[Exeunt Officers with Bawd.]
Provost, my brother Angelo will not be altered; Claudio must die tomorrow. Let him be furnished with divines, and have all charitable preparation. If my brother wrought by my pity, it should not be so with him.
PROVOST.
So please you, this friar hath been with him, and advised him for th’ entertainment of death.
ESCALUS.
Good even, good father.
DUKE.
Bliss and goodness on you!
ESCALUS.
Of whence are you?
DUKE.
Not of this country, though my chance is now
To use it for my time. I am a brother
Of gracious order, late come from the See
In special business from his Holiness.
ESCALUS.
What news abroad i’ th’ world?
DUKE.
None, but that there is so great a fever on goodness that the dissolution of it must cure it. Novelty is only in request, and as it is as dangerous to be aged in any kind of course as it is virtuous to be constant in any undertaking. There is scarce truth enough alive to make societies secure; but security enough to make fellowships accursed. Much upon this riddle runs the wisdom of the world. This news is old enough, yet it is every day’s news. I pray you, sir, of what disposition was the Duke?
ESCALUS.
One that, above all other strifes, contended especially to know himself.