ACT 1
Scene 1
Enter Duke, Escalus, Lords, and Attendants.
Escalus.

... My lord.
Of government the properties to unfold
Would seem in me t’ affect speech and discourse,
Since I am put to know that your own science
Exceeds, in that, the lists of all advice
My strength can give you. Then no more remains
But that, to your sufficiency, as your worth is able,
And let them work. The nature of our people,
Our city’s institutions, and the terms
For common justice, you’re as pregnant in
As art and practice hath enrichèd any
That we remember. There is our commission, He hands Escalus a paper.
From which we would not have you warp.—Call hither,
I say, bid come before us Angelo.
What figure of us think you he will bear?
For you must know, we have with special soul
Elected him our absence to supply,
Lent him our terror, dressed him with our love,
And given his deputation all the organs
Of our own power. What think you of it?

... Enter Angelo.
Look where he comes.

...know your pleasure.
Angelo,
There is a kind of character in thy life
That to th’ observer doth thy history
Fully unfold. Thyself and thy belongings
Are not thine own so proper as to waste
Thyself upon thy virtues, they on thee.
Heaven doth with us as we with torches do,
Not light them for themselves; for if our virtues
Did not go forth of us, ’twere all alike
As if we had them not. Spirits are not finely touched
But to fine issues, nor nature never lends
The smallest scruple of her excellence
But, like a thrifty goddess, she determines
Herself the glory of a creditor,
Both thanks and use. But I do bend my speech
To one that can my part in him advertise.
Hold, therefore, Angelo.
In our remove be thou at full ourself.
Mortality and mercy in Vienna
Live in thy tongue and heart. Old Escalus,
Though first in question, is thy secondary.
Take thy commission.
He hands Angelo a paper.

...stamped upon it.
No more evasion.
We have with a leavened and preparèd choice
Proceeded to you. Therefore, take your honors.
Our haste from hence is of so quick condition
That it prefers itself and leaves unquestioned
Matters of needful value. We shall write to you,
As time and our concernings shall importune,
How it goes with us, and do look to know
What doth befall you here. So fare you well.
To th’ hopeful execution do I leave you
Of your commissions.

...on the way.
My haste may not admit it.
Nor need you, on mine honor, have to do
With any scruple. Your scope is as mine own,
So to enforce or qualify the laws
As to your soul seems good. Give me your hand.
I’ll privily away. I love the people,
But do not like to stage me to their eyes.
Though it do well, I do not relish well
Their loud applause and aves vehement,
Nor do I think the man of safe discretion
That does affect it. Once more, fare you well.

...back in happiness.
I thank you. Fare you well.
He exits.

Scene 3

...Come, officer, away.
Enter Duke and Friar Thomas.
No, holy father, throw away that thought.
Believe not that the dribbling dart of love
Can pierce a complete bosom. Why I desire thee
To give me secret harbor hath a purpose
More grave and wrinkled than the aims and ends
Of burning youth.

...speak of it?
My holy sir, none better knows than you
How I have ever loved the life removed,
And held in idle price to haunt assemblies
Where youth and cost witless bravery keeps.
I have delivered to Lord Angelo,
A man of stricture and firm abstinence,
My absolute power and place here in Vienna,
And he supposes me traveled to Poland,
For so I have strewed it in the common ear,
And so it is received. Now, pious sir,
You will demand of me why I do this.

...Gladly, my lord.
We have strict statutes and most biting laws,
The needful bits and curbs to headstrong weeds,
Which for this fourteen years we have let slip,
Even like an o’ergrown lion in a cave
That goes not out to prey. Now, as fond fathers,
Having bound up the threat’ning twigs of birch
Only to stick it in their children’s sight
For terror, not to use—in time the rod
More mocked than feared—so our decrees,
Dead to infliction, to themselves are dead,
And liberty plucks justice by the nose,
The baby beats the nurse, and quite athwart
Goes all decorum.

...in Lord Angelo.
I do fear, too dreadful.
Sith ’twas my fault to give the people scope,
’Twould be my tyranny to strike and gall them
For what I bid them do; for we bid this be done
When evil deeds have their permissive pass
And not the punishment. Therefore, indeed, my father,
I have on Angelo imposed the office,
Who may in th’ ambush of my name strike home,
And yet my nature never in the fight
To do in slander. And to behold his sway
I will, as ’twere a brother of your order,
Visit both prince and people. Therefore I prithee
Supply me with the habit, and instruct me
How I may formally in person bear
Like a true friar. More reasons for this action
At our more leisure shall I render you.
Only this one: Lord Angelo is precise,
Stands at a guard with envy, scarce confesses
That his blood flows or that his appetite
Is more to bread than stone. Hence shall we see,
If power change purpose, what our seemers be.
They exit.

ACT 2
Scene 3

...and wondered how.
Enter Duke, disguised as a Friar, and Provost.
as Friar
Hail to you, provost, so I think you are.

...will, good friar?
as Friar
Bound by my charity and my blest order,
I come to visit the afflicted spirits
Here in the prison. Do me the common right
To let me see them, and to make me know
The nature of their crimes, that I may minister
To them accordingly.

...die for this.
as Friar
When must he die?

...shall be conducted.
as Friar, to Juliet
Repent you, fair one, of the sin you carry?

...shame most patiently.
as Friar
I’ll teach you how you shall arraign your conscience,
And try your penitence, if it be sound
Or hollowly put on.

...I’ll gladly learn.
as Friar
Love you the man that wronged you?

...that wronged him.
as Friar
So then it seems your most offenseful act
Was mutually committed?

... Mutually.
as Friar
Then was your sin of heavier kind than his.

...repent it, father.
as Friar
’Tis meet so, daughter; but lest you do repent
As that the sin hath brought you to this shame,
Which sorrow is always toward ourselves, not heaven,
Showing we would not spare heaven as we love it,
But as we stand in fear—

...shame with joy.
as Friar
There rest.
Your partner, as I hear, must die tomorrow,
And I am going with instruction to him.
Grace go with you. Benedicite.
He exits.

ACT 3
Scene 1

...his soul’s rest.
Enter Duke as a Friar, Claudio, and Provost.
as Friar
So then you hope of pardon from Lord Angelo?

...prepared to die.
as Friar
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,
Servile to all the skyey influences
That doth this habitation where thou keep’st
Hourly afflict. Merely, thou art death’s fool,
For him thou labor’st by thy flight to shun,
And yet runn’st toward him still. Thou art not noble,
For all th’ accommodations that thou bear’st
Are nursed by baseness. Thou ’rt by no means valiant,
For thou dost fear the soft and tender fork
Of a poor worm. Thy best of rest is sleep,
And that thou oft provok’st, yet grossly fear’st
Thy death, which is no more. Thou art not thyself,
For thou exists on many a thousand grains
That issue out of dust. Happy thou art not,
For what thou hast not, still thou striv’st to get,
And what thou hast, forget’st. Thou art not certain,
For thy complexion shifts to strange effects
After the moon. If thou art rich, thou ’rt poor,
For, like an ass whose back with ingots bows,
Thou bear’st thy heavy riches but a journey,
And death unloads thee. Friend hast thou none,
For thine own bowels which do call thee sire,
The mere effusion of thy proper loins,
Do curse the gout, serpigo, and the rheum
For ending thee no sooner. Thou hast nor youth nor age,
But as it were an after-dinner’s sleep
Dreaming on both, for all thy blessèd youth
Becomes as agèd and doth beg the alms
Of palsied eld; and when thou art old and rich,
Thou hast neither heat, affection, limb, nor beauty
To make thy riches pleasant. What’s yet in this
That bears the name of life? Yet in this life
Lie hid more thousand deaths; yet death we fear,
That makes these odds all even.

...deserves a welcome.
as Friar, to Claudio
Dear sir, ere long I’ll visit you again.

...your sister.
as Friar
Provost, a word with you.

...as you please.
as Friar, aside to Provost
Bring me to hear them speak, where I may be concealed.
Duke and Provost exit.

...hear me, Isabella—
Enter Duke as a Friar.
as Friar, to Isabella
Vouchsafe a word, young sister, but one word.

...is your will?
as Friar
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.

...attend you awhile.
as Friar, taking Claudio aside
Son, I have overheard
what hath passed between you and your
sister. Angelo had never the purpose to corrupt her;
only he hath made an assay of her virtue, to practice
his judgment with the disposition of natures. She,
having the truth of honor in her, hath made him
that gracious denial which he is most glad to
receive. I am confessor to Angelo, and I know this
to be true. Therefore prepare yourself to death. Do
not satisfy your resolution with hopes that are
fallible. Tomorrow you must die. Go to your knees
and make ready.

...rid of it.
as Friar
Hold you there. Farewell.—Provost, a
word with you.

...your will, father?
as Friar
That now you are come, you will be
gone. Leave me awhile with the maid. My mind
promises with my habit no loss shall touch her by
my company.

...In good time.
as Friar, to Isabella
The hand that hath made
you fair hath made you good. The goodness that is
cheap in beauty makes beauty brief in goodness,
but grace, being the soul of your complexion, shall
keep the body of it ever fair. The assault that Angelo
hath made to you, fortune hath conveyed to my
understanding; and but that frailty hath examples
for his falling, I should wonder at Angelo. How will
you do to content this substitute and to save your
brother?

...discover his government.
as Friar
That shall not be much amiss. Yet, as
the matter now stands, he will avoid your accusation:
he made trial of you only. Therefore, fasten
your ear on my advisings. To the love I have in doing
good, a remedy presents itself. I do make myself
believe that you may most uprighteously do a poor
wronged lady a merited benefit, redeem your brother
from the angry law, do no stain to your own
gracious person, and much please the absent duke,
if peradventure he shall ever return to have hearing
of this business.

...of my spirit.
as Friar
Virtue is bold, and goodness never
fearful. Have you not heard speak of Mariana, the
sister of Frederick, the great soldier who miscarried
at sea?

...with her name.
as Friar
She should this Angelo have married,
was affianced to her oath, and the nuptial appointed.
Between which time of the contract and
limit of the solemnity, her brother Frederick was
wracked at sea, having in that perished vessel the
dowry of his sister. But mark how heavily this befell
to the poor gentlewoman. There she lost a noble
and renowned brother, in his love toward her ever
most kind and natural; with him, the portion and
sinew of her fortune, her marriage dowry; with
both, her combinate husband, this well-seeming
Angelo.

...so leave her?
as Friar
Left her in her tears and dried not one
of them with his comfort, swallowed his vows
whole, pretending in her discoveries of dishonor; in
few, bestowed her on her own lamentation, which
she yet wears for his sake; and he, a marble to her
tears, is washed with them but relents not.

...can she avail?
as Friar
It is a rupture that you may easily heal,
and the cure of it not only saves your brother, but
keeps you from dishonor in doing it.

...how, good father.
as Friar
This forenamed maid hath yet in her
the continuance of her first affection. His unjust
unkindness, that in all reason should have
quenched her love, hath, like an impediment in the
current, made it more violent and unruly. Go you to
Angelo, answer his requiring with a plausible obedience,
agree with his demands to the point. Only
refer yourself to this advantage: first, that your stay
with him may not be long, that the time may have all
shadow and silence in it, and the place answer to
convenience. This being granted in course, and
now follows all: we shall advise this wronged maid
to stead up your appointment, go in your place. If
the encounter acknowledge itself hereafter, it may
compel him to her recompense; and here, by this, is
your brother saved, your honor untainted, the poor
Mariana advantaged, and the corrupt deputy
scaled. The maid will I frame and make fit for his
attempt. If you think well to carry this as you may,
the doubleness of the benefit defends the deceit
from reproof. What think you of it?

...most prosperous perfection.
as Friar
It lies much in your holding up. Haste
you speedily to Angelo. If for this night he entreat
you to his bed, give him promise of satisfaction. I
will presently to Saint Luke’s. There at the moated
grange resides this dejected Mariana. At that place
call upon me, and dispatch with Angelo that it may
be quickly.

Scene 2

...and white bastard.
as Friar, aside
O heavens, what stuff is here?

...good father friar.
as Friar
And you, good brother father. What
offense hath this man made you, sir?

...to the Deputy.
as Friar, to Pompey
Fie, sirrah, a bawd, a wicked bawd!
The evil that thou causest to be done,
That is thy means to live. Do thou but think
What ’tis to cram a maw or clothe a back
From such a filthy vice; say to thyself,
From their abominable and beastly touches
I drink, I eat, array myself, and live.
Canst thou believe thy living is a life,
So stinkingly depending? Go mend, go mend.

...I would prove—
as Friar
Nay, if the devil have given thee proofs for sin,
Thou wilt prove his.—Take him to prison, officer.
Correction and instruction must both work
Ere this rude beast will profit.

...on his errand.
as Friar
That we were all, as some would seem to be,
From our faults, as faults from seeming, free.

...trick of it?
as Friar, aside
Still thus, and thus; still worse.

...Pompey.—Bless you, friar.
as Friar
And you.

...of the Duke?
as Friar
I know none. Can you tell me of any?

...he, think you?
as Friar
I know not where, but wheresoever, I
wish him well.

...transgression to ’t.
as Friar
He does well in ’t.

...that way, friar.
as Friar
It is too general a vice, and severity
must cure it.

...true, think you?
as Friar
How should he be made, then?

...generative, that’s infallible.
as Friar
You are pleasant, sir, and speak apace.

...him to mercy.
as Friar
I never heard the absent duke much
detected for women. He was not inclined that way.

...you are deceived.
as Friar
’Tis not possible.

...me inform you.
as Friar
You do him wrong, surely.

...of his withdrawing.
as Friar
What, I prithee, might be the cause?

...to be wise.
as Friar
Wise? Why, no question but he was.

...ignorant, unweighing fellow.
as Friar
Either this is envy in you, folly, or
mistaking. The very stream of his life and the
business he hath helmed must, upon a warranted
need, give him a better proclamation. Let him be
but testimonied in his own bringings-forth, and he
shall appear to the envious a scholar, a statesman,
and a soldier. Therefore you speak unskillfully. Or,
if your knowledge be more, it is much darkened in
your malice.

...I love him.
as Friar
Love talks with better knowledge, and
knowledge with dearer love.

...what I know.
as Friar
I can hardly believe that, since you
know not what you speak. But if ever the Duke
return, as our prayers are he may, let me desire you
to make your answer before him. If it be honest you
have spoke, you have courage to maintain it. I am
bound to call upon you, and, I pray you, your name?

...to the Duke.
as Friar
He shall know you better, sir, if I may
live to report you.

...fear you not.
as Friar
O, you hope the Duke will return no
more, or you imagine me too unhurtful an opposite.
But indeed I can do you little harm; you’ll
forswear this again.

...tomorrow or no?
as Friar
Why should he die, sir?

...said so. Farewell.
No might nor greatness in mortality
Can censure scape. Back-wounding calumny
The whitest virtue strikes. What king so strong
Can tie the gall up in the slanderous tongue?
But who comes here?

...even, good father.
as Friar
Bliss and goodness on you.

...whence are you?
as Friar
Not of this country, though my chance is now
To use it for my time. I am a brother
Of gracious order, late come from the See
In special business from his Holiness.

...i’ th’ world?
as Friar
None but that there is so great a fever
on goodness that the dissolution of it must cure it.
Novelty is only in request, and it is as dangerous to
be aged in any kind of course as it is virtuous to be
constant in any undertaking. There is scarce truth
enough alive to make societies secure, but security
enough to make fellowships accursed. Much upon
this riddle runs the wisdom of the world. This news
is old enough, yet it is every day’s news. I pray you,
sir, of what disposition was the Duke?

...to know himself.
as Friar
What pleasure was he given to?

...lent him visitation.
as Friar
He professes to have received no
sinister measure from his judge but most willingly
humbles himself to the determination of justice. Yet
had he framed to himself, by the instruction of his
frailty, many deceiving promises of life, which I, by
my good leisure, have discredited to him, and now
is he resolved to die.

...is indeed Justice.
as Friar
If his own life answer the straitness of
his proceeding, it shall become him well; wherein if
he chance to fail, he hath sentenced himself.

...Fare you well.
as Friar
Peace be with you.
He who the sword of heaven will bear
Should be as holy as severe,
Pattern in himself to know,
Grace to stand, and virtue go;
More nor less to others paying
Than by self-offenses weighing.
Shame to him whose cruel striking
Kills for faults of his own liking.
Twice treble shame on Angelo,
To weed my vice, and let his grow.
O, what may man within him hide,
Though angel on the outward side!
How may likeness made in crimes,
Making practice on the times,
To draw with idle spiders’ strings
Most ponderous and substantial things.
Craft against vice I must apply.
With Angelo tonight shall lie
His old betrothèd but despisèd.
So disguise shall, by th’ disguisèd,
Pay with falsehood false exacting
And perform an old contracting.
He exits.

ACT 4
Scene 1

...sealed in vain.
Enter Duke as a Friar.

...pleased my woe.
as Friar
’Tis good, though music oft hath such a charm
To make bad good and good provoke to harm.
I pray you tell me, hath anybody inquired for me
here today? Much upon this time have I promised
here to meet.

... Enter Isabella.
as Friar
I do constantly believe you. The time is
come even now. I shall crave your forbearance a
little. Maybe I will call upon you anon for some
advantage to yourself.

...bound to you.
as Friar
Very well met, and welcome.
What is the news from this good deputy?

...call upon him.
as Friar
But shall you on your knowledge find this way?

...way twice o’er.
as Friar
Are there no other tokens
Between you ’greed concerning her observance?

...about my brother.
as Friar
’Tis well borne up.
I have not yet made known to Mariana
A word of this.—What ho, within; come forth.

Enter Mariana.
To Mariana.
I pray you be acquainted with this maid.
She comes to do you good.

...desire the like.
as Friar, to Mariana
Do you persuade yourself that I respect you?

...have found it.
as Friar
Take then this your companion by the hand,
Who hath a story ready for your ear.
I shall attend your leisure. But make haste.
The vaporous night approaches.

...you walk aside?
O place and greatness, millions of false eyes
Are stuck upon thee; volumes of report
Run with these false, and, most contrarious, quest
Upon thy doings; thousand escapes of wit
Make thee the father of their idle dream
And rack thee in their fancies.

...Mariana and Isabella.
as Friar
Welcome. How agreed?

...you advise it.
as Friar
It is not my consent
But my entreaty too.

...Fear me not.
as Friar
Nor, gentle daughter, fear you not at all.
He is your husband on a precontract.
To bring you thus together ’tis no sin,
Sith that the justice of your title to him
Doth flourish the deceit. Come, let us go.
Our corn’s to reap, for yet our tithe’s to sow.
They exit.

Scene 2

...most gentle Claudio.
Enter Duke, as a Friar.

... Welcome, father.
as Friar
The best and wholesom’st spirits of the night
Envelop you, good provost. Who called here of late?

...the curfew rung.
as Friar
Not Isabel?

... No.
as Friar
They will, then, ere ’t be long.

...is for Claudio?
as Friar
There’s some in hope.

...a bitter deputy.
as Friar
Not so, not so. His life is paralleled
Even with the stroke and line of his great justice.
He doth with holy abstinence subdue
That in himself which he spurs on his power
To qualify in others. Were he mealed with that
Which he corrects, then were he tyrannous,
But this being so, he’s just.

Knock within.
Now are they come.
This is a gentle provost. Seldom when
The steelèd jailer is the friend of men.
How now, what noise? That spirit’s possessed with haste
That wounds th’ unsisting postern with these strokes.

...is called up.
as Friar
Have you no countermand for Claudio yet,
But he must die tomorrow?

...None, sir, none.
as Friar
As near the dawning, provost, as it is,
You shall hear more ere morning.

...his Lordship’s man.
as Friar
And here comes Claudio’s pardon.

...him.Provost reads message.
aside
This is his pardon, purchased by such sin
For which the pardoner himself is in.
Hence hath offense his quick celerity
When it is borne in high authority.
When vice makes mercy, mercy’s so extended
That for the fault’s love is th’ offender friended.
As Friar.
Now, sir, what news?

...used it before.
as Friar
Pray you let’s hear.

...to this, sir?
as Friar
What is that Barnardine who is to be
executed in th’ afternoon?

...nine years old.
as Friar
How came it that the absent duke had
not either delivered him to his liberty, or executed
him? I have heard it was ever his manner to do so.

...an undoubtful proof.
as Friar
It is now apparent?

...denied by himself.
as Friar
Hath he borne himself penitently in
prison? How seems he to be touched?

...and desperately mortal.
as Friar
He wants advice.

...him at all.
as Friar
More of him anon. There is written in
your brow, provost, honesty and constancy; if I read
it not truly, my ancient skill beguiles me. But in the
boldness of my cunning, I will lay myself in hazard.
Claudio, whom here you have warrant to execute, is
no greater forfeit to the law than Angelo, who hath
sentenced him. To make you understand this in a
manifested effect, I crave but four days’ respite, for
the which you are to do me both a present and a
dangerous courtesy.

...sir, in what?
as Friar
In the delaying death.

...in the smallest.
as Friar
By the vow of mine order I warrant
you, if my instructions may be your guide. Let this
Barnardine be this morning executed and his head
borne to Angelo.

...discover the favor.
as Friar
O, death’s a great disguiser, and you
may add to it. Shave the head and tie the beard, and
say it was the desire of the penitent to be so bared
before his death. You know the course is common.
If anything fall to you upon this, more than thanks
and good fortune, by the saint whom I profess, I
will plead against it with my life.

...against my oath.
as Friar
Were you sworn to the Duke or to the
Deputy?

...to his substitutes.
as Friar
You will think you have made no
offense if the Duke avouch the justice of your
dealing?

...is in that?
as Friar
Not a resemblance, but a certainty; yet
since I see you fearful, that neither my coat, integrity,
nor persuasion can with ease attempt you, I will
go further than I meant, to pluck all fears out of
you. Look you, sir, here is the hand and seal of the
Duke. He shows the Provost a paper.
You know the
character, I doubt not, and the signet is not strange
to you.

...know them both.
as Friar
The contents of this is the return of the
Duke; you shall anon overread it at your pleasure,
where you shall find within these two days he will
be here. This is a thing that Angelo knows not, for
he this very day receives letters of strange tenor,
perchance of the Duke’s death, perchance entering
into some monastery, but by chance nothing of
what is writ. Look, th’ unfolding star calls up the
shepherd. Put not yourself into amazement how
these things should be. All difficulties are but easy
when they are known. Call your executioner, and
off with Barnardine’s head. I will give him a present
shrift, and advise him for a better place. Yet you are
amazed, but this shall absolutely resolve you. He gives the Provost the paper.
Come away; it is almost clear dawn.
They exit.

Scene 3

...the next day.
Enter Duke, as a Friar.

...now, think you?
as Friar, to Barnardine
Sir, induced by my
charity, and hearing how hastily you are to depart, I
am come to advise you, comfort you, and pray with
you.

...day, that’s certain.
as Friar
O, sir, you must. And therefore I
beseech you look forward on the journey you shall
go.

...any man’s persuasion.
as Friar
But hear you—

...not I today.
as Friar
Unfit to live or die. O gravel heart!
After him, fellows; bring him to the block.

...find the prisoner?
as Friar
A creature unprepared, unmeet for death,
And to transport him in the mind he is
Were damnable.

...like to Claudio?
as Friar
O, ’tis an accident that heaven provides!
Dispatch it presently. The hour draws on
Prefixed by Angelo. See this be done
And sent according to command, whiles I
Persuade this rude wretch willingly to die.

...were known alive?
as Friar
Let this be done:
Put them in secret holds, both Barnardine and Claudio.
Ere twice the sun hath made his journal greeting
To yonder generation, you shall find
Your safety manifested.

...your free dependent.
as Friar
Quick, dispatch, and send the head to Angelo.
Now will I write letters to Angelo—
The Provost he shall bear them—whose contents
Shall witness to him I am near at home
And that by great injunctions I am bound
To enter publicly. Him I’ll desire
To meet me at the consecrated fount
A league below the city; and from thence,
By cold gradation and well-balanced form,
We shall proceed with Angelo.

...carry it myself.
as Friar
Convenient is it. Make a swift return,
For I would commune with you of such things
That want no ear but yours.

...ho, be here.
The tongue of Isabel. She’s come to know
If yet her brother’s pardon be come hither.
But I will keep her ignorant of her good
To make her heavenly comforts of despair
When it is least expected.

...by your leave.
as Friar
Good morning to you, fair and gracious daughter.

...my brother’s pardon?
as Friar
He hath released him, Isabel, from the world.
His head is off, and sent to Angelo.

...is not so.
as Friar
It is no other.
Show your wisdom, daughter, in your close patience.

...out his eyes!
as Friar
You shall not be admitted to his sight.

...most damnèd Angelo!
as Friar
This nor hurts him nor profits you a jot.
Forbear it, therefore; give your cause to heaven.
Mark what I say, which you shall find
By every syllable a faithful verity.
The Duke comes home tomorrow—nay, dry your eyes.
One of our convent, and his confessor,
Gives me this instance. Already he hath carried
Notice to Escalus and Angelo,
Who do prepare to meet him at the gates,
There to give up their power. If you can, pace your wisdom
In that good path that I would wish it go,
And you shall have your bosom on this wretch,
Grace of the Duke, revenges to your heart,
And general honor.

...directed by you.
as Friar, showing her a paper
This letter, then, to Friar Peter give.
’Tis that he sent me of the Duke’s return.
Say, by this token, I desire his company
At Mariana’s house tonight. Her cause and yours
I’ll perfect him withal, and he shall bring you
Before the Duke, and to the head of Angelo
Accuse him home and home. For my poor self,
I am combinèd by a sacred vow
And shall be absent. Wend you with this letter. He hands her the paper.
Command these fretting waters from your eyes
With a light heart. Trust not my holy order
If I pervert your course.—Who’s here?

...where’s the Provost?
as Friar
Not within, sir.

...he had lived.
as Friar
Sir, the Duke is marvelous little beholding
to your reports, but the best is, he lives not
in them.

...tak’st him for.
as Friar
Well, you’ll answer this one day. Fare
you well.

...of the Duke.
as Friar
You have told me too many of him
already, sir, if they be true; if not true, none were
enough.

...wench with child.
as Friar
Did you such a thing?

...the rotten medlar.
as Friar
Sir, your company is fairer than honest.
Rest you well.

...I shall stick.
They exit.

Scene 5

...we would not.
Enter Duke and Friar Peter.
giving the Friar papers.
These letters at fit time deliver me.
The Provost knows our purpose and our plot.
The matter being afoot, keep your instruction
And hold you ever to our special drift,
Though sometimes you do blench from this to that
As cause doth minister. Go call at Flavius’ house
And tell him where I stay. Give the like notice
To Valencius, Rowland, and to Crassus,
And bid them bring the trumpets to the gate.
But send me Flavius first.

... Enter Varrius.
I thank thee, Varrius. Thou hast made good haste.
Come, we will walk. There’s other of our friends
Will greet us here anon. My gentle Varrius.
They exit.

ACT 5
Scene 1

...Therefore hence, away.
Enter Duke, Varrius, Lords, Angelo, Escalus, Lucio, Provost, Officers, and Citizens at several doors.
to Angelo
My very worthy cousin, fairly met.
To Escalus.
Our old and faithful friend, we are glad to see you.

...your royal Grace.
Many and hearty thankings to you both.
We have made inquiry of you, and we hear
Such goodness of your justice that our soul
Cannot but yield you forth to public thanks,
Forerunning more requital.

...bonds still greater.
O, your desert speaks loud, and I should wrong it
To lock it in the wards of covert bosom
When it deserves with characters of brass
A forted residence ’gainst the tooth of time
And razure of oblivion. Give me your hand
And let the subject see, to make them know
That outward courtesies would fain proclaim
Favors that keep within.—Come, Escalus,
You must walk by us on our other hand.
And good supporters are you.

...justice, justice, justice.
Relate your wrongs. In what, by whom? Be brief.
Here is Lord Angelo shall give you justice.
Reveal yourself to him.

...strange, and strange?
Nay, it is ten times strange.

...end of reck’ning.
Away with her. Poor soul,
She speaks this in th’ infirmity of sense.

...name for badness.
By mine honesty,
If she be mad—as I believe no other—
Her madness hath the oddest frame of sense,
Such a dependency of thing on thing,
As e’er I heard in madness.

...false seems true.
Many that are not mad
Have, sure, more lack of reason. What would you say?

...That’s he indeed.
to Lucio
You were not bid to speak.

...hold my peace.
I wish you now, then.
Pray you take note of it, and when you have
A business for yourself, pray heaven you then
Be perfect.

...warrant your Honor.
The warrant’s for yourself. Take heed to ’t.

...my tale. Right.
It may be right, but you are i’ the wrong
To speak before your time.—Proceed.

...pernicious caitiff deputy—
That’s somewhat madly spoken.

...to the matter.
Mended again. The matter; proceed.

...poor brother’s head.
This is most likely!

...it is true!
By heaven, fond wretch, thou know’st not what thou speak’st,
Or else thou art suborned against his honor
In hateful practice. First, his integrity
Stands without blemish; next, it imports no reason
That with such vehemency he should pursue
Faults proper to himself. If he had so offended,
He would have weighed thy brother by himself
And not have cut him off. Someone hath set you on.
Confess the truth, and say by whose advice
Thou cam’st here to complain.

...hence unbelievèd go.
I know you’d fain be gone.—An officer!

An Officer comes forward.
To prison with her. Shall we thus permit
A blasting and a scandalous breath to fall
On him so near us? This needs must be a practice.—
Who knew of your intent and coming hither?

...here, Friar Lodowick.
A ghostly father, belike. Who knows that Lodowick?

...swinged him soundly.
Words against me? This’ a good friar, belike.
And to set on this wretched woman here
Against our substitute! Let this friar be found.

...from one ungot.
We did believe no less.
Know you that Friar Lodowick that she speaks of?

...herself confess it.
Good friar, let’s hear it.—
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.Duke and Angelo are seated.


Enter Mariana, veiled.
Is this the witness, friar?
First, let her show her face, and after speak.

...husband bid me.
What, are you married?

...No, my lord.
Are you a maid?

...No, my lord.
A widow, then?

...Neither, my lord.
Why you are nothing, then, neither maid, widow,
nor wife?

...widow, nor wife.
Silence that fellow. I would he had some cause
to prattle for himself.

...be no better.
For the benefit of silence, would thou wert so
too.

...Well, my lord.
This is no witness for Lord Angelo.

...that I know.
No? You say your husband.

...her imagined person.
to Angelo
Know you this woman?

...Carnally, she says.
Sirrah, no more.

...this practice out.
Ay, with my heart,
And punish them to your height of pleasure.—
Thou 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 sealed in approbation?—You, Lord Escalus,
Sit with my cousin; lend him your kind pains
To find out this abuse, whence ’tis derived. The Duke rises. Escalus is seated.
There is another friar that set them on.
Let him be sent for.

...may fetch him.
to Provost
Go, do it instantly.
To Angelo.
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
Well determined upon these slanderers.

...do it throughly.
Duke exits.

...light at midnight.
Enter Duke as a Friar, Provost, and Isabella, with Officers.

...confessed you did.
as Friar
’Tis false.

...where you are?
as Friar
Respect to your great place, and let the devil
Be sometime honored for his burning throne.
Where is the Duke? ’Tis he should hear me speak.

...you speak justly.
as Friar
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 unjust
Thus to retort your manifest appeal,
And put your trial in the villain’s mouth
Which here you come to accuse.

...purpose. What? “Unjust”?
as Friar
Be not so hot. The Duke
Dare no more stretch this finger of mine than he
Dare rack his own. His subject am I not,
Nor here provincial. My business in this state
Made me a looker-on here in Vienna,
Where I have seen corruption boil and bubble
Till it o’errun the stew. Laws for all faults,
But faults so countenanced that the strong statutes
Stand like the forfeits in a barber’s shop,
As much in mock as mark.

...you know me?
as Friar
I remember you, sir, by the sound of
your voice. I met you at the prison in the absence of
the Duke.

...of the Duke?
as Friar
Most notedly, sir.

...him to be?
as Friar
You must, sir, change persons with me
ere you make that my report. You indeed spoke so
of him, and much more, much worse.

...for thy speeches?
as Friar
I protest I love the Duke as I love
myself.

...other confederate companion.
Provost seizes the disguised Duke.
as Friar
Stay, sir, stay awhile.

...’t not off?
He pulls off the friar’s hood, and reveals the Duke.

...and Escalus stand.
Thou art the first knave that e’er mad’st a duke.—
First, provost, let me bail these gentle three.
To Lucio.
Sneak not away, sir, for the friar and you
Must have a word anon.—Lay hold on him.

...worse than hanging.
to Escalus
What you have spoke I pardon. Sit you down.
We’ll borrow place of him. To Angelo.
Sir, by your leave.
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.

...grace I beg.
Come hither, Mariana.

Mariana stands and comes forward.
To Angelo.
Say, wast thou e’er contracted to this woman?

...was, my lord.
Go take her hence and marry her instantly.
To Friar Peter.
Do you the office, friar, which consummate,
Return him here again.—Go with him, provost.

...strangeness of it.
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
Attorneyed at your service.

...Your unknown sovereignty.
You are pardoned, 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 obscured myself,
Laboring to save his life, and would not rather
Make rash remonstrance of my hidden power
Than let him so be lost. O most kind maid,
It was the swift celerity of his death,
Which I did think with slower foot came on,
That brained my purpose. But peace be with him.
That life is better life past fearing death
Than that which lives to fear. Make it your comfort,
So happy is your brother.

...Peter, and Provost.
For this new-married man approaching here,
Whose salt imagination yet hath wronged
Your well-defended honor, you must pardon
For Mariana’s sake. But as he adjudged your brother—
Being criminal in double violation
Of sacred chastity and of promise-breach
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;
Like doth quit like, and measure still for measure.—
Then, Angelo, thy fault’s thus manifested,
Which, though thou wouldst deny, denies thee vantage.
We do condemn thee to the very block
Where Claudio stooped to death, and with like haste.—
Away with him.

...with a husband.
It is your husband mocked you with a husband.
Consenting to the safeguard of your honor,
I thought your marriage fit. Else imputation,
For that he knew you, might reproach your life
And choke your good to come. For his possessions,
Although by confiscation they are ours,
We do instate and widow you with all
To buy you a better husband.

...no better man.
Never crave him. We are definitive.

...Gentle my liege—
You do but lose your labor.—
Away with him to death. To Lucio.
Now, sir, to you.

...do you service.
Against all sense you do importune her.
Should she kneel down in mercy of this fact,
Her brother’s ghost his pavèd bed would break
And take her hence in horror.

...lend a knee?
He dies for Claudio’s death.

...Merely, my lord.
Your suit’s unprofitable. Stand up, I say.

They stand.
I have bethought me of another fault.—
Provost, how came it Claudio was beheaded
At an unusual hour?

...was commanded so.
Had you a special warrant for the deed?

...by private message.
For which I do discharge you of your office.
Give up your keys.

...have reserved alive.
What’s he?

...name is Barnardine.
I would thou hadst done so by Claudio.
Go fetch him hither. Let me look upon him.

...muffled, and Juliet.
to Provost
Which is that Barnardine?

...my lord.
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 condemned.
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?

...He unmuffles Claudio.
to Isabella
If he be like your brother, for his sake
Is he pardoned; 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.
To Lucio.
You, sirrah, that knew me for a fool, a coward,
One all of luxury, an ass, a madman.
Wherein have I so deserved of you
That you extol me thus?

...might be whipped.
Whipped first, sir, and hanged after.—
Proclaim it, provost, round about the city,
If any woman wronged 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 finished,
Let him be whipped and hanged.

...me a cuckold.
Upon mine honor, thou shalt marry her.
Thy slanders I forgive and therewithal
Remit thy other forfeits.—Take him to prison,
And see our pleasure herein executed.

...whipping, and hanging.
Slandering a prince deserves it.
She, Claudio, that you wronged, look you restore.—
Joy to you, Mariana.—Love her, Angelo.
I have confessed 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.
Th’ offense 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.
They exit.