Act IScene I
An apartment in the Duke’s palace
Enter Duke, Escalus, Lords and Attendants.
Duke
Escalus.
Escalus
My lord.
Duke
Of government the properties to unfoldWould seem in me t’ affect speech and discourse,Since I am put to know that your own scienceExceeds, in that, the lists of all adviceMy strength can give you. Then no more remainsBut that, to your sufficiency, as your worth is able,And let them work. The nature of our people,Our city’s institutions, and the termsFor common justice, you’re as pregnant inAs art and practice hath enriched anyThat we remember. There is our commission,From which we would not have you warp.—Call hither,I say, bid come before us, Angelo.
Exit an Attendant.
What figure of us think you he will bear?For you must know we have with special soulElected him our absence to supply;Lent him our terror, drest him with our love,And given his deputation all the organsOf our own power. What think you of it?
Escalus
If any in Vienna be of worthTo undergo such ample grace and honour,It is Lord Angelo.
Enter Angelo.
Duke
Look where he comes.
Angelo
Always obedient to your Grace’s will,I come to know your pleasure.
Duke
Angelo,There is a kind of character in thy lifeThat to th’ observer doth thy historyFully unfold. Thyself and thy belongingsAre not thine own so proper as to wasteThyself upon thy virtues, they on thee.Heaven doth with us as we with torches do,Not light them for themselves; for if our virtuesDid not go forth of us, ’twere all alikeAs if we had them not. Spirits are not finely touchedBut to fine issues; nor nature never lendsThe smallest scruple of her excellenceBut, like a thrifty goddess, she determinesHerself the glory of a creditor,Both thanks and use. But I do bend my speechTo one that can my part in him advertise.Hold, therefore, Angelo.In our remove be thou at full ourself.Mortality and mercy in ViennaLive in thy tongue and heart. Old Escalus,Though first in question, is thy secondary.Take thy commission.
Angelo
Now, good my lord,Let there be some more test made of my metal,Before so noble and so great a figureBe stamped upon it.
Duke
No more evasion.We have with a leavened and prepared choiceProceeded to you; therefore take your honours.Our haste from hence is of so quick conditionThat it prefers itself, and leaves unquestionedMatters of needful value. We shall write to you,As time and our concernings shall importune,How it goes with us; and do look to knowWhat doth befall you here. So, fare you well.To th’ hopeful execution do I leave youOf your commissions.
Angelo
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 doWith any scruple. Your scope is as mine own,So to enforce or qualify the lawsAs to your soul seems good. Give me your hand;I’ll privily away. I love the people,But do not like to stage me to their eyes.Though it do well, I do not relish wellTheir loud applause and Aves vehement;Nor do I think the man of safe discretionThat does affect it. Once more, fare you well.
Angelo
The heavens give safety to your purposes!
Escalus
Lead forth and bring you back in happiness.
Duke
I thank you. Fare you well.
Exit.
Escalus
I shall desire you, sir, to give me leaveTo have free speech with you; and it concerns meTo look into the bottom of my place.A power I have, but of what strength and natureI am not yet instructed.
Angelo
’Tis so with me. Let us withdraw together,And we may soon our satisfaction haveTouching that point.
Escalus
I’ll wait upon your honour.
Exeunt.