Scœna Prima. Enter Mariana, and Boy singing.
Song.
Take, oh take those lips away,
  that so sweetly were forsworne,
And those eyes: the breake of day
  lights that doe mislead the Morne;
But my kisses bring againe, bring againe,
Seales of loue, but seal'd in vaine, seal'd in vaine. Enter Duke.

Mar.
Breake off thy song, and haste thee quick away,
Here comes a man of comfort, whose aduice
Hath often still'd my brawling discontent.
I cry you mercie, Sir, and well could wish
You had not found me here so musicall.
Let me excuse me, and beleeue me so,
My mirth it much displeas'd, but pleas'd my woe.

Duk.
'Tis good; though Musick oft hath such a charme
To make bad, good; and good prouoake to harme.

I pray you tell me, hath any body enquir'd for mee here to day; much vpon this time haue I promis'd here to meete.

Mar.

You haue not bin enquir'd after: I haue sat here all day.

Duk.

I doe constantly beleeue you: the time is come euen now. I shall craue your forbearance alittle, may be I will call vpon you anone for some aduantage to your selfe.

Mar.

I am alwayes bound to you.

Duk.
Very well met, and well come:
What is the newes from this good Deputie?

Isab.
He hath a Garden circummur'd with Bricke,
Whose westerne side is with a Vineyard back't;
And to that Vineyard is a planched gate,
That makes his opening with this bigger Key:
This other doth command a little doore,
Which from the Vineyard to the Garden leades,
There haue I made my promise, vpon the
Heauy midle of the night, to call vpon him.

Duk.
But shall you on your knowledge find this way?

Isab.
I haue t'ane a due, and wary note vpon't,
With whispering, and most guiltie diligence,
In action all of precept, he did show me
The way twice ore.

Duk.
Are there no other tokens
Betweene you 'greed, concerning her obseruance?

Isab.
No: none but onely a repaire ith' darke,
And that I haue possest him, my most stay
Can be but briefe: for I haue made him know,
I haue a Seruant comes with me along
That staies vpon me; whose perswasion is,
I come about my Brother.

Duk.
'Tis well borne vp.
I haue not yet made knowne to Mariana Enter Mariana.
A word of this: what hoa, within; come forth,
I pray you be acquainted with this Maid,
She comes to doe you good.

Isab.
I doe desire the like.

Duk.
Do you perswade your selfe that I respect you?

Mar.
Good Frier, I know you do, and haue found it.

Duke.
Take then this your companion by the hand
Who hath a storie readie for your eare;
I shall attend your leisure, but make haste
The vaporous night approaches.

Mar.
Wilt please you walke aside. Exit.

Duke.
Oh Place, and greatnes: millions of false eies
Are stucke vpon thee: volumes of report
Run with these false, and most contrarious Quest
Vpon thy doings: thousand escapes of wit
Make thee the father of their Idle dreame,
And racke thee in their fancies. Welcome, how agreed? Enter Mariana and Isabella.

Isab.
Shee'll take the enterprize vpon her father,
If you aduise it.

Duke.
It is not my consent,
But my entreaty too.

Isa.
Little haue you to say
When you depart from him, but soft and low,
Remember now my brother.

Mar.
Feare me not.

Duk.
Nor gentle daughter, feare you not at all:
He is your husband on a pre-contract:
To bring you thus together 'tis no sinne,
Sith that the Iustice of your title to him
Doth flourish the deceit. Come, let vs goe.
Our Corne's to reape, for yet our Tithes to sow. Exeunt.

Scena Secunda. Enter Prouost and Clowne.

Pro.
Come hither sirha; can you cut off a mans head?

Clo.
If the man be a Bachelor Sir, I can:
But if he be a married man, he's his wiues head,
And I can neuer cut off a womans head.

Pro.

Come sir, leaue me your snatches, and yeeld mee a direct answere. To morrow morning are to die Claudio and Barnardine: heere 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 redeeme you from your Gyues: if not, you shall haue your full time of imprisonment, and your deliuerance with an vnpittied whipping; for you haue beene a notorious bawd.

Clo.

Sir, I haue beene an vnlawfull bawd, time out of minde, but yet I will bee content to be a lawfull hangman: I would bee glad to receiue some instruction from my fellow partner.

Pro.

What hoa, Abhorson: where's Abhorson there?

Abh.

Doe you call sir?

Pro.

Sirha, here's a fellow will helpe you to morrow in your execution: if you thinke it meet, compound with him by the yeere, and let him abide here with you, if not, vse him for the present, and dismisse him, hee cannot plead his estimation with you: he hath beene a Bawd.

Abh.

A Bawd Sir? fie vpon him, he will discredit our mysterie.

Pro.

Goe too Sir, you waigh equallie: a feather will turne the Scale.

Clo.

Pray sir, by your good fauor: for surely sir, a good fauor you haue, but that you haue a hanging look: Doe you call sir, your occupation a Mysterie?

Abh.

I Sir, a Misterie.

Clo.

Painting Sir, I haue heard say, is a Misterie; and your Whores sir; being members of my occupation, vsing painting, do proue my Occupation, a Misterie: but what Misterie there should be in hanging, if I should be hang'd, I cannot imagine.

Abh.

Sir, it is a Misterie.

Clo.

Proofe.

Abh.

Euerie true mans appartell fits your Theefe.

Clo.

If it be too little for your theefe, your true man thinkes it bigge enough. If it bee too bigge for your Theefe, your Theefe thinkes it little enough: So euerie true mans apparrell fits your Theefe.

Pro.

Are you agreed?

Clo.

Sir, I will serue him: For I do finde your Hangman is a more penitent Trade then your Bawd: he doth oftner aske forgiuenesse.

Pro.

You sirrah, prouide your blocke and your Axe to morrow, foure a clocke.

Abh.

Come on (Bawd) I will instruct thee in my Trade: follow.

Clo.

I do desire to learne sir: and I hope, if you haue occasion to vse me for your owne turne, you shall finde me y'are. For truly sir, for your kindnesse, I owe you a good turne.

Pro.
Call hether Barnardine and Claudio:
Th' one has my pitie; not a iot the other,
Being a Murtherer, though he were my brother. Enter Claudio.
Looke, here's the Warrant Claudio, for thy death,
'Tis now dead midnight, and by eight to morrow
Thou must be made immortall. Where's Barnardine?

Cla.
As fast lock'd vp in sleepe, as guiltlesse labour,
When it lies starkely in the Trauellers bones,
He will not wake.

Pro.
Who can do good on him?
Well, go, prepare your selfe. But harke, what noise?
Heauen giue your spirits comfort: by, and by,
I hope it is some pardon, or repreeue
For the most gentle Claudio. Welcome Father. Enter Duke.

Duke.
The best, and wholsomst spirits of the night,
Inuellop you, good Prouost: who call'd heere of late?

Pro.
None since the Curphew rung.

Duke.
Not Isabell?

Pro.
No.

Duke.
They will then er't be long.

Pro.
What comfort is for Claudio?

Duke.
There's some in hope.

Pro.
It is a bitter Deputie.

Duke.
Not so, not so: his life is paralel'd
Euen with the stroke and line of his great Iustice:
He doth with holie abstinence subdue
That in himselfe, which he spurres on his powre
To qualifie in others: were he meal'd with that
Which he corrects, then were he tirrannous,
But this being so, he's iust. Now are they come.
This is a gentle Prouost, sildome when
The steeled Gaoler is the friend of men:
How now? what noise? That spirit's possest with hast,
That wounds th'vnsisting Posterne with these strokes.

Pro.
There he must stay vntil the Officer
Arise to let him in: he is call'd vp.

Duke.
Haue you no countermand for Claudio yet?
But he must die to morrow?

Pro.
None Sir, none.

Duke.
As neere the dawning Prouost, as it is,
You shall heare more ere Morning.

Pro.
Happely
You something know: yet I beleeue there comes
No countermand: no such example haue we:
Besides, vpon the verie siege of Iustice,
Lord Angelo hath to the publike eare
Profest the contrarie. Enter a Messenger.

Duke.
This is his Lords man.

Pro.
And heere comes Claudio's pardon.

Mess.
My Lord hath sent you this note,
And by mee this further charge;
That you swerue 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.

Pro.
I shall obey him.

Duke.
This is his Pardon purchas'd by such sin,
For which the Pardoner himselfe is in:
Hence hath offence his quicke celeritie,
When it is borne in high Authority.
When Vice makes Mercie; Mercie's so extended,
That for the faults loue, is th' offender friended.
Now Sir, what newes?

Pro.
I told you:
Lord Angelo (be-like) thinking me remisse
In mine Office, awakens mee
With this vnwonted putting on, methinks strangely:
For he hath not vs'd it before.

Duk.
Pray you let's heare. The Letter.

Whatsoeuer you may heare to the contrary, let Claudio be executed by foure of the clocke, and in the afternoone Bernardine: For my better satisfaction, let mee haue Claudios head sent me by fiue. Let this be duely performed with a thought that more depends on it, then we must yet deliuer. Thus faile not to doe your Office, as you will answere it at your perill.

Duke.

What is that Barnardine, who is to be executed in th' afternoone?

Pro.

A Bohemian borne: But here nurst vp & bred, One that is a prisoner nine yeeres old.

Duke.

How came it, that the absent Duke had not either deliuer'd him to his libertie, or executed him? I haue heard it was euer his manner to do so.

Pro.

His friends still wrought Repreeues for him: And indeed his fact till now in the gouernment of Lord Angelo, came not to an vndoubtfull proofe.

Duke.

It is now apparant?

Pro.

Most manifest, and not denied by himselfe.

Duke.

Hath he borne himselfe penitently in prison? How seemes he to be touch'd?

Pro.

A man that apprehends death no more dreadfully, but as a drunken sleepe, carelesse, wreaklesse, and fearelesse of what's past, present, or to come: insensible of mortality, and desperately mortall.

Duke.

He wants aduice.

Pro.

He wil heare none: he hath euermore had the liberty of the prison: giue him leaue to escape hence, hee would not. Drunke many times a day, if not many daies entirely drunke. We haue verie oft awak'd him, as if to carrie him to execution, and show'd him a seeming warrant for it, it hath not moued him at all.

Duke.

More of him anon: There is written in your brow Prouost, honesty and constancie; if I reade it not truly, my ancient skill beguiles me: but in the boldnes of my cunning, I will lay my selfe in hazard: Claudio, whom heere you haue warrant to execute, is no greater forfeit to the Law, then Angelo who hath sentenc'd him. To make you vnderstand this in a manifested effect, I craue but foure daies respit: for the which, you are to do me both a present, and a dangerous courtesie.

Pro.

Pray Sir, in what?

Duke.

In the delaying death.

Pro.

Alacke, how may I do it? Hauing the houre limited, and an expresse command, vnder penaltie, to deliuer his head in the view of Angelo? I may make my case as Claudio's, to crosse 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.

Pro.
Angelo hath seene them both,
And will discouer the fauour.

Duke.

Oh, death's a great disguiser, and you may adde to it; Shaue the head, and tie the beard, and say it was the desire of the penitent to be so bar'de before his death: you know the course is common. If any thing fall to you vpon this, more then thankes and good fortune, by the Saint whom I professe, I will plead against it with my life.

Pro.

Pardon me, good Father, it is against my oath.

Duke.

Were you sworne to the Duke, or to the Deputie?

Pro.

To him, and to his Substitutes.

Duke.

You will thinke you haue made no offence, if the Duke auouch the iustice of your dealing?

Pro.

But what likelihood is in that?

Duke.

Not a resemblance, but a certainty; yet since I see you fearfull, that neither my coate, integrity, nor perswasion, can with ease attempt you, I wil go further then I meant, to plucke all feares out of you. Looke you Sir, heere is the hand and Seale of the Duke: you know the Character I doubt not, and the Signet is not strange to you?

Pro.

I know them both.

Duke.

The Contents of this, is the returne of the Duke; you shall anon ouer-reade it at your pleasure: where you shall finde within these two daies, he wil be heere. This is a thing that Angelo knowes not, for hee this very day receiues letters of strange tenor, perchance of the Dukes death, perchance entering into some Monasterie, but by chance nothing of what is writ. Looke, th'vnfolding Starre calles vp the Shepheard; put not your selfe into amazement, how these things should be; all difficulties are but easie vvhen they are knowne. Call your executioner, and off with Barnardines head: I will giue him a present shrift, and aduise him for a better place. Yet you are amaz'd, but this shall absolutely resolue you: Come away, it is almost cleere dawne.

Scena Tertia. Enter Clowne.

Clo.

I am as well acquainted heare, as I was in our house of profession: one would thinke it vvere Mistris Ouer-dons owne house, for heere be manie of her olde Customers. First, here's yong M^r Rash, hee's in for a commoditie of browne paper, and olde Ginger, nine score and seuenteene pounds, of which hee made fiue Markes readie money: marrie then, Ginger was not much in request, for the olde Women vvere all dead. Then is there heere one M^r Caper, at the suite of Master Three-Pile the Mercer, for some foure suites of Peach-colour'd Satten, which now peaches him a beggar. Then haue vve heere, yong Dizie, and yong M^r Deepevow, and M^r Copperspurre, and M^r Starue-Lackey the Rapier and dagger man, and yong Drop-heire that kild lustie Pudding, and M^r Forthlight the Tilter, and braue M^r Shootie the great Traueller, and wilde Halfe-Canne that stabb'd Pots, and I thinke fortie more, all great doers in our Trade, and are now for the Lords sake.

Abh.

Sirrah, bring Barnardine hether.

Clo.

M^r Barnardine, you must rise and be hang'd, M^r Barnardine.

Abh.

What hoa Barnardine.

Bar.

A pox o'your throats: who makes that noyse there? What are you?

Clo.
Your friends Sir, the Hangman:
You must be so good Sir to rise, and be put to death.

Bar.
Away you Rogue; away, I am sleepie.

Abh.
Tell him he must awake,
And that quickly too.

Clo.

Pray Master Barnardine, awake till you are executed, and sleepe afterwards.

Ab.

Go in to him, and fetch him out.

Clo.

He is comming Sir, he is comming: I heare his Straw russle.

Abh.

Is the Axe vpon the blocke, sirrah?

Clo.

Verie readie Sir.

Bar.
How now Abhorson?
What's the newes vvith you?

Abh.

Truly Sir, I would desire you to clap into your prayers: for looke you, the Warrants come.

Bar.
You Rogue, I haue bin drinking all night,
I am not fitted for't.

Clo.

Oh, the better Sir: for he that drinkes all night; and is hanged betimes in the morning, may sleepe the sounder all the next day.

Abh.

Looke you Sir, heere comes your ghostly Father: do we iest now thinke you?

Duke.

Sir, induced by my charitie, and hearing how hastily you are to depart, I am come to aduise you, Comfort you, and pray with you.

Bar.

Friar, not I: I haue bin drinking hard all night, and I will haue more time to prepare mee, or they shall beat out my braines with billets: I will not consent to die this day, that's certaine.

Duke.

Oh sir, you must: and therefore I beseech you Looke forward on the iournie you shall go.

Bar.

I sweare I will not die to day for anie mans perswasion.

Duke.

But heare you:

Bar.

Not a word: if you haue anie thing to say to me, come to my Ward: for thence will not I to day.

Duke.
Vnfit to liue, or die: oh grauell heart.

After him (Fellowes) bring him to the blocke.

Pro.
Now Sir, how do you finde the prisoner?

Duke.
A creature vnpre-par'd, vnmeet for death,
And to transport him in the minde he is,
Were damnable.

Pro.
Heere in the prison, Father.
There died this morning of a cruell Feauor,
One Ragozine, a most notorious Pirate,
A man of Claudio's yeares: his beard, and head
Iust of his colour. What if we do omit
This Reprobate, til he were wel enclin'd,
And satisfie the Deputie with the visage
Of Ragozine, more like to Claudio?

Duke.
Oh, 'tis an accident that heauen prouides:
Dispatch it presently, the houre drawes on
Prefixt by Angelo: See this be done,
And sent according to command, whiles I
Perswade this rude wretch willingly to die.

Pro.
This shall be done (good Father) presently:
But Barnardine must die this afternoone,
And how shall we continue Claudio,
To saue me from the danger that might come,
If he were knowne aliue?

Duke.
Let this be done,
Put them in secret holds, both Barnardine and Claudio,
Ere twice the Sun hath made his iournall greeting
To yond generation, you shal finde
Your safetie manifested.

Pro.
I am your free dependant. Exit.

Duke.
Quicke, dispatch, and send the head to Angelo
Now will I write Letters to Angelo,
(The Prouost he shal beare them) whose contents
Shal witnesse to him I am neere at home:
And that by great Iniunctions I am bound
To enter publikely: him Ile desire
To meet me at the consecrated Fount,
A League below the Citie: and from thence,
By cold gradation, and weale-ballanc'd forme.
We shal proceed with Angelo. Enter Prouost.

Pro.
Heere is the head, Ile carrie it my selfe.

Duke.
Conuenient is it: Make a swift returne,
For I would commune with you of such things,
That want no eare but yours.

Pro.
Ile make all speede. Exit. Isabell within.

Isa.
Peace hoa, be heere.

Duke.
The tongue of Isabell. She's come to know,
If yet her brothers pardon be come hither:
But I will keepe her ignorant of her good,
To make her heauenly comforts of dispaire,
When it is least expected. Enter Isabella.

Isa.
Hoa, by your leaue.

Duke.
Good morning to you, faire, and gracious daughter.

Isa.
The better giuen me by so holy a man,
Hath yet the Deputie sent my brothers pardon?

Duke.
He hath releasd him, Isabell, from the world,
His head is off, and sent to Angelo.

Isa.
Nay, but it is not so.

Duke.
It is no other.
Shew your wisedome daughter in your close patience.

Isa.
Oh, I wil to him, and plucke out his eies.

Duk.
You shal not be admitted to his sight.

Isa.
Vnhappie Claudio, wretched Isabell,
Iniurious world, most damned Angelo.

Duke.
This nor hurts him, nor profits you a iot,
Forbeare it therefore, giue your cause to heauen,
Marke what I say, which you shal finde
By euery sillable a faithful veritie.
The Duke comes home to morrow: nay drie your eyes,
One of our Couent, and his Confessor
Giues me this instance: Already he hath carried
Notice to Escalus and Angelo.
Who do prepare to meete him at the gates,
There to giue vp their powre: If you can pace your wisdome,
In that good path that I would wish it go,
And you shal haue your bosome on this wretch,
Grace of the Duke, reuenges to your heart,
And general Honor.

Isa.
I am directed by you.

Duk.
This Letter then to Friar Peter giue,
'Tis that he sent me of the Dukes returne:
Say, by this token, I desire his companie
At Mariana's house to night. Her cause, and yours
Ile perfect him withall, and he shal bring you
Before the Duke; and to the head of Angelo
Accuse him home and home. For my poore selfe,
I am combined by a sacred Vow,
And shall be absent. Wend you with this Letter:
Command these fretting waters from your eies
With a light heart; trust not my holie Order
If I peruert your course: whose heere? Enter Lucio.

Luc.
Good 'euen;
Frier, where's the Prouost?

Duke.

Not within Sir.

Luc.

Oh prettie Isabella, I am pale at mine heart, to see thine eyes so red: thou must be patient; I am faine to dine and sup with water and bran: I dare not for my head fill my belly. One fruitful Meale would set mee too't: but they say the Duke will be heere to Morrow. By my troth Isabell I lou'd thy brother, if the olde fantastical Duke of darke corners had bene at home, he had liued.

Duke.

Sir, the Duke is marueilous little beholding to your reports, but the best is, he liues not in them.

Luc.

Friar, thou knowest not the Duke so wel as I do: he's a better woodman then thou tak'st him for.

Duke.
Well: you'l answer this one day. Fare ye well.

Luc.
Nay tarrie, Ile go along with thee,
I can tel thee pretty tales of the Duke.

Duke.

You haue told me too many of him already sir if they be true: if not true, none were enough.

Luc.

I was once before him for getting a Wench with childe.

Duke.

Did you such a thing?

Luc.
Yes marrie did I; but I was faine to forswear it,
They would else haue married me to the rotten Medler.

Duke.

Sir your company is fairer then honest, rest you well.

Lucio.

By my troth Ile go with thee to the lanes end: if baudy talke offend you, we'el haue very litle of it: nay Friar, I am a kind of Burre, I shal sticke.

Scena Quarta. Enter Angelo & Escalus.

Esc.

Euery Letter he hath writ, hath disuouch'd other.

An.

In most vneuen and distracted manner, his actions show much like to madnesse, pray heauen his wisedome bee not tainted: and why meet him at the gates and reliuer our authorities there?

Esc.

I ghesse not.

Ang.

And why should wee proclaime it in an howre before his entring, that if any craue redresse of iniustice, they should exhibit their petitions in the street?

Esc.

He showes his reason for that: to haue a dispatch of Complaints, and to deliuer vs from deuices heereafter, which shall then haue no power to stand against vs.

Ang.

Well: I beseech you let it bee proclaim'd betimes i'th' morne, Ile call you at your house: giue notice to such men of sort and suite as are to meete him.

Esc.

I shall sir: fareyouwell.

Ang.
Good night.
This deede vnshapes me quite, makes me vnpregnant
And dull to all proceedings. A deflowred maid,
And by an eminent body, that enforc'd
The Law against it? But that her tender shame
Will not proclaime against her maiden losse,
How might she tongue me? yet reason dares her no,
For my Authority beares of a credent bulke,
That no particular scandall once can touch
But it confounds the breather. He should haue liu'd,
Saue that his riotous youth with dangerous sense
Might in the times to come haue ta'ne reuenge
By so receiuing a dishonor'd life
With ransome of such shame: would yet he had liued.
Alack, when once our grace we haue forgot,
Nothing goes right, we would, and we would not. Exit.

Scena Quinta. Enter Duke and Frier Peter.

Duke.
These Letters at fit time deliuer me.
The Prouost knowes our purpose and our plot,
The matter being a foote, keepe your instruction
And hold you euer to our speciall drift,
Though sometimes you doe blench from this to that
As cause doth minister: Goe call at Flauia's house,
And tell him where I stay: giue the like notice
To Valencius, Rowland, and to Crassus,
And bid them bring the Trumpets to the gate:
But send me Flauius first.

Peter.
It shall be speeded well. Enter Varrius.

Duke.
I thank thee Varrius, thou hast made good hast,
Come, we will walke: There's other of our friends
Will greet vs heere anon my gentle Uarrius. Exeunt.

Scena Sexta. Enter Isabella and Mariana.

Isab.
To speak so indirectly I am loath,
I would say the truth, but to accuse him so
That is your part, yet I am aduis'd to doe it,
He saies, to vaile full purpose.

Mar.
Be rul'd by him.

Isab.
Besides he tells me, that if peraduenture
He speake against me on the aduerse side,
I should not thinke it strange, for 'tis a physicke
That's bitter, to sweet end. Enter Peter.

Mar.
I would Frier Peter

Isab.
Oh peace, the Frier is come.

Peter.
Come I haue found you out a stand most fit,
Where you may haue such vantage on the Duke
He shall not passe you:
Twice haue the Trumpets sounded.
The generous, and grauest Citizens
Haue hent the gates, and very neere vpon
The Duke is entring:
Therefore hence away. Exeunt.

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