I never fpake with her, faw her, nor heard from her, Upon my faith and honour. Mari. Noble Prince, As there comes light from heav'n, and words from breath, As there is fenfe 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, But Tuesday night laft gone, in's garden-house, He knew me as a wife; as this is true, Let me in fafety raise me from my knees; A marble monument. Ang. I did but fmile 'till now. Now, good my Lord, give me the fcope of juftice; My patience here is touch'd; I do perceive, Thefe poor informal women are no more But inftruments of fome more mightier member, Duke. Ay, with my heart; And punish them unto your height of pleasure. Peter. Would he were here, my Lord; for he, indeed, Hath fet the women on to this complaint. Your Provost knows the place, where he abides; Duke. Go, do it instantly. And you, my noble and well-warranted coufin, In any chastisement: I for a while Will leave you; but ftir not you, 'till you have well Determined upon thefe flanderers. [Exit. Efcal. My Lord, we'll do it throughly. Signior Lucio, did not you fay, you knew that Friar Lodowick to be a difhoneft perfan? Lucio. Cucullus non facit monachum; honeft in nothing, but in his cloaths; and one that hath spoke most villanous fpeeches of the Duke. Efcal. We hall intreat you to abide here 'till he come, and inforce them against him; we fhall find this. Friar a notable fellow. Lucio. As any in Vienna, on my word. Efcal. Call that fame Isabel here once again: I would fpeak with her: pray you, my Lord, give me leave to quetion; you fhall fee how I'll handle her. Lucio. Not better than he, by her own report. Efcal Say you? Lucio. Marry, Sir, I think, if you handled her privately, fhe fhould fooner confefs; perchance, publickly fhe'll be asham'd. Enter Duke in the Friar's Habit, and Provost ; Isabella is brought in. Efcal. I will go darkly to work with her. Lucio. That's the way; for women are light at midsight. Ejcal. Come on, miftrefs: here's a gentlewoman denies all that you have said. Lucio. My Lord, here comes the rafcal I spoke of here with the Provost. Efcal. In very good time: speak not you to him, 'tilk we call upon you. Lucio. Mum. Efcal. Come, Sir, did you fet thefe women on to fander Lord Angelo? they have confefs'd you did. Duke. "Tis falfe. Efcal. How? know you where you are? Duke. Refpect to your great place ;, and let the devi $ 2. Be Be fometime honour'd for his burning throne. Duke. Boldly, at leaft. But, oh, poor fouls, And put your trial in the villain's mouth, Lucio. This is the rafcal; this is he, I spoke of. To call him villain; and then glance from him Duke. Be not fo hot; the Duke dare no more ftretch Nor here provincial; my bufinefs in this ftate Where I have feen corruption boil and bubble, As much in mock as mark. Efcal. Slander to th' ftate! away with him to prifon. Ang. What can you vouch against him, fignior 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 found of your voice. I met you at the prison in the abfence of the Duke. Lucia Lucio. Oh, did you fo? and do you remember what you faid of the Duke? Duke. Moft notedly, Sir. Lucio. Do you fo, Sir? and was the Duke a fleshmonger, a fool, and a coward, as you then reported. him to be? Duke. You muft, Sir, change perfons with me, ere you make that my report: you spoke fo of him, and much more, much worse. Lucio. Oh thou damnable fellow! did not I pluck thee by the nofe, for thy. fpeeches? Duke. I proteft, I love the Duke as I love myself. Ang. Hark! how the villain would close now, after his treasonable abuses. Efcal. Such a fellow is not to be talk'd withal; away with him to prifon: where is the Provoft? away with him to prifon; lay bolts enough upon him; lets him fpeak no more; away with thofe giglets toe, and: with the other confederate companion.. Duke. Stay, Sir, stay awhile.. Ang. What! refifts he? help him, Lucis.. Lucio. Come, Sir; come, Sir; come, Sir; foh, Sir; why, you bald-pated lying rafcal; you must be hooded, muft you? fhow your knave's vifage,, with a pox to you; how your fheep-biting face, and be hang'd an hour: will't not off? [Pulls off the Friar's hood, and discovers the Dake. That yet can do thee office? if thou haft,, And hold no longer out. T $. 35 Ang. O my dread Lord, I fhould be guiltier than my guiltinefs, When I perceive your Grace, like pow'r divine, Duke. Come hither, Mariana: Say; waft thou e'er contracted to this woman? Duke. Go take her hence, and marry her instantly. [Exeunt Angelo, Mariana, Peter, and Provof.. Efcal. My Lord, I am more amaz'd at his dishonour, Than at the ftrangeness of it. Duke. Come hither, Isabel; Your Friar is now your Prince as I was then. Not changing heart with habit, I am still Ifab. Oh, give me pardon, That I, your vaffal, have employ'd and pain'd Duke. You are pardon'd, Isabel: And now, dear maid, be you as free to us. Than that which lives to fear: make it your comfort; Enter |