, 55
And with full line of his authority,
Governs Lord Angelo; a man whose blood
Is very snow-broth; one who never feels
The wanton stings and motions of the sense,
But doth rebate and blunt his natural edge 60
With profits of the mind, study and fast.
He--to give fear to use and liberty,
Which have for long run by the hideous law,
As mice by lions--hath pick'd out an act,
Under whose heavy sense your brother's life 65
Falls into forfeit: he arrests him on it;
And follows close the rigour of the statute,
To make him an example. All hope is gone,
Unless you have the grace by your fair prayer
To soften Angelo: and that's my pith of business 70
'Twixt you and your poor brother.

_Isab._ Doth he so seek his life?

_Lucio._ Has censured him
Already; and, as I hear, the provost hath
A warrant for his execution.

_Isab._ Alas! what poor ability's in me 75
To do him good?

_Lucio._ Assay the power you have.

_Isab._ My power? Alas, I doubt,--

_Lucio._ Our doubts are traitors,
And make us lose the good we oft might win
By fearing to attempt. Go to Lord Angelo,
And let him learn to know, when maidens sue, 80
Men give like gods; but when they weep and kneel,
All their petitions are as freely theirs
As they themselves would owe them.

_Isab._ I'll see what I can do.

_Lucio._ But speedily.

_Isab._ I will about it straight; 85
No longer staying but to give the Mother
Notice of my affair. I humbly thank you:
Commend me to my brother: soon at night
I'll send him certain word of my success.

_Lucio._ I take my leave of you.

_Isab._ Good sir, adieu. 90

[_Exeunt._

NOTES: I, 4.

SCENE IV.] SCENA QUINTA Ff. SCENE VIII. Pope.
5: _sisterhood, the votarists_] _sister votarists_ Pope.
27: _For that which_] _That for which_ Malone conj.
30: _make me not your story_] _mock me not:--your story_ Malone.
_make me not your scorn_ Collier MS. (after Davenant).
_make ... sport_ Singer.
_It is true_] Steevens. _'Tis true_ Ff. om. Pope.
_Nay, tis true_ Capell.
31: _I would not_] Malone puts a full stop here.
40: _have_] _having_ Rowe.
42: _That ... brings_] _Doth ... bring_ Hanmer.
_seedness_]