Isab. Most bounteous sir, [Kneeling. Look, if it please you, on this man condemn'd, Let him not die. My brother had but justice, In that he did the thing for which he died: His act did not o'ertake his bad intent, And must be buried but as an intent That perish'd by the way: thoughts are no subjects; Mari. Merely, my lord. 450 Duke. Your suit's unprofitable; stand up, I say. 460 I have bethought me of another fault. Provost, how came it Claudio was beheaded It was commanded so. Prov. message. Duke. For which I do discharge you of your office : Give up your keys. Prov. Pardon me, noble lord : I thought it was a fault, but knew it not; Duke. Prov. What's he? His name is Barnardine. Duke. I would thou hadst done so by Claudio. Go fetch him hither; let me look upon him. 469. advice, reflection. [Exit Provost. 470 Escal. I am sorry, one so learned and so wise Ang. I am sorry that such sorrow I procure: Re-enter PROVOST, with BARNARDINE, CLAUDIO muffled, and Juliet. Duke. Which is that Barnardine? Prov. This, my lord. Duke. There was a friar told me of this man. Sirrah, thou art said to have a stubborn soul, That apprehends no further than this world, And squarest thy life according. demn'd: Thou 'rt con But, for those earthly faults, I quit them all; that? Prov. This is another prisoner that I saved, Who should have died when Claudio lost his head; As like almost to Claudio as himself. [Unmuffles Claudio. Duke. [To Isabella] If he be like your brother, for his sake Is he pardon'd; and, for your lovely sake, 490. advise him, give him spiritual counsel. 497. Give me your hand, etc. The imperatives are not abso 480 490 lute, but express the condition by which Claudio will become his brother: 'provided that you give,' etc. He is my brother too: but fitter time for that. Look that you love your wife; her worth worth I find an apt remission in myself; And yet here's one in place I cannot pardon. One all of luxury, an ass, a madman ; 500 Lucio. 'Faith, my lord, I spoke it but according to the trick. If you will hang me for it, you 510 may; but I had rather it would please you I might be whipt. Duke. Whipt first, sir, and hanged after. Lucio. I beseech your highness, do not marry 520 me to a whore. Your highness said even now, I made you a duke: good my lord, do not recompense me in making me a cuckold. Duke. Upon mine honour, thou shalt marry her. 501. quits you well, brings you in a good return. 503. apt remission, readiness to pardon. 506. luxury, licentiousness. 510. trick, fashion. 526. forfeits, penalties. Lucio is therefore not (as is often supposed) 'whipt and hanged,' any more than Angelo is beheaded. Lucio. Marrying a punk, my lord, is pressing to death, whipping, and hanging. Duke. Slandering a prince deserves it. [Exeunt Officers with Lucio. She, Claudio, that you wrong'd, look you restore. Joy to you, Mariana! Love her, Angelo: I have confess'd her and I know her virtue. Thanks, good friend Escalus, for thy much good ness: There's more behind that is more gratulate. What's mine is yours and what is yours is mine. know. 535. gratulate, gratifying. 530 540 |