SCENE VI.
Pedro.
By my troth, a pleasant-spirited Lady.
Leon.
There's little of the melancholy element in
her, my Lord; she is never sad but when she sleeps,
and not ever sad then; for I have heard my daughter
say, 1 note
she hath often dream'd of an note unhappiness, and
wak'd her self with laughing.
Pedro.
She cannot endure to hear tell of a husband.
Leon.
O, by no means, she mocks all her wooers
out of suit.
Pedro.
She were an excellent wife for Benedick.
-- 28 --
Leon.
O Lord, my Lord, if they were but a
week marry'd, they would talk themselves mad.
Pedro.
Count Claudio, when mean you to go to
church?
Claud.
To morrow, my Lord; time goes on crutches,
'till love have all his rites.
Leon.
Not 'till Monday, my dear son, which is
hence a just seven-night, and a time too brief too,
to have all things answer my mind.
Pedro.
Come, you shake the head at so long a
breathing; but, I warrant thee, Claudio, the time
shall not go dully by us. I will in the Interim undertake
one of Hercules's labours, which is, to bring
Signior Benedick and the Lady Beatrice into a mountain
of affection the one with the other; I would
fain have it a match, and I doubt not to fashion it,
if you three will but minister such assistance as I shall
give you direction.
Leon.
My Lord, I am for you, though it cost
me ten nights watchings.
Claud.
And I, my Lord.
Pedro.
And you too, gentle Hero?
Hero.
I will do any modest office, my Lord, to
help my Cousin to a good husband.
Pedro.
And Benedick is not the unhopefullest husband
that I know: thus far I can praise him, he is
of a noble strain, of approv'd valour, and confirm'd
honesty. I will teach you how to humour your
Cousin, that she shall fall in love with Benedick; and
I, with your two helps, will so practise on Benedick,
that in despight of his quick wit, and his queasie
stomach, he shall fall in love with Beatrice. If we
can do this, Cupid is no longer an archer, his glory
shall be ours, for we are the only Love-Gods; go in
with me, and I will tell you my drift.
[Exeunt.
-- 29 --
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].
