Duke's lines in Measure for Measure

Duke Vincentio. Escalus.

Duke Vincentio. Of government the properties to unfold, Would seem in me to affect speech and discourse; Since I am put to know that your own science Exceeds, in that, the lists of all advice My strength can give you: then no more remains, But that to your sufficiency as your Worth is able, And let them work.

The nature of our people, Our city's institutions, and the terms For common justice, you're as pregnant in As art and practise hath enriched any That we remember. There is our commission, From which we would not have you warp. Call hither, I say, bid come before us Angelo.

What figure of us think you he will bear? For you must know, we have with special soul Elected him our absence to supply, Lent him our terror, dress'd him with our love, And given his deputation all the organs Of our own power: what think you of it?

Duke Vincentio. Look where he comes.

Duke Vincentio. Angelo, There is a kind of character in thy life, That to the observer doth thy history Fully unfold. Thyself and thy belongings Are not thine own so proper as to waste Thyself upon thy virtues, they on thee. Heaven doth with us as we with torches do, Not light them for themselves; for if our virtues Did not go forth of us, 'twere all alike As if we had them not.

Spirits are not finely touch'd But to fine issues, nor Nature never lends The smallest scruple of her excellence But, like a thrifty goddess, she determines Herself the glory of a creditor, Both thanks and use.

But I do bend my speech To one that can my part in him advertise; Hold therefore, Angelo:-- In our remove be thou at full ourself; Mortality and mercy in Vienna Live in thy tongue and heart: old Escalus, Though first in question, is thy secondary. Take thy commission.

Duke Vincentio. No more evasion: We have with a leaven'd and prepared choice Proceeded to you; therefore take your honours. Our haste from hence is of so quick condition That it prefers itself and leaves unquestion'd Matters of needful value.

We shall write to you, As time and our concernings shall importune, How it goes with us, and do look to know What doth befall you here. So, fare you well; To the hopeful execution do I leave you Of your commissions.

Duke Vincentio. My haste may not admit it; Nor need you, on mine honour, have to do With any scruple; your scope is as mine own So to enforce or qualify the laws As to your soul seems good. Give me your hand: I'll privily away.

I love the people, But do not like to stage me to their eyes: Though it do well, I do not relish well Their loud applause and Aves vehement; Nor do I think the man of safe discretion That does affect it. Once more, fare you well.

Duke Vincentio. I thank you. Fare you well.

Duke Vincentio. No, holy father; throw away that thought; Believe not that the dribbling dart of love Can pierce a complete bosom. Why I desire thee To give me secret harbour, hath a purpose More grave and wrinkled than the aims and ends Of burning youth.

Duke Vincentio. 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.

I have deliver'd to Lord Angelo, A man of stricture and firm abstinence, My absolute power and place here in Vienna, And he supposes me travell'd to Poland; For so I have strew'd it in the common ear, And so it is received. Now, pious sir, You will demand of me why I do this?

Duke Vincentio. We have strict statutes and most biting laws. The needful bits and curbs to headstrong weeds, Which for this nineteen years we have let slip; Even like an o'ergrown lion in a cave, That goes not out to prey.

Now, as fond fathers, Having bound up the threatening twigs of birch, Only to stick it in their children's sight For terror, not to use, in time the rod Becomes more mock'd than fear'd; so our decrees, Dead to infliction, to themselves are dead; And liberty plucks justice by the nose; The baby beats the nurse, and quite athwart Goes all decorum.

Duke Vincentio. I do fear, too dreadful: Sith 'twas my fault to give the people scope, 'Twould be my tyranny to strike and gall them For what I bid them do: for we bid this be done, When evil deeds have their permissive pass And not the punishment.

Therefore indeed, my father, I have on Angelo imposed the office; Who may, in the ambush of my name, strike home, And yet my nature never in the fight To do in slander.

And to behold his sway, I will, as 'twere a brother of your order, Visit both prince and people: therefore, I prithee, Supply me with the habit and instruct me How I may formally in person bear me like a true friar.

More reasons for this action At our more leisure shall I render you; Only, this one: Lord Angelo is precise; Stands at a guard with envy; scarce confesses That his blood flows, or that his appetite Is more to bread than stone: hence shall we see, If power change purpose, what our seemers be.

Duke Vincentio. Hail to you, provost! so I think you are.

Duke Vincentio. Bound by my charity and my blest order, I come to visit the afflicted spirits Here in the prison. Do me the common right To let me see them and to make me know The nature of their crimes, that I may minister To them accordingly.

Duke Vincentio. When must he die? As I do think, to-morrow. I have provided for you: stay awhile,

And you shall be conducted.

Repent you, fair one, of the sin you carry?

Duke Vincentio. I'll teach you how you shall arraign your conscience, And try your penitence, if it be sound, Or hollowly put on.

Duke Vincentio. Love you the man that wrong'd you?

Duke Vincentio. So then it seems your most offenceful act Was mutually committed?

Duke Vincentio. Then was your sin of heavier kind than his.

Duke Vincentio. 'Tis meet so, daughter: but lest you do repent, As that the sin hath brought you to this shame, Which sorrow is always towards ourselves, not heaven, Knowing we would not spare heaven as we love it, But as we stand in fear,--

Duke Vincentio. There rest. Your partner, as I hear, must die to-morrow, And I am going with instruction to him. Grace go with you, Benedicite!

Duke Vincentio. So then you hope of pardon from Lord Angelo?

Duke Vincentio. Be absolute for death; either death or life Shall thereby be the sweeter.

Reason thus with life: If I do lose thee, I do lose a thing That none but fools would keep: a breath thou art, Servile to all the skyey influences, That dost this habitation, where thou keep'st, Hourly afflict: merely, thou art death's fool; For him thou labour'st by thy flight to shun And yet runn'st toward him still.

Thou art not noble; For all the accommodations that thou bear'st Are nursed by baseness. Thou'rt by no means valiant; For thou dost fear the soft and tender fork Of a poor worm. Thy best of rest is sleep, And that thou oft provokest; yet grossly fear'st Thy death, which is no more.

Thou art not thyself; For thou exist'st on many a thousand grains That issue out of dust. Happy thou art not; For what thou hast not, still thou strivest to get, And what thou hast, forget'st.

Thou art not certain; For thy complexion shifts to strange effects, After the moon. If thou art rich, thou'rt poor; For, like an ass whose back with ingots bows, Thou bear's thy heavy riches but a journey, And death unloads thee.

Friend hast thou none; For thine own bowels, which do call thee sire, The mere effusion of thy proper loins, Do curse the gout, serpigo, and the rheum, For ending thee no sooner.

Thou hast nor youth nor age, But, as it were, an after-dinner's sleep, Dreaming on both; for all thy blessed youth Becomes as aged, and doth beg the alms Of palsied eld; and when thou art old and rich, Thou hast neither heat, affection, limb, nor beauty, To make thy riches pleasant.

What's yet in this That bears the name of life? Yet in this life Die hid moe thousand deaths: yet death we fear, That makes these odds all even.

Duke Vincentio. Dear sir, ere long I'll visit you again.

Duke Vincentio. Provost, a word with you.

Duke Vincentio. Bring me to hear them speak, where I may be concealed.

Duke Vincentio. Vouchsafe a word, young sister, but one word.

Duke Vincentio. Might you dispense with your leisure, I would by and by have some speech with you: the satisfaction I would require is likewise your own benefit.

Duke Vincentio. Son, I have overheard what hath passed between you and your sister. Angelo had never the purpose to corrupt her; only he hath made an essay of her virtue to practise his judgment with the disposition of natures: she, having the truth of honour in her, hath made him that gracious denial which he is most glad to receive.

I am confessor to Angelo, and I know this to be true; therefore prepare yourself to death: do not satisfy your resolution with hopes that are fallible: tomorrow you must die; go to your knees and make ready.

Duke Vincentio. Hold you there: farewell.

Provost, a word with you!

Duke Vincentio. That now you are come, you will be gone. Leave me awhile with the maid: my mind promises with my habit no loss shall touch her by my company.

Duke Vincentio. The hand that hath made you fair hath made you good: the goodness that is cheap in beauty makes beauty brief in goodness; but grace, being the soul of your complexion, shall keep the body of it ever fair.

The assault that Angelo hath made to you, fortune hath conveyed to my understanding; and, but that frailty hath examples for his falling, I should wonder at Angelo. How will you do to content this substitute, and to save your brother?

Duke Vincentio. That shall not be much amiss: Yet, as the matter now stands, he will avoid your accusation; he made trial of you only. Therefore fasten your ear on my advisings: to the love I have in doing good a remedy presents itself.

I do make myself believe that you may most uprighteously do a poor wronged lady a merited benefit; redeem your brother from the angry law; do no stain to your own gracious person; and much please the absent duke, if peradventure he shall ever return to have hearing of this business.

Duke Vincentio. Virtue is bold, and goodness never fearful. Have you not heard speak of Mariana, the sister of Frederick the great soldier who miscarried at sea?

Duke Vincentio. She should this Angelo have married; was affianced to her by oath, and the nuptial appointed: between which time of the contract and limit of the solemnity, her brother Frederick was wrecked at sea, having in that perished vessel the dowry of his sister. But mark how heavily this befell to the poor gentlewoman: there she lost a noble and

Duke Vincentio. Left her in her tears, and dried not one of them with his comfort; swallowed his vows whole, pretending in her discoveries of dishonour: in few, bestowed her on her own lamentation, which she yet wears for his sake; and he, a marble to her tears, is washed with them, but relents not.

Duke Vincentio. It is a rupture that you may easily heal: and the cure of it not only saves your brother, but keeps you from dishonour in doing it.

Duke Vincentio. This forenamed maid hath yet in her the continuance of her first affection: his unjust unkindness, that in all reason should have quenched her love, hath, like an impediment in the current, made it more violent and unruly.

Go you to Angelo; answer his requiring with a plausible obedience; agree with his demands to the point; only refer yourself to this advantage, first, that your stay with him may not be long; that the time may have all shadow and silence in it; and the place answer to convenience.

This being granted in course,--and now follows all,--we shall advise this wronged maid to stead up your appointment, go in your place; if the encounter acknowledge itself hereafter, it may compel him to her recompense: and here, by this, is your brother saved, your honour untainted, the poor Mariana advantaged, and the corrupt deputy scaled.

The maid will I frame and make fit for his attempt. If you think well to carry this as you may, the doubleness of the benefit defends the deceit from reproof. What think you of it?

Duke Vincentio. It lies much in your holding up. Haste you speedily to Angelo: if for this night he entreat you to his bed, give him promise of satisfaction. I will presently to Saint Luke's: there, at the moated grange, resides this dejected Mariana. At that place call upon me; and dispatch with Angelo, that it may be quickly.

Duke Vincentio. O heavens! what stuff is here

Duke Vincentio. And you, good brother father. What offence hath this man made you, sir?

Duke Vincentio. Fie, sirrah! a bawd, a wicked bawd! The evil that thou causest to be done, that is thy means to live. Do thou but think what 'tis to cram a maw or clothe a back from such a filthy vice: say to thyself, From their abominable and beastly touches I drink, I eat, array myself, and live. Canst thou believe thy living is a life, so stinkingly depending? Go mend, go mend.

Duke Vincentio. Nay, if the devil have given thee proofs for sin, Thou wilt prove his. Take him to prison, officer: Correction and instruction must both work Ere this rude beast will profit.

Duke Vincentio. That we were all, as some would seem to be, From our faults, as faults from seeming, free!

Duke Vincentio. Still thus, and thus; still worse!

Duke Vincentio. And you.

Duke Vincentio. I know none. Can you tell me of any?

Duke Vincentio. I know not where; but wheresoever, I wish him well.

Duke Vincentio. He does well in 't.

Duke Vincentio. It is too general a vice, and severity must cure it.

Duke Vincentio. How should he be made, then?

Duke Vincentio. You are pleasant, sir, and speak apace.

Duke Vincentio. never heard the absent duke much detected for women; he was not inclined that way.

Duke Vincentio. 'Tis not possible.

Duke Vincentio. You do him wrong, surely.

Duke Vincentio. What, I prithee, might be the cause?

Duke Vincentio. Wise! why, no question but he was.

Duke Vincentio. Either this is the envy in you, folly, or mistaking: the very stream of his life and the business he hath helmed must upon a warranted need give him a better proclamation. Let him be but testimonied in his own bringings-forth, and he shall appear to the envious a scholar, a statesman and a soldier.

herefore you speak unskilfully: or if your knowledge be more it is much darkened in your malice.

Duke Vincentio. Love talks with better knowledge, and knowledge with dearer love.

Duke Vincentio. I can hardly believe that, since you know not what you speak. But, if ever the duke return, as our prayers are he may, let me desire you to make your answer before him. If it be honest you have spoke, you have courage to maintain it: I am bound to call upon you; and, I pray you, your name?

Duke Vincentio. He shall know you better, sir, if I may live to report you.

Duke Vincentio. O, you hope the duke will return no more; or you imagine me too unhurtful an opposite. But indeed I can do you little harm; you'll forswear this again.

Duke Vincentio. Why should he die, sir?

Duke Vincentio. No might nor greatness in mortality Can censure 'scape; back-wounding calumny The whitest virtue strikes. What king so strong Can tie the gall up in the slanderous tongue? But who comes here?

Duke Vincentio. Bliss and goodness on you!

Duke Vincentio. Not of this country, though my chance is now To use it for my time: I am a brother Of gracious order, late come from the See In special business from his holiness.

Duke Vincentio. None, but that there is so great a fever on goodness, that the dissolution of it must cure it: novelty is only in request; and it is as dangerous to be aged in any kind of course, as it is virtuous to be constant in any undertaking.

There is scarce truth enough alive to make societies secure; but security enough to make fellowships accurst: much upon this riddle runs the wisdom of the world. This news is old enough, yet it is every day's news. I pray you, sir, of what disposition was the duke?

Duke Vincentio. What pleasure was he given to?

Duke Vincentio. He professes to have received no sinister measure from his judge, but most willingly humbles himself to the determination of justice: yet had he framed to himself, by the instruction of his frailty, many deceiving promises of life; which I by my good leisure have discredited to him, and now is he resolved to die.

Duke Vincentio. If his own life answer the straitness of his proceeding, it shall become him well; wherein if he chance to fail, he hath sentenced himself.

Duke Vincentio. Peace be with you!

He who the sword of heaven will bear Should be as holy as severe; Pattern in himself to know, Grace to stand, and virtue go; More nor less to others paying Than by self-offences weighing.

Shame to him whose cruel striking Kills for faults of his own liking! Twice treble shame on Angelo, To weed my vice and let his grow! O, what may man within him hide, Though angel on the outward side!

How may likeness made in crimes, Making practise on the times, To draw with idle spiders' strings Most ponderous and substantial things! Craft against vice I must apply: With Angelo to-night shall lie His old betrothed but despised; So disguise shall, by the disguised, Pay with falsehood false exacting, And perform an old contracting.

Duke Vincentio. Take, O, take those lips away, That so sweetly were forsworn; And those eyes, the break of day, Lights that do mislead the morn: But my kisses bring again, bring again; Seals of love, but sealed in vain, sealed in vain.

Duke Vincentio. 'Tis good; though music oft hath such a charm To make bad good, and good provoke to harm. pray, you, tell me, hath any body inquired or me here to-day? much upon this time have I promised here to meet.

Duke Vincentio. I do constantly believe you. The time is come even now. I shall crave your forbearance a little: may be I will call upon you anon, for some advantage to yourself.

Duke Vincentio. Very well met, and well come. What is the news from this good deputy?

Duke Vincentio. But shall you on your knowledge find this way?

Duke Vincentio. Are there no other tokens Between you 'greed concerning her observance?

Duke Vincentio. 'Tis well borne up. I have not yet made known to Mariana A word of this. What, ho! within! come forth!

I pray you, be acquainted with this maid; She comes to do you good.

Duke Vincentio. Do you persuade yourself that I respect you?

Duke Vincentio. Take, then, this your companion by the hand, Who hath a story ready for your ear. I shall attend your leisure: but make haste; The vaporous night approaches.

Duke Vincentio. O place and greatness! millions of false eyes Are stuck upon thee: volumes of report Run with these false and most contrarious quests Upon thy doings: thousand escapes of wit Make thee the father of their idle dreams And rack thee in their fancies.

Welcome, how agreed?

Duke Vincentio. It is not my consent, But my entreaty too.

Duke Vincentio. Nor, gentle daughter, fear you not at all. He is your husband on a pre-contract: To bring you thus together, 'tis no sin, Sith that the justice of your title to him Doth flourish the deceit. Come, let us go: Our corn's to reap, for yet our tithe's to sow.

Duke Vincentio. The best and wholesomest spirits of the night Envelope you, good Provost! Who call'd here of late?

Duke Vincentio. Not Isabel?

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

Duke Vincentio. ...here's some in hope.

Duke Vincentio. Not so, not so; his life is parallel'd Even with the stroke and line of his great justice: He doth with holy abstinence subdue That in himself which he spurs on his power To qualify in others: were he meal'd with that Which he corrects, then were he tyrannous; But this being so, he's just.

Now are they come.

This is a gentle provost: seldom when The steeled gaoler is the friend of men.

How now! what noise? That spirit's possessed with haste That wounds the unsisting postern with these strokes.

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

Duke Vincentio. As near the dawning, provost, as it is, You shall hear more ere morning.

Duke Vincentio. And here comes Claudio's pardon.

Duke Vincentio. ([Aside]) This is his pardon, purchased by such sin For which the pardoner himself is in. Hence hath offence his quick celerity, When it is born in high authority: When vice makes mercy, mercy's so extended, That for the fault's love is the offender friended. Now, sir, what news?

Duke Vincentio. Pray you, let's hear.

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

Duke Vincentio. How came it that the absent duke had not either delivered him to his liberty or executed him? I have heard it was ever his manner to do so.

Duke Vincentio. It is now apparent?

Duke Vincentio. Hath he born himself penitently in prison? how seems he to be touched?

Duke Vincentio. He wants advice.

Duke Vincentio. More of him anon. There is written in your brow, provost, honesty and constancy: if I read it not truly, my ancient skill beguiles me; but, in the boldness of my cunning, I will lay myself in hazard.

Claudio, whom here you have warrant to execute, is no greater forfeit to the law than Angelo who hath sentenced him. To make you understand this in a manifested effect, I crave but four days' respite; for the which you are to do me both a present and a dangerous courtesy.

Duke Vincentio. In the delaying death.

Duke Vincentio. 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 born to Angelo.

Duke Vincentio. 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 common. If any thing fall to you upon this, more than thanks and good fortune, by the saint whom I profess, I will plead against it with my life.

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

Duke Vincentio. You will think you have made no offence, if the duke avouch the justice of your dealing?

Duke Vincentio. Not a resemblance, but a certainty. Yet since I see you fearful, that neither my coat, integrity, nor 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.

Duke Vincentio. The contents of this is the return of the duke: you shall anon over-read it at your pleasure; where you shall find, within these two days he will be here. This is a thing that Angelo knows not; for he this very day receives letters of strange tenor; perchance of the duke's death; perchance entering into some monastery; but, by chance, nothing of what is writ.

Look, the unfolding star calls up the shepherd. Put not yourself into amazement how these things should be: all difficulties are but easy when they are known. Call your executioner, and off with Barnardine's head: I will give him a present shrift and advise him for a better place. Yet you are amazed; but this shall absolutely resolve you. Come away; it is almost clear dawn.

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

Duke Vincentio. O, sir, you must: and therefore I beseech you look forward on the journey you shall go.

Duke Vincentio. But hear you.

Duke Vincentio. Unfit to live or die: O gravel heart! After him, fellows; bring him to the block.

Duke Vincentio. A creature unprepared, unmeet for death; And to transport him in the mind he is Were damnable.

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

Duke Vincentio. Let this be done. Put them in secret holds, both Barnardine and Claudio: Ere twice the sun hath made his journal greeting To the under generation, you shall find Your safety manifested.

Duke Vincentio. Quick, dispatch, and send the head to Angelo.

Now will I write letters to Angelo,-- The provost, he shall bear them, whose contents 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 well-balanced form, We shall proceed with Angelo.

Duke Vincentio. Convenient is it. Make a swift return; For I would commune with you of such things That want no ear but yours.

Duke Vincentio. The tongue of Isabel. She's come to know If yet her brother's pardon be come hither: But I will keep her ignorant of her good, To make her heavenly comforts of despair, When it is least expected.

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

Duke Vincentio. He hath released him, Isabel, from the world: His head is off and sent to Angelo.

Duke Vincentio. It is no other: show your wisdom, daughter, In your close patience.

Duke Vincentio. You shall not be admitted to his sight.

Duke Vincentio. This nor hurts him nor profits you a jot; Forbear it therefore; give your cause to heaven.

Mark what I say, which you shall find By every syllable a faithful verity: The duke comes home to-morrow; nay, dry your eyes; One of our convent, and his confessor, Gives me this instance: already he hath carried Notice to Escalus and Angelo, Who do prepare to meet him at the gates, There to give up their power.

If you can, pace your wisdom In that good path that I would wish it go, And you shall have your bosom on this wretch, Grace of the duke, revenges to your heart, And general honour.

Duke Vincentio. This letter, then, to Friar Peter give; 'Tis that he sent me of the duke's return: Say, by this token, I desire his company At Mariana's house to-night. Her cause and yours I'll perfect him withal, and he shall bring you Before the duke, and to the head of Angelo Accuse him home and home.

For my poor self, I am combined by a sacred vow And shall be absent. Wend you with this letter: Command these fretting waters from your eyes With a light heart; trust not my holy order, If I pervert your course. Who's here?

Duke Vincentio. Not within, sir.

Duke Vincentio. Sir, the duke is marvellous little beholding to your reports; but the best is, he lives not in them.

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

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

Duke Vincentio. Did you such a thing?

Duke Vincentio. Sir, your company is fairer than honest. Rest you well.

Duke Vincentio. These letters at fit time deliver me

The provost knows our purpose and our plot. The matter being afoot, keep your instruction, And hold you ever to our special drift; 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.

Duke Vincentio. I thank thee, Varrius; thou hast made good haste: Come, we will walk. There's other of our friends Will greet us here anon, my gentle Varrius.

Duke Vincentio. My very worthy cousin, fairly met! Our old and faithful friend, we are glad to see you.

Duke Vincentio. Many and hearty thankings to you both. We have made inquiry of you; and we hear such goodness of your justice, that our soul cannot but yield you forth to public thanks, forerunning more requital.

Duke Vincentio. O, your desert speaks loud; and I should 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.

Duke Vincentio. Relate your wrongs; in what? by whom? be brief. Here is Lord Angelo shall give you justice: Reveal yourself to him.

Duke Vincentio. Nay, it is ten times strange.

Duke Vincentio. Away with her! Poor soul, She speaks this in the infirmity of sense.

Duke Vincentio. By mine honesty, 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.

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

Duke Vincentio. You were not bid to speak.

Duke Vincentio. 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.

Duke Vincentio. The warrants for yourself; take heed to't.

Duke Vincentio. It may be right; but you are i' the wrong To speak before your time. Proceed.

Duke Vincentio. That's somewhat madly spoken.

Duke Vincentio. Mended again. The matter; proceed.

Duke Vincentio. This is most likely!

Duke Vincentio. By heaven, fond wretch, thou knowist not what thou speak'st, Or else thou art suborn'd against his honour In hateful practise. First, his integrity Stands without blemish.

Next, it imports no reason That with such vehemency he should pursue Faults proper to himself: if he had so offended, He would have weigh'd thy brother by himself And not have cut him off. Some one hath set you on: Confess the truth, and say by whose advice Thou camest here to complain.

Duke Vincentio. I know you'ld fain be gone. An officer! To prison with her! Shall we thus permit A blasting and a scandalous breath to fall On him so near us? This needs must be a practise. Who knew of Your intent and coming hither?

Duke Vincentio. A ghostly father, belike. Who knows that Lodowick?

Duke Vincentio. Words against me? this is a good friar, belike! And to set on this wretched woman here Against our substitute! Let this friar be found.

Duke Vincentio. We did believe no less. Know you that Friar Lodowick that she speaks of?

Duke Vincentio. Good friar, let's hear it.

Do you not smile at this, Lord Angelo? O heaven, the vanity of wretched fools! Give us some seats. Come, cousin Angelo; In this I'll be impartial; be you judge Of your own cause. Is this the witness, friar? First, let her show her face, and after speak.

Duke Vincentio. What, are you married?

Duke Vincentio. Are you a maid?

Duke Vincentio. A widow, then?

Duke Vincentio. Why, you are nothing then: neither maid, widow, nor wife?

Duke Vincentio. Silence that fellow: I would he had some cause To prattle for himself.

Duke Vincentio. or the benefit of silence, would thou wert so too!

Duke Vincentio. This is no witness for Lord Angelo.

Duke Vincentio. No? you say your husband.

Duke Vincentio. know you this woman?

Duke Vincentio. Sirrah, no more!

Duke Vincentio. Ay, with my heart And punish them to your height of pleasure. Thou foolish friar, and thou pernicious woman, 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 derived. There is another friar that set them on; Let him be sent for.

Duke Vincentio. Go do it instantly.

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.

Duke Vincentio. 'Tis false.

Duke Vincentio. Respect to your great place! and let the devil Be sometime honour'd for his burning throne! Where is the duke? 'tis he should hear me speak.

Duke Vincentio. 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 retort your manifest appeal, And put your trial in the villain's mouth Which here you come to accuse.

Duke Vincentio. 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 countenanced, that the strong statutes Stand like the forfeits in a barber's shop, As much in mock as mark.

Duke Vincentio. I remember you, sir, by the sound of your voice: I met you at the prison, in the absence of the duke.

Duke Vincentio. Most notedly, sir.

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

Duke Vincentio. I protest I love the duke as I love myself.

Duke Vincentio. ([To Provost]) Stay, sir; stay awhile.

Duke Vincentio. Thou art the first knave that e'er madest a duke. First, provost, let me bail these gentle three. (To LUCIO) Sneak not away, sir; for the friar and you Must have a word anon. Lay hold on him.

Duke Vincentio. ([To ESCALUS]) What you have spoke I pardon: sit you down: We'll borrow place of him. (To ANGELO) Sir, by your leave. 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.

Duke Vincentio. Come hither, Mariana. Say, wast thou e'er contracted to this woman?

Duke Vincentio. Go take her hence, and marry her instantly. Do you the office, friar; which consummate, Return him here again. Go with him, provost.

Duke Vincentio. 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.

Duke Vincentio. You are pardon'd, Isabel: And now, dear maid, be you as free to us. Your brother's death, I know, sits at your heart; And you may marvel why I obscured myself, Labouring to save his life, and would not rather Make rash remonstrance 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, That brain'd my purpose. But, peace be with him! That life is better life, past fearing death, Than that which lives to fear: make it your comfort, So happy is your brother.

Duke Vincentio. For this new-married man approaching here, Whose salt imagination yet hath wrong'd Your well defended honour, you must pardon For Mariana's sake: but as he adjudged your brother,-- Being criminal, in double violation Of sacred chastity and of promise-breach Thereon dependent, for your brother's life,-- 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; Which, though thou wouldst deny, denies thee vantage. We do condemn thee to the very block Where Claudio stoop'd to death, and with like haste. Away with him!

Duke Vincentio. It is your husband mock'd you with a husband. Consenting to the safeguard of your honour, 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.

Duke Vincentio. Never crave him; we are definitive.

Duke Vincentio. You do but lose your labour. Away with him to death!

Now, sir, to you.

Duke Vincentio. Against all sense you do importune her: Should she kneel down in mercy of this fact, Her brother's ghost his paved bed would break, And take her hence in horror.

Duke Vincentio. He dies for Claudio's death.

Duke Vincentio. Your suit's unprofitable; stand up, I say. I have bethought me of another fault. Provost, how came it Claudio was beheaded At an unusual hour?

Duke Vincentio. Had you a special warrant for the deed?

Duke Vincentio. For which I do discharge you of your office: Give up your keys.

Duke Vincentio. What's he?

Duke Vincentio. I would thou hadst done so by Claudio. Go fetch him hither; let me look upon him.

Duke Vincentio. Which is that Barnardine?

Duke Vincentio. There was a friar told me of this man. Sirrah, thou art said to have a stubborn soul. That apprehends no further than this world, And squarest thy life according. Thou'rt condemn'd: But, for those earthly faults, I quit them all; And pray thee take this mercy to provide For better times to come. Friar, advise him; I leave him to your hand. What muffled fellow's that?

Duke Vincentio. ([To ISABELLA]) If he be like your brother, for his sake 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 quickening in his eye. Well, Angelo, your evil quits you well: Look that you love your wife; her worth worth yours. I find an apt remission in myself; And yet here's one in place I cannot pardon.

You, sirrah, that knew me for a fool, a coward, One all of luxury, an ass, a madman; Wherein have I so deserved of you, That you extol me thus? 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 whipt.

Whipt first, sir, and hanged after. Proclaim it, provost, round about the city. Is any woman wrong'd 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 whipt and hang'd.

Duke Vincentio. Upon mine honour, thou shalt marry her. Thy slanders I forgive; and therewithal Remit thy other forfeits. Take him to prison; And see our pleasure herein executed.

Duke Vincentio. Slandering a prince deserves it.

She, Claudio, that you wrong'd, look you restore. 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. Thanks, provost, for thy care and secrecy: We shall employ thee in a worthier place.

Forgive him, Angelo, that brought you home The head of Ragozine for Claudio's: The 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.