I have kept it myself; and see how he goes about to abuse me! ESCALUS That fellow is a fellow of much licence:
let him be called before us. Away with her to prison! Go to;no more words.
Exeunt Officers with MISTRESS OVERDONE
Provost, my brother Angelo will not be altered;Claudio must die to-morrow: let him be furnished with divines, and have all charitable preparation.
if my brother wrought by my pity, it should not be so with him. Provost So please you, this friar hath been with him, and advised him for the entertainment of death. ESCALUS Good even, good father. DUKE VINCENTIO Bliss and goodness on you! ESCALUS Of whence are you? DUKE VINCENTIO 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. ESCALUS What news abroad i' the world? DUKE VINCENTIO 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 accurst:
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? ESCALUS One that, above all other strifes, contended especially to know himself. DUKE VINCENTIO What pleasure was he given to? ESCALUS Rather rejoicing to see another merry, than merry at any thing which professed to make him rejoice:
a gentleman of all temperance. But leave we him to his events, with a prayer they may prove prosperous;and let me desire to know how you find Claudio prepared. I am made to understand that you have lent him visitation. DUKE VINCENTIO 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. ESCALUS You have paid the heavens your function, and the prisoner the very debt of your calling. I have laboured for the poor gentleman to the extremest shore of my modesty: but my brother justice have I found so severe, that he hath forced me to tell him he is indeed Justice. DUKE VINCENTIO 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. ESCALUS I am going to visit the prisoner. Fare you well. DUKE VINCENTIO Peace be with you!
Exeunt ESCALUS and Provost 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-offences 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 practise on the times, To draw with idle spiders' strings Most ponderous and substantial things!
Craft against vice I must apply:
With Angelo to-night shall lie His old betrothed but despised;So disguise shall, by the disguised, Pay with falsehood false exacting, And perform an old contracting.
