Duke. Many that are not mad, Have, sure, more lack of reason.-What would you say? Isab. I am the sister of one Claudio, Was sent to by my brother: One Lucio Lucio. 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 A business for yourself, pray heaven, you then Be perfect. Lucio. I warrant your honour. Duke. The warrant's for yourself; take heed to it. Isab. This gentleman told somewhat of my tale. Lucio. Right. Duke. It may be right; but you are in the wrong To speak before your time.-Proceed. 1sab. To this pernicious caitiff deputy. I went Duke. That's somewhat madly spoken. The phrase is to the matter. 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 reply'd; (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 debate ment, My sisterly remorse confutes mine honour, And I did yield to him. But the next morn betimes, His purpose surfeiting, he sends a warrant Duke. Or else thou art suborn'd against his honour, reason, That with such vehemency he should pursue 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 Isab. Keep me in patience; and, with ripen'd time, As I, thus wrong'd, hence unbelieved go! Duke. I know, you'd 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? Isab. One that I would, were here, friar Lodowick. 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 swing'd him soundly. Duke. Words against me? This 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, F. Peter. Blessed be your royal grace! I have stood by, my lord, and I have heard Your royal ear abus'd: First, hath this woman, Most wrongfully accus'd 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! F. Peter. I know him for a man divine and holy; Not scurvy nor a temporary medler, As he's reported by this gentleman: But at this instant he is sick, my lord, Intended 'gainst lord Angelo) came I hither, 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 wo man (To justify this worthy nobleman, So vulgarly and personally accused); Her shall you hear disproved to her eyes, 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; 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. Duke. What, are you married? Mari. No, my lord. Duke. VOL. 1. Are you a maid? Mari. No, my lord. Duke. A widow then? Mari. Neither, my lord? Why, you Duke. 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. 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: 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. Duke. This is no witness for lord Angelo. She, that accuses him of fornication, In selfsame manner doth accuse my husband; And charges him, my lord, with such a time, When I'll depose I had him in mine arms, With all the 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, 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 un[Unveiling. mask. This is that face, thou cruel Angelo, on: This is the hand, which, with a vow'd contract, Was fast belockid in thine: this is the body That took away the match from Isabel, Duke. Know you this woman? Lucio. Carnally, she says. Lucio. Enough, my lord. Sirrah, no more. Ang. My lord, I must confess, I know this wo man; And, five years since, there was some speech of marriage Betwixt myself and her; which was broke off, 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, But Tuesday night last gone, in his garden-house, Let me in safety raise me from my knees; A marble monument! Duke. Though they would swear down each particular saint, Were testimonies against his worth and credit, |