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. Isabella, sister to Claudio. Mariana, betrothed to Angelo. Juliet, beloved by Claudio. Francisca, a nun. Mistress Over-done, a bawd. 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, Éscal. 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 an 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. Duke. Angelo, There is a kind of character in thy life, 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. § 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 As to your soul seems good. Give me your hand; 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. And we may soon our satisfaction have 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. 1 Gent. Heaven grant us its peace, but not the king of Hungary's! 2 Gent. Amen. Lucio. Thou concludest like the sanctimonious pirate, that went to sea with the ten commandments, but scraped one out of the table. 2 Gent. Thou shalt not steal? Lucio. Ay, that he razed. 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. 1 Gent. What? in metre? Lucio. In any proportion*, or in any language. 1 Gent. I think, or in any religion. Lucio. Ay! why not? Grace is grace, despite of all controversy: as for example; thou thyself art a wicked villain, despite of all grace. * Measure. |