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. 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. ACT I. SCENE I. Enter Duke, Escalus, and Lords. SCALUS! Efcal. My lord. DUKE. Duke. Of government the properties t' unfold Exceeds, in that, the list of all advice And let them work. The nature of our people, 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? Lent him our terror, dress'd him with our love; Of Of our own power: say, what think you of it? 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, We had them not. Spirits are not finely touch'd, 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, Take thy commission. Ang. Now, good my lord, Let there be some more test made of my metal, Be stamp'd upon it. Duke. Duke. Come, no more evasion: As time and our concernings shall importune, Ang. Yet, give leave, my lord, As to your foul seems good. Give me your hand; That does affect it. Once more, fare you well. Ang. The heav'ns give safety to your purposes! 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 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 Efcal. I'll wait upon your honour. [Exeunt. SCENE Lucio. 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. |