SCENE III.
Another Apartment in Leonato's House.
Enter Don John 9Q0229 and Conrade.
Conr.
What the good-jer, my lord5 note! why are you
thus out of measure sad?
John.
There is no measure in the occasion that
breeds it, therefore the sadness is without limit.
Conr.
You should hear reason.
John.
And when I have heard it, what blessing
bringeth it?
Conr.
If not a present remedy, yet a patient sufferance.
John.
I wonder, that thou being, (as thou say'st
thou art) born under Saturn, goest about to apply a
moral medicine to a mortifying mischief. I cannot hide
what I am6 note: I must be sad when I have cause, and
smile at no man's jests; eat when I have stomach,
and wait for no man's leisure; sleep when I am drowsy,
and tend on no man's business; laugh when I am
merry, and 7 noteclaw no man in his humour.
Conr.
Yea, but you must not make the full show of
this, till you may do it without controulment. You
have of late stood out against your brother, and he
hath ta'en you newly into his grace; where it is impossible
you should take root, but by the fair weather
-- 271 --
that you make yourself: it is needful that you frame
the season for your own harvest.
John.
I had rather be a 8 note
canker in a hedge, than a
rose in his grace 9Q0230; and it better fits my blood to be
disdain'd of all, than to fashion a carriage to rob love
from any: in this, though I cannot be said to be a
flattering honest man, it must not be deny'd but I am
a plain-dealing villain. I am trusted with a muzzle,
and infranchised with a clog; therefore I have decreed
not to sing in my cage: If I had my mouth, I
would bite; if I had my liberty, I would do my
liking: in the mean time, let me be that I am, and
seek not to alter me.
Conr.
Can you make no use of your discontent?
John.
I make all use of it, for I use it only. Who
comes here? what news Borachio?
Enter Borachio.
Bora.
I came yonder from a great supper; the
prince, your brother, is royally entertain'd by Leonato;
and I can give you intelligence of an intended
marriage.
John.
Will it serve for any model to build mischief
-- 272 --
on? What is he for a fool, that betroths himself to
unquietness?
Bora.
Marry, it is your brother's right hand.
John.
Who? the most exquisite Claudio?
Bora.
Even he!
John.
A proper squire! and who, and who? which
way looks he?
Bora.
Marry, on Hero, the daughter and heir of
Leonato.
John.
A very forward March-chick! How come
you to know this?
Bora.
Being entertain'd for a perfumer, as I was
smoaking a musty room, comes me the prince and
Claudio, hand in hand, in sad conference9 note: I whipt me
behind the arras; and there heard it agreed upon,
that the prince should woo Hero for himself, and
having obtained her, give her to count Claudio.
John.
Come, come, let us thither; this may prove
food to my displeasure: that young start-up hath
all the glory of my overthrow; if I can cross him
any way, I bless myself every way: You are both
sure1 note, and will assist me.
Conr.
To the death, my lord.
John.
Let us to the great supper; their cheer is
the greater, that I am subdu'd: 'Would the cook
were of my mind!—Shall we go prove what's to be
done?
Bora.
We'll wait upon your lordship.
[Exeunt.
-- 273 --
Samuel Johnson [1778], The plays of William Shakspeare. In ten volumes. With the corrections and illustrations of various commentators; to which are added notes by Samuel Johnson and George Steevens. The second edition, Revised and Augmented (Printed for C. Bathurst [and] W. Strahan [etc.], London) [word count] [S10901].
