Now, good my lord, give me the scope of justice;
My patience here is touch'd. I do perceive,
These poor
binformal women are no more
But instruments of some more mightier member,
That sets them on. Let me have way, my lord,
To find this practice out.

с

Duke. Ay, with my heart; And punish them unto your height of pleasure.Thou foolish friar, and thou pernicious woman, d Compact with her that's gone, think'st thou, thy oaths,

Though they would swear down each particular saint,
Were testimonies against his worth and credit,
That's seal'd in approbation?-You, lord Escalus,
Sit with my cousin: lend him your kind pains
To find out this abuse, whence 'tis deriv'd.-
There is another friar that set them on;
Let him be sent for.

[indeed,

F. Peter. Would he were here, my lord; for he, Hath set the women on to this complaint. Your provost knows the place where he abides, And he may fetch him.

Duke. Go, do it instantly.

[Exit Provost.

And you, my noble and well-warranted cousin,
Whom it concerns to hear this matter forth,
Do with your injuries as seems you best,
In any chastisement: I for a while
Will leave you; but stir not you, till you have well
Determined upon these slanderers. [Exit DUKE.
Escal. My lord, we'll do it thoroughly.-Signior
Lucio, did not you say, you knew that friar Lodowick
to be a dishonest person?

Lucio. Cucullus non facit monachum: honest in nothing, but in his clothes; and one that hath spoke most villainous speeches of the duke.

Escal. We shall entreat you to abide here till he come, and enforce them against him. We shall find this friar a notable fellow.

Lucio. As any in Vienna, on my word. Escal. Call that same Isabel here once again: [To an Attendant.] I would speak with her. Pray you, my lord, give me leave to question; you shall see how I'll handle her.

Lucio. Not better than he, by her own report.
Escal. Say you?

Lucio. Marry, sir, I think, if you handled her privately, she would sooner confess: perchance, publicly

she'll be ashamed.

Re-enter Officers, with ISABELLA: the DUKE, in a Friar's habit, and Provost.

Escal. I will go darkly to work with her. Lucio. That's the way; for women are light at midnight.

Escal. Come on, mistress. [To ISABELLA.] Here's a gentlewoman denies all that you have said. Lucio. My lord, here comes the rascal I spoke of; here, with the provost.

Escal. In very good time :-speak not you to him, till we call upon you.

Lucio. Mum.

Escal. Come, sir.

Did you set these women on to slander lord Angelo? they have confess'd you did.

Duke. 'Tis false.

Escal. How! know you where you are?

a Fixed; fastened." Informal women," i. e., women deranged in mind.- Conspiracy. Confederate.- "Seal'd in approbation," i. e., confirmed in favor.-f"Forth," i. e., out; to the end.

Duke. Respect to your great place! then let the devil

Be sometime honor'd for his burning throne.Where is the duke? 'tis he should hear me speak. Escal. The duke's in us, and we will hear you speak: Look, you speak justly.

Duke.

Boldly, at least.-But, O, poor souls! Come you to seek the lamb here of the fox? Good night to your redress. Is the duke gone? Then is your cause gone too. The duke's unjust, Thus to reject your manifest appeal, And put your trial in the villain's mouth, Which here you come to accuse.

Lucio. This is the rascal: this is he I spoke of. Escal. Why, thou unreverend and unhallow'd friar! Is't not enough, thou hast suborn'd these women To accuse this worthy man, but, in foul mouth, And in the witness of his proper ear,

To call him villain? And then to glance from him To the duke himself, to tax him with injustice?Take him hence; to the rack with him.-We'll touze

you

Joint by joint, but we will know 5 your purpose.What! unjust?

Duke. Be not so hot; the duke dare No more stretch this finger of mine, than he Dare rack his own: his subject am I not, Nor here 'provincial. My business in this state Made me a looker-on here in Vienna, Where I have seen corruption boil and bubble, Till it o'er-run the stew: laws for all faults, But faults so countenanc'd, that the strong statutes Stand like the forfeits in a barber's shop, As much in mock as mark.

k

[prison.

Lucio. Do you so, sir? And was the duke a fleshmonger, a fool, and a coward, as you then reported him to be?

Duke. You must, sir, change persons with me, are you make that my report: you, indeed, spoke so of him; and much more, much worse.

Lucio. O, thou damnable fellow! Did not I pluck thee by the nose, for thy speeches?

Duke. I protest, I love the duke as I love myself. Ang. Hark how the villain would gloze1 now, after his treasonable abuses.

Escal. Such a fellow is not to be talk'd withal:Away with him to prison.-Where is the provost ? -Away with him to prison. Lay bolts enough upon him, let him speak no more.-Away with those mgiglots too, and with the other confederate companion. [The Provost lays hand on the DUKE Duke. Stay, stir; stay a while. Ang. What! resists he? Help him, Lucio. Lucio. Come, sir; come, sir; come, sir; foh! sir.

"Witness of his proper ear," i. e., hearing of his own ear. Rend; tear.-Nor here provincial," L e., nor of this province. Barbers' shops were anciently places of great resort, and to enforce order, the violation of certain written laws, usually hung up, was punished with forfeits; which were "as much in mock as mark," because the barber had no authority to enforce them.-To "gloze" is to flatter, to wheedle.- Wantons.

[Pulling off the DUKE's disguise. Duke. Thou art the first knave, that e'er made a duke.2[All start and stand. First, provost, let me bail these gentle three.Sneak not away, sir; [To Lucio.] for the friar and Must have a word anon.-Lay hold on him. [you

Lucio. This may prove worse than hanging. Duke. What you have spoke, I pardon; sit you down. [TO ESCALUS. We'll borrow place of him:-Sir, by your leave. [To ANGELO. Hast thou or word, or wit, or impudence, That yet can do thee office? If thou hast, Rely upon it till my tale be heard,

And hold no longer out.

Ang.

O, my dread lord! I should be guiltier than my guiltiness,

To think I can be undiscernible,

When I perceive your grace, like power divine,

с

Hath look'd upon my passes. Then, good prince,
No longer session hold upon my shame,

But let my trial be mine own confession:
Immediate sentence then, and sequent death,
Is all the grace I beg.

Duke.

Come hither, Mariana.-
Say, wast thou e'er contracted to this woman?
Ang. I was, my lord.
[ly.-
Duke. Go take her hence, and marry her instant-
Do you the office, friar; which consummate,
Return him here again.-Go with him, provost.
[Exeunt ANGELO, MARIANA, PETER, and Provost.
Escal. My lord, I am more amaz'd at his dishonor,
Than at the strangeness of it.
Duke.
Come hither, Isabel,
Your friar is now your prince: as I was then
Advertising and 'holy to your business,
Not changing heart with habit, I am still
Attorney'd at your service.

Isab.
O, give me pardon,
That I, your vassal, have employ'd and pain'd
Your unknown sovereignty!

Duke.

You are pardon'd, Isabel: And now, dear maid, be you as 5 free to us. Your brother's death, I know, sits at your heart; And you may marvel, why I obscur'd myself, Laboring to save his life, and would not rather Make rash demonstrance of my hidden power, Than let him so be lost. O, most kind maid! It was the swift celerity of his death, Which I did think with slower foot came on, [him! That brain'd my purpose: but all peace be with That life is better life, past fearing death,

Than that which lives to fear. Make it your comfort,
So happy is your brother.

Re-enter ANGELO, MARIANA, PETER, and Provost.
Isab.
I do, my lord.

Duke. For this new-married man, approaching here,
Whose salt imagination yet hath wrong'd
Your well-defended honor, you must pardon
For Mariana's sake. But, as he adjudg'd your brother,
(Being criminal, in double violation

Of sacred chastity, and of promise-breach,
Thereon dependent, for your brother's life,)

“Sheep-biting," i. e., thievish.-b Service. Trespasses. Following. Consummated; completed.-"Adverti sing and holy," i. e., attentive and faithful.- Generous, i. e., pardon us, as we have pardoned you.- "Brain'd," i. e., thwarted. Salacious; lecherous,

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,
Like doth quit like, and Measure still for Measure.
Then, Angelo, thy fault's thus manifested, [tage.
Which, though thou would'st deny, denies thee 1van-
We do condemn thee to the very block [haste.-
Where Claudio stoop'd to death, and with like
Away with him.
Mari.

O, my most gracious lord!
I hope you will not mock me with a husband.
Duke. It is your husband mock'd you with a husband.
Consenting to the safeguard of your honor,
I thought your marriage fit; else imputation,
For that he knew you, might reproach your life,
And choke your good to come. For his possessions,
Although by confiscation they are ours,
We do instate and widow you withal,
To buy you a better husband.
Mari.

O, my dear lord!

I crave no other, nor no better man.
Duke. Never crave him: we are "definitive.
Mart. Gentle my liege,-
Duke.

[Kneeling. You do but lose your labor.

Away with him to death.-Now, sir, [To LUCIO.]

to you.

[part: Mari. O, my good lord!-Sweet Isabel, take my Lend me your knees, and all my life to come, 5 I'll lend you all my life to do you service. Duke. Against all sense you do importune her: Should she kneel down in mercy of this P fact, Her brother's ghost his paved bed would break, And take her hence in horror.

Mari.

Isabel, Sweet Isabel, do yet but kneel by me: Hold up your hands, say nothing, I'll speak all. They say, best men are moulded out of faults, And, for the most, become much more the better For being a little bad: so may my husband. O, Isabel! will you not lend a knee? Duke. He dies for Claudio's death. Isab.

Most bounteous sir, [Kneeling.
Look, if it please you, on this man condemn'd,
As if my brother liv'd. partly think,
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,
In that he did the thing for which he died:
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,
Intents but merely thoughts.
Mari.
Merely, my lord.
Duke. Your suit's unprofitable: stand up, I say.-
[They rise.

I have bethought me of another fault.-
Provost, how came it Claudio was beheaded
At an unusual hour?
Prov.
It was commanded so.
Duke. Had you a special warrant for the deed?
Prov. No, my good lord: it was by private message.
Give up your keys.
Duke. For which I do discharge you of your office:

Prov.

Pardon me, noble lord: I thought it was a fault, but knew it not, Yet did repent me, after more advice;

Own.-i. e., "To deny which will avail thee nothing."Endow.- Positive.-" Against all sense," i. e., against reason and affection.-p" In mercy of this fact," i. e., beseeching mercy for this deed, the execution of Claudio."More advice," i, e., more mature reflection.

For testimony whereof, one in the prison, That should by private order else have died, I have reserv'd alive.

Duke. Prov.

What's he?

His name is Barnardine. Duke. I would thou had'st done so by Claudio. Go fetch him hither: let me look upon him.

[Exit Provost. Escal. I am sorry, one so learned and so wise As you, lord Angelo, have still appear'd, Should slip so grossly, both in the heat of blood, And lack of temper'd judgment afterward.

Ang. I am sorry that such sorrow I procure; And so deep sticks it in my penitent heart, That I crave death more willingly than mercy: 'Tis my deserving, and I do entreat it. Re-enter Provost, BARNARDINE, CLAUDIO (muffled),

and JULIET.

for his sake,

[Unmuffles him. Duke. If he be like your brother, To ISABELLA,] 3 CLAUDIO and ISABELLA embrace. 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. By this lord Angelo perceives he's safe: Methinks, I see a quick'ning in his eye.Well, Angelo, your evil quits you well: [yours. Look that you love your wife; her worth, worth

e., so far as they are punishable on earth. Requites. "Her worth, worth yours," i. e., her worth is equal to yours.

I find an apt remission in myself,

And yet here's one in place I cannot pardon.-
You, sirrah, [To Lucio,] that knew me for a fool, a
One all of luxury, an ass, a madman: [coward,
Wherein have I so well deserv'd of you,

That you extol me thus?

Lucio. 'Faith, my lord, I spoke it but according to the trick. If you will hang me for it, you may; but I had rather it would please you, I might be whipp'd.

Duke. Whipp'd first, sir, and hang'd after.-
Proclaim it, provost, round about the city,
If any woman's wronged by this lewd fellow,
(As I have heard him swear himself there's one
Whom he begot with child) let her appear,
And he shall marry her: the nuptial finish'd,
Let him be whipp'd and hang'd.

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 honor, thou shalt marry her.
Thy slanders I forgive; and therewithal

Remit thy other forfeits.-Take him to prison,
And see our pleasure herein executed.

Lucio. Marrying a punk, my lord, is pressing to death, whipping, and hanging.

She, Claudio, that you wrong'd, look you restore.—
Duke. Slandering a prince deserves it.—
Joy to you, Mariana!-love her, Angelo:

I have confess'd her, and I know her virtue.-
Thanks, good friend Escalus, for thy much goodness:
There's more behind that is more gratulate.
We shall employ thee in a worthier place.
Thanks, provost, for thy care, and secrecy;
Forgive him, Angelo, that brought you home
The head of Ragozine for Claudio's:
Th' offence pardons itself.-Dear Isabel,
I have a motion much imports your good;
Whereto if you'll a willing ear incline,
What's mine is yours, and what is yours is mine.-
So, bring us to our palace; where we'll show
What's yet behind, that's meet you all should know.
[Curtain drawn.
Incontinence.- Thoughtless practice.-f Punishments.-
"More gratulate," i. c., more to be rejoiced in.

Ege. Proceed, Solinus, to procure my fall, And by the doom of death end woes and all.

Duke. Merchant of Syracusa, plead no more. I am not partial, to infringe our laws; The enmity and discord, which of late Sprung from the rancorous outrage of your duke To merchants, our well-dealing countrymen,Who, wanting gilders to redeem their lives, Have seal'd his rigorous statutes with their bloods,Excludes all pity from our threat'ning looks. For, since the mortal and intestine jars 'Twixt thy seditious countrymen and us, It hath in solemn synods been decreed, Both by the Syracusians and ourselves, To admit no traffic to our adverse towns: Nay, more, if any, born at Ephesus, Be seen at 5 Syracusian marts and fairs; Again, if any Syracusian born

Come to the bay of Ephesus, he dies;
His goods confiscate to the duke's dispose,
Unless a thousand marks be levied,
Thy substance, valued at the highest rate,
To quit the penalty, and to ransom him.
Cannot amount unto a hundred marks;
Therefore, by law thou art condemn'd to die. [done,

Ege. Yet this my comfort; when your words are
My woes end likewise with the evening sun.
Duke. Well, Syracusian; say, in brief, the cause
Why thou departedst from thy native home,
And for what cause thou cam'st to Ephesus.

ge. A heavier task could not have been impos'd, Than I to speak my griefs unspeakable; Yet, that the world may witness, that my end Was wrought by 6 fortune, not by vile offence, I'll utter what my sorrow gives me leave. In Syracusa was I born; and wed Unto a woman, happy but for me, And by me too, had not our hap been bad. With her I liv'd in joy: our wealth increas'd, By prosperous voyages I often made To Epidamnum; till my factor's death, And the great care of goods at random left Drew me from kind embracements of my spouse:

From whom my absence was not six months old,
Before herself (almost at fainting under
The pleasing punishment that women bear)
Had made provision for her following me,
And soon, and safe, arrived where I was.
There had she not been long, but she became
A joyful mother of two goodly sons;

And, which was strange, the one so like the other,
As could not be distinguish'd but by names.
That very hour, and in the self-same inn,
A poor mean woman was delivered

Of such a burden, male twins, both alike.
Those, for their parents were exceeding poor,
I bought, and brought up to attend my sons.
My wife, not meanly proud of two such boys,
Made daily motions for our home return:
Unwilling I agreed. Alas, too soon we came aboard!
A league from Epidamnum had we sail'd,
Before the always-wind-obeying deep

a

Gave any tragic instance of our harm:
But longer did we not retain much hope;
For what obscured light the heavens did grant
Did but convey unto our fearful minds

A doubtful warrant of immediate death;
Which, though myself would 1 gently have embrac'd,
Yet the incessant weepings of my wife,
Weeping before for what she saw must come,
And piteous plainings of the pretty babes,
That mourn'd for fashion, ignorant what to fear,
Forc'd me to seek delays for them and me.
And this it was,-for other means were none.-
The sailors sought for safety by our boat,
And left the ship, then sinking-ripe, to us.
My wife, more careful for the latter-born,
Had fasten'd him unto a small spare mast,
Such as sea-faring men provide for storms
To him one of the other twins was bound,
Whilst I had been like heedful of the other.
The children thus dispos'd, my wife and I,
Fixing our eyes on whom our care was fix'd,
Fasten'd ourselves at either end the mast;
And floating straight, obedient to the stream,
Were carried towards Corinth, as we thought.
At length the sun, gazing upon the earth,
Dispers'd those vapors that offended us,
And by the benefit of his wish'd light
The seas wax'd calm, and we discovered
Two ships from far making amain to us;
Of Corinth that, of Epidaurus this:
But ere they came,-Ö, let me say no more!
Gather the sequel by that went before.
Duke. Nay, forward, old man; do not break off so,
For we may pity, though not pardon thee.

Ege. O, had the gods done so, I had not now
Worthily term'd them merciless to us!
For, ere the ships could meet by twice five leagues,
We were encounter'd by a mighty rock,
Which being violently borne upon,

Our helpful ship was splitted in the midst;
So that in this unjust divorce of us
Fortune had left to both of us alike
What to delight in, what to sorrow for.
Her part, poor soul! seeming as burdened
With lesser weight, but not with lesser woe,
Was carried with more speed before the wind,
And in our sight they three were taken up
By fishermen of Corinth, as we thought.
At length another ship had seized on us;
And knowing whom it was their hap to save,
Gave healthful welcome to their shipwreck'd guests;
And would have reft the fishers of their prey,

Symptom.-b Kind.

Had not their bark been very slow of sail,
And therefore homeward did they bend their course.-
Thus have you heard me sever'd from my bliss,
3 And by misfortune was my life prolong'd,
To tell sad stories of my own mishaps.

Duke. And, for the sake of them thou sorrowest for, Do me the favor to dilate at full

What hath befall'n of them, and thee, till now.

Ege. My youngest boy, and yet my eldest care, At eighteen years became inquisitive After his brother; and importun'd me, That his attendant (so his case was like, Reft of his brother, but retain'd his name,) Might bear him company in the quest of him; Whom whilst the labor'd of all love to see, I hazarded the loss of whom I lov'd. Five summers have I spent in farthest Greece, Roaming clean through the bounds of Asia; And, coasting homeward, came to Ephesus, Hopeless to find, yet loath to leave unsought Or that, or any place that harbors men. But here must end the story of my life; And happy were I in my timely death, Could all my travels warrant me they live.

Duke. Hapless Egeon, whom the fates have mark'd To bear the extremity of dire mishap! Now, trust me, were it not against our laws, Against my crown, my oath, my dignity, Which princes, would they, may not disannul, My soul should sue as advocate for thee. But though thou art adjudged to the death, And passed sentence may not be recall'd, But to our honor's great disparagement, Yet will I favor thee in what I can: Therefore, merchant, I'll limit thee this day, To seek thy hope by beneficial help. Try all the friends thou hast in Ephesus; Beg thou, or borrow, to make up the sum, And live; if no, then thou art doom'd to die.Jailor, now take him to thy custody.

Jail. I will, my lord.

Enter ANTIPHOLUS and DROMIO of Syracuse, and a Merchant.

Mer. Therefore, give out you are of Epidamnum, Lest that your goods too soon be confiscate. This very day, a Syracusian merchant Is apprehended for arrival here; And, not being able to buy out his life According to the statute of the town, Dies ere the weary sun set in the west. There is your money that I had to keep.

Ant. S. Go, bear it to the Centaur, where we host,
And stay there, Dromio, till I come to thee.
Within this hour it will be dinner-time:

Till then, I'll view the manners of the town,
Peruse the traders, gaze upon the buildings,
And then return and sleep within mine inn,
For with long travel I am stiff and weary.
Get thee away.

Dro. S. Many a man would take you at your word,
And go indeed, having so good a mean.
[Exit, shaking money-bag.
Ant. S. A trusty fvillain, sir; that very oft,