_Duke._ Either this is envy in you, folly, or mistaking: the very stream of his life and the business he hath helmed must, upon a warranted need, give him a better proclamation. Let him be but testimonied in his own bringings-forth, 135 and he shall appear, to the envious, a scholar, a statesman and a soldier. Therefore you speak unskilfully; or if your knowledge be more, it is much darkened in your malice. _Lucio._ Sir, I know him, and I love him. 140 _Duke._ Love talks with better knowledge, and knowledge with dearer love. _Lucio._ Come, sir, I know what I know. _Duke._ I can hardly believe that, since you know not what you speak. But, if ever the Duke return, as our prayers 145 are he may, let me desire you to make your answer before him. If it be honest you have spoke, you have courage to maintain it: I am bound to call upon you; and, I pray you, your name? _Lucio._ Sir, my name is Lucio; well known to the 150 duke. _Duke._ He shall know you better, sir, if I may live to report you. _Lucio._ I fear you not. _Duke._ O, you hope the Duke will return no more; or 155 you imagine me too unhurtful an opposite. But, indeed, I can do you little harm; you'll forswear this again. _Lucio._ I'll be hanged first: thou art deceived in me, friar. But no more of this. Canst thou tell if Claudio die to-morrow or no? 160 _Duke._ Why should he die, sir? _Lucio._ Why? For filling a bottle with a tun-dish. I would the Duke we talk of were returned again: this ungenitured agent will unpeople the province with continency; sparrows must not build in his house-eaves, because 165 they are lecherous. The Duke yet would have dark deeds darkly answered; he would never bring them to light: would he were returned! Marry, this Claudio is condemned for untrussing. Farewell, good friar: I prithee, pray for me. The Duke, I say to thee again, would eat mutton on 170 Fridays. He's not past it yet, and I say to thee, he would mouth with a beggar, though she smelt brown bread and garlic: say that I said so. Farewell. [_Exit._ _Duke._ No might nor greatness in mortality Can censure 'scape; back-wounding calumny 175 The whitest virtue strikes. What king so strong Can tie the gall up in the slanderous tongue? But who comes here? _Enter ESCALUS, PROVOST, and _Officers_ with MISTRESS OVERDONE._ _Escal._ Go; away with her to prison! _Mrs Ov._ Good my lord, be good to me; your honour 180 is accounted a merciful man; good my lord. _Escal._ Double and treble admonition, and still forfeit in the same kind! This would make mercy swear and play the tyrant. _Prov._ A bawd of eleven years' continuance, may it 185 please your honour.