DUKE
Escalus.
ESCALUS
My lord.
DUKE
Of government the properties to unfold
Would seem in me t’ affect speech and discourse,
Since I am put to know that your own science
Exceeds, in that, the lists of all advice
My strength can give you. Then no more remains
But that, to your sufficiency, as your worth is able,
And let them work. The nature of our people,
Our city’s institutions, and the terms
For common justice, you’re as pregnant in
As art and practice enriched any
That we remember. There is our commission,
From which we would not have you warp.—Call ,
I say, bid come before us, Angelo.
DUKE
What figure of us think you he will bear?
For you must know we have with special soul
Elected him our absence to supply;
Lent him our terror, drest him with our love,
And given his deputation all the organs
Of our own power. What think you of it?
ESCALUS
If any in Vienna be of worth
To undergo such ample grace and honour,
It is Lord 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 life
That to th’ observer history
Fully unfold. Thyself and belongings
Are not own so proper as to waste
Thyself upon virtues, they on .
Heaven with us as we with torches do,
Not light them for themselves; for if our virtues
Did not go forth of us, ’twere all alike
As if we had them not. Spirits are not finely touched
But to fine issues; nor nature never lends
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 advertise.
Hold, therefore, Angelo.
In our remove be at full ourself.
Mortality and mercy in Vienna
Live in tongue and heart. Old Escalus,
Though first in question, is secondary.
Take commission.
ANGELO
Now, good my lord,
Let there be some more test made of my metal,
Before so noble and so great a figure
Be stamped upon it.
DUKE
No more evasion.
We have with a leavened and prepared choice
Proceeded to you; therefore take your honours.
Our haste from is of so quick condition
That it prefers itself, and leaves unquestioned
Matters of needful value. We shall write to you,
As time and our concernings shall importune,
How it goes with us; and do look to know
What befall you here. So, fare you well.
To th’ hopeful execution do I leave you
Of 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 do
With any scruple. Your scope is as mine own,
So to enforce or qualify the laws
As 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 well
Their loud applause and Aves vehement;
Nor do I think the man of safe discretion
That 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.
ESCALUS
I shall desire you, sir, to give me leave
To have free speech with you; and it concerns me
To look into the bottom of my place.
A power I have, but of what strength and nature
I am not yet instructed.
ANGELO
so with me. Let us withdraw together,
And we may soon our satisfaction have
Touching that point.
ESCALUS
I’ll wait upon your honour.