DUKE Were you sworn to the duke or to the deputy?
PROVOST To him and to his substitutes.
DUKE You will think you have made no offence, if the
duke avouch180 the justice of your dealing?
PROVOST But what likelihood is in that?
DUKE Not a resemblance182, but a certainty. Yet since I see
you fearful that neither my coat183, integrity, nor persuasion
can with ease attempt184 you, I will go further than I meant, to
pluck all fears out of you. Look you, sir, here is the hand185 and
seal of the duke: you know the character186, I
Shows a letter
doubt not, and the signet187 is not strange to you.
PROVOST 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 tenor193, perchance of the duke's death, perchance
entering into some monastery, but by chance nothing of
what is writ194. Look, th'unfolding star195 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 shrift199 and advise him for a better place. Yet you
are amazed, but this200 shall absolutely resolve you. Come
away. It is almost clear dawn.
Exeunt
Act 4 Scene 3
running scene 10 continues
Enter Clown [Pompey]
POMPEY I am as well acquainted1 here as I was in our house of
profession: one would think it were Mistress Overdone's own
house, for here be many of her old customers. First, here's
young Master Rash4. He's in for a commodity of brown paper
and old5 ginger, ninescore and seventeen pounds, of which
he made five marks ready money. Marry, then ginger was not
much in request, for the old women7 were all dead. Then is
there here one Master Caper8, at the suit of Master Three-
pile the mercer9, for some four suits of peach-coloured satin,
which now peaches10 him a beggar. Then have we here young
Dizzy11 and young Master Deep-vow and Master Copperspur
and Master Starve-lackey12 the rapier and dagger man,
and young Drop-heir13 that killed lusty Pudding, and Master
Forthright14 the tilter, and brave Master Shoe-tie the great
traveller, and wild Half-can that stabbed Pots15, and I think
forty more, all great doers in our trade16, and are now 'for the
Lord's sake'.
Enter Abhorson
ABHORSON Sirrah, bring Barnardine hither.
POMPEY Master Barnardine! You must rise19 and be hanged.
Master Barnardine!
ABHORSON What ho, Barnardine!
BARNARDINE A pox22 o'your throats! Who makes that
Within
noise there? What are you?
POMPEY Your friends, sir, the hangman. You must be so
good, sir, to25 rise and be put to death.
BARNARDINE Away, you rogue, away! I am sleepy.
Within
ABHORSON Tell him he must awake, and that quickly too.
POMPEY Pray, Master Barnardine, awake till you are executed,
and sleep afterwards.
ABHORSON Go in to him and fetch him out.
POMPEY He is coming, sir, he is coming: I hear his straw31
rustle.
Enter Barnardine
ABHORSON Is the axe upon the block, sirrah?
POMPEY Very ready, sir.
BARNARDINE How now, Abhorson? What's the news with you?
ABHORSON Truly, sir, I would desire you to clap into36 your
prayers, for, look you, the warrant's come.
BARNARDINE You rogue, I have been drinking all night, I am not
fitted39 for't.
POMPEY O, the better, sir, for he that drinks all night, and is
hanged betimes41 in the morning, may sleep the sounder all
the next day.
Enter Duke [disguised as before]
ABHORSON Look you, sir, here comes your ghostly father43. Do we
jest now, think you?
DUKE Sir, induced by my charity, and hearing how hastily
you are to depart, I am come to advise you, comfort you and
pray with you.
BARNARDINE Friar, not I. I have been drinking hard all night,
and I will have more time to prepare me, or they shall beat
out my brains with billets50. I will not consent to die this day,
that's certain.
DUKE O, sir, you must, and therefore I beseech you
Look forward on the journey you shall go.
BARNARDINE I swear I will not die today for any man's
persuasion.
DUKE But hear you56--
BARNARDINE Not a word. If you have anything to say to me,
come to my ward58, for thence will not I today.
Exit
Enter Provost
DUKE Unfit to live or die. O, gravel59 heart!
After him, fellows, bring him to the block.
[Exeunt Abhorson and Pompey]
PROVOST Now, sir, how do you find the prisoner?
DUKE A creature unprepared, unmeet62 for death,
And to transport him63 in the mind he is
Were damnable.
PROVOST Here in the prison, father,
There died this morning of a cruel fever
One Ragozine67, a most notorious pirate,
A man of Claudio's years68, his beard and head
Just of his colour. What if we do omit69
This reprobate70 till he were well inclined,
And satisfy the deputy with the visage71
Of Ragozine, more like to Claudio?
DUKE O, 'tis an accident73 that heaven provides!
Dispatch it74 presently, the hour draws on
Prefixed75 by Angelo. See this be done,
And sent according to command, whiles I
Persuade this rude77 wretch willingly to die.
PROVOST This shall be done, good father, presently.
But Barnardine must die this afternoon.
And how shall we continue80 Claudio,
To save me from the danger that might come
If he were known alive?
DUKE Let this be done:
Put them in secret holds84, both Barnardine and Claudio.
Ere twice the sun hath made his journal greeting85
To yonder generation86, you shall find
Your safety manifested87.
PROVOST I am your free dependant88.
DUKE Quick, dispatch, and send the head to Angelo.
Exit [Provost]
Now will I write letters to Angelo --
The provost, he shall bear them -- whose contents
Shall witness to him I am near at home,
And that by great injunctions93 I am bound
To enter publicly. Him I'll desire
To meet me at the consecrated fount95,
A league96 below the city, and from thence,
By cold gradation97 and well-balanced form,
We shall proceed with Angelo.
Enter Provost [with Ragozine's head]
PROVOST Here is the head. I'll carry it myself.
DUKE Convenient is it. Make a swift return,
For I would commune101 with you of such things
That want no ear but yours.
PROVOST I'll make all speed.
Exit
ISABELLA Peace, ho, be here!
Within
br />
DUKE The tongue of Isabel. She's come to know
If yet her brother's pardon be come hither.
But I will keep her ignorant of her good,
To make her heavenly comforts of108 despair,
When it is least expected.
Enter Isabella
ISABELLA Ho, by your leave!
DUKE Good morning to you, fair and gracious daughter.
ISABELLA The better, given me by so holy a man.
Hath yet the deputy sent my brother's pardon?
DUKE He hath released him, Isabel -- from the world.
His head is off and sent to Angelo.
ISABELLA Nay, but it is not so.
DUKE It is no other.
Show your wisdom, daughter, in your close118 patience.
ISABELLA O, I will to him and pluck out his eyes!
DUKE You shall not be admitted to his sight.
ISABELLA Unhappy Claudio, wretched Isabel,
Injurious world, most damned Angelo!
DUKE This nor hurts him nor profits you a jot.
Forbear it124 therefore, give your cause to heaven.
Mark what I say, which you shall find
By every syllable a faithful verity126.
The duke comes home tomorrow -- nay, dry your eyes --
One of our convent, and his confessor128,
Gives me this instance129. 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, pace132 your wisdom
In that good path133 that I would wish it go,
And you shall have your bosom on134 this wretch,
Grace135 of the duke, revenges to your heart,
And general honour.
ISABELLA I am directed by you.
DUKE This letter, then, to Friar Peter give,
Gives a letter
'Tis that he sent me of the duke's return.
Say, by this token I desire his company
At Mariana's house tonight. Her cause and yours
I'll perfect him withal142, and he shall bring you
Before the duke, and to the head of143 Angelo
Accuse him home and home144. For my poor self,
I am combined145 by a sacred vow,
And shall be absent. Wend you146 with this letter:
Command these fretting waters147 from your eyes
With a light heart; trust not my holy order
If I pervert149 your course. Who's here?
Enter Lucio
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 fain153 to dine and
sup with water and bran154: I dare not for my head fill my belly.
One fruitful155 meal would set me to't. But they say the duke
will be here tomorrow. By my troth, Isabel, I loved thy
brother. If the old fantastical157 duke of dark corners had been
at home, he had lived.
[Exit Isabella]
DUKE Sir, the duke is marvellous little beholding159 to your
reports, but the best is, he lives not in them160.
LUCIO Friar, thou knowest not the duke so well as I do. He's
a better woodman162 than thou tak'st him for.
DUKE Well, you'll answer this one day. Fare ye
Starts to go
well.
LUCIO Nay, tarry, I'll go along with thee. I can tell thee
pretty166 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 I was fain to forswear171 it. They
would else have married me to the rotten medlar172.
DUKE Sir, your company is fairer173 than honest. 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 burr177, I shall stick.
Exeunt
Act 4 Scene 4
running scene 11
Enter Angelo and Escalus
ESCALUS Every letter he hath writ hath disvouched1 other.
ANGELO In most uneven2 and distracted manner. His actions
show much like to madness. Pray heaven his wisdom be not
tainted3. And why meet him at the gates and redeliver4 our
authorities there?
ESCALUS I guess not.
ANGELO And why should we proclaim it in an hour before
his entering, that if any crave redress of injustice, they
should exhibit their petitions9 in the street?
ESCALUS He shows his reason for that: to have a dispatch10 of
complaints and to deliver us from devices11 hereafter, which
shall then have no power to stand against us.
ANGELO Well, I beseech you, let it be proclaimed betimes13
i'th'morn. I'll call you at your house. Give notice to such
men of sort and suit15 as are to meet him.
ESCALUS I shall, sir. Fare you well.
ANGELO Good night.
Exit [Escalus]
This deed unshapes18 me quite, makes me unpregnant
And dull19 to all proceedings. A deflowered maid,
And by an eminent body20 that enforced
The law against it21! But that her tender shame
Will not proclaim22 against her maiden loss,
How might she tongue23 me? Yet reason dares her no,
For my authority bears of a credent bulk24
That no particular scandal once can touch
But it confounds the breather26. He should have lived,
Save that his riotous27 youth with dangerous sense
Might in the times to come have ta'en revenge
By29 so receiving a dishonoured life
With 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
Act 4 Scene 5
running scene 12
Location: outside Vienna
Enter Duke [in his own habit] and Friar Peter
DUKE These letters at fit time deliver me1.
Gives letters
The provost knows our purpose and our plot.
The matter being afoot, keep your instruction3
And hold you ever4 to our special drift,
Though sometimes you do blench5 from this to that,
As cause doth minister6. Go call at Flavius' house,
And tell him where I stay. Give the like notice
To Valentius, Rowland, and to Crassus,
And bid them bring the trumpets9 to the gate.
But send me Flavius first.
FRIAR PETER It shall be speeded11 well.
[Exit]
Enter 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 gentle14 Varrius.
Exeunt
Act 4 Scene 6
running scene 13
Location: Vienna
Enter Isabella and Mariana
ISABELLA To speak so indirectly1 I am loath.
I would say the truth, but to accuse him2 so,
That is your part. Yet I am advised to do it,
He4 says, to veil full purpose.
MARIANA Be ruled by him.
ISABELLA Besides, he tells me that if peradventure6
He speak against me on the adverse side,
I should not think it strange, for 'tis a physic8
That's bitter to sweet end9.
Enter [Friar] Peter
MARIANA I would10 Friar Peter--
ISABELLA O, peace, the friar is come.
FRIAR PETER Come, I have found you out a stand12 most fit,
Where you may have such vantage on13 the duke
He shall not pass you. Twice have the trumpets sounded.
The generous and gravest citizens
Have hent16 the gates, and very near upon
The duke is entering: therefore hence, away!
Exeunt
Act 5 Scene 1
running scene 14
Enter Duke [in his own habit], Varrius, Lords, Angelo, Escalus, Lucio, [and] Citizens, at several doors
DUKE My very worthy cousin1, fairly met! --
To Angelo
Our old and faithful friend, we are glad to see you.
To Escalus
ANGELO AND ESCALUS Happy return be to your royal grace!
DUKE Many and hearty thankings to you both.
We have made inquiry of you, and we hear
Such goodness of your justice that our soul
Cannot but yield you forth to public thanks7,
Forerunning more requital8.
ANGELO You make my bonds9 still greater.
DUKE O, your desert speaks loud, and I should wrong it
To lock it in the wards of covert bosom11,
When it deserves with characters12 of brass
A forted13 residence 'gainst the tooth of time
And razure14 of oblivion. Give me your hand,
And let the subject15 see, to make them know
That outward courtesies would fain16 proclaim
Favours17 that keep within. Come, Escalus,
You must walk by us on our other hand,
And good supporters are you.
Enter [Friar] Peter and Isabella
FRIAR PETER Now is your time. Speak loud and kneel before him.
ISABELLA Justice, O royal duke! Vail your regard21
Kneels
Upon a wronged -- I would fain22 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
And given me justice, justice, justice, justice!
DUKE Relate your wrongs: in what, by whom? Be brief.
Here is Lord Angelo shall give you justice,
Reveal29 yourself to him.
ISABELLA O worthy duke,
You bid me seek redemption of the devil.
Hear me yourself, for that which I must speak
Must either punish me, not being believed,
Or wring34 redress from you. Hear me, O, hear me here!
ANGELO My lord, her wits, I fear me, are not firm.
She hath been a suitor36 to me for her brother
Cut off37 by course of justice--
ISABELLA By course of justice!
ANGELO And she will speak most bitterly and strange39.
ISABELLA Most strange, but yet most truly will I speak.
That Angelo's forsworn41, is it not strange?
That Angelo's a murderer, is't not strange?
That Angelo is an adulterous thief,
An hypocrite, a virgin-violator,
Is it not strange and strange?
DUKE Nay, it is ten times strange.
ISABELLA It is not truer47 he is Angelo
Than this is all as true as it is strange;