At the moated grange, a boy's song for Mariana is cut short by the arrival of the disguised Duke. Isabella brings two keys to Angelo's walled garden, where she has promised to meet him briefly in the dead of night. While the Duke waits, she takes Mariana aside and tells her the plan, and Mariana agrees to go in her place. The Duke assures her that it is no sin, since Angelo is her husband by their earlier contract.
Enter MARIANA and a Boy Boy sings
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.
Break off thy song, and haste thee quick away: Here comes a man of comfort, whose advice Hath often still'd my brawling discontent.
Exit Boy Enter DUKE VINCENTIO disguised as before
I cry you mercy, sir; and well could wish You had not found me here so musical: Let me excuse me, and believe me so, My mirth it much displeased, but pleased my woe.
'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.
You have not been inquired after: I have sat here all day.
Enter ISABELLA
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.
I am always bound to you.
Exit
Very well met, and well come. What is the news from this good deputy?
He hath a garden circummured with brick, Whose western side is with a vineyard back'd; And to that vineyard is a planched gate, That makes his opening with this bigger key: This other doth command a little door Which from the vineyard to the garden leads; There have I made my promise Upon the heavy middle of the night To call upon him.
But shall you on your knowledge find this way?
I have ta'en a due and wary note upon't: With whispering and most guilty diligence, In action all of precept, he did show me The way twice o'er.
Are there no other tokens Between you 'greed concerning her observance?
No, none, but only a repair i' the dark; And that I have possess'd him my most stay Can be but brief; for I have made him know I have a servant comes with me along, That stays upon me, whose persuasion is I come about my brother.
'Tis well borne up. I have not yet made known to Mariana A word of this. What, ho! within! come forth!
Re-enter MARIANA
I pray you, be acquainted with this maid; She comes to do you good.
I do desire the like.
Do you persuade yourself that I respect you?
Good friar, I know you do, and have found it.
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.
Will't please you walk aside?
Exeunt MARIANA and ISABELLA
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.
Re-enter MARIANA and ISABELLA
Welcome, how agreed?
She'll take the enterprise upon her, father, If you advise it.
It is not my consent, But my entreaty too.
Little have you to say When you depart from him, but, soft and low, 'Remember now my brother.'
Fear me not.
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.
Exeunt
At the moated grange, a boy's song for Mariana is cut short by the arrival of the disguised Duke. Isabella brings two keys to Angelo's walled garden, where she has promised to meet him briefly in the dead of night. While the Duke waits, she takes Mariana aside and tells her the plan, and Mariana agrees to go in her place. The Duke assures her that it is no sin, since Angelo is her husband by their earlier contract.