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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].
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SCENE V. Enter Leonato, and Sexton.

Leon.
Which is the villain? let me see his eyes;
That when I note another man like him,
I may avoid him; which of these is he?

Bora.
If you would know your wronger, look on me.

Leon.
Art thou, art thou the slave, that with thy breath
Hast kill'd mine innocent child?

Bora.
Yea, even I alone.

Leon.
No, not so, villain; thou bely'st thyself;
Here stand a pair of honourable men,
A third is fled, that had a hand in it:
I thank you, Princes, for my daughter's death;
Record it with your high and worthy deeds;
'Twas bravely done, if you bethink you of it.

Claud.
I know not how to pray your patienee,

-- 261 --


Yet I must speak: chuse your revenge yourself;
Impose me to what penance your invention
Can lay upon my sin; yet sinn'd I not,
But in mistaking.

Pedro.
By my soul, nor I;
And yet, to satisfy this good old man,
I would bend under any heavy weight,
That he'll enjoin me to.

Leon.
You cannot bid my daughter live again,
That were impossible; but, I pray you both,
Possess the People in Messina here
How innocent she dy'd; and if your love
Can labour aught in sad invention,
Hang her an Epitaph upon her tomb,
And sing it to her bones: Sing it to night;
To morrow morning come you to my house,
And since you could not be my son-in-law,
Be yet my nephew; my brother hath a daughter,
Almost the copy of my child that's dead,
And she alone is heir to both of us;
Give her the Right you should have given her Cousin,
And so dies my revenge.

Claud.
O noble Sir!
Your over-kindness doth wring tears from me:
I do embrace your offer; and dispose
For henceforth of poor Claudio.

Leon.
To morrow then I will expect your Coming,
To night I take my leave. This naughty man
Shall face to face be brought to Margaret,
Who, I believe, was pack'd in all this wrong,
Hir'd to it by your brother.

Bora.
No, by my soul, she was not;
Nor knew not what she did, when she spoke to me.
But always hath been just and virtuous,
In any thing that I do know by her.

Dogb.

Moreover, Sir, which indeed is not under white and black, this plaintiff here, the offender, did call me ass: I beseech you, let it be remembred in 'his

-- 262 --

punishment; and also the watch heard them talk of one Deformed: they say, he wears2 note a key in his ear, and a lock hanging by it; and borrows money in God's name, the which he hath us'd so long, and never paid, that now men grow hard-hearted, and will lend nothing for God's sake. Pray you, examine him upon that point.

Leon.

I thank thee for thy care and honest pains.

Dogb.

Your Worship speaks like a most thankful and reverend youth; and I praise God for you.

Leon.

There's for thy pains.

Dogb.

God save the foundation!

Leon.

Go, I discharge thee of thy prisoner; and I thank thee.

Dogb.

I leave an errant knave with your Worship, which, I beseech your Worship, to correct yourself, for the example of others. God keep your Worship; I wish your Worship well: God restore you to health; I humbly give you leave to depart; and if a merry meeting may be wish'd, God prohibit it. Come, neighbour.

[Exeunt.

Leon.
Until to morrow morning, Lords, farewel.

Ant.
Farewel, my Lords; we look for you tomorrow.

-- 263 --

Pedro.
We will not fail.

Claud.
To night I'll mourn with Hero.

Leon.
Bring you these fellows on, we'll talk with Margaret,
How her acquaintance grew with this lewd fellow.
[Exeunt severally.
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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].
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