Or whether that the body public be A horse whereon the Governor doth ride, I ftagger in:) but this new Governor Which have, like unfcour'd armour, hung by th' wall Lucio. I warrant, it is; and thy head ftands fo tickle on thy fhoulders, that a milk-maid, if fhe be in love, may figh it off. Send after the Duke, and appeal to him. Claud. I have done fo, but he's not to be found. I pr'ythee, Lucio, do me this kind service: This day my Sifter fhould the Cloister enter, And there receive her Approbation. Acquaint her with the danger of my ftate, Such as moves men! befide, fhe hath profp'rous art Lucio. I pray, fhe may; as well for the encouragement of the like, which elfe would ftand under grievous impofition; as for the enjoying of thy life, who I would be forry fhould be thus foolishly loft at a game of tick-tack. I'll to her. Claud. I thank you, good friend Lucio. Lucio. Within two hours, Claud. Come, officer, away. B 6 [Exeunt. SCENE A MONASTERY. Enter Duke, and Friar Thomas. Duke. NO; holy father, throw away that thought; Fri. May your Grace speak of it? Duke. My holy Sir, none better knows than you, How I have ever lov'd the life remov'd; And held in idle price to haunt Affemblies, Where youth, and cost, and witless bravery keeps. I have deliver'd to lord Angelo *(A man of ftrict ure and firm abftinence) My abfolute Pow'r and Place here in Vienna; Duke. We have ftrict Statutes and most biting Laws, (The needful bits and curbs for head-ftrong Steeds,) Which for these nineteen years we have let fleep; Even like an o'er-grown lion in a cave, That goes not out to prey: now, as fond fathers Aman of Stricture and firm abftinence] ftricture makes no Sense in this Place. A man of ftrict ure and firm abftinence. i. e. a Man of the exacteft conduct, and practised in the subdual of his Paffions. Ure an old Word for Use, Practice, so enur'd, habituated to. For For terror, not to ufe; in time the rod Becomes more mock'd, than fear'd: fo our Decrees, And Liberty plucks Juftice by the nose; Fri. It refted in your Grace T'unloose this ty'd up justice, when you pleas'd: Duke. I do fear, too dreadful. Sith 'twas my fault to give the people scope, And not the punishment. Therefore, indeed, my father, I have on Angelo impos'd the office: Who may in th' ambush of my name ftrike home, To do in flander: And to behold his fway, Like a true Friar. More reasons for this action At our more leifure fhall I render you; [Exeunt. SCENE Ifab. Num. Are not thefe large enough? ND have you Nuns no further privileges? Ifab. Yes, truly; I speak not as defiring more; Nun. It is a man's voice: gentle Isabella, Turn you the key, and know his business of him; Then, if you speak, you must not fhew your face; Lucio. Hail, virgin, (if you be) as those cheek- Proclaim you are no lefs; can you so stead me, A novice of this place, and the fair sister Ifab. Why her unhappy brother? let me afk Lucio. Gentle and fair, your brother kindly greets you; Not to be weary with you, he's in prison. Lucio. Lucio. For that, which, if myself might be his judge, He fhould receive his punishment in thanks; Ifab. Sir, make me not your ftory. Lucio. 'Tis true :-I would not (tho' 'tis my fa miliar fin With maids to feem the lapwing, and to jeft, As with a Saint. Ifab. You do blafpheme the good, in mocking me. Lucio. Do not believe it. Fewnefs and truth, 'tis thus ; Your brother and his lover having embrac'd, As those that feed grow full, as blossoming time That from the seedness the bare fallow brings To teeming foifon; fo her plenteous womb Expreffeth his full tilth and husbandry. İfab. Some one with child by him?my coufin Juliet? Lucio. Is the your coufin? Ifab.Adoptedly, as fchool-maids change their names, By vain, tho' apt, affection. Lucio. She it is. Ifab. O, let him marry her! Lucio. This is the point. The Duke is very ftrangely gone from hence; Is But |