As bring me to the sight of Isabella, A novice of this place, and the fair sister Isa. Why, her unhappy brother? let me ask; Lucio. Gentle and fair, your brother kindly greets you: Not to be weary with you, he's in prison. Lucio. For that, which, if myself might be his judge, He should receive his punishment in thanks: He hath got his friend with child. Isa. Lucio. Is she your cousin? My cousin Juliet? Isa. Adoptedly; as school-maids change their Upon his place, And, with full line of his authority, Governs lord Angelo; a man, whose blood He hath pick'd out an act, Under whose heavy sense your brother's life Isa. Doth he so seek his life? Lucio. Has censur'd3 him 3 Sentenced. Already; and, as I hear, the provost hath Isa. Alas! what poor ability's in me To do him good? Lucio. Assay the power you have. Isa. My power! Alas! I doubt, — Lucio. Our doubts are traitors, And make us lose the good we oft might win, By fearing to attempt: Go to lord Angelo, And let him learn to know, when maidens sue, Men give like gods; but when they weep and kneel, All their petitions are as freely theirs As they themselves would owe them. Isa. I'll see what I can do. Lucio. But, speedily. No longer staying but to give the mother Isa. Good sir, adieu. [Exeunt ISABELLA and LUCIO. ACT THE SECOND. SCENE I. A Hall in Angelo's House. Enter ESCALUS, ANGELO, and Provost. Ang. We must not make a scarecrow of the law, Setting it up to fear the birds of prey, 4 Have. And let it keep one shape, till custom make it Esca. Ay, but yet Let us be keen, and rather cut a little, Than fall, and bruise to death: Alas! this gentle man, Whom I would save, had a most noble father. (Whom I believe to be most strait in virtue,) Ang. 'Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus, You may not so extenuate his offence, For I have had such faults; but rather tell me, Let mine own judgment pattern out my death, Ang. Where is the provost ? Prov. Here, if it like your honour. See that Claudio Be executed by nine to-morrow morning : Esca. Well, Heaven forgive him! and forgive us [Exit ESCALUS. all! Prov. Is it your will, Claudio shall die to-mor row? Ang. Did not I tell thee, yea? Hadst thou not When, after execution, judgment hath Ang. Go to; let that be mine: Do you your office, or give up your place, Prov. I crave your honour's pardon. What shall be done, sir, with the groaning Juliet ? She's very near her hour. Ang. Dispose of her To some more fitting place; and that with speed. Enter THOMAS. Tho. Here is the sister of the man condemn'd Desires access to you. Ang. Hath he a sister? Prov. Ay, my good lord; a very virtuous maid, And to be shortly of a sisterhood, If not already. Ang. Well, let her be admitted. [Exit THOMAS. See you, the fornicatress be removed; Let her have needful, but not lavish, means; There shall be order for it. Enter ISABELLA and LUCIO. Prov. Save your honour! [Exit Provost. Ang. You are welcome: what's your will? Isa. I am a woeful suitor to your honour, Please but your honour hear me. Ang. Well; what's your suit? Isa. There is a vice, that most I do abhor, And most desire should meet the blow of justice; For which I would not plead, but that I must; For which I must not plead, but that I am At war, 'twixt will and will not. Ang. Well; the matter? Isa. I have a brother is condemn'd to die: I do beseech you, let it be his fault, And not my brother. : Ang. Condemn the fault, and not the actor of it! Why, every fault's condemn'd, ere it be done Mine were the very cypher of a function, To fine the faults, whose fine stands in record, And let go by the actor. Isa. O just, but severe law! I had a brother then.-Heaven keep your honour ! [Retiring. Lucio. [To ISAB.] Give't not o'er so: to him again, entreat him; Kneel down before him, hang upon his gown: You are too cold. Isa. Must he needs die? Ang. Maiden, no remedy. Isa. Yes; I do think that you might pardon him, And neither Heaven, nor man, grieve at the mercy. Ang. I will not do't. Isa. But can you, if you would? Ang. Look, what I will not, that I cannot do. Isa. But might you do't, and do the world no wrong, If so your heart were touch'd with that remorse Ang. Not the king's crown, nor the deputed sword, If he had been as you, and you as he, You would have slipp'd, like him; but he like you, Would not have been so stern. Ang. Pray you, begone. Isa. I would to heaven I had your potency, |