And punish them unto your height of pleasure.Thou foolish friar; and thou pernicious woman, Compact with her that's gone! think'st thou, thy oaths, Though they would swear down each particular saint, Were testimonies against his worth and credit, F. Peter. Would he were here, my lord; for he, indeed, Hath set the women on to this complaint: Your provost knows the place where he abides, And he may fetch him. Duke. Go, do it instantly. [Exit Provost. And you, my noble and well-warranted cousin, Whom it concerns to hear this matter forth,1 Do with your injuries as seems you best, In any chastisement: I for a while Will leave you; but stir not you, till you have well Determined upon these slanderers. Escal. My lord, we'll do it thoroughly.-[Exit Duke.] Signior Lucio, did not you say, you knew that friar Lodowick to be a dishonest person? Lucio. Cucullus non facit monachum: honest in nothing, but in his clothes; and one that hath spoke most villanous speeches of the duke. Escal. We shall entreat you to abide here till he come, and enforce them against him: we shall find this friar a notable fellow. Lucio. As any in Vienna, on my word. Escal. Call that same Isabel here once again; [To an attendant.] I would speak with her: Pray you, my lord, give me leave to question; you shall see how I'll handle her. (1) To the end. Lucio. Not better than he, by her own report. Escal. Say you? Lucio. Marry, sir, I think, if you handled her privately, she would sooner confess; perchance, publicly she'll be ashamed. Re-enter Officers, with Isabella; the Duke, in the friar's habit, and Provost. Escal. I will go darkly to work with her. Lucio. That's the way; for women are light at midnight. Escal. Come on, mistress: [To Isabella.] here's a gentlewoman denies all that you have said. Lucio. My lord, here comes the rascal I spoke of; here, with the provost. Escal. In very good time:-speak not you to him, till we call upon you. Lucio. Mum. Escal. Come, sir: Did you set these women on to slander lord Angelo? they have confess'd you did. Duke. 'Tis false. Escal. How! know you where you are? Duke. Respect to your great place! and let the devil Be some time honour'd for his burning throne :Where is the duke? 'tis he should hear me speak. Escal. The duke's in us; and we will hear you speak: Look, you speak justly. Duke. Boldly, at least:-But, O, poor souls, Come you to seek the lamb here of the fox? Good night to your redress. Is the duke gone? Then your cause gone too. The duke's unjust, Thus to retort1 your manifest appeal, And put your trial in the villain's mouth, Which here you come to accuse. Lucio. This is the rascal; this is he I spoke of. Escal. Why, thou unreverend and unhallow'd friar! (1) Refer back. Is't not enough, thou hast suborn'd these women To accuse this worthy man ; but, in foul mouth, And in the witness of his proper ear, To call him villain? And then to glance from him to the duke himself; But we will know this purpose:-What! unjust? Dare no more stretch this finger of mine, than he Dare rack his own; his subject am I not, Nor here provincial: My business in this state Where I have seen corruption boil and bubble, Escal. Slander to the state! Away with him to prison. Ang. What can you vouch against him, signior Lucio? Is this the man that you did tell us of? Lucio. 'Tis he, my lord.-Come hither, goodman bald-pate: Do you know me? Duke. I remember you, sir, by the sound of your voice: I met you at the prison, in the absence of the duke. Lucio. O, did you so? And do what you said of the duke? Duke. Most notedly, sir. you remember Lucio. Do you so, sir? And was the duke a fleshmonger, a fool, and a coward, as you then reported him to be? Duke. You must, sir, change persons with me, ere you make that my report: you, indeed, spoke so of him; and much more, much worse. (1) Accountable. Lucio. O thou damnable fellow ! Did not I pluck thee by the nose, for thy speeches? Duke. I protest I love the duke, as I love myself. Ang. Hark! how the villain would close now, after his treasonable abuses. Escal. Such a fellow is not to be talk'd withal:Away with hiin to prison :-Where is the provost? Away with him to prison; lay bolts enough upon him; let him speak no more. Away with those giglots! too, and with the other confederate companion. [The Provost lays hands on the Duke. Duke. Stay, sir; stay a while. Ang. What! resists he? Help him, Lucio. Lucio. Come, sir; come, sir; come, sir; foh, sir: Why, you bald-pated, lying rascal! you must be hooded, must you? Show your knave's visage, with a pox to you! show your sheep-biting face, and be hang'd an hour! Will't not off? [Pulls off the friar's hood, and discovers the Duke. Duke. Thou art the first knave, that e'er made a duke. First, provost, let me bail these gentle three :Sneak not away, sir; [To Lucio.] for the friar and you Must have a word anon:-lay hold on him. down. [To Escalus. We'll borrow place of him :-Sir, by your leave: [To Angelo. Hast thou or word, or wit, or impudence, That yet can do thee office ?2 If thou hast, Rely upon it till my tale be heard, And hold no longer out. Ang. I should be guiltier than my guiltiness, (1) Wantons. O my dread lord, (2) Service. When I perceive, your grace, like power divine, But let my trial be mine own confession; Duke. Come hither, Mariana :Say, wast thou e'er contracted to this woman? Ang. I was, my lord. Do Duke. Go, take her hence, and marry her instantly. you the office, friar; which consummate, Return him here again :-Go with him, Provost. [Exeunt Angelo, Mariana, Peter, and Provost. Escal. My lord, I am more amaz'd at his dis honour, Than at the strangeness of it. Duke. Come hither, Isabel: Your friar is now your prince: As I was then Advertising, and holy to your business, Not changing heart with habit, I am still Attorney'd at your service. Isab. O, give me pardon, That I, your vassal, have employ'd and pain'd Your unknown sovereignty. Duke. You are pardon'd, Isabel : And now, dear maid, be you as free to us. Your brother's death, I know, sits at your heart; Than that which lives to fear: make it your comfort, (1) Devices, (2) Following. (3) Attentive. |