Escalus Angelo : There is a kinde of Character in thy life , That to th ’ obseruer , doth thy history Haile to you , Prouost , so I thinke you are Bound by my charity , and my blest order , I come to visite the afflicted spirits Here in the prison : doe 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 There rest : Your partner must die to morrow , And I am going with instruction to him : Grace goe with you , Benedicite . Be absolute for death : either death or life Shall thereby be the sweeter . Reason thus with life : If I do loose thee , I do loose a thing That none but fooles would keepe : a breath thou art , Seruile to all the skyie-influences That dost this habitation where thou keepst Deere sir , ere long Ile visit you againe Prouost , a word with you Bring them to heare me speak , where I may be conceal 'd Son , I haue ouer-heard what hath past between you & your sister . Angelo had neuer the purpose to corrupt her ; onely he hath made an assay of her vertue , to practise his iudgement with the disposition of natures . Shehath made him that gracious deniall , which he is most glad to receiue : I am Confessor to Angelo , and I know this to be true , therfore prepare your selfe to death : do not satisfie your resolution with hopes that are fallible , to morrow you must die , goe to your knees , and make ready Hold you there : farewell : Prouost , a word with you That shall not be much amisse : yet , as the matter now stands , he will auoid your accusation : he made triall of you onelie . Therefore fasten your eare on my aduisings , to the loue I haue in doing good ; a remedie presents it selfe . I doe make my selfe beleeue that you may most vprighteously do a poor wronged Lady a merited benefit ; redeem your brother from the angry Law ; doe no staine to your owne gracious person , and much please the absent Duke , if peraduenture he shall euer returne to haue hearing of this businesse Vertue is bold , and goodnes neuer fearefull : Haue you not heard speake of Mariana the sister of Fredericke the great Souldier , who miscarried at Sea ? Shee should this Angelo haue married : was affianced to her oath , and the nuptiall appointed : between which time of the contract , and limit of the solemnitie , her brother Fredericke was wrackt at Sea , hauing in that perished vessell , the dowry of his sister : but marke how heauily this befell to the poore Gentlewoman , there she lost a noble and renowned brother , in his loue toward her , euer most kinde and naturall : with him the portion and sinew of her fortune , her marriage dowry : with both , her combynate-husband , this well-seeming Angelo Left her in her teares , & dried not one of them with his comfort : swallowed his vowes whole , pretending in her , discoueries of dishonor : in few , bestow 'd her on her owne lamentation , which she yet weares for his sake : and he , a marble to her teares , is washed with them , but relents not It is a rupture that you may easily heale : and the cure of it not onely saues your brother , but keepes you from dishonor in doing it Fie , sirrah , a Bawd , a wicked bawd , The euill that thou causest to be done , That is thy meanes to liue . Do thou but thinke What ‘ tis to cram a maw , or cloath a backe From such a filthie vice : say to thy selfe , From their abhominable and beastly touches I drinke , I eate away my selfe , and liue : Canst thou beleeue thy liuing is a life , So stinkingly depending ? Go mend , go mend Nay , if the diuell haue giuen thee proofs for sin Thou wilt proue his . Take him to prison Officer : Correction , and Instruction must both worke Ere this rude beast will profit That we were all , as some would seeme to bee From our faults , as faults from seeming free . Still thus , and thus : still worse ? And you I know none : can you tell me of any ? I know not where : but wheresoeuer , I wish him well He do 's well i n't How should he be made then ? You are pleasant sir , and speake apace I neuer heard the absent Duke much detected for Women , he was not enclin 'd that way ‘ Tis not possible You do him wrong , surely Whatmight be the cause ? Wise ? Why no question but he was Either this is Enuie in you , Folly , or mistaking : The very streame of his life , and the businesse he hath helmed , must vppon a warranted neede , giue him a better proclamation . Let him be but testimonied in his owne bringings forth , and hee shall appeare to the enuious , a Scholler , a Statesman , and a Soldier : therefore you speake vnskilfully : or , if your knowledge bee more , it is much darkned in your malice Loue talkes with better knowledge , & knowledge with deare loue I can hardly beleeue that , since you know not what you speake . But if euer the Duke returnelet mee desire you to make your answer before him : if it bee honest you haue spoke , you haue courage to maintaine it ; I am bound to call vppon you , and I pray you your name ? He shall know you better Sir , if I may liue to report you O , you hope the Duke will returne no more : or you imagine me to vnhurtfull an opposite : but indeed I can doe you little harme : You 'll for-sweare this againe ? Why should he die Sir ? No might , nor greatnesse in mortality Can censure scape : Back-wounding calumnie The whitest vertue strikes . What King so strong , Can tie the gall vp in the slanderous tong ? But who comes heere ? Blisse , and goodnesse on you Not of this Countrie , though my chance is now To vse it for my time : I am a brother Of gracious Order , late come from the Sea , In speciall businesse from his Holinesse None , but that there is so great a Feauor on goodnesse , that the dissolution of it must cure it . Noueltie is onely in request , and as it is as dangerous to be aged in any kinde of course , as it is vertuous to be constant in any vndertaking . There is scarse truth enough aliue to make Societies secure , but Securitie enough to make Fellowships accurst : Much vpon this riddle runs the wisedome of the world : This newes is old enough , yet it is euerie daies newes . I pray you Sir , of what disposition was the Duke ? What pleasure was he giuen to ? He professes to haue receiued no sinister measure from his Iudge , but most willingly humbles himselfe to the determination of Iustice : yet had he framed to himselfemanie deceyuing promises of life , which Ihaue discredited to him , and now is he resolu 'd to die If his owne life , Answere the straitnesse of his proceeding , It shall become him well : wherein if he chance to faile he hath sentenc 'd himselfe Esc I am going to visit the prisoner , Fare you well Peace be with you . He who the sword of Heauen will beare , Should be as holy , as seueare : Patterne in himselfe to know , Grace to stand , and Vertue go : More , nor lesse to others paying , Then by selfe-offences weighing . Shame to him , whose cruell striking , Kils for faults of his owne liking : Twice trebble shame on Angelo , To weede my vice , and let his grow . Oh , what may Man within him hide , Though Angel on the outward side ? How may likenesse made in crimes , Making practise on the Times , To draw with ydle Spiders strings Most ponderous and substantiall things ? Craft against vice , I must applie . With Angelo to night shall lye His old betroathed So disguise shall by th ’ disguised Pay with falshood , false exacting , And performe an olde contracting . Take then this your companion by the hand Who hath a storie readie for your eare : I shall attend your leisure , but make haste The vaporous night approaches Oh Place , and greatnes : millions of false eies Are stucke vpon thee : volumes of report Run with these false , and most contrarious Quest Vpon thy doings : thousand escapes of wit Make thee the father of their idle dreame , And racke thee in their fancies . Welcome , how agreed ? It is not my consent , But my entreaty too The best , and wholsomst spirits of the night , Inuellop you , good Prouost : who call 'd heere of late ? Not Isabell ? They will then er't be long There 's some in hope Not so , not so : his life is paralel 'd Euen with the stroke and line of his great Iustice : He doth with holie abstinence subdue That in himselfe , which he spurres on his powre To qualifie in others : were he meal 'd with that Which he corrects , then were he tirrannous , But this being so , he 's iust . Now are they come . This is a gentle Prouost , sildome when The steeled Gaoler is the friend of men : How now ? what noise ? That spirit 's possest with hast , That wounds th ’ vnsisting Posterne with these strokes Haue you no countermand for Claudio yet ? But he must die to morrow ? As neere the dawning Prouost , as it is , You shall heare more ere Morning This is his Lords man This is his Pardon purchas 'd by such sin , For which the Pardoner himselfe is in : Hence hath offence his quicke celeritie , When it is borne in high Authority . When Vice makes Mercie ; Mercie 's so extended , That for the faults loue , is th ’ offender friended . Now Sir , what newes ? What is that Barnardine , who is to be executed in th ’ afternoone ? How came it , that the absent Duke had not either deliuer 'd him to his libertie , or executed him ? I haue heard it was euer his manner to do so It is now apparant ? Hath he borne himselfe penitently in prison ? How seemes he to be touch 'd ? He wants aduice More of him anon : There is written in your brow Prouost , honesty and constancie ; if I reade it not truly , my ancient skill beguiles me : but in the boldnes of my cunning , I will lay my selfe in hazard : Claudio , whom heere you haue warrant to execute , is no greater forfeit to the Law , then Angelo who hath sentenc 'd him . To make you vnderstand this in a manifested effect , I craue but foure daies respit : for the which , you are to do me both a present , and a dangerous courtesie In the delaying death 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 Oh , death 's a great disguiser , and you may adde to it ; Shaue the head , and tie the beard , and say it was the desire of the penitent to be so bar'de before his death : you know the course is common . If any thing fall to you vpon this , more then thankes and good fortune , by the Saint whom I professe , I will plead against it with my life Were you sworne to the Duke , or to the Deputie ? You will thinke you haue made no offence , if the Duke auouch the iustice of your dealing ? Not a resemblance , but a certainty ; yet since I see you fearfull , that neither my coate , integrity , nor perswasion , can with ease attempt you , I wil go further then I meant , to plucke all feares out of you . Looke you Sir , heere is the hand and Seale of the Duke : you know the Charracter I doubt not , and the Signet is not strange to you ? The Contents of this , is the returne of the Duke ; you shall anon ouer-reade it at your pleasure : where you shall finde within these two daies , he wil be heere . This is a thing that Angelo knowes not , for hee this very day receiues letters of strange tenor , perchance of the Dukes death , perchance entering into some Monasterie , but by chance nothing of what is writ . Looke , th ’ vnfolding Starre calles vp the Shepheard ; put not your selfe into amazement , how these things should be ; all difficulties are but easie when they are knowne . Call your executioner , and off with Barnardines head : I will giue him a present shrift , and aduise him for a better place . Yet you are amaz 'd , but this shall absolutely resolue you : Come away , it is almost cleere dawne . Enter . Scena Tertia . Sir , induced by my charitie , and hearing how hastily you are to depart , I am come to aduise you , Comfort you , and pray with you Oh sir , you must : and therefore I beseech you Looke forward on the iournie you shall go But heare you : Vnfit to liue , or die : oh grauell heart . After himbring him to the blocke A creature vnprepar 'd , vnmeet for death , And to transport him in the minde he is , Were damnable Oh , ‘ tis an accident that heauen prouides : Dispatch it presently , the houre drawes on Prefixt by Angelo : See this be done , And sent according to command , whiles I Perswade this rude wretch willingly to die Let this be done , Put them in secret holds , both Barnardine and Claudio , Ere twice the Sun hath made his iournall greeting To yond generation , you shal finde Your safetie manifested Quicke , dispatch , and send the head to Angelo Now wil I write Letters to Angelo , whose contents Shal witnesse to him I am neere at home : And that by great Iniunctions I am bound To enter publikely : him Ile desire To meet me at the consecrated Fount , A League below the Citie : and from thence , By cold gradation , and weale-ballanc 'd forme . We shal proceed with Angelo . Conuenient is it : Make a swift returne , For I would commune with you of such things , That want no eare but yours The tongue of Isabell . She 's come to know , If yet her brothers pardon be come hither : But I will keepe her ignorant of her good , To make her heauenly comforts of dispaire , When it is least expected . Good morning to you , faire , and gracious daughter He hath releasd him , Isabell , from the world , His head is off , and sent to Angelo It is no other , Shew your wisedome daughter in your close patience This nor hurts him , nor profits you a iot , Forbeare it therefore , giue your cause to heauen . Marke what I say , which you shal finde By euery sillable a faithful veritie . The Duke comes home to morrow : nay drie your eyes , One of our Couent , and his Confessor Giues me this instance : Already he hath carried Notice to Escalus and Angelo , Who do prepare to meete him at the gates , There to giue vp their powre : If you can pace your wisdome , In that good path that I would wish it go , And you shal haue your bosome on this wretch , Grace of the Duke , reuenges to your heart , And general Honor Not within Sir Sir , the Duke is marueilous little beholding to your reports , but the best is , he liues not in them Well : you'l answer this one day . Fare ye well You haue told me too many of him already sir if they be true : if not true , none were enough Did you such a thing ? Sir your company is fairer then honest , rest you well These Letters at fit time deliuer me , The Prouost knowes our purpose and our plot , The matter being a foote , keepe your instruction And hold you euer to our speciall drift , Though sometimes you doe blench from this to that As cause doth minister : Goe call at Flauia 's house , And tell him where I stay : giue the like notice To Valencius , Rowland , and to Crassus , And bid them bring the Trumpets to the gate : But send me Flauius first I thank thee Varrius , thou hast made good hast , Come , we will walke : There 's other of our friends Will greet vs heere anon : my gentle Varrius . Exeunt . Scena Sexta . Nay it is ten times strange ? Away with her : poore soule She speakes this , in th ’ infirmity of sence By mine honesty If she be mad , as I beleeue no other , Her madnesse hath the oddest frame of sense , Such a dependancy of thing , on thing , As ere I heard in madnesse Mended againe : the matter : proceed This is most likely I know you'ld faine be gone : An Officer : To prison with her : Shall we thus permit A blasting and a scandalous breath to fall , On him so neere vs ? This needs must be a practise : Who knew of your intent and comming hither ? Words against mee ? this ’ a good Fryer belike And to set on this wretched woman here Against our Substitute : Let this Fryer be found We did beleeue no lesse . Know you that Frier Lodowick that she speakes of ? What , are you married ? Are you a Maid ? Know you this woman ? I , with my heart , And punish them to your height of pleasure . Thou foolish Frier , and thou pernicious woman Compact with her that 's gone : thinkst thou , thy oathes , Though they would swear downe each particular Saint , Were testimonies against his worth , and credit That 's seald in approbation ? you , Lord Escalus Sit with my Cozen , lend him your kinde paines To finde out this abuse , whence ‘ tis deriu 'd . There is another Frier that set them on , Let him be sent for Goe , doe it instantly : And you , my noble and well-warranted Cosen Whom it concernes to heare this matter forth , Doe with your iniuries as seemes you best In any chastisement ; I for a while Will leaue you ; but stir not you till you haue Well determin 'd vpon these Slanderers . Neuer craue him , we are definitiue You doe but loose your labour . Away with him to death : Now Sir , to you Against all sence you doe importune her , Should she kneele downe , in mercie of this fact , Her Brothers ghost , his paued bed would breake , And take her hence in horror He dies for Claudio 's death Had you a speciall warrant for the deed ? I would thou hadst done so by Claudio : Goe fetch him hither , let me looke vpon him Which is that Barnardine ? There was a Friar told me of this man . Sirha , thou art said to haue a stubborne soule That apprehends no further then this world , And squar'st thy life according : Thou'rt condemn 'd , But for those earthly faults , I quit them all , And pray thee take this mercie to prouide For better times to come : Frier aduise him , I leaue him to your hand . What muffeld fellow 's that ? If he be like your brother , for his sake Is he pardon 'd , and for your louelie sake Giue me your hand , and say you will be mine , He is my brother too : But fitter time for that : By this Lord Angelo perceiues he 's safe , Methinkes I see a quickning in his eye : Well Angelo , your euill quits you well . Looke that you loue your wife : her worth , worth yours I finde an apt remission in my selfe : And yet heere 's one in place I cannot pardon , You sirha , that knew me for a foole , a Coward , One all of Luxurie , an asse , a mad man : Wherein haue I so deseru 'd of you That you extoll me thus ? Whipt first , sir , and hang 'd after . Proclaime it Prouost round about the Citie , If any woman wrong 'd by this lewd fellowlet her appeare , And he shall marry her : the nuptiall finish 'd , Let him be whipt and hang 'd Vpon mine honor thou shalt marrie her . Thy slanders I forgiue , and therewithall Remit thy other forfeits : take him to prison , And see our pleasure herein executed Slandering a Prince deserues it . She Claudio that you wrong 'd , looke you restore . Ioy to you Mariana , loue her Angelo : I haue confes 'd her , and I know her vertue . Thanks good friend , Escalus , for thy much goodnesse , There 's more behinde that is more gratulate . Thanks Prouost for thy care , and secrecie , We shall imploy thee in a worthier place . Forgiue him Angelo , that brought you home The head of Ragozine for Claudio 's , Th ’ offence pardons it selfe . Deere Isabell , I haue a motion much imports your good , Whereto if you 'll a willing eare incline ; What 's mine is yours , and what is yours is mine . So bring vs to our Pallace , where wee 'll show What 's yet behinde , that meete you all should know . The Scene Vienna . The names of all the Actors .