Pedro.

Good Signior Leonato, you are come to meet your trouble: the fashion of the world is to avoid cost, and you encounter it.

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.

Pedro.

You embrace your charge too willingly: I think, this is your daughter.

Leon.

Her mother hath many times told me so.

Bene.

Were you in doubt, Sir, that you askt her?

Leon.

Signior Benedick, no; for then were you a child.—

Pedro.

You have it full, Benedick; We may guess by this what you are, being a man: truly, the lady fathers her self; 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; no body 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? Courtesie it self must convert to Disdain, if you come in her presence.

Bene.

Then is courtesie a turn-coat; but it is certain, I am lov'd 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 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 scratcht face.

&wlquo;Beat.

&wlquo;Scratching could not make it worse, an 'twere such a face as yours were.&wrquo;

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 o' God's name, I have done.

Beat.

You always end with a jade's trick; I know you of old.

Pedro.

This is the sum of all: Leonato,—Signior Claudio, and Signior Benedick,—my dear friend Leonato hath invited you all; I tell him, 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.— Let me bid You welcome, my lord, being reconciled to the prince your brother; I owe you all duty.

John.

I thank you; I am not of many words, but I thank you.

Leon.

Please it your Grace lead on?

Pedro.

Your hand, Leonato; we will go together.