PERSONS REPRESENTED. Vicentio, duke of Vienna. Angelo, lord deputy in the duke's absence. Escalus, an ancient lord, joined with Angelo in the deputation. Claudio, a young gentleman. Lucio, a fantastick. Two other like gentlemen. Varrius, a gentleman, servant to the king. Provost. Thomas, Peter, A Justice. two friars. Elbow, a simple constable. Froth, a foolish gentleman. Clown, servant to Mistress Over-done. Abhorson, an executioner. Bernardine, a dissolute prisoner. Isabella, sister to Claudio. Mariana, betrothed to Angelo. Juliet, beloved by Claudio. Francisca, a nun. Mistress Over-done, a bawd. 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. Duke. ESCALUS, Escal. My lord. Duke. Of government the properties to unfold, Would seem in me to affect speech and discourse; 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 For common justice, you are as pregnant † in, That we remember: there is our commission, hither, I say, bid come before us Angelo.— [Exit an attendant. Lent him our terror, drest him with our love ; Duke. Enter Angelo. 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, 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, them on thee. Heaven doth with us, as we with torches do ; 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, The smallest scruple of her excellence, Herself the glory of a creditor, Both thanks and use §. But I do bend my speech To one that can my part in him advértise; 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, Be stamp'd upon it. Duke. No more evasion : 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, As time and our concernings shall impórtune, *Endowments. For high purposes. + So much thy own property. |