Measure for Measure

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 warrant for it: it hath not moved him at all. Duke 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. 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 dangerous courtesy. Provost Pray, sir, in what? Duke In the delaying death. Provost Alack, how may I do it, having the hour limited, and an express command, under penalty, to deliver his head in the view of Angelo? I may make my case as Claudio’s, to cross this in the smallest. Duke 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. Provost Angelo hath seen them both, and will discover the favour. Duke 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 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 Were you sworn to the duke, or to the deputy? Provost To him, and to his substitutes. Duke 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 Not a resemblance, but a certainty. Yet since I see 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 signet is not strange to you. Provost I know them both. Duke 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. This is a thing that Angelo knows not; for he this very day receives letters of strange tenour; 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 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 are amazed; but this shall absolutely resolve you. Come away; it is almost clear dawn. Exeunt.

Scene III

Another room in the same.

	Enter Pompey.
Pompey	I am as well acquainted here as I was in our house of profession: one would think it were Mistress Overdone’s own house, for here be many of her old customers. First, here’s young Master Rash; he’s in for a commodity of brown paper and old ginger, nine-score and seventeen pounds; of which he made five marks, ready money: marry, then ginger was not much in request, for the old women were all dead. Then is there here one Master Caper, at the suit of Master Three-pile the mercer, for some four suits of peach-coloured satin, which now peaches him a beggar. Then have we here young Dizy, and young Master Deep-vow, and Master Copper-spur, and Master Starve-lackey the rapier and dagger man, and young Drop-heir that killed lusty Pudding, and Master Forthlight the tilter, and brave Master Shooty the great traveller, and wild Half-can that stabbed Pots, and, I think, forty more; all great doers in our trade, and are now “for the Lord’s sake.”
	Enter Abhorson.
Abhorson	Sirrah, bring Barnardine hither.
Pompey	Master Barnardine! you must rise and be hanged. Master Barnardine!
Abhorson	What, ho, Barnardine!
Barnardine	Within. A pox o’ your throats! Who makes that noise there? What are you?
Pompey	Your friends, sir; the hangman. You must be so good, sir, to rise and be put to death.
Barnardine	Within. Away, you rogue, away! I am sleepy.
Abhorson	Tell him he must awake, and that quickly too.
Pompey	Pray, Master Barnardine, awake till you are executed, and sleep afterwards.
Abhorson	Go in to him, and fetch him out.
Pompey	He is coming, sir, he is coming; I hear his straw rustle.
Abhorson	Is the axe upon the block, sirrah?
Pompey	Very ready, sir.
	Enter Barnardine.
Barnardine	How now, Abhorson? what’s the news with you?
Abhorson	Truly, sir, I would desire you to clap into your prayers; for, look you, the warrant’s come.
Barnardine	You rogue, I have been drinking all night; I am not fitted for’t.
Pompey	O, the better, sir; for he that drinks all night, and is hanged betimes in the morning, may sleep the sounder all the next day.
Abhorson	Look you, sir; here comes your ghostly father: do we jest now, think you?
	Enter Duke disguised as before.
Duke	Sir, induced by my charity, and hearing how hastily you are to depart, I am come to advise you, comfort you and pray with you.
Barnardine	Friar, not I: I have been drinking hard all night, and I will have more time to prepare me, or they shall beat out my brains with billets: I will not consent to die this day, 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