If not a feodary, but only he, Owet, and succeed by weakness. Isab. Ay, as the glasses where they view themselves; Which are as easy broke as they make forms. And credulous to false prints. Ang. I think it well: And from this testimony of your own sex, (Since, I suppose, we are made to be no stronger Than faults may shake our frames,) let me be bold;I do arrest your words; Be that you are, That is, a woman; if you be more, you're none; By putting on the destined livery. Isab. I have no tongue but one: gentle my lord, Let me entreat you speak the former language. Ang. Plainly conceive, I love you. Isab. My brother did love Juliet ; and you tell me, That he shall die for it. Ang. He shall not, Isabel, if you give me love. Isab. I know, your virtue hath a licence in't, Which seems a little fouler than it is, To pluck on others. Ang. Believe me, on mine honour, My words express my purpose. Isab. Ha! little honour to be much believed, And most pernicious purpose !-Seeming, seeming (! I will-proclaim thee, Angelo; look for't: Sign me a present pardon for my brother, Or, with an out-stretch'd throat, I'll tell the world Aloud, what man thou art. Ang. Who will believe thee, Isabel? My unsoil'd name, the austereness of my life, Will so your accusation over-weigh, That you shall stifle in your own report, That banish what they sue for; redeem thy brother • Associate. Hypocrisy. 1 Own. Impressions. By yielding up thy body to my will; Say what you can, my false o'erweighs your true. [Exit. Isab. To whom should I complain? Did I tell this, Who would believe me? O perilous mouths, Bidding the law make court'sy to their will; To such abhorr'd pollution. Then Isabel, live chaste, and, brother, die: I'll tell him yet of Angelo's request, And fit his mind to death, for his soul's rest. [Exit. ACT III. SCENE I.—A Room in the Prison. Enter DUKE, CLAUDIO, and PROVOST. Duke. So, then, you hope of pardon from lord Claud. The miserable have no other medicine, But only hope: I have hope to live, and am prepared to die. Duke. Be absolute for death; either death or life, Shall thereby be the sweeter. Reason thus with life, If I do lose thee, I do lose a thing That none but fools would keep: a breath thou art, (Servile to all the skiey influences,) That dost this habitation, where thou keep'st, Determined. And yet run'st toward him still: thou art not noble; For thou dost fear the soft and tender fork Do curse the gout, serpigot, and the rheum, For ending thee no sooner: thou hast nor youth, nor age; But, as it were, an after-dinner's sleep, Dreaming on both for all thy blessed youth Of palsied eld; and when thou art old, and rich, Claud. I humbly thank you. To sue to live, I find, I seek to die; And, seeking death, find life: let it come on. Enter ISABELLA. Isab. What, ho! Peace here; grace and good company! Prov. Who's there? Come in the wish deserves. a welcome. Duke. Dear Sir, ere long I'll visit you again. Isab. My business is a word or two with Claudio. your sister. Duke. Provost, a word with you. Affects, affections. + Leprous eruptions. Old age. 3 Prov. As many as you please. Duke. Bring them to speak, where I may be conceal'd, Yet hear them. [Exeunt Duke and Provost. Claud. Now, sister, what's the comfort? Isab. Why, as all comforts are; most good indeed : Lord Angelo, having affairs to heaven, Intends you for his swift ambassador, Claud. Is there no remedy? Isab. None, but such remedy, as, to save a head, To cleave a heart in twain. Claud. But is there any? Isab. Yes, brother, you may live; Claud. Perpetual durance? Isab. Ay, just, perpetual durance; a restraint, Claud. But in what nature? Isab. In such a one as (you consenting to't) Would bark your honour from that trunk you bear, And leave you naked. Claud. Let me know the point. Isab. O, I do fear thee, Claudio; and I quake, Lest thou a feverous life shouldst entertain, And six or seven winters more respect Than a perpetual honour. Dar'st thou die? Claud. Why give you me this shame! From flowery tenderness? If I must die, I will encounter darkness as a bride, And hug it in mine arms. Isab. There spake my brother; there my father's grave Did utter forth a voice! Yes, thou must die: Thou art too noble to conserve a life In base appliances. This outward-sainted deputy, * Resident. + Preparation. Vastness of extent. Whose settled visage and deliberate word Claud. The princely Angelo? Isab. O, 'tis the cunning livery of hell, Thou might'st be freed? Claud. O, heavens! it cannot be. Isab. Yes, he will give it thee, from this rank of fence, So to offend him still this night's the time Claud. Thou shall not do't. I'd throw it down for your deliverance Claud. Thanks, dear Isabel. Isab. Be ready, Claudio, for your death to-morrow. Claud. Yes. Has he affections in him, That thus can make him bite the law by the nose, When he would force it? Sure it is no sin; Or of the deadly seven it is the least. Isab. Which is the least? Claud. If it were damnable, he, being so wise, Isab. What says my brother? Claud. Death is a fearful thing. Isab. And shamed life a hateful. Claud. Ay, but to die, and go we know not where; To lie in cold obstruction, and to rot; This sensible warm motion to become A kneaded clod; and the delighted spirit And blown with restless violence round about The weariest and most loathed worldly life, ⚫ Shut up. Lastingly. + Laced robes. 1 Freely. Invisible. |