Page 1158 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

to himself, by the instruction of his frailty, many deceiving promises of life,
which I, by my good leisure, have discredited [230] to him; and now is he
resolved to die.

ESCALUS
You have paid the heavens your function, and the prisoner the very debt of
your calling. I have laboured for the poor gentleman to the extremest shore

of my modesty, but my brother-justice have I found so severe [235] that he
hath forced me to tell him he is indeed Justice.

DUKE
If his own life answer the straitness of his proceeding, it shall become him
well: wherein if he chance to fail, he hath sentenced himself.

ESCALUS

I am going to visit the prisoner; fare you well. [240]

DUKE

Peace be with you.
[Exeunt Escalus and Provost.]
He who the sword of heaven will bear
Should be as holy as severe:

Pattern in himself to know,
Grace to stand, and virtue, go: [245]
More nor less to others paying
Than by self-offences weighing.

Shame to him whose cruel striking
Kills for faults of his own liking!
Twice treble shame on Angelo, [250]
To weed my vice, and let his grow!

O, what may man within him hide,
Though angel on the outward side!
How may likeness made in crimes,
Making practice on the times [255]

[
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To draw with idle spiders’ strings
Most ponderous and substantial things!