a

Do you your office, or give up your place,

No; I would tell what 'twere to be a judge, And you shall well be spar'd.

And what a prisoner. Prov. I crave your honour's pardon.

Lucio. Ay, touch him: there's the vein ! [Aside. What shall be done, sir, with the groaning Juliet ? Ang. Your brother is a forfeit of the law, She's very near her hour.

And you but waste your words.
Ang. Dispose of her

Isab, Alas! alas!
To some more fitter place; and that with speed. Why, all the souls, that were, were forfeit once;
Re-enter Servant.

And He, that might the vantage best have took,
Serv. Here is the sister of the man condemn'd, Found oat the remedy: how would you be,
Desires access to you.

Ifhe, which is the top of judgment, should Ang. Hath he a sister?

But judge you as you are? O, think on that; Prov. Ay, my good lord ; a very virtuous maid, And mercy then will breathe within your lips, And to be shortly of a sisterhood,

Like man new made.
If not already

Ang. Be you content, fair maid;
Ang. Well, let her be admitted! [Exit Servant. It is the law, not I, condemns your brother;
See you, the foruicatress be remov'd;

Were he my kinsman, brother, or my son,
Let her have needful, but not lavish, means ;

It should be thus with him;— he must die to-morrow. There shall be order for it.

Isab. To-morrow? O, that's sudden! Spare him, Enter Lucio and ISABELLA.

spare him ! Prov. Save your

honour! [Offering to retire. He's not prepar’d for death! Even for our kitchens Ang. Stay a little while.— [To Isab.] You are wel-We kill the fowl of season ; shall we serve heaven come. What's your will?

With less respect, than we do minister Isab. I am a woeful suitor to your honour,

To our gross selves? Good, good my lord, bethink you: Please but your honour hear me.

Who is it that hath died for this offence? Ang. Well; what's your suit ?

There's many have committed it. Isab. There is a vice, that most I do abhor,

Lucio. Ay, well said. And most desire should meet the blow of justice ; Ang. The law hath not been dead, though it hath For which I would not plead, but that I must;

slept: For which I must not plead, but that I am

Those many had not dar'd to do that evil, At war, twixt will, and will not.

If the first man, that did the edict infringe, Ang. Well; the matter?

Had answer'd for his deed: now, 'tis awake, Isab, I have a brother is condemn'd to die :

Takes note of what is done, and, like a prophet, I do beseech you, let it be his fault,

Looks in a glass, that shows what future evils, And not my brother.

(Either now, or by remissness new-conceiv'd, Prov. Heaven give thee moving graces !

And so in progress to be hatch'd and born,) Ang. Condemn the fault, and not the actor of it! Are now to have no successive degrees, Why, every fault's condemn'd, ere it be done:

But, where they live, to end. Mine were the very cypher of a function,

Isab. Yet, show some pity! To fine the faults, whose fine stands in record,

Ang. I show it most of all, when I show justice, And let go by the actor.

For then I pity those I do not know,
Isab. O just, but severe law!

Which a dismiss'd offence would after gall;
Thad a brother then.-Heaven keep your honour! And do him right, that, answering one foul wrong,

(Retiring. Lives not to act another. Be satisfied ; Lucio. (To Isab.] Give't not o'er so: to him again, Your brother dies to-morrow: be content ! intreat him;

Isab. So you must be the first, that gives this sentence,
Kneel down before him, hang upon his gown! And he, that suffers. O, it is excellent
You are too cold: if you should need a pin,

To have a giant's strength; but it is tyrannous,
You could not with more tame a tongue desire it: To use it like a giant.
To him, I say!

Lucio. That's well said.
Isab. Must he needs die?

Isab. Could great men thunder
Ang. Maiden, no remedy!

As Jove himself does, Jove would ne'er be quiet,
Isab. Yes; I do think that you might pardon him, For every pelting, petty officer,
And neither heaven, nor man, grieve at the mercy. Would use his heaven for thunder; nothing butthun-
Ang. I will not do't.

Merciful heaven!

der. Isab. But can you, ifyou would ?

Thou rather, with thy sharp and sulphurous bolt,
Ang. Look, what I will not, that I cannot do.

Split'st the unwedgeable and gnarled oak,
Isab. But might you do't, and do the world no wrong, Than the soft myrtle :-0, but man, proud man!
If so your heart were touch'd with that remorse, Drest in a little brief authorithy,
As mine is to him?

Most ignorant of what he's most assurd,
Ang. He's sentenc'd ; 'tis too late,

His glassy essence, — like an angry ape, Lucio. You are too cold.

[To Isabella. Plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven, Isab. Too late? why, no. I, that do speak a word, As make the angels weep; who, with our spleens, May call it back again: well believe this,

Would all themselves laugh mortal.
No ceremony that to great ones 'longs,

Lucio, 0, to him, to him, wench! he will relent;
Not the king's crown, nor the deputed sword, He's coming, I perceive't.
The marshal's truncheon, nor the judge's robe, Prov. Pray heaven, she win him!
Become them with one half so good a grace,

Isab. We cannot weigh our brother with ourself:
As mercy does. If he had been as you,

Great men may jest with saints : 'tis wit in them;
And you as he, you would have slipt, like him ; But, in theless, foul profanation.
But he, like you, would not have been so steru.

Lucio. Thou’rt in the right, girl; more o'that!
Ang. Pray you, begone!

Isab. That in the captain's bat a choleric word,
Isab. I would to heaven, I had your potency, Which in the soldier is flat blasphemy.
And you were Isabel! should it then be thus?

Lucio. Art advis'do that? more on't!

a

:

Ang. Why do you put these' sayings upon me? I come to visit the afflicted spirits
Isab. Because authority, though it err, like others, Here in the prison: do me the common right
Hath yet a kind of medicine in itself,

To let me see them; and to make me know
Thatškins the vice o' the top. Go to your bosom; The nature of their crimes, that I may minister
Knock there, and ask your heart, what it doth know To them accordingly.
That's like my brother's fault: ifit confess

Prov.I would do more than that, if more were needful. A natural guiltiness, such as is his,

Enter JULIET. Letit not sound a thought upon your tongue

Look, here comes one; a gentlewoman of mine Against my brother's life!

Who, falling in the flames of her own youth, Ang. She speaks, and 'tis

Hath blister'd her report: she is with child; Such serse, that my sense breeds with it. — Fare yon And he, that got it, sentenc'd: a young man well!

More fit to do another such offence,
Isab. Gentle my lord, turn back!

Than die for this!
Ang. I will bethink me:- come again to-morrow. Duke. When must he die?
Isab. Hark, how I'll bribe you: good my lord, turn Prov. As I do think, to--morrow.-
back!

I have provided for you ; stay a while, [To Juliet. Ang. How! bribe me?

And you shall be conducted. Isab. Ay, with such gifts, that heaven shall share with Duke. Repent you, fair one, of the sin you carry ? you.

Juliet. I do; and bear the shame most patiently. Lucio. You had marr'd all else.

Duke. I'll teach you how you shall arraign your conIsab. Not with fond shekels of the tested gold,

science, Or stones, whose rates are either rich, or poor, And try your penitence, ifit be sound, As fancy values them: but with true prayers,

Or hollowly put on. That shall be up at heaven, and enter there,

Juliet. I'll gladly learn. Ere sun-rise; prayers from preserved souls,

Duke. Love you the man that wrongd you ? From fasting maids, whose minds are dedicate Juliet. Yes, as I love the woman that wrong'd him. To nothing temporal.

Duke. So then, it seems, your most offenceful act Ang. Well: come to me

Was mutually committed ? To-morrow!

Juliet. Mutually. Lucio. Go to; it is well; away. [ Aside to Isabel. Duke. Then was your sin of heavier kind, than his. Isab. Heaven keep your honour safc !

Juliet. I do confess it, and repent it, father. Arg. Amen: for I

Duke. 'Tis meet so, daughter: but lest you do repent, Am that way going to temptation,

[Aside. As that the sin hath brought you to this shame, Where prayers cross.

Which sorrow is always toward ourselves, not heaven; Isab. At what hour to-morrow

Showing, we'd not spare heaven, as we love it, Shall I attend your lordship?

But as we stand in fear,-Ang. At any time'fore noon.

Juliet. I do repent me, as it is an evil; Isab. Save your honour !

And take the shame with joy. (Exeunt Lucio, Isabella, and Provost. Duke. There rest. Ang. From thee; even from thy virtue!

Your partner, as I hear, must die to-morrow, What's this? what's this? Is this her fault, or mine? And I am going with instruction to him.The tempter, or the tempted, who sins most? Ha! Grace go with you! Benedicite!

[Exit. Not she; nor doth she tempt: butit is I,

Juliet. Must die to-morrow! 0, injurious love, That lying by the violet, in the sun,

That respites me a life, whose very comfort Do, as the carrion does, not as the flower,

Is still a dying horror! Corrupt with virtuous season. Can it be,

Prov. 'Tis pity of him.

[Exeunt. That modesty may more betray our sense, Than woman's lightness? Having waste ground SCENE IV.- A room in Angelo's house. enough,

Enter AngeLO. Shall we desire to raze the sanctuary,

Ang. When I would pray and think, I think and pray And pitch our evils there? 0, fy, fy, fy!

To several subjects: heaven hath my empty words; What dost thou? or what art thou, Angelo ? Whilst my invention, hearing not my tongue, Dost thou desire her foully, for those things

Anchors on Isabel : Heaven in my mouth, That make her good? o, let her brother live: As if I did but only chew his name; Thieves for their robbery have authority,

And in my heart the strong and swelling evil When judges steal themselves. What? 'do I love her, of my conception: the state, whereon I studied, That I desire to hear her speak again,

Is like a good thing, being often read,
And feast upon her eyes? Whast is't I dream on? Grown fear'd and tedious; yea, my gravity,
O cunning.enemy, that, to catch a saint,

Wherein (let no man hear me) I take pride,
With saints dost bait thy hook! Most dangerous Could I, with boot, change for an idle plume,
Is that temptation, that doth goad us on

Which the air beats for vain. O place! O form! To sin in loving virtue: never could the strumpet, How often dost thou with thy case, thy habit, With all her double vigour, art, and nature,

Wrench awe from fools, and tie the wiser souls Once stir my temper; but this virtuous maid

To thy false seeming? Blood, thou still art blood: Subdues me quite: -- ever, till now,

Let’s write good angel on the devil's horn, When men were fond, I smil'd, and wonder'd how. 'Tis not the devil's crest.

[Exit.

Enter Servant.

How now, who's there?
SCENE III. – A room in a prison.

Serv. One Isabel, a sister,
Enter Duke, habited like a Friar, and Provost. Desires access to you.
Duke. Hail to you, provost; so, I think you are. Ang. Teach her the way.

(Exit Servant. Prov. I am the provost. What's your will,good friar? O heavens ! Duke. Bound by my charity, and my bless'd order, Why does my blood thus muster to my heart;

:

Ang. Yea.

a

a

Making booth it unable for itself,

Accountant to the law upon that pain. And dispossessing all the other parts

Isab. Trae. Ofnecessary fitness!

Ang. Admit no other way to save his life, So play the foolish throngs with one that swoons, (As I subscribe not that, nor any other, Come all to help him, and so stop the air

But in the loss of question) that you, his sister, By which he should revive : and even so

Finding yourself desir'd of such a person,
The general, subject to a well-wish'd king,

Whose credit with the judge, or own great place,
Quit their own part, and in obsequious fondness Could fetch your brother from the manacles
Crowd to his presence, where their untaught love Ofthe all-binding law; and that there were
Must needs
appear offer.ce.-

No earthly mean to save him, but that either
Enter ISABELLA.

You must lay down the treasures of your body
How now, fair maid ?

To this supposed, or else let him suffer; Isab. I am come to know your pleasure.

What would you do?
Ang. That you might know it, would much better Isab. As much for my poor brother, as myself:
please me,

That is, Were I under the terms of death,
Than to demand what 'tis. Your brother cannot live. The impression of keen whips I'd wearas rubies,
Isab. Even so ? -
Heaven keep your honour! And strip myself to death, as to a bed,

(Retiring. That longing I have been sick for, ere I'd yield
Ang. Yet may he live a while; and, it may be, My body up to shame.
As long as you, orl: yet he mast die.

Ang. Then must your brother die. Isab. Under your sentence?

Isab. And 'twere the cheaper way:

Better it were, a brother died at once, Isab. When, I beseech you? that in his reprieve, Than that a sister, by redeeming him, Longer, or shorter, he may be so fitted,

Should die for ever.
That his soul sicken not.

Ang. Werenot you then as cruel as the sentence,
Ang. Ha! fy, these filthy vices ! It were as good That you have slander'd so ?
To pardon him, that hath from nature stolen

Isab. Ignomy in ransom, and free pardon,
A man already made, as to remit

Are of two houses: lawful mercy Their saucy sweetness, that do coin heaven's image Is nothing kin to foul redemption. In stamps that are forbid: 'tis all as easy

Ang. You seem'd of late to make the law a tyrant; Falsely to take away a life true made,

And rather prov'd the sliding of your brother As to put mettle in restrained means,

A merriment than a vice.
To make a false one.

Isab. O, pardon me, my lord; it oft falls ont,
Isab. 'Tis set down so in heaven, but not in carth. To have what we'd have, we speak not what we mean :
Ang. Say you so ? then I shall poze you quickly. I something do excuse the thing I hate,
Which had you rather, That the most just law For his advantage, that I deurly love.
Now took yoar brother's life; or, to redeem him, Ang. We are all frail.
Give up your body to such sweet uncleanness,

Isab. Else let my brother die,
As she that he hath stain'a?

If not a feodary, but only he, Isab. Sir, believe this,

Owe, and succeed by weakness.
I had rather give my body, than my soul.

Ang. Nay, women are frail too.
Ang. I talk not of your soul; our compellid sins Isab. Ay, as the glasses, where they view themselves;
Stand more for number than accompt.

Which are as easy broke, as they make forms.
Isab. How say you?

Women! – Help heaven! men their creation mar Ang. Nay, I'll not warrant that; for I can speak In prohting by them. Nay, call us ten times frail; Against the thing I say. Answer to this ;

For we are soft, as our complexions are, I, now the voice of the recorded law,

And credulous to false prints. Pronounce a sentence on your brother's life:

Ang. I think it well: Might there not be a charity in sin,

And from this testimony of your own sex, To save this brother's life?

(Since, I suppose, we are made to be no stronger Isab. Please you to do't,

Than faults may shake our frames) let me be bold;I'll take it as a peril to my soul,

I do arrest your words; be that you are,
It is no sin at all, but charity.

That is, a woman; if you be more, you're none;
Ang. Pleas'd you to do't, at peril of your soul, If you be one, (as you are well express'd
Were equal poize of sin and charity.

By all external warrants,) show it now,
Isab. That I do beg his life, if it be sin,

By putting on the destin'd livery. ven, let me bear it! you granting of my suit, Isab. I have no tongue but one: gentle my lord, If that be sin, I'll make it my morn prayer

Let me entreat you speak the former language! To have it added to the faults of mine,

Ang. Plainly conceive, I love you. And nothing of your, answer.

Isab. My brother did love Juliet; and you tell me,
Ang. Nay, but hear me:

That he shall die for it.
Your sense pursues not mine: either you are ignorant, Ang. He shall not, Isabel, if you give me love.
Or seem so craftily; and that's not good.

Isab. I know, your virtue hath a licence in't,
Isab. Let me be ignorant, and in nothing good, Which seems a little fouler than it is,
But graciously to know, I am no better.

To pluck on others.
Ang. Thus wisdom wishes to appear most bright, Ang. Believe me, on mine honour,
When it doth tax itself: as these black masks My words express my purpose.
Proclaim an enshield beauty ten times louder,

Isab. Ha! little hononr to be much believ'd,
Thın beauty could displayed.-But mark me; And most pernicious purpose ! --Seeming, ng!
To be received plain, I'll speak more gross:

I will proclaim thec, Angelo; look for't:
Your brother is to die.

Sign me a present pardon for my brother, Isab. So.

Or, with an outstretch'd throat, I'll tell the world Ang. And his offence is so, as it appears

Aloud, what man thou art !

Ang. Who will believe thee, Isabel?

But, as it were, an after-dinner's sleep,
My unsoil'd pame, the austereness of my life, Dreaming on both: for all thy blessed youth
Mrvouch against you, and my placei'the state, Becomes as aged, and doth beg the alms
Will so your accusation overweigh,

Of palsied eld; and when thou art old, and rich, That you shall stifle in your own report,

Thou hast neither heat, affection, limb, nor beauty, And smell of calumay. I have begun;

To make thy riches pleasant. What's yet in this, And now I give my sensual race the rein:

That bears the name of life? Yet in this life Fit thy consent to my sharp appetite;

Liehid more thousand deaths : yet death we fear, Lay by all nicety, and prolixious blushes,

That makes these odds all oven.
That banish what they sue for; redeem thy brother Claud. I humbly thank you.
By yielding up thy body to my will;

To sue to live, I find, I seek to die,
Orelse he must not only die the death,

And, seeking death, find life. Let it come on! But thy unkindness shall his death draw ont

Enter Isabella. To lingering sufferance. Answer me to-morrow, Isab.What, ho! Peace here; grace and good company! Or, by the atlection that now guides me most,

Prov. Who's there? come in: the wish deserves a I'll prove a tyrant to him: as for yon,

welcome. Say what you can, my false o’erweighs your true. Duke. Dear sir, ere long I'll visit you again.

[Exit. Claud. Most holy sir, I thank you. Isab. To whom shall I complain? Did I tell this, Isab. My business is a word or two with Claudio. Who would believe me? O perilous mouths,

Prov. Andvery welcome.-Look, signior,here's your That bearin them one and the self-same tongue,

sister. Either of condemnation, or approof!

Duke. Provost, a word with you. Bidding the law make court'sy to their will;

Prov. As many as you please. Hooking both right and wrong to the appetite, Duke. Bring me to hear them to speak,where I may be To follow as it draws ! I'll to my brother:

Concealed.

[Exeunt Duke and Provost. Though he hath fallen by prompture of the blood, Claud. Now, sister, what's the comfort? Yet hath he in him such a mind of honour,

Isab. Why, as all comforts are, most good in deed : That, had hetwenty heads to tender down

Lord Angelo, having aifairs to heaven, On twenty bloody blocks, he'd yield them up, Intends you for his swist ambassador, Before his sister should her body stoop

Where von shall be an everlasting leiger: To such abhorr'd pollution.

Therefore your best appointment make with specd;' Then, Isabel, live chaste, and, brother, die: To-morrow you sct on. More than our brother is our chastity.

Claud. Is there no remedy? I'll tell him yet of Angelo's request,

Isab. None, but such remedy, as, to save a head, And fit his mind to death, for his soul's rest. [Exit. To cleave a heart in twain.

Claud. But is thercany?
А ст III.

Isab. Yes, brother, you may live;

There is a devilish mercy in the judge,
SCENE I.-- Aroom in the prison.

If you'll implore it, that will free your life,
Enter Duke, Claudio, and Provost.

But fetter vou till death.
Duke.So, then yon hope of pardon from lord Angelo ? Claud. Perpetual durance?
Claud. The miserable have no other medicine, Isab. Ay, just, perpetual durance; a restraint,
But only hope:

Though all the world's vastidity you had,
I have hope to live, and am prepar’d to die.

To a determin’d scope.
Duke. Be absolute for death; either death, or life, Claud. But in what nature?
Shallthereby be the sweeter. Reason thus with life, Isab. In such a one as (you consenting to't)
If I dolose thee, I do lose a thing,

Would bark your honour from that trunk you bear, That none but fools would keep: a breath thou art, And leave you naked. (Servile to ali the skiey influences)

Claud. Let me know the point.
That dost this habitation, where thou keep'st, Isab. O, I do fear thee, Claudio; and I quake,
Hourly all’lict : merely, thou art death's fool; Lest thou a feverous life should'st entertain,
For him thou labour'st by thy flight to shun,' And six or seven winters more respect
And vet run’st toward him still: Thou art not noble; Than a perpetual honour. Dar’st thou die?
For all the accommodations that thou bear'st, The sense of death is most in apprehension;
Arenurs’d by baseness: Thou art by no means valiant; And the poor beetle, that wetread upon,
For thou dost fear the soft and tender fork

In corporal sufferance finds a pang as great
Of a poor worm. Thy best of rest is sleep,

As when a giant dies.
And that thou oft provok’st; yet grossly fear’st Claud. Why give you methis shame?
Thy death, which is no more. Thou art not thyself; Think yon, I can a resolution fetch
For thou exist'st on many a thousand grains,

From flowery tenderness? If I must die,
That issue out of dust. Happy thou art not;

I will encounter darkness as a bride, For what thou hast not, still thou striv'st to get; And hug it in mine arms. And what thou hast, forget'st. Thou art not certain; Isab. There spake my brother; there my father's For thy complexion shifts to strange effects, After the moon: If thou art rich, thou art poor; Did utter forth a voice! Yes, thou must die: For, like an ass, whose back with ingots bows, Thou art too noble to conserve a life Thon bear'st thy heavy riches but a journey, In base appliances. This outward-sainted deputy,– And death unloads thee. Friend hast thou none; Whose settled visage and deliberate word For thine own bowels, which do call thee sire, Nips youth i'the head, and follies doth enmew, Themere effusion of thy proper loins,

As falcon doth the fowl,—is yet a devil; Do curse the gout, serpigo, and the rheum,

His filth within being cast, he would appear For ending thee no sooner. Thou hast nor youth, A pond as deep as hell

. nor age;

Claud. The princely Angelo?

grave

a

a

Isab. 0, 'tis the cunning livery of hell,

Isab. I have no superfluous leisnre; my stay must be The damned'st body to invest and cover

stolen out of other affairs; but I will attend you a while. In princely guards ! Dost thon think, Claudio, Duke. [To Claudio, aside.] Son, I have overheard If I would yield him my virginity,

what hath past between you and your sister. Angelo Thou might'st be freed ?

had never the purpose to corrupt her; only he hath Claud. O, heavens! it cannot be.

made an essay of her virtue, to practise his judgment Isab. Yes, he would give it thee, from this rank with the disposition of natures: she, having the truth offence,

of honour in her, hath made him that gracious denial, So to offend him still: this night's the time,

which he is most glad to receive:lam confessor to AnThat I should do what I abhor to name,

gelo, and I know this to be true; therefore prepare Or else thou diest to-morrow.

yourself to death! Do not satisfy your resolution with Claud. Thou shalt not do't.

hopes that are fallible: to-morrow you must die; go Isab. O, were it but my life,

to your knees, and make ready. I'd throw it down for your deliverance

Claud. Let me ask my sister pardon. I am so out of As frankly, as a pin!

love with life, that I will sue to be rid of it. Claud. Thanks, dear Isabel !

Duke. Hold you

there! Farewell. [Exit Claudio. Isab. Be ready, Claudio, for your death to-morrow!

Re-enter Provost.
Claud. Yes.-Has he affections in him,

Provost, a word with you.
That thus can make him bite the law by the nose, Prov. What's your will, father?
When he would force it? Sureit is no sin;

Duke. That now you are come, you will be gone: Or of the deadly seven it is the least.

leave me a while with the maid; my mind promises Isab. Which is the least?

with my habit, no loss shall touch her by my company. Claud. If it were damnable, he, being so wise, Prov. In good time.

(Exit Provost. Why, would he for the momentary trick

Duke. The hand, that hath made you fair, hath made Be perdurably fin’d?-0 Isabel !

you good: the goodness, that is cheap in beauty, Isab. What says my brother?

makes beauty briefin goodness; but grace, being the Claud. Death is a fearful thing.

soul of your complexion, should keep the body of it Isab. And shamed life a hateful.

ever fair. The assault that Angelo hath made to you, Claud. Ay, but to die, and go, we know not where; fortune hath conveyed to my understanding; and, but To lie in cold obstruction, and to rot;

that frailty hath examples for his falling, I should This sensible warm motion to become

wonder at Angelo. How would you do to content this A kneaded clod; and the delighted spirit

substitute, and to save your brother? To bathe in fiery floods, or to reside

Isab. I am now going to resolve him: I had rather my In thrilling regions of thiek-ribbed ice;

brother die by the law, than my son should be unlawTo be imprison’d in the viewless winds,

fully born. But oh, how much is the good duke deceived And blown with restless violence round about in Angelo! If ever he return, and I can speak to him, The pendant world, or to be worse than worst I will open my lips in vain, or discover his government. Of those, that lawless and incertain thoughts

Duke. That shall not be much amiss: yet, as the Imagine howling !—'tis too horrible!

matter now stands, he will avoid your accusation; he The weariest and most loathed worldly life, made trial of you only:- Therefore, fasten your ear That age, ache, penury, and imprisonment,

on my advisings; to the love I have in doing good, a Can lay on nature, is a paradise

remedy presents itself. I do make myself believe, that To what we fear of death.

you may most uprighteously do a poor wronged lady Isab. Alas! alas!

a merited benefit, redeem your brother from the anClaud. Sweet sister, let me live!

gry law, do no stain to your own gracious person, and What sin you do to save a brother's lise,

much please the absent duke, if, peradventure, he shall Nature dispenses with the deed so far,

ever return to have hearing of this business. That it becomes a virtue.

Isab. Let me hear you speak further! I have spirit to Isab. O, you beast!

do anything, that appears not foul in the truth of my 0, faithless coward ! O, dishonest wretch!

spirit. Wilt thou be made a man out of my vice?

Duke. Virtue is bold, and goodness never fearful. Is't not a kind of incest, to take life

Have you not heard speak of Mariana, the sister of From thine own sister's shame? What should I think? Frederick, the great soldier, who miscarried at sea ? Heaven shield, my mother play'd my father fair ! Isab. I have heard of the lady, and good words went For such a warped slip of wilderness

with her name. Ne'er issu’d from his blood. Take my defiance ! Duke. Her should this Angelo have married; was Die; perish! might but my bending down

affianced to her by oath, and the nuptial appointed : Reprieve thee from thy fate, it should proceed: between which time of the contract, and limit of the I'll pray a thousand prayers for thy death,

solemnity, her brother Frederick was wrecked at sea, No word to save thee.

having in that perish'd vessel the dowry of his sister. Claud. Nay, hear me, Isabel !

But mark, how heavily this befel to the poor gentleIsab. Ofy, fy, fy!

woman:there she lost a noble and renowned brother,in Thy sin's not accidental, but a trade:

his love toward her ever inost kind and natural; with Mercy to thee would prove itself a bawd:

him, the portion and sinew of her fortune, her mar'Tis best that thou diest quickly.

(Going. riage dowry; with both, her combinate husband, this Claud. O hear me, Isabella!

well-seeming Angelo.

Isab. Can this be so ? Did Angelo so leave her? Re-enter Duke.

Duke. Left her in her tears, and dry'd not one of Duke. Vouchsafe a word, young sister, but one word ! them with his comfort; swallowed his vows whole, Isab. What is your will?

pretending, in her, discoveries of dishonour: in few, Duhe. Might you dispense with yonr leisure, I would bestowed her on her own lamentation, which she yet by and by have some speech with yon: the satisfaction wears for his sake; and he, a marble to her tears, is I would require, is likewise your own benefit. washed with them, but relents not.

a

a