Enter Leonato, Governor of Messina, Hero his daughter,
and Beatrice his niece, with a Messenger.

LEONATO , with a letter  FTLN 0001I learn in this letter that Don
FTLN 0002 Pedro of Aragon comes this night to Messina.
MESSENGER  FTLN 0003He is very near by this. He was not three
FTLN 0004 leagues off when I left him.
LEONATO  FTLN 00055How many gentlemen have you lost in this
FTLN 0006 action?
MESSENGER  FTLN 0007But few of any sort, and none of name.
LEONATO  FTLN 0008A victory is twice itself when the achiever
FTLN 0009 brings home full numbers. I find here that Don
FTLN 001010 Pedro hath bestowed much honor on a young
FTLN 0011 Florentine called Claudio.
MESSENGER  FTLN 0012Much deserved on his part, and equally
FTLN 0013 remembered by Don Pedro. He hath borne himself
FTLN 0014 beyond the promise of his age, doing in the figure
FTLN 001515 of a lamb the feats of a lion. He hath indeed better
FTLN 0016 bettered expectation than you must expect of me to
FTLN 0017 tell you how.
LEONATO  FTLN 0018He hath an uncle here in Messina will be
FTLN 0019 very much glad of it.
MESSENGER  FTLN 002020I have already delivered him letters, and
FTLN 0021 there appears much joy in him, even so much that
FTLN 0022 joy could not show itself modest enough without a
FTLN 0023 badge of bitterness.

---

LEONATO  FTLN 0024Did he break out into tears?
MESSENGER  FTLN 002525In great measure.
LEONATO  FTLN 0026A kind overflow of kindness. There are no
FTLN 0027 faces truer than those that are so washed. How
FTLN 0028 much better is it to weep at joy than to joy at
FTLN 0029 weeping!
BEATRICE  FTLN 003030I pray you, is Signior Mountanto returned
FTLN 0031 from the wars or no?
MESSENGER  FTLN 0032I know none of that name, lady. There
FTLN 0033 was none such in the army of any sort.
LEONATO  FTLN 0034What is he that you ask for, niece?
HERO  FTLN 003535My cousin means Signior Benedick of Padua.
MESSENGER  FTLN 0036O, he’s returned, and as pleasant as ever
FTLN 0037 he was.
BEATRICE  FTLN 0038He set up his bills here in Messina and
FTLN 0039 challenged Cupid at the flight, and my uncle’s Fool,
FTLN 004040 reading the challenge, subscribed for Cupid and
FTLN 0041 challenged him at the bird-bolt. I pray you, how
FTLN 0042 many hath he killed and eaten in these wars? But
FTLN 0043 how many hath he killed? For indeed I promised to
FTLN 0044 eat all of his killing.
LEONATO  FTLN 004545Faith, niece, you tax Signior Benedick too
FTLN 0046 much, but he’ll be meet with you, I doubt it not.
MESSENGER  FTLN 0047He hath done good service, lady, in these
FTLN 0048 wars.
BEATRICE  FTLN 0049You had musty victual, and he hath holp to
FTLN 005050 eat it. He is a very valiant trencherman; he hath an
FTLN 0051 excellent stomach.
MESSENGER  FTLN 0052And a good soldier too, lady.
BEATRICE  FTLN 0053And a good soldier to a lady, but what is he
FTLN 0054 to a lord?
MESSENGER  FTLN 005555A lord to a lord, a man to a man, stuffed
FTLN 0056 with all honorable virtues.
BEATRICE  FTLN 0057It is so indeed. He is no less than a stuffed
FTLN 0058 man, but for the stuffing—well, we are all mortal.

---

LEONATO  FTLN 0059You must not, sir, mistake my niece. There is
FTLN 006060 a kind of merry war betwixt Signior Benedick and
FTLN 0061 her. They never meet but there’s a skirmish of wit
FTLN 0062 between them.
BEATRICE  FTLN 0063Alas, he gets nothing by that. In our last
FTLN 0064 conflict, four of his five wits went halting off, and
FTLN 006565 now is the whole man governed with one, so that if
FTLN 0066 he have wit enough to keep himself warm, let him
FTLN 0067 bear it for a difference between himself and his
FTLN 0068 horse, for it is all the wealth that he hath left to
FTLN 0069 be known a reasonable creature. Who is his companion
FTLN 007070 now? He hath every month a new sworn
FTLN 0071 brother.
MESSENGER  FTLN 0072Is ’t possible?
BEATRICE  FTLN 0073Very easily possible. He wears his faith but
FTLN 0074 as the fashion of his hat; it ever changes with the
FTLN 007575 next block.
MESSENGER  FTLN 0076I see, lady, the gentleman is not in your
FTLN 0077 books.
BEATRICE  FTLN 0078No. An he were, I would burn my study. But
FTLN 0079 I pray you, who is his companion? Is there no
FTLN 008080 young squarer now that will make a voyage with
FTLN 0081 him to the devil?
MESSENGER  FTLN 0082He is most in the company of the right
FTLN 0083 noble Claudio.
BEATRICE  FTLN 0084O Lord, he will hang upon him like a
FTLN 008585 disease! He is sooner caught than the pestilence,
FTLN 0086 and the taker runs presently mad. God help the
FTLN 0087 noble Claudio! If he have caught the Benedick, it
FTLN 0088 will cost him a thousand pound ere he be cured.
MESSENGER  FTLN 0089I will hold friends with you, lady.
BEATRICE  FTLN 009090Do, good friend.
LEONATO  FTLN 0091You will never run mad, niece.
BEATRICE  FTLN 0092No, not till a hot January.
MESSENGER  FTLN 0093Don Pedro is approached.

---

Enter Don Pedro, Prince of Aragon, with Claudio,
Benedick, Balthasar, and John the Bastard.

PRINCE  FTLN 0094Good Signior Leonato, are you come to meet
FTLN 009595 your trouble? The fashion of the world is to avoid
FTLN 0096 cost, and you encounter it.
LEONATO  FTLN 0097Never came trouble to my house in the
FTLN 0098 likeness of your Grace, for trouble being gone,
FTLN 0099 comfort should remain, but when you depart from
FTLN 0100100 me, sorrow abides and happiness takes his leave.
PRINCE  FTLN 0101You embrace your charge too willingly.  Turning
 to Hero.  FTLN 0102I think this is your daughter.
LEONATO  FTLN 0103Her mother hath many times told me so.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0104Were you in doubt, sir, that you asked her?
LEONATO  FTLN 0105105Signior Benedick, no, for then were you a
FTLN 0106 child.
PRINCE  FTLN 0107You have it full, Benedick. We may guess by
FTLN 0108 this what you are, being a man. Truly the lady
FTLN 0109 fathers herself.—Be happy, lady, for you are like
FTLN 0110110 an honorable father.
Leonato and the Prince move aside.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0111If Signior Leonato be her father, she would
FTLN 0112 not have his head on her shoulders for all Messina,
FTLN 0113 as like him as she is.
BEATRICE  FTLN 0114I wonder that you will still be talking, Signior
FTLN 0115115 Benedick, nobody marks you.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0116What, my dear Lady Disdain! Are you yet
FTLN 0117 living?
BEATRICE  FTLN 0118Is it possible disdain should die while she
FTLN 0119 hath such meet food to feed it as Signior Benedick?
FTLN 0120120 Courtesy itself must convert to disdain if you come
FTLN 0121 in her presence.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0122Then is courtesy a turncoat. But it is certain
FTLN 0123 I am loved of all ladies, only you excepted; and
FTLN 0124 I would I could find in my heart that I had not a
FTLN 0125125 hard heart, for truly I love none.

---

BEATRICE  FTLN 0126A dear happiness to women. They would
FTLN 0127 else have been troubled with a pernicious suitor. I
FTLN 0128 thank God and my cold blood I am of your humor
FTLN 0129 for that. I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow
FTLN 0130130 than a man swear he loves me.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0131God keep your Ladyship still in that mind,
FTLN 0132 so some gentleman or other shall ’scape a predestinate
FTLN 0133 scratched face.
BEATRICE  FTLN 0134Scratching could not make it worse an
FTLN 0135135 ’twere such a face as yours were.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0136Well, you are a rare parrot-teacher.
BEATRICE  FTLN 0137A bird of my tongue is better than a beast of
FTLN 0138 yours.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0139I would my horse had the speed of your
FTLN 0140140 tongue and so good a continuer, but keep your
FTLN 0141 way, i’ God’s name, I have done.
BEATRICE  FTLN 0142You always end with a jade’s trick. I know
FTLN 0143 you of old.
Leonato and the Prince come forward.
PRINCE  FTLN 0144That is the sum of all, Leonato.—Signior
FTLN 0145145 Claudio and Signior Benedick, my dear friend
FTLN 0146 Leonato hath invited you all. I tell him we shall stay
FTLN 0147 here at the least a month, and he heartily prays
FTLN 0148 some occasion may detain us longer. I dare swear
FTLN 0149 he is no hypocrite, but prays from his heart.
LEONATO  FTLN 0150150If you swear, my lord, you shall not be
FTLN 0151 forsworn.  To Don John. Let me bid you welcome,
FTLN 0152 my lord, being reconciled to the Prince your brother,
FTLN 0153 I owe you all duty.
DON JOHN  FTLN 0154I thank you. I am not of many words, but I
FTLN 0155155 thank you.
LEONATO  FTLN 0156Please it your Grace lead on?
PRINCE  FTLN 0157Your hand, Leonato. We will go together.
All exit except Benedick and Claudio.
CLAUDIO  FTLN 0158Benedick, didst thou note the daughter of
FTLN 0159 Signior Leonato?

---

BENEDICK  FTLN 0160160I noted her not, but I looked on her.
CLAUDIO  FTLN 0161Is she not a modest young lady?
BENEDICK  FTLN 0162Do you question me as an honest man
FTLN 0163 should do, for my simple true judgment? Or would
FTLN 0164 you have me speak after my custom, as being a
FTLN 0165165 professed tyrant to their sex?
CLAUDIO  FTLN 0166No, I pray thee, speak in sober judgment.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0167Why, i’ faith, methinks she’s too low for a
FTLN 0168 high praise, too brown for a fair praise, and too
FTLN 0169 little for a great praise. Only this commendation I
FTLN 0170170 can afford her, that were she other than she is, she
FTLN 0171 were unhandsome, and being no other but as she is,
FTLN 0172 I do not like her.
CLAUDIO  FTLN 0173Thou thinkest I am in sport. I pray thee tell
FTLN 0174 me truly how thou lik’st her.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0175175Would you buy her that you enquire after
FTLN 0176 her?
CLAUDIO  FTLN 0177Can the world buy such a jewel?
BENEDICK  FTLN 0178Yea, and a case to put it into. But speak you
FTLN 0179 this with a sad brow? Or do you play the flouting
FTLN 0180180 jack, to tell us Cupid is a good hare-finder and
FTLN 0181 Vulcan a rare carpenter? Come, in what key shall a
FTLN 0182 man take you to go in the song?
CLAUDIO  FTLN 0183In mine eye she is the sweetest lady that ever
FTLN 0184 I looked on.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0185185I can see yet without spectacles, and I see
FTLN 0186 no such matter. There’s her cousin, an she were not
FTLN 0187 possessed with a fury, exceeds her as much in
FTLN 0188 beauty as the first of May doth the last of December.
FTLN 0189 But I hope you have no intent to turn husband, have
FTLN 0190190 you?
CLAUDIO  FTLN 0191I would scarce trust myself, though I had
FTLN 0192 sworn the contrary, if Hero would be my wife.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0193Is ’t come to this? In faith, hath not the
FTLN 0194 world one man but he will wear his cap with
FTLN 0195195 suspicion? Shall I never see a bachelor of threescore

---

FTLN 0196 again? Go to, i’ faith, an thou wilt needs thrust
FTLN 0197 thy neck into a yoke, wear the print of it, and sigh
FTLN 0198 away Sundays. Look, Don Pedro is returned to seek
FTLN 0199 you.

Enter Don Pedro, Prince of Aragon.

PRINCE  FTLN 0200200What secret hath held you here that you followed
FTLN 0201 not to Leonato’s?
BENEDICK  FTLN 0202I would your Grace would constrain me to
FTLN 0203 tell.
PRINCE  FTLN 0204I charge thee on thy allegiance.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0205205You hear, Count Claudio, I can be secret as
FTLN 0206 a dumb man, I would have you think so, but on my
FTLN 0207 allegiance—mark you this, on my allegiance—he
FTLN 0208 is in love. With who? Now, that is your Grace’s part.
FTLN 0209 Mark how short his answer is: with Hero, Leonato’s
FTLN 0210210 short daughter.
CLAUDIO  FTLN 0211If this were so, so were it uttered.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0212Like the old tale, my lord: “It is not so, nor
FTLN 0213 ’twas not so, but, indeed, God forbid it should be
FTLN 0214 so.”
CLAUDIO  FTLN 0215215If my passion change not shortly, God forbid
FTLN 0216 it should be otherwise.
PRINCE  FTLN 0217Amen, if you love her, for the lady is very well
FTLN 0218 worthy.
CLAUDIO  FTLN 0219You speak this to fetch me in, my lord.
PRINCE  FTLN 0220220By my troth, I speak my thought.
CLAUDIO  FTLN 0221And in faith, my lord, I spoke mine.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0222And by my two faiths and troths, my lord, I
FTLN 0223 spoke mine.
CLAUDIO  FTLN 0224That I love her, I feel.
PRINCE  FTLN 0225225That she is worthy, I know.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0226That I neither feel how she should be loved
FTLN 0227 nor know how she should be worthy is the opinion
FTLN 0228 that fire cannot melt out of me. I will die in it at the
FTLN 0229 stake.

---

PRINCE  FTLN 0230230Thou wast ever an obstinate heretic in the
FTLN 0231 despite of beauty.
CLAUDIO  FTLN 0232And never could maintain his part but in the
FTLN 0233 force of his will.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0234That a woman conceived me, I thank her;
FTLN 0235235 that she brought me up, I likewise give her most
FTLN 0236 humble thanks. But that I will have a recheat
FTLN 0237 winded in my forehead or hang my bugle in an
FTLN 0238 invisible baldrick, all women shall pardon me.
FTLN 0239 Because I will not do them the wrong to mistrust
FTLN 0240240 any, I will do myself the right to trust none. And the
FTLN 0241 fine is, for the which I may go the finer, I will live a
FTLN 0242 bachelor.
PRINCE  FTLN 0243I shall see thee, ere I die, look pale with love.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0244With anger, with sickness, or with hunger,
FTLN 0245245 my lord, not with love. Prove that ever I lose more
FTLN 0246 blood with love than I will get again with drinking,
FTLN 0247 pick out mine eyes with a ballad-maker’s pen and
FTLN 0248 hang me up at the door of a brothel house for the
FTLN 0249 sign of blind Cupid.
PRINCE  FTLN 0250250Well, if ever thou dost fall from this faith, thou
FTLN 0251 wilt prove a notable argument.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0252If I do, hang me in a bottle like a cat and
FTLN 0253 shoot at me, and he that hits me, let him be clapped
FTLN 0254 on the shoulder and called Adam.
PRINCE  FTLN 0255255Well, as time shall try.
FTLN 0256 In time the savage bull doth bear the yoke.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0257The savage bull may, but if ever the sensible
FTLN 0258 Benedick bear it, pluck off the bull’s horns and set
FTLN 0259 them in my forehead, and let me be vilely painted,
FTLN 0260260 and in such great letters as they write “Here is good
FTLN 0261 horse to hire” let them signify under my sign “Here
FTLN 0262 you may see Benedick the married man.”
CLAUDIO  FTLN 0263If this should ever happen, thou wouldst be
FTLN 0264 horn-mad.

---

PRINCE  FTLN 0265265Nay, if Cupid have not spent all his quiver in
FTLN 0266 Venice, thou wilt quake for this shortly.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0267I look for an earthquake too, then.
PRINCE  FTLN 0268Well, you will temporize with the hours. In the
FTLN 0269 meantime, good Signior Benedick, repair to Leonato’s.
FTLN 0270270 Commend me to him, and tell him I will not
FTLN 0271 fail him at supper, for indeed he hath made great
FTLN 0272 preparation.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0273I have almost matter enough in me for such
FTLN 0274 an embassage, and so I commit you—
CLAUDIO  FTLN 0275275To the tuition of God. From my house, if I had
FTLN 0276 it—
PRINCE  FTLN 0277The sixth of July. Your loving friend,
FTLN 0278 Benedick.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0279Nay, mock not, mock not. The body of your
FTLN 0280280 discourse is sometimes guarded with fragments,
FTLN 0281 and the guards are but slightly basted on neither.
FTLN 0282 Ere you flout old ends any further, examine your
FTLN 0283 conscience. And so I leave you. He exits.
CLAUDIO 
FTLN 0284 My liege, your Highness now may do me good.
PRINCE 
FTLN 0285285 My love is thine to teach. Teach it but how,
FTLN 0286 And thou shalt see how apt it is to learn
FTLN 0287 Any hard lesson that may do thee good.
CLAUDIO 
FTLN 0288 Hath Leonato any son, my lord?
PRINCE 
FTLN 0289 No child but Hero; she’s his only heir.
FTLN 0290290 Dost thou affect her, Claudio?
CLAUDIO  FTLN 0291 O, my lord,
FTLN 0292 When you went onward on this ended action,
FTLN 0293 I looked upon her with a soldier’s eye,
FTLN 0294 That liked, but had a rougher task in hand
FTLN 0295295 Than to drive liking to the name of love.
FTLN 0296 But now I am returned and that war thoughts

---

FTLN 0297 Have left their places vacant, in their rooms
FTLN 0298 Come thronging soft and delicate desires,
FTLN 0299 All prompting me how fair young Hero is,
FTLN 0300300 Saying I liked her ere I went to wars.
PRINCE 
FTLN 0301 Thou wilt be like a lover presently
FTLN 0302 And tire the hearer with a book of words.
FTLN 0303 If thou dost love fair Hero, cherish it,
FTLN 0304 And I will break with her and with her father,
FTLN 0305305 And thou shalt have her. Was ’t not to this end
FTLN 0306 That thou began’st to twist so fine a story?
CLAUDIO 
FTLN 0307 How sweetly you do minister to love,
FTLN 0308 That know love’s grief by his complexion!
FTLN 0309 But lest my liking might too sudden seem,
FTLN 0310310 I would have salved it with a longer treatise.
PRINCE 
FTLN 0311 What need the bridge much broader than the flood?
FTLN 0312 The fairest grant is the necessity.
FTLN 0313 Look what will serve is fit. ’Tis once, thou lovest,
FTLN 0314 And I will fit thee with the remedy.
FTLN 0315315 I know we shall have reveling tonight.
FTLN 0316 I will assume thy part in some disguise
FTLN 0317 And tell fair Hero I am Claudio,
FTLN 0318 And in her bosom I’ll unclasp my heart
FTLN 0319 And take her hearing prisoner with the force
FTLN 0320320 And strong encounter of my amorous tale.
FTLN 0321 Then after to her father will I break,
FTLN 0322 And the conclusion is, she shall be thine.
FTLN 0323 In practice let us put it presently.
They exit.

Enter Leonato, meeting an old man, brother to
Leonato.

LEONATO  FTLN 0324How now, brother, where is my cousin, your
FTLN 0325 son? Hath he provided this music?
LEONATO’S BROTHER  FTLN 0326He is very busy about it. But,
FTLN 0327 brother, I can tell you strange news that you yet
FTLN 03285 dreamt not of.
LEONATO  FTLN 0329Are they good?
LEONATO’S BROTHER  FTLN 0330As the events stamps them, but
FTLN 0331 they have a good cover; they show well outward.
FTLN 0332 The Prince and Count Claudio, walking in a thick-pleached
FTLN 033310 alley in mine orchard, were thus much
FTLN 0334 overheard by a man of mine: the Prince discovered
FTLN 0335 to Claudio that he loved my niece your daughter and
FTLN 0336 meant to acknowledge it this night in a dance, and if
FTLN 0337 he found her accordant, he meant to take the
FTLN 033815 present time by the top and instantly break with you
FTLN 0339 of it.
LEONATO  FTLN 0340Hath the fellow any wit that told you this?
LEONATO’S BROTHER  FTLN 0341A good sharp fellow. I will send
FTLN 0342 for him, and question him yourself.
LEONATO  FTLN 034320No, no, we will hold it as a dream till it
FTLN 0344 appear itself. But I will acquaint my daughter
FTLN 0345 withal, that she may be the better prepared for an
FTLN 0346 answer, if peradventure this be true. Go you and tell
FTLN 0347 her of it.

Enter Antonio’s son, with a Musician and Attendants.

FTLN 034825 Cousins, you know what you have to do.—O, I cry
FTLN 0349 you mercy, friend. Go you with me and I will use
FTLN 0350 your skill.—Good cousin, have a care this busy
FTLN 0351 time.
They exit.

Enter Sir John the Bastard, and Conrade, his
companion.

CONRADE  FTLN 0352What the goodyear, my lord, why are you
FTLN 0353 thus out of measure sad?
DON JOHN  FTLN 0354There is no measure in the occasion that
FTLN 0355 breeds. Therefore the sadness is without limit.
CONRADE  FTLN 03565You should hear reason.
DON JOHN  FTLN 0357And when I have heard it, what blessing
FTLN 0358 brings it?
CONRADE  FTLN 0359If not a present remedy, at least a patient
FTLN 0360 sufferance.
DON JOHN  FTLN 036110I wonder that thou, being, as thou sayst thou
FTLN 0362 art, born under Saturn, goest about to apply a moral
FTLN 0363 medicine to a mortifying mischief. I cannot hide
FTLN 0364 what I am. I must be sad when I have cause, and
FTLN 0365 smile at no man’s jests; eat when I have stomach,
FTLN 036615 and wait for no man’s leisure; sleep when I am
FTLN 0367 drowsy, and tend on no man’s business; laugh when
FTLN 0368 I am merry, and claw no man in his humor.
CONRADE  FTLN 0369Yea, but you must not make the full show of
FTLN 0370 this till you may do it without controlment. You
FTLN 037120 have of late stood out against your brother, and he
FTLN 0372 hath ta’en you newly into his grace, where it is
FTLN 0373 impossible you should take true root but by the fair
FTLN 0374 weather that you make yourself. It is needful that
FTLN 0375 you frame the season for your own harvest.
DON JOHN  FTLN 037625I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a
FTLN 0377 rose in his grace, and it better fits my blood to be
FTLN 0378 disdained of all than to fashion a carriage to rob
FTLN 0379 love from any. In this, though I cannot be said to be
FTLN 0380 a flattering honest man, it must not be denied but I
FTLN 038130 am a plain-dealing villain. I am trusted with a
FTLN 0382 muzzle and enfranchised with a clog; therefore I
FTLN 0383 have decreed not to sing in my cage. If I had my

---

FTLN 0384 mouth, I would bite; if I had my liberty, I would do
FTLN 0385 my liking. In the meantime, let me be that I am, and
FTLN 038635 seek not to alter me.
CONRADE  FTLN 0387Can you make no use of your discontent?
DON JOHN  FTLN 0388I make all use of it, for I use it only. Who
FTLN 0389 comes here?

Enter Borachio.

FTLN 0390 What news, Borachio?
BORACHIO  FTLN 039140I came yonder from a great supper. The
FTLN 0392 Prince your brother is royally entertained by
FTLN 0393 Leonato, and I can give you intelligence of an
FTLN 0394 intended marriage.
DON JOHN  FTLN 0395Will it serve for any model to build mischief
FTLN 039645 on? What is he for a fool that betroths himself to
FTLN 0397 unquietness?
BORACHIO  FTLN 0398Marry, it is your brother’s right hand.
DON JOHN  FTLN 0399Who, the most exquisite Claudio?
BORACHIO  FTLN 0400Even he.
DON JOHN  FTLN 040150A proper squire. And who, and who? Which
FTLN 0402 way looks he?
BORACHIO  FTLN 0403Marry, on Hero, the daughter and heir of
FTLN 0404 Leonato.
DON JOHN  FTLN 0405A very forward March chick! How came you
FTLN 040655 to this?
BORACHIO  FTLN 0407Being entertained for a perfumer, as I was
FTLN 0408 smoking a musty room, comes me the Prince and
FTLN 0409 Claudio, hand in hand, in sad conference. I
FTLN 0410 whipped me behind the arras, and there heard it
FTLN 041160 agreed upon that the Prince should woo Hero for
FTLN 0412 himself, and having obtained her, give her to Count
FTLN 0413 Claudio.
DON JOHN  FTLN 0414Come, come, let us thither. This may prove
FTLN 0415 food to my displeasure. That young start-up hath
FTLN 041665 all the glory of my overthrow. If I can cross him any

---

FTLN 0417 way, I bless myself every way. You are both sure, and
FTLN 0418 will assist me?
CONRADE  FTLN 0419To the death, my lord.
DON JOHN  FTLN 0420Let us to the great supper. Their cheer is the
FTLN 042170 greater that I am subdued. Would the cook were o’
FTLN 0422 my mind! Shall we go prove what’s to be done?
BORACHIO  FTLN 0423We’ll wait upon your Lordship.
They exit.

Enter Leonato, his brother, Hero his daughter, and
Beatrice his niece, with Ursula and Margaret.

LEONATO  FTLN 0424Was not Count John here at supper?
LEONATO’S BROTHER  FTLN 0425I saw him not.
BEATRICE  FTLN 0426How tartly that gentleman looks! I never
FTLN 0427 can see him but I am heartburned an hour after.
HERO  FTLN 04285He is of a very melancholy disposition.
BEATRICE  FTLN 0429He were an excellent man that were made
FTLN 0430 just in the midway between him and Benedick. The
FTLN 0431 one is too like an image and says nothing, and the
FTLN 0432 other too like my lady’s eldest son, evermore
FTLN 043310 tattling.
LEONATO  FTLN 0434Then half Signior Benedick’s tongue in
FTLN 0435 Count John’s mouth, and half Count John’s melancholy
FTLN 0436 in Signior Benedick’s face—
BEATRICE  FTLN 0437With a good leg and a good foot, uncle, and
FTLN 043815 money enough in his purse, such a man would win
FTLN 0439 any woman in the world if he could get her
FTLN 0440 goodwill.
LEONATO  FTLN 0441By my troth, niece, thou wilt never get thee a
FTLN 0442 husband if thou be so shrewd of thy tongue.
LEONATO’S BROTHER  FTLN 044320In faith, she’s too curst.
BEATRICE  FTLN 0444Too curst is more than curst. I shall lessen
FTLN 0445 God’s sending that way, for it is said “God sends a

---

FTLN 0446 curst cow short horns,” but to a cow too curst, he
FTLN 0447 sends none.
LEONATO  FTLN 044825So, by being too curst, God will send you no
FTLN 0449 horns.
BEATRICE  FTLN 0450Just, if He send me no husband, for the
FTLN 0451 which blessing I am at Him upon my knees every
FTLN 0452 morning and evening. Lord, I could not endure a
FTLN 045330 husband with a beard on his face. I had rather lie in
FTLN 0454 the woolen!
LEONATO  FTLN 0455You may light on a husband that hath no
FTLN 0456 beard.
BEATRICE  FTLN 0457What should I do with him? Dress him in my
FTLN 045835 apparel and make him my waiting gentlewoman?
FTLN 0459 He that hath a beard is more than a youth, and he
FTLN 0460 that hath no beard is less than a man; and he that is
FTLN 0461 more than a youth is not for me, and he that is less
FTLN 0462 than a man, I am not for him. Therefore I will even
FTLN 046340 take sixpence in earnest of the bearherd, and lead
FTLN 0464 his apes into hell.
LEONATO  FTLN 0465Well then, go you into hell?
BEATRICE  FTLN 0466No, but to the gate, and there will the devil
FTLN 0467 meet me like an old cuckold with horns on his
FTLN 046845 head, and say “Get you to heaven, Beatrice, get you
FTLN 0469 to heaven; here’s no place for you maids.” So deliver
FTLN 0470 I up my apes and away to Saint Peter; for the
FTLN 0471 heavens, he shows me where the bachelors sit, and
FTLN 0472 there live we as merry as the day is long.
LEONATO’S BROTHER , to Hero  FTLN 047350Well, niece, I trust you
FTLN 0474 will be ruled by your father.
BEATRICE  FTLN 0475Yes, faith, it is my cousin’s duty to make
FTLN 0476 curtsy and say “Father, as it please you.” But yet for
FTLN 0477 all that, cousin, let him be a handsome fellow, or
FTLN 047855 else make another curtsy and say “Father, as it
FTLN 0479 please me.”
LEONATO  FTLN 0480Well, niece, I hope to see you one day fitted
FTLN 0481 with a husband.

---

BEATRICE  FTLN 0482Not till God make men of some other metal
FTLN 048360 than earth. Would it not grieve a woman to be
FTLN 0484 overmastered with a piece of valiant dust? To make
FTLN 0485 an account of her life to a clod of wayward marl?
FTLN 0486 No, uncle, I’ll none. Adam’s sons are my brethren,
FTLN 0487 and truly I hold it a sin to match in my kindred.
LEONATO , to Hero  FTLN 048865Daughter, remember what I told
FTLN 0489 you. If the Prince do solicit you in that kind, you
FTLN 0490 know your answer.
BEATRICE  FTLN 0491The fault will be in the music, cousin, if you
FTLN 0492 be not wooed in good time. If the Prince be too
FTLN 049370 important, tell him there is measure in everything,
FTLN 0494 and so dance out the answer. For hear me, Hero,
FTLN 0495 wooing, wedding, and repenting is as a Scotch jig, a
FTLN 0496 measure, and a cinquepace. The first suit is hot and
FTLN 0497 hasty like a Scotch jig, and full as fantastical; the
FTLN 049875 wedding, mannerly modest as a measure, full of
FTLN 0499 state and ancientry; and then comes repentance,
FTLN 0500 and with his bad legs falls into the cinquepace faster
FTLN 0501 and faster till he sink into his grave.
LEONATO  FTLN 0502Cousin, you apprehend passing shrewdly.
BEATRICE  FTLN 050380I have a good eye, uncle; I can see a church
FTLN 0504 by daylight.
LEONATO  FTLN 0505The revelers are entering, brother. Make
FTLN 0506 good room. Leonato and his brother step aside.

Enter, with a Drum, Prince Pedro, Claudio, and
Benedick, Signior Antonio, and Balthasar, all in
masks, with Borachio and Don John.

PRINCE , to Hero  FTLN 0507Lady, will you walk a bout with your
FTLN 050885 friend? They begin to dance.
HERO  FTLN 0509So you walk softly, and look sweetly, and say
FTLN 0510 nothing, I am yours for the walk, and especially
FTLN 0511 when I walk away.
PRINCE  FTLN 0512With me in your company?
HERO  FTLN 051390I may say so when I please.

---

PRINCE  FTLN 0514And when please you to say so?
HERO  FTLN 0515When I like your favor, for God defend the lute
FTLN 0516 should be like the case.
PRINCE  FTLN 0517My visor is Philemon’s roof; within the house
FTLN 051895 is Jove.
HERO  FTLN 0519Why, then, your visor should be thatched.
PRINCE  FTLN 0520Speak low if you speak love.
They move aside;
Benedick and Margaret move forward.
BENEDICK , to Margaret  FTLN 0521Well, I would you did like me.
MARGARET  FTLN 0522So would not I for your own sake, for I have
FTLN 0523100 many ill qualities.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0524Which is one?
MARGARET  FTLN 0525I say my prayers aloud.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0526I love you the better; the hearers may cry
FTLN 0527 “Amen.”
MARGARET  FTLN 0528105God match me with a good dancer.
They separate; Benedick moves aside;
Balthasar moves forward.
BALTHASAR  FTLN 0529Amen.
MARGARET  FTLN 0530And God keep him out of my sight when the
FTLN 0531 dance is done. Answer, clerk.
BALTHASAR  FTLN 0532No more words. The clerk is answered.
They move aside;
Ursula and Antonio move forward.
URSULA  FTLN 0533110I know you well enough. You are Signior
FTLN 0534 Antonio.
ANTONIO  FTLN 0535At a word, I am not.
URSULA  FTLN 0536I know you by the waggling of your head.
ANTONIO  FTLN 0537To tell you true, I counterfeit him.
URSULA  FTLN 0538115You could never do him so ill-well unless you
FTLN 0539 were the very man. Here’s his dry hand up and
FTLN 0540 down. You are he, you are he.
ANTONIO  FTLN 0541At a word, I am not.
URSULA  FTLN 0542Come, come, do you think I do not know you
FTLN 0543120 by your excellent wit? Can virtue hide itself? Go to,

---

FTLN 0544 mum, you are he. Graces will appear, and there’s an
FTLN 0545 end.
They move aside;
Benedick and Beatrice move forward.
BEATRICE  FTLN 0546Will you not tell me who told you so?
BENEDICK  FTLN 0547No, you shall pardon me.
BEATRICE  FTLN 0548125Nor will you not tell me who you are?
BENEDICK  FTLN 0549Not now.
BEATRICE  FTLN 0550That I was disdainful, and that I had my
FTLN 0551 good wit out of The Hundred Merry Tales! Well, this
FTLN 0552 was Signior Benedick that said so.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0553130What’s he?
BEATRICE  FTLN 0554I am sure you know him well enough.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0555Not I, believe me.
BEATRICE  FTLN 0556Did he never make you laugh?
BENEDICK  FTLN 0557I pray you, what is he?
BEATRICE  FTLN 0558135Why, he is the Prince’s jester, a very dull
FTLN 0559 fool; only his gift is in devising impossible slanders.
FTLN 0560 None but libertines delight in him, and the commendation
FTLN 0561 is not in his wit but in his villainy, for he
FTLN 0562 both pleases men and angers them, and then they
FTLN 0563140 laugh at him and beat him. I am sure he is in the
FTLN 0564 fleet.I would he had boarded me.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0565When I know the gentleman, I’ll tell him
FTLN 0566 what you say.
BEATRICE  FTLN 0567Do, do. He’ll but break a comparison or two
FTLN 0568145 on me, which peradventure not marked or not
FTLN 0569 laughed at strikes him into melancholy, and then
FTLN 0570 there’s a partridge wing saved, for the fool will eat
FTLN 0571 no supper that night.  Music for the dance. We must
FTLN 0572 follow the leaders.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0573150In every good thing.
BEATRICE  FTLN 0574Nay, if they lead to any ill, I will leave them
FTLN 0575 at the next turning.
Dance. Then exit all except
Don John, Borachio, and Claudio.

---

DON JOHN , to Borachio  FTLN 0576Sure my brother is amorous
FTLN 0577 on Hero, and hath withdrawn her father to break
FTLN 0578155 with him about it. The ladies follow her, and but one
FTLN 0579 visor remains.
BORACHIO  FTLN 0580And that is Claudio. I know him by his
FTLN 0581 bearing.
DON JOHN , to Claudio  FTLN 0582Are not you Signior Benedick?
CLAUDIO  FTLN 0583160You know me well. I am he.
DON JOHN  FTLN 0584Signior, you are very near my brother in his
FTLN 0585 love. He is enamored on Hero. I pray you dissuade
FTLN 0586 him from her. She is no equal for his birth. You
FTLN 0587 may do the part of an honest man in it.
CLAUDIO  FTLN 0588165How know you he loves her?
DON JOHN  FTLN 0589I heard him swear his affection.
BORACHIO  FTLN 0590So did I too, and he swore he would marry
FTLN 0591 her tonight.
DON JOHN  FTLN 0592Come, let us to the banquet.
They exit. Claudio remains.
CLAUDIO , unmasking 
FTLN 0593170 Thus answer I in name of Benedick,
FTLN 0594 But hear these ill news with the ears of Claudio.
FTLN 0595 ’Tis certain so. The Prince woos for himself.
FTLN 0596 Friendship is constant in all other things
FTLN 0597 Save in the office and affairs of love.
FTLN 0598175 Therefore all hearts in love use their own tongues.
FTLN 0599 Let every eye negotiate for itself
FTLN 0600 And trust no agent, for beauty is a witch
FTLN 0601 Against whose charms faith melteth into blood.
FTLN 0602 This is an accident of hourly proof,
FTLN 0603180 Which I mistrusted not. Farewell therefore, Hero.

Enter Benedick.

BENEDICK  FTLN 0604Count Claudio?
CLAUDIO  FTLN 0605Yea, the same.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0606Come, will you go with me?
CLAUDIO  FTLN 0607Whither?

---

BENEDICK  FTLN 0608185Even to the next willow, about your own
FTLN 0609 business, county. What fashion will you wear the
FTLN 0610 garland of? About your neck like an usurer’s chain?
FTLN 0611 Or under your arm like a lieutenant’s scarf? You
FTLN 0612 must wear it one way, for the Prince hath got your
FTLN 0613190 Hero.
CLAUDIO  FTLN 0614I wish him joy of her.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0615Why, that’s spoken like an honest drover; so
FTLN 0616 they sell bullocks. But did you think the Prince
FTLN 0617 would have served you thus?
CLAUDIO  FTLN 0618195I pray you, leave me.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0619Ho, now you strike like the blind man.
FTLN 0620 ’Twas the boy that stole your meat, and you’ll beat
FTLN 0621 the post.
CLAUDIO  FTLN 0622If it will not be, I’ll leave you. He exits.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0623200Alas, poor hurt fowl, now will he creep into
FTLN 0624 sedges. But that my Lady Beatrice should know
FTLN 0625 me, and not know me! The Prince’s fool! Ha, it may
FTLN 0626 be I go under that title because I am merry. Yea, but
FTLN 0627 so I am apt to do myself wrong. I am not so reputed!
FTLN 0628205 It is the base, though bitter, disposition of Beatrice
FTLN 0629 that puts the world into her person and so gives me
FTLN 0630 out. Well, I’ll be revenged as I may.

Enter the Prince, Hero, and Leonato.

PRINCE  FTLN 0631Now, signior, where’s the Count? Did you see
FTLN 0632 him?
BENEDICK  FTLN 0633210Troth, my lord, I have played the part of
FTLN 0634 Lady Fame. I found him here as melancholy as a
FTLN 0635 lodge in a warren. I told him, and I think I told him
FTLN 0636 true, that your Grace had got the goodwill of this
FTLN 0637 young lady, and I offered him my company to a
FTLN 0638215 willow tree, either to make him a garland, as being
FTLN 0639 forsaken, or to bind him up a rod, as being worthy to
FTLN 0640 be whipped.
PRINCE  FTLN 0641To be whipped? What’s his fault?

---

BENEDICK  FTLN 0642The flat transgression of a schoolboy who,
FTLN 0643220 being overjoyed with finding a bird’s nest, shows it
FTLN 0644 his companion, and he steals it.
PRINCE  FTLN 0645Wilt thou make a trust a transgression? The
FTLN 0646 transgression is in the stealer.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0647Yet it had not been amiss the rod had been
FTLN 0648225 made, and the garland too, for the garland he
FTLN 0649 might have worn himself, and the rod he might
FTLN 0650 have bestowed on you, who, as I take it, have stolen
FTLN 0651 his bird’s nest.
PRINCE  FTLN 0652I will but teach them to sing and restore them
FTLN 0653230 to the owner.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0654If their singing answer your saying, by my
FTLN 0655 faith, you say honestly.
PRINCE  FTLN 0656The Lady Beatrice hath a quarrel to you. The
FTLN 0657 gentleman that danced with her told her she is
FTLN 0658235 much wronged by you.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0659O, she misused me past the endurance of a
FTLN 0660 block! An oak but with one green leaf on it would
FTLN 0661 have answered her. My very visor began to assume
FTLN 0662 life and scold with her. She told me, not thinking I
FTLN 0663240 had been myself, that I was the Prince’s jester, that I
FTLN 0664 was duller than a great thaw, huddling jest upon jest
FTLN 0665 with such impossible conveyance upon me that I
FTLN 0666 stood like a man at a mark with a whole army
FTLN 0667 shooting at me. She speaks poniards, and every
FTLN 0668245 word stabs. If her breath were as terrible as her
FTLN 0669 terminations, there were no living near her; she
FTLN 0670 would infect to the North Star. I would not marry
FTLN 0671 her though she were endowed with all that Adam
FTLN 0672 had left him before he transgressed. She would have
FTLN 0673250 made Hercules have turned spit, yea, and have cleft
FTLN 0674 his club to make the fire, too. Come, talk not of her.
FTLN 0675 You shall find her the infernal Ate in good apparel. I
FTLN 0676 would to God some scholar would conjure her, for
FTLN 0677 certainly, while she is here, a man may live as quiet

---

FTLN 0678255 in hell as in a sanctuary, and people sin upon
FTLN 0679 purpose because they would go thither. So indeed
FTLN 0680 all disquiet, horror, and perturbation follows her.

Enter Claudio and Beatrice.

PRINCE  FTLN 0681Look, here she comes.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0682Will your Grace command me any service
FTLN 0683260 to the world’s end? I will go on the slightest errand
FTLN 0684 now to the Antipodes that you can devise to send
FTLN 0685 me on. I will fetch you a toothpicker now from the
FTLN 0686 furthest inch of Asia, bring you the length of Prester
FTLN 0687 John’s foot, fetch you a hair off the great Cham’s
FTLN 0688265 beard, do you any embassage to the Pygmies, rather
FTLN 0689 than hold three words’ conference with this harpy.
FTLN 0690 You have no employment for me?
PRINCE  FTLN 0691None but to desire your good company.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0692O God, sir, here’s a dish I love not! I cannot
FTLN 0693270 endure my Lady Tongue. He exits.
PRINCE , to Beatrice  FTLN 0694Come, lady, come, you have lost
FTLN 0695 the heart of Signior Benedick.
BEATRICE  FTLN 0696Indeed, my lord, he lent it me awhile, and I
FTLN 0697 gave him use for it, a double heart for his single
FTLN 0698275 one. Marry, once before he won it of me with false
FTLN 0699 dice. Therefore your Grace may well say I have lost
FTLN 0700 it.
PRINCE  FTLN 0701You have put him down, lady, you have put
FTLN 0702 him down.
BEATRICE  FTLN 0703280So I would not he should do me, my lord,
FTLN 0704 lest I should prove the mother of fools. I have
FTLN 0705 brought Count Claudio, whom you sent me to seek.
PRINCE  FTLN 0706Why, how now, count, wherefore are you sad?
CLAUDIO  FTLN 0707Not sad, my lord.
PRINCE  FTLN 0708285How then, sick?
CLAUDIO  FTLN 0709Neither, my lord.
BEATRICE  FTLN 0710The Count is neither sad, nor sick, nor merry,

---

FTLN 0711 nor well, but civil count, civil as an orange, and
FTLN 0712 something of that jealous complexion.
PRINCE  FTLN 0713290I’ faith, lady, I think your blazon to be true,
FTLN 0714 though I’ll be sworn, if he be so, his conceit is
FTLN 0715 false.—Here, Claudio, I have wooed in thy name,
FTLN 0716 and fair Hero is won. I have broke with her father
FTLN 0717 and his goodwill obtained. Name the day of marriage,
FTLN 0718295 and God give thee joy.
LEONATO  FTLN 0719Count, take of me my daughter, and with her
FTLN 0720 my fortunes. His Grace hath made the match, and
FTLN 0721 all grace say “Amen” to it.
BEATRICE  FTLN 0722Speak, count, ’tis your cue.
CLAUDIO  FTLN 0723300Silence is the perfectest herald of joy. I were
FTLN 0724 but little happy if I could say how much.—Lady, as
FTLN 0725 you are mine, I am yours. I give away myself for you
FTLN 0726 and dote upon the exchange.
BEATRICE  FTLN 0727Speak, cousin, or, if you cannot, stop his
FTLN 0728305 mouth with a kiss and let not him speak neither.
PRINCE  FTLN 0729In faith, lady, you have a merry heart.
BEATRICE  FTLN 0730Yea, my lord. I thank it, poor fool, it keeps on
FTLN 0731 the windy side of care. My cousin tells him in his ear
FTLN 0732 that he is in her heart.
CLAUDIO  FTLN 0733310And so she doth, cousin.
BEATRICE  FTLN 0734Good Lord for alliance! Thus goes everyone
FTLN 0735 to the world but I, and I am sunburnt. I may sit in a
FTLN 0736 corner and cry “Heigh-ho for a husband!”
PRINCE  FTLN 0737Lady Beatrice, I will get you one.
BEATRICE  FTLN 0738315I would rather have one of your father’s
FTLN 0739 getting. Hath your Grace ne’er a brother like you?
FTLN 0740 Your father got excellent husbands, if a maid could
FTLN 0741 come by them.
PRINCE  FTLN 0742Will you have me, lady?
BEATRICE  FTLN 0743320No, my lord, unless I might have another for
FTLN 0744 working days. Your Grace is too costly to wear
FTLN 0745 every day. But I beseech your Grace pardon me. I
FTLN 0746 was born to speak all mirth and no matter.

---

PRINCE  FTLN 0747Your silence most offends me, and to be merry
FTLN 0748325 best becomes you, for out o’ question you were
FTLN 0749 born in a merry hour.
BEATRICE  FTLN 0750No, sure, my lord, my mother cried, but then
FTLN 0751 there was a star danced, and under that was I
FTLN 0752 born.—Cousins, God give you joy!
LEONATO  FTLN 0753330Niece, will you look to those things I told
FTLN 0754 you of?
BEATRICE  FTLN 0755I cry you mercy, uncle.—By your Grace’s
FTLN 0756 pardon. Beatrice exits.
PRINCE  FTLN 0757By my troth, a pleasant-spirited lady.
LEONATO  FTLN 0758335There’s little of the melancholy element in
FTLN 0759 her, my lord. She is never sad but when she sleeps,
FTLN 0760 and not ever sad then, for I have heard my daughter
FTLN 0761 say she hath often dreamt of unhappiness and
FTLN 0762 waked herself with laughing.
PRINCE  FTLN 0763340She cannot endure to hear tell of a husband.
LEONATO  FTLN 0764O, by no means. She mocks all her wooers
FTLN 0765 out of suit.
PRINCE  FTLN 0766She were an excellent wife for Benedick.
LEONATO  FTLN 0767O Lord, my lord, if they were but a week
FTLN 0768345 married, they would talk themselves mad.
PRINCE  FTLN 0769County Claudio, when mean you to go to
FTLN 0770 church?
CLAUDIO  FTLN 0771Tomorrow, my lord. Time goes on crutches
FTLN 0772 till love have all his rites.
LEONATO  FTLN 0773350Not till Monday, my dear son, which is hence
FTLN 0774 a just sevennight, and a time too brief, too, to have
FTLN 0775 all things answer my mind.
PRINCE , to Claudio  FTLN 0776Come, you shake the head at so
FTLN 0777 long a breathing, but I warrant thee, Claudio, the
FTLN 0778355 time shall not go dully by us. I will in the interim
FTLN 0779 undertake one of Hercules’ labors, which is to bring
FTLN 0780 Signior Benedick and the Lady Beatrice into a
FTLN 0781 mountain of affection, th’ one with th’ other. I
FTLN 0782 would fain have it a match, and I doubt not but to

---

FTLN 0783360 fashion it, if you three will but minister such
FTLN 0784 assistance as I shall give you direction.
LEONATO  FTLN 0785My lord, I am for you, though it cost me ten
FTLN 0786 nights’ watchings.
CLAUDIO  FTLN 0787And I, my lord.
PRINCE  FTLN 0788365And you too, gentle Hero?
HERO  FTLN 0789I will do any modest office, my lord, to help my
FTLN 0790 cousin to a good husband.
PRINCE  FTLN 0791And Benedick is not the unhopefullest husband
FTLN 0792 that I know. Thus far can I praise him: he is of
FTLN 0793370 a noble strain, of approved valor, and confirmed
FTLN 0794 honesty. I will teach you how to humor your
FTLN 0795 cousin that she shall fall in love with Benedick.—
FTLN 0796 And I, with your two helps, will so practice on
FTLN 0797 Benedick that, in despite of his quick wit and his
FTLN 0798375 queasy stomach, he shall fall in love with Beatrice.
FTLN 0799 If we can do this, Cupid is no longer an archer; his
FTLN 0800 glory shall be ours, for we are the only love gods. Go
FTLN 0801 in with me, and I will tell you my drift.
They exit.

Enter Don John and Borachio.

DON JOHN  FTLN 0802It is so. The Count Claudio shall marry the
FTLN 0803 daughter of Leonato.
BORACHIO  FTLN 0804Yea, my lord, but I can cross it.
DON JOHN  FTLN 0805Any bar, any cross, any impediment will be
FTLN 08065 med’cinable to me. I am sick in displeasure to him,
FTLN 0807 and whatsoever comes athwart his affection ranges
FTLN 0808 evenly with mine. How canst thou cross this
FTLN 0809 marriage?
BORACHIO  FTLN 0810Not honestly, my lord, but so covertly that
FTLN 081110 no dishonesty shall appear in me.
DON JOHN  FTLN 0812Show me briefly how.

---

BORACHIO  FTLN 0813I think I told your Lordship a year since,
FTLN 0814 how much I am in the favor of Margaret, the
FTLN 0815 waiting gentlewoman to Hero.
DON JOHN  FTLN 081615I remember.
BORACHIO  FTLN 0817I can, at any unseasonable instant of the
FTLN 0818 night, appoint her to look out at her lady’s chamber
FTLN 0819 window.
DON JOHN  FTLN 0820What life is in that to be the death of this
FTLN 082120 marriage?
BORACHIO  FTLN 0822The poison of that lies in you to temper. Go
FTLN 0823 you to the Prince your brother; spare not to tell
FTLN 0824 him that he hath wronged his honor in marrying
FTLN 0825 the renowned Claudio, whose estimation do you
FTLN 082625 mightily hold up, to a contaminated stale, such a
FTLN 0827 one as Hero.
DON JOHN  FTLN 0828What proof shall I make of that?
BORACHIO  FTLN 0829Proof enough to misuse the Prince, to vex
FTLN 0830 Claudio, to undo Hero, and kill Leonato. Look you
FTLN 083130 for any other issue?
DON JOHN  FTLN 0832Only to despite them I will endeavor
FTLN 0833 anything.
BORACHIO  FTLN 0834Go then, find me a meet hour to draw Don
FTLN 0835 Pedro and the Count Claudio alone. Tell them that
FTLN 083635 you know that Hero loves me; intend a kind of zeal
FTLN 0837 both to the Prince and Claudio, as in love of your
FTLN 0838 brother’s honor, who hath made this match, and his
FTLN 0839 friend’s reputation, who is thus like to be cozened
FTLN 0840 with the semblance of a maid, that you have discovered
FTLN 084140 thus. They will scarcely believe this without
FTLN 0842 trial. Offer them instances, which shall bear no less
FTLN 0843 likelihood than to see me at her chamber window,
FTLN 0844 hear me call Margaret “Hero,” hear Margaret term
FTLN 0845 me “Claudio,” and bring them to see this the very
FTLN 084645 night before the intended wedding, for in the meantime
FTLN 0847 I will so fashion the matter that Hero shall be
FTLN 0848 absent, and there shall appear such seeming truth

---

FTLN 0849 of Hero’s disloyalty that jealousy shall be called
FTLN 0850 assurance and all the preparation overthrown.
DON JOHN  FTLN 085150Grow this to what adverse issue it can, I will
FTLN 0852 put it in practice. Be cunning in the working this,
FTLN 0853 and thy fee is a thousand ducats.
BORACHIO  FTLN 0854Be you constant in the accusation, and my
FTLN 0855 cunning shall not shame me.
DON JOHN  FTLN 085655I will presently go learn their day of
FTLN 0857 marriage.
They exit.

Enter Benedick alone.

BENEDICK  FTLN 0858Boy!

Enter Boy.

BOY  FTLN 0859Signior?
BENEDICK  FTLN 0860In my chamber window lies a book. Bring it
FTLN 0861 hither to me in the orchard.
BOY  FTLN 08625I am here already, sir.
BENEDICK  FTLN 0863I know that, but I would have thee hence
FTLN 0864 and here again. Boy exits.
FTLN 0865 I do much wonder that one man, seeing how much
FTLN 0866 another man is a fool when he dedicates his behaviors
FTLN 086710 to love, will, after he hath laughed at such
FTLN 0868 shallow follies in others, become the argument of
FTLN 0869 his own scorn by falling in love—and such a man is
FTLN 0870 Claudio. I have known when there was no music
FTLN 0871 with him but the drum and the fife, and now had he
FTLN 087215 rather hear the tabor and the pipe; I have known
FTLN 0873 when he would have walked ten mile afoot to see a
FTLN 0874 good armor, and now will he lie ten nights awake
FTLN 0875 carving the fashion of a new doublet. He was wont
FTLN 0876 to speak plain and to the purpose, like an honest

---

FTLN 087720 man and a soldier, and now is he turned orthography;
FTLN 0878 his words are a very fantastical banquet, just so
FTLN 0879 many strange dishes. May I be so converted and see
FTLN 0880 with these eyes? I cannot tell; I think not. I will not
FTLN 0881 be sworn but love may transform me to an oyster,
FTLN 088225 but I’ll take my oath on it, till he have made an
FTLN 0883 oyster of me, he shall never make me such a fool.
FTLN 0884 One woman is fair, yet I am well; another is wise, yet
FTLN 0885 I am well; another virtuous, yet I am well; but till all
FTLN 0886 graces be in one woman, one woman shall not
FTLN 088730 come in my grace. Rich she shall be, that’s certain;
FTLN 0888 wise, or I’ll none; virtuous, or I’ll never cheapen
FTLN 0889 her; fair, or I’ll never look on her; mild, or come not
FTLN 0890 near me; noble, or not I for an angel; of good
FTLN 0891 discourse, an excellent musician, and her hair shall
FTLN 089235 be of what color it please God. Ha! The Prince and
FTLN 0893 Monsieur Love! I will hide me in the arbor.
He hides.

Enter Prince, Leonato, Claudio, and Balthasar
with music.

PRINCE  FTLN 0894Come, shall we hear this music?
CLAUDIO 
FTLN 0895 Yea, my good lord. How still the evening is,
FTLN 0896 As hushed on purpose to grace harmony!
PRINCE , aside to Claudio 
FTLN 089740 See you where Benedick hath hid himself?
CLAUDIO , aside to Prince 
FTLN 0898 O, very well my lord. The music ended,
FTLN 0899 We’ll fit the kid-fox with a pennyworth.
PRINCE 
FTLN 0900 Come, Balthasar, we’ll hear that song again.
BALTHASAR 
FTLN 0901 O, good my lord, tax not so bad a voice
FTLN 090245 To slander music any more than once.

---

PRINCE 
FTLN 0903 It is the witness still of excellency
FTLN 0904 To put a strange face on his own perfection.
FTLN 0905 I pray thee, sing, and let me woo no more.
BALTHASAR 
FTLN 0906 Because you talk of wooing, I will sing,
FTLN 090750 Since many a wooer doth commence his suit
FTLN 0908 To her he thinks not worthy, yet he woos,
FTLN 0909 Yet will he swear he loves.
PRINCE  FTLN 0910 Nay, pray thee, come,
FTLN 0911 Or if thou wilt hold longer argument,
FTLN 091255 Do it in notes.
BALTHASAR  FTLN 0913 Note this before my notes:
FTLN 0914 There’s not a note of mine that’s worth the noting.
PRINCE 
FTLN 0915 Why, these are very crotchets that he speaks!
FTLN 0916 Note notes, forsooth, and nothing. Music plays.
BENEDICK , aside  FTLN 091760Now, divine air! Now is his soul
FTLN 0918 ravished. Is it not strange that sheeps’ guts should
FTLN 0919 hale souls out of men’s bodies? Well, a horn for my
FTLN 0920 money, when all’s done.
BALTHASAR  sings 
FTLN 0921 Sigh no more, ladies, sigh no more,
FTLN 092265  Men were deceivers ever,
FTLN 0923 One foot in sea and one on shore,
FTLN 0924  To one thing constant never.
FTLN 0925 Then sigh not so, but let them go,
FTLN 0926  And be you blithe and bonny,
FTLN 092770 Converting all your sounds of woe
FTLN 0928  Into Hey, nonny nonny.

FTLN 0929 Sing no more ditties, sing no mo,
FTLN 0930  Of dumps so dull and heavy.
FTLN 0931 The fraud of men was ever so,
FTLN 093275  Since summer first was leavy.

---

69

Much Ado About Nothing

ACT 2. SC. 3

FTLN 0933 Then sigh not so, but let them go,
FTLN 0934  And be you blithe and bonny,
FTLN 0935 Converting all your sounds of woe
FTLN 0936  Into Hey, nonny nonny.
PRINCE  FTLN 093780By my troth, a good song.
BALTHASAR  FTLN 0938And an ill singer, my lord.
PRINCE  FTLN 0939Ha, no, no, faith, thou sing’st well enough for a
FTLN 0940 shift.
BENEDICK , aside  FTLN 0941An he had been a dog that should
FTLN 094285 have howled thus, they would have hanged him. And
FTLN 0943 I pray God his bad voice bode no mischief. I had as
FTLN 0944 lief have heard the night raven, come what plague
FTLN 0945 could have come after it.
PRINCE  FTLN 0946Yea, marry, dost thou hear, Balthasar? I pray
FTLN 094790 thee get us some excellent music, for tomorrow
FTLN 0948 night we would have it at the Lady Hero’s chamber
FTLN 0949 window.
BALTHASAR  FTLN 0950The best I can, my lord.
PRINCE  FTLN 0951Do so. Farewell. Balthasar exits.
FTLN 095295 Come hither, Leonato. What was it you told me of
FTLN 0953 today, that your niece Beatrice was in love with
FTLN 0954 Signior Benedick?
CLAUDIO  FTLN 0955O, ay.  Aside to Prince. Stalk on, stalk on; the
FTLN 0956 fowl sits.—I did never think that lady would have
FTLN 0957100 loved any man.
LEONATO  FTLN 0958No, nor I neither, but most wonderful that
FTLN 0959 she should so dote on Signior Benedick, whom she
FTLN 0960 hath in all outward behaviors seemed ever to
FTLN 0961 abhor.
BENEDICK , aside  FTLN 0962105Is ’t possible? Sits the wind in that
FTLN 0963 corner?
LEONATO  FTLN 0964By my troth, my lord, I cannot tell what to
FTLN 0965 think of it, but that she loves him with an enraged
FTLN 0966 affection, it is past the infinite of thought.
PRINCE  FTLN 0967110Maybe she doth but counterfeit.
CLAUDIO  FTLN 0968Faith, like enough.

---

LEONATO  FTLN 0969O God! Counterfeit? There was never counterfeit
FTLN 0970 of passion came so near the life of passion as
FTLN 0971 she discovers it.
PRINCE  FTLN 0972115Why, what effects of passion shows she?
CLAUDIO , aside to Leonato  FTLN 0973Bait the hook well; this fish
FTLN 0974 will bite.
LEONATO  FTLN 0975What effects, my lord? She will sit you—you
FTLN 0976 heard my daughter tell you how.
CLAUDIO  FTLN 0977120She did indeed.
PRINCE  FTLN 0978How, how I pray you? You amaze me. I would
FTLN 0979 have thought her spirit had been invincible against
FTLN 0980 all assaults of affection.
LEONATO  FTLN 0981I would have sworn it had, my lord, especially
FTLN 0982125 against Benedick.
BENEDICK , aside  FTLN 0983I should think this a gull but that the
FTLN 0984 white-bearded fellow speaks it. Knavery cannot,
FTLN 0985 sure, hide himself in such reverence.
CLAUDIO , aside to Prince  FTLN 0986He hath ta’en th’ infection.
FTLN 0987130 Hold it up.
PRINCE  FTLN 0988Hath she made her affection known to
FTLN 0989 Benedick?
LEONATO  FTLN 0990No, and swears she never will. That’s her
FTLN 0991 torment.
CLAUDIO  FTLN 0992135’Tis true indeed, so your daughter says. “Shall
FTLN 0993 I,” says she, “that have so oft encountered him with
FTLN 0994 scorn, write to him that I love him?”
LEONATO  FTLN 0995This says she now when she is beginning to
FTLN 0996 write to him, for she’ll be up twenty times a night,
FTLN 0997140 and there will she sit in her smock till she have writ
FTLN 0998 a sheet of paper. My daughter tells us all.
CLAUDIO  FTLN 0999Now you talk of a sheet of paper, I remember
FTLN 1000 a pretty jest your daughter told us of.
LEONATO  FTLN 1001O, when she had writ it and was reading it
FTLN 1002145 over, she found “Benedick” and “Beatrice” between
FTLN 1003 the sheet?
CLAUDIO  FTLN 1004That.

---

LEONATO  FTLN 1005O, she tore the letter into a thousand halfpence,
FTLN 1006 railed at herself that she should be so
FTLN 1007150 immodest to write to one that she knew would flout
FTLN 1008 her. “I measure him,” says she, “by my own spirit,
FTLN 1009 for I should flout him if he writ to me, yea, though I
FTLN 1010 love him, I should.”
CLAUDIO  FTLN 1011Then down upon her knees she falls, weeps,
FTLN 1012155 sobs, beats her heart, tears her hair, prays, curses:
FTLN 1013 “O sweet Benedick, God give me patience!”
LEONATO  FTLN 1014She doth indeed, my daughter says so, and
FTLN 1015 the ecstasy hath so much overborne her that my
FTLN 1016 daughter is sometimes afeared she will do a desperate
FTLN 1017160 outrage to herself. It is very true.
PRINCE  FTLN 1018It were good that Benedick knew of it by some
FTLN 1019 other, if she will not discover it.
CLAUDIO  FTLN 1020To what end? He would make but a sport of it
FTLN 1021 and torment the poor lady worse.
PRINCE  FTLN 1022165An he should, it were an alms to hang him.
FTLN 1023 She’s an excellent sweet lady, and, out of all suspicion,
FTLN 1024 she is virtuous.
CLAUDIO  FTLN 1025And she is exceeding wise.
PRINCE  FTLN 1026In everything but in loving Benedick.
LEONATO  FTLN 1027170O, my lord, wisdom and blood combating in
FTLN 1028 so tender a body, we have ten proofs to one that
FTLN 1029 blood hath the victory. I am sorry for her, as I have
FTLN 1030 just cause, being her uncle and her guardian.
PRINCE  FTLN 1031I would she had bestowed this dotage on me. I
FTLN 1032175 would have daffed all other respects and made her
FTLN 1033 half myself. I pray you tell Benedick of it, and hear
FTLN 1034 what he will say.
LEONATO  FTLN 1035Were it good, think you?
CLAUDIO  FTLN 1036Hero thinks surely she will die, for she says
FTLN 1037180 she will die if he love her not, and she will die ere
FTLN 1038 she make her love known, and she will die if he woo
FTLN 1039 her rather than she will bate one breath of her
FTLN 1040 accustomed crossness.

---

PRINCE  FTLN 1041She doth well. If she should make tender of
FTLN 1042185 her love, ’tis very possible he’ll scorn it, for the man,
FTLN 1043 as you know all, hath a contemptible spirit.
CLAUDIO  FTLN 1044He is a very proper man.
PRINCE  FTLN 1045He hath indeed a good outward happiness.
CLAUDIO  FTLN 1046Before God, and in my mind, very wise.
PRINCE  FTLN 1047190He doth indeed show some sparks that are like
FTLN 1048 wit.
CLAUDIO  FTLN 1049And I take him to be valiant.
PRINCE  FTLN 1050As Hector, I assure you, and in the managing
FTLN 1051 of quarrels you may say he is wise, for either he
FTLN 1052195 avoids them with great discretion or undertakes
FTLN 1053 them with a most Christianlike fear.
LEONATO  FTLN 1054If he do fear God, he must necessarily keep
FTLN 1055 peace. If he break the peace, he ought to enter into
FTLN 1056 a quarrel with fear and trembling.
PRINCE  FTLN 1057200And so will he do, for the man doth fear God,
FTLN 1058 howsoever it seems not in him by some large jests
FTLN 1059 he will make. Well, I am sorry for your niece. Shall
FTLN 1060 we go seek Benedick and tell him of her love?
CLAUDIO  FTLN 1061Never tell him, my lord, let her wear it out
FTLN 1062205 with good counsel.
LEONATO  FTLN 1063Nay, that’s impossible; she may wear her
FTLN 1064 heart out first.
PRINCE  FTLN 1065Well, we will hear further of it by your daughter.
FTLN 1066 Let it cool the while. I love Benedick well, and I
FTLN 1067210 could wish he would modestly examine himself to
FTLN 1068 see how much he is unworthy so good a lady.
LEONATO  FTLN 1069My lord, will you walk? Dinner is ready.
Leonato, Prince, and Claudio begin to exit.
CLAUDIO , aside to Prince and Leonato  FTLN 1070If he do not
FTLN 1071 dote on her upon this, I will never trust my
FTLN 1072215 expectation.
PRINCE , aside to Leonato  FTLN 1073Let there be the same net
FTLN 1074 spread for her, and that must your daughter and her
FTLN 1075 gentlewomen carry. The sport will be when they

---

FTLN 1076 hold one an opinion of another’s dotage, and no
FTLN 1077220 such matter. That’s the scene that I would see,
FTLN 1078 which will be merely a dumb show. Let us send her
FTLN 1079 to call him in to dinner.
Prince, Leonato, and Claudio exit.
BENEDICK , coming forward  FTLN 1080This can be no trick. The
FTLN 1081 conference was sadly borne; they have the truth of
FTLN 1082225 this from Hero; they seem to pity the lady. It seems
FTLN 1083 her affections have their full bent. Love me? Why, it
FTLN 1084 must be requited! I hear how I am censured. They
FTLN 1085 say I will bear myself proudly if I perceive the love
FTLN 1086 come from her. They say, too, that she will rather
FTLN 1087230 die than give any sign of affection. I did never think
FTLN 1088 to marry. I must not seem proud. Happy are they
FTLN 1089 that hear their detractions and can put them to
FTLN 1090 mending. They say the lady is fair; ’tis a truth, I can
FTLN 1091 bear them witness. And virtuous; ’tis so, I cannot
FTLN 1092235 reprove it. And wise, but for loving me; by my troth,
FTLN 1093 it is no addition to her wit, nor no great argument of
FTLN 1094 her folly, for I will be horribly in love with her! I
FTLN 1095 may chance have some odd quirks and remnants of
FTLN 1096 wit broken on me because I have railed so long
FTLN 1097240 against marriage, but doth not the appetite alter? A
FTLN 1098 man loves the meat in his youth that he cannot
FTLN 1099 endure in his age. Shall quips and sentences and
FTLN 1100 these paper bullets of the brain awe a man from the
FTLN 1101 career of his humor? No! The world must be peopled.
FTLN 1102245 When I said I would die a bachelor, I did not
FTLN 1103 think I should live till I were married. Here comes
FTLN 1104 Beatrice. By this day, she’s a fair lady. I do spy some
FTLN 1105 marks of love in her.

Enter Beatrice.

BEATRICE  FTLN 1106Against my will, I am sent to bid you come
FTLN 1107250 in to dinner.
BENEDICK  FTLN 1108Fair Beatrice, I thank you for your pains.

---

BEATRICE  FTLN 1109I took no more pains for those thanks than
FTLN 1110 you take pains to thank me. If it had been painful, I
FTLN 1111 would not have come.
BENEDICK  FTLN 1112255You take pleasure then in the message?
BEATRICE  FTLN 1113Yea, just so much as you may take upon a
FTLN 1114 knife’s point and choke a daw withal. You have no
FTLN 1115 stomach, signior. Fare you well. She exits.
BENEDICK  FTLN 1116Ha! “Against my will I am sent to bid you
FTLN 1117260 come in to dinner.” There’s a double meaning in
FTLN 1118 that. “I took no more pains for those thanks than
FTLN 1119 you took pains to thank me.” That’s as much as to
FTLN 1120 say “Any pains that I take for you is as easy as
FTLN 1121 thanks.” If I do not take pity of her, I am a villain; if I
FTLN 1122265 do not love her, I am a Jew. I will go get her picture.
He exits.

Enter Hero and two gentlewomen, Margaret and Ursula.

HERO 
FTLN 1123 Good Margaret, run thee to the parlor.
FTLN 1124 There shalt thou find my cousin Beatrice
FTLN 1125 Proposing with the Prince and Claudio.
FTLN 1126 Whisper her ear and tell her I and Ursula
FTLN 11275 Walk in the orchard, and our whole discourse
FTLN 1128 Is all of her. Say that thou overheardst us,
FTLN 1129 And bid her steal into the pleachèd bower
FTLN 1130 Where honeysuckles ripened by the sun
FTLN 1131 Forbid the sun to enter, like favorites
FTLN 113210 Made proud by princes, that advance their pride
FTLN 1133 Against that power that bred it. There will she hide
FTLN 1134 her
FTLN 1135 To listen our propose. This is thy office.
FTLN 1136 Bear thee well in it, and leave us alone.
MARGARET 
FTLN 113715 I’ll make her come, I warrant you, presently.
She exits.
HERO 
FTLN 1138 Now, Ursula, when Beatrice doth come,
FTLN 1139 As we do trace this alley up and down,
FTLN 1140 Our talk must only be of Benedick.
FTLN 1141 When I do name him, let it be thy part
FTLN 114220 To praise him more than ever man did merit.

---

FTLN 1143 My talk to thee must be how Benedick
FTLN 1144 Is sick in love with Beatrice. Of this matter
FTLN 1145 Is little Cupid’s crafty arrow made,
FTLN 1146 That only wounds by hearsay. Now begin,
FTLN 114725 For look where Beatrice like a lapwing runs
FTLN 1148 Close by the ground, to hear our conference.

Enter Beatrice, who hides in the bower.

URSULA , aside to Hero 
FTLN 1149 The pleasant’st angling is to see the fish
FTLN 1150 Cut with her golden oars the silver stream
FTLN 1151 And greedily devour the treacherous bait.
FTLN 115230 So angle we for Beatrice, who even now
FTLN 1153 Is couchèd in the woodbine coverture.
FTLN 1154 Fear you not my part of the dialogue.
HERO , aside to Ursula 
FTLN 1155 Then go we near her, that her ear lose nothing
FTLN 1156 Of the false sweet bait that we lay for it.—
They walk near the bower.
FTLN 115735 No, truly, Ursula, she is too disdainful.
FTLN 1158 I know her spirits are as coy and wild
FTLN 1159 As haggards of the rock.
URSULA  FTLN 1160 But are you sure
FTLN 1161 That Benedick loves Beatrice so entirely?
HERO 
FTLN 116240 So says the Prince and my new-trothèd lord.
URSULA 
FTLN 1163 And did they bid you tell her of it, madam?
HERO 
FTLN 1164 They did entreat me to acquaint her of it,
FTLN 1165 But I persuaded them, if they loved Benedick,
FTLN 1166 To wish him wrestle with affection
FTLN 116745 And never to let Beatrice know of it.
URSULA 
FTLN 1168 Why did you so? Doth not the gentleman

---

FTLN 1169 Deserve as full as fortunate a bed
FTLN 1170 As ever Beatrice shall couch upon?
HERO 
FTLN 1171 O god of love! I know he doth deserve
FTLN 117250 As much as may be yielded to a man,
FTLN 1173 But Nature never framed a woman’s heart
FTLN 1174 Of prouder stuff than that of Beatrice.
FTLN 1175 Disdain and scorn ride sparkling in her eyes,
FTLN 1176 Misprizing what they look on, and her wit
FTLN 117755 Values itself so highly that to her
FTLN 1178 All matter else seems weak. She cannot love,
FTLN 1179 Nor take no shape nor project of affection,
FTLN 1180 She is so self-endeared.
URSULA  FTLN 1181 Sure, I think so,
FTLN 118260 And therefore certainly it were not good
FTLN 1183 She knew his love, lest she’ll make sport at it.
HERO 
FTLN 1184 Why, you speak truth. I never yet saw man,
FTLN 1185 How wise, how noble, young, how rarely featured,
FTLN 1186 But she would spell him backward. If fair-faced,
FTLN 118765 She would swear the gentleman should be her
FTLN 1188 sister;
FTLN 1189 If black, why, Nature, drawing of an antic,
FTLN 1190 Made a foul blot; if tall, a lance ill-headed;
FTLN 1191 If low, an agate very vilely cut;
FTLN 119270 If speaking, why, a vane blown with all winds;
FTLN 1193 If silent, why, a block moved with none.
FTLN 1194 So turns she every man the wrong side out,
FTLN 1195 And never gives to truth and virtue that
FTLN 1196 Which simpleness and merit purchaseth.
URSULA 
FTLN 119775 Sure, sure, such carping is not commendable.
HERO 
FTLN 1198 No, not to be so odd and from all fashions
FTLN 1199 As Beatrice is cannot be commendable.
FTLN 1200 But who dare tell her so? If I should speak,

---

FTLN 1201 She would mock me into air. O, she would laugh
FTLN 120280 me
FTLN 1203 Out of myself, press me to death with wit.
FTLN 1204 Therefore let Benedick, like covered fire,
FTLN 1205 Consume away in sighs, waste inwardly.
FTLN 1206 It were a better death than die with mocks,
FTLN 120785 Which is as bad as die with tickling.
URSULA 
FTLN 1208 Yet tell her of it. Hear what she will say.
HERO 
FTLN 1209 No, rather I will go to Benedick
FTLN 1210 And counsel him to fight against his passion;
FTLN 1211 And truly I’ll devise some honest slanders
FTLN 121290 To stain my cousin with. One doth not know
FTLN 1213 How much an ill word may empoison liking.
URSULA 
FTLN 1214 O, do not do your cousin such a wrong!
FTLN 1215 She cannot be so much without true judgment,
FTLN 1216 Having so swift and excellent a wit
FTLN 121795 As she is prized to have, as to refuse
FTLN 1218 So rare a gentleman as Signior Benedick.
HERO 
FTLN 1219 He is the only man of Italy,
FTLN 1220 Always excepted my dear Claudio.
URSULA 
FTLN 1221 I pray you be not angry with me, madam,
FTLN 1222100 Speaking my fancy: Signior Benedick,
FTLN 1223 For shape, for bearing, argument, and valor,
FTLN 1224 Goes foremost in report through Italy.
HERO 
FTLN 1225 Indeed, he hath an excellent good name.
URSULA 
FTLN 1226 His excellence did earn it ere he had it.
FTLN 1227105 When are you married, madam?
HERO 
FTLN 1228 Why, every day, tomorrow. Come, go in.

---

FTLN 1229 I’ll show thee some attires and have thy counsel
FTLN 1230 Which is the best to furnish me tomorrow.
They move away from the bower.
URSULA , aside to Hero 
FTLN 1231 She’s limed, I warrant you. We have caught her,
FTLN 1232110 madam.
HERO , aside to Ursula 
FTLN 1233 If it prove so, then loving goes by haps;
FTLN 1234 Some Cupid kills with arrows, some with traps. Hero and Ursula exit.
BEATRICE , coming forward 
FTLN 1235 What fire is in mine ears? Can this be true?
FTLN 1236  Stand I condemned for pride and scorn so much?
FTLN 1237115 Contempt, farewell, and maiden pride, adieu!
FTLN 1238  No glory lives behind the back of such.
FTLN 1239 And Benedick, love on; I will requite thee,
FTLN 1240  Taming my wild heart to thy loving hand.
FTLN 1241 If thou dost love, my kindness shall incite thee
FTLN 1242120  To bind our loves up in a holy band.
FTLN 1243 For others say thou dost deserve, and I
FTLN 1244 Believe it better than reportingly.
She exits.