R. 1 E.
Don John.
It is so; the Count Claudio shall marry the
daughter of Leonato.
Borach.
Yea, my lord; but I can cross it.
Don 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 cans't thou cross this marriage?
Borach.
Not honestly, my lord; but so covertly that
no dishonesty shall appear in me.
Don John.
Show me briefly how.
Borach.
I think I told your lordship, a year since, how
much I am in the favour of Margaret, the waiting-gentlewoman
to Hero.
Don John.
I remember.
Borach.
I can, at any unseasonable instant of the night,
appoint her to look out at her lady's chamber-window.
-- 21 --
Don John.
What life is in that, to be the death of this
marriage?
Borach.
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.
Don John.
What proof shall I make of that?
Borach.
Proof enough to misuse the prince, to vex
Claudio, to undo Hero, and kill Leonato. Look for any
other issue?
Don John.
Only to despite them, I will endeavour
anything.
Borach.
Go then; find me a meet hour to draw Don
Pedro and the Count Claudio, alone: tell them that you
know that Hero loves me. They will scarcely 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; and bring them to see this, the very night
before the intended wedding: for, in the mean time, I
will so fashion the matter, that Hero shall be absent; and
there shall appear such seeming truth of Hero's disloyalty,
that jealousy shall be called assurance, and all the preparation
overthrown.
Don 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.
Borach.
Be you constant in the accusation, and my
cunning shall not shame me.
Don John.
I will presently go learn their day of marriage.
Exeunt Borachio and Don John, L. 1 E.
Charles Kean [1858], [Much Ado About Nothing. A Comedy, in five acts. By William Shakespeare, in] Lacy's acting edition of plays, dramas, farces, extravaganzas, etc. etc. as performed at the various theatres. Volume 35 containing Love Knot. Much Ado About Nothing. Ticklish Times. A Lucky Hit. Faint Heart Never Won Fair Lady. Double Dummy. Spectre Bridegroom. Birthplace Of Podgers. Crossing The Line. Children of the Castle. Nothing Venture Nothing Win. Fra Diavolo (Burlesque). Margaret Catchpole. My Wife's Dentist. Schoolfellows. (Thomas Hailes Lacy [etc.], London) [word count] [S40500].
