Re-enter Duke as a Friar, Elbow, Clown, and Officers. Elb. Nay, if there be no remedy for it, but that you will needs buy and fell men and women like beafts, we fhall have all the world drink brown and white baftard '. Duke. Oh, heavens! what fluff is here? Clown. 'Twas never merry world, fince, of two ufuries, the merriest was put down, and the worfer allow'd, by order of law, a furr'd gown to keep him warm; and furr'd with fox and lamb-fkins too, to fignify, that craft, being richer than innocency, ftands for the facing. Elb. Come your way, fir:-Blefs you, good father friar. Duke. And you, good brother father: What offence hath this man made you, fir? Elb. Marry, fir, he hath offended the law; and, fir, we take him to be a thief too, fir; for we have found upon him, fir, a strange pick-lock, which we have fent to the deputy. Duke. Fie, firrah; a bawd, a wicked bawd! 5 there none of Pigmalion's images, newly made woman, to be had now, for putting the hand in the pocket and extracting it clutch'd? What reply? ha? what fay ft thou to this tune, matter, and method? Is 't not drown'd i' the last rain? ha? What fay'ft thou, trot 3? is the world as it was, man? Which is the way? is it fad, and few words or how? the trick of it? Duke. Still thus, and thus! ftill worse! Lucia. How doth my dear morfel, thy mistress? procures fhe ftill? ha? Closun. Troth, fir, fhe hath eaten up all her beef, and she is herself in the tub 4. Lucio. Why, 'tis good; it is the right of it; it 15must be fo: ever your fresh whore, and your powder'd bawd: an unfhunn'd confequence; it must be fo: Art going to prison, Pompey? Clown. Yes, faith, fir. Lucin. Why 'tis not amifs, Pompey: farewell: 20go; fay, I fent thee thither. For debt, Pompey? or how? Elb. For being a bawd, for being a bawd. Lucio. Well, then imprison him; if imprisonment be the due of a bawd, why, 'tis his right: 25 Bawd is he, doubtlefs, and of antiquity too; bawdborn. Farewell, good Pompey: Commend me to the prison, Pompey: You will turn good hufband now, Pompey; you will keep the house. Clown. I hope, fir, your good worship will be 30 my bail. Lucio. No, indeed, will I not, Pompey; it is not the wear 5. I will pray, Pompey, to encrease your bondage: if you take it not patiently, why, your mettle is the more: Adieu, trufty Pompey. 35-Blefs you, friar. Elb. He must before the deputy, fir; he has given him warning: the deputy cannot abide a 40 whore-mafter: if he be a whore-monger, and comes before him, he were as good go a mile on his errand. Duke. And you. Lucio. Does Bridget paint ftill, Pompey ha? Elb. Come your ways, fir, come. -What [Exeunt Elbow, Clown, and Officers. Duke. That we were all as fome would feem to be, Enter Lucio. Elb. His neck will come to your waift, a cord, fir. Chron. I fpy comfort; I cry, bail: here's a gentleman, and a friend of mine. Lucio. How now, noble Pompey? what, at the heels of Cæfar? art thou led in triumph? What, is 50 Duke. I know none; Can you tell me of any? Lucio. Some fay, he is with the emperor of Ruffia: other fome, he is in Rome: But where is he, think you? Duke. I know not where: but wherefoever, I with him well. Lucio. It was a mad fantastical trick of him, to 1 A kind of sweet wine, then much in vogue. 2 Meaning, his neck will be tied, like your waist, with a rope.-Q. Does not this rather mean the method of conveying criminals to justice, or execution, with a cord tied round the neck of the criminal and the middle of the officer? 3 Trt is a familiar addrefs to a man, among the provincial vulgar. 4 Dr. Warburton fays, the author here alludes to the lues venerea, and its effects. At that time the cure of it was performed either by guaiacum, or mercurial unctions: and in both cafes the patient was kept up very warm and clofe; that in the first application the sweat might be promoted; and left, in the other, he fhould take cold, which was fatal. "The regimen for the course of guaiacum (fays Dr. Freind in his Hiftory of Phyfick, vol. II. p. 380.) was at first strangely circumftantial; and fo rigorous, that the patient was put into a dungeon in order to make him fweat; and in that manner, as Fallopius expreffes it, the bones, and the very man himself was macerated." Wifeman fays, in England they ufe a tub for this purpose, as abroad, a cave, or oven, or dungeon. A perfon under cure for a venereal complaint, is now grofsly faid to be in the pickling or powdering tub. 5 That is, it is not the fashion. fteal fteal from the ftate, and ufurp the beggary he was never born to. Lord Angelo dukes it well in his abfence; he puts tranfgreffion to 't. Duke. He does well in 't. Lucio. A little more lenity to lechery would do no harm in him: fomething too crabbed that way, friar. Duke. It is too general a vice, and severity must cure it. Lucio. Yes, in good footh, the vice is of a great kindred; it is well ally'd: but it is impossible to extirp it quite, friar, till eating and drinking be put down. They say, this Angelo was not made by man and woman, after the downright way of creation: Is it true, think you? Duke. How fhould he be made then? 5 Lucio. Sir, I know him, and I love him. Duke. Love talks with better knowledge, and knowledge with dearer love. Lucio. Come, fir, I know what I know. Duke. I can hardly believe that, fince you know not what you speak. But, if ever the duke return, (as our prayers are he may) let me defire you to make your answer before him: If it be honeft you have spoke, you have courage to mainictain it: I am bound to call upon you, and I pray you, your name? Lucin. Sir, my name is Lucio; well known to the duke. Duke. He fhall know you better, fir, if I may 15live to report you. Lucio. Some report, a sea-maid spawn'd him :- Duke. I never heard the absent duke much de- Lucio. I fear you not. Duke. Oh, you hope the duke will return no more; or you imagine me too unhurtful an oppofite. But, indeed, I can do you little harm: you 'll forfwear this again. Lucio. I'll be hang'd first: thou art deceiv'd in ne, friar. But no more of this: Canft thou tell, if Claudio die to-morrow, or no? Duke. Why should he die, fir? Lucio. Why? for filling a bottle with a tundish. I would, the duke, we talk of, were return'd again: this ungenitur'd agent will unpeople the province with continency; sparrows must not build in his houfe-eaves, because they are lecherous. 30 The duke yet would have dark deeds darkly anfwered; he would never bring them to light ;-, Would he were return'd! Marry, this Claudio is condemned for untruffing. Farewell, good friar; I pr'ythee, pray for me. The duke, I fay to thee again, would eat mutton on Fridays". He's now paft it; yet, and I fay to thee, he would mouth with a beggar, though the smelt brown bread and garlick: fay, that I faid fo. Farewell. [Exit. Lucio. Who? not the duke? yes, your beggar 35 of fifty-and his ufe was, to put a ducket in her clack-dish: the duke had crotchets in him: He would be drunk too; that let me inform you. Duke. You do him wrong, furely. Lucio. Sir, I was an inward 3 of his: A fhy 4c fellow was the duke; and, I believe, I know the cause of his withdrawing. Duke. What, I pr'ythee, might be the cause? Lucio. No-pardon;tis a fecret muft bel lock'd within the teeth and the lips: but this 145 can let you understand,-The greater file 4 of the fubject held the duke to be wife. Duke. Wife? why, no queftion but he was. Lucis. A very superficial, ignorant, unweighing fellow. Duke. Either this is envy in you, folly, or miftaking; the very stream of his life, and the bufinefs he hath helmed 5, muft, upon a warranted need, give him a better proclamation. Let him be but teftimonied in his own bringings forth, and he shall appear, to the envious, a scholar, a statesman, and a foldier: Therefore, you speak unfkilfully; or, if your knowledge be more, it is much darkened in your malice. Duke. No might nor greatnefs in mortality Enter Efcalus, Provift, Bawd, and Officers. Efcal. Double and treble admonition, and still forfeit in the fame kind? this would make mercy 50fwear, and play the tyrant. 55 Prov. A bawd of eleven years continuance, may it please your honour. Bawd. My lord, this is one Lucio's information against me: Mistress Kate Keep-down was with child by him in the duke's time; he promis'd her marriage; his child is a year and quarter old, come Philip and Jacob; I have kept it myself; and fee, how he goes about to abuse me. Efcal. That fellow is a fellow of much licence: The meaning of this paffage is, that though Angelo have the organs of generation, yet that he makes no more use of them, than if he were an inanimate puppet." 2 A wooden-difh with which beggars, in those times, used to make known their poverty, by clacking its moveable cover to fhew that it was empty. This is at prefent a custom alfo with the mummers and plough-bullocks in the inland counties. 3 Inward means intimate. 4 The greater number. 5 That is, fteered through. Meaning, would have a wench, which was called a laced mutton. See note 2, p. 24. -let -let him be called 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 must 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 so with him. Pr. So please 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! Ejcal. Of whence are you? [is now Duke. Not of this country, though my chance To use it for my time: I am a brother Efcal. What news abroad i' the world? 5 measure from his judge, but most willingly hum. bles himself to the determination of justice: yet had he fram'd to himself, by the instruction of his I, by my good leifure, have difcredited to him, frailty, many deceiving promifes of life; which and now is he resolved to die. Efcal. You have paid the heavens your function, and the prifoner the very debt of your calling. I have labour'd for the poor gentleman, to the exrotremeft fhore of my modefty; but my brother justice have I found fo fevere, that he hath forced me to tell him, he is indeed-justice, Duke. If his own life answer the ftraitnefs of his proceeding, it shall become him well; wherein 15 if he chance to fail, he hath sentenc'd himself. Efcal. I am going to visit the prisoner: Fare you well. [Exit Duke. None, but that there is fo great a fever on goodness, that the diffolution of it muft cure 20 it: novelty is only in request; 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 25 accurs'd: 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, fir, of what dif pofition was the duke? Duke. Peace be with you! Should be as holy as fevere; · Escal. One, that, above all other ftrifes, con-30 Though angel on the outward fide! tended especially to know himself. Duke. What pleasure was he given to? How may that likeness, made in crimes, Efcal. Rather rejoicing to see another merry, Making practice on the times, than merry at any thing which profefs'd to make Draw with idle spiders' Atrings him rejoice: a gentleman of all temperance. But 35 Craft against vice I must apply: Moft pond'rous and substantial things! leave we him to his events, with a prayer they may prove profperous; and let me defire to know, With Angelo to-night shall lye how you find Claudio prepar'd? I am made to His old betrothed, but despis'd; understand, that you have lent him visitation. So difguife fhall, by the difguis'd, Duke. He profeffes to have received no sinister|40}And perform an old contracting. Pay with falfehood false exacting, [Exii. SCENE I. ACT Enter Mariana and Boy finging. S O N TAKE, cb, take, thofe lips away, That fo fweetly were forfæorn ; And thofe eyes, the break of day, Lights that do mif-lead the morn : But my kiffes bring again, bring again, Seals of love, but fear'd in vain, feal'd in vain. Mari, Break off thy fong, and hafte thee quick away; IV. Here comes a man of comfort, whofe advice 50 Hath often ftill'd my brawling difcontent. Enter Duke. I cry you mercy, fir; and well could wish, 55 Let me excufe me, and believe me so,— My mirth it much difpleas'd, but pleas'd my woe. Duke. 'Tis good: tho' musick oft hath such a charm, To make bad, good, and good provoke to harm. I pray you, tell me, hath any body enquir'd for 60 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 fat here all day. Enter Ifab. He hath a garden circummur'd 2 with brick, [way? Duke. Are there no other tokens Duke. 'Tis well borne up. I have not yet made known to Mariana A word of this:-What, ho! within! come forth! I pray you, be acquainted with this maid; She comes to do you good. Ifab. I do defire the like. Duke. Do you persuade yourself that I refpect you? Remember now my brother. Mari. Fear me not. Duke. Nor, gentle daughter, fear you not all: He is your husband on a pre-contract : 5 To bring you thus together, 'tis no fin; Sith that the juftice of your title to him Doth flourish the deceit. Come, let us go; Our corn's to reap, for yet our tithe's to sow. "a [Exeum Enter Provoft and Clown. Prov. Come hither, firrah: Can you cut off a 15 man's head? Clown. If the man be a batchelor, fir, I can: but if he be a marry'd man, he is his wife's head, and I can never cut off a woman's head. Prov. Come, fir, leave me your snatches, and yield 20 me a direct anfwer. To-morrow morning are to die Claudio and Barnardine: Here is in our prifon a common executioner, who in his office lacks a helper: if you will take it on you to affsist him, is fhall redeem you from your gyves; if not, you shall 25 have your full time of imprisonment, and your deliverance with an unpity'd whipping, for you have been a notorious bawd. Clown. Sir, I have been an unlawful bawd, time out of mind; but yet I will be content to be a law. 30ful hangman. I would be glad to receive fome inftruction from my fellow-partner. Duke. Take then this your companion by the hand, 40 dismiss him: he cannot plead his estimation with Who hath a story ready for your ear; I shall attend your leifure; but make haste; Mari. Will 't please you walk afide? you, he hath been a bawd. Abber. A bawd, fir? fie upon him, he will difcredit our mistery 9. Prov. Go to, fir; you weigh equally; a feather [Exit. Clown. Pray, fir, by your good favour (for, furely, fir, a good favour 10 you have, but that you have a hanging look) do you call, fir, your occupation a miftery? [Exeunt Mariana and Ifabel. 45 will turn the scale. Ifab. She'll take the enterprize upon her, father, Duke. It is not my confent, But my intreaty too. Ifab. Little have you to say, When you depart from him, but foft and low, Abbor. Ay, fir; a mistery. Clown. Painting, fir, I have heard say, is a miftery; and your whores, fir, being members of my occupation, using painting, do prove my occupation a miftery: but what miftery there fhould be in 55 hanging, if I should be hanged, I cannot imagine. Abbor. Sir, it is a mistery. Clown. Proof. Abbor. Every true man's apparel fits your thief. 4 That ⚫ Certainly. 2 That is, walled round. 3 That is, a gate made of boards or planks. is, in direction given not by words, but by mute signs. 5 Meaning, I have informed or acquainted him. 6 Traiterous. 7 Different reports. That is, ornament. a The various editors feem to be mistaken in this paffage which rather alludes to the accomplishment of the purpose drawing near, altho' the tilth was not yet fown as Shakspeare elsewhere ufes the word. • Dr. Warburton here observes, that the word myftery, when used to fignify a trade or manual profeffion, fhould be fpelt with an i, and not a y. 10 Favour fignifies countenance, Prov. I told you;-Lord Angelo, be-like, thinking me remifs in my office, awakens me with this unwonted putting on: methinks, ftrangely! for he hath not us'd it before. Duke. Pray you, let's hear. Provft reads the letter. Whatsoever you may bear to the contrary, let Claudin be executed by four of the clock; and, in the afternoon, Barnardine: for my better fatisfaction, let me have Claudio's head fent me by five. Let this be duly perform'd; with a thought, that more depends on it than we must yet deliver. Thus fail not to de your office, as you will-anfver it at your peril. What fay you to this, fir? Duke. What is that Barnardine, who is to be executed in the afternoon? Prov. A Bohemian born; but here nurs'd up and bred: one that is a prifoner nine years old. Duke. How came it, that the abfent duke had Even with the ftroke and line of his great juftice ; 45 not either deliver'd him to his liberty, or executed He doth with holy abstinence subdue That in himself, which he fpurs on his power With that, which he corrects, then were he ty rannous; him? I have heard, it was ever his manner to do fo. Prov. His friends ftill wrought reprieves for him: And, indeed, his fact, till now in the go50vernment of lord Angelo, came not to an undoubtful proof. But this being fo, he's just.-Now are they come. That wounds the unrefifting postern with thefe Duke. Have you no countermand for Claudio yet, But he muft die to-morrow? Prov. None, fir, none. 2 Stiffy. Duke Is it now apparent? Prov. Most manifeft, and not deny'd by himfelf. Duke. Hath he borne himself penitently in prifon? how feems he to be touch'd? Prov. A man that apprehends death no more dreadfully, but as a drunken sleep; careless, recklefs, and fearless of what's paft, prefent, or to 60 come; infenfible of mortality, and desperately mortal 6. Duke. He wants advice. Prov. He will hear none: he hath evermore • Handy. |