To make thy riches pleasant. What's yet in this, That bears the name of life? yet in this life Lie hid more thousand deaths; yet death we fear, That makes these odds all even. Claud. I humbly thank you. To fue to live, I find, I feek to die; And, seeking death, find life: let it come on. Ifab. What, ho? peace here, grace and good company! Prou. Who's there? come in: the wifh deferves a Duke. Dear Sir, ere long I'll vifit you again. Ifab. My Bufinefs is a word, or two, with Claudio.! Prov. And very welcome. Look, Signior, here's. your fifler. Duke. Provost, a word with you. Prov. As many as you please. Duke. Bring them to speak where I may be con ceal'd, Yet hear them... Exeunt Duke and Provost. II. SCENE Claud. NOW, [OW, fifter, what's the comfort? in Deed: Lord Angelo, having affairs to heav'n, Intends you for his fwift ambassador; Where you fhall be an everlafting leiger. Therefore your best appointment make with fpeed, To-morrow you fet on. Claud. Is there no remedy?. Ifab. None, but fuch remedy, as, to fave a head, To cleave a heart in twain. Claud. Claud. But is there any? Ifab. Yes, brother, you may live : Claud. Perpetual durance? Ifab. Ay, juft; perpetual durance; a restraint, Tho' all the world's vaftidity you had, To a determin'd scope. Claud. But in what nature? Ifab. In fuch a one, as you, consenting to't, Would bark your honour from that trunk you bear, And leave you naked. Claud. Let me know the point. Ifab. Oh, I do fear thee, Claudio; and I quake, Than a perpetual Honour. Dar'ft thou die? Claud. Why give you me this shame? And hug it in mine arms. [grave In bafe appliances. This outward-fainted Deputy, Claud. Claud. *The Prieftly Angelo? Ifab. Oh, 'tis the cunning livery of hell, The damned'ft body to inveft and cover * In Prieftly guards. Doft thou think, Claudio, Thou might'ft be freed? Claud. Oh, heavens! it cannot be. Ifab. Yes, he would give thee for this rank offence, Or elfe thou dy't to-morrow. As frankly as a pin. your deliverance Claud. Thanks, deareft Ifabel. Ifab. Be ready, Claudio, for your death to-morrow. Claud. Yes. Has he affections in him, That thus can make him bite the law by th' nofe, When he would force it? fure, it is no fin; Or of the deadly feven it is the leaft. Ifab. Which is the leaft? Claud. If it were damnable, he being so wise, Ifab. What fays my brother? Claud. Death's a fearful thing. Claud. Ay, but to die, and go we know not where; To lie in cold obftruction, and to rot; The Princely Angelo?---Princely guards.] Some Editors mistaking Guards for Satellites,) whereas it here fignifies Lace) altered Priestly, in both Places, to Princely. Whereas Shakespear wrote it Priefly, as appears from the Words themselves. In the firft Place we fee that Guards here fignifies Lace, as referring to Livery, and as having no Sense in the Signification of Satellites. Now priestly Guards means Sanctity, which is the Senfe required. But princely Guard means nothing but rich Lace, which is a Sense the Paffage will not bear. This fenfible warm motion to become The wearieft and moft loathed worldly life, To what we fear of death. Ifab. Alas! alas.! Claud. Sweet fifter, let me live; What fin you do to fave a brother's life, Ifab. Oh, you beaft! Oh, faithlefs coward! oh, difhoneft wretch! : Is't not a kind of incest, to take life From thine own fifter's fhame? what fhould I think? Heav'n grant, my mother plaid my father fair! For fuch a warped flip of wilderness Ne'er iffu'd from his blood. Take my defiance, Claud. Nay, hear me, Isabel:: Ifab. Oh, fie, fie, fie! Thy fin's not accidental, but a trade; Mercy to thee would prove itself a bawd; 'Tis beft, that thou dy't quickly. Claud. Oh hear me, Ifabella. SCENE Duke. Might you difpense with your leifurc, I would by and by have fome fpeech with you; the fatisfaction I would require, is likewife your own benefit. Ifab. I have no fuperfluous leifure; my flay muft be ftolen out of other affairs: but I will attend you a while. Duke. Son, I have over-heard what hath paft between you and your Sifter. Angelo had never the purpose to corrupt her; only he hath made an affay of her virtue, to practise his judgment with the difpofition of natures. She, having the truth of honour in her, hath made him that gracious denial, which he is most glad to receive: I am Confessor to Angelo, and I know this to be true; therefore prepare yourself to death. Do not falfify your refolution with hopes that are fallible; to-morrow you muft die; go to your knees, and make ready. Claud: Let me afk my fifter pardon; I am so out of love with life, that I will fue to be rid of it. Duke. Hold you there; farewel. with you. Prov. What's your will, father? [Exit Claud. Provost, a word Duke. That now you are come, you will be gone; leave me a while with the maid: my mind promises with my habit, no loss shall touch her by my com pany. Prov. In good time. [Exit Prov. Duke. The hand, that hath made you fair, hath made |