ARKCODEX
Act V, Scene 1
1The city gate.
2Mariana veiled, Isabella, and Friar Peter, at their stand. Enter Duke, Varrius, Lords, Angelo, Escalus, Lucio, Provost, Officers, and Citizens, at several doors.
3DukeMy very worthy cousin, fairly met!
Our old and faithful friend, we are glad to see you.
4Angelo
Escalus Happy return be to your royal grace!
5DukeMany 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.
6AngeloYou make my bonds still greater.
7DukeO, 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
Favours that keep within. Come, Escalus,
You must walk by us on our other hand;
And good supporters are you.
8Friar Peter and Isabella come forward.
9Friar PeterNow is your time: speak loud and kneel before him.
10IsabellaJustice, O royal duke! Vail your regard
Upon a wrong’d, I would fain have said, a maid!
O worthy prince, dishonour not your eye
By throwing it on any other object
Till you have heard me in my true complaint
And given me justice, justice, justice, justice!
11DukeRelate your wrongs; in what? by whom? be brief.
Here is Lord Angelo shall give you justice:
Reveal yourself to him.
12IsabellaO worthy duke,
You bid me seek redemption of the devil:
Hear me yourself; for that which I must speak
Must either punish me, not being believed,
Or wring redress from you. Hear me, O hear me, here!
13AngeloMy lord, her wits, I fear me, are not firm:
She hath been a suitor to me for her brother
Cut off by course of justice—
14IsabellaBy course of justice!
15AngeloAnd she will speak most bitterly and strange.
16IsabellaMost strange, but yet most truly, will I speak:
That Angelo’s forsworn; is it not strange?
That Angelo’s a murderer; is’t not strange?
That Angelo is an adulterous thief,
An hypocrite, a virgin-violator;
Is it not strange and strange?
17DukeNay, it is ten times strange.
18IsabellaIt is not truer he is Angelo
Than this is all as true as it is strange:
Nay, it is ten times true; for truth is truth
To the end of reckoning.
19DukeAway with her! Poor soul,
She speaks this in the infirmity of sense.
20IsabellaO prince, I conjure thee, as thou believest
There is another comfort than this world,
That thou neglect me not, with that opinion
That I am touch’d with madness! Make not impossible
That which but seems unlike: ’tis not impossible
But one, the wicked’st caitiff on the ground,
May seem as shy, as grave, as just, as absolute
As Angelo; even so may Angelo,
In all his dressings, characts, titles, forms,
Be an arch-villain; believe it, royal prince:
If he be less, he’s nothing; but he’s more,
Had I more name for badness.
21DukeBy 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.
22IsabellaO gracious duke,
Harp not on that, nor do not banish reason
For inequality; but let your reason serve
To make the truth appear where it seems hid,
And hide the false seems true.
23DukeMany that are not mad
Have, sure, more lack of reason. What would you say?
24IsabellaI am the sister of one Claudio,
Condemn’d upon the act of fornication
To lose his head; condemn’d by Angelo:
I, in probation of a sisterhood,
Was sent to by my brother; one Lucio
As then the messenger—
25LucioThat’s I, an’t like your grace:
I came to her from Claudio, and desired her
To try her gracious fortune with Lord Angelo
For her poor brother’s pardon.
26IsabellaThat’s he indeed.
27DukeYou were not bid to speak.
28LucioNo, my good lord;
Nor wish’d to hold my peace.
29DukeI wish you now, then;
Pray you, take note of it: and when you have
A business for yourself, pray heaven you then
Be perfect.
30LucioI warrant your honour.
31DukeThe warrant’s for yourself; take heed to’t.
32IsabellaThis gentleman told somewhat of my tale—
33LucioRight.
34DukeIt may be right; but you are i’ the wrong
To speak before your time. Proceed.
35IsabellaI went
To this pernicious caitiff deputy—
36DukeThat’s somewhat madly spoken.
37IsabellaPardon it;
The phrase is to the matter.
38DukeMended again. The matter; proceed.
39IsabellaIn brief, to set the needless process by,
How I persuaded, how I pray’d, and kneel’d,
How he refell’d me, and how I replied—
For this was of much length—the vile conclusion
I now begin with grief and shame to utter:
He would not, but by gift of my chaste body
To his concupiscible intemperate lust,
Release my brother; and, after much debatement,
My sisterly remorse confutes mine honour,
And I did yield to him: but the next morn betimes,
His purpose surfeiting, he sends a warrant
For my poor brother’s head.
40DukeThis is most likely!
41IsabellaO, that it were as like as it is true!
42DukeBy heaven, fond wretch, thou know’st not what thou speak’st,
Or else thou art suborn’d against his honour
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 weigh’d thy brother by himself
And not have cut him off. Some one hath set you on:
Confess the truth, and say by whose advice
Thou camest here to complain.
43IsabellaAnd is this all?
Then, O you blessed ministers above,
Keep me in patience, and with ripen’d time
Unfold the evil which is here wrapt up
In countenance! Heaven shield your grace from woe,
As I, thus wrong’d, hence unbelieved go!
44DukeI know you’ld fain be gone. An officer!
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?
45IsabellaOne that I would were here, Friar Lodowick.
46DukeA ghostly father, belike. Who knows that Lodowick?
47LucioMy lord, I know him; ’tis a meddling friar;
I do not like the man: had he been lay, my lord,
For certain words he spake against your grace
In your retirement, I had swinged him soundly.
48DukeWords against me! this is a good friar, belike!
And to set on this wretched woman here
Against our substitute! Let this friar be found.
49LucioBut yesternight, my lord, she and that friar,
I saw them at the prison: a saucy friar,
A very scurvy fellow.
50Friar PeterBlessed be your royal grace!
I have stood by, my lord, and I have heard
Your royal ear abused. First, hath this woman
Most wrongfully accused your substitute,
Who is as free from touch or soil with her
As she from one ungot.
51DukeWe did believe no less.
Know you that Friar Lodowick that she speaks of?
52Friar PeterI know him for a man divine and holy;
Not scurvy, nor a temporary meddler,
As he’s reported by this gentleman;
And, on my trust, a man that never yet
Did, as he vouches, misreport your grace.
53LucioMy lord, most villainously; believe it.
54Friar PeterWell, he in time may come to clear himself;
But at this instant he is sick my lord,
Of a strange fever. Upon his mere request,
Being come to knowledge that there was complaint
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
And all probation will make up full clear,
Whensoever he’s convented. First, for this woman,
To justify this worthy nobleman,
So vulgarly and personally accused,
Her shall you hear disproved to her eyes,
Till she herself confess it.
55DukeGood 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.
56MarianaPardon, my lord; I will not show my face
Until my husband bid me.
57DukeWhat, are you married?
58MarianaNo, my lord.
59DukeAre you a maid?
60MarianaNo, my lord.
61DukeA widow, then?
62MarianaNeither, my lord.
63DukeWhy, you are nothing then: neither maid, widow, nor wife?
64LucioMy lord, she may be a punk; for many of them are neither maid, widow, nor wife.
65DukeSilence that fellow: I would he had some cause
To prattle for himself.
66LucioWell, my lord.
67MarianaMy 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.
68LucioHe was drunk then, my lord: it can be no better.
69DukeFor the benefit of silence, would thou wert so too!
70LucioWell, my lord.
71DukeThis is no witness for Lord Angelo.
72MarianaNow I come to’t my lord:
She that accuses him of fornication,
In self-same manner doth accuse my husband,
And charges him, my lord, with such a time
When I’ll depose I had him in mine arms
With all the effect of love.
73AngeloCharges she more than me?
74MarianaNot that I know.
75DukeNo? you say your husband.
76MarianaWhy, just, my lord, and that is Angelo,
Who thinks he knows that he ne’er knew my body,
But knows he thinks that he knows Isabel’s.
77AngeloThis is a strange abuse. Let’s see thy face.
78MarianaMy husband bids me; now I will unmask. Unveiling.
This is that face, thou cruel Angelo,
Which once thou sworest was worth the looking on;
This is the hand which, with a vow’d contract,
Was fast belock’d in thine; this is the body
That took away the match from Isabel,
And did supply thee at thy garden-house
In her imagined person.
79DukeKnow you this woman?
80LucioCarnally, she says.
81DukeSirrah, no more!
82LucioEnough, my lord.
83AngeloMy lord, I must confess I know this woman:
And five years since there was some speech of marriage
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 her,
Upon my faith and honour.
84MarianaNoble prince,
As there comes light from heaven and words from breath,
As there is sense in truth and truth in virtue,
I am affianced this man’s wife as strongly
As words could make up vows: and, my good lord,
But Tuesday night last gone in’s garden-house
He knew me as a wife. As this is true,
Let me in safety raise me from my knees;
Or else for ever be confixed here,
A marble monument!
85AngeloI did but smile till now:
Now, good my lord, give me the scope of justice;
My patience here is touch’d. I do perceive
These poor informal women are no more
But instruments of some more mightier member
That sets them on: let me have way, my lord,
To find this practice out.
86DukeAy, 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 seal’d in approbation? You, Lord Escalus,
Sit with my cousin; lend him your kind pains
To find out this abuse, whence ’tis derived.
There is another friar that set them on;
Let him be sent for.
87Friar PeterWould 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.
88DukeGo 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 well determined
Upon these slanderers.
89EscalusMy lord, we’ll do it throughly. Exit Duke. Signior Lucio, did not you say you knew that Friar Lodowick to be a dishonest person?
90Lucio“Cucullus non facit monachum:” honest in nothing but in his clothes; and one that hath spoke most villainous speeches of the duke.
91EscalusWe shall entreat you to abide here till he come and enforce them against him: we shall find this friar a notable fellow.
92LucioAs any in Vienna, on my word.
93EscalusCall that same Isabel here once again: I would speak with her. Exit an Attendant. Pray you, my lord, give me leave to question; you shall see how I’ll handle her.
94LucioNot better than he, by her own report.
95EscalusSay you?
96LucioMarry, sir, I think, if you handled her privately, she would sooner confess: perchance, publicly, she’ll be ashamed.
97EscalusI will go darkly to work with her.
98LucioThat’s the way; for women are light at midnight.
99Reenter Officers with Isabella; and Provost with the Duke in his friar’s habit.
100EscalusCome on, mistress: here’s a gentlewoman denies all that you have said.
101LucioMy lord, here comes the rascal I spoke of; here with the provost.
102EscalusIn very good time: speak not you to him till we call upon you.
103LucioMum.
104EscalusCome, sir: did you set these women on to slander Lord Angelo? they have confessed you did.
105Duke’Tis false.
106EscalusHow! know you where you are?
107DukeRespect 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.
108EscalusThe duke’s in us; and we will hear you speak:
Look you speak justly.
109DukeBoldly, 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.
110LucioThis is the rascal; this is he I spoke of.
111EscalusWhy, thou unreverend and unhallow’d friar,
Is’t not enough thou hast suborn’d these women
To accuse this worthy man, but, in foul mouth
And in the witness of his proper ear,
To call him villain? and then to glance from him
To the duke himself, to tax him with injustice?
Take him hence; to the rack with him! We’ll touse you
Joint by joint, but we will know his purpose.
What “unjust”!
112DukeBe 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’er-run 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.
113EscalusSlander to the state! Away with him to prison!
114AngeloWhat can you vouch against him, Signior Lucio?
Is this the man that you did tell us of?
115Lucio’Tis he, my lord. Come hither, goodman baldpate: do you know me?
116DukeI remember you, sir, by the sound of your voice: I met you at the prison, in the absence of the duke.
117LucioO, did you so? And do you remember what you said of the duke?
118DukeMost notedly, sir.
119LucioDo you so, sir? And was the duke a fleshmonger, a fool, and a coward, as you then reported him to be?
120DukeYou must, sir, change persons with me, ere you make that my report: you, indeed, spoke so of him; and much more, much worse.
121LucioO thou damnable fellow! Did not I pluck thee by the nose for thy speeches?
122DukeI protest I love the duke as I love myself.
123AngeloHark, how the villain would close now, after his treasonable abuses!
124EscalusSuch a fellow is not to be talked 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!
125DukeTo Provost. Stay, sir; stay awhile.
126AngeloWhat, resists he? Help him, Lucio.
127LucioCome, sir; come, sir; 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 sheep-biting face, and be hanged an hour! Will’t not off? Pulls off the friar’s hood, and discovers the Duke.
128DukeThou art the first knave that e’er madest 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.
129LucioThis may prove worse than hanging.
130DukeTo 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.
131AngeloO my dread lord,
I should be guiltier than my guiltiness,
To think I can be undiscernible,
When I perceive your grace, like power divine,
Hath look’d upon my passes. Then, good prince,
No longer session hold upon my shame,
But let my trial be mine own confession:
Immediate sentence then and sequent death
Is all the grace I beg.
132DukeCome hither, Mariana.
Say, wast thou e’er contracted to this woman?
133AngeloI was, my lord.
134DukeGo 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, Friar Peter and Provost.
135EscalusMy lord, I am more amazed at his dishonour
Than at the strangeness of it.
136DukeCome 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.
137IsabellaO, give me pardon,
That I, your vassal, have employ’d and pain’d
Your unknown sovereignty!
138DukeYou 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 obscured myself,
Labouring 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 brain’d 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.
139IsabellaI do, my lord.
140Reenter Angelo, Mariana, Friar Peter, and Provost.
141DukeFor this new-married man approaching here,
Whose salt imagination yet hath wrong’d
Your well defended honour, 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 stoop’d to death, and with like haste.
Away with him!
142MarianaO my most gracious lord,
I hope you will not mock me with a husband.
143DukeIt is your husband mock’d you with a husband.
Consenting to the safeguard of your honour,
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 withal,
To buy you a better husband.
144MarianaO my dear lord,
I crave no other, nor no better man.
145DukeNever crave him; we are definitive.
146MarianaGentle my liege—Kneeling.
147DukeYou do but lose your labour.
Away with him to death! To Lucio. Now, sir, to you.
148MarianaO my good lord! Sweet Isabel, take my part;
Lend me your knees, and all my life to come
I’ll lend you all my life to do you service.
149DukeAgainst all sense you do importune her:
Should she kneel down in mercy of this fact,
Her brother’s ghost his paved bed would break,
And take her hence in horror.
150MarianaIsabel,
Sweet Isabel, do yet but kneel by me;
Hold up your hands, say nothing; I’ll speak all.
They say, best men are moulded out of faults;
And, for the most, become much more the better
For being a little bad: so may my husband.
O Isabel, will you not lend a knee?
151DukeHe dies for Claudio’s death.
152IsabellaMost bounteous sir, Kneeling.
Look, if it please you, on this man condemn’d,
As if my brother lived: 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.
153MarianaMerely, my lord.
154DukeYour 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?
155ProvostIt was commanded so.
156DukeHad you a special warrant for the deed?
157ProvostNo, my good lord; it was by private message.
158DukeFor which I do discharge you of your office:
Give up your keys.
159ProvostPardon 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 reserved alive.
160DukeWhat’s he?
161ProvostHis name is Barnardine.
162DukeI would thou hadst done so by Claudio.
Go fetch him hither; let me look upon him. Exit Provost.
163EscalusI 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 judgment afterward.
164AngeloI 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.
165Reenter Provost, with Barnardine, Claudio muffled, and Juliet.
166DukeWhich is that Barnardine?
167ProvostThis, my lord.
168DukeThere 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 squarest 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?
169ProvostThis is another prisoner that I saved,
Who should have died when Claudio lost his head;
As like almost to Claudio as himself. Unmuffles Claudio.
170DukeTo Isabella. If he be like your brother, for his sake
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 quickening 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?
171Lucio’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 whipt.
172DukeWhipt first, sir, and hanged after.
Proclaim it, provost, round about the city,
Is any woman 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 whipt and hang’d.
173LucioI 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.
174DukeUpon 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.
175LucioMarrying a punk, my lord, is pressing to death, whipping, and hanging.
176DukeSlandering a prince deserves it. Exit Officers with Lucio.
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 shill 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.