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 5
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 10
For common justice, you’re as pregnant in
As art and practice hath enrichèd any
That we remember. There is our commission, He hands Escalus a paper. From which we would not have you warp.—Call
hither, 15
I say, bid come before us Angelo. An Attendant exits. 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, 20
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 honor,
It is Lord Angelo. 25 | At his palace in Vienna, Duke Vincentio compliments Escalus, a lord in his court, saying that Escalus is the wisest and most knowledgeable guy in Vienna—he knows more about Vienna's laws and people than anybody else. Then the Duke tells Escalus that he's going out of town. While he's away, Angelo will be in charge. He asks Escalus what he thinks of that. Escalus says that if anyone is up for representing the Duke in his absence, it's 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 30
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, 35
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 40
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. 45
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. 50 He hands Angelo a paper. ANGELO
Now, good my lord,
Let there be some more test made of my mettle
Before so noble and so great a figure
Be stamped upon it. DUKE
No more evasion. 55
We have with a leavened and preparèd choice
Proceeded to you. Therefore, take your honors.
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, 60
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. 65 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 honor, have to do
With any scruple. Your scope is as mine own, 70
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 75
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. 80 DUKE
I thank you. Fare you well. He exits. | When Angelo comes in, the Duke gives him the news: he gets to be Duke for a day. Or two. Or three. We don't really know how long. Escalus, an old lord, will be second in command because he's so wise and knows so much about Vienna's laws and its people. (If you're wondering why wise old Escalus isn't first in command, you're not alone, but we'll find out why soon enough.) Angelo goes through an "aw, shucks" routine and says he hasn't demonstrated that he's worthy enough to fill in for the Duke. "Nonsense," says the Duke, who announces rather cryptically that he has to go somewhere immediately (he doesn't even have time for Angelo to escort him to the edge of town) and that he'll be in touch soon. Before he leaves, the Duke reminds Angelo that while he (the Duke) is away, Angelo is his substitute and has full authority to enforce the laws or to bend the rules of justice as he sees fit. He also adds that, even though he loves his people, he's not big on public appearances, especially since people are always cheering for him like he's a rock star. History Snack: Some literary critics think the Duke's whole "I really don't like the limelight" speech is a reference to King James I, who, unlike his predecessor Queen Elizabeth I, wasn't a huge fan of being in the public spotlight all the time. |
ESCALUS, to Angelo
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 85
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 Honor. 90
They exit. | After the Duke exits, Escalus and Angelo make plans to talk so they can work out the details of their new jobs. |