 | The Law against Lovers |  |
ACT IV.
SCENE I.
Enter Benedick, Lucio, Balthazar.Ben.
Lucio , you broke from our confed'racy
Against marriage, then woo'd in my behalf;
And afterwards for your self.
Luc.
Do but hear me.
Ben.
Excuses are like weak
Reserves after a Battel is lost.
Luc.
Let me be heard; for if poor Truth
Have a tongue of her own and must not use it;
Why then she may retire into a corner,
And weep out her eyes.
Ben.
What can you say?
Luc.
I meant no more love to the Lady Beatrice,
Than I do to wooe an arrested Widow,
With a Serenade at a Prison Grate.
Balthazar knows my heart.
Balt.
I know sev'ral of your hearts.
Men are not i'th' fashion unless they have
Change of ev'ry thing.
Luc.
I ever thought her a Mermaid.
Ben.
How so?
Luc.
From the Breasts downward she's as cold as a Fish.
Ben.
Well Lucio, I'll call none but the Four Winds
T'accompt for what is past. Look, Sir,—thus I
Blow away your offences: but you must
Be steddy now, and diligent. I told
You my design for Claudio's preservation.
The Provost was your Unkles Creature, and
By him prefer'd.
Balt.
The Provost will make good
Our trust, and ev'ry character of gratitude.
Ben.
You must engage him, Lucio, and discern
By what pretext or obstacle the Fryar
Proceeds so far to interrupt our hopes.
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I'll bind the Provost to your service in
His own shackles. And, concerning the Fryar,
I'll straight confess him, and you shall know all.
Ben.
Be sudden and successful, go.
[Exit Lucio.
Enter Beatrice, and Page.
Beat.
O, are you come? I would have cry'd you as
A lost thing, but that I knew I should have
The ill luck to find you again.
Ben.
You trip it too fast.
You need not be so swift to meet misfortune.
I had just now a Letter from the Provost;
Who either suspects the truth of the Pardon,
Because I enjoin'd him to secresie,
Or else is led by a Fryer to some fresh
Design.
Beat.
Are we circumvented by a Fryer?
Rather than not vex that Fryer, I'll invent
A new Sect, and preach in a Hat and Feather.
Ben.
'Tis strange that men of their discretion,
Should come abroad in old fashion Gowns,
And drest with abominable negligence.
Beat.
Bus'ness makes them great slovens, and they love
To be busie.
Ben.
And never observe
The right seasons when they are necessary.
For though we are content with their company
When we are old and dying; yet (methinks)
They should not trouble us with their good counsel,
When we are young, and in good health.
Balt.
Alas poor Book-men! they want breeding.
Beat.
Can we not separate the wicked Provost,
From this scrupulous Fryer?
Ben.
I have sent Lucio to him.
Beat.
Benedick,
We will cast off the serious faces of
Conspirators, and appear to the Deputy
As merry, and as gay, as Nature in
The Spring. This House shall be all Carnaval,
All Masquerade.
Ben.
Good! we will laugh him out
Of's Politicks, till he make Paper-Kites
Of Machiavel's Books, and play with his Pages
In the Fields.
Balt.
And shall we sing and dance.
Beat.
'Till the old Senators lead forth
The Burghers Widows, and cry out for a Pawn.
Page, call Viola with her Castanietos;
And bid Bernardo bring his Guittar.
[Exit Page.
Ben.
My Brother will not endure this habitation.
Balt.
He'll rather to Sea, and dwell in a Gun-room.
Ben.
Or lye round like a Sextons Dog, beneath
The great Bell in a Steeple.
[Viola strikes the Castaniets within.
Beat.
Heark! Viola has ta'ne th'alarm.
Ben.
Those Castanietos sound
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Enter Viola dancing a Saraband awhile with Castanietos.
Beat.
Shall we stand idle in seasons of business?
You have Feathers on your head Benedick;
Have you none at your heels?
Ben.
I am, Lady,
So very a Kid at cap'ring, that you
May make Gloves of my skin. Balthazar!
Call for more Musick.
Balt.
Not for me, Sir.
I can dance at the meer tolling of a Bell.
[They dance.
After the Dance, enter Eschalus.
Esch.
Have you no apprehension of the Deputy?
Are you insensible?
Beat.
Do you suspect
We are insensible by our want of motion?
Ben.
You should provide my Brother-Deputy
A Polititians quilted Cap to cover
His ears. 'Twill preserve him from noise.
Beat.
These politick men should keep company
With their fellow-Foxes in deep holes.
Balt.
He'll grow so angry, that he'll lay the punishments
Of Law aside, and Pistol us with his own hand.
Esch.
This, Signior, is not the right way to meet
Your Brothers temper.
Ben.
Signior, my meaning is
T'avoid the way where I may meet my Brother.
I'll prove a very Crab to him; for still
As he proceeds, I purpose to go backward.
Esch.
I hope you'll be cautious about the Pardon.
Ben.
Pray mingle so much courage with your wisdom,
As may bring you into the possibility
Of sleep again.
Esch.
Sir, I more than beseech you
Not to provoke your Brothers gravity
With fantastical noises.
Ben.
Believe me, we
Are politick; and do it to disguise
That melancholly which belongs to design.
Esch.
That may do well.
Ben.
Go up and retire with him.
If you stay here, he'll take you for a man
Of mirth; and then you'll lose his favour.
[Exit Eschalus.
Beat.
'Tis fit, Benedick, you seek Lucio out,
To learn quickly the Provosts resolution.
I'll go change my scene to the Garden-Terras,
Under your Brother's Window, that I may
Torment him with new noises.
Viol.
Shall I fetch the great Girls that make Bone-Lace,
To sing out of tune to their Bobbins?
Beat.
Do, Viola. Let them be long lean Wenches.
Viol.
And we'll hang a dozen Cages of Parrots
At his Window, to tell him what's a Clock.
[Exeunt several ways.
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Luc.
I'd speak with that Fryer who obstructs the Pardon.
Prov.
His business with Claudio being done, he shall attend you.
[Enter Fool in a Shackle.
Luc.
Fool! what, a Pris'ner? I thought fooling had Been free.
Fool.
Fooling is free before the wise:
But truly, Signior, a Fool can no more
Suffer a Fool, than one of the Wits can
Endure another Wit.
Prov.
You, Sirrah, are committed for the worst
Kind of fooling. You have brought both Sexes
Together.
Luc.
A Bawd? alas poor Fool! instead of being
In jeast, you have been in earnest!
Fool.
I dealt with persons of quality,
With whom I thought fit to be mannerly.
Was't civil to let them meet to no purpose?
Prov.
You have been civil indeed.
Fool.
All deeds must submit to interpretation.
For my part to prevent all animosities
And heart-burnings between young men and women,
I brought them lovingly together.
Luc.
A Bawd in a Fools Coat?
Prov.
Mistress Mitigation gave him the Livery.
Luc.
'Tis a villainous new disguise
For the good old Cause.
How does Mother Midnight? what, she grows rich?
Fool.
Signior, sh'as eaten up all her Beef now,
And is her self in the Tub.
Luc.
Powder'd to make her last. 'Tis not amiss.
But prethee, what mean those Keys at thy Girdle?
Prov.
I have preferr'd him. He's an under-Jaylor.
Luc.
You have but chang'd your dwelling, Fool; your office
Is the same; for you were wont to keep doors.
[Enter Duke.
Prov.
Sirrah, look to your Pris'ners. Signior Lucio,
I shall leave you with this rev'rend Father.
[Ex. Provost, Fool.
Luc.
Good day, Father.
Duke.
And to you, Sir, a long and a good life.
Luc.
Father, I aim at no difficult things:
If it be short and sweet, I'm satisfy'd.
Duke.
How mean you, Sir?
Luc.
Nay, I'm not now prepar'd for confession; besides
I'm in great haste. You must needs prevail
With the Provost to let the Pardon pass.
Duke.
Some hours after the date of the Pardon,
An Order came hither for Execution,
Which had proceeded too, if Fryer Thomas
Had not, by help of the Deputy's Confessor,
Got a Reprieve till to morrow.
Luc.
Th'absent Duke was a true friend to Lovers.
Duke.
It seems you know the Duke?
Luc.
Know him? yes Fryar, very well. I had th'honour
To be of his Council: but I mean, Sir,
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To raise a charitable foundation;
Not for lousie learning, or such Cripples
As creep from lost Battels, but for poor
Diseas'd Lovers.
Duke.
I did not think he had been amorous.
Luc.
Who, he? yes as far as to your Begger
Of fifty: and he us'd to put a Ducket
In her Clack-Dish.
Duke.
Is't possible?
He was not, sure, in's youth this way inclin'd.
Luc.
No, he began to steer
The right course about forty; but, good man,
He repented the lost time of his youth.
[Exit.
Duke.
Virtue's defensive Armour must be strong,
To scape the merry, and malicious Tongue.
[Exit.
Enter Jaylor, Isabella.
Isab.
Good Friend be courteous, and let Juliet know
My name is Isabella, and I come
To serve her. Will you so much favour me?
There's for your pains—
Jayl.
You must stay here, till I shall send her to you.
[Exit Jaylor.
Isab.
A Prison is too good a Den for
This rude Beast.
[Enter Juliet.
Have comfort Sister! I must call you so;
[Isab. salutes her.
Though the uncivil Law will not allow
You yet that name.
Jul.
I am not worthy of it.
Isab.
Since you have spoke so humbly of your self,
You must and shall be comforted: perhaps
Like conscience, love, when satisfy'd within,
May oft offend the Law, and yet not sin.
Jul.
I find the greatest love is an offence;
For greatest love is greatest confidence;
When, trusting those who for our credence woo,
We trust them with our love and honour too.
Isab.
I come to bring your sorrows some relief;
And would your crime not lessen but your grief.
Jul.
How can I lose that honour which I gave
To him, who can and will that honour save?
Isab.
When you your honour did to Claudio give,
Coz'ning your self, you did our Sex deceive.
Honour is publick treasure, and 'tis fit
Law should in publick form dispose of it.
Jul.
Oh Isabella! you are cruel grown.
Isab.
Sister! you gave much more than was your own.
Jul.
I lov'd too much; yet for your Brother's sake,
Who had that love, you my excuse should make.
Isab.
My Mothers life did fair example give
How, after death we might unpunisht live.
She, dying, did my Childhood then assign
To Claudio's care; he leaves you now to mine.
Jul.
Oh Heav'n! you mean that Claudio now must dye;
And I am now become a Legacy?
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My friends are suing for your liberty,
And that you may secure from penance be.
Jul.
What need I for the shame of Penance care?
No blush e're dy'd the paleness of dispair.
Isab.
Do not, with weeping, vainly quench your eyes.
Tears are to Heaven a useful Sacrifice
Where ev'ry drop moves mercy; but they gain
On Earth no more remorse than common Rain.
Jul.
Is there no means your Brother's life to save?
Isab.
None that I would afford, or he would have?
Yet can I not affirm that there is none.
Jul.
Oh call back Hope, which faste does from us run.
Isab.
Sister, you call in vain; for when you know
How wicked now Saint Angelo does grow,
You will rejoice that Death makes Claudio free;
And think your Bonds more safe than liberty.
Jul.
Is Angelo as wicked as severe?
Isab.
I more his kindness now than anger fear.
Jul.
To what would Tyrant-force kindly perswade!
Isab.
He gently treats, then rudely does invade.
I dare not give his purpos'd sin a name;
It is too hard a word for untaught shame.
Jul.
False Image of refin'd authority!
Isab.
Unless I yield my Brother is to dye.
Just now I left the Guards drawn up, who wait
For Execution at the Prison Gate.
Jul.
Oh Isabell! why are we useless made?
Too weak t'inforce, and artless to perswade:
Nor you nor I can any help afford
To your dear Brother, and my plighted Lord.
Yet you have means; but must not have the will
By evil to prevent a greater ill.
Isab.
Have I the means? your grief misleads your tongue.—
[She is going out.
Jul.
I would do Claudio good, and you no wrong.
Your vertue is severe! hear me but speak!
My heart will else out of my bosom break.
Isab.
Speak clearly then. You are not understood.
May none do ill, that so they may do good?
Nature no greater gift than life can give.
Isab.
By vertue we our nature long outlive.
Jul.
Can it be vertue to let Claudio dye?
Isab.
His life should not be sav'd by infamy.
Jul.
Loath'd Infamy consists of evils grown
So impudent as covet to be known.
But those seem least which bashfully we shun,
At first, and then for good intent are done.
Isab.
Sister, you argue wildly in your grief.
You are too good to seek a bad relief
For Claudio; therefore look for no reply.
Jul.
I look for none; yet would not have him dye.—
[Going out.
Isab.
You seem'd to intimate that bashfulness
At evil doing makes the evil less;
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We bring necessity t'excuse our will:
And that our faults, when hidden by our shame,
Pass free from blemish, if they scape from blame.
Jul.
Forget my words. How could they be but weak,
When grief did make those thoughts which fear did speak.
Isab.
Suppose I can a likely way devise;
That you, assisted aptly by disguise,
May take to night my place with Angelo:
The means is not remote: what will you do?
Jul.
I am amaz'd and apprehend you not.
Isab.
Your sudden ignorance is strangely got.
I now am going to the Deputy;
To make to his request my last reply;
And I perhaps may promise willingness,
But on conditions made for my access
With bashful privacy retir'd from light;
From ev'ry witness too but secret night;
Whose thickest Curtains shall immure the Room;
Where for my promist person you may come.
Thus Claudio's life you save and lose no fame;
For where none sees we cannot feel our shame.
Ascribe to dire necessity the ill,
The good of it belongs then to your will.
Quickly resolve and I'll prepare your way.
Jul.
E're I will Claudio in my self betray,
I will the torment of his death endure:
His sickness more becomes him than the cure.
Isab.
How Juliet? can you righteously refuse
Th'expedient which you plead that I should use?
Go chide the passion which would have me do,
That which, though ill in both, seems least in you:
The good or ill redemption of his life,
Does less concern his Sister than his Wife.
Jul.
Alas, we know not what is good or ill.
Isab.
Perhaps we should not learn that fatal skill.
The Serpent taught it first. Sister, away!
We'll more for patience, than for knowledge pray.
[Ex. several ways.
Enter Balthazar, Beatrice, Jaylor, Page.
Beat.
Where's Viola? have I lost her? that scare-crow
Makes a very Bird of her.
Balt.
She's run up stairs, Madam, to inform
Your Cousin Juliet of your being here.
Beat.
Methinks this Fellow looks not only ill,
But saucily ill.
Balt.
How so Madam?
Beat.
'Tis impudence to shew so bad a face
In good company—Friend, I'll reward you.
Jayl.
The sooner the better.
Beat.
You shall wear my Colours;
Boy, when he comes abroad
Bid my Lacquies be careful to cudjel him.
Jayl.
I thank you.
Exit Jaylor.
309
Viol.
My Cousin Juliet has lockt her self in
Her Chamber. I saw her through the Keyhole,
Weeping like Nurse when she lost her Wedding Ring.
Beat.
Juliet, I cannot but
Pity thy private friendship, but am more
Vext at our publick Enemy, thy Judge—
Balt.
Your tears, Madam, shew more pity than anger.
Beat.
No, Sir, great storms do oft begin with Rain.
[Enter Benedick.
Ben.
I saw your Coach at the Prison Gate, Lady,
And thought y'had been arrested on
Suspicion of love; which now is made high-Treason
Natural Bodies by the Body politick.
Beat.
I should marvel, Benedick, how you had
The face to come within sight of my Sex.
But that ill faces, being common, are
No cause of wonder.
Ben.
Mine's a politick face; and few of that sort
Are held handsom: so politick that it
Will hardly be seduc'd to make another
In these dangerous times.
Beat.
So politick, as I'd have you walk only
At night, and with a dark Lanthorn before you;
That, though you see others, none may see you.
You are one of those whom I think unlucky.
Ben.
This gloomy place presents you with strange visions,
Your Coach attends you. I pray change the Scene.
Beat.
Whither? to see your Brothers Guards drawn up
For Claudio's execution, 'las poor women
They get much by you men.
Ben.
Truly, 'tis thought they might get more;
For men are always civilly willing,
Though ever blam'd. But patience, and we shall
Have right when we are heard.
Beat.
Heard? yes, may she
Who henceforth listens to your sighing Sex,
Have her Ass-ears in publick bor'd, as Love's
Known Slave, and wear for Pendants Morrice-Bells
As his fantastick Fool.
Ben.
No whisp'ring the Platonick way?
Beat.
Platonick way? my Cousin has Plato'd it
Profoundly; has she not? i'th' name of mischief,
Make friendship with your selves, and not with us.
Let ev'ry Damon of you, chuse his Pitheas,
And tattle Romantick Philosophy
Together, like bearded Gossips.
Ben.
Though such conversation might breed peace in
A Palace, yet 'twould make but a thin Court.
Beat.
Discourse all day, lolling like lazy ill-
Bred-Wits, with your right Legs o're your left Knees:
Defining love, 'till he become as raw,
As if he were defected by Anatomists.
Give Balls and Serenades to your dear selves.
310
That were (as we are taught by the old Proverb)
To Be merry and wise.
[Enter Lucio.
Luc.
We shall be more
Troubled with this fidling Fryer, than with ten
Lay-Fools. He has so infected the Provost
With good counsel, that there is no hope from him.
The Guards are doubled at the Prison Gate;
And Claudio is to dye at break of day.
Beat.
Where's now your valour, Sir?
Is furious Benedick like Beasts of prey,
Couragious only in the Field,
And with familiar tameness creep in Towns
Beneath the anger of your Feeders Law?
Jaylor, where are you? bring me to my Cousin?
[Ex. Beat. Viol.
Ben.
She's rais'd to a most amiable humour.
Now is your time, Lucio, to make love to her.
Luc.
I am now for the Platonick way of billing
Like meek Turtles, without the noise of passion.
Balt.
We, Lucio, who are parcel-Lovers, should
Mourn like Turtles over a Bottle in
These days of persecution.
Ben.
Signiors prepare t'offend the Laws, I find
I must grow rude, and make bold with my Brother.
[Ex. Omnes.
Enter Provost, Duke.
Prov.
The Guards thus doubled at the Prison Gate,
Confirms my doubt that Signior Benedick
Did counterfeit the pardon which he brought.
Duke.
You have another Prisoner here
Condemn'd to dye?
Prov.
The wicked Bernardin, hath long
Been a most painful, and a watchful Robber,
But now the short remainder of his life,
He lazily consumes in sleep.
Duke.
Is he so careless before death.
Prov.
He minds
Not what is past, or present, or to come.
Duke.
He wants advice.
Prov.
We oft have wakened him, as if he were
To go to execution, and shew'd him too
A seeming Warrant, but he seem'd not mov'd.
[Enter Fool.
Fool.
The Hangman waits to dispatch his business
With your Worship.
Prov.
Sirrah, his business is with you.
Fool.
My Worship will hardly be at leisure for him.
Prov.
Call him in.
[Enter Hangman.
This Fellow early in the morning is
To help you in your execution.
He cannot plead a quality above
Your service, he has been a noted Bawd.
Hang.
A Bawd! fye on him, he'll disgrace our Mystery.
Fool.
Sir, by your good favour (for surely, Sir,
You would have a good favour, had you not
A hanging look) d'you call your trade a Mystery?
Hang.
Yes, you will find it so.
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What mystery there should be in hanging, if
I were to be hang'd, I cannot imagine.
Hang.
It is a Mystery: but you must be hang'd
E're you can find it out.
Prov.
Provide your Block and Ax;
And call Bernardine.
[Exit Hangman.
Duke.
What horrid Instruments are us'd by pow'r.
Fool.
Mr. Bernardine you must rise and be hang'd.
Mr. Bernardine.
Bern.
within.
Curse on your throat! who makes that noise?
What are you?
Fool.
Your friend the Hangman; you must be so good
As to rise, and be put to death.
Bern.
Away you Rogue, I am sleepy.
Prov.
Tell him he must wake.
Fool.
Pray Mr. Bernardine awake till you
Are executed and sleep afterwards.
Prov.
Go in and fetch him out.
Fool.
He's coming, Sir, for I hear his straw rustle.
Enter Bernardine.
Bern.
How now, Fool, what's the news with you?
Fool.
Truly, Sir, I would desire you to clap close to.
Your prayers, for the Warrant's come.
Bern.
Y'are a Rogue, I've been drinking all night,
And am not fitted for the Warrant
Fool.
The better, Sir; for he that drinks all night,
And is hang'd very betimes in the morning,
May sleep the soundlier all the next day.
Prov.
Look, Sir, here comes your Ghostly father.
D'you think we jest now?
Duke.
Induc'd, Sir, by my charity, and hearing how
Hastily you are to depart, I am come to advise you,
Comfort you, and pray with you.
Bern.
Fryer, not I, I've been drinking hard all night,
And will have more time to prepare me, or they
Shall beat out my brains with Billets.
I'll not dye to day.
Duke.
O, Sir, you must, and therefore, I beseech you,
Look forward on the Journey you shall go.
Bern:
I'll not dye till I have slept for any
Mans perswasion.
Duke.
But hear you.
Bern.
Not a word; if you have any thing to speak
Come to my Ward, for I'll not thence to day.
[Ex. Bern. Fool.
Prov.
What think you of this Prisoner, Father?
Duke.
Nature did never make a thing more wretched.
He is unfit to live or dye. 'Twere want
Of common charity to transport him
In the mind he is, let him have more time,
And be restrain'd from ev'ry nourishment but sleep
Till I have made him fit for death.
[Enter Jaylor.
Jayl.
Sir, a Messenger at the Prison Gate
Knocks hard, and says that he must speak with you.
Prov.
I come! Father, if it please you, let's retire.
312
Claud.
Bolting the door we are unheard and safe.
Thou art a man, though in an ill disguise;
And should'st support thy being worthily.
Fool.
Why, truly Sir, though I have had a couple
Of Ill callings, yet I would live as well
As I could by both.
Claud.
Thou hast a Servant been to shame, and now
Art but an Officer to cruelty.
There, take this Gold; it is a thousand Crowns.
Wilt thou not run a little hazard for
Much happiness. The venter is not great;
And it may probably produce at once
Thy freedom and support.
Fool.
Sir, mine is but
A thin Summer-skin; 't has been often cut
And slasht with whipping. I would very fain
Sleep whole in it now.
Claud.
Have courage, friend, 'tis Gold.
Fool.
My Grandam left me nothing at her death
But a good old Proverb, that's Touch and Take.
And I may say 't has been a lucky Proverb
To me. What would you have me do?
Claud,
I have within a Pages habit, pact up
Close. Prethee convey it by your friend,
The Jaylor, to Julietta, whose escape,
In that disguise, I newly have contriv'd,
By correspondence with an Officer
Who has the foremost station of
The Guards without, and has been servant to
My Father. If thou hast any tenderness
Do this, that she may scape from publick penance.
Fool.
But how shall I scape, Sir? I shall do Penance
Without a Sheet or Shirt: for my kind Tutor,
The Hangman, will strip me stark naked
When I'm swinging, though the wind blow northerly.
Claud.
The Law for thy offence can doom thee
But to Fetters during life, and half that Gold
May purchase thy release.
Fool.
A sore whipping may come into the bargain.
But 'tis a poor back that cannot sometimes
Pay for the maint'nance of the belly. I'll do't.
Claud.
Pray lose no time; I have but little left.
Fool.
Have you no more Gold? sure you might scape too.
Claud.
Friend, I have given you all I have, nor could
My greater plenty work my liberty;
For my Confederate dares not undertake
To make the passage clear for more than one,
Or if he could, I want disguise for two.
Fool.
If you get out, Sir, you then scape from Death.
Claud.
And she by freedom scapes from dreadful shame
Of doing Penance. Pray dispute it not.
[Knocking within.
What hand is that? if you prove faithful now
You'll gain forgiveness for your past offences.
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My golden guests retire you straight into
The closet of my Breeches.
Much in all ages, good innocent Gold,
Has been lay'd to your charge—
[Puts up the Bag and looks (through the Key-hole.
It is the Lady Juliets Maid, I'll let
Her in; and bear the Habit to her Mistress.
[Exit Fool.
Enter Maid
Maid.
My Lady with this Letter, Sir, sends you
Her dearest prayers and love.
Claud.
Heaven value both, so much as they
Are priz'd by me—
[Reads the Letter.
The Provost's wife, in pity of your distress; or perhaps out of love
to your person, or rather, (as I hope) out of respect to your vertue,
has devis'd means for your escape. She has by large gifts prevail'd with
my Keeper to leave your passage free to my Chamber. I beseech you, with
the efficacy of my last breath, to make use of this occasion and to hasten
hither. Your way to liberty must be out of my Window, from whence
by a small Engine she will wrench the Bars.
Maid.
Can you find leisure to consider, Sir,
Of that which by my Lady is so well
Resolv'd?
Claud.
The Provost's wife? will she facilitate
Your Ladies liberty with mine?
Maid.
She says, she cannot undertake so far.
Claud.
Then I'll refuse her courtesie.
Maid.
My Lady sends you this request in tears.
Will you deny it her?
Claud.
If my escape I from her Chamber make,
The Law will lay the guilt of it on her;
And she remains behind to bear
The punishment.
Maid.
She hath agreed to that
Condition with the Provost's wife.
Claud.
Your Lady makes me an unkind request.
Maid.
Have you the heart to judge it so?
Claud.
Can she be ign'rant that the rigid Law
Does judge it in a Prisoner forfeiture
Of life, to help another Prisoner to
Escape, who is condemn'd to dye?
Maid.
That forfeiture she cheerfully will pay:
But has so govern'd me with desp'rate vows,
That I lackt courage to refuse to bring
This message to you.
Claud.
How pow'rful, fatal Juliet, is thy love?
Yet must it not more valiant be than mine—
[Weeps.
Tell her, I've newly sent her a request
More just than that which she has sent by you;
It will be brought her with a Present too:
Which if, unkindly, she denys to take,
She does by example my denial make.
[Ex. several ways.
Enter Angelo, Servant.
Ang.
Attend her in, and then wait you at distance.
[Ex. Serv.
314
Even to themselves, the valiant and the wise?
Enter Isabella.
Ang.
Had you not fear'd th'approach of Claudio's fate
(Which shews you are to him compassionate,
Though not to me) I had not seen you here.
He may your pity thank, and I your fear.
Isab.
My Lord, I hardly could my self forgive
For suing still to have my Brother live,
But that a higher hope directs my aim;
Which, saving his frail life, would yours reclaim.
Ang.
How desp'rate all your hopeful visits prove!
You bring me counsel still instead of love.
And would in storms of passion make me wise.
Bid Pilots preach to winds when tempests rise.
Isab.
But yet as tempests are by showers allay'd,
So may your anger by my tears be sway'd.
Ang.
You must by yielding teach me to relent.
Make haste! the Mourners tears are almost spent,
Courtiers to Tyrant-Death who basely wait,
To do that Tyrant honour whom they hate.
Inviting formal Fools to see his Feast
To which your Brother is th'unwilling Guest.
And the absolving Priest must say the Grace:
Nights progress done, Claudio begins his Race.
Isab.
And with the mornings wings your cruel doom
He shall convey where you must trembling come,
Before that Judge, whose pow'r you use so ill,
As if, like Law, 'twere subject to your will.
The cruel there shall wish they had been just,
And that their seeming love had not been lust.
Ang.
These useless sayings were from Cloysters brought:
You cannot teach so soon as you were taught.
You must example to my mercy give;
First save my life, and then let Claudio live.
Isab.
Have you no words but what are only good,
Because their ill is quickly understood?
Dispose of Claudio's life! whilst cruel you
Seem dead, by being deaf to all that sue.
Till by long custom of forgiving none
Y'are so averse to all forgiveness grown.
That in your own behalf you shall deny,
To hear of absolution when you dye.
Ang.
How Isabel! from calms of bashfulness
(Even such as suppliant Saints to Heaven express,
When patience makes her self a Sacrifice)
Can you to storms of execration rise?
[Isabel is going out.
Leave me not full of evil wonder, stay!
Isab.
Can it be good to hear what you would say?
[He steps in and reaches a Cabinet.
Ang.
In this behold Nature's Reserves of light,
When the lost day yields to advancing night.
When that black Goddess fine in Frosts appears,
Then starry Jewels bright as these she wears.
315
In plenteous peace, and get by prosperous War.
Isab.
Of that which evil life may get, you make
A wonder in a monstrous boast;
Which death from you as certainly will take,
As 'tis already by your Parents lost.
Ang.
Be in this world, like other mortals, wise;
And take this treasure as your Beauty's prize.
Wealth draws a Curtain o're the face of shame;
Restores lost beauty, and recovers fame.
Isab.
Catch Fools in Nets without a Covert laid;
Can I, who see the treason, be betray'd?
[Going out.
Ang.
Stay Isabel! stay but a moments space!
You know me not by knowing but my face.
My heart does differ from my looks and tongue.
To know you much, I have deceiv'd you long.
Isab.
Have you more shapes, or would you new devise?
Ang.
I'll now at once cast off my whole disguise.
Keep still your virtue, which is dignify'd
And has new value got by being try'd.
Claudio shall live longer than I can do,
Who was his Judge, but am condemn'd by you.
The martial of the Guards keeps secretly
His pardon seal'd; nor meant I he should dye.
Isab.
By shifting your disguise, you seem much more
In borrow'd darkness than you were before.
Ang.
Forgive me who, till now, thought I should find
Too many of your beauteous Sex too kind.
I strove, as jealous Lovers curious grow,
Vainly to learn, what I was loth to know.
And of your virtue I was doubtful grown,
As men judge womens frailties by their own.
But since you fully have endur'd the test,
And are not only good, but prove the best
Of all your Sex, submissively I woo
To be your Lover, and your Husband too.
Isab.
Can I when free, be by your words subdu'd,
Whose actions have my Brother's life pursu'd?
Ang.
I never meant to take your Brother's life;
But if in tryal how to chuse a wife,
I have too diffident, too curious been,
I'll pardon ask for folly, as for sin;
I lov'd you e're your pretious beauties were
In your probation shaded at Saint Clare:
And when with sacred Sisterhood confin'd,
A double enterprise perplext my mind;
By Claudio's danger to provoke you forth
From that blest shade, and then to try your worth.
Isab.
She that can credit give to things so strange,
And can comply with such a sudden change,
Has mighty faith, and kindness too so strong,
That the extream cannot continue long.
I am so pleas'd with Claudio's liberty,
That the example shall preserve me free.
316
Was I when bad so quickly understood;
And cannot be believ'd when I am good.
Isab.
In favour of my Sex and not of you,
I wish your love so violent and true,
That those who shall hereafter curious be,
To seek that frailty, which they would not see,
May by your punishment become afraid,
To use those Nets which you ignobly laid.
Ang.
Ah Isabel! you blam'd my cruelty!
Will you, when I shew mercy, cruel be?
Isab.
You might have met a weaker breast than mine,
Which at approach to parley would incline:
How little honour then you had obtain'd,
If, where but little was, you that had stain'd?
Had you been great of mind, you would have strove
T'have hid, or helpt the weaknesses of love;
And not have us'd temptations to the frail,
Or pow'r, where 'twas dishonour to prevail.
You will (if now your love dissembled be)
Deceive your self, in not deceiving me.
If it be true, you shall not be believ'd,
Lest you should think me apt to be deceiv'd.
[Exit.
Ang.
Break heart! farewel the cruel and the just!
Fools seek belief, where they have bred distrust:
Because she doubts my virtue I must dye;
Who did with vitious arts her virtue try.
[Exit.
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