SCENE I.
The Duke's Palace2 note
.
Enter Duke, Escalus, and Lords.
Duke.
Escalus,—
Escal.
My lord.
-- 4 --
Duke.
Of government the properties to unfold,
Would seem in me to affect speech and discourse;
Since I am3 note
put to know, that your own science,
Exceeds, in that, the lists of all advice4 note
My strength can give you: Then no more remains5 note
,
-- 5 --
But that your sufficiency, as your worth is able,
And let them work. The nature of our people,
-- 6 --
Our city's institutions, and the terms 9Q0155
For common justice, you are as pregnant in6 note
,
-- 7 --
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 soul7 note
-- 8 --
Elected him our absence to supply;
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 life8 note
,
-- 9 --
That, to the observer, doth thy history
Fully unfold: Thyself and thy belongings
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
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 use. But I do bend my speech
-- 10 --
To one that can my part in him advertise5 note
:
Hold therefore Angelo6 note
:
In our remove, be thou at full ourself:
Mortality and mercy in Vienna
Live in thy tongue and heart: Old Escalus,
Though first in question7 note, is thy secondary.
Take thy commission.
-- 11 --
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.
Duke.
No more evasion:
We have with a leaven'd and prepared choice8 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 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 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 own9 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
-- 12 --
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 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.
Samuel Johnson [1778], The plays of William Shakspeare. In ten volumes. With the corrections and illustrations of various commentators; to which are added notes by Samuel Johnson and George Steevens. The second edition, Revised and Augmented (Printed for C. Bathurst [and] W. Strahan [etc.], London) [word count] [S10901].
