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, y'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, dress'd 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.

  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 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 stamp'd upon it.

  DUKE. No more evasion!

    We have with a leaven'd and prepared choice

    Proceeded to you; therefore take your honours.

    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 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 pow'r 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