Nay, it is ten times true; for truth is truth

To th' end of reckoning.

Duke.

Away with her!— Poor soul,

She speaks this in th' infirmity of sense.

3

Isab. O Prince, I cónjure 3 thee, as thou believest

There is another comfort than this world,

That thou neglect me not, with that opinion

That I am touch'd with madness! Make not impossible
That which but seems unlike: 'tis not impossible

But one, the wicked'st caitiff on the ground,
May seem as shy, as grave, as just, as absolute

As Angelo; even so may Angelo,

In all his dressings, characts, titles, forms,
Be an arch-villain; believe it, royal Prince:
If he be less, he's nothing; but he's more,
Had I more name for badness.

Duke.

If she be mad,

By mine honesty,

as I believe no other,

Her madness hath the oddest frame of sense,

Such a dependency of thing on thing,

As ne'er I heard in madness.

Isab.

O gracious Duke,

Harp not on that; nor do not banish reason

For inequality; 5 but let your reason serve
To make the truth appear where it seems hid,
Not hide the false seems true.6

8 Conjure had the accent indifferently on the first or second syllable, whether used in the sense of earnestly entreat or of practising magic. See vol. i. page 196, note 1.

4 Characts is merely a shortened form of characters; here meaning badges or marks of honour.

5 Here for has the force of because or on account of. See page 150, note 6.- Inequality refers, I think, to the different rank, or condition, of the persons concerned; though it is commonly explained otherwise, — apparent inconsistency of speech.

That is, the falsehood which seems true.

Duke.

Many that are not mad
- What would you say?

Have, sure, more lack of reason.
Isab. I am the sister of one Claudio,
Condemn'd upon the act of fornication
To lose his head; condemn'd by Angelo:
I, in probation of a sisterhood,

Was sent to by my brother; one Lucio

As then the messenger,

Lucio.

That's I, an't like 7 your Grace :

I came to her from Claudio, and desired her
To try her gracious fortune with Lord Angelo

For her poor brother's pardon.

Pray you, take note of it: and when you have
A business for yourself, pray Heaven you then
Be perfect.

Lucio. I warrant your Honour.

Duke. The warrant's for yourself; take heed to it.
Isab. This gentleman told somewhat of my tale,-
Lucio. Right.

Duke. It may be right; but you are in the wrong

To speak before your time. - Proceed.

Isab.

To this pernicious caitiff deputy,

Duke. That's somewhat madly spoken.
Isab.

The phrase is to the matter.

I went

Pardon it;

Duke. Mended again. The matter;-proceed.

Like for please; a frequent usage. See vol. i. page 222, note 3.

Isab. In brief,-to set the needless process by,
How I persuaded, how I pray'd, and kneel'd,
How he refell'd me, and how I replied, —

For this was of much length,—the vile conclusion
I now begin with grief and shame to utter:
He would not, but by gift of my chaste body

To his concupiscible intemperate lust,

Release my brother; and, after much debatement,
My sisterly remorse confutes & mine honour,

And I did yield to him: but the next morn betimes,
His purpose surfeiting, he sends a warrant

For my poor brother's head.

Duke.

This is most like!

Isab. O, that it were as like as it is true!

Duke. By Heaven, fond 9 wretch, thou know'st not what

thou speak'st,

Or else thou art suborn'd against his honour

In hateful practice.10 First, his integrity

Stands without blemish. Next, it imports no reason

That with such vehemency he should pursue

Faults proper to himself: if he had so offended,

He would have weigh'd thy brother by himself,

And not have cut him off. Some one hath set you on:
Confess the truth, and say by whose advice

Thou camest here to complain.

Isab.

And is this all?

Then, O you blessèd ministers above,

Keep me in patience, and with ripen'd time
Unfold the evil which is here wrapt up

8 Remorse is pity or compassion. See page 163, note 3.- Confutes is overcomes. — Concupiscible, second line before, is an instance of the passive form with the active sense; concupiscent. See vol. v. page 223, note 3.

9 Fond is foolish or silly; generally used so in the Poet's time.

10 Practice here means stratagem or conspiracy. So again a little after: "This needs must be practice."

In countenance !11. Heaven shield your Grace from woe,

As I, thus wrong'd, hence unbelievèd go!

Duke. I know you'd fain be gone. —An officer ! To prison with her!-Shall we thus permit

A blasting and a scandalous breath to fall

On him so near us? This needs must be practice. —

Who knew of your intent and coming hither?

Isab. One that I would were here, Friar Lodowick.

Duke. A ghostly father, belike.- Who knows that Lodo

wick?

Lucio. My lord, I know him; 'tis a meddling friar;

I do not like the man: had he been lay, my lord,
For certain words he spake against your Grace
In your retirement, I had swinged him soundly.
Duke. Words against me! 'tis a good friar, belike!
And to set on this wretched woman here

Against our substitute !-Let this friar be found.

Lucio. But yesternight, my lord, she and that friar, I saw them at the prison: a saucy friar,

A very scurvy fellow.

Fri. P.

Bless'd be your royal Grace!

I have stood by, my lord, and I have heard

Your royal ear abused. First, hath this woman

Most wrongfully accused your substitute,

Who is as free from touch or soil with her

As she from one ungot.

Duke.

We did believe no less.

Know you that Friar Lodowick that she speaks of?
Fri. P. I know him for a man divine and holy;
Not scurvy, nor a temporary meddler, 12

11 Countenance for specious appearance, well-acted hypocrisy.

12 Temporary meddler probably means one prone to meddle with temporal affairs; as some monks were said to be, notwithstanding their solemn renunciation of the world.

As he's reported by this gentleman;

And, on my trust, a man that never yet
Did, as he vouches, misreport your Grace.

Lucio. My lord, most villainously; believe it.
Fri. P. Well, he in time may come to clear himself;
But at this instant he is sick, my lord,

Of a strange fever. Upon his mere request,
Being come to knowledge that there was complaint
Intended 'gainst Lord Angelo, -came I hither,
To speak, as from his mouth, what he doth know
Is true and false; and what he, with his oath
And all probation, will make up full clear,

Whensoever he's convented.13 First, for this woman, -
To justify this worthy nobleman,

So vulgarly 14 and personally accused,

Her shall you hear disprovèd to her eyes,
Till she herself confess it.

Duke.

Good friar, let's hear it.
[ISABELLA is carried off guarded;
and MARIANA comes forward.

Do you not smile at this, Lord Angelo?—
O Heaven, the vanity of wretched fools! —
Give us some seats. - Come, cousin Angelo ;
In this I'll be impartial; 15 be you judge

Of your own cause.

Is this the witness, friar?

First, let her show her face, and after speak.

Mari. Pardon, my lord; I will not show my face Until my husband bid me.

Duke.

What, are you married?

13 Convented is summoned or called to account; brought face to face with his accusers.

14 Vulgarly here means publicly; a classical use of the word.

15 Impartial in the etymological sense of taking no part; neutral. See vol. i. page 79, note 1.