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

30

35

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,

40

Both thanks and use. But I do bend my speech

To one that can my part in him advertise;

Hold therefore, Angelo:

In our remove be thou at full ourself;

Mortality and mercy in Vienna

45

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.

50

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 the 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,

55

60

65

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.

70

Ang. The heavens give safety to your purposes! Escal. Lead forth and bring you back in happiness! 75

Duke. I thank you.

Fare you well.

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

Touching that point.

80

Escal.

I'll wait upon your honour.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II. A street.

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.

First Gent. Heaven grant us its peace, but not the

King of Hungary's!

Sec. Gent.

Amen.

5

Lucio. Thou concludest like the sanctimonious pirate, that went to sea with the Ten Commandments, but scraped one out of the table.

Sec. Gent. 'Thou shalt not steal'?

Lucio. Ay, that he razed.

10

First 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, do relish the petition well that prays for peace.

Sec. Gent. I never heard any soldier dislike it. 84 your] you F2.

SCENE II.] SCENE III. Pope.

A street] Capell. The street Rowe. ...two]...two other Ff.

7 sanctimonious] testimonious Pope. 12 First Gent. Why, 'twas] 1. Gent.

VOL. I.

16

Why? 'twas Ff. First Gent. Why?
Luc. 'Twas Singer (ed. 2).

15 before] after Hanmer. See note (II).
do] doth Hanmer. does Warburton.
relish] Rowe. rallish F1F2. rellish
F3F4

21

Lucio. I believe thee; for I think thou never wast

where grace was said.

Sec. Gent. No? a dozen times at least.

First Gent. What, in metre?

Lucio. In any proportion or in any language.

First Gent. I think, or in any religion.

20

Lucio. Ay, why not? Grace is grace, despite of all controversy: as, for example, thou thyself art a wicked villain, despite of all grace.

26

First Gent. Well, there went but a pair of shears be

tween us.

Lucio. I grant; as there may between the lists and the velvet. Thou art the list.

30

First Gent. And thou the velvet: thou art good velvet; thou'rt a three-piled piece, I warrant thee: I had as lief be a list of an English kersey, as be piled, as thou art piled, for a French velvet. Do I speak feelingly now?

Lucio. I think thou dost; and, indeed, with most painful feeling of thy speech: I will, out of thine own confession, learn to begin thy health; but, whilst I live, forget to drink after thee.

38

First Gent. I think I have done myself wrong, have I not?

40

Sec. Gent. Yes, that thou hast, whether thou art tainted or free.

Lucio.

Behold, behold, where Madam Mitigation comes! I have purchased as many diseases under her roof

as come to

45

Sec. Gent. To what, I pray ?

Lucio. Judge.

Sec. Gent. To three thousand dolours a year.

First Gent. Ay, and more.

Lucio. A French crown more.

50

First Gent. Thou art always figuring diseases in me;

but thou art full of error; I am sound.

Lucio. Nay, not as one would say, healthy; but so sound as things that are hollow: thy bones are hollow; impiety has made a feast of thee.

Enter MISTRESS OVERDONE.

55

First Gent. How now! which of your hips has the most profound sciatica?

60

Mrs Ov. Well, well; there's one yonder arrested and carried to prison was worth five thousand of you all. Sec. Gent. Who's that, I pray thee? Mrs Ov. Marry, sir, that's Claudio, Signior Claudio. First Gent. Claudio to prison? 'tis not so.

Mrs Ov. Nay, but I know 'tis so: I saw him arrested; saw him carried away; and, which is more, within these three days his head to be chopped off.

65

Lucio. But, after all this fooling, I would not have it SO. Art thou sure of this?