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LUCIO
Sir, I was an inward of his. A shy fellow was the
125duke: and I believe I know the cause of his
withdrawing.
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LUCIO
Sir, I was a close friend of his. The duke was a shy fellow, and I believe I know the reason for his sudden departure.
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DUKE VINCENTIO
What, I prithee, might be the cause?
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DUKE VINCENTIO
What, please tell me, was the reason?
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LUCIO
No, pardon; ’tis a secret must be locked within the
teeth and the lips: but this I can let you
130understand, the greater file of the subject held the
duke to be wise.
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LUCIO
No, sorry. It’s a secret that must stay locked in my mouth. But this I can tell you: the majority of his subjects thought the duke a wise man.
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DUKE VINCENTIO
Wise! why, no question but he was.
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DUKE VINCENTIO
Wise! Well, there’s no doubt that he was.
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LUCIO
A very superficial, ignorant, unweighing fellow.
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LUCIO
A very superficial, ignorant, thoughtless fellow.
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DUKE VINCENTIO
Either this is the envy in you, folly, or mistaking:
135the 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, and he shall appear to the
envious a scholar, a statesman and a soldier.
140Therefore you speak unskilfully: or if your
knowledge be more it is much darkened in your malice.
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DUKE VINCENTIO
You’re either jealous, mad, or mistaken. The way he conducts his life and his role as a ruler by themselves must earn him a better reputation. Judge him by his public actions and even the envious would see him as a scholar, a statesman, and a soldier. So, you don’t know what you’re talking about. Or, if you do, you’re spitefully trying to tarnish his name.
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LUCIO
Sir, I know him, and I love him.
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LUCIO
Sir, I know him, and I love him.
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DUKE VINCENTIO
Love talks with better knowledge, and knowledge with
dearer love.
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DUKE VINCENTIO
If you loved him you would know him better, and if you knew him better you would love him more.
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LUCIO
145Come, sir, I know what I know.
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LUCIO
Look, sir, I know what I know.
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DUKE VINCENTIO
I can hardly believe that, since you know not what
you speak. But, if ever the duke return, as our
prayers are he may, let me desire you to make your
answer before him. If it be honest you have spoke,
150you have courage to maintain it: I am bound to call
upon you; and, I pray you, your name?
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DUKE VINCENTIO
I can hardly believe that, since you don’t know what you’re talking about. But, if the duke ever returns, as we pray he will, I challenge you to justify your comments in front of him. If you’ve spoken the truth, you should have the courage to defend it. It’s my duty to summon you to testify. May I ask your name?
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