Scene 1
Enter Duke , Varrius , Lords , Angelo , Escalus , Lucio ,
Provost , Officers , and Citizens at several doors .
DUKE
, to Angelo
My very worthy cousin , fairly met .
To Escalus .
Our old and faithful friend , we are
glad to see you .
ANGELO , ESCALUS
Happy return be to your royal Grace .
DUKE
Many and hearty thankings to you both .
We have made inquiry of you , and we hear
Such goodness of your justice that our soul
Cannot but yield you forth to public thanks ,
Forerunning more requital .
ANGELO
You make my bonds still greater .
DUKE
O , your desert speaks loud , and I should wrong it
To lock it in the wards of covert bosom
When it deserves with characters of brass
A forted residence ’gainst the tooth of time
And razure of oblivion . Give me your hand
And let the subject see , to make them know
That outward courtesies would fain proclaim
Favors that keep within . — Come , Escalus ,
[175] ACT 5. SC. 1 You must walk by us on our other hand .
And good supporters are you .
Enter Friar Peter and Isabella .
FRIAR PETER
, to Isabella
Now is your time . Speak loud , and kneel before him .
ISABELLA
, kneeling
Justice , O royal duke . Vail your regard
Upon a wronged — I would fain have said , a maid .
O worthy prince , dishonor not your eye
By throwing it on any other object
Till you have heard me in my true complaint
And given me justice , justice , justice , justice .
DUKE
Relate your wrongs . In what , by whom ? Be brief .
Here is Lord Angelo shall give you justice .
Reveal yourself to him .
ISABELLA
O worthy duke ,
You bid me seek redemption of the devil .
Hear me yourself , for that which I must speak
Must either punish me , not being believed ,
Or wring redress from you . Hear me , O hear me ,
here .
ANGELO
My lord , her wits , I fear me , are not firm .
She hath been a suitor to me for her brother
Cut off by course of justice .
ISABELLA
, standing
By course of justice !
ANGELO
And she will speak most bitterly and strange .
ISABELLA
Most strange , but yet most truly will I speak .
That Angelo’s forsworn , is it not strange ?
That Angelo’s a murderer , is ’t not strange ?
That Angelo is an adulterous thief ,
[177] ACT 5. SC. 1 An hypocrite , a virgin-violator ,
Is it not strange , and strange ?
DUKE
Nay , it is ten times strange .
ISABELLA
It is not truer he is Angelo
Than this is all as true as it is strange .
Nay , it is ten times true , for truth is truth
To th’ end of reck’ning .
DUKE
Away with her . Poor soul ,
She speaks this in th’ infirmity of sense .
ISABELLA
O prince , I conjure thee , as thou believest
There is another comfort than this world ,
That thou neglect me not with that opinion
That I am touched with madness . Make not
impossible
That which but seems unlike . ’Tis not impossible
But one , the wicked’st caitiff on the ground ,
May seem as shy , as grave , as just , as absolute
As Angelo . Even so may Angelo ,
In all his dressings , caracts , titles , forms ,
Be an archvillain . Believe it , royal prince ,
If he be less , he’s nothing , but he’s more ,
Had I more name for badness .
DUKE
By mine honesty ,
If she be mad — as I believe no other —
Her madness hath the oddest frame of sense ,
Such a dependency of thing on thing ,
As e’er I heard in madness .
ISABELLA
O gracious duke ,
Harp not on that ; nor do not banish reason
For inequality , but let your reason serve
To make the truth appear where it seems hid ,
And hide the false seems true .
DUKE
Many that are not mad
Have , sure , more lack of reason . What would you
say ?
[179]ACT 5. SC. 1
ISABELLA
I am the sister of one Claudio ,
Condemned upon the act of fornication
To lose his head , condemned by Angelo .
I , in probation of a sisterhood ,
Was sent to by my brother ; one Lucio
As then the messenger —
LUCIO
, to Duke
That’s I , an ’t like your Grace .
I came to her from Claudio and desired her
To try her gracious fortune with Lord Angelo
For her poor brother’s pardon .
ISABELLA
, to Duke
That’s he indeed .
DUKE
, to Lucio
You were not bid to speak .
LUCIO
No , my good lord ,
Nor wished to hold my peace .
DUKE
I wish you now , then .
Pray you take note of it , and when you have
A business for yourself , pray heaven you then
Be perfect .
LUCIO
I warrant your Honor .
DUKE
The warrant’s for yourself . Take heed to ’t .
ISABELLA
This gentleman told somewhat of my tale .
LUCIO
Right .
DUKE
It may be right , but you are i’ the wrong
To speak before your time . — Proceed .
ISABELLA
I went
To this pernicious caitiff deputy —
DUKE
That’s somewhat madly spoken .
ISABELLA
Pardon it ;
The phrase is to the matter .
[181]ACT 5. SC. 1
DUKE
Mended again . The matter ; proceed .
ISABELLA
In brief , to set the needless process by :
How I persuaded , how I prayed and kneeled ,
How he refelled me , and how I replied —
For this was of much length — the vile conclusion
I now begin with grief and shame to utter .
He would not , but by gift of my chaste body
To his concupiscible intemperate lust ,
Release my brother ; and after much debatement ,
My sisterly remorse confutes mine honor ,
And I did yield to him . But the next morn betimes ,
His purpose surfeiting , he sends a warrant
For my poor brother’s head .
DUKE
This is most likely !
ISABELLA
O , that it were as like as it is true !
DUKE
By heaven , fond wretch , thou know’st not what
thou speak’st ,
Or else thou art suborned against his honor
In hateful practice . First , his integrity
Stands without blemish ; next , it imports no reason
That with such vehemency he should pursue
Faults proper to himself . If he had so offended ,
He would have weighed thy brother by himself
And not have cut him off . Someone hath set you on .
Confess the truth , and say by whose advice
Thou cam’st here to complain .
ISABELLA
And is this all ?
Then , O you blessèd ministers above ,
Keep me in patience , and with ripened time
Unfold the evil which is here wrapped up
In countenance . Heaven shield your Grace from
woe ,
[183] ACT 5. SC. 1 As I , thus wronged , hence unbelievèd go .
DUKE
I know you’d fain be gone . — An officer !
An Officer comes forward .
To prison with her . Shall we thus permit
A blasting and a scandalous breath to fall
On him so near us ? This needs must be a practice . —
Who knew of your intent and coming hither ?
ISABELLA
One that I would were here , Friar Lodowick .
Officer exits with Isabella .
DUKE
A ghostly father , belike . Who knows that Lodowick ?
LUCIO
My lord , I know him . ’Tis a meddling friar .
I do not like the man . Had he been lay , my lord ,
For certain words he spake against your Grace
In your retirement , I had swinged him soundly .
DUKE
Words against me ? This’ a good friar , belike .
And to set on this wretched woman here
Against our substitute ! Let this friar be found .
LUCIO
But yesternight , my lord , she and that friar ,
I saw them at the prison . A saucy friar ,
A very scurvy fellow .
FRIAR PETER
, to Duke
Blessed be your royal Grace .
I have stood by , my lord , and I have heard
Your royal ear abused . First hath this woman
Most wrongfully accused your substitute ,
Who is as free from touch or soil with her
As she from one ungot .
DUKE
We did believe no less .
Know you that Friar Lodowick that she speaks of ?
FRIAR PETER
I know him for a man divine and holy ,
[185] ACT 5. SC. 1 Not scurvy , nor a temporary meddler ,
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 .
FRIAR PETER
Well , he in time may come to clear himself ;
But at this instant he is sick , my lord ,
Of a strange fever . Upon his mere request ,
Being come to knowledge that there was complaint
Intended ’gainst Lord Angelo , came I hither
To speak as from his mouth , what he doth know
Is true and false , and what he with his oath
And all probation will make up full clear
Whensoever he’s convented . First , for this woman ,
To justify this worthy nobleman ,
So vulgarly and personally accused ,
Her shall you hear disprovèd to her eyes
Till she herself confess it .
DUKE
Good friar , let’s hear it . —
Do you not smile at this , Lord Angelo ?
O heaven , the vanity of wretched fools ! —
Give us some seats . — Come , cousin Angelo ,
In this I’ll be impartial . Be you judge
Of your own cause .
Duke and Angelo are seated .
Enter Mariana , veiled .
Is this the witness , friar ?
First , let her show her face , and after speak .
MARIANA
Pardon , my lord , I will not show my face
Until my husband bid me .
DUKE
What , are you married ?
MARIANA
No , my lord .
DUKE
Are you a maid ?
[187]ACT 5. SC. 1
MARIANA
No , my lord .
DUKE
A widow , then ?
MARIANA
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 .
MARIANA
My lord , I do confess I ne’er was married ,
And I confess besides I am no maid .
I have known my husband , yet 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 .
MARIANA
Now I come to ’t , my lord .
She that accuses him of fornication
In selfsame manner doth accuse my husband ,
And charges him , my lord , with such a time
When , I’ll depose , I had him in mine arms
With all th’ effect of love .
ANGELO
Charges she more than me ?
MARIANA
Not that I know .
DUKE
No ? You say your husband .
MARIANA
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 .
ANGELO
This is a strange abuse . Let’s see thy face .
[189]ACT 5. SC. 1
MARIANA
My husband bids me . Now I will unmask .
She removes her veil .
This is that face , thou cruel Angelo ,
Which once thou swor’st was worth the looking on .
This is the hand which , with a vowed contract ,
Was fast belocked in thine . This is the body
That took away the match from Isabel
And did supply thee at thy garden house
In her imagined person .
DUKE
, to Angelo
Know you this woman ?
LUCIO
Carnally , she says .
DUKE
Sirrah , no more .
LUCIO
Enough , my lord .
ANGELO
My lord , I must confess I know this woman ,
And five years since there was some speech of
marriage
Betwixt myself and her , which was broke off ,
Partly for that her promisèd proportions
Came short of composition , but in chief
For that her reputation was disvalued
In levity . Since which time of five years
I never spake with her , saw her , nor heard from her ,
Upon my faith and honor .
MARIANA
Noble prince ,
As there comes light from heaven and words from
breath ,
As there is sense in truth and truth in virtue ,
I am affianced this man’s wife as strongly
As words could make up vows . And , my good lord ,
But Tuesday night last gone in ’s garden house
He knew me as a wife . As this is true ,
Let me in safety raise me from my knees ,
Or else forever be confixèd here
A marble monument .
[191]ACT 5. SC. 1
ANGELO
I did but smile till now .
Now , good my lord , give me the scope of justice .
My patience here is touched . I do perceive
These poor informal women are no more
But instruments of some more mightier member
That sets them on . Let me have way , my lord ,
To find this practice out .
DUKE
Ay , with my heart ,
And punish them to your height of pleasure . —
Thou foolish friar , and thou pernicious woman ,
Compact with her that’s gone , think’st thou thy
oaths ,
Though they would swear down each particular
saint ,
Were testimonies against his worth and credit
That’s sealed in approbation ? — You , Lord Escalus ,
Sit with my cousin ; lend him your kind pains
To find out this abuse , whence ’tis derived .
The Duke rises . Escalus is seated .
There is another friar that set them on .
Let him be sent for .
FRIAR PETER
Would he were here , my lord , for he indeed
Hath set the women on to this complaint ;
Your provost knows the place where he abides ,
And he may fetch him .
DUKE
, to Provost
Go , do it instantly .
Provost exits .
To Angelo .
And you , my noble and well-warranted
cousin ,
Whom it concerns to hear this matter forth ,
Do with your injuries as seems you best
In any chastisement . I for a while
Will leave you ; but stir not you till you have
Well determined upon these slanderers .
ESCALUS
My lord , we’ll do it throughly .
Duke exits .
[193] ACT 5. SC. 1 Signior Lucio , did not you say you knew that Friar
Lodowick to be a dishonest person ?
LUCIO
Cucullus non facit monachum , honest in nothing
but in his clothes , and one that hath spoke most
villainous speeches of the Duke .
ESCALUS
We shall entreat you to abide here till he
come , and enforce them against him . We shall find
this friar a notable fellow .
LUCIO
As any in Vienna , on my word .
ESCALUS
Call that same Isabel here once again . I would
speak with her .
An Attendant exits .
To Angelo .
Pray you , my lord , give me leave to
question . You shall see how I’ll handle her .
LUCIO
Not better than he , by her own report .
ESCALUS
Say you ?
LUCIO
Marry , sir , I think , if you handled her privately ,
she would sooner confess ; perchance publicly she’ll
be ashamed .
ESCALUS
I will go darkly to work with her .
LUCIO
That’s the way , for women are light at midnight .
Enter Duke as a Friar , Provost , and Isabella ,
with Officers .
ESCALUS
, to Isabella
Come on , mistress . Here’s a gentlewoman
denies all that you have said .
LUCIO
My lord , here comes the rascal I spoke of , here
with the Provost .
ESCALUS
In very good time . Speak not you to him till
we call upon you .
LUCIO
Mum .
ESCALUS
, to disguised Duke
Come , sir , did you set
these women on to slander Lord Angelo ? They have
confessed you did .
DUKE
, as Friar
’Tis false .
ESCALUS
How ? Know you where you are ?
[195]ACT 5. SC. 1
DUKE
, as Friar
Respect to your great place , and let the devil
Be sometime honored for his burning throne .
Where is the Duke ? ’Tis he should hear me speak .
ESCALUS
The Duke’s in us , and we will hear you speak .
Look you speak justly .
DUKE
, as Friar
Boldly , at least . — But , O , poor souls ,
Come you to seek the lamb here of the fox ?
Good night to your redress . Is the Duke gone ?
Then is your cause gone too . The Duke’s unjust
Thus to retort your manifest appeal ,
And put your trial in the villain’s mouth
Which here you come to accuse .
LUCIO
This is the rascal ; this is he I spoke of .
ESCALUS
, to disguised Duke
Why , thou unreverend and unhallowed friar ,
Is ’t not enough thou hast suborned these women
To accuse this worthy man , but , in foul mouth
And in the witness of his proper ear ,
To call him villain ? And then to glance from him
To th’ Duke himself , to tax him with injustice ? —
Take him hence . To th’ rack with him . We’ll touse
him
Joint by joint , but we will know his purpose .
What ? ‘Unjust’ ?
DUKE
, as Friar
Be not so hot . The Duke
Dare no more stretch this finger of mine than he
Dare rack his own . His subject am I not ,
Nor here provincial . My business in this state
Made me a looker-on here in Vienna ,
Where I have seen corruption boil and bubble
Till it o’errun the stew . Laws for all faults ,
But faults so countenanced that the strong statutes
[197] ACT 5. SC. 1 Stand like the forfeits in a barber’s shop ,
As much in mock as mark .
ESCALUS
Slander to th’ state !
Away with him to prison .
ANGELO
, to Lucio
What can you vouch against him , Signior Lucio ?
Is this the man that you did tell us of ?
LUCIO
’Tis he , my lord . — Come hither , Goodman Baldpate .
Do you know me ?
DUKE
, as Friar
I remember you , sir , by the sound of
your voice . I met you at the prison in the absence of
the Duke .
LUCIO
O , did you so ? And do you remember what you
said of the Duke ?
DUKE
, as Friar
Most notedly , sir .
LUCIO
Do you so , sir ? And was the Duke a fleshmonger ,
a fool , and a coward , as you then reported him to
be ?
DUKE
, as Friar
You must , sir , change persons with me
ere you make that my report . You indeed spoke so
of him , and much more , much worse .
LUCIO
O , thou damnable fellow ! Did not I pluck thee by
the nose for thy speeches ?
DUKE
, as Friar
I protest I love the Duke as I love
myself .
ANGELO
Hark how the villain would close now , after
his treasonable abuses !
ESCALUS
Such a fellow is not to be talked withal . Away
with him to prison . Where is the Provost ? Provost
comes forward . Away with him to prison . Lay bolts
enough upon him . Let him speak no more . Away
with those giglets too , and with the other confederate
companion .
Provost seizes the disguised Duke .
DUKE
, as Friar
Stay , sir , stay awhile .
ANGELO
What , resists he ? — Help him , Lucio .
LUCIO
, to the disguised Duke
Come , sir , come , sir ,
[199] ACT 5. SC. 1 come , sir . Foh , sir ! Why you bald-pated , lying rascal ,
you must be hooded , must you ? Show your knave’s
visage , with a pox to you ! Show your sheep-biting
face , and be hanged an hour ! Will ’t not off ?
He pulls off the friar’s hood , and reveals the Duke .
Angelo and Escalus stand .
DUKE
Thou art the first knave that e’er mad’st a duke . —
First , provost , let me bail these gentle three .
To Lucio .
Sneak not away , sir , for the friar and
you
Must have a word anon . — Lay hold on him .
LUCIO
This may prove worse than hanging .
DUKE
, to Escalus
What you have spoke I pardon . Sit you down .
We’ll borrow place of him .
To Angelo .
Sir , by your
leave .
Hast thou or word , or wit , or impudence
That yet can do thee office ? If thou hast ,
Rely upon it till my tale be heard ,
And hold no longer out .
ANGELO
O my dread lord ,
I should be guiltier than my guiltiness
To think I can be undiscernible ,
When I perceive your Grace , like power divine ,
Hath looked upon my passes . Then , good prince ,
No longer session hold upon my shame ,
But let my trial be mine own confession .
Immediate sentence then and sequent death
Is all the grace I beg .
DUKE
Come hither , Mariana .
Mariana stands and comes forward .
To Angelo .
Say , wast thou e’er contracted to this
woman ?
ANGELO
I was , my lord .
DUKE
Go take her hence and marry her instantly .
[201] ACT 5. SC. 1
To Friar Peter .
Do you the office , friar , which
consummate ,
Return him here again . — Go with him , provost .
Angelo , Mariana , Friar Peter , and Provost exit .
ESCALUS
My lord , I am more amazed at his dishonor
Than at the strangeness of it .
DUKE
Come hither , Isabel .
Your friar is now your prince . As I was then
Advertising and holy to your business ,
Not changing heart with habit , I am still
Attorneyed at your service .
ISABELLA
O , give me pardon
That I , your vassal , have employed and pained
Your unknown sovereignty .
DUKE
You are pardoned ,
Isabel .
And now , dear maid , be you as free to us .
Your brother’s death , I know , sits at your heart ,
And you may marvel why I obscured myself ,
Laboring to save his life , and would not rather
Make rash remonstrance of my hidden power
Than let him so be lost . O most kind maid ,
It was the swift celerity of his death ,
Which I did think with slower foot came on ,
That brained my purpose . But peace be with him .
That life is better life past fearing death
Than that which lives to fear . Make it your comfort ,
So happy is your brother .
ISABELLA
I do , my lord .
Enter Angelo , Mariana , Friar Peter , and Provost .
DUKE
For this new-married man approaching here ,
Whose salt imagination yet hath wronged
Your well-defended honor , you must pardon
[203] ACT 5. SC. 1 For Mariana’s sake . But as he adjudged your
brother —
Being criminal in double violation
Of sacred chastity and of promise-breach
Thereon dependent for your brother’s life —
The very mercy of the law cries out
Most audible , even from his proper tongue ,
‘An Angelo for Claudio , death for death .’
Haste still pays haste , and leisure answers leisure ;
Like doth quit like , and measure still for
measure . —
Then , Angelo , thy fault’s thus manifested ,
Which , though thou wouldst deny , denies thee
vantage .
We do condemn thee to the very block
Where Claudio stooped to death , and with like
haste . —
Away with him .
MARIANA
O my most gracious lord ,
I hope you will not mock me with a husband .
DUKE
It is your husband mocked you with a husband .
Consenting to the safeguard of your honor ,
I thought your marriage fit . Else imputation ,
For that he knew you , might reproach your life
And choke your good to come . For his possessions ,
Although by confiscation they are ours ,
We do instate and widow you with all
To buy you a better husband .
MARIANA
O my dear lord ,
I crave no other nor no better man .
DUKE
Never crave him . We are definitive .
MARIANA
, kneeling
Gentle my liege —
DUKE
You do but lose your labor . —
[205] ACT 5. SC. 1 Away with him to death .
To Lucio .
Now , sir , to
you .
MARIANA
O , my good lord . — Sweet Isabel , take my part .
Lend me your knees , and all my life to come
I’ll lend you all my life to do you service .
DUKE
Against all sense you do importune her .
Should she kneel down in mercy of this fact ,
Her brother’s ghost his pavèd bed would break
And take her hence in horror .
MARIANA
Isabel ,
Sweet Isabel , do yet but kneel by me ,
Hold up your hands , say nothing . I’ll speak all .
They say best men are molded out of faults ,
And , for the most , become much more the better
For being a little bad . So may my husband .
O Isabel , will you not lend a knee ?
DUKE
He dies for Claudio’s death .
ISABELLA
, kneeling
Most bounteous sir ,
Look , if it please you , on this man condemned
As if my brother lived . I partly think
A due sincerity governed his deeds
Till he did look on me . Since it is so ,
Let him not die . My brother had but justice ,
In that he did the thing for which he died .
For Angelo ,
His act did not o’ertake his bad intent ,
And must be buried but as an intent
That perished by the way . Thoughts are no subjects ,
Intents but merely thoughts .
MARIANA
Merely , my lord .
DUKE
Your suit’s unprofitable . Stand up , I say .
They stand .
I have bethought me of another fault . —
[207] ACT 5. SC. 1 Provost , how came it Claudio was beheaded
At an unusual hour ?
PROVOST
It was commanded so .
DUKE
Had you a special warrant for the deed ?
PROVOST
No , my good lord , it was by private message .
DUKE
For which I do discharge you of your office .
Give up your keys .
PROVOST
Pardon me , noble lord .
I thought it was a fault , but knew it not ,
Yet did repent me after more advice ,
For testimony whereof , one in the prison
That should by private order else have died ,
I have reserved alive .
DUKE
What’s he ?
PROVOST
His name is Barnardine .
DUKE
I would thou hadst done so by Claudio .
Go fetch him hither . Let me look upon him .
Provost exits .
ESCALUS
, to Angelo
I am sorry one so learnèd and so wise
As you , Lord Angelo , have still appeared ,
Should slip so grossly , both in the heat of blood
And lack of tempered judgment afterward .
ANGELO
I am sorry that such sorrow I procure ;
And so deep sticks it in my penitent heart
That I crave death more willingly than mercy .
’Tis my deserving , and I do entreat it .
Enter Barnardine and Provost , Claudio , muffled ,
and Juliet .
DUKE
, to Provost
Which is that Barnardine ?
[209]ACT 5. SC. 1
PROVOST
This , my
lord .
DUKE
There was a friar told me of this man . —
Sirrah , thou art said to have a stubborn soul
That apprehends no further than this world ,
And squar’st thy life according . Thou ’rt condemned .
But , for those earthly faults , I quit them all ,
And pray thee take this mercy to provide
For better times to come . — Friar , advise him .
I leave him to your hand . — What muffled fellow’s
that ?
PROVOST
This is another prisoner that I saved
Who should have died when Claudio lost his head ,
As like almost to Claudio as himself .
He unmuffles Claudio .
DUKE
, to Isabella
If he be like your brother , for his sake
Is he pardoned ; and for your lovely sake ,
Give me your hand and say you will be mine ,
He is my brother too . But fitter time for that .
By this Lord Angelo perceives he’s safe ;
Methinks I see a quick’ning in his eye . —
Well , Angelo , your evil quits you well .
Look that you love your wife , her worth worth
yours .
I find an apt remission in myself .
And yet here’s one in place I cannot pardon .
To Lucio .
You , sirrah , that knew me for a fool , a
coward ,
One all of luxury , an ass , a madman .
Wherein have I so deserved of you
That you extol me thus ?
LUCIO
Faith , my lord , I spoke it but according to the
trick . If you will hang me for it , you may , but I had
rather it would please you I might be whipped .
[211]ACT 5. SC. 1
DUKE
Whipped first , sir , and hanged after . —
Proclaim it , provost , round about the city ,
If any woman wronged by this lewd fellow —
As I have heard him swear himself there’s one
Whom he begot with child — let her appear ,
And he shall marry her . The nuptial finished ,
Let him be whipped and hanged .
LUCIO
I beseech your Highness do not marry me to a
whore . Your Highness said even now I made you a
duke . Good my lord , do not recompense me in
making me a cuckold .
DUKE
Upon mine honor , thou shalt marry her .
Thy slanders I forgive and therewithal
Remit thy other forfeits . — Take him to prison ,
And see our pleasure herein executed .
LUCIO
Marrying a punk , my lord , is pressing to death ,
whipping , and hanging .
DUKE
Slandering a prince deserves it .
Officers take Lucio away .
She , Claudio , that you wronged , look you restore . —
Joy to you , Mariana . — Love her , Angelo .
I have confessed her , and I know her virtue . —
Thanks , good friend Escalus , for thy much goodness .
There’s more behind that is more gratulate . —
Thanks , provost , for thy care and secrecy .
We shall employ thee in a worthier place . —
Forgive him , Angelo , that brought you home
The head of Ragozine for Claudio’s .
Th’ offense pardons itself . — Dear Isabel ,
I have a motion much imports your good ,
Whereto if you’ll a willing ear incline ,
What’s mine is yours , and what is yours is mine . —
So , bring us to our palace , where we’ll show
What’s yet behind that’s meet you all should know .
They exit .