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

We have with a leaven'd and prepared choice
Proceeded to you; therefore take your honours.
Our hafte from hence is of fo quick condition,
That it prefers itself, and leaves unquestion'd
Matters of needful value. We fhall write to you,
As time and our concernings fhall impórtune,
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 commiffions.

Ang.

Yet, give leave, my lord,

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

Nor need you, on mine honour, have to do
With any fcruple: your scope is as mine own;
So to enforce, or qualify the laws,

As to your foul feems 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.

Ang. The heavens give fafety to your purposes!
Escal. Lead forth, and bring you back in happiness!
Duke. I thank you : Fare you well.

Efcal. I fhall defire you, fir, to give me leave
To have free fpeech with you; and it concerns me
To look into the bottom of my place :
B 2

[Exit.

A power

A power I have; but of what ftrength and nature

I am not yet inftructed.

Ang. 'Tis fo with me :-Let us withdraw together, And we may foon our fatisfaction have

Touching that point.

Efcal.

I'll wait upon your honour. [Exeunt.

SCENE II.

A Street.

Enter LUCIO, and two Gentlemen.

Lucio. If the duke, with the other dukes, come not to compofition with the king of Hungary, why, then all the dukes fall upon the king.

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

2 Gent. Amen.

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

2 Gent. Thou shalt not steal?

Lucio. Ay, that he razed.

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, doth relish the petition well that prays for peace.

2 Gent. I never heard any soldier dislike it.

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

2 Gent. No? a dozen times at least.

1 Gent. What? in metre?

Lucio. In any proportion, or in any language. 1 Gent. I think, or in any religion.

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

us.

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

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 velvet; thou art 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 dost; and, indeed, with most painful feeling of thy fpeech: I will, out of thine own confession, learn to begin thy health; but, whilst 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! I have purchased 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 diseases in me: but thou art full of error; I am found.

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

Enter Bawd.

1 Gent. How now? Which of your hips has the most profound fciatica ?

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 pray thee?

Bawd. Marry, fir, that's Claudio, fignior Claudio.

1 Gent. Claudio to prifen! 'tis not fo.

Bawd. Nay, but I know, 'tis fo: I faw him arrested; faw 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 fo: Art thou fure of this?

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

Lucio. Believe me, this may be he promised to meet me two hours fince; and he was ever precife in promisekeeping.

2 Gent. Besides, you know, it draws fomething near to the speech we had to fuch a purpose.

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

Lucio. Away; let's go learn the truth of it.

[Exeunt LUCIO, and Gentlemen. Bawd. Thus, what with the war, what with the fweat, what with the gallows, and what with poverty, I am custom-fhrunk. How now? what's the news with you?

Enter Clown.

Clo. Yonder man is carried to prison.
Bawd. Well, what has he done?

Clo. A woman.

Bawd. But what's his offence?

Clo. Groping for trouts in a peculiar river.

Bawd. What, is there a maid with child by him? Clo. No; but there's a woman with maid by him: You have not heard of the proclamation, have you ? Bawd. What proclamation, man?

Clo. All houses in the fuburbs of Vienna must be pluck'd down.

Bawd. And what shall become of those in the city? Clo. They fhall stand for feed: they had gone down too, but that a wife burgher put in for them.

Bard. But fhall all our houses of refort in the suburbs be pull'd down?

Clo. To the ground, miftrefs.

Bawd. Why, here's a change, indeed, in the commonwealth! What fhall become of me?

Clo. Come; fear not you: good counsellors lack no clients though you change your place, you need not change your trade; I'll be your tapfter ftill. Courage; there will be pity taken on you: you that have worn your eyes almost out in the fervice, you will be confidered. Bawd. What's to do here, Thomas Tapfter? Let's withdraw.

Clo. Here comes fignior Claudio, led by the provost to prifon and there's madam Juliet.

:

[Exeunt.