Escalus, }

VINCENTIO, Duke of Vienna.
Angelo, Lord Deputy in the Duke's absence.

An ancient Lord, join'd with Angelo in the ,

Deputation.
Claudio, a young Gentleman.
Lucio, a Fantastic.
Two Gentlemen
Varrius, a Gentleman, Servant to the Duke.
Provost.
Thomas,

two Friars.
Peter,
A Justice.
Elbow, a simple Constable.
Froth, a foolish Gentleman.
Clown, Servant to Mrs. Overdane
Abhorson, an Executioner.
Barnardine, a dissolute Prisoner.

}

Isabella, Sister to Claudio.
Mariana, betrothed to Angelo,
Juliet, beloved of Claudio.
Francisca, a Nun.
Mistress Over-done, a Bawd.

Guards, Officers, and other Attendants.

SCENE, Vienna.

Μ Ε Α.

DUKE.
ESCALUS,

Escal. My. Lord.
Duke. Of Government the properties t'unfold,
Would seem in me t' affect speech and discourse.
Since I am not to know, that

your own

Science Exceeds, in that, the lists of all advice My strength can give you: then no more remains: Put that to your sufficiency, as your worth is able, And let them work. The nature of our people, Our city's institutions, and the terms Of common justice, y’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 : What figure of us, think you, he will bear?

, For you must know, we have with special roll Elected him our Absence to supply; Lent him our Terror, dreft him with our Love; * The story is taken from Cinthio's Novels, December 8. November 5.

Mr. Pope.

And

B 2

And giv'n his Deputation all the organs
Of our own Power: say, what think you of it?

Escal. If any in Vienna be of worth
To undergo such ample grace and honour,
It is lord Angelo.

S CE N E II.

Enter Angelo. Duke. Look, where he cames:

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 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.
Heav'n 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
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, the 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 Escalu..
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 fo noble and so great a figure
Be stampt upon
it.

Duke.

Duke. Come, no more evasion :
We have with a prepar'd and *level'd 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 befal you here. So, fare you' well. To th’hopeful execution do I leave you Of your Commiffions.

Ang. Yet give me leave, my lord, That we may bring you something on the way. ,

Duke. My hafte may not admit it ; Nor need you, on miñe honour, have to do With any scruple ; your scope is as mine own, So to inforce, 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 Though it do well, I do not relish well Their loud applause, and Ave's vehement : Nor do I think the man of safe discretion, That does affect it. Once more, fare you

well.
Ang. The heav'ns give fafety to your purposes !
Escal. Lead forth and bring you back in happiness!
Duke. I thank you,

fare you
well.

[Exit.
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 pow'r 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

foon our satisfaction have Touching that point. Escal. I'll wait upon your

honour. [Exeunt. * Leaven'd choicej We should read level'd choice. The Allusion is to Archery, when a Man has fix'd upon his Objed, after taking Aim.

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SCENE

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