Ang. O my dread lord, I should be guiltier than my guiltiness, When I perceive your grace, like power divine, But let my trial be mine own confession : Duke. Come hither, Mariana : Say, wast thou e'er contracted to this woman? Duke. Go take her hence, and marry her, instantly.- Return him here again :--Go with him, provost. [Exeunt ANGELO, MARIANA, PETER, and Provost. Escal. My lord, I am more amaz'd at his dishonour, Than at the strangeness of it. Duke. Isab. Duke. You are pardon'd, Isabel: And now, dear maid, be you as free to us. That brain'd my purpose: But, peace be with him! Than that which lives to fear: make it your comfort, Isab. Re-enter ANGELO, MARIANA, PETER, and Provost. Duke. For this new-married man, approaching here, Your well defended honour, you must pardon For Mariana's sake: but as he adjudg'd your brother, Of sacred chastity, and of promise-breach Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure; Which, though thou wouldst deny, denies thee vantage: Where Claudio stoop'd to death, and with like haste; Mari. O, my most gracious lord, I hope you will not mock me with a husband! Duke. It is your husband mock'd you with a husband: I thought your marriage fit; else imputation, We do instate and widow you withal, To buy you a better husband. Mari. O, my dear lord, I crave no other, nor no better man. Duke. Never crave him; we are definitive. Duke. [Kneeling. You do but lose your labour; Away with him to death.-Now, sir, [to LUCIO] to you. I'll lend you all my life to do you service. Duke. Against all sense you do importune her : Sweet Isabel, do yet but kneel by me; Hold up your hands, say nothing, I'll speak all. Most bounteous sir, Look, if it please you, on this man condemn'd, A due sincerity govern'd his deeds, Till he did look on me; since it is so, Let him not die: My brother had but justice For Angelo, His act did not o'ertake his bad intent; And must be buried but as an intent That perish'd by the way: thoughts are no subjects; Mari. Merely, my lord. [Kneeling Duke. Your suit's unprofitable; stand up, I say.- At an unusual hour? Prov. It was commanded so. Duke. Had you a special warrant for the deed? Prov. No, my good lord; it was by private message. Duke. For which I do discharge you of your office: Give up your keys. Prov. Pardon me, noble lord: I thought it was a fault, but knew it not; Duke. What's he? His name is Barnardine. Duke. I would thou hadst done so by Claudio.— Escal. I am sorry, one so learned and so wise Ang. I am sorry that such sorrow I procure: [Exit Provost. Re-enter Provost, BARNARDINE, CLAUDIO, and JULIET. Duke. Prov. Which is that Barnardine? This, my lord. Duke. There was a friar told me of this man: Sirrah, thou art said to have a stubborn soul, That apprehends no further than this world, And squar' st thy life according. Thou'rt condemn'd; And pray thee, take this mercy to provide I leave him to your hand.-What muffled fellow 's that? That should have died when Claudio lost his head; As like almost to Claudio, as himself. [Unmuffles CLAUDIO. Duke. If he be like your brother, [to ISABELLA] for his sake Is he pardon'd: And, for your lovely sake, Give me your hand, and say you will be mine; He is my brother too: But fitter time for that. Look that you love your wife; her worth worth yours. I find an apt remission in myself: And yet here's one in place I cannot pardon : You, sirrah, [to LUCIO] that knew me for a fool, a coward, That you extol me thus ? Lucio. 'Faith, my lord, I spoke it but according to the trick: If you will hang me for it, you may, but I had rather it would please you I might be whipped. Duke. Whipp'd first, sir, and hang'd after. Lucio. I beseech your highness, do not marry me to a whore ! Your highness said even now, I made you a duke; good my lord, do not recompense me in making me a cuckold. Duke. Upon mine honour, thou shalt marry her. Thy slanders I forgive; and therewithal Remit thy other forfeits :-Take him to prison : And see our pleasure herein executed. Lucio. Marrying a punk, my lord, is pressing to death, whipping, and hanging. Duke. Slandering a prince deserves it.— She, Claudio, that you wrong'd, look you restore. Joy to you, Mariana !-love her, Angelo; I have confess'd her, and I know her virtue. Thanks, good friend Escalus, for thy much goodness: What's mine is yours and what is yours is mine : What's yet behind, that's meet you all should know. [Exeunt. SCENE I.-A Hall in the Duke's Palace. Enter DUKE, ÆGEON, Gaoler, Officers, and other Attendants. Ege. Proceed, Solinus, to procure my fall, And, by the doom of death, end woes and all. Duke. Merchant of Syracusa, plead no more; I am not partial, to infringe our laws; The enmity and discord, which of late Sprung from the rancorous outrage of your duke Have sealed his rigorous statutes with their bloods,— Come to the bay of Ephesus, he dies, VOL. I. |