_Lucio._ Go to kennel, Pompey; go. [_Exeunt Elbow,
Pompey and Officers._] What news, friar, of the Duke? 80
_Duke._ I know none. Can you tell me of any?
_Lucio._ Some say he is with the Emperor of Russia;
other some, he is in Rome: but where is he, think you?
_Duke._ I know not where; but wheresoever, I wish him
well. 85
_Lucio._ It was a mad fantastical trick of him to steal
from the state, and usurp the beggary he was never born
to. Lord Angelo dukes it well in his absence; he puts
transgression to't.
_Duke._ He does well in't. 90
_Lucio._ A little more lenity to lechery would do no
harm in him: something too crabbed that way, friar.
_Duke._ It is too general a vice, and severity must cure
it.
_Lucio._ Yes, in good sooth, the vice is of a great kindred; 95
it is well allied: but it is impossible to extirp it
quite, friar, till eating and drinking be put down. They
say this Angelo was not made by man and woman after
this downright way of creation: is it true, think you?
_Duke._ How should he be made, then? 100
_Lucio._ Some report a sea-maid spawned him; some,
that he was begot between two stock-fishes. But it is
certain that, when he makes water, his urine is congealed
ice; that I know to be true: and he is a motion generative;
that's infallible. 105
_Duke._ You are pleasant, sir, and speak apace.
_Lucio._ Why, what a ruthless thing is this in him, for
the rebellion of a codpiece to take away the life of a man!
Would the Duke that is absent have done this? Ere he
would have hanged a man for the getting a hundred bastards, 110
he would have paid for the nursing a thousand: he
had some feeling of the sport; he knew the service, and
that instructed him to mercy.
_Duke._ I never heard the absent Duke much detected
for women; he was not inclined that way. 115
_Lucio._ O, sir, you are deceived.
_Duke._ 'Tis not possible.
_Lucio._ Who, not the Duke? yes, your beggar of fifty;
and his use was to put a ducat in her clack-dish: the Duke
had crotchets in him. He would be drunk too; that let me 120
inform you.
_Duke._ You do him wrong, surely.
_Lucio._ Sir, I was an inward of his. A shy fellow was
the Duke: and I believe I know the cause of his
withdrawing. 125
_Duke._ What, I prithee, might be the cause?
_Lucio._ No, pardon; 'tis a secret must be locked within
the teeth and the lips: but this I can let you understand,
the greater file of the subject held the Duke to be wise.
_Duke._ Wise! why, no question but he was. 130
_Lucio._ A very superficial, ignorant, unweighing fellow.
_Duke._ Either this is 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, 135
and he shall appear, to the envious, a scholar, a statesman
and a soldier. Therefore you speak unskilfully; or
if your knowledge be more, it is much darkened in your
malice.
_Lucio._ Sir, I know him, and I love him. 140
_Duke._ Love talks with better knowledge, and knowledge
with dearer love.
_Lucio._ Come, sir, I know what I know.
_Duke._ I can hardly believe that, since you know not
what you speak. But, if ever the Duke return, as our prayers 145
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?
_Lucio._ Sir, my name is Lucio; well known to the 150
duke.
_Duke._ He shall know you better, sir, if I may live to
report you.
_Lucio._ I fear you not.
_Duke._ O, you hope the Duke will return no more; or 155
you imagine me too unhurtful an opposite. But, indeed, I
can do you little harm; you'll forswear this again.
_Lucio._ I'll be hanged first: thou art deceived in me,
friar. But no more of this. Canst thou tell if Claudio die
to-morrow or no? 160
_Duke._ Why should he die, sir?
_Lucio._ Why? For filling a bottle with a tun-dish. I
would the Duke we talk of were returned again: this ungenitured
agent will unpeople the province with continency;
sparrows must not build in his house-eaves, because 165
they are lecherous. The Duke yet would have dark deeds
darkly answered; he would never bring them to light:
would he were returned! Marry, this Claudio is condemned
for untrussing. Farewell, good friar: I prithee, pray for
me. The Duke, I say to thee again, would eat mutton on 170
Fridays. He's not past it yet, and I say to thee, he would
mouth with a beggar, though she smelt brown bread and
garlic: say that I said so. Farewell. [_Exit._
_Duke._ No might nor greatness in mortality
Can censure 'scape; back-wounding calumny 175
The whitest virtue strikes. What king so strong
Can tie the gall up in the slanderous tongue?
But who comes here?
_Enter ESCALUS, PROVOST, and _Officers_ with MISTRESS OVERDONE._
_Escal._ Go; away with her to prison!
_Mrs Ov._ Good my lord, be good to me; your honour 180
is accounted a merciful man; good my lord.
_Escal._ Double and treble admonition, and still forfeit
in the same kind! This would make mercy swear and
play the tyrant.
_Prov._ A bawd of eleven years' continuance, may it 185
please your honour.
_Mrs Ov._ My lord, this is one Lucio's information
against me. Mistress Kate Keepdown was with child by
him in the Duke's time; he promised her marriage: his
child is a year and a quarter old, come Philip and Jacob: 190
I have kept it myself; and see how he goes about to abuse
me!
_Escal._ That fellow is a fellow of much license: let
him be called before us. Away with her to prison! Go
to; no more words. [_Exeunt Officers with Mistress Ov._] 195
Provost, my brother Angelo will not be altered; Claudio
must die to-morrow: let him be furnished with divines, and
have all charitable preparation. If my brother wrought by
my pity, it should not be so with him.
_Prov._ So please you, this friar hath been with him, 200
and advised him for the entertainment of death.
_Escal._ Good even, good father.
_Duke._ Bliss and goodness on you!
_Escal._ Of whence are you?
_Duke._ Not of this country, though my chance is now 205
To use it for my time: I am a brother
Of gracious order, late come from the See
In special business from his Holiness.
_Escal._ What news abroad i' the world?
_Duke._ None, but that there is so great a fever on goodness, 210
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:-- 215
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?
_Escal._ One that, above all other strifes, contended
especially to know himself. 220
_Duke._ What pleasure was he given to?
_Escal._ Rather rejoicing to see another merry, than
merry at any thing which professed to make him rejoice: a
gentleman of all temperance. But leave we him to his
events, with a prayer they may prove prosperous; and let 225
me desire to know how you find Claudio prepared. I am
made to understand that you have lent him visitation.
_Duke._ 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, 230
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.
_Escal._ You have paid the heavens your function, and
the prisoner the very debt of your calling. I have laboured 235
for the poor gentleman to the extremest shore of my
modesty: but my brother justice have I found so severe,
that he hath forced me to tell him he is indeed Justice.
_Duke._ If his own life answer the straitness of his
proceeding, it shall become him well; wherein if he chance to 240
fail, he hath sentenced himself.
_Escal._ I am going to visit the prisoner. Fare you well.
_Duke._ Peace be with you! [_Exeunt Escalus and Provost._
He who the sword of heaven will bear
Should be as holy as severe; 245
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 250
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! 255
How may likeness made in crimes,
Making practice on the times,
To draw with idle spiders' strings
Most ponderous and substantial things!
Craft against vice I must apply: 260
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. [_Exit._ 265
NOTES: III, 2.
SCENE II.] om. Ff. SCENE IV. Pope.
Enter ... Pompey] Enter Elbow, Clowne, Officers. Ff.
5: _usuries_] _usancies_ Collier MS.
7: Punctuated as in Hanmer. Ff place a semicolon after _law_.
Pope a full stop. Warburton supposes a line or two to be lost.
_furred gown_] _furred lambskin gown_ Capell.
8: _fox and lamb-skins_] _fox-skins_ Capell. _fox on lamb-skins_
Mason conj.
11: _father_] om. Johnson conj.
22: _eat, array myself_] Theobald (Bishop conj.).
_eat away myself_ Ff.
24: _Go mend, go mend_] _Go mend, mend_ Pope.
25: _does_] _doth_ Pope.
36: _From our faults_] F1. _Free from our faults_ F2 F3.
_Free from all faults_ F4.
_as faults from seeming_] _as from faults seeming_ Hanmer.
_or from false seeming_ Johnson conj.
_or faults from seeming_ Id. conj.
36: SCENE V. [Enter LUCIO. Pope.
37: _waist_] Johnson, ed. 1778. _wast_ F1 F2 F3. _waste_ F4.
40: _wheels_] _heels_ Steevens.
43: _it_] Pope. om. Ff.
44, 45: _this tune ... Is't not_]
_this? tune ... method,--is't not?_ Johnson conj.
45: _matter and method] the matter and the method_ Hanmer.
_Is't not ... rain_] _It's not down in the last reign_ Warburton.
46: _Trot_] _to't_ Dyce (Grey conj.). _troth_ Jackson conj.
52: _her_] _the_ Pope.
69, 70: _bondage: ... patiently,_] Theobald.
_bondage ... patiently:_ Ff.
80: SCENE VI. Pope.
93: _general_] _gentle_ Warburton.
95: _a great_] _great_ Rowe.
98: _this_] Ff. _the_ Pope.
104: _is a motion generative_] _is a motion ungenerative_ Theobald.
_has no motion generative_ Hanmer.
_is not a motion generative_ Capell.
_is a motion ingenerative_ Collier MS.
_is a notion generative_ Upton conj.
_is a mule ungenerative_ Anon. conj.
114: _detected_] _detracted_ Capell.
123: _shy_] _sly_ Hanmer.
126: _I_] om. Rowe.
142: _dearer_] Hanmer. _deare_ F1 F2. _dear_ F3 F4.
157: _little_] _a little_ Hanmer.
_again._] _again?_ Ff.
168: _this Claudio_] _this: Claudio_ Edd. conj.
171: _He's not past it yet, and I say to thee_] Hanmer.
_He's now past it, yet (and I say to thee)_ Ff.
_He's now past it: yea, and I say to thee_ Capell.
172: _smelt_] _smelt of_ Rowe.
173: _said_] _say_ Pope.
179: SCENE VII. Pope
183: _swear_] _swerve_ Hanmer. _severe_ Farmer conj.
202: _even_] F4. _'even_ F1 F2 F3.
207: _See_] Theobald. _Sea_ Ff.
212: _and it is as_] F3 F4. _and as it is as_ F1 F2.
213: _undertaking. There_] _undertaking, there_ Collier.
220: _especially_] _specially_ Pope. These two lines are printed as
verse by Ff, ending _strifes, ... himself._
232: _leisure_] _lecture_ Capell conj.
234: _your function_] _the due of your function_ Collier MS.
243: SCENE VIII. Pope.
[Exeunt....] Capell. [Exit. F2. om. F1.
246, 247: _Pattern ... go_] _Patterning himself to know, In grace to
stand, in virtue go_ Johnson conj. _Pattern in himself, to show
Grace and virtue. Stand or go_ Becket conj.
247: _and virtue go_] _virtue to go_ Collier MS.
249: _self-offences_] _self offences_ Collier.
256-258: _may ... To draw_] _many ... Draw_ Harness.
256: _likeness made in crimes_] Ff.
_that likeness made in crimes_ Theobald.
_that likeness shading crimes_ Hanmer.
_such likeness trade in crimes_ Heath conj.
_likeness wade in crimes_ Malone conj. (withdrawn).
_likeness mate in crimes_ Leo conj.
257: _Making practice_] _Mocking, practise_ Malone conj.
_Make sin practise_ Jackson conj. _Masking practice_ Collier MS.
258: _To draw_] _Draw_ Theobald. _So draw_ Staunton conj.
ACT IV.
SCENE I. _The moated grange at ST LUKE'S._
_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; 5
Seals of love, but sealed in vain, sealed in vain.
_Mari._ 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 disguised as before._
I cry you mercy, sir; and well could wish 10
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.
_Duke._ 'Tis good; though music oft hath such a charm
To make bad good, and good provoke to harm. 15
I pray you, tell me, hath any body inquired for me here to-day?
much upon this time have I promised here to meet.
_Mari._ You have not been inquired after: I have sat
here all day.
_Enter ISABELLA._
_Duke._ I do constantly believe you. The time is come 20
even now. I shall crave your forbearance a little: may be
I will call upon you anon, for some advantage to yourself.
_Mari._ I am always bound to you. [_Exit._
_Duke._ Very well met, and well come.
What is the news from this good Deputy? 25
_Isab._ 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 30
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.
_Duke._ But shall you on your knowledge find this way? 35
_Isab._ 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.
_Duke._ Are there no other tokens
Between you 'greed concerning her observance? 40
_Isab._ 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 45
I come about my brother.
_Duke._ '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.
_Isab._ I do desire the like. 50
_Duke._ Do you persuade yourself that I respect you?
_Mari._ Good friar, I know you do, and have found it.
_Duke._ Take, then, this your companion by the hand,
Who hath a story ready for your ear.
I shall attend your leisure: but make haste; 55
The vaporous night approaches.
_Mari._ Will't please you walk aside?
[_Exeunt Mariana and Isabella._
_Duke._ O place and greatness, millions of false eyes
Are stuck upon thee! volumes of report
Run with these false and most contrarious quests 60
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?
_Isab._ She'll take the enterprise upon her, father,
If you advise it.
_Duke._ It is not my consent, 65
But my entreaty too.
_Isab._ Little have you to say
When you depart from him, but, soft and low,
'Remember now my brother.'
_Mari._ Fear me not.
_Duke._ Nor, gentle daughter, fear you not at all.
He is your husband on a pre-contract: 70
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._
NOTES: IV, 1.
SCENE I. Enter M.] Ff. M. discovered sitting. Steevens.
5, 6: F4 omits the refrain in l. 6. Rowe omits it in both lines.
6: _but_] _though_ Fletcher's version.
13: _it_] _is_ Warburton.
17: _meet_] _meet one_ Hanmer.
19: Enter I.] Transferred by Singer to line 23.
24: SCENE II. Pope.
_well come_] Ff. _welcome_ Warburton.
32, 33, 34: _There have I made my promise Upon the heavy middle
of the night To call upon him._] S. Walker conj.
_There have I made my promise, upon the Heavy middle of the night
to call upon him._ Ff.
_There on the heavy middle of the night Have I my promise made
to call upon him._ Pope.
_There have I made my promise to call on him Upon the heavy
middle of the night._ Capell.
_There have I made my promise in the heavy Middle...._ Singer.
_There have I made my promise on the heavy Middle...._ Dyce.
Delius and Staunton read with Ff. but print as prose.
38: _action all of precept_] _precept of all action_ Johnson conj.
49: SCENE III. Pope.
52: _have_] _I have_ Pope.
58-63: _O place ... fancies_] These lines to precede III. 2. 178.
Warburton conj.
60: _these_] _their_ Hanmer. _base_ Collier MS.
_quests_] _quest_ F1.
61: _escapes_] _'scapes_ Pope.
62: _their idle dreams_] Pope. _their idle dreame_ Ff.
_an idle dream_ Rowe.
63: _Welcome, how agreed?_] _Well! agreed?_ Hanmer.
SCENE IV. Pope.
65: _It is_] _'Tis_ Pope.
74: _tithe's_] _Tithes_ F1 F2 F3. _Tythes_ F4. _tilth's_ Hanmer
(Warburton).
_Our ... sow_] _Our tythe's to reap, for yet our corn's to sow_
Capell conj. MS.
SCENE II. _A room in the prison._
_Enter PROVOST and POMPEY._
_Prov._ Come hither, sirrah. Can you cut off a man's head?
_Pom._ If the man be a bachelor, sir, I can; but if he be
a married man, he's his wife's head, and I can never cut off
a woman's head.
_Prov._ Come, sir, leave me your snatches, and yield me 5
a direct answer. To-morrow morning are to die Claudio
and Barnardine. Here is in our prison a common executioner,
who in his office lacks a helper: if you will take it
on you to assist him, it shall redeem you from your gyves;
if not, you shall have your full time of imprisonment, and 10
your deliverance with an unpitied whipping, for you have
been a notorious bawd.
_Pom._ Sir, I have been an unlawful bawd time out of
mind; but yet I will be content to be a lawful hangman. I
would be glad to receive some instruction from my fellow 15
partner.
_Prov._ What, ho! Abhorson! Where's Abhorson, there?
_Enter ABHORSON._
_Abhor._ Do you call, sir?
_Prov._ Sirrah, here's a fellow will help you to-morrow
in your execution. If you think it meet, compound with 20
him by the year, and let him abide here with you; if not,
use him for the present, and dismiss him. He cannot plead
his estimation with you; he hath been a bawd.
_Abhor._ A bawd, sir? fie upon him! he will discredit
our mystery. 25
_Prov._ Go to, sir; you weigh equally; a feather will
turn the scale. [_Exit._
_Pom._ Pray, sir, by your good favour,--for surely, sir, a
good favour you have, but that you have a hanging look,--
do you call, sir, your occupation a mystery? 30
_Abhor._ Ay, sir; a mystery.
_Pom._ Painting, sir, I have heard say, is a mystery;
and your whores, sir, being members of my occupation,
using painting, do prove my occupation a mystery: but
what mystery there should be in hanging, if I should be 35
hanged, I cannot imagine.
_Abhor._ Sir, it is a mystery.
_Pom._ Proof?
_Abhor._ Every true man's apparel fits your thief: if it
be too little for your thief, your true man thinks it big 40
enough; if it be too big for your thief, your thief thinks it
little enough: so every true man's apparel fits your thief.
_Re-enter PROVOST._
_Prov._ Are you agreed?
_Pom._ Sir, I will serve him; for I do find your hangman
is a more penitent trade than your bawd; he doth 45
oftener ask forgiveness.
_Prov._ You, sirrah, provide your block and your axe
to-morrow four o'clock.
_Abhor._ Come on, bawd; I will instruct thee in my
trade; follow. 50
_Pom._ I do desire to learn, sir: and I hope, if you have
occasion to use me for your own turn, you shall find me
yare; for, truly, sir, for your kindness I owe you a good
turn.
_Prov._ Call hither Barnardine and Claudio:
[_Exeunt Pompey and Abhorson._ 55
The one has my pity; not a jot the other,
Being a murderer, 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? 60
_Claud._ As fast lock'd up in sleep as guiltless labour
When it lies starkly in the traveller's bones:
He will not wake.
_Prov._ Who can do good on him?
Well, go, prepare yourself. [_Knocking within._]
But, hark, what noise?--
Heaven give your spirits comfort! [_Exit Clandio._] By and by.-- 65
I hope it is some pardon or reprieve
For the most gentle Claudio.
_Enter DUKE disguised as before._
Welcome, father.
_Duke._ The best and wholesomest spirits of the night
Envelop you, good Provost! Who call'd here of late?
_Prov._ None, since the curfew rung. 70
_Duke._ Not Isabel?
_Prov._ No.
_Duke._ They will, then, ere't be long.
_Prov._ What comfort is for Claudio?
_Duke._ There's some in hope.
_Prov._ It is a bitter Deputy.
_Duke._ Not so, not so; his life is parallel'd 75
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; 80
But this being so, he's just. [_Knocking within._
Now are they come.
[_Exit Provost._
This is a gentle provost: seldom when
The steeled gaoler is the friend of men. [_Knocking within._
How now! what noise? That spirit's possessed with haste
That wounds the unsisting postern with these strokes. 85
_Re-enter PROVOST._
_Prov._ There he must stay until the officer
Arise to let him in: he is call'd up.
_Duke._ Have you no countermand for Claudio yet,
But he must die to-morrow?
_Prov._ None, sir, none.
_Duke._ As near the dawning, provost, as it is, 90
You shall hear more ere morning.
_Prov._ Happily
You something know; yet I believe there comes
No countermand; no such example have we:
Besides, upon the very siege of justice
Lord Angelo hath to the public ear 95
Profess'd the contrary.
_Enter a MESSENGER._
This is his lordship's man.
_Duke._ And here comes Claudio's pardon.
_Mes._ [_Giving a paper_] My lord hath sent you this note;
and by me this further charge, that you swerve not from the
smallest article of it, neither in time, matter,
or other circumstance. 100
Good morrow; for, as I take it, it is almost day.
_Prov._ I shall obey him. [_Exit Messenger._
_Duke._ [_Aside_] This is his pardon, purchased by such sin
For which the pardoner himself is in.
Hence hath offence his quick celerity, 105
When it is borne 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?
_Prov._ I told you. Lord Angelo, belike thinking me remiss 110
in mine office, awakens me with this unwonted putting-on;
methinks strangely, for he hath not used it before.
_Duke._ Pray you, let's hear.
[Transcriber's Note:
In order to preserve the marked line breaks without losing
readability, each line of the quoted message has been split into
two equal halves.]
_Prov._ [_Reads_]
Whatsoever you may hear to the
contrary, let Claudio be executed
by four of the clock; and in
the afternoon Barnardine: for my 115
better satisfaction, let me have
Claudio's head sent me by five.
Let this be duly performed; with a thought that more depends on
it than we must yet deliver. Thus fail not to do your office, as
you will answer it at your peril.
What say you to this, sir? 120
_Duke._ What is that Barnardine who is to be executed
in the afternoon?
_Prov._ A Bohemian born, but here nursed up and bred;
one that is a prisoner nine years old.
_Duke._ How came it that the absent Duke had not 125
either delivered him to his liberty or executed him? I
have heard it was ever his manner to do so.
_Prov._ His friends still wrought reprieves for him: and,
indeed, his fact, till now in the government of Lord Angclo,
came not to an undoubtful proof. 130
_Duke._ It is now apparent?
_Prov._ Most manifest, and not denied by himself.
_Duke._ Hath he borne himself penitently in prison?
how seems he to be touched?
_Prov._ A man that apprehends death no more dreadfully 135
but as a drunken sleep; careless, reckless, and fearless
of what's past, present, or to come; insensible of mortality,
and desperately mortal.
_Duke._ He wants advice.
_Prov._ He will hear none: he hath evermore had the 140
liberty of the prison; give him leave to escape hence, he
would not: drunk many times a day, if not many days entirely
drunk. We have very oft awaked him, as if to carry
him to execution, and showed him a seeming warrant for it:
it hath not moved him at all. 145
_Duke._ 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 my self in hazard. Claudio, whom here
you have warrant to execute, is no greater forfeit to the 150
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.
_Prov._ Pray, sir, in what? 155
_Duke._ In the delaying death.
_Prov._ Alack, how may I do it, having the hour limited,
and an express command, under penalty, to deliver his head
in the view of Angelo? I may make my case as Claudio's,
to cross this in the smallest. 160
_Duke._ 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 borne to Angelo.
_Prov._ Angelo hath seen them both, and will discover
the favour. 165
_Duke._ 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 170
whom I profess, I will plead against it with my life.
_Prov._ Pardon me, good father; it is against my oath.
_Duke._ Were you sworn to the Duke, or to the Deputy?
_Prov._ To him, and to his substitutes.
_Duke._ You will think you have made no offence, if the 175
Duke avouch the justice of your dealing?
_Prov._ But what likelihood is in that?
_Duke._ 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 180
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.
_Prov._ I know them both.
_Duke._ The contents of this is the return of the Duke: 185
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 tenour; perchance of the Duke's
death; perchance entering into some monastery; but, by 190
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 195
advise him for a better place. Yet you are amazed; but
this shall absolutely resolve you. Come away; it is almost
clear dawn. [_Exeunt._
NOTES: IV, 2.
SCENE II.] SCENE V. Pope.
2-4: Printed as verse in Ff.
37-42: Abhor. _Sir,.......thief_] Abhor. ***Clown.*** _Sir, it is a
mystery._ Abhor. _Proof.--_ Clown. _Every ... thief_ (42) Hanmer.
Pom. _Proof ... thief_ (42) Lloyd conj.
39-42: _Every......thief_] Capell. Abh. _Every....thief_ (39).
Clo. _If it be ... thief_ (41) Ff. Abh. _Every ... thief, Clown:
if it be......thief_ (42) Theobald.
45: _your_] _you_ F2.
53: _yare_] Theobald. _y'are_ Ff. _yours_ Rowe.
56: _The one_] _Th' one_ Ff. _One_ Hamner.
58: SCENE VI. Pope.
63: _He will not wake_] F1 F2. _He will not awake_ F3 F4.
_He'll not awake_ Pope.
64: _yourself_] _yourself_ [Ex. Claudio.] Theobald.
65: _comfort!_ [Exit Claudio.] _By and by.--_] Capell.
_comfort: by and by,_ Ff.
70: _None_] F1. _Now_ F2 F3 F4.
71: _They_] _She_ Hawkins conj. _There_ Collier MS.
85: _unsisting_] F1 F2 F3. _insisting_ F4. _unresisting_ Rowe.
_unresting_ Hanmer. _unshifting_ Capell.
_unlist'ning_ Steevens conj. _resisting_ Collier conj.
_unlisting_ Mason conj. _unfeeling_ Johnson conj.
_unwisting_ Singer.
86: ....Provost] ....Provost, speaking to one at the door,
after which he comes forward. Capell.
91: _Happily_] _Happely_ F1 F2. _Happily_ F3 F4. See note (XVIII).
96: SCENE VII. Pope.
_lordship's_] Pope. _lords_ Ff. om. Capell.
96, 97: _This ... man._ Duke. _And ... pardon_] Knight
(Tyrwhitt conj.). Duke. _This ... man._ Pro. _And ... pardon_ Ff.
98-101: Printed as verse in Ff.
113: _you_] om. F4.
114: Prov. [Reads] Rowe. The letter. Ff.
117: _duly_] _truly_ Capell (a misprint).
131: _It is_] Ff. _Is it_ Pope.
136: _reckless_] Theobald. _wreaklesse_ F1 F2 F3. _wreakless_ F4.
_rechless_ Pope.
138: _desperately mortal_] _mortally desperate_ Hanmer.
161-165: Printed as verse in Ff. Rowe.
167: _tie_] F1 F4. _tye_ F2 F3. _tire_ Theobald conj.
_dye_ Simpson conj.
168: _bared_] Malone. _bar'de_ F1 F2 F3. _barb'd_ F4.
179: _persuasion_] Ff. _my persuasion_ Rowe.
188: _that_] F1 F2 F3. _which_ F4.
191: _writ_] _here writ_ Hanmer.
SCENE III. _Another room in the same._
_Enter POMPEY._
_Pom._ I am as well acquainted here as I was in our
house of profession: one would think it were Mistress Overdone's
own house, for here be many of her old customers.
First, here's young Master Rash; he's in for a commodity
of brown paper and old ginger, nine-score and seventeen 5
pounds; of which he made five marks, ready money: marry,
then ginger was not much in request, for the old women
were all dead. Then is there here one Master Caper, at
the suit of Master Three-pile the mercer, for some four
suits of peach-coloured satin, which now peaches him a 10
beggar. Then have we here young Dizy, and young
Master Deep-vow, and Master Copper-spur, and Master
Starve-lackey the rapier and dagger man, and young Drop-heir
that killed lusty Pudding, and Master Forthlight the
tilter, and brave Master Shooty the great traveller, and 15
wild Half-can that stabbed Pots, and, I think, forty more;
all great doers in our trade, and are now 'for the Lord's
sake.'
_Enter ABHORSON._
_Abhor._ Sirrah, bring Barnardine hither.
_Pom._ Master Barnardine! you must rise and be hanged, 20
Master Barnardine!
_Abhor._ What, ho, Barnardine!
_Bar._ [_Within_] A pox o' your throats! Who makes that
noise there? What are you?
_Pom._ Your friends, sir; the hangman. You must be 25
so good, sir, to rise and be put to death.
_Bar._ [_Within_] Away, you rogue, away! I am sleepy.
_Abhor._ Tell him he must awake, and that quickly too.
_Pom._ Pray, Master Barnardine, awake till you are
executed, and sleep afterwards. 30
_Abhor._ Go in to him, and fetch him out.
_Pom._ He is coming, sir, he is coming; I hear his straw
rustle.
_Abhor._ Is the axe upon the block, sirrah?
_Pom._ Very ready, sir. 35
_Enter BARNARDINE._
_Bar._ How now, Abhorson? what's the news with you?
_Abhor._ Truly, sir, I would desire you to clap into your
prayers; for, look you, the warrant's come.
_Bar._ You rogue, I have been drinking all night; I am
not fitted for 't. 40
_Pom._ O, the better, sir; for he that drinks all night,
and is hanged betimes in the morning, may sleep the
sounder all the next day.
_Abhor._ Look you, sir; here comes your ghostly father:
do we jest now, think you? 45
_Enter DUKE disguised as before._
_Duke._ 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.
_Bar._ Friar, not I: I have been drinking hard all night,
and I will have more time to prepare me, or they shall beat 50
out my brains with billets: I will not consent to die this
day, that's certain.
_Duke._ O, sir, you must: and therefore I beseech you
Look forward on the journey you shall go.
_Bar._ I swear I will not die to-day for any man's persuasion. 55
_Duke._ But hear you.
_Bar._ Not a word: if you have any thing to say to me,
come to my ward; for thence will not I to-day. [_Exit._
_Duke._ Unfit to live or die: O gravel heart! 60
After him, fellows; bring him to the block.
[_Exeunt Abhorson and Pompey._
_Re-enter PROVOST._
_Prov._ Now, sir, how do you find the prisoner?
_Duke._ A creature unprepared, unmeet for death;
And to transport him in the mind he is
Were damnable.
_Prov._ Here in the prison, father, 65
There died this morning of a cruel fever
One Ragozine, a most notorious pirate,
A man of Claudio's years; his beard and head
Just of his colour. What if we do omit
This reprobate till he were well inclined; 70
And satisfy the Deputy with the visage
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, 75
And sent according to command; whiles I
Persuade this rude wretch willingly to die.
_Prov._ This shall be done, good father, presently.
But Barnardine must die this afternoon:
And how shall we continue Claudio, 80
To save me from the danger that might come
If he were known alive?
_Duke._ 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 85
Your safety manifested.
_Prov._ I am your free dependant.
_Duke._ Quick, dispatch, and send the head to Angelo.
[_Exit Provost._
Now will I write letters to Angelo,--
The provost, he shall bear them,--whose contents 90
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, 95
By cold gradation and well-balanced form,
We shall proceed with Angelo.
_Re-enter PROVOST._
_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 such things 100
That want no ear but yours.
_Prov._ I'll make all speed. [_Exit._
_Isab._ [_Within_] Peace, ho, be here!
_Duke._ 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, 105
To make her heavenly comforts of despair,
When it is least expected.
_Enter ISABELLA._
_Isab._ Ho, by your leave!
_Duke._ Good morning to you, fair and gracious daughter.
_Isab._ The better, given me by so holy a man.
Hath yet the Deputy sent my brother's pardon? 110
_Duke._ He hath released him, Isabel, from the world:
His head is off, and sent to Angelo.
_Isab._ Nay, but it is not so.
_Duke._ It is no other: show your wisdom, daughter,
In your close patience. 115
_Isab._ O, I will to him and pluck out his eyes!
_Duke._ You shall not be admitted to his sight.
_Isab._ Unhappy Claudio! wretched Isabel!
Injurious world! most damned Angelo!
_Duke._ This nor hurts him nor profits you a jot; 120
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 covent, and his confessor, 125
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; 130
And you shall have your bosom on this wretch,
Grace of the Duke, revenges to your heart,
And general honour.
_Isab._ I am directed by you.
_Duke._ This letter, then, to Friar Peter give;
'Tis that he sent me of the Duke's return: 135
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, 140
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? 145
_Enter LUCIO._
_Lucio._ Good even. Friar, where's the provost?
_Duke._ Not within, sir.
_Lucio._ O pretty Isabella, I am pale at mine heart to
see thine eyes so red: thou must be patient. I am fain
to dine and sup with water and bran; I dare not for my 150
head fill my belly; one fruitful meal would set me to't.
But they say the Duke will be here to-morrow. By my
troth, Isabel, I loved thy brother: if the old fantastical
Duke of dark corners had been at home, he had lived.
[_Exit Isabella._
_Duke._ Sir, the Duke is marvellous little beholding to 155
your reports; but the best is, he lives not in them.
_Lucio._ Friar, thou knowest not the Duke so well as I
do: he's a better woodman than thou takest him for.
_Duke._ Well, you'll answer this one day. Fare ye well.
_Lucio._ Nay, tarry; I'll go along with thee: I can tell 160
thee pretty tales of the Duke.
_Duke._ You have told me too many of him already,
sir, if they be true; if not true, none were enough.
_Lucio._ I was once before him for getting a wench
with child. 165
_Duke._ Did you such a thing?
_Lucio._ Yes, marry, did I: but I was fain to forswear
it; they would else have married me to the rotten medlar.
_Duke._ Sir, your company is fairer than honest. Rest
you well. 170
_Lucio._ By my troth, I'll go with thee to the lane's
end: if bawdy talk offend you, we'll have very little of it.
Nay, friar, I am a kind of burr; I shall stick. [_Exeunt._
NOTES: IV, 3.
SCENE III.] SCENE VIII. Pope.
5: _paper_] _pepper_ Rowe.
11: _Dizy_] F2 F3 F4. _Dizie_ F1. _Dizzy_ Pope. _Dicey_ Steevens conj.
14: _Forthlight_] Ff. _Forthright_ Warburton.
15: _Shooty_] F2 F3 F4. _Shootie_ F1. _Shooter_ Warburton.
_Shoo-tye_ Capell.
17: _are_] _cry_ Anon. conj. See note (XIX).
_now_] _now in_ Pope.
25: _friends_] F1 F2. _friend_ F3 F4.
32: _his_] _the_ Pope.
49: _I_] om. F4.
[Transcriber's Note:
The text does not specify which occurrence of "I" is meant.
The speech begins "Not I: I have..."]
57: _hear_] _heave_ F2.
59: SCENE IX. Pope.
60: _gravel heart_] _grovelling beast_ Collier MS.
61: Given by Hanmer to _Prov._
69: _his_] F1. om. F2 F3 F4.
_do_] om. Pope.
76: _whiles_] _while_ Pope.
83: _both Barnardine and Claudio_] _Claudio and Barnardine_ Hanmer.
See note (XX).
85: _the under_] Hanmer. _yond_ Ff. _yonder_ Pope.
86: _manifested_] _manifest_ Hanmer.
88: _Quick_] _Quick, then,_ Capell.
96: _well-_] Rowe. _weale-_ F1 F2 F3. _weal_ F4.
102: SCENE X. Pope.
103: _She's come_] _She comes_ Pope.
106: _comforts_] _comfort_ Hanmer.
107: _Ho,_] om. Pope.
113, 114, 115: Ff make two lines ending at _other ... patience._
Text as proposed by Spedding.
114, 115: _show ... patience_] _In your close patience, daughter,
shew your wisdom_ Capell.
114: _your wisdom_] _wisdom_ Pope.
115: _close_] _closest_ Pope.
119: _Injurious_] _perjurious_ Collier MS.
120: _nor hurts_] _not hurts_ F4. _hurts not_ Rowe.
122: _say_] _say to you_ Collier MS.
_find_] _surely find_ Pope.
124: _nay_] om. Pope.
125: _covent_] Ff. _convent_ Rowe.
126: _instance_] _news_ Pope.
129: _If you can, pace_] Rowe. _If you can pace_ Ff. _Pace_ Pope.
S. Walker thinks a line is lost after 131.
129, 130: _If you can pace ... wish it, go,_ Edd. conj.
137: _to-night_] om. Pope.
141: _combined_] _confined_ Johnson conj. (withdrawn).
145: _Who's_] _whose_ F1.
146: SCENE XI. Pope.
154: [Exit ISABELLA] Theobald. om. Ff.
155: _beholding_] Ff. _beholden_ Rowe.
163: _not true_] _not_ Rowe.
172: _it_] om. F2.
SCENE IV. _A room in ANGELO'S house._
_Enter ANGELO and ESCALUS._
_Escal._ Every letter he hath writ hath disvouched other.
_Ang._ In most uneven and distracted manner. His
actions show much like to madness: pray heaven his wisdom
be not tainted! And why meet him at the gates,
and redeliver our authorities there? 5
_Escal._ I guess not.
_Ang._ And why should we proclaim it in an hour before
his entering, that if any crave redress of injustice, they
should exhibit their petitions in the street?
_Escal._ He shows his reason for that: to have a dispatch 10
of complaints, and to deliver us from devices hereafter,
which shall then have no power to stand against us.
_Ang._ Well, I beseech you, let it be proclaimed betimes
i' the morn; I'll call you at your house: give notice to such
men of sort and suit as are to meet him. 15
_Escal._ I shall, sir. Fare you well.
_Ang._ Good night. [_Exit Escalus._
This deed unshapes me quite, makes me unpregnant,
And dull to all proceedings. A deflower'd maid!
And by an eminent body that enforced 20
The law against it! But that her tender shame
Will not proclaim against her maiden loss,
How might she tongue me! Yet reason dares her no;
For my authority bears of a credent bulk,
That no particular scandal once can touch 25
But it confounds the breather. He should have lived,
Save that his riotous youth, with dangerous sense,
Might in the times to come have ta'en revenge,
By so receiving a dishonour'd life
With ransom of such shame. Would yet he had lived! 30
Alack, when once our grace we have forgot,
Nothing goes right: we would, and we would not. [_Exit._
NOTES: IV, 4.
SCENE IV.] SCENE XII. Pope.
A room ... house.] Capell. The palace. Rowe.
2, sqq.: Angelo's speeches in this scene Collier prints as verse.
5: _redeliver_] Capell. _re-liver_] F1. _deliver_ F2 F3 F4.
13: A colon is put after _proclaim'd_ by Capell, who prints
lines 13-16 as verse.
19: _And_] om. Hanmer.
23: _dares her no;_] Ff. _dares her:_ Pope. _dares her: no,_ Hanmer.
_dares her No_ Warburton. _dares her? no:_ Capell.
_dares her note_ Theobald conj. _dares her not_ Steevens conj.
_dares her on_ Grant White (Becket conj.).
_reason ... no_] _treason dares her?--No_ Jackson conj.
24: _bears of a credent bulk_] F1 F2 F3.
_bears off a credent bulk_ F4. _bears off all credence_ Pope.
_bears a credent bulk_ Theobald.
_bears such a credent bulk_ Collier MS.
_here's of a credent bulk_ Singer. _bears so credent bulk_ Dyce.
_bears up a credent bulk_ Grant White.
SCENE V. _Fields without the town._
_Enter DUKE in his own habit, and FRIAR PETER._
_Duke._ These letters at fit time deliver me:
[_Giving letters._
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, 5
As cause doth minister. Go call at Flavius' house,
And tell him where I stay: give the like notice
To Valentius, Rowland, and to Crassus,
And bid them bring the trumpets to the gate;
But send me Flavius first.
_Fri. P._ It shall be speeded well. [_Exit._ 10
_Enter VARRIUS._
_Duke._ 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. [_Exeunt._
NOTES: IV, 5.
SCENE V.] SCENE XIII. Pope.
FRIAR PETER] See note (XXI).
6: _Go_] om. Hanmer.
_Flavius'_] Rowe. _Flavio's_ Ff.
8: _To Valentius_] _To Valencius_ Ff. _Unto Valentius_ Pope.
_To Valentinus_ Capell.
SCENE VI. _Street near the city-gate._
_Enter ISABELLA and MARIANA._
_Isab._ To speak so indirectly I am loath:
I would say the truth; but to accuse him so,
That is your part: yet I am advised to do it;
He says, to veil full purpose.
_Mari._ Be ruled by him.
_Isab._ Besides, he tells me that, if peradventure 5
He speak against me on the adverse side,
I should not think it strange; for 'tis a physic
That's bitter to sweet end.
_Mari._ I would Friar Peter--
_Isab._ O, peace! the friar is come.
_Enter FRIAR PETER._
_Fri. P._ Come, I have found you out a stand most fit, 10
Where you may have such vantage on the Duke,
He shall not pass you. Twice have the trumpets sounded;
The generous and gravest citizens
Have hent the gates, and very near upon
The Duke is entering: therefore, hence, away! [_Exeunt._ 15
NOTES: IV, 6.
SCENE VI.] SCENE XIV. Pope.
2: _I would_] _I'd_ Pope.
3: _I am_] _I'm_ Pope.
4: _to veil full_] Malone. _to vaile full_ F1 F2 F3.
_to vail full_ F4. _t' availful_ Theobald. _to 'vailful_ Hanmer.
ACT V.
SCENE I. _The city-gate._
_MARIANA veiled, ISABELLA, and FRIAR PETER, at their stand. Enter
DUKE, VARRIUS, LORDS, ANGELO, ESCALUS, LUCIO, PROVOST,
OFFICERS, and CITIZENS, at several doors._
_Duke._ My very worthy cousin, fairly met!
Our old and faithful friend, we are glad to see you.
_Ang._ } Happy return be to your royal Grace!
_Escal._}
_Duke._ Many and hearty thankings to you both.
We have made inquiry of you; and we hear 5
Such goodness of your justice, that our soul
Cannot but yield you forth to public thanks,
Forerunning more requital.
_Ang._ You make my bonds still greater.
_Duke._ O, your desert speaks loud; and I should wrong it,
To lock it in the wards of covert bosom, 10
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 15
Favours that keep within. Come, Escalus;
You must walk by us on our other hand:
And good supporters are you.
