Duke. He dies for Claudio's death. Isa. Most bounteous sir, [Kneeling. Look, if it please you, on this man condemn'd,, A due sincerity govern'd his deeds, Till he did look on me; since it is so, 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. Mari. Merely, my lord. Duke. Your suit's unprofitable; stand up, I say. : [They rise. I have bethought me of another fault :- Prov. It was commanded so. Duke. Had you a special warrant for the deed? Prov. No, my good lord; it was by private mes sage. Duke. For which I do discharge you of your of fice: Give up your keys. Prov. Pardon me, noble lord: I thought it was a fault, but knew it not; Duke. What's he'? Prov. His name is Barnardine. Duke. I would, thou hadst done so by Claudio. Go, fetch him hither, let me look upon him. [Exit PROVOST, into the City. Esca. I am sorry, one so learned and so wise Ang. I am sorry, that such sorrow I procure: Enter PROVOST, BARNARDINE, and CLAUDIO, muffled, from the City. Duke. Which is that Barnardine ? Prov. This, my lord. Duke. 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 squar'st thy life according. Thou art condemn'd; But, for those earthly faults, I quit them all; I leave him to your hand. Friar, advise him; [Exeunt BARNARDINE and FRIAR PETER, into the City. What muffled fellow's that? Prov. This is another prisoner, that I sav'd, Who should have died when Claudio lost his head; As like almost to Claudio, as himself. Duke. If he be like your brother, for his sake Is he pardon'd. [CLAUDIO discovers himself,-ISABELLA runs By this, Lord Angelo perceives he's safe; Look, that you love your wife; her worth, worth yours. H I find an apt remission in myself; And yet here's one in place I cannot pardon ;- 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 whipp'd. Duke. Whipp'd first, sir, and hang'd after.Proclaim it, Provost, round about the city, If any woman's 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 whipp'd and hang'd. Lucio. I beseech your highness, do not marry me to a punk! Your highness said, even now, I made you a duke; good my lord, do not recompense me, in making me a cuckold. Duke. Upon mine honour, thou shalt marry her.— Thy slanders I forgive; and therewithal Remit thy other forfeits :-Take him to prison: Lucio. Marrying a punk, my lord, is pressing to death, whipping, and hanging. Duke. Sir, Slandering a prince deserves it. [Exeunt Lucio, and two APPAritors. She, Claudio, that you wrong'd, look you restore:— Joy to you, Mariana!—love her, Angelo : Thanks, good friend Escalus, for thy much good ness: : Thanks, Provost, for thy care, and secrecy; Thy Duke, thy Friar, tempts thee from thy vow: Engrave this royal maxim on the mind, [Exeunt. THE END. |