Part 7

A room ... house.] Capell. The palace. Rowe. 2, sqq.: Angelo's speeches in this scene Collier prints as verse. 5: _redeliver_] Capell. _re-liver_] F1. _deliver_ F2 F3 F4. 13: A colon is put after _proclaim'd_ by Capell, who prints lines 13-16 as verse. 19: _And_] om. Hanmer. 23: _dares her no;_] Ff. _dares her:_ Pope. _dares her: no,_ Hanmer. _dares her No_ Warburton. _dares her? no:_ Capell. _dares her note_ Theobald conj. _dares her not_ Steevens conj. _dares her on_ Grant White (Becket conj.). _reason ... no_] _treason dares her?--No_ Jackson conj. 24: _bears of a credent bulk_] F1 F2 F3. _bears off a credent bulk_ F4. _bears off all credence_ Pope. _bears a credent bulk_ Theobald. _bears such a credent bulk_ Collier MS. _here's of a credent bulk_ Singer. _bears so credent bulk_ Dyce. _bears up a credent bulk_ Grant White.

## SCENE V. _Fields without the town._

_Enter DUKE in his own habit, and FRIAR PETER._

_Duke._ 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, 5 As cause doth minister. Go call at Flavius' 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.

_Fri. P._ It shall be speeded well. [_Exit._ 10

_Enter VARRIUS._

_Duke._ I thank thee, Varrius; thou hast made good haste: Come, we will walk. There's other of our friends Will greet us here anon, my gentle Varrius. [_Exeunt._

NOTES: IV, 5.

## SCENE V.] SCENE XIII. Pope.

FRIAR PETER] See note (XXI). 6: _Go_] om. Hanmer. _Flavius'_] Rowe. _Flavio's_ Ff. 8: _To Valentius_] _To Valencius_ Ff. _Unto Valentius_ Pope. _To Valentinus_ Capell.

## SCENE VI. _Street near the city-gate._

_Enter ISABELLA and MARIANA._

_Isab._ 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.

_Mari._ Be ruled by him.

_Isab._ Besides, he tells me that, if peradventure 5 He speak against me on the adverse side, I should not think it strange; for 'tis a physic That's bitter to sweet end.

_Mari._ I would Friar Peter--

_Isab._ O, peace! the friar is come.

_Enter FRIAR PETER._

_Fri. P._ Come, I have found you out a stand most fit, 10 Where you may have such vantage on the Duke, He shall not pass you. Twice have the trumpets sounded; The generous and gravest citizens Have hent the gates, and very near upon The Duke is entering: therefore, hence, away! [_Exeunt._ 15

NOTES: IV, 6.

## SCENE VI.] SCENE XIV. Pope.

2: _I would_] _I'd_ Pope. 3: _I am_] _I'm_ Pope. 4: _to veil full_] Malone. _to vaile full_ F1 F2 F3. _to vail full_ F4. _t' availful_ Theobald. _to 'vailful_ Hanmer.

## ACT V.

## SCENE I. _The city-gate._

_MARIANA veiled, ISABELLA, and FRIAR PETER, at their stand. Enter DUKE, VARRIUS, LORDS, ANGELO, ESCALUS, LUCIO, PROVOST, OFFICERS, and CITIZENS, at several doors._

_Duke._ My very worthy cousin, fairly met! Our old and faithful friend, we are glad to see you.

_Ang._ } Happy return be to your royal Grace! _Escal._}

_Duke._ Many and hearty thankings to you both. We have made inquiry of you; and we hear 5 Such goodness of your justice, that our soul Cannot but yield you forth to public thanks, Forerunning more requital.

_Ang._ You make my bonds still greater.

_Duke._ O, your desert speaks loud; and I should wrong it, To lock it in the wards of covert bosom, 10 When it deserves, with characters of brass, A forted residence 'gainst the tooth of time And razure of oblivion. Give me your hand, And let the subject see, to make them know That outward courtesies would fain proclaim 15 Favours that keep within. Come, Escalus; You must walk by us on our other hand: And good supporters are you.

_FRIAR PETER and ISABELLA come forward._

_Fri. P._ Now is your time: speak loud, and kneel before him.

_Isab._ Justice, O royal Duke! Vail your regard 20 Upon a wrong'd, I would fain have said, a maid! O worthy prince, dishonour 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! 25

_Duke._ Relate your wrongs; in what? by whom? be brief. Here is Lord Angelo shall give you justice: Reveal yourself to him.

_Isab._ O worthy Duke, You bid me seek redemption of the devil: Hear me yourself; for that which I must speak 30 Must either punish me, not being believed, Or wring redress from you. Hear me, O hear me, here!

_Ang._ My lord, her wits, I fear me, are not firm: She hath been a suitor to me for her brother Cut off by course of justice,--

_Isab._ By course of justice! 35

_Ang._ And she will speak most bitterly and strange.

_Isab._ Most strange, but yet most truly, will I speak: That Angelo's forsworn; is it not strange? That Angelo's a murderer; is't not strange? That Angelo is an adulterous thief, 40 An hypocrite, a virgin-violator; Is it not strange and strange?

_Duke._ Nay, it is ten times strange.

_Isab._ 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 45 To th' end of reckoning.

_Duke._ Away with her!--Poor soul, She speaks this in th' infirmity of sense.

_Isab._ O prince, I conjure thee, as thou believest There is another comfort than this world, That thou neglect me not, with that opinion 50 That I am touch'd with madness! Make not impossible That which but seems unlike: 'tis not impossible But one, the wicked'st caitiff on the ground, May seem as shy, as grave, as just, as absolute As Angelo; even so may Angelo, 55 In all his dressings, characts, titles, forms, Be an arch-villain; believe it, royal prince: If he be less, he's nothing; but he's more, Had I more name for badness.

_Duke._ By mine honesty, If she be mad,--as I believe no other,-- 60 Her madness hath the oddest frame of sense, Such a dependency of thing on thing, As e'er I heard in madness.

_Isab._ O gracious Duke, Harp not on that; nor do not banish reason For inequality; but let your reason serve 65 To make the truth appear where it seems hid, And hide the false seems true. _Duke._ Many that are not mad Have, sure, more lack of reason. What would you say?

_Isab._ I am the sister of one Claudio, Condemn'd upon the act of fornication 70 To lose his head; condemn'd by Angelo: I, (in probation of a sisterhood,) Was sent to by my brother; one Lucio As then the messenger,--

_Lucio._ That's I, an't like your Grace: I came to her from Claudio, and desired her 75 To try her gracious fortune with Lord Angelo For her poor brother's pardon.

_Isab._ That's he indeed.

_Duke._ You were not bid to speak.

_Lucio._ No, my good lord; Nor wish'd to hold my peace.

_Duke._ I wish you now, then; Pray you, take note of it: and when you have 80 A business for yourself, pray heaven you then Be perfect.

_Lucio._ I warrant your honour.

_Duke._ The warrant's for yourself; take heed to't.

_Isab._ This gentleman told somewhat of my tale,--

_Lucio._ Right. 85

_Duke._ It may be right; but you are i' the wrong To speak before your time. Proceed.

_Isab._ I went To this pernicious caitiff Deputy,--

_Duke._ That's somewhat madly spoken.

_Isab._ Pardon it; The phrase is to the matter. 90

_Duke._ Mended again. The matter;--proceed.

_Isab._ In brief,--to set the needless process by, How I persuaded, how I pray'd, and kneel'd, How he refell'd me, and how I replied,-- For this was of much length,--the vile conclusion 95 I now begin with grief and shame to utter: He would not, but by gift of my chaste body To his concupiscible intemperate lust, Release my brother; and, after much debatement, My sisterly remorse confutes mine honour, 100 And I did yield to him: but the next morn betimes, His purpose surfeiting, he sends a warrant For my poor brother's head.

_Duke._ This is most likely!

_Isab._ O, that it were as like as it is true!

_Duke._ By heaven, fond wretch, thou know'st not what thou speak'st, 105 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 vehemency he should pursue Faults proper to himself: if he had so offended, 110 He would have weigh'd thy brother by himself, And not have cut him off. Some one hath set you on: Confess the truth, and say by whose advice Thou camest here to complain.

_Isab._ And is this all? Then, O you blessed ministers above, 115 Keep me in patience, and with ripen'd time Unfold the evil which is here wrapt up In countenance!--Heaven shield your Grace from woe. As I, thus wrong'd, hence unbelieved go!

_Duke._ I know you'ld fain be gone.--An officer! 120 To prison with her!--Shall we thus permit A blasting and a scandalous breath to fall On him so near us? This needs must be a practice. Who knew of your intent and coming hither?

_Isab._ One that I would were here, Friar Lodowick. 125

_Duke._ A ghostly father, belike. Who knows that Lodowick?

_Lucio._ My lord, I know him; 'tis a meddling friar; I do not like the man: had he been lay, my lord, For certain words he spake against your Grace In your retirement, I had swinged him soundly. 130

_Duke._ Words against me! this's a good friar, belike! And to set on this wretched woman here Against our substitute! Let this friar be found.

_Lucio._ But yesternight, my lord, she and that friar, I saw them at the prison: a saucy friar, 135 A very scurvy fellow.

_Fri. P._ Blessed be your royal Grace! I have stood by, my lord, and I have heard Your royal ear abused. First, hath this woman Most wrongfully accused your substitute, 140 Who is as free from touch or soil with her As she from one ungot.

_Duke._ We did believe no less. Know you that Friar Lodowick that she speaks of?

_Fri. P._ 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.

_Lucio._ My lord, most villanously; believe it.

_Fri. P._ Well, he in time may come to clear himself; 150 But at this instant he is sick, my lord, Of a strange fever. Upon his mere request,-- Being come to knowledge that there was complaint Intended 'gainst Lord Angelo,--came I hither, To speak, as from his mouth, what he doth know 155 Is true 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, 160 Her shall you hear disproved to her eyes, Till she herself confess it.

_Duke._ 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; 165 In this I'll be impartial; be you judge Of your own cause. Is this the witness, friar? First, let her show her face, and after speak.

_Mari._ Pardon, my lord; I will not show my face Until my husband bid me. 170

_Duke._ What, are you married?

_Mari._ No, my lord.

_Duke._ Are you a maid?

_Mari._ No, my lord.

_Duke._ A widow, then? 175

_Mari._ Neither, my lord.

_Duke._ Why, you are nothing, then:--neither maid, widow, nor wife?

_Lucio._ My lord, she may be a punk; for many of them are neither maid, widow, nor wife. 180

_Duke._ Silence that fellow: I would he had some cause To prattle for himself.

_Lucio._ Well, my lord.

_Mari._ My lord, I do confess I ne'er was married; And I confess, besides, I am no maid: 185 I have known my husband; yet my husband Knows not that ever he knew me.

_Lucio._ He was drunk, then, my lord: it can be no better.

_Duke._ For the benefit of silence, would thou wert so too!

_Lucio._ Well, my lord. 190

_Duke._ This is no witness for Lord Angelo.

_Mari._ Now I come to't, my lord: She that accuses him of fornication, In self-same manner doth accuse my husband; And charges him, my lord, with such a time 195 When I'll depose I had him in mine arms With all th' effect of love.

_Ang._ Charges she more than me?

_Mari._ Not that I know.

_Duke._ No? you say your husband.

_Mari._ Why, just, my lord, and that is Angelo, 200 Who thinks he knows that he ne'er knew my body, But knows he thinks that he knows Isabel's.

_Ang._ This is a strange abuse. Let's see thy face.

_Mari._ My husband bids me; now I will unmask. [_Unveiling._ This is that face, thou cruel Angelo, 205 Which once thou sworest was worth the looking on; This is the hand which, with a vow'd contract, Was fast belock'd in thine; this is the body That took away the match from Isabel, And did supply thee at thy garden-house 210 In her imagined person.

_Duke._ Know you this woman?

_Lucio._ Carnally, she says.

_Duke._ Sirrah, no more!

_Lucio._ Enough, my lord.

_Ang._ My lord, I must confess I know this woman: And five years since there was some speech of marriage 215 Betwixt myself and her; which was broke off,

## Partly for that her promised proportions

Came short of composition; but in chief, For that her reputation was disvalued In levity: since which time of five years 220 I never spake with her, saw her, nor heard from her, Upon my faith and honour.

_Mari._ Noble prince, As there comes light from heaven and words from breath, As there is sense in truth and truth in virtue, I am affianced this man's wife as strongly 225 As words could make up vows: and, my good lord, But Tuesday night last gone in's garden-house He knew me as a wife. As this is true, Let me in safety raise me from my knees; Or else for ever be confixed here, 230 A marble monument!

_Ang._ I did but smile till now: Now, good my lord, give me the scope of justice; My patience here is touch'd. I do perceive These poor informal women are no more But instruments of some more mightier member 235 That sets them on: let me have way, my lord, To find this practice out.

_Duke._ Ay, with my heart; And punish them to your height of pleasure. Thou foolish friar; and thou pernicious woman, Compact with her that's gone, think'st thou thy oaths, 240 Though they would swear down each particular saint, Were testimonies against his worth and credit, That's seal'd in approbation? You, Lord Escalus, Sit with my cousin; lend him your kind pains To find out this abuse, whence 'tis derived. 245 There is another friar that set them on; Let him be sent for.

_Fri. P._ Would he were here, my lord! for he, indeed, Hath set the women on to this complaint: Your provost knows the place where he abides, 250 And he may fetch him.

_Duke._ 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 chastisement: I for a while will leave you; 255 But stir not you till you have well determined Upon these slanderers.

_Escal._ My lord, we'll do it throughly. [_Exit Duke._] Signior Lucio, did not you say you knew that Friar Lodowick to be a dishonest person? 260

_Lucio._ 'Cucullus non facit monachum:' honest in nothing but in his clothes; and one that hath spoke most villanous speeches of the Duke.

_Escal._ We shall entreat you to abide here till he come, and enforce them against him: we shall find this friar a 265 notable fellow.

_Lucio._ As any in Vienna, on my word.

_Escal._ Call that same Isabel here once again: I would speak with her. [_Exit an Attendant._] Pray you, my lord, give me leave to question; you shall see how I'll handle 270 her.

_Lucio._ Not better than he, by her own report.

_Escal._ Say you?

_Lucio._ Marry, sir, I think, if you handled her privately, she would sooner confess: perchance, publicly, she'll be 275 ashamed.

_Escal._ I will go darkly to work with her.

_Lucio._ That's the way; for women are light at midnight.

_Re-enter OFFICERS with ISABELLA; and PROVOST with the DUKE in his friar's habit._

_Escal._ Come on, mistress: here's a gentlewoman denies all that you have said. 280

_Lucio._ My lord, here comes the rascal I spoke of; here with the provost.

_Escal._ In very good time: speak not you to him till we call upon you.

_Lucio._ Mum. 285

_Escal._ Come, sir: did you set these women on to slander Lord Angelo? they have confessed you did.

_Duke._ 'Tis false.

_Escal._ How! know you where you are?

_Duke._ Respect to your great place! and let the devil 290 Be sometime honour'd for his burning throne! Where is the Duke? 'tis he should hear me speak.

_Escal._ The Duke's in us; and we will hear you speak: Look you speak justly.

_Duke._ Boldly, at least. But, O, poor souls, 295 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 300 Which here you come to accuse.

_Lucio._ This is the rascal; this is he I spoke of.

_Escal._ Why, thou unreverend and unhallow'd friar, Is't not enough thou hast suborn'd these women To accuse this worthy man, but, in foul mouth, 305 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 the rack with him! We'll touse you Joint by joint, but we will know his purpose. 310 What, 'unjust'!

_Duke._ Be not so hot; the Duke 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, 315 Where I have seen corruption boil and bubble Till it o'er-run the stew; laws for all faults, But faults so countenanced, that the strong statutes Stand like the forfeits in a barber's shop, As much in mock as mark. 320

_Escal._ Slander to the state! Away with him to prison!

_Ang._ What can you vouch against him, Signior Lucio? Is this the man that you did tell us of?

_Lucio._ 'Tis he, my lord. Come hither, goodman bald-pate: do you know me? 325

_Duke._ I remember you, sir, by the sound of your voice: I met you at the prison, in the absence of the Duke.

_Lucio._ O, did you so? And do you remember what you said of the Duke?

_Duke._ Most notedly, sir. 330

_Lucio._ Do you so, sir? And was the Duke a flesh-monger, a fool, and a coward, as you then reported him to be?

_Duke._ You must, sir, change persons with me, ere you make that my report: you, indeed, spoke so of him; and 335 much more, much worse.

_Lucio._ O thou damnable fellow! Did not I pluck thee by the nose for thy speeches?

_Duke._ I protest I love the Duke as I love myself.

_Ang._ Hark, how the villain would close now, after his 340 treasonable abuses!

_Escal._ Such a fellow is not to be talked withal. 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 giglets too, and with the other 345 confederate companion!

_Duke._ [_To Provost_] Stay, sir; stay awhile.

_Ang._ What, resists he? Help him, Lucio.

_Lucio._ Come, sir; come, sir; come, sir; foh, sir! Why, you bald-pated, lying rascal, you must be hooded, 350 must you? Show your knave's visage, with a pox to you! show your sheep-biting face, and be hanged an hour! Will't not off?

[_Pulls off the friar's hood, and discovers the Duke._

_Duke._ Thou art the first knave that e'er madest a Duke. First, provost, let me bail these gentle three. 355 [_To Lucio_] Sneak not away, sir; for the friar and you Must have a word anon. Lay hold on him.

_Lucio._ This may prove worse than hanging.

_Duke._ [_To Escalus_] What you have spoke I pardon: sit you down: We'll borrow place of him. [_To Angelo_] Sir, by your leave. 360 Hast thou or word, or wit, or impudence, That yet can do thee office? If thou hast, Rely upon it till my tale be heard, And hold no longer out.

_Ang._ O my dread lord, I should be guiltier than my guiltiness, 365 To think I can be undiscernible, When I perceive your Grace, like power divine, Hath look'd upon my passes. Then, good prince, No longer session hold upon my shame, But let my trial be mine own confession: 370 Immediate sentence then, and sequent death, Is all the grace I beg.

_Duke._ Come hither, Mariana. Say, wast thou e'er contracted to this woman?

_Ang._ I was, my lord.

_Duke._ Go take her hence, and marry her instantly. 375 Do you the office, friar; which consummate, Return him here again. Go with him, provost.

[_Exeunt Angelo, Mariana, Friar Peter and Provost._

_Escal._ My lord, I am more amazed at his dishonour Than at the strangeness of it.

_Duke._ Come hither, Isabel. Your friar is now your prince: as I was then 380 Advertising and holy to your business, Not changing heart with habit, I am still Attorney'd at your service.

_Isab._ O, give me pardon, That I, your vassal, have employ'd and pain'd Your unknown sovereignty!

_Duke._ You are pardon'd, Isabel: 385 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, Labouring to save his life, and would not rather Make rash remonstrance of my hidden power 390 Than let him so be lost. O most kind maid, It was the swift celerity of his death, Which I did think with slower foot came on, That brain'd my purpose. But, peace be with him! That life is better life, past fearing death, 395 Than that which lives to fear: make it your comfort, So happy is your brother.

_Isab._ I do, my lord.

_Re-enter ANGELO, MARIANA, FRIAR PETER, and PROVOST._