the Viennese dress of the close of the fifteenth century, some approach to which, at least, may be found in Vecelli's Habiti Antichi e Moderni, published at Vienna in 1598.

But who so loves, if he rejected be,

His passing love to peevish hate will turne.
Deare sister then note how my fortune stands:
That Promos love, the like is oft in use;
And sith he crave this kindnesse at your hands,
Think this, if you his pleasure do refuse,
I, in his rage (poor wretch) shall sing Peccavi.
Here are two evyls, the best harde to digest;
But whereas things are driven unto necessity,
There are we byd, of both evyls choose the least.

Cassandra. And of these evils the least, I hold, is death
To shun whose dart we can no meane devise;

Yet honor lives when death hath done his worst:

Thus fame then lyfe is of farre more comprise.

Andrugio. Nay, Cassandra, if thou thy selfe submit,

To save my life, to Promos fleashly wyll,

Justice wyll say thou dost no cryme commit,

For in forst faultes is no intent of yll.

Cassandra. How so th' intent is construed in offence,
The Proverbe saies that tenne good turnes lye dead,
And one yll deede tenne tymes beyond pretence
By envious tongues, report abrode doth spread.
Andrugio, so my fame shall vallewed bee;
Dispite will blase my crime, but not the cause;

And thus, although I fayne would set thee free,

Poor wench, I feare the grype of slaunder's pawes.

Andrugio. Nay sweete sister, more slaunder would infame
Your spotles lyfe to reave your brother's breath,
When you have power for to enlarge the same;
Once in your handes doth lye my life and death.
Way that I am the selfe-same flesh you are;
Thinke, I once gone, our house will goe to wrack:
Knowe, forced faultes for slaunder neede not care :
Looke you for blame, if I guaile through your lack.
Consider well my great extremitie;

If otherwise this doome I could revoke,

I would not spare for any jebardye

To free thee, wench, from this same heavy yoke:

But ah, I see else no way saves my life,
And yet his hope may further thy consent;
He sayde, he maye percase make thee his wyfe,

And 'tis likelie he cannot be content

With one night's joye: if love he after seekes;

And I discharg'd, if thou aloofe then be,
Before he lose thy selfe that so he leekes,
No doubt but he to marryage wyll agree."

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.

VINCENTIO, the Duke.

ANGELO, the Deputy.

ESCALUS, an ancient Lord.

CLAUDIO, a young Gentleman.

LUCIO, a Fantastic.

Two other like Gentlemen.

VARRIUS, a Gentleman, Servant to the Duke.

Lords, Gentlemen, Guards, Officers, and other Attendants

SCENE: Vienna.

(12)

MEASURE FOR MEASURE.

ACT I.

SCENE I.—An Apartment in the DUKE's Palace.

Enter DUKE, ESCALUS, Lords, and Attendants.

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, drest him with our love,
And given his deputation all the organs
Of our own power. What think you of it?
Escal. 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, [our place and power :] 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.

Ang.

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.

Ang.

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.

Ang. The Heavens give safety to your purposes

Escal. Lead forth, and bring you back in happi

ness!

Duke. I thank you. Fare you well.

[Exit.

Escal. I shall desire you, sir, to give me leave