Act IV, Scene 4

A room in ANGELO’s house.

[Enter ANGELO and ESCALUS]

• Escalus. Every letter he hath writ hath disvouched other.

• Angelo. In most uneven and distracted manner. His actions
  show much like to madness: pray heaven his wisdom be 2310
  not tainted! And why meet him at the gates, and
  redeliver our authorities there

• Escalus. I guess not.

• Angelo. And why should we proclaim it in an hour before his
  entering, that if any crave redress of injustice, 2315
  they should exhibit their petitions in the street?

• Escalus. He shows his reason for that: to have a dispatch of
  complaints, and to deliver us from devices
  hereafter, which shall then have no power to stand
  against us. 2320

• Angelo. Well, I beseech you, let it be proclaimed betimes
  i' the morn; I'll call you at your house: give
  notice to such men of sort and suit as are to meet
  him.

• Escalus. I shall, sir. Fare you well. 2325

• Angelo. Good night.
  [Exit ESCALUS]
  This deed unshapes me quite, makes me unpregnant
  And dull to all proceedings. A deflower'd maid!
  And by an eminent body that enforced 2330
  The law against it! But that her tender shame
  Will not proclaim against her maiden loss,
  How might she tongue me! Yet reason dares her no;
  For my authority bears of a credent bulk,
  That no particular scandal once can touch 2335
  But it confounds the breather. He should have lived,
  Save that riotous youth, with dangerous sense,
  Might in the times to come have ta'en revenge,
  By so receiving a dishonour'd life
  With ransom of such shame. Would yet he had lived! 2340
  A lack, when once our grace we have forgot,
  Nothing goes right: we would, and we would not.

[Exit]