Ang.
When I wou'd Pray, and Think; I Think, and Pray
To several Objects! Heav'n has my empty Words,
But Isabella Engrosses all my Thoughts.
Affairs of State, of late my Darling Study,
Are, like a Good Thing often Read, grown Tedious
And, my Vain Gravity, I've been so proud of,
I now cou'd change for idle Plumes that Wanton
In the Air; and like Gay Youthful Dress. Enter Servant.

Ser.
The Sister, Sir, of Claudio, desires Access.

Ang.
Shew her the way. O! Heaven! Why does my Blood
Thus muster to my Heart, making it unable
To execute its Office, and robbing other parts
Of what, in lesser streams, they would make useful

So deal officious Throngs, with him that Swoons;
They Flock to help him, but stop up the Air,
With which he shou'd Revive: And so,
The Numerous Subjects of a King Belov'd,
Quit their own Home, and, with Rude Fondness, Press me
Into his Presence; where their Untaught Love
Must needs appear Offensive. Enter Isabella.

Ang.
Well Isabella.

Isa.
I'm come to know your Pleasure.

Ang.
That you did know it, wou'd much better Please me,
Than to Demand what 'tis. Your Brother Dies.

Isa.
If he must Die, then I've no more to say.

Ang.
Yet he may live awhile, nay, as long as
You or I, yet must he Dye.

Isa.
Under your Sentence?

Ang.
Yes.

Isa.
When I Beseech you? that in his Reprieve,
(Longer or Shorter) he may be so fitted,
That his Soul may not Suffer with his Body.

Ang.
And yet it were as good to Pardon him,
That has, from Nature, Stol'n a Man already
Made, as to permit their Saucy Sweetness;
Who Coin Heaven's Image in a Stamp forbidden.

Isa.
That is set down in Heaven but not on Earth.

Ang.
How? say you so? then I shall quickly Pose you.
Which had you rather, that your Brother Dye,
By this Just Law? or else, to save his Life,
Give up your Self to the same Blemish,
That she now suffers, whom your Brother Stain'd.

Isa.
I'd rather give my Body then my Soul.

Ang.
I Talk not of your Soul; our compell'd sins
Stand more for Number, than Account.

Isa.
How, Sir?

Ang.
Nay, I'll not warrant that; but Answer me.
I (now the Voice of the Recorded Law)
Pronounce the Sentence on your Brother's Life.
Might there not be a Charity in Sin
To save that Life?

Isa.
If to Pardon him be Sin,
Heav'n, let me bear it! It shall be my Pray'r,
To have it added to my Faults, not yours.

Ang.
Nay, but mind me; your Sense pursues not mine;
Or you'r Ignorant, or Craftily would seem so;

And that's not good. Then marke me, Isabel;
I'll speak more plain—Your Brother is to Dye.

Isa.
True.

Ang.
Admit no other way to save his Life,
(Nor subscribe I that, but by way of Question)
But the Surrender of your Youth and Beauty
To the Embraces of a Man, whose power
With me his Judge, cou'd free him from this Danger
What wou'd you do?

Isa.
For him, as for my self:
Th' Impressions of sharp VVhips, I'd wear as Rubys,
And ship my self to Death, as to a Bed,
E'r I wou'd yield my Honour up to Shame.

Ang.
Then must your Brother Dye.

Isa.
And better 'twere that he should Dye a while,
Then, for his Ransome, I shou'd Dye for ever.

Ang.
Then are not you as Cruel as the Law,
That you have Slander'd so?

Isa.
Lawful Mercy, Sir,
Is not at all A-kin to Foul Redemption.

Ang.
We all are frail.

Isa.
Else let my Brother Dye.

Ang.
Nay—VVomen are frail too.

Isa.
Yes, as the Glasses, where they View themselves.
VVomen are soft, as their Complexions; easie
To take a false Impression on their Credulous Minds.

Ang.
I do Arrest your Words—Be what you are—
That is, a Woman—If you'r more, you'r none.
If you are one, as your Bright Form assures,
Then shew it now.

Isa.
I understand you not.

Ang.
Know then, I Love you.

Isa.
My Brother Lov'd Julietta,
And you've just told me he must dye for it.

Ang.
No: he shall live, if you'l reward my Love.

Isa.
Securely from your Power you take a License,
To seem what you are not, to fathom others.

Ang.
Believe me, on my Honour, I do Love thee;
Nor can I Live, unless thou make me happy.

Isa.
My Lord, This is too Palpable.

Ang.
By Heaven!
By what I most Desire, thy Charming Self,
Thy Words express my Purpose.

Isa.
If, my Lord (you Love with Honour,) you will not deny
That, I with Honour Ask.

Ang.
Our Contest is
On Empty Names, Grim Justice, and Stern Honour.
Drive thou that Fantome from thy Downy Breast,
And give a loose to more Substantial Joys.
And I will Shackle up Destroying Justice,
And give thy Brother his Requested Life.

Isa.
I am Amaz'd.

Ang.
How can'st thou doubt thy Eyes,
Whose warmth can melt Proud Virtue into Lust.
Fire Ages Icy Winter, with Desires
As Fierce, and Uncontoulable, as Youth.
Behold me, Maid! 'Spight of my Rigid Nature,
And the Acquir'd Severity of Custom
Before thy Eyes, grow soft, as Luxury;
Intemperate, as thoughtless Libertines;
And Rash, and Unadvised, as Youthful Love:
Yes, Isabella, I that have Condemn'd thy Brother.
I, whom Law binds, to see him Suffer Death,
Sell, for a Smile, my Fame, my Honour, Justice.

Isa.
I will Proclaim thee, Angelo, look for't:
Sign me a present Pardon for my Brother,
Or, I will tell the World Aloud, what Man
Thou art.

Ang.
Who will believe you, Isabel?
My Name Unsully'd, and my Life Austere;
My Word against you, and my Place i'th' State,
Will stifle all your single Voice can Publish.
And thus, secure, I give Desire the Reins;
Yield to my Passion, or, your Brother shall
Not only Dye, but Dye in Burning Toments.

Isa.
To whom shall I Complain? If I tell this,
Who will believe me?

Ang.
You have Consider'd right.
This is a Day of Joy, our Good Dukes Birth-Day;
And, in Complyance with Lord Escalus,
I have Devoted it to Mirth and Pastime:
And Love has given a tast of Harmony,
Till now I knew not; If you will partake,
Go with me to the Hall, where now they wait me
It may disarm you of your froward Virtue,
And make you relish Pleasure.

Isa.
How ill Men
Pervert most Heav'nly things! No; I'll away,
And bid my Brother for his Death Prepare.

Ang.
Consider on it, and at Ten this Evening;

If you'll comply, you'll meet me at the Opera. [Exit

Isa.
Oh! let me fly from this deceitful World,
To Virgin Cloisters, the Retreat of Truth,
Where Arts of Men are banish'd from our Ears;
Remov'd from all the Anxious Roads of Fears.
But to m'expecting Brother first I'll go,
And end his hopes on this false Angelo. [Exit.

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