widow, then?
Mari.Neither, my lord.
Duke.Why, you arenothing, then:—neither maid, widow, nor wife?
Lucio.My lord, she may be a punk; for many of them180are neither maid, widow, nor wife.
Duke.Silence that fellow: I would he had some causeTo prattle for himself.
Duke.Silence that fellow: I would he had some cause
To prattle for himself.
Lucio.Well, my lord.
Mari.My lord, I do confess I ne’er was married;185And I confess, besides, I am no maid:I have known my husband; yet myhusbandKnows notthat ever he knew me.
Mari.My lord, I do confess I ne’er was married;
185And I confess, besides, I am no maid:
I have known my husband; yet myhusband
Knows notthat ever he knew me.
Lucio.He was drunk, then, my lord: it can be no better.
Duke.For the benefit of silence, would thou wert so too!
190Lucio.Well, my lord.
Duke.This is no witness for Lord Angelo.
Mari.Now I come to’t, my lord:She that accuses him of fornication,In self-same manner doth accuse my husband;195And charges him, my lord,with such a timeWhen I’ll depose I had him in mine armsWith all th’ effect of love.
Mari.Now I come to’t, my lord:
She that accuses him of fornication,
In self-same manner doth accuse my husband;
195And charges him, my lord,with such a time
When I’ll depose I had him in mine arms
With all th’ effect of love.
Ang.Charges she more than me?
Mari.
Not that I know.
Duke.No?you say your husband.
V. 1200Mari.Why, just, my lord, and that is Angelo,Who thinks he knows that he ne’er knew my body,But knows he thinks thathe knowsIsabel’s.
V. 1200Mari.Why, just, my lord, and that is Angelo,
Who thinks he knows that he ne’er knew my body,
But knows he thinks thathe knowsIsabel’s.
Ang.This is a strange abuse. Let’s see thy face.
Mari.My husband bids me; now I will unmask.Unveiling.205This is that face, thou cruel Angelo,Which once thou sworest was worth the looking on;This is the hand which, with a vow’d contract,Was fast belock’d in thine; this is the bodyThat took away the match from Isabel,210And did supply thee at thy garden-houseIn her imagined person.
Mari.My husband bids me; now I will unmask.Unveiling.
205This is that face, thou cruel Angelo,
Which once thou sworest was worth the looking on;
This is the hand which, with a vow’d contract,
Was fast belock’d in thine; this is the body
That took away the match from Isabel,
210And did supply thee at thy garden-house
In her imagined person.
Duke.
Know you this woman?
Lucio.Carnally, she says.
Duke.
Sirrah, no more!
Lucio.Enough,my lord.
Ang.My lord, I must confess I know this woman:215And five years since there was some speech of marriageBetwixt myself and her; which was broke off,Partly for that her promised proportionsCame short of composition; but in chief,For that her reputation was disvalued220In levity: since which time of five yearsI never spakewith her, saw her, norheard from her,Upon my faith and honour.
Ang.My lord, I must confess I know this woman:
215And five years since there was some speech of marriage
Betwixt myself and her; which was broke off,
Partly for that her promised proportions
Came short of composition; but in chief,
For that her reputation was disvalued
220In levity: since which time of five years
I never spakewith her, saw her, norheard from her,
Upon my faith and honour.
Mari.Noble prince,As there comes light from heaven and words from breath,As there is sense in truth and truth in virtue,V. 1225I am affianced this man’s wife as stronglyAs words could make up vows: and, my good lord,But Tuesday night last gone in’s garden-houseHe knew me as a wife. As this is true,Let me in safety raise me from my knees;230Or else for ever be confixed here,A marble monument!
Mari.
Noble prince,
As there comes light from heaven and words from breath,
As there is sense in truth and truth in virtue,
V. 1225I am affianced this man’s wife as strongly
As words could make up vows: and, my good lord,
But Tuesday night last gone in’s garden-house
He knew me as a wife. As this is true,
Let me in safety raise me from my knees;
230Or else for ever be confixed here,
A marble monument!
Ang.I did but smile till now:Now, good my lord, give me the scope of justice;My patience here is touch’d. I do perceiveThese poorinformalwomen are no more235But instruments of some moremightiermemberThat sets them on: let me have way, my lord,To find this practice out.
Ang.
I did but smile till now:
Now, good my lord, give me the scope of justice;
My patience here is touch’d. I do perceive
These poorinformalwomen are no more
235But instruments of some moremightiermember
That sets them on: let me have way, my lord,
To find this practice out.