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 treble 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. [Exeunt with the Bawd.] 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 specially to know himself.

Duke.

What pleasure was he giv'n 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.