Angelo suffered more that night than
the prisoner he had so severely sentenced; for in the prison Claudio
was visited by the good duke, who, in his friar's habit, taught the
young man the way to heaven, preaching to him the words of penitence
and peace. But Angelo felt all the pangs of irresolute guilt: now
wishing to seduce Isabel from the paths of innocence and honour, and
now suffering remorse and horror for a crime as yet but intentional.
But in the end his evil thoughts prevailed; and he who had so lately
started at the offer of a bribe, resolved to tempt this maiden with so
high a bribe, as she might not be able to resist, even with the
precious gift of her dear brother's life.

When Isabel came in the morning, Angelo desired she might be admitted
alone to his presence: and being there, he said to her, if she would
yield to him her virgin honour and transgress even as Juliet had done
with Claudio, he would give her her brother's life; 'For,' said he, 'I
love you, Isabel.' 'My brother,' said Isabel, 'did so love Juliet, and
yet you tell me he shall die for it.' 'But,' said Angelo, 'Claudio
shall not die, if you will consent to visit me by stealth at night,
even as Juliet left her father's house at night to come to Claudio.'
Isabel, in amazement at his words, that he should tempt her to the same
fault for which he passed sentence upon her brother, said: 'I would do
as much for my poor brother as for myself; that is, were I under
sentence of death, the impression of keen whips I would wear as rubies,
and go to my death as to a bed that longing I had been sick for, ere I
would yield myself up to this shame.' And then she told him, she hoped
he only spoke these words to try her virtue. But he said: 'Believe me,
on my honour, my words express my purpose.' Isabel, angered to the
heart to hear him use the word Honour to express such dishonourable
purposes, said: 'Ha! little honour to be much believed; and most
pernicious purpose. I will proclaim thee, Angelo, look for it! Sign me
a present pardon for my brother, or I will tell the world aloud what
man thou art!' 'Who will believe you, Isabel?' said Angelo; 'my
unsoiled name, the austereness of my life, my word vouched against
yours, will outweigh your accusation. Redeem your brother by yielding
to my will, or he shall die to-morrow. As for you, say what you can, my
false will overweigh your true story. Answer me to-morrow.'

'To whom should I complain? Did I tell this,