 | Measvre For Measure |  |
Actus Secundus.
Scœna Prima.
Enter Angelo, Escalus, and seruants, Iustice.Ang.
We must not make a scar-crow of the Law,
Setting it vp to feare the Birds of prey,
And let it keepe one shape, till custome make it
Their pearch, and not their terror.
Esc.
I, but yet
Let vs be keene, and rather cut a little
Then fall, and bruise to death: alas, this gentleman
Whom I would saue, had a most noble father,
Let but your honour know
(Whom I beleeue to be most strait in vertue)
That in the working of your owne affections,
Had time coheard with Place, or place with wishing,
Or that the resolute acting of our blood
Could haue attaind th'effect of your owne purpose,
Whether you had not sometime in your life
Er'd in this point, which now you censure him,
And puld the Law vpon you.
Ang.
'Tis one thing to be tempted (Escalus)
The Iury passing on the Prisoners life
May in the sworne-twelue haue a thiefe, or two
Guiltier then him they try; what's open made to Iustice,
That Iustice ceizes; What knowes the Lawes
That theeues do passe on theeues? 'Tis very pregnant,
The Iewell that we finde, we stoope, and take'r,
Because we see it; but what we doe not see,
We tread vpon, and neuer thinke of it.
You may not so extenuate his offence,
For I haue had such faults? but rather tell me
When I, that censure him, do so offend,
Let mine owne Iudgement patterne out my death,
And nothing come in partiall. Sir, he must dye.
Enter Prouost.
Esc.
Be it as your wisedome will.
Ang.
Where is the Prouost?
Pro.
Here if it like your honour.
Ang.
See that Claudio
Be executed by nine to morrow morning,
Bring him his Confessor, let him be prepar'd,
For that's the vtmost of his pilgrimage.
Esc.
Well: heauen forgiue him; and forgiue vs all:
Some rise by sinne, and some by vertue fall:
Some run from brakes of Ice, and answere none,
And some condemned for a fault alone.
Enter Elbow, Froth, Clowne, Officers.
Elb.
Come, bring them away: if these be good people
in a Common-weale, that doe nothing but vse their
abuses in common houses, I know no law: bring them
away.
Ang.
How now Sir, what's your name? And what's
the matter?
Elb.
If it please your honour, I am the poore Dukes
Constable, and my name is Elbow; I doe leane vpon Iustice
Sir, and doe bring in here before your good honor,
two notorious Benefactors.
Ang.
Benefactors? Well: What Benefactors are they?
Are they not Malefactors?
Elb.
If it please your honour, I know not well what
they are: But precise villaines they are, that I am sure of
and void of all prophanation in the world, that good
Christians ought to haue.
Esc.
This comes off well: here's a wise Officer.
Ang.
Goe to: What quality are they of? Elbow is
your name?
Why do'st thou not speake Elbow?
Clo.
He cannot Sir: he's out at Elbow.
Ang.
What are you Sir?
Elb.
He Sir: a Tapster Sir: parcell Baud: one that
serues a bad woman: whose house Sir was (as they say)
pluckt downe in the Suborbs: and now shee professes a
hot-house; which, I thinke is a very ill house too.
Esc.
How know you that?
Elb.
My wife Sir? whom I detest before heauen, and
your honour.
Esc.
How? thy wife?
Elb.
I Sir: whom I thanke heauen is an honest woman.
Esc.
Do'st thou detest her therefore?
Elb.
I say sir, I will detest my selfe also, as well as she,
that this house, if it be not a Bauds house, it is pitty of her
life, for it is a naughty house.
Esc.
How do'st thou know that, Constable?
Elb.
Marry sir, by my wife, who, if she had bin a woman
Cardinally giuen, might haue bin accus'd in fornication,
adultery, and all vncleanlinesse there.
Esc.
By the womans meanes?
Elb.
I sir, by Mistris Ouer-dons meanes: but as she spit
in his face, so she defide him.
Clo.
Sir, if it please your honor, this is not so.
Elb.
Proue it before these varlets here, thou honorable
man, proue it.
Esc.
Doe you heare how he misplaces?
Clo.
Sir, she came in great with childe: and longing
(sauing your honors reuerence) for stewd prewyns; sir,
we had but two in the house, which at that very distant
time stood, as it were in a fruit dish (a dish of some three
pence; your honours haue seene such dishes) they are not
China-dishes, but very good dishes.
Esc.
Go too: go too: no matter for the dish sir.
Clo.
No indeede sir not of a pin; you are therein in
the right: but, to the point: As I say, this Mistris Elbow,
being (as I say) with childe, and being great bellied, and
longing (as I said) for prewyns: and hauing but two in
the dish (as I said) Master Froth here, this very man, hauing
eaten the rest (as I said) & (as I say) paying for them
very honestly: for, as you know Master Froth, I could not
giue you three pence againe.
Fro.
No indeede.
Clo.
Very well: you being then (if you be remembred)
cracking the stones of the foresaid prewyns.
Fro.
I, so I did indeede.
Clo.
Why, very well: I telling you then (if you be
remembred) that such a one, and such a one, were past
cure of the thing you wot of, vnlesse they kept very good
diet, as I told you.
Fro.
All this is true.
Clo.
Why very well then.
Esc.
Come: you are a tedious foole: to the purpose:
what was done to Elbowes wife, that hee hath cause to
complaine of? Come me to what was done to her.
Clo.
Sir, your honor cannot come to that yet.
Esc.
No sir, nor I meane it not.
Clo.
Sir, but you shall come to it, by your honours
leaue: And I beseech you, looke into Master Froth here
sir, a man of foure-score pound a yeare; whose father
died at Hallowmas: Was't not at Hallowmas Master
Froth?
Fro.
Allhallond-Eue.
Clo.
Why very well: I hope here be truthes: he Sir,
sitting (as I say) in a lower chaire, Sir, 'twas in the bunch
of Grapes, where indeede you haue a delight to sit, haue
you not?
Fro.
I haue so, because it is an open roome, and good
for winter.
Clo.
Why very well then: I hope here be truthes.
Ang.
This will last out a night in Russia
When nights are longest there: Ile take my leaue,
And leaue you to the hearing of the cause;
Hoping youle finde good cause to whip them all.
Exit.
Esc.
I thinke no lesse: good morrow to your Lordship.
Now Sir, come on: What was done to Elbowes
wife, once more?
Clo.
Once Sir? there was nothing done to her once.
Elb.
I beseech you Sir, aske him what this man did to
my wife.
Clo.
I beseech your honor, aske me.
Esc.
Well sir, what did this Gentleman to her?
Clo.
I beseech you sir, looke in this Gentlemans face:
good Master Froth looke vpon his honor; 'tis for a good
purpose: doth your honor marke his face?
I sir, very well.
Clo.
Nay, I beseech you marke it well.
Esc.
Well, I doe so.
Clo.
Doth your honor see any harme in his face?
Esc.
Why no.
Clo.
Ile be supposd vpon a booke, his face is the worst
thing about him: good then: if his face be the worst
thing about him, how could Master Froth doe the Constables
wife any harme? I would know that of your
honour.
Esc.
He's in the right (Constable) what say you to it?
Elb.
First, and it like you, the house is a respected
house; next, this is a respected fellow; and his Mistris is
a respected woman.
Clo.
By this hand Sir, his wife is a more respected person
then any of vs all.
Elb.
Varlet, thou lyest; thou lyest wicked varlet: the
time is yet to come that shee was euer respected with
man, woman, or childe.
Clo.
Sir, she was respected with him, before he married
with her.
Esc.
Which is the wiser here; Iustice or Iniquitie? Is
this true?
Elb.
O thou caytiffe: O thou varlet: O thou wicked
Hanniball; I respected with her, before I was married
to her? If euer I was respected with her, or she with me,
let not your worship thinke mee the poore Dukes Officer:
proue this, thou wicked Hanniball, or ile haue
mine action of battry on thee.
Esc.
If he tooke you a box oth'eare, you might haue
your action of slander too.
Elb.
Marry I thanke your good worship for it: what
is't your Worships pleasure I, shall doe with this wicked
Caitiffe?
Esc.
Truly Officer, because he hath some offences in
him, that thou wouldst discouer, if thou couldst, let him
continue in his courses, till thou knowst what they are.
Elb.
Marry I thanke your worship for it: Thou seest
thou wicked varlet now, what's come vpon thee. Thou
art to continue thou Varlet, thou art to continue.
Esc.
Where were you borne, friend?
Froth.
Here in Vienna, Sir.
Esc.
Are you of fourescore pounds a yeere?
Froth.
Yes and 't please you sir.
Esc.
So: what trade are you of, sir?
Clo.
A Tapster, a poore widdowes Tapster.
Esc.
Your Mistris name?
Clo.
Mistris Ouer-don.
Esc.
Hath she had any more then one husband?
Clo.
Nine, sir: Ouer-don by the last.
Esc.
Nine? come hether to me, Master Froth; Master
Froth, I would not haue you acquainted with Tapsters;
they will draw you Master Froth, and you wil hang them:
get you gon, and let me heare no more of you.
Fro.
I thanke your worship: for mine owne part, I
neuer come into any roome in a Tap-house, but I am
drawne in.
Esc.
Well: no more of it Master Froth: farewell:
Come you hether to me, M
r. Tapster: what's your name
M
r. Tapster?
Clo.
Pompey.
Esc.
What else?
Clo.
Bum, Sir.
Esc.
Troth, and your bum is the greatest thing about
you, so that in the beastliest sence, you are Pompey the
great; Pompey, you are partly a bawd, Pompey; howsoeuer
you colour it in being a Tapster, are you not? come,
tell me true, it shall be the better for you.
Clo.
Truly sir, I am a poore fellow that would liue.
Esc.
How would you liue Pompey? by being a bawd?
what doe you thinke of the trade Pompey? is it a lawfull
trade?
Clo.
If the Law would allow it, sir.
Esc.
But the Law will not allow it Pompey; nor it
shall not be allowed in Uienna.
Clo.
Do's your Worship meane to geld and splay all
the youth of the City?
Esc.
No, Pompey.
Clo.
Truely Sir, in my poore opinion they will too't
then: if your worship will take order for the drabs and
the knaues, you need not to feare the bawds.
Esc.
There is pretty orders beginning I can tell you:
It is but heading, and hanging.
Clo.
If you head, and hang all that offend that way
but for ten yeare together; you'll be glad to giue out a
Commission for more heads: if this law hold in Vienna
ten yeare, ile rent the fairest house in it after three pence
a Bay: if you liue to see this come to passe, say Pompey
told you so.
Esc.
Thanke you good Pompey; and in requitall of
your prophesie, harke you: I aduise you let me not finde
you before me againe vpon any complaint whatsoeuer;
no, not for dwelling where you doe: if I doe Pompey, I
shall beat you to your Tent, and proue a shrewd Cæsar
to you: in plaine dealing Pompey, I shall haue you whipt;
so for this time, Pompey, fare you well.
Clo.
I thanke your Worship for your good counsell;
but I shall follow it as the flesh and fortune shall better
determine. Whip me? no, no, let Carman whip his Iade,
The valiant heart's not whipt out of his trade.
Exit.
Esc.
Come hether to me, Master Elbow: come hither
Master Constable: how long haue you bin in this place
of Constable?
Elb.
Seuen yeere, and a halfe sir.
Esc.
I thought by the readinesse in the office, you had
continued in it some time: you say seauen yeares together.
Elb.
And a halfe sir.
Esc.
Alas, it hath beene great paines to you: they do
you wrong to put you so oft vpon't. Are there not men
in your Ward sufficient to serue it?
Elb.
'Faith sir, few of any wit in such matters: as they
are chosen, they are glad to choose me for them; I do it
for some peece of money, and goe through with all.
Esc.
Looke you bring mee in the names of some sixe
or seuen, the most sufficient of your parish.
Elb.
To your Worships house sir?
Esc.
To my house: fare you well: what's a clocke,
thinke you?
Iust.
Eleuen, Sir.
Esc.
I pray you home to dinner with me.
Iust.
I humbly thanke you.
Esc.
It grieues me for the death of Claudio
But there's no remedie:
Iust.
Lord Angelo is seuere.
Esc.
It is but needfull.
Esc.
It is but needfull.
Mercy is not it selfe, that oft lookes so,
Pardon is still the nurse of second woe:
But yet, poore Claudio; there is no remedie,
Come Sir.
Exeunt.
Scena Secunda.
Enter Prouost, Seruant.Ser.
Hee's hearing of a Cause; he will come straight
I'le tell him of you,
Pro.
'Pray you doe, Ile know
His pleasure, may be he will relent; alas
He hath but as offended in a dreame,
All Sects, all Ages smack of this vice, and he
To die for't?
Enter Angelo.
Ang.
Now, what's the matter Prouost?
Pro.
Is it your will Claudio shall die to morrow?
Ang.
Did not I tell thee yea? hadst thou not order?
Why do'st thou aske againe?
Pro.
Lest I might be too rash:
Vnder your good correction, I haue seene
When after execution, Iudgement hath
Repented ore his doome.
Ang.
Goe to; let that be mine,
Doe you your office, or giue vp your Place,
And you shall well be spar'd.
Pro.
I craue your Honours pardon:
What shall be done Sir, with the groaning Iuliet?
Shee's very neere her howre.
Ang.
Dispose of her
To some more fitter place; and that with speed.
Ser.
Here is the sister of the man condemn'd,
Desires accesse to you.
Ang.
Hath he a Sister?
Pro.
I my good Lord, a very vertuous maid,
And to be shortlie of a Sister-hood,
If not alreadie.
Ang.
Well: let her be admitted,
See you the Fornicatresse be remou'd,
Let her haue needfull, but not lauish meanes,
There shall be order for't.
Enter Lucio and Isabella.
Pro.
'Saue your Honour.
Ang.
Stay a little while: y'are welcome: what's your will?
Isab.
I am a wofull Sutor to your Honour,
'Please but your Honor heare me.
Ang.
Well: what's your suite.
Isab.
There is a vice that most I doe abhorre,
And most desire should meet the blow of Iustice;
For which I would not plead, but that I must,
For which I must not plead, but that I am
At warre, twixt will, and will not.
Ang.
Well: the matter?
Isab.
I haue a brother is condemn'd to die,
I doe beseech you let it be his fault,
And not my brother.
Pro.
Heauen giue thee mouing graces.
Ang.
Condemno the fault, and not the actor of it,
Why euery fault's condemnd ere it be done:
Mine were the verie Cipher of a Function
To fine the faults, whose fine stands in record,
And let goe by the Actor.
Isab.
Oh iust, but seuere Law:
I had a brother then; heauen keepe your honour.
Luc.
Giue't not ore so: to him againe, entreat him,
Kneele downe before him, hang vpon his gowne,
You are too-cold: if you should need a pin,
You could not with more tame a tongue desire it:
To him, I say.
Isab.
Must he needs die?
Ang.
Maiden, no remedie.
Isab.
Yes: I doe thinke that you might pardon him,
And neither heauen, nor man grieue at the mercy.
Ang.
I will not doe't.
Isab.
But can you if you would?
Ang.
Looke what I will not, that I cannot doe.
Isab.
But might you doe't & do the world no wrong
If so your heart were touch'd with that remorse,
As mine is to him?
Ang.
Hee's sentenc'd, tis too late.
Luc.
You are too cold.
Isab.
Too late? why no: I that doe speak a word
May call it againe: well, beleeue this
No ceremony that to great ones longs,
Not the Kings Crowne; nor the deputed sword,
The Marshalls Truncheon, nor the Iudges Robe
Become them with one halfe so good a grace
As mercie does: If he had bin as you, and you as he,
You would haue slipt like him, but he like you
Would not haue beene so sterne.
Ang.
Pray you be gone.
Isab.
I would to heauen I had your potencie,
And you were Isabell: should it then be thus?
No: I would tell what 'twere to be a Iudge,
And what a prisoner.
Luc.
I, touch him: there's the vaine.
Ang.
Your Brother is a forfeit of the Law,
And you but waste your words.
Isab.
Alas, alas:
Why all the soules that were, were forfeit once,
And he that might the vantage best haue tooke,
Found out the remedie: how would you be,
If he, which is the top of Iudgement, should
But iudge you, as you are? Oh, thinke on that,
And mercie then will breathe within your lips
Like man new made.
Ang.
Be you content, (faire Maid)
It is the Law, not I, condemne your brother,
Were he my kinsman, brother, or my sonne,
It should be thus with him: he must die to morrow.
Isab.
To morrow? oh, that's sodaine,
Spare him, spare him:
Hee's not prepar'd for death; euen for our kitchins
We kill the fowle of season: shall we serue heauen
With lesse respect then we doe minister
To our grosse-selues? good, good my Lord, bethink you;
Who is it that hath di'd for this offence?
There's many haue committed it.
Luc.
I, well said.
Ang.
The Law hath not bin dead, thogh it hath slept
Those many had not dar'd to doe that euill
If the first that did th' Edict infringe
Had answer'd for his deed. Now 'tis awake.
Takes note of what is done, and like a Prophet
Lookes in a glasse that shewes what future euils
Either now, or by remissenesse, new conceiu'd,
And so in progresse to be hatc'hd, and borne,
Are now to haue no successiue degrees,
But here they liue to end.
Isab.
Yet shew some pittie.
Ang.
I shew it most of all, when I show Iustice;
For then I pittie those I doe not know,
Which a dismis'd offence, would after gaule
Liues not to act another. Be satisfied;
Your Brother dies to morrow; be content.
Isab.
So you must be ye first that giues this sentence,
And hee, that suffers: Oh, it is excellent!
To haue a Giants strength: but it is tyrannous
To vse it like a Giant.
Luc.
That's well said.
Isab.
Could great men thunder
As Ioue himselfe do's, Ioue would neuer be quiet,
For euery pelting petty Officer:
Would vse his heauen for thunder;
Nothing but thunder: Mercifull heauen,
Thou rather with thy sharpe and sulpherous bolt
Splits the vn-wedgable and gnarled Oke,
Then the soft Mertill: But man, proud man,
Drest in a little briefe authoritie,
Most ignorant of what he's most assur'd,
(His glassie Essence) like an angry Ape
Plaies such phantastique tricks before high heauen,
As makes the Angels weepe: who with our spleenes,
Would all themselues laugh mortall.
Luc.
Oh, to him, to him wench: he will relent,
Hee's comming: I perceiue't.
Pro.
Pray heauen she win him.
Isab.
We cannot weigh our brother with our selfe,
Great men may iest with Saints: tis wit in them,
But in the lesse fowle prophanation.
Luc.
Thou'rt i'th right (Girle) more o'that.
Isab.
That in the Captaine's but a chollericke word,
Which in the Souldier is flat blasphemie.
Luc.
Art auis'd o'that? more on't.
Ang.
Why doe you put these sayings vpon me?
Isab.
Because Authoritie, though it erre like others,
Hath yet a kinde of medicine in it selfe
That skins the vice o'th top; goe to your bosome,
Knock there, and aske your heart what it doth know
That's like my brothers fault: if it confesse
A naturall guiltinesse, such as is his,
Let it not sound a thought vpon your tongue
Against my brothers life.
Ang.
Shee speakes, and 'tis such sence
That my Sence breeds with it; fare you well.
Isab.
Gentle my Lord, turne backe.
Ang.
I will bethinke me: come againe to morrow.
Isa.
Hark, how Ile bribe you: good my Lord turn back.
Ang.
How? bribe me?
Is.
I, with such gifts that heauen shall share with you.
Luc.
You had mar'd all else.
Isab.
Not with fond Sickles of the tested-gold,
Or Stones, whose rate are either rich, or poore
As fancie values them: but with true prayers,
That shall be vp at heauen, and enter there
Ere Sunne rise: prayers from preserued soules,
From fasting Maides, whose mindes are dedicate
To nothing temporall.
Ang.
Well: come to me to morrow.
Luc.
Goe to- 'tis well; away.
Isab.
Heauen keepe your honour safe.
Ang.
Amen.
For I am that way going to temptation,
Where prayers crosse.
Isab.
At what hower to morrow,
Shall: I attend your Lordship?
Ang.
At any time 'fore-noone.
Isab.
'Saue your Honour.
Ang.
From thee: euen from thy vertue.
What's this? what's this? is this her fault, or mine?
The Tempter, or the Tempted, who sins most? ha?
Not she: nor doth she tempt: but it is I,
That, lying by the Violet in the Sunne,
Doe as the Carrion do's, not as the flowre,
Corrupt with vertuous season: Can it be,
That Modesty may more betray our Sence
Then womans lightnesse? hauing waste ground enough,
Shall we desire to raze the Sanctuary
And pitch our euils there? oh fie, fie, fie:
What dost thou? or what art thou Angelo?
Dost thou desire her fowly, for those things
That make her good? oh, let her brother liue:
Theeues for their robbery haue authority,
When Iudges steale themselues: what, doe I loue her,
That I desire to heare her speake againe?
And feast vpon her eyes? what is't I dreame on?
Oh cunning enemy, that to catch a Saint,
With Saints dost bait thy hooke: most dangerous
Is that temptation, that doth goad vs on
To sinne, in louing vertue: neuer could the Strumpet
With all her double vigor, Art, and Nature
Once stir my temper: but this vertuous Maid
Subdues me quite: Euer till now
When men were fond, I smild, and wondred how.
Exit.
Scena Tertia.
Enter Duke and Prouost.Duke.
Haile to you, Prouost, so I thinke you are.
Pro.
I am the Prouost: whats your will, good Frier?
Duke.
Bound by my charity, and my blest order,
I come to visite the afflicted spirits
Here in the prison: doe me the common right
To let me see them: and to make me know
The nature of their crimes, that I may minister
To them accordingly.
Pro.
I would do more then that, if more were needfull
Enter Iuliet.
Looke here comes one: a Gentlewoman of mine,
Who falling in the flawes of her owne youth,
Hath blisterd her report: She is with childe,
And he that got it, sentenc'd: a yong man,
More fit to doe another such offence,
Then dye for this.
Duk.
When must he dye?
Pro.
As I do thinke to morrow.
I haue prouided for you, stay a while
And you shall be conducted.
Duk.
Repent you (faire one) of the sin you carry?
Iul.
I doe; and beare the shame most patiently.
Du.
Ile teach you how you shall araign your consciēce
And try your penitence, if it be sound,
Or hollowly put on.
Iul.
Ile gladly learne.
Duk.
Loue you the man that wrong'd you?
Iul.
Yes, as I loue the woman that wrong'd him.
Duk.
So then it seemes your most offence full act
Was mutually committed.
Iul.
Mutually.
Duk.
Then was your sin of heauier kinde then his.
Iul.
I doe confesse it, and repent it (Father.)
'Tis meet so (daughter) but least you do repent
As that the sin hath brought you to this shame,
Which sorrow is alwaies toward our selues, not heauen,
Showing we would not spare heauen, as we loue it,
But as we stand in feare.
Iul.
I doe repent me, as it is an euill,
And take the shame with joy.
Duke.
There rest:
Your partner (as I heare) must die to morrow,
And I am going with instruction to him:
Grace goe with you, Benedicite.
Exit.
Iul.
Must die to morrow? oh iniurious Loue
That respits me a life, whose very comfort
Is still a dying horror.
Pro.
'Tis pitty of him.
Exeunt.
Scena Quarta.
Enter Angelo.An.
When I would pray, & think, I thinke, and pray
To seuerall subiects: heauen hath my empty words,
Whilst my Inuention, hearing not my Tongue,
Anchors on Isabell: heauen in my mouth,
As if I did but onely chew his name,
And in my heart the strong and swelling euill
Of my conception: the state whereon I studied
Is like a good thing, being often read
Growne feard and tedious: yea, my Grauitie
Wherein (let no man heare me) I take pride,
Could I, with boote, change for an idle plume
Which the ayre beats for vaine: oh place, oh forme,
How often dost thou with thy case, thy habit
Wrench awe from fooles, and tye the wiser soules
To thy false seeming? Blood, thou art blood,
Let's write good Angell on the Deuills horne
'Tis not the Deuills Crest: how now? who's there?
Enter Seruant.
Ser.
One Isabell, a Sister, desires accesse to you.
Ang.
Teach her the way: oh, heauens
Why doe's my bloud thus muster to my heart,
Making both it vnable for it selfe,
And dispossessing all my other parts
Of necessary fitnesse?
So play the foolish throngs with one that swounds,
Come all to help him, and so stop the ayre
By which hee should reuiue: and euen so
The generall subiect to a wel-wisht King
Quit their owne part, and in obsequious fondnesse
Crowd to his presence, where their vn-taught loue
Must needs appear offence: how now faire Maid.
Enter Isabella.
Isab.
I am come to know your pleasure.
An.
That you might know it, wold much better please me,
Then to demand what 'tis: your Brother cannot liue.
Isab.
Euen so: heauen keepe your Honor.
Ang.
Yet may he liue a while: and it may be
As long as you, or I: yet he must die.
Isab.
Vnder your Sentence?
Ang.
Yea.
Isab.
When, I beseech you: that in his Reprieue
(Longer, or shorter) he may be so fitted
That his soule sicken not.
Ang.
Ha? fie, these filthy vices. It were as good
To pardon him, that hath from nature stolne
A man already made, as to remit
Their sawcie sweetnes, that do coyne heauens Image
In stamps that are forbid: 'tis all as easie,
Falsely to take away a life true made,
As to put mettle in restrained meanes
To make a false one.
Isab.
'Tis set downe so in heauen, but not in earth.
Ang.
Say you so: then I shall poze you quickly.
Which had you rather, that the most iust Law
Now tooke your brothers life, and to redeeme him
Giue vp your body to such sweet vncleannesse
As she that he hath staind?
Isab.
Sir, beleeue this.
I had rather giue my body, then my soule.
Ang.
I talke not of your soule: our compel'd sins
Stand more for number, then for accompt.
Isab.
How say you?
Ang.
Nay Ile not warrant that: for I can speake
Against the thing I say: Answere to this,
I (now the voyce of the recorded Law)
Pronounce a sentence on your Brothers life,
Might there not be a charitie in sinne,
To saue this Brothers life?
Isab.
Please you to doo't,
Ile take it as a perill to my soule,
It is no sinne at all, but charitie.
Ang.
Pleas'd you to doo't, at perill of your soule
Were equall poize of sinne, and charitie.
Isab.
That I do beg his life, if it be sinne
Heauen let me beare it: you granting of my suit,
If that be sin, Ile make it my Morne-praier,
To haue it added to the faults of mine,
And nothing of your answere.
Ang.
Nay, but heare me.
Your sence pursues not mine: either you are ignorant,
Or seeme so crafty; and that's not good.
Isab.
Let be ignorant, and in nothing good,
But graciously to know I am no better.
Ang.
Thus wisdome wishes to appeare most bright,
When it doth taxe it selfe: As these blacke Masques
Proclaime an en-shield beauty ten times louder
Then beauty could displaied: But marke me,
To be receiued plaine, Ile speake more grosse:
Your Brother is to dye.
Isab.
So.
Ang.
And his offence is so, as it appeares,
Accountant to the Law, vpon that paine.
Isab.
True.
Ang.
Admit no other way to saue his life
(As I subscribe not that, nor any other,
But in the losse of question) that you, his Sister,
Finding your selfe desir'd of such a person,
Whose creadit with the Iudge, or owne great place,
Could fetch your Brother from the Manacles
Of the all-building-Law: and that there were
No earthly meane to saue him, but that either
You must lay downe the treasures of your body,
To this supposed, or else to let him suffer:
What would you doe?
Isab.
As much for my poore Brother, as my selfe;
That is: were I vnder the tearmes of death,
Th'impression of keene whips, I'ld weare as Rubies,
And strip my selfe to death, as to a bed,
That longing haue bin sicke for, ere I'ld yeeld
My body vp to shame.
Then must your brother die.
Isa.
And 'twer the cheaper way:
Better it were a brother dide at once,
Then that a sister, by redeeming him
Should die for euer.
Ang.
Were not you then as cruell as the Sentence,
That you haue slander'd so?
Isa.
Ignomie in ransome, and free pardon
Are of two houses: lawfull mercie,
Is nothing kin to fowle redemption.
Ang.
You seem'd of late to make the Law a tirant,
And rather prou'd the sliding of your brother
A merriment, then a vice.
Isa.
Oh pardon me my Lord, it oft fals out
To haue, what we would haue,
We speake not what vve meane;
I something do excuse the thing I hate,
For his aduantage that I dearely loue.
Ang.
We are all fraile.
Isa.
Else let my brother die,
If not a fedarie but onely he
Owe, and succeed thy weaknesse.
Ang.
Nay, women are fraile too.
Isa.
I, as the glasses where they view themselues,
Which are as easie broke as they make formes:
Women? Helpe heauen; men their creation marre
In profiting by them: Nay, call vs ten times fraile,
For we are soft, as our complexions are,
And credulous to false prints.
Ang.
I thinke it well:
And from this testimonie of your owne sex
(Since I suppose we are made to be no stronger
Then faults may shake our frames) let me be bold;
I do arrest your words. Be that you are,
That is a woman; if you be more, you'r none.
If you be one (as you are well exprest
By all externall warrants) shew it now,
By putting on the destin'd Liuerie.
Isa.
I haue no tongue but one; gentle my Lord,
Let me entreate you speake the former language.
Ang.
Plainlie conceiue I loue you.
Isa.
My brother did loue Iuliet,
And you tell me that he shall die for't.
Ang.
He shall not Isabell if you giue me loue.
Isa.
I know your vertue hath a licence in't,
Which seemes a little fouler then it is,
To plucke on others.
Ang.
Beleeue me on mine Honor,
My words expresse my purpose.
Isa.
Ha? Little honor, to be much beleeu'd,
And most pernitious purpose: Seeming, seeming.
I will proclaime thee Angelo, looke for't.
Signe me a present pardon for my brother,
Or with an out-stretcht throate Ile tell the world aloud
What man thou art.
Ang.
Who will beleeue thee Isabell?
My vnsoild name, th'austeerenesse of my life,
My vouch against you, and my place i'th State,
Will so your accusation ouer-weigh,
That you shall stifle in your owne reporr,
And smell of calumnie. I haue begun,
And now I giue my sensuall race, the reine,
Fit thy consent to my sharpe appetite,
Lay by all nicetie, and prolixious blushes
That banish what they sue for: Redeeme thy brother,
By yeelding vp thy bodie to my will,
Or else he must not onelie die the death,
But thy vnkindnesse shall his death draw out
To lingring sufferance: Answer me to morrow,
Or by the affection that now guides me most,
Ile proue a Tirant to him. As for you,
Say what you can; my false, ore-weighs your true.
Exit
Isa.
To whom should I complaine? Did I tell this
Who would beleeue me? O perilous mouthes
That beare in them, one and the selfesame tongue,
Either of condemnation, or approofe,
Bidding the Law make curtsie to their will,
Hooking both right and wrong to th'appetite,
To follow as it drawes. Ile to my brother,
Though he hath falne by prompture of the blood,
Yet hath he in him such a minde of Honor,
That had he twentie heads to tender downe
On twentie bloodie blockes, hee'ld yeeld them vp,
Before his sister should her bodie stoope
To such abhord pollution.
Then Isabell liue chaste, and brother die;
“More then our Brother, is our Chastitie.
Ile tell him yet of Angelo's request,
And fit his minde to death, for his soules rest.
Exit.
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