L.
Don P. (C.)
I do but stay till your marriage be consummate,
and then go I toward Arrago.
Claudio.
I'll bring you thither, my lord, if you'll vouchsafe
me.
Don P. (C.)
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 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.
Bened. (R. C., sighing)
Gallants, I am not as I have
been.
Leon. (R.)
So say I! methinks, you are sadder.
Claudio.
I hope, he be in love.
Don P.
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.
Bened.
I have the tooth-ache.
Don P.
Draw it.
-- 30 --
Bened. (sighing)
Hang it!
Don P.
What! sigh for the tooth-ache?
Leon.
Which is but a humour, or a worm?
Bened.
Well, every one can master a grief, but he that
has it.
Claud.
Yet say I, he is in love. If he be not in love
with some woman, there is no believing old signs; he
brushes his hat o'mornings; what should that bode? (snatches his hat from his hand and going over to L.—
Benedick following to recover it)
* noteDon. (Noticing that Benedick is without the beard he formerly wore.)
Hath any man seen him at the barber's?
* noteClaud.
No, but the barber's man hath been seen with
him, and the old ornament of his cheek hath already
stuffed tennis-balls.
* noteLeon.
He looks younger than he did, by the loss of
a beard. * note(all laugh at Benedick.)
Don. P.
Nay, he rubs himself with civet: can you
smell him out by that? (snatching his handkerchief—
Benedick attempts to regain it—Don Pedro, R. C. throws
it across to Claudio, L.)
Claud.
That's as much as to say, the sweet youth's
in love.
Don P.
The greatest note of it is his melancholy.
Claud.
Nay, but his jesting spirit, which is crept into
a lutestring, and now governed with stops.
Don P.
Indeed, that tells a heavy tale for him. Conclude,
conclude, he is in love.
Claud.
Nay, but I know who loves him.
Don P.
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.
Don P.
She shall be buried with her face upwards.
Bened.
Yet this is no charm for the tooth-ache.—Old
Signior, (to Leonato) walk aside with me; (retiring, R.)
-- 31 --
I have studied eight or nine wise words to speak to you,
which these hobby-horses must not hear.
Exeunt Benedick, (after looking angrily at Don Pedro and Claudio,) and Leonato, R.
Don P.
For my life, to break with him about Beatrice.
Claud. (L.)
'Tis even so: Hero and Margaret have, by
this time, played their parts with Beatrice; and then the
two bears will not bite one another, when they meet.
Enter Don John, L.
Don John.
My lord and brother, heaven save you!
Don P. (C.)
Good den, brother.
Don John.
If your leisure served, I would speak with
you.
Don P.
In private?
Don John.
If it please you;—yet Count Claudio may
hear; for what I would speak of concerns him.
Don P.
What's the matter?
Don John.
Means your lordship to be married to-morrow?
Don P.
You know, he does.
Don John.
I know not that, when he knows what
I know.
Claud. (R.)
If there be any impediment, I pray you
discover it.
Don 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 holp to effect your
ensuing marriage: surely, suit ill spent, and labour ill
bestowed!
Don P.
Why, what's the matter?
Don John.
I came hither to tell you, and, circumstances
shortened, for she hath too long been a-talking of, the
lady is disloyal.
Claud. (crosses, C.)
Who? Hero!
Don John.
Even she; Leonato's Hero, your Hero,
every man's Hero.
Claud.
Disloyal!
Don John.
The word is too good to paint out her
wickedness: I could say, she were worse; think you of
-- 32 --
a worse title, and I will fit her to it. Wonder not till
farther warrant: go but with me to-night, you shall see
her chamber-window entered, even the night before her
wedding-day; if you love her then, to-morrow wed her;
but it would better fit your honour to change your mind.
Claud.
May this be so?
Don P.
I will not think it.
Don 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 anything to-night why I should not
marry her to-morrow, in the congregation, where I should
wed, there will I shame her.
Don P.
And, as I wooed for thee to obtain her, I will
join with thee to disgrace her.
John.
I will disparage her no farther, till you are my
witnesses; bear it coldly but till midnight, and let the
issue show itself.
Exeunt, L.
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].
