1    My very worthy cousin, fairly met!
2    Our old and faithful friend, we are glad to see you.

3    Happy return be to your royal grace!

4    Many and hearty thankings to you both.
5    We have made inquiry of you; and we hear
6    Such goodness of your justice, that our soul
7    Cannot but yield you forth to public thanks,
8    Forerunning more requital.

9    You make my bonds still greater.

10   O, your desert speaks loud; and I should wrong it,
11   To lock it in the wards of covert bosom,
12   When it deserves, with characters of brass,
13   A forted residence 'gainst the tooth of time
14   And razure of oblivion. Give me your hand,
15   And let the subject see, to make them know
16   That outward courtesies would fain proclaim
17   Favours that keep within. Come, Escalus,
18   You must walk by us on our other hand;
19   And good supporters are you.

20   Now is your time: speak loud and kneel before him.

21   Justice, O royal duke! Vail your regard
22   Upon a wrong'd, I would fain have said, a maid!
23   O worthy prince, dishonour not your eye
24   By throwing it on any other object
25   Till you have heard me in my true complaint
26   And given me justice, justice, justice, justice!

27   Relate your wrongs; in what? by whom? be brief.
28   Here is Lord Angelo shall give you justice:
29   Reveal yourself to him.

30   O worthy duke,
31   You bid me seek redemption of the devil:
32   Hear me yourself; for that which I must speak
33   Must either punish me, not being believed,
34   Or wring redress from you. Hear me, O hear me, here!

35   My lord, her wits, I fear me, are not firm:
36   She hath been a suitor to me for her brother
37   Cut off by course of justice,--

38   By course of justice!

39   And she will speak most bitterly and strange.

40   Most strange, but yet most truly, will I speak:
41   That Angelo's forsworn; is it not strange?
42   That Angelo's a murderer; is 't not strange?
43   That Angelo is an adulterous thief,
44   An hypocrite, a virgin-violator;
45   Is it not strange and strange?

46   Nay, it is ten times strange.

47   It is not truer he is Angelo
48   Than this is all as true as it is strange:
49   Nay, it is ten times true; for truth is truth
50   To the end of reckoning.

51   Away with her! Poor soul,
52   She speaks this in the infirmity of sense.

53   O prince, I conjure thee, as thou believest
54   There is another comfort than this world,
55   That thou neglect me not, with that opinion
56   That I am touch'd with madness! Make not impossible
57   That which but seems unlike: 'tis not impossible
58   But one, the wicked'st caitiff on the ground,
59   May seem as shy, as grave, as just, as absolute
60   As Angelo; even so may Angelo,
61   In all his dressings, characts, titles, forms,
62   Be an arch-villain; believe it, royal prince:
63   If he be less, he's nothing; but he's more,
64   Had I more name for badness.

65   By mine honesty,
66   If she be mad,--as I believe no other,--
67   Her madness hath the oddest frame of sense,
68   Such a dependency of thing on thing,
69   As e'er I heard in madness.

70   O gracious duke,
71   Harp not on that, nor do not banish reason
72   For inequality; but let your reason serve
73   To make the truth appear where it seems hid,
74   And hide the false seems true.

75   Many that are not mad
76   Have, sure, more lack of reason. What would you say?

77   I am the sister of one Claudio,
78   Condemn'd upon the act of fornication
79   To lose his head; condemn'd by Angelo:
80   I, in probation of a sisterhood,
81   Was sent to by my brother; one Lucio
82   As then the messenger,--

83   That's I, an't like your grace:
84   I came to her from Claudio, and desired her
85   To try her gracious fortune with Lord Angelo
86   For her poor brother's pardon.

87   That's he indeed.

88   You were not bid to speak.

89   No, my good lord;
90   Nor wish'd to hold my peace.

91   I wish you now, then;
92   Pray you, take note of it: and when you have
93   A business for yourself, pray heaven you then
94   Be perfect.

95   I warrant your honour.

96   The warrants for yourself; take heed to't.

97   This gentleman told somewhat of my tale,--

98   Right.

99   It may be right; but you are i' the wrong
100  To speak before your time. Proceed.

101  I went
102  To this pernicious caitiff deputy,--

103  That's somewhat madly spoken.

104  Pardon it;
105  The phrase is to the matter.

106  Mended again. The matter; proceed.

107  In brief, to set the needless process by,
108  How I persuaded, how I pray'd, and kneel'd,
109  How he refell'd me, and how I replied,--
110  For this was of much length,--the vile conclusion
111  I now begin with grief and shame to utter:
112  He would not, but by gift of my chaste body
113  To his concupiscible intemperate lust,
114  Release my brother; and, after much debatement,
115  My sisterly remorse confutes mine honour,
116  And I did yield to him: but the next morn betimes,
117  His purpose surfeiting, he sends a warrant
118  For my poor brother's head.

119  This is most likely!

120  O, that it were as like as it is true!

121  By heaven, fond wretch, thou knowist not what thou speak'st,
122  Or else thou art suborn'd against his honour
123  In hateful practise. First, his integrity
124  Stands without blemish. Next, it imports no reason
125  That with such vehemency he should pursue
126  Faults proper to himself: if he had so offended,
127  He would have weigh'd thy brother by himself
128  And not have cut him off. Some one hath set you on:
129  Confess the truth, and say by whose advice
130  Thou camest here to complain.

131  And is this all?
132  Then, O you blessed ministers above,
133  Keep me in patience, and with ripen'd time
134  Unfold the evil which is here wrapt up
135  In countenance! Heaven shield your grace from woe,
136  As I, thus wrong'd, hence unbelieved go!

137  I know you'ld fain be gone. An officer!
138  To prison with her! Shall we thus permit
139  A blasting and a scandalous breath to fall
140  On him so near us? This needs must be a practise.
141  Who knew of Your intent and coming hither?

142  One that I would were here, Friar Lodowick.

143  A ghostly father, belike. Who knows that Lodowick?

144  My lord, I know him; 'tis a meddling friar;
145  I do not like the man: had he been lay, my lord
146  For certain words he spake against your grace
147  In your retirement, I had swinged him soundly.

148  Words against me? this is a good friar, belike!
149  And to set on this wretched woman here
150  Against our substitute! Let this friar be found.

151  But yesternight, my lord, she and that friar,
152  I saw them at the prison: a saucy friar,
153  A very scurvy fellow.

154  Blessed be your royal grace!
155  I have stood by, my lord, and I have heard
156  Your royal ear abused. First, hath this woman
157  Most wrongfully accused your substitute,
158  Who is as free from touch or soil with her
159  As she from one ungot.

160  We did believe no less.
161  Know you that Friar Lodowick that she speaks of?

162  I know him for a man divine and holy;
163  Not scurvy, nor a temporary meddler,
164  As he's reported by this gentleman;
165  And, on my trust, a man that never yet
166  Did, as he vouches, misreport your grace.

167  My lord, most villanously; believe it.

168  Well, he in time may come to clear himself;
169  But at this instant he is sick my lord,
170  Of a strange fever. Upon his mere request,
171  Being come to knowledge that there was complaint
172  Intended 'gainst Lord Angelo, came I hither,
173  To speak, as from his mouth, what he doth know
174  Is true and false; and what he with his oath
175  And all probation will make up full clear,
176  Whensoever he's convented. First, for this woman.
177  To justify this worthy nobleman,
178  So vulgarly and personally accused,
179  Her shall you hear disproved to her eyes,
180  Till she herself confess it.

181  Good friar, let's hear it.
ISABELLA is carried off guarded; and MARIANA comes forward
182  Do you not smile at this, Lord Angelo?
183  O heaven, the vanity of wretched fools!
184  Give us some seats. Come, cousin Angelo;
185  In this I'll be impartial; be you judge
186  Of your own cause. Is this the witness, friar?
187  First, let her show her face, and after speak.

188  Pardon, my lord; I will not show my face
189  Until my husband bid me.

190  What, are you married?

191  No, my lord.

192  Are you a maid?

193  No, my lord.

194  A widow, then?

195  Neither, my lord.

196  Why, you are nothing then: neither maid, widow, nor wife?

197  My lord, she may be a punk; for many of them are
198  neither maid, widow, nor wife.

199  Silence that fellow: I would he had some cause
200  To prattle for himself.

201  Well, my lord.

202  My lord; I do confess I ne'er was married;
203  And I confess besides I am no maid:
204  I have known my husband; yet my husband
205  Knows not that ever he knew me.

206  He was drunk then, my lord: it can be no better.

207  For the benefit of silence, would thou wert so too!

208  Well, my lord.

209  This is no witness for Lord Angelo.

210  Now I come to't my lord
211  She that accuses him of fornication,
212  In self-same manner doth accuse my husband,
213  And charges him my lord, with such a time
214  When I'll depose I had him in mine arms
215  With all the effect of love.

216  Charges she more than me?

217  Not that I know.

218  No? you say your husband.

219  Why, just, my lord, and that is Angelo,
220  Who thinks he knows that he ne'er knew my body,
221  But knows he thinks that he knows Isabel's.

222  This is a strange abuse. Let's see thy face.

223  My husband bids me; now I will unmask.
Unveiling
224  This is that face, thou cruel Angelo,
225  Which once thou sworest was worth the looking on;
226  This is the hand which, with a vow'd contract,
227  Was fast belock'd in thine; this is the body
228  That took away the match from Isabel,
229  And did supply thee at thy garden-house
230  In her imagined person.

231  Know you this woman?

232  Carnally, she says.

233  Sirrah, no more!

234  Enough, my lord.

235  My lord, I must confess I know this woman:
236  And five years since there was some speech of marriage
237  Betwixt myself and her; which was broke off,
238  Partly for that her promised proportions
239  Came short of composition, but in chief
240  For that her reputation was disvalued
241  In levity: since which time of five years
242  I never spake with her, saw her, nor heard from her,
243  Upon my faith and honour.

244  Noble prince,
245  As there comes light from heaven and words from breath,
246  As there is sense in truth and truth in virtue,
247  I am affianced this man's wife as strongly
248  As words could make up vows: and, my good lord,
249  But Tuesday night last gone in's garden-house
250  He knew me as a wife. As this is true,
251  Let me in safety raise me from my knees
252  Or else for ever be confixed here,
253  A marble monument!

254  I did but smile till now:
255  Now, good my lord, give me the scope of justice
256  My patience here is touch'd. I do perceive
257  These poor informal women are no more
258  But instruments of some more mightier member
259  That sets them on: let me have way, my lord,
260  To find this practise out.

261  Ay, with my heart
262  And punish them to your height of pleasure.
263  Thou foolish friar, and thou pernicious woman,
264  Compact with her that's gone, think'st thou thy oaths,
265  Though they would swear down each particular saint,
266  Were testimonies against his worth and credit
267  That's seal'd in approbation? You, Lord Escalus,
268  Sit with my cousin; lend him your kind pains
269  To find out this abuse, whence 'tis derived.
270  There is another friar that set them on;
271  Let him be sent for.

272  Would he were here, my lord! for he indeed
273  Hath set the women on to this complaint:
274  Your provost knows the place where he abides
275  And he may fetch him.

276  Go do it instantly.
Exit Provost
277  And you, my noble and well-warranted cousin,
278  Whom it concerns to hear this matter forth,
279  Do with your injuries as seems you best,
280  In any chastisement: I for a while will leave you;
281  But stir not you till you have well determined
282  Upon these slanderers.

283  My lord, we'll do it throughly.
Exit DUKE
284  Signior Lucio, did not you say you knew that
285  Friar Lodowick to be a dishonest person?

286  'Cucullus non facit monachum:' honest in nothing
287  but in his clothes; and one that hath spoke most
288  villanous speeches of the duke.

289  We shall entreat you to abide here till he come and
290  enforce them against him: we shall find this friar a
291  notable fellow.

292  As any in Vienna, on my word.

293  Call that same Isabel here once again; I would speak with her.
Exit an Attendant
294  Pray you, my lord, give me leave to question; you
295  shall see how I'll handle her.

296  Not better than he, by her own report.

297  Say you?

298  Marry, sir, I think, if you handled her privately,
299  she would sooner confess: perchance, publicly,
300  she'll be ashamed.

301  I will go darkly to work with her.

302  That's the way; for women are light at midnight.

303  Come on, mistress: here's a gentlewoman denies all
304  that you have said.

305  My lord, here comes the rascal I spoke of; here with
306  the provost.

307  In very good time: speak not you to him till we
308  call upon you.

309  Mum.

310  Come, sir: did you set these women on to slander
311  Lord Angelo? they have confessed you did.

312  'Tis false.

313  How! know you where you are?

314  Respect to your great place! and let the devil
315  Be sometime honour'd for his burning throne!
316  Where is the duke? 'tis he should hear me speak.

317  The duke's in us; and we will hear you speak:
318  Look you speak justly.

319  Boldly, at least. But, O, poor souls,
320  Come you to seek the lamb here of the fox?
321  Good night to your redress! Is the duke gone?
322  Then is your cause gone too. The duke's unjust,
323  Thus to retort your manifest appeal,
324  And put your trial in the villain's mouth
325  Which here you come to accuse.

326  This is the rascal; this is he I spoke of.

327  Why, thou unreverend and unhallow'd friar,
328  Is't not enough thou hast suborn'd these women
329  To accuse this worthy man, but, in foul mouth
330  And in the witness of his proper ear,
331  To call him villain? and then to glance from him
332  To the duke himself, to tax him with injustice?
333  Take him hence; to the rack with him! We'll touse you
334  Joint by joint, but we will know his purpose.
335  What 'unjust'!

336  Be not so hot; the duke
337  Dare no more stretch this finger of mine than he
338  Dare rack his own: his subject am I not,
339  Nor here provincial. My business in this state
340  Made me a looker on here in Vienna,
341  Where I have seen corruption boil and bubble
342  Till it o'er-run the stew; laws for all faults,
343  But faults so countenanced, that the strong statutes
344  Stand like the forfeits in a barber's shop,
345  As much in mock as mark.

346  Slander to the state! Away with him to prison!

347  What can you vouch against him, Signior Lucio?
348  Is this the man that you did tell us of?

349  'Tis he, my lord. Come hither, goodman baldpate:
350  do you know me?

351  I remember you, sir, by the sound of your voice: I
352  met you at the prison, in the absence of the duke.

353  O, did you so? And do you remember what you said of the duke?

354  Most notedly, sir.

355  Do you so, sir? And was the duke a fleshmonger, a
356  fool, and a coward, as you then reported him to be?

357  You must, sir, change persons with me, ere you make
358  that my report: you, indeed, spoke so of him; and
359  much more, much worse.

360  O thou damnable fellow! Did not I pluck thee by the
361  nose for thy speeches?

362  I protest I love the duke as I love myself.

363  Hark, how the villain would close now, after his
364  treasonable abuses!

365  Such a fellow is not to be talked withal. Away with
366  him to prison! Where is the provost? Away with him
367  to prison! lay bolts enough upon him: let him
368  speak no more. Away with those giglots too, and
369  with the other confederate companion!

To Provost
370   Stay, sir; stay awhile.

371  What, resists he? Help him, Lucio.

372  Come, sir; come, sir; come, sir; foh, sir! Why, you
373  bald-pated, lying rascal, you must be hooded, must
374  you? Show your knave's visage, with a pox to you!
375  show your sheep-biting face, and be hanged an hour!
376  Will't not off?

377  Thou art the first knave that e'er madest a duke.
378  First, provost, let me bail these gentle three.
To LUCIO
379  Sneak not away, sir; for the friar and you
380  Must have a word anon. Lay hold on him.

381  This may prove worse than hanging.

To ESCALUS
382   What you have spoke I pardon: sit you down:
383  We'll borrow place of him.
To ANGELO
384  Sir, by your leave.
385  Hast thou or word, or wit, or impudence,
386  That yet can do thee office? If thou hast,
387  Rely upon it till my tale be heard,
388  And hold no longer out.

389  O my dread lord,
390  I should be guiltier than my guiltiness,
391  To think I can be undiscernible,
392  When I perceive your grace, like power divine,
393  Hath look'd upon my passes. Then, good prince,
394  No longer session hold upon my shame,
395  But let my trial be mine own confession:
396  Immediate sentence then and sequent death
397  Is all the grace I beg.

398  Come hither, Mariana.
399  Say, wast thou e'er contracted to this woman?

400  I was, my lord.

401  Go take her hence, and marry her instantly.
402  Do you the office, friar; which consummate,
403  Return him here again. Go with him, provost.

404  My lord, I am more amazed at his dishonour
405  Than at the strangeness of it.

406  Come hither, Isabel.
407  Your friar is now your prince: as I was then
408  Advertising and holy to your business,
409  Not changing heart with habit, I am still
410  Attorney'd at your service.

411  O, give me pardon,
412  That I, your vassal, have employ'd and pain'd
413  Your unknown sovereignty!

414  You are pardon'd, Isabel:
415  And now, dear maid, be you as free to us.
416  Your brother's death, I know, sits at your heart;
417  And you may marvel why I obscured myself,
418  Labouring to save his life, and would not rather
419  Make rash remonstrance of my hidden power
420  Than let him so be lost. O most kind maid,
421  It was the swift celerity of his death,
422  Which I did think with slower foot came on,
423  That brain'd my purpose. But, peace be with him!
424  That life is better life, past fearing death,
425  Than that which lives to fear: make it your comfort,
426  So happy is your brother.

427  I do, my lord.

428  For this new-married man approaching here,
429  Whose salt imagination yet hath wrong'd
430  Your well defended honour, you must pardon
431  For Mariana's sake: but as he adjudged your brother,--
432  Being criminal, in double violation
433  Of sacred chastity and of promise-breach
434  Thereon dependent, for your brother's life,--
435  The very mercy of the law cries out
436  Most audible, even from his proper tongue,
437  'An Angelo for Claudio, death for death!'
438  Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure;
439  Like doth quit like, and MEASURE still FOR MEASURE.
440  Then, Angelo, thy fault's thus manifested;
441  Which, though thou wouldst deny, denies thee vantage.
442  We do condemn thee to the very block
443  Where Claudio stoop'd to death, and with like haste.
444  Away with him!

445  O my most gracious lord,
446  I hope you will not mock me with a husband.

447  It is your husband mock'd you with a husband.
448  Consenting to the safeguard of your honour,
449  I thought your marriage fit; else imputation,
450  For that he knew you, might reproach your life
451  And choke your good to come; for his possessions,
452  Although by confiscation they are ours,
453  We do instate and widow you withal,
454  To buy you a better husband.

455  O my dear lord,
456  I crave no other, nor no better man.

457  Never crave him; we are definitive.

458  Gentle my liege,--

459  You do but lose your labour.
460  Away with him to death!
To LUCIO
461  Now, sir, to you.

462  O my good lord! Sweet Isabel, take my part;
463  Lend me your knees, and all my life to come
464  I'll lend you all my life to do you service.

465  Against all sense you do importune her:
466  Should she kneel down in mercy of this fact,
467  Her brother's ghost his paved bed would break,
468  And take her hence in horror.

469  Isabel,
470  Sweet Isabel, do yet but kneel by me;
471  Hold up your hands, say nothing; I'll speak all.
472  They say, best men are moulded out of faults;
473  And, for the most, become much more the better
474  For being a little bad: so may my husband.
475  O Isabel, will you not lend a knee?

476  He dies for Claudio's death.

477  Most bounteous sir,
Kneeling
478  Look, if it please you, on this man condemn'd,
479  As if my brother lived: I partly think
480  A due sincerity govern'd his deeds,
481  Till he did look on me: since it is so,
482  Let him not die. My brother had but justice,
483  In that he did the thing for which he died:
484  For Angelo,
485  His act did not o'ertake his bad intent,
486  And must be buried but as an intent
487  That perish'd by the way: thoughts are no subjects;
488  Intents but merely thoughts.

489  Merely, my lord.

490  Your suit's unprofitable; stand up, I say.
491  I have bethought me of another fault.
492  Provost, how came it Claudio was beheaded
493  At an unusual hour?

494  It was commanded so.

495  Had you a special warrant for the deed?

496  No, my good lord; it was by private message.

497  For which I do discharge you of your office:
498  Give up your keys.

499  Pardon me, noble lord:
500  I thought it was a fault, but knew it not;
501  Yet did repent me, after more advice;
502  For testimony whereof, one in the prison,
503  That should by private order else have died,
504  I have reserved alive.

505  What's he?

506  His name is Barnardine.

507  I would thou hadst done so by Claudio.
508  Go fetch him hither; let me look upon him.

509  I am sorry, one so learned and so wise
510  As you, Lord Angelo, have still appear'd,
511  Should slip so grossly, both in the heat of blood.
512  And lack of temper'd judgment afterward.

513  I am sorry that such sorrow I procure:
514  And so deep sticks it in my penitent heart
515  That I crave death more willingly than mercy;
516  'Tis my deserving, and I do entreat it.

517  Which is that Barnardine?

518  This, my lord.

519  There was a friar told me of this man.
520  Sirrah, thou art said to have a stubborn soul.
521  That apprehends no further than this world,
522  And squarest thy life according. Thou'rt condemn'd:
523  But, for those earthly faults, I quit them all;
524  And pray thee take this mercy to provide
525  For better times to come. Friar, advise him;
526  I leave him to your hand. What muffled fellow's that?

527  This is another prisoner that I saved.
528  Who should have died when Claudio lost his head;
529  As like almost to Claudio as himself.

To ISABELLA
530   If he be like your brother, for his sake
531  Is he pardon'd; and, for your lovely sake,
532  Give me your hand and say you will be mine.
533  He is my brother too: but fitter time for that.
534  By this Lord Angelo perceives he's safe;
535  Methinks I see a quickening in his eye.
536  Well, Angelo, your evil quits you well:
537  Look that you love your wife; her worth worth yours.
538  I find an apt remission in myself;
539  And yet here's one in place I cannot pardon.
To LUCIO
540  You, sirrah, that knew me for a fool, a coward,
541  One all of luxury, an ass, a madman;
542  Wherein have I so deserved of you,
543  That you extol me thus?

544  'Faith, my lord. I spoke it but according to the
545  trick. If you will hang me for it, you may; but I
546  had rather it would please you I might be whipt.

547  Whipt first, sir, and hanged after.
548  Proclaim it, provost, round about the city.
549  Is any woman wrong'd by this lewd fellow,
550  As I have heard him swear himself there's one
551  Whom he begot with child, let her appear,
552  And he shall marry her: the nuptial finish'd,
553  Let him be whipt and hang'd.

554  I beseech your highness, do not marry me to a whore.
555  Your highness said even now, I made you a duke:
556  good my lord, do not recompense me in making me a cuckold.

557  Upon mine honour, thou shalt marry her.
558  Thy slanders I forgive; and therewithal
559  Remit thy other forfeits. Take him to prison;
560  And see our pleasure herein executed.

561  Marrying a punk, my lord, is pressing to death,
562  whipping, and hanging.

563  Slandering a prince deserves it.
Exit Officers with LUCIO
564  She, Claudio, that you wrong'd, look you restore.
565  Joy to you, Mariana! Love her, Angelo:
566  I have confess'd her and I know her virtue.
567  Thanks, good friend Escalus, for thy much goodness:
568  There's more behind that is more gratulate.
569  Thanks, provost, for thy care and secrecy:
570  We shill employ thee in a worthier place.
571  Forgive him, Angelo, that brought you home
572  The head of Ragozine for Claudio's:
573  The offence pardons itself. Dear Isabel,
574  I have a motion much imports your good;
575  Whereto if you'll a willing ear incline,
576  What's mine is yours and what is yours is mine.
577  So, bring us to our palace; where we'll show
578  What's yet behind, that's meet you all should know.