Escalus.
Escal.
Every letter, he hath writ, hath disvouch'd the other.
Ang.
In most uneven and distracted manner. His
actions shew much like to madness: pray heav'n, his
wisdom be not tainted. And why meet him at the
gates, and deliver our authorities there?
Escal.
I guess not.
Ang.
And why should we proclaim it in an hour before
-- 357 --
his entring, that if any crave redress of injustice,
they should exhibit their petitions in the street?
Escal.
He shews his reason for that; to have a dispatch
of complaints, and to deliver us from devices
hereafter, which shall then have no power to stand
against us.
Ang.
Well; I beseech you, let it be proclaim'd betimes
i'th' morn; I'll call you at your house: give
notice to such men of sort and suit,8 note as are to meet
him.
Escal.
I shall, Sir: fare you well.
[Exit.
Ang.
Good night.
This deed unshapes me quite, makes me unpregnant,
And dull to all proceedings. A defloured maid!
And by an eminent body, that enforc'd
The law against it!—but that her tender shame
Will not proclaim against her maiden loss,
How might she tongue me? yet reason dares her No.9 note
For my authority bears a credent bulk;1 note
That no particular scandal once can touch,
But it confounds the breather. He should have liv'd,
Save that his riotous youth, with dangerous sense,
-- 358 --
Might in the times to come have ta'en revenge;
For so receiving a dishonour'd life,
With ransom of such shame. 'Would yet, he had liv'd!
Alack, when once our grace we have forgot,
Nothing goes right; we would, and we would not.2 note
[Exit.
Samuel Johnson [1765], The plays of William Shakespeare, in eight volumes, with the corrections and illustrations of Various Commentators; To which are added notes by Sam. Johnson (Printed for J. and R. Tonson [and] C. Corbet [etc.], London) [word count] [S11001].
