The 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 enrichèd 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.
Conversations about government make me behave differently.
The only thing left to say is: trust your instincts and let them work with your knowledge.
The Duke
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,
And given his deputation all the organs
Of our own power. What think you of it?
How do you think he will represent me?
What does the duke want from Escalus?
Appointment to act as deputy.
How is the duke feeling in this scene?
Escalus
If any in Vienna be of worth
To undergo such ample grace and honour
It is Lord Angelo.
The Duke
Look where he comes.
Angelo
Always obedient to your grace’s will
I come to know your pleasure.
The 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. 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.
Your skills don’t just belong to you; you mustn’t waste your good qualities by keeping them to yourself and not letting others benefit.
Stand firm, Angelo - in my absence, you will represent me entirely. You will have power over life and death in Vienna.
What effect does the duke’s news have on Angelo and Escalus?
(Text edited for rehearsals)