Duke.
Escalus,—

Escal.
My lord.

Duke.
Of Government the properties t'unfold,
Would seem in me t'affect speech and discourse.
Since I am not to know, that your own Science
Exceeds, in that, the lists of all advice
My strength can give you: then no more remains:(1) ^note

Put that to your sufficiency, 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:
What figure of us, think you, he will bear?
For you must know, we have with special soul
Elected him our Absence to supply;
Lent him our Terror, drest him with our Love;
And giv'n his Deputation all the organs
Of our own Power: say, 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,
That to th' observer doth thy history
Fully unfold: thy self and thy belongings
Are not thine own so proper, as to waste
Thy self upon thy virtues; they on thee.
Heav'n doth with us, as we with torches do,

Not light them for themselves: for if our virtues(2) ^note




Did not go forth of us, 'twere all alike
As if we had them not. Spirits are not finely touch'd,
But to fine issues: nor Nature never lends
The smallest scruple of her excellence,
But, like a thrifty Goddess, she determines
Her self the glory of a creditor,
Both thanks, and use. But I do bend my speech
To one that can my part in him advertise;
Hold therefore, Angelo:
In our Remove, be thou at full our self.
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 so great a figure
Be stampt upon it.

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

Ang.
Yet give me leave, my lord,
That we may bring you something on the way.

Duke.
My haste may not admit it;
Nor need you, on mine honour, have to do

With any scruple; your Scope is as mine own,
So to inforce, or qualifie 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 eyes:
Though it do well, I do not relish well
Their loud applause, and Ave's vehement:
Nor do I think the man of safe discretion,
That does affect it. Once more, fare you well.

Ang.
The heav'ns 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 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 soon our satisfaction have
Touching that point.

Escal.
I'll wait upon your Honour. [Exeunt.

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