Bawd. Nay, but I know, 'tis so: I saw him arrested; saw him carried away; and, which is more, within these three days his head's to be chopped off. Lucio. But, after all this fooling, I would not have it so Art thou sure of this? Bawd. I am too sure of it: ting Madam Julietta with child. and it is for get. Lucio. Believe me, this may be: he promised to meet me two hours since; and he was ever precise in promise-keeping. 2 Gent. Besides, you know, it draws something near to the speech ve had to such a purpose. 1 Gent. But most of all, agreeing with the proclamation. Lucio. Away; let's go learn the truth of it. [Exeunt LUCIO, and Gentlemen. Bawd. Thus, what with the war, what with the sweat, what with the gallows, and what with poverty, I am custom-shrunk. How now? what's the news with you? Enter Clown. Clo. Yonder man is carried to prison. Clo. A woman. Bawd. But what's his offence? Clo. Groping for trouts in a peculiar river. Bawd. What, is there a maid with child by him? Clo. No; but there's a woman with maid by him: You have not heard of the proclamation, have you? Bawd. What proclamation, man? Clo. All houses in the suburbs of Vienna must be pluck'd down. Bawd. And what shall become of those in the city? "Clo. They shall stand for seed: they had gone down too, but that a wise burgher put in for them. Bawd. But shall all our houses of resort in the suburbs be pull'd down? Clo. To the ground, Mistress. ཐདས་ Bawd. Why, here's a change, indeed, in the commonwealth! What shall become of me? Clo. Come; fear not you: good counsellors lack no clients though you change your place, you need not change your trade; I'll be your tapster still. Courage; there will be pity taken on you you that have worn your eyes almost out in the service, you will be considered. Bawd. What's to do here, Thomas Tapster? let's withdraw. ་ Clo. Here comes Signior Claudio, led by the provost to prison; and there's Madam Juliet. [Exeunt, SCENE III. The same. Enter Provost, CLAUDIO, JULIET, and Officers; Lucio, and two Gentlemen. Claud. Fellow, why dost thou show me thus to the world? Bear me to prison, where I am committed. Claud. Thus can the demi-god, Authority, Make us pay down for our offence by weight. The words of heaven; on whom it will, it will; On whom it will not, so; yet still 'tis just. Lucio. Why, how now, Claudio? whence comes this restraint? Claud. From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty: As surfeit is the father of much fast, So every scope by the immoderate use Turns to restraint: Our natures to pursue,. Lucio. If I could speak' so wisely under an arrest', I would send for certain of my creditors: And yet, to say the truth, I had as lief have the foppery of freedom, as the morality of imprisonment. What's thy offence, Claudio? Claud. What, but to speak of would offend again. Lucio. What is it? murder? Claud. No. Lucio. Lechery? Claud. Call it so. Prov. Away, Sir; you must go. word with you. [Takes him aside. Lucio. A hundred, if they'll do you any good. Is lechery so lock'd after? Claud. Thus stands it with me: true contract. I got possession of Julietta's bed; Upon a You know the lady; she is fast my wife, Remaining in the coffer of her friends; From whom we thought it meet to hide our love, Till time had made them for us. But it chances, The stealth of our most mutual entertainment, With character too gross, is writ on Juliet. Lucio. With child, perhaps? Claud. Unhappily, even so. And the new deputy now for the Duke, A horse whereon the governor doth ride, Or in his eminence that fills it up, Which have, like unscour'd armour, hung by the wall So long, that nineteen zodiacks have gone round, And none of them been worn; and, for a name, Now puts the drowsy and neglected act Freshly on me: 'tis, surely, for a name." Lucio. I warrant, it is and thy head stands so tickle on thy shoulders, that a milk- maid, if she be in love, may sigh it off. Send after the Duke, and appeal to him. Claud. I have done so, but he's not to be found. I pr'ythee, Lucio, do me this kind service Acquaint her with the danger of my state; speechless dialect, beside, she hath prosper ous art When she will play with reason and discourse, And well she can persuade. Lucio. I pray, she may: as well for the encou ragement of the like, which else would stand under grievous imposition; as for the enjoying of thy life, who I would be sorry should be thus foolishly lost at a game of tick-tack. I'll to her. Claud. I thank you, good friend Lucio. SCENE IV. A Monastery. Enter DUKE, and Friar Thomas. [Exeunt. Duke. No; holy father; throw away that thought; Believe not that the dribbling dart of love、 Can pierce a complete bosom: why I desire thee To give me secret harbour, hath a purpose Move grave and wrinkled than the aims and ends Of burning youth. Fri. May your Grace speak of it? Duke. My holy Sir, none better knows than you How I have ever lov'd the life remov'd; And held in idle price to haunt assemblies, (A man of stricture, and firm abstinence,) My absolute power and place here in Vienna, You will demand of me, why I do this? Fri. Gladly, my Lord. Duke. We have strick statutes, and most biting laws, (The needful bits and curbs for head-strong steeds,) VOL. II. 7 |