MA. O, my dear lord, I cre no other, nor no better man. [Kneeling. puke. You do but lose your labour;" Avay with him to death.-Now, sir, [To Lucio.] to you. Mari. O, my good lord!-Sweet Isabel, take my part; Lend me your knees, and, all my life to come, I'll lend you all my life to do you service. Duke. Against all sense you do importune her: Should she kneel down, in mercy of this fact, Her brother's ghost his paved bed would break, And take her hence in horror. Mari. Isabel, Sweet Isabel, do yet but kneel by me; Hold up your hands, say nothing, I'll speak all. They say, best men are moulded out of faults; And, for the most, become much more the better For being a little bad: so may my husband. O, Isabel! will you not lend a knee? Duke. He dies for Claudio's death. Isab. Most bounteous sir, His act did not o'ertake his bad intent; That perish'd by the way: thoughts are no sub- Mari. [jects; Merely, my lord. Duke. Your suit's unprofitable; stand up, I say. I have bethought me of another fault :- Prov. Duke. For which I do discharge you e office : Give up your keys. your Prov. Duke. Prov. What's he? His name is Barnardine. Duke. I would, thou had'st done so by Clau dio.Go, fetch him hither; let me look upon him. [Exit Provost. Escal. I am sorry, one so learned and so wise As you, lord Angelo, have still appear'd, Should slip so grossly, both in the heat of blood, And lack of temper'd judgment afterward. Ang. I am sorry, that such sorrow I procure: And so deep sticks it in my penitent heart, That I crave death more willingly than mercy; 'Tis my deserving, and I do entreat it. Re-enter Provost, BARNARDINE, CLAUDIO, and JULIET. Duke. Which is that Barnardine? Prov. But, for those earthly faults, I quit them all; Prov. This is another prisoner, that I sav'd, That should have died when Claudio lost his head; As like almost to Claudio, as himself. [Unmuffles CLAUDIC Duke. If he be like your brother, [To ISABE LA.] for his sake Is he pardoned; And, for your lovely sake, Give me your hand, and say you will be mine, yours. I find an apt remission in myself: And yet here's one in place I cannot pardon ;You, sirrah, [To LUCIO.] that knew me for a fool, a coward, One all of luxury, an ass, a madman; Lucio. 'Faith, my lord, I spoke it but according to the trick: If you will hang me for it, you may, but I had rather it would please you I might be whipp'd. Duke. Whipp'd first, sir, and hang'd after.Proclaim it, provost, round about the city; If any woman's wrong'd by this lewd fellow, (As I have heard him swear himself, there's one Whom he begot with child), let her appear, And he shall marry her: the nuptial finish'd, Let him be whipp'd and hang'd. Lucio. I beseech your highness, do not marry me to a whore! Your highness said even now, I made you a duke; good my lord, do not recompense me in making me a cuckold. Duke. Upon mine honour thou shalt marry her. Thy slanders I forgive: and therewithal Remit thy other forfeits:-Take him to prison: And see our pleasure herein executed. Lucio. Marrying a punk, my lord, is pressing to death, whipping, and hanging. Duke, Sland'ring a prince deserves it.She, Claudio, that you wrong'd, look you re store. Joy to you, Mariana!-love her, Angelo; I have confess'd her, and I know her virtue.Thanks, good friend Escalus, for thy much good ness: There's more behind, that is more gratulate. Forgive him, Angelo, that brought you home So, bring us to our palace; where we'll show What's yet behind, that's meet you all should know. [Exeunt. |