Of palfy'd Eld; and when thou'rt old and rich, Claud. I humbly thank you. To fue to live, I find, I feek to die; And, feeking death, find life: let it come on. Hab. What,ho? peace here: grace and good company! Prov. Who's there? come in: the wifh deferves a welcome. Duke. Dear Sir, ere long I'll vifit you again. Lab. My bufinefs is a word, or two, with Claudio. Prov. And very welcome. Look, Signior, here's your fifter. Duke. Provoft, a word with you. Prov. As many as you pleafe. Duke. Bring them to fpeak where I may be conceal'd, Yet hear them. [Exeunt Duke and Provost. Claud. Now, fifter, what's the comfort? Ifab. Why, as all comforts are; moft good in deed: Lord Angelo, having affairs to heav'n, Intends you for his swift ambassador; Where you fhall be an everlasting leiger. Therefore your best appointment make with speed, Claud. Is there no remedy? Jab. None, but fuch remedy, as to fave a head, To cleave a heart in twain. C.aud. But is there any? jab. Yes, brother, you may live: There is a devilith mercy in the judge, If you'll implore it, that will free your life, But fetter you 'till death. Claud. Perpetual durance? jab. Ay, juft; perpetual durance; a restraint, Tho' Tho' all the world's vaftidity you had, To a determin'd scope. Claud. But in what nature? Ifab. In fuch a one, as you, confenting to't, Would bark your honour from that trunk you bear, And leave you naked. Claud. Let me know the point. Ifab. Oh, I do fear thee, Claudio; and I quake, Than a perpetual honour. Dar'st thou die? Claud. Why give you me this shame? And hug it in mine arms. Ifab. There fpake my brother; there my father's graves In bafe appliances. This outward-fainted Deputy, Nips youth i' th' head; and follies doth emmew, Claud. The princely Angelo? Ifab. Oh, 'tis the cunning livery of hell, In Princely guards. Doft thou think, Claudio, Thou might'st be freed? Claud. Oh, heavens! it cannot be. Ifab. Yes, he would give't thee; from this rank offence So to offend him ftill. This night's the time That I should do what I abhor to name, Or else thou dy't to-morrow. Claud. life,. Claud. Thou shalt not do't. ́Ifab. Oh, were it but my I'd throw it down for your deliverance Claud. Thanks, deareft Ifabel. Ifab. Be ready, Claudio, for your death to-morrow That thus can make him bite the law by th' nofe, Ifab. Which is the leaft? Claud. If it were damnable, he being fo wife, Ifah. What fays my brother? Claud. Death's a fearful thing. Claud. Ay, but to die, and go we know not where: (16) The wearief, and moft luatbed worldly life.] This natural fear. of Claudio, from the antipathy we have to death, feems very little. varied from that infamous with of Mecenas recorded in the Joy Epistle of Seneca, Debilem, fcito manu, Debilem pde, coxa; Vita, dum fupereft, bere eft. Hanc mibi, vel acuta Si fedeam crnce, fuftine. Can lay on nature, is a paradife Claud. Sweet fifter, let me live; What fin you do to fave a brother's life, Ifab. Oh you beaft! Oh faithlefs coward! oh difhoneft wretch! Is't not a kind of inceft, to take life From thine own fifter's fhame? what should I think? Ne'er iffu'd from his blood. Take my defiance, Claud. Nay, hear me, Isabel.. Thy fin's not accidental, but a trade; Claud. Oh hear me, Ifabella. To them, Enter Duke and Provost. Duke. Vouchsafe a word, young fifter; but one word.. Duke. Might you difpenfe with your leifure, I would by and by have fome speech with you: the fatisfaction I would require, is likewife your own benefit. Ifab. I have no fuperfluous leifure; my tay muft be Bolen out of other affairs: but I will attend you a while. Duke. Son, I have over-heard what hath past between you and your filter. Angelo had never the purpose to corrupt her; only he hath made an affay of her virtue, to practise his judgment with the difpofition of natures. She, having the truth of honour in her, hath made him that gracious denial, which he is moft glad Do to receive: I am Confeffor to Angelo, and I know this to be true; therefore prepare yourself to death. not fatisfy your refolution with hopes that are fallible; to-morrow you must die; go to your knees, and make ready. Claud. Let me ask my fifter pardon; I am so out of love with life, that I will fue to be rid of it. [Exit Claud. Duke. Hold you there; farewel. Provoft, a word with you. Prov. What's your will, father? Duke. That now you are come, you will be gone ; leave me a while with the maid: my mind promifes with my habit, no lofs fhall touch her by my company. Prov. In good time. [Exit Prov. Duke. The hand, that hath made you fair, hath made you good; the goodness that is cheap in beauty, makes beauty brief in goodness; but grace, being the foul of your complection, fhall keep the body of it ever fair. The affault, that Angelo hath made to you, fortune hath convey'd to my understanding; and but that frailty hath examples for his falling, I fhould wonder at Angelo: how will you do to content this fubftitute, and to fave your brother? Ifab. I am now going to refolve him: I had rather my brother die by the law, than my fon fhould be unlawfully born. But, oh, how much is the good Duke deceiv'd in Angelo? if ever he return, and I can fpeak to him, I will open my lips in vain, or discover his government. Duke. That fhall not be much amifs; yet as the matter now ftands, he will avoid your accufation; he made trial of you only. Therefore faften your ear on my advifings to the love I have in doing good, a remedy prefents itfelf. I do make myfelf believe, that you may moft uprightly do a poor wronged Lady a merited benefit; redeem your brother from the angry law; do no ftain to your own gracious perfon; and much please the absent Duke, if, peradventure, he shall ever return to have hearing of this business. Ifab. Let me hear you speak farther; I have spirit to |