I now begin with grief and shame to utteri Release my brother; and, after much debatement, His purpose surfeiting, he sends a warrant Duke. This is most likely! Isab. O, that it were as like as it is true! Duke. By heaven, fond wretch, thou know'st not what thou speak'st; A A Or else thou art suborn'd against his honour, reason, That with such vehemency he should pursue Faults proper to himself: if he had so offended, He would have weigh'd thy brother by himself, And not have cut him off: Some one hath set you on; Confess the truth, and say by whose advice Thou cam'st here to complain. Isab. And is this all? Then, oh, you blessed ministers above, Keep me in patience; and, with ripen'd time, A Heaven shield your Grace As I, thus wrong'd, hence unbelieved go! officer! -An To prison with her: Shall we thus permit On him so near us? This needs must be a practices Who knew of your intent, and coming 7 hither? Isab. One that I would were here, friar Lodowick. Duke. A ghostly father, belike, ➡ Who knows that Lodowick ?.. Lucio. My Lord, I know him; "tis a medling friar ; I do not like the man had he been lay, my Lord, And to set on this wretched woman here Against our substitute! Let this friar be found. F. Peter. Blessed be your royal Grace! I have stood by, my Lord, and I have heard Duke. We did believe no less. Know, you that friar Lodowick, that she speaks of? F. Peter. I know him for a man divine and holy'; Not scurvy, nor a temporary medler, As he's reported by this gentleman; And, on my trust, a man that never yet Did, as he vouches, misreport your Grace. Lucio. My Lord, most villainously; believe it. F. Peter. Well, he in time may come to clear himself; But at this instant he is sick, my Lord, (Being come to knowledge that there was complaint So vulgarly and personally accus'd,) Duke. Good friar, let's hear it. i I [ISABELLA is carried off, guarded; and MsMARIANA comes forward. 12 I Do you not smile at this, Lord Angelo ? Until my husband bid me. Duke. What, are you married? Mari. No, my Lord. Duke. Are you a maid? Mari. No my Lord. Duke. A widow then? Mari. Neither, my Lord. Duke. Why, you Are nothing then: Neither maid, widow, nor wife? Lucio. My Lord, she may be a punk; for many of them are neither maid, widow, nor wife. Duke. Silence that fellow : I would, he had some cause To prattle for himself. Lucio. Well, my Lord. ་ Mari. My Lord, I do confess I ne'er was married; And, I confess, besides, I am no maid: yet my husband I have known my husband; knows not, That ever he knew me. Lucio. He was drunk then, my Lord; it can be no better. " Duke,, For the benefit of silence, 'would thou wert so too. Lucio. Well, my Lord. Duke. This is no witness for Lord Angelo. She, that accuses him of fornication, In self-same manner doth accuse my husband; Ang. Charges she more than me? Mari. Not that I know. Duke. No? you say your husband. Mari. Why, just, my Lord, and that is Angelo, Who thinks, he knows, that he ne'er knew my body, But knows, he thinks, that he knows Isabel's Ang. This is a strange abuse: thy face. 5 Let's see now I will un- This is that face, thou cruel Angelo, Which, once thou swor'st, was worth the look ing on: This is the hand, which, with a vow'd contract, And did supply thee at thy garden-house O In her imagin'd person. Duke. Know you this woman? Lucio. Carnally, she says. Duke. Sirrah, no more. Lucio, Enough, my Lord. 1 Ang. My Lord, I must confess, I know this And, five years since, woman; there was some speech of marriage Betwixt myself and her which was broke off, In levity: since which time, of five years, I never spake with her, saw her, nor heard from her, Upon my faith and honour, Mari. Noble Prince, As there comes light from heaven, and words from breath, "As, there is sense in truth, and truth in virtue, I am affianc'd this man's wife, as strongly As words could make up vows: and, my good Lord, But Tuesday night last gone, in his garden-house, He knew me as a wife: As this is true, Let me in safety raise me from my knees; Or else for ever be confixed here, A marble monument! Ang. I did but smile till now; Now, good my Lord, give me the scope of justice; My patience here is touch'd: I do perceive, But instruments of some more mightier member, A |