Duke.
No; holy father; throw away that thought;
Believe not that the dribbling dart of love
Can pierce a cómplete bosom^{6 note}

Fri.
May your grace speak of it?

Duke.
My holy sir, none better knows than you
How I have ever lov'd the life remov'd^{7 note}

I have delivered to lord Angelo
(A man of stricture, and firm abstinence^{1 note}

Fri.
Gladly, my lord.

Duke.
We have strict statutes, and most biting laws,
(The needful bits and curbs for head-strong steeds^{2 note}

Which for these fourteen years we have let sleep^{3 note}

That goes not out to prey: Now, as fond fathers
Having bound up the threat'ning twigs of birch,
Only to stick it in their children's sight,
For terror, not to use; in time the rod
Becomes more mock'd, than fear'd^{4 note}: so our decrees,
Dead to infliction, to themselves are dead;
And liberty plucks justice by the nose;
The baby beats the nurse^{5 note}, and quite athwart
Goes all decorum.

Fri.
It rested in your grace
To unloose this tied-up justice, when you pleas'd:
And it in you more dreadful would have seem'd,
Than in lord Angelo.

Duke.
I do fear, too dreadful:
Sith^{6 note} 'twas my fault to give the people scope,
'Twould be my tyranny to strike, and gall them
For what I bid them do: For we bid this be done,
When evil deeds have their permissive pass,
And not the punishment. Therefore, indeed, my father,
I have on Angelo impos'd the office;
Who may, in the ambush of my name, strike home,
And yet my nature never in the sight,
To do it slander^{7 note}

I will, as 'twere a brother of your order,
Visit both prince and people: therefore, I pr'ythee,
Supply me with the habit, and instruct me
How I may formally in person bear^{8 note}

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