from woe, As I, thus wrong'd, hence unbelieved go! Duke. I know, you'd fain be gone:-An officer ! To prison with her :-Shall we thus permit -Who knew of your intent, and coming hither? Isab. One that I would were here, friar Lodowick. Duke. A ghostly father belike :-Who knows that Lodowick? Lucio. My lord, I know him; 'tis a medling friar ; [lord, I do not like the man: had he been lay, my For certain words he spake against your grace In your retirement, I had swing'd him soundly. Duke. Words against me? This' a good friar, belike! And to set on this wretched woman here Against our substitute!-Let this friar be found. Lucio. But yesternight, my lord, she and that friar I saw them at the prison: a saucy friar, F. Peter. Blessed be your royal grace! Duke. We did believe no less. [of? Know you that friar Lodowick, that she speaks F. Peter. I know him for a man divine and Not scurvy, nor a temporary medler, [holy; As he's reported by this gentleman; And, on my trust, a man that never yet Did, as he vouches, misreport your grace. Lucio. My lord, most villainously; believe it. F. Peter. Well, he in time may come to clear himself; But at this instant he is sick, my lord, Of a strange fever: Upon his meret request, (Being come to knowledge that there was com plaint Intended 'gainst lord Angelo,) came I hither, To speak as from his mouth, what he doth know Is true, and false; and what he with his oath, Duke. Good friar, let's hear it. [ISABELLA is carried off, guarded; and MARIANA comes forward. Do you not smile at this lord Angelo?O heaven! the vanity of wretched fools!Give us some seats.-Come, cousin Angelo; In this I'll be impartial; be you judge Of your own cause.-Is this the witness, friar? First, let her show her face; and, after speak. Duke, Are you a maid? Are nothing then :-Neither maid, widow, nor some cause To prattle for himself. Lucio. Well, my lord. Mari. My lord, I do confess, I ne'er was married; And, I confess, besides, I am no maid: I have known my husband; yet my husband knows not, That ever he knew me, Lucio. He was drunk then, my lord; it can be no better. Duke. For the benefit of silence, 'would thou wert so too. Lucio. Well, my lord. Duke. This is no witness for lord Angelo. She, that accuses him of fornication, Ang. Charges she more than me? Duke. No? you say, your husband. body, But knows he thinks, that he knows Isabel's. Ang. This is a strange abuse:*-Let's see thy face. Mari. My husband bids me; now I will un[Unveiling. mask. This is that face, thou cruel Angelo, [on 2 Duke. Know you this woman? Ang. My lord, I must confess, I know this woman; [marriage And, five years since, there was some speech of Betwixt myself and her; which was broke off, Partly, for that her promised proportions Came short of composition ; but, in chief, For that her reputation was disvalued In levity: since which time of five years, I never spake with her, saw her, nor heard from Upon my faith and honour. [her, Mari. Noble prince, As there comes light from heaven, and words from breath, As there is sense in truth, and truth in virtue, I am affianc'd this man's wife, as strongly As words could make up vows: and, my good lord, [house, But Tuesday night last gone, in his gardenHe knew me as a wife: As this is true Let me in safety raise me from my knees; Ang. I did but smile till now; [tice; Duke. Ay, with my heart; [sure. And punish them unto your height of pleaThou 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, That's seal'd in approbation?-You, lord Escalus, Sit with my cousin; lend him your kind pains 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, 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 Determined upon these slanderers. [well 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 villainous speeches of theduke. 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. Escul. 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. Lucio. Not better than he, by her own report. 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. Escul. Come on, mistress: [To ISABELLA.] here's a gentlewoman denies all that you have said. Duke. Respect to your great place! and let the devil Be sometime 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 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 is your cause gone too. The duke's unThus to retort your manifest appeal, [just, And put your trial in the villain's mouth," Which here you come to acuse. Lucio. This is the rascal; this is he I spoke of. Escul. Why, thou unreverend and unhallow'd friar! ? Is't not enough, thou hast suborn'd these women statutes Stand like the forfeits in a barber's shop, 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 you remember what you said of the duke? Duke. Most notedly, Sir. Lucio. Do you so, Sir? And was the duke a flesh-monger, 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. 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 him 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, Sír; 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 ↑ Wantons. Refer back. + Accountable. 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. Lucio. This may prove worse than hanging. Duke. What you have spoke, I pardon; sit you 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?* If thou hast, Rely upon it till my tale be heard, And hold no longer out. Ang. O my dread lord, I should be guiltier than my guiltiness, When I perceive, your grace, like power divine, Hath look'd upon my passes: Then, good prince, No longer session hold upon my shame, : Duke. Come hither, Mariana :Say, wast thou e'er contracted to this woman? Ang. I was, my lord. Duke. Go take her hence, and marry her instantly. Do 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 disThan at the strangeness of it. [honour, 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, Thereon dependent, for your brother's life,) The very mercy of the law cries out Most audible, even from his proper tongue, An Angelo for Claudio, death for death. Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure; [sure. Like doth quit like, and Measure still for MeaThen, Angelo, thy fault's thus manifested; Which though thou would'st deny, denies thee vantage: We do condemn thee to the very block Where Claudio stoop'd to death, and with like Away with him. [haste;Mari. O, my most gracious lord, hope you will not mock me with a husband! Duke. It is your husband mock'd you with a husband: I Consenting to the safeguard of your honour, Mari. O, my dear lord, I crave no other, nor no better man. Duke. Never crave him; we are definitive. Muri. Gentle, my liege,- [Kneeling. Duke. You do but lose your labour; Away with him to death.-Now, Sir, to you. [TO LUCIO. Mari. O, my good lord !-Sweet Isabel, take Mari. Isabel, Sweet Isabel, do yet but kneel by me; Hold up your hands, say nothing, I'll speak all. That I, your vassal, have employ'd and pain'd For being a little bad: so may my husband. 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; And you may marvel, why I obscur'd myself, Labouring to save his life; and would not rather O, Isabel! will you not lend a knee? His act did not o'ertake his bad intent; 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 Give up your keys. [office: Prov. Pardon me, noble lord: I thought it was a fault, but knew it not; Yet did repent me, after more advice:* Duke. What's he? Prov. His name is Barnardine. Duke. I would thou had'st done so by Claudio. 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 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. 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, Re-enter PROVOSt, Barnardine, CLAUDIO, and I made you a duke; good my lord, do not re 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; Prov. This is another prisoner, that I sav'd, That should have died when Claudio lost his As like almost to Claudio, as himself. [head; [Unmuffles CLAUDIO. Duke. If he be like your brother, for his sake [To ISABELLA. Is he pardon'd; And, for your lovely sake, * Consideration. compense me, in making me a cuckold. Duke. Upon mine honour, thou shalt marry her. Thy slanders I forgive; and therewithal 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; There's more behind, that is more gratulate.§ So, bring us to our palace; where we'll show What's yet behind, that's meet you all should know. Incontinence. Punishments. [Exeunt. + Thoughtless practice. To reward. MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. PERSONS REPRESENTED. DON PEDRO, Prince of Arragon. BENEDICK, a young Lord of Padua, favourite likewise of Don Pedro. LEONATO, Governor of Messina. ANTONIO, his Brother. BALTHAZAR, Servant to Don Pedro. BORACHIO, Followers of Don John. DOGBERRY, Two foolish Officers. A SEXTON. A FRIAR. A Boy. HERO, Daughter to Leonato. Messengers, Watch, and Attendants. ACT I. SCENE I.—Before LEONATO's House. Enter LEONATO, HERO, BEATRICE, and others, with a MESSENGER. Leon. I learn in this letter, that Don Pedro of Arragon comes this night to Messina. Mess. He is very near by this; he was not three leagues off when I left him." Leon. How many gentlemen have you lost in this action? Mess. But few of any sort, and none of name. Leon. A victory is twice itself, when the achiever brings home full numbers. I find here, that Don Pedro hath bestowed much Lonour on a young Florentine, called Claudio. Mess. Much deserved on his part, and equally remembered by Don Pedro: He hath borne himself beyond the promise of his age; doing, in the figure of a lamb, the feats of a lion: he hath, indeed, better bettered expectation, than you must expect of me to tell you how. Leon. He hath an uncle here in Messina will be very much glad of it. Mess. I have already delivered him letters, and there appears much joy in him; even so much, that joy could not show itself modest enough, without a badge of bitterness. Leon. Did he break out into tears? Beat. He set up his bills here in Messina, and challenged Cupid at the flight:* and my uncle's fool, reading the challenge, subscribed for Cupid, and challenged him at the bird-bolt.1 pray you, how many hath he killed and eaten in these wars? But how many hath he killed? for, indeed, I promised to eat all of his killing. Leon. Faith, niece, you tax signior Benedick too much; but he'll be meet+ with you, I doubt it not. Mess. He hath done good service, lady, in these wars. Beat. You had musty victual, and he hath . holp to eat it: he is a very valiant trencherman, he hath an excellent stomach. Mess. And a good soldier too, lady. Beat. And a good soldier to a lady;-But what is he to a lord? Mess. A lord to a lord, a man to a man; stuffed with all honourable virtues. Beat. It is so, indeed; he is no less than a stuffed man: but for the stuffing,-Well, we are all mortal. Leon. You must not, Sir, mistake my niece: there is a kind of merry war betwixt signior Benedick and her: they never meet, but there is a skirmish of wit between them. Beat. Alas, he gets nothing by that. In our last conflict, four of his five wits went halting off, and now is the whole man governed with one: so that if he have wit enough to keep himLeon. A kind overflow of kindness: There self warm, let him bear it for a difference are no faces truer than those that are so wash-between himself and his horse: for it is all the ed. How much better is it to weep at joy, than to joy at weeping? Beat. I pray you, is signior Montanto returned from the wars, or no? Mess. I know none of that name, lady; there was none such in the army of any sort. Leon. What is he that you ask for, niece? Hero. My cousin means signior Benedick of Padua. Mess. O, he is returned; and as pleasant as ever he was. wealth that he hath left, to be known a reasonable creature.-Who is his companion now? He hath every month a new sworn brother. Mess. Is it possible? Beat. Very easily possible: he wears his faith but as the fashion of his hat, it ever changes with the next block.§ Mess. I see, lady, the gentleman is not in your books. Beat. No: an he were, I would burn my study. But, I pray you, who is his companion? * At long lengths. A Cuckold. Even. |