Angelo.
We must not make a scare-crow of the law,
Setting it up to fear the birds of prey,
And let it keep one shape, 'till custom make it
Their perch, and not their terror.

Escal.
Ay, but yet
Let us be keen, and rather cut a little,

Than fall, and bruise to death.^{4 note}
Alas! this gentleman,
Whom I would save, had a most noble father;
Let but your Honour know,^{5 note}


Whom I believe to be most strait in virtue,
That, in the working of your own affections,
Had time coher'd with place, or place with wishing,
Or that the resolute acting of your blood
Could have attain'd th' effect of your own purpose;
Whether you had not sometime in your life
Err'd in this point, which now you censure him,
And pull'd the law upon you.

Ang.
'Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus,
Another thing to fall. I not deny,
The jury, passing on the prisoner's life,
May in the sworn twelve have a thief or two,
Guiltier than him they try. What's open made to justice,
That justice seizes on. What know the laws,
That thieves do pass on thieves?^{6 note} 'tis very pregnant,
The jewel that we find, we stoop and take't,
Because we see it; but what we do not see,
We tread upon, and never think of it.
You may not so extenuate his offence,
^{7 note}For I have had such faults; but rather tell me,
When I, that censure him, do so offend,
Let mine own judgment pattern out my death,
And nothing come in partial. Sir, he must die. Enter Provost.

Escal.
Be't, as your wisdom will.

Ang.
Where is the Provost?

Prov.
Here, it if like your Honour.

Ang.
See, that Claudio
Be executed by nine to morrow morning.
Bring him his confessor, let him be prepar'd;
For that's the utmost of his pilgrimage.— [Exit Prov.

Escal.
Well, heav'n forgive him! and forgive us all!
^{8 note}
Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall:
Some run through brakes of vice, and answer none;
And some condemned for a fault alone.

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