Visit both prince and people: therefore, I pr'ythee, Like a true friar. More reasons for this action, Is more to bread than stone: Hence shall we see, SCENE III. The Street. Enter LEOPOLD, LUCIO, and FREDERICK. Lucio. If the duke, with the other dukes, come not to composition with the king of Hungary, why, then all the dukes fall upon the king. Fred. Heaven grant us its peace, but not the king of Hungary's! Leo. Amen. Lucio. Thou concludest, like the sanctimonious pirate, that went to sea with the Ten Commandments, but scraped one out of the table. Leo. Thou shalt not steal? Fred. Why, 'twas a commandment to command the captain and all the rest from their functions; they put forth to steal: there's not a soldier of us all, that in the thanksgiving before meat, doth relish the petition well that prays for peace. Leo. I never heard any soldier dislike it. Lucio. I believe thee; for I think thou never wast where grace was said. Enter Mrs. Overdone. Fred. How now? Which of your hips has the most profound sciatica ? Over. Well, well; there's one yonder arrested, and carried to prison, was worth five thousand of yoù all. Lucio. Who's that, I pray thee? Over. Marry, sir, that's Claudio, signior Claudio. Fred. Claudio to prison! 'tis not so? Over. Nay, but I know 'tis so: I saw him arrested; saw him carried away: and, which is more, within these three days his head is to be chopped off. Lucio. But, after all this fooling, I would not have it so. Art thou sure of this? Over. I am too sure of it; and, they say, it is for getting madam Julietta with child. Lucio. Believe me, this may be: he promised to meet me two hours since; and he was ever precise in promise-keeping. Away: let's go learn the truth of it. [Exeunt LUCIO, LEOPOLD, and FREDERICK. Over. Thus, what with the war, what with the gallows, and what with poverty, I am customshrunk. Enter POMPEY. How now? What's the news with you? Over. What, is there a maid with child by him? Pom. No; but there's a woman with maid by him: You have not heard of the proclamation, have you? Over. What proclamation, man? Pom. All houses in the suburbs of Vienna must be plucked down. Över. Why, here's a change, indeed, in the commonwealth ! What's to do here? Pom. Here comes signior Claudio, led by the provost to prison. Over. Let's withdraw. [Exeunt Mrs. OVERDONE and POMPEY. Enter Provost, CLAUDIO, and two Apparitors. Claud. Fellow, why dost thou show me thus to the world? Bear me to prison, where I am committed. Enter LUCIO, FREDERICK, and LEOPOLD. Lucio. Why, how now, Claudio? whence comes this restraint? Claud. From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty; As surfeit is the father of much fast, proper bane, A thirsty evil; and when we drink, we die. Lucio. If I could speak so wisely under an arrest, I would send for certain of my creditors: and yet to say the truth, I had as lief have the foppery of freedom, as the morality of imprisonment.What's thy offence, Claudio? Claud. What, but to speak of, would offend again. Claud. No. Prov. Away, sir: you must go! Claud. One word, good friend:Lucio, a word with you. Lucio. A hundred, if they will do you any good. Claud. Thus stands it with me:-Upon a true contract, I got possession of Julietta's bed; You know the lady; she is fast my wife, Remaining in the coffer of her friends; From whom we thought it meet to hide our love, Till time had made them for us. But it chances, The stealth of our most mutual entertainment, With character too gross, is writ on Juliet. Claud. Unhappily, even so; And the new deputy now for the Duke Which have, like unscour'd armour, hung by the wall So long, that fourteen zodiacs have gone round, Lucio. I warrant it is, and thy head stands so tickle on thy shoulders, that a milkmaid, if she be in love, may sigh it off. Claud. I pr'ythee, Lucio, do me this kind service: Acquaint her with the danger of my. state; Such as moves men: besides, she has a prosperous art When she will play with reason and discourse, Lucio. I pray she may; as well for the encouragement of the like, as for the enjoying of thy life, who I would be sorry should be thus foolishly lost at a game of tick-tack. I'll to her. Claud. I thank you, good friend Lucio. Lucio. Within two hours. Claud. Come, officer, away. [Exeunt Provost, CLAUDIO, FREDERICK, LEOPOLD, the twa Apparitors, and LUCIO. SCENE IV. A Nunnery. Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA. Isa. And have you nuns no further privileges: Isa. Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; Lucio. [Ringing without.] Ho! Peace be in this place! Isa. Who's that which calls? Fran. It is a man's voice: Gentle Isabella, Turn you the key, and know his business of him ; You may, I may not; you are yet unsworn: When you have vow'd, you must not speak with men, But in the presence of the prioress. Lucio. [Ringing without.] Peace be in this place! Ho! Fran. He calls again; I pray you, answer him. Exit FRANCISCA. Isa. Who is't that calls? [Opens the door. Enter LUCIO. Lucio. Hail, virgin, if you be; as those cheek-roses Proclaim you are no less! Can you so stead me, |