ACT V Sc. I And now, dear maid, be you as free1 to us. That brain'd my purpose! But, peace be with him! Than that which lives to fear. Make it your comfort, Re-enter ANGELO, MARIANA, PETER, and Provost. ISAB. DUKE. For this new-married man, approaching here, Of sacred chastity and of promise-breach Thereon dependent, for your brother's life), The very mercy of the Law cries out Most audible, even from his proper tongue : An Angelo for Claudio, death for death! Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure; 390 400 Like doth quit like, and MEASURE still for MEASURE. Then, Angelo, thy fault's thus manifested, Which, though thou would'st deny, denies thee vantage. Where Claudio stoop'd to death, and with like haste. MARI. O my most gracious Lord, I thought your marriage fit; else imputation, 410 Away with him to death! Now, Sir, [to LUCIO.] to you. MARI. O, my good Lord!-Sweet Isabel, take my part; Sweet Isabel, do yet but kneel by me! DUKE. He dies for Claudio's death. ISAB. 430 Most bounteous Sir, [kneeling. Look, if it please you, on this man condemn'd, 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, 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; MARI. 440 DUKE. Your suit's unprofitable; stand up, I say. I have bethought me of another fault: Provost, how came it Claudio was beheaded At an unusual hour? ACT V PROV. It was commanded. DUKE. Had you a special warrant for the deed? PROV. No, my good Lord: it was by private message. Give up your keys. PROV. your office: Pardon me, noble Lord: DUKE. 460 What's he? His name is Barnardine. PROV. [Exit Provost. ESCAL. I am sorry one so learned and so wise And so deep sticks it in my penitent heart That I crave death more willingly than mercy: Enter Provost, with BARNARDINE, CLAUDIO muffled, DUKE. Which is that Barnardine ? This [he], my Lord. PROV. And squar'st thy life according. Thou 'rt condemn'd; 470 480 I leave him to your hand. What muffled fellow's that? PROV. This is another prisoner that I sav❜d, That should have died when Claudio lost his head: [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!) He is my brother too. But fitter time for that! Well, Angelo, your evil quits1 you well: 490 Look that you love your wife; her worth, worth your's. 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,3 an ass, a madman; Wherein have I deserved so of you That you extol me thus ? 499 LUCIO. 'Faith, my Lord, I spoke it but according to the 509 LUCIO. I beseech your Highness, do not marry 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, LUCIO. Marrying a punk, my Lord, is pressing to death, 1 pays. 2 readiness. 3 lechery. 4 fashion. 5 offences. ACT V MEASURE FOR MEASURE ACT V DUKE. Slandering a Prince deserves it. She, Claudio, that you wrong'd, look you restore. I have confess'd her, and I know her virtue. Thanks, good friend Escalus, for thy much goodness. DUKE. There's more behind That is more gratulate.1 Dear Isabel. I have a motion much imports your good, Whereto if you'll a willing ear incline, What's mine is your's, and what is your's is mine. 520 530 [exeunt. 1 rejoicing. |