SCENE V. A nunnery. Enter Isabella and Francisca. Isab. And have you nuns no further privileges? Fran. Are not these large enough? Isab. Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; But rather wishing a more strict restraint Upon the sister-hood, the votarists of saint Clare. Lucio. Ho! peace be in this place! [Within. Isab. Who's that which calls? Fran. It is a man's voice: gentle Isabella, Turn you the key, and know his business of him; You may, I may not; you are yet unsworn: When you have vow'd, you must not speak with men, But in the presence of the prioress: Then, if you speak, you must not show your face; Or, if you show your face, you must not speak. He calls again; pray you answer him. [Exit Francisca. Isab. Peace and prosperity! Who is't that calls? Enter Lucio. Lucio. Hail, virgin, if you be; as those cheek roses Proclaim you are no less! can you so stead me, A novice of this place, and the fair sister To her unhappy brother Claudio? Isab. Why her unhappy brother? let me ask; The rather, for I now must make you know I am that Isabella, and his sister. Lucio. Gentle and fair, your brother kindly greets you: Not to be weary with you, he's in prison. Isab. Woe me! For what? Lucio. For that, which, if myself might be his judge, He should receive his punishment in thanks : Isab. Sir, make me not your story*. It is true. I would not-though 'tis my familiar sin As with a saint. Isab. You do blaspheme the good, in mocking me. Lucio. Do not believe it. Fewness and trutht, 'tis thus: Your brother and his lover have embrac'd: As those that feed grow full; as blossoming time, Isab. Some one with child by him?-My cousin Lucio. Is she your cousin? Isab. Adoptedly; as school-maids change their names, By vain though apt affection. Isab. O, let him marry her! She it is. This is the point. The duke is very strangely gone from hence; * Do not make a jest of me. Tilling. Breeding plenty. From his true-meant design. Upon his place, Governs lord Angelo; a man, whose blood Which have, for long, run by the hideous law, Of business 'twixt you and your poor brother. Lucio. Has censur'dt him Already; and, as I hear, the provost hath A warrant for his execution. Isab. Alas! what poor ability's in me To do him good? Lucio. Assay the power you have. Isab. My power! alas! I doubt,- Our doubts are traitors, And make us lose the good we oft might win, By fearing to attempt: go to lord Angelo, As they themselves would owe them. Lucio. Isub. I will about it straight; But speedily. No longer staying but to give the mother|| Notice of my affair. I humbly thank you : * Extent. Sentenced. + Power of gaining favour. § Have. Abbess. Commend me to my brother: soon at night Isab. my success. Good sir, adieu. [Exeunt. ACT II. SCENE I. A hall in Angelo's house. Enter Angelo, Escalus, a Justice, Provost, Officers, and attendants. Ang. We must not make a scare-crow of the law, Setting it up to fear the birds of prey, And let it keep one shape, till custom make it Escal. Ay, but yet Let us be keen, and rather cut a little, Than fall, and bruise to death: alas! this gentleman, Whom I would save, had a most noble father. Let but your honour knowt (Whom I believe to be most strait in virtue), Could have attain'd the effect of your own purpose, Err'd in this point which now you censure him, And pull'd the law upon you. Ang. 'Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus, Another thing to fall. I not deny, The jury, passing on the prisoner's life, May, in the sworn twelve, have a thief or two Guiltier than him they try: what's open made to justice, * Scare. + Examine. + Suited. That justice seizes. What know the laws, That thieves do pass on thieves? "Tis very preg. nantt, The jewel that we find, we stoop and take it, You may not so extenuate his offence, Fort I have had such faults; but rather tell me, Ang. Where is the provost ? Prov. Here, if it like your honour. Ang. See that Claudio Be executed by nine to-morrow morning: [Exit Provost. Escal. Well, heaven forgive him; and forgive us all! Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall: Some run from brakes of vice, and answer none; Enter Elbow, Froth, Clown, Officers, &c. Elb. Come, bring them away: if these be good people in a common-weal¶, that do nothing but use their abuses in common houses, I know no law; bring them away. Ang. How now, sir! what's your name? and what's the matter? Elb. If it please your honour, I am the poor duke's constable, and my name is Elbow; I do lean * Pass judgement. + Plain. Sentence. Because. Thickest, thorny paths of vice. |