Isab. I am now going to resolve [him]: I had rather my brother die by the law than my son should be unlawfully 185 born. But, O, how much is the good Duke deceived in Angelo! If ever he return and I can speak to him, I will open my lips in vain, or discover his government.
Duke. That shall not be much amiss: yet, as the matter now stands, he will avoid your accusation; he made trial 190 of you only. Therefore fasten your ear on my [advisings: to the love I have in doing good] a remedy presents itself. I do make myself believe that you may most [uprighteously] do a poor wronged lady a merited benefit; redeem your brother from the angry law; do no stain to your own gracious 195 person; and much please the absent Duke, if peradventure he shall ever return to have hearing of this business.
Isab. Let me hear you speak [farther]. I have spirit to do any thing that appears not foul in the truth of my spirit.
Duke. Virtue is bold, and goodness never fearful. Have III. 1
200 you not heard speak of Mariana, the sister of Frederick the great soldier who miscarried at sea?
Isab. I have heard of the lady, and good words went with her name.
Duke. [She] should this Angelo have married; [was] affianced 205 to her [by] oath, [and] the nuptial appointed: between which time of the contract and limit of the solemnity, her brother Frederick was wrecked at sea, having in that perished vessel the dowry of his sister. But mark how heavily this befell to the poor gentlewoman: there she lost a noble 210 and renowned brother, in his love toward her ever most kind and natural; with him, the portion and sinew of her fortune, her marriage-dowry; with both, her combinate husband, this well-seeming Angelo.
Isab. Can this be so? did Angelo so leave her?
215 Duke. Left her in her tears, and dried not one of them with his comfort; swallowed his vows whole, pretending in her discoveries of dishonour: in [few], bestowed [her on] her own lamentation, which she yet wears for his sake; and he, to her [tears], is washed with them, but relents not.
220 Isab. What a merit were it in death to take this poor maid from the world! What corruption in this life, that it will let this man live! But how out of this can she avail?
Duke. It is a rupture that you may easily heal: and the cure of it not only saves your brother, but keeps you III. 1
225 from dishonour in doing it.