_Isab._ And is this all? Then, O you blessed ministers above, 115 Keep me in patience, and with ripen'd time Unfold the evil which is here wrapt up In countenance!--Heaven shield your Grace from woe. As I, thus wrong'd, hence unbelieved go! _Duke._ I know you'ld fain be gone.--An officer! 120 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? _Isab._ One that I would were here, Friar Lodowick. 125 _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. 130 _Duke._ Words against me! this's 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, 135 A very scurvy fellow. _Fri. P._ 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, 140 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? _Fri. P._ I know him for a man divine and holy; 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 villanously; believe it. _Fri. P._ Well, he in time may come to clear himself; 150 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 155 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, 160 Her shall you hear disproved to her eyes, Till she herself confess it. _Duke._ Good friar, let's hear it. [_Isabella is carried off guarded; and Mariana comes forward._ Do you not smile at this, Lord Angelo?-- O heaven, the vanity of wretched fools!-- Give us some seats. Come, cousin Angelo; 165 In this I'll be impartial; be you judge Of your own cause. Is this the witness, friar? First, let her show her face, and after speak. _Mari._ Pardon, my lord; I will not show my face Until my husband bid me. 170