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| <title>SCENE I. Before LEONATO'S house. | |
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| <tr><td class="play" align="center">Much Ado About Nothing | |
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| <a href="/Shakespeare">Shakespeare homepage</A> | |
| | <A href="/Shakespeare/much_ado/">Much Ado About Nothing</A> | |
| | Act 1, Scene 1 | |
| <br> | |
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| <h3>SCENE I. Before LEONATO'S house.</H3> | |
| <p><blockquote> | |
| <i>Enter LEONATO, HERO, and BEATRICE, with a Messenger</i> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech1><b>LEONATO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=1>I learn in this letter that Don Peter of Arragon</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=2>comes this night to Messina.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech2><b>Messenger</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=3>He is very near by this: he was not three leagues off</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=4>when I left him.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech3><b>LEONATO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=5>How many gentlemen have you lost in this action?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech4><b>Messenger</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=6>But few of any sort, and none of name.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech5><b>LEONATO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=7>A victory is twice itself when the achiever brings</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=8>home full numbers. I find here that Don Peter hath</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=9>bestowed much honour on a young Florentine called Claudio.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech6><b>Messenger</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=10>Much deserved on his part and equally remembered by</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=11>Don Pedro: he hath borne himself beyond the</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=12>promise of his age, doing, in the figure of a lamb,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=13>the feats of a lion: he hath indeed better</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=14>bettered expectation than you must expect of me to</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=15>tell you how.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech7><b>LEONATO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=16>He hath an uncle here in Messina will be very much</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=17>glad of it.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech8><b>Messenger</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=18>I have already delivered him letters, and there</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=19>appears much joy in him; even so much that joy could</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=20>not show itself modest enough without a badge of</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=21>bitterness.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech9><b>LEONATO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=22>Did he break out into tears?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech10><b>Messenger</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=23>In great measure.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech11><b>LEONATO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=24>A kind overflow of kindness: there are no faces</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=25>truer than those that are so washed. How much</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=26>better is it to weep at joy than to joy at weeping!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech12><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=27>I pray you, is Signior Mountanto returned from the</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=28>wars or no?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech13><b>Messenger</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=29>I know none of that name, lady: there was none such</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=30>in the army of any sort.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech14><b>LEONATO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=31>What is he that you ask for, niece?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech15><b>HERO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=32>My cousin means Signior Benedick of Padua.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech16><b>Messenger</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=33>O, he's returned; and as pleasant as ever he was.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech17><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=34>He set up his bills here in Messina and challenged</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=35>Cupid at the flight; and my uncle's fool, reading</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=36>the challenge, subscribed for Cupid, and challenged</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=37>him at the bird-bolt. I pray you, how many hath he</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=38>killed and eaten in these wars? But how many hath</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=39>he killed? for indeed I promised to eat all of his killing.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech18><b>LEONATO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=40>Faith, niece, you tax Signior Benedick too much;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=41>but he'll be meet with you, I doubt it not.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech19><b>Messenger</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=42>He hath done good service, lady, in these wars.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech20><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=43>You had musty victual, and he hath holp to eat it:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=44>he is a very valiant trencherman; he hath an</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=45>excellent stomach.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech21><b>Messenger</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=46>And a good soldier too, lady.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech22><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=47>And a good soldier to a lady: but what is he to a lord?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech23><b>Messenger</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=48>A lord to a lord, a man to a man; stuffed with all</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=49>honourable virtues.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech24><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=50>It is so, indeed; he is no less than a stuffed man:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=51>but for the stuffing,--well, we are all mortal.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech25><b>LEONATO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=52>You must not, sir, mistake my niece. There is a</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=53>kind of merry war betwixt Signior Benedick and her:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=54>they never meet but there's a skirmish of wit</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=55>between them.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech26><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=56>Alas! he gets nothing by that. In our last</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=57>conflict four of his five wits went halting off, and</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=58>now is the whole man governed with one: so that if</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=59>he have wit enough to keep himself warm, let him</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=60>bear it for a difference between himself and his</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=61>horse; for it is all the wealth that he hath left,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=62>to be known a reasonable creature. Who is his</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=63>companion now? He hath every month a new sworn brother.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech27><b>Messenger</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=64>Is't possible?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech28><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=65>Very easily possible: he wears his faith but as</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=66>the fashion of his hat; it ever changes with the</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=67>next block.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech29><b>Messenger</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=68>I see, lady, the gentleman is not in your books.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech30><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=69>No; an he were, I would burn my study. But, I pray</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=70>you, who is his companion? Is there no young</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=71>squarer now that will make a voyage with him to the devil?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech31><b>Messenger</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=72>He is most in the company of the right noble Claudio.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech32><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=73>O Lord, he will hang upon him like a disease: he</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=74>is sooner caught than the pestilence, and the taker</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=75>runs presently mad. God help the noble Claudio! if</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=76>he have caught the Benedick, it will cost him a</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=77>thousand pound ere a' be cured.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech33><b>Messenger</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=78>I will hold friends with you, lady.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech34><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=79>Do, good friend.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech35><b>LEONATO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=80>You will never run mad, niece.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech36><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=81>No, not till a hot January.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech37><b>Messenger</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=82>Don Pedro is approached.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Enter DON PEDRO, DON JOHN, CLAUDIO, BENEDICK, and BALTHASAR</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech38><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=83>Good Signior Leonato, you are come to meet your</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=84>trouble: the fashion of the world is to avoid</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=85>cost, and you encounter it.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech39><b>LEONATO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=86>Never came trouble to my house in the likeness of</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=87>your grace: for trouble being gone, comfort should</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=88>remain; but when you depart from me, sorrow abides</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=89>and happiness takes his leave.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech40><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=90>You embrace your charge too willingly. I think this</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=91>is your daughter.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech41><b>LEONATO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=92>Her mother hath many times told me so.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech42><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=93>Were you in doubt, sir, that you asked her?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech43><b>LEONATO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=94>Signior Benedick, no; for then were you a child.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech44><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=95>You have it full, Benedick: we may guess by this</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=96>what you are, being a man. Truly, the lady fathers</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=97>herself. Be happy, lady; for you are like an</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=98>honourable father.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech45><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=99>If Signior Leonato be her father, she would not</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=100>have his head on her shoulders for all Messina, as</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=101>like him as she is.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech46><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=102>I wonder that you will still be talking, Signior</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=103>Benedick: nobody marks you.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech47><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=104>What, my dear Lady Disdain! are you yet living?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech48><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=105>Is it possible disdain should die while she hath</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=106>such meet food to feed it as Signior Benedick?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=107>Courtesy itself must convert to disdain, if you come</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=108>in her presence.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech49><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=109>Then is courtesy a turncoat. But it is certain I</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=110>am loved of all ladies, only you excepted: and I</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=111>would I could find in my heart that I had not a hard</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=112>heart; for, truly, I love none.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech50><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=113>A dear happiness to women: they would else have</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=114>been troubled with a pernicious suitor. I thank God</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=115>and my cold blood, I am of your humour for that: I</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=116>had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=117>swear he loves me.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech51><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=118>God keep your ladyship still in that mind! so some</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=119>gentleman or other shall 'scape a predestinate</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=120>scratched face.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech52><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=121>Scratching could not make it worse, an 'twere such</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=122>a face as yours were.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech53><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=123>Well, you are a rare parrot-teacher.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech54><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=124>A bird of my tongue is better than a beast of yours.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech55><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=125>I would my horse had the speed of your tongue, and</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=126>so good a continuer. But keep your way, i' God's</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=127>name; I have done.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech56><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=128>You always end with a jade's trick: I know you of old.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech57><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=129>That is the sum of all, Leonato. Signior Claudio</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=130>and Signior Benedick, my dear friend Leonato hath</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=131>invited you all. I tell him we shall stay here at</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=132>the least a month; and he heartily prays some</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=133>occasion may detain us longer. I dare swear he is no</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=134>hypocrite, but prays from his heart.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech58><b>LEONATO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=135>If you swear, my lord, you shall not be forsworn.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>To DON JOHN</i></p> | |
| <A NAME=136>Let me bid you welcome, my lord: being reconciled to</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=137>the prince your brother, I owe you all duty.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech59><b>DON JOHN</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=138>I thank you: I am not of many words, but I thank</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=139>you.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech60><b>LEONATO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=140>Please it your grace lead on?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech61><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=141>Your hand, Leonato; we will go together.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Exeunt all except BENEDICK and CLAUDIO</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech62><b>CLAUDIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=142>Benedick, didst thou note the daughter of Signior Leonato?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech63><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=143>I noted her not; but I looked on her.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech64><b>CLAUDIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=144>Is she not a modest young lady?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech65><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=145>Do you question me, as an honest man should do, for</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=146>my simple true judgment; or would you have me speak</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=147>after my custom, as being a professed tyrant to their sex?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech66><b>CLAUDIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=148>No; I pray thee speak in sober judgment.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech67><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=149>Why, i' faith, methinks she's too low for a high</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=150>praise, too brown for a fair praise and too little</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=151>for a great praise: only this commendation I can</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=152>afford her, that were she other than she is, she</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=153>were unhandsome; and being no other but as she is, I</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=154>do not like her.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech68><b>CLAUDIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=155>Thou thinkest I am in sport: I pray thee tell me</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=156>truly how thou likest her.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech69><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=157>Would you buy her, that you inquire after her?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech70><b>CLAUDIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=158>Can the world buy such a jewel?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech71><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=159>Yea, and a case to put it into. But speak you this</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=160>with a sad brow? or do you play the flouting Jack,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=161>to tell us Cupid is a good hare-finder and Vulcan a</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=162>rare carpenter? Come, in what key shall a man take</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=163>you, to go in the song?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech72><b>CLAUDIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=164>In mine eye she is the sweetest lady that ever I</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=165>looked on.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech73><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=166>I can see yet without spectacles and I see no such</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=167>matter: there's her cousin, an she were not</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=168>possessed with a fury, exceeds her as much in beauty</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=169>as the first of May doth the last of December. But I</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=170>hope you have no intent to turn husband, have you?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech74><b>CLAUDIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=171>I would scarce trust myself, though I had sworn the</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=172>contrary, if Hero would be my wife.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech75><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=173>Is't come to this? In faith, hath not the world</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=174>one man but he will wear his cap with suspicion?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=175>Shall I never see a bachelor of three-score again?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=176>Go to, i' faith; an thou wilt needs thrust thy neck</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=177>into a yoke, wear the print of it and sigh away</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=178>Sundays. Look Don Pedro is returned to seek you.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Re-enter DON PEDRO</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech76><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=179>What secret hath held you here, that you followed</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=180>not to Leonato's?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech77><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=181>I would your grace would constrain me to tell.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech78><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=182>I charge thee on thy allegiance.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech79><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=183>You hear, Count Claudio: I can be secret as a dumb</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=184>man; I would have you think so; but, on my</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=185>allegiance, mark you this, on my allegiance. He is</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=186>in love. With who? now that is your grace's part.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=187>Mark how short his answer is;--With Hero, Leonato's</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=188>short daughter.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech80><b>CLAUDIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=189>If this were so, so were it uttered.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech81><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=190>Like the old tale, my lord: 'it is not so, nor</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=191>'twas not so, but, indeed, God forbid it should be</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=192>so.'</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech82><b>CLAUDIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=193>If my passion change not shortly, God forbid it</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=194>should be otherwise.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech83><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=195>Amen, if you love her; for the lady is very well worthy.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech84><b>CLAUDIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=196>You speak this to fetch me in, my lord.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech85><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=197>By my troth, I speak my thought.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech86><b>CLAUDIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=198>And, in faith, my lord, I spoke mine.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech87><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=199>And, by my two faiths and troths, my lord, I spoke mine.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech88><b>CLAUDIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=200>That I love her, I feel.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech89><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=201>That she is worthy, I know.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech90><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=202>That I neither feel how she should be loved nor</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=203>know how she should be worthy, is the opinion that</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=204>fire cannot melt out of me: I will die in it at the stake.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech91><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=205>Thou wast ever an obstinate heretic in the despite</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=206>of beauty.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech92><b>CLAUDIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=207>And never could maintain his part but in the force</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=208>of his will.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech93><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=209>That a woman conceived me, I thank her; that she</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=210>brought me up, I likewise give her most humble</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=211>thanks: but that I will have a recheat winded in my</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=212>forehead, or hang my bugle in an invisible baldrick,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=213>all women shall pardon me. Because I will not do</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=214>them the wrong to mistrust any, I will do myself the</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=215>right to trust none; and the fine is, for the which</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=216>I may go the finer, I will live a bachelor.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech94><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=217>I shall see thee, ere I die, look pale with love.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech95><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=218>With anger, with sickness, or with hunger, my lord,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=219>not with love: prove that ever I lose more blood</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=220>with love than I will get again with drinking, pick</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=221>out mine eyes with a ballad-maker's pen and hang me</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=222>up at the door of a brothel-house for the sign of</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=223>blind Cupid.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech96><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=224>Well, if ever thou dost fall from this faith, thou</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=225>wilt prove a notable argument.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech97><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=226>If I do, hang me in a bottle like a cat and shoot</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=227>at me; and he that hits me, let him be clapped on</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=228>the shoulder, and called Adam.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech98><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=229>Well, as time shall try: 'In time the savage bull</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=230>doth bear the yoke.'</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech99><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=231>The savage bull may; but if ever the sensible</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=232>Benedick bear it, pluck off the bull's horns and set</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=233>them in my forehead: and let me be vilely painted,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=234>and in such great letters as they write 'Here is</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=235>good horse to hire,' let them signify under my sign</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=236>'Here you may see Benedick the married man.'</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech100><b>CLAUDIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=237>If this should ever happen, thou wouldst be horn-mad.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech101><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=238>Nay, if Cupid have not spent all his quiver in</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=239>Venice, thou wilt quake for this shortly.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech102><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=240>I look for an earthquake too, then.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech103><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=241>Well, you temporize with the hours. In the</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=242>meantime, good Signior Benedick, repair to</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=243>Leonato's: commend me to him and tell him I will</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=244>not fail him at supper; for indeed he hath made</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=245>great preparation.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech104><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=246>I have almost matter enough in me for such an</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=247>embassage; and so I commit you--</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech105><b>CLAUDIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=248>To the tuition of God: From my house, if I had it,--</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech106><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=249>The sixth of July: Your loving friend, Benedick.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech107><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=250>Nay, mock not, mock not. The body of your</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=251>discourse is sometime guarded with fragments, and</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=252>the guards are but slightly basted on neither: ere</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=253>you flout old ends any further, examine your</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=254>conscience: and so I leave you.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Exit</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech108><b>CLAUDIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=255>My liege, your highness now may do me good.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech109><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=256>My love is thine to teach: teach it but how,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=257>And thou shalt see how apt it is to learn</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=258>Any hard lesson that may do thee good.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech110><b>CLAUDIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=259>Hath Leonato any son, my lord?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech111><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=260>No child but Hero; she's his only heir.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=261>Dost thou affect her, Claudio?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech112><b>CLAUDIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=262>O, my lord,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=263>When you went onward on this ended action,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=264>I look'd upon her with a soldier's eye,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=265>That liked, but had a rougher task in hand</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=266>Than to drive liking to the name of love:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=267>But now I am return'd and that war-thoughts</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=268>Have left their places vacant, in their rooms</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=269>Come thronging soft and delicate desires,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=270>All prompting me how fair young Hero is,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=271>Saying, I liked her ere I went to wars.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech113><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=272>Thou wilt be like a lover presently</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=273>And tire the hearer with a book of words.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=274>If thou dost love fair Hero, cherish it,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=275>And I will break with her and with her father,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=276>And thou shalt have her. Was't not to this end</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=277>That thou began'st to twist so fine a story?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech114><b>CLAUDIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=278>How sweetly you do minister to love,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=279>That know love's grief by his complexion!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=280>But lest my liking might too sudden seem,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=281>I would have salved it with a longer treatise.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech115><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=282>What need the bridge much broader than the flood?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=283>The fairest grant is the necessity.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=284>Look, what will serve is fit: 'tis once, thou lovest,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=285>And I will fit thee with the remedy.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=286>I know we shall have revelling to-night:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=287>I will assume thy part in some disguise</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=288>And tell fair Hero I am Claudio,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=289>And in her bosom I'll unclasp my heart</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=290>And take her hearing prisoner with the force</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=291>And strong encounter of my amorous tale:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=292>Then after to her father will I break;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=293>And the conclusion is, she shall be thine.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=294>In practise let us put it presently.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Exeunt</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
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