Pedro.

Lady, will you walk about with your friend?

Hero.

So you walk softly, and look sweetly, and say nothing, I am yours for the walk, and especially when I walk away.

Pedro.

With me in your company?

Hero.

I may say so when I please.

Pedro.

And when please you to say so?

Hero.

When I like your favour; for God defend the lute should be like the case.

Pedro.

My visor is Philemon's roof, within the house is love.

Hero.

Why then your visor should be thatch'd.

Pedro.

Speak low, if you speak love.

Bene.

Well, I would you did like me.

Marg.

So would not I for your own sake, for I have many ill qualities.

Bene.

Which is one?

Marg.

I say my Prayers aloud.

Bene.

I love you the better, the hearers may cry Amen.

Marg.

God match me with a good dancer.

Balth.

Amen.

Marg.

And God keep him out of my sight when the dance is done: answer clerk.

Balth.

No more words, the clerk is answer'd.

Ursu.

I know you well enough, you are Signior Antonio.

Ant.

At a word, I am not.

Ursu.

I know you by the wagling of your head.

Ant.

To tell you true, I counterfeit him.

Urs.

You could never do him so ill, well, unless you were the very man: here's his dry hand up and down; you are he, you are he.

Ant.

At a word, I am not.

Urs.

Come, come, do you think I do not know you by

your excellent wit? can virtue hide it self? go to, mum, you are he; graces will appear, and there's an end.

Beat.

Will you not tell me who told you so?

Bene.

No, you shall pardon me.

Beat.

Nor will you not tell me who you are?

Bene.

Not now.

Beat.

That I was disdainful, and that I had my good wit out of the hundred merry tales; well, this was Signior Benedick that said so.

Bene.

What's he?

Beat.

I am sure you know him well enough.

Bene.

Not I, believe me.

Beat.

Did he never make you laugh?

Bene.

I pray you what is he?

Beat.

Why, he is the Prince's jester, a very dull fool, only his gift is in devising impossible slanders: none but libertines delight in him, and the commendation is not in his wit, but in his villany; for he both pleaseth men and angers them, and then they laugh at him, and beat him; I am sure he is in the fleet, I would he had boarded me.

Bene.

When I know the gentleman, I'll tell him what you say.

Beat.

Do, do, he'll but break a comparison or two on me, which peradventure not mark'd, or not laugh'd at, strikes him into melancholy, and then there's a partridge wing sav'd, for the fool will eat no supper that night. We must follow the leaders.

Bene.

In every good thing.

Beat.

Nay, if they lead to any ill, I will leave them at the next turning.

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