Act IV, Scene 1

The moated grange at ST. LUKE’s.

[Enter MARIANA and a Boy] [p][Boy sings] [p]Take, O, take those lips away, [p]That so sweetly were forsworn; [p]And those eyes, the break of day, [p]Lights that do mislead the morn: [p]But my kisses bring again, bring again; [p]Seals of love, but sealed in vain, sealed in vain.

• Mariana. Break off thy song, and haste thee quick away:
  Here comes a man of comfort, whose advice
  Hath often still'd my brawling discontent.
  [Exit Boy]
  [Enter DUKE VINCENTIO disguised as before] 1805
  I cry you mercy, sir; and well could wish
  You had not found me here so musical:
  Let me excuse me, and believe me so,
  My mirth it much displeased, but pleased my woe.

• Vincentio. 'Tis good; though music oft hath such a charm 1810
  To make bad good, and good provoke to harm.
  I pray, you, tell me, hath any body inquired
  for me here to-day? much upon this time have
  I promised here to meet.

• Mariana. You have not been inquired after: 1815
  I have sat here all day.

[Enter ISABELLA]

• Vincentio. I do constantly believe you. The time is come even
  now. I shall crave your forbearance a little: may
  be I will call upon you anon, for some advantage to yourself. 1820

• Mariana. I am always bound to you.

[Exit]

• Vincentio. Very well met, and well come.
  What is the news from this good deputy?

• Isabella. He hath a garden circummured with brick, 1825
  Whose western side is with a vineyard back'd;
  And to that vineyard is a planched gate,
  That makes his opening with this bigger key:
  This other doth command a little door
  Which from the vineyard to the garden leads; 1830
  There have I made my promise
  Upon the heavy middle of the night
  To call upon him.

• Vincentio. But shall you on your knowledge find this way?

• Isabella. I have ta'en a due and wary note upon't: 1835
  With whispering and most guilty diligence,
  In action all of precept, he did show me
  The way twice o'er.

• Vincentio. Are there no other tokens
  Between you 'greed concerning her observance? 1840

• Isabella. No, none, but only a repair i' the dark;
  And that I have possess'd him my most stay
  Can be but brief; for I have made him know
  I have a servant comes with me along,
  That stays upon me, whose persuasion is 1845
  I come about my brother.

• Vincentio. 'Tis well borne up.
  I have not yet made known to Mariana
  A word of this. What, ho! within! come forth!
  [Re-enter MARIANA] 1850
  I pray you, be acquainted with this maid;
  She comes to do you good.

• Isabella. I do desire the like.

• Vincentio. Do you persuade yourself that I respect you?

• Mariana. Good friar, I know you do, and have found it. 1855

• Vincentio. Take, then, this your companion by the hand,
  Who hath a story ready for your ear.
  I shall attend your leisure: but make haste;
  The vaporous night approaches.

• Mariana. Will't please you walk aside? 1860

[Exeunt MARIANA and ISABELLA]

• Vincentio. O place and greatness! millions of false eyes
  Are stuck upon thee: volumes of report
  Run with these false and most contrarious quests
  Upon thy doings: thousand escapes of wit 1865
  Make thee the father of their idle dreams
  And rack thee in their fancies.
  [Re-enter MARIANA and ISABELLA]
  Welcome, how agreed?

• Isabella. She'll take the enterprise upon her, father, 1870
  If you advise it.

• Vincentio. It is not my consent,
  But my entreaty too.

• Isabella. Little have you to say
  When you depart from him, but, soft and low, 1875
  'Remember now my brother.'

• Mariana. Fear me not.

• Vincentio. Nor, gentle daughter, fear you not at all.
  He is your husband on a pre-contract:
  To bring you thus together, 'tis no sin, 1880
  Sith that the justice of your title to him
  Doth flourish the deceit. Come, let us go:
  Our corn's to reap, for yet our tithe's to sow.

[Exeunt]