SCENE V. A Nunnery. Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA. Isab. And have you nuns no further privileges? Isab. Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; Upon the sister-hood, the votarists of saint Clare. Isab. [Within. 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, Then, if you speak, you must not show your face; He calls again; I pray you, answer him. [Exit FRANCISCA. Isab. Peace and prosperity! Who is't that calls? Enter LUCIO. Lucio. Hail, virgin, if you be; as those cheek-roses A novice of this place, and the fair sister Isab. Why her unhappy brother? let me ask; 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. Isab. Woe me! For what? Laucio. For that, which, if myself might be his judge, Isab. Sir, make me not your story.8 I would not-though 'tis my familiar sin It is true. With maids to seem the lapwing, and to jest, As with a saint. Isab. You do blaspheme the good, in mocking me. Lucio. Do not believe it. Fewness and truth,9 'tis thus: Your brother and his lover have embrac'd: As those that feed grow full; as blossoming time, Isab. Some one with child by him?-My cousin Lucio. Is she your cousin? Isab. Adoptedly; as school-maids change their names, Do not make a jest of me. 9 In few and true words. Breeding plenty. 2 Tilling. She it is. By vain though apt affection. Isab. O, let him marry her! Lucio. This is the point. The duke is very strangely gone from hence; Governs lord Angelo; a man, whose blood Which have, for long, run by the hideous law, Isab. Doth he so seek his life? Lucio. prayer 3 Has censur'd5 him Already; and, as I hear, the provost hath Isab. Alas! what poor ability's in me 3 Extent. 4 Power of gaining favour. 5 Sentenced. 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, And let him learn to know, when maidens sue, As they themselves would owe them. Isab. I'll see what I can do. Isab. I will about it straight; Isab. SCENE I. A Hall in Angelo's House. Enter ANGELO, ESCALUS, a Justice, Provost, Officers, and other 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 Escal. Let us be keen, and rather cut a little, Ay, but yet Than fall, and bruise to death: Alas! this gentleman, Whom I would save, had a most noble father. Let but your honour know," (Whom I believe to be most strait in virtue,) your life Could have attain'd the effect of your own purpose, Ang. "Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus, The jury, passing on the prisoner's life, May, in the sworn twelve, have a thief or two Guiltier than him they try: What's open made to justice, That justice seizes. What know the laws, That thieves do pass on thieves? 'Tis very preg nant, 3 The jewel that we find, we stoop and take it, We tread upon, and never think of it. You may not so extenuate his offence, For I have had such faults; but rather tell me, • Examine. 3 Plain. I Suited. 4 Because. 2 Pass judgment. 5 Sentence. |