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Come hither, sirrah. Can you cut off a man’s head?
Come here, boy. Can you chop off a man’s head?
If the man be a bachelor, sir, I can; but if he be a married man, he’s his wife’s head, and I can never cut off a woman’s head.
If the man’s single, yes, sir, I can; but if he’s married, he belongs to his wife, and I can’t chop off a woman’s head.
Come, sir, leave me your snatches, and yield me a direct answer. To-morrow morning are to die Claudio and Barnardine. Here is in our prison a common executioner, who in his office lacks a helper: if you will take it on you to assist him, it shall redeem you from your gyves; if not, you shall have your full time of imprisonment and your deliverance with an unpitied whipping, for you have been a notorious bawd.
Come on, stop with the jokes, and give me a straight answer. Tomorrow morning, Claudio and Barnardine are set to die. We have a regular executioner here in the prison, but he needs help: if you’ll assist him, it’ll get you out of your chains; if not, you’ll serve your full sentence and be freed with a harsh whipping, because you’ve been a well-known pimp.
Sir, I have been an unlawful bawd time out of mind; but yet I will be content to be a lawful hangman. I would be glad to receive some instruction from my fellow partner.
Sir, I’ve been an illegal pimp for a long time, but I’m willing to be a legal executioner. I’d be happy to get some training from my fellow worker.
What, ho! Abhorson! Where’s Abhorson, there?
What, hey! Abhorson! Where’s Abhorson, there?
Do you call, sir?
Did you call, sir?
Sirrah, here’s a fellow will help you to-morrow in your execution. If you think it meet, compound with him by the year, and let him abide here with you; if not, use him for the present and dismiss him. He cannot plead his estimation with you; he hath been a bawd.
Sirrah, here’s a guy who will help you tomorrow with your execution. If you think it’s a good idea, make a yearly deal with him, and let him stay here with you; if not, use him for now and let him go. He can’t argue his worth to you; he’s been a pimp.
A bawd, sir? fie upon him! he will discredit our mystery.
A pimp, sir? Shame on him! He’ll ruin our profession.
Go to, sir; you weigh equally; a feather will turn the scale.
Come on, sir; you’re just as bad; a small thing can tip the balance.
Pray, sir, by your good favour,--for surely, sir, a good favour you have, but that you have a hanging look,--do you call, sir, your occupation a mystery?
Please, sir, with all due respect, -- and you clearly have some good qualities, though you look like you’re about to hang someone -- do you really think your job is a mystery?
Ay, sir; a mystery
Yes, sir; a mystery
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 hanged, I cannot imagine.
Painting, sir, I’ve heard, is called a mystery; and your whores, sir, being part of my job, using makeup, make my job a mystery too. But what mystery there is in hanging, if I’m the one getting hanged, I don’t get.
Sir, it is a mystery.
Sir, it’s a mystery.
Proof?
Proof?
Every true man’s apparel fits your thief: if it be too little for your thief, your true man thinks it big enough; if it be too big for your thief, your thief thinks it little enough: so every true man’s apparel fits your thief.
Every honest man’s clothes fit your thief: if they’re too small for your thief, the honest man thinks they’re big enough; if they’re too big for your thief, the thief thinks they’re small enough: so every honest man’s clothes fit your thief.
Are you agreed?
Have you made up your mind?
Sir, I will serve him; for I do find your hangman is a more penitent trade than your bawd; he doth oftener ask forgiveness.
Sir, I’ll serve him; because I think your executioner’s job is more honest than being a pimp; he asks for forgiveness more often.
You, sirrah, provide your block and your axe to-morrow four o’clock.
You, boy, get your block and axe ready for tomorrow at four o’clock.
Come on, bawd; I will instruct thee in my trade; follow.
Come on, pimp; I’ll teach you my trade; follow me.
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.
I’d like to learn, sir: and I hope, if you ever need me for your own purposes, you’ll find me ready; because, truly, sir, I owe you a favor for your kindness.
Call hither Barnardine and Claudio:
Bring Barnardine and Claudio here:
The one has my pity; not a jot the other, Being a murderer, though he were my brother.
I feel sorry for the first one; not at all for the other, Being a murderer, even if he were my brother.
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?
Look, here’s the order for your execution, Claudio: It’s past midnight, and by eight tomorrow You must be executed. Where’s Barnardine?
As fast lock’d up in sleep as guiltless labour When it lies starkly in the traveller’s bones: He will not wake.
He’s as fast asleep as an innocent person When they lie dead in the bones of a traveler: He won’t wake up.
Who can do good on him? Well, go, prepare yourself.
Who can do anything for him? Well, go, get ready yourself.
But, hark, what noise? Heaven give your spirits comfort!
But wait, what’s that noise? May Heaven comfort your spirits!
By and by. I hope it is some pardon or reprieve For the most gentle Claudio.
Soon. I hope it’s some pardon or delay For the kindest Claudio.
Welcome father.
Welcome, Father.
The best and wholesomest spirts of the night Envelope you, good Provost! Who call’d here of late?
May the best and healthiest spirits of the night Surround you, good Provost! Who called here recently?
None, since the curfew rung.
No one, since the curfew rang.
Not Isabel?
Not Isabel?
No.
No.
They will, then, ere’t be long.
Then they will, soon enough.
What comfort is for Claudio?
What hope is there for Claudio?
There’s some in hope.
There’s some hope.
It is a bitter deputy.
It’s a hard job for the deputy.
Not so, not so; his life is parallel’d 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; But this being so, he’s just.
Not really, not really; his life is in line With the strict justice he carries out: He controls his own desires with self-discipline, So that he can use his power fairly in others: If he were affected by the same things he punishes, Then he would be a tyrant; But because of this, he is just.
Now are they come.
Now they’ve arrived.
This is a gentle provost: seldom when The steeled gaoler is the friend of men.
This provost is kind: it’s rare that A tough jailer is a friend to men.
How now! what noise? That spirit’s possessed with haste That wounds the unsisting postern with these strokes.
What’s this? What’s the noise? The person inside is in such a rush That he’s banging on the back gate with these knocks.
There he must stay until the officer Arise to let him in: he is call’d up.
He has to wait until the officer Gets up to let him in: he’s been called.
Have you no countermand for Claudio yet, But he must die to-morrow?
Don’t you have any orders to stop Claudio from being executed tomorrow? Is he really going to die tomorrow?
None, sir, none.
No, sir, none.
As near the dawning, provost, as it is, You shall hear more ere morning.
It’s almost dawn, Provost, and you’ll hear more before morning.
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 Profess’d the contrary.
Maybe You know something; but I believe no change is coming. We have no such example: Besides, during the very siege of justice, Lord Angelo has publicly declared the opposite.
This is his lordship’s man.
This is his lordship’s servant.
And here comes Claudio’s pardon.
And here comes Claudio’s pardon.
[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. Good morrow; for, as I take it, it is almost day.
[Giving a paper] My lord sent you this note; and by me this further order: don’t stray from the smallest detail of it, either in time, matter, or any other circumstance. Good morning; because, as I understand it, it’s almost day.
I shall obey him.
I will obey him.
[Aside] This is his pardon, purchased by such sin For which the pardoner himself is in. Hence hath offence his quick celerity, When it is born 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?
[Aside] This is his pardon, bought with such a sin For which the one granting the pardon is also guilty. This is how quick offense moves, When it comes from those in high positions: When vice shows mercy, mercy stretches so far, That for the fault’s sake, the offender is forgiven. Now, sir, what’s the news?
I told you. Lord Angelo, belike thinking me remiss in mine office, awakens me with this unwonted putting-on; methinks strangely, for he hath not used it before.
I told you. Lord Angelo, probably thinking I’m neglecting my duty, is waking me with this unusual order; it seems strange, because he hasn’t done this before.
Pray you, let’s hear.
Please, let’s hear it.
[Reads] ’Whatsoever you may hear to the contrary, let Claudio be executed by four of the clock; and in the afternoon Barnardine: for my better satisfaction, let me have Claudio’s head sent me by five. Let this be duly performed; with a thought that more depends on it than we must yet deliver. Thus fail not to do your office, as you will answer it at your peril.’ What say you to this, sir?
[Reads] ’No matter what you hear to the contrary, let Claudio be executed by four o’clock; and in the afternoon, Barnardine. For my better satisfaction, let me have Claudio’s head sent to me by five. Make sure this is done; with the understanding that more depends on it than we can say right now. Don’t fail to do your job, or you’ll be held responsible.’ What do you think of this, sir?
What is that Barnardine who is to be executed in the afternoon?
Who is this Barnardine who’s to be executed in the afternoon?
A Bohemian born, but here nursed un and bred; one that is a prisoner nine years old.
A Bohemian by birth, but raised and trained here; he’s been a prisoner for nine years.
How came it that the absent duke had not either delivered him to his liberty or executed him? I have heard it was ever his manner to do so.
How come the absent duke didn’t either free him or execute him? I’ve heard it was always his way to handle things that way.
His friends still wrought reprieves for him: and, indeed, his fact, till now in the government of Lord Angelo, came not to an undoubtful proof.
His friends always got reprieves for him; and, in fact, his crime, until now under Lord Angelo’s rule, wasn’t fully proven.
It is now apparent?
Is it clear now?
Most manifest, and not denied by himself.
Very clear, and he hasn’t denied it.
Hath he born himself penitently in prison? how seems he to be touched?
Has he shown any signs of regret in prison? How does he seem to feel?
A man that apprehends death no more dreadfully but as a drunken sleep; careless, reckless, and fearless of what’s past, present, or to come; insensible of mortality, and desperately mortal.
A man who faces death without fear, as if it’s just a drunken sleep; careless, reckless, and unconcerned about what’s happened, what’s happening, or what’s to come; unaware of death, and yet hopelessly doomed.
He wants advice.
He needs guidance.
He will hear none: he hath evermore had the liberty of the prison; give him leave to escape hence, he would not: drunk many times a day, if not many days entirely drunk. We have very oft awaked him, as if to carry him to execution, and showed him a seeming warrant for it: it hath not moved him at all.
He won’t listen: he’s always had freedom in prison; even if you let him escape, he wouldn’t take it. He’s drunk most of the day, if not completely drunk for many days in a row. We’ve often woken him, as if to take him to his execution, showing him a fake warrant for it: but it hasn’t affected him at all.
More of him anon. There is written in your brow, provost, honesty and constancy: if I read it not truly, my ancient skill beguiles me; but, in the boldness of my cunning, I will lay myself in hazard. Claudio, whom here you have warrant to execute, is no greater forfeit to the law than Angelo who hath sentenced him. To make you understand this in a manifested effect, I crave but four days’ respite; for the which you are to do me both a present and a dangerous courtesy.
We’ll talk more about him soon. You, Provost, have honesty and loyalty written on your face: if I’m wrong about this, then my old skills deceive me; but in the boldness of my plan, I will risk myself. Claudio, whom you’re about to execute, has committed no greater offense than Angelo, who sentenced him. To make this clear, I ask for just four more days; and in return, you’ll do me both a risky and urgent favor.
Pray, sir, in what?
Please, sir, what do you mean?
In the delaying death.
By delaying his death.
A lack, how may I do it, having the hour limited, and an express command, under penalty, to deliver his head in the view of Angelo? I may make my case as Claudio’s, to cross this in the smallest.
Oh dear, how can I do that, with a set deadline and an order to deliver his head in front of Angelo? I could argue my case as Claudio’s, but that would go against even the smallest part of this.
By the vow of mine order I warrant you, if my instructions may be your guide. Let this Barnardine be this morning executed, and his head born to Angelo.
I swear by my order, I can assure you, if my instructions are followed. Let Barnardine be executed this morning, and send his head to Angelo.
Angelo hath seen them both, and will discover the favour.
Angelo has seen them both and will recognize the trick.
O, death’s a great disguiser; and you may add to it. Shave the head, and tie the beard; and say it was the desire of the penitent to be so bared before his death: you know the course is common. If any thing fall to you upon this, more than thanks and good fortune, by the saint whom I profess, I will plead against it with my life.
Oh, death can disguise itself well, and you can make it work for you. Shave the head, tie up the beard, and say that it was the penitent’s wish to be prepared this way before his death: you know this is a common practice. If anything comes of this, beyond thanks and good fortune, I swear by my faith, I’ll fight against it with my life.
Pardon me, good father; it is against my oath.
Forgive me, good sir; it goes against my oath.
Were you sworn to the duke, or to the deputy?
Were you sworn to the duke, or to his deputy?
To him, and to his substitutes.
To him, and to his representatives.
You will think you have made no offence, if the duke avouch the justice of your dealing?
You think you’ve done nothing wrong if the duke confirms that what you did was just?
But what likelihood is in that?
But what reason is there for that?
Not a resemblance, but a certainty. Yet since I see you fearful, that neither my coat, integrity, nor persuasion can with ease attempt you, I will go further than I meant, to pluck all fears out of you. Look you, sir, here is the hand and seal of the duke: you know the character, I doubt not; and the signet is not strange to you.
It’s not just a similarity, it’s certain. But since I see you’re worried, that neither my clothes, my honesty, nor my persuasion can easily convince you, I’ll go further than I planned, to remove all your fears. Look, sir, here is the duke’s seal and signature: you recognize the writing, I’m sure; and the seal shouldn’t be new to you.
I know them both.
I know them both.
The contents of this is the return of the duke: you shall anon over-read it at your pleasure; where you shall find, within these two days he will be here. This is a thing that Angelo knows not; for he this very day receives letters of strange tenor; perchance of the duke’s death; perchance entering into some monastery; but, by chance, nothing of what is writ. Look, the unfolding star calls up the shepherd. Put not yourself into amazement how these things should be: all difficulties are but easy when they are known. Call your executioner, and off with Barnardine’s head: I will give him a present shrift and advise him for a better place. Yet you are amazed; but this shall absolutely resolve you. Come away; it is almost clear dawn.
The message here says the duke is returning: you can read it in full whenever you like; you’ll see that within two days, he’ll be back. This is something Angelo doesn’t know; today he’s receiving letters of strange content; maybe about the duke’s death, maybe about him entering a monastery; but, in fact, nothing that’s written is true. Look, the rising star calls to the shepherd. Don’t be amazed at how these things could be: all problems are easy once you understand them. Call your executioner, and have Barnardine’s head cut off: I’ll give him a quick confession and guide him to a better place. Still, you’re shocked; but this will definitely settle it. Let’s go; it’s almost dawn.