upation a mystery? 30

_Abhor._ Ay, sir; a mystery.

_Pom._ Painting, sir, I have heard say, is a mystery;
and your whores, sir, being members of my occupation,
using painting, do prove my occupation a mystery: but
what mystery there should be in hanging, if I should be 35
hanged, I cannot imagine.

_Abhor._ Sir, it is a mystery.

_Pom._ Proof?

_Abhor._ Every true man's apparel fits your thief: if it
be too little for your thief, your true man thinks it big 40
enough; if it be too big for your thief, your thief thinks it
little enough: so every true man's apparel fits your thief.

_Re-enter PROVOST._

_Prov._ Are you agreed?

_Pom._ Sir, I will serve him; for I do find your hangman
is a more penitent trade than your bawd; he doth 45
oftener ask forgiveness.

_Prov._ You, sirrah, provide your block and your axe
to-morrow four o'clock.

_Abhor._ Come on, bawd; I will instruct thee in my
trade; follow. 50

_Pom._ I do desire to learn, sir: and I hope, if you have
occasion to use me for your own turn, you shall find me
yare; for, truly, sir, for your kindness I owe you a good
turn.

_Prov._ Call hither Barnardine and Claudio:

[_Exeunt Pompey and Abhorson._ 55

The one has my pity; not a jot the other,
Being a murderer, though he were my brother.

_Enter CLAUDIO._

Look, here's the warrant, Claudio, for thy death:
'Tis now dead midnight, and by eight to-morrow
Thou must be made immortal. Where's Barnardine? 60

_Claud._ As fast lock'd up in sleep as guiltless labour
When it lies starkly in the traveller's bones:
He will not wake.

_Prov._ Who can do good on him?
Well, go, prepare yourself. [_Knocking within._]
But, hark, what noise?--
Heaven give your spirits comfort! [_Exit Clandio._] By and by.-- 65
I hope it is some pardon or reprieve
For the most gentle Claudio.

_Enter DUKE disguised as before._

Welcome, father.

_Duke._ The best and wholesomest spirits of the night
Envelop you, good Provost! Who call'd here of late?

_Prov._ None, since the curfew rung. 70

_Duke._ Not Isabel?

_Prov._ No.

_Duke._ They will, then, ere't be long.

_Prov._ What comfort is for Claudio?

_Duke._ There's some in