Bawd. And what fhall become of those in the City? Clown. They fhall ftand for Seed; they had gone down too, but that a wife Burger put in for them. Bawd. But fhall our Houfes of Refort in the Suburbs be pull'd down? Clown. To the Ground, Miftrefs. Bawd. Why here's a Change indeed in the Commonwealth; what thall become of me? Clown. Come, fear not you; good Counsellors lack no Clients; though you change your Place, you need not change your Trade: I'll be your Tapfter ftill. Courage, there will be pity taken on you; you that have worn your Eyes almoft out in the Service, you will be confidered. Bawd. What's to do here, Thomas Tapfter? let's with draw. Clown. Here comes Signior Claudio, led by the Provoft to Prifon; and there's Madam Juliet. [Ex. Bawd and Clown. Enter Provoft, Claudia, Juliet and Officers. Claud. Fellow, why doft thou show me thus to th' World? Bear me to Prifon, where I am committed. Prov. I do it not in evil Difpofition, But from Lord Angelo by fpecial Charge. Claud. Thus can the Demi-god, Authority, Make us pay down, for our Offence, by weight The words of Heav'n; on whom it will, it will; On whom it will not, fo; yet ftill 'tis juft. [ftraint? Lucio. Why how now Claudio? Whence comes this Re As Surfeit is the Father of much Faft, Lucio. If I could fpeak fo wifely, under an Arreft, I would fend for certain of my Creditors; and yet, to say the Truth, I had as lief have the Foppery of Freedom, as the Morality of Impriforment: What's thy Offence, Claudio? Claud. What, but to fpeak of, would offend again. Lucio. What is't, Murder? Cland. Claud. No. Lucio. Letchery? Cland. Call it fo. Prov. Away, Sir, you must go. Claud. One Word, Good Friend: Lucio, a Word with you. Lucio. A hundred; If they'll do you any good: Is Letchery fo look'd after? You know the Lady, fhe is faft my Wife, Of outward Order. This we came not to, Remaining in the Coffer of her Friends, From whom we thought it meet to hide our Love Claud. Unhappily, even fo. And the new Deputy, now for the Duke, Which have, like unfcour'd Armour, hung by th' Wall Freshly on me; 'tis furely for a Name. Lucio. I warrant it is; and thy Head stands so tickle on thy Shoulders, that a Milk-maid, if the be in Love, may figh it off. Send after the Duke, and appeal to him. Claud. I have done fo, but he's not to be found. I prethee, Lucio, do me this kind Service: This Day, my Sifter fhould the Cloifter enter, Acquaint her with the danger of my State, Such as moves Men! befide, fhe hath profperous Art Lucio. I pray the may; as well for the Encouragement of the like, which elfe would ftand upon grievous Impofitior, as for the enjoying of thy Life, who I would be forry fhould be thus foolishly loft, 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. SCENE III. A Monastery. Enter Duke and Friar Thomas. Duke. No; holy Father, throw away that Thought, Believe not that the dribbling Dart of Love Can pierce a compleat Bofom: Why I defire thee To give me fecret Harbour, hath a Purpose More grave and wrinkled than the Aims and Ends Of burning Youth. Fri. May your Grace fpeak of it. Duke. My holy Sir, none better knows than you And held in idle price to haunt Affemblies A Man of Stricture and firm Abftinence, Duke. Duke. We have ftri&t Statutes, and most biting Laws, The needful Bits and Curbs for head-ftrong Weeds, Which for this fourteen Years we have let flip, Even like an o'er-grown Lion in a Cave That goes not out to prey: Now, as fond Fathers, Fri. It refted in your Grace To unloofe this ty'd-up Juftice, when you pleas'd Duke. I do fear, too dreadful; Sith 'twas my Fault to give the People scope, And not the Punishment: Therefore indeed, my Father, Who may in th' ambush of my Name ftrike home, To do in flander: And to behold his Sway, Like a true Friar. More Reasons for this Action, Is more to Bread than Stone: Hence fhall we fee, If Power change Purpofe, what our Seemers be. [Exeunt. SCENE SCENE IV. A Nunnery. Enter Ifabella and Francifca. Ifab. And have you Nuns no farther Privileges? Ifab. Yes truly; I fpeak not as defiring more, Upon the Sifterhood, the Votarifts of Saint Clare. Lucio. Hoa! Peace be in this Place. Nun. It is a Man's Voice, gentle Ifabella, When you have vow'd, you must not fpeak with Men, Then if you speak, you must not fhew your Face, [Exit Franc Ifab. Peace and Profperity, who is't that calls? Enter Lucio. Lucio. Hail Virgin, if you be, as thofe Cheek-Rofes Proclaim you are no lefs, can you so stead me, As bring me to the Sight of Ifabella, A Novice of this Place, and the fair Sifter To her unhappy Brother Claudio? Ifab. Why her unhappy Brother? Let me ask, The rather, for I now must make you know I am that Isabella, and his Sifter. Lucio. Gentle and Fair, your Brother kindly greets you; Not to be weary with you, he's in Prison. Ifab. Wo me, for what? Lucio. For that, which if my felf might be his Judge, He should receive his Punishment in Thanks; He hath got his Friend with Child. Ifab. Sir, make me not your Story. Lucio. 'Tis true; I would not, tho' 'tis my familiar Sin, With Maids to feem the Lapwing, and to jest, Tongue, far from Heart; play with all Virgins fo. I hold you as a thing en-sky'd and fainted, Be |