to make fellowships accurst. Much upon this riddle runs the
wisdom of the world. This news is old enough, yet it is every
day's news. I pray you, sir, of what disposition was the
Duke?
ESCALUS. One that, above all other strifes, contended
especially to
know himself.
DUKE. What pleasure was he given to?
ESCALUS. Rather rejoicing to see another merry than merry at
anything which profess'd to make him rejoice; a gentleman of
all
temperance. But leave we him to his events, with a prayer
they
may prove prosperous; and let me desire to know how you find
Claudio prepar'd. I am made to understand that you have lent
him
visitation.
DUKE. He professes to have received no sinister measure from
his
judge, but most willingly humbles himself to the
determination of
justice. Yet had he framed to himself, by the instruction of
his
frailty, many deceiving promises of life; which I, by my good
leisure, have discredited to him, and now he is resolv'd to
die.
ESCALUS. You have paid the heavens your function, and the
prisoner
the very debt of your calling. I have labour'd for the poor
gentleman to the extremest shore of my modesty; but my
brother
justice have I found so severe that he hath forc'd me to tell
him
he is indeed Justice.
DUKE. If his own life answer the straitness of his proceeding,
it
shall become him well; wherein if he chance to fail, he hath
sentenc'd himself.
ESCALUS. I am going to visit the prisoner. Fare you well.
DUKE. Peace be with you! Exeunt ESCALUS and PROVOST
He who the sword of heaven will bear
Should be as holy as severe;
Pattern in himself to know,
Grace to stand, and virtue go;
More nor less to others paying
Than by self-offences weighing.
Shame to him whose cruel striking
Kills for faults of his own liking!
Twice treble shame on Angelo,
To weed my vice and let his grow!
O, what may man within him hide,
Though angel on the outward side!
How may likeness, made in crimes,
Make a practice on the times,
To draw with idle spiders' strings
Most ponderous and substantial things!
Craft against vice I must apply.
With Angelo to-night shall lie
His old betrothed but despised;
So disguise shall, by th' disguised,
Pay with falsehood false exacting,
And perform an old contracting. Exit
Act IV. Scene I.
The moated grange at Saint Duke's
Enter MARIANA; and BOY singing
SONG
Take, O, take those lips away,
That so sweetly were forsworn;
And those eyes, the break of day,
Lights that do mislead the morn;
But my kisses bring again, bring again;
Seals of love, but seal'd in vain, seal'd in vain.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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