SCENE II.
Changes to the Prison.
Enter Provost and Clown.
Prov.
Come hither, sirrah: Can you cut off a man's
head?
Clown.
If the man be a batchelor, sir, I can: but if
he be a marry'd man, he is his wife's head, and I can
never cut off a woman's head.
Prov.
Come, sir, leave me your snatches, and yield
me a direct answer. To-morrow morning are to die
Claudio and Barnardine: Here is in our prison a
common executioner, who in his office lacks a helper:
if you will take it on you to assist him, it shall redeem
you from your gyves; if not, you shall have your
full time of imprisonment, and your deliverance with
an unpity'd whipping, for you have been a notorious
bawd.
Clown.
Sir, I have been an unlawful bawd, time out
of mind; but yet I will be content to be a lawful
hangman. I would be glad to receive some instruction
from my fellow partner.
Prov.
What ho, Abhorson! where's Abhorson,
there?
Enter Abhorson.
Abhor.
Do you call, sir?
-- 111 --
Prov.
Sirrah, here's a fellow will help you to-morrow
in your execution: if you think it meet, compound
with him by the year, and let him abide here
with you; if not, use him for the present, and dismiss
him: he cannot plead his estimation with you, he
hath been a bawd.
Abhor.
A bawd, sir? fie upon him, he will discredit
our mistery4 note.
Prov.
Go to, sir; you weigh equally; a feather
will turn the scale.
Exit.
Clown.
Pray, sir, by your good favour (for, surely,
sir, a good favour5 note
you have, but that you have a
hanging look) do you call, sir, your occupation a mistery?
Abhor.
Ay, sir; a mistery.
Clown.
Painting, sir, I have heard say, is a mistery;
and your whores, sir, being members of my occupation,
using painting, do prove my occupation a mistery:
but what mistery there should be in hanging,
if I should be hang'd, I cannot imagine6 note
.
-- 112 --
Abhor.
Sir, it is a mistery.
Clown.
Proof.
-- 113 --
Abhor.
Every true man's apparel fits your thief7 note
.
Clown.
If it be too little for your thief, your true
man thinks it big enough; if it be too big for your
thief, your thief thinks it little enough: so every true
man's apparel fits your thief.
Re-enter Provost.
Prov.
Are you agreed?
Clown.
Sir, I will serve him; for I do find, your
hangman is a more penitent trade than your bawd;
he doth oftner ask forgiveness8 note
.
Prov.
You, sirrah, provide your block and your axe,
to-morrow four o'clock.
-- 114 --
Abhor.
Come on, bawd; I will instruct thee in my
trade; follow.
Clown.
I do desire to learn, sir; and, I hope, if you
have occasion to use me for your own turn, you shall
find me yare9 note
: for, truly sir, for your kindness, I owe
you a good turn.
[Exit.
Prov.
Call hither Barnardine and Claudio:
One has my pity; not a jot the other,
Being a murtherer, though he were my brother.
Enter Claudio.
Look, here's the warrant, Claudio, for thy death:
'Tis now dead midnight, and by eight to-morrow
Thou must be made immortal. Where's Barnardine?
Claud.
As fast lock'd up in sleep, as guiltless labour
When it lies starkly1 note in the traveller's bones:
He will not wake.
Prov.
Who can do good on him?
Well, go, prepare yourself. [Exit Claud.] But, hark, what noise?
[Knock within.
Heaven give your spirits comfort!—By and by;—
I hope it is some pardon, or reprieve,
For the most gentle Claudio.—Welcome, father.
Enter Duke.
Duke.
The best and wholesomest spirits of the night
Invellop you, good provost! Who call'd here of late?
Prov.
None, since the curfew rung?
Duke.
Not Isabel?
Prov.
No.
Duke.
They will then2 note, ere't be long.
Prov.
What comfort is for Claudio?
-- 115 --
Duke.
There's some in hope.
Prov.
It is a bitter deputy.
Duke.
Not so, not so; his life is parellel'd
Even with the stroke3 note and line of his great justice;
He doth with holy abstinence subdue
That in himself, which he spurs on his power
4 note
To qualify in others: were he meal'd5 note
With that, which he corrects, then were he tyrannous;
But this being-so 9Q0193, he's just.—Now are they come.—
[Knock. Provost goes out.
This is a gentle provost; Seldom, when
The steeled goaler is the friend of men.—
How now? what noise? that spirit's possess'd with haste6 note
,
That wounds the unresisting postern 9Q01949Q0195 with these strokes.
-- 116 --
Provost returns, speaking to one at the door.
Prov.
There must he stay, until the officer
Arise to let him in; he is call'd up.
Duke.
Have you no countermand for Claudio yet,
But he must die to-morrow?
Prov.
None, sir, none.
Duke.
As near the dawning, provost, as it is,
You shall hear more ere morning.
Prov.
Happily,
You something know; yet, I believe, there comes
No countermand; no such example have we:
Besides, upon the very siege of justice7 note
,
Lord Angelo hath to the publick ear
Profess'd the contrary.
Enter a Messenger8 note
.
Duke.
This is his lordship's man.
Prov.
And here comes Claudio's pardon.
-- 117 --
Mess.
My lord hath sent you this note; and by me
this further charge, that you swerve not from the
smallest article of it, neither in time, matter, or other
circumstance. Good morrow; for, as I take it, it
is almost day.
Prov.
I shall obey him.
[Exit Messenger.
Duke.
This is his pardon; purchas'd by such sin,
[Aside.
For which the pardoner himself is in:
Hence hath offence his quick celerity,
When it is borne in high authority:
When vice makes mercy, mercy's so extended,
That, for the fault's love, is the offender friended.—
Now, sir, what news?
Prov.
I told you: Lord Angelo, be-like, thinking
me remiss in my office, awakens me with this unwonted
putting on: methinks, strangely; for he hath
not us'd it before.
Duke.
Pray you, let's hear.
Provost reads the letter.
Whatsoever you may hear to the contrary, let Claudio
be executed by four of the clock; and, in the afternoon,
Barnardine: for my better satisfaction, let me have Claudio's
head sent me by five. Let this be duly perform'd;
with a thought, that more depends on it than we must yet
deliver. Thus fail not to do your office, as you will answer
it at your peril.
What say you to this, sir?
-- 118 --
Duke.
What is that Barnardine, who is to be executed
in the afternoon?
Prov.
A Bohemian born; but here nurs'd up and
bred: one that is a prisoner nine years old. 9Q0196
Duke.
How came it, that the absent duke had not
either deliver'd him to his liberty, or executed him?
I have heard, it was ever his manner to do so.
Prov.
His friends still wrought reprieves for him:
And, indeed, his fact, till now in the government of
lord Angelo, came not to an undoubtful proof.
Duke.
Is it now apparent?
Prov.
Most manifest, and not deny'd by himself.
Duke.
Hath he borne himself penitently in prison?
how seems he to be touch'd?
Prov.
A man that apprehends death no more
dreadfully, but as a drunken sleep; careless, reckless,
and fearless of what's past, present, or to come; insensible
of mortality, and desperately mortal9 note.
Duke.
He wants advice.
Prov.
He will hear none: he hath evermore had
the liberty of the prison; give him leave to escape
hence he would not: drunk many times a day, if
not many days entirely drunk. We have very often
awak'd him, as if to carry him to execution, and
shew'd him a seeming warrant for it; it hath not
mov'd him at all.
Duke.
More of him anon. There is written in your
brow, Provost, honesty and constancy: if I read it
not truly, my ancient skill beguiles me; but in the
boldness of my cunning, I will lay myself in hazard.
Claudio, whom here you have a warrant to execute,
is no greater forfeit to the law than Angelo who hath
-- 119 --
sentenc'd him: To make you understand this in a
manifested effect, I crave but four days respite; for
the which you are to do me both a present and a dangerous
courtesy.
Prov.
Pray, sir, in what?
Duke.
In the delaying death.
Prov.
Alack! how may I do it? having the hour
limited; and an express command, under penalty, to
deliver his head in the view of Angelo? I may make
my case as Claudio's, to cross this in the smallest.
Duke.
By the vow of mine order, I warrant you, if
my instructions may be your guide. Let this Barnardine
be this morning executed, and his head
borne to Angelo.
Prov.
Angelo hath seen them both, and will discover
the favour.
Duke.
Oh, death's a great disguiser: and you may
add to it. Shave the head, 1 note
and tie the beard; and
say, it was the desire of the penitent to be so barb'd2 note before
-- 120 --
his death: you know the course is common. If
any thing fall to you upon this, more than thanks and
good fortune, by the saint whom I profess, I will
plead against it with my life.
Prov.
Pardon me, good father; it is against my
oath.
Duke.
Were you sworn to the duke, or to the deputy?
Prov.
To him, and to his substitutes.
Duke.
You will think you have made no offence,
if the duke avouch the justice of your dealing?
Prov.
But what likelihood is in that?
Duke.
Not a resemblance, but a certainty. Yet since
I see you fearful, that neither my coat, integrity, nor
my persuasion, can with ease attempt you, I will go
further than I meant, to pluck all fears out of you.
Look, you, sir, here is the hand and seal of the duke;
You know the character, I doubt not; and the signet
is not strange to you.
Prov.
I know them both.
Duke.
The contents of this is the return of the
duke; you shall anon over-read it at your pleasure;
where you shall find, within these two days he will be
here. This is a thing, that Angelo knows not: for
he this very day receives letters of strange tenor; perchance,
of the duke's death; perchance, entering
into some monastery; but, by chance, nothing of
what is writ3 note. Look, 4 note
the unfolding star 9Q0197 calls up the
shepherd: Put not yourself into amazement, how these
things should be: all difficulties are but easy when
they are known. Call your executioner, and off
with Barnardine's head: I will give him a present
-- 121 --
shrift, and advise him for a better place. Yet you are
amaz'd; but this shall absolutely resolve you. Come
away; it is almost clear dawn.
[Exeunt.
SCENE IV.
Enter Clown.
Clown.
I am as well acquainted here, as I was in
our house of profession: one would think, it were
mistress Over-done's own house, for here be many of
her old customers. First, here young master Rash5 note; 9Q0198
he's in for a commodity of brown paper and old ginger6 note
,
ninescore and seventeen pounds; of which he
-- 122 --
made five marks, ready money: marry, then, ginger
was not much in request, for the old women were all
dead. Then is there here one master Caper, at the
suit of master Three-pile the mercer, for some four
suits of peach-colour'd satin, which now peaches him
a beggar. Then have we here young Dizy, and young
master Deep-vow, and master Copper-spur, and master
Starve-lacky the rapier and dagger-man, and
young Drop-heir that kill'd lusty Pudding, and master
Forthright7 note
the tilter, 8 note
and brave master Shoe-tye
-- 123 --
the great traveller, and wild Half-can that stabb'd
Pots, and, I think, forty more; all great doers in our
trade, and are now in for the Lord's sake9 note
note, and did it for the Lord's sake.”
Steevens.. 9Q0199
Enter Abhorson.
Abhor.
Sirrah, bring Barnardine hither.
Clown.
Master Barnardine! you must rise and be
hang'd, master Barnardine!
Abhor.
What, ho, Barnardine!
Barnar. [Within]
A pox o' your throats! Who
makes that noise there? What are you?
Clown.
Your friends, sir; the hangman: You
must be so good, sir, to rise and be put to death.
Barnar. [Within.]
Away you rogue, away; I am
sleepy.
Abhor.
Tell him, he must awake, and that quickly
too.
Clown.
Pray, master Barnadine, awake till you are
executed, and sleep afterwards.
Abhor.
Go in to him, and fetch him out.
Clown.
He is coming, sir, he is coming; I hear
his straw rustle.
-- 124 --
Enter Barnardine.
Abhor.
Is the axe upon the block, sirrah?
Clown.
Very ready, sir.
Barnar.
How now, Abhorson? what's the news
with you?
Abhor.
Truly, sir, I would desire you to clap into
your prayers; for, look you, the warrant's come.
Barnar.
You rogue, I have been drinking all night,
I am not fitted for't.
Clown.
Oh, the better, sir; for he that drinks all
night, and is hang'd betimes in the morning, may
sleep the sounder all the next day.
Enter Duke.
Abhor.
Look you, sir, here comes your ghostly father;
Do we jest now, think you?
Duke.
Sir, induced by my charity, and hearing how
hastily you are to depart, I am come to advise you,
comfort you, and pray with you.
Barnar.
Friar, not I; I have been drinking hard
all night, and I will have more time to prepare me,
or they shall beat out my brains with billets: I will
not consent to die this day, that's certain.
Duke.
Oh, sir, you must: and therefore, I beseech
you, look forward on the journey you shall go.
Barnar.
I swear, I will not die to day for any man's
persuasion.
Duke.
But hear you,—
Barnar.
Not a word: if you have any thing to say
to me, come to my ward; for thence will not I today.
[Exit.
Enter Provost.
Duke.
Unfit to live, or die: Oh, gravel heart!—
After him, fellows; bring him to the block1 note
,
[Exeunt Abhorson and Clown.
-- 125 --
Prov.
Now, sir, how do you find the prisoner?
Duke.
A creature unprepar'd, unmeet for death;
And, to transport him2 note in the mind he is,
Were damnable.
Prov.
Here in the prison, father,
There dy'd this morning of a cruel fever
One Ragozine, a most notorious pirate,
A man of Claudio's years; his beard, and head,
Just of his colour; What if we do omit
This reprobate, till he were well inclin'd;
And satisfy the deputy with the visage
Of Ragozine, more like to Claudio?
Duke.
O, 'tis an accident that heaven provides!
Dispatch it presently; the hour draws on
Prefix'd by Angelo: See, this be done,
And sent according to command; whiles I
Persuade this rude wretch willingly to die.
Prov.
This shall be done, good father, presently.
But Barnardine must die this afternoon:
And how shall we continue Claudio,
To save me from the danger that might come,
If he were known alive?
Duke.
Let this be done,—Put them
In secret holds, both Barnardine and Claudio:
Ere twice the sun hath made his journal greeting
To the under generation3 note
, you shall find
Your safety manifested.
-- 126 --
Prov.
I am your free dependent.
Duke.
Quick, dispatch, and send the head to Angelo.
[Exit Provost.
Now will I write letters to Angelo,—
The provost, he shall bear them,—whose contents
Shall witness to him, I am near at home;
And that, by great injunctions, I am bound
To enter publickly: him I'll desire
To meet me at the consecrated fount,
A league below the city; and from thence,
By cold gradation and weal-balanced form4 note,
We shall proceed with Angelo.
Re-enter Provost.
Prov.
Here is the head; I'll carry it myself.
Duke.
Convenient is it: Make a swift return;
For I would commune with you of such things,
That want no ear but yours.
Prov.
I'll make all speed.
[Exit.
Isab. [Within.]
Peace, ho, be here!
Duke.
The tongue of Isabel:—She's come to know,
If yet her brother's pardon be come hither:
But I will keep her ignorant of her good,
To make her heavenly comforts of despair,
When it is least expected5 note.
Enter Isabella.
Isab.
Ho, by your leave.—
Duke.
Good morning to you, fair and gracious daughter.
-- 127 --
Isab.
The better, given me by so holy a man.
Hath yet the deputy sent my brother's pardon?
Duke.
He hath releas'd him, Isabel, from the world;
His head is off, and sent to Angelo.
Isab.
Nay, but it is not so.
Duke.
It is no other:
Shew your wisdom, daughter, in your close patience.
Isab.
Oh, I will to him, and pluck out his eyes.
Duke.
You shall not be admitted to his sight.
Isab.
Unhappy Claudio! Wretched Isabel!
Injurious world! Most damned Angelo!
Duke.
This nor hurts him, nor profits you a jot:
Forbear it therefore; give your cause to heaven.
Mark, what I say; which you shall find
By every syllable, a faithful verity:
The duke comes home to-morrow;—nay, dry your eyes;
One of our convent, and his confessor,
Gives me this instance: already he hath carry'd
Notice to Escalus and Angelo;
Who do prepare to meet him at the gates,
There to give up their power. If you can, pace your wisdom
In that good path, that I would wish it go;
And you shall have your bosom6 note on this wretch,
Grace of the duke, revenges to your heart,
And general honour.
Isab.
I am directed by you.
Duke.
This letter then to friar Peter give;
'Tis that he sent me of the duke's return:
Say, by this token, I desire his company
At Mariana's house to-night. Her cause, and yours,
I'll perfect him withal; and he shall bring you
Before the duke; and to the head of Angelo
Accuse him home, and home. For my poor self,
-- 128 --
I am combined7 note by a sacred vow,
And shall be absent. Wend8 note
you with this letter:
Command these fretting waters from your eyes
With a light heart; trust not my holy order,
If I pervert your course.—Who's here?
Enter Lucio.
Lucio.
Good even!
Friar, where is the provost?
Duke.
Not within, sir.
Lucio.
Oh, pretty Isabella, I am pale at mine heart,
to see thy eyes so red: thou must be patient: I am
fain to dine and sup with water and bran; I dare not
for my head fill my belly; one fruitful meal would
set me to't: But they say the duke will be here tomorrow.
By my troth, Isabel, I lov'd thy brother:
if the old9 note fantastical duke of dark corners 9Q0200 had been
at home, he had liv'd.
[Exit Isabella.
Duke.
Sir, the duke is marvellous little beholden
to your report; but the best is, he lives not in them1 note.
Lucio.
Friar, thou knowest not the duke so well as
I do: he's a better woodman 9Q02012 note
, than thou tak'st him
for.
Duke.
Well, you'll answer this one day. Fare ye
well.
-- 129 --
Lucio.
Nay, tarry; I'll go along with thee; I can
tell thee pretty tales of the duke.
Duke.
You have told me too many of him already,
sir, if they be true; if not true, none were enough.
Lucio.
I was once before him for getting a wench
with child.
Duke.
Did you such a thing?
Lucio.
Yes, marry, did I: but I was fain to forswear
it; they would else have marry'd me to the
rotten medlar.
Duke.
Sir, your company is fairer than honest: Rest
you well.
Lucio.
By my troth, I'll go with thee to the lane's
end: if bawdy talk offend you, we'll have very little
of it: Nay, friar, I am a kind of burr, I shall stick.
[Exeunt.
SCENE IV.
Changes to the Palace.
Enter Angelo and Escalus.
Escal.
Every letter he hath writ hath disvouch'd
other.
Ang.
In most uneven and distracted manner. His
actions shew much like to madness; pray heaven, his
wisdom be not tainted! And why meet him at the
gates, and re-deliver our authorities there?
Escal.
I guess not.
Ang.
And why should we proclaim it in an hour before
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' the morn 9Q0202, I'll call you at your house:
-- 130 --
Give notice to such men of sort and suit3 note,
As are to meet him.
Escal.
I shall, sir: fare you well.
[Exit.
Ang.
Good night.—
This deed unshapes me quite, makes me unpregnant4 note,
And dull to all proceedings. A deflower'd 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? no5 note
:
-- 131 --
For my authority bears a credent bulk6 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,
Might, in the times to come, have ta'en revenge,
By 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 not7 note.
[Exit.
-- 132 --
SCENE V.
Changes to the Fields without the Town.
Enter Duke in his own habit, and Friar Peter.
Duke.
These 8 noteletters at fit time deliver me.
[Giving letters.
The Provost knows our purpose, and our plot.
The matter being afoot, keep your instruction,
And hold you ever to our special drift;
Though sometimes you do blench9 note from this to that,
As cause doth minister. Go, call at Flavius' house,
And tell him, where I stay: give the like notice
Unto Valentius, Rowland, and to Crassus,
And bid them bring the trumpets to the gate;
But send me Flavius first.
Peter.
It shall be speeded well.
[Exit Friar.
Enter Varrius.
Duke.
I thank thee, Varrius; thou hast made good haste:
Come, we will walk: There's other of our friends
Will greet us here anon, my gentle Varrius.
[Exeunt.
SCENE II.
Enter Isabella and Mariana.
Isab.
To speak so indirectly, I am loth;
I would say the truth; but to accuse him so,
That is your part: yet I'm advis'd to do it;
He says, to vail full purpose1 note
.
-- 133 --
Mari.
Be rul'd by him.
Isab.
Besides, he tells me, that, if peradventure
He speak against me on the adverse side,
I should not think it strange; for 'tis a physick,
That's bitter to sweet end.
Mari.
I would, friar Peter—
Isab.
Oh, peace; the friar is come.
Enter Friar Peter2 note.
Peter.
Come, I have found you out a stand most fit,
Where you may have such vantage on the duke,
He shall not pass you: Twice have the trumpets sounded;
The generous3 note
and gravest citizens
-- 134 --
Have hent the gates4 note
, and very near upon
The duke is entring; therefore hence, away.
[Exeunt.
Samuel Johnson [1778], The plays of William Shakspeare. In ten volumes. With the corrections and illustrations of various commentators; to which are added notes by Samuel Johnson and George Steevens. The second edition, Revised and Augmented (Printed for C. Bathurst [and] W. Strahan [etc.], London) [word count] [S10901].
