Part 14 (1/2)

_Duke._ Bring me to hear them speak, where I may be concealed. [_Exeunt Duke and Provost._

_Claud._ Now, sister, what's the comfort? 55

_Isab._ Why, As all comforts are; most good, most good indeed.

Lord Angelo, having affairs to heaven, Intends you for his swift amba.s.sador, Where you shall be an everlasting leiger: 60 Therefore your best appointment make with speed; To-morrow you set on.

_Claud._ Is there no remedy?

_Isab._ None, but such remedy as, to save a head, To cleave a heart in twain.

_Claud._ But is there any?

_Isab._ Yes, brother, you may live: 65 There is a devilish mercy in the judge, If you'll implore it, that will free your life, But fetter you till death.

_Claud._ Perpetual durance?

_Isab._ Ay, just; perpetual durance, a restraint, Though all the world's vastidity you had, 70 To a determined scope.

_Claud._ But in what nature?

_Isab._ In such a one as, you consenting to't, Would bark your honour from that trunk you bear, And leave you naked.

_Claud._ Let me know the point.

_Isab._ O, I do fear thee, Claudio; and I quake, 75 Lest thou a feverous life shouldst entertain, And six or seven winters more respect Than a perpetual honour. Darest thou die?

The sense of death is most in apprehension; 75 And the poor beetle, that we tread upon, In corporal sufferance finds a pang as great As when a giant dies.

_Claud._ Why give you me this shame?

Think you I can a resolution fetch From flowery tenderness? If I must die, 80 I will encounter darkness as a bride, And hug it in mine arms.

_Isab._ There spake my brother; there my father's grave Did utter forth a voice. Yes, thou must die: Thou art too n.o.ble to conserve a life 85 In base appliances. This outward-sainted deputy, Whose settled visage and deliberate word Nips youth i' the head, and follies doth emmew As falcon doth the fowl, is yet a devil; His filth within being cast, he would appear 90 A pond as deep as h.e.l.l.

_Claud._ The prenzie Angelo!

_Isab._ O, 'tis the cunning livery of h.e.l.l, The d.a.m.ned'st body to invest and cover In prenzie guards! Dost thou think, Claudio?-- If I would yield him my virginity, 95 Thou mightst be freed.

_Claud._ O heavens! it cannot be.

_Isab._ Yes, he would give't thee, from this rank offence, So to offend him still. This night's the time That I should do what I abhor to name, Or else thou diest to-morrow.

_Claud._ Thou shalt not do't. 100

_Isab._ O, were it but my life, I'ld throw it down for your deliverance As frankly as a pin.

_Claud._ Thanks, dear Isabel.

_Isab._ Be ready, Claudio, for your death to-morrow.

_Claud._ Yes. Has he affections in him, 105 That thus can make him bite the law by the nose, When he would force it? Sure, it is no sin; Or of the deadly seven it is the least.

_Isab._ Which is the least?