SCENE III.
Claud.
Benedick, didst thou note the daughter of
Signior Leonato?
Bene.
I noted her not, but I look'd 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 judgment? or would you have
me speak after my custom, as being a professed tyrant
to their sex?
Claud.
No, I pr'ythee, speak in sober judgment.
Bene.
Why, i'faith, methinks, she is too low for
an high praise, too brown for a fair praise, and too little
-- 9 --
for a great praise; only this commendation I can
&wlquo;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.&wrquo;
Claud.
Thou think'st, I am in sport; I pray thee,
tell me truly how thou lik'st her.
Bene.
Would you buy her, that you enquire after
her?
Claud.
Can the world buy such a jewel?
Bene.
Yea, and a case to put it into; 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 I
ever look'd on.
Bene.
I can see yet without spectacles, and I see no
such matter; there's her Cousin, if she were not possest
with such a 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 my self, tho' I had
sworn the contrary, if Hero would be my wife.
Bene.
Is't come to this, in faith? hath not the world
one man, but he will wear his cap with suspicion? shall
I never see a batchelor of threescore again? go to,
i'faith, if thou wilt needs thrust thy neck into a yoke,
wear the print of it, and 7 notesigh away Sundays: look,
Don Pedro is return'd to seek you.
Alexander Pope [1747], The works of Shakespear in eight volumes. The Genuine Text (collated with all the former Editions, and then corrected and emended) is here settled: Being restored from the Blunders of the first Editors, and the Interpolations of the two Last: with A Comment and Notes, Critical and Explanatory. By Mr. Pope and Mr. Warburton (Printed for J. and P. Knapton, [and] S. Birt [etc.], London) [word count] [S11301].