That yet can do thee office? If thou hast, And hold no longer out. Ang. O, my dread lord! I should be guiltier than my guiltiness, To think I can be undiscernible, 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? Ang. I was, my lord. Duke. Go take her hence, and marry her instantly.Do you the office, friar; which consummate, 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. Come hither, Isabel. Your friar is now your prince: as I was then Not changing heart with habit, I am still Isab. O, give me pardon, That I, your vassal, have employ'd and pain'd Duke. You are pardon'd, Isabel: And now, dear maid, be you as free to us. It was the swift celerity of his death, Which I did think with slower foot came on, That brain'd my purpose: but, peace be with him! Than that which lives to fear. Make it your comfort, Re-enter ANGELO, MARIANA, PETER, and Provost. I do, my lord. Duke. For this new-married man, approaching here, Whose salt imagination yet hath wrong'd Your well-defended honour, you must pardon For Mariana's sake. But, as he adjudg'd your brother, (Being criminal, in double violation Of sacred chastity, and of promise-breach, Most audible, even from his proper tongue, Which, though thou would'st deny, denies thee vantage. Where Claudio stoop'd to death, and with like haste.Away with him. 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. Consenting to the safeguard of your honour, I thought your marriage fit; else imputation, Although by CONFISCATION they are ours,] This reading was furnished by the editor of the second folio. The original copy has confutation. 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. Mari. Gentle my liege, Duke. [Kneeling. You do but lose your labour. Away with him to death.-Now, sir, [To LUCIO.] to you. Mari. O, my good lord!-Sweet Isabel, take my part : Lend me your knees, and all my life to come Duke. Against all sense you do importune her: Mari. Isabel, Sweet Isabel, do yet but kneel by me: Duke. He dies for Claudio's death. Most bounteous sir, [Kneeling. Look, if it please you, on this man condemn'd, 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, Intents but merely thoughts. Mari. Merely, my lord. Duke. Your suit's unprofitable: stand up, I say. I have bethought me of another fault. Provost, how came it Claudio was beheaded 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. Prov. What's he? His name is Barnardine. Duke. I would thou had'st done so by Claudio.— Go, fetch him hither: let me look upon him. [Exit Provost. Escal. I am sorry, one so learned and so wise As you, lord Angelo, have still appear'd, Should slip so grossly, both in the heat of blood, And lack of temper'd judgment afterward. Ang. I am sorry that such sorrow I procure; And so deep sticks it in my penitent heart, That I crave death more willingly than mercy : 'Tis my deserving, and I do entreat it. Re-enter Provost, BARNARDINE, CLAUDIO, and JULIET. Duke. Which is that Barnardine? Prov. This, my lord. Duke. There was a friar told me of this man. Sirrah, thou art said to have a stubborn soul, And squar'st thy life according. Thou'rt condemned; But, for those earthly faults, I quit them all, I leave him to your hand.-What muffled fellow's that? That should have died when Claudio lost his head, [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, 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, One all of luxury, an ass, a madman : Wherein have I so deserv'd of you, 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 whipp'd. Duke. Whipp'd first, sir, and hang'd after. Proclaim it, provost, round about the city, Lucio. I beseech your highness, do not marry me to a whore! |