Original Text |
Modern Text |
|
Re-enter DUKE VINCENTIO
|
DUKE VINCENTIO re-enters, from his hiding place.
|
|
DUKE VINCENTIO Vouchsafe a word, young sister, but one word.
|
DUKE VINCENTIO Permit me to say a word, young sister, just one word.
|
|
ISABELLA What is your will?
|
ISABELLA What do you want?
|
|
DUKE VINCENTIO Might you dispense with your leisure, I would by and
170by have some speech with you: the satisfaction I
would require is likewise your own benefit.
|
DUKE VINCENTIO If you can spare the time, I’d like to talk with you in a little while. You’d be doing yourself a favor as well as me.
|
|
ISABELLA I have no superfluous leisure; my stay must be
stolen out of other affairs; but I will attend you awhile.
|
ISABELLA I don’t have any spare time, but I’ll wait for you a little while.
|
|
Walks apart
|
She moves off.
|
|
DUKE VINCENTIO Son, I have overheard what hath passed between you
175and your sister. Angelo had never the purpose to
corrupt her; only he hath made an essay of her
virtue to practise his judgment with the disposition
of natures: she, having the truth of honour in her,
hath made him that gracious denial which he is most
180glad to receive. I am confessor to Angelo, and I
know this to be true; therefore prepare yourself to
death: do not satisfy your resolution with hopes
that are fallible: tomorrow you must die; go to
your knees and make ready.
|
DUKE VINCENTIO Son, I overheard what happened between you
and your sister. Angelo never meant to seduce her. He was only testing her virtue, to test his ability to judge character. Being a person of integrity, she virtuously refused him, and he was happy to hear it. I’m Angelo’s confessor, so I know this is true. Therefore, prepare yourself for death. Don’t prop yourself up with false hopes. Tomorrow you must die. Fall to your knees and prepare for confession.
|
|
CLAUDIO
185Let me ask my sister pardon. I am so out of love
with life that I will sue to be rid of it.
|
CLAUDIO Let me ask my sister to forgive me. I’m so out of love
with life that I’ll pray to be rid of it.
|
|
DUKE VINCENTIO Hold you there: farewell.
|
DUKE VINCENTIO Maintain that attitude. Farewell.
|
