DRAMATIS PERSONE. VINCENTIO, Duke of Vienna. ANGELO, Lord-deputy in the Duke's abfence. ` ESCALUS, an ancient Lord, joint Deputy with Angelo, CLAUDIO, a young Gentleman. LUCIO, a Fantastick. Two Gentlemen. VARRIUS, a Gentleman, Servant to the Duke. PROVOST. THOMAS, PETER, S to Friars. ELBOW, a fimple Conftable. FROTH, a foolish Gentleman. CLOWN, Servant to Mrs. Over-don. ABHORSON, an Executioner. BARNARDINE, a diffolute Prisoner. ISABELLA, Sifter to Claudio. MARIANA, betrothed to Angelo. JULIET, beloved of Claudio. Miftrefs OVER-DON, a Bawd. Guards, Officers, and other Attendants. SCENE Vienna. The Story is taken from Cinthio's Novels, Dec. 8. Nov. 5. Measure Measure for Measure. Duke. ACT I. SCENE I. Enter Duke, Efcalus, and Lords. E Scalus! Efcal. My lord. Duke. Of Government the properties t' unfold Would feem in me t' affect fpeech and Since I am not to know, that your own science My ftrength can give you: then no more remains, A will to serve us as your worth is able, And let them work. The nature of our people, Of common juftice, y'are as pregnant in, That we remember. There is our commiffion, From which we would not have you warp. Call hither, [To the Attendants, I fay, bid come before us Angelo: Lent him our terror, dreft him with our love; Of our own power: fay, what think you of it? To undergo fuch ample grace and honour, It is lord Angelo. SCENE II. 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, We had them not. Spirits are not finely touch'd, But, like a thrifty goddefs, fhe determines Herfelf the glory of a creditor, Both thanks, and ufe. But I do bend my speech To one that can in my part me advertise; Hold therefore, Angelo. [Giving him his commiffion. In our remove, be thou at full our felf. Mortality and mercy in Vienna Live in thy tongue and heart: old Efcalus, Ang. Now, good my lord, Let there be fome more teft made of my metal, Duke. Come, no more evafion : We have with a prepar'd and leaven'd choice What |