Measure for Measure | Page 3

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MEASURE FOR MEASURE
by William Shakespeare

PERSONS REPRESENTED.
VICENTIO, Duke of Vienna. ANGELO, Lord Deputy in the Duke's
absence. ESCALUS, an ancient Lord, joined with Angelo in the
deputation. CLAUDIO, a young Gentleman. LUCIO, a Fantastic. Two
other like Gentlemen. VARRIUS, a Gentleman, Servant to the Duke.
PROVOST. THOMAS, friar. PETER, friar. A JUSTICE. ELBOW, a
simple Constable. FROTH, a foolish Gentleman. CLOWN, Servant to
Mistress Overdone. ABHORSON, an Executioner. BARNARDINE, a
dissolute Prisoner.
ISABELLA, Sister to Claudio. MARIANA, betrothed to Angelo.
JULIET, beloved by Claudio. FRANCISCA, a nun. MISTRESS
OVERDONE, a Bawd.
Lords, Gentlemen, Guards, Officers, and other Attendants.
SCENE: Vienna

ACT I.
SCENE 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 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, Our city's
institutions, and the terms For common justice, you are as pregnant in
As art and practice hath enriched any That 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 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.
[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 life That to th'
observer doth thy history Fully unfold. Thyself and thy belongings Are
not thine own so proper as to waste Thyself upon thy virtues, they on
thee. Heaven doth 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 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