Leonato.

[1] I Learne in this Letter, that Don Peter of Arra­ [l. 2] gon, comes this night to Messina.

Mess.

[3] He is very neere by this: he was not [l. 4] three Leagues off when I left him.

Leon.

[5] How many Gentlemen haue you lost in this [l. 6] action?

Mess.

[7] But few of any sort, and none of name.

Leon.

[8] A victorie is twice it selfe, when the atchieuer [l. 9] brings home full numbers: I finde heere, that Don Pe­ [l. 10] ter hath bestowed much honor on a yong Florentine, cal­ [l. 11] led Claudio.

Mess.

[12] Much deseru'd on his part, and equally remem­ [l. 13] bred by Don Pedro, he hath borne himselfe beyond the [l. 14] promise of his age, doing in the figure of a Lambe, the [l. 15] feats of a Lion, he hath indeede better bettred expecta­ [l. 16] tion, then you must expect of me to tell you how.

Leo.

[17] He hath an Vnckle heere in Messina, wil be very [l. 18] much glad of it.

Mess.

[19] I haue alreadie deliuered him letters, and there [l. 20] appeares much ioy in him, euen so much, that ioy could not [l. 21] shew it selfe modest enough, without a badg of bit­ [l. 22] ternesse.

Leo.

[23] Did he breake out into teares?

Mess.

[24] In great measure.

Leo.

[25] A kinde ouerflow of kindnesse, there are no fa­ [l. 26] ces truer, then those that are so wash'd, how much bet­ [l. 27] ter is it to weepe at ioy, then to ioy at weeping?

Bea.

[28] I pray you, is Signior Mountanto return'd from [l. 29] the warres, or no?

Mess.

[30] I know none of that name, Lady, there was [l. 31] none such in the armie of any sort.

Leon.

[32] What is he that you aske for Neece?

Hero.

[33] My cousin meanes Signior Benedick of Padua

Mess.

[34] O he's return'd, and as pleasant as euer he was.

Beat.

[35] He set vp his bils here in Messina, & challeng'd [l. 36] Cupid at the Flight: and my Vnckles foole reading the [l. 37] Challenge, subscrib'd for Cupid, and challeng'd him at [l. 38] the Burbolt. I pray you, how many hath hee kil'd and [l. 39] eaten in these warres? But how many hath he kil'd? for [l. 40] indeed, I promis'd to eate all of his killing.

Leon.

[41] 'Faith Neece, you taxe Signior Benedicke too [l. 42] much, but hee'l be meet with you, I doubt it not.

Mess.

[43] He hath done good seruice Lady in these wars.

Beat.

[44] You had musty victuall, and he hath holpe to [l. 45] ease it: he's a very valiant Trencher‑man, hee hath an [l. 46] excellent stomacke.

Mess.

[47] And a good souldier too Lady.

Beat.

[48] And a good souldier to a Lady. But what is he [l. 49] to a Lord?

Mess.

[50] A Lord to a Lord, a man to a man, stuft with [l. 51] all honourable vertues.

Beat.

[52] It is so indeed, he is no lesse then a stuft man: [l. 53] but for the stuffing well, we are all mortall.

Leon.

[54] You must not (sir) mistake my Neece, there is [l. 55] a kind of merry war betwixt Signior Benedick, & her: [l. 56] they neuer meet, but there's a skirmish of wit between [l. 57] them.

Bea.

[58] Alas, he gets nothing by that. In our last con­ [l. 59] flict, foure of his fiue wits went halting off, and now is [l. 60] the whole man gouern'd with one: so that if hee haue [l. 61] wit enough to keepe himselfe warme, let him beare it [l. 62] for a difference betweene himselfe and his horse: For it [l. 63] is all the wealth that he hath left, to be knowne a reaso- [l. 64] nable creature. Who is his companion now? He hath [l. 65] euery month a new sworne brother.

Mess.

[66] I'st Is't possible?

Beat.

[67] Very easily possible: he weares his faith but as [l. 68] the fashion of his hat, it euer changes with yͤ next block.

Mess.

[69] I see (Lady) the Gentleman is not in your [l. 70] bookes.

Bea.

[71] No, and he were, I would burne my study. But [l. 72] I pray you, who is his companion? Is there no young [l. 73] squarer now,[.]that will make a voyage with him to the [l. 74] diuell?

Mess.

[75] He is most in the company of the right noble [l. 76] Claudio.

Beat.

[77] O Lord, he will hang vpon him like a disease: [l. 78] he is sooner caught then the pestilence, and the taker [l. 79] runs presently mad. God helpe the noble Claudio, if hee [l. 80] haue caught the Benedict, it will cost him a thousand [l. 81] pound ere he be cur'd.

Mess.

[82] I will hold friends with you Lady.

Bea.

[83] Do good friend.

Leo.

[84] You'l ne're run mad Neece.

Bea.

[85] No, not till a hot Ianuary.

Mess.

[86] Don Pedro is approach'd.

Pedro.

[87] Good Signior Leonato, you are come to meet [l. 88] your trouble: the fashion of the world is to auoid cost, [l. 89] and you encounter it.

Leon.

[90] Neuer came trouble to my house in the likenes [l. 91] of your Grace: for trouble being gone, comfort should [l. 92] remaine: but when you depart from me, sorrow abides, [l. 93] and happinesse takes his leaue.

Pedro.

[94] You embrace your charge too willingly: I [l. 95] thinke this is your daughter.

Leonato.

[96] Her mother hath many times told me so.

Bened.

[97] Were you in doubt that you askt her?

Leonato.

[98] Signior Benedicke, no, for then were you a [l. 99] childe.

Pedro.

[100] You haue it full Benedicke, we may ghesse by [l. 101] this, what you are, being a man, truely the Lady fathers [l. 102] her selfe: be happie Lady, for you are like an honorable [l. 103] father.

Ben.

[104] If Signior Leonato be her father, she would not [l. 105] haue his head on her shoulders for al Messina, as like him [l. 106] as she is.

Beat.

[107] I wonder that you will still be talking, signior [l. 108] Benedicke, no body markes you.

Ben.

[109] What my deere Ladie Disdaine! are you yet [l. 110] liuing?

Beat.

[111] Is it possible Disdaine should die, while shee [l. 112] hath such meete foode to feede it, as Signior Benedicke? [l. 113] Curtesie it selfe must conuert to Disdaine, if you come in [l. 114] her presence.

Bene.

[115] Then is curtesie a turneȑcoate, but it is cer­ [l. 116] taine I am loued of all Ladies, onely you excepted: and [l. 117] I would I could finde in my heart that I had not a hard [l. 118] heart, for truely I loue none.

Beat.

[119] A deere happinesse to women, they would else [l. 120] haue beene troubled with a pernitious Suter, I thanke [l. 121] God and my cold blood, I am of your humour for that, I [l. 122] had rather heare my Dog barke at a Crow, than a man [l. 123] sweare he loues me.

Bene.

[124] God keepe your Ladiship still in that minde, [l. 125] so[.] some Gentleman or other shall scape a predestinate [l. 126] scratcht face.

Beat.

[127] Scratching could not make it worse, and 'twere [l. 128] such a face as yours were.

Bene.

[129] Well, you are a rare Parrat teacher.

Beat.

[130] A bird of my tongue, is better than a beast of [l. 131] your.

Ben.

[132] I would my horse had the speed of your tongue, [l. 133] and so good a continuer, but keepe your way a Gods [l. 134] name, I haue done.

Beat.

[135] You alwaies end with a Iades tricke, I know [l. 136] you of old.

Pedro.

[137] This is the summe of all: Leonato, signior Clau­ [l. 138] dio, and signior Benedicke; my deere friend Leonato, hath [l. 139] inuited you all, I tell him we shall stay here, at the least [l. 140] a moneth, and he heartily praies some occasion may de­ [l. 141] taine vs longer: I dare sweare hee is no hypocrite, [l. 142] but praies from his heart.

Leon.

[143] If you sweare, my Lord, you shall not be for­ [l. 144] sworne, let mee bid you welcome, my Lord, being re­ [l. 145] conciled to the Prince your brother: I owe you all [l. 146] duetie.

Iohn.

[147] I thanke you, I am not of many words, but I [l. 148] thanke you.

Leon.

[149] Please it your grace leade on?

Pedro.

[150] Your hand Leonato, we will goe together.

Clau.

[151] Benedicke, didst thou note the daughter of sig­ [l. 152] nior Leonato?

Bene.

[153] I noted her not, but I lookt on her.

Claud.

[154] Is she not a modest yong Ladie?

Bene.

[155] Doe you question me as an honest man should [l. 156] doe, for my simple true iudgement? or would you haue [l. 157] me speake after my custome, as being a professed tyrant [l. 158] to their sexe?

Clau.

[159] No, I pray thee speake in sober iudgement.

Bene.

[160] Why yfaith me thinks shee's too low for a hie [l. 161] praise, too browne for a faire praise, and too little for a [l. 162] great praise, onely this commendation I can affoord her, [l. 163] that were shee other then she is, she were vnhandsome, [l. 164] and being no other, but as she is, I doe not like her.

Clau.

[165] Thou think'st I am in sport, I pray thee tell me [l. 166] truely how thou lik'st her.

Bene.

[167] Would you buie her, that you enquier after [l. 168] her?

Clau.

[169] Can the world buie such a iewell?

Ben.

[170] Yea, and a case to put it into, but speake you this [l. 171] with a sad brow? Or doe you play the flowting iacke, to [l. 172] tell vs Cupid is a good Hare‑finder, and Vulcan a rare [l. 173] Carpenter: Come, in what key shall aman a man take you to [l. 174] goe in the song?

Clau.

[175] In mine eie, she is the sweetest Ladie that euer [l. 176] I lookt on.

Bene.

[177] I can see yet without spectacles, and I see no [l. 178] such matter: there's her cosin, and she were not possest [l. 179] with a furie, exceedes her as much in beautie, as the first [l. 180] of Maie doth the last of December: but I hope you haue [l. 181] no intent to turne husband, haue you?

Clau.

[182] I would scarce trust my selfe, though I had [l. 183] sworne the contrarie, if Hero would be my wife.

Bene.

[184] Ist come to this? in faith hath not the world one [l. 185] man but he will weare his cap with suspition? shall I ne­ [l. 186] uer see a batcheller of three score againe? goe to yfaith, [l. 187] and thou wilt needes thrust thy necke into a yoke, weare [l. 188] the print of it, and sigh away sundaies: looke, don Pedro [l. 189] is returned to seeke you.

Pedr.

[190] What secret hath held you here, that you fol­ [l. 191] lowed not to Leonatoes?

Bened.

[192] I would your Grace would constraine mee to [l. 193] tell.

Pedro.

[194] I charge thee on thy allegeance.

Ben.

[195] You heare, Count Claudio, I can be secret as a [l. 196] dumbe man, I would haue you thinke so (but on my al­ [l. 197] legiance, marke you this, on my allegiance) hee is in [l. 198] loue, With who? now that is your Graces part: marke [l. 199] how short his answere is, with Hero, Leonatoes short [l. 200] daughter.

Clau.

[201] If this were so, so were it vttred.

Bened.

[202] Like the old tale, my Lord, it is not so, nor 'twas [l. 203] not so: but indeede, God forbid it should be so.

Clau.

[204] If my passion change not shortly, God forbid it [l. 205] should be otherwise.

Pedro.

[206] Amen, if you loue her, for the Ladie is verie [l. 207] well worthie.

Clau.

[208] You speake this to fetch me in, my Lord.

Pedr.

[209] By my troth I speake my thought.

Clau.

[210] And in faith, my Lord, I spoke mine.

Bened.

[211] And by my two faiths and troths, my Lord, I [l. 212] speake mine.

Clau.

[213] That I loue her, I feele.

Pedr.

[214] That she is worthie, I know.

Bened.

[215] That I neither feele how shee should be lo­ [l. 216] ued, nor know how shee should be worthie, is the [l. 217] opinion that fire cannot melt out of me, I will die in it at [l. 218] the stake.

Pedr.

[219] Thou wast euer an obstinate heretique in the de­ [l. 220] spight of Beautie.

Clau.

[221] And neuer could maintaine his part, but in the [l. 222] force of his will.

Ben.

[223] That a woman conceiued me, I thanke her: that [l. 224] she brought mee vp, I likewise giue her most humble [l. 225] thankes: but that I will haue a rechate winded in my [l. 226] forehead, or hang my bugle in an inuisible baldricke, all [l. 227] women shall pardon me: because I will not do them the [l. 228] wrong to mistrust any, I will doe my selfe the right to [l. 229] trust none: and the fine is, (for the which I may goe the [l. 230] finer) I will liue a Batchellor.

Pedro.

[231] I shall see thee ere I die, looke pale with loue.

Bene.

[232] With anger, with sicknesse, or with hunger, [l. 233] my Lord, not with loue: proue that euer I loose more [l. 234] blood with loue, then I will get againe with drinking, [l. 235] picke out mine eyes with a Ballet‑makers penne, and [l. 236] hang me vp at the doore of a brothel‑house for the signe [l. 237] of blinde Cupid.

Pedro.

[238] Well, if euer thou doost fall from this faith, [l. 239] thou wilt proue a notable argument.

Bene.

[240] If I do, hang me in a bottle like a Cat, & shoot [l. 241] at me, and he that hit's me, let him be clapt on the shoul­ [l. 242] der, and cal'd Adam.

Pedro.

[243] Well, as time shall trie: In time the sauage [l. 244] Bull doth beare tne the yoake.

Bene.

[245] The sauage bull may, but if euer the sensible [l. 246] Benedicke beare it, plucke off the bulles hornes, and set [l. 247] them in my forehead, and let me be vildely painted, and [l. 248] in such great Letters as they write, heere is good horse [l. 249] to hire: let them signifie vnder my signe, here you may [l. 250] see Benedicke the married man.

Clau.

[251] If this should euer happen, thou wouldst bee [l. 252] horne mad.

Pedro.

[253] Nay, if Cupid haue not spent all his Quiuer in [l. 254] Venice, thou wilt quake for this shortly.

Bene.

[255] I looke for an earthquake too then.

Pedro.

[256] Well, you will temporize with the houres, in [l. 257] the meane time, good Signior Benedicke, repaire to Leo­ [l. 258] natoes, commend me to him, and tell him I will not faile [l. 259] him at supper, for indeede he hath made great prepara­ [l. 260] tion.

Bene.

[261] I haue almost matter enough in me for such an [l. 262] Embassage, and so I commit you.

Clau.

[263] To the tuition of God. From my house, if I [l. 264] had it.

Pedro.

[265] The sixt of Iuly. Your louing friend, Benedick.

Bene.

[266] Nay mocke not, mocke not; the body of your [l. 267] discourse is sometime guarded with fragments, and the [l. 268] guardes are but slightly basted on neither, ere you flout [l. 269] old ends any further, examine your conscience, and so I [l. 270] leaue you.

Clau.

Pedro.

Clau.

Pedro.

Clau.

Pedro.

Clau.

Ped.

Leonato.

[400] Was not Count Iohn here at supper?

Brother.

[401] I saw him not.

Beatrice.

[402] How tartly that Gentleman lookes, I neuer [l. 403] can see him, but I am heart‑burn'd an howre after.

Hero.

[404] He is of a very melancholy disposition.

Beatrice.

[405] Hee were an excellent man that were made [l. 406] iust in the mid‑way betweene him and Benedicke, the one [l. 407] is too like an image and saies nothing, and the other too [l. 408] like my Ladies eldest sonne, euermore tatling.

Leon.

[409] Then halfe signior Benedicks tongue in Count [l. 410] Iohns mouth, and halfe Count Iohns melancholy in Sig­ [l. 411] nior Benedicks face.

Beat.

[412] With a good legge, and a good foot vnckle, and [l. 413] money enough in his purse, such a man would winne any [l. 414] woman in the world, if he could get her good will.

Leon.

[415] By my troth Neece, thou wilt neuer get thee a [l. 416] husband, if thou be so shrewd of thy tongue.

Brother.

[417] Infaith shee's too curst.

Beat.

[418] Too curst is more then curst, I shall lessen Gods [l. 419] sending that way: for it is said, God sends a curst Cow [l. 420] short hornes, but to a Cow too curst he sends none.

Leon.

[421] So, by being too curst, God will send you no [l. 422] hornes.

Beat.

[423] Iust, if he send me no husband, for the which [l. 424] blessing, I am at him vpon my knees euery morning [l. 425] and euening: Lord, I could not endure a husband with a [l. 426] beard on his face, I had rather lie in the woollen.

Leonato.

[427] You may light vpon a husband that hath no [l. 428] beard.

Beatrice.

[429] What should I doe with him? Dresse him in [l. 430] my apparell, and make him my waiting gentlewoman? he [l. 431] that hath a beard, is more then a youth: and he that hath [l. 432] no beard, is lesse then a man: and hee that is more then a [l. 433] youth, is not for mee: and he that is lesse then a man, I am [l. 434] not for him: therefore I will euen take sixepence in ear­ [l. 435] nest of the Berrord, and leade his Apes into hell.

Leon.

[436] Well then, goe you into hell.

Beat.

[437] No, but to the gate, and there will the Deuill [l. 438] meete mee like an old Cuckold with hornes on his head, [l. 439] and say, get you to heauen Beatrice, get you to heauen, [l. 440] heere's no place for you maids, so deliuer I vp my Apes, [l. 441] and away to SaintS. Peter: for the heauens, hee shewes mee [l. 442] where the Batchellers sit, and there liue wee as merry as [l. 443] the day is long.

Brother.

[444] Well neece, I trust you will be rul'd by your [l. 445] father.

Beatrice.

[446] Yes faith, it is my cosens dutie to make curt­ [l. 447] sie, and say, as it please you: but yet for all that cosin, let [l. 448] him be a handsome fellow, or else make an other cursie, [l. 449] and say, father, as it please me.

Leonato.

[450] Well neece, I hope to see you one day fitted [l. 451] with a husband.

Beatrice.

[452] Not till God make men of some other met­ [l. 453] tall then earth, would it not grieue a woman to be ouer‑ [l. 454] mastred with a peece of valiant dust? to make account of [l. 455] her life to a clod of waiward marle? no vnckle, ile none: [l. 456] Adams sonnes are my brethren, and truly I hold it a sinne [l. 457] to match in my kinred.

Leon.

[458] Daughter, remember what I told you, if the [l. 459] Prince doe solicit you in that kinde, you know your an­ [l. 460] swere.

Beatrice.

[461] The fault will be in the musicke cosin, if you [l. 462] be not woed in good time: if the Prince bee too impor­ [l. 463] tant, tell him there is measure in euery thing, & so dance [l. 464] out the answere, for heare me Hero, wooing, wedding, & [l. 465] repenting, is as a Scotch jigge, a measure, and a cinque‑pace: [l. 466] the first suite is hot and hasty like a Scotch ijgge [l. 467] (and full as fantasticall) the wedding manerly modest, [l. 468] (as a measure) full of state & aunchentry, and then comes [l. 469] repentance, and with his bad legs falls into the cinque­ [l. 470] pace faster and faster, till he sinkes into his graue.

Leonato.

[471] Cosin you apprehend passing shrewdly.

Beatrice.

[472] I haue a good eye vnckle, I can see a Church [l. 473] by daylight.

Leon.

[474] The reuellers are entring brother, make good [l. 475] roome.

Pedro.

[476] Lady, will you walke about with your friend?

Hero.

[477] So you walke softly, and looke sweetly, and say [l. 478] nothing, I am yours for the walke, and especially when I [l. 479] walke away.

Pedro.

[480] With me in your company.

Hero.

[481] I may say so when I please.

Pedro.

[482] And when please you to say so?

Hero.

[483] When I like your fauour, for God defend the [l. 484] Lute should be like the case.

Pedro.

[485] My visor is Philemons roofe, within the house [l. 486] is Loue.

Hero.

[487] Why then your visor should be thatcht.

Pedro.

[488] Speake low if you speake Loue.

Bene.

[489] Well, I would you did like me.

Mar.

[490] So would not I for your owne sake, for I haue [l. 491] manie ill qualities.

Bene.

[492] Which is one?

Mar.

[493] I say my prayers alowd.

Ben.

[494] I loue you the better, the hearers may cry Amen.

Mar.

[495] God match me with a good dauncer.

Balt.

[496] Amen.

Mar.

[497] And God keepe him out of my sight when the [l. 498] daunce is done: answer Clarke.

Balt.

[499] No more words, the Clarke is answered.

Vrsula.

[500] I know you well enough, you are Signior An­ [l. 501] thonio.

Anth.

[502] At a word, I am not.

Vrsula.

[503] I know you by the wagling of your head.

Anth.

[504] To tell you true, I counterfet him.

Vrsu.

[505] You could neuer doe him so ill well, vnlesse [l. 506] you were the very man: here's his dry hand vp & down, [l. 507] you are he, you are he.

Anth.

[508] At a word I am not.

Vrsula.

[509] Come, come, doe you thinke I doe not know [l. 510] you by your excellent wit? can vertue hide it selfe? goe [l. 511] to, mumme, you are he, graces will appeare, and there's [l. 512] an end.

Beat.

[513] Will you not tell me who told you so?

Bene.

[514] No, you shall pardon me.

Beat.

[515] Nor will you not tell me who you are?

Bened.

[516] Not now.

Beat.

[517] That I was disdainfull, and that I had my good [l. 518] wit out of the hundred merry tales: well, this was Signi­ [l. 519] or Benedicke that said so.

Bene.

[520] What's he?

Beat.

[521] I am sure you know him well enough.

Bene.

[522] Not I, beleeue me.

Beat.

[523] Did he neuer make you laugh?

Bene.

[524] I pray you what is he?

Beat.

[525] Why he is the Princes ieaster, a very dull foole, [l. 526] onely his gift is, in deuising impossible slanders, none [l. 527] but Libertines delight in him, and the commendation is [l. 528] not in his witte, but in his villanie, for hee both pleaseth [l. 529] men and angers them, and then they laugh at him, and [l. 530] beat him: I am sure he is in the Fleet, I would he had [l. 531] boorded me.

Bene.

[532] When I know the Gentleman, Ile tell him what [l. 533] you say.

Beat.

[534] Do, do, hee'l but breake a comparison or two [l. 535] on me, which peraduenture (not markt, or not laugh'd [l. 536] at) strikes him into melancholly, and then there's a Par­ [l. 537] tridge wing saued, for the foole will eate no supper that [l. 538] night. We must follow the Leaders.

Ben.

[539] In euery good thing.

Bea.

[540] Nay, if they leade to any ill, I will leaue them [l. 541] at the next turning.

Iohn.

[542] Sure my brother is amorous on Hero, and hath [l. 543] withdrawne her father to breake with him about it: the [l. 544] Ladies follow her, and but one visor remaines.

Borachio.

[545] And that is Claudio, I know him by his bea­ [l. 546] ring.

Iohn.

[547] Are not you signior Benedicke?

Clau.

[548] You know me well, I am hee.

Iohn.

[549] Signior, you are verie neere my Brother in his [l. 550] loue, he is enamor'd on Hero, I pray you disswade him [l. 551] from her, she is no equall for his birth: you may do the [l. 552] part of an honest man in it.

Claudio.

[553] How know you he loues her?

Iohn.

[554] I heard him sweare his affection,

Bor.

[555] So did I too, and he swore he would marrie her [l. 556] to night.

Iohn.

[557] Come, let vs to the banquet.

Clau.

Ben.

[569] Count Claudio.

Clau.

[570] Yea, the same.

Ben.

[571] Come, will you goe with me?

Clau.

[572] Whither?

Ben.

[573] Euen to the next Willow, about your own bu­ [l. 574] sinesse, Count. What fashion will you weare the Gar­ [l. 575] land off? About your necke, like an Vsurers chaine? Or [l. 576] vnder your arme, like a Lieutenants scarfe? You must [l. 577] weare it one way, for the Prince hath got your Hero.

Clau.

[578] I wish him ioy of her.

Ben.

[579] Why that's spoken like an honest Drouier, so [l. 580] they sel Bullockes: but did you thinke the Prince wold [l. 581] haue serued you thus?

Clau.

[582] I pray you leaue me.

Ben.

[583] Ho now you strike like the blindman, 'twas the [l. 584] boy that stole your meate, and you'l beat the post.

Clau.

[585] If it will not be, Ile leaue you.

Ben.

[586] Alas poore hurt fowle, now will he creepe into [l. 587] sedges: But that my Ladie Beatrice should know me, & [l. 588] not know me: the Princes foole! Hah? It may be I goe [l. 589] vnder that title, because I am merrie: yea but so I am [l. 590] apt to do my selfe wrong: I am not so reputed, it is the [l. 591] base (though bitter) disposition of Beatrice, that putt's [l. 592] the world into her person, and so giues me out: well, Ile [l. 593] be reuenged as I may.

Pedro.

[594] Now Signior, where's the Count, did you [l. 595] see him?

Bene.

[596] Troth my Lord, I haue played the part of Lady [l. 597] Fame, I found him heere as melancholy as a Lodge in a [l. 598] Warren, I told him, and I thinke, told him true, that your [l. 599] grace had got the will of this young Lady, and I offered [l. 600] him my company to a willow tree, either to make him a [l. 601] garland, as being forsaken, or to binde him a rod, as be­ [l. 602] ing worthy to be whipt.

Pedro.

[603] To be whipt, what's his fault?

Bene.

[604] The flat transgression of a Schoole‑boy, who [l. 605] being ouer‑ioyed with finding a birds nest, shewes it his [l. 606] companion, and he steales it.

Pedro.

[607] Wilt thou make a trust, a transgression? the [l. 608] transgression is in the stealer.

Ben.

[609] Yet it had not been amisse the rod had beene [l. 610] made, and the garland too, for the garland he might haue [l. 611] worne himselfe, and the rod hee might haue bestowed on [l. 612] you, who (as I take it) haue stolne his birds nest.

Pedro.

[613] I will but teach them to sing, and restore them [l. 614] to the owner.

Bene.

[615] If their singing answer your saying, by my faith [l. 616] you say honestly.

Pedro.

[617] The Lady Beatrice hath a quarrell to you, the [l. 618] Gentleman that daunst with her, told her shee is much [l. 619] wrong'd by you.

Bene.

[620] O she misusde me past the indurance of a block: [l. 621] an oake but with one greene leafe on it, would haue an­ [l. 622] swered her: my very visor began to assume life, and scold [l. 623] with her: shee told mee, not thinking I had beene my [l. 624] selfe, that I was the Princes Iester, and that I was duller [l. 625] then a great thaw, hudling iest vpon iest, with such im­ [l. 626] possible conueiance vpon me, that I stood like a man at a [l. 627] marke, with a whole army shooting at me: shee speakes [l. 628] poynyards, and euery word stabbes: if her breath were [l. 629] as terrible as terminations, there were no liuing neere [l. 630] her, she would infect to the north starre: I would not [l. 631] marry her, though she were indowed with all that Adam [l. 632] had left him before he transgrest, she would haue made [l. 633] Hercules haue turnd spit, yea, and haue cleft his club to [l. 634] make the fire too: come, talke not of her, you shall finde [l. 635] her the infernall Ate in good apparell. I would to God [l. 636] some scholler would coniure her, for certainely while she [l. 637] is heere, a man may liue as quiet in hell, as in a sanctuary, [l. 638] and people sinne vpon purpose, because they would goe [l. 639] thither, so indeed all disquiet, horror, and perturbation [l. 640] followes her.

Pedro.

[641] Looke heere she comes.

Bene.

[642] Will your Grace command mee any seruice to [l. 643] the worlds end? I will goe on the slightest arrand now [l. 644] to the Antypodes that you can deuise to send me on: I [l. 645] will fetch you a tooth‑picker now from the furthest inch [l. 646] of Asia: bring you the length of Prester Iohns foot: fetch [l. 647] you a hayre off the great Chams beard: doe you any em­ [l. 648] bassage to the Pigmies, rather then hould three words [l. 649] conference, with this Harpy: you haue no employment for me?

Pedro.

[650] None, but to desire your good company.

Bene.

[651] O God sir, heeres a dish I loue not, I cannot in­ [l. 652] dure this Lady tongue.

Pedr.

[653] Come Lady, come, you haue lost the heart of [l. 654] Signior Benedicke.

Beatr.

[655] Indeed my Lord, hee lent it me a while, and I [l. 656] gaue him vse for it, a double heart for a single one, marry [l. 657] once before he wonne it of mee, with false dice, therefore [l. 658] your Grace may well say I haue lost it.

Pedro.

[659] You haue put him downe Lady, you haue put [l. 660] him downe.

Beat.

[661] So I would not he should do me, my Lord, lest [l. 662] I should prooue the mother of fooles: I haue brought [l. 663] Count Claudio, whom you sent me to seeke.

Pedro.

[664] Why how now Count, wherfore are you sad?

Claud.

[665] Not sad my Lord.

Pedro.

[666] How then? sicke?

Claud.

[667] Neither, my Lord.

Beat.

[668] The Count is neither sad, nor sicke, nor merry, [l. 669] nor well: but ciuill Count, ciuill as an Orange, and some­ [l. 670] thing of a iealous complexion.

Pedro.

[671] Ifaith Lady, I thinke your blazon to be true, [l. 672] though Ile be sworne, if hee be so, his conceit is false: [l. 673] heere Claudio, I haue wooed in thy name, and faire Hero [l. 674] is won, I haue broke with her father, and his good will [l. 675] obtained, name the day of marriage, and God giue [l. 676] thee ioy.

Leona.

[677] Count, take of me my daughter, and with her [l. 678] my fortunes: his grace hath made the match, & all grace [l. 679] say, Amen to it.

Beatr.

[680] Speake Count, tis your Qu.

Claud.

[681] Silence is the perfectest Herault of ioy, I were [l. 682] but little happy if I could say, how much? Lady, as you [l. 683] are mine, I am yours, I giue away my selfe for you, and [l. 684] doat vpon the exchange.

Beat.

[685] Speake cosin, or (if you cannot) stop his mouth [l. 686] with a kisse, and let not him speake neither.

Pedro.

[687] Infaith Lady you haue a merry heart.

Beatr.

[688] Yea my Lord I thanke it, poore foole it keepes [l. 689] on the windy side of Care, my coosin tells him in his eare [l. 690] that he is in my heart.

Clau.

[691] And so she doth coosin.

Beat.

[692] Good Lord for alliance: thus goes euery one [l. 693] to the world but I, and I am sun‑burn'd, I may sit in a cor­ [l. 694] ner and cry, heigh ho for a husband.

Pedro.

[695] Lady Beatrice, I will get you one.

Beat.

[696] I would rather haue one of your fathers getting: [l. 697] hath your Grace ne're a brother like you? your father [l. 698] got excellent husbands, if a maid could come by them.

Prince.

[699] Will you haue me? Lady.

Beat.

[700] No, my Lord, vnlesse I might haue another for [l. 701] working‑daies, your Grace is too costly to weare euerie [l. 702] day: but I beseech your Grace pardon mee, I was borne [l. 703] to speake all mirth, and no matter.

Prince.

[704] Your silence most offends me, and to be mer­ [l. 705] ry, best becomes you, for out of question, you were born [l. 706] in a merry howre.

Beatr.

[707] No sure my Lord, my Mother cried, but then [l. 708] there was a starre daunst, and vnder that was I borne: co­ [l. 709] sins God giue you ioy.

Leonato.

[710] Neece, will you looke to those things I told you of?

Beat.

[711] I cry you mercy Vncle, by your Graces pardon.

Prince.

[712] By my troth a pleasant spirited Lady.

Leon.

[713] There's little of the melancholy element in her [l. 714] my Lord, she is neuer sad, but when she sleepes, and not [l. 715] euer sad then: for I haue heard my daughter say, she hath [l. 716] often dreamt of vnhappinesse, and wakt her selfe with [l. 717] laughing.

Pedro.

[718] Shee cannot indure to heare tell of a husband.

Leonato.

[719] O, by no meanes, she mocks all her wooers [l. 720] out of suite.

Prince.

[721] She were an excellent wife for Benedick.

Leonato.

[722] O Lord, my Lord, if they were but a weeke married, {p. 107} Much adoe about Nothing. [l. 723] married, they would talke themselues madde.

Prince.

[724] Counte Claudio, when meane you to goe to [l. 725] Church?

Clau.

[726] To morrow my Lord, Time goes on crutches, [l. 727] till Loue haue all his rites.

Leonata.

[728] Not till monday, my deare sonne, which is [l. 729] hence a iust seuen night, and a time too briefe too, to haue [l. 730] all things answer minde.

Prince.

[731] Come, you shake the head at so long a brea­ [l. 732] thing, but I warrant thee Claudio, the time shall not goe [l. 733] dully by vs, I will in the interim, vndertake one of Her­ [l. 734] cules labors, which is, to bring Signior Benedicke and the [l. 735] Lady Beatrice into a mountaine of affection, th'one with [l. 736] th'other, I would faine haue it a match, and I doubt not [l. 737] but to fashion it, if you three will but minister such assi­ [l. 738] stance as I shall giue you direction.

Leonata.

[739] My Lord, I am for you, though it cost mee [l. 740] ten nights watchings.

Claud.

[741] And I my Lord.

Prin.

[742] And you to gentle Hero?

Hero.

[743] I will doe any modest office, my Lord, to helpe [l. 744] my cosin to a good husband.

Prin.

[745] And Benedick is not the vnhopefullest husband [l. 746] that I know: thus farre can I praise him, hee is of a noble [l. 747] straine, of approued valour, and confirm'd honesty, I will [l. 748] teach you how to humour your cosin, that shee shall fall [l. 749] in loue with Benedicke, and I, with your two helpes, will [l. 750] so practise on Benedicke, that in despight of his quicke [l. 751] wit, and his queasie stomacke, hee shall fall in loue with [l. 752] Beatrice: if wee can doe this, Cupid is no longer an Ar­ [l. 753] cher, his glory shall be ours, for wee are the onely loue­ [l. 754] gods, goe in with me, and I will tell you my drift.

Bene.

[807] Boy.

Boy.

[808] Signior.

Bene.

[809] In my chamber window lies a booke, bring it [l. 810] hither to me in the orchard.

Boy.

[811] I am heere already sir.

Bene.

[812] I know that, but I would haue thee hence, and [l. 813] heere againe. I doe much wonder, that one man seeing [l. 814] how much another man is a foole, when he dedicates his [l. 815] behauiours to loue, will after hee hath laught at such [l. 816] shallow follies in others, become the argument of his [l. 817] owne scorne, by falling in loue, & such a man is Claudio, [l. 818] I haue known when there was no musicke with him but [l. 819] the drum and the fife, and now had hee rather heare the [l. 820] taber and the pipe: I haue knowne when he would haue [l. 821] walkt ten mile afoot, to see a good armor, and now will [l. 822] he lie ten nights awake caruing the fashion of a new dub­ [l. 823] let: he was wont to speake plaine, & to the purpose (like [l. 824] an honest man & a souldier) and now is he turn'd ortho­ [l. 825] graphy, his words are a very fantasticall banquet, iust so [l. 826] many strange dishes: may I be so conuerted, & see with [l. 827] these eyes? I cannot tell, I thinke not: I will not bee [l. 828] sworne, but loue may transforme me to an oyster, but Ile [l. 829] take my oath on it, till he haue made an oyster of me, he [l. 830] shall neuer make me such a foole: one woman is faire, yet [l. 831] I am well: another is wise, yet I am well: another vertu­ [l. 832] ous, yet I am well: but till all graces be in one woman, [l. 833] one woman shall not come in my grace: rich shee shall [l. 834] be, that's certaine: wise, or Ile none: vertuous, or Ile ne­ [l. 835] uer cheapen her: faire, or Ile neuer looke on her: milde, [l. 836] or come not neere me: Noble, or not for an Angell: of [l. 837] good discourse: an excellent Musitian, and her haire shal [l. 838] be of what colour it please God, hah! the Prince and [l. 839] Monsieur Loue, I will hide me in the Arbor.

Prin.

Claud.

Prin.

Clau.

Prince.

Balth.

Prin.

To {p. 108} Much adoe about Nothing.

Prince.

Balth.

Prince.

Balth.

Prince.

Bene.

[865] Now diuine aire, now is his soule rauisht, is it [l. 866] not strange that sheepes guts should hale soules out of [l. 867] mens bodies? well, a horne for my money when all's [l. 868] done.

Prince.

[882] By my troth a good song.

Balth.

[883] And an ill singer, my Lord.

Prince.

[884] Ha, no, no faith, thou singst well enough for a [l. 885] shift.

Ben.

[886] And he had been a dog that should haue howld [l. 887] thus, they would haue hang'd him, and I pray God his [l. 888] bad voyce bode no mischiefe, I had as liefe haue heard [l. 889] the night‑rauen, come what plague could haue come af­ [l. 890] ter it.

Prince.

[891] Yea marry, dost thou heare Balthasar? I pray [l. 892] thee get vs some excellent musick: for to morrow night [l. 893] we would haue it at the Lady Heroes chamber window.

Balth.

[894] The best I can, my Lord.

Prince.

[895] Do so, farewell. Come hither Leonato, what [l. 896] was it you told me of to day, that your Niece Beatrice [l. 897] was in loue with signior Benedicke?

Cla.

[898] O I, stalke on, stalke on, the foule sits. I did ne­ [l. 899] uer thinke that Lady would haue loued any man.

Leon.

[900] No, nor I neither, but most wonderful, that she [l. 901] should so dote on Signior Benedicke, whom shee hath in [l. 902] all outward behauiours seemed euer to abhorre.

Bene.

[903] Is't possible? sits the winde in that corner?

Leo.

[904] By my troth my Lord, I cannot tell what to [l. 905] thinke of it, but that she loues him with an inraged affe­ [l. 906] ction, it is past the infinite of thought.

Prince.

[907] May be she doth but counterfeit.

Claud.

[908] Faith like enough.

Leon.

[909] O God! counterfeit? there was neuer counter­ [l. 910] feit of passion, came so neere the life of passion as she dis­ [l. 911] couers it.

Prince.

[912] Why what effects of passion shewes she?

Claud.

[913] Baite the hooke well, this fish will bite.

Leon.

[914] What effects my Lord? shee will sit you, [l. 915] you heard my daughter tell you how.

Clau.

[916] She did indeed.

Prince.

[917] How, how I pray you? you amaze me, I would [l. 918] haue thought her spirit had beene inuincible against all [l. 919] assaults of affection.

Leo.

[920] I would haue sworne it had, my Lord, especially [l. 921] against Benedicke.

Bene.

[922] I should thinke this a gull, but that the white‑ [l. 923] bearded fellow speakes it: knauery cannot sure hide [l. 924] himselfe in such reuerence.

Claud.

[925] He hath tane th'infection, hold it vp.

Prince.

[926] Hath shee made her affection known to Bene­ [l. 927] dicke?

Leonato.

[928] No, and sweares she neuer will, that's her [l. 929] torment.

Claud.

[930] 'Tis true indeed, so your daughter saies: shall [l. 931] I, saies she, that haue so oft encountred him with scorne, [l. 932] write to him that I loue him?

Leo.

[933] This saies shee now when shee is beginning to [l. 934] write to him, for shee'll be vp twenty times a night, and [l. 935] there will she sit in her smocke, till she haue writ a sheet [l. 936] of paper: my daughter tells vs all.

Clau.

[937] Now you talke of a sheet of paper, I remember [l. 938] a pretty iest your daughter told vs of.

Leon.

[939] O when she had writ it, & was reading it ouer, [l. 940] she found Benedicke and Beatrice betweene the sheete.

Clau.

[941] That.

Leon.

[942] O she tore the letter into a thousand halfpence, [l. 943] raild at her self, that she should be so immodest to write, [l. 944] to one that shee knew would flout her: I measure him, [l. 945] saies she, by my owne spirit, for I should flout him if hee [l. 946] writ to mee, yea though I loue him, I should.

Clau.

[947] Then downe vpon her knees she falls, weepes, [l. 948] sobs, beates her heart, teares her hayre, praies, curses, O [l. 949] sweet Benedicke, God giue me patience.

Leon.

[950] She doth indeed, my daughter saies so, and the [l. 951] extasie hath so much ouerborne her, that my daughter is [l. 952] somtime afeard she will doe a desperate out‑rage to her [l. 953] selfe, it is very true.

Prince.

[954] It were good that Benedicke knew of it by some [l. 955] other, if she will not discouer it.

Clau.

[956] To what end? he would but make a sport of it, [l. 957] and torment the poore Lady worse.

Prin.

[958] And he should, it were an almes to hang him, [l. 959] shee's an excellent sweet Lady, and (out of all suspition,) [l. 960] she is virtuous.

Claudio.

[961] And she is exceeding wise.

Prince.

[962] In euery thing, but in louing Benedicke.

Leon.

[963] O my Lord, wisedome and bloud combating in [l. 964] so tender a body, we haue ten proofes to one, that bloud [l. 965] hath the victory, I am sorry for her, as I haue iust cause, [l. 966] being her Vncle, and her Guardian.

Prince.

[967] I would shee had bestowed this dotage on [l. 968] mee, I would haue daft all other respects, and made her [l. 969] halfe my selfe: I pray you tell Benedicke of it, and heare [l. 970] what he will say.

Leon.

[971] Were it good thinke you?

Clau.

[972] Hero thinkes surely she wil die, for she saies she [l. 973] will die, if hee loue her not, and shee will die ere shee [l. 974] make her loue knowne, and she will die if hee wooe her, [l. 975] rather than shee will bate one breath of her accustomed [l. 976] crossenesse.

Prince.

[977] She doth well, if she should make tender of her loue, {p. 109} Much adoe about Nothing. [l. 978] loue, 'tis very possible hee'l scorne it, for the man (as you [l. 979] know all) hath a contemptible spirit.

Clau.

[980] He is a very proper man.

Prin.

[981] He hath indeed a good outward happines.

Clau.

[982] 'Fore God, and in my minde very wise.

Prin.

[983] He doth indeed shew some sparkes that are like [l. 984] wit.

Leon.

[985] And I take him to be valiant.

Prin.

[986] As Hector, I assure you, and in the managing of [l. 987] quarrels you may see hee is wise, for either hee auoydes [l. 988] them with great discretion, or vndertakes them with a [l. 989] Christian‑like feare.

Leon.

[990] If hee doe feare God, a must necessarilie keepe [l. 991] peace, if hee breake the peace, hee ought to enter into a [l. 992] quarrell with feare and trembling.

Prin.

[993] And so will he doe, for the man doth fear God, [l. 994] howsoeuer it seemes not in him, by some large ieasts hee [l. 995] will make: well, I am sorry for your niece, shall we goe [l. 996] see Benedicke, and tell him of her loue.

Claud.

[997] Neuer tell him, my Lord, let her weare it out [l. 998] with good counsell.

Leon.

[999] Nay that's impossible, she may weare her heart [l. 1000] out first.

Prin.

[1001] Well, we will heare further of it by your daugh­ [l. 1002] ter, let it coole the while, I loue Benedicke well, and I [l. 1003] could wish he would modestly examine himselfe, to see [l. 1004] how much he is vnworthy to haue so good a Lady.

Leon.

[1005] My Lord, will you walke? dinner is ready.

Clau.

[1006] If he do not doat on her vpon this, I wil neuer [l. 1007] trust my expectation.

Prin.

[1008] Let there be the same Net spread for her, and [l. 1009] that must your daughter and her gentlewoman carry: [l. 1010] the sport will be, when they hold one an opinion of ano­ [l. 1011] ther's dotage, and no such matter, that's the Scene that I [l. 1012] would see, which will be meerely a dumbe shew: let vs [l. 1013] send her to call him into dinner.

Bene.

[1014] This can be no tricke, the conference was sadly [l. 1015] borne, they haue the truth of this from Hero, they seeme [l. 1016] to pittie the Lady: it seemes her affections haue the full [l. 1017] bent: loue me? why it must be requited: I heare how I [l. 1018] am censur'd, they say I will beare my selfe proudly, if I [l. 1019] perceiue the loue come from her: they say too, that she [l. 1020] will rather die than giue any signe of affection: I did ne­ [l. 1021] uer thinke to marry, I must not seeme proud, happy are [l. 1022] they that heare their detractions, and can put them to [l. 1023] mending: they say the Lady is faire, 'tis a truth, I can [l. 1024] beare them witnesse: and vertuous, tis so, I cannot re­ [l. 1025] prooue it, and wise, but for louing me, by my troth it is [l. 1026] no addition to her witte, nor no great argument of her [l. 1027] folly; for I wil be horribly in loue with her, I may chance [l. 1028] haue some odde quirkes and remnants of witte broken [l. 1029] on mee, because I haue rail'd so long against marriage: [l. 1030] but doth not the appetite alter? a man loues the meat in [l. 1031] his youth, that he cannot indure in his age. Shall quips [l. 1032] and sentences, and these paper bullets of the braine awe [l. 1033] a man from the careere of his humour? No, the world [l. 1034] must be peopled. When I said I would die a batcheler, I [l. 1035] did not think I should liue till I were maried, here comes [l. 1036] Beatrice: by this day, shee's a faire Lady, I doe spie some [l. 1037] markes of loue in her.

Beat.

[1038] Against my wil I am sent to bid you come in to [l. 1039] dinner.

Bene.

[1040] Faire Beatrice, I thanke you for your paines.

Beat.

[1041] I tooke no more paines for those thankes, then [l. 1042] you take paines to thanke me, if it had been painefull, I [l. 1043] would not haue come.

Bene.

[1044] You take pleasure then in the message.

Beat.

[1045] Yea iust so much as you may take vpon a kniues [l. 1046] point, and choake a daw withall: you haue no stomacke [l. 1047] signior, fare you well.

Bene.

[1048] Ha, against my will I am sent to bid you come [l. 1049] into dinner: there's a double meaning in that: I tooke [l. 1050] no more paines for those thankes then you took paines [l. 1051] to thanke me, that's as much as to say, any paines that I [l. 1052] take for you is as easie as thankes: if I do not take pitty [l. 1053] of her I am a villaine, if I doe not loue her I am a Iew, I [l. 1054] will goe get her picture.

Hero.

Marg.

Hero.

Vrs.

Her.

Vrsula.

Her.

Vrs.

Her.

K To {p. 110} Much adoe about Nothing.

Vrsula.

Hero.

Vrsula.

Hero.

Vrsu.

Hero.

Vrsu.

Hero.

Vrsu.

Hero.

Vrsu.

Hero.

Vrsu.

Hero.

Vrsu.

Hero.

Beat.

Leonato.

[1615] Come Frier Francis, be briefe, onely to the [l. 1616] plaine forme of marriage, and you shal recount their par­ [l. 1617] ticular duties afterwards.

Fran.

[1618] You come hither, my Lord, to marry this Lady.

Clau.

[1619] No.

Leo.

[1620] To be married to her: Frier, you come to mar­ [l. 1621] rie her.

Frier.

[1622] Lady, you come hither to be married to this [l. 1623] Count.

Hero.

[1624] I doe.

Frier.

[1625] If either of you know any inward impediment [l. 1626] why you should not be conioyned, I charge you on your [l. 1627] soules to vtter it.

Claud.

[1628] Know you anie, Hero?

Hero.

[1629] None my Lord.

Frier.

[1630] Know you anie, Count?

Leon.

[1631] I dare make his answer, None.

Clau.

[1632] O what men dare do! what men may do! what [l. 1633] men daily do!

Bene.

[1634] How now! interiections? why then, some be [l. 1635] of laughing, as ha, ha, he.

Clau.

Leon.

Cla.

Prin.

Clau.

Leonato.

Clau.

Leon.

Clau.

Hero.

Clau.

Hero.

Leon.

Prin.

Leon.

Bast.

Bene.

Hero.

Clau.

Leon.

Clau.

Leo.

Hero.

Clau.

Hero.

Claud.

Hero.

Prince.

Iohn.

Claud.

Leon.

Beat.

Bast.

Bene.

Beat.

Leonato.

Beatr.

Fri.

Leon.

Frier.

Leon.

Ben.

[1763] Sir, sir, be patient: for my part, I am so attired [l. 1764] in wonder, I know not what to say.

Bea.

Ben.

Bea.

Leon.

Fri.

[1774] Heare me a little, for I haue onely bene silent so [l. 1775] long, and giuen way vnto this course of fortune, by no­ [l. 1776] ting of the Ladie, I haue markt.

Leo.

Fri.

Hero.

Fri.

Ben.

Leo.

Fri.

Leon.

Fri.

Bene.

Yet {p. 116} Much adoe about Nothing.

Leon.

Frier.

Bene.

[1876] Lady Beatrice, haue you wept all this while?

Beat.

[1877] Yea, and I will weepe a while longer.

Bene.

[1878] I will not desire that.

Beat.

[1879] You haue no reason, I doe it freely.

Bene.

[1880] Surelie I do beleeue your fair cosin is wrong'd.

Beat.

[1881] Ah, how much might the man deserue of mee [l. 1882] that would right her!

Bene.

[1883] Is there any way to shew such friendship?

Beat.

[1884] A verie euen way, but no such friend.

Bene.

[1885] May a man doe it?

Beat.

[1886] It is a mans office, but not yours.

Bene.

[1887] I doe loue nothing in the world so well as you, [l. 1888] is not that strange?

Beat.

[1889] As strange as the thing I know not, it were as [l. 1890] possible for me to say, I loued nothing so well as you, but [l. 1891] beleeue me not, and yet I lie not, I confesse nothing, nor [l. 1892] I deny nothing, I am sorry for my cousin.

Bene.

[1893] By my sword Beatrice thou lou'st me.

Beat.

[1894] Doe not sweare by it and eat it.

Bene.

[1895] I will sweare by it that you loue mee, and I will [l. 1896] make him eat it that sayes I loue not you.

Beat.

[1897] Will you not eat your word?

Bene.

[1898] With no sawce that can be deuised to it, I pro­ [l. 1899] test I loue thee.

Beat.

[1900] Why then God forgiue me.

Bene.

[1901] What offence sweet Beatrice?

Beat.

[1902] You haue stayed me in a happy howre, I was a­ [l. 1903] bout to protest I loued you.

Bene.

[1904] And doe it with all thy heart.

Beat.

[1905] I loue you with so much of my heart, that none [l. 1906] is left to protest.

Bened.

[1907] Come, bid me doe any thing for thee.

Beat.

[1908] Kill Claudio.

Bene.

[1909] Ha, not for the wide world.

Beat.

[1910] You kill me to denie, farewell.

Bene.

[1911] Tarrie sweet Beatrice.

Beat.

[1912] I am gone, though I am heere, there is no loue [l. 1913] in you, nay I pray you let me goe.

Bene.

[1914] Beatrice.

Beat.

[1915] Infaith I will goe.

Bene.

[1916] Wee'll be friends first.

Beat.

[1917] You dare easier be friends with mee, than fight [l. 1918] with mine enemy.

Bene.

[1919] Is Claudio thine enemie?

Beat.

[1920] Is a not approued in the height a villaine, that [l. 1921] hath slandered, scorned, dishonoured my kinswoman? O [l. 1922] that I were a man! what, beare her in hand vntill they [l. 1923] come to take hands, and then with publike accusation [l. 1924] vncouered slander, vnmittigated rancour? O God that I [l. 1925] were a man! I would eat his heart in the marketȑplace.

Bene.

[1926] Heare me Beatrice.

Beat.

[1927] Talke with a man out at a window, a proper [l. 1928] saying.

Bene.

[1929] Nay but Beatrice.

Beat.

[1930] Sweet Hero, she is wrong'd, shee is slandered, [l. 1931] she is vndone.

Bene.

[1932] Beat?

Beat.

[1933] Princes and Counties! surelie a Princely testi­ [l. 1934] monie, a goodly Count, Comfect, a sweet Gallant sure­ [l. 1935] lie, O that I were a man for his sake! or that I had any [l. 1936] friend would be a man for my sake! But manhood is mel­ [l. 1937] ted into cursies, valour into complement, and men are [l. 1938] onelie turned into tongue, and trim ones too: he is now [l. 1939] as valiant as Hercules, that only tells a lie, and sweares it: [l. 1940] I cannot be a man with wishing, therfore I will die a wo­ [l. 1941] man with grieuing.

Bene.

[1942] Tarry good Beatrice, by this hand I loue thee.

Beat.

[1943] Vse it for my loue some other way then swea­ [l. 1944] ring by it.

Bened.

[1945] Thinke you in your soule the Count Claudio [l. 1946] hath wrong'd Hero?

Beat.

[1947] Yea, as sure as I haue a thought, or a soule.

Bene.

[1948] Enough, I am engagde, I will challenge him, I [l. 1949] will kisse your hand, and so leaue you: by this hand Clau­ [l. 1950] dio shall render me a deere account: as you heare of me, [l. 1951] so thinke of me: goe comfort your coosin, I must say she [l. 1952] is dead, and so farewell.

Brother.

Leon.

Broth.

Leonato.

Brother.

Leon.

Brot.

Prin.

Clau.

Leon.

Prin.

Leo.

Prin.

Brot.

Claud.

Leon.

Claud.

Leonato.

Claud.

Leonato.

Prin.

Leon.

Claud.

Leo.

Bro.

Win {p. 118} Much adoe about Nothing.

Leon.

Brot.

Leon.

Brot.

Leon.

Ant.

Pri.

Leon.

Prin.

Leo.

Bro.

Prin.

Clau.

[2150] Now signior, what newes?

Ben.

[2151] Good day my Lord.

Prin.

[2152] Welcome signior, you are almost come to part [l. 2153] almost a fray.

Clau.

[2154] Wee had likt to haue had our two noses snapt [l. 2155] off with two old men without teeth.

Prin.

[2156] Leonato and his brother, what think'st thou? had [l. 2157] wee fought, I doubt we should haue beene too yong for [l. 2158] them.

Ben.

[2159] In a false quarrell there is no true valour, I came [l. 2160] to seeke you both.

Clau.

[2161] We haue beene vp and downe to seeke thee, for [l. 2162] we are high proofe melancholly, and would faine haue it [l. 2163] beaten away, wilt thou vse thy wit?

Ben.

[2164] It is in my scabberd, shall I draw it?

Prin.

[2165] Doest thou weare thy wit by thy side?

Clau.

[2166] Neuer any did so, though verie many haue been [l. 2167] beside their wit, I will bid thee drawe, as we do the min­ [l. 2168] strels, draw to pleasure vs.

Prin.

[2169] As I am an honest man he lookes pale, art [l. 2170] thou sicke, or angrie?

Clau.

[2171] What, courage man: what though care kil'd a [l. 2172] cat, thou hast mettle enough in thee to kill care.

Ben.

[2173] Sir, I shall meete your wit in the careere, and [l. 2174] you charge it against me, I pray you chuse another sub­ [l. 2175] iect.

Clau.

[2176] Nay then giue him another staffe, this last was [l. 2177] broke crosse.

Prin.

[2178] By this light, he changes more and more, I thinke [l. 2179] he be angrie indeede.

Clau.

[2180] If he be, he knowes how to turne his girdle.

Ben.

[2181] Shall I speake a word in your eare?

Clau.

[2182] God blesse me from a challenge.

Ben.

[2183] You are a villaine, I iest not, I will make it good [l. 2184] how you dare, with what you dare, and when you dare: [l. 2185] do me right, or I will protest your cowardise: you haue [l. 2186] kill'd a sweete Ladie, and her death shall fall heauie on [l. 2187] you, let me heare from you.

Clau.

[2188] Well, I will meete you, so I may haue good [l. 2189] cheare.

Prin.

[2190] What, a feast, a feast?

Clau.

[2191] I faith I thanke him, he hath bid me to a calues [l. 2192] head and a Capon, the which if I doe not carue most cu­ [l. 2193] riously, say my knife's naught, shall I not finde a wood­ [l. 2194] cocke too?

Ben.

[2195] Sir, your wit ambles well, it goes easily.

Prin.

[2196] Ile tell thee how Beatrice prais'd thy wit the o­ [l. 2197] ther day: I said thou hadst a fine wit: true saies she, a fine [l. 2198] little one: no said I, a great wit: right saies shee, a great [l. 2199] grosse one: nay said I, a good wit: iust said she, it hurts [l. 2200] no body: nay said I, the gentleman is wise: certaine said [l. 2201] she, a wise gentleman: nay said I, he hath the tongues: [l. 2202] that I beleeue said shee, for hee swore a thing to me on [l. 2203] munday night, which he forswore on tuesday morning: [l. 2204] there's a double tongue, there's two tongues: thus did [l. 2205] shee an howre together transȑshape thy particular ver­ [l. 2206] tues, yet at last she concluded with a sigh, thou wast the [l. 2207] proprest man in Italie.

Claud.

[2208] For the which she wept heartily, and said shee [l. 2209] car'd not.

Prin.

[2210] Yea that she did, but yet for all that, and if shee [l. 2211] did not hate him deadlie, shee would loue him dearely, [l. 2212] the old mans daughter told vs all.

Clau.

[2213] All, all, and moreouer, God saw him vvhen when he [l. 2214] was hid in the garden.

Prin.

[2215] But when shall we set the sauage Bulls hornes [l. 2216] on the sensible Benedicks head?

Clau.

[2217] Yea and text vnderȑneath, heere dwells Bene­ [l. 2218] dicke the married man.

Ben.

[2219] Fare you well, Boy, you know my minde, I will [l. 2220] leaue you now to your gossepȑlike humor, you breake [l. 2221] iests as braggards do their blades, which God be thank­ [l. 2222] ed hurt not: my Lord, for your manie courtesies I thank [l. 2223] you, I must discontinue your companie, your brother [l. 2224] the Bastard is fled from Messina: you haue among you, [l. 2225] kill'd a sweet and innocent Ladie: for my Lord Lackeȑ [l. 2226] beard there, he and I shall meete, and till then peace be [l. 2227] with him.

Prin.

[2228] He is in earnest.

Clau.

[2229] In most profound earnest, and Ile warrant you, [l. 2230] for the loue of Beatrice.

Prin.

[2231] And hath challeng'd thee.

Clau.

[2232] Most sincerely.

Prin.

[2233] What a prettie thing man is, when he goes in his [l. 2234] doublet and hose, and leaues off his wit.

Clau.

[2235] He is then a Giant to an Ape, but then is an Ape [l. 2236] a Doctor to such a man.

Prin.

[2237] But soft you, let me be, plucke vp my heart, and [l. 2238] be sad, did he not say my brother was fled?

Const.

[2239] Come you sir, if iustice cannot tame you, shee [l. 2240] shall nere weigh more reasons in her ballance, nay, and [l. 2241] you be a cursing hypocrite once, you must be lookt to.

Prin.

[2242] How now, two of my brothers men bound? Bo­ [l. 2243] rachio one.

Clau.

[2244] Ha[.]ken after their offence my Lord.

Prin.

[2245] Officers, what offence haue these men done?

Const.

[2246] Marrie sir, they haue committed false report, [l. 2247] moreouer they haue spoken vntruths, secondarily they [l. 2248] are slanders, sixt and lastly, they haue belyed a Ladie, [l. 2249] thirdly, they haue verified vniust things, and to conclude [l. 2250] they are lying knaues.

Prin.

[2251] First I aske thee what they haue done, thirdlie [l. 2252] I aske thee vvhat's what's their offence, sixt and lastlie why they [l. 2253] are committed, and to conclude, what you lay to their [l. 2254] charge.

Clau.

[2255] Rightlie reasoned, and in his owne diuision, and [l. 2256] by my troth there's one meaning vvell well suted.

Prin.

[2257] Who haue you offended masters, that you are [l. 2258] thus bound to your answer? this learned Constable is too [l. 2259] cunning to be vnderstood, vvhat's what's your offence?

Bor.

[2260] Sweete Prince, let me go no farther to mine an­ [l. 2261] swere: do you heare me, and let this Count kill mee: I [l. 2262] haue deceiued euen your verie eies: vvhat what your wise­ [l. 2263] domes could not discouer, these shallow fooles haue [l. 2264] brought to light, vvho who in the night ouerheard me con­ [l. 2265] fessing to this man, how Don Iohn your brother incensed [l. 2266] me to slander the Ladie Hero, how you were brought [l. 2267] into the Orchard, and saw me court Margaret in Heroes [l. 2268] garments, how you disgrace'd her vvhen when you should [l. 2269] marrie her: my villanie they haue vpon record, vvhich which [l. 2270] I had rather seale with my death, then repeate ouer to [l. 2271] my shame: the Ladie is dead vpon mine and my masters [l. 2272] false accusation: and briefelie, I desire nothing but the [l. 2273] reward of a villaine.

Prin.

Clau.

Prin.

Bor.

Prin.

Clau.

Const.

[2282] Come, bring away the plaintiffes, by this time [l. 2283] our Sexton hath reformed Signior Leonato of the matter: [l. 2284] and masters, do not forget to specifie when time & place [l. 2285] shall serue, that I am an Asse.

Con. 2.

[2286] Here, here comes master Signior Leonato, and [l. 2287] the Sexton too.

Leon.

Bor.

Leon.

[2292] Art thou the slaue that with thy breath [l. 2293] hast kild mine innocent childe?

Bor.

[2294] Yea, euen I alone.

Leo.

Clau.

Prin.

Leon.

Clau.

Leon.

Bor.

Const.

[2337] Moreouer sir, which indeede is not vnder white [l. 2338] and black, this plaintiffe here, the offendour did call mee [l. 2339] asse, I beseech you let it be remembred in his punish­ [l. 2340] ment, and also the vvatch watch heard them talke of one Defor­ [l. 2341] med, they say he weares a key in his eare and a lock hang­ [l. 2342] ing by it, and borrowes monie in Gods name, the which [l. 2343] he hath vs'd so long, and neuer paied, that now men grow [l. 2344] hardÓharted and will lend nothing for Gods sake: praie [l. 2345] you examine him vpon that point.

Leon.

[2346] I thanke thee for thy care and honest paines.

Const.

[2347] Your vvorship worship speakes like a most thankefull [l. 2348] and reuerend youth, and I praise God for you.

Leon.

[2349] There's for thy paines.

Const.

[2350] God saue the foundation.

Leon.

[2351] Goe, I discharge thee of thy prisoner, and I [l. 2352] thanke thee.

Const.

[2353] I leaue an arrant knaue vvith with your vvorship worship, [l. 2354] which I beseech your worship to correct your selfe, for [l. 2355] the example of others: God keepe your vvorship worship, I [l. 2356] wish your worship vvell well, God restore you to health, [l. 2357] I humblie giue you leaue to depart, and if a mer­ [l. 2358] rie meeting may be wisht, God prohibite it: come [l. 2359] neighbour.

Leon.

[2360] Vntill to morrow morning, Lords, farewell.

Brot.

[2361] Farewell my Lords, vve we looke for you to mor­ [l. 2362] row.

Prin.

[2363] We will not faile.

Clau.

[2364] To night ile mourne with Hero:

Leon.

[2365] Bring you these fellowes on, weel talke vvith with [l. 2366] Margaret,How her acquaintance grew vvith with this lewd [l. 2367] fellow.