Duke. No might nor greatnefs in mortality
Can cenfure fcape; back-wounding calumny
The whiteft virtue ftrikes. What king fo ftrong,
Can tie the gall up in the fland'rous tongue?
But who comes here?

Enter Efcalus, Provost, Bawd, and Officers.

Efeal. Go, away with her to prifon.

Bawd. Good, my lord, be good to me; your Honour is accounted a merciful man: good my lord.

Efcal. Double and treble admonition, and ftill forfeit in the fame kind? this would make mercy fwear, 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 abuse me.

Efcal. This fellow is a fellow of much licence; let him be call'd before us. Away with her to prifon: go to; no more words. [Exeunt with the Bawd.] Provost, my brother Angelo will not be alter'd; Claudio muft die to morrow: let him be furnish'd with divines, and have all charitable preparation. If my brother wrought by my pity, it fhould not be fo with him.

Prov. So pleafe you, this Friar has been with him, and advis'd him for the entertainment of death.

Efcal. Good even, good father.

Duke. Blifs and goodness on you!

Efeal. Of whence are you?

Duke. Not of this country, tho' my chance is now

To ufe it for my time: I am a brother

Of gracious order, late come from the See
In fpecial business from his holiness.
Efcal. What news abroad i'th' world?

Duke. None, but that there is fo great a fever on goodness, that the diffolution of it must cure it. Novelty is only in requeft; and it as dangerous to be aged in any kind of courfe, as it is virtuous to be constant in any undertaking. There is fcarce trath enough alive, to make focieties fecure; but fecurity enough, to make fellowships accurft. Much upon this riddle runs the wifdom 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 pleafure was he giv'n 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 we 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 himfelf to the determination of justice; yet had he fram'd to himself, by the inftruction of his fraility, many deceiving promifes of life which 1 by my good leisure have difcredited to him, and now is he refolv'd to die.

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 anfwer the ftraitnefs of his proceeding, it fhall become him well; wherein if he chance to fail, he hath fentenc'd himself.

Ejcal. I am going to vifit the prifoner; fare

Duke. Peace be with you!

you

well.

[Exit.

He who the fword of heav'n will bear,

Should be as holy as fevere.

Pattern

Pattern in himself to know,

Grace to ftand, and virtue go;
More nor less to others paying,
Than by felf-offences weighing.
Shame to him, whofe cruel ftriking!
Kills for faults of his own liking.
Twice treble shame on Angelo,
To weed my vice, and let his grow!
Oh, what may man within him hide,
Tho' angel on the outward fide!
How may that likeness, made in crimes,
Making practice on the times,
Draw with idle spiders' strings
Moft pond'rous and fubftantial things!
Craft againft vice I must apply.
With Angelo to night fhall lye
His old betrothed, but defpis'd;
So difguife fhall by th' difguis'd
Pay with falfhood false exacting;
And perform an old contracting.

1

T4

SCENE, A Grange.

Enter Mariana, and Boy finging.

SONG.

AKE, ob, take those lips away,
That fo fweetly were forfworn;
And thofe eyes, the break of day,
Lights that do mif lead the mornz
But my kifles bring again,
Seals of love. but feal'd in vain.,

[Exit.

Enter

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 discontent. I cry you mercy, Sir, and well could with, You had not found me here fo mufical: Let me excufe me, and believe me fo,

My mirth is much difpleas'd, but pleas'd my woe, Duke. 'Tis good; tho' mufick oft hath fuch a charm To make bad, good; and good provoke to harm. 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 meet.

Mari. You have not been enquir'd after: I have fate here all day.

Enter Ifabel.

Duke. I do conflantly believe you: the time is come, even now. I shall crave your forbearance a little; may be, I will call upon you anon for fome advantage to yourself.

Mari. I am always bound to you.

Duke. Very well met, and welcome:

What is the news from this good Deputy?

[Exit.

Ifab. He hath a garden circummur'd with brick,
Whose western fide is with a vineyard backt;

And to that vineyard is a planched gate,
That makes his opening with this bigger key:
This other doth command a little door,
Which from the vineyard to the garden leads;
There, on the heavy middle of the night,
Have I my promife made to call upon him.
Duke. But fhall you on your knowledge find this way?
Ifab. I've ta'en a due and wary note upon't;
With whifp'ring and most guilty diligence,
In action all of precept, he did fhew me
The way twice o'er.

Duke.

Duke. Are there no other tokens

Between you 'greed, concerning her obfervance ?
Ijab. No: none, but only a repair i'th' dark;
And that I have poffeft him, my most ftay
Can be but brief; for I have made him know,
I have a fervant comes with me along,
That stays upon me; whose persuasion is,
I come about my brother.

Duke, 'Tis well borne up.

I have not yet made known to Mariana

A word of this. What, hoa! within! come forth!

Enter Mariana.

I pray you, be acquainted with this, maid;

She comes to do you good.

Ifab. I do defire the like.

Duke. Do you perfuade yourself that I respect you? Mari. Good Friar, I know you do; and I have found it.

Duke. Take then this your companion by the hand,.. Who hath a story ready for your ear:

I fhall attend your leifure; but make hafte;
The vaporous night approaches.

Mari. Wilt please you walk afide?

[Exeunt Mar and Ifab

Duke. O place and greatnefs! millions of false eyes

Are ftuck upon thee: volumes of report

Run with thefe falfe and moft contrarious quefts

Upon thy doings: thoufand 'fcapes of wit

Make thee the father of their idle dreams,

And rack thee in their fancies! welcome; how agreed }

Re-enter Mariana, and Isabel.

Ifab. She'll take the enterprize upon her, father,

If you advife it.

Duke. "Tis not my confent,

But my intreaty too.

Jab. Little have you to fay,

When