A Room 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 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 hath enrichd any
	That we remember. There is our commission,
													[Giving him papers.
	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, dressed 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 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 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.

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 prepard choice
	Proceeded to you; therefore take your honours.
	Our haste from hence 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 doth 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.
													[Exit.
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	'Tis so with me. Let us withdraw together,
	And we may soon our satisfaction have
	Touching that point.

Escalus							I'll wait upon your honour.
													[Exeunt.
