For which the pardoner himself is in:
Hence hath offence his quick celerity,
When it is borne in high authority:

When vice makes mercy, mercy's so extended,

Duke. O, death's a great disguiser: and you may add to it. Shave the head, and tie the beard; and say, it was the desire of the penitent to be so bared before his death; you know, the course is than thanks and good fortune, by the saint whom profess, I will plead against it with my life. ing me remiss in mine office, awakens me with this Prov. Pardon me, good father; it is against my unwonted putting on methinks, strangely; for

That for the fault's love, is the offender friended.common. If any thing fall to you upon this, more Now, sir, what news?

Prov. I told you: Lord Angelo, belike, think- I

oath.

Duke. Were you sworn to the duke, or to the deputy?

he hath not used it before.
Duke. Pray you, let's hear.
Prov. [Reads.] Whatsoever you may hear to
the contrary, let Claudio be executed by four of
the clock; and, in the afternoon, Barnardine: if
for my better satisfaction, let me have Claudio's
head sent me by five. Let this be duly perform'd;|
with a thought, that more depends on it than we
must yet deliver. Thus fail not to do your office,
as you will answer it at your peril.
What say you to this, sir?

Dake. What is that Barnardine, who is to be executed in the afternoon?

Prov. To him, and to his substitutes. Duke. You will think you have made no offence, the duke avouch the justice of your dealing? Prov. But what likelihood is in that? Duke. Not a resemblance, but a certainty. Yet since I see you fearful, that neither my coat, integrity, nor my persuasion, can with ease attempt you, I will go further than I meant, to pluck all fears out of you. Look you, sir, here is the hand and seal of the duke. You know the character, I doubt not; and the signet is not strange to you. Prov. I know them both.

Proc. A Bohemian born; but here nursed up and bred: one that is a prisoner nine years old. 2 Duke. The contents of this is the return of the Duke. How came it, that the absent duke had duke; you shall anon over-read it at your pleanot either deliver'd him to his liberty, or executed sure; where you shall find, within these two days him? I have heard, it was ever his manner to do so. he will be here. This is a thing,, that Angelo Prov. His friends still wrought reprieves for knows not: for he this very day receives letters of him and, indeed, his fact, till now in the govern-strange tenor; perchance, of the duke's death; ment of lord Angelo, came not to an undoubtful perchance, entering into some monastery; but, by proof.

Duke. Is it now apparent?
Prov. Most manifest, and not denied by himself.
Duke. Hath he borne himself penitently in
prison? How seems he to be touch'd?

chance, nothing of what is writ.-Look, the un folding star calls up the shepherd: put not your self into amazement, how these things should be. all difliculties are but easy when they are known. Call your executioner, and off with Barnardine's Prov. A man that apprehends death no more head: I will give him a present shrift, and advise dreadfully, but as a drunken sleep; careless, reck-him for a better place. Yet you are amazed; but less, and fearless of what's past, present, or to this shall absolutely resolve you. Come away; it come; insensible of mortality, and desperately is almost clear dawn. mortal.

Duke. He wants advice.

Prov. He will hear none: he hath evermore had the liberty of the prison; give him leave to escape

[Exeunt. SCENE III.-Another room in the same. Enter Clown.

Clo. I am as well acquainted here, as I was in our hence, he would not: drunk many times a day, if house of profession: one would think, it were misnot many days entirely drunk. We have very tress Over-done's own house, for here be many of often awaked him, as if to carry him to execution, her old customers. First, here's young master Rash; and show'd him a seeming warrant for it: it hath he's in for a commodity of brown paper and old not mov'd him at all. ginger, ninescore and seventeen pounds; of which Duke. More of him anon. There is written in he made five marks, ready money: marry, then, your brow, provost, honesty and constancy: If I ginger was not much in request, for the old women read it not truly, my ancient skill beguiles me; were all dead. Then is there here one master Cabnt in the boldness of my cunning, I will lay my-per, at the suit of master Three-pile the mercer, for self in hazard. Claudio, whom here you have a some four suits of peach-colour'd satin, which now warrant to execute, is no greater forfeit to the law peaches him a beggar. Then have we here young than Angelo who hath sentenced him: to make Dizy, and young master Deep-vow, and master you understand this in a manifested effect, I crave Copper-spur, and master Starve-lackey the rapier but four days respite; for the which you are to do me both a present and a dangerous courtesy. Prov. Pray, sir, in what? Duke. In the delaying death.

Prov. Alack! how may I do it? having the hour limited; and an express command, under penalty, to deliver his head in the view of Angelo? I may make my case as Claudio's, to cross this in the smallest.

Duke. By the vow of mine order, I warrant you, if my instructions may be your guide. Let this Barnardine be this morning executed, and his head| be borne to Angelo.

Prov. Angelo hath seen them both, and will discover the favour."

(1) Spur, incitement. (2) Nine years in prison.

and dagger-man, and young Drop-heir that kill'a lusty Pudding, and master Forthright the tilter, and brave master Shoe-tie the great traveller, and wild Half-cann that stabb'd Pots, and, I think, forty more; all great doers in our trade, and are now for the Lord's sake.

Enter Abhorson.

Abhor. Sirrah, bring Barnardine hither. Clo. Master Barnardine! you must rise and be hang'd, master Barnardine.

Abhor. What, ho, Barnardine!

Barnar. [Within.] A pox o' your throats! Who makes that noise there? What are you?

Clo. Your friends, sir; the hangman: you must (3) Countenance.

be so good, sir, to rise and be put to death. Barnar. [Within.] Away, you rogue, away; am sleepy.

Abhor. Tell him, he must awake, and that quickly too.

Clo. Pray, master Barnardine, awake till you are executed, and sleep afterwards.

Abhor. Go in to him, and fetch him out.

Both Barnardine and Claudio: Ere twice
IThe sun hath made his journal greeting to
The under generation, you shall find
Your safety manifested.

Prov. I am your free dependant.
Duke.

Quick, despatch, [Exit Provost.

And send the head to Angelo.
Now will I write letters to Angelo,-

Clo. He is coming, sir, he is coming; I hear his The provost, he shall bear them,-whose contents straw rustle.

Enter Barnardine.

Abhor. Is the axe upon the block, sirrah?
Clo. Very ready, sir.

Barnar. How now, Abhorson? what's the news with you?

Abhor. Truly, sir, I would desire you to clap into your prayers; for, look you, the warrant's come. Barnar. You rogue, I have been drinking all night, I am not fitted for't.

Shall witness to him, I am near at home;
And that, by great injunctions, I am bound
To enter publicly: him I'll desire

To meet me at the consecrated fount,
A league below the city; and from thence,
By cold gradation and weal-balanced form,
We shall proceed with Angelo.

Re-enter Provost.

Prov. Here is the head; I'll carry it myself. Duke. Convenient is it: Make a swift return; Clo. O, the better, sir; for he that drinks all For I would commune with you of such things, night, and is hang'd betimes in the morning, may That want no ear but yours. sleep the sounder all the next day. I'll make all speed. [Exit. Isab. [Within.] Peace, ho, be here! Duke. The tongue of Isabel :-She's come to know,

Enter Duke.

Abhor. Look you, sir, here comes your ghostly father; do we jest now, think you?

Prov.

Duke. Sir, induced by my charity, and hearing If yet her brother's pardon be come hither: how hastily you are to départ, I am come to advise But I will keep her ignorant of her good, you, comfort you, and pray with you. To make her heavenly comforts of despair, When it is least expected.

Barnar. Friar, not I; I have been drinking hard all night, and I will have more time to prepare me, or they shall beat out my brains with billets: I will not consent to die this day, that's certain. Duke. O, sir, you must: and therefore, I beseech you,

Look forward on the journey you shall go.

Enter Isabella.

Isab. Ho, by your leave.

Duke. Good morning to you, fair and gracious daughter.

Isab. The better, given me by so holy a man.

Barnar. I swear, I will not die to-day for any Hath yet the deputy sent my brother's pardon?

man's persuasion.

Duke. But hear you,

Barnar. Not a word; if you have any thing to say to me, come to my ward; for thence will not to-day.

I

Duke. He hath releas'd him, Isabel, from the
world;

His head is off, and sent to Angelo.
Isab. Nay, but it is not so.

Not within, sir. Lucio. O, pretty Isabella, I am pale at mine heart, to see thine eyes so red: thou must be pa

tient: I am fain to dine and sup with water and Alack, when once our grace we have forgot, bran; I dare not for my head fill my belly; one Nothing goes right; we would and we would not. fruitful meal would set me to't: But they say the duke will be here to-morrow. By my troth, Isabel,

[Exit.

I lov'd thy brother: if the old fantastical duke of SCENE V.-Fields without the town. Enter

dark corners had been at home, he had lived.

Duke in his own habit, and Friar Peter.

Duke. These letters at fit time deliver me.

[Giving letters.

[Exit Isabella. Duke. Sir, the duke is marvellous little beholden to your reports; but the best is, he lives not in them. The provost knows our purpose, and our plot. Lucio. Friar, thou knowest not the duke so well The matter being afoot, keep your instruction, as I do: he's a better woodman than thou takest And hold you ever to our special drift;

him for.

Duke. Well, you'll answer this one day. Fare ye well.

Lucio. Nay, tarry; I'll go along with thee; I can tell thee pretty tales of the duke.

Duke. You have told me too many of him already, sir, if they be true; if not true, none were enough.

Lucio. I was once before him for getting a wench with child.

Duke. Did you such a thing?

Though sometimes you do blench" from this to that,
As cause doth minister. Go, call at Flavius' house,
And tell him where I stay: give the like notice,
To Valentinus, Rowland, and to Crassus,
And bid them bring the trumpets to the gate;
But send me Flavius first.

F. Peter.

Duke. I thank thee, Varrius; thou hast made

good haste;

Lucio. Yes, marry, did 1: but was fain to for- Come, we will walk: There's other of our friends swear it; they would else have married me to the Will greet us here anon, my gentle Varrius. [Exe.

rotten medlar.

Duke. Sir, your company is fairer than honest: SCENE VI. Street near the city gate. Enter

Rest you well.

shall stick.

Isabella and Mariana.

Lucio. By my troth, I'll go with thee to the Jane's end: If bawdy talk offend you, we'll have Isab. To speak so indirectly, I am loath; very little of it: Nay, friar, I am a kind of burr, I I would say the truth; but to accuse him so, [Exeunt. That is your part: yet I am advis'd to do it; He says, to veil full purpose. Be rul'd by him. Isab. Besides, he tells me, that, if peradventure He speak against me on the adverse side,

SCENE IV. A room in Angelo's house. Enter Mari.

Angelo and Escalus.

Escal. Every letter he hath writ hath dis- I should not think it strange: for 'tis a physic,

before his entering, that if any crave redress of injus- Where you may have such vantage on the duke, tice, they should exhibit their petitions in the street? He shall not pass you: Twice have the trumpets

Escal. He shows his reason for that: to have a

sounded;

despatch of complaints; and to deliver us from The generous and gravest citizens

devices hereafter, which shall then have no power Have hent the gates, and very near upon

to stand against us.

Ang. Well, I beseech you, let it be proclaim'd: Betimes i' the morn, I'll call you at your house: Give notice to such men of sort and suit,

As are to meet him.

(The duke is ent'ring; therefore hence, away. [Eze.

ACT V.

Escal. I shall, sir: fare you well. [Exit. SCENE I-A public place near the city gate. Ang. Good night.

Mariana (veiled,) Isabella, and Peter, at a disThis deed unshapes me quite, makes me unpreg-tance. Enter at opposite doors, Duke, Varrius, Lords; Angelo, Escalus, Lucio, Provost, Offi cers, and Citizens.

wrong it,

To lock it in the wards of covert bosom,
When it deserves with characters of brass

A forted residence, 'gainst the tooth of time,
And razure of oblivion: Give me your hand,
And let the subject see, to make them know
That outward courtesies would fain proclaim
Favours that keep within. -Come, Escalus;
You must walk by us on our other hand ;-
And good supporters are you.

Friar Peter and Isabella come forward.

F. Peter. Now is your time; speak loud, and
kneel before him.

Isab. Justice, O, royal duke! Vail your regard
Upon a wrong'd, I'd fain have said, a maid!

O worthy prince, dishonour not your eye

By throwing it on any other object,

Till you have heard me in my true complaint,

And give justice, justice, justice, justice!

me,

Duke. Relate your wrongs:

Be brief:

In what?

If she be mad (as I believe no other,)
Her madness hath the oddest frame of sense,
Such a dependency of thing on thing,
As e'er I heard in madness.

Isab.

O, gracious duke,
Harp not on that; nor do not banish reason
For inequality: but let your reason serve
To make the truth appear, where it seems hid;
And hide the false, seems true.

Duke.

Many that are not mad, Have, sure, more lack of reason. What would you say?

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 your grace :

I came to her from Claudio, and desir'd het
To try her gracious fortune with lord Angelo,

For her poor brother's pardon.

Isab.

That's he indeed.

Duke. You were not bid to speak.
Lucio.

By whom?

Nor wish'd to hold my peace.
Duke.

Here is lord Angelo shall give you justice;
Reveal yourself to him.

Isab.

O, worthy duke,

You bid me seek redemption of the devil:

Hear me yourself; for that which I must speak
Must either punish me, not being believ'd,
Or wring redress from you: hear me, O, hear me,

here.

Ang. My lord, her wits, I fear me, are not firm:
She hath been a suitor to me for her brother,
Cut off by course of justice.

Isab.

By course of justice!

Ang. And she will speak most bitterly, and strange.

Isab. Most strange, but yet most truly, will I speak:

That Angelo's forsworn; is it not strange?

That Angelo's a murderer; is't not strange?

That Angelo is an adulterous thief,

A hypocrite, a virgin-violator;

Is

it not strange, and strange?

Duke.

No, my good lord ;

I wish you now then;

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.

Duke. Mended again: the matter:-Proceed.
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 reply'd;
(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

Nay, ten times strange. To his concupiscible intemperate lust,