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| <title>SCENE I. A hall in LEONATO'S house. | |
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| <tr><td class="play" align="center">Much Ado About Nothing | |
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| | <A href="/Shakespeare/much_ado/">Much Ado About Nothing</A> | |
| | Act 2, Scene 1 | |
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| <H3>SCENE I. A hall in LEONATO'S house.</h3> | |
| <p><blockquote> | |
| <i>Enter LEONATO, ANTONIO, HERO, BEATRICE, and others</i> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech1><b>LEONATO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=1>Was not Count John here at supper?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech2><b>ANTONIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=2>I saw him not.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech3><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=3>How tartly that gentleman looks! I never can see</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=4>him but I am heart-burned an hour after.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech4><b>HERO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=5>He is of a very melancholy disposition.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech5><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=6>He were an excellent man that were made just in the</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=7>midway between him and Benedick: the one is too</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=8>like an image and says nothing, and the other too</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=9>like my lady's eldest son, evermore tattling.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech6><b>LEONATO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=10>Then half Signior Benedick's tongue in Count John's</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=11>mouth, and half Count John's melancholy in Signior</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=12>Benedick's face,--</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech7><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=13>With a good leg and a good foot, uncle, and money</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=14>enough in his purse, such a man would win any woman</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=15>in the world, if a' could get her good-will.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech8><b>LEONATO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=16>By my troth, niece, thou wilt never get thee a</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=17>husband, if thou be so shrewd of thy tongue.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech9><b>ANTONIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=18>In faith, she's too curst.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech10><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=19>Too curst is more than curst: I shall lessen God's</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=20>sending that way; for it is said, 'God sends a curst</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=21>cow short horns;' but to a cow too curst he sends none.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech11><b>LEONATO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=22>So, by being too curst, God will send you no horns.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech12><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=23>Just, if he send me no husband; for the which</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=24>blessing I am at him upon my knees every morning and</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=25>evening. Lord, I could not endure a husband with a</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=26>beard on his face: I had rather lie in the woollen.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech13><b>LEONATO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=27>You may light on a husband that hath no beard.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech14><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=28>What should I do with him? dress him in my apparel</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=29>and make him my waiting-gentlewoman? He that hath a</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=30>beard is more than a youth, and he that hath no</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=31>beard is less than a man: and he that is more than</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=32>a youth is not for me, and he that is less than a</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=33>man, I am not for him: therefore, I will even take</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=34>sixpence in earnest of the bear-ward, and lead his</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=35>apes into hell.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech15><b>LEONATO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=36>Well, then, go you into hell?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech16><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=37>No, but to the gate; and there will the devil meet</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=38>me, like an old cuckold, with horns on his head, and</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=39>say 'Get you to heaven, Beatrice, get you to</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=40>heaven; here's no place for you maids:' so deliver</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=41>I up my apes, and away to Saint Peter for the</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=42>heavens; he shows me where the bachelors sit, and</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=43>there live we as merry as the day is long.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech17><b>ANTONIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=44>[To HERO] Well, niece, I trust you will be ruled</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=45>by your father.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech18><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=46>Yes, faith; it is my cousin's duty to make curtsy</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=47>and say 'Father, as it please you.' But yet for all</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=48>that, cousin, let him be a handsome fellow, or else</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=49>make another curtsy and say 'Father, as it please</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=50>me.'</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech19><b>LEONATO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=51>Well, niece, I hope to see you one day fitted with a husband.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech20><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=52>Not till God make men of some other metal than</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=53>earth. Would it not grieve a woman to be</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=54>overmastered with a pierce of valiant dust? to make</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=55>an account of her life to a clod of wayward marl?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=56>No, uncle, I'll none: Adam's sons are my brethren;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=57>and, truly, I hold it a sin to match in my kindred.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech21><b>LEONATO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=58>Daughter, remember what I told you: if the prince</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=59>do solicit you in that kind, you know your answer.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech22><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=60>The fault will be in the music, cousin, if you be</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=61>not wooed in good time: if the prince be too</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=62>important, tell him there is measure in every thing</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=63>and so dance out the answer. For, hear me, Hero:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=64>wooing, wedding, and repenting, is as a Scotch jig,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=65>a measure, and a cinque pace: the first suit is hot</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=66>and hasty, like a Scotch jig, and full as</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=67>fantastical; the wedding, mannerly-modest, as a</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=68>measure, full of state and ancientry; and then comes</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=69>repentance and, with his bad legs, falls into the</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=70>cinque pace faster and faster, till he sink into his grave.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech23><b>LEONATO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=71>Cousin, you apprehend passing shrewdly.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech24><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=72>I have a good eye, uncle; I can see a church by daylight.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech25><b>LEONATO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=73>The revellers are entering, brother: make good room.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>All put on their masks</i></p> | |
| <p><i>Enter DON PEDRO, CLAUDIO, BENEDICK, BALTHASAR, DON JOHN, BORACHIO, MARGARET, URSULA and others, masked</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech26><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=74>Lady, will you walk about with your friend?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech27><b>HERO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=75>So you walk softly and look sweetly and say nothing,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=76>I am yours for the walk; and especially when I walk away.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech28><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=77>With me in your company?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech29><b>HERO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=78>I may say so, when I please.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech30><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=79>And when please you to say so?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech31><b>HERO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=80>When I like your favour; for God defend the lute</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=81>should be like the case!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech32><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=82>My visor is Philemon's roof; within the house is Jove.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech33><b>HERO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=83>Why, then, your visor should be thatched.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech34><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=84>Speak low, if you speak love.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Drawing her aside</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech35><b>BALTHASAR</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=85>Well, I would you did like me.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech36><b>MARGARET</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=86>So would not I, for your own sake; for I have many</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=87>ill-qualities.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech37><b>BALTHASAR</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=88>Which is one?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech38><b>MARGARET</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=89>I say my prayers aloud.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech39><b>BALTHASAR</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=90>I love you the better: the hearers may cry, Amen.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech40><b>MARGARET</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=91>God match me with a good dancer!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech41><b>BALTHASAR</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=92>Amen.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech42><b>MARGARET</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=93>And God keep him out of my sight when the dance is</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=94>done! Answer, clerk.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech43><b>BALTHASAR</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=95>No more words: the clerk is answered.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech44><b>URSULA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=96>I know you well enough; you are Signior Antonio.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech45><b>ANTONIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=97>At a word, I am not.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech46><b>URSULA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=98>I know you by the waggling of your head.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech47><b>ANTONIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=99>To tell you true, I counterfeit him.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech48><b>URSULA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=100>You could never do him so ill-well, unless you were</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=101>the very man. Here's his dry hand up and down: you</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=102>are he, you are he.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech49><b>ANTONIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=103>At a word, I am not.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech50><b>URSULA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=104>Come, come, do you think I do not know you by your</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=105>excellent wit? can virtue hide itself? Go to,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=106>mum, you are he: graces will appear, and there's an</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=107>end.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech51><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=108>Will you not tell me who told you so?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech52><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=109>No, you shall pardon me.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech53><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=110>Nor will you not tell me who you are?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech54><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=111>Not now.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech55><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=112>That I was disdainful, and that I had my good wit</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=113>out of the 'Hundred Merry Tales:'--well this was</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=114>Signior Benedick that said so.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech56><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=115>What's he?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech57><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=116>I am sure you know him well enough.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech58><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=117>Not I, believe me.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech59><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=118>Did he never make you laugh?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech60><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=119>I pray you, what is he?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech61><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=120>Why, he is the prince's jester: a very dull fool;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=121>only his gift is in devising impossible slanders:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=122>none but libertines delight in him; and the</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=123>commendation is not in his wit, but in his villany;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=124>for he both pleases men and angers them, and then</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=125>they laugh at him and beat him. I am sure he is in</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=126>the fleet: I would he had boarded me.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech62><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=127>When I know the gentleman, I'll tell him what you say.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech63><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=128>Do, do: he'll but break a comparison or two on me;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=129>which, peradventure not marked or not laughed at,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=130>strikes him into melancholy; and then there's a</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=131>partridge wing saved, for the fool will eat no</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=132>supper that night.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Music</i></p> | |
| <A NAME=133>We must follow the leaders.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech64><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=134>In every good thing.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech65><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=135>Nay, if they lead to any ill, I will leave them at</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=136>the next turning.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Dance. Then exeunt all except DON JOHN, BORACHIO, and CLAUDIO</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech66><b>DON JOHN</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=137>Sure my brother is amorous on Hero and hath</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=138>withdrawn her father to break with him about it.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=139>The ladies follow her and but one visor remains.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech67><b>BORACHIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=140>And that is Claudio: I know him by his bearing.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech68><b>DON JOHN</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=141>Are not you Signior Benedick?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech69><b>CLAUDIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=142>You know me well; I am he.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech70><b>DON JOHN</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=143>Signior, you are very near my brother in his love:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=144>he is enamoured on Hero; I pray you, dissuade him</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=145>from her: she is no equal for his birth: you may</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=146>do the part of an honest man in it.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech71><b>CLAUDIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=147>How know you he loves her?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech72><b>DON JOHN</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=148>I heard him swear his affection.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech73><b>BORACHIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=149>So did I too; and he swore he would marry her to-night.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech74><b>DON JOHN</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=150>Come, let us to the banquet.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Exeunt DON JOHN and BORACHIO</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech75><b>CLAUDIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=151>Thus answer I in the name of Benedick,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=152>But hear these ill news with the ears of Claudio.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=153>'Tis certain so; the prince wooes for himself.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=154>Friendship is constant in all other things</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=155>Save in the office and affairs of love:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=156>Therefore, all hearts in love use their own tongues;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=157>Let every eye negotiate for itself</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=158>And trust no agent; for beauty is a witch</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=159>Against whose charms faith melteth into blood.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=160>This is an accident of hourly proof,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=161>Which I mistrusted not. Farewell, therefore, Hero!</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Re-enter BENEDICK</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech76><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=162>Count Claudio?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech77><b>CLAUDIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=163>Yea, the same.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech78><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=164>Come, will you go with me?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech79><b>CLAUDIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=165>Whither?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech80><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=166>Even to the next willow, about your own business,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=167>county. What fashion will you wear the garland of?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=168>about your neck, like an usurer's chain? or under</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=169>your arm, like a lieutenant's scarf? You must wear</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=170>it one way, for the prince hath got your Hero.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech81><b>CLAUDIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=171>I wish him joy of her.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech82><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=172>Why, that's spoken like an honest drovier: so they</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=173>sell bullocks. But did you think the prince would</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=174>have served you thus?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech83><b>CLAUDIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=175>I pray you, leave me.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech84><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=176>Ho! now you strike like the blind man: 'twas the</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=177>boy that stole your meat, and you'll beat the post.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech85><b>CLAUDIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=178>If it will not be, I'll leave you.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Exit</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech86><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=179>Alas, poor hurt fowl! now will he creep into sedges.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=180>But that my Lady Beatrice should know me, and not</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=181>know me! The prince's fool! Ha? It may be I go</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=182>under that title because I am merry. Yea, but so I</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=183>am apt to do myself wrong; I am not so reputed: it</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=184>is the base, though bitter, disposition of Beatrice</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=185>that puts the world into her person and so gives me</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=186>out. Well, I'll be revenged as I may.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Re-enter DON PEDRO</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech87><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=187>Now, signior, where's the count? did you see him?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech88><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=188>Troth, my lord, I have played the part of Lady Fame.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=189>I found him here as melancholy as a lodge in a</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=190>warren: I told him, and I think I told him true,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=191>that your grace had got the good will of this young</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=192>lady; and I offered him my company to a willow-tree,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=193>either to make him a garland, as being forsaken, or</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=194>to bind him up a rod, as being worthy to be whipped.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech89><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=195>To be whipped! What's his fault?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech90><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=196>The flat transgression of a schoolboy, who, being</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=197>overjoyed with finding a birds' nest, shows it his</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=198>companion, and he steals it.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech91><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=199>Wilt thou make a trust a transgression? The</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=200>transgression is in the stealer.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech92><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=201>Yet it had not been amiss the rod had been made,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=202>and the garland too; for the garland he might have</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=203>worn himself, and the rod he might have bestowed on</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=204>you, who, as I take it, have stolen his birds' nest.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech93><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=205>I will but teach them to sing, and restore them to</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=206>the owner.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech94><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=207>If their singing answer your saying, by my faith,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=208>you say honestly.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech95><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=209>The Lady Beatrice hath a quarrel to you: the</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=210>gentleman that danced with her told her she is much</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=211>wronged by you.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech96><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=212>O, she misused me past the endurance of a block!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=213>an oak but with one green leaf on it would have</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=214>answered her; my very visor began to assume life and</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=215>scold with her. She told me, not thinking I had been</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=216>myself, that I was the prince's jester, that I was</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=217>duller than a great thaw; huddling jest upon jest</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=218>with such impossible conveyance upon me that I stood</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=219>like a man at a mark, with a whole army shooting at</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=220>me. She speaks poniards, and every word stabs:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=221>if her breath were as terrible as her terminations,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=222>there were no living near her; she would infect to</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=223>the north star. I would not marry her, though she</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=224>were endowed with all that Adam bad left him before</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=225>he transgressed: she would have made Hercules have</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=226>turned spit, yea, and have cleft his club to make</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=227>the fire too. Come, talk not of her: you shall find</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=228>her the infernal Ate in good apparel. I would to God</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=229>some scholar would conjure her; for certainly, while</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=230>she is here, a man may live as quiet in hell as in a</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=231>sanctuary; and people sin upon purpose, because they</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=232>would go thither; so, indeed, all disquiet, horror</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=233>and perturbation follows her.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech97><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=234>Look, here she comes.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Enter CLAUDIO, BEATRICE, HERO, and LEONATO</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech98><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=235>Will your grace command me any service to the</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=236>world's end? I will go on the slightest errand now</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=237>to the Antipodes that you can devise to send me on;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=238>I will fetch you a tooth-picker now from the</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=239>furthest inch of Asia, bring you the length of</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=240>Prester John's foot, fetch you a hair off the great</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=241>Cham's beard, do you any embassage to the Pigmies,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=242>rather than hold three words' conference with this</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=243>harpy. You have no employment for me?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech99><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=244>None, but to desire your good company.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech100><b>BENEDICK</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=245>O God, sir, here's a dish I love not: I cannot</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=246>endure my Lady Tongue.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Exit</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech101><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=247>Come, lady, come; you have lost the heart of</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=248>Signior Benedick.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech102><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=249>Indeed, my lord, he lent it me awhile; and I gave</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=250>him use for it, a double heart for his single one:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=251>marry, once before he won it of me with false dice,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=252>therefore your grace may well say I have lost it.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech103><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=253>You have put him down, lady, you have put him down.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech104><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=254>So I would not he should do me, my lord, lest I</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=255>should prove the mother of fools. I have brought</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=256>Count Claudio, whom you sent me to seek.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech105><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=257>Why, how now, count! wherefore are you sad?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech106><b>CLAUDIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=258>Not sad, my lord.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech107><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=259>How then? sick?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech108><b>CLAUDIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=260>Neither, my lord.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech109><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=261>The count is neither sad, nor sick, nor merry, nor</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=262>well; but civil count, civil as an orange, and</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=263>something of that jealous complexion.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech110><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=264>I' faith, lady, I think your blazon to be true;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=265>though, I'll be sworn, if he be so, his conceit is</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=266>false. Here, Claudio, I have wooed in thy name, and</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=267>fair Hero is won: I have broke with her father,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=268>and his good will obtained: name the day of</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=269>marriage, and God give thee joy!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech111><b>LEONATO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=270>Count, take of me my daughter, and with her my</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=271>fortunes: his grace hath made the match, and an</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=272>grace say Amen to it.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech112><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=273>Speak, count, 'tis your cue.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech113><b>CLAUDIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=274>Silence is the perfectest herald of joy: I were</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=275>but little happy, if I could say how much. Lady, as</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=276>you are mine, I am yours: I give away myself for</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=277>you and dote upon the exchange.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech114><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=278>Speak, cousin; or, if you cannot, stop his mouth</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=279>with a kiss, and let not him speak neither.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech115><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=280>In faith, lady, you have a merry heart.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech116><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=281>Yea, my lord; I thank it, poor fool, it keeps on</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=282>the windy side of care. My cousin tells him in his</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=283>ear that he is in her heart.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech117><b>CLAUDIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=284>And so she doth, cousin.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech118><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=285>Good Lord, for alliance! Thus goes every one to the</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=286>world but I, and I am sunburnt; I may sit in a</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=287>corner and cry heigh-ho for a husband!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech119><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=288>Lady Beatrice, I will get you one.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech120><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=289>I would rather have one of your father's getting.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=290>Hath your grace ne'er a brother like you? Your</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=291>father got excellent husbands, if a maid could come by them.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech121><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=292>Will you have me, lady?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech122><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=293>No, my lord, unless I might have another for</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=294>working-days: your grace is too costly to wear</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=295>every day. But, I beseech your grace, pardon me: I</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=296>was born to speak all mirth and no matter.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech123><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=297>Your silence most offends me, and to be merry best</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=298>becomes you; for, out of question, you were born in</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=299>a merry hour.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech124><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=300>No, sure, my lord, my mother cried; but then there</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=301>was a star danced, and under that was I born.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=302>Cousins, God give you joy!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech125><b>LEONATO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=303>Niece, will you look to those things I told you of?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech126><b>BEATRICE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=304>I cry you mercy, uncle. By your grace's pardon.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Exit</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech127><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=305>By my troth, a pleasant-spirited lady.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech128><b>LEONATO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=306>There's little of the melancholy element in her, my</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=307>lord: she is never sad but when she sleeps, and</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=308>not ever sad then; for I have heard my daughter say,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=309>she hath often dreamed of unhappiness and waked</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=310>herself with laughing.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech129><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=311>She cannot endure to hear tell of a husband.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech130><b>LEONATO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=312>O, by no means: she mocks all her wooers out of suit.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech131><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=313>She were an excellent wife for Benedict.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech132><b>LEONATO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=314>O Lord, my lord, if they were but a week married,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=315>they would talk themselves mad.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech133><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=316>County Claudio, when mean you to go to church?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech134><b>CLAUDIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=317>To-morrow, my lord: time goes on crutches till love</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=318>have all his rites.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech135><b>LEONATO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=319>Not till Monday, my dear son, which is hence a just</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=320>seven-night; and a time too brief, too, to have all</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=321>things answer my mind.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech136><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=322>Come, you shake the head at so long a breathing:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=323>but, I warrant thee, Claudio, the time shall not go</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=324>dully by us. I will in the interim undertake one of</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=325>Hercules' labours; which is, to bring Signior</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=326>Benedick and the Lady Beatrice into a mountain of</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=327>affection the one with the other. I would fain have</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=328>it a match, and I doubt not but to fashion it, if</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=329>you three will but minister such assistance as I</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=330>shall give you direction.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech137><b>LEONATO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=331>My lord, I am for you, though it cost me ten</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=332>nights' watchings.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech138><b>CLAUDIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=333>And I, my lord.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech139><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=334>And you too, gentle Hero?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech140><b>HERO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=335>I will do any modest office, my lord, to help my</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=336>cousin to a good husband.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech141><b>DON PEDRO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=337>And Benedick is not the unhopefullest husband that</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=338>I know. Thus far can I praise him; he is of a noble</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=339>strain, of approved valour and confirmed honesty. I</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=340>will teach you how to humour your cousin, that she</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=341>shall fall in love with Benedick; and I, with your</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=342>two helps, will so practise on Benedick that, in</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=343>despite of his quick wit and his queasy stomach, he</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=344>shall fall in love with Beatrice. If we can do this,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=345>Cupid is no longer an archer: hi s glory shall be</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=346>ours, for we are the only love-gods. Go in with me,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=347>and I will tell you my drift.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Exeunt</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
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