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Escalus.
Escalus.
My lord.
My lord.
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’re as pregnant in As art and practise 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.
The qualities of government to explain, Would seem in me to demand talk and discussion; Since I know that your wisdom Surpasses, in that, the advice I can give you: then nothing more is left, But that your ability and your worth take over, And let them do the work. The nature of our people, The city’s laws, and the rules For common justice, you know as well as anyone Who’s had experience. Here is our order, And we don’t want you to stray from it. Call for Angelo.
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?
What do you think he’ll be like? For you must know, we’ve chosen him to act in our place, Given him our authority, clothed him with our respect, And given him all the powers of our own office: what do you think of that?
If any in Vienna be of worth To undergo such ample grace and honour, It is Lord Angelo.
If anyone in Vienna is worthy To receive such a great honor, It is Lord Angelo.
Look where he comes.
Look, here he comes.
Always obedient to your grace’s will, I come to know your pleasure.
Always ready to do your will, I’ve come to hear what you wish.
Angelo, There is a kind of character in thy life, That to the 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, There’s a kind of character in your life, That tells your whole story to anyone who observes you. You and everything you own Aren’t really yours if you don’t use your virtues properly; your virtues belong to you. Heaven deals with us like we deal with torches, Not lighting them for their own sake; because if our virtues Didn’t come from within us, it’d be the same as if we had none. Spirits are only finely touched When they have great purpose, nor does Nature ever give The smallest piece of her excellence Without expecting a return. But I speak to one who can represent my part in him; So, Angelo:— In our absence, be fully yourself; Let mortality and mercy live through you in Vienna And old Escalus, Though first in line, is your second. Take your commission.
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.
Please, my lord, Let there be more testing of my character, Before such a noble and important title Is stamped on me.
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 the hopeful execution do I leave you Of your commissions.
No more excuses: We have made a careful and deliberate choice To appoint you; so accept your honor. Our urgency is such That it demands attention, leaving out things Of lesser importance. We will write to you, As time and our concerns allow, To update you on our progress, and expect to know What happens to you here. Farewell; I leave you to the hopeful execution of Your duties.
Yet give leave, my lord, That we may bring you something on the way.
But please, my lord, Let us offer you something along the way.
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: Through 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.
My hurry won’t allow it; Nor, by my honor, do you need to worry About any doubts; your responsibility is the same as mine, To enforce or amend the laws As you see fit for your own conscience. Take my hand: I’ll leave quietly. I care for the people, But I don’t like being put on display for them: If you do well, I’m fine with it, but I don’t enjoy Their loud praise and extreme adoration; Nor do I trust someone who seeks it. Farewell again.
The heavens give safety to your purposes!
May the heavens keep your plans safe!
Lead forth and bring you back in happiness!
May you be led and return in happiness!
I thank you. Fare you well.
Thank you. Farewell.
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.
I’d like to ask you, sir, for permission To speak freely with you; it’s important That I understand my position: I have power, but I don’t yet know its full strength Or scope.
’Tis so with me. Let us withdraw together, And we may soon our satisfaction have Touching that point.
I feel the same way. Let’s step aside together, And we can quickly sort out That matter.
I’ll wait upon your honour.
I’ll follow your lead.