Original text Act V, Scene I Enter Duke, Varrius, Lords, Angelo, Esculus, Lucio,
Citizens at seuerall doores.
Duk.
My very worthy Cosen, fairely met,
Our old, and faithfull friend, we are glad to see you.
Ang. Esc.
Happy returne be to your royall grace.
Duk.
Many and harty thankings to you both:
We haue made enquiry of you, and we heare
Such goodnesse of your Iustice, that our soule
Cannot but yeeld you forth to publique thankes
Forerunning more requitall.
Ang.
You make my bonds still greater.
Duk.
Oh your desert speaks loud, & I should wrong it
To locke it in the wards of couert bosome
When it deserues with characters of brasse
A forted residence 'gainst the tooth of time,
And razure of obliuion: Giue we your hand
And let the Subiect see, to make them know
That outward curtesies would faine proclaime
Fauours that keepe within: Come Escalus,
You must walke by vs, on our other hand:
And good supporters are you.
Enter Peter and Isabella.
Peter.
Now is your time / Speake loud, and kneele before him.
Isab.
Iustice, O royall Duke, vaile your regard
Vpon a wrong'd (I would faine haue said a Maid)
Oh worthy Prince, dishonor not your eye
By throwing it on any other obiect,
Till you haue heard me, in my true complaint,
And giuen me Iustice, Iustice, Iustice, Iustice.
Duk.
Relate your wrongs; / In what, by whom? be briefe:
Here is Lord Angelo shall giue you Iustice,
Reueale your selfe to him.
Isab.
Oh worthy Duke,
You bid me seeke redemption of the diuell,
Heare me your selfe: for that which I must speake
Must either punish me, not being beleeu'd,
Or wring redresse from you: / Heare me: oh heare me, heere.
Ang.
My Lord, her wits I feare me are not firme:
She hath bin a suitor to me, for her Brother
Cut off by course of Iustice.
Isab.
By course of Iustice.
Ang.
And she will speake most bitterly, and strange.
Isab.
Most strange: but yet most truely wil I speake,
That Angelo's forsworne, is it not strange?
That Angelo's a murtherer, is't not strange?
That Angelo is an adulterous thiefe,
An hypocrite, a virgin violator,
Is it not strange? and strange?
Duke.
Nay it is ten times strange?
Isa.
It is not truer he is Angelo,
Then this is all as true, as it is strange;
Nay, it is ten times true, for truth is truth
To th' end of reckning.
Duke.
Away with her: poore soule
She speakes this, in th' infirmity of sence.
Isa.
Oh Prince, I coniure thee, as thou beleeu'st
There is another comfort, then this world,
That thou neglect me not, with that opinion
That I am touch'd with madnesse: make not impossible
That which but seemes vnlike, 'tis not impossible
But one, the wickedst caitiffe on the ground
May seeme as shie, as graue, as iust, as absolute:
As Angelo, euen so may Angelo
In all his dressings, caracts, titles, formes,
Be an arch-villaine: Beleeue it, royall Prince
If he be lesse, he's nothing, but he's more,
Had I more name for badnesse.
Duke.
By mine honesty
If she be mad, as I beleeue no other,
Her madnesse hath the oddest frame of sense,
Such a dependancy of thing, on thing,
As ere I heard in madnesse.
Isab.
Oh gracious Duke
Harpe not on that; nor do not banish reason
For inequality, but let your reason serue
To make the truth appeare, where it seemes hid,
And hide the false seemes true.
Duk.
Many that are not mad
Haue sure more lacke of reason: / What would you say?
Isab.
I am the Sister of one Claudio,
Condemnd vpon the Act of Fornication
To loose his head, condemn'd by Angelo,
I, (in probation of a Sisterhood)
Was sent to by my Brother; one Lucio
As then the Messenger.
Luc.
That's I, and't like your Grace:
I came to her from Claudio, and desir'd her,
To try her gracious fortune with Lord Angelo,
For her poore Brothers pardon.
Isab.
That's he indeede.
Duk.
You were not bid to speake.
Luc.
No, my good Lord,
Nor wish'd to hold my peace.
Duk.
I wish you now then,
Pray you take note of it: and when you haue
A businesse for your selfe: pray heauen you then
Be perfect.
Luc.
I warrant your honor.
Duk.
The warrant's for your selfe: take heede to't.
Isab.
This Gentleman told somewhat of my Tale.
Luc.
Right.
Duk.
It may be right, but you are i'the wrong
To speake before your time: proceed,
Isab.
I went
To this pernicious Caitiffe Deputie.
Duk.
That's somewhat madly spoken.
Isab.
Pardon it,
The phrase is to the matter.
Duke.
Mended againe: the matter: proceed.
Isab.
In briefe, to set the needlesse processe by:
How I perswaded, how I praid, and kneel'd,
How he refeld me, and how I replide
(For this was of much length) the vild conclusion
I now begin with griefe, and shame to vtter.
He would not, but by gift of my chaste body
To his concupiscible intemperate lust
Release my brother; and after much debatement,
My sisterly remorse, confutes mine honour,
And I did yeeld to him: But the next morne betimes,
His purpose surfetting, he sends a warrant
For my poore brothers head.
Duke.
This is most likely.
Isab.
Oh that it were as like as it is true.
Duk.
By heauen (fond wretch) yu knowst not what thou speak'st,
Or else thou art suborn'd against his honor
In hatefull practise: first his Integritie
Stands without blemish: next it imports no reason,
That with such vehemency he should pursue
Faults proper to himselfe: if he had so offended
He would haue waigh'd thy brother by himselfe,
And not haue cut him off: some one hath set you on:
Confesse the truth, and say by whose aduice
Thou cam'st heere to complaine.
Isab.
And is this all?
Then oh you blessed Ministers aboue
Keepe me in patience, and with ripened time
Vnfold the euill, which is heere wrapt vp
In countenance: heauen shield your Grace from woe,
As I thus wrong'd, hence vnbeleeued goe.
Duke.
I know you'ld faine be gone: An Officer:
To prison with her: Shall we thus permit
A blasting and a scandalous breath to fall,
On him so neere vs? This needs must be a practise:
Who knew of your intent and comming hither?
Isa.
One that I would were heere, Frier Lodowick.
Duk.
A ghostly Father, belike: / Who knowes that Lodowicke?
Luc.
My Lord, I know him, 'tis a medling Fryer,
I doe not like the man: had he been Lay my Lord,
For certaine words he spake against your Grace
In your retirment, I had swing'd him soundly.
Duke.
Words against mee? this 'a good Fryer belike
And to set on this wretched woman here
Against our Substitute: Let this Fryer be found.
Luc.
But yesternight my Lord, she and that Fryer
I saw them at the prison: a sawcy Fryar,
A very scuruy fellow.
Peter.
Blessed be your Royall Grace:
I haue stood by my Lord, and I haue heard
Your royall eare abus'd: first hath this woman
Most wrongfully accus'd your Substitute,
Who is as free from touch, or soyle with her
As she from one vngot.
Duke.
We did beleeue no lesse.
Know you that Frier Lodowick that she speakes of?
Peter.
I know him for a man diuine and holy,
Not scuruy, nor a temporary medler
As he's reported by this Gentleman:
And on my trust, a man that neuer yet
Did (as he vouches) mis-report your Grace.
Luc.
My Lord, most villanously, beleeue it.
Peter.
Well: he in time may come to cleere himselfe;
But at this instant he is sicke, my Lord:
Of a strange Feauor: vpon his meere request
Being come to knowledge, that there was complaint
Intended 'gainst Lord Angelo, came I hether
To speake as from his mouth, what he doth know
Is true, and false: And what he with his oath
And all probation will make vp full cleare
Whensoeuer he's conuented: First for this woman,
To iustifie this worthy Noble man
So vulgarly and personally accus'd,
Her shall you heare disproued to her eyes,
Till she her selfe confesse it.
Duk.
Good Frier, let's heare it:
Enter Mariana.
Doe you not smile at this, Lord Angelo?
Oh heauen, the vanity of wretched fooles.
Giue vs some seates, Come cosen Angelo,
In this I'll be impartiall: be you Iudge
Of your owne Cause: Is this the Witnes Frier?
First, let her shew your face, and after, speake.
Mar.
Pardon my Lord, I will not shew my face
Vntill my husband bid me.
Duke.
What, are you married?
Mar.
No my Lord.
Duke.
Are you a Maid?
Mar.
No my Lord.
Duk.
A Widow then?
Mar.
Neither, my Lord.
Duk.
Why you are nothing then: neither Maid, Widow,
nor Wife?
Luc.
My Lord, she may be a Puncke: for many of them, are
neither Maid, Widow, nor Wife.
Duk.
Silence that fellow: I would he had some cause
to prattle for himselfe.
Luc.
Well my Lord.
Mar.
My Lord, I doe confesse I nere was married,
And I confesse besides, I am no Maid,
I haue known my husband, yet my husband
Knowes not, that euer he knew me.
Luc.
He was drunk then, my Lord, it can be no better.
Duk.
For the benefit of silence, would thou wert so to.
Luc.
Well, my Lord.
Duk.
This is no witnesse for Lord Angelo.
Mar.
Now I come to't, my Lord.
Shee that accuses him of Fornication,
In selfe-same manner, doth accuse my husband,
And charges him, my Lord, with such a time,
When I'le depose I had him in mine Armes
With all th' effect of Loue.
Ang.
Charges she moe then me?
Mar.
Not that I know.
Duk.
No? you say your husband.
Mar.
Why iust, my Lord, and that is Angelo,
Who thinkes he knowes, that he nere knew my body,
But knows, he thinkes, that he knowes Isabels.
Ang.
This is a strange abuse: Let's see thy face.
Mar.
My husband bids me, now I will vnmaske.
This is that face, thou cruell Angelo
Which once thou sworst, was worth the looking on:
This is the hand, which with a vowd contract
Was fast belockt in thine: This is the body
That tooke away the match from Isabell,
And did supply thee at thy garden-house
In her Imagin'd person.
Duke.
Know you this woman?
Luc.
Carnallie she saies.
Duk.
Sirha, no more.
Luc.
Enoug my Lord.
Ang.
My Lord, I must confesse, I know this woman,
And fiue yeres since there was some speech of marriage
Betwixt my selfe, and her: which was broke off,
Partly for that her promis'd proportions
Came short of Composition: But in chiefe
For that her reputation was dis-valued
In leuitie: Since which time of fiue yeres
I neuer spake with her, saw her, nor heard from her
Vpon my faith, and honor.
Mar.
Noble Prince,
As there comes light from heauen, and words frõ breath,
As there is sence in truth, and truth in vertue,
I am affianced this mans wife, as strongly
As words could make vp vowes: And my good Lord,
But Tuesday night last gon, in's garden house,
He knew me as a wife. As this is true,
Let me in safety raise me from my knees,
Or else for euer be confixed here
A Marble Monument.
Ang.
I did but smile till now,
Now, good my Lord, giue me the scope of Iustice,
My patience here is touch'd: I doe perceiue
These poore informall women, are no more
But instruments of some more mightier member
That sets them on. Let me haue way, my Lord
To finde this practise out.
Duke.
I, with my heart,
And punish them to your height of pleasure.
Thou foolish Frier, and thou pernicious woman
Compact with her that's gone: thinkst thou, thy oathes,
Though they would swear downe each particular Saint,
Were testimonies against his worth, and credit
That's seald in approbation? you, Lord Escalus
Sit with my Cozen, lend him your kinde paines
To finde out this abuse, whence 'tis deriu'd.
There is another Frier that set them on,
Let him be sent for.
Peter.
Would he were here, my Lord, for he indeed
Hath set the women on to this Complaint;
Your Prouost knowes the place where he abides,
And he may fetch him.
Duke.
Goe, doe it instantly:
And you, my noble and well-warranted Cosen
Whom it concernes to heare this matter forth,
Doe with your iniuries as seemes you best
In any chastisement; I for a while
Will leaue you; but stir not you till you haue
Well determin'd vpon these Slanderers.
Esc.
My Lord, wee'll doe it throughly:
Exit.
Signior Lucio, did not you say you knew that Frier
Lodowick to be a dishonest person?
Luc.
Cucullus non facit Monachum, honest in nothing
but in his Clothes, and one that hath spoke most
villanous speeches of the Duke.
Esc.
We shall intreat you to abide heere till he come,
and inforce them against him: we shall finde this Frier a
notable fellow.
Luc.
As any in Vienna, on my word.
Esc.
Call that same Isabell here once againe, I would
speake with her:
pray you, my Lord, giue mee leaue to question, you shall
see how Ile handle her.
Luc.
Not better then he, by her owne report.
Esc.
Say you?
Luc.
Marry sir, I thinke, if you handled her priuately
She would sooner confesse, perchance publikely she'll be
asham'd.
Enter Duke, Prouost, Isabella.
Esc.
I will goe darkely to worke with her.
Luc.
That's the way: for women are light at midnight.
Esc.
Come on Mistris, here's a Gentlewoman,
Denies all that you haue said.
Luc.
My Lord, here comes the rascall I spoke of, / Here,
with the Prouost.
Esc.
In very good time: speake not you to him, till we
call vpon you.
Luc.
Mum.
Esc.
Come Sir, did you set these women on to
slander Lord Angelo? they haue confes'd you did.
Duk.
'Tis false.
Esc.
How? Know you where you are?
Duk.
Respect to your great place; and let the diuell
Be sometime honour'd, for his burning throne.
Where is the Duke? 'tis he should heare me speake.
Esc.
The Duke's in vs: and we will heare you speake,
Looke you speake iustly.
Duk.
Boldly, at least. But oh poore soules,
Come you to seeke the Lamb here of the Fox;
Good night to your redresse: Is the Duke gone?
Then is your cause gone too: The Duke's vniust,
Thus to retort your manifest Appeale,
And put your triall in the villaines mouth,
Which here you come to accuse.
Luc.
This is the rascall: this is he I spoke of.
Esc.
Why thou vnreuerend, and vnhallowed Fryer:
Is't not enough thou hast suborn'd these women,
To accuse this worthy man? but in foule mouth,
And in the witnesse of his proper eare,
To call him villaine; and then to glance from him,
To th' Duke himselfe, to taxe him with Iniustice?
Take him hence; to th' racke with him: we'll towze you
Ioynt by ioynt, but we will know his purpose:
What? vniust?
Duk.
Be not so hot: the Duke dare
No more stretch this finger of mine, then he
Dare racke his owne: his Subiect am I not,
Nor here Prouinciall: My businesse in this State
Made me a looker on here in Vienna,
Where I haue seene corruption boyle and bubble,
Till it ore-run the Stew : Lawes, for all faults,
But faults so countenanc'd, that the strong Statutes
Stand like the forfeites in a Barbers shop,
As much in mocke, as marke.
Esc.
Slander to th' State: / Away with him to prison.
Ang.
What can you vouch against him Signior Lucio?
Is this the man you did tell vs of?
Luc.
'Tis he, my Lord: come hither goodman bald-pate,
doe you know me?
Duk.
I remember you Sir, by the sound of your voice, / I
met you at the Prison, in the absence of the Duke.
Luc.
Oh, did you so? and do you remember what you
said of the Duke.
Duk.
Most notedly Sir.
Luc.
Do you so Sir: And was the Duke a flesh-monger, a
foole, and a coward, as you then reported him to be?
Duk.
You must (Sir) change persons with me, ere you
make that my report: you indeede spoke so of him, and
much more, much worse.
Luc.
Oh thou damnable fellow: did I not plucke thee by
the nose, for thy speeches?
Duk.
I protest, I loue the Duke, as I loue my selfe.
Ang.
Harke how the villaine would close now, after his
treasonable abuses.
Esc.
Such a fellow is not to be talk'd withall: Away
with him to prison: Where is the Prouost? away with
him to prison: lay bolts enough vpon him: let him
speak no more: away with those Giglets too, and with
the other confederate companion.
Duk.
Stay Sir, stay a while.
Ang.
What, resists he? helpe him Lucio.
Luc.
Come sir, come sir, come sir: foh sir, why you
bald-pated lying rascall : you must be hooded must you?
show your knaues visage with a poxe to you: show
your sheepe-biting face, and be hang'd an houre: Will't
not off?
Duk.
Thou art the first knaue, that ere mad'st a Duke.
First Prouost, let me bayle these gentle three:
Sneake not away Sir, for the Fryer, and you,
Must haue a word anon: lay hold on him.
Luc.
This may proue worse then hanging.
Duk.
What you haue spoke, I pardon: sit you downe,
We'll borrow place of him; Sir, by your leaue:
Ha'st thou or word, or wit, or impudence,
That yet can doe thee office? If thou ha'st
Rely vpon it, till my tale be heard,
And hold no longer out.
Ang.
Oh, my dread Lord,
I should be guiltier then my guiltinesse,
To thinke I can be vndiscerneable,
When I perceiue your grace, like powre diuine,
Hath look'd vpon my passes. Then good Prince,
No longer Session hold vpon my shame,
But let my Triall, be mine owne Confession:
Immediate sentence then, and sequent death,
Is all the grace I beg.
Duk.
Come hither Mariana,
Say: was't thou ere contracted to this woman?
Ang.
I was my Lord.
Duk.
Goe take her hence, and marry her instantly.
Doe you the office (Fryer) which consummate,
Returne him here againe: goe with him Prouost.
Exit.
Esc.
My Lord, I am more amaz'd at his dishonor,
Then at the strangenesse of it.
Duk.
Come hither Isabell,
Your Frier is now your Prince: As I was then
Aduertysing, and holy to your businesse,
(Not changing heart with habit) I am still,
Atturnied at your seruice.
Isab.
Oh giue me pardon
That I, your vassaile, haue imploid, and pain'd
Your vnknowne Soueraigntie.
Duk.
You are pardon'd Isabell:
And now, deere Maide, be you as free to vs.
Your Brothers death I know sits at your heart:
And you may maruaile, why I obscur'd my selfe,
Labouring to saue his life: and would not rather
Make rash remonstrance of my hidden powre,
Then let him so be lost: oh most kinde Maid,
It was the swift celeritie of his death,
Which I did thinke, with slower foot came on,
That brain'd my purpose: but peace be with him,
That life is better life past fearing death,
Then that which liues to feare: make it your comfort,
So happy is your Brother.
Enter Angelo, Maria, Peter, Prouost.
Isab.
I doe my Lord.
Duk.
For this new-maried man, approaching here,
Whose salt imagination yet hath wrong'd
Your well defended honor: you must pardon
For Mariana's sake: But as he adiudg'd your Brother,
Being criminall, in double violation
Of sacred Chastitie, and of promise-breach,
Thereon dependant for your Brothers life,
The very mercy of the Law cries out
Most audible, euen from his proper tongue.
An Angelo for Claudio, death for death:
Haste still paies haste, and leasure, answers leasure;
Like doth quit like, and Measure still for Measure:
Then Angelo, thy fault's thus manifested;
Which though thou would'st deny, denies thee vantage.
We doe condemne thee to the very Blocke
Where Claudio stoop'd to death, and with like haste.
Away with him.
Mar.
Oh my most gracious Lord,
I hope you will not mocke me with a husband?
Duk.
It is your husband mock't you with a husband,
Consenting to the safe-guard of your honor,
I thought your marriage fit: else Imputation,
For that he knew you, might reproach your life,
And choake your good to come: For his Possessions,
Although by confutation they are ours;
We doe en-state, and widow you with all,
To buy you a better husband.
Mar.
Oh my deere Lord,
I craue no other, nor no better man.
Duke.
Neuer craue him, we are definitiue.
Mar.
Gentle my Liege.
Duke.
You doe but loose your labour.
Away with him to death: Now Sir, to you.
Mar.
Oh my good Lord, sweet Isabell, take my part,
Lend me your knees, and all my life to come,
I'll lend you all my life to doe you seruice.
Duke.
Against all sence you doe importune her,
Should she kneele downe, in mercie of this fact,
Her Brothers ghost, his paued bed would breake,
And take her hence in horror.
Mar.
Isabell:
Sweet Isabel, doe yet but kneele by me,
Hold vp your hands, say nothing: I'll speake all.
They say best men are moulded out of faults,
And for the most, become much more the better
For being a little bad: So may my husband.
Oh Isabel: will you not lend a knee?
Duke.
He dies for Claudio's death.
Isab.
Most bounteous Sir.
Looke if it please you, on this man condemn'd,
As if my Brother liu'd: I partly thinke,
A due sinceritie gouerned his deedes,
Till he did looke on me: Since it is so,
Let him not die: my Brother had but Iustice,
In that he did the thing for which he dide.
For Angelo,
his Act did not ore-take his bad intent,
And must be buried but as an intent
That perish'd by the way: thoughts are no subiects
Intents, but meerely thoughts.
Mar.
Meerely my Lord.
Duk.
Your suite's vnprofitable: stand vp I say:
I haue bethought me of another fault.
Prouost, how came it Claudio was beheaded
At an vnusuall howre?
Pro.
It was commanded so.
Duke.
Had you a speciall warrant for the deed?
Pro.
No my good Lord: it was by priuate message.
Duk.
For which I doe discharge you of your office,
Giue vp your keyes.
Pro.
Pardon me, noble Lord,
I thought it was a fault, but knew it not,
Yet did repent me after more aduice,
For testimony whereof, one in the prison
That should by priuate order else haue dide,
I haue reseru'd aliue.
Duk.
What's he?
Pro.
His name is Barnardine.
Duke.
I would thou hadst done so by Claudio:
Goe fetch him hither, let me looke vpon him.
Esc.
I am sorry, one so learned, and so wise
As you, Lord Angelo, haue stil appear'd,
Should slip so grosselie, both in the heat of bloud
And lacke of temper'd iudgement afterward.
Ang.
I am sorrie, that such sorrow I procure,
And so deepe sticks it in my penitent heart,
That I craue death more willingly then mercy,
'Tis my deseruing, and I doe entreat it.
Enter Barnardine and Prouost, Claudio,
Iulietta.
Duke.
Which is that Barnardine?
Pro.
This my Lord.
Duke.
There was a Friar told me of this man.
Sirha, thou art said to haue a stubborne soule
That apprehends no further then this world,
And squar'st thy life according: Thou'rt condemn'd,
But for those earthly faults, I quit them all,
And pray thee take this mercie to prouide
For better times to come: Frier aduise him,
I leaue him to your hand. What muffeld fellow's that?
Pro.
This is another prisoner that I sau'd,
Who should haue di'd when Claudio lost his head,
As like almost to Claudio, as himselfe.
Duke.
If he be like your brother, for his sake
Is he pardon'd, and for your louelie sake
Giue me your hand, and say you will be mine,
He is my brother too: But fitter time for that:
By this Lord Angelo perceiues he's safe,
Methinkes I see a quickning in his eye:
Well Angelo, your euill quits you well.
Looke that you loue your wife: her worth, worth yours
I finde an apt remission in my selfe:
And yet heere's one in place I cannot pardon,
You sirha, that knew me for a foole, a Coward,
One all of Luxurie, an asse, a mad man:
Wherein haue I so deseru'd of you
That you extoll me thus?
Luc.
'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.
Duke.
Whipt first, sir, and hang'd after.
Proclaime it Prouost round about the Citie,
If any woman wrong'd by this lewd fellow
(As I haue heard him sweare himselfe there's one
whom he begot with childe) let her appeare,
And he shall marry her: the nuptiall finish'd,
Let him be whipt and hang'd.
Luc.
I beseech your Highnesse doe not marry me to
a Whore: your Highnesse said euen now I made you a
Duke, good my Lord do not recompence me, in making
me a Cuckold.
Duke.
Vpon mine honor thou shalt marrie her.
Thy slanders I forgiue, and therewithall
Remit thy other forfeits: take him to prison,
And see our pleasure herein executed.
Luc.
Marrying a punke my Lord, is pressing to death,
Whipping and hanging.
Duke.
Slandering a Prince deserues it.
She Claudio that you wrong'd, looke you restore.
Ioy to you Mariana, loue her Angelo:
I haue confes'd her, and I know her vertue.
Thanks good friend, Escalus, for thy much goodnesse,
There's more behinde that is more gratulate.
Thanks Prouost for thy care, and secrecie,
We shall imploy thee in a worthier place.
Forgiue him Angelo, that brought you home
The head of Ragozine for Claudio's,
Th' offence pardons it selfe. Deere Isabell,
I haue a motion much imports your good,
Whereto if you'll a willing eare incline;
What's mine is yours, and what is yours is mine.
So bring vs to our Pallace, where wee'll show
What's yet behinde, that meete you all should know.
| Modern text 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.
ANGELO and ESCALUS
Happy return be to your royal grace.
DUKE
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.
ANGELO
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,
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.
Enter Friar Peter and Isabella
FRIAR PETER
Now is your time. Speak loud and kneel before him.
ISABELLA
Justice, O royal Duke! Vail your regard
Upon a wronged – I would fain have said, a maid.
O worthy prince, dishonour not your eye
By throwing it on any other object
Till you have heard me in my true complaint
And given me justice, justice, justice, justice!
DUKE
Relate your wrongs. In what? By whom? Be brief.
Here is Lord Angelo shall give you justice.
Reveal yourself to him.
ISABELLA
O worthy Duke,
You bid me seek redemption of the devil.
Hear me yourself, for that which I must speak
Must either punish me, not being believed,
Or wring redress from you. Hear me, O hear me, hear.
ANGELO
My lord, her wits, I fear me, are not firm.
She hath been a suitor to me for her brother,
Cut off by course of justice –
ISABELLA
By course of justice!
ANGELO
And she will speak most bitterly and strange.
ISABELLA
Most strange, but yet most truly, will I speak.
That Angelo's forsworn, is it not strange?
That Angelo's a murderer, is't not strange?
That Angelo is an adulterous thief,
An hypocrite, a virgin-violator,
Is it not strange, and strange?
DUKE
Nay, it is ten times strange.
ISABELLA
It is not truer he is Angelo
Than this is all as true as it is strange.
Nay, it is ten times true, for truth is truth
To th' end of reck'ning.
DUKE
Away with her. Poor soul,
She speaks this in th' infirmity of sense.
ISABELLA
O prince, I conjure thee, as thou believ'st
There is another comfort than this world,
That thou neglect me not with that opinion
That I am touched with madness. Make not impossible
That which but seems unlike. 'Tis not impossible
But one, the wicked'st caitiff on the ground,
May seem as shy, as grave, as just, as absolute
As Angelo. Even so may Angelo,
In all his dressings, characts, titles, forms,
Be an arch-villain. Believe it, royal prince.
If he be less, he's nothing: but he's more,
Had I more name for badness.
DUKE
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.
ISABELLA
O gracious Duke,
Harp not on that, nor do not banish reason
For inequality, but let your reason serve
To make the truth appear where it seems hid,
And hide the false seems true.
DUKE
Many that are not mad
Have sure more lack of reason. What would you say?
ISABELLA
I am the sister of one Claudio,
Condemned upon the act of fornication
To lose his head, condemned by Angelo.
I, in probation of a sisterhood,
Was sent to by my brother. One Lucio
As then the messenger –
LUCIO
That's I, an't like your grace.
I came to her from Claudio, and desired her
To try her gracious fortune with Lord Angelo
For her poor brother's pardon.
ISABELLA
That's he indeed.
DUKE
You were not bid to speak.
LUCIO
No, my good lord,
Nor wished to hold my peace.
DUKE
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.
LUCIO
I warrant your honour.
DUKE
The warrant's for yourself: take heed to't.
ISABELLA
This gentleman told somewhat of my tale.
LUCIO
Right.
DUKE
It may be right, but you are i'the wrong
To speak before your time. Proceed.
ISABELLA
I went
To this pernicious caitiff deputy –
DUKE
That's somewhat madly spoken.
ISABELLA
Pardon it,
The phrase is to the matter.
DUKE
Mended again. The matter. Proceed.
ISABELLA
In brief, to set the needless process by,
How I persuaded, how I prayed, and kneeled,
How he refelled me, and how I replied –
For this was of much length – the vile conclusion
I now begin with grief and shame to utter.
He would not, but by gift of my chaste body
To his concup'scible intemperate lust,
Release my brother, and after much debatement
My sisterly remorse confutes mine honour,
And I did yield to him. But the next morn betimes,
His purpose surfeiting, he sends a warrant
For my poor brother's head.
DUKE
This is most likely!
ISABELLA
O, that it were as like as it is true.
DUKE
By heaven, fond wretch, thou know'st not what thou speak'st,
Or else thou art suborned against his honour
In hateful practice. 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 weighed thy brother by himself,
And not have cut him off. Someone hath set you on.
Confess the truth, and say by whose advice
Thou cam'st here to complain.
ISABELLA
And is this all?
Then, O you blessed ministers above,
Keep me in patience, and with ripened time
Unfold the evil which is here wrapped up
In countenance. Heaven shield your grace from woe,
As I thus wronged hence unbelieved go.
DUKE
I know you'd 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 practice.
Who knew of your intent and coming hither?
ISABELLA
One that I would were here, Friar Lodowick.
DUKE
A ghostly father, belike. Who knows that Lodowick?
LUCIO
My lord, I know him, 'tis a meddling friar;
I do not like the man. Had he been lay, my lord,
For certain words he spake against your grace
In your retirement I had swinged him soundly.
DUKE
Words against me? This' a good friar, belike,
And to set on this wretched woman here
Against our substitute! Let this friar be found.
LUCIO
But yesternight, my lord, she and that friar,
I saw them at the prison. A saucy friar,
A very scurvy fellow.
FRIAR PETER
Blessed be your royal grace,
I have stood by, my lord, and I have heard
Your royal ear abused. First hath this woman
Most wrongfully accused your substitute,
Who is as free from touch or soil with her
As she from one ungot.
DUKE
We did believe no less.
Know you that Friar Lodowick that she speaks of?
FRIAR PETER
I know him for a man divine and holy,
Not scurvy, nor a temporary meddler,
As he's reported by this gentleman,
And, on my trust, a man that never yet
Did – as he vouches – misreport your grace.
LUCIO
My lord, most villainously, believe it.
FRIAR PETER
Well, he in time may come to clear himself,
But at this instant he is sick, my lord,
Of a strange fever. Upon his mere request,
Being come to knowledge that there was complaint
Intended 'gainst Lord Angelo, came I hither,
To speak, as from his mouth, what he doth know
Is true and false, and what he with his oath
And all probation will make up full clear,
Whensoever he's convented. First, for this woman,
To justify this worthy nobleman,
So vulgarly and personally accused,
Her shall you hear disproved to her eyes,
Till she herself confess it.
DUKE
Good friar, let's hear it.
Isabella is led off, guarded
Enter Mariana
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.
MARIANA
Pardon, my lord, I will not show my face
Until my husband bid me.
DUKE
What, are you married?
MARIANA
No, my lord.
DUKE
Are you a maid?
MARIANA
No, my lord.
DUKE
A widow, then?
MARIANA
Neither, my lord.
DUKE
Why, you are nothing then. Neither maid, widow,
nor wife?
LUCIO
My lord, she may be a punk. For many of them are
neither maid, widow, nor wife.
DUKE
Silence that fellow. I would he had some cause
To prattle for himself.
LUCIO
Well, my lord.
MARIANA
My lord, I do confess I ne'er was married,
And I confess besides I am no maid;
I have known my husband, yet my husband
Knows not that ever he knew me.
LUCIO
He was drunk, then, my lord. It can be no better.
DUKE
For the benefit of silence, would thou wert so too.
LUCIO
Well, my lord.
DUKE
This is no witness for Lord Angelo.
MARIANA
Now I come to't, my lord:
She that accuses him of fornication
In selfsame manner doth accuse my husband;
And charges him, my lord, with such a time
When, I'll depose, I had him in mine arms,
With all th' effect of love.
ANGELO
Charges she more than me?
MARIANA
Not that I know.
DUKE
No? You say your husband?
MARIANA
Why, just, my lord, and that is Angelo,
Who thinks he knows that he ne'er knew my body,
But knows, he thinks, that he knows Isabel's.
ANGELO
This is a strange abuse. Let's see thy face.
MARIANA
My husband bids me. Now I will unmask.
She unveils
This is that face, thou cruel Angelo,
Which once thou swor'st was worth the looking on.
This is the hand which, with a vowed contract,
Was fast belocked in thine. This is the body
That took away the match from Isabel,
And did supply thee at thy garden-house
In her imagined person.
DUKE
Know you this woman?
LUCIO
Carnally, she says.
DUKE
Sirrah, no more!
LUCIO
Enough, my lord.
ANGELO
My lord, I must confess I know this woman,
And five years since there was some speech of marriage
Betwixt myself and her, which was broke off,
Partly for that her promised proportions
Came short of composition, but in chief
For that her reputation was disvalued
In levity; since which time of five years
I never spake with her, saw her, nor heard from her,
Upon my faith and honour.
MARIANA
Noble prince,
As there comes light from heaven and words from breath,
As there is sense in truth and truth in virtue,
I am affianced this man's wife as strongly
As words could make up vows, and, my good lord,
But Tuesday night last gone in's garden-house
He knew me as a wife. As this is true,
Let me in safety raise me from my knees
Or else for ever be confixed here
A marble monument.
ANGELO
I did but smile till now.
Now, good my lord, give me the scope of justice.
My patience here is touched. I do perceive
These poor informal women are no more
But instruments of some more mightier member
That sets them on. Let me have way, my lord,
To find this practice out.
DUKE
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 sealed 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.
FRIAR PETER
Would he were here, my lord, for he indeed
Hath set the women on to this complaint.
Your provost knows the place where he abides
And he may fetch him.
DUKE
Go do it instantly;
Exit Provost
And you, my noble and well-warranted cousin,
Whom it concerns to hear this matter forth,
Do with your injuries as seems you best,
In any chastisement. I for a while
Will leave, but stir not you till you have well
Determined upon these slanderers.
ESCALUS
My lord, we'll do it throughly.
Exit Duke
Signor Lucio, did not you say you knew that Friar
Lodowick to be a dishonest person?
LUCIO
Cucullus non facit monachum. Honest in nothing
but in his clothes, and one that hath spoke most
villainous speeches of the Duke.
ESCALUS
We shall entreat you to abide here till he come
and enforce them against him. We shall find this friar a
notable fellow.
LUCIO
As any in Vienna, on my word.
ESCALUS
Call that same Isabel here once again. I would
speak with her.
Exit an Attendant
Pray you, my lord, give me leave to question. You shall
see how I'll handle her.
LUCIO
Not better than he, by her own report.
ESCALUS
Say you?
LUCIO
Marry, sir, I think, if you handled her privately,
she would sooner confess. Perchance publicly she'll be
ashamed.
Enter Duke, as a friar, Provost, Isabella, and
Officers
ESCALUS
I will go darkly to work with her.
LUCIO
That's the way, for women are light at midnight.
ESCALUS
Come on, mistress, here's a gentlewoman
denies all that you have said.
LUCIO
My lord, here comes the rascal I spoke of – here
with the provost.
ESCALUS
In very good time. Speak not you to him, till we
call upon you.
LUCIO
Mum.
ESCALUS
Come, sir, did you set these women on to
slander Lord Angelo? They have confessed you did.
DUKE
'Tis false.
ESCALUS
How? Know you where you are?
DUKE
Respect to your great place, and let the devil
Be sometime honoured for his burning throne.
Where is the Duke? 'Tis he should hear me speak.
ESCALUS
The Duke's in us, and we will hear you speak.
Look you speak justly.
DUKE
Boldly at least. But O, poor souls,
Come you to seek the lamb here of the fox?
Good night to your redress. Is the Duke gone?
Then is your cause gone too. The Duke's unjust,
Thus to retort your manifest appeal
And put your trial in the villain's mouth
Which here you come to accuse.
LUCIO
This is the rascal. This is he I spoke of.
ESCALUS
Why, thou unreverend and unhallowed friar,
Is't not enough thou hast suborned these women
To accuse this worthy man but, in foul mouth,
And in the witness of his proper ear,
To call him villain? And then to glance from him
To th' Duke himself, to tax him with injustice?
Take him hence. To th' rack with him. We'll touse you
Joint by joint, but we will know his purpose.
What? Unjust?
DUKE
Be not so hot. The Duke
Dare no more stretch this finger of mine than he
Dare rack his own. His subject am I not,
Nor here provincial. My business in this state
Made me a looker-on here in Vienna,
Where I have seen corruption boil and bubble
Till it o'errun 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.
ESCALUS
Slander to th' state. Away with him to prison.
ANGELO
What can you vouch against him, Signor Lucio?
Is this the man that you did tell us of?
LUCIO
'Tis he, my lord. Come hither, goodman baldpate.
Do you know me?
DUKE
I remember you, sir, by the sound of your voice. I
met you at the prison in the absence of the Duke.
LUCIO
O, did you so? And do you remember what you
said of the Duke?
DUKE
Most notedly, sir.
LUCIO
Do you so, sir? And was the Duke a fleshmonger, a
fool, and a coward, as you then reported him to be?
DUKE
You must, sir, change persons with me, ere you
make that my report. You, indeed, spoke so of him, and
much more, much worse.
LUCIO
O thou damnable fellow, did not I pluck thee by
the nose for thy speeches?
DUKE
I protest I love the Duke as I love myself.
ANGELO
Hark how the villain would close now, after his
treasonable abuses.
ESCALUS
Such a fellow is not to be talked withal. Away
with him to prison. Where is the provost? Away with
him to prison. Lay bolts enough upon him. Let him
speak no more. Away with those giglots too, and with
the other confederate companion.
The Provost lays hands on the Duke
DUKE
Stay, sir, stay awhile.
ANGELO
What, resists he? Help him, Lucio.
LUCIO
Come, sir, come, sir, come, sir! Foh, sir! Why, you
bald-pated, lying rascal, you must be hooded, must you?
Show your knave's visage, with a pox to you. Show
your sheep-biting face, and be hanged an hour. Will't
not off?
He pulls off the friar's hood, and discovers the Duke
DUKE
Thou art the first knave that e'er mad'st 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.
LUCIO
This may prove worse than hanging.
DUKE
(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.
ANGELO
O my dread lord,
I should be guiltier than my guiltiness
To think I can be undiscernible,
When I perceive your grace, like power divine,
Hath looked upon my passes. Then, good prince,
No longer session hold upon my shame,
But let my trial be mine own confession.
Immediate sentence, then, and sequent death
Is all the grace I beg.
DUKE
Come hither, Mariana.
Say, wast thou e'er contracted to this woman?
ANGELO
I was, my lord.
DUKE
Go take her hence, and marry her instantly.
Do you the office, friar, which consummate,
Return him here again. Go with him, provost.
Exit Angelo, with Mariana, Friar Peter, and Provost
ESCALUS
My lord, I am more amazed at his dishonour
Than at the strangeness of it.
DUKE
Come hither, Isabel.
Your friar is now your prince. As I was then
Advertising and holy to your business,
Not changing heart with habit, I am still
Attorneyed at your service.
ISABELLA
O, give me pardon,
That I, your vassal, have employed and pained
Your unknown sovereignty.
DUKE
You are pardoned, 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 brained 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.
Enter Angelo, Mariana, Friar Peter, Provost
ISABELLA
I do, my lord.
DUKE
For this new-married man approaching here,
Whose salt imagination yet hath wronged
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 faults thus manifested,
Which, though thou wouldst deny, denies thee vantage,
We do condemn thee to the very block
Where Claudio stooped to death, and with like haste.
Away with him.
MARIANA
O, my most gracious lord,
I hope you will not mock me with a husband.
DUKE
It is your husband mocked 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 with all,
To buy you a better husband.
MARIANA
O my dear lord,
I crave no other, nor no better man.
DUKE
Never crave him. We are definitive.
MARIANA
Gentle my liege! –
DUKE
You do but lose your labour.
Away with him to death. (To Lucio) Now, sir, to you.
MARIANA
O my good lord! Sweet Isabel, take my part,
Lend me your knees, and, all my life to come,
I'll lend you all my life to do you service.
DUKE
Against all sense you do importune her.
Should she kneel down in mercy of this fact,
Her brother's ghost his paved bed would break,
And take her hence in horror.
MARIANA
Isabel,
Sweet Isabel, do yet but kneel by me.
Hold up your hands, say nothing, I'll speak all.
They say best men are moulded out of faults,
And, for the most, become much more the better
For being a little bad. So may my husband.
O Isabel, will you not lend a knee?
DUKE
He dies for Claudio's death.
ISABELLA
(kneeling)
Most bounteous sir,
Look, if it please you, on this man condemned
As if my brother lived. I partly think
A due sincerity governed his deeds,
Till he did look on me. Since it is so,
Let him not die. My brother had but justice,
In that he did the thing for which he died.
For Angelo,
His act did not o'ertake his bad intent,
And must be buried but as an intent
That perished by the way. Thoughts are no subjects,
Intents but merely thoughts.
MARIANA
Merely, my lord.
DUKE
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?
PROVOST
It was commanded so.
DUKE
Had you a special warrant for the deed?
PROVOST
No, my good lord, it was by private message.
DUKE
For which I do discharge you of your office;
Give up your keys.
PROVOST
Pardon me, noble lord,
I thought it was a fault, but knew it not,
Yet did repent me after more advice,
For testimony whereof, one in the prison
That should by private order else have died
I have reserved alive.
DUKE
What's he?
PROVOST
His name is Barnardine.
DUKE
I would thou hadst done so by Claudio.
Go, fetch him hither. Let me look upon him.
Exit Provost
ESCALUS
I am sorry one so learned and so wise
As you, Lord Angelo, have still appeared,
Should slip so grossly, both in the heat of blood
And lack of tempered judgement afterward.
ANGELO
I am sorry that such sorrow I procure,
And so deep sticks it in my penitent heart
That I crave death more willingly than mercy.
'Tis my deserving, and I do entreat it.
Enter Barnardine and Provost, Claudio blindfold,
Juliet
DUKE
Which is that Barnardine?
PROVOST
This, my lord.
DUKE
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 squar'st thy life according. Thou'rt condemned,
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?
PROVOST
This is another prisoner that I saved,
Who should have died when Claudio lost his head,
As like almost to Claudio as himself.
He unmuffles Claudio
DUKE
(to Isabella)
If he be like your brother, for his sake
Is he pardoned, 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.
(To Lucio) 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?
LUCIO
'Faith, my lord. I spoke it but according to the
trick. If you will hang me for it, you may. But I had
rather it would please you I might be whipped.
DUKE
Whipped first, sir, and hanged after.
Proclaim it, provost, round about the city,
Is any woman wronged by this lewd fellow –
As I have heard him swear himself there's one
Whom he begot with child – let her appear,
And he shall marry her. The nuptial finished,
Let him be whipped and hanged.
LUCIO
I beseech your highness, do not marry me to a
whore. Your highness said even now, I made you a
duke. Good my lord, do not recompense me in making
me a cuckold.
DUKE
Upon mine 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.
LUCIO
Marrying a punk, my lord, is pressing to death,
whipping, and hanging.
DUKE
Slandering a prince deserves it.
Exeunt Officers with Lucio
She, Claudio, that you wronged, look you restore.
Joy to you, Mariana. Love her, Angelo.
I have confessed 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.
Th' offence pardons itself. Dear Isabel,
I have a motion much imports your good,
Whereto if you'll a willing ear incline,
What's mine is yours and what is yours is mine.
So, bring us to our palace, where we'll show
What's yet behind, that's meet you all should know.
Exeunt
|