Provost, how came it Claudio was beheaded At an unusual hour? Provost It was commanded so. DUKE VINCENTIO Had you a special warrant for the deed? Provost No, my good lord; it was by private message. DUKE VINCENTIO For which I do discharge you of your office:
Give up your keys. Provost Pardon 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. DUKE VINCENTIO What's he? Provost His name is Barnardine. DUKE VINCENTIO I would thou hadst done so by Claudio.
Go fetch him hither; let me look upon him.
Exit Provost ESCALUS I 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. ANGELO I 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.
Re-enter Provost, with BARNARDINE, CLAUDIO muffled, and JULIET DUKE VINCENTIO Which is that Barnardine? Provost This, my lord. DUKE VINCENTIO 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 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? Provost This is another prisoner that I saved.
Who should have died when Claudio lost his head;As like almost to Claudio as himself.
Unmuffles CLAUDIO DUKE VINCENTIO [To 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? LUCIO '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. DUKE VINCENTIO Whipt 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. LUCIO I 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. DUKE VINCENTIO Upon 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. LUCIO Marrying a punk, my lord, is pressing to death, whipping, and hanging. DUKE VINCENTIO Slandering a prince deserves it.
Exit Officers with LUCIO
She, Claudio, that you wrong'd, look you restore.
Joy to you, Mariana! Love her, Angelo:
