have worn your eyes alınost out in the service, you will be considered. Bawd. What's to do here, Thomas Tapster? let's withdraw. Clo. Here comes signior Claudio, led by the pro vost to prison: and there's madam Juliet. [Exe. SCENE III.-The same. Enter Provost, Clau. dio, Juliet, and Officers; Lucio, and two Gentlemen. Claud. Fellow, why dost thou show me thus to the world? Bear me to prison, where I am committed. Claud. Thus can the demi-god, Authority, Make us pay down for our offence by weight.— The words of heaven;-on whom it will, it will; On whom it will not, so; yet still 'tis just. Lucio. Why, how now, Claudio? whence comes this restraint? Claud. From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty: As surfeit is the father of much fast, So every scope by the immoderate use Lucio. If I could speak so wisely under an arrest, I would send for certain of my creditors: and yet, to say the truth, I had as lief have the foppery of freedom, as the morality of imprisonment.-What's thy offence, Claudio? Claud. What, but to speak of would offend again. Lucio. What is it? murder? Claud. No. Lucio. Lechery? Claud. Call it so. Prov. Away, sir; you must go. (1) Gaoler. (2) Voraciously devour. with you. Claud. One word, good friend :-Lucio, a wora [Takes him aside. Lucio. A hundred, if they'll do you any good.is lechery so look'd after? Claud. Thus stands it with me:-Upon a true contract, I got possession of Julietta's bed; You know the lady; she is fast my wife, Of outward order: this we came not to, From whom we thought it meet to hide our love, But it chances, The stealth of our most mutual entertainment, With character too gross, is writ on Juliet. Claud. Unhappily, even so. And the new deputy now for the duke,— A horse whereon the governor doth ride, Which have, like unscour'd armour, hung by the wall So long, that nineteen zodiacs! have gone round, And none of them been worn; and, for a name, Now puts the drowsy and neglected act Freshly on me :-'tis surely for a name. Lucio. I warrant it is: and thy head stands so tickle2 on thy shoulders, that a milk-maid, if she be in love, may sigh it off. Send after the duke, and appeal to him. (1) Yearly circles. (2) Ticklish. Claud. I have done so, but he's not to be found. I pr'ythee, Lucio, do me this kind service: This day my sister should the cloister enter, And there receive her approbation : Acquaint her with the danger of my state; Implore her, in my voice, that she make friends To the strict deputy; bid herself assay him; I have great hope in that: for in her youth There is a prone2 and speechless dialect, Such as moves men; besides, she hath prosperous art When she will play with reason and discourse. Lucio. I pray she may: as well for the encourage. ment of the like, which else would stand under grievous imposition; as for the enjoying of thy life, who I would be sorry should be thus foolishly lost at a game of tick-tack. I'll to her. Claud. I thank you, good friend Lucio. Claud. Come, officer, away. SCENE IV-A monastery. Friar Thomas. [Exeunt. Enter Duke and Duke. No; holy father; throw away that thought; Believe not that the dribbling dart of love Can pierce a complete bosom :3 why I desire thee To give me secret harbour, hath a purpose More grave and wrinkled than the aims and ends Of burning youth. Fri. May your grace speak of it? Duke. My holy sir, none better knows than you How I have ever lov'd the life remov'd:4 And held in idle price to haunt assemblies, Where youth, and cost, and witless bravery keeps.5 I have delivered to lord Angclo (A man of stricture,6 and firm abstinence,) (1) Enter on her probation. (2) Prompt. My absolute power and place here in Vienna, You will demand of me, why I do this? Duke. We have strict statutes, and most biting laws (The needful bits and curbs for headstrong steeds,) Which for these fourteen years we have let sleep; Even like an over-grown lion in a cave, That goes not out to prey: now, as fond fathers Becomes more mock'd, than fear'd: so our decrees, Fri. It rested in your grace To unloose this tied-up justice, when you pleas'd: And it in you more dreadful would have seem'd, Than in lord Angelo. Duke. I do fear, too dreadful : Sith 'twas my fault to give the people scope, 'Twould be my tyranny to strike, and gall them For what I bid them do: for we bid this be done, When evil deeds have their permissive pass, And not the punishment. Therefore, indeed, my father, I have on Angelo impos'd the office; Who may, in the ambush of my name, strike home, To do it slander: and to behold his sway, Visit both prince and people: therefore, I pr'ythee, (1) Since. How I may formally in person bear me Is more to bread than stone: hence shall we see, Isab. And have you nuns no further privileges? Isab. Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more: But rather wishing a more strict restraint Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of saint Clare. Lucio. Ho! peace be in this place! [Within. Isab. Who's that which calls? Fran. It is a man's voice: gentle Isabella, Turn you the key, and know his business of him; You may, I may not; you are yet unsworn: When you have vow'd, you must not speak with men, But in the presence of the prioress: Then, if you speak, you must not show your face; [Exit Francisca. Isab. Peace and prosperity! Who is't that calls Enter Lucio. Lucio. Hail, virgin, if you be; as those cheek. roses Proclaim you are no less! can you so stead me, A novice of this place, and the fair sister (1) On his defence. |