I looked on.

Bene. Doyon question me, as an honest man should to trust none; and the fine is, (for the which I may go
do, for my simple true judgment; or would you have the finer,) I will live a bachelor.
me speak after my custom, as being a professed tyrant D. Pedro.I shall see thee,ere I die,look pale with love.
to their sex?

Bene. With anger, with sickness, or with hunger, my
Claud. No, I pray thee, speak in sober judgment. lord; not with love: prove, that ever I lose more blood
Bene.Why, i'faith, methinks she is too low for a high with love, than I will get again with drinking, pick out
praise, too brown for a fair praise, and too little for a mine eyes with a ballad-maker's pen,and hang me up at
great praise. Only this commendation I can afford her, the door of a brothel-house, for the sign of blindCupid.
that, were she other than sheis, she were unhandsome; D. Pedro. Well, if ever thou dost fall from this faith,
and being no other but as she is, I do not like her. thon wilt prove a notable argunient.

Claud. Thou thivkest, I am in sport; I pray thee, tell Bene. If I do, hang me in a bottle like a cat, and shoot
me truly how thou likest her.

at me; and he that hits me, let him be clapped on the
Bene. Would you buy her, that you inquire after her? shoulder, and called Adam.
Claud. Can the world buy such a jewel?

D. Pedro. Well, as time shall try:
Bene. Yea, and a case to put it into. But speak yon In time the savagebull doth bear the yoke.
this with a sad brow? or do you play the flouting Jack, Bene. The savage bull may; but if ever the sensible
to tell us,Cupid is a good hare-finder,and Vulcan a rare Benedick bearit,pluck off the bull's horns, and set them
carpenter ? Come, in what key shall a man take you, to in my forehead: and let me be vilely painted; and in
go in the song ?

such great letters as they write, Here is good horse to
Claud. In mine eye, she is the sweetest lady that ever hire, let them signify under my sign, -Here you may

see Benedick the married man.
Bene. I can see yet without spectacles, and I see no Claud. If this should ever happen, thou would'st be
such matter. There's her cousin, an she were not pos- horn-mad.
sessed with a fury, exceeds her as much in beauty, as D. Pedro. Nay, if Cupid have not spent all his quiver
the first of May doth the last of December. But I hope, in Venice, thou wilt quake for this shortly.
you have no intent to turn husband; have you? Bene, Ilook for an earthquaketoo then.

Claud. I would scarce trust myself, though I had sworn D. Pedro. Well, you will temporize with the hours.
the contrary, if Hero would be my wife.

In the mean time, good signior Benedick, repair to
Bene. Is it come to this, i’faith? Hath not the world Leonato's; commend me to him, and tell him, I will
one man, but he will wear his cap with suspicion? Shall not fail him at supper; for, indeed, he hath made great
never see a bachelor of threescure again? Go to, preparation.
i'faith; an thou wilt needs thrust thy neckinto a yoke, Bene. I have almost matter enough in me for such an
wear the print of it, and sigh away Sundays. Look, Don embassage ; and so I commit you-
Pedro is returned to seek you.

Claud. To the tuition of God; from my house, (if

I had it)-
Re-enter Don Pedro.

D. Pedro. The sixth of July: your loving friend, Be-
D. Pedro. What secret hath held you here, that

you

nedick.
followed not to Leonato's?

Bene. Nay, mock not, mock not! The body of your
Bene. I would, your grace would constrain me to tell. discourse is sometime guarded with fragments, and the
D. Pedro. I charge thee on thy allegiance.

guards are but slightly basted on neither: ere you flout
Bene. You hear, count Claudio : I can be secret as a old ends any further, examine your conscience; and so
dumb man, I would have you think so; but on my alle- I leave you.

[Exit Benedick.
giance,-mark you this, on my allegiance:- He is in Claud. My liege, your higliness now may do me good.
love. With who? - now that is your grace's part.-1 D. Pedro. My love is thine to teach ; teach it but how,
Mark, how short his answer is:-With Hero, Leonato's And thou shalt see, how apt it is to learn
short daughter.

Any hard lesson that may do thee good.
Claud. Ifthis were so, so were it uttered.

Claud. Hath Leonato any son, my lord ?
Bene. Like the old tale, my lord : it is not so, nor D. Pedro. No child but Hero, she's his only heir :
'twas not so; but, indeed, God forbid it should be so! Dost thou affect her, Claudio?
Claud. If my passion change not shortly, God for- Claud.

0, my lord,
bid it should be otherwise.

When you went onward on this ended action,
D. Pedro. Amen, if you love her; for the lady is very I look'd upon her with a soldier's eye,
well worthy

Thatlik’d, but had a rougher task in hand
Claud. Yon speak this to fetch mein, my lord. Than to drive liking to the name of love:
D. Pedro. By my troth, I speak my thought. But now I am retura'd, and that war-thoughts
Claud. And, in faith, my lord, I spoke mine. Have left their places vacant, in their rooms
Bene. And, by my two faiths and troths, mylord, 1 Come thronging soft and delicate desires,
spoke mine.

All prompting me, how fair young Hero is,
Claud. That I love her, I feel.

Saying, I lik'd her, ere I went to wars.
D. Pedro. That she is worthy, I know.

D. Pedro. Thou wilt be like a lover presently,
Bene. That I neither feel, how she should be loved, nor and tire the hearer with a book of words:
know,how she should be worthy is the opinion that fire If thou dost love fair Hero, cherish it;
Cannot melt out of me; I will die in it at the stake. And I will break with her, and with her father,
D. Pedro. Thou wast ever an obstinate heretic in And thou shalt have her. Was't not to this end,
the despite of beauty.

That thou began'st to twist so fine a story?
Claud. And never could maintain his part, but in the Claud. How sweetly do you minister to love,
force of his will.

That know love's grief by his complexion ! Bene. That a woman conceived me, I thank her; that But lest my liking might too sudden seem, she brought me up, I likewise give her most humble I would have salv'd it with a longer treatise. thanks: but that I will have a recheat winded in my D. Pedro. What need the bridge much broader than forehead, or hang my bugle in an invisible baldrick, all the flood? women shall pardon me. Because I will not do them. The fairest grant is the necessity : the wrong to mistrust any, I will do myself the right Look, what will serve, is fit: 'tis once, thou lov'st;

And I will fit thee with the remedy.

{time, let me be that I am, and seek not to alter me.
I know, we shall have revelling to-night;

Con. Can you make no use of your discontent?
I will assume thy part in some disguise,

D. John. I make all use of it, for I use it only.--Who
And tell fair Hero, I am Claudio;

comes here? What news, Borachio?
And in her bosom I'll unclasp my heart,

Enter BORACHIO.
And take her hearing prisoner with the force

Bora. I came yonder from a great supper; the prince,
And strong encounter of my amorous tale:

your brother, is royally entertained by Leonato; and
Then, after, to her father will I break ;

I can give you intelligence of an intended marriage.
And, the conclusion is:she shall be thine.

D. John. Willit serve for any model to build mischief
In practice let us putit presently.

(Exeunt. on? What is he for a fool, that betroths himself to

unquietness?
SCENE II. ---Aroom in Leonato's house. Bora, Marry, it is your brother's right hand.
Enter Leonato and ANTONIO.

D, John. Who? the most exquisite Claudio ?
Leon. How now, brother? Where is my cousin, your Bora. Even he.
son? Hath he provided this music?

D.John. A proper squire! And who, and who ? which
Ant. He is very busy about it. But, brother, I can way looks he?
tell you strange news that you yet dreamed not of. Bora. Marry, on Hero, the daugther and heir of
Leon. Are they good ?

Leonato.
Ant. As the event stamps them; but they have a good D. John. A very forward March-chick! How came
cover, they show well outward. The prince and count you to this?
Claudio, walking in a thick-pleached alley in my or Bora.Being entertained for a perfumer,as I was smok-
chard, were thus much overheard by a man of mine: ing a musty room, comes me the prince and Clandio,
the prince discovered to Claudio, that he loved my hand in hand, in sad conference: I whipt me behind the
piece, your daugther,and meant to acknowledge it this arras; and there heard it agreed upon, that the prince
night in a dance; and if he found her accordant, he should wooHero for himself,and, having obtained her,
meant to take the present time by the top,and instantly give her to connt Claudio.
break with you of it.

D. John. Come, come, let us thither; this may prove
Leon. Hath the fellow any wit, that told you this? food to my displeasure: that young start-up hath all
Ant. A good sharp iellow : I will send for him, and the glory of my overthrow; if I can cross him any way,
question him yourself.

I bless myself every way: you are both sare, and will
Leon. No, no; we will hold it as a dream, till it ap- assist me?
pear itself:- but I will acquaint my daugther withal, Con. To the death, my lord.
that she may be the better prepared for an answer, if D. John. Let us to the great supper ; their cheer is
peradventure this be true. Go you, and tell her of it. the greater, that I am subdued. 'Would the cook were
(Several persons cross the stage.] Cousins, you know of my mind! — Shall we go prove what's to be done?
what you have to do.-0, I cry you mercy, friend; Bora. We'll wait upon your lordship. (Exeunt.
you go with me, and I will use your skill. Good
cousins, have a care this busy time! [Exeunt.

ACT II.
SCENE III.-Another room in Leonato's house.

SCENE 1.- A hall in Leonato's house.
Enter Don John and ConraDE,

Enter Leonato, Antonio, Hero,BEATRICE, and others.
Con. What the goujere, my lord! why are you thas Leon. Was not count John here at supper?
out of measure sad?

Ant. I saw him not.
D. John. There is no measure in the occasion that Beat, How tartly that gentleman looks ! I never can
breeds it; therefore the sadness is without limit. see him, but I am heart-burned an hour after.
Con. You should hear reason.

Hero. He is of a very melancholy disposition.
D. John. And, when I have heard it, what blessing Beat. He were an excellent man, that were made just
bringeth it?

in the mid-way between him and Benedick: the one is
Con.If not a present remedy, yet a patient sufferance. too like an image, and says nothing; and the other,
D, John. I wonder, that thou, being (as thou say'st too like my lady's eldest son, evermore tattling.
thou art)born under Saturn,goest about to apply a mo Leon. Then half signior Benedick's tongue in count
ral medicine to a mortifying mischief. I cannot hide John's mouth, and half count John's melancholy iu si-
what I am: I must be sad, when I have cause, and smile gnior Benedick's face.-
at no man's jests; eat, when I have stomach, and wait Beat. With a good leg, and a good foot, uncle, and
for no man's leisure; sleep, when I am drowsy, and money enough in his purse, such a man would win any
tend to no man's business; laugh, when I am merry, woman in the world, --if he could get her good will.
and claw no man in his humour.

Leon. By my troth, niece, thou wilt never get thee a
Con. Yea, but you must not make the full show of husband, if thou be so shrewd of thy tongue.
this, till you may do it without controlment. You have Ant. In faith, she is too curst.
of late stood out against your brother, and he hath Beat. Too curst is more than curst: I shall lessen
ta'en you newly into his grace; where it is impossible God's sending that way:forit is said, God sends a curst
you should take true root, but by the fair weather that cow short horns; but to a cow too curst lie sends none.
you make yourself: it is needful that yon frame the Leon. So, by being too curst, God will send you no
season for your own harvest.

horns.
D. John. I had rather be a canker in a hedge, than a Beat. Just, if he send me no husband; for the which
rose in his grace; and it better fits my blood to be dis- blessing I am at him upon my knees every morning and
dain’d of all, than to fashion a carriage to rob love evening; Lord! I could not endure a husband with a
from any. In this, though I cannot be said to be a flat-beard on his face; I had rather lie in the woollen.
tering honest man, it must not be denied, that I am a

Leon. You may light upon a husband that hath no
pla-a-dealing villain. I am trusted with a muzzle, and beard.
enfranchised with a clog; therefore I have decreed not Beat. What should I do with him? dress him in my
to sing in my cage: IfI had my moath, I would bite ; if apparel, and make him my waiting gentlewoman? He,
I had my liberty, I would do my liking: in the mean that hath a beard, is more than a youth; and he, that

answer.

hath no beard, is less than a man : and he, that is more Balth, No more words; the clerk is answered.
than a youth is not for me;and he, that is less than a man, Urs, I know you well enough; you are signior An-
I am not for him. Therefore I will even take sixpence tonio.
in earnest of the bear-herd, and lead his apes into hell. Ant. At a word, I am not.
Leon. Well then, go you into hell !

Urs. I know you by the waggling of your head.
Beat. No; but to the gate; and there will the devil Ant. To tell you true, I counterfeit him.
meet me, like an old cuckold, with horns on his head, Urs. You could never do him so ill-well, unless you
and say, Get you to heaven , Beatrice, get you to were the very man. Here's his dry hand up and down;
heaven; here's no place for you maids ! So deliver I up you are he, you are he!
my apes, and away to Saint Peter for the heavens : he Ant. Ata word, I am not.
shows me where the bachelors sit, and there live we as Urs. Come, come; do you think I do not know you by
merry as the day is long.

your excellent wit? Can virtue hideitself? Go to,mum,
Ant. Well, niece, (To Hero.] I trust you will be you are he: graces will appear, and there's an end.
ruled by your father.

Beat. Will you not tell me, who told you so ?:
Beat. Yes, faith ; 'tis my cousin's duty to make cour Bene. No, you shall pardon me.
tesy, and say, Father, as it please you :--but yet for Beat. Nor will you not tell me, who you are ?
all that, consin, let him be a handsome fellow, or else Bene. Not now.
make another courtesy, and say,Father,asit please me. Beat. That I was disdainful, -and that I had my good
Leon. Well, niece, I hope to see you one day fitted wit out of the Hundred merry Tales ; well, this was
with a husband,

signior Benedick that said so.
Beat. Not till God make men of some other metal Bene. What's he?
than earth. Wonld it not grieve a woman to be over Beat. I am sure, you know him well enough.
mastered with a piece of valiaut dust ? to make an ac Bene. Not I, believe me.
count of her life to a clod of wayward marl? No, uncle, Beat. Did he never make you laugh?
I'll none: Adam's sons are my brethren ; and truly, I Bene. I pray you, what is he?
hold it a sin to match in my kindred.

Beat. Why, he is the prince's jester: a very dull fool;
Leon, Daughter, remember what I told you: if the only his gift is in devising impossible slanders : none
prince do solicit you in that kind, you know your but libertines delight in him; and the commendation

is not in his wit, but in his villainy; for he both plea-
Beat. The fault will be in the music, cousin, if you seth men and angers them, and then they laugh at him,
be not woo'd in good time: if the prince be too impor- and beat him: I am sure he is in the fleet; I would he
tant, tell him, there is measure in every thing, and so had boarded me.
dance out the answer. For hear me, Hero; wooing, Bene. When I know the gentleman, I'll tell him what
wedding, and repenting, is as a Scotch jig, a measure, you say.
and a cinque-pace: the lirst suit is hot and hasty, like a Beat. Do, do: he'll but break a comparison or two
Scotch jig, and full as fantastical ; the wedding, man- on me; which,peradventure, not marked, or not laugh-
nerly-modest, as a measure full of state and ancien- ed at, strikes him into melancholy; and then there's
try; and then comes repentance, and, with his bad a partridge's wing saved, for the fool will eat no supper
legs, falls into the cinque-pace faster and faster, till he that night. (Music within.] We must follow the lead-
sink into his grave.

Bene. In every good thing.
Leon. Cousin, yon apprehend passing shrewdly. Beat.Nay, if they lead to any ill, I will leave them at the
Beat. I have a good eye, uncle; I can see a church by next turning. (Dance; then exeunt all but Don John,
day-light.

Borachio, and Claudio.
Leon. The revellers are entering; brother, make D. John. Sure, my brother is amorouson Hero, and
good room!

hath withdrawn her father to break with him about it:
Enter Don Pedro, Claudio, BENEDICK, BALTAAZAR; the ladies follow her, and but one visor remains.
Don John, Borachio, MARGARET, Ursula, and others, Bora. And that is Claudio : I know him by his bearing.
masked.

D. John. Are not you signior Benedick?
D.Pedro. Lady,will you walk about with your friend? Claud. You know me well ; I am he.
Hero. So you walk softly, and look sweetly, and say D. John. Signior, you are very near my brother in his
nothing, I am yours for the walk; and, especially, when love: he is enamoured ou Hero; I pray you, dissuade

him from her, she is no equal for his birth: you may do D. Pedro. With me in your company ?

the part of an honest man in it.
Hero. I may say so, when I please.

Claud. How know you he loves her?
D. Pedro. And when please you to say so?

D. John. I heard him swear his affection.
Hero. When I like your favour; for God defend, the Bora, So did I too; and he swore he would marry her
lute should be like the case!

to-night.
D. Pedro. My visor is Philemon's roof; within the D. John. Come, let us to the banquet!
house is Jove.

{Exeunt Don Johın and Borachio.
Hero. Why, then your visor should be thatch'd. Claud. Thus answer lin name of Benedick,
D. Pedro. Speak low, if you speak love.

But hear these ill news with the cars of Claudio,

(Takes her aside. "Tis certain s0;—the prince wooes for himself, Bene. Well, I would you did like me.

Friendship is constant in all other things, Marg. So would not I, for your own sake; for I have Save in the office and affairs of lover many ill qualities.

Therefore, all hearts in love use their own tongues;
Bene. Which is one ?

Let every eye negotiate for itself,
Marg. I say my prayers aloud.

And trust no agent: for beauty is a witch,
Bene. Ilove you the better ; the hearers may cry, Against whose charms faith melteth into blood.
Amea.

This is an accident of hourly proof,
llarg. God match me with a good dancer !

Which I mistrusted not: farewell, therefore, Hero!
Balth. Amen.

Re-enter BesediCK.
Marg. And God keep him out of my sight, when the Bene. Count Claudio ?
dance is done!-- Answer, clerk!

Claud, Yea, the same.

ers,

I walk away.

see him?

Bene. Come, will you go with me?

Re-enter CLAUDIO and BEATRICE, Claud. Whither?

D. Pedro, Look, here she comes, Bene. Even to the next willow, about your own busi- Bene. Will your grace command me any service to ness, count. What fashion will you wear the garland the world's end? I will go on the slightest errand now to of ? About your neck, like an usurer's chain ? or under the Antipodes, that you can devise to send me on; I will your arm, like a lieutenant's scarf? You must wear it fetch you a tooth-picker now from the farthest inch one way, for the prince hath got your Hero. of Asia; bring you the length of Prester John's foot; Claud. I wish him joy of her.

fetch you a hair off the great Cham's beard ; do you any Bene. Why, that's spoken like an honest drover; so embassage to the Pigmies, rather than hold three they sell bullocks. But did you think the prince would words' conference with this harpy. You have no emhave served you thus?

ployment for me? Claud. I pray you, leave me!

D. Pedro. None, but to desire your good company. Bene, Ho! now you strike like the blind man; 'twas Bene. O God, sir, here's a dish I love not; I cannot the boy that stole your meat, and you'll beat the post. endure my lady Tongue.

(Exit. Claud, Ifit will not be, I'll leave you. (Exit, D. Pedro. Come, lady, come; you have lost the Bene, Alas, poor hurt fowl! Now will he creep into heart of signior Benedick. sedges.----But,that my lady Beatrice should know me, Beat. Indeed, my lord, he lentit me a while; and I and not know me! The prince's fool!--Ha! it may be, gave him use for it, a double heart for his singleone: I go under that title, because I am merry.-Yea; but marry, once before, he won it of me with false dice, 80; I am apt to do myselfwrong: I am not so reputed: therefore your grace may well say, I have lost it. it is the base, the bitter disposition of Beatrice, that D. Pedro. You have put him down, lady, you have puts the world into her person, and so gives me out. put him down! Well, I'll be revenged as I may!

Beat. So I would not he should do me, my lord, lest

I should prove the mother of fools. I have brought Re-enter Don PEDRO, Hero, and LEONATO.

count Claudio, whom you sent me to seek. D. Pedro. Now, signior, where's the count? Did you D. Pedro. Why, how now, count? wherefore are you

Claud. Notsad, my lord.

sad?
Bene. Troth, my lord, I have played the part of lady D. Pedro. How then? Sick?
Fame. I found him here as melancholy, as a lodge in a Claud. Neither, my lord.
warren ; I told him, and, I think, I told him true, that Beat. The count is neither sad, nor sick, nor merry,
your grace had got the good will of this young lady; nor well: but civil,count; civil as an orange and some-
and I offered him my company to a willow tree, either thing of that jealous complexion.
to make him a garland, as being forsaken, or to bind D. Pedro. l'faith, lady, I think your blazon to be
him up a rod, as being worthy to be whipped. true; though, I'll be sworn, if he be so, his conceit is
D. Pedro. To be whipped! What's his fault? false. Here, Claudio, I have wooed in thy vame, and
Bene. The flat transgression of a school-boy; who, fair Hero is won; I have broke with her father, and his
being overjoy'd with finding a bird's nest, shows it his good will obtained: name the day of marriage, and
companion, and he steals it.

God give thee joy!
D. Pedro. Wilt thou make a trust a transgression ? Leon. Count, takeofme my daughter, and with her
The transgression is in the stealer.

my fortunes: his grace hath made the match, and all
Bene. Yet it had not been amiss, the rod had been grace say Amen to it!
made, and the garland too; for the garland he might Beat. Speak, count, 'tis your cue!
liave worn himself; and the rod he might have Claud. Silence is the perfectest herald of joy: I were
bestow'd on you,who,as stake it, have stolen his bird's but little happy, if I could say, how much.- Lady, as

yon are mine, I am yours: I give away myself for you, D. Pedro. I will but teach them to sing, and restore and dote upon the exchange. them to the owner.

Beat. Speak, cousin; or, if you cannot, stop his mouth Bene.If their singing answer your saying, by my faith, with a kiss, and let him not speak, neither! you say honestly.

D. Pedro. In faith, lady, you have a merry heart. D. Pedro. The lady Beatrice hath a quarrel to you , Beat. Yea, my lord; I thank it, poor fool, it keeps the gentleman, that danced with her, told her, she is on the windy side of care. My cousin tells him in his much wronged by you.

ear,

that he is in her heart. Bene. O, she misused me past the endurance of a Claud. And so she doth, cousin. block; an oak, but with one green leaf on it, would Beat. Good lord, for alliance !—Thus goes every one have answered her; my very visor began to assume life, to the world but I, and I am sun-burned; I may sit in a and scold with her. She told me, not thinking I had corner, and cry, heigh ho! for a husband. been myself, that I was the prince's jester; that I was D. Pedro. Lady Beatrice, I will get you one. duller than a great thaw; huddling jest upon jest, with Beat.I would rather have one of your father's getting. such impossible conveyance, upon me, that I stood like Hath your grace ne'er a brother like yon? Your father a man at a mark, with a whole army shooting at me. She got excellent husbands, if a maid could come by them. speaks poniards, and every word stabs: if her breath D. Pedro. Will you have me, lady? were as terrible as her terminations, there were no Beat. No, my lord, unless I might have another for living near her, she would infect to the north star. I working-days; your grace is too costly to wear every would not marry her, though she were endowed with day. – But, I beseech your grace, pardon me; I was all that Adam had left him before he transgressed: she born to speak all mirth, and no matter. would have made liercules have turned spit; yea, and D. Pedro. Your silence most offends me, and to be have cleftlis club to make the fire too. Come, talk not merry best becomes you; for, out of question, you of her; you shall find her the infernal Até in good ap- were born in a merry hour. parel. I would to God, some scholar would conjure Beat. No, sure, my lord, my mother cry'd; but then her; for, certainly, while she is here, a man may live there was a star danced, and under that was I born.as quiet in hell, as in a sanctuary; and people sin upou Cousins, God give you joy! purpose, because they would go thither; so, indeed, Leon. Niece, will you look to those things I told alldisquiet, horror, and perturbation follow her.

nest.

you of?

to

will uch 20t;

Free

onot

the

and I one:

dice,

son,

hare

de les cought

cun

Beat. I cry you mercy, uncle.-By your grace's par- Bora, Proof enough to misuse the prince, to vex don.

[Exit Beatrice. Claudio, to undo Hero, and kill Leonato. Look you D. Pedro. By my troth, a pleasant-spirited lady! for any other issue?

Leon. There's little of the melancholy element in her, D. John. Only to despite them, I will endeavour any
my lord: she is never sad, but when she sleeps; and not thing.
ever sad then; for I have heard my daughter say, she Bora. Gothen, find me a meet hour to draw Don Pe-
hath often dreamed of unhappiness,and waked herself dro and the count Claudio, alone : tell them, that you
with laughing.

know, that Hero loves me; intend a kind of zeal both D.Pedro.She cannot endure to hear tell of a husband. to the prince and Claudio, as-in love of your brother's Leon. O, by no means; she mocks all her wooers out honour, who hath made this match, and his friend's of snit.

reputation, who is thus like to be cozened with the D. Pedro. She were an excellent wife for Benedick. semblance of a maid, -that you have discovered thus. Leon. O Lord! my lord, if they were but a week mar- They will scarcely believe this without trial : olier ried, they would talk themselves mad.

them instances; which shall bear no less likelihood, D. Pedro. Count Claudio, when mean you to go to than to see me at her chamber-window, hear me call church?

Margaret Hero; hear Margaret term me Borachio ; Claud. To-morrow, my lord. Time goes on crutches, and bring them to see this, the very night before the till love have all his rites.

intended wedding: for, in the mean time, I will so Leon. Not till Monday, my

dear which is hence fashion the matter, that llero shall be absent; and there ajust seven-night; and a time too brief too, to have shall appear such seeming truth of Hero's disloyalty, all things answer my mind.

that jealousy shall be call'd assurance, and all the preD. Pedro. Come, you shake the head at so long a paration overthrown. breathing; but, I warrant thee, Claudio, the time shall D. John. Grow this to what adverse issue it can,

I not go dully by us ; I will, in the interim, undertake one will put it in practice, Be cunning in the working this, of Hercules' labours; which is, to bring signior Bene- and thy fee is a thousand ducats. dick and the lady Beatrice into a mountain of affection, Bora. Be you constant in the accusation, and my the one with the other. I would fain have it a match; ning shall not shame me. and I doubt not but to fashion it, if you three will but D. John. I will presently go learn their day of marminister such assistance, as I shall give you direction. riage.

(Exeunt.
Leon. My lord, I am for you, though it cost me ten
nights' watchings.

SCENE III.—Leonato's garden.
Claud. And I, my lord.

Enter BENEDICK and a boy.
D. Pedro. And you too, gentle Hero?

Bene. Boy,-
Hero. I will do any modest office, my lord, to help my Boy. Signior.
cousin to a good husband.

Bene. In my chamber-window lies a book; bring it D. Pedro. And Benedick is not the unhopefullest hither to me in the orchard. husband that I know: thus far can I praise him; he is Boy. I am here already, sir. of a noble strain, of approved valour, and confirmed Bene. I know that;- but I would have thee hence, honesty. I will teach you, how to humour your cousin, and here again. (Exit Boy.]—I do much wonder, that that she shall fall in love with Benedick:--and I, with one man, seeing how much another man is a fool, when your two helps, will so practise on Benedick, that, in he dedicates his behaviours to love, will, after he hath despite of his quick wit and his queasy stomach, he laughed at such shallow follies in others, become the shall fall in love with Beatrice. Ifwe can do this, Cu- argument of his own scorn, by falling in love: and such pid is no longeran archer; his glory shall be ours, for a man is Claudio. I have known, when there was no we are the only love-gods. Go in with me, and I will music with him but the drum and fife ; and now had tell you my drift.

(Exeunt. he rather hear the tabor and the pipe. I have known,

when he would have walked ten mile a-foot, to see a SCENEII. - Another room in Leonato's house. good armour; and now will he lie ten nights awake, Enter Don John and BORACHIO.

carving the fashion of a new doublet. He was wont to D. John. It is so; the count Claudio shall marry the speak plain, and to the purpose, like an honest man, daughter of Leonato.

and a soldier; and now is he turn'd orthographer; his Bora. Yea, my lord; but I can cross it.

words are a very fantastical banquet, just so many D. John. Any bar, any cross, any impediment will be strange dishes. May I be so converted, and see with medicinable to me: I am sick in displeasure to him; and these eyes ? I cannot tell; I think not: I will not be whatsoever comes athwart his affection, ranges evenly sworn, but love may transform me to an oyster; but with mine. How canst thon cross this marriage? I'll take my oath on it, till he have made an oyster of Bora. Not honestly, my lord; but so covertly, that me, he shall never make me such a fool. One woman no dishonesty shall appear in me.

is fair; yet I am well: another is wise ; yet I am well : D.John. Show me briefly, how!

another virtuous; yet I am well: but till all graces be Bora. I think, I told your lordship, a year since, how in one woman, one woman shall not come in my grace. much I am in the favour of Margaret, the waiting-Rich she shall be, that's certain ; wise, or I'll none; gentlewoman to Hero.

virtuous, or I'll never cheapen her; fair, or I'll never D. John. I remember.

look on her; mild, or come not near me; noble, or not Bora. I can, at any unseasonable instant of the night, I for an angel; of good discourse, an excellent musiappoint her to look ont at her lady's chamber-window. cian, and her hair shall be of what colour it please

D.John. What life is in that to be the death of this God.-Ha! the prince and monsieur Love! I will hide marriage ?

me in the arbour.

(Withdraws. Bora. The poison of that lies in you to temper. Go Enter Don Pedro, Leonato, and Claudio. you to the prince, your brother; spare not to tell him, D. Pedro, Come, shall we hear this music? that he hath wronged his honour in marrying the re Claud. Yea, my good lord.—How still the evening is, nowned Claudio (whose estimation do you mightily Ashush'd on purpose to grace harmony! hold up) to a contaminated stale, such a one, as Hero. D. Pedro. Seeyou where Benedick hath hid himself? D.John. What proof shall I make of that?

Claud. 0, very well, my lord: the music ended,