Claud.
Fellow, why dost thou show me thus to the world?
Bear me to prison, where I am committed.

Prov.
I do it not in evil disposition,
But from lord Angelo by special charge.

Claud.
Thus can the demi-god, Authority,
Make us pay down for our offence by weight.—
The words of heaven;—on whom it will, it will;
On whom it will not, so; yet still 'tis just^{1 note}

Lucio.

Why, how now, Claudio? whence comes this restraint?

Claud.
From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty:
As surfeit is the father of much fast,
So every scope by the immoderate use
Turns to restraint: Our natures do pursue,
(Like rats that ravin down their proper bane^{1 note}

A thirsty evil; and when we drink, we die^{2 note}


.

Lucio.

If I could speak so wisely under an arrest, I would send for certain of my creditors: And yet, to say the truth, I had as lief have the foppery of freedom, as the morality^{3 note} of imprisonment.— What's thy offence, Claudio?

Claud.
What, but to speak of would offend again.

Lucio.
What is it? murder?

Claud.
No.

Lucio.
Lechery?

Claud.
Call it so.

Prov.
Away, sir; you must go.

Claud.
One word, good friend:—Lucio, a word with you. [Takes him aside.

Lucio.
A hundred, if they'll do you any good.—
Is lechery so look'd after?

Claud.
Thus stands it with me:—Upon a true contráct,
I got possession of Julietta's bed^{4 note}

You know the lady; she is fast my wife,
Save that we do the denunciation lack
Of outward order: this we came not to,
Only for propagation of a dower
Remaining in the coffer of her friends^{5 note}

Lucio.
With child, perhaps?

Claud.
Unhappily, even so.
And the new deputy now for the duke,—
Whether it be the fault and glimpse of newness^{6 note}

Or whether that the body public be
A horse whereon the governor doth ride,
Who, newly in the seat, that it may know
He can command, lets it straight feel the spur:
Whether the tyranny be in his place,
Or in his eminence that fills it up,
I stagger in:—But this new governor
Awakes me all the enrolled penalties,
Which have, like unscour'd armour^{7 note}
, hung by the wall
So long, that nineteen zodiacks have gone round^{8 note}
,
And none of them been worn; and, for a name,
Now puts the drowsy and neglected act
Freshly on me^{9 note}

Lucio.

I warrant, it is: and thy head stands so tickle^{1 note}

Claud.
I have done so, but he's not to be found.
I pr'ythee, Lucio, do me this kind service:
This day my sister should the cloister enter,
And there receive her approbation^{2 note}

Such as moves men; beside, she hath prosperous art
When she will play with reason and discourse,
And well she can persuade.

Lucio.

I pray, she may: as well for the encouragement of the like, which else would stand under grievous imposition^{4 note}; as for the enjoying of thy life, who I would be sorry should be thus foolishly lost at a game of tick-tack^{5 note}

Claud.

I thank you, good friend Lucio.

Lucio.

Within two hours,—

Claud.

Come, officer, away.

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