 Act 4. Of Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Act 4. Scene 1. The Moted Grange at St. Luke's. Enter Mariana and the Boy. Boy sings. Take, oh, take those lips away. That so sweetly were foresworn. And those eyes, the break of day. Lights that do mislead the morn. But my kisses bring again, bring seals of love, but sealed in vain, sealed in vain. Break off thy song, and haste thee quick away. Here comes a man of comfort, whose advice hath often stilled my brawling discontent. Exit, boy. Enter Duke, disguised as before. I cry you mercy, sir, and well could wish you had not found me here so musical. Let me excuse me, and believe me so. My mirth is much displeased, but pleased my woe. Tis good, though music oft hath such a charm to make bad good and good provoke to harm. I pray you, tell me hath anybody inquired for me here to-day, much upon this time have I promised here to meet. You have not been inquired after. I have sat here all day. Enter Isabella. I do constantly believe you, the time is come even now. I shall crave your forbearance a little. Maybe I will call upon you anon for some advantage to yourself. I am always bound to you. Exit. Very well met and well come. What is the news from this good deputy? He hath a garden circumured with brick, whose western side is with a vineyard-backed, and to that vineyard is a planched gate that makes his opening with this bigger key. This other does command a little door which from the vineyard to the garden leads. There hath I made my promise upon the heavy middle of the night to call upon him. But shall you on your knowledge find this way? I have taken a due and wary note upon it, with whispering and most guilty diligence, in action all of precept he did show me the way twice over. Are there no other tokens between you, agreed concerning her observance? No, none, but only a repair in the dark, and that I have possessed him my most stay can be but brief. For I have made him know I have a servant comes with me along that stays upon me, whose persuasion is I come about my brother. It is well borne up. I have not yet made known to Marianna a word of this. What hole? Within, come forth. Re-enter, Marianna. I pray you be acquainted with this maid. She comes to do you good. I do desire the like. Do you persuade yourself that I respect you? Good friar, I know you do, and have found it. Take then this, your companion by the hand, who hath a story ready for your ear. I shall attend your leisure, but make haste. The vaporous night approaches. Will please you walk aside? Exeunt Marianna and Isabella. O place and greatness, millions of false eyes are stuck upon thee. Volumes of report run with these false and most contrarious quests upon thy doings. Thousand escapes of wit make thee the father of their idle dreams, and rack thee in their fancies. Re-enter, Marianna and Isabella. Welcome. How agreed. She'll take the enterprise upon her father, if you advise it. It is not my consent, but my entreaty too. Little have you to say when you depart from him, but soft and low, remember now my brother. Fear me not. Nor gentle daughter, fear you not at all. He is your husband on a pre-contrat. To bring you thus together, tis no sin, sith that the justice of your title to him. Doth flourish the deceit. Come, let us go, our corns to reap, for yet our tithes to sow. Exeunt. Scene two, a room in the prison, and a provost and Pompey. Come, hither, sirrah. Can you cut off a man's head? If the man be a bachelor, sirrah, I can. But if he be a married man, he is his wife's head, and I can never cut off a woman's head. Come, sir, leave me your snatches and yield me a direct answer. Tomorrow morning are to die Claudio and Barnardine. Here is in our prison a common executioner who, in his office, lacks a helper. If you will take it on you to a system, it shall redeem you from your jives. If not, you shall have your full time of imprisonment, and your deliverance with an unpitted whipping, for you have been a notorious bod. Sir, I have been an unlawful bod, time out of mind, but yet I will be content to be a lawful hangman. I would be glad to receive some instruction from my fellow partner. What-ho! A borson! Where's a borson there? Enter a borson. Die co, sir. Sirrah, here's a fellow who will help you tomorrow in your execution. If you think it meet, compound with him by the gear, and let him abide here with you. If not, use him for the present and dismiss him. He cannot plead his estimation with you, he hath been a bod. A bod, sir. Fire upon him. He will discredit our mystery. Go to, sir. You weigh equally. A feather will turn the scale. Exit. Pro, sir, by your good favour. For surely, sir, your good favour you have, but that you have a hanging look. Do you call, sir, your occupation a mystery? Aye, sir, a mystery! Painting, sir, I have heard say, is a mystery, and your horrors, sir, being members of my occupation, using painting to prove my occupation a mystery. But what mystery there should be hanging if I should be hanged, I cannot imagine. Sir, it is a mystery. Proof. Every true man's apparel fits your thief. If it be too little for your thief, your true man thinks it's big enough. If it be too big for your thief, your thief thinks it legal enough. Sir, every true man's apparel fits your thief. Re-enter provost. Are you agreed? Sir, I will serve him. For I do find your hangman is a more penitent trade than your bought. He doth oftener ask forgiveness. You, sir, provide your block and your axe to Morrow four o'clock. Come on, board. I will instruct thee my trade. Follow. I do desire to learn, sir, and I hope if you have the occasion to use me for your own turn, you shall find me here for truly serve for your kindness. I owe you a good turn. Call hither Barnardine and Claudio. Exeunt Pompey and abortion. The one has my pity, not a jot the other, being a murderer, though he were my brother. And the Claudio. Look, here's the warrant, Claudio, for thy death. It is now dead midnight, and by eight tomorrow thou must be made immortal. Where's Barnardine? As fast locked up in sleep as guiltless labour when it lies starkly in the child's bones. He will not wake. Who can do good on him? Well, go prepare yourself. But hark what noise! Heaven give your spirits comfort. Exeunt Claudio. By and by. I hope it is some pardon or reprieve for the most gentle Claudio. Enter Duke, disguised as before. Welcome, Father. The best and wholesome spirits of the night envelop you, good provost. Who called here of late? None, since the curfew rung. Not Isabel? No. They will then, ere it be long. What comfort is for Claudio? There's some in hope. It is a bitter deputy. Not so, not so. His life is paralleled, even with the stroke and line of his great justice. He doth with holy abstinence subdue that in himself which he spurs on his power to qualify another's. Where he'd mealed with that, which he corrects, then were he tyrannous. But this being so, he's just. Now, are they come? Exit provost. This is a gentle provost. Seldom when? The stale jailer is the friend of mine. How now? What noise? That spirit's possessed with haste that wounds the unsisting poston with these strokes. Re-enter provost. There he must stay until the officer arrives to let him in. He is called up. Have you no counter-man for Claudio yet? But he must die tomorrow. None, sir. None. As near the dawning provost as it is, you shall hear more ere morning. Happily you something know. Yet I believe there comes no counter-man. No such example have we. Besides, upon the very siege of justice Lord Angelo hath to the public ear professed the contrary. Enter a messenger. This is his lordship's man. And here comes Claudio's pardon. Messenger, giving a paper. My lord has sent you this note, and by me there's further charge that you swerve not from the smallest article of it, neither in time, matter, or other circumstance. Good morrow. For as I take it it is almost day. I shall obey him. Exit messenger. Duke aside. This is his pardon. Purchased by such sin for which the partner himself is in. Hence hath the fence his quick celerity, when it is born in high authority. When vice makes mercy, mercy so extended that for the false love is the offender friended. Now, sir, what news? I told you Lord Angelo, be like thinking me remiss in my office, awakens me with this son wanted putting on. But think strangely, for he hath not used it before. Pray you. Let's hear. Whatsoever you may hear to the contrary. Let Claudio be executed by four of the clock and in the afternoon Barnadine. For my better satisfaction let me have Claudio's head sent me by five. Let this be duly performed with a thought that more depends on it than we must yet deliver. Thus fail not to do your office as you will answer it at your peril. What say you to this, sir? What is that Barnadine who is to be executed in the afternoon? A Bohemian born, but here nursed up and bred, one that is a prisoner nine years old. How came it that the absent duke had not either delivered him to his liberty or executed him? I have heard it was ever his manner to do so. His friend still wrought reprieves for him, and indeed his fact till now in the government of Lord Angelo came not to an undoubtful proof. It is now apparent. Most manifest and not denied by himself. As he bore himself penitently in prison, how seems he to be touched? A man that apprehends death no more dreadfully but as a drunken sleep, careless, reckless, and fearless of what's past, present or to come, insensible of mortality and desperately mortal. He wants advice. He will hear none. He hath evermore had the liberty of the prison, give him leave to escape hence he would not, drunk many times a day if not many days entirely drunk. We have very oft awakened him as if to carry him to execution and showed him a seeming warrant for it. It hath not moved him at all. There is written in your brow provost honesty and constancy. If I read it not truly, my ancient skill beguiles me. But in the boldness of my cunning I will lay myself in hazard. Claudio, whom here you have warrant to execute, is no greater forfeit to the Lord than Angelo who hath sentenced him. To make you understand this in a manifested effect I crave but four days' respite, for the which you art do me both a present and a dangerous courtesy. Frazier, in what? In the delaying death. Lack how may I do it, having the hour limited and an express command under penalty to deliver his head in the view of Angelo? I may make my cases Claudio's to cross this in the smallest. By the vow of my order I warrant you, if my instructions may be your guide. Let this Barnadine be this morning executed and his head borne to Angelo. Angelo hath seen them both and will discover the favour. O death, so great disguiser, and you may add to it. Shave the head and tie the beard and say it was the desire of the penitent to be so bared before his death. You know the course is common. If anything fall to you upon this, more than thanks and good fortune, by the saint whom I profess I will plead against it with my life. Pardon me, good father, it is against my oath. Were you sworn to the Duke or to the deputy? To him and to his substitutes. You will think you have made no offence if the Duke avouche the justice of your dealing? But what likelihood is in that? Not a resemblance, but a certainty. Yet since I see you fearful that neither my coat, integrity nor persuasion can with ease attempt you, I will go further than I meant to pluck all fears out of you. Look you, sir. Here is the hand and seal of the Duke. You know the character, I doubt not, and the signet is not strange to you. I know them both. The contents of this is the return of the Duke. You shall anon overread it at your pleasure, where you shall find within these two days he will be here. This is a thing that Angelo knows not for he. This very day receives letters of strange tenor. Perchance of the Duke's death. Perchance entering into some monastery. But by chance nothing of what is writ. Look, the unfolding star calls up the shepherd. Put not yourself into amazement how these things should be. All difficulties are but easy when they are known. Call your executioner, and off with Barnardine's head. I will give him a present shrift, and advise him for a better place. Yet you are amazed. But this shall absolutely resolve you. Come away. It is almost clear dawn. Excellent. Scene three. Another room in the same. Enter Pompey. I am as well acquainted here as I was in our house of profession. One would think it were Mistress Overton's own house, for here be many of her old customers. First here is young master Rash. He's in for a commodity of brown paper and old ginger, nine score in seventeen pounds, of which she made five marks, ready money. Mary then, gender was not much in her quest. The old women were all dead. Then is there here one master caper, at the suit of master three-pile the Mercer, for some four suits of peach-coloured satin, which now peaches him a beggar. Then have we here young Dizzy, and young master Deepvaugh, and master Coppersper, and master Starlacky, the rapier and daggerman, and young draw-bear that killed lusty pudding, and master Fortlight, the tilter, and brave master Shutey, the great traveller, and wild half-can that stabbed pots, and I think forty more. All great doers in our trade, and are now for the Lord's sake. Enter abortion. Zero, bring Barnardine hither. Master Barnardine? You must rise and be hanged, master Barnardine. What hope, Barnardine? Barnardine was in. C.S. Routes! Who makes that noise there? What are you? Your friends, sir, the hangman. You must be so good, sir, to rise and be put to death. Tell him he must be awake in that quickly, too. Pray, master Barnardine, awake till you are executed, and sleep afterwards. Go into him, and fetch him out. He is coming, sir, he is coming. I hear his straw rustle. He eats the axe upon the block, Zero. Very ready, sir. Enter Barnardine. Oh, now, I'm wholesome. What's the news with you? Truly, sir, I would desire you to clap into your praise, for, look you, the warrants come. Oh, rogue, I have been drinking all night. I am not fitted for it. Oh, the better, sir, for he that drinks all night, and is hanged betimes in the morning, may sleep the thunder all the next day. Look you, sir, here comes your ghostly father. Do we jest now? Thank you. Enter Duke, disguised as before. Sir, induced by my charity and hearing how hastily you are to depart, I am come to advise you, comfort you, and pray with you. Friar, not I. I have been drinking hard all night, and I will have more time to prepare me, or they shall beat out my brains with billets. I will not consent to die this day, that certain. Oh, sir, you must, and therefore I beseech you look forward on the journey you shall go. I swear I will not die today for any man's persuasion. But hear you. Not a word. If you have anything to say to me, come to my ward, for thence will I not today. Exit. Unfit to live or die, you gravel-art. After him, fellows, bring him to the block. Exit under Borson and Pompey. Re-enter Provost. Now, sir, how do you find the prisoner? A creature unprepared, unmeet for death, and to transport him in the mind he is, were damnable. Here in the prison, father, there died this morning of a cruel fever, one ragazine, a most notorious pirate, a man of Claudio's years, his beard and head just of his colour. What if we do omit this reprobate till he were well inclined, and satisfy the deputy with a visage of ragazine, more like to Claudio? Oh, it is an accident that heaven provides. Dispatch it presently. The hour draws on. Pre-fixed by Angelo. See this be done, and sent according to command, whilst I persuade this rude wretch willingly to die. This shall be done, good father, presently. But Barnardine must die this afternoon, and how shall we continue Claudio to save me from the danger that might come if he were known alive? Let this be done. Put them in secret holds, both Barnardine and Claudio, ere twice the sun hath made his journal greeting, to the under-generation you shall find your safety manifested. I am your free dependent. Quick, dispatch and send the head to Angelo. Exit, provost. Now will I write letters to Angelo. The provost, he shall bear them, whose contents shall witness to him I am near at home, and that by great injunctions I am bound to enter publicly. Him our desire to meet me, at the consecrated fount, a league below the city, and from thence by cold gradation and well-balanced form, we shall proceed with Angelo. Re-enter, provost. Here is the head. I'll carry it myself. Convenient is it. Make a swift return, for I would commune with you of such things that want no ear but yours. I'll make all speed. Exit, Isabella within. Peace, her, be here. The tongue of Isabelle, she comes to know if yet her brother's pardon become hither, but I will keep her ignorant of her good, to make her heavenly comforts of despair when it is least expected. Enter, Isabella. Ho, by your leave. Good morning to you, fair and gracious daughter. The better given me by so holy a man hath yet the deputy sent my brother's pardon. He hath released him, Isabelle, from the world. His head is off and sent to Angelo. Ho, nay, but it is not so. It is no other. Show your wisdom, daughter, in your close patience. Ho, I will to him and pluck out his eyes. You shall not be admitted to his sight. Unhappy Claudio, wretched Isabelle, injurious world, most damned Angelo. This nor hurts him nor profits you a jot. For bear it, therefore, give your cause to heaven. Mark what I say, which you shall find by every syllable of faithful verity. The duke comes home tomorrow. Nay, dry your eyes, one of our covent and his confessor gives me this instant. Already he hath carried notice to Escalus and Angelo, who do prepare to meet him at the gates. There to give up their power, if you can, pace your wisdom in that good path that I would wish it go. And you shall have your bosom on this wretch, grace of the duke. Revenge is to your heart and general honour. I am directed by you. This letter then to Friar Peter give, tis that he sent me of the duke's return. Say, by this token I desire his company, at Marianna's house tonight. Her cause and yours I'll perfect him with all. And he shall bring you before the duke and to the head of Angelo, accuse him home and home. For my poor self I am combined by a sacred vow, and shall be absent. When you with this letter command these fretting waters from your eyes with a light heart. Trust not my holy order if I pervert your course. Who's here? Enter Lutcio. Good evening, Friar. Where's the provost? Not within, sir. Oh, pretty Isabella, I am pale at my heart to see thine eyes so red. Thou must be patient. I am feigned to dine and sup with water and brand. I dare not for my head fill my belly. One fruitful meal would set me to it. But they say the duke will be here to-morrow. By my troth, Isabella, I loved thy brother. If the old fantastical duke of dark corners had been at home, he had lived. Exit, Isabella. Sir, the duke is marvellous little beholding to your reports, but the best is he lives not in them. Friar, thou knowest not the duke so well as I do. He's a better woodman than thou takes him for. Well, you'll answer this one day fairly well. Nay, Terry, I'll go along with thee. I can tell thee pretty tales of the duke. You have told me too many of him already, sir, if they be true. If not true, none were enough. I was once before him forgetting a wench with child. Did you such a thing? Yes, Mary, did I. But I was famed if I swear it. They would else have married me to the rotten meddler. Sir, your company is fairer than honest. Rest you well. By my troth, I'll go with thee to the lanes in. If body talk offend you, we'll have very little of it. Nay, Friar, I am a kind of burr, I shall stick. Exeunt. Scene four. A room in Angelo's house. Enter Angelo and Escalus. Every letter he hath written hath this vouched other. In most uneven and distracted manner. His actions show much like to madness. Pray heaven is wisdom be not tainted. And why meet him at the gates and re-deliver our authorities there? I guess not. And why should we proclaim it in an hour before his entering, that if any cravery dress of injustice they should exhibit their petitions in the street? He shows his reason for that. To have a dispatch of complaints and to deliver us from devices hereafter, which shall then have no power to stand against us. Well, I beseech you. Let it be proclaimed the times in the morn. I'll call you at your house. Give notice to such men of sort and suit as are to meet him. I shall, sir. Fare you well. Good night. Exeunt Escalus. This deed unshapes me quite, makes me un-pregnant and dull to all proceedings. A deflowered maid, and by an eminent body that enforced the law against it, but that a tender shame were not proclaimed against him made in an arse. How might she tongue me? Yet reason dares her now. For my authority bears a decreed and bulk that no particular scandal once can touch, but it confounds the breather. He should have lived, save that his right is youth, with dangerous sense might in the tines to come obtain revenge by sir receiving a dishonoured life with ransom of such shame. But yet he had lived. Alack! When once our grace we have forgot, nothing goes right. We would, and we would not. Exit. Scene five. Fields without the town, and the duke in his own habit and friar Peter. These letters at fit time deliver me. Giving letters. The provost knows our purpose and our plot, the matter being afoot, keep your instruction, and hold you ever to our special drift. Though sometimes you do blench from this to that, as cause doth minister. Go call at Flavius's house and tell him where I stay. Give the like notice to Valentius, Rowland, and to Crassus, and bid them bring the trumpets to the gate. But send me Flavius first. It shall be spared well. Exit. Enter Varius. I thank thee, Varius. Thou hast made good haste. Come, we will walk. There's other of our friends will greet us here and on, my gentle Varius. Exit. Scene 6. Street near the city gate. Enter Isabella and Mariana. To speak so indirectly I am loath. I would say the truth. But to accuse him so, that is your part. Yet I am advised to do it. He says to veil full purpose. Be ruled by him. Besides he tells me that if per adventure he speaks against me on the adverse side I should not think it's strange, for it is a physic that's bitter to sweet end. I would fry a Peter. O peace! The fryers come. Enter Fryer Peter. Come. We have found you out of town most of it, where you may have such advantage on the dook he shall not pass you. Twice have the trumpet sounded. The generous and gravest citizens have hinted the gates, and very near upon the dook is entering. Therefore hence away. Exeunt. End of Act IV Act V of measure for measure by William Shakespeare. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Act V. Scene I. The city gate. Mariana veiled Isabella and Fryer Peter at their stand. Enter Duke, Various, Lords, Angelo, Escalus, Lucio, Provost, Officers and Citizens at several doors. My very worthy cousin. Fairly met. Our old and faithful friend we are glad to see you. Happy return be to your Royal Grace. Many and hearty thankings to you both. We have made inquiry of you and we hear such goodness of your justice and our soul cannot but yield you forth to public thanks for running more requital. You make my bond still greater. No, your dessert speaks loud and I should wrong it. To lock it in the wards of covered bosom when it deserves, with characters of brass afforded residence against the tooth of time and razor of oblivion. Give me your hand and let the subject see to make them know that outward courtesies claim favours that keep within. Come, Escalus, you must walk by us on our other hand. And good supporters are you. Fryer Peter and Isabella come forward. Now is your time. Speak loud and kneel before him. Justice, O Royal Duke, valiant regard upon a wronged I would feign her said and made. O worthy Prince, this honour not your eye by throwing it on any other object till you have heard me in my true complaint and given me justice, justice, justice, justice. Relate your wrongs in what? By whom? Be brief. Here is Lord Angelo shall give you justice. Reveal yourself to him. O worthy Duke, you bid me seek redemption of the devil. Hear me yourself. For that which I must speak must either punish me, not being believed, or wring redress from you. Hear me, O hear me here. My lord, her wits I fear me are not firm. She hath been a suitor to me for our brother. Cut off by course of justice. By course of justice. And she will speak most bitterly and strange. Most strange, yet most truly will I speak. That Angelo's force warn. Is it not strange? That Angelo's a murderer. Is it not strange? That Angelo is an adulterous thief, a hypocrite, a virgin violator. Is it not strange and strange? It is ten times strange. It is not truer he is Angelo than this is all as true as it is strange. Nay, it is ten times true, for truth is truth to the end of reckoning. Away with her poor soul she speaks this in the infirmative sense. O Prince I conjure thee, as thou believest there is another comfort in this world, that thou neglect me not with that opinion that I am touched with madness. It is not impossible that which but seems unlike. This not impossible but one, the wicked's cative on the ground may seem as shy, as grave, as just, as absolute as Angelo. Even so may Angelo in all his dressings, character, titles, forms be an arch-villain. Believe it, Royal Prince, if he be less he is nothing. But he's more name for badness. By mine honesty, if she be mad as I believe no other, her madness hath the oddest frame of since, such a dependency of thing on thing, as ere I heard in madness. O gracious Duke, harp not on that, nor do not banish reason for inequality, but let your reasons serve to make the truth appear where it seems hid, and hide the false seem true. Many that are not mad have sure more lack of reason. What would you say? I am the sister of one Claudio, condemned upon the act of fornication to lose his head, condemned by Angelo. I, in probation of a sisterhood, was sent to by my brother, one Lucho, as then the messenger. That's I, and like your grace. I came to her from Claudio, and desired her to try her gracious fortune with Lord Angelo for her poor brother's pardon. That's he indeed. You were not bid to speak? No, my good Lord, nor wish to hold my peace. I wish you now then. Pray you, take note of it, and when you have a business for yourself, pray heaven you then be perfect. I warrant your honour. I warrant for yourself. Take heed to it. This gentleman told somewhat of my tale. Right. It may be right, but you are the wrong to speak before your time. Proceed. I went to this pernicious, cative deputy. That's somewhat madly spoken. Pardon it. The phrase is to the matter. Mend it again. In brief. To set the needless process by how I persuaded, how I prayed and kneeled, how he refell'd me, and how I replied, for this was of much length, the vile conclusion I now begin with grief and shame to utter. He would not, but by gift of my chaste body to his concupisable, intemperate lust release my brother. And after much debatement my sisterly remorse confutes my honour, and I did yield to him. But the next mourn be times his purpose surfiting he sends a warrant for my poor brother's head. This is most likely. Oh, that it were as like as it is true. By heaven fond wretch thou knowest not what thou speakest, or else thou art suborn'd against his honour in hateful practice. First his integrity stands without blemish, next it imports no reason that with such vehemence he should pursue false property himself. If he had so offended he would have weighed thy brother by himself, and not have cut him off. Someone hath set you on, confess the truth, and say by whose advice thou cameest here to complain. And is this all? Then, oh, you blessed ministers above, keep me in patience, and with ripened time unfold thee evil which is here wrapped up in countenance. Heaven shield your grace from woe, as I thus wronged, hence unbelieved go. I know you'll feign be gone, an officer to prison with her. Shall we thus permit a blesseding and a scandalous breath to fall on him so nearest? This needs must be a practice. Who knew of your intent and coming hither? One that I would were here, Friar Lodovic. A ghostly father be like, who knows that Lodovic? My lord, I know him. It is a meddling Friar. I do not like the man. Had he been lay, my lord, for certain words he spake against me for retirement, I had swinged him soundly. Words against me. This is a good Friar be like. And to set on this wretched woman here against our substitute let this Friar be found. But yesterday night, my lord, she and that Friar, I saw them at the prison. A saucy Friar, a very scurvy fellow. Blessed be your royal grace! All I have stood by, my lord, and I have heard your royal ear abused. First, had this woman most wrongfully accused your substitute, who is as free from touch or soil with her as she from one and got. We did believe no less. Know you that Friar, Lodovic, that she speaks of? I know him for a man divine and holy, not scurvy nor a temporary meddler as he's reported by this gentleman, and, on my trust, a man that never yet did as he vouches, misreport your grace. My lord, most villainously believe it! Well, he in time may come to clear himself, but at this instant he is sick, my lord, of a strange fever. Upon his mere request, being come to a knowledge that there was complaint intended against Lord Angelo, came I hither to speak, as from his mouth what he doth know and false, and what he with his oath and all probation will make up full clear whensoever he's convented. First, for this woman to justify this worthy nobleman so vulgarly and personally accused, hers shall you hear disproved to her eyes till she herself confess it. Good Friar, let's hear it. Isabella is carried off, guarded, and Mariana comes forward. Do you not smile at this Lord Angelo? O Heaven, the vanity of wretched fools, give us some seats. Come, Cousin Angelo, in this ill-being impartial be you judge of your own cause. Is this the witness, Friar? First, let her show her face and after speak. Pardon, my lord, I will not show my face until my husband bid me. What, are you married? No, my lord. Are you a maid? No, my lord. A widow then? Neither, my lord. Why, you are nothing then, neither maid, widow nor wife. My lord, she may be a punk, for many of them are neither maid, widow nor wife. Silence, that fellow, I would he had some cause to prattle for himself. Well, my lord. My lord, I do confess I am married, and I confess besides I am no maid. I have known my husband, yet my husband knows not that ever he knew me. He was drunk then, my lord, it can be no better. For the benefit of silence would thou word so too. Well, my lord. There is no witness for lord Angelo. Now I come to it, my lord. She that accuses him in self-same manner doth accuse my husband, and charges him, my lord, with such a time, when I'll depose I had him in mine arms with all the effect of love. Charges she more than me? Not that I know. No, you say your husband? Why, just my lord, and that is Angelo who thinks he knows that he never knew my body but knows he thinks that he knows Isabels. This is a strange abuse. Let's see thy face. My husband bids me. Now I will unmask. Unveiling. This is that face, thou cruel Angelo, which once thou sworest was worth the looking on. This is the hand which, with a vowed contract, was fast be locked in thine. This is the body that took away the match from Isabel, and did supply thee at thy garden-house in her imagined person. Know you this woman? Carnally, she says. Sarah, no more. Enough, my lord. My lord, I must confess I know this woman. In five years since there was some speech of marriage betwixt myself and her, which was broke off partly for that her promise proportions came short of composition, but in chief for that her reputation was valued in levity. Since which time of five years I never spake with her, saw her, nor heard from her, upon my faith and honour. Noble Prince, as there comes light from heaven and words from breath, as there is sense in truth and truth virtue, I am affiance this man's wife as strongly as words could make up vows. And, my good lord, but you stay night last gone in his garden-house, he knew me as a wife. As this is true, let me in safety raise me from my knees, or else forever be confixed here a marble monument. I did but smile till now. Now, good my lord, give me the scope of justice. My patience here is touched. I do perceive these poor informal women are no more but insturins of some more mightier member that sets them on. Let me have way, my lord, define this practice out. Now I, with my heart, and punish them to your height of pleasure, thou foolish friar, pernicious woman, compact with her that's gone, thinkest thou thy oaths, though they would swear down each particular saint, were testimonies against his worth and credit that's sealed in appropriation. You, Lord Escalus, sit with my cousin, lend him your kind pains to find out this abuse whence it is derived. There is another friar that set them on. Would he were here, my lord, for he indeed has set the women on to this complaint. Your provost knows the place where he abides, and he may fetch him. Go, do it instantly. Exit provost. And you, my noble and well-warranted cousin, whom it concerns to hear this matter forth, do with your injuries as seems you best in any justizement. I for a while will leave you, but stir not you till you have well-determined upon these slanderers. My lord, will do it thoroughly. Exit duke. Signior Lucio, did not you say you knew that friar Lodovic to be a dishonest person? Pucullus non-facet monochum, honest in nothing but in his clothes, and one that had spoke most villainous speeches of the duke. We shall entreat you to abide here till he come, and enforce them against him. We shall find this friar a notable fellow. As any in Fianna, on my word. Call that same Isabel here once again. I would speak with her. Exit in attendant. Pray you, my lord, give me leave to question. I shall see how I'll handle her. Not better than he by her own report. Say you. Marry, sir, I think, if you handled her privately, she would sooner confess, but chance publicly shall be ashamed. I will go darkly to work with her. That's the way, for women are light at midnight. Re-enter officers with Isabella and provost with the duke friar's habit. Come on, mistress. Here's a gentle woman denies all that you have said. My lord, here comes the rascal I spoke of here with the provost. In very good time. Speak not you to him till we call upon you. Mum. Come, sir. Did you set these women on to slander lord Angelo? They have confessed that you did. It is false. How? Know you where you are. Respect to your great place and let the devil be some time honoured for his burning throne. Where is the duke? It is he who should hear me speak. The duke's in us and we will hear you speak. Look you speak justly. Boldly at least but oh poor souls. Come you to seek the lamb here of the fox? Good night to your redress. Is the duke gone? Then is your cause gone too? The duke's unjust thus to retort your manifest appeal and put your trial in the villain's mouth. Which here you come to accuse. This is the rascal this is he I spoke of. Why, thou unreverent and unhellowed friar is not enough thou hast suborned these women to accuse this worthy man but in foul mouth and in the witness of his proper ear to call him villain and then to glance from him to the duke himself to tax him with injustice take him hence to direct with him will touse you joined by joined but we will know his purpose. What, unjust? Be not so hot that he dare no more stretch this finger of mine than he dare rack his own his subject am I not nor here provincial my business in this state made me a looker on here in Vienna where I have seen corruption boil and bubble till it all run the stew. Lords for all folks but folks so countenanced that the strong statutes stand like the forfeits in a barber's shop as much in mock as mark. Slender to the state away with him to prison What can you vouch against him, Signor Lucio? Is this the man that you did tell us of? Tis he, my lord come here there good men bald pate do you know me I remember you sir by the sound of your voice I met you at the prison in the absence of the duke Oh did you so and do you remember what you said of the duke? Most notably sir Do you so sir and was the duke a flesh monger a fool and a coward as you then reported him to be You must sir change persons with me ere you make that my report you indeed spoke so of him and much more much worse Oh thou damnable fellow did not I pluck thee by the nose for thy speeches I protest I love the duke as I love myself Hark! how the villain would close now after his treasonable abuses Such a fellow is not to be talked with all away with him to prison where is the provost away with him to prison lay bolts enough upon him let him speak no more away with those gigglets too and with the other confederate companion duke to provost Stay sir, stay awhile What? Resist see Help him lucha Come sir, come sir, come sir Tho sir Why you bald pated lying rascal you must be hooded must you show your knaves viddied with a pox to you show your sheep biting face and be hanged an hour wilt not off pulls off the friar's hood and discovers the duke Thou art the first nave that ere madeest a duke first a provost let me bail these gentle three to luchio sneak not away sir for the friar and you must have a word anon lay hold on him this may prove worse than hanging duke to escalus What you have spoken I pardon said you down we'll borrow place of him To Angelo Sir, by your leave has Thou or wit or impotence that yet can do the office if Thou hast rely upon it till my tail be heard and hold no longer out My dread lord I should be guiltier than my guiltiness to think I can be undersurnable when I perceive your grace and have looked upon my passes then good prince no longer session hold upon my shame but let my trial be mine own confession immediate sentence then in secret death is all the grace I beg Come hither Marianna say was Thou ere contracted to this woman I was my lord Go take her hence and marry her instantly do you the office friar which consummate return him here again go with him provost Exe and Angelo Marianna, friar Peter and provost My lord I am more amazed at his dishonour than at the strangeness of it Come hither Isabel your friar is now your princess I was then advertising and hold it your business not changing heart with habit I am still a turning at your service Oh give me pardon that I your vessel have employed and paint your unknown sovereignty You are pardoned Isabel and now dear maid be you as free to us your brother's death I know sits at your heart and you may marvel why I obscured myself laboring to save his life and would not rather make rash remonstrance of my hidden power than let him so be lost Oh most kind maid it was the swift celerity of his death which I did think with slower foot came on than brained my purpose but peace be with him that life is better life past fearing death than that which leads to fear make it your comfort so happy is your brother I do my lord re-enter Angelo, Marianna friar Peter and provost for this new married man approaching here whose salt imagination yet hath wronged your well defended honor you all must pardon for Marianna's sake but as he adjudged your brother being criminal in double violation of sacred chastity and of promise breach thereon dependent for your brother's life the very mercy of the law cries out most audible even from his proper tongue an Angelo for Claudio death for death haste still pays haste and leisure answers leisure like death quit like and measure still for measure then Angelo thy faults thus manifested which though thou wouldst deny denies the advantage we do condemn thee to the very block where Claudio stooped to death and with like haste away with him oh my most gracious lord I hope you will not mock me with a husband it is your husband mocked you with a husband consenting to the safeguard of your honor I thought your marriage fit else imputation for that he knew you might reproach your life and choke you good to come for his possessions are though by confiscation they are ours we do in state would you with all to buy you a better husband oh my dear lord I crave no other nor no better men I crave him we are definitive gentle my liege kneeling you do but lose your labor away with him to death to luchio now sir to you oh my good lord sweet Isabel take my part lend me your knees and all my life to come I lend you all my life to do you service against all sense you do should she kneel down in mercy of this fact her brother's ghost his paved bed would break and take her hands in horror Isabel sweet Isabel do yet but kneel by me hold up your hands say nothing I'll speak all they say best men are molded out of faults and for the most become much more the better for being a little bad so may my husband oh Isabel will you not lend a knee he dies for Claudio's death most bounteous sir kneeling look if it please you on this man condemned as if my brother lived I partly think adieu sincerity governed his deeds till he did look on me since it is so let him not die my brother had but justice in that he did the thing for which he died for Angelo his act did not overtake his bad intent and must be buried but as an intent that perished by the way thoughts are no subjects intents but merely thoughts merely my lord your suits unprofitable stand up I say I have bethought me of another fault Provost how came it Claudio was beheaded at an unusual hour it was commanded so had you a special warrant for the need no my good lord it was by private message for which I do discharge you of your office give up your keys pardon noble lord I thought it was a fault but knew it not yet did repent me after more advice the testimony were of one in the prison that should my private order else have died I have reserved alive what's he his name is Barnadine I would thou had done so by Claudio go fetch him hither let me look upon him exit provost I am sorry one so learned and so wise as you Lord Angelo have still appeared should slip so grossly both in the heat of blood and lack of temper judgment afterward 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 it is my deserving and I do entreat it re-enter provost with Barnadine Claudio muffled and Juliet which is that Barnadine this my lord there was a friar told me of this man Sera thou art said to have a stubborn soul that apprehends no further than this world and squareest thy life according thou had condemned but for those early faults I quit them all and pray thee take this mercy to provide for better times to come friar advise him I leave him to your hand what muffled fellows that this is another prisoner that I saved who should have died when Claudio lost his head as like almost to Claudio as himself to the world's Claudio Duke to Isabella if he be like your brother for his sake is he pardoned and for your lovely sake give me your hand and say you will be mine he is my brother too but fit a time for that by this Lord Angelo perceives he's safe me thinks I see a quickening in his eye well Angelo your evil quits you well look that you love your wife her worth I find an apt remission in myself and yet there's one in place I cannot pardon to Lucio you Serah that knew me for a fool a coward one of all luxury and ass madmen wherein have I so deserved of you that you extol me thus faith my lord I spoke it according to the trick if you will hang me for it you may but I rather it would please you I might be whipped whipped first sir and hanged after proclaim it provost around the city is any woman wronged by this lewd fellow as I have heard him swear himself there's one whom he be got with child let her appear and he shall marry her the nuptial finished let him be whipped and hanged I beseech your highness do not marry me to a whore good my lord do not recompense me in making me a cuckold upon my honor thou shalt marry her thy slenders I forgive and there with all remit thy other forfeits take him to prison and see our pleasures herein executed marry Higa punk my lord is pressing to death whipping and hanging slendering a prince deserves it excellent officers with Lucio she Claudio that you'd wronged look you restore joy to you Mariana love her Angelo I have confessed her and I know her virtue thanks good friend Descolate for thy much goodness there's more behind that is more gratulate thanks provost for thy care and secrecy we shall employ thee in a worthier place forgive him Angelo that brought you home the head of magazine for Claudio the offense pardons itself dear Isabel I have a motion much imports your good where to with you a willing ear incline what mine is yours and what is yours is mine so bring us to our palace where we'll show what yet behind that's meet you all should know excellent end of act five end of measure for measure by William Shakespeare