ESCALUS.
Well, heaven forgive him; and forgive us all.
Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall.
Some run from brakes of vice, and answer none,
And some condemned for a fault alone.
Enter Elbow and Officers with Froth and Pompey.
ELBOW.
Come, bring them away. If these be good people in a commonweal that do nothing but use their abuses in common houses, I know no law. Bring them away.
ANGELO.
How now, sir, what’s your name? And what’s the matter?
ELBOW.
If it please your honour, I am the poor Duke’s constable, and my name is Elbow. I do lean upon justice, sir, and do bring in here before your good honour two notorious benefactors.
ANGELO.
Benefactors? Well, what benefactors are they? Are they not malefactors?
ELBOW.
If it please your honour, I know not well what they are, but precise villains they are, that I am sure of, and void of all profanation in the world that good Christians ought to have.
ESCALUS.
This comes off well. Here’s a wise officer.
ANGELO.
Go to. What quality are they of? Elbow is your name? Why dost thou not speak, Elbow?
POMPEY.
He cannot, sir. He’s out at elbow.