1    Escalus.

2    My lord.

3    Of government the properties to unfold,
4    Would seem in me to affect speech and discourse;
5    Since I am put to know that your own science
6    Exceeds, in that, the lists of all advice
7    My strength can give you: then no more remains,
8    But that to your sufficiency, as your Worth is able,
9    And let them work. The nature of our people,
10   Our city's institutions, and the terms
11   For common justice, you're as pregnant in
12   As art and practise hath enriched any
13   That we remember. There is our commission,
14   From which we would not have you warp. Call hither,
15   I say, bid come before us Angelo.
Exit an Attendant
16   What figure of us think you he will bear?
17   For you must know, we have with special soul
18   Elected him our absence to supply,
19   Lent him our terror, dress'd him with our love,
20   And given his deputation all the organs
21   Of our own power: what think you of it?

22   If any in Vienna be of worth
23   To undergo such ample grace and honour,
24   It is Lord Angelo.

25   Look where he comes.

26   Always obedient to your grace's will,
27   I come to know your pleasure.

28   Angelo,
29   There is a kind of character in thy life,
30   That to the observer doth thy history
31   Fully unfold. Thyself and thy belongings
32   Are not thine own so proper as to waste
33   Thyself upon thy virtues, they on thee.
34   Heaven doth with us as we with torches do,
35   Not light them for themselves; for if our virtues
36   Did not go forth of us, 'twere all alike
37   As if we had them not. Spirits are not finely touch'd
38   But to fine issues, nor Nature never lends
39   The smallest scruple of her excellence
40   But, like a thrifty goddess, she determines
41   Herself the glory of a creditor,
42   Both thanks and use. But I do bend my speech
43   To one that can my part in him advertise;
44   Hold therefore, Angelo:--
45   In our remove be thou at full ourself;
46   Mortality and mercy in Vienna
47   Live in thy tongue and heart: old Escalus,
48   Though first in question, is thy secondary.
49   Take thy commission.

50   Now, good my lord,
51   Let there be some more test made of my metal,
52   Before so noble and so great a figure
53   Be stamp'd upon it.

54   No more evasion:
55   We have with a leaven'd and prepared choice
56   Proceeded to you; therefore take your honours.
57   Our haste from hence is of so quick condition
58   That it prefers itself and leaves unquestion'd
59   Matters of needful value. We shall write to you,
60   As time and our concernings shall importune,
61   How it goes with us, and do look to know
62   What doth befall you here. So, fare you well;
63   To the hopeful execution do I leave you
64   Of your commissions.

65   Yet give leave, my lord,
66   That we may bring you something on the way.

67   My haste may not admit it;
68   Nor need you, on mine honour, have to do
69   With any scruple; your scope is as mine own
70   So to enforce or qualify the laws
71   As to your soul seems good. Give me your hand:
72   I'll privily away. I love the people,
73   But do not like to stage me to their eyes:
74   Through it do well, I do not relish well
75   Their loud applause and Aves vehement;
76   Nor do I think the man of safe discretion
77   That does affect it. Once more, fare you well.

78   The heavens give safety to your purposes!

79   Lead forth and bring you back in happiness!

80   I thank you. Fare you well.

81   I shall desire you, sir, to give me leave
82   To have free speech with you; and it concerns me
83   To look into the bottom of my place:
84   A power I have, but of what strength and nature
85   I am not yet instructed.

86   'Tis so with me. Let us withdraw together,
87   And we may soon our satisfaction have
88   Touching that point.

89   I'll wait upon your honour.