Dramatis Perfonæ. VINCENTIO, Duke of Vienna. Angelo, Lord Deputy in the Duke's abfence. Elcalus, An ancient Lord, join'd with Angelọ in the Deputation. Claudio, a young Gentleman. Lucio, a Fantastic. Two Gentlemen Varrius, a Gentleman, Servant to the Duke. u MEASURE for MEASURE, ACT I. SCENE I. The Duke's PALACE. Enter Duke, Efcalus, and Lords. SCALUS,- DUKE. Duke. Of Government the properties t'unfold, Would seem in me t' affect speech and difcourfe. Since I am not to know, that your own Science Exceeds, in that, the lifts of all advice My ftrength can give you: then no more remains: Put that to your fufficiency, as your worth is able, And let them work. The nature of our people, Our city's inftitutions, and the terms Of common juftice, y'are as pregnant in, As art and practice hath enriched any That we remember. There is our Commiffion, From which we would not have you warp. Call hither, I fay, bid come before us Angelo : What figure of us, think you, he will bear? Lent him our Terror, dreft him with our Love; The story is taken from Cinthio's Novels, December 8. November 5. B 2 Mr. Pope. And And giv'n his Deputation all the organs To undergo fuch ample grace and honour, SCENE II. Enter Angelo. Juke.OOK, 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, for if our virtues Did not go forth of us, 'twere all alike As if we had them not. Spirits are not finely touch'd, But to fine iffues: nor Nature never lends The smalleft fcruple of her excellence, But, like a thrifty Goddefs, fhe determines Both thanks and ufe. But I do bend my fpeech To one that can my part in him advertise; Hold therefore, Angelo: In our remove, be thou at full ourself. Mortality and Mercy in Vienna Live in thy tongue and heart: old Efcalu Ang. Now, good my lord, Let there be fome more teft made of my metal, Duke. Duke. Come, no more evasion: We have with a prepar'd and "level'd choice Ang. Yet give me leave, my lord, That we may bring you fomething on the way. Nor need you, on mine honour, have to do As to your foul feems good. Give me your hand; [Exit. A pow'r I have, but of what ftrength and nature Ang. 'Tis fo with me : let us withdraw together, And we may foon our fatisfaction have Touching that point. Efcal. I'll wait upon your honour. [Exeunt. * Leaven'd choice] We fhould read level'd choice. The Allufion is to Archery, when a Man has fix'd upon his Object, after taking Aim. |