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Original Text |
Modern Text |
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A room in the prison.
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A room in the prison.
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Enter Provost and POMPEY
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Enter Provost and POMPEY
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PROVOST Come hither, sirrah. Can you cut off a man’s head?
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PROVOST Come hither, sirrah. Can you cut off a man’s head?
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POMPEY If the man be a bachelor, sir, I can; but if he be a
married man, he’s his
wife’s heada pun, referring both to the Biblical idea of the husband as the head of the wife (Ephesians 5:23) and the husband owning his wife’s maidenhead (virginity) cut off a woman’s head.
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POMPEY If the man be a bachelor, sir, I can; but if he be a
married man, he’s his
wife’s heada pun, referring both to the Biblical idea of the husband as the head of the wife (Ephesians 5:23) and the husband owning his wife’s maidenhead (virginity) cut off a woman’s head.
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PROVOST 5 Come, sir, leave me your snatches, and yield me a
direct answer. To-morrow morning are to die Claudio
and Barnardine. Here is in our prison a common
executioner, who in his office lacks a helper: if
you will take it on you to assist him, it shall
10 redeem you from your gyves; if not, you shall have
your full time of imprisonment and your deliverance
with an unpitied whipping, for you have been a
notorious bawd.
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PROVOST Come, sir, leave me your snatches, and yield me a
direct answer. To-morrow morning are to die Claudio
and Barnardine. Here is in our prison a common
executioner, who in his office lacks a helper: if
you will take it on you to assist him, it shall
redeem you from your gyves; if not, you shall have
your full time of imprisonment and your deliverance
with an unpitied whipping, for you have been a
notorious bawd.
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POMPEY Sir, I have been an unlawful bawd time out of mind;
15 but yet I will be content to be a lawful hangman. I
would be glad to receive some instruction from my
fellow partner.
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POMPEY Sir, I have been an unlawful bawd time out of mind;
but yet I will be content to be a lawful hangman. I
would be glad to receive some instruction from my
fellow partner.
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PROVOST What, ho! Abhorson! Where’s Abhorson, there?
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PROVOST What, ho! Abhorson! Where’s Abhorson, there?
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Enter ABHORSON
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Enter ABHORSON
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ABHORSON Do you call, sir?
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ABHORSON Do you call, sir?
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PROVOST 20 Sirrah, here’s a fellow will help you to-morrow in
your execution. If you think it meet, compound with
him by the year, and let him abide here with you; if
not, use him for the present and dismiss him. He
cannot plead his estimation with you; he hath been a bawd.
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PROVOST Sirrah, here’s a fellow will help you to-morrow in
your execution. If you think it meet, compound with
him by the year, and let him abide here with you; if
not, use him for the present and dismiss him. He
cannot plead his estimation with you; he hath been a bawd.
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ABHORSON 25 A bawd, sir? fie upon him! he will discredit our mystery.
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ABHORSON A bawd, sir? fie upon him! he will discredit our mystery.
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PROVOST Go to, sir; you weigh equally; a feather will turn
the scale.
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PROVOST Go to, sir; you weigh equally; a feather will turn
the scale.
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Exit
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Exit
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POMPEY Pray, sir, by your good favour,—for surely, sir, a
good favour you have, but that you have a hanging
30 look,—do you call, sir, your occupation a mystery?
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POMPEY Pray, sir, by your good favour,—for surely, sir, a
good favour you have, but that you have a hanging
look,—do you call, sir, your occupation a mystery?
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ABHORSON Ay, sir; a mystery
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ABHORSON Ay, sir; a mystery
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POMPEY Painting, sir, I have heard say, is a mystery; and
your whores, sir, being members of my occupation,
using painting, do prove my occupation a mystery:
35 but what mystery there should be in hanging, if I
should be hanged, I cannot imagine.
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POMPEY Painting, sir, I have heard say, is a mystery; and
your whores, sir, being members of my occupation,
using painting, do prove my occupation a mystery:
but what mystery there should be in hanging, if I
should be hanged, I cannot imagine.
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ABHORSON Sir, it is a mystery.
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ABHORSON Sir, it is a mystery.
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POMPEY Proof?
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POMPEY Proof?
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ABHORSON Every true man’s apparel fits your thief: if it be
40 too little for your thief, your true man thinks it
big enough; if it be too big for your thief, your
thief thinks it little enough: so every true man’s
apparel fits your thief.
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ABHORSON Every true man’s apparel fits your thief: if it be
too little for your thief, your true man thinks it
big enough; if it be too big for your thief, your
thief thinks it little enough: so every true man’s
apparel fits your thief.
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Re-enter Provost
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Re-enter Provost
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PROVOST Are you agreed?
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PROVOST Are you agreed?
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POMPEY 45 Sir, I will serve him; for I do find your hangman is
a more penitent trade than your bawd; he doth
oftener ask forgiveness.
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POMPEY Sir, I will serve him; for I do find your hangman is
a more penitent trade than your bawd; he doth
oftener ask forgiveness.
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PROVOST You, sirrah, provide your block and your axe
to-morrow four o’clock.
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PROVOST You, sirrah, provide your block and your axe
to-morrow four o’clock.
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ABHORSON 50 Come on, bawd; I will instruct thee in my trade; follow.
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ABHORSON Come on, bawd; I will instruct thee in my trade; follow.
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POMPEY I do desire to learn, sir: and I hope, if you have
occasion to use me for your own turn, you shall find
me yare; for truly, sir, for your kindness I owe you
a good turn.
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POMPEY I do desire to learn, sir: and I hope, if you have
occasion to use me for your own turn, you shall find
me yare; for truly, sir, for your kindness I owe you
a good turn.
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POMPEY and ABHORSON exit.
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POMPEY and ABHORSON exit.
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PROVOST 55 Call hither Barnardine and Claudio:
The one has my pity; not a jot the other,
Being a murderer, though he were my brother.
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PROVOST Call hither Barnardine and Claudio:
The one has my pity; not a jot the other,
Being a murderer, though he were my brother.
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Enter CLAUDIO
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Enter CLAUDIO
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Look, here’s the warrant, Claudio, for thy death:
’Tis now dead midnight, and by eight to-morrow
60 Thou must be made immortal. Where’s Barnardine?
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Look, here’s the warrant, Claudio, for thy death:
’Tis now dead midnight, and by eight to-morrow
Thou must be made immortal. Where’s Barnardine?
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CLAUDIO As fast lock’d up in sleep as guiltless labour
When it lies starkly in the traveller’s bones:
He will not wake.
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CLAUDIO As fast lock’d up in sleep as guiltless labour
When it lies starkly in the traveller’s bones:
He will not wake.
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PROVOST Who can do good on him?
65 Well, go, prepare yourself.
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PROVOST Who can do good on him?
Well, go, prepare yourself.
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Knocking within
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Knocking within
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But, hark, what noise?
Heaven give your spirits comfort!
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But, hark, what noise?
Heaven give your spirits comfort!
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Exit CLAUDIO
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Exit CLAUDIO
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By and by.
I hope it is some pardon or reprieve
70 For the most gentle Claudio.
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By and by.
I hope it is some pardon or reprieve
For the most gentle Claudio.
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Enter DUKE VINCENTIO disguised as before
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Enter DUKE VINCENTIO disguised as before
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Welcome father.
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Welcome father.
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DUKE VINCENTIO The best and wholesomest spirts of the night
Envelope you, good Provost! Who call’d here of late?
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DUKE VINCENTIO The best and wholesomest spirts of the night
Envelope you, good Provost! Who call’d here of late?
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PROVOST None, since the curfew rung.
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PROVOST None, since the curfew rung.
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DUKE VINCENTIO 75 Not Isabel?
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DUKE VINCENTIO Not Isabel?
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PROVOST No.
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PROVOST No.
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DUKE VINCENTIO They will, then, ere’t be long.
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DUKE VINCENTIO They will, then, ere’t be long.
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PROVOST What comfort is for Claudio?
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PROVOST What comfort is for Claudio?
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DUKE VINCENTIO There’s some in hope.
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DUKE VINCENTIO There’s some in hope.
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PROVOST 80 It is a bitter deputy.
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PROVOST It is a bitter deputy.
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DUKE VINCENTIO Not so, not so; his life is parallel’d
Even with the stroke and line of his great justice:
He doth with holy abstinence subdue
That in himself which he spurs on his power
85 To qualify in others: were he meal’d with that
Which he corrects, then were he tyrannous;
But this being so, he’s just.
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DUKE VINCENTIO Not so, not so; his life is parallel’d
Even with the stroke and line of his great justice:
He doth with holy abstinence subdue
That in himself which he spurs on his power
To qualify in others: were he meal’d with that
Which he corrects, then were he tyrannous;
But this being so, he’s just.
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Knocking within
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Knocking within
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Now are they come.
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Now are they come.
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Exit Provost
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Exit Provost
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This is a gentle provost: seldom when
90 The steeled gaoler is the friend of men.
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This is a gentle provost: seldom when
The steeled gaoler is the friend of men.
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Knocking within
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Knocking within
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How now! what noise? That spirit’s possessed with haste
That wounds the unsisting postern with these strokes.
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How now! what noise? That spirit’s possessed with haste
That wounds the unsisting postern with these strokes.
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Re-enter Provost
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Re-enter Provost
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PROVOST There he must stay until the officer
Arise to let him in: he is call’d up.
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PROVOST There he must stay until the officer
Arise to let him in: he is call’d up.
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DUKE VINCENTIO 95 Have you no countermand for Claudio yet,
But he must die to-morrow?
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DUKE VINCENTIO Have you no countermand for Claudio yet,
But he must die to-morrow?
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PROVOST None, sir, none.
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PROVOST None, sir, none.
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DUKE VINCENTIO As near the dawning, provost, as it is,
You shall hear more ere morning.
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DUKE VINCENTIO As near the dawning, provost, as it is,
You shall hear more ere morning.
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PROVOST 100 Happily
You something know; yet I believe there comes
No countermand; no such example have we:
Besides, upon the very siege of justice
Lord Angelo hath to the public ear
105 Profess’d the contrary.
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PROVOST Happily
You something know; yet I believe there comes
No countermand; no such example have we:
Besides, upon the very siege of justice
Lord Angelo hath to the public ear
Profess’d the contrary.
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Enter a Messenger
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Enter a Messenger
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This is his lordship’s man.
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This is his lordship’s man.
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DUKE VINCENTIO And here comes Claudio’s pardon.
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DUKE VINCENTIO And here comes Claudio’s pardon.
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MESSENGER (Giving a paper)
My lord hath sent you this note; and by me this
110 further charge, that you swerve not from the
smallest article of it, neither in time, matter, or
other circumstance. Good morrow; for, as I take it,
it is almost day.
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MESSENGER (Giving a paper)
My lord hath sent you this note; and by me this
further charge, that you swerve not from the
smallest article of it, neither in time, matter, or
other circumstance. Good morrow; for, as I take it,
it is almost day.
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PROVOST I shall obey him.
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PROVOST I shall obey him.
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Exit Messenger
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Exit Messenger
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DUKE VINCENTIO 115 (Aside) This is his pardon, purchased by such sin
For which the pardoner himself is in.
Hence hath offence his quick celerity,
When it is born in high authority:
When vice makes mercy, mercy’s so extended,
120 That for the fault’s love is the offender friended.
Now, sir, what news?
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DUKE VINCENTIO (Aside) This is his pardon, purchased by such sin
For which the pardoner himself is in.
Hence hath offence his quick celerity,
When it is born in high authority:
When vice makes mercy, mercy’s so extended,
That for the fault’s love is the offender friended.
Now, sir, what news?
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PROVOST I told you. Lord Angelo, belike thinking me remiss
in mine office, awakens me with this unwonted
putting-on; methinks strangely, for he hath not used it before.
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PROVOST I told you. Lord Angelo, belike thinking me remiss
in mine office, awakens me with this unwonted
putting-on; methinks strangely, for he hath not used it before.
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DUKE VINCENTIO 125 Pray you, let’s hear.
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DUKE VINCENTIO Pray you, let’s hear.
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PROVOST (Reads)
‘Whatsoever you may hear to the contrary, let
Claudio be executed by four of the clock; and in the
afternoon Barnardine: for my better satisfaction,
130 let me have Claudio’s head sent me by five. Let
this be duly performed; with a thought that more
depends on it than we must yet deliver. Thus fail
not to do your office, as you will answer it at your peril.’
What say you to this, sir?
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PROVOST (Reads)
‘Whatsoever you may hear to the contrary, let
Claudio be executed by four of the clock; and in the
afternoon Barnardine: for my better satisfaction,
let me have Claudio’s head sent me by five. Let
this be duly performed; with a thought that more
depends on it than we must yet deliver. Thus fail
not to do your office, as you will answer it at your peril.’
What say you to this, sir?
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DUKE VINCENTIO 135 What is that Barnardine who is to be executed in the
afternoon?
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DUKE VINCENTIO What is that Barnardine who is to be executed in the
afternoon?
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PROVOST A Bohemian born, but here nursed un and bred; one
that is a prisoner nine years old.
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PROVOST A Bohemian born, but here nursed un and bred; one
that is a prisoner nine years old.
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DUKE VINCENTIO How came it that the absent duke had not either
140 delivered him to his liberty or executed him? I
have heard it was ever his manner to do so.
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DUKE VINCENTIO How came it that the absent duke had not either
delivered him to his liberty or executed him? I
have heard it was ever his manner to do so.
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PROVOST His friends still wrought reprieves for him: and,
indeed, his fact, till now in the government of Lord
Angelo, came not to an undoubtful proof.
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PROVOST His friends still wrought reprieves for him: and,
indeed, his fact, till now in the government of Lord
Angelo, came not to an undoubtful proof.
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DUKE VINCENTIO 145 It is now apparent?
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DUKE VINCENTIO It is now apparent?
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PROVOST Most manifest, and not denied by himself.
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PROVOST Most manifest, and not denied by himself.
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DUKE VINCENTIO Hath he born himself penitently in prison? how
seems he to be touched?
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DUKE VINCENTIO Hath he born himself penitently in prison? how
seems he to be touched?
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PROVOST A man that apprehends death no more dreadfully but
150 as a drunken sleep; careless, reckless, and fearless
of what’s past, present, or to come; insensible of
mortality, and desperately mortal.
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PROVOST A man that apprehends death no more dreadfully but
as a drunken sleep; careless, reckless, and fearless
of what’s past, present, or to come; insensible of
mortality, and desperately mortal.
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DUKE VINCENTIO He wants advice.
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DUKE VINCENTIO He wants advice.
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PROVOST He will hear none: he hath evermore had the liberty
155 of the prison; give him leave to escape hence, he
would not: drunk many times a day, if not many days
entirely drunk. We have very oft awaked him, as if
to carry him to execution, and showed him a seeming
warrant for it: it hath not moved him at all.
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PROVOST He will hear none: he hath evermore had the liberty
of the prison; give him leave to escape hence, he
would not: drunk many times a day, if not many days
entirely drunk. We have very oft awaked him, as if
to carry him to execution, and showed him a seeming
warrant for it: it hath not moved him at all.
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DUKE VINCENTIO 160 More of him anon. There is written in your brow,
provost, honesty and constancy: if I read it not
truly, my ancient skill beguiles me; but, in the
boldness of my cunning, I will lay myself in hazard.
Claudio, whom here you have warrant to execute, is
165 no greater forfeit to the law than Angelo who hath
sentenced him. To make you understand this in a
manifested effect, I crave but four days’ respite;
for the which you are to do me both a present and a
dangerous courtesy.
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DUKE VINCENTIO More of him anon. There is written in your brow,
provost, honesty and constancy: if I read it not
truly, my ancient skill beguiles me; but, in the
boldness of my cunning, I will lay myself in hazard.
Claudio, whom here you have warrant to execute, is
no greater forfeit to the law than Angelo who hath
sentenced him. To make you understand this in a
manifested effect, I crave but four days’ respite;
for the which you are to do me both a present and a
dangerous courtesy.
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PROVOST 170 Pray, sir, in what?
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PROVOST Pray, sir, in what?
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DUKE VINCENTIO In the delaying death.
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DUKE VINCENTIO In the delaying death.
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PROVOST A lack, how may I do it, having the hour limited,
and an express command, under penalty, to deliver
his head in the view of Angelo? I may make my case
175 as Claudio’s, to cross this in the smallest.
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PROVOST A lack, how may I do it, having the hour limited,
and an express command, under penalty, to deliver
his head in the view of Angelo? I may make my case
as Claudio’s, to cross this in the smallest.
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DUKE VINCENTIO By the vow of mine order I warrant you, if my
instructions may be your guide. Let this Barnardine
be this morning executed, and his head born to Angelo.
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DUKE VINCENTIO By the vow of mine order I warrant you, if my
instructions may be your guide. Let this Barnardine
be this morning executed, and his head born to Angelo.
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PROVOST Angelo hath seen them both, and will discover the favour.
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PROVOST Angelo hath seen them both, and will discover the favour.
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DUKE VINCENTIO 180 O, death’s a great disguiser; and you may add to it.
Shave the head, and tie the beard; and say it was
the desire of the penitent to be so bared before his
death: you know the course is common. If any thing
fall to you upon this, more than thanks and good
185 fortune, by the saint whom I profess, I will plead
against it with my life.
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DUKE VINCENTIO O, death’s a great disguiser; and you may add to it.
Shave the head, and tie the beard; and say it was
the desire of the penitent to be so bared before his
death: you know the course is common. If any thing
fall to you upon this, more than thanks and good
fortune, by the saint whom I profess, I will plead
against it with my life.
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PROVOST Pardon me, good father; it is against my oath.
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PROVOST Pardon me, good father; it is against my oath.
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DUKE VINCENTIO Were you sworn to the duke, or to the deputy?
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DUKE VINCENTIO Were you sworn to the duke, or to the deputy?
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PROVOST To him, and to his substitutes.
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PROVOST To him, and to his substitutes.
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DUKE VINCENTIO 190 You will think you have made no offence, if the duke
avouch the justice of your dealing?
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DUKE VINCENTIO You will think you have made no offence, if the duke
avouch the justice of your dealing?
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PROVOST But what likelihood is in that?
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PROVOST But what likelihood is in that?
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DUKE VINCENTIO Not a resemblance, but a certainty. Yet since I see
you fearful, that neither my coat, integrity, nor
195 persuasion can with ease attempt you, I will go
further than I meant, to pluck all fears out of you.
Look you, sir, here is the hand and seal of the
duke: you know the character, I doubt not; and the
signet is not strange to you.
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DUKE VINCENTIO Not a resemblance, but a certainty. Yet since I see
you fearful, that neither my coat, integrity, nor
persuasion can with ease attempt you, I will go
further than I meant, to pluck all fears out of you.
Look you, sir, here is the hand and seal of the
duke: you know the character, I doubt not; and the
signet is not strange to you.
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PROVOST 200 I know them both.
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PROVOST I know them both.
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DUKE VINCENTIO The contents of this is the return of the duke: you
shall anon over-read it at your pleasure; where you
shall find, within these two days he will be here.
This is a thing that Angelo knows not; for he this
205 very day receives letters of strange tenor;
perchance of the duke’s death; perchance entering
into some monastery; but, by chance, nothing of what
is writ. Look, the unfolding star calls up the
shepherd. Put not yourself into amazement how these
210 things should be: all difficulties are but easy
when they are known. Call your executioner, and off
with Barnardine’s head: I will give him a present
shrift and advise him for a better place. Yet you
are amazed; but this shall absolutely resolve you.
215 Come away; it is almost clear dawn.
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DUKE VINCENTIO The contents of this is the return of the duke: you
shall anon over-read it at your pleasure; where you
shall find, within these two days he will be here.
This is a thing that Angelo knows not; for he this
very day receives letters of strange tenor;
perchance of the duke’s death; perchance entering
into some monastery; but, by chance, nothing of what
is writ. Look, the unfolding star calls up the
shepherd. Put not yourself into amazement how these
things should be: all difficulties are but easy
when they are known. Call your executioner, and off
with Barnardine’s head: I will give him a present
shrift and advise him for a better place. Yet you
are amazed; but this shall absolutely resolve you.
Come away; it is almost clear dawn.
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Exeunt
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Exeunt
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Original Text |
Modern Text |
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A room in the prison.
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A room in the prison.
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Enter Provost and POMPEY
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Enter Provost and POMPEY
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PROVOST Come hither, sirrah. Can you cut off a man’s head?
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PROVOST Come hither, sirrah. Can you cut off a man’s head?
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POMPEY If the man be a bachelor, sir, I can; but if he be a
married man, he’s his
wife’s heada pun, referring both to the Biblical idea of the husband as the head of the wife (Ephesians 5:23) and the husband owning his wife’s maidenhead (virginity) cut off a woman’s head.
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POMPEY If the man be a bachelor, sir, I can; but if he be a
married man, he’s his
wife’s heada pun, referring both to the Biblical idea of the husband as the head of the wife (Ephesians 5:23) and the husband owning his wife’s maidenhead (virginity) cut off a woman’s head.
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PROVOST 5 Come, sir, leave me your snatches, and yield me a
direct answer. To-morrow morning are to die Claudio
and Barnardine. Here is in our prison a common
executioner, who in his office lacks a helper: if
you will take it on you to assist him, it shall
10 redeem you from your gyves; if not, you shall have
your full time of imprisonment and your deliverance
with an unpitied whipping, for you have been a
notorious bawd.
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PROVOST Come, sir, leave me your snatches, and yield me a
direct answer. To-morrow morning are to die Claudio
and Barnardine. Here is in our prison a common
executioner, who in his office lacks a helper: if
you will take it on you to assist him, it shall
redeem you from your gyves; if not, you shall have
your full time of imprisonment and your deliverance
with an unpitied whipping, for you have been a
notorious bawd.
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POMPEY Sir, I have been an unlawful bawd time out of mind;
15 but yet I will be content to be a lawful hangman. I
would be glad to receive some instruction from my
fellow partner.
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POMPEY Sir, I have been an unlawful bawd time out of mind;
but yet I will be content to be a lawful hangman. I
would be glad to receive some instruction from my
fellow partner.
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PROVOST What, ho! Abhorson! Where’s Abhorson, there?
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PROVOST What, ho! Abhorson! Where’s Abhorson, there?
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Enter ABHORSON
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Enter ABHORSON
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ABHORSON Do you call, sir?
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ABHORSON Do you call, sir?
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PROVOST 20 Sirrah, here’s a fellow will help you to-morrow in
your execution. If you think it meet, compound with
him by the year, and let him abide here with you; if
not, use him for the present and dismiss him. He
cannot plead his estimation with you; he hath been a bawd.
|
PROVOST Sirrah, here’s a fellow will help you to-morrow in
your execution. If you think it meet, compound with
him by the year, and let him abide here with you; if
not, use him for the present and dismiss him. He
cannot plead his estimation with you; he hath been a bawd.
|
|
ABHORSON 25 A bawd, sir? fie upon him! he will discredit our mystery.
|
ABHORSON A bawd, sir? fie upon him! he will discredit our mystery.
|
|
PROVOST Go to, sir; you weigh equally; a feather will turn
the scale.
|
PROVOST Go to, sir; you weigh equally; a feather will turn
the scale.
|
|
Exit
|
Exit
|
|
POMPEY Pray, sir, by your good favour,—for surely, sir, a
good favour you have, but that you have a hanging
30 look,—do you call, sir, your occupation a mystery?
|
POMPEY Pray, sir, by your good favour,—for surely, sir, a
good favour you have, but that you have a hanging
look,—do you call, sir, your occupation a mystery?
|
|
ABHORSON Ay, sir; a mystery
|
ABHORSON Ay, sir; a mystery
|
|
POMPEY Painting, sir, I have heard say, is a mystery; and
your whores, sir, being members of my occupation,
using painting, do prove my occupation a mystery:
35 but what mystery there should be in hanging, if I
should be hanged, I cannot imagine.
|
POMPEY Painting, sir, I have heard say, is a mystery; and
your whores, sir, being members of my occupation,
using painting, do prove my occupation a mystery:
but what mystery there should be in hanging, if I
should be hanged, I cannot imagine.
|
|
ABHORSON Sir, it is a mystery.
|
ABHORSON Sir, it is a mystery.
|
|
POMPEY Proof?
|
POMPEY Proof?
|
|
ABHORSON Every true man’s apparel fits your thief: if it be
40 too little for your thief, your true man thinks it
big enough; if it be too big for your thief, your
thief thinks it little enough: so every true man’s
apparel fits your thief.
|
ABHORSON Every true man’s apparel fits your thief: if it be
too little for your thief, your true man thinks it
big enough; if it be too big for your thief, your
thief thinks it little enough: so every true man’s
apparel fits your thief.
|
|
Re-enter Provost
|
Re-enter Provost
|
|
PROVOST Are you agreed?
|
PROVOST Are you agreed?
|
|
POMPEY 45 Sir, I will serve him; for I do find your hangman is
a more penitent trade than your bawd; he doth
oftener ask forgiveness.
|
POMPEY Sir, I will serve him; for I do find your hangman is
a more penitent trade than your bawd; he doth
oftener ask forgiveness.
|
|
PROVOST You, sirrah, provide your block and your axe
to-morrow four o’clock.
|
PROVOST You, sirrah, provide your block and your axe
to-morrow four o’clock.
|
|
ABHORSON 50 Come on, bawd; I will instruct thee in my trade; follow.
|
ABHORSON Come on, bawd; I will instruct thee in my trade; follow.
|
|
POMPEY I do desire to learn, sir: and I hope, if you have
occasion to use me for your own turn, you shall find
me yare; for truly, sir, for your kindness I owe you
a good turn.
|
POMPEY I do desire to learn, sir: and I hope, if you have
occasion to use me for your own turn, you shall find
me yare; for truly, sir, for your kindness I owe you
a good turn.
|
|
POMPEY and ABHORSON exit.
|
POMPEY and ABHORSON exit.
|
|
PROVOST 55 Call hither Barnardine and Claudio:
The one has my pity; not a jot the other,
Being a murderer, though he were my brother.
|
PROVOST Call hither Barnardine and Claudio:
The one has my pity; not a jot the other,
Being a murderer, though he were my brother.
|
|
Enter CLAUDIO
|
Enter CLAUDIO
|
|
Look, here’s the warrant, Claudio, for thy death:
’Tis now dead midnight, and by eight to-morrow
60 Thou must be made immortal. Where’s Barnardine?
|
Look, here’s the warrant, Claudio, for thy death:
’Tis now dead midnight, and by eight to-morrow
Thou must be made immortal. Where’s Barnardine?
|
|
CLAUDIO As fast lock’d up in sleep as guiltless labour
When it lies starkly in the traveller’s bones:
He will not wake.
|
CLAUDIO As fast lock’d up in sleep as guiltless labour
When it lies starkly in the traveller’s bones:
He will not wake.
|
|
PROVOST Who can do good on him?
65 Well, go, prepare yourself.
|
PROVOST Who can do good on him?
Well, go, prepare yourself.
|
|
Knocking within
|
Knocking within
|
|
But, hark, what noise?
Heaven give your spirits comfort!
|
But, hark, what noise?
Heaven give your spirits comfort!
|
|
Exit CLAUDIO
|
Exit CLAUDIO
|
|
By and by.
I hope it is some pardon or reprieve
70 For the most gentle Claudio.
|
By and by.
I hope it is some pardon or reprieve
For the most gentle Claudio.
|
|
Enter DUKE VINCENTIO disguised as before
|
Enter DUKE VINCENTIO disguised as before
|
|
Welcome father.
|
Welcome father.
|
|
DUKE VINCENTIO The best and wholesomest spirts of the night
Envelope you, good Provost! Who call’d here of late?
|
DUKE VINCENTIO The best and wholesomest spirts of the night
Envelope you, good Provost! Who call’d here of late?
|
|
PROVOST None, since the curfew rung.
|
PROVOST None, since the curfew rung.
|
|
DUKE VINCENTIO 75 Not Isabel?
|
DUKE VINCENTIO Not Isabel?
|
|
PROVOST No.
|
PROVOST No.
|
|
DUKE VINCENTIO They will, then, ere’t be long.
|
DUKE VINCENTIO They will, then, ere’t be long.
|
|
PROVOST What comfort is for Claudio?
|
PROVOST What comfort is for Claudio?
|
|
DUKE VINCENTIO There’s some in hope.
|
DUKE VINCENTIO There’s some in hope.
|
|
PROVOST 80 It is a bitter deputy.
|
PROVOST It is a bitter deputy.
|
|
DUKE VINCENTIO Not so, not so; his life is parallel’d
Even with the stroke and line of his great justice:
He doth with holy abstinence subdue
That in himself which he spurs on his power
85 To qualify in others: were he meal’d with that
Which he corrects, then were he tyrannous;
But this being so, he’s just.
|
DUKE VINCENTIO Not so, not so; his life is parallel’d
Even with the stroke and line of his great justice:
He doth with holy abstinence subdue
That in himself which he spurs on his power
To qualify in others: were he meal’d with that
Which he corrects, then were he tyrannous;
But this being so, he’s just.
|
|
Knocking within
|
Knocking within
|
|
Now are they come.
|
Now are they come.
|
|
Exit Provost
|
Exit Provost
|
|
This is a gentle provost: seldom when
90 The steeled gaoler is the friend of men.
|
This is a gentle provost: seldom when
The steeled gaoler is the friend of men.
|
|
Knocking within
|
Knocking within
|
|
How now! what noise? That spirit’s possessed with haste
That wounds the unsisting postern with these strokes.
|
How now! what noise? That spirit’s possessed with haste
That wounds the unsisting postern with these strokes.
|
|
Re-enter Provost
|
Re-enter Provost
|
|
PROVOST There he must stay until the officer
Arise to let him in: he is call’d up.
|
PROVOST There he must stay until the officer
Arise to let him in: he is call’d up.
|
|
DUKE VINCENTIO 95 Have you no countermand for Claudio yet,
But he must die to-morrow?
|
DUKE VINCENTIO Have you no countermand for Claudio yet,
But he must die to-morrow?
|
|
PROVOST None, sir, none.
|
PROVOST None, sir, none.
|
|
DUKE VINCENTIO As near the dawning, provost, as it is,
You shall hear more ere morning.
|
DUKE VINCENTIO As near the dawning, provost, as it is,
You shall hear more ere morning.
|
|
PROVOST 100 Happily
You something know; yet I believe there comes
No countermand; no such example have we:
Besides, upon the very siege of justice
Lord Angelo hath to the public ear
105 Profess’d the contrary.
|
PROVOST Happily
You something know; yet I believe there comes
No countermand; no such example have we:
Besides, upon the very siege of justice
Lord Angelo hath to the public ear
Profess’d the contrary.
|
|
Enter a Messenger
|
Enter a Messenger
|
|
This is his lordship’s man.
|
This is his lordship’s man.
|
|
DUKE VINCENTIO And here comes Claudio’s pardon.
|
DUKE VINCENTIO And here comes Claudio’s pardon.
|
|
MESSENGER (Giving a paper)
My lord hath sent you this note; and by me this
110 further charge, that you swerve not from the
smallest article of it, neither in time, matter, or
other circumstance. Good morrow; for, as I take it,
it is almost day.
|
MESSENGER (Giving a paper)
My lord hath sent you this note; and by me this
further charge, that you swerve not from the
smallest article of it, neither in time, matter, or
other circumstance. Good morrow; for, as I take it,
it is almost day.
|
|
PROVOST I shall obey him.
|
PROVOST I shall obey him.
|
|
Exit Messenger
|
Exit Messenger
|
|
DUKE VINCENTIO 115 (Aside) This is his pardon, purchased by such sin
For which the pardoner himself is in.
Hence hath offence his quick celerity,
When it is born in high authority:
When vice makes mercy, mercy’s so extended,
120 That for the fault’s love is the offender friended.
Now, sir, what news?
|
DUKE VINCENTIO (Aside) This is his pardon, purchased by such sin
For which the pardoner himself is in.
Hence hath offence his quick celerity,
When it is born in high authority:
When vice makes mercy, mercy’s so extended,
That for the fault’s love is the offender friended.
Now, sir, what news?
|
|
PROVOST I told you. Lord Angelo, belike thinking me remiss
in mine office, awakens me with this unwonted
putting-on; methinks strangely, for he hath not used it before.
|
PROVOST I told you. Lord Angelo, belike thinking me remiss
in mine office, awakens me with this unwonted
putting-on; methinks strangely, for he hath not used it before.
|
|
DUKE VINCENTIO 125 Pray you, let’s hear.
|
DUKE VINCENTIO Pray you, let’s hear.
|
|
PROVOST (Reads)
‘Whatsoever you may hear to the contrary, let
Claudio be executed by four of the clock; and in the
afternoon Barnardine: for my better satisfaction,
130 let me have Claudio’s head sent me by five. Let
this be duly performed; with a thought that more
depends on it than we must yet deliver. Thus fail
not to do your office, as you will answer it at your peril.’
What say you to this, sir?
|
PROVOST (Reads)
‘Whatsoever you may hear to the contrary, let
Claudio be executed by four of the clock; and in the
afternoon Barnardine: for my better satisfaction,
let me have Claudio’s head sent me by five. Let
this be duly performed; with a thought that more
depends on it than we must yet deliver. Thus fail
not to do your office, as you will answer it at your peril.’
What say you to this, sir?
|
|
DUKE VINCENTIO 135 What is that Barnardine who is to be executed in the
afternoon?
|
DUKE VINCENTIO What is that Barnardine who is to be executed in the
afternoon?
|
|
PROVOST A Bohemian born, but here nursed un and bred; one
that is a prisoner nine years old.
|
PROVOST A Bohemian born, but here nursed un and bred; one
that is a prisoner nine years old.
|
|
DUKE VINCENTIO How came it that the absent duke had not either
140 delivered him to his liberty or executed him? I
have heard it was ever his manner to do so.
|
DUKE VINCENTIO How came it that the absent duke had not either
delivered him to his liberty or executed him? I
have heard it was ever his manner to do so.
|
|
PROVOST His friends still wrought reprieves for him: and,
indeed, his fact, till now in the government of Lord
Angelo, came not to an undoubtful proof.
|
PROVOST His friends still wrought reprieves for him: and,
indeed, his fact, till now in the government of Lord
Angelo, came not to an undoubtful proof.
|
|
DUKE VINCENTIO 145 It is now apparent?
|
DUKE VINCENTIO It is now apparent?
|
|
PROVOST Most manifest, and not denied by himself.
|
PROVOST Most manifest, and not denied by himself.
|
|
DUKE VINCENTIO Hath he born himself penitently in prison? how
seems he to be touched?
|
DUKE VINCENTIO Hath he born himself penitently in prison? how
seems he to be touched?
|
|
PROVOST A man that apprehends death no more dreadfully but
150 as a drunken sleep; careless, reckless, and fearless
of what’s past, present, or to come; insensible of
mortality, and desperately mortal.
|
PROVOST A man that apprehends death no more dreadfully but
as a drunken sleep; careless, reckless, and fearless
of what’s past, present, or to come; insensible of
mortality, and desperately mortal.
|
|
DUKE VINCENTIO He wants advice.
|
DUKE VINCENTIO He wants advice.
|
|
PROVOST He will hear none: he hath evermore had the liberty
155 of the prison; give him leave to escape hence, he
would not: drunk many times a day, if not many days
entirely drunk. We have very oft awaked him, as if
to carry him to execution, and showed him a seeming
warrant for it: it hath not moved him at all.
|
PROVOST He will hear none: he hath evermore had the liberty
of the prison; give him leave to escape hence, he
would not: drunk many times a day, if not many days
entirely drunk. We have very oft awaked him, as if
to carry him to execution, and showed him a seeming
warrant for it: it hath not moved him at all.
|
|
DUKE VINCENTIO 160 More of him anon. There is written in your brow,
provost, honesty and constancy: if I read it not
truly, my ancient skill beguiles me; but, in the
boldness of my cunning, I will lay myself in hazard.
Claudio, whom here you have warrant to execute, is
165 no greater forfeit to the law than Angelo who hath
sentenced him. To make you understand this in a
manifested effect, I crave but four days’ respite;
for the which you are to do me both a present and a
dangerous courtesy.
|
DUKE VINCENTIO More of him anon. There is written in your brow,
provost, honesty and constancy: if I read it not
truly, my ancient skill beguiles me; but, in the
boldness of my cunning, I will lay myself in hazard.
Claudio, whom here you have warrant to execute, is
no greater forfeit to the law than Angelo who hath
sentenced him. To make you understand this in a
manifested effect, I crave but four days’ respite;
for the which you are to do me both a present and a
dangerous courtesy.
|
|
PROVOST 170 Pray, sir, in what?
|
PROVOST Pray, sir, in what?
|
|
DUKE VINCENTIO In the delaying death.
|
DUKE VINCENTIO In the delaying death.
|
|
PROVOST A lack, how may I do it, having the hour limited,
and an express command, under penalty, to deliver
his head in the view of Angelo? I may make my case
175 as Claudio’s, to cross this in the smallest.
|
PROVOST A lack, how may I do it, having the hour limited,
and an express command, under penalty, to deliver
his head in the view of Angelo? I may make my case
as Claudio’s, to cross this in the smallest.
|
|
DUKE VINCENTIO By the vow of mine order I warrant you, if my
instructions may be your guide. Let this Barnardine
be this morning executed, and his head born to Angelo.
|
DUKE VINCENTIO By the vow of mine order I warrant you, if my
instructions may be your guide. Let this Barnardine
be this morning executed, and his head born to Angelo.
|
|
PROVOST Angelo hath seen them both, and will discover the favour.
|
PROVOST Angelo hath seen them both, and will discover the favour.
|
|
DUKE VINCENTIO 180 O, death’s a great disguiser; and you may add to it.
Shave the head, and tie the beard; and say it was
the desire of the penitent to be so bared before his
death: you know the course is common. If any thing
fall to you upon this, more than thanks and good
185 fortune, by the saint whom I profess, I will plead
against it with my life.
|
DUKE VINCENTIO O, death’s a great disguiser; and you may add to it.
Shave the head, and tie the beard; and say it was
the desire of the penitent to be so bared before his
death: you know the course is common. If any thing
fall to you upon this, more than thanks and good
fortune, by the saint whom I profess, I will plead
against it with my life.
|
|
PROVOST Pardon me, good father; it is against my oath.
|
PROVOST Pardon me, good father; it is against my oath.
|
|
DUKE VINCENTIO Were you sworn to the duke, or to the deputy?
|
DUKE VINCENTIO Were you sworn to the duke, or to the deputy?
|
|
PROVOST To him, and to his substitutes.
|
PROVOST To him, and to his substitutes.
|
|
DUKE VINCENTIO 190 You will think you have made no offence, if the duke
avouch the justice of your dealing?
|
DUKE VINCENTIO You will think you have made no offence, if the duke
avouch the justice of your dealing?
|
|
PROVOST But what likelihood is in that?
|
PROVOST But what likelihood is in that?
|
|
DUKE VINCENTIO Not a resemblance, but a certainty. Yet since I see
you fearful, that neither my coat, integrity, nor
195 persuasion can with ease attempt you, I will go
further than I meant, to pluck all fears out of you.
Look you, sir, here is the hand and seal of the
duke: you know the character, I doubt not; and the
signet is not strange to you.
|
DUKE VINCENTIO Not a resemblance, but a certainty. Yet since I see
you fearful, that neither my coat, integrity, nor
persuasion can with ease attempt you, I will go
further than I meant, to pluck all fears out of you.
Look you, sir, here is the hand and seal of the
duke: you know the character, I doubt not; and the
signet is not strange to you.
|
|
PROVOST 200 I know them both.
|
PROVOST I know them both.
|
|
DUKE VINCENTIO The contents of this is the return of the duke: you
shall anon over-read it at your pleasure; where you
shall find, within these two days he will be here.
This is a thing that Angelo knows not; for he this
205 very day receives letters of strange tenor;
perchance of the duke’s death; perchance entering
into some monastery; but, by chance, nothing of what
is writ. Look, the unfolding star calls up the
shepherd. Put not yourself into amazement how these
210 things should be: all difficulties are but easy
when they are known. Call your executioner, and off
with Barnardine’s head: I will give him a present
shrift and advise him for a better place. Yet you
are amazed; but this shall absolutely resolve you.
215 Come away; it is almost clear dawn.
|
DUKE VINCENTIO The contents of this is the return of the duke: you
shall anon over-read it at your pleasure; where you
shall find, within these two days he will be here.
This is a thing that Angelo knows not; for he this
very day receives letters of strange tenor;
perchance of the duke’s death; perchance entering
into some monastery; but, by chance, nothing of what
is writ. Look, the unfolding star calls up the
shepherd. Put not yourself into amazement how these
things should be: all difficulties are but easy
when they are known. Call your executioner, and off
with Barnardine’s head: I will give him a present
shrift and advise him for a better place. Yet you
are amazed; but this shall absolutely resolve you.
Come away; it is almost clear dawn.
|
|
Exeunt
|
Exeunt
|
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