Measure for Measure. ACT FIRST. Scene I. An apartment in the Duke's palace. Enter Duke, Escalus, Lords and Attendants. Duke. Escalus. Escal. My lord. Duke. Of government the properties to unfold, Would seem in me to affect speech and discourse; My strength can give you: then no more remains, Due diligency] as your worth is able, And let them work. The nature of our people, ΙΟ Our city's institutions, and the terms For common justice, you 're 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 I say, bid come before us Angelo. [Exit an Attendant. For you must know, we have with special soul Lent him our terror, dress'd him with our love, Of our own power: what think you of it? 20 Escal. If any in Vienna be of worth To undergo such ample grace and honour, Duke. Look where he comes. Enter Angelo. Ang. Always obedient to your Grace's will, Duke. Ang. Angelo, As if we had them not. 30 Spirits are not finely touch'd But to fine issues; nor Nature never lends 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 Escalus, Though first in question, is thy secondary. Now, good my lord, Let there be some more test made of my metal, 40 Before so noble and so great a figure Duke. Ang. No more evasion: 50 We have with a leaven'd and prepared choice Yet, give leave, my lord, 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: That does affect it. Once more, fare you well. 60 70 [Exit. Escal. I shall desire you, sir, to give me leave To have free speech with you; and it concerns me A power I have, but of what strength and nature 80 Ang. 'Tis so with me. Let us withdraw together, Lucio. If the Duke, with the other dukes, come not to First Gent. Heaven grant us its peace, but not the Sec. Gent. Amen. Lucio. Thou concludest like the sanctimonious pirate, that went to sea with the Ten Commandments, but scraped one out of the table. Sec. Gent. 'Thou shalt not steal'? Lucio. Ay, that he razed. First Gent. Why, 'twas a commandment to command Sec. Gent. I never heard any soldier dislike it. IC 20 |