Or, by the affection that now guides me most, [Exit ANGELO. Isa. To whom should I complain? Did I tell this, Who would believe me? O perilous mouths, Bidding the law make court'sy to their will; I'll tell him yet of Angelo's request, And fit his mind to death, for his soul's rest. [Exit ACT THE THIRD. SCENE I. The Prison. Enter the DUKE, as a Friar, CLAUDIO, and PROvost. Duke. So, then you hope of pardon from Lord Angelo? Claud. The miserable have no other medicine, But only hope: I have hope to live, and am prepar'd to die. Duke. Be absolute for death; either death, or life, Shall thereby be the sweeter. Reason thus with life, If I do lose thee, I do lose a thing That none but fools would keep a breath thou art, That dost this habitation, where thou keep'st, For all the accommodations that thou bear'st, Are nurs'd by baseness: thou art by no means valiant; For thou dost fear the soft and tender fork Of a poor worm : Happy thou art not; For what thou hast not, still thou striv'st to get; And what thou hast, forget'st: Thou hast nor youth, nor age; But, as it were, an after-dinner's sleep, Dreaming on both; for all thy blessed youth Of palsy'd old; and when thou art old and rich, Claud. I humbly thank you. To sue to live, I find, I seek to die; And, seeking death, find life: let it come on. Isa. [Without.] What, ho! peace here; grace and good company! welcome. Prov. Who's there? Come in the wish deserves a [Exit PROVOST. Duke. Dear sir, ere long I'll visit you again. Claud. Most holy sir, I thank you. Isa. [Without.] My business is a word or two with Prov. [Without.] And very welcome. Enter PROVOST, and ISABELLA. Look, signior, here's your sister. Bring me to hear them speak, where I Conceal'd. may be [Exeunt the DUKE, and PROVOST. Claud. Now, sister, what is the comfort? Isa. Lord Angelo, having affairs to Heaven, Intends you for his swift embassador, Where you shall be an everlasting leiger: Therefore your best appointment make with speed; To-morrow you set on. Claud. Is there no remedy? Isa. None, but such remedy, as, to save a head, To cleave a heart in twain. Claud. But is there any ? Isa. Yes, brother, you may live; Claud. But in what nature? Isa. In such a one as (you consenting to't,) Would bark your honour from that trunk you bear, And leave you naked. Claud. Let me know the point. Isa. O, I do fear thee, Claudio; and I quake, Claud. Why give you me this shame ? If I must die, I will encounter darkness as a bride, And hug it in my arms. Isa. There spake my brother! there my father's grave Did utter forth a voice! Yes, thou must die : In base appliances. This outward-sainted deputy,— Isa. O, 'tis the cunning livery of hell, Thou might'st be freed? Claud. O, Heavens ! it cannot be. Isa. Yes, he would give it thee, from this rank of fence, So to offend him still: this night's the time Claud. Thou shalt not do't. I'd throw it down for your deliverance As frankly as a pin. Claud. Thanks, dear Isabel. Isa. Be ready, Claudio, for your death to-morrow. Claud. O Isabel! Isa. What says my brother? Claud. Death is a fearful thing. Isa. And shamed life a hateful. Claud. Ay, but to die, and go we know not where; To lie in cold obstruction, and to rot; This sensible warm motion to become In thrilling regions of thick ribbed ice; The weariest and most loathed worldly life, To what we fear of death. Isa. Alas, alas! Claud. Sweet sister, let me live: Isa. O, faithless coward! O, dishonest wretch! From thine own sister's shame? Take my defiance: Die; perish! might but my bending down. Claud. Nay, hear me, Isabel? Isa. O, fie, fie, fie! Thy sin's not accidental, but a trade : "Tis best that thou diest quickly. Claud. O, hear me, Isabella. Enter the DUKE, as a Friar. Duke. Vouchsafe a word, young sister, but one word. Isa. What is your will? Duke. Might you dispense with your leisure, I would, by and by, have some speech with you: the satisfaction, I would require, is likewise your own benefit. E |