ACT IV
SCENE I The moated grange at ST. LUKE's.


 [Enter MARIANA and a Boy]

 [Boy sings]

 Take, O, take those lips away,
 That so sweetly were forsworn;
 And those eyes, the break of day,
 Lights that do mislead the morn:
 But my kisses bring again, bring again;
 Seals of love, but sealed in vain, sealed in vain.

MARIANA Break off thy song, and haste thee quick away:
 Here comes a man of comfort, whose advice
 Hath often still'd my brawling discontent.

 [Exit Boy]

 [Enter DUKE VINCENTIO disguised as before]

 I cry you mercy, sir; and well could wish
 You had not found me here so musical:
 Let me excuse me, and believe me so,
 My mirth it much displeased, but pleased my woe.

DUKE VINCENTIO 'Tis good; though music oft hath such a charm
 To make bad good, and good provoke to harm.
 I pray, you, tell me, hath any body inquired
 for me here to-day? much upon this time have
 I promised here to meet.

MARIANA You have not been inquired after:
 I have sat here all day.

 [Enter ISABELLA]

DUKE VINCENTIO I do constantly believe you. The time is come even
 now. I shall crave your forbearance a little: may
 be I will call upon you anon, for some advantage to yourself.

MARIANA I am always bound to you.

 [Exit]

DUKE VINCENTIO Very well met, and well come.
 What is the news from this good deputy?

ISABELLA He hath a garden circummured with brick,
 Whose western side is with a vineyard back'd;
 And to that vineyard is a planched gate,
 That makes his opening with this bigger key:
 This other doth command a little door
 Which from the vineyard to the garden leads;
 There have I made my promise
 Upon the heavy middle of the night
 To call upon him.

DUKE VINCENTIO But shall you on your knowledge find this way?

ISABELLA I have ta'en a due and wary note upon't:
 With whispering and most guilty diligence,
 In action all of precept, he did show me
 The way twice o'er.

DUKE VINCENTIO Are there no other tokens
 Between you 'greed concerning her observance?

ISABELLA No, none, but only a repair i' the dark;
 And that I have possess'd him my most stay
 Can be but brief; for I have made him know
 I have a servant comes with me along,
 That stays upon me, whose persuasion is
 I come about my brother.

DUKE VINCENTIO 'Tis well borne up.
 I have not yet made known to Mariana
 A word of this. What, ho! within! come forth!

 [Re-enter MARIANA]

 I pray you, be acquainted with this maid;
 She comes to do you good.

ISABELLA I do desire the like.

DUKE VINCENTIO Do you persuade yourself that I respect you?

MARIANA Good friar, I know you do, and have found it.

DUKE VINCENTIO Take, then, this your companion by the hand,
 Who hath a story ready for your ear.
 I shall attend your leisure: but make haste;
 The vaporous night approaches.

MARIANA Will't please you walk aside?

 [Exeunt MARIANA and ISABELLA]

DUKE VINCENTIO O place and greatness! millions of false eyes
 Are stuck upon thee: volumes of report
 Run with these false and most contrarious quests
 Upon thy doings: thousand escapes of wit
 Make thee the father of their idle dreams
 And rack thee in their fancies.

 [Re-enter MARIANA and ISABELLA]

            Welcome, how agreed?

ISABELLA She'll take the enterprise upon her, father,
 If you advise it.

DUKE VINCENTIO                   It is not my consent,
 But my entreaty too.

ISABELLA Little have you to say
 When you depart from him, but, soft and low,
 'Remember now my brother.'

MARIANA Fear me not.

DUKE VINCENTIO Nor, gentle daughter, fear you not at all.
 He is your husband on a pre-contract:
 To bring you thus together, 'tis no sin,
 Sith that the justice of your title to him
 Doth flourish the deceit. Come, let us go:
 Our corn's to reap, for yet our tithe's to sow.

 [Exeunt]




 MEASURE FOR MEASURE


ACT IV