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DRAMATIS PERSONA.

VINCENTIO, Duke of Vienna.

ANGELO, Lord-deputy in the Duke's absence.

ESCALUS, an ancient Lord, joint Deputy with ANGELO.

CLAUDIO, a young Gentleman.

LUCIO, a Fantastick.

Two Gentlemen.

VARRIUS, a Gentleman, Servant to the Duke.

PROVOST.

THOMAS,

PETER,

AS,} two Friars.

ELBOW, a fimple Constable.

FROTH, a foolish Gentleman.

CLOWN, Servant to Mrs. OVER-DON.

ABHORSON, an Executioner.

BARNARDINE, a dissolute Prisoner.

ISABELLA, Sister to CLAUDIO.
MARIANA, betrothed to ANGELO.
JULIET, beloved of CLAUDIO.

FRANCISCA, a Nun.

Mistress OVER-DON, a Bawd.

Guards, Officers, and other Attendants.

SCENE Vienna.

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

MEASURE

MEASURE FOR MEASURE.

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ACT I. SCENE I.
A Palace.

Enter Duke, Escalus, and Lords.

SCALUS!

Efcal. My lord.

DUKE.

Duke. Of government the properties t' unfold
Would feem in me t' affect speech and discourse;
Since I am not to know, that your own science

Exceeds, in that, the list of all advice
My stength can give you: then no more remains,
But that to your fufficiency you join
A will to serve us as your worth is able,

And let them work. The nature of our people,
Our city's institutions, and the terms

Of common justice, y'are 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 hither,

I say, bid come before us Angelo :

[To the attendants.

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

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

Of

Of our own power: say, 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 II.

Enter Angelo.

Duke. 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 th' 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 :
Heav'n 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 as if

We had them not. Spirits are not finely touch'd,
But to fine issues; nature never lends

The smallest scruple of her excellence,

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 in my part me adertise;

Hold therefore, Angelo :

[Giving him his commission.

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.

Ang. Now, good my lord,

Let there be some more test made of my metal,
Before so noble and fo great a figure

Be stamp'd upon it.

Duke.

Duke. Come, no more evasion:
We have with a prepar'd and leaven'd choice
Proceeded to you; therefore take your honours.
Our hafte from hence is of so quick condition,
That it prefers itself, and leaves unquestion'd
Matters of needful value. We shall write,

As time and our concernings shall 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 commission.

Ang. Yet, give leave, my lord,
That we may bring you something on the way.
Duke. My hafte may not admit it;
Nor need you, on mine honour, have to do
With any fcruple; your scope is as mine own,
So to enforce, or qualify the law,

As to your foul seems 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 applause, and ave's vehement :
Nor do I think the man of fafe difcretion

That does affect it. Once more, fare you well.

Ang. The heav'ns give safety to your purposes!
Efcal. Lead forth, and bring you back in happiness!

Duke. I thank you, fare you well.

[Exit.

Efcal. I shall defire you, fir, to give me leave

To have free speech with you; and it concerns me
To look into the bottom of my place:

A pow'r I have; but of what strength and nature

I am not yet instructed.

Ang. 'Tis so with me: let us withdraw together,

And we may foon our fatisfaction have
Touching that point.

Efcal. I'll wait upon your honour.

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[Exeunt.

SCENE Lucio.

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Enter Lucio, and two Gentlemen.

F the duke, with the other dukes, come not to 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'st like the sanctimonious pirate, that went to fea with the ten commandments, but scrap'd one out of the table.

2 Gent. Thou shalt not steal?

Lucio. Ay, that he raz'd.

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

2 Gent. I never heard any foldier diflike it.

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

2 Gent. No? a dozen times at least.

1 Gent. What? in metre?

Lucio. Not in any profession, or in any language, I think, or in any religion.

2 Gent. And why not? grace is grace, despite of all contro

versucio. As for example,

Lucio. As for example, thou thyself art a wicked villain, defpite of all grace.

2 Gent. Well; there went but a pair of sheers between us. Lucio. I grant; as there may between the lifts and the velvet. Thou art the lift.

2 Gent.

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