ungenitur'd Agent will unpeople the province with conti- Duke. No might nor greatness in mortality Enter Efcalus, Provost, Bawd, and Officers. Bawd. Good my lord, be good to me; your honour is accounted a merciful man: good my lord. Efcal. Double and treble abomination, and ftill forfeit in the fame kind? this would make mercy + 'fwerve` and play the tyrant. Prov. A bawd of eleven years continuance, may it please your honour. Bawd. My lord, this is one Lucio's information against me: miftrefs Kate Keep-down was with child by him in the Duke's time: he promis'd her marriage: his child is a year and a quarter old, come Philip and Jacob: I have kept it myself, and fee how he goes about to abufe me. Efcal. That fellow is a fellow of much licence; let him be call'd before us. Away with her to prison: go to; no more words. [Exeunt with the Bawd.] Provost, my brother Angelo will not be alter'd; Claudio muft die to 3 He's now paft it; yet, and I fay to thee, morrow: 4 fwear morrow: let him be furnifh'd with divines, and have all charitable preparation. If my brother wrought by my pity, it should not be fo with him. Prov. So please you, this Friar hath been with him, and advis'd him for the entertainment of death. Efcal. Good even, good father! Duke. Blifs and goodness on you! Efcal. Of whence are you? Duke. Not of this country, tho' my chance is now Of gracious order, late come from the See, Efcal. What news abroad i'th' world? Duke. None, but that there is fo great a fever on goodnefs, that the diffolution of it must cure it. Novelty is only in requeft; and it is as dangerous to be aged in any kind of course, as it is virtuous to be conftant in any undertaking. There is fcarce truth enough alive to make focieties fecure; but fecurity enough to make fellowships accurft. Much upon this riddle runs the wisdom of the world; this news is old enough, yet it is every day's news. I pray you, Sir, of what difpofition was the Duke? Efcal. One that above all other ftrifes Contended fpecially to know himself. Duke. What pleasure was he given to? Efcal. Rather rejoicing to fee another merry, than merry at any thing which profeft to make him rejoice. A gentleman of all temperance. But leave him to his events, with a prayer they may prove profperous; and let me defire to know how you find Claudio prepar'd? I am made to understand, that you have lent him vifitation. Duke. He profeffes to have received no finifter meafure from his judge, but most willingly humbles himself to the determination of juftice: yet had he fram'd to himself, by the inftruction of his frailty, many deceiving promises of life, which I by my good leifure have difcredited to him, and now is he refolv'd to die. Efcal. Efcal. You have paid the heav'ns your function, and the prifoner the very debt of your calling. I have labour'd for the poor gentleman, to the extremeft fhore of my modefty, but my brother-juftice have I found fo fevere, that he hath forc'd me to tell him, he is indeed Juftice. Duke. If his own life answer the ftraitness of his proceeding, it fhall become him well; wherein if he chance to fail, he hath fentenc'd himself. Efcal. I am going to visit the prisoner: fare you well. SCENE Duke. Peace be with you! He who the fword of heav'n will bear, Making practife on the times, VIII. fhading crimes, 7 'Draw with idle fpiders ftrings Moft pond'rous and fubftantial things! 5 How may likeness... old edit. Warb. emend. 7 To draw... old edit. Warb, emend. ACT IV. SCENE I. Така A GRANGE. Enter Mariana, and boy finging. SON G. AKE, ob take thofe lips away, But my kiffes bring again, Seals of love, but feal'd in vain. Enter Duke. Mari. Break off thy fong, and hafte thee quick away: Here comes a man of comfort, whofe advice Hath often still'd my brawling difcontent. I cry you mercy, Sir, and well could wish Let me excufe me, and believe me fo, My mirth it much difpleas'd, but pleas'd my woe. I pray you, tell me, hath any body enquir'd for me here to-day? much upon this time have I promis'd here to 8/meet one. Mari. You have not been enquir'd after: I have fat here all day. Enter Ifabel. Duke. I conftantly believe you: the time is come, even now. I fhall crave your forbearance a little; may be I 8 to meet. I will call upon you anon for fome advantage to your felf. Mari. I am always bound to you. SCENE [Exit. II. Duke. Very well met, and well come: Ifab. He hath a garden circummur'd with brick, Duke. But fhall you on your knowledge find this way? Duke. Are there no other tokens Between you 'greed, concerning her obfervance? Duke. 'Tis well born up. I have not yet made known to Mariana A word of this. What hoa! within! come forth! I pray you, be acquainted with this maid; Ijab. |