Duke. He dies for Claudio's death.

Isab.

Most bounteous sir, [Kneeling. Look, if it please you, on this man condemn'd,

As if my brother liv'd: I partly think,
A due sincerity govern'd his deeds,

Till he did look on me; since it is so,

Let him not die: My brother had but justice,
In that he did the thing for which he died:
For Angelo,

His act did not o'ertake his bad intent;

And must be buried but as an intent

That perish'd by the way: thoughts are no subjects; Intents but merely thoughts.

Mari.

Merely, my lord. Duke. Your suit's unprofitable; stand up, I say.I have bethought me of another fault :

Provost, how came it, Claudio was beheaded
At an unusual hour?

Prov.

It was commanded so.
Duke. Had you a special warrant for the deed?
Prov. No, my good lord; it was by private message.
Duke. For which I do discharge you of your office:
Give up your keys.

Prov.
Pardon me, noble lord:
I thought it was a fault, but knew it not;
Yet did repent me, after more advice:
For testimony whereof, one in the prison,
That should by private order else have died,
I have reserv'd alive.

Duke.

Prov.

What's he?

His name is Barnardine. Duke. I would, thou hadst done so by Claudio.Go, fetch him hither; let me look upon him. [Ex. 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 judgement 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.

This, my lord.

Duke. There was a friar told me of this man:Sirrah, thou art said to have a stubborn soul, That apprehends no further than this world, And squar'st thy life according. Thou'rt condemn'd; But, for those earthly faults, I quit them all; And pray thee, take this mercy to provide For better times to come:--Friar, advise him; I leave him to your hand.-What muffled fellow's that? Prov. This is another prisoner, that I sav'd, That should have dy'd when Claudio lost his head; As like almost to Claudio, as himself.

[Unmuffles Claudio. Duke. If he be like your brother, for his sake

[To Isabel

Is he pardon'd: And, for your lovely sake,
Give me your hand, and say you will be mine,
He is my brother too: But fitter time for that.
By this, lord Angelo perceives he's safe;
Methinks, I see a quick'ning in his eye:-
Well, Angelo, your evil quits you well:
Look, that you love your wife; her worth, worth

yours.

I find an apt remission in myself:

And yet here's one in place I cannot pardon ;-
You, sirrab, that knew me for a fool, a coward,

[To Lucio.

One all of luxury, an ass, a mad-man;
Wherein have I deserved so of you,
That you extol me thus ?

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 restore.-
Joy to you, Mariana !-love her, Angelo;

I have confess'd her, and I know her virtue.-
Thanks, good friend Escalus, for thy much goodness:
There's more behind, that is more gratulate.-

Thanks, Provost, for thy care and secrecy ;
We shall employ thee in a worthier place :-
Forgive him, Angelo, that brought you home
The head of Ragozine for Claudio's ;
The offence pardons itself.-Dear Isabel,
I have a motion much imports your good;
Whereto if you'll a willing ear incline,

What's mine is yours, and what is yours is mine:So, bring us to our palace; where we'll show What's yet behind, that's meet you all should know.

[Exeunt

MUCH ADO ABOUT

NOTHING.