Page 1146 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

my son should be unlawfully born. But O, how much is the good Duke
deceived in [190] Angelo! If ever he return, and I can speak to him, I will
open my lips in vain, or discover his government.

DUKE
That shall not be much amiss. Yet, as the matter now stands, he will avoid
your accusation − he made trial of you only. Therefore fasten your ear on my

advisings, [195] to the love I have in doing good; a remedy presents itself. I
do make myself believe that you may most uprighteously do a poor wronged
lady a merited benefit; redeem your brother from the angry law; do no stain

to your own gracious person; and much please the absent [200] Duke, if
peradventure he shall ever return to have hearing of this business.

ISABELLA
Let me hear you speak farther. I have spirit to do anything that appears not
foul in the truth of my spirit. [205]

DUKE
Virtue is bold, and goodness never fearful. Have you not heard speak of
Mariana, the sister of Frederick, the great soldier who miscarried at sea?

ISABELLA
I have heard of the lady, and good words went with her name. [210]

DUKE
She should this Angelo have married: was affianced to her oath, and the
nuptial appointed. Between which time of the contract and limit of the
solemnity, her brother Frederick was wracked at sea, having in that perished

vessel the dowry of his sister. But mark how [215] heavily this befell to the
poor gentlewoman. There she lost a noble and renowned brother, in his love
toward her ever most kind and natural; with him, the portion and sinew of
her fortune, her marriage dowry; with both, her combinate husband, this
well-seeming Angelo. [220]

ISABELLA
Can this be so? Did Angelo so leave her?