Or in his eminence that fills it up, I stagger in:- but this new governor Which have, like unscoured armor, hung by the wall Freshly on me:-'tis surely for a name. Lucio. I warrant, it is: and thy head stands so tickle on thy shoulders, that a milk-maid, if she be in love, may sigh it off. Send after the duke, and appeal to him. Claud. I have done so, but he's not to be found. I pr'ythee, Lucio, do me this kind service: This day my sister should the cloister enter, Acquaint her with the danger of my state; Such as moves men; besides, she hath prosperous art Lucio. I pray, she may; as well for the encouragement of the like, which else would stand under grievous imposition, as for the enjoying of thy life, who I would be sorry should be thus foolishly lost at a game of tick-tack. I'll to her. Claud. I thank you, good friend Lucio. Lucio. Within two hours, Claud. Come, officer, away. SCENE IV. A Monastery. Enter DUKE and Friar Thomas. [Exeunt. Duke. No; holy father; throw away that thought; Can pierce a cómplete bosom: why I desire thee More grave and wrinkled than the aims and ends Fri. May your grace speak of it? Duke. My holy sir, none better knows than you, How I have ever loved the life removed; And held in idle price to haunt assemblies, Where youth, and cost, and witless bravery keeps. (A man of stricture and firm abstinence) My absolute power and place here in Vienna, Duke. We have strict statutes and most biting laws, (The needful bits and curbs for headstrong steeds,) Which for these fourteen years we have let sleep; Even like an o'ergrown lion in a cave, That goes not out to prey: now, as fond fathers, Becomes more mocked than feared: so our decrees, The baby beats the nurse, and quite athwart Fri. It rested in your grace Duke. "Twould be my tyranny to strike, and gall them And not the punishment. Therefore, indeed, my father, Who may, in the ambush of my name, strike home, To do it slander: and to behold his sway, I will, as 'twere a brother of your order, Visit both prince and people: therefore, I pr'ythee, Like a true friar. More reasons for this action, Is more to bread than stone: hence shall we sec, SCENE V. A Nunnery. Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA. Isab. And have you nuns no further privileges? Isab. Yes, truly; I speak not as desiring more; Isab. [Within. Who's that which calls? Fran. It is a man's voice: gentle Isabella, When you have vowed, you must not speak with men, Then, if you speak, you must not show your face; He calls again; I pray you, answer him. [Exit FRANCISCA. Enter LUCIO. Lucio. Hail, virgin, if you be; as those cheek-roses Proclaim you are no less! Can you so stead me, As bring me to the sight of Isabella, A novice of this place, and the fair sister To her unhappy brother Claudio? Isab. Why her unhappy brother? let me ask; The rather, for I now must make I am that Isabella, and his sister. you know Lucio. Gentle and fair, your brother kindly greets you: Not to be weary with you, he's in prison. Isab. Woe me! For what? Lucio. For that, which, if myself might be his judge, He should receive his punishment in thanks: He hath got his friend with child. Isab. Sir, make me not your story. Lucio. It is true I would not, though 'tis my familiar sin And to be talked with in sincerity, As with a saint. Isab. You do blaspheme the good, in mocking me. Lucio. Do not believe it. Fewness and truth, 'tis thus: Your brother and his lover have embraced: As those that feed grow full; as blossoming time, İsab. Some one with child by him?-My cousin Juliet? Isab. Adoptedly; as school-maids change their names, By vain though apt affection. Lucio. She it is. Isab. O let him marry her! Of business 'twixt you and your poor brother. Has censured him Lucio. Isab. Alas! What poor ability's in me Lucio. Our doubts are traitors, Assay the power you have. And let him learn to know when maidens sue, Men give like gods; but when they weep and kneel, As they themselves would owe them. Isab. I'll see what I can do. Lucio. But speedily. Isab. I will about it straight; Good sir, adieu. [Exeunt. ACT II. SCENE I. A Hall in Angelo's House. Enter ANGELO, ESCALUS, a Justice, Provost, Officers, and other Attendants. Ang. We must not make a scarcecrow of the law, And let it keep one shape, till custom make it Escal. Ay, but yet Let us be keen, and rather cut a little, Than fall, and bruise to death: alas! this gentleman, Let but your honor know, (Whom I believe to be most strait in virtue,) Had time cohered with place, or place with wishing, Could have attained the effect of your own purpose, Ang. 'Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus, Another thing to fall. I not deny, The jury, passing on the prisoner's life, May, in the sworn twelve, have a thief or two Guiltier than him they try; what's open made to justice, That justice seizes. What know the laws, |