DRAMATIS PERSONE. VINCENTIO, the Duke. ANGELO, Deputy. ESCALUS, an ancient Lord. Two other gentlemen. The Provost. THOMAS & PETER, two friars. A Justice. VARRIUS. ELBOW, a simple constable. FROTH, a foolish gentleman. POMPEY, servant to Mistress Overdone. ABHORSON, an executioner. BARNARDINE, a dissolute prisoner. ISABELLA, sister to Claudio. MARIANA, betrothed to Angelo. JULIET, beloved of Claudio. FRANCISCA, a nun. MISTRESS OVERDONE, a bawd. Lords, Officers, Citizens, Boy, and Attendants. SCENE: Vienna. MEASURE FOR MEASURE. SCENE I. An apartment in the Duke's ACT palace. Enter Duke, Escalus, Lords I. and Attendants. ESCALUS. My lord. DUKE. Of government the properties to unfold, Would seem in me to 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, For common justice, you 're as pregnant in That we remember. There is our commission, From which we would not have you warp.-Call hither, (Exitan Attendant.) What figure of us think you he will bear? I say, bid come before us Angelo. For you must know, we have with special soul Lent him our terror, dress'd him with our love, If any in Vienna be of worth To undergo such ample grace and honour, DUKE. ANGELO. Look where he comes. Always obedient to your Grace's will, DUKE. Angelo, There is a kind of character in thy life, As if we had them not. Spirits are not finely touch'd 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 thou at full ourself; Mortality and mercy in Vienna |