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, FROTH, CLOWN, Officers, &c.]
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?
CLOWN.
He cannot, sir; he's out at elbow.
