Before his sister should her body stoop
To such abhorr'd pollution.
Then, Isabel, live chaste, and, brother, die:
More than our brother is our chastity.
I'll tell him yet of Angelo's request,
And fit his mind to death, for his soul's rest.

[Exit.]



ACT III.

SCENE I. A Room in the prison.

[Enter DUKE, CLAUDIO, and PROVOST.]

DUKE.
So, then you hope of pardon from Lord Angelo?

CLAUDIO.
The miserable have no other medicine
But only hope:
I have hope to live, and am prepar'd to die.

DUKE.
Be absolute for death; either death or life
Shall thereby be the sweeter. Reason thus with life,--
If I do lose thee, I do lose a thing
That none but fools would keep: a breath thou art,