Measure for Measure Part 29

Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure; Like doth quit like, and MEASURE still FOR MEASURE.

Then, Angelo, thy fault's thus manifested; 410 Which, though thou wouldst deny, denies thee vantage.

We do condemn thee to the very block Where Claudio stoop'd to death, and with like haste.

Away with him!

_Mari._ O my most gracious lord, I hope you will not mock me with a husband. 415

_Duke._ It is your husband mock'd you with a husband.

Consenting to the safeguard of your honour, I thought your marriage fit; else imputation, For that he knew you, might reproach your life, And choke your good to come: for his possessions, 420 Although by confiscation they are ours, We do instate and widow you withal, To buy you a better husband.

_Mari._ O my dear lord, I crave no other, nor no better man.

_Duke._ Never crave him; we are definitive. 425

_Mari._ Gentle my liege,-- [_Kneeling._

_Duke._ You do but lose your labour.

Away with him to death! [_To Lucio_] Now, sir, to you.

_Mari._ O my good lord! Sweet Isabel, take my part; Lend me your knees, and all my life to come I'll lend you all my life to do you service. 430

_Duke._ Against all sense you do importune her: Should she kneel down in mercy of this fact, Her brother's ghost his paved bed would break, And take her hence in horror.

_Mari._ Isabel, Sweet Isabel, do yet but kneel by me; 435 Hold up your hands, say nothing,--I'll speak all.

They say, best men are moulded out of faults; And, for the most, become much more the better For being a little bad: so may my husband.

O Isabel, will you not lend a knee? 440

_Duke._ He dies for Claudio's death.

_Isab._ Most bounteous sir, [_Kneeling._ Look, if it please you, on this man condemn'd, As if my brother lived: I partly think A due sincerity govern'd his deeds, Till he did look on me: since it is so, 445 Let him not die. My brother had but justice, In that he did the thing for which he died: For Angelo, His act did not o'ertake his bad intent; And must be buried but as an intent 450 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.

I have bethought me of another fault.

Provost, how came it Claudio was beheaded 455 At an unusual hour?

_Prov._ It was commanded so.

_Duke._ Had you a special warrant for the deed?

_Prov._ No, my good lord; it was by private message.

_Duke._ For which I do discharge you of your office: Give up your keys.

_Prov._ Pardon me, n.o.ble lord: 460 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._ What's he?

_Prov._ His name is Barnardine. 465

_Duke._ I would thou hadst done so by Claudio.

Go fetch him hither; let me look upon him. [_Exit Provost._

_Escal._ 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, 470 And lack of temper'd judgment afterward.

_Ang._ 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. 475

_Re-enter PROVOST, with BARNARDINE, CLAUDIO m.u.f.fled, and JULIET._

_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 squarest thy life according. Thou'rt condemn'd: 480 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 m.u.f.fled fellow's that?

_Prov._ This is another prisoner that I saved, 485 Who should have died when Claudio lost his head; As like almost to Claudio as himself. [_Unm.u.f.fles Claudio._

_Duke._ [_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, 490 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. 495 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 a.s.s, a madman; Wherein have I so deserved of you, 500 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._ Whipt first, sir, and hang'd after. 505 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, 510 Let him be whipt and hang'd.

_Lucio._ I beseech your highness, do not marry me to a wh.o.r.e. Your highness said even now, I made you a Duke: good my lord, do not recompense me in making me a cuckold. 515

_Duke._ 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, 520 whipping, and hanging.

_Duke._ Slandering a prince deserves it.

[_Exeunt Officers with Lucio._

She, Claudio, that you wrong'd, look you restore.

Joy to you, Mariana! Love her, Angelo: I have confess'd her, and I know her virtue. 525 Thanks, good friend Escalus, for thy much goodness: There's more behind that is more gratulate.

Thanks, provost, for thy care and secrecy: We shall employ thee in a worthier place.

Forgive him, Angelo, that brought you home 530 The head of Ragozine for Claudio's: The offence pardons itself. Dear Isabel, I have a motion much imports your good; Whereto if you'll a willing ear incline, What's mine is yours, and what is yours is mine. 535 So, bring us to our palace; where we'll show What's yet behind, that's meet you all should know.

[_Exeunt._

NOTES: V, 1.

The city-gate] Capell. The street. Rowe.