Pedro. Good morrow, masters; put your torches out:
The wolves have prey'd; and, look, the gentle day,
Before the wheels of Phoebus, round about

Dapples the drowsy east with spots of grey:
Thanks to you all, and leave us; fare you well.

Claud. Good morrow, masters; each his several way. Pedro. Come, let us hence, and put on other weeds; And then to Leonato's we will go.

Claud. And, Hymen, now with luckier issue speed's Than this, for whom we render'd up this woe!

SCENE IV

LEONATO'S HOUSE.

[Exeunt.

VILLE DE LYON
Grande Bibliothèque

Enter Leonato, Antonio, Benedick, Hero, Beatrice, Margaret,
Ursula, and Friar.

Friar. Did I not tell you she was innocent?
Leon. So are the prince and Claudio, who accus'd her,

Upon the error that you heard debated:

But Margaret was in some fault for this;
Although against her will, as it appears
In the true course of all the question.

Ant. Well, I am glad that all things sort so well.
Bene. And so am I, being else by faith enforc’d

To call young Claudio to a reckoning for it.

Leon. Well, daughter, and you gentlewomen all,

1

Withdraw into a chamber by yourselves ;

come hither mask'd:
And, when I send for you, come
The prince and Claudio promis'd by this hour
To visit me;-You know your office, brother;
You must be father to your brother's daughter,
And give her to young Claudio.

Exeunt Ladies.

Ant. Which I will do with confirm'd countenance.
Bene. Friar, I must entreat your pains, I think.
Friar. To do what, signior?

Bene. To bind me, or undo me, one of them.

Signior Leonato, truth it is, good signior,

Your niece regards me with an eye of favour.

Leon. That eye my daughter lent her;-'Tis most true.
Bene. And I do with an eye of love requite her.
Leon. The sight whereof, I think, you had from me,
From Claudio, and the prince; But what's your will?
Bene. Your answer, sir, is enigmatical:

But, for my will, my will is, your good will
May stand with ours, this day to be conjoin'd
In the state of honourable marriage ;-

In which, good Friar, I shall desire your help.
Leon. My heart is with your liking.

Friar. And my help.

Here comes the prince, and Claudio.

Enter Don Pedro, and Claudio, with Attendants.

Pedro. Good morrow to this fair afsembly.

Leon. Good morrow, prince; good morrow, Claudio;

VILLE DE LYON

Grande Bibliothèque

We here attend you; Are you yet determin'd
To-day to marry with my brother's daughter?

Claud. I'll hold my mind, were she an Ethiop.
Leon. Call her forth, brother, here's the Friar ready.

[Exit Antonio.

Pedro. Good morrow, Benedick: Why, what's the matter,

That you have such a February face,

So full of frost, of storm, and cloudinefs?

Claud. I think, he thinks upon the savage bull:Tush, fear not, man, we'll tip thy horns with gold, And all Europa shall rejoice at thee;

As once Europa did at lusty Jove,

When he would play the noble beast in love.

Bene. Bull Jove, sir, had an amiable low;

And some such strange bull leap'd your father's cow,
And got a calf in that same noble feat,

Much like to you, for you have just his bleat.

Re-enter Antonio, with Hero, Beatrice, Margaret, and
Ursula, masked.

Claud. For this I owe you: here comes other reckonings. Which is the lady I must seize upon?

Ant. This same is she, and I do give you her.

Claud. Why,then she's mine:-Sweet, let me see your face.
Leon. No, that you shall not, till you take her hand

Before this Friar, and swear to marry her.
Claud. Give me your hand before this holy Friar;
I am your husband, if you like of me.