PERSONS REPRESENTED. Vincentio, duke of Vienna. Angelo, lord deputy in the duke's absence. Escalus, an ancient lord, joined with Angelo in the de putation. Claudio, a young gentleman. Lucio, a fantastick. Two other like gentlemen. Varrius, a gentleman, servant to the duke. Lords, Gentlemen, Guards, Officers, and other Attendants. SCENE, Vienna. MEASURE FOR MEASURE. ACT I. SCENE I. An Apartment in the Duke's Palace. Enter DUKE, ESCALUS, Lords, and Attendants. ESCALUS,- Duke. Duke. Of government the properties to unfold, 2 For common justice, you are as pregnant in, That we remember: There is our commission, 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, Enter ANGELO. *Duke. 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, But to fine issues: 5 nor nature never lends The smallest scruple of her excellence, But, like a thrifty goddess, she determines Herself the glory of a creditor, use. But I do bend my speech Both thanks and 6 To one that can my part in him advértise; 4 So much thy own property. 3 Endowments. 5 For high purposes. Hold therefore, Angelo; In our remove, be thou at full ourself; Live in thy tongue and heart: Old Escalus, Ang. Now, good my lord, Let there be some more test made of my metal, Before so noble and so great a figure 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. Duke. My haste may not admit it; Nor need you, on mine honour, have to do 7 With any scruple: your scope is as mine own; So to enforce, 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: |