ACT III DUKE. I can hardly believe that, since you know not what you speak. But, if ever the Duke return (as our prayers are he may), let me desire you to make your answer before him. If it be honest you have spoke, you have courage to maintain it. I am bound to call upon you; and, I pray you, your name? 153 LUCIO. Sir, my name is Lucio; well known to the Duke. DUKE. He shall know you better, Sir, if I may live to report you. Lucio. I fear you not. DUKE. O, you hope the Duke will return no more; or you DUKE. Why should he die, Sir? 163 LUCIO. Why? For filling a bottle with a tundish. I would the Duke we talk of were return'd again! This ungenitur'd2 agent will unpeople the province with continency; sparrows must not build in his house-eaves, because they are lecherous. The Duke yet would have dark deeds darkly answer'd; he would never bring them to light. Would he were return'd! Marry, this Claudio is condemn'd for untrussing. Farewell, good Friar; I pr'ythee, pray for me. The Duke, I say to thee again, would eat mutton on Fridays. He's not past it yet; and I say to thee, he would mouth with a beggar, though she smelt brown bread and garlic. Say that I said so. Farewell. 4 3 DUKE. No might nor greatness in mortality Can censure 'scape; back-wounding calumny The whitest virtue strikes. What King so strong Enter ESCALUS, Provost, Bawd, and Officers. ESCAL. Go: away with her to prison! [exit. 180 BAWD. Good my Lord, be good to me; your Honour is accounted a merciful man. Good my Lord! 1 adversary. 2 sexless. 3 downing his hose. 4 (slang) female flesh. 5 kiss. ESCAL. Double and treble admonition, and still forfeit1 PROV. A bawd of eleven years' continuance, may it please 190 BAWD. My Lord, this is one Lucio's information against me: Mistress Kate Keep-down was with child by him in the Duke's time; he promis'd her marriage; his child is a year and a quarter old come Philip and Jacob. I have kept it myself; and see how he goes about to abuse me. ESCAL. That fellow is a fellow of much licence: let him be call'd before us. - Away with her to prison. Go to; no more words. [Exeunt Bawd and Officers.] Provost, my brother Angelo will not be alter'd: Claudio must die to-morrow; let him be furnish'd with divines, and have all charitable preparation. If my brother wrought by my pity, it should not be so with him. 203 PROV. So please you, this Friar hath been with him, and advis'd him for the entertainment of death. ESCAL. Good even, good Father. DUKE. Bliss and goodness on you! ESCAL. Of whence are you? DUKE. Not of this country, though my chance is now To use it for my time: I am a Brother Of gracious Order, late come from the See In special business from his Holiness. ESCAL. What news abroad i' the world? 210 DUKE. None, but that there is so great a fever on goodness that the dissolution of it must cure it: novelty only is in request; and it is as dangerous to be ag'd in any kind of course as it is virtuous to be constant in any undertaking. There is scarce truth enough alive to make societies secure; but security enough to make fellowships accurs'd. Much upon this riddle runs the wisdom of the world. This news is old enough, yet it is every day's news. I pray you, Sir, of what disposition was the Duke? 3 223 ESCAL. One, that, above all other strifes, contended especially to know himself. 1 guilty. 2 way. 3 entreaties to assure. ACT III ACT III DUKE. What pleasure was he given to ? Sc. II ESCAL. Rather rejoicing to see another merry than merry at any thing which profess'd to make him rejoice: a gentleman of all temperance. But leave we him to his events, with a prayer they may prove prosperous; and let me desire to know how you find Claudio prepar'd. I am made to understand, that you have lent him visitation. 233 239 DUKE. He professes to have receiv'd no sinister measure DUKE. If his own life answer the straitness of his pro- ESCAL. I am going to visit the prisoner. Fare you well. 1 content. 2 contend. 3 do actively. 4 seeming, i.e. hypocrisy. 251 260 MARI. Break off thy song, and haste thee quick away: Enter DUKE. Here comes a man of comfort, whose advice I cry you mercy, Sir, and well could wish You had not found me here so musical : Let me excuse me, and believe me so My mirth it much displeas'd, but pleas'd my woe. DUKE. 'Tis good: though music oft hath such a charm To make bad good, and good provoke to harm. I pray you, tell me, hath any body inquir'd for me here to-day? Much upon this time have I promis'd here to meet. 20 MARI. You have not been inquir'd after: I have sat here all day. I:00 269 ACT III ACT IV DUKE. I do constantly believe you. The time is come, Sc. I even now. I shall crave your forbearance a little; may be I will call upon you anon, for some advantage to yourself. MARI. I am always bound to you. Enter ISABELLA. DUKE. Very well met, and welcome! What is the news from this good Deputy ? Which from the vineyard to the garden leads : Upon the heavy middle of the night To call upon him. [exit. DUKE. But shall you on your knowledge find this way? With whispering and most guilty diligence, In action all of precept, he did shew me The way twice o'er. DUKE. Are there no other tokens And that I have possess'd him my most stay 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! Enter MARIANA. I pray you, be acquainted with this maid : She comes to do you good. ISAB. I do desire the like. DUKE. Do you persuade yourself that I respect you? 30 40 50 1 wooden. 2 informed. |