Measure for Measure. Уильям Шекспир

        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

        LUCIO.