_Fri. P._ Well, he in time may come to clear himself; 150 But at this instant he is sick, my lord, Of a strange fever. Upon his mere request,-- Being come to knowledge that there was complaint Intended 'gainst Lord Angelo,--came I hither, To speak, as from his mouth, what he doth know 155 Is true and false; and what he with his oath And all probation will make up full clear, Whensoever he's convented. First, for this woman, To justify this worthy n.o.bleman, So vulgarly and personally accused, 160 Her shall you hear disproved to her eyes, Till she herself confess it.

_Duke._ Good friar, let's hear it.

[_Isabella is carried off guarded; and Mariana comes forward._

Do you not smile at this, Lord Angelo?-- O heaven, the vanity of wretched fools!-- Give us some seats. Come, cousin Angelo; 165 In this I'll be impartial; be you judge Of your own cause. Is this the witness, friar?

First, let her show her face, and after speak.

_Mari._ Pardon, my lord; I will not show my face Until my husband bid me. 170

_Duke._ What, are you married?

_Mari._ No, my lord.

_Duke._ Are you a maid?

_Mari._ No, my lord.

_Duke._ A widow, then? 175

_Mari._ Neither, my lord.

_Duke._ Why, you are nothing, then:--neither maid, widow, nor wife?

_Lucio._ My lord, she may be a punk; for many of them are neither maid, widow, nor wife. 180

_Duke._ Silence that fellow: I would he had some cause To prattle for himself.

_Lucio._ Well, my lord.

_Mari._ My lord, I do confess I ne'er was married; And I confess, besides, I am no maid: 185 I have known my husband; yet my husband Knows not that ever he knew me.

_Lucio._ He was drunk, then, my lord: it can be no better.

_Duke._ For the benefit of silence, would thou wert so too!

_Lucio._ Well, my lord. 190

_Duke._ This is no witness for Lord Angelo.

_Mari._ Now I come to't, my lord: She that accuses him of fornication, In self-same manner doth accuse my husband; And charges him, my lord, with such a time 195 When I'll depose I had him in mine arms With all th' effect of love.

_Ang._ Charges she more than me?

_Mari._ Not that I know.

_Duke._ No? you say your husband.

_Mari._ Why, just, my lord, and that is Angelo, 200 Who thinks he knows that he ne'er knew my body, But knows he thinks that he knows Isabel's.

_Ang._ This is a strange abuse. Let's see thy face.

_Mari._ My husband bids me; now I will unmask.

[_Unveiling._ This is that face, thou cruel Angelo, 205 Which once thou sworest was worth the looking on; This is the hand which, with a vow'd contract, Was fast belock'd in thine; this is the body That took away the match from Isabel, And did supply thee at thy garden-house 210 In her imagined person.

_Duke._ Know you this woman?

_Lucio._ Carnally, she says.

_Duke._ Sirrah, no more!

_Lucio._ Enough, my lord.

_Ang._ My lord, I must confess I know this woman: And five years since there was some speech of marriage 215 Betwixt myself and her; which was broke off, Partly for that her promised proportions Came short of composition; but in chief, For that her reputation was disvalued In levity: since which time of five years 220 I never spake with her, saw her, nor heard from her, Upon my faith and honour.

_Mari._ n.o.ble prince, As there comes light from heaven and words from breath, As there is sense in truth and truth in virtue, I am affianced this man's wife as strongly 225 As words could make up vows: and, my good lord, But Tuesday night last gone in's garden-house He knew me as a wife. As this is true, Let me in safety raise me from my knees; Or else for ever be confixed here, 230 A marble monument!

_Ang._ I did but smile till now: Now, good my lord, give me the scope of justice; My patience here is touch'd. I do perceive These poor informal women are no more But instruments of some more mightier member 235 That sets them on: let me have way, my lord, To find this practice out.

_Duke._ Ay, with my heart; And punish them to your height of pleasure.

Thou foolish friar; and thou pernicious woman, Compact with her that's gone, think'st thou thy oaths, 240 Though they would swear down each particular saint, Were testimonies against his worth and credit, That's seal'd in approbation? You, Lord Escalus, Sit with my cousin; lend him your kind pains To find out this abuse, whence 'tis derived. 245 There is another friar that set them on; Let him be sent for.

_Fri. P._ Would he were here, my lord! for he, indeed, Hath set the women on to this complaint: Your provost knows the place where he abides, 250 And he may fetch him.

_Duke._ Go do it instantly. [_Exit Provost._ And you, my n.o.ble and well-warranted cousin, Whom it concerns to hear this matter forth, Do with your injuries as seems you best, In any chastis.e.m.e.nt: I for a while will leave you; 255 But stir not you till you have well determined Upon these slanderers.

_Escal._ My lord, we'll do it throughly. [_Exit Duke._]

Signior Lucio, did not you say you knew that Friar Lodowick to be a dishonest person? 260

_Lucio._ 'Cucullus non facit monachum:' honest in nothing but in his clothes; and one that hath spoke most villanous speeches of the Duke.

_Escal._ We shall entreat you to abide here till he come, and enforce them against him: we shall find this friar a 265 notable fellow.

_Lucio._ As any in Vienna, on my word.

_Escal._ Call that same Isabel here once again: I would speak with her. [_Exit an Attendant._] Pray you, my lord, give me leave to question; you shall see how I'll handle 270 her.

_Lucio._ Not better than he, by her own report.

_Escal._ Say you?

_Lucio._ Marry, sir, I think, if you handled her privately, she would sooner confess: perchance, publicly, she'll be 275 ashamed.

_Escal._ I will go darkly to work with her.

_Lucio._ That's the way; for women are light at midnight.

_Re-enter OFFICERS with ISABELLA; and PROVOST with the DUKE in his friar's habit._