My absolute power and place here in Vienna, Duke. We have strict statutes, and most biting laws (The needful bits and curbs for headstrong steeds,) 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: Sith1 'twas my fault to give the people scope, father, I have on Angelo impos'd the office; (1) Since. How I may formally in person bear me SCENE F.-A nunnery. Enter Isabella and Isab. And have you nuns no further privileges? Isab. Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; 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, As bring me to the sight of Isabella, A novice of this place, and the fair sister To her unhappy brother Claudio? (1) On his defence. P2 Isab. Why her unhappy brother? let me ask; The rather, for I now must make you know I am that Isabella, and his sister. Lucio. Gentle and fair, your brother kindly greets you: Not to be weary with you, he's in prison. Lucio. For that, which, if myself might be his judge, He should receive his punishment in thanks: Isab. Sir, make me not your story.1 It is true. I would not-though 'tis my familiar sin Isab. You do blaspheme the good, in mocking me. Lucio. Do not believe it. Fewness and truth,2 'tis thus: Your brother and his lover have embrac'd: As those that feed grow full; as blossoming time, İsab. Some one with child by him?-My cousin Juliet? Lucio. Is she your cousin ? Isab. Adoptedly; as school-maids change their (1) Do not make a jest of me. She it is. (2) In few and true words. (3) Breeding plenty. (4) Tilling. Isab. O, let him marry her! This is the point. The duke is very strangely gone from hence; Lucio. Has censur'd3 him Already; and, as I hear, the provost hath Isab. Alas! what poor ability's in me To do him good? Assay the power you have. Isab. My power! Alas! I doubt, Lucio. Our doubts are traitors, And make us lose the good we oft might win, By fearing to attempt: go to lord Angelo, And let him learn to know, when maidens sue, Men give like gods; but when they weep and kneel, (1) Extent. (2) Power of gaining favour. All their petitions are as freely theirs Isab. I'll see what I can do. But speedily. Isab. I will about it straight; Isab. Good sir, adieu. [Exeunt. ACT II. SCENE I-A hall in Angelo's house. Enter Angelo, Escalus, a Justice, Provost, Officers, and attendants. Ang. We must not make a scare-crow of the law, Setting it up to fear the birds of prey, And let it keep one shape, till custom make it Their perch, and not their terror. Escal. Ay, but yet Let us be keen, and rather cut a little, (Whom I believe to be most strait in virtue,) That, in the working of your own affections, Had time coher'd with place, or place with wishing, Or that the resolute acting of your blood Could have attain'd the effect of your own purpose, Whether you had not sometime in your life Err'd in this point which now you censure him, And pull'd the law upon you. (1) Have. (2) Abbess. (3) Scare. (4) Examine. (5) Suited. |