Volume 1 / Act 5 — V. 1 Scene I. The city-gate.

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. 5 We have made inquiry of you; and we hear 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, 10 To lock it in the wards of covert bosom, 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 15 That outward courtesies would fain proclaim Favours that keep within. Come, Escalus; You must walk by us on our other hand: And good supporters are you.

20 Isab. Justice, O royal Duke! Vail your regard 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, V. 1 25 And given me justice, justice, justice, justice!

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: 30 Hear me yourself; for that which I must speak 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,—

35 Isab.

By course of justice!

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? 40 That Angelo is an adulterous thief, 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: 45 Nay, it is ten times true; for truth is truth 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, V. 1 50 That thou neglect me not, with that opinion 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 55 As Angelo; even so may Angelo, 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, 60 If she be mad,—as I believe no other,— 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 65 For inequality; but let your reason serve 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, 70 Condemn’d upon the act of fornication 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: V. 1 75 I came to her from Claudio, and desired her To try her gracious fortune with Lord Angelo For her poor brother’s pardon.

Isab.

That’s he indeed.

Lucio. No, my good lord; Nor wish’d to hold my peace.

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

Lucio.

I warrant your honour.

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,—

Isab. Pardon it; 90 The phrase is to the matter.

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,— 95 For this was of much length,—the vile conclusion 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, V. 1 100 My sisterly remorse confutes mine honour, 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!

105 Duke. By heaven, fond wretch, thou know’st not what thou speak’st, 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 110 Faults proper to himself: if he had so offended, 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? 115 Then, O you blessed ministers above, 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!

120 Duke. I know you’ld fain be gone.—An officer! 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?

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 130 In your retirement, I had swinged him soundly.

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, 135 I saw them at the prison: a saucy friar, 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 140 Most wrongfully accused your substitute, 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.

V. 1 150 Fri. P. Well, he in time may come to clear himself; 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, 155 To speak, as from his mouth, what he doth know 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, 160 So vulgarly and personally accused, 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!— 165 Give us some seats. Come, cousin Angelo; 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 170 Until my husband bid me.

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

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

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

Mari.

Not that I know.

V. 1 200 Mari. Why, just, my lord, and that is Angelo, Who thinks he knows that he ne’er knew my body, But knows he thinks that he knows Isabel’s.

Mari. My husband bids me; now I will unmask. Unveiling. 205 This is that face, thou cruel Angelo, 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, 210 And did supply thee at thy garden-house In her imagined person.

Duke.

Know you this woman?

Duke.

Sirrah, no more!

Ang. My lord, I must confess I know this woman: 215 And five years since there was some speech of marriage 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 220 In levity: since which time of five years 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, V. 1 225 I am affianced this man’s wife as strongly 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; 230 Or else for ever be confixed here, 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 235 But instruments of some more mightier member 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, 240 Compact with her that’s gone, think’st thou thy oaths, 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 245 To find out this abuse, whence ’tis derived. 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: V. 1 250 Your provost knows the place where he abides, 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, 255 In any chastisement: I for a while will leave you; But stir not you till you have well determined Upon these slanderers.

290 Duke. Respect to your great place! and let the devil 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.

295 Duke. Boldly, at least. But, O, poor souls, 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, V. 1 300 And put your trial in the villain’s mouth Which here you come to accuse.

Escal. Why, thou unreverend and unhallow’d friar, Is’t not enough thou hast suborn’d these women 305 To accuse this worthy man, but, in foul mouth, 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 310 Joint by joint, but we will know his purpose. 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 315 Made me a looker-on here in Vienna, 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, 320 As much in mock as mark.

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

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

Duke. [To Escalus] What you have spoke I pardon: sit you down: 360 We’ll borrow place of him. [To Angelo] Sir, by your leave. 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, 365 I should be guiltier than my guiltiness, 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, 370 But let my trial be mine own confession: 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?

V. 1 375 Duke. Go take her hence, and marry her instantly. Do you the office, friar; which consummate, Return him here again. Go with him, provost.

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

Duke. Come hither, Isabel. 380 Your friar is now your prince: as I was then 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!

385 Duke. You are pardon’d, Isabel: 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 390 Make rash remonstrance of my hidden power 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! 395 That life is better life, past fearing death, Than that which lives to fear: make it your comfort, So happy is your brother.

Isab.

I do, my lord.

Duke. For this new-married man, approaching here, Whose salt imagination yet hath wrong’d V. 1 400 Your well-defended honour, you must pardon For Mariana’s sake: but as he adjudged your brother,— Being criminal, in double violation Of sacred chastity, and of promise-breach Thereon dependent, for your brother’s life,— 405 The very mercy of the law cries out Most audible, even from his proper tongue, ‘An Angelo for Claudio, death for death!’ Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure; Like doth quit like, and MEASURE still FOR MEASURE. 410 Then, Angelo, thy fault’s thus manifested; Which, though thou wouldst deny, denies thee vantage. We do condemn thee to the very block Where Claudio stoop’d to death, and with like haste. Away with him!

Mari. O my most gracious lord, 415 I hope you will not mock me with a husband.

Duke. It is your husband mock’d you with a husband. Consenting to the safeguard of your honour, I thought your marriage fit; else imputation, For that he knew you, might reproach your life, 420 And choke your good to come: for his possessions, Although by confiscation they are ours, We do instate and widow you withal, To buy you a better husband.

Mari. O my dear lord, I crave no other, nor no better man.

Duke. You do but lose your labour. Away with him to death! [To Lucio] Now, sir, to you.

Mari. O my good lord! Sweet Isabel, take my part; Lend me your knees, and all my life to come 430 I’ll lend you all my life to do you service.

Duke. Against all sense you do importune her: Should she kneel down in mercy of this fact, Her brother’s ghost his paved bed would break, And take her hence in horror.

Mari. Isabel, 435 Sweet Isabel, do yet but kneel by me; Hold up your hands, say nothing,—I’ll speak all. They say, best men are moulded out of faults; And, for the most, become much more the better For being a little bad: so may my husband. 440 O Isabel, will you not lend a knee?

Isab. Most bounteous sir, Kneeling. Look, if it please you, on this man condemn’d, As if my brother lived: I partly think A due sincerity govern’d his deeds, 445 Till he did look on me: since it is so, Let him not die. My brother had but justice, In that he did the thing for which he died: For Angelo, His act did not o’ertake his bad intent; V. 1 450 And must be buried but as an intent That perish’d by the way: thoughts are no subjects; Intents, but merely thoughts.

Mari.

Merely, my lord.

Duke. Your suit’s unprofitable; stand up, I say. I have bethought me of another fault. 455 Provost, how came it Claudio was beheaded At an unusual hour?

Prov.

It was commanded so.

Duke. For which I do discharge you of your office: Give up your keys.

460 Prov. Pardon me, noble lord: I thought it was a fault, but knew it not; Yet did repent me, after more advice: For testimony whereof, one in the prison, That should by private order else have died, I have reserved alive.

Duke.

What’s he?

465 Prov.

His name is Barnardine.

Duke. I would thou hadst done so by Claudio. Go fetch him hither; let me look upon him.

Escal. I am sorry, one so learned and so wise As you, Lord Angelo, have still appear’d, 470 Should slip so grossly, both in the heat of blood, And lack of temper’d judgment afterward.

Ang. I am sorry that such sorrow I procure: And so deep sticks it in my penitent heart, That I crave death more willingly than mercy; V. 1 475 ’Tis my deserving, and I do entreat it.

Prov.

This, my lord.

Duke. There was a friar told me of this man. Sirrah, thou art said to have a stubborn soul, That apprehends no further than this world, 480 And squarest thy life according. Thou’rt condemn’d: But, for those earthly faults, I quit them all; And pray thee take this mercy to provide For better times to come. Friar, advise him; I leave him to your hand. What muffled fellow’s that?

485 Prov. This is another prisoner that I saved, Who should have died when Claudio lost his head; As like almost to Claudio as himself. Unmuffles Claudio.

Duke. [To Isabella] If he be like your brother, for his sake Is he pardon’d; and, for your lovely sake, 490 Give me your hand, and say you will be mine, He is my brother too: but fitter time for that. By this Lord Angelo perceives he’s safe; Methinks I see a quickening in his eye. Well, Angelo, your evil quits you well: 495 Look that you love your wife; her worth worth yours. I find an apt remission in myself; And yet here’s one in place I cannot pardon. [To Lucio] You, sirrah, that knew me for a fool, a coward, One all of luxury, an ass, a madman; V. 1 500 Wherein have I so deserved of you, That you extol me thus?

505 Duke. Whipt first, sir, and hang’d after. Proclaim it, provost, round about the city, Is any woman wrong’d by this lewd fellow, As I have heard him swear himself there’s one Whom he begot with child, let her appear, 510 And he shall marry her: the nuptial finish’d, Let him be whipt and hang’d.

Duke. Upon mine honour, thou shalt marry her. Thy slanders I forgive; and therewithal Remit thy other forfeits.—Take him to prison; And see our pleasure herein executed.

Duke. Slandering a prince deserves it. Exeunt Officers with Lucio. She, Claudio, that you wrong’d, look you restore. Joy to you, Mariana! Love her, Angelo: V. 1 525 I have confess’d her, and I know her virtue. Thanks, good friend Escalus, for thy much goodness: There’s more behind that is more gratulate. Thanks, provost, for thy care and secrecy: We shall employ thee in a worthier place. 530 Forgive him, Angelo, that brought you home The head of Ragozine for Claudio’s: The offence pardons itself. Dear Isabel, I have a motion much imports your good; Whereto if you’ll a willing ear incline, 535 What’s mine is yours, and what is yours is mine. So, bring us to our palace; where we’ll show What’s yet behind, that’s meet you all should know.

‘But here comes Thurio: now must we to her window.’

‘Ile cloath my daughter, and aduertise Slender To know her by that signe, and steale her thence, And vnknowne to my wife, shall marrie her.’

‘Ignomy in ransom and free pardon.’

‘And you tell me that he shall die for’t.’

‘The warrant’s for yourself; take heed to’t.’

‘Ignomy in ransom and free pardon are Of two opposed houses: lawful mercy Is nothing kin to foul redemption.’

‘As comforts all are good, most good indeed.’

‘This pevysh proud, this prender gest, When he is well, yet can he not rest.’

‘One of our cónvent and his cónfessor.’

‘His name Is Barnardine.’