Measure for Measure: ACT I , SCENE I. An apartment in the DUKE'S palace.

Measure for Measure: ACT I


	Introduction

	ACT I

		SCENE I. An apartment in the DUKE'S palace.

		SCENE II. A Street.

		SCENE III. A monastery.

		SCENE IV. A nunnery.

	ACT II

	ACT III

	ACT IV

	ACT V

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SCENE I. An apartment in the DUKE'S palace.

Enter DUKE VINCENTIO, ESCALUS, Lords and Attendants

DUKE VINCENTIO

Escalus.

ESCALUS

My lord.

DUKE VINCENTIO

      Of government the properties to unfold,
      Would seem in me to affect speech and discourse;
5     Since I am put to know that your own science
      Exceeds, in that, the lists of all advice
      My strength can give you: then no more remains,
      But that to your sufficiency, as your Worth is able,
      And let them work. The nature of our people,
10    Our city's institutions, and the terms
      For common justice, you're as pregnant in
      As art and practise hath enriched any
      That we remember. There is our commission,
      From which we would not have you warp. Call hither,
15    I say, bid come before us Angelo.

Exit an Attendant

      What figure of us think you he will bear?
      For you must know, we have with special soul
      Elected him our absence to supply,
      Lent him our terror, dress'd him with our love,
20    And given his deputation all the organs
      Of our own power: what think you of it?

ESCALUS

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

DUKE VINCENTIO

25 Look where he comes.

Enter ANGELO

ANGELO

Always obedient to your grace's will,
I come to know your pleasure.

DUKE VINCENTIO

      Angelo,
      There is a kind of character in thy life,
30    That to the 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.
      Heaven doth with us as we with torches do,
35    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
40    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 my part in him advertise;
      Hold therefore, Angelo:--
45    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.
      Take thy commission.

ANGELO

50    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 VINCENTIO

      No more evasion:
55    We have with a leaven'd and prepared 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,
60    As time and our concernings shall importune,
      How it goes with us, and do look to know
      What doth befall you here. So, fare you well;
      To the hopeful execution do I leave you
      Of your commissions.

ANGELO

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

DUKE VINCENTIO

      My haste may not admit it;
      Nor need you, on mine honour, have to do
      With any scruple; your scope is as mine own
70    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:
      Through it do well, I do not relish well
75    Their loud applause and Aves vehement;
      Nor do I think the man of safe discretion
      That does affect it. Once more, fare you well.

ANGELO

The heavens give safety to your purposes!

ESCALUS

Lead forth and bring you back in happiness!

DUKE

80 I thank you. Fare you well.

Exit

ESCALUS

      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 power I have, but of what strength and nature
85    I am not yet instructed.

ANGELO

      'Tis so with me. Let us withdraw together,
      And we may soon our satisfaction have
      Touching that point.

ESCALUS

I'll wait upon your honour.

Exeunt

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