D. JOHN. I make all use of it, for I use it only. Who ACT I comes here? What news, Borachio? Enter BORACHIO. BORA. I came yonder from a great supper; the Prince, your brother, is royally entertain'd by Leonato; and I can give you intelligence of an intended marriage. 40 D. JOHN. Will it serve for any model to build mischief What is he for a fool that betroths himself to unquietness? on ? BORA. Marry, it is your brother's right hand. D. JOHN. Who? the most exquisite Claudio? BORA. Even he. D. JOHN. A proper squire! And who, and who? which way looks he? BORA. Marry, on Hero, the daughter and heir of Leo nato. 50 D. JOHN. A very forward March-chick! How came you BORA. Being entertain'd for a perfumer, as I was 1 with burning juniper. 63 supper: their cheer is the 2 earnest. [exeunt. Sc. III ACT II ACT II SCENE I. LEONATO'S House. Enter LEONATO, his Brother, his Wife, HERO his Daughter, LEON. Was not Count John here at supper? ANT. I saw him not. BEAT. How tartly that gentleman looks! I never can BEAT. With a good leg, and a good foot, Uncle, and ANT. In faith, she is too curst.2 For it is said God sends a but to a cow too curst He BEAT. TOO curst is more than curst: I shall lessen 22 LEON. So, by being too curst, God will send you no horns? BEAT. Just, if He send me no husband: for the which blessing I am at Him upon my knees every morning and evening. Lord! I could not endure a husband with a beard on his face: I had rather lie in the woollen.3 LEON. You may light upon a husband that hath no beard. BEAT. What should I do with him? dress him in my apparel, and make him my waiting gentlewoman? He that hath a beard is more than a youth; and he 1 shrewish. 2 cross. 3 (1) in blankets, or (2) in my shroud. that hath no beard is less than a man: and he that is more than a youth is not for me; and he that is less than a man, I am not for him. Therefore I will even take sixpence in earnest of the berrord,' and lead his apes into Hell. LEON. Well, then, go you into Hell? 38 BEAT. No; but to the gate; and there will the Devil ANT. [to HERO.] Well, Niece, I trust you will be rul'd BEAT. Yes, faith; it is my cousin's duty to make courtesy, and say Father, as it please you. But yet for all that, Cousin, let him be a handsome fellow, or else make another courtesy, and say Father, as it please me. 52 LEON. Well, Niece, I hope to see you one day fitted with BEAT. Not till God make men of some other metal than answer. 60 BEAT. The fault will be in the music, Cousin, if you be not woo'd in good time: if the Prince be too im- 1 bearward. 3 importunate. 5 a dance of five steps. 15 ACT II Sc. I ACT II Sc. I his bad legs falls into the cinque-pace faster and faster, till he sink apace into his grave. LEON. Cousin, you apprehend passing shrewdly. BEAT. I have a good eye, Uncle: I can see a church by daylight. LEON. The revellers are entering, Brother: make good room. 79 Enter DON PEDRO, CLAUDIO, BENEDICK, Balthazar, D. PEDRO. Lady, will you walk about with your friend? D. PEDRO. With me in your company? HERO. I may say so, when I please. D. PEDRO. And when please you to say so? HERO. When I like your favour; for God defend the lute should be like the case! D. PEDRO. My visor is Philemon's roof; within the house is Jove. HERO. Why, then your visor should be thatch'd. D. PEDRO. Speak low, if you speak love. [They pass. 91 BALTH. Well, I would you did like me. MARG. So would not I for your own sake; for I have many ill qualities. BALTH. Which is one? MARG. I say my prayers aloud. BALTH. I love you the better: the hearers may cry Amen. 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. [They pass. ANT. At a word, I am not. URS. I know you by the waggling of your head. ANT. To tell you true, I counterfeit him. URS. You could never do him so ill-well, unless you were 109 URS. Come, come, do you think I do not know you by 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. 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? Well, this 120 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 villainy; for he both pleases men, and angers them, and then they laugh at him, and beat him. I am sure he is in the Fleet:1 I would he had boarded me. 132 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. [Music within.] We must follow the leaders. BENE. In every good thing. 140 BEAT. Nay, if they lead to any ill, I will leave them at the next turning. [Dance. Exeunt all but DON JOHN, BORACHIO, and CLAUDIO. D. JOHN. Sure my brother is amorous on Hero, and hath II: C 1 in the present company (?). 17 ACT II Sc. I |