Isab.

Most bounteous sir, [Kneeling.

Look, if it please you, on this man condemn'd,
As if my brother lived: I partly think
A due sincerity govern'd his deeds,
Till he did look on me: since it is so,

Let him not die. My brother had but justice,

In that he did the thing for which he died:
For Angelo,

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; Intents but merely thoughts.

Mari.

450

Merely, my lord.
Duke. Your suit 's unprofitable; stand up, I say. 460
I have bethought me of another fault.

Provost, how came it Claudio was beheaded
At an unusual hour?

It was commanded so.

Prov.
Duke. Had you a special warrant for the deed?
Prov. No, my good lord; it was by private

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;
Yet did repent me, after more advice:
For testimony whereof, one in the prison,
That should by private order else have died,
I have reserved alive.

Duke.

Prov.

What's he?

His name is Barnardine.

470

Duke. I would thou hadst done so by Claudio.

Go fetch him hither; let me look upon him.

469. advice, reflection.

[Exit Provost.

Escal. I am sorry, one so learned and so wise
As you, Lord Angelo, have still appear'd,
Should slip so grossly, both in the heat of blood,
And lack of temper'd judgement afterward.

Ang. I am sorry that such sorrow I procure:
And so deep sticks it in my penitent heart
That I crave death more willingly than mercy;
'Tis my deserving, and I do entreat it.

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;
And pray thee take this mercy to provide
For better times to come.

I leave him to your hand.
that?

Friar, advise him;

What muffled fellow's

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,
Give me your hand and say you will be mine,

490. advise him, give him spiritual counsel.

497. Give me your hand, etc. The imperatives are not abso

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.
By this Lord Angelo perceives he's safe;
Methinks I see a quickening in his eye.
Well, Angelo, your evil quits you well:

Look that you love your wife; her worth worth
yours.

I find an apt remission in myself;

And yet here's one in place I cannot pardon.
[To Lucio] You, sirrah, that knew me for a fool,
a coward,

One all of luxury, an ass, a madman ;
Wherein have I so deserved of you,
That you extol me thus ?

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.
Proclaim it, provost, round about the city,
Is any woman wrong'd by this lewd fellow,
As I have heard him swear himself there's one
Whom he begot with child, let her appear,
And he shall marry her: the nuptial finish'd,
Let him be whipt and hang'd.

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.
Thy slanders I forgive; and therewithal
Remit thy other forfeits. Take him to prison;
And see our pleasure herein executed.

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.
Thanks, provost, for thy care and secrecy :
We shall employ thee in a worthier place.
Forgive him, Angelo, that brought you home
The head of Ragozinę for Claudio's :
The offence pardons itself. Dear Isabel,
I have a motion much imports your good;
Whereto if you'll a willing ear incline,

What's mine is yours and what is yours is mine.
So, bring us to our palace; where we'll show
What's yet behind, that's meet you all should
[Exeunt.

know.

535. gratulate, gratifying.

530

540