Ursula.
Hero.
Good Ursula, wake my cousin Beatrice,
and desire her to rise.
Urs.
I will, lady.
Hero.
And bid her come hither.
-- 228 --
Urs.
Well.
[Exit Ursula.
Marg.
Troth, I think, your other 5 noteRabato were
better.
Hero.
No, pray thee, good Meg, I'll wear this.
Marg.
By my troth, it's not so good; and I warrant,
your cousin will say so.
Hero.
My cousin's a fool, and thou art another. I'll
wear none but this.
Marg.
I like the new tire within excellently, if the
hair were a thought browner; and your gown's a most
rare fashion, i'faith. I saw the Dutchess of Milan's
gown, that they praise so.
Hero.
O, that exceeds, they say.
Marg.
By my troth, it's but a night-gown in respect
of yours; cloth of gold and cuts, and lac'd
with silver, set with pearls down-sleeves, side-sleeves
and skirts, round underborne with a blueish tinsel; but
for a fine, queint, graceful and excellent fashion, yours
is worth ten on't.
Hero.
God give me joy to wear it, for my heart is
exceeding heavy!
Marg.
'Twill be heavier soon by the weight of a
man.
Hero.
Fie upon thee, art not asham'd?
Marg.
Of what, lady? of speaking honourably?
is not marriage honourable in a beggar? is not your
Lord honourable without marriage? I think, you would
have me say (saving your reverence) a husband. If bad
thinking do not wrest true speaking, I'll offend no body;
is there any harm in the heavier for a Husband?
none, I think, if it be the right Husband, and the
right wife, otherwise 'tis light and not heavy; ask my
lady Beatrice else, here she comes.
-- 229 --
Samuel Johnson [1765], The plays of William Shakespeare, in eight volumes, with the corrections and illustrations of Various Commentators; To which are added notes by Sam. Johnson (Printed for J. and R. Tonson [and] C. Corbet [etc.], London) [word count] [S11001].
