FRI. T. May your Grace speak of it? DUKE. My holy Sir, none better knows than you How I have ever lov'd the life remov'd; And held in idle price to haunt assemblies, Where youth, and cost, and witless bravery1 keeps.2 I have deliver'd to Lord Angelo (A man of strictures and firm abstinence) DUKE. We have strict statutes and most biting laws (The needful bits and curbs to headstrong steeds), For terror, not to use, do find in time The rod more mock'd than fear'd: so our decrees, The baby beats the nurse, and quite athwart FRI. T. It rested in your Grace DUKE. I do fear, too dreadful: Sith 'twas my fault to give the people scope, 'Twould be my tyranny to strike, and gall them For what I bid them do. For we bid this be done, When evil deeds have their permissive pass, ΤΟ 20 30 And not their punishment. Therefore, indeed, my Father, I have on Angelo impos'd the office, Who may in the ambush of my name strike home, And yet my nature1 never in the fight To do in slander. And to behold his sway 40 ACT I Sc. IV 5 take, bring. 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: He hath got his friend with child. ISAB. Sir, make me not your story. It is true. I would not-though 'tis my familiar sin I hold you as a thing ensky'd and sainted, By your renouncement an immortal spirit, As with a saint. ISAB. You do blaspheme the good in mocking me. LUCIO. Do not believe it. Fewness and truth,' 'tis thus: As those that feed grow full; as blossoming-time ISAB. Some one with child by him? My cousin Juliet? ISAB. Adoptedly: as school-maids change their names 30 40 50 ACT I ACT I Is Which have, for long, run by the hideous Law, ISAB. Doth he so seek his life? LUCIO. He has censur'd3 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. 60 70 Our doubts are traitors, ISAB. My power? Alas! I doubt- 80 Good Sir, adieu. [exeunt. 5 ad primam vesperam. 4 own. ACT II ACT II SCENE I. A Hall in ANGELO'S House. Enter ANGELO, ESCALUS, a Justice, Officers, ANG. We must not make a scarecrow of the Law, And let it keep one shape till custom make it ESCAL. Ay, but yet Let us be keen, and rather cut a little 2 Than fall, and bruise to death. Alas, this gentleman, Let but your Honour know (Whom I believe to be most strait in virtue) That, in the working of your own affections, Had time coher'd with place, or place with wishing, Or that the resolute acting of your blood ANG. "Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus, The jury, passing on the prisoner's life, To justice, that justice seizes. What's open made What know the laws That thieves do pass on thieves? 'Tis very pregnant :* The jewel that we find, we stoop and take 't, We tread upon, and never think of it. You may not so extenuate his offence, For I have had such faults; but rather tell me, 1 fright. 2 axe-wise. 3 impose. 4 patent. 5 because. 6 favouring. 30 Sc. I |