MEASURE FOR MEASURE. ACT I. SCENE I. An apartment in the Duke's palace. Duke. Escalus, Escal. My lord? Duke. Of government the properties t' unfold, My strength can give you: then no more remains For common justice, you're as pregnant in That we remember. There is our commission, [Giving it. From which we would not have you warp.-Call hither, [Exit an Attendant. What figure of us think you he will bear? Lent him our terror, dress'd him with our love, To undergo such ample grace and honour, Enter ANGELO. Ang. Always obedient to your grace's will, I come to know your pleasure. There is a kind of character in thy life, As if we had them not. Spirits are not finely touch'd 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 advértise; Hold, therefore, Angelo : [Tendering his commission.(4) In our remove be thou at full ourself; Mortality and mercy in Vienna Live in thy tongue and heart: old Escalus, Let there be some more test made of my metal, Be stamp'd upon 't. Duke. No more evasion: we Have with a leaven'd and prepared choice [ Giving it. Of your commissions. (4*) 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 As to your soul seems good. Give me your hand : I'll privily away. But do not like to stage me to their eyes: Escal. I shall desire you, sir, to give me leave A power I have, but of what strength and nature Ang. 'Tis so with me. Let us withdraw together, Touching that point. Escal. I'll wait upon your honour. [Exit. [Exeunt. SCENE II. A street. Enter LUCIO and two Gentlemen. Lucio. If the duke, with the other dukes, come not to composition with the King of Hungary, why, then, all the dukes fall upon the king. First Gent. Heaven grant us its peace, but not the King of Hungary's! 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. Sec. Gent. "Thou shalt not steal"? Lucio. Ay, that he razed. First Gent. Why, 'twas a commandment to command the captain and all the rest from their functions: they put forth to steal. There's not a soldier of us all, that, in the thanksgiving before meat, doth relish the petition well that prays for peace. Sec. Gent. I never heard any soldier dislike it. Lucio. I believe thee; for I think thou never wast where grace was said. Sec. Gent. No? a dozen times at least. First Gent. What, in metre? 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. us. First Gent. Well, there went but a pair of shears between Lucio. I grant; as there may between the list(6) and the 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! First Gent. I have purchased as many diseases under her roof as come to—(7) Sec. Gent. To what, I pray? First Gent.(8) Judge. Sec. Gent. To three thousand dolours a year. First Gent. Ay, and more. Lucio. A French crown more. |