DRAMATIS PERSON Æ. VINCENTIO, Duke of Vienna. ANGELO, Lord-deputy in the Duke's absence. ESCALUS, an ancient Lord, joint Deputy with ANGELO. LUCIO, a Fantaftick. Two Gentlemen. VARRIUS, a Gentleman, Servant to the Duke. The Story is taken from Cinthio's Novels. Dec. 8. Nov. 5. MEASURE MEASURE FOR MEASURE. ACT I. SCENE I. A Palace. Enter Duke, Efcalus, and Lords. SCALUS! Efcal. My lord. DUKE. Duke. Of government the properties t' unfold My ftength can give you: then no more remains, A will to ferve us as your worth is able, And let them work. The nature of our people, Our city's inftitutions, and the terms Call hither, [To the attendants. I fay, bid come before us Angelo: Lent him our terror, drefs'd him with our love; Of Of our own power: fay, what think you of it? To undergo fuch ample grace and honour, SCENE II. Enter Angelo. Duke. Look, where he comes. Ang. Always obedient to your grace's will, Duke. Angelo, There is a kind of character in thy life, We had them not. Spirits are not finely touch'd, The smallest fcruple 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 in my part me adertise; [Giving him his commiffion. In our remove, be thou at full ourself. Mortality and mercy in Vienna Live in thy tongue and heart: old Efcalus, Ang. Now, good my lord, Let there be fome more test made of my metal, Before so noble and fo great a figure Be ftamp'd upon it. Duke. Duke. Come, no more evasion: We have with a prepar'd and leaven'd 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; you Ang. The heav'ns give fafety to your purposes! Efcal. Lead forth, and bring you back in happiness ! you, fare well. Duke. I thank you Efcal. I fhall defire you, fir, to give me leave To have free speech with you; and it concerns me A pow'r I have; but of what ftrength and nature I am not yet instructed. Ang. 'Tis fo with me: let us withdraw together, And we may foon our fatisfaction have [Exit. [Exeunt. SCENE Lucio. SCENE III. The Street. Enter Lucio, and two Gentlemen. F the duke, with the other dukes, come not to composition with the king of Hungary, why then all the dukes fall upon the king. I Gent. Heav'n grant us its peace, but not the king of Hungary's! 2 Gent. Amen! Lucio. Thou conclud'st like the fanctimonious pirate, that went to sea with the ten commandments, but fcrap'd one out of the table. 2 Gent. Thou shalt not steal? Lucio. Ay, that he raz’d. I Gent. Why, 'twas a commandment to command the captain and all the reft from their functions; they put forth to steal: there's not a soldier of us all, that in the thanksgiving after meat doth relish the petition well that prays for peace. 2 Gent. I never heard any foldier diflike it. Lucio. I believe thee: for, I think, thou never wast where grace was faid. 2 Gent. No? a dozen times at least. I Gent. What? in metre? Lucio. Not in any profession, or in any language, I think, or in any religion. 2 Gent. And why not? grace is grace, despite of all controverfy. Lucio. As for example, thou thyfelf art a wicked villain, despite of all grace. 2 Gent. Well; there went but a pair of sheers between us. Lucio. I grant; as there may between the lifts and the velvet. Thou art the lift. 2 Gent. |