For so I have strew'd it in the common ear, You will demand of me, why I do this? Fri. Gladly, my lord. Duke. We have strict statutes, and most biting laws, (The needful bits and curbs for head-strong steeds) Which for these fourteen years we have let sleep; Even like an o'ergrown lion in a cave, That goes not out to prey: Now, as fond fathers Becomes more mock'd, than fear'd: so our decrees, The baby beats the nurse, and quite athwart Fri. It rested in your grace To unloose this tied-up justice, when you pleas'd: Duke. And not the punishment. father, Therefore, indeed, my I have on Angelo impos'd the office; Who may, in the ambush of my name, strike home, And yet, my nature never in the sight, To do it slander: And to behold his sway, I will, as 'twere a brother of your order, Visit both prince and people: therefore, I pr'ythee, Like a true friar. More reasons for this action, At our more leisure shall I render you; Is more to bread than stone: Hence shall we see, SCENE V-A Nunnery. Enter Isabella and Fran cisca. Isab. And have you nuns no further privileges? Isab. Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more ; Fran. It is a man's voice: Gentle Isabella, Then, if you speak, you must not show your face; Lucio. Hail, virgin, if you be; as those cheek roses Proclaim you are no less! Can you so stead me, As bring me to the sight of Isabella, A novice of this place, and the fair sister To her unhappy brother Claudio? 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 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 With maids to seem the lapwing, and to jest, As with a saint. Isab. You do blaspheme the good, in mocking me. Lucio. Do not believe it. Fewness and truth, 'tis thus: Your brother and his lover have embrac❜d: As those that feed grow full; as blossoming time, Isab. Some one with child by him?-My cousin Juliet? Lucio. Is she your cousin? Isab. Adoptedly; as school-maids change their names, By vain though apt affection. Lucio. Isab. O, let him marry her! She it is. Lucio. Governs lord Angelo; a man, whose blood Lucio. Has censur'd him Already; and, as I hear, the provost hath Isab. Alas! what poor ability's in me. Lucio. Assay the power you have. Isab. My power! Alas! I doubt,- Our doubts are traitors, And make us lose the good we oft might win, And let him learn to know, when maidens sue, As they themselves would owe them. Lucio. But, speedily. Isab. Lucio. I take my leave of you. Isab. Good sir, adieu. [Exeunts ACT II. SCENE I-A Hall in Angelo's House. Enter Ange lo, Escalus, a Justice, Provost, Officers, and other Attendants. Angelo. We must not make a scare-crow of the law, And let it keep one shape, till custom make it Esca. Ay, but yet Let us be keen, and rather cut a little, Than fall, and bruise to death: Alas! this gentleman, Whom I would save, had a most noble father. 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 Could have attain'd the effect of your own purpose, Whether you had not sometime in your life Err'd in this point which now you censure him, And pull'd the law upon you. Ang. 'Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus, Another thing to fall. I not deny, The jury, passing on the prisoner's life, May, in the sworn twelve, have a thief or two Guiltier than him they try: What's open made to jus tice, That justice seizes. What know the laws, That thieves do pass on thieves? 'Tis very pregnant, |