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

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.

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.