In a disguise of love: It is the lesser blot modesty finds, Women to change their shapes, than men their minds. Pro. Than men their minds! 'tis true: O heaven! were man But constant, he were perfect: that one error Fills him with faults; makes him run through all sins: Inconstancy falls off, ere it begins: What is in Silvia's face, but I may spy More fresh in Julia's with a constant eye? Let me be blest to make this happy close; "Twere pity two such friends should be long foes. Enter OUTLAWS, with DUKE and THURIO. Out. A prize, a prize, a prize! Val. Forbear, I say; it is my lord the duke. Your grace is welcome to a man disgraced, Banish'd Valentine. Duke. Sir Valentine! Thu. Yonder is Silvia; and Silvia's mine. Val. Thurio give back, or else embrace thy death; Duke. The more degenerate and base art thou, I do applaud thy spirit, Valentine, And think thee worthy of an empress' love. Take thou thy Silvia, for thou hast deserved her. Val. I thank your grace; the gift hath made me happy I now beseech you, for your daughter's sake, To grant one boon that I shall ask of you. Duke. I grant it, for thine own, whate'er it be. Val. These banish'd men, that I have kept withal, Are men endued with worthy qualities; Forgive them what they have committed here, * Length of my sword. 1 Interest. And let them be recall'd from their exile: And fit for great employment, worthy lord. Duke. Thou hast prevail'd: I pardon them and thee; Duke. I think the boy hath grace in him; he blushes. Val. Please you, I'll tell you as we pass along, That done, our day of marriage shall be yours; * Conclude. † Masks, revels. [Exeunt. SCENE I.-An apartment in the DUKE's Palace. Enter DUKE, ESCALUS, Lords, and Attendants. Duke. Escalus,— Escal. My lord. Duke. Of government the properties to unfold, My strength can give you: Then no more remains Our city's institutions, and the terms For common justice, you are as pregnantt in, That we remember: There is our commission, From which we would not have you warp.-Call hither, *Bounds. [Exit an Attendant. + Full of. What figure of us think you he will bear? Lent him our terror, dress'd him with our love; To undergo such ample grace and honour, Enter ANGELO. Duke. Look, where he comes. Ang. Always obedient to your grace's will, I come to know your pleasure. Duke. Angelo, There is a kind of character in thy life, Did not go forth of us, 'twere all alike As if we had them not. Spirits are not finely touch'd, 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: Ang. Now, good my lord, Let there be some more test made of my metal Be stamp'd upon it. Duke. No more evasion: We have with a leaven'd and prepared choice Ang. Yet, give leave, my lord, That we may bring you something on the way. Nor need you, on mine honour, have to do As to your soul seems good. Give me your hand; But do not like to stage me to their eyes: Ang. The heavens give safety to your purposes! Escal. I shall desire you, Sir, to give me leave A power I have; but of what strength and nature I am not yet instructed. Ang. 'Tis so with me:-Let us withdraw together, And we may soon our satisfaction have Touching that point. Escal. I'll wait upon your honour. SCENE II-A Street. Enter LUCIO and two GENTLEMEN. [Exit. [Exeunt. Lucio. If the duke, with the other dukes, come not to composition with the king of Hungary, why, then all the dukes fall upon the king. 1 Gent. Heaven grant us its peace, but not the king of Hungary's! 2 Gent. Amen. Lucio. Thou concludest like the sanctimonious pirate, that went to sea with the ten commandments, but scraped one out of the table. 2 Gent. Thou shalt not steal? Lucio. Ay, that he razed. 1 Gent. Why, 'twas a commandment to command the captain and all the rest from their functions; they put forth to steal: There's not a soldier of us all, that in the thanksgiving before meat, doth relish the petition well that prays for peace. 2 Gent. I never heard any soldier dislike it. Lucio. I believe thee; for, I think, thou never wast where grace was said. 2 Gent. No? a dozen times at least. 1 Gent. What? in metre? Lucio. In any proportion, or in any language. 1 Gent. I think, or in any religion. Lucio. Ay! why not? Grace is grace, despite of all contro *Extent of power. ↑ Hailings. + Measure. |