Measure for Measure. ACT FIRST. 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; My strength can give you: then no more remains, Due diligency] as your worth is able, And let them work. The nature of our people, ΙΟ Our city's institutions, and the terms For common justice, you're 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, Lent him our terror, dress'd him with our love, 20 量 Escal. If any in Vienna be of worth To undergo such ample grace and honour, Duke. Look where he comes. Enter Angelo. Ang. Always obedient to your Grace's will, Duke. Angelo, Not light them for themselves; for if our virtues 30 As if we had them not. Spirits are not finely touch'd The smallest scruple of her excellence, Ang. Both thanks and use. But I do bend my speech 40 To one that can my part in him advertise; In our remove be thou at full ourself; Live in thy tongue and heart: old Escalus, Now, good my lord, Let there be some more test made of my metal, Duke. Ang. Before so noble and so great a figure No more evasion: We have with a leaven'd and prepared choice Yet, give leave, my lord, Duke. My haste may not admit it; Nor need you, on mine honour, have to do As to your soul seems good. Give me your hand: I'll privily away. I love the people, Escal. Lead forth and bring you back in happiness! Duke. I thank you. Fare you well. 50 60 70 [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 80 Ang. 'Tis so with me. Escal. And we may soon our satisfaction have Let us withdraw together, I'll wait upon your honour. [Exeunt. Scene II. A street. Enter Lucio and two Gentlemen. Lucio. If the Duke, with the other dukes, come not to First Gent. Heaven grant us its peace, but not the Sec. Gent. Amen. Lucio. Thou concludest like the sanctimonious pirate, that went to sea with the Ten Commandments, but scraped one out of the table. First Gent. Why, 'twas a commandment to command Sec. Gent. I never heard any soldier dislike it. where grace was said. ΙΟ 20 Sec. Gent. No? a dozen times at least. Lucio. In any proportion or in any language. Lucio. Ay, why not? Grace is grace, despite of all controversy as, for example, thou thyself art a wicked villain, despite of all grace. First Gent. Well, there went but a pair of shears between us. Lucio. I grant; as there may between the lists and the 30 velvet. Thou art the list. First Gent. And thou the velvet: thou art good velvet; thou 'rt a three-piled piece, I warrant thee: I had as lief be a list of an English kersey, as be piled, as thou art piled, for a French velvet. Do I speak feelingly now? Lucio. I think thou dost; and, indeed, with most painful feeling of thy speech: I will, out of thine own confession, learn to begin thy health; but, whilst I live, forget to drink after thee. First Gent. I think I have done myself wrong, have I not? Sec. Gent. Yes, that thou hast, whether thou art tainted or free. Lucio. Behold, behold, where Madam Mitigation comes ! I have purchased as many diseases under her roof as come to Sec. Gent. To what, I pray? Lucio. Judge. Sec. Gent. To three thousand dolours a year. First Gent. Ay, and more. Lucio. A French crown more. 40 50 |