Corrupt with virtuous season. Can it be, Shall we desire to raze the sanctuary And pitch our evils there * ? O, fy, fy, fy, And feast upon her eyes? What is't I dream on? To sin in loving virtue: never could the strumpet, When men were fond, I smil'd, and wonder'd how. [Exit. SCENE III. A room in a prison. Enter Duke, habited like a Friar, and Provost. Duke. Hail to you, provost; so I think you are. Pro. I am the provost : What's your will, good friar? Duke. Bound by my charity, and my bless'd order, I come to visit the afflicted spirits Here in the prison: do me the common right * See 2 Kings, x. 27, Prov. I would do more than that, if more were needful. Enter Juliet. Look, here comes one; a gentlewoman of mine, Who falling in the flames of her own youth, Hath blister'd her report: She is with child; And he that got it, sentenc'd: a young man More fit to do another such offence, Than die for this. Duke. When must he die? Prov. As I do think, to-morrow. I have provided for you; stay a while. [To Juliet. And you shall be conducted. Duke. Repent you, fair one, of the sin you carry? Juliet. I do; and bear the shame most patiently. Duke. I'll teach you how you shall arraign your conscience, And try your penitence, if it be sound, Or hollowly put on. Juliet. I'll gladly learn. Duke. Love you the man that wrong'd you? Juliet. Yes, as I love the woman that wrong'd him. Duke. So then, it seems, your most offenceful act Was mutually committed? Juliet. Mutually. Duke. Then was your sin of heavier kind than his. repent, As that the sin hath brought you to this shame,Which sorrow is always toward ourselves,not heav'n; Showing, we'd not spare* heaven, as we love it, But as we stand in fear, Juliet. I do repent me, as it is an evil; And take the shame with joy. Duke. 'There rest. Your partner, as I hear, must die to-morrow, * Spare to offend heaven. And I am going with instruction to him.- [Exit. Juliet. Must die to-morrow! O, injurious love, That respites me a life, whose very comfort Is still a dying horror! Prov. 'Tis pity of him. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. A room in Angelo's house. Enter Angelo. Ang. When I would pray and think, I think and pray To several subjects: heaven hath my empty words; And in my heart the strong and swelling evil Why does my blood thus muster to my heart; Making both it unable for itself, Of necessary fitness? So play the foolish throngs with one that swoons; By which he should revive: and even so Enter Isabella. How now, fair maid? Isab. I am come to know your pleasure. Ang. That you may know it, would much better please me, Than to demand what 'tis. Your brother cannot live. Isab. Even so?-Heaven keep your honour! [Retiring. Ang. Yet may he live a while; and, it may be, As long as you, or I: Yet he must die. Isab. Under your sentence? Ang. Yea. Isab. When, I beseech you? that in his reprieve, Longer, or shorter, he may be so fitted, That his soul sicken not. Ang. Ha! Fye, these filthy vices! It were as good Their sawcy sweetness, that do coin heaven's image, To make a false one. Isab. 'Tis set down so in heaven, but not in earth. Ang. Say you so? then I shall poze you quickly. Which had you rather, That the most just law Now took your brother's life; or, to redeem him, * People. Give up your body to such sweet uncleanness, Isab. Sir, believe this, I had rather give my body than my soul. Ang. I talk not of your soul: Our compell'd sins Stand more for number than accompt. Isab. How say you? Ang. Nay, I'll not warrant that; for I can speak Against the thing I say. Answer to this ; I, now the voice of the recorded law, Pronounce a sentence on your brother's life : To save this brother's life? Isab. Please you to do't, I'll take it as a peril to my soul, It is no sin at all, but charity. Ang. Pleas'd you to do't, at peril of your soul, Were equal poize of sin and charity. Isab. That I do beg his life, if it be sin, Heaven, let me bear it! you granting of my suit, If that be sin, I'll make it my morn prayer To have it added to the faults of mine, And nothing of your, answer. Ang. Nay, but hear me: Your sense pursues not mine: either you are ignorant, Or seem so, craftily; and that's not good. Isab. Let me be ignorant, and in nothing good, But graciously to know I am no better. Ang. Thus wisdom wishes to appear most bright, When it doth tax itself: as these black masks Proclaim an enshield* beauty ten times louder Than beauty could displayed.-But mark me ; To be received plain, I'll speak more gross: Your brother is to die. Isab. So. Ang. And his offence is so, as it appears Accountant to the law upon that pain†. * Enshielded, covered. + Penalty. |