hope.

_Prov._ It is a bitter Deputy.

_Duke._ Not so, not so; his life is parallel'd 75
Even with the stroke and line of his great justice:
He doth with holy abstinence subdue
That in himself which he spurs on his power
To qualify in others: were he meal'd with that
Which he corrects, then were he tyrannous; 80
But this being so, he's just. [_Knocking within._
Now are they come.

[_Exit Provost._

This is a gentle provost: seldom when
The steeled gaoler is the friend of men. [_Knocking within._
How now! what noise? That spirit's possessed with haste
That wounds the unsisting postern with these strokes. 85

_Re-enter PROVOST._

_Prov._ There he must stay until the officer
Arise to let him in: he is call'd up.

_Duke._ Have you no countermand for Claudio yet,
But he must die to-morrow?

_Prov._ None, sir, none.

_Duke._ As near the dawning, provost, as it is, 90
You shall hear more ere morning.

_Prov._ Happily
You something know; yet I believe there comes
No countermand; no such example have we:
Besides, upon the very siege of justice
Lord Angelo hath to the public ear 95
Profess'd the contrary.

_Enter a MESSENGER._

This is his lordship's man.

_Duke._ And here comes Claudio's pardon.

_Mes._ [_Giving a paper_] My lord hath sent you this note;
and by me this further charge, that you swerve not from the
smallest article of it, neither in time, matter,
or other circumstance. 100
Good morrow; for, as I take it, it is almost day.

_Prov._ I shall obey him. [_Exit Messenger._

_Duke._ [_Aside_] This is his pardon, purchased by such sin
For which the pardoner himself is in.
Hence hath offence his quick celerity, 105
When it is borne in high authority:
When vice makes mercy, mercy's so extended,
That for the fault's love is the offender friended.
Now, sir, what news?

_Prov._ I told you. Lord Angelo, belike thinking me remiss 110
in mine office, awakens me with this unwonted putting-on;
methinks strangely, for he hath not used it before.

_Duke._ Pray you, let's hear.

[Transcriber's Note:
In order to preserve the marked line breaks without losing
readability, each line