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VINCENTIO, Duke of Vienna.

Angelo, Lord-deputy in the Duke's abfence.

می

Efcalus, an antient Lord, joint Deputy with Angelo,
Claudio, a young Gentleman.

Lucio, a Fantaftick,

Two Gentlemen.

Varrius, a Gentleman, Servant to the Duke.

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The Story is taken from Cinthio's Novels. Dec. 8. Nov. 5.

Pope.

MEA

MEASURE for MEASURE.

ACTI. SCENE I

E

A PALACE.

Enter Duke, Efcalus, and Lords.

Scalus!

DUKE.

Efcal. 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 lifts of all advice

My ftrength can give you: then no more remains,
''But that to your fufficiency you joyn

A will to ferve us as your worth is able,
And let them work. The nature of our people,
Our city's inftitutions, and the terms

Of common juftice, y'are as pregnant in,
As art and practice hath enriched any

That we remember. There is our commiffion,

1 But that to your fufficiency you add Due diligency, as your worth is able; And let them work.

From

From which we would not have you warp. Call hither, [To the Attendants.

I fay, bid come before us Angelo:

What figure of us think you he will bear?
For you must know, we have with special foul
Elected him our abfence to supply;

Lent him our terror, dreft him with our love;
And giv'n his deputation all the organs

Of our own power: fay, what think you of it?
Efcal. If any in Vienna be of worth

To undergo fuch ample grace and honour,
It is lord Angelo.

SCENE

Enter Angelo.

Duke. Look where he comes.

II.

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

Duke. Angelo,

2

There is a kind of character in thy life,
That, to th' obferver, doth thy history
Fully unfold: thy felf and thy belongings
Are not thine own fo proper, as to wafte
Thy felf upon thy virtues, 'them` on thee:
Heav'n doth with us, as we with torches do,
Not light them for themfelves: for if our virtues
Did not go forth of us, 'twere all as if`
We had them not. Spirits are not finely touch'd,
But to fine iffues; nature never lends

The smallest fcruple of her excellence,

But, like a thrifty goddefs, fhe determines

Her felf the glory of a creditor,

Both thanks, and ufe. But I do bend my fpeech
To one that can 4 'in my part me advertise;`
Hold therefore, Angelo:

[Giving him his commiffion.

In our remove, be thou at full our felf.

Mor

2 they 3 alike as if

4 my part in him advertise;

Mortality and mercy in Vienna

Live in thy tongue and heart: old Efcalus,
Though first in question, is thy fecondary.
Take thy commiffion.

Ang. Now, good my lord,

Let there be fome more teft made of my metal,
Before fo noble and fo great a figure

Be ftampt upon it.

Duke. Come, no more evasion:

5

We have with a prepar'd and leaven'd choice
Proceeded to you; therefore take your honours.
Our hafte from hence is of fo quick condition,
That it prefers it felf, and leaves unqueftion'd
Matters of needful value. We shall ' 'write,`
As time and our concernings fhall 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 our commiffion.

Ang. Yet give leave, my lord,

That we may bring you fomething on the way.
Duke. My hafte may not admit it;

Nor need you, on mine honour, have to do
With any fcruple; your fcope is as mine own,
So to inforce, or qualifie the law,

As to your foul feems 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 applaufe, and Ave's vehement:
Nor do I think the man of safe difcretion
That does affect it. Once more fare you well.
Ang. The heav'ns give fafety to your purposes!
Efcal. Lead forth and bring you back in happiness!
Duke. I thank
you, fare you well.

Efcal. I fhall defire you, Sir, to give me leave
To have free fpeech with you; and it concerns me

[Exit:

To

5 write to you,

To look into the bottom of my place:

A pow'r I have, but of what ftrength and nature
I am not yet inftructed.

Ang. 'Tis fo with me: let us withdraw together,
And we may foon our fatisfaction have
Touching that point.

Efcal. I'll wait upon your honour.

SCENE

The Street.

[Exeunt

III.

Enter Lucio, and two Gentlemen.

Lucio.TF the Duke, with the other Dukes, come not to IF compofition with the King of Hungary, why then all the Dukes fall upon the King.

1 Gent. Heav'n grant us its peace, but not the King of Hungary's!

2 Gent. Amen!

Lucio. Thou conclud'ft like the fanctimonious pyrate, that went to fea with the ten commandments, but fcrap'd one out of the table.

2 Gent. Thou shalt not fteal?

Lucio. Ay, that he raz❜d.

1 Gent. Why, 'twas a commandment to command the captain and all the reft from their functions; they put forth to fteal: there's not a foldier of us all, that in the thankf giving after meat 'doth relish the petition well that prays for Peace.

i

2 Gent. I never heard any foldier dislike it.

Lucio. I believe thee: for I think thou never waft where grace was faid.

2 Gent. No? a dozen times at least.

1 Gent. What? in meeter?

8

Lucio. 'Not in any profeffion, or in any language, 'I think, or in any religion."

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1/2 Gent:

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