Conrade.
Con.
What the good year6 note, my lord! why are you
thus out of measure sad?
-- 199 --
John.
There is no measure in the occasion that breeds, 11Q0162
therefore the sadness is without limit.
Con.
You should hear reason.
John.
And when I have heard it, what blessing
brings it?
Con.
If not a present remedy, at least7 note a patient sufferance.
John.
I wonder, that thou being (as thou say'st thou
art) born under Saturn, goest about to apply a moral
medicine to a mortifying mischief. I cannot hide what
I am: I must be sad when I have cause, and smile at
no man's jests; eat when I have stomach, and wait for
no man's leisure; sleep when I am drowsy, and tend on
no man's business; laugh when I am merry, and claw
no man in his humour.
Con.
Yea; but you must not make the full show of
this, till you may do it without controlment. You have
of late stood out against your brother, and he hath ta'en
you newly into his grace; where it is impossible you
should take true root8 note, but by the fair weather that you
make yourself: it is needful that you frame the season
for your own harvest.
John.
I had rather be a canker in a hedge, than a
rose in his grace; and it better fits my blood to be disdained
of all, than to fashion a carriage to rob love from
any: in this, though I cannot be said to be a flattering
honest man, it must not be denied but I am9 note a plain-dealing
villain. I am trusted with a muzzle, and enfranchised
with a clog; therefore I have decreed not to
sing in my cage. If I had my mouth, I would bite; if
I had my liberty, I would do my liking: in the mean
time, let me be that I am, and seek not to alter me.
Con.
Can you make no use of your discontent?
-- 200 --
John.
I make all use of it, for I use it only10 note. Who
comes here? What news, Borachio?
Enter Borachio.
Bora.
I came yonder from a great supper: the prince,
your brother, is royally entertained by Leonato, and I
can give you intelligence of an intended marriage.
John.
Will it serve for any model to build mischief
on? What is he, for a fool, that betroths himself to unquietness?
Bora.
Marry, it is your brother's right hand.
John.
Who? the most exquisite Claudio?
Bora.
Even he.
John.
A proper squire! And who, and who? which
way looks he?
Bora.
Marry, on Hero, the daughter and heir of
Leonato.
John.
A very forward March-chick! How came you
to this?
Bora.
Being entertained for a perfumer, as I was
smoking a musty-room, comes me the prince and Claudio,
hand in hand, in sad conference: I whipt me1 note behind the
arras, and there heard it agreed upon, that the prince
should woo Hero for himself, and having obtained her,
give her to count Claudio.
John.
Come, come; let us thither: this may prove
food to my displeasure. That young start-up hath all
the glory of my overthrow: if I can cross him any way,
I bless myself every way. You are both sure, and will
assist me?
Con.
To the death, my lord.
John.
Let us to the great supper: their cheer is
the greater, that I am subdued. 'Would the cook were
of my mind!—Shall we go prove what's to be done?
Bora.
We'll wait upon your lordship.
[Exeunt.
-- 201 --
J. Payne Collier [1842–1844], The works of William Shakespeare. The text formed from an entirely new collation of the old editions: with the various readings, notes, a life of the poet, and a history of the Early English stage. By J. Payne Collier, Esq. F.S.A. In eight volumes (Whittaker & Co. [etc.], London) [word count] [S10101].
