_Ang._ The law hath not been dead, though it hath slept: 90 Those many had not dared to do that evil, If the first that did the edict infringe Had answer'd for his deed: now 'tis awake, Takes note of what is done; and, like a prophet, Looks in a glass, that shows what future evils, 95 Either now, or by remissness new-conceived, And so in progress to be hatch'd and born, Are now to have no successive degrees, But, ere they live, to end. _Isab._ Yet show some pity. _Ang._ I show it most of all when I show justice; 100 For then I pity those I do not know, Which a dismiss'd offence would after gall; And do him right that, answering one foul wrong. Lives not to act another. Be satisfied; Your brother dies to-morrow; be content. 105 _Isab._ So you must be the first that gives this sentence. And he, that suffers. O, it is excellent To have a giant's strength; but it is tyrannous To use it like a giant. _Lucio._ [_Aside to Isab._] That's well said. _Isab._ Could great men thunder 110 As Jove himself does, Jove would ne'er be quiet, For every pelting, petty officer Would use his heaven for thunder. Nothing but thunder! Merciful Heaven, Thou rather with thy sharp and sulphurous bolt 115 Split'st the unwedgeable and gnarled oak Than the soft myrtle: but man, proud man, Drest in a little brief authority, Most ignorant of what he's most assured, His glassy essence, like an angry ape, 120 Plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven As make the angels weep; who, with our spleens, Would all themselves laugh mortal. _Lucio._ [_Aside to Isab._] O, to him, to him, wench! he will relent; He's coming; I perceive't. _Prov._ [_Aside_] Pray heaven she win him! 125 _Isab._ We cannot weigh our brother with ourself: Great men may jest with saints; 'tis wit in them. But in the less foul profanation. _Lucio._ Thou'rt i' the right, girl; more o' that. _Isab._ That in the captain's but a choleric word, 130 Which in the soldier is flat blasphemy. _Lucio._ [_Aside to Isab._] Art avised o' that? more on't. _Ang._ Why do you put these sayings upon me? _Isab._ Because authority, though it err like others. Hath yet a kind of medicine in itself, 135 That skins the vice o' the top. Go to your bosom; Knock there, and ask your heart what it doth know That's like my brother's fault: if it confess A natural guiltiness such as is his, Let it not sound a thought upon your tongue 140 Against my brother's life. _Ang._ [_Aside_] She speaks, and 'tis Such sense, that my sense breeds with it. Fare you well. _Isab._ Gentle my lord, turn back. _Ang._ I will bethink me: come again to-morrow. _Isab._ Hark how I'll bribe you: good my lord, turn back. 145 _Ang._ How? bribe me?