Duke.
Hail to you, Provost; so I think you are.

Prov.
I am the Provost; what's your will, good Friar?

Duke.
Bound by my charity, and my blest order,
I come to visit the afflicted spirits
Here in the prison; do me the common right
To let me see them, and to make me know
The nature of their crimes; that I may minister
To them accordingly.

Prov.
I would do more than that, if more were needful. Enter Juliet.
Look here comes one; a gentlewoman of mine,
Who falling in the flaws of her own youth,
Hath blister'd her report: she is with child,
And he that got it, sentenc'd: a young man
More fit to do another such offence,
Than die for this.

Duke.
When must he die?

Prov.
As I do think to-morrow.
I have provided for you; stay a while,
And you shall be conducted.

Duke.
Repent you, fair one, of the sin you carry?

Juliet.
I do; and bear the shame most patiently.

Duke.
I'll teach you how you shall arraign your conscience,
And try your penitence if it be sound,
Or hollowly put on.

Juliet.
I'll gladly learn.

Duke.
Love you the man that wrong'd you?

Juliet.
Yes, as I love the woman that wrong'd him.

Duke.
So then it seems your most offenceful act
Was mutually committed.

Juliet.
Mutually.

Duke.
Then was your sin of heavier kind than his.

Juliet.
I do confess it and repent it, father.

Duke.
'Tis meet so, daughter; but repent you not
As that the sin hath brought you to this shame?
Which sorrow's always tow'rds our selves, not heaven,
Showing we'd not seek heaven, as we love it,
But as we stand in fear.

Juliet.
I do repent me as it is an evil,
And take the shame with joy.

Duke.
There rest.
Your partner as I hear must die to-morrow,
And I am going with instruction to him;
So grace go with you; benedicite. [Exit.

Juliet.
Must die to-morrow! oh injurious love,
That respites me a life, whose very comfort
Is still a dying horror!

Prov.
'Tis pity of him. [Exeunt.

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