Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Adaptations; Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Stories, plots, etc. -- Juvenile literature
Then the duke in his own name, wrote to Angelo a letter, saying, that
certain accidents had put a stop to his journey, and that he should be
in Vienna by the following morning, requiring Angelo to meet him at the
entrance of the city, there to deliver up his authority; and the duke
also commanded it to be proclaimed, that if any of his subjects craved
redress for injustice, they should exhibit their petitions in the street
on his first entrance into the city.
Early in the morning Isabel came to the prison, and the duke, who there
awaited her coming, for secret reasons thought it good to tell her that
Claudio was beheaded; therefore when Isabel inquired if Angelo had sent
the pardon for her brother, he said, "Angelo has released Claudio from
this world. His head is off, and sent to the deputy." The much-grieved
sister cried out, "O unhappy Claudio, wretched Isabel, injurious world,
most wicked Angelo!" The seeming friar bid her take comfort, and when
she was become a little calm, he acquainted her with the near prospect
of the duke's return, and told her in what manner she should proceed in
preferring her complaint against Angelo; and he bade her not fear if the
cause should seem to go against her for a while. Leaving Isabel
sufficiently instructed, he next went to Mariana, and gave her counsel
in what manner she also should act.
Then the duke laid aside his friar's habit, and in his own royal robes,
amidst a joyful crowd of his faithful subjects, assembled to greet his
arrival, entered the city of Vienna, where he was met by Angelo, who
delivered up his authority in the proper form. And there came Isabel, in
the manner of a petitioner for redress, and said, "Justice, most royal
duke! I am the sister of one Claudio, who, for the seducing a young
maid, was condemned to lose his head. I made my suit to Lord Angelo for
my brother's pardon. It were needless to tell your grace how I prayed
and kneeled, how he repelled me, and how I replied; for this was of much
length. The vile conclusion I now begin with grief and shame to utter.
Angelo would not but by my yielding to his dishonourable love release my
brother; and after much debate within myself, my sisterly remorse
overcame my virtue, and I did yield to him. But the next morning
betimes, Angelo, forfeiting his promise, sent a warrant for my poor
brother's head!" The duke affected to disbelieve her story; and Angelo
said that grief for her brother's death, who had suffered by the due
course of the law, had disordered her senses. And now another suitor
approached, which was Mariana; and Mariana said, "Noble prince, as there
comes light from heaven, and truth from breath, as there is sense in
truth and truth in virtue, I am this man's wife, and, my good lord, the
words of Isabel are false; for the night she says she was with Angelo, I
passed that night with him in the garden-house. As this is true, let me
in safety rise, or else for ever be fixed here a marble monument." Then
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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