Duke.

Vouchsafe a Word, young Sister, but one Word.

Isab.

What is your Will?

Duke.

Might you dispense with your Leisure, I would by and by have some Speech with you: The Satisfaction I would require, is likewise your own Benefit.

Isab.

I have no superfluous Leisure; my Stay must be stolen out of other Affairs: But I will attend you a while.

Duke.

Son, I have over-heard what hath past between you and your Sister. Angelo had never the Purpose to corrupt her; only he hath made an Essay of her Virtue, to practise his Judgment with the Disposition of Natures. She, having the truth of Honour in her, hath made him that gracious Denial, which he is most glad to receive: I am Confessor to Angelo, and I know this to be true; therefore prepare your self to Death. Do not satisfie your Resolution with Hopes

that are fallible; to Morrow you must die; go to your Knees, and make ready.

Claud.

Let me ask my Sister Pardon; I am so out of love with Life, that I will sue to be rid of it.

Duke.

Hold you there; farewel. Provost, a Word with you.

Prov.

What's your Will, Father?

Duke.

That now you are come, you will be gone; leave me a while with the Maid; my Mind promises with my Habit, no loss shall touch her by my Company.

Prov.

In good time.

Duke.

The Hand that hath made you fair, hath made you good; the Goodness that is cheap in Beauty, makes Beauty brief in Goodness; but Grace being the Soul of your Complexion, shall keep the Body of it ever fair; the Assault that Angelo hath made to you, Fortune hath convey'd to my Understanding; and but that Frailty hath Examples for his Falling, I should wonder at Angelo: How will you do to content this Substitute, and to save your Brother?

Isab.

I am now going to resolve him: I had rather my Brother die by the Law, than my Son should be unlawfully born. But, oh, how much is the good Duke deceiv'd in Angelo: If ever he return, and I can speak to him, I will open my Lips in vain, or discover his Government.

Duke.

That shall not be much amiss; yet, as the Matter now stands, he will avoid your Accusation; He made Trial of you only. Therefore fasten your Ear on my Advisings, to the Love I have in doing good; a Remedy presents it self. I do make my self believe that you may most uprighteously do a poor wronged Lady a merited Benefit; redeem your Brother from the angry Law; do no Stain to your own gracious Person, and much please the absent Duke, if peradventure he shall ever return to have hearing of this Business.

Isab.

Let me hear you speak, Father: I have Spirit to do any thing that appears not foul in the Truth of my Spirit.

Duke.

Virtue is bold, and Goodness never fearful: Have you not heard speak of Mariana, the Sister of Frederick, the great Soldier, who miscarry'd at Sea?

Isab.

I have heard of the Lady, and good Words went with her Name.

Duke.

She should this Angelo have marry'd; was affianc'd to her by Oath, the Nuptial appointed: Between which time of the Contract, and limit of the Solemnity, her Brother Frederick was wrackt at Sea, having in that perish'd Vessel the Dowry of his Sister. But mark how heavily this befel to the poor Gentlewoman; there she lost a noble and renowned Brother, in his Love toward her ever most kind and natural; with him the Portion and Sinew of her Fortune, her Marriage-dowry; with both, her Combinate-husband, this well-seeming Angelo.

Isab.

Can this be so? Did Angelo so leave her?

Duke.

Left her in her Tears, and dry'd not one of them with his Comfort; swallow'd his Vows whole, pretending in her Discoveries of Dishonour: In few Words, bestow'd her on her own Lamentation, which she yet wears for his sake; and he, a Marble to her Tears, is washed with them, but relents not.

Isab.

What a Merit were it in Death to take this poor Maid from the World! What Corruption in this Life, that it will let this Man live! But how out of this can she avail?

Duke.

It is a Rupture that you may easily heal; and the Cure of it not only saves your Brother, but keeps you from Dishonour in doing it.

Isab.

Shew me how, good Father.

Duke.

This fore-nam'd Maid hath yet in her the Continuance of her first Affection; his unjust Unkindness, that in all Reason should have quenched her Love, hath, like an Impediment in the Current, made it more violent and unruly. Go you to Angelo, answering his requiring with a plausible Obedience; agree with his Demands to the Point: Only refer your self to this Advantage; first, that your Stay with him may not be long; that the Time may have all Shadow and Silence in it; and the Place answer to Convenience. This being granted in Course; and now follows all: We shall advise this wronged Maid to steed up your Appointment, go in your place; if the Encounter acknowledge it self hereafter, it may compel him to her Recompence; and here, by this is your Brother saved, your Honour untainted,

the poor Mariana advantaged, and the corrupt Deputy scaled. The Maid will I frame, and make fit for his Attempt: If you think well to carry this, as you may, the doubleness of the Benefit defends the Deceit and Reproof. What think you of it?

Isab.

The Image of it gives me Content already, and I trust it will grow to a most prosperous Perfection.

Duke.

It lyes much in your holding up; haste you speedly to Angelo; if for this Night he intreat you to his Bed, give him Promise of Satisfaction. I will presently to St. Luke's; there at the moated Grange resides this dejected Mariana; at that place call upon me, and dispatch with Angelo, that it may be quickly.

Isab.

I thank you for this Comfort: Fare you well, good Father.

Elb.

Nay, if there be no Remedy for it, but that you will needs buy and sell Men and Women like Beasts, we shall have all the World drink brown and white Bastard.

Duke.

Oh Heav'ns! what stuff is here?

Clown.

'Twas never merry World since of two Usuries the merriest was put down, and the worser allow'd by Order of Law; a furr'd Gown to keep him warm; and furr'd with Fox and Lambs-skins too, to signifie, that Craft being richer than Innocency, stands for the facing.

Elb.

Come your way, Sir: Bless you, good Father Friar.

Duke.

And you, good Brother Father; what Offence hath this Man made you, Sir?

Elb.

Marry, Sir, he hath offended the Law; and, Sir, we take him to be a Thief too, Sir; for we have found upon him, Sir, a strange Pick-lock, which we have sent to the Deputy.

Duke.
Fie, Sirrah, a Bawd, a wicked Bawd;
The Evil that thou causest to be done,
That is thy means to live. Do thou but think
What 'tis to cram a Maw, or cloath a Back
From such a filthy Vice: Say to thy self,
From their abominable and beastly Touches
I drink, I eat away my self, and live.

Canst thou believe thy living is a Life,
So stinkingly depending? Go mend, go mend.

Clown.
Indeed it does stink in some sort, Sir;
But yet, Sir, I would prove—

Duke.
Nay, if the Devil have given thee Proofs for Sin,
Thou wilt prove his. Take him to Prison, Officer;
Correction and Instruction must both work,
E'er this rude Beast will profit.

Elb.

He must before the Deputy, Sir; he has given him Warning; the Deputy cannot abide a Whore-master; if he be a Whoremonger, and comes before him, he were as good go a Mile on his Errand.

Duke.
That we were all, as some would seem to be,
Free from all Faults, as Faults from seeming free. Enter Lucio.

Elb.
His Neck will come to your Waste, a Cord, Sir.

Clown.

I spy Comfort; I cry Bail: Here's a Gentleman, and a Friend of mine.

Lucio.

How now, noble Pompey? What, at the Wheels of Cæsar? Art thou led in Triumph? What, is there none of Pigmalion's Images newly made Woman to be had now, for putting the Hand in the Pocket, and extracting clutch'd? What Reply? Ha? What say'st thou to this Tune, Matter and Method? Is't not drown'd i'th' last Rain? Ha? What say'st thou, Trot? Is the World as it was Man? Which is the way? Is it sad, and few Words? Or how? The Trick of it?

Duke.

Still thus, and thus; still worse?

Lucio.

How doth my dear Morsel? thy Mistress? Procures she still? Ha?

Clown.

Troth, Sir, she hath eaten up all her Beef, and she is her self in the Tub.

Lucio.

Why, 'tis good; it is the right of it; it must be so. Ever your fresh Whore, and your powder'd Bawd, an unshunn'd Consequence, it must be so. Art going to Prison, Pompey?

Clown.

Yes, Faith, Sir.

Lucio.

Why, 'tis not amiss, Pompey: Farewel: Go say, I sent thee thither; for Debt, Pompey? Or how?

Elb.

For being a Bawd, for being a Bawd.

Lucio.

Well, then imprison him; if Imprisonment be the due of a Bawd, why, 'tis his right. Bawd is he doubtless, and of Antiquity too; Bawd born. Farewel, good Pompey: Commend me to the Prison, Pompey; you will turn good Husband now, Pompey; you will keep the House.

Clown.

I hope, Sir, your good Worship will be my Bail.

Lucio.

No indeed will I not, Pompey; it is not the wear; I will pray, Pompey, to encrease your Bondage, if you take it not patiently: Why, your Mettle is the more: Adieu, trusty Pompey.

Bless you, Friar.

Duke.

And you.

Lucio.

Does Bridget paint still, Pompey? Ha?

Elb.

Come your ways, Sir, come.

Clown.

You will not bail me then, Sir?

Lucio.

Then, Pompey, nor now. What News abroad, Friar? What News?

Elb.

Come your ways, Sir, come.

Lucio.

Go to Kennel, Pompey, go:

What News, Friar, of the Duke?

Duke.

I know none: Can you tell me any?

Lucio.

Some say, he is with the Emperor of Russia; other some, he is in Rome: But where is he think you?

Duke.

I know not where; but wheresoever, I wish him well.

Lucio.

It was a mad fantastical Trick of him, to steal from the State, and usurp the Beggary he was never born to; Lord Angelo Dukes it well in his Absence; he puts Transgression to't.

Duke.

He does well in't.

Lucio.

A little more Lenity to Leachery would do no harm in him; something too crabbed that way, Friar.

Duke.

It is too general a Vice, and Severity must cure it.

Lucio.

Yes, in good sooth, the Vice is of great Kindred; it is well ally'd; but it is impossible to extirp it quite, Friar, 'till eating and drinking be put down. They say, this Angelo was not made by Man and Woman, after this downright way of Creation; is it true, think you?

Duke.

How should he be made then?

Lucio.

Some report, a Sea-maid spawn'd him. Some, that he was begot between two Stock-fishes. But it is certain, that when he makes Water, his Urine is congeal'd Ice; that I know to be true; and he is a Motion generative; that's infallible.

Duke.

You are pleasant, Sir, and speak apace.

Lucio.

Why, what a ruthless thing is this in him, for the Rebellion of a Cod-piece, to take away the Life of a Man? Would the Duke that is absent have done this? E'er he would have hang'd a Man for the getting a hundred Bastards, he would have paid for the nursing a thousand. He had some feeling of the Sport, he knew the Service, and that instructed him to Mercy.

Duke.

I never heard the absent Duke much detected for Women; he was not inclin'd that way.

Lucio.

Oh, Sir, you are deceiv'd.

Duke.

'Tis not possible.

Lucio.

Who, not the Duke? Yes, your Beggar of fifty; and his use was, to put a Ducket in her Clack-dish; the Duke had Crotchets in him. He would be drunk too, that let me inform you.

Duke.

You do him wrong surely.

Lucio.

Sir, I was an Inward of his; a shy Fellow was the Duke; and I believe I know the Cause of his withdrawing.

Duke.

What, prithee, might be the Cause?

Lucio.

No; Pardon: 'Tis a Secret must be lockt within the Teeth and the Lips; but this I can let you understand, the greater File of the Subject held the Duke to be wise.

Duke.

Wise? Why no question but he was.

Lucio.

A very superficial, ignorant, unweighing Fellow.

Duke.

Either this is Envy in you, Folly, or Mistaking: The very stream of his Life, and the Business he hath helmed, must upon a warranted need give him a better Proclamation. Let him be but testimonied in his own bringings forth, and he shall appear to the envious, a Scholar, a Statesman, and a Soldier; therefore you speak unskilfully; or if your Knowledge be more, it is much darken'd in your Malice.

Lucio.

Sir, I know him, and I love him.

Duke.

Love talks with better Knowledge, and Knowledge with dear Love.

Lucio.

Come, Sir, I know I what I know.

Duke.

I can hardly believe that, since you know not what you speak. But if ever the Duke return, as our Prayers are he may, let me desire you to make your Answer before him: If it be honest you have spoke, you have Courage to maintain it; I am bound to call upon you, and I pray you your Name?

Lucio.

Sir, my Name is Lucio, well known to the Duke.

Duke.

He shall know you better, Sir, if I may live to report you.

Lucio.

I fear you not.

Duke.

O, you hope the Duke will return no more; or you imagine me too unhurtful an Opposite; but indeed I can do you little harm: You'll forswear this again?

Lucio.

I'll be hang'd first: Thou art deceiv'd in me, Friar. But no more of this. Canst thou tell if Claudio die to Morrow, or no?

Duke.

Why should he die, Sir?

Lucio.

Why? For filling a Bottle with a Tun-dish: I would the Duke we talk of were return'd again; this ungenitur'd Agent will unpeople the Province with Continency. Sparrows must not build in his House-eves, because they are leacherous. The Duke yet would have dark Deeds darkly answered; he would never bring them to light; would he were return'd. Marry, this Claudio is condemned for untrussing. Farewel, good Friar, I prithee pray for me: The Duke, I say to thee again, would eat Mutton on Fridays. He's now past it; yet, and I say to thee, he would Mouth with a Beggar, tho' she smelt of brown Bread and Garlick: Say, that I said so: Farewel.

Duke.
No Might nor Greatness in Mortality
Can Censure scape: Back-wounding Calumny
The whitest Virtue strikes. What King so strong
Can tie the Gall up in the slanderous Tongue?
But who comes here? Enter Escalus, Provost and Bawd.

Escal.

Go, away with her to Prison.

Bawd.

Good my Lord, be good to me; your Honour is accounted a merciful Man: Good my Lord.

Escal.

Double and trebble Admonition, and still forfeit in the same kind? This would make Mercy swear, and play the Tyrant.

Prov.

A Bawd of eleven Years continuance, may it please your Honour.

Bawd.

My Lord, this is one Lucio's Information against me: Mistress Kate Keep-down was with Child by him in the Duke's time; he promis'd her Marriage: His Child is a Year and a Quarter old, come Philip and Jacob: I have kept it my self; and see how he goes about to abuse me.

Escal.

That Fellow is a Fellow of much Licence; let him be call'd before us. Away with her to Prison: Go to; no more Words.

Provost, my Brother Angelo will not be alter'd; Claudio must die to Morrow: Let him be furnish'd with Divines, and have all charitable Preparation. If my Brother wrought by my pity, it should not be so with him.

Pro.

So please you, this Friar hath been with him, and advis'd him for the entertainment of Death.

Escal.

Good Even, good Father.

Duke.

Bliss and Goodness on you.

Escal.

Of whence are you?

Duke.
Not of this Country, tho' my Chance is now
To use it for my time: I am a Brother
Of gracious Order, late come from the Sea,
In special Business from his Holiness.

Escal.

What News abroad i'th' World?

Duke.

None, but that there is so great a Fever on Goodness, that the Dissolution of it must cure it. Novelty is only in Request; and it is as dangerous to be aged in any kind of Course, as it is virtuous to be constant in any Undertaking. There is scarce Truth enough alive to make Societies secure; but Security enough to make Fellowships accurst. Much upon this Riddle runs the Wisdom of the World; this News is old enough, yet it is every Day's News. I pray you, Sir, of what Disposition was the Duke?

Escal.
One, that above all other Strifes,
Contended especially to know himself.

Duke.

What Pleasure was he given to?

Escal.

Rather rejoicing to see another merry, than merry at any thing which profest to make him rejoice. A Gentleman of all Temperance. But leave him to his Events, with a Prayer they may prove prosperous; and let me desire

to know how you find Claudio prepar'd? I am made to understand, that you have lent him Visitation.

Duke.

He professes to have received no sinister measure from his Judge, but most willingly humbles himself to the determination of Justice: yet had he fram'd to himself, by the instruction of his Frailty, many deceiving Promises of Life, which I, by my good leisure, have discredited to him, and now is he resolv'd to die.

Escal.

You have paid the Heav'ns your Function, and the Prisoner the very Debt of your Calling. I have labour'd for the poor Gentleman, to the extremest shore of my Modesty, but my Brother-Justice have I found so severe, that he hath forc'd me to tell him, he is indeed Justice.

Duke.
If his own Life
Answer the straitness of his Proceeding,

It shall become him well; wherein if he chance to fail, he Hath sentenc'd himself.

Escal.

I am going to visit the Prisoner: Fare you well.

Duke.
Peace be with you.
He who the Sword of Heav'n will bear,
Should be as Holy as Severe:
Pattern in himself to know,
Grace to stand, and Virtue go:
More nor less to others paying,
Than by Self-offences weighing.
Shame to him whose cruel striking,
Kills for Faults of his own liking:
Twice trebble Shame on Angelo,
To weed my Vice, and let his grow.
Oh, what may Man within him hide,
Tho' Angel on the outward side?
How may Likeness made in Crimes,
Making practise on the times,
To draw with idle Spider's Strings
Most ponderous and substantial things?
Craft against Vice I must apply.
With Angelo to Night shall lye
His old betroathed, but despis'd;
So Disguise shall by th' disguis'd
Pay with Falshood false exacting,
And perform an old contracting. [Exit.