DRAMATIS PERSONE.

VINCENTIO, the Duke.

ANGELO, the Deputy.

ESCALUS, an ancient Lord.

CLAUDIO, a young Gentleman.

LUCIO, a Fantastic.

Two other like Gentlemen.

VARRIUS, a Gentleman, Servant to the Duke.

Lords, Gentlemen, Guards, Officers, and other Attendants.

SCENE: Vienna.

(12)

MEASURE FOR MEASURE

ACT I.

SCENE I. An Apartment in the DUKE's Palace.

Enter DUKE, ESCALUS, Lords, and Attendants.

Duke. Of government the properties to unfold, Would seem in me t' affect speech and discourse; Since I am put to know, that your own science Exceeds, in that, the lists of all advice

My strength can give you; then no more remains But that, to your sufficiency, ·

as your worth is

And let them work. The nature of our people,

Our city's institutions, and the terms

For common justice, y' are as pregnant in
As art and practice hath enriched any

That we remember. There is our commission,
From which we would not have you warp. ·

Call

[Exit an Attendant.

What figure of us think you he will bear?
For you must know, we have with special soul
Elected him our absence to supply,

Lent him our terror, drest him with our love,
And given his deputation all the organs
Of our own power. What think you of it?
Escal. If any in Vienna be of worth
To undergo such ample grace and honour,
It is Lord Angelo.

Enter ANGELO.

Duke. Look, where he comes.

Angelo. Always obedient to your Grace's will,

I come to know your pleasure.

Duke.

Angelo,

There is a kind of character in thy life,
That, to th' observer, doth thy history
Fully unfold. Thyself and thy belongings
Are not thine own so proper, as to waste
Thyself upon thy virtues, they on thee.
Heaven doth with us as we with torches do,
Not light them for themselves; for if our virtues
Did not go forth of us, 'twere all alike

As if we had them not. Spirits are not finely touch'd,

But to fine issues; nor Nature never lends

The smallest scruple of her excellence,

But, like a thrifty goddess, she determines

Herself the glory of a creditor

Both thanks and use. But I do bend my speech To one that can my part in him advertise:

Hold, therefore, Angelo, [our place and power:] In our remove, be thou at full ourself:

Mortality and mercy in Vienna

Live in thy tongue and heart.

Old Escalus,

Though first in question, is thy secondary:
Take thy commission.

Ang.

Now, good my lord,

Let there be some more test made of my metal,
Before so noble and so great a figure

Be stamp'd upon it.

Duke.

No more evasion:

We have with a leaven'd and prepared choice
Proceeded to you; therefore take your honours.
Our haste from hence is of so quick condition,
That it prefers itself, and leaves unquestion'd
Matters of needful value. We shall write to you
As time and our concernings shall importune,
How it goes with us; and do look to know
What doth befall you here. So, fare you well:
To th' hopeful execution do I leave you
Of your commissions.

Ang.

Yet, give leave, my lord.

That we may bring you something on the way.
Duke. My haste may not admit it;

Nor need you, on mine honour, have to do
With any scruple: your scope is as mine own,
So to enforce or qualify the laws

As to your soul seems good. Give me your hand
I'll privily away: I love the people,

But do not like to stage me to their eyes.
Though it do well, I do not relish well
Their loud applause, and aves vehement;
Nor do I think the man of safe discretion,
That does affect it. Once more, fare you well.
Ang. The Heavens give safety to your purposes !-
Escal. Lead forth, and bring you back in happi

ness!

Duke. I thank you. Fare you well.

[Exit.

Escal. I shall desire you, sir, to give me leave

To have free speech with you; and it concerns me To look into the bottom of my place.

A power I have, but of what strength and nature I am not yet instructed.

Ang. 'Tis so with me. Let us withdraw together, And we may soon our satisfaction have

Enter LUCIO and two Gentlemen.

Lucio. If the Duke, with the other dukes, come not to composition with the King of Hungary, why then, all the dukes fall upon the King.

1 Gentleman. Heaven grant us its peace, but not the King of Hungary's!

2 Gent. Amen.

Lucio. Thou conclud'st like the sanctimonious pirate, that went to sea with the Ten Commandments, but scrap'd one out of the table.

2 Gent. 66 Thou shalt not steal"? Lucio. Ay, that he raz'd.

1 Gent. Why, 'twas a commandment to command the captain and all the rest from their functions: they put forth to steal. There's not a soldier of us all, that, in the thanksgiving before meat, doth relish the petition well that prays for peace.

2 Gent. I never heard any soldier dislike it. Lucio. I believe thee; for I think thou never wast where grace was said.

2 Gent. No? a dozen times at least.