MEASURE for MEASU A C T I. SCENE I. The Duke's PALACE. Enter Duke, Efcalus, and Lords. ESCALUS DUKE. Duke. Of Government the properties t'unfold, Would feem in me t'affect speech and discourse. 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 justice, 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, What figure of us, think you, he will bear? Lent him our Terror, dreft him with our Love; The ftory is taken from Cinthio's Novels, December 8. November 5. you And giv'n his Deputation all the organs SCENE Enter Angelo. Duke. LOOK, where he comes. II. of it? 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, As if we had them not. Spirits are not finely touch'd, The smallest scruple of her excellence, But, like a thrifty Goddess, fhe determines Both thanks and use. But I do bend my speech 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 Efcalus Ang. Now, good my lord, Let there be fome more teft made of my metal, Be flampt upon it. 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 strength and nature Ang. 'Tis fo with me: let us withdraw together, Efcal. I'll wait upon your honour. * Leaven'd choice] We should read level'd choice. [Exeunt. The Allufion is to Archery, when a Man has fix'd upon his Object, after taking Aim. B 3 SCENE Lucio. I SCENE III. The Street. Enter Lucio, and two Gentlemen, F the Duke, with the other Dukes, come not to compofition with the King of Hungary, why, then all the Dukes fall upon the King. i Gent. Heav'n grant us its peace, but not the King of Hungary's! 2 Gent. Amen. Lucio. Thou conclud'ft like the fanctimonious Pirate, that went to fea with the ten Commandments, but scrap'd one out of the Table. 2 Gent. Thou shalt not fteal.Lucio, Ay, that he raz'd. 1 Gent. Why, 'twas a Commandment to command the captain and all the rest from their functions; they put forth to fteal; there's not a foldier of us all, that, in the thanksgiving before meat, does relifh the petition well that prays for Peace. 2 Gent. I never heard any foldier diflike it. Lucio. I believe thee for, I think, thou never waft were grace was faid. 2 Gent. No? a dozen times at least. 1. Gent. What, in meeter? Lucio. In any proportion, or in any language. 1 Gent. I think, or in any religion. Lucio. Ay, why not? grace is grace, defpight of all controverfy; as for example, thou thyfelf art a wicked villain, defpight of all grace. 1 Gent. Well; there went but a pair of sheers be tween us. Lucio. I grant; as there may between the lifts and the velvet. Thou art the lift. 1 Gent. And thou the velvet; thou art good vel vet; thou'rt a three-pil'd piece, I warrant thee: I had as lief be a lift of an English kersey, as be pil'd, as thou art pil'd, for a French velvet. Do I fpeak feelingly now? Lucio. I think, thou doft; and, indeed, with most painful feeling of thy fpeech: I will, out of thine own confeffion, learn to begin thy health; but, whilft I live, forget to drink after thee. 1 Gent. I think, I have done myself wrong, have I not? 2 Gent. Yes, that thou haft; whether thou art tainted, or free. Lucio. Behold, behold, where Madam Mitigation comes. 1 Gent. I have purchas'd as many diseases under her roof, as come to 2 Gent. To what I pray? 1 Gent. Judge. 2 Gent. To three thousand dollars a year. 1 Gent. Ay, and more. Lucio. A French crown more. 1 Gent. Thou art always figuring difeafes in me; but thou art full of error; I am found. Lucio. Nay, not as one would say healthy; but fo found, as things that are hollow; thy bones are hollow; impiety hath made a feaft of thee. SCENE Enter Bawd. IV. x Gent. H moft profound sciatica? How Bawd. Well, well; there's one yonder arrested, and carry'd to prifon, was worth five thousand of you all. 1 Gent. Who's that, I pr'ythee ? Bawd. Marry, Sir, that's Claudio; Signior Claudio. A 4 1 Gent. |