be le.

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a

Isab. What a merit were it in death, to take this poor Elb. He must before the deputy, sir; he has given maid from the world! What corruption in this life, him warning: the deputy cannot abide a whoremaster: that it will let this man live !—But how out of this can if he be a whoremonger, and comes before him, he were she avail?

as good go a mile on his errand.
Duke.It is a rupture, that you may easily heal: and the Duke. That we were all, as some would seem to be,
care of it not only saves your brother, but keeps you Free from our faults, as faults from seeming, free!
from dishonour in doing it.

Enter Lucio,
Isab. Show me how, good father!

Elb. His neck will come to your waist, a cord, sir.
Duke. This fore-named maid hath yet in her the Clo. I spy comfort; I cry, bail : Here's a gentleman,
continuance of her first affection; his unjust unkind- and a friend of mine!
ness, that in all reason should have quenched her love, Lucio. How now, noble Pompey? What, at the heels
hath, like an impediment in the current, made it more of Caesar? Art thou led in triumph ? What, is there
violent and unruly. Go you to Angelo; answer his none of Pygmalion's images, newly made woman, to
requiring with a plausible obedience; agree with his be had now, for putting the hand in the pocket and
demands to the point: only refer yourself to this ad- extracting it clutch'd ? What reply? Ha? What say'st
vantage, — first, that your stay with him may not be thou to this tune,matter, and method? Is't not drown'd
long; that the time may have all shadow and silence in i'the last rain ? Ha? What say'st thou, trot? Is the
it; and the place answer to convenience: this being world as it was, man? Which is the way? Is it sad,
granted in course, now follows all. We shall advise and few words? Or how? The trick of it?
this wronged maid to stead up your appointment, go Duke. Still thus, and thus! still worse!
in your place; ifthe encounter acknowledge itself Lucio. How doth my dear morsel, thy mistress? Pro-
hereafter, it may compel him to her recompense: and cures she still? Ha?
here, by this, is your brother saved, your honour un- Clo. Troth, sir, she hath eaten up all her beef, and
tainted, the poor Mariana advantaged, and the corrupt she is herself in the tub.
deputy scaled. The maid will I frame, and make fit for Lucio. Why, 'tis good; it is the right of it; it must
his attempt. If you think well to carry this as you may, be so: ever your fresh whore, and your powder'd
the doubleness of the benefit defends the deceit from bawd: an unshun'd consequence; it must be'so. Art
reproof. What think you ofit?

going to prison, Pompey?
Isab. The image of it gives me content already; and, Clo. Yes, faith, sir.
I trust, it will grow to a most prosperous perfection. Lucio. Why, 'tis not amiss, Pompey! Farewell! Go;

Duke. It lies much in your holding up: haste you say, I sent thee thither. For debt, Pompey? Or how?
speedily to Angelo; if for this night he entreat you to Elb. For being a bawd, for being a bawd.
his bed, give him promise of satisfaction. I will pre- Lucio. Well, then inprison him ! Ifimprisonment be
sently to St Luke's;there,at the moated grange,resides the due of a bawd, why, 'tis his right! Bawd is he,
this dejected Mariana. At that place call upon me; doubtless, and of antiquity tov; bawd-born.- Fare-
and despatch with Angelo, that it may

be quickly.

well, good Pompey: commend me to the prison, PomIsab. I thank you for this comfort. Fare you well, pey! You will turn good husband now, Pompey; you good father!

[Exeunt severally. will keep the house.

Clo. I hope, sir, your good worship will be my bail. SCENE II.-Therstreet before the prison. Lucio. No, indeed, will I not, Pompey; it is not the Enter Duke, as a Friar; to him Elbow, Clown, and wear. I will pray, Pompey, to increase your bondage : Officers.

if you take it uot patiently, why, your mettle is the more. Elb. Nay, if there be no remedy for it, but that you Adieu, tristy Pompey.-Bless you, friar ! will needs buy and sell men and women like beasts, we Duke. And you ! shall have all the world drink brown and white bastard. Lucio. Does Bridget paint still, Pompey ? Ha? Duke. O, heavens! what stuff is here!

Elb. Come your ways, sir; come! Clo. 'Twas never merry world, since, of two usuries, Clo. You will not bail me then, sir? the merriest was put down, and the worser allow'd by Lucio. Then, Pompey? nor now.–What news abroad, order of law a furr'd gown to keep him warm; and friar? What news? furr'd with fox and lambskins too, to signify, that craft, Elb. Come your ways, sir; come! being richer than innocency, stands for the facing. Lucio. Go, -to kennel, Pompey, go! Elb.Come your way,sir !-Bless you,good father friar !

(Exeunt Elbow, Clown, and Officers. Duke. And you, good brother father! What offence What news, friar, of the duke? hath this man made you, sir?

Duke. I know none. Can you tell me of any ? Elb. Marry, sir, he hath offended the law; and, sir, Lucio. Some say, he is with the emperor of Pussia : we take him to be a thief too, sir; for we have found other some, he is in Rome: but where is he, think vou? upon him, sir, a strange picklock, which we have sent Duke. I know not where: but wheresoever, I wish him to the deputy:

well. Duke. Fy, sirrah; a bawd, a wicked bawd!

Lucio. It was a mad fantastical trick of him to steal The evil that thou causest to be done,

from the state, and usurp the beggary he was never That is thy means to live. Do thou but think born to. Lord Angelo dukes it well in his absence: hc What’tis to cram a maw, or clothe a back,

puts transgression to't.
From such a filthy vice: say to thyself,

Duke. He does well in't.
From their abominable and beastly touches

Lucio. A little more lenity to lechery would do no
I drink, I eat, array myself, and live,

harm in him : something too crabbed that way, friar. Canst thou believe thy living is a life,

Duke.It is too general a vice,and severity must cureit. So stinkingly depending ? Go, mend, go, mend! Lucio. Yes, in good sooth, the vice is of a great kinClo. Indeed, it does stink in some sort, sir; but yet, dred; it is well ally’d: butit is impossible to extirp it sir, I would prove

quite, friar, till eating and drinking be put down.
Duke. Nay, if the devil have given thee proofs for sin, They say, this Angelo was not made by man and woman,
Thou wilt prove his. Take him to prison, officer ; after the downright way of creation : is it true, think
Correction and instruction must both work,

Duke. How should he be made then?
Ere this rude beast will profit.

Lucio. Some report, a sea-maid spawn'd him:

you?

ad perto

a

a

Some, that he was begot between two stockfishes :-- The whitest virtue strikes. What king so strong,
but it is certain, that, when he makes water, his urine Can tie the gall up in the slanderous tongue ?-
is congeal'd ice; That I know to be true: and he is a But who comes here?
motion ungenerative, that's infallible.

Enter Escalus, Provost, Bawd, and Officers.
Duke. You are pleasant, sir; and speak apace. Escal. Go, away with her to prison!
Lucio. Why, what a ruthless thing is this in him, for Bawd. Good my lord, be good to me; your

honour the rebellion of a cod-piece, to take away the life of a is accounted a merciful man: good my lord!

Dorf man? Would the duke, that is absent, have done this? | Escal, Double and treble admonition, and still forfeit la treble Ere he would have hang'd a man for the getting a hun- in the same kind? This would make mercy swear, and dred bastards, he would have paid for the nursing a play the tyrant. thousand: he had some feeling of the sport; he knew Prov. A bawd of cleven years continuance, may it the service, and that instructed him to mercy. please your hononr.

marli Duke. Inever heard the absent duke much detected 'Baud.My lord, this is oneLucio's information against do pra for women; he was not inclined that way.

me: mistress KateKeep-down was with child by him in Lucio. O, sir, yon are deceived!

the duke's time, he promised her marriage; his child is ispood Duke. 'Tis not possible.

a year and a quarter old,comc Philip and Jacob :I have Lucio. Who? not the duke? yes, your beggar of kept it myself; and see how he goes about to abuse me! fifty;

and his use was, to put a ducat in her clack- Escal. That fellow is a fellow of much licence:-let od bet dish: the duke had crotchets in him: he would be him be called before us. Away with her to prison ! Go drunk too; that let me inform you.

to; no more words (Exeunt Bawd and Officers.]Pro- mithi Duke. You do him wrong, surely!

vost, my brother Angelo will not be alter'd, Claudio Lucio, Sir, I was an inward of his: a shy fellow was must die to-morrow: let him be furnish'd with dithe duke: and, I believe, I know the cause of his with- vines, and have all charitable preparation; if my brodrawing.

ther wrought by my pity, it should not be so with him. Duke. What, I pr’ythee, might be the cause? Prov. So please you, this friar hath been with him, SC Lucio.No,-pardon;-'tis a secret must be lock'dwithin and advise i him for the entertainment of death. the teeth and the lips:but this I can let you understand, Escal. Good evtil, good father! -the greater file of the subject held the duke to be wise. Duke. Bliss and goodness on you !

Tak Duke. Wise? why, no question but he was ! Escal. Of whence are you?

1 Lucio.A very superficial, ignorant,nnweighing fellow. Duke. Not of this eountry, though my chance is now Duke. Either this is envy in you, folly, or mistaking; To use it for my time: I am a brother the very stream of his life, and the business he hath Of gracious order, late come from the see,

BE helmed, must, upon a warranted need, give him a în special business from his holiness. better proclamation. Let him be but testimonied in Escal. What news abroad i' the world?

SO his own bringings forth, and he shall appear to the Duke. None, but that there is so great a fever on envious a scholar, a statesman, and a soldier: there- goodness, that the dissolution of it must cure it: nofore, you speak unskilfully; or, if your knowledge velty is only in request; and it is as dangerous to be be more, it is muck darken'd in your malice, aged in any kind of course, as it is virtuous to be conLucio. Sir, I know him, and I love him.

stant in any undertaking. There is scarce truth enough Duke. Love talks with better knowledge, and know-alive, to make societies secure; but security enough, ledge with dearer love.

to make fellowships accurs’d: much upon this riddle Lucio. Come, sir, I know what I know.

runs the wisdom ofthe world. This news is old enough, Duke. I can hardly believe that, since you know not yet it is every day's news. I pray you, sir, of what diswhat you speak. But, if ever the duke return, (as our position was the duke? prayers are he may,) let me desire you to make your Escal. One, that, above all other strifes, contended answer before him:ifit be honest you have spoke,you especially to know himself. have courage to maintain it: Iam bound to call upon Duke. What pleasure was he given to ? you; and, I pray you, your name?

Escal.Rather rejoicing to see another merry, than Lucio.Sir, my name is Lucio; well known to the duke. morry at any thing, which profess'd to make him reDuke. He shall know you better, sir, if I may live to joice: a gentleman of all temperance. But leave we him Lucio. I fear you not.

report you. to his events, with a prayer,they may prove prosperons; Duke. 0, you hope the duke will return no more; or and let me desire to know, how you find Claudio you imagine me too unhurtful an opposite! But,indeed, prepared. I am made to understand, that you have . I can do you little harm: you'll forswear this again. lent him visitation.

Lucio. I'll be hang'd first: thou art deceived in me, Duke. He professes to have received no sinister meafriar! But no more of this. Canst thou tell, if Claudio sures from his judge, but most willingly humbles himdie to-morrow, or no?

self to the determination of justice: yet had he framed Duke. Why should hcdie, sir?

to himself, by the instruction of his frailty, many deLucio. Why? for filling a bottle with a tun-dish. I ceiving promises of life; which I, by my good leisure, would, the duke, we talk of, were return’d again: tiris have diseredited to him, and now is he resolved to die. ungenitur'd agent willunpeople the province with con- Escal. You have paid the heavens your function,and tinency; sparrows must not build in his house-eaves, the prisoner the very debt of your calling. I have labecause they are lecherous. The duke yet would have bour'd for the poor gentleman, to the extremest shore dark deeds darkly answer'd; he would never bring of my modesty ; but my brother justice have I found so them to light: would he were return'd! Marry, this severe, that he hath forced me to tell him, he is indeed Claudio is condemu'd for untrussing. Farewell, good --justice. friar; I pr’ythee, pray for me! The duke, I say to thee Duke. If his own life answer the straitness of his proagain,would eat mintton on Fridays. He's now pastit; ceeding,it shall become him well; wherein,if he chance yet, and I say to thee, he would mouth with a beggar, to fail, he hath sentenced himself. though she smelt brown bread and garlick: say, that I Escal. I am going to visit the prisoner. Fare you said so. Farewell.

[Exit. Duke. Peace be with you!"(Exeunt Escalus and Duke. No might, nor greatness in mortality

Provost. Can censure’scape; back-wounding calumoy He, who the sword of heaven will bear,

Mar Here

Hatha

TV VE Tenhia lem

Himi

Duke

well.

10

1

Should be as holy as severe;

Isab. No, none, but only a repair i’ the dark;
Pattern in himself to know,

And that I have possess'd him, my niost stay
Grace to stand, and virtue go;

Can be but brief: for I have made him know,
More nor less to others paying,

I have a servant comes with me along,
Than by self-offences weighing.

That stays upon me; whose persuasionis,
Shame to him, whose cruel striking

I come about my brother.
Kills for faults of his own liking!

Duke. 'Tis well borne up.
Twice treble shame on Angelo,

I have not yet made known to Mariana
To weed my vice, and let his grow!

A word of this. –What, ho ! within! come forth! 0, what may man within him hide,

Re-enter Mariana.
Though angel on the outward side!

I pray you, be acquainted with this maid;
How may likeness, made in crimes,

She comes to do

you good.
Making practice on the times,

Isab. I do desire the like.
Draw with idle spiders 'strings

Duke. Do you persuade yourself, that I respect you?
Most pond'rous and substantial things!

Mari. Good friar, Ikuow you do, and have found it. Craft against vice I must apply:

Duke. Take then this your companion by the hand,
With Angelo to-night shall lie

Who hath a story ready for your ear:
His old betrothed, but despis'd;

I shall attend your leisure; but make haste !
So disguise shall, by the disguis'd,

The vaporons night approaches.
Pay with falsehood false exacting,

Mari. Will't please you walk aside?
And perform an old contracting.

(Exit.

Exeunt Mariana and Isabella. Duke. O place and greatness, millions of false eyes Are stuck

upon

thee! volumes of report A C T IV.

Run with these false and most contrarious quests
SCENEI.- Aroom in Mariana's house. Upon thy doings ! thousand 'scapes of wit
Mariana discovered sitting; a boy singing.

Make thee the father of their idle dream,
SONG,

And rack thee in their fancies ! - Welcome! How
Take, oh take those lips away,

agreed?
That so sweetly were
re forsworn;

Re-enter Mariana and IsabelLA.
And those eyes, the break of day,

Isab. She'll take the enterprize upou her, father,
Lights that do mislead the morn!

If you advise it.
But my kisses bring again,

Duke. It is not my consent,

bring again. But my entreaty too. Seals of love, but sealdin vain,

Isab. Little have you to say,

seald in vain. When you depart from him, but, soft and low, Mari. Break off thy song, and haste thee quick away; Remember now my brother! Here comes a man of comfort, whose advise

Mari. Fear me not! Hath often still’d my brawling discontent.- [Exit Boy. Duke. Nor, gentle daugther, fear you not at all : Enter Duke.

Heis

your husband on a pre-contract: I cry you mercy, sir; and well could wish,

To bring you thus together, 'tis no sin;
You had not found me here so musical:

Sith that the justice of your title to him
Let me excuse me, and believe me so,-

Doth flourish the deceit. Come, let us go,
My mirth it much displeas’d, but pleas'd my woe. Our corn's to reap, for yet our tithe's to sow![Exeunt.
Duke. 'Tis good:though music oft hath such a charm,

SCENE II.- Aroom in the prison.
To make bad good, and good provoke to harm.

Enter rovost and Clown.
I pray you, tell me, hath any body enquired for me here Prov. Come hither, sirrah! Can you cut off a man's
to-day? much upon this time have I promis'd here to head ?

Clo. If the man be a bachelor, sir, I can : but if he be Mari. You have not been enquired after: I have sat a married man, he is his wife's head, and I can never here all day.

cut ofl'a woman's head. Enter ISABELLA.

Prov. Come, sir, leave me your snatches, and yield Duke. I do constantly believeyon :-the time is come, me a direct answer! To-morrow morning are to die even now. I shall crave your forbearance a little; may Claudio and Barnardine: here is in our prison a combe, I will call upon you anon, for some advantage to mon executioner, who in his office lacks a helper; if yourself.

you will take it on you to assist him, it shall redeem Mari. I am always bound to you.

[Exit. you from your gyves: if not, you shall have your full Duke. Very well met, and welcome!

time of imprisonment, and your deliv erance with an What is the news from this good deputy ?

unpitied whipping; for you have been a notorious Isab. He hath a garden circummur'd with brick,

bawd. Whose western side is with a vineyard back’d; Clo. Sir, I have been an unlawful bawd, time ont of And to that vineyard is a planched gate,

mind; but yet I will be content to be a lawful hangman. That makes his opening with this bigger key: I would be glad to receive some instruction from my This other doth command a little door,

fellow partner.
Which from the vineyard to the garden leads; Prov.What ho,Abhorson! Where's Abhorson, there?
There have I made my promise to call on him,

Enter ABHORSOX.
Upon the heavy middle of the night.

Abhor. Do
Duke. But shall you on your knowledge find this way? Pro. Sirrah, here's a fellow will help you to-morrow
Isab. I have ta'en a due and wary note upon't;

in your execution : if you think it meet, compound with With whispering and most guilty diligence,

him by the year,and let him abide here with you;if not, In action all of precept, he did show me

use him for the prescat, and dismiss him; he canuot The way twice o'er.

plead his estimation with you; he hath been a bawd. Duke. Are there no other tokens

Abhor. A buwd, sir? Fy upon him, he will discredit Between you'greed, conceruing her observance ? our mystery!

meet.

yon call, sir?

:

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xpats?
Prov.
Dake.
be duke
Prov.
Duke.

see you ві реr=

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Prov. Goto, sir; you weigh equally; a feather will Arise to let him in; he is call'd up.
turn the scale.

(Exit. Duke. Have you no countermand for Claudio yet,
Clo. Pray, sir, by your good favour, (for, surely, sir, But he must die to-morrow?
a good favour you have, but that you have a hanging Prov. None, sir, none.
look,) do you call, sir, your occupation a mystery? Duke. As near the dawning, provost, as it is,
Abhor. Ay, sir, a mystery.

You shall hear more ere morning.
Clo. Painting, sir, I have heard say, is a mystery; and Prov. Happily,
your whores, sir, being members of my occupation, You something know; yet, I believe, there comes
using painting, do prove my occupation a mystery: but No countermaud; no such example have we:
what mystery there should be in hanging, if I should esides, upon the very siege of justice,
be hanged, I cannot imagine.

Lord Angelo hath to the public ear
Abhor. Sir, it is a mystery.

Profess'd the contrary.
Clo. Proof!

Enter a Messenger.
Abhor. Every true man's apparel fits your thief:ifit be Duke. This is his lordship’s man.
too little for your thief, your true man thinks it big Prov. And here comes Claudio's pardon.
enough; ifit be too big for your thief, your thief'thinks Mess. My lord hath sent you this note; and by me
it little enough: 30 every true man's apparel fits your this further charge, that you swerve not from the
thief.

smallest article of it, neither in time, matter, or other
Re-enter Provost.

circumstance. Good morrow; for, as I take it, it is al-
Prov. Are you agreed ?

most day.
Clo. Sir, I will serve him ; for I do find, your hang- Prov. I shall obey him.

(Exit Messenger.
mau is a more penitent trade, than your bawd; he doth Duke. This is his pardon ; purchas'd by such sin,
oftener ask forgiveness,

(Aside. Prov. You, sirrah, provide your block and your axe, For which the pardoner himself

is in: to-morrow four o'clock.

Hence hath offence his quick celerity,
Abhor. Come on, bawd! I will instruct thee in my When it is borne in high authority:
trade; follow!

When vice makes mercy, mercy's so extended,
Clo. I do desire to learn, sir ; and, I hope, if you have That for the fault's love, is the offender friended.
occasion to use me for your own turn, you shall find me Now, sir, what news?
yare; for truly, sir, for your kindness, Iowe you a Prov. I told you: Lord Angelo, belike, thinking me
good turn.

remiss in mine oflice, awakens me with this unwonted
Prov. Call hither Barnardine and Claudio !

putting on: methinks, strangely; for he hath not used
[Exeunt Clown and Abhorson. it before.
The one has my pity, not ajot the other,

Duke. Pray you, let's hear.
Being a murderer, though he were my brother. Prov. [Reads.] Whatsoever you may hear to the
Enter CLAUDIO.

contrary, let Claudio be executed by four of the clock ;
Look, here's the warrant, Claudio, for thy death : and, in the afternoon, Barnardine: for my better
'Tis now dead midnight, and by eight to-morrow satisfaction, let me have Claudio's head sent me by
Thou must be made immortal.' Where's Barnardine? five. Let this be duly performed; with a thought,
Claud. As fast lock'd up in sleep, as guiltless labour, that more depends on it than we must yet deliver:
When it lies starkly in the traveller's bones :

Thus fail not to do your office, as you will answer it
He will not wake.

at your peril.-What say you to this, sir?
Prov. Who can do good on him?

Duke. What is that Barnardine, who is to be execu-
Well, go, prepare yourself. But hark, what noise? ted in the afternoon?
[ Knocking within. Prov. A Bohemian born; but here nursed up

and
Heaven give your spirits comfort! (Exit Claudio.) By bred: one that is a prisoner nine years old.
I hopeit is some pardon,or reprieve, and by:- Duke. How came it, that the absent duke had not
For the most gentle Claudio.-Welcome, father! either deliver'd him to his liberty, or executed him?
Enter Duke.

I have heard, it was ever his manner to do so.
Duke. The best and wholesomest spirits of the night Prov. His friends still wrought reprieves for him:
Envelop you, good provost! Who call?d here of late ? and, indeed, his fact, till now in the government of
Prov. None, since the curfew rung.

lord Angelo, came not to an undoubtful proof.
Duke. Not Isabel?

Duke. Is it now apparent?
Prov. No.

Prov. Must manifest, and not denied by himself.
Duke. They will then, ere't belong.

Duke. Hath he borne himself penitently in prison ?
Prov. What comfort is for Claudio ?

How seems he to be touch'd ?
Duke. There's some in hope.

Prov. A man that apprehends death no more dread-
Prov. It is a bitter deputy.

fully, but as a drunken sleep; careless, reckless

, and
Duke. Not so, not so; his lifeis parallel’d

fearless of what's past, present, or to come; insensible
Even with the stroke and line of his great justico; of mortality, and desperately mortal.
He doth with holy abstinence subdue

Duke. He wants advise.
That in himself, which he spurs on his power

Prov. He will hear none: he hath erermore had the
To qualify in others : were he meal'd

liberty of the prison; give him leave to escape hence, With that which he corrects, then were he tyrannous; he would not: drunk many times a-day, if not many But this being so, he's just.--Now are they come. - days entirely drunk. We have very often awaked him,

(Knocking within.- Provost goes out. as ifto carry him to execution, and showed him aseemThis is a gentle provost! seldom, when

ing warrant for it: it hath not mov'd him at all. The steeled gaoler is the friend of men.

Duke. More of him anon. There is written in your How now? What noise? That spirit's possess'd with brow, provost, honesty and constancy: if I read it not haste,

truly, my ancient skillbeguiles me; but in the boldness That wounds the unsisting postern with these strokes. of my cunning, I will lay myself in hazard. Claudio,

Provost returns, speaking to one at the door. whom here you have a warrant to execute, is no greater Prov. There he must stay, until the officer forfeit to the law, than Angelo, who hath sentenced him:

further Looky

look is not Pro Duk

TOU SI

bath

а

life.

To make you understand this in a manifested effect, I

Inter ABHORSON. crave but four days respite ; for the which you are to do Abhor. Sirrah, bring Barnardine hither! me both a present and a dangerous courtesy.

Clo. Master Barnardine !you must rise and be hang'd, Prov. Pray, sir, in what?

master Barnardine!
Duke. In the delaying death.

Abhor. What, ho, Barnardine!
Prov. Alack ! how may I do it? having the hour li- Barn. [Within.) A pox o'your throats! Who makes

A mited, and an express command, under penalty, to that noise there? What are you? deliver his head in the view of Angelo? I may make my Clo. Your friends, sir; the hangman. You must be case as Claudio's, to cross this in the smallest. so good, sir, to rise and be put to death.

Duke. By the vow of mine order, I warrant you, if Barnar.(IVithin.}Away, you rogue,away! I am sleepy. my instructions may be your guide. Let this Barnar- Abhor. Tell him, he must awake, and that quickly too. dine be this morning executed, and his head borne to Clo. Pray, master Barnardine, awake till you are exeAngelo.

cuted, and sleep afterwards.
Prov. Angelo hath seen them both, and will discover Abhor. Go in to him, and fetch him ont!
the favour.

Clo. He is coming, sir, he is coming; I hear his straw
Duke. O, death's a great disguiser : and you may add rustle.
to it. Shave the head, and tie the beard and say, it

Enter BARNARDINE. was the desire of the penitent to be so bared before his Abhor. Is the axe upon the block, sirrah ? death: you know the course is common. If any thing Clo. Very ready, sir. fall to you upon this, more than thanks and good for- Barnar. How now, Abhorson? what's the news with tane, by the saint whom I profess, I will plead against you? it with my

Abhor. Truly, sir, I would desire you to clap into
Prov. Pardon me, good father; it is against my oath. your prayers; for, look you, the warrant's come.
Duke. Were you sworn to the duke, or to the Barnar. You rogue, I have been drinking all night,
deputy?

I am not fitted for't.
Prov. To him and to his substitutes.

Clo. O, the better, sir; for he that drinks all night, Duke. You will think you have made no offence, if and is hanged betimes in the morning, may sleep the the duke avouch the justice of your dealing?

sounder all the next day. Prov. But what likelihood is in that?

Enter Duke. Duke. Not a resemblance, but a certainty. Yet since Abhor. Look you,sir, here comes your ghostly father. I see you fearful, that neither my coat, integrity, nor Do we jest now, think you ? my persuasion, can with ease attempt you, I will go Duke. Sir, induced by my charity, and hearing how further, than I meant, to plack all fears out of you. hastily you are to depart,I am come to advise you,comLook you, sir, here is the hand and seal of the duke. fort you, and pray with you. You know the character, I doubt not; and the signet Barnar. Friar, not I: I have been drinking hard all is not strange to you.

night, and I will have more time to prepare me, or they Prov. I know them both.

shall beat out my brains with billets : I will not consent Duke. The contents of this is the return of the duke; to die this day, that's certain. you shall anon overread it at your pleasure; where you Duke. O, sir, you must: and therefore, I beseech you, shall find, within these two days he will be here. This look forward on the journey you shall go. is a thing that Angelo kvows not: for he this very day Barnar. I swear, I will not die to-day for any man's receives letters of strange tenor; perchance, of the persnasion. duke's death; perchance, entering into some mona- Duke. But hear you, stery; but, by chance, nothing of what is writ. I.ook, Barnar. Not a word; if you have any thing to say to the unfolding star calls up the shepherd. Put not me, come to my ward: for thence will not I to-day. yourself into amazement, how these things should be:

(Exit. all difficulties are but easy, when they are known. Call

Enter Provost. your executioner, and off with Barnardine's head. I Duke. Unfit to live, or die : 0, gravel heart! will give him a present shrift, and advise him for a bet- After him, fellows; bring him to the block! ter place. Yet you are amazed; but this shall absolute

(Exeunt Abhorson and Clown. ly resolve you. Come away; it is almost clear dawn. Prov. Now, sir, how do you find the prisoner?

(Exeunt. Duke. A creature unprepar'd, unmeet for death;
SCENE III. - Another room in the same. And, to transport him in the mind he is,
Enter Clown.

Were damnable.
Clo.I am as well acquainted here, as I was in our house Prov. Here in the prison, father,
of profession: one would think, it were mistress There died this morning of a cruel fever
Over-done's own house ; for here be many of her old One Ragozine, a most notorious pirate,
customers. First, here's young master Rash; he's in A man of Claudio's years; his beard, and head
for a commodity of brown paper and old ginger, nine- Just of his colour: what if we do omit
score and seventeen pounds; of which he made five This reprobate, till he were well inclined,
marks, ready money: marry, then, ginger was not and satisfy the deputy with the visage
much in request, for the old women were all dead. Of Ragozine, more like to Claudio ?
Then is there here one master Caper, at the suit of Duke. O, 'tis

an accident that heaven provides !
master Three-pile the mercer, for some four suits of Despatch it presently; the hour draws on
peach-coloured satin, which now peaches him a beg- Prefix'd by Angelo. See, this be done,
sar. Then have we here young Dizy, and young mas- And sent according to command ; whiles. I
ter Deep-vow, and master Copper-spur, and master Persuade this rude wretch willingly to die.
Starve-lackey

the rapier and dagger-man, and young Prov. This shall be done, good father, presently. Drop-heir that kill'a lusty Pudding, and master Forth” But Barnardine must die this afternoon : right the tilter, and brave master Shoe-tie the great And how shall we continue Claudio, traveller, and wild Half-can that stabb’d Potts, and, To save me from the danger that might come, I think, forty more ; all great doers in var trade, and if he were known alive? are now for the Lord's sake.

Duke. Let this be done.-Pat them in secret holds,

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