have worn your eyes almost out in to service, you will be considered. Bawd. What's to do here, Thomas Tapster? Let's withdraw. Clown. Here comes signior Claudio, led by the provost to prison: and there's madam Juliet. [Exeunt. SCENE III-Enter Provost, Claudio, Juliet, and officers; Lucio, and two Gentlemen. Clau. Fellow, why dost thou show me thus to the world? Bear me to prison, where I am committed. Lucio. Why, how now, Claudio? whence comes this restraint? Clau. From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty: As surfeit is the father of much fast, So every scope by the immoderate use Lucio. If I could speak so wisely under 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? Clau. What, but to speak of would offend again. Clau. No. Lucio. Lechery? Clau. Call it so. Prov. Away, sir; you must go. Clau. One word, good friend :-Lucio, a word with you. [Takes him aside. Lucio. A hundred if they'll do you any good. Is lechery so look'd after? Clau. Thus stands it with me:-Upon a true contract, I got possession of Julietta's bed; 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, Clau. 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 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. Clau. 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; Such as moves men; beside, she hath prosperous art Lucio. I pray, she may: as well for the encourage. ment 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-taek. I'll to her. Clau. I thank you, good friend Lucio. Lucio. Within two hours, Clau. Come, officer, away. [Exeunt. SCENE IV-A Monastery. Enter Duke and Friar Thomas. 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 More grave and wrinkled than the aims and ends 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, Where youth, and cost, and witless bravery keeps. I have deliver'd to lord Angelo A man of stricture, and firm abstinence,) My absolute power and place here in Vienna, For so I have strew'd it in the common ear, You will demand of me, why I do this? Duke. We have strict statutes, and most biting laws, (The needful bits and curbs for head-strong steeds) Which for these fourteen years we have let sleep; Even like an o'ergrown lion in a cave, That goes not out to prey: Now, as fond fathers Becomes more mock'd, than fear'd: so our decrees, - The baby beats the nurse, and quite athwart Fri. It rested in your grace To unloose this tied-up justice, when you pleas'd: Duke. father, Therefore, indeed, my I have on Angelo impos'd the office; Who may, in the ambush of my name, strike home, And yet, my nature never in the sight, To do it slander: And to behold his sway, I will, as 'twere a brother of your order, Visit both prince and people: therefore, I pr'ythee, Like a true friar. More reasons for this action, At our more leisure shall I render you; Stands at a guard with envy; scarce confesses Is more to bread than stone: Hence shall we see, SCENE V-A Nunnery. Enter Isabella and Fran cisca. Isab. And have you nuns no further privileges? Isab. Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more 3 Fran. It is a man's voice: Gentle Isabella, Then, if you speak, you must not show your face; Lucio. Hail, virgin, if you be; as those cheek roses A novice of this place, and the fair sister To her unhappy brother Claudio? Isab. Why her unhappy brother? let me ask; The rather, for I now must make you know I am that Isabella, and his sister. Lucio. Gentle and fair, your brother kindly greets |