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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 to-day 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 to-day. 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 unprepar'd, 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 Ragozine, 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 inclin'd,

And satisfy the deputy with the visage

Of Ragozine, more like to Claudio?

DUKE.

O, 'tis an accident that heaven provides!

Dispatch it presently; the hour draws on

Prefix'd 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 the under 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-balanc'd form.

We shall proceed with Angelo.

Re-enter PROVOST

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.

Enter ISABELLA

ISABELLA.

Ho, by your leave!

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 releas'd 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.

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 to-morrow. Nay, dry your eyes.

One of our covent, 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 pow'r. 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 to-night. Her cause and yours

I'll perfect him withal; and he shall bring you

Before the Duke; and to the head of Angelo