-let him be called before us.-Away with her to measure from his judge, but most willingly humbles prifon: Go to; no more words. [Exeunt with the himself to the determination of justice: yet had he Bawd.] Provoft, my brother Angelo will not be fram'd to himself, by the inftruction of his frailty, alter'd, Claudio muft die to-morrow: let him be many deceiving promites of life; which I, by my furnish'd with divines, and have all charitable pre-good leifure, have difcredited to him, and now is paration if my brother wrought by my pity, it he refolved to die. fhould not be fo with him.

Efcal. You have paid the heavens your function, Prov. So please you, this friar has been with and the prifoner the very debt of your calling. I him, and advis'd him for the entertainment of have labour'd for the poor gentleman, to the exdeath.

ACT

Duke. Nor, gentle daughter, fear you not at all:

bearance a little; may be, I will call upon you anon | He is your husband on a pre-contract:

To bring you thus together, 'tis no fin; [Exit. Sith that the juftice of your title to him

Prov. Sirrah, here's a fellow will help you tomorrow in your execution: if you think it meet, compound with him by the year, and let him abide here with you; if not, ufe him for the prefent, and Duke. Take then this your companion by the hand, difmifs him: he cannot plead his estimation with Who hath a story ready for your ear;

Clown. Pray, fir, by your good favour (for, furely, fir, a good favour 10 you have, but that you have a Run with thefe falfe and moft contrarious quefts 7 hanging look) do you call, fir, your occupation a

Abbor. Ay, fir; a mistery.

Clown. Painting, fir, I have heard fay, is a miftery; and your whores, fir, being members of my

Ifab. She'll take the enterprize upon her, father, occupation, ufing painting, do prove my occupation

1 Certainly. 2 That is, walled round. 3 That is, a gate made of boards or planks. in direction given not by words, but by mute figns. 5 Meaning, I have made him clearly and ftrongly comprehend. 6 Traiterous. 7 Different reports. 8 That is, ornament. 9 Dr. Warbur

ton ere obferves, that the word myflery, when used to fignify a trade or manual profefsion, should be ípelt with an i, and not a y. 10 Favour fignifies countenance.

Prov. Are you agreed? Clown. Sir, I will ferve him; for I do find, your hangman is a more penitent trade than your bawd; he doth oftner afk forgiveness.

Prov. You, firrah, provide your block and your axe, to-morrow four o'clock.

Abbor. Come on, bawd; I will inftruct thee in my trade; follow.

Enter a

Meflenger.

Duke. This is his lordship's man.

Prov. And here comes Claudio's pardon. Mef. My lord hath fent you this note; and by me this further charge, that you fwerve not from

Clown. I do defire to learn, fir; and, I hope, if the fmalleft article of it, neither in time, matter, or other circumstance. Good-morrow; for, as I take it, it is almoft day.

you have occafion to use me for your own turn, you shall find me yare : for truly, fir, for your kindnefs, I owe you a good turn.

[Exit.

Prov. Call hither Barnardine and Claudio:
One has my pity; not a jot the other,
Being a murtherer, though he were my brother.
Enter Claudio.

Look, here's the warrant, Claudio, for thy death:
'Tis now dead midnight, and by eight to-morrow
Thou must be made immortal. Where's Barnardine?
Claud. As faft lock'd up in fleep, as guiltlefs labour
When it lies ftarkly 2 in the traveller's bones:
He will not wake.

what noife?

Prov. Who can do good on him?
Well, go, prepare yourself. [Exit Claud.] But, hark,
[Knock within.
Heaven give your fpirits comfort!-By and by ;-
I hope it is fome pardon, or reprieve,
For the most gentle Claudio.-Welcome, father.
Enter Duke.

Prov. I fhall obey him.

[Exit Meflenger.

[Afide

Duke. This is his pardon; purchas'd by fuch fin,

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 fo extended,
That, for the fault's love, is the offender friended.
Now, fir, what news?

Prov. I told you;-Lord Angelo, be-like,
thinking me remifs in my office, awakens me
with this unwonted putting on: methinks, ftrange-
ly! for he hath not us'd it before.
Duke. Fray you, let's hear.

Provost reads the letter.

Whatever you may bear to the contrary, let Clau dio be executed by four of the clock; and, in the afternoon, Barnardine: for my better fatisfaction, let Duke. The best and wholesomest spirits of the night me have Claudio's head fent me by five. Let this be Envellop you, good provoft! Who call'd here of late? | duly perform'd; with a thought, that more depends

Prov. None, fince the curfew rung.

Prov. No.

Duke. Not Ifabel?

Duke. They will then, ere 't be long.

Prov. What comfort is for Claudio?

Duke. There's fome in hope.

Prov. It is a bitter deputy.

Duke. Not fo, not fo: his life is parallel'd
Even with the stroke and line of his great juftice;
He doth with holy abftinence fubdue
That in himself, which he fpurs on his power
To qualify 3 in others: were he meal'd 4
With that, which he corrects, then were he

1

rannous;

on it than we must yet deliver. Thus fail not to dɑ
your office, as you will anfwer it at your peril.
What fay you to this, fir?

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

Prov. A Bohemian born; but here nurs'd up and bred: one that is a prifoner nine years old.

Duke. How came it, that the abfent duke hed not either deliver'd him to his liberty, or executed him? I have heard, it was ever his manner to do fo.

Prov. His friends ftill wrought reprieves for ty-him: And, indeed, his fact, till now in the government of lord Angelo, came not to an undoubtful proof.

But this being fo, he's juft.-Now are they come.
[Knock. Pramoji goes out.

This is a gentle provost; feldom, when
The steeled gaoler is the friend of men.---
How now? what noife! that fpirit's poffefs'd with
hafte,
[ftrokes.
That wounds the unrefifting postern with thefe
Provost returns, Speaking to one at the door.
Prov. There muft he itay, until the officer
Arife to let him in; he is called up.

Doke. Is it now apparent ?

Prov. Mott manifeft, and not deny'd by him

felf.

Duke. Hath he borne himself penitently in prifon ? how feems he to be touch'd?

Prev. A man that apprehends death no more dreadfully, but as a drunken fleep; careless, recklefs, and fearless of what's past, prefent, or to come; infenfible of mortality, and desperately

Duke. Have you no countermand for Claudio yet, mortal. But he muft die to-morrow?

Prov. None, fir, none.

Handy, Stiffly.

Duke. He wants advice.

Prov. He will hear none: he hath evermore

3 That is, to temper, to moderate. 4 That is, deled. 5 Scat.

had

had the liberty of the prifon; give him leave to ef I will give him a prefent fhrift, and advife cape hence, he would not: drunk many times a him for a better place. Yet you are amaz'd, day, if not many days entirely drunk. We have but this fhall abfolutely refolve you. Come away; very often awak'd him, as if to carry him to ex-it is almost clear dawn. ecution, and fhew'd him a feeming warrant for it; it hath not mov'd him at all.

SCENE

Enter Clown.

[Exeunt

your brow, Provoft, honefty and conftancy: if I Clown. I am as well acquainted here, as I was read it not truly, my ancient skill beguiles me; in our houfe of profeflion: one would think, it but in the boldness of my cunning, I will lay my-were miftrefs Over-done's own houfe, for here be felf in hazard. Claudio, whom here you have a many of her old cuftomers. Firit, here's young warrant to execute, is no greater forfeit to the law mafter Rafh; he's in for a commodity of brown than Angelo who hath fentenc'd him: To make paper and old ginger, ninefcore and feventeen you understand this in a manifefted effect, I crave but four days refpite; for the which you are to do me both a prefent and a dangerous courtesy. Prov. Pray, fir, in what? Duke. In the delaying death.

pounds; of which he made five marks, ready money: marry, then, ginger was not much in requeft, for the old women were all dead. Then is there here one mafter Caper, at the fuit of master Three-pile the mercer, for fome four fuits of peach-colour'd fattin, which now peaches him a beggar. Then have we here young Dizy, and

Prov. Alack! how may I do it? having the hour limited; and an exprefs command, under penalty, to deliver his head in the view of Angelo ?|young mafter Deep-vow, and mafter Copper-spur,

I may make my cafe as Claudio's, to crofs this in the fmalleft.

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

and mafter Starve-lacky the rapier and dagger-man, and young Drop-heir that kill'd lufty Pudding, and master Forthright the tilter, and brave master Shoetye the great traveller, and wild Half-can that ftabb'd Pots, and, I think, forty more; all great doers in our trade, and are now in for the Lord's

Prev. Angelo hath feen them both, and will fake 2. difcover the favour.

Duke. Oh, death's a great difguifer: and you may add to it: Shave the head, and tie the beard ; and fay, it was the defire of the penitent to be fo barb'd before his death: you know the courfe is common. If any thing fall to you upon this, more than thanks and good fortune, by the faint whom 1 profefs, I will plead against it with my life.

Prov. Pardon me, good father; it is against my ⚫th.

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

Prov. To him, and to his fubstitutes.

Duke. You will think you have made no offence, the duke avouch the juftice of your dealing? Prov. But what likelihood is in that? Duke. Not a refemblance, but a certainty. Yet fince I fee you fearful, that neither my coat, integrity, nor my perfuafion, can with eafe attempt you, I will go further than I meant, to pluck all fears out of you. Look you, fir, here is the hand and feal of the duke: You know the character, 11 doubt not; and the fignet is not strange to you.

Prov. I know them both.

Enter Abborfon.

Abbor. Sirrah, bring Barnardine hither. Clown. Mafter Barnardine! you must rife and be hang'd, maiter Barnardine!

Abhor. What, ho, Barnardine! Barnar. [Witlin] A pox o' your throats! Who makes that noife there? What are you?

Clown. Your friends, fir; the hangman: You must be so good, fir, to rife and be put to death. Barnar. [Within.] Away you rogue, away; I am fleepy.

Abbor. Tell him, he muft awake, and that quickly too.

Clown. Pray, mafter Barnardine, awake till you are executed, and fleep afterwards.

Abbor. Go in to him, and fetch him out. Clown. He is coming, fir, he is coming; I hear his straw ruftle.

Enter Barnar dine.

Abber. Is the ax upon the block, firrah ?
Clorun. Very ready, fir.

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

Abbor. Truly, fir, I would defire you to clap into your prayers; for look you, the warrant'scome. Barnar. You rogue, I have been drinking all night, I am not fitted for 't.

Duke. The contents of this is the return of the Juke; you fhall anon over-read it at your pleasure; here you shall find, within thefe two days he will be here. This is a'thing, that Angelo knows Clown. Oh, the better, fir; for he that drinks not: for he this very day receives letters of strange all night, and is hang'd betimes in the morning, may Lenor; perchance, of the duke's death; perchance, fleep the founder all the next day. entering into fome monaftery; but, by chance, nothing of what is writ. Look, the unfolding ftar calls up the shepherd: Put not yourself into amazement, how these things fhould be: all diffculties are but eafy when they are known. Calf your executioner, and off with Barnardine's head:

Enter Duke.

Abhor. Look you, fir, here comes your ghoftly father; Do we jest now, think you?

Duke. Sir, induced by my charity, and hearing how haftily you are to depart, I am come to advile you, comfort you, and pray with you.

1 That is,―here wrth-the Duke pointing to the letter in his hand. of their lives.

2 That is, to beg for the reft Barnar.

Barnar. Friar, not I; I have been drinking hard | But I will keep her ignorant of her good; all night, and I will have more time to prepare me, To make her heavenly comforts of despair, or they fhall beat out my brains with billets: I will When it is leaft expected. not confent to die this day, that's certain.

Duke. Oh, fir, you must: and therefore I befeech you, look forward on the journey you fhall go. Bana. I fwear, I will not die to-day for any man's perfuafion.

Duke. But hear you,

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

Enter Provof.

[Exit.

Enter Ifabella.
Ifab. Ho, by your leave.-

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

Ifab. The better, given me by fo holy a man.
Hath yet the deputy fent my brother's pardon?
Duke. He hath releas'd him, Ifabel, from the world;
His head is off, and fent to Angelo.
fab. Nay, but it is not fo.
Duke. It is no other:

Duke. Unfit to live, or die: Oh, gravel heart-Shew your wisdom, daughter, in
After him, fellows; bring him to the block,
[Exeunt Abborn and Clown.
Prov. Now, fir, how do you find the prifoner?!
Duke. A creature unprepar'd, unmeet for death;
And, to tranfport him in the mind he is,
Were damnable.

Prov. Here in the prifon, father,
There dy'd this morning of a cruel fever
One Ragozine, a moit notorious pirate,

A man of Claudio's years; his beard, and head,
Juft of his colour: What if we do omit
This reprobate, till he were well inclin'd;
And fatisfy the deputy with the vifage
Of Ragozine, more like to Claudio?

Duke. O, 'tis an accident that heaven provides!
Dispatch it presently; the hour draws on
Prefix'd by Angelo: See, this be done,
And fent according to command; whiles I
Perfuade this rude wretch willingly to die.

Prov. This fhall be done, good father, prefently.
But Barnardine muft die this afternoon :
And how fhall we continue Claudio,

To fave me from the danger that might come,
If he were known alive?

Duke. Let this be done,--Put them

In fecret holds, both Barnardine and Claudio:
Ere twice the fun hath made his journal greeting
To the under generation, you shall find
Your fafety manifefted.

Prov. I am your free dependent.

Duke. Quick, difpatch, and fend the head to
Angelo.
[Exit Provof.
Now will I write letters to Angelo,--
The provoft, he shall bear them,--whofe contents
Shall witnefs to him, I am near at home;
And that, by great injunctions, I am bound
To enter publickly: him I'll defire
To meet me at the confecrated fount,

A league below the city; and from thence,
By cold gradation and weal-balanced form,
We shall proceed with Angelo.

Re-enter Provoft.

Prov. Here is the head; I'll carry it myself. Duke. Convenient is it: Make a swift return; For I would commune with you of fuch things, That want no ear but yours.

Prov. I'll make all speed.

Ifab. [Within.] Peace, ho, be here!

your

[tience.

clofe pa

Ifab. Oh, I will to him, and pluck out his eyes.
Duke. You fhall not be admitted to his fight.
Ijab. Unhappy Claudio! Wretched Ifabel!
Injurious world! Most damned Angelo !
Duke. This nor hurts him, nor profits you a jot:
Forbear it therefore; give your caufe to heaven.
Mark, what I fay; which you shall find
By every fyllable a faithful verity:

[eyes;

The duke comes home to-morrow ;--nay, dry your

One of our convent, and his confeffor,

Gives me this inftance: already he hath carry'd
Notice to Efcalus and Angelo;

Who do prepare to meet him at the gates,

There to give up their power. If you can pace

your wifdom

In that good path, that I would with it go;
And you fhall have your bofom 2 on this wretch,
Grace of the duke, revenges to your heart,
And general honour.

Ifab. I am directed by you.

Duke. This letter then to friar Peter give;
'Tis that he fent me of the duke's return:
Say, by this token, I defire his company
At Mariana's houfe to-night. Her caufe, and yours,
I'll perfect him withal; and he shall bring you
Before the duke; and to the head of Angelo
Accufe him home and home. For my poor felf,
I am combined 3 by a facred vow,

And thall be abfent. Wend 4 you with this letter:
Command thefe fretting waters from your eyes
With a light heart; truft not my holy order,
If I pervert your course.--Who's here?
Enter Lucio.

Lucio. Good even!
Friar, where is the provost?
Duke. Not within, fir.

Lucio. Oh, pretty Ifabella, I am pale at mine heart, to fee thine eyes fo red: thou must be patient: I am fain to dine and fup with water and bran; I dare not for my head fill my belly; one fruitful meal would fet me to 't: But they fay the duke will be here to-morrow. By my troth, Ifabel, I lov❜d thy brother: if the old fantaftical duke of dark corners had been at home, he had liv'd.

[Exit Ifabella. Duke. Sir, the duke is marvellous little beholden [Exito your report; but the best is, he lives not in them. Lucio. Friar, thou knoweft not the duke fo well as I do: he's a better woodman, than thou tak'st

Duke. The tongue of Ifabel :---She's come to know If yet her brother's pardon be come hither:

him for.

That is, to remove him out of this world to the other. 2 That is, your wish.

I am bound. 4 That is, go.

3 That is,

Duke.