[Exit Messenger]
DUKE VINCENTIO: [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 born in high authority: [110]
When vice makes mercy, mercy's so extended,
That for the fault's love is the offender friended.
Now, sir, what news?
Provost: I told you. Lord Angelo, belike thinking me remiss
in mine office, awakens me with this unwonted [115]
putting-on; methinks strangely, for he hath not used it before.
DUKE VINCENTIO: Pray you, let's hear.
Provost: [Reads]
'Whatsoever you may hear to the contrary, let
Claudio be executed by four of the clock; and in the [120]
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.' [125]
What say you to this, sir?
DUKE VINCENTIO: What is that Barnardine who is to be
executed in the afternoon?
Provost: A Bohemian born, but here nursed un and bred; one
that is a prisoner nine years old. [130]
DUKE VINCENTIO: 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 [135]
Angelo, came not to an undoubtful proof.
DUKE VINCENTIO: It is now apparent?
Provost: Most manifest, and not denied by himself.
DUKE VINCENTIO: Hath he born himself penitently in prison? how
seems he to be touched? [140]
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 VINCENTIO: He wants advice. [145]
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 [150]
warrant for it: it hath not moved him at all.
DUKE VINCENTIO: 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. [155]
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 [160]
dangerous courtesy.
Provost: Pray, sir, in what?
DUKE VINCENTIO: In the delaying death.
Provost: A lack, how may I do it, having the hour limited,
and an express command, under penalty, to deliver [165]
his head in the view of Angelo? I may make my case
as Claudio's, to cross this in the smallest.
DUKE VINCENTIO: 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 born to Angelo. [170]
Provost: Angelo hath seen them both, and will discover the favour.
DUKE VINCENTIO: 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 any thing [175]
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 VINCENTIO: Were you sworn to the duke, or to the deputy? [180]
Provost: To him, and to his substitutes.
DUKE VINCENTIO: 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 VINCENTIO: Not a resemblance, but a certainty. Yet since I see [185]
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.
Look you, sir, here is the hand and seal of the
duke: you know the character, I doubt not; and the [190]
signet is not strange to you.
Provost: I know them both.
DUKE VINCENTIO: 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. [195]
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, the unfolding star calls up the [200]
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 [205]
are amazed; but this shall absolutely resolve you.
Come away; it is almost clear dawn.
[Exeunt]