The Bodleian First Folio

Sir, I know him, and I loue him.

Loue talkes with better knowledge, & know­

ledge with deare loue.

Come Sir, I know what I know.

I can hardly beleeue that, since you know not

what you speake. But if euer the Duke returne (as our

praiers are he may) let mee desire you to make your an­

swer before him: if it bee honest you haue spoke, you

haue courage to maintaine it; I am bound to call vppon

you, and I pray you your name?

Sir my name is Lucio, wel known to the Duke.

He shall know you better Sir, if I may liue

to report you.

I feare you not.

O, you hope the Duke will returne no more:

or you imagine me to vnhurtfull an opposite: but indeed

I can doe you little harme: You'll for‑sweare this a­

gaine?

Ile be hang'd first: Thou art deceiu'd in mee Friar.

But no more of this: Canst thou tell if Claudio

die to morrow, or no?

Why should he die Sir?

Why? For filling a bottle with a Tunne‐dish:

I would the Duke we talke of were return'd againe: this

vngenitur'd Agent will vn‑people the Prouince with

Continencie. Sparrowes must not build in his house‑

eeues, because they are lecherous: The Duke yet would

haue darke deeds darkelie answered, hee would neuer

bring them to light: would hee were return'd. Marrie

this Claudio is condemned for vntrussing. Farwell good

Friar, I prethee pray for me: The Duke (I say to thee

againe) would eate Mutton on Fridaies. He's now past

it, yet (and I say to thee) hee would mouth with a beg­

gar, though she smelt browne‑bread and Garlicke: say

that I said so: Farewell.

Go, away with her to prison.

Good my Lord be good to mee, your Honor

is accounted a mercifull man: good my Lord.

Double, and trebble admonition, and still for­

feite in the same kinde? This would make mercy sweare

and play the Tirant.

A Bawd of eleuen yeares continuance, may it please your Honor.

My Lord, this is one Lucio's information a­

gainst me, Mistris Kate Keepe‑downe was with childe by

him in the Dukes time, he promis'd her marriage: his

Childe is a yeere and a quarter olde come Philip and Ia­ cob : I haue kept it my selfe; and see how hee goes about

to abuse me.

That fellow is a fellow of much License: Let

him be call'd before vs, Away with her to prison: Goe

too, no more words. Prouost, my Brother Angelo will

not be alter'd, Claudio must die to morrow: Let him be

furnish'd with Diuines, and haue all charitable prepara­

tion. If my brother wrought by my pitie, it should not

be so with him.

So please you, this Friar hath beene with him,

and aduis'd him for th' entertainment of death.

Good'euen, good Father.

Blisse, and goodnesse on you.

Of whence are you?

What newes abroad i'th World?

None, but that there is so great a Feauor on

goodnesse, that the dissolution of it must cure it. No­

ueltie is onely in request, and as it is as dangerous to be

aged in any kinde of course, as it is vertuous to be con­

stant in any vndertaking. There is scarse truth enough

aliue to make Societies secure, but Securitie enough to

make Fellowships accurst: Much vpon this riddle runs

the wisedome of the world. This newes is old enough,

yet it is euerie daies newes. I pray you Sir, of what dis­

position was the Duke?

What pleasure was he giuen to?

Rather reioycing to see another merry, then

merrie at anie thing which profest to make him reioice.

A Gentleman of all temperance. But leaue wee him to

his euents, with a praier they may proue prosperous, &

let me desire to know, how you finde Claudio prepar'd?

I am made to vnderstand, that you haue lent him visita­

tion.

He professes to haue receiued no sinister mea­

sure from his Iudge, but most willingly humbles him­

selfe to the determination of Iustice: yet had he framed

to himselfe (by the instruction of his frailty) manie de­

ceyuing promises of life, which I (by my good leisure)

haue discredited to him, and now is he resolu'd to die.

You haue paid the heauens your Function, and

the prisoner the verie debt of your Calling. I haue la­

bour'd for the poore Gentleman, to the extremest shore

of my modestie, but my brother‑Iustice haue I found so

seuere, that he hath forc'd me to tell him, hee is indeede

Iustice.