The smallest scruple of her excellence,

But, like a thrifty goddess, she determines
Herself the glory of a creditor,

1

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 Escalus,

Though first in question, is thy secondary :
Take thy commission.

Ang.

Now, good my lord,

Let there be some more test made of my metal,
Before so noble and so great a figure

Be stamp'd upon it.

Duke.

No more evasion :

We have with a leaven'd and prepared choice
Proceeded to you; therefore take your honors.
Our haste from hence is of so quick condition,
That it prefers itself, and leaves unquestion'd
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 doth befal you here. So, fare you well:
To the hopeful execution do I leave you

Of your commissions.

Ang.

Yet, give leave, my lord.

1 Who is himself conversant in the nature and duties of that office, which I have now delegated to him.

First appointed.

That we may bring you something on the way.
Duke. My haste may not admit it ;

Nor need you, on mine honor, have to do

With any scruple: your scope 1 is as mine own;
So to enforce, or qualify the laws,

As to your soul seems good.

I'll privily away.

Give me your hand:

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 2 vehement;
Nor do I think the man of safe discretion,
That does affect it. Once more, fare you well.

Ang. The Heavens give safety to your purposes !
Esc. Lead forth, and bring you back in happiness!
Duke. I thank you. Fare you well.

[Exit.

Esc. 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.

Ang. "Tis so with me.-Let us withdraw together, And we may soon our satisfaction have

Touching that point.

Esc.

I'll wait upon your honor.

Extent of power.

[Exeunt.

Greetings.

SCENE JI.

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.

1 Gen. Heaven grant us its peace, but not the king of Hungary's!

2 Gen. Amen.

Lucio. Thou concludest like the sanctimonious pirate, that went to sea with the ten commandments, but scraped one out of the table.

2 Gen. Thou shalt not steal?

Lucio. Ay, that he razed.

1 Gen. 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. soldier dislike it.

2 Gen. never heard any

Lucio. I believe thee; for, I think, thou never wast where grace was said.

2 Gen. No? a dozen times at least.

1 Gen. What? in metre?

Lucio. In any proportion,1 or in any language.

1 Gen. I think, or in any religion.

Measure.

Lucio. Ay! why not? Grace is grace, despite of all controversy. As for example; thou thyself art a wicked villain, despite of all grace.

1 Gen. Well, there went but a pair of sheers between us.1

Lucio. I grant; as there may between the lists and the velvet. Thou art the list.

1 Gen. And thou the velvet: thou art good velvet; thou art 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.

1 Gen. I think, I have done myself wrong; have I not?

2 Gen. Yes, that thou hast; whether thou art tainted or free.

1 Gen. Behold, behold, where madam Mitigation comes ! I have purchased as many diseases under her roof, as come to

2 Gen. To what, I pray?

1 Gen. Judge.

2 Gen. To three thousand dollars a year.

1 Gen. Ay, and more.

Lucio A French crown more.

1 We are both of the same piece.

1 Gen. Thou art always figuring diseases in me: but thou art full of error; I am sound.

Lucio. Nay, not as one would say, healthy; but so sound, as things that are hollow: thy bones are hollow; impiety has made a feast of thee.

Enter BAWD.

1 Gen. How now? Which of your hips has the most profound sciatica ?

Bawd. Well, well; there's one yonder arrested, and carried to prison, was worth five thousand of you all.

1 Gen. Who's that, I pray thee?

Bawd. Marry, sir, that 's Claudio, signior Claudio. 1 Gen. Claudio to prison? 'tis not so.

Bawd. Nay, but I know, 'tis so: I saw him arrested; saw him carried away; and, which is more, within these three days his head 's to be chopped off.

Lucio. But, after all this fooling, I would not have it so. Art thou sure of this?

Bawd. I am too sure of it: and it is for getting madam Julietta with child.

Lucio. Believe me, this may be: he promised to meet me two hours since; and he was ever precise in promise-keeping.

2 Gen. Besides, you know, it draws something near to the speech we had to such a purpose.

1 Gen. But most of all, agreeing with the proclamation.

Lucio. Away; let's go learn the truth of it. [Exeunt Lucio and Gentlemen.