SCENE X.
Bene.
This can be no trick, the conference was sadly born;
they have the truth of this from Hero, they seem to pity the
lady; it seems her affections have the full bent. Love me!
why, it must be requited: I hear how I am censur'd; they say
I will bear my self proudly, if I perceive the love come from
her; they say too, that she will rather die than give any sign
of affection—I did never think to marry—I must not seem
proud—happy are they that hear their detractions, and can
put them to mending: they say the lady is fair; 'tis a truth,
I can bear them witness: and virtuous; 'tis so, I cannot reprove
it: and wise, but for loving me—by my troth it is no
addition to her wit, nor no great argument of her folly; for I
will be horribly in love with her,—I may chance to have some
odd quirks and remnants of wit broken on me, because I have
rail'd so long against marriage; but doth not the appetite alter?
-- 511 --
a man loves the meat in his youth, that he cannot endure
in his age. Shall quipps and sentences, and these paper
bullets of the brain, awe a man from the career of his humour?
no: the world must be peopled. When I said I would die a
batchelor, I did not think I should live 'till I were marry'd.
Here comes Beatrice: by this day she's a fair lady, I do spy
some marks of love in her.
Enter Beatrice.
Beat.
Against my will I am sent to bid you come in to dinner.
Bene.
Fair Beatrice, I thank you for your pains.
Beat.
I took no more pains for those thanks, than you take
pains to thank me; if it had been painful, I would not have
come.
Bene.
You take pleasure then in the message.
Beat.
Yea, just so much as you may take upon a knife's
point, and choak a daw withal: you have no stomach, Signior;
fare you well.
[Exit.
Bene.
Ha! against my will I am sent to bid you come in to
dinner: there's a double meaning in that. I took no more
pains for those thanks, than you took pains to thank me; that's
as much as to say, any pains that I take for you is as easie as
thanks. If I do not take pity of her, I am a villain; if I do not
love her, I am a Jew; I will go get her picture.
[Exit.
-- 512 --
George Sewell [1723–5], The works of Shakespear in six [seven] volumes. Collated and Corrected by the former Editions, By Mr. Pope ([Vol. 7] Printed by J. Darby, for A. Bettesworth [and] F. Fayram [etc.], London) [word count] [S11101].
