PERSONS REPRESENTED. Vincentio, duke of Vienna. Angelo, lord deputy in the duke's absence. Escalus, an ancient lord, joined with Angelo in the deputation. Claudio, a young gentleman. Lucio, a fantastic. Two other like gentlemen. Varrius, a gentleman, servant to the duke. Elbow, a simple constable. Froth, a foolish gentleman. Clown, servant to Mrs. Over-done. Abhorson, an executioner. Barnardine, a dissolute prisoner. Lords, gentlemen, guards, officers, and other at tendants. Scene, Vienna. MEASURE FOR MEASURE. ACT I. SCENE I. An apartment in the Duke's palace. Enter Duke, Escalus, Lords, and attendants. ESCALUS Escal. My lord. Duke. Duke. Of government the properties to unfold, Would seem in me to 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 For common justice, you are as pregnantt in, 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 un attendant. Bounds. + Full of. What figure of us think you he will bear? Lent him our terror, drest him with our love; To undergo such ample grace and honour, Duke. Enter Angelo. Look, where he comes. Ang. Always obedient to your grace's will, I come to know your pleasure. Angelo, Duke. As if we had them not. Spirits are not finely touch'd, The smallest scruple of her excellence, But, like a thrifty goddess, she determines Herself the glory of a creditor, Both thanks and uses. 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, Endowments. For high purposes. + So much thy own property. 9 Interest. Ang. Now, good my lord, Let there be some more test made of my metal, 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. Nor need you, on mine honour, have to do With any scruple: your scope* is as mine own; 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: 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. And. 'Tis so with me:-Let us withdraw toge ther, *Extent of power. + Hailings. |