tion, and the prisoner the very debt of your | calling. I have labour'd for the poor gentleman, to the extremest shore of my modesty; but my brother justice have I found so severe, that he hath forced me to tell him, he is indeed -justice.

Duke. If his own life answer the straitness of his proceeding, it shall become him well; wherein, if he chance to fail, he hath sentenced himself.

Escal. I am going to visit the prisoner: Fare you well.

Duke. Peace be with you!

[Exeunt ESCALUS and PROVOST.
He, who the sword of heaven will bear,
Should be as holy as severe;
Pattern in himself to know,
Grace to stand, and virtue go;
More nor less to others paying,
Than by self-offences weighing,
Shame to him, whose cruel striking
Kills for faults of his own liking!
Twice treble shame on Angelo,
To weed my vice, and let his grow!
O, what may man within him hide,
Though angel on the outward side!
How may likeness, madet in crimes,
Making practice on the times,
Draw with idle spiders' strings

Most pond'rous and substantial things!
Craft against vice I must apply:
With Angelo to-night shall lie
His old betrothed, but despis'd;
So disguise shall, by the disguis'd,
Pay with falsehood false exacting,
And perform an old contracting.

ACT IV.

[Exit.

To make bad, good, and good provoke to harm. I pray you, tell me, hath any body inquired for me here to-day? much upon this time have I promis'd here to meet.

Mari. You have not been inquired after: I have sat here all day.

Enter ISABELLA.

forbearance a little; may be, I will call upon
you anon, for some advantage to yourself.
Mari. I am always bound to you. [Exit.
Duke. Very well met, and welcome.
What is the news from this good deputy?
Isab. He hath a garden circummur'd* with
brick,

Whose western side is with a vineyard back'd;
And to that vineyard is a planched+ gate,
That makes his opening with this bigger key:
This other doth command a little door,
Which from the vineyard to the garden leads;
There have I made my promise to call on him,
Upon the heavy middle of the night.

Duke. But shall you on your knowledge find this way?

Isab. I have ta'en a due and wary note upon't; With whispering and most guilty diligence, In action all of precept, he did show me The way twice o'er.

Duke. Are there no other tokens

Between you 'greed, concerning her observance?

Isab. No, none, but only a repair i' the dark; And that I have possess'd; him, my most stay Can be but brief: for I have made him know, I have a servant comes with me along, That stays upon me; whose persuasion is, I come about my brother.

Duke. 'Tis well borne up.

I have not yet made known to Mariana

A word of this :-What, ho! within! come forth!

Mari. Fear me not.

* Walled round. Informed. Inquisitiens, inquiries.

+ Planked, wooden. Waits.

[all:

Sallies. ** Since

Doth flourish the deceit. Come, let us go; Our corn's to reap, for yet our tithe'st to sow. [Exeunt.

SCENE II-A Room in the Prison.

Enter PROVOST and CLOWN.

Prov. Come hither, sirrah: Can you cut off

a man's head?

Clo. If the man be a bachelor, Sir, I can: but if he be a married man, he is his wife's head, and I can never cut off a woman's head. Proc. Come, Sir, leave me your snatches, and yield me a direct answer. To-morrow morning are to die Claudio and Barnardine: Here is in our prison a common executioner, who in his office lacks a helper: if you will take it on you to assist him, it shall redeem you from your gyves; if not, you shall have your full time of imprisonment, and your deliverance with an unpitied whipping; for you have been a notorious bawd.

Clo. Sir, I have been an unlawful bawd, time out of mind; but yet I will be content to be a lawful hangman. I would be glad to receive some instruction from my fellow-partner.

Prov. What ho, Abhorson! Where's Abhor

son, there?

Enter ABHORSON.

Abhor. Do you call, Sir?

Prov. Sirrah, here's a fellow will help you to-morrow in your execution: If you think it meet, compound with him by the year, and let him abide here with you; if not, use him for the present, and dismiss him: He cannot plead his estimation with you; he hath been a bawd. Abhor. A bawd, Sir? Fie upon him, he will discredit our mystery.

Prov. Go to, Sir; you weigh equally; a feather will turn the scale. [Exit. Clo. Pray, Sir, by your good favour, (for, surely, Sir, a good favour¶ you have, but that you have a hanging look,) do you call, Sir, your occupation a mystery?

Abhor. Ay, Sir; a mystery.

Clo. Painting, Sir, I have heard say, is a mystery; and your whores, Sir, being members of my occupation, using painting, do prove my occupation a mystery: but what mystery there should be in hanging, if I should be hang'd, I cannot imagine.

Abhor. Sir, it is a mystery.
Clo. Proof.

Abhor. Every true** man's apparel fits your thief: If it be too little for your thief, your true man thinks it big enough; if it be too big for your thief, your thief thinks it little enough: so every true man's apparel fits your thief.

Re-enter PROVOST.

Prov. Are you agreed?

Clo. Sir, I will serve him; for I do find, your hangman is a more penitent trade than your bawd; he doth oftener ask forgiveness.

Prov. You, sirrah, provide your block and your axe, to-morrow four o'clock.

Abhor. Come on, bawd; I will instruct thee in my trade; follow.

Clo. I do desire to learn, Sir; and, I hope, if you have occasion to use me for your own turn, you shall find me yare:++ for, truly Sir, for your kindness, I owe you a good turn.

* Gild, or varnish over.
+Tilth, land prepared for sowing.

4 Trade Countenance. **Honest.

↑ Fetters. + Ready.

labour

noise?

of late?

Prov. None, since the curfew rung. Duke. Not Isabel?

Pror. I shall obey him. [Erit MESSENGER.! Duke. This is his pardon; purchas'd by such sin,

Aside.

For which the pardoner himself is in: Hence hath offence his quick celerity, When it is borne in high authority: When vice makes mercy, mercy's so extended, That for the fault's love, is the offender friendNow, Sir, what news? [ed. Prov. I told you: Lord Angelo, be-like, thinking me remiss in mine office, awakens me with this unwonted putting on: methinks, strangely; for he hath not used it before. Duke. Pray you, let's hear.

Prov. [Reads.] Whatsoever you may hear to the contrary, let Claudio be executed by four of the clock; and, in the afternoon, Barnardine: for my better satisfaction, let me have Claudio's head sent me by five. Let this be duly performed; with a thought, that more depends on it than we must yet deliver. Thus fail not to do your office, as you will answer it at your peril. What say you to this, Sir?

Duke. What is that Barnardine, who is to be executed in the afternoon?

Prov. A Bohemian born; but here nursed up and bred: one that is a prisoner nine years old.

Duke. How came it, that the absent duke had not either deliver'd him to his liberty, or executed him? I have heard, it was ever his manner to do so.

Prov. His friends still wrought reprieves for him: And, indeed, his fact, till now in the government of lord Angelo, came not to an undoubtful proof.

Duke. Is it now apparent?

Prov. Most manifest, and not denied by himself.

Duke. Hath he borne himself penitently in prison? How seems he to be touch'd?

Prov. A man that apprehends death no more dreadfully, but as a drunken sleep; careless, reckless, and fearless of what's past, present, or to come; insensible of mortality, and desperately mortal.

Duke. He wants advice.

Prov. He will hear none: he hath evermore had the liberty of the prison; give him leave to escape hence, he would not: drunk many times a day, if not many days entirely drunk. We have very often awaked him, as if to carry him to execution, and show'd him a seeming

warrant for it: it hath not moved him at all.

Duke. More of him anon. There is written in your brow, Provost, honesty and constancy: if I read it not truly, my ancient skill beguiles me; but in the boldness of my cunning, I will lay myself in hazard. Claudio, whom here you have a warrant to execute, is no greater forfeit to the law than Angelo who hath sentenced him: 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.

Pror. Pray, Sir, in what?
Duke. In the delaying death.

Prov. Alack! how may I do it? having the hour limited; and an express command, under penalty, to deliver his head in 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 Barnardine be this morning executed, and his head borne to Angelo.

Prov. Angelo hath seen them both, and wil discover the favour.*

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

Proc. To him, and to his substitutes.

Duke. You will think you have made no of◄ fence, if the duke avouch the justice of your dealing?

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 over-read 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.

in our house of profession: one would think, it Clo. I am as well acquainted here, as I was were mistress Over-done's own house, for here be many of her old customers. First, here's young master Rash; he's in for a commodity of brown paper and old ginger, ninescore and seventeen pounds; of which he made five marks, ready money: marry, then, ginger was not much in request, for the old women were all dead. Then is there here one master Caper, at the suit of master Three-pile the mercer, for some four suits of peach-colour'd satin, which now peaches him a beggar. Then have we here and master Copper-spur, and master Starveyoung Dizy, and young master Deep-vow, lackey the rapier and dagger-man, and young Drop-heir that kill'd lusty Pudding, and master Forthright the tilter, and brave master Shoe-tie stabb'd Pots, and, I think, forty more; all the great traveller, and wild Half-can that great doers in our trade, and are now for the

Lord's sake.

Enter ABHORSON.

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

*Countenance.

111 If he were known alive? To save him from the danger that might come,

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

Both Barnardine and Claudio: Ere twice
The sun hath made his journal greeting to
Your safety manifested,
The under generation, you shall find

Prov. I am your free dependant.
Duke. Quick, despatch,

And send the head to Angelo. [Exit PROVOST.
The provost, he shall bear them,-whose con-
Now will I write letters to Angelo,- [tents
Shall witness to him, I am near at home;
And that, by great injunctions, I am bound
To enter publicly: him I'll desire
To meet me at the consecrated fount,
By cold gradation and weal-balanced form,
A league below the city; and from thence,
We shall proceed with Angelo.

Re-enter PROvost.

Prov. Here is the head; I'll carry it myself.' Duke. Convenient is it: Make a swift return; That want no ear but yours. For I would commune with you of such things,

[Exit

Prov. I'll make all speed.
Isub. [Within.] Peace, ho, be here!
Duke. The tongue of Isabel :-She's come to

know,

Duke. But hear you,

Burnar. 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. Proc. 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.

Prov. Here in the pris, father,
There died this morning of a cruel fever
One Ragozine, most notorious pirate,
A man of Claudio's years; his beard, and head,
Just of his colour; What if we do omit
This reprobate, till he were well inclined;
And satisfy the deputy with the visage
Of Ragozine, more like to Claudio?

Duke. O, 'tis an accident that heaven provides;

Despatch it presently; the hour draws on
Prefix'd by Angelo: See, this be done,
And sent according to command; while I
Persuade this rude wretch willingly to die.
Prov. This shall be done, good father, pre-
sently.

But Barnardine must die this afternoon:
And how shall we continue Claudio,

Enter ISABELLA.

Isab. Ho, by your leave.

Duke. Good morning to you, fair and gra

cious daughter.

Hath yet the deputy sent my brother's pardon? Isah. The better, given me by so holy a man. Duke. He hath releas'd him, Isabel, from the His head is off, and sent to Angelo.

[world;

[patience.

Isab. Nay, but it is not so. Duke. It is no other: Show your wisdom, daughter, in your close 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:

Mark what I say; which you shall find
Forbear it therefore; give your cause to heaven.
By every syllable, a faithful verity:
The duke comes home to morrow;-nay, dry

your eyes;

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, There to give up their power. If you can, pace your wisdom

that good path that I would wish it go; And you shall have your bosomt 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

her?-no:

Enter Lucio.

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.

Lucio. I was once before him for getting a wench with child.

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 ho. nest: 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 burr, 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 before 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 despatch 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: Betimes i'the morn, I'll call you at your house: Give notice to such men of sort and suit, As are to meet him.

Escul. I shall, Sir: fare you well. [Exit. Ang. Good night.

This deed unshapes me quite, makes me unpregnant,

And dull to alt proceedings. A deflower'd maid!
And by an eminent body, that enforc'd
The law against it!-But that her tender shame
+ Contradicted.
Figure and rank.

• Go.

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 [Exit.

not.

SCENE V.-Fields without the Town. Enter DUKE in his own habit, and Friar Peter. Duke. These letters at fit time deliver me. The provost knows our purpose, and our plot. [Giving letters. The matter being afoot, keep your instruction, Though sometimes you do blenchs from this to And hold you ever to our special drift; that, [house, And tell him where I stay: give the like notice, As cause doth minister. Go, call at Flavius And bid them bring the trumpets to the gate; To Valentinus, Rowland, and to Crassus, But send me Flavius first.

F. Peter. It shall be speeded well.

Enter VARRIUS.

[Exit FRIAR.

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. Be rul'd by him.

Isub. Besides, he tells me, that, if peradventure

He speak against me on the adverse side,
That's bitter to sweet end.
I should not think it strange; for 'tis a physic,

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, [duke, Where you may have such vantage on the He shall not pass you; Twice have the trumpets sounded;

The generous** and gravest citizens
Have hent the gates, and very near upon
The duke is ent'ring; therefore hence, away.
[Exeunt