Текст книги "William Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition"

Автор книги: William Shakespeare

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DUKE

No might nor greatness in mortality

Can censure scape; back-wounding calumny

The whitest virtue strikes. What king so strong

Can tie the gall up in the slanderous tongue?

Enter Escalus, the Provost, and Mistress Overdone

But who comes here?

ESCALUS (to the Provost) Go, away with her to prison.

MISTRESS OVERDONE Good my lord, be good to me. Your honour is accounted a merciful man, good my lord.

ESCALUS Double and treble admonition, and still forfeit in the same kind! This would make mercy swear and play the tyrant.

PROVOST A bawd of eleven years’ continuance, may it please your honour.

MISTRESS OVERDONE My lord, this is one Lucio’s information against me. Mistress Kate Keepdown was with child by him in the Duke’s time; he promised her marriage. His child is a year and a quarter old come Philip and Jacob. I have kept it myself; and see how he goes about to abuse me.

ESCALUS That fellow is a fellow of much licence. Let him be called before us. Away with her to prison. Go to, no more words. Provost, my brother Angelo will not be altered; Claudio must die tomorrow. Let him be furnished with divines, and have all charitable preparation. If my brother wrought by my pity, it should not be so with him.

PROVOST So please you, this friar hath been with him and advised him for th’entertainment of death. Exeunt Provost and Mistress Overdone

ESCALUS Good even, good father.

DUKE Bliss and goodness on you.

ESCALUS Of whence are you?

DUKE

Not of this country, though my chance is now

To use it for my time. I am a brother

Of gracious order, late come from the See

In special business from his Holiness.

ESCALUS What news abroad i’th’ world?

DUKE None, but that there is so great a fever on goodness that the dissolution of it must cure it. Novelty is only in request, and it is as dangerous to be aged in any kind of course as it is virtuous to be inconstant in any undertaking. There is scarce truth enough alive to make societies secure, but security enough to make fellowships accursed. Much upon this riddle runs the wisdom of the world. This news is old enough, yet it is every day’s news. I pray you, sir, of what disposition was the Duke?

ESCALUS One that, above all other strifes, contended especially to know himself.

DUKE What pleasure was he given to?

ESCALUS Rather rejoicing to see another merry than merry at anything which professed to make him rejoice; a gentleman of all temperance. But leave we him to his events, with a prayer they may prove prosperous, and let me desire to know how you find Claudio prepared. I am made to understand that you have lent him visitation.

DUKE He professes to have received no sinister measure from his judge, but most willingly humbles himself to the determination of justice. Yet had he framed to himself, by the instruction of his frailty, many deceiving promises of life, which I, by my good leisure, have discredited to him; and now is he resolved to die.

ESCALUS You have paid the heavens your function, and the prisoner the very debt of your calling. I have laboured for the poor gentleman to the extremest shore of my modesty, but my brother-justice have I found so severe that he hath forced me to tell him he is indeed Justice.

DUKE If his own life answer the straitness of his proceeding, it shall become him well; wherein if he chance to fail, he hath sentenced himself.

ESCALUS I am going to visit the prisoner. Fare you well.

DUKE Peace be with you. Exit Escalus

He who the sword of heaven will bear

Should be as holy as severe,

Pattern in himself to know,

Grace to stand, and virtue go,

More nor less to others paying

Than by self-offences weighing.

Shame to him whose cruel striking

Kills for faults of his own liking!

Twice treble shame on Angelo,

To weed my vice, and let his grow!

O, what may man within him hide,

Though angel on the outward side!

How may likeness made in crimes

Make my practice on the times

To draw with idle spiders’ strings

Most ponderous and substantial things?

Craft against vice I must apply.

With Angelo tonight shall lie

His old betrothed but despised.

So disguise shall, by th’ disguised,

Pay with falsehood false exacting,

And perform an old contracting.

Exit

4.1 Mariana ⌈discovered

with a Boy singing

BOY

Take, O take those lips away

That so sweetly were forsworn,

And those eyes, the break of day

Lights that do mislead the morn;

But my kisses bring again, bring again,

Seals of love, though sealed in vain, sealed in vain.

Enter the Duke, disguised as a friar

MARIANA

Break off thy song, and haste thee quick away.

Here comes a man of comfort, whose advice

Hath often stilled my brawling discontent. Exit Boy

I cry you mercy, sir, and well could wish io

You had not found me here so musical.

Let me excuse me, and believe me so:

My mirth it much displeased, but pleased my woe.

DUKE

’Tis good; though music oft hath such a charm

To make bad good, and good provoke to harm.

I pray you tell me, hath anybody enquired for me here

today? Much upon this time have I promised here to

meet.

MARIANA You have not been enquired after; I have sat here all day.

Enter Isabella

DUKE I do constantly believe you; the time is come even now. I shall crave your forbearance a little. Maybe I will call upon you anon, for some advantage to yourself.

MARIANA I am always bound to you.

Exit

DUKE Very well met, and welcome.

What is the news from this good deputy?

ISABELLA

He hath a garden circummured with brick,

Whose western side is with a vineyard backed;

And to that vineyard is a planked gate,

That makes his opening with this bigger key.

This other doth command a little door

Which from the vineyard to the garden leads.

There have I made my promise

Upon the heavy middle of the night

To call upon him.

DUKE

But shall you on your knowledge find this way?

ISABELLA

I have ta‘en a due and wary note upon’t.

With whispering and most guilty diligence,

In action all of precept, he did show me

The way twice o’er.

DUKE

Are there no other tokens

Between you ’greed concerning her observance?

ISABELLA

No, none, but only a repair i’th’ dark,

And that I have possessed him my most stay

Can be but brief, for I have made him know

I have a servant comes with me along

That stays upon me, whose persuasion is

I come about my brother.

DUKE ’Tis well borne up.

I have not yet made known to Mariana

A word of this.—What ho, within! Come forth!

Enter Mariana

(To Mariana) I pray you be acquainted with this maid.

She comes to do you good.

ISABELLA I do desire the like.

DUKE (to Mariana)

Do you persuade yourself that I respect you?

MARIANA

Good friar, I know you do, and so have found it.

DUKE

Take then this your companion by the hand,

Who hath a story ready for your ear.

I shall attend your leisure; but make haste,

The vaporous night approaches.

MARIANA (to Isabella) Will’t please you walk aside?

Exeunt Mariana and Isabella

DUKE

O place and greatness, millions of false eyes

Are stuck upon thee; volumes of report

Run with their false and most contrarious quest

Upon thy doings; thousand escapes of wit

Make thee the father of their idle dream,

And rack thee in their fancies.

Enter Mariana and Isabella

Welcome. How agreed?

ISABELLA

She’ll take the enterprise upon her, father,

If you advise it.

DUKE It is not my consent,

But my entreaty too.

ISABELLA (to Mariana) Little have you to say

When you depart from him but, soft and low,

‘Remember now my brother’.

MARIANA

Fear me not.

DUKE

Nor, gentle daughter, fear you not at all.

He is your husband on a pre-contract.

To bring you thus together ’tis no sin,

Sith that the justice of your title to him

Doth flourish the deceit. Come, let us go.

Our corn’s to reap, for yet our tilth’s to sow.

Exeunt

4.2 Enter the Provost and Pompey

PROVOST Come hither, sirrah. Can you cut off a man’s head?

POMPEY If the man be a bachelor, sir, I can; but if he be a married man, he’s his wife’s head, and I can never cut off a woman’s head.

PROVOST Come, sir, leave me your snatches, and yield me a direct answer. Tomorrow 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.

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.

PROVOST What ho, Abhorson! Where’s Abhorson there? Enter Abhorson

ABHORSON Do you call, sir?

PROVOST Sirrah, here’s a fellow will help you tomorrow 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 A bawd, sir? Fie upon him, he will discredit our mystery.

PROVOST Go to, sir, you weigh equally; a feather will turn the scale. Exit

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.

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.

POMPEY Proof.

ABHORSON Every true man’s apparel fits your thief—

POMPEY 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.

Enter Provost

PROVOST Are you agreed?

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 (to Abhorson) You, sirrah, provide your block and your axe tomorrow, four o’clock.

ABHORSON (to Pompey) 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.

PROVOST

Call hither Barnardine and Claudio.

Exeunt Abhorson and Pompey

Th’one has my pity; not a jot the other,

Being a murderer, though he were my brother.

Enter Claudio

Look, here’s the warrant, Claudio, for thy death.

’Tis now dead midnight, and by eight tomorrow

Thou must be made immortal. Where’s Barnardine?

CLAUDIO

As fast locked up in sleep as guiltless labour

When it lies starkly in the travailer’s bones.

He will not wake.

PROVOST Who can do good on him?

Well, go prepare yourself.

Knocking within

But hark, what noise?

Heaven give your spirits comfort! Exit Claudio

Knocking again

By and by!

I hope it is some pardon or reprieve

For the most gentle Claudio.

Enter the Duke, disguised as a friar

Welcome, father.

DUKE

The best and wholesom’st spirits of the night

Envelop you, good Provost! Who called here of late?

PROVOST None since the curfew rung.

DUKE Not Isabel?

PROVOST No.

DUKE They will then, ere’t be long.

PROVOST What comfort is for Claudio?

DUKE There’s some in hope.

PROVOST It is a bitter deputy.

DUKE

Not so, not so; his life is paralleled

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 mealed with that

Which he corrects, then were he tyrannous;

But this being so, he’s just.

Knocking within

Now are they come.

⌈The Provost goes to a door⌉

This is a gentle Provost. Seldom when

The steeled jailer is the friend of men.

Knocking within

(To Provost) How now, what noise? That spirit’s

possessed with haste

That wounds th’unlisting postern with these strokes.

PROVOST

There he must stay until the officer

Arise to let him in. He is called up.

DUKE

Have you no countermand for Claudio yet,

But he must die tomorrow?

PROVOST None, sir, none.

DUKE

As near the dawning, Provost, as it is,

You shall hear more ere morning.

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

Professed the contrary.

Enter a Messenger

This is his lordship’s man.

⌈DUKE⌉ And here comes Claudio’s pardon.

MESSENGER (giving a paper to Provost) 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.

Exit Messenger

DUKE (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 borne in high authority.

When vice makes mercy, mercy’s so extended

That for the fault’s love is th’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.

DUKE Pray you let’s hear.

PROVOST (reading the letter) ‘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 What is that Barnardine, who is to be executed in th’afternoon?

PROVOST A Bohemian born, but here nursed up and bred; one that is a prisoner nine years old.

DUKE 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.

DUKE It is now apparent?

PROVOST Most manifest, and not denied by himself.

DUKE Hath he borne himself penitently in prison? How seems he to be touched?

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 He wants advice.

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 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 Pray sir, in what?

DUKE In the delaying death.

PROVOST Alack, 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 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 borne to Angelo.

PROVOST Angelo hath seen them both, and will discover the favour.

DUKE 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 anything 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.

DUKE Were you sworn to the Duke or to the deputy?

PROVOST To him and to his substitutes.

DUKE You will think you have made no offence if the Duke avouch the justice of your dealing?

PROVOST But what likelihood is in that?

DUKE 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. (Showing a letter) 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 I know them both.

DUKE 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, th’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

4.3 Enter Pompey

POMPEY I am as well acquainted here as I was in our house of profession. One would think it were Mistress Overdone’s own house, for here be many of her old customers. First, here’s young Master Rash; he’s in for a commodity of brown paper and old ginger, nine score and seventeen pounds, of which he made five marks ready money. Marry, then ginger was not much in request, for the old women were all dead. Then is there here one Master Caper, at the suit of Master Threepile the mercer, for some four suits of peach-coloured satin, which now peaches him a beggar. Then have we here young Dizzy, and young Master Deepvow, and Master Copperspur and Master Starve-lackey the rapier and dagger man, and young Drop-hair that killed lusty Pudding, and Master Forthright the tilter, and brave Master Shoe-tie the great traveller, and wild Half-can that stabbed Pots, and I think forty more, all great doers in our trade, and are now ‘for the Lord’s sake’. Enter Abhorson

ABHORSON Sirrah, bring Barnardine hither. 19

POMPEY Master Barnardine! You must rise and be hanged, Master Barnardine!

ABHORSON What ho, Barnardine!

BARNARDINE (within) A pox o’ your throats! Who makes that noise there? What are you?

POMPEY Your friends, sir; the hangman. You must be so good, sir, to rise and be put to death.

BARNARDINE Away, you rogue, away! I am sleepy.

ABHORSON Tell him he must awake, and that quickly too.

POMPEY Pray, Master Barnardine, awake till you are executed, and sleep afterwards.

ABHORSON Go in to him and fetch him out.

POMPEY He is coming, sir, he is coming. I hear his straw rustle.

ABHORSON Is the axe upon the block, sirrah?

POMPEY Very ready, sir.

Enter Barnardine

BARNARDINE How now, Abhorson, what’s the news with you?

ABHORSON Truly, sir, I would desire you to clap into your prayers, for, look you, the warrant’s come.

BARNARDINE You rogue, I have been drinking all night. I am not fitted for’t.

POMPEY O, the better, sir; for he that drinks all night, and is hanged betimes in the morning, may sleep the sounder all the next day. Enter the Duke, disguised as a friar

ABHORSON (to Barnardine) Look you, sir, here comes your ghostly father. Do we jest now, think you?

DUKE (to Barnardine) Sir, induced by my charity, and hearing how hastily you are to depart, I am come to advise you, comfort you, and pray with you.

BARNARDINE Friar, not I. I have been drinking hard all night, and I will have more time to prepare me, or they shall beat out my brains with billets. I will not consent to die this day, that’s certain.

DUKE

O sir, you must; and therefore, I beseech you,

Look forward on the journey you shall go.

BARNARDINE I swear I will not die today, for any man’s persuasion.

DUKE But hear you—

BARNARDINE Not a word. If you have anything to say to me, come to my ward, for thence will not I today.

Exit

DUKE

Unfit to live or die. O gravel heart!

After him, fellows; bring him to the block.

Exeunt Abhorson and Pompey

Enter Provost

PROVOST

Now, sir, how do you find the prisoner?

DUKE

A creature unprepared, unmeet for death;

And to transport him in the mind he is

Were damnable.

PROVOST

Here in the prison, father,

There died this morning of a cruel fever

One Ragusine, a most notorious pirate,

A man of Claudio’s years, his beard and head

Just of his colour. What if we do omit

This reprobate till he were well inclined,

And satisfy the deputy with the visage

Of Ragusine, more like to Claudio?

DUKE

O, ’tis an accident that heaven provides.

Dispatch it presently; the hour draws on

Prefixed by Angelo. See this be done,

And sent according to command, whiles I

Persuade this rude wretch willingly to die.

PROVOST

This shall be done, good father, presently.

But Barnardine must die this afternoon;

And how shall we continue Claudio,

To save me from the danger that might come

If he were known alive?

DUKE

Let this be done:

Put them in secret holds, both Barnardine and Claudio.

Ere twice the sun hath made his journal greeting

To yonder generation, you shall find

Your safety manifested.

PROVOST

I am your free dependant.

DUKE

Quick, dispatch, and send the head to Angelo.

Exit Provost

Now will I write letters to Angelo—

The Provost, he shall bear them—whose contents

Shall witness to him I am near at home,

And that by great injunctions I am bound

To enter publicly. Him I’ll desire

To meet me at the consecrated fount

A league below the city, and from thence,

By cold gradation and well-balanced form,

We shall proceed with Angelo.

Enter the Provost, with Ragusine’s head

PROVOST

Here is the head; I’ll carry it myself.

DUKE

Convenient is it. Make a swift return,

For I would commune with you of such things

That want no ear but yours.

PROVOST I’ll make all speed.

Exit

ISABELLA (within) Peace, ho, be here!

DUKE

The tongue of Isabel. She’s come to know

If yet her brother’s pardon be come hither;

But I will keep her ignorant of her good,

To make her heavenly comforts of despair

When it is least expected.

ISABELLA ⌈within⌉ Ho, by your leave!

⌈Enter Isabella⌉

DUKE

Good morning to you, fair and gracious daughter.

ISABELLA

The better, given me by so holy a man.

Hath yet the deputy sent my brother’s pardon?

DUKE

He hath released him, Isabel, from the world.

His head is off and sent to Angelo.

ISABELLA

Nay, but it is not so.

DUKE

It is no other.

Show your wisdom, daughter, in your close patience.

ISABELLA

O, I will to him and pluck out his eyes!

DUKE

You shall not be admitted to his sight.

ISABELLA (weeping)

Unhappy Claudio! Wretched Isabel!

Injurious world! Most damned Angelo!

DUKE

This nor hurts him, nor profits you a jot.

Forbear it, therefore; give your cause to heaven.

Mark what I say, which you shall find

By every syllable a faithful verity.

The Duke comes home tomorrow—nay, dry your

eyes—

One of our convent, and his confessor,

Gives me this instance. Already he hath carried

Notice to Escalus and Angelo,

Who do prepare to meet him at the gates,

There to give up their power. If you can pace your

wisdom

In that good path that I would wish it go,

And you shall have your bosom on this wretch,

Grace of the Duke, revenges to your heart,

And general honour.

ISABELLA

I am directed by you.

DUKE

This letter, then, to Friar Peter give.

’Tis that he sent me of the Duke’s return.

Say by this token I desire his company

At Mariana’s house tonight. Her cause and yours

I’ll perfect him withal, and he shall bring you

Before the Duke, and to the head of Angelo

Accuse him home and home. For my poor self,

I am combined by a sacred vow,

And shall be absent. (Giving the letter) Wend you with

this letter.

Command these fretting waters from your eyes

With a light heart. Trust not my holy order

If I pervert your course.

Enter Lucio

Who’s here?

LUCIO

Good even.

Friar, where’s the Provost?

DUKE

Not within, sir.

LUCIO O pretty Isabella, I am pale at mine heart to see thine eyes so red. Thou must be patient. I am fain to dine and sup with water and bran; I dare not for my head fill my belly; one fruitful meal would set me to’t. But they say the Duke will be here tomorrow. By my troth, Isabel, I loved thy brother. If the old fantastical Duke of dark corners had been at home, he had lived. ⌈Exit Isabella⌉

DUKE Sir, the Duke is marvellous little beholden to your reports; but the best is, he lives not in them.

LUCIO Friar, thou knowest not the Duke so well as I do. He’s a better woodman than thou tak’st him for.

DUKE Well, you’ll answer this one day. Fare ye well.

LUCIO Nay, tarry, I’ll go along with thee. I can tell thee pretty tales of the Duke.

DUKE You have told me too many of him already, sir, if they be true; if not true, none were enough.

LUCIO I was once before him for getting a wench with child.

DUKE Did you such a thing?

LUCIO Yes, marry, did I; but I was fain to forswear it. They would else have married me to the rotten medlar.

DUKE Sir, your company is fairer than honest. Rest you well.

LUCIO By my troth, I’ll go with thee to the lane’s end. If bawdy talk offend you, we’ll have very little of it. Nay, friar, I am a kind of burr; I shall stick.

Exeunt