Sir, I was an inward of his
Lucio
Sir, I was an inward of his. A shy fellow was the
Duke, and I believe I know the cause of his
withdrawing.
Duke, as Friar
What, I prithee, might be the cause?
Lucio
No, pardon. ’Tis a secret must be locked within
the teeth and the lips.Synecdoche But this I can let you
understand: the greater file of the subject held the
Duke to be wise.
No might nor greatness in mortality
Can censure scape. Back-wounding calumny
The whitest virtue strikes. What king so strong
Can tie the gall up in the slanderous tongue?
Duke, as Friar
Wise? Why, no question but he was.Hypophora
Lucio
A very superficial, ignorant, unweighing fellow.Anapodoton
Duke, as Friar
Either this is envy in you, folly, or mistaking.
The very stream of his life and the business he
hath helmed must, upon a warranted need,
give him a better proclamation.Metaphor Let him be
but testimonied in his own bringings-forth, and he
shall appear to the enviousAnthimeria a scholar, a statesman,
and a soldier. Therefore you speak unskillfully.
Or, if your knowledge be more, it is much darkened
in your malice.
Lucio
Sir, I know him, and I love him.
Duke, as Friar
Love talks with better knowledge, and
knowledge with dearer love.Chiasmus & Personification
Lucio
Come, sir, I know what I know.Epanalepsis
Duke, as Friar
I can hardly believe that, since you know not
what you speak. But if ever the Duke return, as our
prayers are he may, let me desire you to make your
answer before him. If it be honest you have spoke,
you have courage to maintain it. I am bound to call
upon you, and, I pray you, your name?
Lucio
Sir, my name is Lucio, well known to the Duke.
Duke, as Friar
He shall know you better, sir, if I may
live to report you.
Lucio
I fear you not.
Duke, as Friar
O, you hope the Duke will return no more,
or you imagine me too unhurtful an opposite.Alliosis
But indeed I can do you little harm; you’ll
forswear this again.
Lucio
I’ll be hanged first. Thou art deceived in me, friar.
But no more of this. Canst thou tell if Claudio die
tomorrow or no?
Duke, as Friar
Why should he die, sir?
Lucio
Why? For filling a bottle with a tundish.Hypophora & Metaphor I would
the Duke we talk of were returned again. This
ungenitured agent will unpeople the province with
continency.Adynaton Sparrows must not build in his house
eaves, because they are lecherous.Metaphor The Duke yet
would have dark deeds darkly answered.Alliteration & Antanaclasis He would
never bring them to light. Would he were returned.
Marry, this Claudio is condemned for untrussing.Euphemism
Farewell, good friar. I prithee pray for me. The
Duke, I say to thee again, would eat mutton on
Fridays. He’s now past it, yet—and I say to thee—
he would mouth with a beggar though she smelt
brown bread and garlic. Say that I said so. Farewell.
He exits.
Duke
No might nor greatness in mortality
Can censure scape. Back-wounding calumny
The whitest virtue strikes. EllipsisWhat king so strong
Can tie the gall up in the slanderous tongue?Hyperbatons