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After the moon. If thou art rich, thou'rt poor;
For, like an ass whose back with ingots bows,
Thou bear's thy heavy riches but a journey,
And death unloads thee. Friend hast thou none;
For thine own bowels, which do call thee sire,
The mere effusion of thy proper loins,
Do curse the gout, serpigo, and the rheum,
For ending thee no sooner. Thou hast nor youth nor age,
But, as it were, an after-dinner's sleep,
Dreaming on both; for all thy blessed youth
Becomes as aged, and doth beg the alms
Of palsied eld; and when thou art old and rich,
Thou hast neither heat, affection, limb, nor beauty,
To make thy riches pleasant. What's yet in this
That bears the name of life? Yet in this life
Lie hid moe thousand deaths: yet death we fear,
That makes these odds all even.
CLAUDIO:
I humbly thank you.
To sue to live, I find I seek to die;
And, seeking death, find life: let it come on.
ISABELLA:
Provost:
Who's there? come in: the wish deserves a welcome.
DUKE VINCENTIO:
Dear sir, ere long I'll visit you again.
CLAUDIO:
Most holy sir, I thank you.
ISABELLA:
My business is a word or two with Claudio.
Provost:
And very welcome. Look, signior, here's your sister.
DUKE VINCENTIO:
Provost, a word with you.
Provost:
As many as you please.
DUKE VINCENTIO:
Bring me to hear them speak, where I may be concealed.
CLAUDIO:
Now, sister, what's the comfort?
ISABELLA:
Why,
As all comforts are; most good, most good indeed.
Lord Angelo, having affairs to heaven,
Intends you for his swift ambassador,
Where you shall be an everlasting leiger:
Therefore your best appointment make with speed;
To-morrow you set on.
CLAUDIO:
Is there no remedy?
ISABELLA:
None, but such remedy as, to save a head,
To cleave a heart in twain.
CLAUDIO:
But is there any?
ISABELLA:
Yes, brother, you may live:
There is a devilish mercy in the judge,
If you'll implore it, that will free your life,
But fetter you till death.
CLAUDIO:
Perpetual durance?
ISABELLA:
Ay, just; perpetual durance, a restraint,
Though all the world's vastidity you had,
To a determined scope.
CLAUDIO:
But in what nature?
ISABELLA:
In such a one as, you consenting to't,
Would bark your honour from that trunk you bear,
And leave you naked.
CLAUDIO:
Let me know the point.
ISABELLA:
O, I do fear thee, Claudio; and I quake,
Lest thou a feverous life shouldst entertain,
And six or seven winters more respect