Claud.
Now, sister, what's the comfort?

Isab.
Why, as all comforts are; most good in Deed:^{4 note}
Lord Angelo, having affairs to heav'n,
Intends you for his swift ambassador;
Where you shall be an everlasting leiger.^{5 note}

Therefore your best appointment make with speed,
To-morrow you set on.

Claud.
Is there no remedy?

Isab.
None, but such remedy, as, to save a head,
To cleave a heart in twain.

Claud.
But is there any?

Isab.
Yes, brother, you may live:
There is a devilish mercy in the judge,
If you'll implore it, that will free your life,
But fetter you 'till death.

Claud.
Perpetual durance?

Isab.
Ay, just; perpetual durance; a restraint,
Tho' all the world's vastidity you had,
To a determin'd scope.^{6 note}

Claud.
But in what nature?

Isab.
In such a one, as you, consenting to't,
Would bark your honour from that trunk you bear,
And leave you naked.

Claud.
Let me know the point.

Isab.
Oh, I do fear thee, Claudio; and I quake,
Lest thou a fev'rous life should'st entertain,
And six or seven Winters more respect
Than a perpetual Honour. Dar'st thou die?
The sense of death is most in apprehension;
And the poor Beetle,^{7 note} that we tread upon,
In corp'ral sufferance finds a pang as great,
As when a Giant dies.

Claud.
Why give you me this shame?
Think you, I can a resolution fetch
From flow'ry tenderness? if I must die,
I will encounter darkness as a bride,
And hug it in mine arms.

Isab.
There spake my brother; there my father's grave
Did utter forth a voice. Yes, thou must die:
Thou art too noble to conserve a life
In base appliances. This outward-sainted Deputy,
Whose settled visage and delib'rate word
Nips youth i'th' head; and follies doth emmew,^{8 note}
As faulcon doth the fowl6Q0029; is yet a devil:
His filth within being cast,^{9 note}

Claud.
^{1 note}

Isab.
Oh, 'tis the cunning livery of hell,

The damned'st body to invest and cover
In Princely guards. Dost thou think, Claudio,
If I would yield him my virginity,
Thou might'st be freed?

Claud.
Oh, heavens! it cannot be.

Isab.
Yes, he would giv't thee * ^notefor this rank offence,
So to offend him still. This night's the time
That I should do what I abhor to name,
Or else thou dy'st to-morrow.

Claud.
Thou shalt not do't.

Isab.
Oh, were it but my life,
I'd throw it down for your deliverance
As frankly as a pin.

Claud.
Thanks, dearest Isabel.

Isab.
Be ready, Claudio, for your death to-morrow.

Claud.
Yes. Has he affections in him,
That thus can make him bite the law by th' nose,
When he would force it?^{2 note} sure, it is no sin;
Or of the deadly seven it is the least.

Isab.
Which is the least?

Claud.
If it were damnable,^{3 note} he being so wise,
Why would he for the momentary trick
Be perdurably fin'd? oh Isabel!

Isab.
What says my brother?

Claud.
Death's a fearful thing.

Isab.
And shamed life a hateful.

Claud.
Ay, but to die, and go we know not where;
To lye in cold obstruction, and to rot;
This sensible warm motion to become
A kneaded clod; and the delighted spirit^{4 note}

Isab.
Alas! alas!

Claud.
Sweet sister, let me live;
What sin you do to save a brother's life,
Nature dispenses with the deed so far,
That it becomes a virtue.

Isab.
Oh, you beast!

Oh, faithless coward! oh, dishonest wretch!
Wilt thou be made a man, out of my vice?
Is't not a kind of incest,^{5 note} to take life
From thine own sister's shame? what should I think?
Heav'n grant, my mother plaid my father fair!
For such a warped slip of wilderness
Ne'er issu'd from his blood. Take my defiance,
Die, perish! might my only bending down
Reprieve thee from thy fate, it should proceed.
I'll pray a thousand prayers for thy death;
No word to save thee.

Claud.
Nay, hear me, Isabel.

Isab.
Oh, fie, fie, fie!
Thy sin's not accidental, but a trade;* ^note
Mercy to thee would prove itself a bawd;
'Tis best, that thou dy'st quickly.

Claud.
Oh hear me, Isabel.

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