Page 1207 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

And, for the most, become much more the better
For being a little bad. So may my husband.
O Isabel! Will you not lend a knee?

DUKE
He dies for Claudio’s death.

ISABELLA
[kneeling]

Most bounteous sir: [440]
Look, if it please you, on this man condemn’d
As if my brother liv’d. I partly think
A due sincerity govern’d his deeds

Till he did look on me. Since it is so,
Let him not die. My brother had but justice, [445]
In that he did the thing for which he died:
For Angelo,

His act did not o’ertake his bad intent,
And must be buried but as an intent
That perish’d by the way. Thoughts are no subjects; [450]
Intents, but merely thoughts.

MARIANA

Merely, my lord.

DUKE

Your suit’s unprofitable. Stand up, I say.
I have bethought me of another fault.
Provost, how came it Claudio was beheaded
At an unusual hour?

PROVOST
It was commanded so. [455]

DUKE
Had you a special warrant for the deed?