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,) 13 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'er-grown 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. I do fear, too dreadful: Sith 'twas my fault to give the people scope, 'Twould be my tyranny to strike, and gal! them For what I bid them do: For we bil this be done, Yo When evil deeds have their permissive pass, And not the punishment. Therefore, indeed, my father, Who may, in th' ambush of my name, strike home, To do it slander: And to behold his sway, I will, as 'twere a brother of your order, Like a true friar. More reasons for this action, Is more to bread than stone: Hence shall we see, 57 If power change purpose, what our seemers be. [Exeunt SCENE V-A nunnery. Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA. Isab. And have you nuns no further privileges? Isab. Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more ; Fran. It is a man's voice: Gentle Isabella, When Then, if you speak, you must not show your face if you show your face, you must not speak. He calls again; I pray you, answer him. Or, [Exit FRANCISCA. Isab. Peace and prosperity! Who is't that calls? Enter LUCIO. Lucio. Hail, virgin, if you be; as those cheek-roses Proclaim you are no less! Can you so stead me, As bring me to the sight of Isabella, 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 you: Not to be weary with you, he's in prison. Isab. Woe me! For what? Lucio. For that, which, if myself might be his judge, He should receive his punishment in thanks : He hath got his friend with child. Isab. Sir, make me not your story. It is true. I would not-though 'tis my familiar sin By your renouncement, an immortal spirit ; As with a saint. Isab. You do blaspheme the good, in mocking me. Lucio. Do not believe it. Fewness and truth, 'tis thus: Your brother and his lover have embrac'd: As those that feed grow full; as blossoming time, Isab. Some one with child by him?-My cousin Juliet ? Isab. Adoptedly; as school-maids change their names, By vain though apt affection Lucio. Isab. O, let him marry her! She it is. Lucio. Governs lord Angelo; a man, whose blood Which have, for long, run by the hideous law, Isab. Doth he so seek his life? Has censur'd him Already; and, as I hear, the provost hath A warrant for his execution. Isab. Alas! what poor ability's in me To do him good? Lucio. Assay the power you have. Isab. My power! Alas! I doubt,— Our doubts are traitors, And make us lose the good we oft might win, As they themselves would owe them. But, speedily. : Isab. I will about it straight; Good sir, adieu. [Exeunt. |