Clau.
Fellow, why dost thou show me thus to the world?
Bear me to prison, where I am committed.

Prov.
I do it not in evil disposition,
But from lord Angelo ^note by special charge.

Clau.
Thus can the demi-god, authority,
Make us pay down for our offence by weight.
The words of heaven14Q0089: On whom it will, it will;
On whom it will not, so: yet still 'tis just.

Luci.
Why, how now, Claudio? whence comes this restraint?

Clau.
From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty:
As surfeit is the father of much fast,
So every scope by the immoderate use
Turns to restraint: Our natures do pursue,
Like rats that raven ^note down their proper bane,
A thirsty evil; and, when we drink, we dye.

Luci.

If I could speak so wisely under an arrest, I would send for certain of my creditors: And yet, to say the truth, I had as lief have the foppery of freedom, as the morality ^note of imprisonment.— ^noteWhat's thy offence, Claudio?

Clau.
What, but to speak of, would offend again.

Luci.

What is it? murder?

Clau.
No.

Luci.
Lechery?

Clau.
Call it so.

Prov.
Away, sir, you must go.

Clau.
One word, good friend:—
Lucio, a word with you.

Luci.
A hundred, if they'll do you any good:—

Is lechery so look'd after?

Clau.
Thus stands it with me,—Upon a true contráct,
I got possession of Julietta's bed;
You know the lady; she is fast my wife,
Save that we do the denunciation lack
Of outward order: this we came not to,
Only for propagation ^note of a dower
Remaining in the coffer of her friends;
From whom we thought it meet to hide our love,
'Till time had made them for us. But it chances,
The stealth of our most mutual entertainment,
With character too gross, is writ on Juliet. ^note

Luci.
With child, perhaps?

Clau.
Unhappily, even so.
And the new deputy now for the duke,—
Whether it be the fault and glimpse of newness;
Or whether that the body publick be
A horse whereon the governor doth ride,
Who, newly in the seat, that it may know
He can command, lets it straight feel the spur:
Whether the tyranny be in his place,
Or in his eminence that fills it up,
I stagger in:—But this new governor
Awakes me all the enrolled penalties
Which have, like unscour'd armour, hung by the wall
So long, that nineteen zodiacks have gone round,
And none of them been worn; and, for a name,
Now puts the drowsy and neglected act
Freshly on me: 'tis surely for a name.

Luci.

I warrant, it is: and thy head stands so tickle on thy shoulders, that a milkmaid, if she be in love, may sigh it off. Send after the duke, and appeal to him.

Clau.
I have done so, but he's not to be found.
I pr'ythee, Lucio, do me this kind service:
This day my sister should the cloister enter,
And there receive her approbation:
Acquaint her with the danger of my state;
Implore her, in my voice, that she make friends
To the strict deputy; bid herself assay him,
I have great hope in that: for in her youth
There is a prone and speechless dialect,
Such as moves ^note men; besides, she hath prosperous art,
When she will play with reason and discourse,
And well she can persuade.

Luci.

I pray ^note she may: as well for ^note the encouragement of the like, which else would stand under grievous ^note imposition; as for the enjoying of thy life, who I would be sorry should be thus foolishly lost at a game of tick-tack. I'll to her.

Clau.
I thank you, good friend Lucio.

Luci.
Within two hours,— [Exit.

Clau.
Come, officer, away. [Exeunt.

Previous section

Next section