Page 1169 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

No countermand. No such example have we.
Besides, upon the very siege of justice
Lord Angelo hath to the public ear
Profess’d the contrary.

Enter a Messenger.
This is his lordship’s man. [95]

DUKE
And here comes Claudio’s pardon.

MESSENGER
My lord hath sent you this note, and by me this further charge: that you
swerve not from the smallest article of it, neither in time, matter, or other

circumstance. Good-morrow; for, as I take it, it is almost day. [100]

PROVOST
I shall obey him.
[Exit Messenger.]

DUKE
[aside]
This is his pardon, purchas’d by such sin

For which the pardoner himself is in.
Hence hath offence his quick celerity,
When it is borne in high authority. [105]
When vice makes mercy, mercy’s so extended

That for the fault’s love is th’offender friended.
Now, sir, what news?

PROVOST
I told you: Lord Angelo, belike thinking me remiss in mine office, awakens me
with this unwonted [110] putting-on; methinks strangely, for he hath not
used it before.

DUKE
Pray you, let’s hear.