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,6 note
That to th' observer doth thy history
Fully unfold. Thyself and thy belongings
Are not thine own so proper, as to waste
-- 267 --
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 virtues7 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 lends8 note
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 my part in him advertise;9 note
Hold therefore, Angelo:1 note
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,2 note is thy Secondary.
—Take thy Commission.
-- 268 --
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 leaven'd and prepared choice3 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 importune,
How it goes with us; and do look to know
What doth befal you here. So, fare ye well.
To th' hopeful execution do I leave you
Of your Commissions.
Ang.
Yet give 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,4 note
So to inforce, 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 eyes;
Though it do well, I do not relish well
Their loud applause, and Ave's vehement;
-- 269 --
Nor do I think the man of safe discretion,
That does affect it. Once more, fare ye well.
Ang.
The heav'ns give safety to your purposes!
Escal.
Lead forth, and bring you back in happiness!
Duke.
I thank you, fare ye 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.
Samuel Johnson [1765], The plays of William Shakespeare, in eight volumes, with the corrections and illustrations of Various Commentators; To which are added notes by Sam. Johnson (Printed for J. and R. Tonson [and] C. Corbet [etc.], London) [word count] [S11001].
