Isabella.
Peter.
Now is your time; speak loud, and kneel before him.
-- 57 --
Isab.
Justice, O royal Duke; vail* note your regard
Upon a wrong'd, I'd fain have said, a maid;
Oh, 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.† note
Duke.
Relate your wrongs; in what, by whom? be brief:
Here is Lord Angelo shall give you justice;
Reveal yourself to him.
Isab.
Oh, 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 believ'd,
Or wring redress from you: oh, hear me, hear me.
Ang.
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.
Isab.
Course of justice!
Ang.
And she will speak most bitterly, and strange.
Isab.
Most strange, but yet most truly, will I speak;
That Angelo's forsworn: is it not strange?
That Angelo's a murth'rer: is't not strange?
An hypocrite, a virgin-violater:
Is it not strange, and strange?‡ note
Duke.
Nay, it is ten times strange.
Isab.
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 reckoning,
Duke.
Away with her; poor soul!
She speaks this in th' infirmity of sense.
Isab.
O Prince, I conjure thee, as thou believ'st
There is another comfort than this world,
-- 58 --
That thou neglect me not, with that opinion
That I am touch'd 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, caracts, 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.
Isab.
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;
Not hide the false, seems true.
Duke.
Many, that are not mad,
Have, sure, more lack of reason.
What would you say?
Isab.
I am the sister of one Claudio,
Condemn'd, upon the Act of Fornication,
To lose his head; condemn'd by Angelo:
I, in probation of a sisterhood,
Was sent to by my brother; one Lucio
Was then the messenger—
Lucio.
That's I, an't like your Grace:
I came to her from Claudio, and desir'd her
To try her gracious fortune with Lord Angelo,
For her poor brother's pardon.
Isab.
That's he indeed.
Duke.
You were not bid to speak.
[To Lucio.
Lucio.
No, my good Lord, nor wish'd to hold my peace.
Duke.
I wish you now then;
Pray you, take note of it: and when you have
-- 59 --
A business for yourself, pray heav'n, you then
Be perfect.
Lucio.
I warrant your Honour.
Duke.
The warrant's for yourself; take heed to't.
Isab.
This gentleman told somewhat of my tale.
Lucio.
Right.* note
Duke.
It may be right, but you are in the wrong,
To speak before your time. Proceed.
Isab.
I went
To this pernicious caitiff Deputy.
Duke.
That's somewhat madly spoken.
Isab.
Pardon it:
The phrase is to the matter.
Duke.
Mended again: the matter—proceed.
Isab.
In brief; (to set the needless process by,
How I persuaded, how I pray'd and kneel'd,
How he repell'd me, and how I reply'd;
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 person,
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 forfeiting, he sends a warrant,
For my poor brother's head.
Duke.
This is most likely!
Isab.
Oh, that it were as like, as it is true!
Duke.
By heav'n, fond wretch, thou know'st not what thou speak'st;
Or else thou art suborn'd against his honour,
In hateful practice. First, his integrity
Stands without blemish; next, it imports no reason,
That with such vehemence he should pursue
Faults proper to himself: if he had so offended,
He would have weigh'd thy brother by himself,
And not have cut him off. Some one hath set you on:
-- 60 --
Confess the truth, and say, by whose advice,
Thou cam'st here to complain.* note
Isab.
And is this All?
Then, oh, you blessed ministers above!
Keep me in patience; and with ripen'd time,
Unfold the evil which is here wrapt up
In countenance: heav'n shield your Grace from woe!
As I, thus wrong'd, 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?
Isab.
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 swing'd him soundly.
Duke.
Words against me? This is a good Friar belike;
And to set on this wretched woman here,
Against our Substitute! let this Friar be found.
Lucio.
But yesternight, my Lord, she and that Friar,
I saw them at the prison: a saucy Friar,
A very scurvy fellow.
Peter.
Blessed be your royal Grace!
I have stood by, my Lord, and I have heard
Your royal ear abus'd. First, hath this woman
Most wrongfully accus'd 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, which she speaks of?
Peter.
I know him for a man divine and holy;
Not scurvy, nor a temporary meddler,
As he's reported by this gentleman;
-- 61 --
And, on my trust, a man that never yet
Did, as he vouches, misreport your Grace.
Lucio.
My Lord, most villainously; believe it.
Peter.
Well; he in time may come to clear himself;
But at this instant he is sick, my Lord,
Of a strange fever.
As for this woman;
To justify this worthy Nobleman,
So vulgarly and personally accus'd,
Her shall you hear disproved to her eyes,
'Till she herself confess it.
Duke.
Good Friar, let's hear it.
Do you not smile at this, Lord Angelo?* note
O heav'n! the vanity of wretched fools!—
Give us some seats; come, cousin Angelo,
In this I will be partial: be you Judge,
Of your own cause. Is this the witness, Friar?
[Isabella is carried off, guarded.
Enter Mariana, veil'd.
First, let her shew her face; and after, speak.
Mari.
Pardon, my Lord, I will not shew my face,
Until my husband bid me.
Duke.
What, are you marry'd?
Mari.
No, my Lord.
Duke.
Are you a maid?
Mari.
No, my Lord.
Duke.
A widow, then?
Mari.
Neither, my Lord.
Duke.
Why, are you 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.† note
-- 62 --
Duke.
Silence that fellow: I would he had some
cause to prattle for himself.
Lucio.
Well, my Lord.
Mari.
My Lord, I do confess, I ne'er was marry'd;
And I confess besides, I am no maid;
I've 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.
Mari.
Now I come to't, my Lord.
She, that accuses him of fornication,
In self-same 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.
Ang.
Charges she more than me?
Mari.
Not that I know.
Duke.
No? you say, your husband.
[To Marian.
Mari.
Why, just, my Lord; and that is Angelo.
Ang.
This is a strange abuse; let's see thy face.
Mari.
My husband bids me; now I will unmask.
[Unveiling.
This is that face, thou cruel Angelo,
Which once thou swor'st, was worth the looking on:
This is the hand, which, with a vow'd contract,
Was fast belock'd in thine; this is the body,
That took away the match from Isabel;
And did supply thee,
In her imagin'd person.
Duke.
Know you this woman?
Lucio.
Carnally, she says.
Duke.
Sirrah, no more.
Lucio.
Enough, my Lord.
Ang.
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,
-- 63 --
Partly, for that her promised proportions
Came short of composition; but, in chief,
For that her reputation was disvalu'd,
In levity; since which time of five years,
I never spake with her, saw her, nor heard from her,
Upon my faith and honour.
Mari.
Noble Prince,
As there comes light from heav'n, and words from breath;
As there is sense in truth, and truth in virtue;
I am affianc'd this man's wife, as strongly,
As words could make up vows;
As this is true,
Let me in safety raise me from my knees;
Or else for ever be confixed here,
A marble monument.
Ang.
I did but smile, 'till now.
Now, good my Lord, give me the scope of justice;
My patience here is touch'd; I do perceive,
These poor informal women are no more
But instruments of some more mighty member,
That sets them on. Let me have way, my Lord,
To find this practice out.
Duke.
Ay, with my heart;
And punish them unto your height of pleasure.
Thou foolish Friar, and thou pernicious woman,
Compact with her that's gone; think'st thou, thy oaths,
Tho' they would swear down each particular Saint,
Were testimonies 'gainst his worth and credit,
That's seal'd in approbation? You, Lord Escalus,
Sit with my cousin; lend him your kind pains,
To find out this abuse, whence 'tis deriv'd.
There is another Friar, 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 Provost knows the place where he abides;
And he may fetch him.
-- 64 --
Duke.
Go, do it, instantly.
And, you, my noble and well-warranted Cousin,
Whom it concerns to hear this matter forth;
Do with your injuries, as seems you best,
In any chastisement: I, for a while,
Will leave you; but stir not you, till you have well
Determin'd upon these slanderers.* note
[Exit.
Escal.
My Lord, we'll do it thoroughly. Signior 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 cloaths; and one that hath spoke most
villainous speeches of the Duke.
Escal.
We shall intreat you to abide here, till he
come; we shall find this Friar a notable fellow.
Lucio.
As any in Vienna, on my word.
Escal.
Call that same Isabel here, once again: I would
speak with her; 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.
Escal.
Say you?
Lucio.
Marry, Sir, I think, if you handled her privately,
she should sooner confess; perchance, publicly
she'll be asham'd.
Enter Duke in the Friar's habit, and Provost; Isabella is brought in.
Escal.
I will go darkly to work with her.
Lucio.
That's the way; for women are light, at midnight.
Escal.
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.
-- 65 --
Escal.
In very good time: speak not you to him,
till we call upon you.
Lucio.
Mum—
Escal.
Come, Sir, did you set these women on, to
slander Lord Angelo? they have confess'd you did.
Duke.
'Tis false.
Escal.
How? know you where you are?
Duke.
Respect to your great place! and let the devil
Be sometime honour'd; for his burning throne.
Where is the Duke? 'tis he should hear me speak.
Escal.
The Duke's in us; and we will hear you speak:
Look, you speak justly.
Duke.
Boldly, at least. But oh, 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.
Escal.
Why, thou unrev'rend and unhallow'd Friar,
Is't not enough thou hast suborn'd these women,
T'accuse this worthy man, but with foul mouth,
To call him villain; and then glance from him,
To th' Duke himself, to tax him with injustice?
Take him hence; to th' rack with him: we'll touze 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, then he dare rack his own:
His subject am I not,
Nor here provincial; my business in this state,
Made me a looker on here in Vienna;
Where I have seen corruption boil and bubble,
'Till it o'er-run the stew:
Escal.
Slander to th' state! away with him to prison.
Ang.
What can you vouch against him, Signior Lucio?
Is this the man, that you did tell us of?
-- 66 --
Lucio.
'Tis he, my Lord. Come hither, goodman bald-pate;
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.
Oh, 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 spoke so of him, and
much more, much worse.
Lucio.
Oh 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.
Ang.
Hark! how the villain would close now, after
his treasonable abuses.
Escal.
Such a fellow is not to be talk'd withal; away
with him to prison; away with those giglets too, and
with the other confederate companion.
Duke.
Stay, Sir, stay, a-while.
Ang.
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 hang'd
an hour: will't not off?
[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.
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.
What you have spoke, I pardon; sit you down:
[To Escalus.
-- 67 --
We'll borrow place of him. Sir, by your leave:
[To Angelo.
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.
Ang.
O my dread Lord,
I should be guiltier than my guiltiness,
To think I can be undiscernible;
When I perceive your Grace, like pow'r divine,
Hath look'd upon my passes* note: 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?
Ang.
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.
[Exeunt Angelo, Mariana, Peter, and Provost.
Escal.
My Lord, I am more amaz'd at his dishonour,
Than at the strangeness of it.
Duke.
Come hither, Isabel.
Isab.
Oh, give me pardon,
That I, your vassal, have employ'd and pain'd
Your unknown sovereignty.
Duke.
You are pardon'd, Isabel:
And now, dear maid, be you as free to us.
Your brother's death, I know, sits at your heart,
And you may marvel why I obscur'd myself,
Labouring to save his life;
Oh, most kind maid,
It was the swift celerity of his death,
Which, I did think with slower foot came on,
That brain'd my purpose: but peace be with him!
That life is better life, past fearing death,
-- 68 --
Than that which lives to fear: make it your comfort;
So, happy is your brother.
Enter Angelo, Mariana, Peter, and Provost* note.
Isab.
I do, my Lord.
Duke.
For this new-marry'd man, approaching here,
Whose salt imagination yet hath wrong'd
Your well-defended honour, you must pardon,
For Mariana's sake: but as he adjudg'd your brother,
Being criminal, in double violation,
Of sacred chastity, and of promise-breach,
Thereon dependant 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 are manifested;
Which tho' thou would'st deny, denies thee vantage.
We do condemn thee to the very block,
Where Claudio stoop'd to death; and with like haste;
Away with him.
Mari.
Oh, my most gracious Lord,
I hope, you will not mock me with a husband?
Duke.
It is your husband mock'd you with a husband.
Consenting to the safeguard of your honour,
I thought your marriage fit; else imputation,
For that he knew you, might reproach your life,
And choke your good to come: for his possessions,
Altho' by confiscation they are ours,
We do enstate and widow you withal,
To buy you a better husband.
Mari.
Oh, my dear Lord,
I crave no other, nor no better man.
Duke.
Never crave him; we are definitive.
Mari.
Gentle my Liege—
-- 69 --
Duke.
You do but lose your labour:
Away with him to death.
Mari.
Oh, 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.
Mari.
Isabel,
Oh, Isabel! will you not lend a knee?
Duke.
He dies for Claudio's death.
Isab.
Most bounteous Sir,
[Kneeling.
Look, if it please you, on this man condemn'd,
As if my brother liv'd: I partly think,
A due sincerity govern'd 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 dy'd;
For Angelo, his act did not o'ertake his bad intent;
And must be bury'd but as an intent,
That perish'd by the way: thoughts are no subjects;
Intents, but meerly thoughts.
Mari.
Meerly, 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?
Prov.
It was commanded so.
Duke.
Had you a special warrant for the deed?
Prov.
No, my good Lord; it was by private message.
Duke.
For which I do discharge you of your office:
Give up your keys.
Prov.
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 th' prison,
That should by private order else have dy'd,
I have reserv'd alive.
-- 70 --
Duke.
What's he?
Prov.
His name is Barnardine.
Duke.
I would, thou had'st done so by Claudio:
Go, fetch him hither; let me look upon him.
Escal.
I'm sorry, one so learned and so wise,
As you, Lord Angelo, have still appear'd,
Should slip so grossly both in heat of blood,
And lack of temper'd judgment afterward.
Ang.
I'm 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 intreat it.
Enter Provost, Barnardine, Claudio, and Julietta.
Duke.
Which is that Barnardine?
Prov.
This, my Lord.
Duke.
There was a Friar told me of this man:
Sirrah, thou'rt said to have a stubborn soul,
That apprehends no further than this world;
And squar'st thy life according: thou'rt condemn'd;
But for those earthly faults, I quit them all:
I pray thee, take this mercy to provide
For better times to come.
What muffled fellow's that?
Prov.
This is another prisoner, that I sav'd,
Who should have dy'd when Claudio lost his head,
As like almost to Claudio as himself.
Duke.
If he be like your brother, for his sake
[To Isab.
Is he pardon'd; and for your lovely sake,
He is my brother too; but fitter time for that.
By this, Lord Angelo perceives he's safe;
Methinks, I see a quick'ning in his eye.
Well, Angelo, your evil quits you well;
Look, that you love your wife; her worth, worth yours.
I find an apt remission in myself,
And yet here's one in place I cannot pardon.
You, sirrah, that knew me for a fool, a coward,
[To Lucio.
One of all luxury, an ass, a mad man;
-- 71 --
Wherein have I deserved so 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 whipt.
Duke.
Whipt first, Sir, and hang'd after.
Proclaim it, Provost, round about the city;
If any woman, wrong'd by this lewd fellow,
(As I have heard him swear himself there's one
Whom he begot with child) let her appear,
And he shall marry her; the nuptial finish'd,
Let him be whipt and hang'd.
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.
Sland'ring a Prince deserves it.
She, Claudio, that you wrong'd, look you restore.
Joy to you, Mariana: love her, Angelo:
I have confess'd her, and I know her virtue.
Thanks, good friend Escalus, for thy much goodness:
Thanks, Provost, for thy care and secrecy;
We shall employ thee in a worthier place* note:
-- 72 --
Dear Isabel, I have a motion much imports your good,
Shade not, sweet saint, those graces with a veil,
Nor in a Nunnery hide thee; say thou'rt mine;
Thy Duke, thy Friar, tempts thee from thy vows.
Let thy clear spirit shine in publick life;
No cloister'd sister, but thy Prince's Wife.
[Exeunt.† note
