SCENE III. The same.
[Enter PROVOST, CLAUDIO, JULIET, and Officers; LUCIO and two
Gentlemen.]
CLAUDIO.
Fellow, why dost thou show me thus to the world?
Bear me to prison, where I am committed.
PROVOST.
I do it not in evil disposition,
But from Lord Angelo by special charge.
CLAUDIO.
Thus can the demi-god Authority
Make us pay down for our offence by weight. —
The words of heaven; — on whom it will, it will;
On whom it will not, so; yet still 'tis just.
LUCIO.
Why, how now, Claudio, whence comes this restraint?
CLAUDIO.
From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty:
As surfeit is the father of much fast,
So every scope by the immoderate use
Turns to restraint. Our natures do pursue, —
Like rats that ravin down their proper bane, —
A thirsty evil; and when we drink we die.
LUCIO.
If I could speak so wisely under an arrest, I would send for
certain of my creditors; and yet, to say the truth, I had as
lief have the foppery of freedom as the morality of
imprisonment. — What's thy offence, Claudio?
