Measure for Measure Part 12

_Isab._ Under your sentence?

_Ang._ Yea.

_Isab._ When, I beseech you? that in his reprieve, Longer or shorter, he may be so fitted 40 That his soul sicken not.

_Ang._ Ha! fie, these filthy vices! It were as good To pardon him that hath from nature stolen A man already made, as to remit Their saucy sweetness that do coin heaven's image 45 In stamps that are forbid: 'tis all as easy Falsely to take away a life true made, As to put metal in restrained means To make a false one.

_Isab._ 'Tis set down so in heaven, but not in earth. 50

_Ang._ Say you so? then I shall pose you quickly.

Which had you rather,--that the most just law Now took your brother's life; or, to redeem him, Give up your body to such sweet uncleanness As she that he hath stain'd?

_Isab._ Sir, believe this, 55 I had rather give my body than my soul.

_Ang._ I talk not of your soul: our compell'd sins Stand more for number than for accompt.

_Isab._ How say you?

_Ang._ Nay, I'll not warrant that; for I can speak Against the thing I say. Answer to this:-- 60 I, now the voice of the recorded law, p.r.o.nounce a sentence on your brother's life: Might there not be a charity in sin To save this brother's life?

_Isab._ Please you to do't, I'll take it as a peril to my soul, 65 It is no sin at all, but charity.

_Ang._ Pleased you to do't at peril of your soul, Were equal poise of sin and charity.

_Isab._ That I do beg his life, if it be sin, Heaven let me bear it! you granting of my suit, 70 If that be sin, I'll make it my morn prayer To have it added to the faults of mine, And nothing of your answer.

_Ang._ Nay, but hear me.

Your sense pursues not mine: either you are ignorant, Or seem so, craftily; and that's not good. 75

_Isab._ Let me be ignorant, and in nothing good, But graciously to know I am no better.

_Ang._ Thus wisdom wishes to appear most bright When it doth tax itself; as these black masks Proclaim an enshield beauty ten times louder 80 Than beauty could, display'd. But mark me; To be received plain, I'll speak more gross: Your brother is to die.

_Isab._ So.

_Ang._ And his offence is so, as it appears, 85 Accountant to the law upon that pain.

_Isab._ True.

_Ang._ Admit no other way to save his life,-- As I subscribe not that, nor any other, But in the loss of question,--that you, his sister, 90 Finding yourself desired of such a person, Whose credit with the judge, or own great place, Could fetch your brother from the manacles Of the all-building law; and that there were No earthly mean to save him, but that either 95 You must lay down the treasures of your body To this supposed, or else to let him suffer; What would you do?

_Isab._ As much for my poor brother as myself: That is, were I under the terms of death, 100 The impression of keen whips I'ld wear as rubies, And strip myself to death, as to a bed That longing have been sick for, ere I'ld yield My body up to shame.

_Ang._ Then must your brother die.

_Isab._ And 'twere the cheaper way: 105 Better it were a brother died at once, Than that a sister, by redeeming him, Should die for ever.

_Ang._ Were not you, then, as cruel as the sentence That you have slander'd so? 110

_Isab._ Ignomy in ransom and free pardon Are of two houses: lawful mercy Is nothing kin to foul redemption.

_Ang._ You seem'd of late to make the law a tyrant; And rather proved the sliding of your brother 115 A merriment than a vice.

_Isab._ O, pardon me, my lord; it oft falls out, To have what we would have, we speak not what we mean: I something do excuse the thing I hate, For his advantage that I dearly love. 120

_Ang._ We are all frail.

_Isab._ Else let my brother die, If not a feodary, but only he Owe and succeed thy weakness.

_Ang._ Nay, women are frail too.

_Isab._ Ay, as the gla.s.ses where they view themselves; 125 Which are as easy broke as they make forms.

Women!--Help Heaven! men their creation mar In profiting by them. Nay, call us ten times frail; For we are soft as our complexions are, And credulous to false prints.

_Ang._ I think it well: 130 And from this testimony of your own s.e.x,-- Since, I suppose, we are made to be no stronger Than faults may shake our frames,--let me be bold;-- I do arrest your words. Be that you are, That is, a woman; if you be more, you're none; 135 If you be one,--as you are well express'd By all external warrants,--show it now, By putting on the destined livery.

_Isab._ I have no tongue but one: gentle my lord, Let me entreat you speak the former language. 140

_Ang._ Plainly conceive, I love you.

_Isab._ My brother did love Juliet, And you tell me that he shall die for it.

_Ang._ He shall not, Isabel, if you give me love.

_Isab._ I know your virtue hath a license in't, 145 Which seems a little fouler than it is, To pluck on others.

_Ang._ Believe me, on mine honour, My words express my purpose.

_Isab._ Ha! little honour to be much believed, And most pernicious purpose!--Seeming, seeming!-- 150 I will proclaim thee, Angelo; look for't: Sign me a present pardon for my brother, Or with an outstretch'd throat I'll tell the world aloud What man thou art.

_Ang._ Who will believe thee, Isabel?

My unsoil'd name, the austereness of my life, 155 My vouch against you, and my place i' the state, Will so your accusation overweigh, That you shall stifle in your own report, And smell of calumny. I have begun; And now I give my sensual race the rein: 160 Fit thy consent to my sharp appet.i.te; Lay by all nicety and prolixious blushes, That banish what they sue for; redeem thy brother By yielding up thy body to my will; Or else he must not only die the death, 165 But thy unkindness shall his death draw out To lingering sufferance. Answer me to-morrow.

Or, by the affection that now guides me most, I'll prove a tyrant to him. As for you, Say what you can, my false o'erweighs your true. [_Exit._ 170

_Isab._ To whom should I complain? Did I tell this, Who would believe me? O perilous mouths, That bear in them one and the self-same tongue, Either of condemnation or approof; Bidding the law make court'sy to their will; 175 Hooking both right and wrong to the appet.i.te, To follow as it draws! I'll to my brother: Though he hath fall'n by prompture of the blood, Yet hath he in him such a mind of honour, That, had he twenty heads to tender down 180 On twenty b.l.o.o.d.y blocks, he'ld yield them up, Before his sister should her body stoop To such abhorr'd pollution.

Then, Isabel, live chaste, and, brother, die: More than our brother is our chast.i.ty. 185 I'll tell him yet of Angelo's request, And fit his mind to death, for his soul's rest. [_Exit._

NOTES: II, 4.

SCENE IV.] SCENE X. Pope.

2: _empty_] om. Seymour conj.

3: _invention_] _intention_ Pope.

4: _Heaven_] _Heaven's_ Rowe. _Heaven is_ Capell.

5: _his_] _its_ Pope.

9: _fear'd_] _scar'd_ Hanmer. _sear_ Heath conj. _stale_ Anon. conj.

See note (IX).

10: _take_] _took_ Seymour conj.

12: _for vain. O place,_] F4. _for vaine. O place,_ F1 F2 F3.