ACT V
SCENE I. A public place near the city gate.
Enter at several doors Duke, Varrius, Lords; Angelo, Escalus, Lucio, Provost, Officers and Citizens.
DUKE.
My very worthy cousin, fairly met.
Our old and faithful friend, we are glad to see you.
ANGELO and ESCALUS.
Happy return be to your royal grace!
DUKE.
Many and hearty thankings to you both.
We have made inquiry of you, and we hear
Such goodness of your justice that our soul
Cannot but yield you forth to public thanks,
Forerunning more requital.
ANGELO.
You make my bonds still greater.
DUKE.
O, your desert speaks loud, and I should wrong it
To lock it in the wards of covert bosom,
When it deserves with characters of brass
A forted residence ’gainst the tooth of time
And rasure of oblivion. Give me your hand
And let the subject see, to make them know
That outward courtesies would fain proclaim
Favours that keep within.—Come, Escalus,
You must walk by us on our other hand.
And good supporters are you.
Enter Friar Peter and Isabella.
FRIAR PETER.
Now is your time. Speak loud, and kneel before him.