Measure for Measure

Ang. Always obedient to your Grace’s will,

There is a kind of character in thy life,

30 Fully unfold. Thyself and thy belongings

Are not thine own so proper, as to waste

Heaven doth with us as we with torches do,

Not light them for themselves; for if our virtues

35 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

But, like a thrifty goddess, she determines

Both thanks and use. But I do bend my speech

To one that can my part in him advertise;

Live in thy tongue and heart: old Escalus,

Though first in question, is thy secondary.

Let there be some more test made of my metal,

I. 1.50 Before so noble and so great a figure

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,

55 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:

60 To the hopeful execution do I leave you

That we may bring you something on the way.

Nor need you, on mine honour, have to do

65 With any scruple; your scope is as mine own,

As to your soul seems good. Give me your hand:

But do not like to stage me to their eyes:

70 Though it do well, I do not relish well

Nor do I think the man of safe discretion