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 know1 note
, that your own science,
Exceeds, in that, the lists2 note
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 work3 note
. The nature of our people,
-- 6 --
Our city's institutions, and the terms4 note
For common justice, you are as pregnant in5 note
,
-- 7 --
As art and practice hath enriched any
That we remember: There is our commission,
-- 8 --
From which we would not have you warp.—Call hither,
-- 9 --
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 supply6 note
;
Lent him our terror, drest him with our love;
And given his deputation all the organs
Of our own power: What think you of it?
Escal.
If any in Vienna be of worth
To undergo such ample grace and honour,
It is lord Angelo.
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,
-- 10 --
That, to the observer7 note
, doth thy history
Fully unfold: Thyself and thy belongings8 note
Are not thine own so proper9 note, as to waste
Thyself upon thy virtues, them on thee1 note
.
Heaven doth with us, as we with torches do;
Not light them for themselves: for if our virtues2 note
-- 11 --
Did not go forth of us, 'twere all alike
As if we had them not. Spirits are not finely touch'd,
But to fine issues3 note: nor nature never lends4 note
The smallest scruple of her excellence,
But, like a thrifty goddess, she determines
Herself the glory of a creditor,
Both thanks and use5 note
. But I do bend my speech6 note
To one that can my part in him advértise;
-- 12 --
Hold therefore, Angelo7 note
;
In our remove, be thou at full ourself;
Mortality and mercy in Vienna
Live in thy tongue and heart8 note
: Old Escalus,
Though first in question9 note, 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 so great a figure
Be stamp'd upon it.
-- 13 --
Duke.
No more evasion:
We have with a leaven'd and prepared choice1 note
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,
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.
Ang.
Yet, give leave, my lord,
That we may bring you something on the way2 note.
Duke.
My haste may not admit it;
Nor need you, on mine honour, have to do
With any scruple: your scope is as mine own3 note;
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 eyes4 note:
-- 14 --
Though it do well, I do not relish well
Their loud applause, and aves vehement;
Nor do I think the man of safe discretion,
That does affect it. Once more, fare you well.
Ang.
The heavens give safety to your purposes!
Escal.
Lead forth, and bring you back in happiness.
Duke.
I thank you: Fare you well.
[Exit.
Escal.
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
I am not yet instructed.
Ang.
'Tis so with me:—Let us withdraw together,
And we may soon our satisfaction have
Touching that point.
Escal.
I'll wait upon your honour.
[Exeunt.
James Boswell [1821], The plays and poems of William Shakspeare, with the corrections and illustrations of various commentators: comprehending A Life of the Poet, and an enlarged history of the stage, by the late Edmond Malone. With a new glossarial index (J. Deighton and Sons, Cambridge) [word count] [S10201].
