PERSONS REPRESENTED. VICENTIO, Duke of Vienna. ANGELO, Lord Deputy in the Duke's absence. Deputation. 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. MEASURE FOR MEASURE. ACT I. SCENE I-An Apartment in the DUKE's Palace. Enter DUKE, ESCALUS, Lords, and Attendants. Duke. Escalus, Escal. My lord. Duke. Of government the properties to unfold, My strength can give you: then no more remains Our city's institutions, and the terms For common justice, you 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 hither, I say, bid come before us Angelo. — [Exit an Attendant. What figure of us think you he will bear? Lent him our terror, drest him with our love, Enter ANGELO. Duke. Look where he comes. Ang. 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 the observer doth thy history 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; In our remove be thou at full ourself: Mortality and mercy in Vienna Live in thy tongue and heart. Old Escalus, Ang. Be stamp'd upon it. Duke. No more evasion: We have with a leaven'd and prepared choice 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: |