Balthasar.
D. Pedro.
Good Signior Leonato, you are come to meet
your trouble: note the fashion of the world is to avoid cost, and
you encounter it.
-- 6 --
Leon.
Never came trouble to my house in the likeness
of your Grace: for trouble being gone, comfort should
remain; but when you depart from me, sorrow abides, and
happiness takes his leave.
D. Pedro.
You embrace your charge too note willingly. I
think this is your daughter.
Leon.
Her mother hath many times told me so.
Bene.
Were you in doubt, sir note, that you asked her?
Leon.
Signior Benedick, no; for then were you a child.
D. Pedro.
You have it full, Benedick: we note may guess
by this what you are, being a man. Truly, the lady fathers
herself. Be happy, lady; for you are like an honourable
father.
Bene.
If Signior Leonato be her father, she would not
have his head on her shoulders for all Messina, as like him
as she is.
Beat.
I wonder that you will still be talking, Signior
Benedick: nobody marks you.
Bene.
What, my dear Lady Disdain! are you yet living?
Beat.
Is it possible disdain should die while she hath
such meet food to feed it, as Signior Benedick? Courtesy
itself must convert to disdain, if you come in her presence.
Bene.
Then is courtesy a turncoat. But it is certain I
am loved of all ladies, only you excepted: and I would I
could find in my heart that I had not a hard heart; for,
truly, I love none.
Beat.
A dear happiness to women: they would else have
been troubled with a pernicious note suitor. I thank God and
my cold blood, I am of your humour for that: I had rather
hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me.
Bene.
God keep your ladyship still in that mind! so some
gentleman or other shall 'scape a predestinate scratched face.
Beat.
Scratching could not make it worse, an 'twere such
a face as yours were note.
-- 7 --
Bene.
Well, you are a rare parrot-teacher.
Beat.
A bird of my tongue is better than a beast of yours.
Bene.
I would my horse had the speed of your tongue,
and so good a continuer. But keep your way, i' note God's
name; I have done.
Beat.
You always end with a jade's trick: I know you
of old.
D. Pedro.
That is the sum of all, Leonato. note Signior
Claudio and Signior Benedick, my dear friend Leonato
hath invited you all. I tell him note we shall stay here at the
least a month; and he heartily prays some occasion may
detain us longer. I dare swear he is no hypocrite, but
prays from his heart.
Leon.
If you swear, my lord, you shall not be forsworn.
[To Don John] Let me bid you welcome, my lord: note being
reconciled to the prince your brother, note I owe you all duty.
D. John.
I thank you: I am not of many words, but
I thank you.
Leon.
Please it your Grace lead on?
D. Pedro.
Your hand, Leonato; we will go together.
[Exeunt note all except Benedick and Claudio.
note
Claud.
Benedick, didst thou note the daughter of
Signior Leonato?
Bene.
I noted her not; but I looked on her.
Claud.
Is she not a modest young lady?
Bene.
Do you question me, as an honest man should do,
for my simple true judgement; or would you have me speak
after my custom, as being a professed tyrant to their note sex?
Claud.
No; I pray thee note speak in sober judgement.
Bene.
Why, i'faith, methinks she's too low for a high note
-- 8 --
praise, too brown for a fair praise, and too little for a great
praise: only this commendation I can afford her, that were
she other than she is, she were unhandsome; and being no
other but as she is, I do not like her.
Claud.
Thou thinkest I am in sport: I pray thee tell
me truly how thou likest her.
Bene.
Would you buy her, that you inquire after her?
Claud.
Can the world buy such a jewel?
Bene.
Yea, and a case to put it into note. But speak you this
with a sad brow? or do you play the flouting Jack, to tell us
Cupid is a good hare-finder, and Vulcan a rare carpenter?
Come, in what key shall a man take you, to go in the song?
Claud.
In mine eye she is the sweetest lady that ever
I note looked on.
Bene.
I can see yet without spectacles, and I see no
such matter: there's her cousin, an note she were not possessed
with a note fury, exceeds her as much in beauty as the first of
May doth the last of December. But I hope you have no
intent to turn husband, have you?
Claud.
I would scarce trust myself, though I had sworn
the contrary, if Hero would be my wife.
Bene.
Is't come to this? In faith note, hath not the world
one man but he will wear his cap with suspicion? Shall I
never see a bachelor of threescore again? Go to, i'faith;
an note thou wilt needs thrust thy neck into a yoke, wear the
print of it, and sigh away Sundays. Look; Don Pedro is
returned to seek you.
noteRe-enter Don Pedro. note
D. Pedro.
What secret hath held you here, that you
followed not to Leonato's note?
Bene.
I would your Grace would constrain me to tell.
D. Pedro.
I charge thee on thy allegiance.
-- 9 --
Bene.
You hear, Count Claudio: I can note be secret as a
dumb man; I would have you think so; but, on my allegiance,
mark you this, on my allegiance. He is in love.
With who? note now that is your Grace's part. Mark how
short his note answer is;—With Hero, Leonato's short daughter.
Claud.
note
If this were so, so were it uttered.
Bene.
Like the old tale, my lord: ‘it is not so, nor
'twas not so, but, indeed, God forbid it should be so.’
Claud.
If my passion change not shortly, God forbid it
should be otherwise.
D. Pedro.
Amen, if you love her; for the lady is very
well worthy.
Claud.
You speak this to fetch me in, my lord.
D. Pedro.
By my troth, I speak my thought.
Claud.
And, in faith, my lord, I spoke mine.
Bene.
And, by my two faiths and troths, my lord, I
spoke note mine.
Claud.
That I love her, I feel.
D. Pedro.
That she is worthy, I know.
Bene.
That I neither feel how she should be loved, nor
know how she should be worthy, is the opinion that fire
cannot melt out of me: I will die in it at the stake.
D. Pedro.
Thou wast ever an obstinate heretic in the
despite of beauty.
Claud.
And never could maintain his part but in the
force of his will.
Bene.
That a woman conceived me, I thank her; that
she brought me up, I likewise give her most humble thanks:
but that I will have a recheat note winded in my forehead, or
hang my bugle in an invisible baldrick, all women shall pardon
me. Because I will not do them the wrong to mistrust
any, I will do myself the right to trust none; and the fine
is, for the which I may go the finer, I will live a bachelor.
D. Pedro.
I shall see thee, ere I die, look pale with love.
-- 10 --
Bene.
With anger, with sickness, or with hunger, my
lord; not with love: prove that ever I lose more blood with
love than I will get again with drinking, pick out mine eyes
with a ballad-maker's pen, and hang me up at the door of
a brothel-house for the sign of blind Cupid.
D. Pedro.
Well, if ever thou dost fall from this faith,
thou wilt prove a notable argument.
Bene.
If I do, hang me in a bottle like a cat, and shoot
at me; and he that hits note me, let him be clapped on the
shoulder, and called Adam.
D. Pedro.
Well, as time shall try:
‘In time the savage bull doth bear the yoke.’
Bene.
The savage bull may; but if ever the sensible
Benedick bear it, pluck off the bull's horns, and set them
in my forehead: and let me be vilely painted; and in such
great letters as they write ‘Here is good horse to hire,’ let
them signify under my sign ‘Here you may see Benedick
the married man.’
Claud.
If this should ever happen, thou wouldst be
horn-mad.
D. Pedro.
Nay, if Cupid have not spent all his quiver
in Venice, thou wilt quake for this shortly.
Bene.
I look for an earthquake too, then.
D. Pedro.
Well, you will temporize with the hours. In
the meantime, good Signior Benedick, repair to Leonato's:
commend me to him, and tell him I will not fail him at
supper; for indeed he hath made great preparation.
Bene.
I have almost matter enough in me for such an
embassage; and so I commit you—
Claud.
To the tuition of God: From my house, if I
had it,—
D. Pedro.
The sixth of July: Your loving friend, Benedick.
Bene.
Nay, mock not, mock not. The body of your discourse
is sometime guarded with fragments, and the guards
are but slightly basted on neither: ere you flout old ends
any further, examine your conscience: and so I leave you.
[Exit.
-- 11 --
note
Claud.
My liege, your highness now may do me good.
D. Pedro.
My love is thine to teach note: teach it but how,
And thou shalt see how apt it is to learn
Any hard lesson that may do thee good.
Claud.
Hath Leonato any son, my lord?
D. Pedro.
No child but Hero; she's his only heir.
Dost thou affect her, Claudio?
Claud.
O, my lord,
When you went onward on this ended action,
I look'd upon her with a soldier's eye,
That liked, but had a rougher task in hand
Than to drive liking to the name of love:
But now I am return'd and that war-thoughts
Have left their places vacant, in their rooms
Come thronging soft and delicate desires,
All prompting me how fair young Hero is,
Saying, I liked her ere I went to wars.
D. Pedro.
Thou wilt be like a lover presently,
And tire the hearer with a book of words.
If thou dost love fair Hero, cherish it;
And I will note break with her and with her father,
And thou shalt have her note. Was't not to this end
That thou began'st to twist so fine a story note?
Claud.
How sweetly you do note minister to love,
That know love's grief by his complexion!
But lest my liking might too sudden seem,
I would have salved it with a longer treatise.
D. Pedro.
What need the bridge much broader than the flood?
The fairest grant note is note note the note necessity.
Look, what will serve is fit: 'tis once, thou lovest,
And I will fit thee with the remedy.
-- 12 --
I know we shall have revelling to-night:
I will assume thy part in some disguise,
And tell fair Hero I am Claudio;
And in her bosom I'll unclasp my heart,
And take her hearing prisoner with the note force
And strong encounter of my amorous tale:
Then after to her father will I break;
And the conclusion is, she shall be thine.
In practice let us put it presently note.
[Exeunt.
note
Scene II. [Footnote:
A room in Leonato's house note.
Enter note Leonato and Antonio, meeting.
Leon.
How now, brother! Where is my cousin, your
son? hath he provided this music?
Ant.
He is very busy about it. But, brother, I can tell
you strange note news, that you yet dreamt not of.
Leon.
Are they good?
Ant.
As the event note stamps them: but they have a good
cover; they show well outward. The prince and Count
Claudio, walking in a thick-pleached alley in mine orchard note,
were thus much note overheard by a man of mine: the prince
discovered to Claudio that he loved my niece your daughter,
and meant to acknowledge it this night in a dance;
and if he found her accordant, he meant note to take the present
time by the top, and instantly break with you of it.
Leon.
Hath the fellow any wit that told you this?
Ant.
A good sharp fellow: I will send for him; and
question him yourself.
-- 13 --
Leon.
No, no; we will hold it as a dream till it appear
itself: but I will acquaint my daughter withal note, that she may
be the better prepared for an note answer, if peradventure this be
true. Go you and tell her of it. [Enter attendants note.] Cousins,
you know what you have to do. O, I cry you mercy,
friend; go you with me, and I will use your skill. Good
cousin note, have a care this busy time.
[Exeunt.
note
Scene III. [Footnote:
The same.
Enter Don John and Conrade.
Con.
What the good-year note, my lord! why are you thus
out of measure sad?
D. John.
There is no measure in the occasion that
breeds note; therefore the sadness is without limit.
Con.
You should hear reason.
D. John.
And when I have heard it, what blessing
brings note it?
Con.
If not a present remedy, at least note a patient sufferance.
D. John.
I wonder that thou, being (as thou sayest thou
art) born under Saturn, goest about to apply a moral note medicine
to a mortifying mischief. I cannot hide what I am: 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 claw no man in his humour.
Con.
Yea, but you must not make the full note show of this
-- 14 --
till you may do it without controlment. You have of late note
stood out against your brother, and he hath ta'en you newly
into his grace; where it is impossible you should take true note
root but by the fair weather that you make yourself: it is
needful that you frame the season for your own harvest.
D. John.
I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose
in his grace note; and it better fits my blood to be disdained 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 denied but I am a plain-dealing villain. I am
trusted with a muzzle note, and enfranchised 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 meantime let me be that I am, and seek not
to alter me.
Con.
Can you make no use of your discontent?
D. John.
I make note all use of it, for I use it only.
Who comes here?
Enter Borachio.
What news, Borachio?
Bora.
I came note yonder from a great supper: the prince
your brother is royally entertained by Leonato; and I can
give you intelligence of an intended marriage.
D. John.
Will it serve for any model to build mischief
on? What is he for a fool that betroths himself to unquietness?
Bora.
Marry, it is your brother's right hand.
D. John.
Who? the most exquisite Claudio?
Bora.
Even he.
D. John.
A proper squire! And who, and who? which
way looks he?
Bora.
Marry, on note Hero, the daughter and heir of Leonato.
-- 15 --
D. John.
A very forward March-chick! How came note you
to this? note
Bora.
Being entertained for a perfumer, as I was
smoking a musty room, comes me the prince and Claudio,
hand in hand, in sad conference: I whipt me note 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.
D. 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 sure, and will assist me? note
Con.
To the death, my lord.
D. John.
Let us to the great supper: their cheer is the
greater that I am subdued. Would the cook were of my
mind! Shall we go prove what's to be done?
Bora.
We'll wait upon your lordship.
[Exeunt.
note
ACT II. [Footnote:
Scene I.
A hall note in Leonato's house.
Enter note Leonato, Antonio, Hero, Beatrice, and others.
Leon.
Was not Count John here at supper?
Ant.
I saw him not.
Beat.
How tartly that gentleman looks! I never can
see him but I am heart-burned an hour after.
Hero.
He is of a very melancholy disposition.
Beat.
He were an excellent man that were made just
in the midway between him and Benedick: the one is too
like an image and says nothing, and the other too like my
lady's eldest son, evermore tattling.
-- 16 --
Leon.
Then half Signior Benedick's tongue in Count
John's mouth, and half Count John's melancholy in Signior
Benedick's face,—
Beat.
With a good leg and a good foot, uncle, and
money enough in his purse, such a man would win any
woman in the world, if a' note could get her good-will.
Leon.
By my troth, niece, thou wilt never get thee a
husband, if thou be so shrewd of thy tongue.
Ant.
In faith, she's too curst.
Beat.
Too curst is more than curst: I shall lessen God's
sending that way; for it is said, ‘God sends a curst cow
short horns;’ but to a cow too curst he sends none.
Leon.
So, by being too curst, God will send you no horns.
Beat.
Just, if he send me no husband; for the which
blessing I am at him upon my knees every morning and
evening. Lord, I could not endure a husband with a beard
on his face: I had rather lie in the woollen note.
Leon.
You may light on note a husband that hath no beard.
Beat.
What should I do with him? dress him in my
apparel, and make him my waiting-gentlewoman? He that
hath a beard is more than a youth; and he that hath no
beard is less than a man: and he that is more than a youth
is not for me; and he that is less than a man, I am not for
him: therefore I will even take sixpence in earnest of the
bear-ward note, and lead his apes into hell.
Leon.
Well, then, go you into hell? note
Beat.
No, but to the gate; and there will the devil meet
me, like an old cuckold, with horns note on his head, and say
‘Get you to heaven, Beatrice, get you to heaven; here's no
place for you maids:’ so deliver I up my apes, and away
to Saint Peter for the heavens; note he shows me where the
bachelors sit, and there live we as merry as the day is long. note
-- 17 --
Ant. [To Hero]
Well, niece, I trust you will be ruled
by your father.
Beat.
Yes, faith; it is my cousin's duty to make courtesy note,
and say, ‘Father note, as it please you.’ But yet for all
that, cousin, let him be a handsome fellow, or else make
another courtesy note, and say, ‘Father, as it please note me.’
Leon.
Well, niece, I hope to see you one day fitted with
a husband.
Beat.
Not till God make men of some other metal than
earth. Would it not grieve a woman to be overmastered
with a piece of valiant dust? to make an account note of her life
to a clod of wayward note marl? No, uncle, I'll none: Adam's
sons are my note brethren; and, truly, I hold it a sin to match
in my kindred.
Leon.
Daughter, remember what I told you: if the
prince do solicit you in that kind, you know your answer.
Beat.
The fault will be in the music, cousin, if you be
not wooed in good time: if the prince be too important note, tell
him there is measure in every thing, and so dance out the
answer. For, hear note me, Hero: wooing, wedding, and repenting,
is as note a Scotch jig, a measure, and a cinque pace:
the first suit is hot and hasty, like a Scotch jig, and full as
fantastical; the wedding, mannerly-modest, as a measure,
full of state and ancientry note; and then comes repentance, and,
with his bad legs, falls into the cinque pace faster and
faster, till he sink note into his grave.
Leon.
Cousin, you apprehend passing shrewdly.
Beat.
I have a good eye, uncle; I can see a church by
daylight.
Leon.
The revellers are entering, brother: make good
room.
[All put on their masks note.
-- 18 --
noteEnter Don Pedro, Claudio, Benedick, Balthasar, Don John, Borachio, Margaret, Ursula, and others, masked. note
D. Pedro.
Lady, will you walk about with your friend?
Hero.
So you walk softly, and look sweetly, and say
nothing, I am yours for the walk; and especially when I
walk away.
D. Pedro.
With me in your company?
Hero.
I may say so, when I please.
D. Pedro.
And when please you to say so?
Hero.
When I like your favour; for God defend the
lute should be like the case!
D. Pedro.
My visor is Philemon's roof; within the house
is Jove note.
Hero.
Why, then, your visor should be thatched.
D. Pedro note.
Speak low, if you speak love note note.
[Drawing her aside note.
note
Balth.
Well, I would you did like me.
Marg. note
So would not I, for your own sake; for I have
many ill qualities.
Balth.
Which is one?
Marg. note
I say my prayers aloud.
note
Balth.
I love you the better: the hearers may cry, Amen.
Marg.
God match me with a good dancer!
Balth.
Amen.
Marg.
And God keep him out of my sight when the
dance is done! Answer, clerk.
note
Balth.
No more words: the clerk is answered.
Urs.
I know you well enough; you are Signior Antonio.
-- 19 --
Ant.
At a word, I am not.
Urs.
I know you by the waggling of your head.
Ant.
To tell you true, I counterfeit him.
Urs.
You could never do him so ill-well note, unless you
were the very man. Here's his dry hand up and down:
you are he, you are he.
Ant.
At a word, I am not.
Urs.
Come, come, do you think I do not know you by
your excellent wit? can virtue hide itself? Go to, mum, note
noteyou are he: graces will appear, and there's an end.
Beat.
Will you not tell me who told you so?
Bene.
No, you shall pardon me.
Beat.
Nor will you not tell note me who you are?
Bene.
Not now.
Beat.
That I was disdainful, and that I had my good
wit out of the ‘Hundred Merry Tales’:—well, this was
Signior Benedick that said so.
Bene.
What's he?
Beat. note
I am sure you know him well enough.
Bene.
Not I, believe me.
Beat.
Did he never make you laugh?
Bene.
I pray you, what is he?
Beat.
Why, he is the prince's jester: a very dull fool;
only his gift is in devising impossible note slanders: none but
libertines delight in him; and the commendation is not in
his wit, but in his villany; for he both pleases note men and
angers them, and then they laugh at him and beat him. I
am sure he is in the fleet: I would he had boarded me.
Bene.
When I know the gentleman, I'll tell him what
you say.
Beat.
Do, do: he'll but break a comparison or two on
me; which, peradventure not marked or not laughed at,
strikes him into melancholy; and then there's a partridge
-- 20 --
wing saved, for the fool will eat no supper that night.
[Music note.] We must follow the leaders.
Bene.
In every good thing.
Beat.
Nay, if they lead to any ill, I will leave them at
the next turning.
[Dance. Then exeunt all except Don John, Borachio, and Claudio note.
note
D. John.
Sure my brother is amorous on Hero, and
hath withdrawn her father to break with him about it. The
ladies follow her, and but one visor remains.
Bora.
And that is Claudio: I know him by his bearing.
D. John.
Are not you Signior Benedick?
Claud.
You know me well; I am he.
D. John.
Signior, you are very near my brother in his
love: he is enamoured on Hero; I pray you, dissuade him
from her: she is no equal for his birth: you may do the
part of an honest man in it.
Claud.
How know you note he loves her?
D. John.
I heard him swear his affection.
Bora.
So did I too; and he swore he would marry her
to-night.
D. John.
Come, let us to the banquet.
[Exeunt Don John and Borachio.
Claud.
Thus answer I in name of Benedick,
But hear these note ill news with the ears of Claudio.
'Tis certain so; the prince wooes for himself.
Friendship is constant in all other things
Save in the office and affairs of love:
Therefore all hearts in love use their note own tongues;
Let every eye negotiate for itself,
And trust no agent; for note beauty is a witch,
Against whose charms faith melteth into blood.
-- 21 --
This is an accident of hourly proof,
Which I mistrusted not. Farewell, therefore note, Hero!
Re-enter Benedick.
Bene.
Count Claudio?
Claud.
Yea, the same.
Bene.
Come, will you go with me?
Claud.
Whither?
Bene.
Even to the next willow, about your own business,
county note. What fashion will you wear the garland of note? about
your neck, like an note usurer's chain? or under your arm, like
a lieutenant's scarf? You must wear it one way, for the
prince hath got your Hero.
Claud.
I wish him joy of her.
Bene.
Why, that's spoken like an honest drovier note: so
they sell bullocks. But did you think the prince would
have served you thus?
Claud.
I pray you, leave me.
Bene.
Ho! now note you strike like the blind man: 'twas
the boy that stole your meat, and you'll beat the post.
Claud.
If it will not be, I'll leave you.
[Exit.
Bene.
Alas, poor hurt fowl note! now will he creep into
sedges. But, that my Lady Beatrice should know me, and
not know me! The prince's fool! Ha? note It may be I go
under that title because I am merry. Yea note, but so I am
apt to do myself wrong; note I am not so reputed: it is the base, note
though bitter note, disposition of Beatrice that puts the world note
into her person, and so gives me out. Well, I'll be revenged
as I may.
-- 22 --
noteRe-enter Don Pedro. note
D. Pedro.
Now, signior, where's the count? did you
see him?
Bene.
Troth, my lord, I have played the part of Lady
Fame. I found him here as melancholy as a lodge in a
warren: I told note him, and I think I told him true, that your
grace had got the good note will of this note young lady; and I offered
him my company to a willow-tree, either to make him a garland,
as being forsaken, or to bind him up note a rod, as being
worthy to be whipped.
D. Pedro.
To be whipped! What's his fault?
Bene.
The flat transgression of a school-boy, who,
being overjoyed with finding a birds' note nest, shows it his
companion, and he steals it.
D. Pedro.
Wilt thou make a trust a transgression?
The transgression is in the stealer.
Bene.
Yet it had not been amiss the rod had been
made, and the garland too; for the garland he might have
worn himself, and the rod he might have bestowed on you,
who, as I take it, have stolen his birds' note nest.
D. Pedro.
I will but teach them to sing, and restore
them to the owner.
Bene.
If their singing answer your saying, by my
faith, you say honestly.
D. Pedro.
The Lady Beatrice hath a quarrel to you:
the gentleman that danced with her told her she is much
wronged by you.
Bene.
O, she misused me past the endurance of a
block! an oak but with note one green leaf on it would have
answered her; my very visor began to assume life and
scold with her. She told me, not thinking I had been
myself, that note I was the prince's jester, that I was duller
-- 23 --
than a great thaw; huddling jest upon jest, with such impossible note
conveyance, upon me, that I stood like a man at
a mark, with a whole army shooting at me. She speaks
poniards, and every word stabs: if her breath were as terrible
as her terminations note, there were no living near her;
she would infect to the north note star. I would not marry
her, though she were endowed with all that Adam had
left note him before he transgressed: she would have made
Hercules have turned spit, yea, and have cleft his club to
make the fire too. Come, talk not of her: you shall find
her the infernal note Ate in good apparel. I would to God
some scholar would conjure her; for certainly, while she is
here, a man may live as quiet in hell as in a sanctuary;
and people sin upon purpose, because they would go
thither; so, indeed, all disquiet, horror, and perturbation
follows note her.
D. Pedro.
Look, here she comes.
noteEnter Claudio, Beatrice, Hero, and Leonato.
Bene.
Will your grace command me any service to the
world's end? I will go on the slightest errand now to the
Antipodes that you can devise to send me on; I will fetch
you a toothpicker now from the furthest inch of Asia;
bring you the length of Prester John's foot; fetch you a
hair off note the great Cham's beard; do you any embassage to
the Pigmies; rather than hold three words' conference
with this harpy. You have note no employment for me?
D. Pedro.
None, but to desire your good company.
Bene.
O God, sir, here's a dish I love not: I cannot
endure my Lady Tongue. note
[Exit.
-- 24 --
D. Pedro.
Come, lady, come; you have lost the heart
of Signior Benedick.
Beat.
Indeed, my lord, he lent it me awhile; and I
gave him use for it, a double heart for his note single one:
marry, once before he won it of me with false dice, therefore
your Grace may well say I have lost it.
D. Pedro.
You have put him down, lady, you have
put him down.
Beat.
So I would not he should do me, my lord, lest I
should prove the mother of fools. I have brought Count
Claudio, whom you sent me to seek.
D. Pedro.
Why, how now, count! wherefore are you
sad?
Claud.
Not sad, my lord.
D. Pedro.
How then? sick?
Claud.
Neither, my lord.
Beat.
The count is neither sad, nor sick, nor merry,
nor well; but civil count note, civil as an orange, and something
of that jealous note complexion.
D. Pedro.
I' faith, lady, I think your blazon to be true;
though, I'll note be sworn, if he be so, his conceit is false.
Here, Claudio, I have wooed in thy name, and fair Hero
is won: I have broke with her father, and his good will
obtained: note name the day of marriage, and God give thee
joy!
Leon.
Count, take of me my daughter, and with her
my fortunes: his Grace hath made the match, and all
grace say Amen to it.
Beat.
Speak, count, 'tis your cue.
Claud.
Silence is the perfectest herald of joy: I were
but little happy, if I could say how much. Lady, as you
are mine, I am yours: I give away myself for you, and
dote upon the exchange.
-- 25 --
Beat.
Speak, cousin; or, if you cannot, stop his mouth
with a kiss, and let not him speak neither.
D. Pedro.
In faith, lady, you have a merry heart.
Beat.
Yea, my lord; I thank it, poor fool, it keeps on
the windy side of care. My cousin tells him in his ear
that he is in her note heart.
Claud.
And so she doth, cousin.
Beat.
Good Lord, for alliance! Thus goes every one
to note the world note but I, and I am sun-burnt; I may sit in a
corner, and cry heigh-ho for a husband! note
D. Pedro.
Lady Beatrice, I will get you one.
Beat.
I would rather have one of your father's getting.
Hath your Grace ne'er a brother like you? Your father
got excellent husbands, if a maid could come by them.
D. Pedro.
Will you have me, lady?
Beat.
No, my lord, unless I might have another for
working-days: your Grace is too costly to wear every day.
But, I beseech your Grace, pardon me: I was born to
speak all mirth and no matter.
D. Pedro.
Your silence most offends me, and to be
merry best becomes you; for, out of note question, you were
born in a merry hour.
Beat.
No, sure, my lord, my mother cried; but then
there was a star danced, and under that was I note born.
Cousins, God give you joy!
Leon.
Niece, will you look to those things I told
you of?
Beat.
I cry you mercy, uncle. By your Grace's
pardon.
[Exit.
note
D. Pedro.
By my troth, a pleasant-spirited note lady.
Leon.
There's little of the melancholy element in her,
my lord: she is never sad but when she sleeps; and not
ever note sad then; for I have heard my daughter say, she hath
-- 26 --
often dreamed of unhappiness note, and waked herself with
laughing.
D. Pedro.
She cannot endure to hear tell of a husband.
Leon.
O, by no means: she mocks all her wooers out
of suit.
D. Pedro.
She were an excellent wife for Benedick.
Leon.
O Lord, my lord, if they were but a week married,
they would talk themselves mad.
D. Pedro.
County note Claudio, when mean you to go to
church?
Claud.
To-morrow, my lord: time goes on crutches
till love have all his rites.
Leon.
Not till Monday, my dear son, which is hence a
just seven-night; and a time too brief, too, to have all
things answer my note mind.
D. Pedro.
Come, you shake the head at so long a
breathing: but, I warrant thee, Claudio, the time shall not
go dully by us. I will, in the interim, undertake one of
Hercules' labours; which is, to bring Signior Benedick and
the Lady Beatrice into a mountain note of affection note the one
with the note other. I would fain have it a match; and I doubt
not but note to fashion it, if you three will but minister such
assistance as I shall give you direction.
Leon.
My lord, I am for you, though it cost me ten
nights' watchings.
Claud.
And I, my lord.
D. Pedro.
And you too, gentle Hero?
Hero.
I will do any modest office, my lord, to help
my cousin to a good husband.
D. Pedro.
And Benedick is not the unhopefullest husband
that I know. Thus far can I praise him; he is of a
noble strain, of approved valour, and confirmed honesty.
I will teach you how to humour your cousin, that she shall
-- 27 --
fall in love with Benedick; and I, with your two helps,
will so practise on Benedick, that, in despite of his quick
wit and his queasy stomach, he shall fall in love with
Beatrice. If we can do this, Cupid is no longer an archer:
his glory shall be ours, for we are the only love-gods. Go
in note with me, and I will tell you my drift.
[Exeunt.
note
Scene II. [Footnote:
The same note.
Enter Don John and Borachio.
D. John.
It is so; the Count Claudio shall marry the
daughter of Leonato.
Bora.
Yea, my lord; but I can cross it.
D. John.
Any bar, any cross, any impediment will be
medicinable to me: I am sick in displeasure to him; and
whatsoever comes athwart his affection ranges evenly with
mine. How canst thou cross this marriage?
Bora.
Not honestly, my lord; but so covertly that no
dishonesty shall appear in me.
D. John.
Show me briefly how.
Bora.
I think I told your lordship, a year since, how
much I am in the favour of Margaret, the waiting gentlewoman
to Hero.
D. John.
I remember.
Bora.
I can, at any unseasonable instant of the night,
appoint her to look out at her lady's chamber window.
D. John.
What life is in that, to be the death of this
marriage?
Bora.
The poison of that lies in you to temper. Go you
to the prince your brother; spare not to tell him that he
hath wronged his honour in marrying the renowned Claudio
—whose estimation do you mightily hold up—to a contaminated
stale, such a one as Hero.
D. John.
What proof shall I make of that?
-- 28 --
Bora.
Proof enough to misuse the prince, to vex Claudio,
to undo Hero, and kill Leonato. Look you for any
other issue?
D. John.
Only to despite them, I will endeavour any
thing.
Bora.
Go, then; find me a meet hour to draw Don note Pedro
and the Count Claudio alone: tell them that you know that
Hero loves me; intend a kind of zeal both to the prince and
Claudio, as,—in love note of your brother's honour, who hath
made this match, and his friend's reputation, who is thus
like to be cozened with the semblance of a maid,—that note you
have discovered thus. They will scarcely note believe this without
trial: offer them instances; which shall bear no less likelihood
than to see me at her chamber-window; hear me call
Margaret, Hero; hear Margaret term me Claudio note; and
bring them to see this the very night before the intended
wedding,—for in the meantime I will so note fashion the matter
that Hero shall be absent,—and there shall appear such
seeming truth note of Hero's note disloyalty, that jealousy shall be
called assurance and all the preparation overthrown.
D. John.
Grow this to what adverse issue it can, I will
put it in practice. Be cunning in the working this, and thy
fee is a thousand ducats.
Bora.
Be you note constant in the accusation, and my cunning
shall not shame me.
D. John.
I will presently go learn their day of marriage.
[Exeunt.
-- 29 --
note
Scene III. [Footnote:
Leonato's orchard.
Enter Benedick. note
Bene.
Boy!
Enter Boy. note
Boy.
Signior?
Bene.
In my chamber-window lies a book: bring it
hither to me in the orchard.
Boy.
I am here already, sir.
Bene.
I know that; but I would have thee hence, and
here again. [Exit Boy. note] I do much wonder that one man,
seeing how much another man is a fool when he dedicates
his behaviours to love, will, after he hath laughed at such
shallow follies in others, become the argument of his own
scorn by falling in love: and such a man is Claudio. I have
known when there was no music with him but the drum and
the fife; and now had he rather hear the tabor and the pipe:
I have known when he would have walked ten mile a-foot
to see a good armour; and now will he lie ten nights awake,
carving the fashion of a new doublet. He was wont to speak
plain and to the purpose, like an honest man and a soldier;
and now is he turned orthography note; his words are a very
fantastical banquet,—just so many strange dishes. May I
be so converted, and see with these eyes? I cannot tell; I
think not: I will not be sworn but love may transform me
to an note oyster; but I'll take my oath on it, till he have made
an oyster of me, he shall never make me such a fool. One
woman is fair, yet I am well; another is wise, yet I am
well; another virtuous, yet I am well: but till all graces
be in one woman, one woman shall not come in my grace.
Rich she shall be, that's certain; wise, or I'll none; virtuous,
or I'll never cheapen her; fair, or I'll never look on
her; mild, or come not near me; noble, or not I note for an
-- 30 --
angel; of good discourse, an excellent musician, and her note
hair shall be of what colour it please God. Ha! the prince
and Monsieur Love! I will hide me in the arbour.
[Withdraws.
noteEnter Don Pedro, Claudio, and Leonato note.
D. Pedro.
Come, shall we hear this music?
Claud.
Yea, my good lord. How still the evening is,
As hush'd on purpose to grace harmony!
D. Pedro.
See you where Benedick hath hid himself?
Claud.
O, very well, my lord: the music ended,
We'll fit the kid-fox note with a pennyworth.
Enter Balthasar with Music note.
D. Pedro.
Come, Balthasar, we'll hear that song again.
Balth.
O, good my lord, tax note not so bad a voice
note
To slander music any more than once.
D. Pedro.
It is the witness still of excellency
To put a strange face on his own perfection.
I pray thee, sing, and let me woo no more.
Balth.
Because you talk of wooing, I will sing;
Since many a wooer doth commence his suit
To her he thinks not worthy, yet he wooes,
Yet will he swear he loves.
D. Pedro.
Nay, pray thee, come;
Or, if thou wilt hold longer argument,
Do it in notes.
Balth.
Note this before my notes;
There's not a note of mine that's worth the noting.
D. Pedro.
Why, these are very crotchets that he speaks;
Note, notes, forsooth, and nothing note.
[Air.
Bene.
Now, divine air! now is his soul ravished! Is it
-- 31 --
not strange that sheeps' guts should hale souls out of men's
bodies? Well, a horn for my money, when all's done. note
The Song.
Balth.
Sigh no more, ladies, sigh no more,
Men were deceivers ever,
One foot in sea and one on shore,
To one thing constant never:
Then sigh not so, but let them go,
And be you blithe and bonny,
Converting all your sounds of woe
Into Hey nonny, nonny.
Sing no more ditties, sing no moe note,
Of note dumps so dull and heavy;
The fraud of men was note ever so,
Since summer first was leavy note:
Then sigh not so, &c.
D. Pedro.
By my troth, a good song.
Balth.
And an ill singer, my lord.
D. Pedro.
Ha, no, no note, faith; note thou singest well enough
for a shift.
Bene.
An note he had been a dog that should have howled
thus, they would have hanged him: and I pray God his
bad voice bode no mischief. I had as lief note have heard the
night-raven, come what plague could have come after it.
D. Pedro.
Yea, marry, dost thou hear, Balthasar? I
pray thee, get us note some excellent music; for to-morrow night note
we would have it at the Lady Hero's chamber-window.
Balth.
The best I can, my lord.
D. Pedro.
Do so: farewell. [Exit Balthasar note.] Come
-- 32 --
hither, Leonato. What was it you told me of to-day,
that your niece Beatrice was in love with Signior Benedick?
Claud.
O, ay: stalk on, stalk on; the fowl sits. I did
never think that lady would have loved any man.
Leon.
No, nor I neither; but most wonderful that she
should so dote on Signior Benedick, whom she hath in all
outward behaviours seemed ever to abhor.
Bene.
Is't possible? Sits the wind in that corner?
Leon.
By my troth, my lord, I cannot tell what to
think of it, but that she loves him with an enraged
affection; note it is past the infinite note of thought.
D. Pedro.
May be she doth but counterfeit.
Claud.
Faith, like enough.
Leon.
O God, counterfeit! There was never counterfeit
of passion came so near the life of passion as she discovers it.
D. Pedro.
Why, what effects of passion shows she?
Claud.
Bait the hook well; this note fish will bite.
Leon.
What effects, my lord? She will sit you, you
heard my daughter tell you note how.
Claud.
She did, indeed.
D. Pedro.
How, how, I pray you? You amaze me: I
would have thought her spirit had been invincible against
all assaults of affection.
Leon.
I would have sworn it had, my lord; especially
against Benedick.
Bene.
I should think this a gull, but that the white-bearded
fellow speaks it: knavery cannot, sure, hide himself
in such reverence.
Claud.
He hath ta'en the infection: hold it up.
D. Pedro.
Hath she made her affection known to Benedick?
Leon.
No; and swears she never will: that's her torment.
-- 33 --
Claud.
'Tis true, indeed; so your daughter says: ‘Shall
I,’ says she, ‘that have so oft encountered him with scorn,
write to him that I love him?’
Leon.
This says she now when she is beginning to
write to him; for she'll be up twenty times a night; and
there will she sit in her smock till she have writ a sheet of
paper note: my daughter tells us all.
Claud.
Now you talk of a sheet of paper, I remember
a pretty jest your daughter told us of note.
Leon.
O, when she had writ it, and was note reading it
over note, she found Benedick and Beatrice between the sheet? note
Claud.
That.
Leon.
O, she tore the letter into a thousand halfpence;
railed at herself, that she should be so immodest to write
to one that she knew would flout her; ‘I measure him,’
says she, ‘by my own spirit; for note I should flout him, if he
writ to me; yea, though I love him, I should.’
Claud.
Then down upon her knees she falls, weeps,
sobs, beats her heart, tears her hair, prays, curses note; ‘O
sweet Benedick! God give me patience!’
Leon.
She doth indeed; my daughter says so: and the
ecstasy hath so much overborne her, that my daughter is
sometime afeard note she will do a desperate outrage to herself:
it is very true.
D. Pedro.
It were good that Benedick knew of it by
some other, if she will not discover it.
Claud.
To what end? He would make but note a sport of
it, and torment the poor lady worse.
D. Pedro.
An he should, it were an alms note to hang him.
She's an excellent sweet lady; and, out of all suspicion, she
is virtuous.
Claud.
And she is exceeding wise.
-- 34 --
D. Pedro.
In every thing but in loving Benedick.
Leon.
O, my lord, wisdom and blood combating in so
tender a body, we have ten proofs to one that blood hath
the victory. I am sorry for her, as I have just cause, being
her uncle and her guardian.
D. Pedro.
I would she had bestowed this dotage on
me: I would have daffed note all other respects, and made her
half myself. I pray you, tell Benedick of it, and hear what
a' note will say.
Leon.
Were it good, think you?
Claud.
Hero thinks surely she will die; for she says she
will die, if he love her not; and she will die, ere she make
her love known; and she will die, if he woo her, rather than
she will bate one breath of her accustomed crossness.
D. Pedro.
She doth well: if she should make tender of
her love, 'tis very possible he'll scorn it; for the man, as
you know all, hath a contemptible note spirit.
Claud.
He is a very proper man.
D. Pedro.
He hath indeed a good outward happiness.
Claud.
Before note God! and in my mind, very wise.
D. Pedro.
He doth indeed show some sparks that are
like wit.
Claud. note
And I take him to be valiant.
D. Pedro.
As Hector, I assure you: and in the managing
of quarrels you may say note he is wise; for either he avoids
them with great discretion, or undertakes them with a most note
Christian-like fear.
Leon.
If he do fear God, a' must note necessarily keep
peace: if he break the peace, he ought to enter into a quarrel
with fear and trembling.
D. Pedro.
And so will he do; for the man doth fear
God, howsoever it seems not in him by some large jests he
-- 35 --
will make. note Well, I am sorry for your niece. Shall we go
seek note Benedick, and tell him of her love?
Claud.
Never tell him, my lord: let her wear note it out
with good counsel.
Leon.
Nay, that's impossible: she may wear her heart
out first.
D. Pedro.
Well, we will hear further of it by your
daughter: let it cool the while. I love Benedick well; and
I could wish he would modestly examine himself, to see note
how much he is unworthy note so good a lady.
Leon.
My lord, will you walk? dinner is ready.
Claud.
If he do not dote on her upon this, I will never
trust my expectation.
D. Pedro.
Let there be the same net spread for her;
and that must your daughter and her gentlewomen note carry.
The sport will be, when they hold one an opinion of another's note
dotage, and no such matter: that's the scene that I
would see, which will be merely a dumb-show. Let us send
her to call him in to note dinner.
[Exeunt Don Pedro, Claudio, and Leonato.
noteBene. [Coming forward]
This can be no trick: the conference
was sadly borne. They have the truth of this from
Hero. They seem to pity the lady: it seems her affections
have their note full bent. Love me! why, it must be requited.
I hear how I am censured: they say I will bear myself
proudly, if I perceive the love come from her; they say too
that she will rather die than give any sign of affection. I
did never think to marry: I must not seem proud: happy
are they that hear their detractions, and can put them to
mending. They say the lady is fair,—'tis a truth, I can
bear them witness; and virtuous,—'tis so, I cannot reprove
it; and wise, but for loving me,—by my troth, it is no addition
-- 36 --
to her wit, nor no great argument of her folly, for I
will be horribly in love with her. I may chance have note some
odd quirks and remnants note of wit broken on me, because I
have railed so long against marriage: but doth not the appetite
alter? a man loves the meat in his youth that he
cannot endure in his age note. Shall quips and sentences and
these paper bullets of the brain awe a man from the career
of his humour? No, the world must be peopled. When I
said I would die a bachelor, I did not think I should live
till I were married. Here comes Beatrice. By this day!
she's a fair lady: I do spy some marks of love in her.
Enter Beatrice.
Beat.
Against my will I am sent to bid you come in to note
dinner note.
Bene.
Fair Beatrice, I thank you for your pains.
Beat.
I took no more pains for those thanks than you
take pains to thank me: if it had been painful, I would not
have come.
Bene.
You take pleasure, then, in the message?
Beat.
Yea, just so much as you may take upon a
knife's note point, and choke note a daw withal. You have no
stomach, signior: fare you well.
[Exit.
Bene.
Ha! ‘Against my will I am sent to bid you come
in to note dinner;’ there's a double meaning in that. ‘I took
no more pains for those thanks than you took pains to thank
me;’ that's as much as to say, Any pains that I take for
you is note as easy as thanks. If I do not take pity of her, I am
a villain; if I do not love her, I am a Jew. I will go get
her picture.
[Exit.
-- 37 --
ACT III.
Scene I.
Leonato's garden.
Enter Hero, Margaret, and Ursula. note
Hero.
Good Margaret, run thee to note the parlour;
There shalt thou find my cousin Beatrice
Proposing with the prince and Claudio:
Whisper her ear, and tell her, I and Ursula note
Walk in the orchard, and our whole discourse
Is all of her; say that thou overheard'st us;
And bid her steal into the pleached bower,
Where honeysuckles, ripen'd by the sun,
Forbid the sun to enter; like note favourites,
Made proud by princes, that advance their pride
Against that power that bred it: there will she hide her,
To listen our propose note. This is thy office;
Bear thee well in it, and leave us alone.
Marg.
I'll make her come, I warrant you note, presently.
[Exit.
Hero.
Now, Ursula, when Beatrice doth come,
As we do trace this alley up and down,
Our talk must only be of Benedick.
When I do name him, let it be thy part
To praise him more than ever man did merit:
My talk to thee must be, how Benedick
Is sick in love with Beatrice. Of this matter
Is little Cupid's crafty arrow made,
That only wounds by hearsay.
Enter Beatrice, behind. note
Now begin;
-- 38 --
For look where Beatrice, like a lapwing, runs
Close by the ground, to hear our conference.
Urs.
The pleasant'st angling is to see the fish
Cut with her golden oars the silver stream,
And greedily devour the treacherous bait:
So angle we for Beatrice; who even note now
Is couched in the woodbine coverture.
Fear you not my part of the dialogue.
Hero.
Then go we near her, that her ear lose nothing
Of the false sweet note bait that we lay for it.
[Approaching the bower.
No, truly, Ursula, she is note too disdainful;
I know her spirits are as coy and wild
As haggerds of the rock.
Urs.
But are you sure
That Benedick loves Beatrice so entirely?
Hero.
So says the prince and my new-trothed lord.
Urs.
And did they bid you tell her of it, madam?
Hero.
They did entreat me to acquaint her of it;
But I persuaded them, if they loved Benedick,
To wish him wrestle note with affection,
And never to let Beatrice know of it.
Urs.
Why did you so? Doth not the gentleman
Deserve as full as note fortunate a bed
As ever Beatrice shall couch upon?
Hero.
O god of love! I know he doth deserve
As much as may be yielded to a man:
But Nature never framed a woman's heart
Of prouder stuff than that of Beatrice;
Disdain and scorn ride sparkling in her eyes note,
Misprising what they look on; and her wit
Values itself so highly, that to her
All matter else seems weak: she cannot love,
-- 39 --
Nor take no shape nor project of affection,
She is so self-endeared.
Urs.
Sure, I think so;
And therefore certainly it were not good
She knew his love, lest she note make sport at it.
Hero.
Why, you speak truth. I never yet saw man,
How wise, how noble, young, how rarely featured,
But she would spell him backward: if fair-faced,
She would note swear the gentleman should be her sister;
If black, why, Nature, drawing of an antique note,
Made a foul blot; if tall, a lance ill-headed;
If low, an agate note very vilely cut;
If speaking, why, a vane blown with all winds;
If silent, why, a block moved with none.
So turns she every man the wrong side out;
And never gives to truth and virtue that
Which simpleness and merit purchaseth.
Urs.
Sure, sure, such carping is not commendable.
Hero.
No, not note to be so odd, and from all fashions,
As Beatrice is, cannot be commendable:
But who dare tell her so? If I should speak,
She would note mock me into air note; O, she would laugh me
Out of myself, press me to death with wit!
Therefore let Benedick, like cover'd fire,
Consume away in sighs, waste inwardly:
It were a better death than note die with mocks,
Which is as bad as die note with tickling.
Urs.
Yet tell her of it: hear what she will say.
Hero.
No; rather I will go to Benedick,
And counsel him to fight against his passion.
And, truly, I'll devise some honest slanders
To stain my cousin with: one doth not know
-- 40 --
How much an ill word may empoison liking.
Urs.
O, do not do your cousin such a wrong!
She cannot be so much without true judgement,—
Having so swift note and excellent a wit
As she is prized to have,—as to refuse
So rare a gentleman as Signior note Benedick.
Hero.
He is the only man of Italy,
Always excepted my dear Claudio.
Urs.
I pray you, be not angry with me, madam,
Speaking my fancy: Signior Benedick,
For shape, for bearing, argument note note and valour,
Goes foremost in report through Italy.
Hero.
Indeed, he hath an excellent good name.
Urs.
His excellence did earn it, ere he had it.
When are you married, madam?
Hero.
Why, every day note, to-morrow. Come, go in:
I'll show thee some attires; and have thy counsel
Which is the best to furnish me to-morrow note.
Urs.
She's limed note, I warrant you: we have caught her, madam.
Hero.
If it prove so, then loving goes by haps:
Some Cupid kills note with arrows, some with traps.
[Exeunt Hero and Ursula.
Beat. [Coming forward]
What fire is in mine note ears? Can this be true?
Stand I condemn'd for pride and scorn so much?
Contempt, farewell! and maiden pride, adieu!
No glory lives behind the back note of such.
And, Benedick, love on; I will requite thee,
Taming my wild heart to thy loving hand:
-- 41 --
If thou dost love, my kindness shall incite thee
To bind our loves up in a holy band;
For others say thou dost deserve, and I
Believe it better than reportingly.
[Exit.
Scene II.
A room note in Leonato's house.
Enter Don Pedro, Claudio, Benedick, and Leonato.
D. Pedro.
I do but stay till your marriage be consummate,
and then go I note toward Arragon.
Claud.
I'll bring you thither, my lord, if you'll vouchsafe
me.
D. Pedro.
Nay, that would be as great a soil in the new
gloss of your marriage, as to show a child his new coat and
forbid him to wear it. I will only be bold with Benedick
for his company; for, from the crown of his head to the
sole of his foot, he is all mirth: he hath twice or thrice cut
Cupid's bow-string, and the little hangman note dare not shoot at
him; he hath a heart as sound as a bell, and his tongue is
the clapper, for what his heart thinks his tongue speaks.
Bene.
Gallants, I am not as I have been.
Leon.
So say I: methinks you are sadder.
Claud.
I hope he be note in love.
D. Pedro.
Hang him, truant! there's no true drop of
blood in him, to be truly touched with love: if he be sad,
he wants money.
Bene.
I have the toothache.
D. Pedro.
Draw it.
note
Bene. note
Hang it!
Claud.
You must hang it first, and draw it afterwards.
D. Pedro.
What! sigh for the toothache?
Leon.
Where note is but a humour or a worm.
-- 42 --
Bene.
Well, every one can note master a grief but he that
has it.
Claud.
Yet say I, he is in love.
D. Pedro.
There is no appearance of fancy in him, unless
it be a fancy that he hath to strange disguises; as, to
be a Dutchman to-day, a Frenchman to-morrow; or in the
shape of two countries at once, as, a German from the waist
downward, all slops, and a Spaniard from the hip upward,
no doublet note note. Unless he have a fancy to this foolery, as it
appears he hath, he is no fool for fancy, as you would have
it appear note he is.
Claud.
If he be not in love with some woman, there is
no believing old signs: a' note brushes his hat o' mornings note; what
should that bode?
D. Pedro.
Hath any man seen him at the barber's?
Claud.
No, but the barber's man hath been seen with
him; and the old ornament of his cheek hath already stuffed
tennis-balls.
Leon.
Indeed, he looks younger than he did, by the
loss of a beard.
D. Pedro.
Nay, a' note rubs himself with civet: can you
smell him out by that?
Claud.
That's as much as to say, the sweet youth's in love.
D. Pedro. note
The greatest note of it is his melancholy.
Claud.
And when was he wont to wash his face?
D. Pedro.
Yea, or to paint himself? for the which, I
hear what they say of him.
Claud.
Nay, but his jesting spirit; which is now crept
into a lute-string, and now governed note by stops.
D. Pedro.
Indeed, that tells a heavy tale for him: conclude,
conclude note he is in love.
-- 43 --
Claud.
Nay, but I know who loves him.
D. Pedro.
That would I know too: I warrant, one that
knows him not.
Claud.
Yes, and his ill conditions; and, in despite of
all, dies for him.
D. Pedro.
She shall be buried with her face note upwards note.
Bene.
Yet is this no charm for the toothache. Old signior,
walk aside with me: I have studied eight or nine wise
words to speak to you, which these hobby-horses must not
hear.
[Exeunt Benedick and Leonato.
D. Pedro.
For my life, to break with him about Beatrice.
Claud.
'Tis even so. Hero and Margaret have by this
played their parts with Beatrice; and then the two bears
will not bite one another when they meet.
noteEnter Don John.
D. John.
My lord and brother, God save you!
D. Pedro.
Good den, brother.
D. John.
If your leisure served, I would speak with you.
D. Pedro.
In private?
D. John.
If it please you: yet Count Claudio may
hear; for what I would speak of concerns him.
D. Pedro. note
What's the matter?
D. John. [To Claudio]
Means your lordship to be married
to-morrow?
D. Pedro.
You know he does.
D. John.
I know not that, when he knows what I know.
Claud.
If there be any impediment, I pray you discover
it.
D. John.
You may think I love you not: let that appear
hereafter, and aim better at me by that I now will
manifest. For my brother, I think he holds you well, and
in dearness of heart hath note holp to effect your ensuing marriage,
—surely suit ill spent and labour ill bestowed.
-- 44 --
D. Pedro.
Why, what's the matter?
D. John.
I came hither to tell you; and, circumstances
shortened, for she has note been too long a talking of, the lady
is disloyal.
Claud.
Who, Hero?
D. John.
Even she; Leonato's Hero, your Hero, every
man's Hero.
Claud.
Disloyal?
D. John.
The word is too good to paint out her wickedness;
I could say she were worse: think you of a worse
title, and I will fit her to it. Wonder not till further warrant:
go but with me to-night, note you shall see her chamber-window
entered, even the night before her wedding-day: if
you love her then, note to-morrow wed her; but it would better
fit your honour to change your mind.
Claud.
May this be so?
D. Pedro.
I will not think it.
D. John.
If you dare not trust that you see, confess
not that you know: if you will follow me, I will show you
enough; and when you have seen more, and heard more,
proceed accordingly.
Claud.
If I see any thing to-night why I should not
marry her to-morrow, note in the congregation, where I should
wed, there will I shame her.
D. Pedro.
And, as I wooed for thee to obtain her, I
will join with thee to disgrace her.
D. John.
I will disparage her no farther till you are my
witnesses: bear it coldly but till midnight note, and let the issue
show itself.
D. Pedro.
O day untowardly turned!
Claud.
O mischief strangely thwarting!
D. John.
O plague right well prevented! so will you
say when you have note seen the sequel. note
[Exeunt.
-- 45 --
note
Scene III. [Footnote:
A street.
Enter Dogberry and Verges note with the Watch.
Dog.
Are you good men and true?
Verg.
Yea, or else it were pity but they should suffer
salvation, body and soul.
Dog.
Nay, that were a punishment too good for them,
if they should have any allegiance in them, being chosen
for the prince's watch.
Verg.
Well, give them their charge, neighbour Dogberry.
Dog.
First, who think you the most desartless note man to
be constable?
First Watch.
Hugh Otecake, sir, or George note Seacole;
for they can write and read.
Dog.
Come hither, neighbour Seacole. God hath blessed
you with a good name: to be a well-favoured man is the
gift of fortune; but to write and read comes by nature.
Sec. Watch.
Both which, master constable,—
Dog.
You have: I knew it would be your answer. Well,
for your favour, sir, why, give God thanks, and make no
boast of it; and for your writing and reading, let that appear
when there is no note need of such vanity. You are thought
here to be the most senseless and fit man for the constable
of the watch; therefore bear you the lantern note. This is your
charge: you shall comprehend all vagrom men; you are to
bid any man stand, in the prince's name.
Sec. Watch.
How if a' note will not stand?
Dog.
Why, then, take no note of him, but let him go;
and presently call the rest of the watch together, and thank
God you are rid of a knave.
-- 46 --
Verg.
If he will not stand when he is bidden, he is
none of the prince's subjects.
Dog.
True, and they are to meddle with none but the
prince's subjects. You shall also make no noise in the
streets; for for the watch to babble and to talk note is most
tolerable and not to be endured.
Watch. note
We will rather sleep than talk: we know what
belongs to a watch.
Dog.
Why, you speak like an ancient and most quiet
watchman; for I cannot see how sleeping should offend:
only, have a care that your bills be not stolen. Well, you
are to call at all the ale-houses, and bid those note that are
drunk get them to bed.
Watch. note
How if they will not?
Dog.
Why, then, let them alone till they are sober: if
they make you not then the better answer, you may say
they are not the men you took them for.
Watch.
Well, sir.
Dog.
If you meet a thief, you may suspect him, by
virtue of your office, to be no true man; and, for such kind
of men, the less you meddle or make with them, why, the
more is for your honesty.
Watch. note
If we know him to be a thief, shall we not
lay hands on him?
Dog.
Truly, by your office, you may; but I think they
that touch pitch will be defiled: the most peaceable way
for you, if you do take a thief, is to let him show himself
what he is, and steal out of your note company.
Verg.
You have been always called a merciful man,
partner.
Dog.
Truly, I would not hang a dog by my will, much
more a man who hath any honesty in him.
Verg.
If you hear a child cry in the night, you must
call to the nurse and bid her still it.
Watch. note
How if the nurse be asleep and will not hear
us?
-- 47 --
Dog.
Why, then, depart in peace, and let the child wake
her with crying; for the ewe that will not hear her lamb
when it baes will never answer a calf when he bleats note.
Verg.
'Tis very true.
Dog.
This is the end of the charge:—you, constable,
are to present the prince's own person: if you meet the
prince in the night, you may stay him.
Verg.
Nay, by'r lady, that I think a' note cannot.
Dog.
Five shillings to one on't, with any man that
knows the statues note, he may stay him: marry, not without the
prince be willing; for, indeed, the watch ought to offend no
man; and it is an offence to stay a man against his will.
Verg.
By'r lady, I think it be so.
Dog.
Ha, ah, ha! Well, masters, good night: an there
be any matter of weight chances, call up me: keep your
fellows' note counsels note and your own; and good night. Come,
neighbour.
Watch. note
Well, masters, we hear our charge: let us go
sit here upon the church-bench till two, and then all to
bed.
Dog.
One word more, honest neighbours. I pray you,
watch about Signior Leonato's door; for the wedding being
there to-morrow, there is a great coil to-night. Adieu: be
vigitant note, I beseech you.
[Exeunt Dogberry and Verges.
noteEnter Borachio and Conrade.
Bora.
What, Conrade!
Watch. [Aside note]
Peace! stir not.
Bora.
Conrade, I say!
Con.
Here, man; I am at thy elbow.
Bora.
Mass, and my elbow itched; I thought there
would a scab follow.
-- 48 --
Con.
I will owe thee an answer for that: and now forward
with note thy tale.
Bora.
Stand thee close, then, under this pent-house,
for it drizzles rain; and I will, like a true drunkard, utter
all to thee.
Watch. [Aside]
Some treason, masters: yet stand close.
Bora.
Therefore know I have earned of Don note John a
thousand ducats.
Con.
Is it possible that any villany should be so dear?
Bora.
Thou shouldst rather ask, if it were possible any
villany note should be so rich note; for when rich villains have need
of poor ones, poor ones may make what price they will.
Con.
I wonder at it.
Bora.
That shows thou art unconfirmed. Thou knowest
that the fashion of a doublet, or a hat, or a cloak, is
nothing to a man.
Con.
Yes, it is apparel.
Bora.
I mean, the fashion.
Con.
Yes, the fashion is the fashion.
Bora.
Tush! I may as well say the fool's the fool.
But seest thou not what a deformed thief this fashion is?
Watch. [Aside]
I know that Deformed; a' has been a
vile thief this seven year note; a' note goes up and down like a gentleman:
I remember his name.
Bora.
Didst thou not hear somebody?
Con.
No; 'twas the vane note on the house.
Bora.
Seest thou not, I say, what a deformed thief this
fashion is? how giddily a' turns about all the hot bloods
between fourteen and five-and-thirty? sometimes note fashioning
them like Pharaoh's soldiers in the reeky note painting, sometime note
-- 49 --
like god note Bel's priests in the old church-window, sometime note
like the shaven Hercules in the smirched worm-eaten
tapestry, where his codpiece seems as massy as his club?
Con.
All this I see; and I see note that the fashion wears
out more apparel than the man. But art not thou thyself
giddy with the fashion too note, that thou hast shifted out of
thy tale into telling me of the fashion?
Bora.
Not so, neither: but know that I have to-night
wooed Margaret, the Lady Hero's gentlewoman, by the
name of Hero: she leans me out at her mistress' chamber-window,
bids me a thousand times good night,—I tell this
tale vilely:—I should first tell thee how the prince, Claudio
and my master, planted and placed and possessed by my
master Don John, saw afar note off in the orchard this amiable
encounter.
Con.
And thought they note Margaret was Hero?
Bora.
Two of them did, the prince and Claudio; but
the devil my master knew she was Margaret; and partly
by his oaths, which first possessed them, partly by the dark
night, which did deceive them, but chiefly by my villany,
which did confirm any slander that Don John had made,
away went Claudio enraged; swore he would meet her, as
he was appointed, next morning at the temple, and there,
before the whole congregation, shame her with what he saw note
o'er night, and send her home again without a husband.
note
First Watch.
We charge you, in the prince's name,
stand!
Sec. Watch.
Call up the right master constable. We
have here recovered the most dangerous piece of lechery
that ever was known in the note commonwealth.
First Watch.
And one Deformed is one of them: I
know him; a' wears a lock.
Con.
Masters, masters,—
-- 50 --
Sec. Watch.
You'll be made bring Deformed forth, I
warrant you.
Con.
Masters,—
First Watch.
Never speak: we charge you let us obey
you to go with us. note
Bora.
We are like to prove a goodly commodity, being
taken up of these men's bills.
Con.
A commodity in question, I warrant you. Come,
we'll obey you.
[Exeunt.
note
Scene IV. [Footnote:
Hero's apartment. note
Enter Hero, Margaret, and Ursula.
Hero.
Good Ursula, wake my cousin Beatrice, and desire
her to rise.
Urs.
I will, lady.
Hero.
And bid her come hither.
Urs.
Well.
[Exit.
Marg.
Troth, I think your other rabato note were better.
Hero.
No, pray thee, good Meg, I'll wear this.
Marg.
By my troth's note 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 Duchess of Milan's gown that
they praise so.
Hero.
O, that exceeds, they say.
Marg.
By my troth's note but a night-gown in respect of
yours,—cloth o' gold note, and cuts, and laced with silver, set
-- 51 --
with pearls, down sleeves note, side sleeves, and skirts, round note
underborne with a bluish tinsel: but for a fine, quaint,
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 ashamed?
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:’ note an note bad thinking do
not wrest true speaking, I'll offend nobody: is there any
harm in ‘the heavier for a husband’? None, I think, an it
be the right husband and the right wife; otherwise 'tis light,
and not heavy: ask my Lady Beatrice else; here she comes.
noteEnter Beatrice.
Hero.
Good morrow, coz.
Beat.
Good morrow, sweet Hero.
Hero.
Why, how now? do you speak in the sick tune?
Beat.
I am out of all other tune, methinks.
Marg.
Clap's note into ‘Light o' love note;’ that goes without a
burden: do you sing it, and I'll dance it.
Beat.
Ye note light o' love, with your heels! then, if your
husband have stables enough, you'll see note he shall lack no
barns.
Marg.
O illegitimate construction! I scorn that with
my heels.
Beat.
'Tis almost five o'clock, cousin; 'tis time you
were ready. By my troth, I am exceeding ill: heigh-ho!
-- 52 --
Marg.
For a hawk, a horse, or a husband?
Beat.
For the letter that begins them all, H.
Marg.
Well, an you be not turned Turk, there's no
more sailing by the star.
Beat.
What means the fool, trow?
Marg.
Nothing I; but God send every one their heart's
desire!
Hero.
These gloves the count sent me; they are an
excellent perfume.
Beat.
I am stuffed, cousin; I cannot smell.
Marg.
A maid, and stuffed! there's goodly note catching
of cold.
Beat.
O, God help me! God help me! how long have
you professed apprehension?
Marg.
Even since you left it. Doth not my wit become
me rarely?
Beat.
It is not seen enough, you should wear it in
your cap. By my troth, I am sick.
Marg.
Get you some of this note distilled Carduus Benedictus,
and lay it to your heart: it is the only thing for a
qualm.
Hero.
There thou prickest her with a thistle.
Beat.
Benedictus! why Benedictus? you have some
moral in this Benedictus.
Marg.
Moral! no, by my troth, I have no moral meaning;
I meant, plain holy-thistle. You may think perchance
that I think you are in love: nay, by'r lady, I am not such
a fool to think what I list; nor I list not to think what I
can; nor, indeed, I cannot think, if I would think my heart
out of thinking note, that you are in love, or that you will be in
love, or that you can be in love. Yet Benedick was such
another, and now is he become a man: he swore he would
never marry; and yet now, in despite of his heart, he eats note
his meat without grudging: and how you may be converted,
I know not; but methinks you look with your eyes as other
women do.
-- 53 --
Beat.
What pace is this that note thy tongue keeps?
Marg.
Not a false gallop.
Re-enter Ursula.
Urs.
Madam, withdraw: the prince, the count, Signior
Benedick, Don John, and all the gallants of the town, are
come to fetch you to church.
Hero.
Help to dress me, good coz, good Meg, good
Ursula.
Exeunt.
note
Scene V. [Footnote:
Another room in Leonato's house.
Enter note Leonato, with Dogberry and Verges.
Leon.
What would you with me, honest neighbour?
Dog.
Marry, sir, I would have some confidence with
you that decerns you nearly.
Leon.
Brief, I pray you; for you see it is note a busy time
with me.
Dog.
Marry, this it is, sir.
Verg.
Yes, in truth it is, sir.
Leon.
What is it, my good friends?
Dog.
Goodman Verges, sir, speaks a little off note the matter:
an old man, sir, and his wits are not so blunt as, God
help, I would desire they were; but, in faith, honest note as the
skin between his brows.
Verg.
Yes, I thank God I am as honest as any man
living that is an old man and no honester than I.
Dog.
Comparisons are odorous: palabras, neighbour
Verges.
Leon.
Neighbours, you are tedious.
-- 54 --
Dog.
It pleases your worship to say so, but we are the
poor duke's officers; but truly, for mine own part, if I were
as tedious as a king, I could find in my heart to bestow it
all of your worship.
Leon.
All thy tediousness on me, ah?
Dog.
Yea, an 'twere a thousand pound note more than 'tis;
for I hear as good exclamation on your worship as of any
man in the city; and though I be but a poor man, I am
glad to hear it.
Verg.
And so am I.
Leon.
I would fain know what you have to say.
Verg.
Marry, sir, our watch to-night, excepting your
worship's presence, ha' note ta'en a couple of as arrant knaves
as any in Messina.
Dog.
A good old man, sir; he will be talking: as they
say, When the age is in, the wit is out: God help us! it is
a world to see. Well said, i' faith, neighbour Verges: well,
God's note a good man; an note two men ride of a horse note, one must
ride behind. An honest soul, i' faith, sir; by my troth he
is, as ever broke bread; but God is to be worshipped; all
men are not alike; alas, good neighbour!
Leon.
Indeed, neighbour, he comes too short of you.
Dog.
Gifts that God gives.
Leon.
I must leave you.
Dog.
One word, sir: our watch, sir, note have indeed comprehended
two aspicious note persons, and we would have them
this morning examined before your worship.
Leon.
Take their examination yourself, and bring it
me: I am now in great haste, as it note may appear unto you.
note
Dog.
It shall be suffigance.
Leon.
Drink some wine ere you go: fare you well.
-- 55 --
Enter note a Messenger.
Mess.
My lord, they stay for you to give your daughter
to her husband.
Leon.
I'll wait upon them: I am ready.
[Exeunt Leonato and Messenger note.
Dog.
Go, good partner, go, get you to Francis Seacole;
bid him bring his pen and inkhorn to the gaol: we are now
to examination note these note men.
Verg.
And we must do it wisely.
Dog.
We will spare for no wit, I warrant you note; here's
that note shall drive some of them to a noncome note: only get the
learned writer to set down our excommunication, and meet
me at the gaol.
[Exeunt.
ACT IV.
Scene I.
A church.
Enter Don Pedro, Don John, Leonato, Friar Francis, Claudio, Benedick, Hero, Beatrice, and attendants. note
Leon.
Come, Friar Francis, be brief; only to the plain
form of marriage, and you shall recount their particular
duties afterwards.
Friar.
You come hither, my lord, to marry this lady. note
Claud.
No.
Leon.
To be married to her: friar, note you come to marry
her.
Friar.
Lady, you come hither to be married to this
count. note
-- 56 --
Hero.
I do.
Friar.
If either of you know any inward impediment
why you should not be conjoined, I charge you, on your
souls, to utter it.
Claud.
Know you any, Hero?
Hero.
None, my lord.
Friar.
Know you any, count?
Leon.
I dare make his answer, none.
Claud.
O, what men dare do! what men may do! what
men daily do, not knowing what they do! note
Bene.
How now! interjections? Why, then, some be
of laughing, as, ah, ha, he!
Claud.
Stand thee by, Friar. Father, by your leave:
Will you with free and unconstrained soul
Give me this maid, your daughter?
Leon.
As freely, son, as God did give her me.
Claud.
And what have I to give you back, whose worth
May counterpoise this rich and precious gift?
D. Pedro.
Nothing, unless you render her again.
Claud.
Sweet prince, you learn me noble thankfulness.
There, Leonato, take her back again:
Give not this rotten orange to your friend;
She's but the sign and semblance of her honour.
Behold how like a maid she blushes here!
O, what authority and show of truth
Can cunning sin cover itself withal!
Comes not that blood as modest evidence
To witness simple virtue? Would you not swear,
All you that see her, that she were a maid,
By these exterior shows? But she is none:
She knows the heat of a luxurious bed;
Her blush is guiltiness, not modesty.
Leon.
What do you mean, my lord?
Claud.
Not to be married,
Not to knit note my soul to an approved wanton.
-- 57 --
Leon.
Dear note my lord, if you, in your own proof note, note
Have vanquish'd the resistance of her youth,
And made defeat of her virginity,—
Claud.
I know what you would say: if I have known her,
You will note say she did embrace me as a husband,
And so extenuate the 'forehand sin:
No, Leonato,
I never tempted her with word too large;
But, as a brother to his sister, show'd
Bashful sincerity and comely love.
Hero.
And seem'd I ever otherwise to you?
Claud.
Out on thee! Seeming note! I will write note against it:
You seem note to me as Dian note in her orb note,
As chaste as is the bud ere it be blown;
But you are more intemperate in your blood
Than Venus, or those pamper'd animals
That rage note in savage sensuality.
Hero.
Is my lord well, that he doth speak so wide note?
Leon. note
Sweet prince, why speak not you?
D. Pedro.
What should I speak?
I stand dishonour'd, that have gone about
To link my dear friend to a common stale.
Leon.
Are these things spoken, or do I but dream?
D. John.
Sir, they are spoken, and these things are true.
Bene.
This looks not like a nuptial.
Hero.
True! O God!
Claud.
Leonato, stand I here?
Is this the prince? is this the prince's brother?
Is this face Hero's? are our eyes our own?
Leon.
All this is so: but what of this, my lord?
Claud.
Let me but move one question to your daughter;
And, by that fatherly and kindly power
-- 58 --
That you have in her, bid her answer truly.
Leon.
I charge thee do so note, as thou art my child.
Hero.
O, God defend me! how am I beset!
What kind of catechising call you this?
note
Claud.
To make you answer truly to your name.
Hero.
Is it not Hero? Who can blot that name
With any just reproach?
Claud.
Marry, that can Hero;
Hero itself note can blot out Hero's virtue.
What man was he talk'd with you yesternight
Out at your window betwixt twelve and one?
Now, if you are a maid, answer to this.
Hero.
I talk'd with no man at that hour, my lord.
D. Pedro.
Why, then are you note no maiden. Leonato,
I am sorry you must hear: upon mine honour,
Myself, my brother, and this grieved count
Did see her, hear her, at that hour last night
Talk with a ruffian at her chamber-window;
Who hath indeed, most like a liberal note villain,
Confess'd the vile encounters they have had
A thousand times in secret.
D. John.
Fie, fie note! they are not to be named, my lord,
Not to be spoke note of;
There is not chastity enough in language,
Without offence to utter them. Thus note, pretty lady,
I am sorry for thy much misgovernment.
Claud.
O Hero, what a Hero hadst thou been,
If half thy outward graces had been placed
About thy thoughts note and counsels of thy heart!
But fare thee well, most foul, most fair! farewell,
Thou pure impiety and impious purity!
For thee I'll lock up all the gates of love,
-- 59 --
And on my eyelids shall conjecture hang,
To turn all beauty into thoughts of harm,
And never shall it more be gracious.
Leon.
Hath no man's dagger here a point for me?
[Hero swoons note.
Beat.
Why, how now, cousin! wherefore sink you down?
D. John.
Come, let us go. These things, come thus to light,
Smother her spirits up.
[Exeunt note Don Pedro, Don John, and Claudio.
note
Bene.
How doth the lady?
Beat.
Dead, I think. Help, uncle!
Hero! why, Hero! Uncle! Signior Benedick! Friar!
Leon.
O Fate! take not away thy heavy hand.
Death is the fairest cover for her shame
That may be wish'd for.
Beat.
How now, cousin Hero!
Friar.
Have comfort, lady.
Leon.
Dost thou look up note?
Friar.
Yea, wherefore should she not?
Leon.
Wherefore! Why, doth not note every earthly thing
Cry shame upon her? Could she here deny
The story that is printed in her blood?
Do not live, Hero; do not ope thine eyes:
For, did I think thou wouldst not quickly die,
Thought I thy spirits were stronger than thy shames note,
Myself would, on the rearward note of reproaches,
Strike at thy life. Grieved I, I had but one?
Chid I for that at frugal nature's frame note?
O, note one too much by thee! Why had I one?
Why ever wast thou lovely in my eyes?
-- 60 --
Why had I not note with charitable hand
Took up a beggar's issue at my gates,
Who smirched note thus and mired with infamy,
I might have said, ‘No part of it is mine;
This shame derives itself from unknown loins'?
But mine, and mine I loved, and mine I praised,
And note mine that I was proud on, mine so much
That I myself was to myself not mine,
Valuing of her,—why, she, O, she is fallen
Into a pit of ink, note that the wide sea
Hath drops too few to wash her clean again,
And salt too little which may season give
To her foul-tainted note flesh!
Bene.
Sir, sir, be patient.
For my part, I am so attired in wonder,
I know not what to say note.
Beat.
O, on my soul, my cousin is belied!
Bene.
Lady, were you her bedfellow last night?
Beat.
No, truly, not; although, until last night,
I have this twelvemonth been her bedfellow.
Leon.
Confirm'd, confirm'd! O, that is stronger made
Which was before barr'd up with ribs of iron!
Would the two princes lie, and Claudio lie note,
Who loved her so, that, speaking of her foulness,
Wash'd it with tears? Hence from her! let her die.
Friar.
Hear me a little;
For I have only been silent note so long,
And given way unto this course note of fortune,
By noting of the lady: I have mark'd note
A thousand blushing apparitions
-- 61 --
To start into note her face; a thousand innocent shames
In angel whiteness beat note away those blushes;
And in her eye there hath appear'd a fire,
To burn the errors that these princes hold
Against her maiden truth. Call me a fool;
Trust not my reading nor my observations note,
Which with experimental seal doth warrant
The tenour note of my book note; trust not my age,
My reverence, calling note, nor divinity,
If this sweet lady lie not guiltless here
Under some biting note error.
Leon.
Friar note, it cannot be.
Thou seest that all the grace that she hath left
Is that she will not add to her damnation
A sin of perjury; she not denies it:
Why seek'st thou, then, to cover with excuse
That which appears in proper nakedness?
Friar.
Lady, what man is he you are accused of?
Hero.
They know that do accuse me; I know none:
If I know more of any man alive
Than that which maiden modesty doth warrant,
Let all my sins lack mercy! O my father,
Prove you that any man with me conversed
At hours unmeet, or that I yesternight
Maintain'd the change of words with any creature,
Refuse me, hate me, torture me to death!
Friar.
There is some strange misprision in the princes note.
Bene.
Two of them have the very bent note of honour;
And if their wisdoms be misled in this,
The practice of it lives note in John the bastard,
Whose spirits toil in frame of note villanies.
-- 62 --
Leon.
I know not. If they speak but truth of her,
These hands shall tear her; if they wrong her honour,
The proudest of them shall well hear of it note.
Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine,
Nor age so eat up my invention,
Nor fortune made such havoc of my means,
Nor my bad life reft me so much of friends,
But they shall find, awaked in such a kind note,
Both strength of limb and policy of mind,
Ability in means and choice of friends,
To quit me of them throughly note.
Friar.
Pause awhile,
And let my counsel sway you in this case.
Your daughter here the princes left for dead note:
Let her awhile be secretly kept in,
And publish it that she is dead indeed;
Maintain a mourning ostentation,
And on your family's old monument
Hang mournful epitaphs, and do all rites
That appertain unto a burial.
Leon.
What shall become of this? what will this do?
Friar.
Marry, this, well carried, shall on her behalf
Change slander to remorse; that is some good:
But not for that dream I on this strange course,
But on this travail look for greater birth.
She dying, as it must be so maintain'd,
Upon the instant that she was accused,
Shall be lamented, pitied, and excused
Of every hearer: for it so note falls out,
That what we have we prize not to the worth
Whiles note we enjoy it; but being lack'd and lost note,
Why, then we rack note the value, then we find
The virtue that possession would not show us
Whiles note it was ours. So will it fare with Claudio:
-- 63 --
When he shall hear she died upon his words,
The idea of her life note shall sweetly creep
Into his study of imagination;
And every lovely organ of her life
Shall come apparell'd in more precious habit,
More moving-delicate note and full of life,
Into the eye and prospect of his soul,
Than when she lived indeed; then shall he mourn,
If ever love had interest in his liver,
And wish he had not so accused her,
No, though he thought his accusation true.
Let this be so, and doubt not but success
Will fashion the event in better shape
Than I can lay it down in likelihood.
But if all aim but this be levell'd false,
The supposition of the lady's death
Will quench the wonder of her infamy:
And if it sort not well, you may conceal her,
As best befits her wounded reputation,
In some reclusive and religious life,
Out of all eyes, tongues, minds, and injuries.
Bene.
Signior Leonato, let the Friar advise you:
And though you know my inwardness and love
Is very much unto the prince and Claudio,
Yet, by mine honour, I will deal in this
As secretly and justly as your soul
Should with your body.
Leon.
Being that I flow in grief note,
The smallest twine may lead me.
Friar.
'Tis well consented: presently away;
For to strange sores strangely they strain the cure.
Come, lady, die to live: this wedding-day
Perhaps is but prolong'd: have patience and endure.
[Exeunt note all but Benedick and Beatrice.
-- 64 --
note
Bene.
Lady Beatrice, have you wept all this while?
Beat.
Yea, and I will weep a while longer.
Bene.
I will not desire that.
Beat.
You have no reason; I do it freely.
Bene.
Surely I do believe your fair cousin is wronged.
Beat.
Ah, how much might the man deserve of me
that would right her!
Bene.
Is there any way to show such friendship?
Beat.
A very even way, but no such friend.
Bene.
May a man do it?
Beat.
It is a man's office, but not yours.
Bene.
I do love nothing in the world so well as you:
is not that strange?
Beat.
As strange as the thing I know not. It were as
possible for me to say I loved nothing so well as you: but
believe me not; and yet I lie not; I confess nothing, nor I
deny nothing. I am sorry for my cousin.
Bene.
By my sword, Beatrice, thou lovest me.
Beat.
Do not swear note, and eat it.
Bene.
I will swear by it that you love me; and I will
make him eat it that says I love not you.
Beat.
Will you not eat your word?
Bene.
With no sauce that can be devised to it. I
protest I love thee.
Beat.
Why, then, God forgive me!
Bene.
What offence, sweet Beatrice?
Beat.
You have stayed me in a happy hour: I was
about to protest I loved you.
Bene.
And do it with all thy heart.
Beat.
I love you with so much of my heart, that none
is left to protest.
Bene.
Come, bid me do any thing for thee.
Beat.
Kill Claudio.
Bene.
Ha! not for the wide world.
Beat.
You kill me to deny it note. Farewell.
note
Bene.
Tarry, sweet Beatrice.
-- 65 --
Beat.
I am gone, though I am here: there is no love
in you: nay, I pray you, let me go.
Bene.
Beatrice,—
Beat.
In faith, I will go.
Bene.
We'll be friends first.
Beat.
You dare easier be friends with me than fight
with mine enemy.
Bene.
Is Claudio thine enemy?
Beat.
Is he note not approved in the height a villain, that
hath slandered, scorned, dishonoured my kinswoman? O
that I were a man! What, bear her in hand until they
come to take hands; and then, with public accusation, uncovered
slander, unmitigated rancour,—O God, that I were
a man! I would eat his heart in the market-place.
Bene.
Hear me, Beatrice,—
Beat.
Talk with a man out at a window! A proper
saying!
Bene.
Nay, but, Beatrice,—
Beat.
Sweet Hero! She is wronged, she is slandered,
she is undone.
Bene.
Beat— note
Beat.
Princes and counties note! Surely, a princely testimony,
a goodly count, Count Comfect note; a sweet gallant,
surely! O that I were a man for his sake! or that I had
any friend would be a man for my sake! But manhood is
melted into courtesies note, valour into compliment, and men
are only turned into tongue note, and trim ones too: he is now
as valiant as Hercules that only tells a lie, and swears it.
I cannot be a man with wishing, therefore I will die a
woman with grieving.
Bene.
Tarry, good Beatrice. By this hand, I love thee.
Beat.
Use it for my love some other way than swearing
by it.
-- 66 --
Bene.
Think you in your soul the Count Claudio hath
wronged Hero?
Beat.
Yea, as sure as I have a thought or a soul.
Bene.
Enough, I am engaged; I will challenge him. I
will kiss your hand, and so I leave note you. By this hand,
Claudio shall render me a dear note account. As you hear of
me, so think of me. Go, comfort your cousin: I must say
she is dead: and so, farewell.
[Exeunt.
note
Scene II. [Footnote:
A prison note.
Enter note Dogberry, Verges, and Sexton, in gowns; and the Watch, with Conrade and Borachio.
Dog. note
Is our whole dissembly appeared?
Verg. note
O, a stool and a cushion note for the sexton.
Sex.
Which be the malefactors?
Dog. note
Marry, that am I and my partner.
Verg.
Nay, that's certain; we have the exhibition to
examine.
Sex.
But which are the offenders that are to be examined?
let them come before master constable.
Dog.
Yea, marry, let them come before me. What is
your name, friend?
Bora.
Borachio.
Dog.
Pray, write down, Borachio. Yours, sirrah?
Con.
I am a gentleman, sir, and my name is Conrade.
Dog.
Write down, master gentleman Conrade. Masters,
do you serve God?
-- 67 --
Con. Bora.
Yea, sir, we hope.
Dog.
Write down, that they hope they serve God:
and write God first; for God defend but God should go before
such villains note! Masters, it is proved already that you
are little better than false knaves; and it will go note near to be
thought so shortly. How answer you for yourselves?
Con.
Marry, sir, we say we are none.
Dog.
A marvellous witty fellow, I assure you; but
I will go about with him. Come you hither, sirrah; a word
in your ear: sir, note I say to you, it is thought you are false
knaves.
Bora.
Sir, I say to you we are none.
Dog.
Well, stand aside. 'Fore God, they are both in
a tale. Have you writ down, that they are none?
Sex.
Master constable note, you go not the way to examine:
you must call forth note the watch that are their accusers.
Dog.
Yea, marry, that's the eftest note way. Let the
watch come forth. Masters, I charge you, in the prince's
name, accuse these men.
First Watch.
This man said, sir, that Don John, the
prince's brother, was a villain.
Dog.
Write down, Prince John a villain. Why, this is
flat perjury, to call a prince's brother villain.
Bora.
Master constable note,—
Dog.
Pray thee, fellow, peace: I do not like thy look,
I promise thee.
Sex.
What heard you him say else?
Sec. Watch.
Marry, that he had received a thousand
ducats of Don John for accusing note the Lady Hero wrongfully.
Dog.
Flat burglary as ever was committed.
Verg.
Yea, by mass note, that it is.
-- 68 --
Sex.
What else, fellow?
First Watch.
And that Count Claudio did mean, upon
his words, to disgrace Hero before the whole assembly, and
not marry her.
Dog.
O villain! thou wilt be condemned into everlasting
redemption for this.
Sex.
What else?
Watch.
This is all.
Sex.
And this is more, masters, than you can deny.
Prince John is this morning secretly stolen away; Hero was
in this manner accused, in this very manner refused, and
upon the grief of this suddenly died. Master Constable, let
these men be bound, and brought to Leonato's note: I will go
before and show him their examination.
[Exit.
Dog.
Come, let them be opinioned.
Verg.
Let them be in the hands—
Con.
Off, coxcomb! note
Dog.
God's my life, where's the sexton? let him write
down, the prince's officer, coxcomb. Come, bind them.
Thou note naughty varlet!
Con. note
Away! you are an ass, you are an ass.
Dog.
Dost thou not suspect my place? dost thou not
suspect my years? O that he were here to write me down
an ass! But, masters, remember that I am an ass; though
it be not written down, yet forget not that I am an ass.
No, thou villain, thou art full of piety, as shall be proved
upon thee by good witness. I am a wise fellow; and, which
is more, an officer; and, which is more, a householder; and,
which is note more, as pretty a piece of flesh as any is in Messina;
-- 69 --
and one that knows the law, go to; and a rich fellow enough,
go to; and a fellow that hath had losses note; and one that hath
two gowns, and every thing handsome about him. Bring
him away. O that I had been writ down an ass!
[Exeunt. note
ACT V.
Scene I.
Before Leonato's house note.
Enter Leonato and Antonio.
Ant.
If you go on thus, you will kill yourself;
And 'tis not wisdom thus to second grief
Against yourself.
Leon.
I pray thee, cease thy counsel,
Which falls into mine ears as profitless
As water in a sieve: give not me counsel;
Nor let no comforter note delight mine ear
But such a one whose wrongs do note suit with mine.
Bring me a father that so loved his child,
Whose joy of her is overwhelm'd like mine,
And bid him speak note of patience;
Measure his woe the length and breadth of mine,
And let it answer every strain for strain,
As thus for thus, and such a grief for such,
In every lineament, branch, shape, and form:
If such a one will smile, and stroke his beard,
Bid sorrow wag, cry ‘hem!’ note when he should groan,
-- 70 --
Patch grief with proverbs, make misfortune drunk
With candle-wasters note; bring him yet note to me,
And I of him will gather patience.
But there is no such man: for, brother, men
Can counsel and speak note comfort to that grief
Which they themselves not feel; but, tasting it,
Their counsel turns to passion, which before
Would give preceptial medicine to rage,
Fetter strong madness in a silken thread,
Charm ache with air, and agony with words:
No, no; 'tis all men's office to speak patience
To those that wring under the load of sorrow,
But no man's virtue nor sufficiency,
To be so moral when he shall endure
The like himself. Therefore give me no counsel:
My griefs cry louder than advertisement.
Ant.
Therein do men from children nothing differ.
Leon.
I pray thee, peace. I will be flesh and blood;
For there was never yet philosopher
That could endure the toothache patiently,
However they have writ the style of gods,
And made a push note at chance and sufferance.
Ant.
Yet bend not all the harm upon yourself;
Make those that do offend you suffer too.
Leon.
There thou speak'st reason: nay, I will do so.
My soul doth tell me Hero is belied;
And that shall Claudio know; so shall the prince,
And all of them that thus dishonour her.
note
Ant.
Here comes the prince and Claudio hastily.
Enter Don Pedro and Claudio.
D. Pedro.
Good den, good den.
Claud.
Good day to both of you.
-- 71 --
Leon.
Hear you, my lords,—
D. Pedro.
We have some haste, Leonato.
Leon.
Some haste, my lord! well, fare you well, my lord:
Are you so hasty now? well, all is one.
D. Pedro.
Nay, do not quarrel with us, good old man.
Ant.
If he could right himself with quarrelling,
Some of us would lie low.
Claud.
Who wrongs him note?
Leon.
Marry, thou note dost wrong me; thou dissembler, thou:—
Nay, never lay thy hand upon thy sword;
I fear thee not.
Claud.
Marry, beshrew my hand,
If it should give your age such cause of fear:
In faith, my hand meant nothing to my sword.
Leon.
Tush, tush, man; never fleer and jest at me:
I speak not like a dotard nor a fool,
As, under privilege of age, to brag
What I have done being young, or what would do,
Were I not old. Know, Claudio, to thy head,
Thou hast so wrong'd mine note innocent child and me,
That I am forced to lay my reverence by,
And, with grey hairs and bruise of many days,
Do challenge thee to trial of a man.
I say thou hast belied mine note innocent child;
Thy slander hath gone through and through her heart,
And she lies buried with her ancestors;
O, in a tomb where never scandal slept,
Save this of hers, framed by thy villany!
Claud.
My villany?
Leon.
Thine, Claudio; thine, I say.
D. Pedro.
You say not right, old man.
Leon.
My lord, my lord,
I'll prove it on his body, if he dare,
-- 72 --
Despite his nice fence and his active practice,
His May of youth and bloom of lustihood.
Claud.
Away! I will not have to do with you.
Leon.
Canst thou so daff note me? Thou hast kill'd my child:
If thou kill'st me, boy, thou shalt kill a man.
Ant.
He shall kill two of us, and men indeed:
But that's no matter; let him kill one first;
Win me and wear me; let him answer me.
Come, follow me, boy; come, sir boy, come, follow me note:
Sir boy, I'll whip you from your foining fence;
Nay, as I am a gentleman, I will.
Leon.
Brother,—
Ant.
Content yourself. God knows I loved my niece;
And she is dead, slander'd to death by villains,
That dare as well answer a man indeed
As I dare take a serpent by the tongue:
Boys, apes, braggarts, Jacks note, milksops!
Leon.
Brother Antony,—
Ant.
Hold you content. What, man! I know them, yea,
And what they weigh, even to the utmost scruple,—
Scambling, out-facing, fashion-monging note boys,
That lie, and cog, and flout, deprave, and slander,
Go antiquely, and note show outward note hideousness,
And speak off note half a dozen dangerous words,
How they might hurt their enemies, if they durst;
And this is all.
Leon.
But, brother Antony,—
Ant.
Come, 'tis no matter:
Do not you meddle; let me deal in this.
D. Pedro.
Gentlemen both, we will not wake note your patience note.
My heart is sorry for your daughter's death:
-- 73 --
But, on my honour, she was charged with nothing
But what note was true, and very full of proof.
Leon.
My lord, my lord,—
note
D. Pedro.
I will not hear you.
Leon.
No? note Come note, brother; away! I will be heard.
note
Ant.
And shall, or some of us will smart for it. note
[Exeunt note Leonato and Antonio.
D. Pedro.
See, see; here comes the man we note went to seek.
Enter Benedick.
Claud.
Now, signior, what news?
Bene.
Good day, my lord.
D. Pedro.
Welcome, signior: you are almost come to
part almost note a fray.
Claud.
We had like note to have had our two noses snapped
off with two old men without teeth.
D. Pedro.
Leonato and his brother. What thinkest
thou? Had we fought, I doubt we should have been too
young for them.
Bene.
In a note false quarrel there is no true valour. I came
to seek you both.
Claud.
We have been up and down to seek thee; for
we are high-proof melancholy, and would fain have it
beaten away. Wilt thou use thy wit?
Bene.
It is in my scabbard: shall I draw it?
D. Pedro.
Dost thou wear thy wit by thy side?
Claud.
Never any did so, though very many have been
beside their wit. I will bid thee draw, as we do the minstrels;
draw, to pleasure us.
D. Pedro.
As I am an honest man, he looks pale. Art
thou sick, or angry?
Claud.
What, courage, man! What though care killed
a cat, thou hast mettle enough in thee to kill care.
-- 74 --
Bene.
Sir, I shall meet your wit in the career, an you
charge it against me. I pray you choose another subject.
Claud.
Nay, then, give him another staff: this last was
broke cross.
D. Pedro.
By this light, he changes more and more: I
think he be angry indeed.
Claud.
If he be, he knows how to turn his girdle.
Bene.
Shall I speak a word in your ear?
Claud.
God bless me from a challenge!
Bene. [Aside to Claudio note]
You are a villain; I jest not:
I will make it good how you dare, with what you dare, and
when you dare. Do me right, or I will protest your
cowardice. You have killed a sweet lady, and her death
shall fall heavy on you. Let me hear from you.
Claud.
Well, I will meet you, so I may have good cheer.
D. Pedro.
What, a feast, a feast? note
Claud.
I'faith note, I thank him; he hath bid me to a calf's-head note
and a capon note; the which if I do not carve most curiously,
say my knife's naught. Shall I not find a woodcock
too?
Bene.
Sir, your wit ambles well; it goes easily.
D. Pedro.
I'll tell thee how Beatrice praised thy wit
the other day. I said, thou hadst a fine wit: ‘True note,’ said note
she, ‘a fine little one.’ ‘No,’ said I, ‘a great wit:’ ‘Right note,’
says she note, ‘a great gross one.’ ‘Nay,’ said I, ‘a good wit:’
‘Just,’ said she note, ‘it hurts nobody.’ ‘Nay,’ said I, ‘the
gentleman is wise:’ ‘Certain,’ said she, ‘a wise gentleman.’ note
‘Nay,’ said I, ‘he hath the tongues:’ ‘That I believe,’
said she, ‘for he swore a thing to me on Monday
night, which he forswore on Tuesday morning; there's a
double tongue; there's note two tongues.’ Thus did she, an hour
-- 75 --
together, trans-shape thy particular virtues: yet at last she
concluded with a sigh, thou wast the properest man in Italy.
Claud.
For the which she wept heartily, and said she
cared not.
D. Pedro.
Yea, that she did; but yet, for all that, an note
if she did not hate him deadly, she would love him dearly:
the old man's daughter told us all.
Claud.
All, all; and, moreover, God note saw him when he
was hid in the garden.
D. Pedro.
But when shall we set the savage note bull's
horns on note the sensible Benedick's head?
Claud.
Yea, and text underneath, ‘Here dwells Benedick
the married man’?
Bene.
Fare you well, boy: you know my mind. I
will leave you now to your gossip-like humour: you break
jests as braggarts do their blades, which, God be thanked,
hurt not. My lord, for your many courtesies I thank you:
I must discontinue your company: your brother the bastard
is fled from Messina: you have among you killed a sweet
and innocent lady. For note my Lord Lackbeard there, he and
I shall meet: and till then peace be with him.
[Exit. note
D. Pedro.
He is in earnest.
Claud.
In most profound earnest; and, I'll warrant
you, for the love of Beatrice.
D. Pedro.
And hath challenged thee. note
Claud.
Most sincerely.
D. Pedro.
What a pretty thing man is when he goes in
his doublet and hose, and leaves off his wit!
note
Claud.
He is then a giant to an ape: but then is an
ape a doctor to such a man.
D. Pedro.
But, soft you, let me be note: pluck note up, my heart,
and be sad. Did he not say, my brother was fled?
-- 76 --
noteEnter note Dogberry, Verges, and the Watch, with Conrade and Borachio.
Dog.
Come, you, sir: if justice cannot tame you, she
shall ne'er weigh more note reasons in her balance: nay, an note you
be a cursing hypocrite once, you must be looked to.
D. Pedro.
How now? two of my brother's men bound!
Borachio one!
Claud.
Hearken after their offence, my lord.
D. Pedro.
Officers, what offence have these men done?
Dog.
Marry, sir, they have committed false report;
moreover, they have spoken untruths; secondarily, they
are slanders; sixth and lastly, they have belied a lady;
thirdly, they have verified unjust things; and, to conclude,
they are lying knaves.
D. Pedro.
First, I ask thee what they have done; thirdly,
I ask thee what's their offence; sixth and lastly, why
they are committed; and, to conclude, what you lay note to
their charge.
Claud.
Rightly reasoned, and in his own division; and,
by my troth, there's one meaning well suited.
D. Pedro.
Who note have you offended, masters, that you are
thus bound to your answer? this learned constable is too
cunning to be understood: what's your offence?
Bora.
Sweet prince, let me go no farther to mine answer:
do you hear me, and let this count kill me. I have
deceived even your very eyes: what your wisdoms could
not discover, these shallow fools have brought to light;
who, in the night, overheard note me confessing to this man,
how Don John your brother incensed me to slander the
Lady Hero; how you were brought into the orchard, and
saw me court Margaret in Hero's garments: how you disgraced
her, when you should marry her: my villany they
have upon record; which I had rather seal with my death
-- 77 --
than repeat over to my shame. The lady is dead upon
mine and my master's false accusation; and, briefly, I desire
nothing but the reward of a villain.
D. Pedro.
Runs not this speech like iron through your blood?
Claud.
I have drunk poison whiles note he utter'd it.
D. Pedro.
But did my brother set thee on to this?
Bora.
Yea, and note paid me richly note for the practice of it note.
D. Pedro.
He is composed and framed note of treachery:
And fled he is upon this villany.
Claud.
Sweet Hero! now thy image doth appear
In the rare semblance that I loved it first.
Dog.
Come, bring away the plaintiffs: by this time our
sexton hath reformed note Signior Leonato of the matter: and,
masters, do not forget to specify, when time and place shall
serve, that I am an ass.
Verg.
Here, here comes master Signior Leonato, and
the sexton too.
noteRe-enter note Leonato and Antonio, with the 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 note the slave that with thy breath hast kill'd
Mine innocent child?
Bora.
Yea, even I alone.
Leon.
No, not so, villain; thou beliest 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:
-- 78 --
'Twas bravely done, if you bethink you of it.
Claud.
I know not how to pray your patience;
Yet I must speak. Choose your revenge yourself;
Impose note me to note what penance your invention
Can lay upon my sin: yet sinn'd I not
But in mistaking.
D. 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 note.
Leon.
I cannot bid you bid my daughter live note;
That were impossible: but, I pray you both,
Possess the people in Messina here
How innocent she died; and if your love
Can labour ought 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 note in all this wrong,
-- 79 --
Hired 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.
Dog.
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 remembered in his punishment.
And also, the watch heard them talk of one Deformed:
they say he wears a key in his ear, and a lock
hanging by it; and borrows money in God's name, the
which he hath used 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.
Dog.
Your worship speaks like a most thankful and
reverend youth; and I praise God for you.
Leon.
There's for thy pains.
Dog.
God save the foundation!
Leon.
Go, I discharge thee of thy prisoner, and I thank
thee.
Dog.
I leave an arrant note 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 wished, God
prohibit it! Come, neighbour.
[Exeunt Dogberry and Verges note.
Leon.
Until to-morrow morning, lords, farewell.
Ant.
Farewell, my lords: we look for you to-morrow.
D. Pedro.
We will not fail.
Claud.
To-night I'll mourn with Hero.
Leon. [To the Watch note]
Bring you these fellows on. We'll talk with Margaret,
How her acquaintance grew with this lewd fellow.
[Exeunt, severally.
-- 80 --
note
Scene II. [Footnote:
Leonato's garden. note
Enter Benedick and Margaret, meeting.
Bene.
Pray thee, sweet Mistress Margaret, deserve well
at my hands by helping me to the speech of Beatrice.
Marg.
Will you, then, write me a sonnet in praise of
my beauty?
Bene.
In so high a style, Margaret, that no man living
shall come over it; for, in most comely truth, thou deservest
it.
Marg.
To have no man come over me! why, shall I
always keep below note stairs? note
Bene.
Thy wit is as quick as the greyhound's mouth;
it catches.
Marg.
And yours as blunt as the fencer's foils, which
hit, but hurt not.
Bene.
A most manly wit, Margaret; it will not hurt a
woman: and so, I pray thee, call Beatrice: I give thee the
bucklers.
Marg.
Give us the swords; we have bucklers of our own.
Bene.
If you use them, Margaret, you must put in the
pikes with a vice; and they are dangerous weapons for maids.
Marg.
Well, I will call Beatrice to you, who I think
hath legs.
Bene.
And therefore will come.
[Exit Margaret.
[Sings note]
The god of love,
That sits above,
And knows me, and knows me,
How pitiful I deserve,— note
I mean in singing; but in loving, Leander the good swimmer,
Troilus the first employer of panders, and a whole
-- 81 --
bookful of these quondam carpet-mongers, whose names note
yet run smoothly in the even road of a blank verse, why,
they were never so truly turned over and over note as my poor
self in love. Marry, I cannot show it in note rhyme; I have
tried: I can find out no rhyme to ‘lady’ but ‘baby note,’ an
innocent note rhyme; for ‘scorn,’ ‘horn,’ a hard rhyme; for
‘school,’ ‘fool,’ a babbling rhyme; very ominous endings:
no, I was not born under a rhyming planet, nor note I cannot
woo in festival terms.
Enter Beatrice note.
note
Sweet Beatrice, wouldst thou come when I called note thee?
Beat.
Yea, signior, and depart when you bid me.
Bene.
O, stay but till then!
Beat.
‘Then’ is spoken; fare you well now: and yet,
ere I go, let me go with that I came note; which is, with knowing
what hath passed between you and Claudio.
Bene.
Only foul words; and thereupon I will kiss thee.
Beat.
Foul words is but foul wind, and foul wind is but
foul breath, and foul breath is noisome; therefore I will
depart unkissed.
Bene.
Thou hast frighted the word out of his note right
sense, so forcible is thy wit. But I must tell thee plainly,
Claudio undergoes my challenge; and either I must shortly
hear from him, or I will subscribe him a coward. And, I
pray thee now, tell me for which of my bad parts didst
thou first fall in love with me?
Beat.
For them all together note; which maintained note so politic
a state of evil, that they will not admit any good part to
-- 82 --
intermingle with them. But for which of my good parts
did you first note suffer love for me?
Bene.
Suffer love,—a good epithet! I do suffer love
indeed, for I love thee against my will.
Beat.
In spite of your heart, I think; alas, poor heart!
If you spite it for my sake, I will spite it for yours; for I
will never love that which my friend hates.
Bene.
Thou and I are too wise to woo peaceably.
Beat.
It appears not in this note confession: there's not one
wise man among twenty that will praise himself.
Bene.
An old, an old instance, Beatrice, that lived in
the time of good neighbours. If a man do not erect in this
age his own tomb ere he dies, he shall live no longer in
monument note than the bell rings note and the widow weeps.
Beat.
And how long is that, think you?
Bene.
Question: note why, an hour in clamour, and a quarter
in rheum note: therefore is it note most expedient for the wise, if Don
Worm, his conscience, find no impediment to the contrary,
to be the trumpet of his own virtues, as I am to myself. So note
much for praising myself, who, I myself will bear witness,
is praiseworthy: and now tell me, how doth your cousin?
Beat.
Very ill.
Bene.
And how do you?
Beat.
Very ill too.
Bene.
Serve God, love me, and mend. There will I
leave you too, for here comes one in haste.
Enter Ursula. note
Urs.
Madam, you must come to your uncle. Yonder's
old coil at home: it is proved my Lady Hero hath been
falsely accused, the prince and Claudio mightily abused;
and Don John is the author of all, who is fled and gone.
Will you come presently?
-- 83 --
Beat.
Will you go hear this news, signior?
Bene.
I will live in thy heart, die in thy lap note, and be
buried in thy eyes; and moreover I will go with thee to
thy uncle's note.
[Exeunt.
note
Scene III. [Footnote:
A church.
Enter Don Pedro, Claudio, and three or four with tapers.
Claud.
Is this the monument of Leonato?
A Lord. note
It is, my lord.
Claud. [Reading note out of a scroll]
Done to death by note slanderous tongues
Was the Hero that here lies:
Death, in guerdon of her wrongs,
Gives her fame which never dies.
So the life that died with shame
Lives in death with glorious fame.
note
Hang thou there upon the tomb,
Praising her when I am dumb note.
Now, music, sound, and sing your solemn hymn.
Song.
Pardon, goddess of the night,
Those that slew thy note virgin knight note;
For the which, with songs of woe,
Round about her tomb they note go.
Midnight, assist our moan;
Help us to sigh and groan,
Heavily, heavily:
Graves, yawn, and yield your dead,
Till note death be uttered,
Heavily, heavily note.
-- 84 --
Claud. note
Now, unto thy bones good night!
Yearly will I do this rite note.
D. Pedro.
Good morrow, masters; put your torches out:
The wolves have prey'd; and look, the gentle day,
Before the wheels of Phœbus, round about
Dapples the drowsy east with spots of grey.
Thanks to you all, and leave us: fare you well.
Claud.
Good morrow, masters: each his several way note.
D. Pedro.
Come, let us hence, and put on other weeds;
And then to Leonato's we will go.
Claud.
And Hymen now with luckier issue speed's note
Than this for whom note we render'd up this woe.
[Exeunt.
note
Scene IV. [Footnote:
A room in Leonato's house.
Enter Leonato, Antonio, Benedick, Beatrice, Margaret note, Ursula, Friar Francis, and Hero.
Friar.
Did I not tell you she was innocent?
Leon.
So are the prince and Claudio, who accused her
Upon the error that you heard debated:
But Margaret was in some fault for this,
Although against her will, as it appears
In the true course of all the question.
Ant.
Well, I am glad that all things sort note so well.
Bene.
And so am I, being else by faith enforced
To call young Claudio to a reckoning for it.
Leon.
Well, daughter, and you note gentlewomen all,
Withdraw into a chamber by yourselves,
And when I send for you, come hither mask'd.
[Exeunt Ladies. note
-- 85 --
The prince and Claudio promised by this hour
To visit me. You know your office, brother:
You must be father to your brother's daughter,
And give her to young Claudio.
Ant.
Which I will do with confirm'd countenance.
Bene.
Friar, I must entreat your pains, I think.
Friar.
To do what, signior?
Bene.
To bind me, or undo me; one of them.
Signior Leonato, truth it is, good signior,
Your niece regards me with an eye of favour.
Leon. note
That eye my daughter lent her: 'tis most true.
Bene.
And I do with an eye of love requite her.
Leon.
The sight whereof I think you had from me,
From Claudio, and the prince: but what's your will?
Bene.
Your answer, sir, is enigmatical:
But, for my will, my will is, your good will
May stand with ours, this day to be conjoin'd
In the note state note of honourable marriage:
In which, good friar, note I shall desire your help.
Leon.
My heart is with your liking.
Friar.
And my help.
Here comes the prince and Claudio note.
noteEnter Don Pedro and Claudio, and two or three others note.
D. Pedro.
Good morrow to this fair assembly.
Leon.
Good morrow, prince; good morrow, Claudio:
We here attend you. Are you yet determin'd
To-day to marry with my brother's daughter?
Claud.
I'll hold my mind, were she an Ethiope.
Leon.
Call her forth, brother; here's the friar ready.
[Exit Antonio.
D. Pedro.
Good morrow, Benedick. Why, what's the matter,
-- 86 --
That you have such a February face,
So full of frost, of storm, and cloudiness?
Claud.
I think he thinks upon the savage bull.
Tush, fear not, man; we'll tip thy horns with gold,
And all Europa note shall rejoice at thee;
As once Europa did at lusty Jove,
When he would play the noble beast in love.
Bene.
Bull Jove, sir, had an amiable low;
And some such strange bull leap'd your father's cow,
And got note a calf in that same noble feat
Much like to you, for you have just his bleat.
note
Claud.
For this I owe you: here comes note other reckonings.
Re-enter note Antonio, with the Ladies masked.
Which is the lady I must seize upon?
note
Ant.
This same is she, and I do give you her.
Claud.
Why, then she's mine. Sweet, let me see your face.
Leon.
No, that you shall not, till you take her hand
Before this friar, and swear to marry her.
Claud.
Give me your hand: before this holy friar, note
I am your husband, if you like of me.
Hero.
And when I lived, I was your other wife:
[Unmasking. note
And when you loved, you were my other husband.
Claud.
Another Hero!
Hero.
Nothing certainer:
One Hero died defiled note; but I do live,
And surely as I live, I am a maid.
D. Pedro.
The former Hero! Hero that is dead!
Leon.
She died, my lord, but whiles her slander lived.
Friar.
All this amazement can I qualify;
-- 87 --
When after that the holy rites are ended,
I'll tell you note largely of fair Hero's death:
Meantime let wonder seem familiar,
And to the chapel let us presently.
Bene.
Soft and fair, friar. Which is Beatrice?
Beat. [Unmasking]
I answer to that name. What is your will?
Bene.
Do not you love me?
Beat.
Why, no note; no more than reason.
note
Bene.
Why, then your uncle, and the prince, and Claudio
Have been deceived; they swore note you did.
Beat.
Do not you love me?
Bene.
Troth note, no; no more than reason.
Beat.
Why, then my cousin, Margaret, and Ursula
Are much deceived; for they did swear note you did.
Bene.
They swore that note you were almost sick for me.
Beat.
They swore that note you were well-nigh dead for me.
Bene.
'Tis no such note matter. Then you do not love me?
Beat.
No, truly, but in friendly recompense.
Leon.
Come, cousin, I am sure you love the gentleman.
Claud.
And I'll be sworn upon't that he loves her;
For here's a paper, written in his hand,
A halting sonnet of his own pure brain,
Fashion'd to Beatrice.
Hero.
And here's another,
Writ in my cousin's hand, stolen from her pocket,
Containing her affection unto Benedick.
Bene.
A miracle! here's our own hands against our
hearts. Come, I will have thee; but, by this light, I take
thee for pity.
Beat.
I would not note deny you; but, by this good day, I
yield upon great persuasion; and partly to save your life,
for I was told note you were in a consumption.
-- 88 --
note
Bene.
Peace! I will stop your mouth.
[Kissing her. note
D. Pedro.
How dost thou, Benedick, the married man?
Bene.
I'll tell thee what, prince; a college of wit-crackers note
cannot flout me out of my humour. Dost thou think I care
for a satire or an epigram? No: if a man will be beaten
with brains, a' note shall wear nothing handsome about him. In
brief, since I do purpose note to marry, I will think nothing to
any purpose that the world can say against it; and therefore
never flout at me for what note I have said against it; for man
is a giddy thing, and this is my conclusion. For thy part,
Claudio, I did think to have beaten thee; but in that thou art
like to be my kinsman, live unbruised, and love my cousin.
Claud.
I had well hoped thou wouldst have denied Beatrice,
that I might have cudgelled thee out of thy single life,
to make thee a double-dealer; which, out of question, thou
wilt be, if my cousin do note not look exceeding narrowly to thee.
Bene.
Come, come, we are friends: let's have a dance
ere we are married, that we may lighten our own hearts,
and our wives' heels.
Leon.
We'll have dancing afterward note.
Bene.
First, of my word; therefore play, note music. Prince,
thou art sad; get thee a wife, get thee a wife: there is no note
staff more reverend than one tipped with horn.
Enter a Messenger.
Mess.
My lord, your brother John is ta'en in flight,
And brought with armed men back to Messina.
Bene.
Think not on him till to-morrow: I'll devise thee note
brave punishments for him. Strike up, pipers.
[Dance.
[Exeunt.
