Folger Shakespeare Library

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Contents

Front Matter |
ACT 1 |
ACT 2 |
ACT 3 |
ACT 4 |
ACT 5 |

From the Director of the Folger Shakespeare Library

It is hard to imagine a world without Shakespeare. Since their composition four hundred years ago, Shakespeare’s plays and poems have traveled the globe, inviting those who see and read his works to make them their own.

Readers of the New Folger Editions are part of this ongoing process of “taking up Shakespeare,” finding our own thoughts and feelings in language that strikes us as old or unusual and, for that very reason, new. We still struggle to keep up with a writer who could think a mile a minute, whose words paint pictures that shift like clouds. These expertly edited texts are presented to the public as a resource for study, artistic adaptation, and enjoyment. By making the classic texts of the New Folger Editions available in electronic form as Folger Digital Texts, we place a trusted resource in the hands of anyone who wants them.

The New Folger Editions of Shakespeare’s plays, which are the basis for the texts realized here in digital form, are special because of their origin. The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is the single greatest documentary source of Shakespeare’s works. An unparalleled collection of early modern books, manuscripts, and artwork connected to Shakespeare, the Folger’s holdings have been consulted extensively in the preparation of these texts. The Editions also reflect the expertise gained through the regular performance of Shakespeare’s works in the Folger’s Elizabethan Theater.

I want to express my deep thanks to editors Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine for creating these indispensable editions of Shakespeare’s works, which incorporate the best of textual scholarship with a richness of commentary that is both inspired and engaging. Readers who want to know more about Shakespeare and his plays can follow the paths these distinguished scholars have tread by visiting the Folger either in-person or online, where a range of physical and digital resources exists to supplement the material in these texts. I commend to you these words, and hope that they inspire.

Michael Witmore
Director, Folger Shakespeare Library

Textual Introduction
By Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine

Until now, with the release of the Folger Digital Texts, readers in search of a free online text of Shakespeare’s plays had to be content primarily with using the Moby™ Text, which reproduces a late-nineteenth century version of the plays. What is the difference? Many ordinary readers assume that there is a single text for the plays: what Shakespeare wrote. But Shakespeare’s plays were not published the way modern novels or plays are published today: as a single, authoritative text. In some cases, the plays have come down to us in multiple published versions, represented by various Quartos (Qq) and by the great collection put together by his colleagues in 1623, called the First Folio (F). There are, for example, three very different versions of Hamlet, two of King Lear, Henry V, Romeo and Juliet, and others. Editors choose which version to use as their base text, and then amend that text with words, lines or speech prefixes from the other versions that, in their judgment, make for a better or more accurate text.

Other editorial decisions involve choices about whether an unfamiliar word could be understood in light of other writings of the period or whether it should be changed; decisions about words that made it into Shakespeare’s text by accident through four hundred years of printings and misprinting; and even decisions based on cultural preference and taste. When the Moby™ Text was created, for example, it was deemed “improper” and “indecent” for Miranda to chastise Caliban for having attempted to rape her. (See The Tempest, 1.2: “Abhorred slave,/Which any print of goodness wilt not take,/Being capable of all ill! I pitied thee…”). All Shakespeare editors at the time took the speech away from her and gave it to her father, Prospero.

The editors of the Moby™ Shakespeare produced their text long before scholars fully understood the proper grounds on which to make the thousands of decisions that Shakespeare editors face. The Folger Library Shakespeare Editions, on which the Folger Digital Texts depend, make this editorial process as nearly transparent as is possible, in contrast to older texts, like the Moby™, which hide editorial interventions. The reader of the Folger Shakespeare knows where the text has been altered because editorial interventions are signaled by square brackets (for example, from Othello: “If she in chains of magic were not bound,”), half-square brackets (for example, from Henry V: “With blood and sword and fire to win your right,”), or angle brackets (for example, from Hamlet: “O farewell, honest soldier. Who hath relieved/you?”). At any point in the text, you can hover your cursor over a bracket for more information.

Because the Folger Digital Texts are edited in accord with twenty-first century knowledge about Shakespeare’s texts, the Folger here provides them to readers, scholars, teachers, actors, directors, and students, free of charge, confident of their quality as texts of the plays and pleased to be able to make this contribution to the study and enjoyment of Shakespeare.

Synopsis

The primary plot of Much Ado About Nothing turns on the courtship and scandal involving young Hero and her suitor, Claudio, but the witty war of words between Claudio’s friend Benedick and Hero’s cousin Beatrice often takes center stage.

Set in Messina, the play begins as Don Pedro’s army returns after a victory. Benedick, a gentleman soldier, resumes a verbal duel with Beatrice, the niece of Messina’s governor, Leonato. Count Claudio is smitten by Leonato’s daughter, Hero. After Don Pedro woos her in disguise for Claudio, the two young lovers plan to marry in a week. To fill in the time until the wedding, Don Pedro and the others set about tricking Benedick and Beatrice into falling in love with each other. Meanwhile, Don Pedro’s disgruntled brother, Don John, plots to ruin Hero and halt her wedding. Claudio believes Don John’s deception, is convinced Hero has a lover, and, at the wedding, brutally rejects her.

With Hero in hiding and falsely reported dead, Beatrice persuades Benedick to fight Claudio. Tragedy is averted when the bumbling city watch, having discovered Don John’s treachery, arrives and clears Hero’s name. With Claudio forgiven, both couples are ready to get married.

Characters in the Play
Leonato, Governor of Messina
Hero, his daughter
Beatrice, his niece
Leonato’s Brother
Margaret
Ursula
waiting gentlewomen to Hero
Don Pedro, Prince of Aragon
Count Claudio, a young lord from Florence
Signior Benedick, a gentleman from Padua
Balthasar
Signior Antonio
Don John, Don Pedro’s brother
Borachio
Conrade
Don John’s followers
Dogberry, Master Constable in Messina
Verges, Dogberry’s partner
George Seacoal, leader of the Watch
First Watchman
Second Watchman
Sexton
Friar Francis
Messenger to Leonato
Messenger to Don Pedro
Boy
Musicians, Lords, Attendants, Son to Leonato’s brother

ACT 1
Scene 1
Enter Leonato, Governor of Messina, Hero his daughter,
and Beatrice his niece, with a Messenger.
LEONATO , with a letter FTLN 0001 I learn in this letter that Don
FTLN 0002 Pedro of Aragon comes this night to Messina.
MESSENGER FTLN 0003 He is very near by this. He was not three
FTLN 0004 leagues off when I left him.
LEONATO FTLN 0005 5 How many gentlemen have you lost in this
FTLN 0006 action?
MESSENGER FTLN 0007 But few of any sort, and none of name.
LEONATO FTLN 0008 A victory is twice itself when the achiever
FTLN 0009 brings home full numbers. I find here that Don
FTLN 0010 10 Pedro hath bestowed much honor on a young
FTLN 0011 Florentine called Claudio.
MESSENGER FTLN 0012 Much 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 0015 15 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 0018 He hath an uncle here in Messina will be
FTLN 0019 very much glad of it.
MESSENGER FTLN 0020 20 I 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.
7

9
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 1. SC. 1
LEONATO FTLN 0024 Did he break out into tears?
MESSENGER FTLN 0025 25 In great measure.
LEONATO FTLN 0026 A 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 0030 30 I pray you, is Signior Mountanto returned
FTLN 0031 from the wars or no?
MESSENGER FTLN 0032 I know none of that name, lady. There
FTLN 0033 was none such in the army of any sort.
LEONATO FTLN 0034 What is he that you ask for, niece?
HERO FTLN 0035 35 My cousin means Signior Benedick of Padua.
MESSENGER FTLN 0036 O, he’s returned, and as pleasant as ever
FTLN 0037 he was.
BEATRICE FTLN 0038 He set up his bills here in Messina and
FTLN 0039 challenged Cupid at the flight, and my uncle’s Fool,
FTLN 0040 40 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 0045 45 Faith, niece, you tax Signior Benedick too
FTLN 0046 much, but he’ll be meet with you, I doubt it not.
MESSENGER FTLN 0047 He hath done good service, lady, in these
FTLN 0048 wars.
BEATRICE FTLN 0049 You had musty victual, and he hath holp to
FTLN 0050 50 eat it. He is a very valiant trencherman; he hath an
FTLN 0051 excellent stomach.
MESSENGER FTLN 0052 And a good soldier too, lady.
BEATRICE FTLN 0053 And a good soldier to a lady, but what is he
FTLN 0054 to a lord?
MESSENGER FTLN 0055 55 A lord to a lord, a man to a man, stuffed
FTLN 0056 with all honorable virtues.
BEATRICE FTLN 0057 It is so indeed. He is no less than a stuffed
FTLN 0058 man, but for the stuffing—well, we are all mortal.

11
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 1. SC. 1
LEONATO FTLN 0059 You must not, sir, mistake my niece. There is
FTLN 0060 60 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 0063 Alas, he gets nothing by that. In our last
FTLN 0064 conflict, four of his five wits went halting off, and
FTLN 0065 65 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 0070 70 now? He hath every month a new sworn
FTLN 0071 brother.
MESSENGER FTLN 0072 Is ’t possible?
BEATRICE FTLN 0073 Very easily possible. He wears his faith but
FTLN 0074 as the fashion of his hat; it ever changes with the
FTLN 0075 75 next block.
MESSENGER FTLN 0076 I see, lady, the gentleman is not in your
FTLN 0077 books.
BEATRICE FTLN 0078 No. An he were, I would burn my study. But
FTLN 0079 I pray you, who is his companion? Is there no
FTLN 0080 80 young squarer now that will make a voyage with
FTLN 0081 him to the devil?
MESSENGER FTLN 0082 He is most in the company of the right
FTLN 0083 noble Claudio.
BEATRICE FTLN 0084 O Lord, he will hang upon him like a
FTLN 0085 85 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 0089 I will hold friends with you, lady.
BEATRICE FTLN 0090 90 Do, good friend.
LEONATO FTLN 0091 You will never run mad, niece.
BEATRICE FTLN 0092 No, not till a hot January.
MESSENGER FTLN 0093 Don Pedro is approached.

13
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 1. SC. 1
Enter Don Pedro, Prince of Aragon, with Claudio,
Benedick, Balthasar, and John the Bastard.
PRINCE FTLN 0094 Good Signior Leonato, are you come to meet
FTLN 0095 95 your trouble? The fashion of the world is to avoid
FTLN 0096 cost, and you encounter it.
LEONATO FTLN 0097 Never 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 0100 100 me, sorrow abides and happiness takes his leave.
PRINCE FTLN 0101 You embrace your charge too willingly. Turning
to Hero. FTLN 0102 I think this is your daughter.
LEONATO FTLN 0103 Her mother hath many times told me so.
BENEDICK FTLN 0104 Were you in doubt, sir, that you asked her?
LEONATO FTLN 0105 105 Signior Benedick, no, for then were you a
FTLN 0106 child.
PRINCE FTLN 0107 You 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 0110 110 an honorable father.
Leonato and the Prince move aside.
BENEDICK FTLN 0111 If 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 0114 I wonder that you will still be talking, Signior
FTLN 0115 115 Benedick, nobody marks you.
BENEDICK FTLN 0116 What, my dear Lady Disdain! Are you yet
FTLN 0117 living?
BEATRICE FTLN 0118 Is it possible disdain should die while she
FTLN 0119 hath such meet food to feed it as Signior Benedick?
FTLN 0120 120 Courtesy itself must convert to disdain if you come
FTLN 0121 in her presence.
BENEDICK FTLN 0122 Then 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 0125 125 hard heart, for truly I love none.

15
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 1. SC. 1
BEATRICE FTLN 0126 A 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 0130 130 than a man swear he loves me.
BENEDICK FTLN 0131 God keep your Ladyship still in that mind,
FTLN 0132 so some gentleman or other shall ’scape a predestinate
FTLN 0133 scratched face.
BEATRICE FTLN 0134 Scratching could not make it worse an
FTLN 0135 135 ’twere such a face as yours were.
BENEDICK FTLN 0136 Well, you are a rare parrot-teacher.
BEATRICE FTLN 0137 A bird of my tongue is better than a beast of
FTLN 0138 yours.
BENEDICK FTLN 0139 I would my horse had the speed of your
FTLN 0140 140 tongue and so good a continuer, but keep your
FTLN 0141 way, i’ God’s name, I have done.
BEATRICE FTLN 0142 You always end with a jade’s trick. I know
FTLN 0143 you of old.
Leonato and the Prince come forward.
PRINCE FTLN 0144 That is the sum of all, Leonato.—Signior
FTLN 0145 145 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 0150 150 If 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 0154 I thank you. I am not of many words, but I
FTLN 0155 155 thank you.
LEONATO FTLN 0156 Please it your Grace lead on?
PRINCE FTLN 0157 Your hand, Leonato. We will go together.
All exit except Benedick and Claudio.
CLAUDIO FTLN 0158 Benedick, didst thou note the daughter of
FTLN 0159 Signior Leonato?

17
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 1. SC. 1
BENEDICK FTLN 0160 160 I noted her not, but I looked on her.
CLAUDIO FTLN 0161 Is she not a modest young lady?
BENEDICK FTLN 0162 Do 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 0165 165 professed tyrant to their sex?
CLAUDIO FTLN 0166 No, I pray thee, speak in sober judgment.
BENEDICK FTLN 0167 Why, 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 0170 170 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 0173 Thou thinkest I am in sport. I pray thee tell
FTLN 0174 me truly how thou lik’st her.
BENEDICK FTLN 0175 175 Would you buy her that you enquire after
FTLN 0176 her?
CLAUDIO FTLN 0177 Can the world buy such a jewel?
BENEDICK FTLN 0178 Yea, and a case to put it into. But speak you
FTLN 0179 this with a sad brow? Or do you play the flouting
FTLN 0180 180 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 0183 In mine eye she is the sweetest lady that ever
FTLN 0184 I looked on.
BENEDICK FTLN 0185 185 I 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 0190 190 you?
CLAUDIO FTLN 0191 I would scarce trust myself, though I had
FTLN 0192 sworn the contrary, if Hero would be my wife.
BENEDICK FTLN 0193 Is ’t come to this? In faith, hath not the
FTLN 0194 world one man but he will wear his cap with
FTLN 0195 195 suspicion? Shall I never see a bachelor of threescore

19
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 1. SC. 1
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 0200 200 What secret hath held you here that you followed
FTLN 0201 not to Leonato’s?
BENEDICK FTLN 0202 I would your Grace would constrain me to
FTLN 0203 tell.
PRINCE FTLN 0204 I charge thee on thy allegiance.
BENEDICK FTLN 0205 205 You 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 0210 210 short daughter.
CLAUDIO FTLN 0211 If this were so, so were it uttered.
BENEDICK FTLN 0212 Like 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 0215 215 If my passion change not shortly, God forbid
FTLN 0216 it should be otherwise.
PRINCE FTLN 0217 Amen, if you love her, for the lady is very well
FTLN 0218 worthy.
CLAUDIO FTLN 0219 You speak this to fetch me in, my lord.
PRINCE FTLN 0220 220 By my troth, I speak my thought.
CLAUDIO FTLN 0221 And in faith, my lord, I spoke mine.
BENEDICK FTLN 0222 And by my two faiths and troths, my lord, I
FTLN 0223 spoke mine.
CLAUDIO FTLN 0224 That I love her, I feel.
PRINCE FTLN 0225 225 That she is worthy, I know.
BENEDICK FTLN 0226 That 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.

21
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 1. SC. 1
PRINCE FTLN 0230 230 Thou wast ever an obstinate heretic in the
FTLN 0231 despite of beauty.
CLAUDIO FTLN 0232 And never could maintain his part but in the
FTLN 0233 force of his will.
BENEDICK FTLN 0234 That a woman conceived me, I thank her;
FTLN 0235 235 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 0240 240 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 0243 I shall see thee, ere I die, look pale with love.
BENEDICK FTLN 0244 With anger, with sickness, or with hunger,
FTLN 0245 245 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 0250 250 Well, if ever thou dost fall from this faith, thou
FTLN 0251 wilt prove a notable argument.
BENEDICK FTLN 0252 If 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 0255 255 Well, as time shall try.
FTLN 0256 In time the savage bull doth bear the yoke.
BENEDICK FTLN 0257 The 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 0260 260 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 0263 If this should ever happen, thou wouldst be
FTLN 0264 horn-mad.

23
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 1. SC. 1
PRINCE FTLN 0265 265 Nay, if Cupid have not spent all his quiver in
FTLN 0266 Venice, thou wilt quake for this shortly.
BENEDICK FTLN 0267 I look for an earthquake too, then.
PRINCE FTLN 0268 Well, you will temporize with the hours. In the
FTLN 0269 meantime, good Signior Benedick, repair to Leonato’s.
FTLN 0270 270 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 0273 I have almost matter enough in me for such
FTLN 0274 an embassage, and so I commit you—
CLAUDIO FTLN 0275 275 To the tuition of God. From my house, if I had
FTLN 0276 it—
PRINCE FTLN 0277 The sixth of July. Your loving friend,
FTLN 0278 Benedick.
BENEDICK FTLN 0279 Nay, mock not, mock not. The body of your
FTLN 0280 280 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 0285 285 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 0290 290 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 0295 295 Than to drive liking to the name of love.
FTLN 0296 But now I am returned and that war thoughts

25
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 1. SC. 1
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 0300 300 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 0305 305 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 0310 310 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 0315 315 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 0320 320 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.

27
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 1. SC. 2
Scene 2
Enter Leonato, meeting an old man, brother to
Leonato.
LEONATO FTLN 0324 How now, brother, where is my cousin, your
FTLN 0325 son? Hath he provided this music?
LEONATO’S BROTHER FTLN 0326 He is very busy about it. But,
FTLN 0327 brother, I can tell you strange news that you yet
FTLN 0328 5 dreamt not of.
LEONATO FTLN 0329 Are they good?
LEONATO’S BROTHER FTLN 0330 As 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 0333 10 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 0338 15 present time by the top and instantly break with you
FTLN 0339 of it.
LEONATO FTLN 0340 Hath the fellow any wit that told you this?
LEONATO’S BROTHER FTLN 0341 A good sharp fellow. I will send
FTLN 0342 for him, and question him yourself.
LEONATO FTLN 0343 20 No, 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 0348 25 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.

29
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 1. SC. 3
Scene 3
Enter Sir John the Bastard, and Conrade, his
companion.
CONRADE FTLN 0352 What the goodyear, my lord, why are you
FTLN 0353 thus out of measure sad?
DON JOHN FTLN 0354 There is no measure in the occasion that
FTLN 0355 breeds. Therefore the sadness is without limit.
CONRADE FTLN 0356 5 You should hear reason.
DON JOHN FTLN 0357 And when I have heard it, what blessing
FTLN 0358 brings it?
CONRADE FTLN 0359 If not a present remedy, at least a patient
FTLN 0360 sufferance.
DON JOHN FTLN 0361 10 I 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 0366 15 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 0369 Yea, but you must not make the full show of
FTLN 0370 this till you may do it without controlment. You
FTLN 0371 20 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 0376 25 I 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 0381 30 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

31
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 1. SC. 3
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 0386 35 seek not to alter me.
CONRADE FTLN 0387 Can you make no use of your discontent?
DON JOHN FTLN 0388 I make all use of it, for I use it only. Who
FTLN 0389 comes here?
Enter Borachio.
FTLN 0390 What news, Borachio?
BORACHIO FTLN 0391 40 I 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 0395 Will it serve for any model to build mischief
FTLN 0396 45 on? What is he for a fool that betroths himself to
FTLN 0397 unquietness?
BORACHIO FTLN 0398 Marry, it is your brother’s right hand.
DON JOHN FTLN 0399 Who, the most exquisite Claudio?
BORACHIO FTLN 0400 Even he.
DON JOHN FTLN 0401 50 A proper squire. And who, and who? Which
FTLN 0402 way looks he?
BORACHIO FTLN 0403 Marry, on Hero, the daughter and heir of
FTLN 0404 Leonato.
DON JOHN FTLN 0405 A very forward March chick! How came you
FTLN 0406 55 to this?
BORACHIO FTLN 0407 Being 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 0411 60 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 0414 Come, come, let us thither. This may prove
FTLN 0415 food to my displeasure. That young start-up hath
FTLN 0416 65 all the glory of my overthrow. If I can cross him any

33
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 1. SC. 3
FTLN 0417 way, I bless myself every way. You are both sure, and
FTLN 0418 will assist me?
CONRADE FTLN 0419 To the death, my lord.
DON JOHN FTLN 0420 Let us to the great supper. Their cheer is the
FTLN 0421 70 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 0423 We’ll wait upon your Lordship.
They exit.

ACT 2
Scene 1
Enter Leonato, his brother, Hero his daughter, and
Beatrice his niece, with Ursula and Margaret.
LEONATO FTLN 0424 Was not Count John here at supper?
LEONATO’S BROTHER FTLN 0425 I saw him not.
BEATRICE FTLN 0426 How tartly that gentleman looks! I never
FTLN 0427 can see him but I am heartburned an hour after.
HERO FTLN 0428 5 He is of a very melancholy disposition.
BEATRICE FTLN 0429 He 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 0433 10 tattling.
LEONATO FTLN 0434 Then 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 0437 With a good leg and a good foot, uncle, and
FTLN 0438 15 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 0441 By my troth, niece, thou wilt never get thee a
FTLN 0442 husband if thou be so shrewd of thy tongue.
LEONATO’S BROTHER FTLN 0443 20 In faith, she’s too curst.
BEATRICE FTLN 0444 Too curst is more than curst. I shall lessen
FTLN 0445 God’s sending that way, for it is said “God sends a
37

39
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 2. SC. 1
FTLN 0446 curst cow short horns,” but to a cow too curst, he
FTLN 0447 sends none.
LEONATO FTLN 0448 25 So, by being too curst, God will send you no
FTLN 0449 horns.
BEATRICE FTLN 0450 Just, 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 0453 30 husband with a beard on his face. I had rather lie in
FTLN 0454 the woolen!
LEONATO FTLN 0455 You may light on a husband that hath no
FTLN 0456 beard.
BEATRICE FTLN 0457 What should I do with him? Dress him in my
FTLN 0458 35 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 0463 40 take sixpence in earnest of the bearherd, and lead
FTLN 0464 his apes into hell.
LEONATO FTLN 0465 Well then, go you into hell?
BEATRICE FTLN 0466 No, but to the gate, and there will the devil
FTLN 0467 meet me like an old cuckold with horns on his
FTLN 0468 45 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 0473 50 Well, niece, I trust you
FTLN 0474 will be ruled by your father.
BEATRICE FTLN 0475 Yes, 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 0478 55 else make another curtsy and say “Father, as it
FTLN 0479 please me.”
LEONATO FTLN 0480 Well, niece, I hope to see you one day fitted
FTLN 0481 with a husband.

41
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 2. SC. 1
BEATRICE FTLN 0482 Not till God make men of some other metal
FTLN 0483 60 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 0488 65 Daughter, remember what I told
FTLN 0489 you. If the Prince do solicit you in that kind, you
FTLN 0490 know your answer.
BEATRICE FTLN 0491 The fault will be in the music, cousin, if you
FTLN 0492 be not wooed in good time. If the Prince be too
FTLN 0493 70 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 0498 75 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 0502 Cousin, you apprehend passing shrewdly.
BEATRICE FTLN 0503 80 I have a good eye, uncle; I can see a church
FTLN 0504 by daylight.
LEONATO FTLN 0505 The 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 0507 Lady, will you walk a bout with your
FTLN 0508 85 friend? They begin to dance.
HERO FTLN 0509 So 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 0512 With me in your company?
HERO FTLN 0513 90 I may say so when I please.

43
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 2. SC. 1
PRINCE FTLN 0514 And when please you to say so?
HERO FTLN 0515 When I like your favor, for God defend the lute
FTLN 0516 should be like the case.
PRINCE FTLN 0517 My visor is Philemon’s roof; within the house
FTLN 0518 95 is Jove.
HERO FTLN 0519 Why, then, your visor should be thatched.
PRINCE FTLN 0520 Speak low if you speak love.
They move aside;
Benedick and Margaret move forward.
BENEDICK , to Margaret FTLN 0521 Well, I would you did like me.
MARGARET FTLN 0522 So would not I for your own sake, for I have
FTLN 0523 100 many ill qualities.
BENEDICK FTLN 0524 Which is one?
MARGARET FTLN 0525 I say my prayers aloud.
BENEDICK FTLN 0526 I love you the better; the hearers may cry
FTLN 0527 “Amen.”
MARGARET FTLN 0528 105 God match me with a good dancer.
They separate; Benedick moves aside;
Balthasar moves forward.
BALTHASAR FTLN 0529 Amen.
MARGARET FTLN 0530 And God keep him out of my sight when the
FTLN 0531 dance is done. Answer, clerk.
BALTHASAR FTLN 0532 No more words. The clerk is answered.
They move aside;
Ursula and Antonio move forward.
URSULA FTLN 0533 110 I know you well enough. You are Signior
FTLN 0534 Antonio.
ANTONIO FTLN 0535 At a word, I am not.
URSULA FTLN 0536 I know you by the waggling of your head.
ANTONIO FTLN 0537 To tell you true, I counterfeit him.
URSULA FTLN 0538 115 You 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 0541 At a word, I am not.
URSULA FTLN 0542 Come, come, do you think I do not know you
FTLN 0543 120 by your excellent wit? Can virtue hide itself? Go to,

45
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 2. SC. 1
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 0546 Will you not tell me who told you so?
BENEDICK FTLN 0547 No, you shall pardon me.
BEATRICE FTLN 0548 125 Nor will you not tell me who you are?
BENEDICK FTLN 0549 Not now.
BEATRICE FTLN 0550 That 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 0553 130 What’s he?
BEATRICE FTLN 0554 I am sure you know him well enough.
BENEDICK FTLN 0555 Not I, believe me.
BEATRICE FTLN 0556 Did he never make you laugh?
BENEDICK FTLN 0557 I pray you, what is he?
BEATRICE FTLN 0558 135 Why, 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 0563 140 laugh at him and beat him. I am sure he is in the
FTLN 0564 fleet.I would he had boarded me.
BENEDICK FTLN 0565 When I know the gentleman, I’ll tell him
FTLN 0566 what you say.
BEATRICE FTLN 0567 Do, do. He’ll but break a comparison or two
FTLN 0568 145 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 0573 150 In every good thing.
BEATRICE FTLN 0574 Nay, 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.

47
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 2. SC. 1
DON JOHN , to Borachio FTLN 0576 Sure my brother is amorous
FTLN 0577 on Hero, and hath withdrawn her father to break
FTLN 0578 155 with him about it. The ladies follow her, and but one
FTLN 0579 visor remains.
BORACHIO FTLN 0580 And that is Claudio. I know him by his
FTLN 0581 bearing.
DON JOHN , to Claudio FTLN 0582 Are not you Signior Benedick?
CLAUDIO FTLN 0583 160 You know me well. I am he.
DON JOHN FTLN 0584 Signior, 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 0588 165 How know you he loves her?
DON JOHN FTLN 0589 I heard him swear his affection.
BORACHIO FTLN 0590 So did I too, and he swore he would marry
FTLN 0591 her tonight.
DON JOHN FTLN 0592 Come, let us to the banquet.
They exit. Claudio remains.
CLAUDIO , unmasking
FTLN 0593 170 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 0598 175 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 0603 180 Which I mistrusted not. Farewell therefore, Hero.
Enter Benedick.
BENEDICK FTLN 0604 Count Claudio?
CLAUDIO FTLN 0605 Yea, the same.
BENEDICK FTLN 0606 Come, will you go with me?
CLAUDIO FTLN 0607 Whither?

49
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 2. SC. 1
BENEDICK FTLN 0608 185 Even 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 0613 190 Hero.
CLAUDIO FTLN 0614 I wish him joy of her.
BENEDICK FTLN 0615 Why, 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 0618 195 I pray you, leave me.
BENEDICK FTLN 0619 Ho, 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 0622 If it will not be, I’ll leave you. He exits.
BENEDICK FTLN 0623 200 Alas, 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 0628 205 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 0631 Now, signior, where’s the Count? Did you see
FTLN 0632 him?
BENEDICK FTLN 0633 210 Troth, 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 0638 215 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 0641 To be whipped? What’s his fault?

51
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 2. SC. 1
BENEDICK FTLN 0642 The flat transgression of a schoolboy who,
FTLN 0643 220 being overjoyed with finding a bird’s nest, shows it
FTLN 0644 his companion, and he steals it.
PRINCE FTLN 0645 Wilt thou make a trust a transgression? The
FTLN 0646 transgression is in the stealer.
BENEDICK FTLN 0647 Yet it had not been amiss the rod had been
FTLN 0648 225 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 0652 I will but teach them to sing and restore them
FTLN 0653 230 to the owner.
BENEDICK FTLN 0654 If their singing answer your saying, by my
FTLN 0655 faith, you say honestly.
PRINCE FTLN 0656 The Lady Beatrice hath a quarrel to you. The
FTLN 0657 gentleman that danced with her told her she is
FTLN 0658 235 much wronged by you.
BENEDICK FTLN 0659 O, 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 0663 240 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 0668 245 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 0673 250 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

53
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 2. SC. 1
FTLN 0678 255 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 0681 Look, here she comes.
BENEDICK FTLN 0682 Will your Grace command me any service
FTLN 0683 260 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 0688 265 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 0691 None but to desire your good company.
BENEDICK FTLN 0692 O God, sir, here’s a dish I love not! I cannot
FTLN 0693 270 endure my Lady Tongue. He exits.
PRINCE , to Beatrice FTLN 0694 Come, lady, come, you have lost
FTLN 0695 the heart of Signior Benedick.
BEATRICE FTLN 0696 Indeed, my lord, he lent it me awhile, and I
FTLN 0697 gave him use for it, a double heart for his single
FTLN 0698 275 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 0701 You have put him down, lady, you have put
FTLN 0702 him down.
BEATRICE FTLN 0703 280 So 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 0706 Why, how now, count, wherefore are you sad?
CLAUDIO FTLN 0707 Not sad, my lord.
PRINCE FTLN 0708 285 How then, sick?
CLAUDIO FTLN 0709 Neither, my lord.
BEATRICE FTLN 0710 The Count is neither sad, nor sick, nor merry,

55
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 2. SC. 1
FTLN 0711 nor well, but civil count, civil as an orange, and
FTLN 0712 something of that jealous complexion.
PRINCE FTLN 0713 290 I’ 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 0718 295 and God give thee joy.
LEONATO FTLN 0719 Count, 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 0722 Speak, count, ’tis your cue.
CLAUDIO FTLN 0723 300 Silence 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 0727 Speak, cousin, or, if you cannot, stop his
FTLN 0728 305 mouth with a kiss and let not him speak neither.
PRINCE FTLN 0729 In faith, lady, you have a merry heart.
BEATRICE FTLN 0730 Yea, 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 0733 310 And so she doth, cousin.
BEATRICE FTLN 0734 Good 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 0737 Lady Beatrice, I will get you one.
BEATRICE FTLN 0738 315 I 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 0742 Will you have me, lady?
BEATRICE FTLN 0743 320 No, 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.

57
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 2. SC. 1
PRINCE FTLN 0747 Your silence most offends me, and to be merry
FTLN 0748 325 best becomes you, for out o’ question you were
FTLN 0749 born in a merry hour.
BEATRICE FTLN 0750 No, 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 0753 330 Niece, will you look to those things I told
FTLN 0754 you of?
BEATRICE FTLN 0755 I cry you mercy, uncle.—By your Grace’s
FTLN 0756 pardon. Beatrice exits.
PRINCE FTLN 0757 By my troth, a pleasant-spirited lady.
LEONATO FTLN 0758 335 There’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 0763 340 She cannot endure to hear tell of a husband.
LEONATO FTLN 0764 O, by no means. She mocks all her wooers
FTLN 0765 out of suit.
PRINCE FTLN 0766 She were an excellent wife for Benedick.
LEONATO FTLN 0767 O Lord, my lord, if they were but a week
FTLN 0768 345 married, they would talk themselves mad.
PRINCE FTLN 0769 County Claudio, when mean you to go to
FTLN 0770 church?
CLAUDIO FTLN 0771 Tomorrow, my lord. Time goes on crutches
FTLN 0772 till love have all his rites.
LEONATO FTLN 0773 350 Not 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 0776 Come, you shake the head at so
FTLN 0777 long a breathing, but I warrant thee, Claudio, the
FTLN 0778 355 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

59
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 2. SC. 2
FTLN 0783 360 fashion it, if you three will but minister such
FTLN 0784 assistance as I shall give you direction.
LEONATO FTLN 0785 My lord, I am for you, though it cost me ten
FTLN 0786 nights’ watchings.
CLAUDIO FTLN 0787 And I, my lord.
PRINCE FTLN 0788 365 And you too, gentle Hero?
HERO FTLN 0789 I will do any modest office, my lord, to help my
FTLN 0790 cousin to a good husband.
PRINCE FTLN 0791 And Benedick is not the unhopefullest husband
FTLN 0792 that I know. Thus far can I praise him: he is of
FTLN 0793 370 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 0798 375 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.
Scene 2
Enter Don John and Borachio.
DON JOHN FTLN 0802 It is so. The Count Claudio shall marry the
FTLN 0803 daughter of Leonato.
BORACHIO FTLN 0804 Yea, my lord, but I can cross it.
DON JOHN FTLN 0805 Any bar, any cross, any impediment will be
FTLN 0806 5 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 0810 Not honestly, my lord, but so covertly that
FTLN 0811 10 no dishonesty shall appear in me.
DON JOHN FTLN 0812 Show me briefly how.

61
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 2. SC. 2
BORACHIO FTLN 0813 I 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 0816 15 I remember.
BORACHIO FTLN 0817 I 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 0820 What life is in that to be the death of this
FTLN 0821 20 marriage?
BORACHIO FTLN 0822 The 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 0826 25 mightily hold up, to a contaminated stale, such a
FTLN 0827 one as Hero.
DON JOHN FTLN 0828 What proof shall I make of that?
BORACHIO FTLN 0829 Proof enough to misuse the Prince, to vex
FTLN 0830 Claudio, to undo Hero, and kill Leonato. Look you
FTLN 0831 30 for any other issue?
DON JOHN FTLN 0832 Only to despite them I will endeavor
FTLN 0833 anything.
BORACHIO FTLN 0834 Go then, find me a meet hour to draw Don
FTLN 0835 Pedro and the Count Claudio alone. Tell them that
FTLN 0836 35 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 0841 40 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 0846 45 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

63
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 2. SC. 3
FTLN 0849 of Hero’s disloyalty that jealousy shall be called
FTLN 0850 assurance and all the preparation overthrown.
DON JOHN FTLN 0851 50 Grow 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 0854 Be you constant in the accusation, and my
FTLN 0855 cunning shall not shame me.
DON JOHN FTLN 0856 55 I will presently go learn their day of
FTLN 0857 marriage.
They exit.
Scene 3
Enter Benedick alone.
BENEDICK FTLN 0858 Boy!
Enter Boy.
BOY FTLN 0859 Signior?
BENEDICK FTLN 0860 In my chamber window lies a book. Bring it
FTLN 0861 hither to me in the orchard.
BOY FTLN 0862 5 I am here already, sir.
BENEDICK FTLN 0863 I 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 0867 10 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 0872 15 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

65
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 2. SC. 3
FTLN 0877 20 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 0882 25 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 0887 30 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 0892 35 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 0894 Come, 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 0897 40 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 0902 45 To slander music any more than once.

67
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 2. SC. 3
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 0907 50 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 0912 55 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 0917 60 Now, 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 0922 65 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 0927 70 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 0932 75 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 0937 80 By my troth, a good song.
BALTHASAR FTLN 0938 And an ill singer, my lord.
PRINCE FTLN 0939 Ha, no, no, faith, thou sing’st well enough for a
FTLN 0940 shift.
BENEDICK , aside FTLN 0941 An he had been a dog that should
FTLN 0942 85 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 0946 Yea, marry, dost thou hear, Balthasar? I pray
FTLN 0947 90 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 0950 The best I can, my lord.
PRINCE FTLN 0951 Do so. Farewell. Balthasar exits.
FTLN 0952 95 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 0955 O, ay. Aside to Prince. Stalk on, stalk on; the
FTLN 0956 fowl sits.—I did never think that lady would have
FTLN 0957 100 loved any man.
LEONATO FTLN 0958 No, 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 0962 105 Is ’t possible? Sits the wind in that
FTLN 0963 corner?
LEONATO FTLN 0964 By 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 0967 110 Maybe she doth but counterfeit.
CLAUDIO FTLN 0968 Faith, like enough.

71
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 2. SC. 3
LEONATO FTLN 0969 O 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 0972 115 Why, what effects of passion shows she?
CLAUDIO , aside to Leonato FTLN 0973 Bait the hook well; this fish
FTLN 0974 will bite.
LEONATO FTLN 0975 What effects, my lord? She will sit you—you
FTLN 0976 heard my daughter tell you how.
CLAUDIO FTLN 0977 120 She did indeed.
PRINCE FTLN 0978 How, 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 0981 I would have sworn it had, my lord, especially
FTLN 0982 125 against Benedick.
BENEDICK , aside FTLN 0983 I 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 0986 He hath ta’en th’ infection.
FTLN 0987 130 Hold it up.
PRINCE FTLN 0988 Hath she made her affection known to
FTLN 0989 Benedick?
LEONATO FTLN 0990 No, and swears she never will. That’s her
FTLN 0991 torment.
CLAUDIO FTLN 0992 135’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 0995 This says she now when she is beginning to
FTLN 0996 write to him, for she’ll be up twenty times a night,
FTLN 0997 140 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 0999 Now you talk of a sheet of paper, I remember
FTLN 1000 a pretty jest your daughter told us of.
LEONATO FTLN 1001 O, when she had writ it and was reading it
FTLN 1002 145 over, she found “Benedick” and “Beatrice” between
FTLN 1003 the sheet?
CLAUDIO FTLN 1004 That.

73
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 2. SC. 3
LEONATO FTLN 1005 O, she tore the letter into a thousand halfpence,
FTLN 1006 railed at herself that she should be so
FTLN 1007 150 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 1011 Then down upon her knees she falls, weeps,
FTLN 1012 155 sobs, beats her heart, tears her hair, prays, curses:
FTLN 1013 “O sweet Benedick, God give me patience!”
LEONATO FTLN 1014 She 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 1017 160 outrage to herself. It is very true.
PRINCE FTLN 1018 It were good that Benedick knew of it by some
FTLN 1019 other, if she will not discover it.
CLAUDIO FTLN 1020 To what end? He would make but a sport of it
FTLN 1021 and torment the poor lady worse.
PRINCE FTLN 1022 165 An 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 1025 And she is exceeding wise.
PRINCE FTLN 1026 In everything but in loving Benedick.
LEONATO FTLN 1027 170 O, 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 1031 I would she had bestowed this dotage on me. I
FTLN 1032 175 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 1035 Were it good, think you?
CLAUDIO FTLN 1036 Hero thinks surely she will die, for she says
FTLN 1037 180 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.

75
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 2. SC. 3
PRINCE FTLN 1041 She doth well. If she should make tender of
FTLN 1042 185 her love, ’tis very possible he’ll scorn it, for the man,
FTLN 1043 as you know all, hath a contemptible spirit.
CLAUDIO FTLN 1044 He is a very proper man.
PRINCE FTLN 1045 He hath indeed a good outward happiness.
CLAUDIO FTLN 1046 Before God, and in my mind, very wise.
PRINCE FTLN 1047 190 He doth indeed show some sparks that are like
FTLN 1048 wit.
CLAUDIO FTLN 1049 And I take him to be valiant.
PRINCE FTLN 1050 As Hector, I assure you, and in the managing
FTLN 1051 of quarrels you may say he is wise, for either he
FTLN 1052 195 avoids them with great discretion or undertakes
FTLN 1053 them with a most Christianlike fear.
LEONATO FTLN 1054 If 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 1057 200 And 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 1061 Never tell him, my lord, let her wear it out
FTLN 1062 205 with good counsel.
LEONATO FTLN 1063 Nay, that’s impossible; she may wear her
FTLN 1064 heart out first.
PRINCE FTLN 1065 Well, we will hear further of it by your daughter.
FTLN 1066 Let it cool the while. I love Benedick well, and I
FTLN 1067 210 could wish he would modestly examine himself to
FTLN 1068 see how much he is unworthy so good a lady.
LEONATO FTLN 1069 My lord, will you walk? Dinner is ready.
Leonato, Prince, and Claudio begin to exit.
CLAUDIO , aside to Prince and Leonato FTLN 1070 If he do not
FTLN 1071 dote on her upon this, I will never trust my
FTLN 1072 215 expectation.
PRINCE , aside to Leonato FTLN 1073 Let 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

77
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 2. SC. 3
FTLN 1076 hold one an opinion of another’s dotage, and no
FTLN 1077 220 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 1080 This can be no trick. The
FTLN 1081 conference was sadly borne; they have the truth of
FTLN 1082 225 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 1087 230 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 1092 235 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 1097 240 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 1102 245 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 1106 Against my will, I am sent to bid you come
FTLN 1107 250 in to dinner.
BENEDICK FTLN 1108 Fair Beatrice, I thank you for your pains.

79
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 2. SC. 3
BEATRICE FTLN 1109 I 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 1112 255 You take pleasure then in the message?
BEATRICE FTLN 1113 Yea, 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 1116 Ha! “Against my will I am sent to bid you
FTLN 1117 260 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 1122 265 do not love her, I am a Jew. I will go get her picture.
He exits.

ACT 3
Scene 1
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 1127 5 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 1132 10 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 1137 15 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 1142 20 To praise him more than ever man did merit.
83

85
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 3. SC. 1
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 1147 25 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 1152 30 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 1157 35 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 1162 40 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 1167 45 And never to let Beatrice know of it.
URSULA
FTLN 1168 Why did you so? Doth not the gentleman

87
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 3. SC. 1
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 1172 50 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 1177 55 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 1182 60 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 1187 65 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 1192 70 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 1197 75 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,

89
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 3. SC. 1
FTLN 1201 She would mock me into air. O, she would laugh
FTLN 1202 80 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 1207 85 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 1212 90 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 1217 95 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 1222 100 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 1227 105 When are you married, madam?
HERO
FTLN 1228 Why, every day, tomorrow. Come, go in.

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Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 3. SC. 2
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 1232 110 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 1237 115 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 1242 120 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.
Scene 2
Enter Prince, Claudio, Benedick, and Leonato.
PRINCE FTLN 1245 I do but stay till your marriage be consummate,
FTLN 1246 and then go I toward Aragon.
CLAUDIO FTLN 1247 I’ll bring you thither, my lord, if you’ll vouchsafe
FTLN 1248 me.
PRINCE FTLN 1249 5 Nay, that would be as great a soil in the new
FTLN 1250 gloss of your marriage as to show a child his new
FTLN 1251 coat and forbid him to wear it. I will only be bold
FTLN 1252 with Benedick for his company, for from the crown
FTLN 1253 of his head to the sole of his foot he is all mirth. He

93
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 3. SC. 2
FTLN 1254 10 hath twice or thrice cut Cupid’s bowstring, and the
FTLN 1255 little hangman dare not shoot at him. He hath a
FTLN 1256 heart as sound as a bell, and his tongue is the
FTLN 1257 clapper, for what his heart thinks, his tongue
FTLN 1258 speaks.
BENEDICK FTLN 1259 15 Gallants, I am not as I have been.
LEONATO FTLN 1260 So say I. Methinks you are sadder.
CLAUDIO FTLN 1261 I hope he be in love.
PRINCE FTLN 1262 Hang him, truant! There’s no true drop of
FTLN 1263 blood in him to be truly touched with love. If he be
FTLN 1264 20 sad, he wants money.
BENEDICK FTLN 1265 I have the toothache.
PRINCE FTLN 1266 Draw it.
BENEDICK FTLN 1267 Hang it!
CLAUDIO FTLN 1268 You must hang it first, and draw it afterwards.
PRINCE FTLN 1269 25 What, sigh for the toothache?
LEONATO FTLN 1270 Where is but a humor or a worm.
BENEDICK FTLN 1271 Well, everyone can master a grief but he
FTLN 1272 that has it.
CLAUDIO FTLN 1273 Yet say I, he is in love.
PRINCE FTLN 1274 30 There is no appearance of fancy in him, unless
FTLN 1275 it be a fancy that he hath to strange disguises, as to
FTLN 1276 be a Dutchman today, a Frenchman tomorrow, or
FTLN 1277 in the shape of two countries at once, as a German
FTLN 1278 from the waist downward, all slops, and a Spaniard
FTLN 1279 35 from the hip upward, no doublet. Unless he have a
FTLN 1280 fancy to this foolery, as it appears he hath, he is no
FTLN 1281 fool for fancy, as you would have it appear he is.
CLAUDIO FTLN 1282 If he be not in love with some woman, there
FTLN 1283 is no believing old signs. He brushes his hat o’
FTLN 1284 40 mornings. What should that bode?
PRINCE FTLN 1285 Hath any man seen him at the barber’s?
CLAUDIO FTLN 1286 No, but the barber’s man hath been seen
FTLN 1287 with him, and the old ornament of his cheek hath
FTLN 1288 already stuffed tennis balls.

95
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 3. SC. 2
LEONATO FTLN 1289 45 Indeed he looks younger than he did, by the
FTLN 1290 loss of a beard.
PRINCE FTLN 1291 Nay, he rubs himself with civet. Can you smell
FTLN 1292 him out by that?
CLAUDIO FTLN 1293 That’s as much as to say, the sweet youth’s in
FTLN 1294 50 love.
PRINCE FTLN 1295 The greatest note of it is his melancholy.
CLAUDIO FTLN 1296 And when was he wont to wash his face?
PRINCE FTLN 1297 Yea, or to paint himself? For the which I hear
FTLN 1298 what they say of him.
CLAUDIO FTLN 1299 55 Nay, but his jesting spirit, which is now crept
FTLN 1300 into a lute string and now governed by stops—
PRINCE FTLN 1301 Indeed, that tells a heavy tale for him. Conclude,
FTLN 1302 conclude, he is in love.
CLAUDIO FTLN 1303 Nay, but I know who loves him.
PRINCE FTLN 1304 60 That would I know, too. I warrant, one that
FTLN 1305 knows him not.
CLAUDIO FTLN 1306 Yes, and his ill conditions; and, in despite of
FTLN 1307 all, dies for him.
PRINCE FTLN 1308 She shall be buried with her face upwards.
BENEDICK FTLN 1309 65 Yet is this no charm for the toothache.—
FTLN 1310 Old signior, walk aside with me. I have studied eight
FTLN 1311 or nine wise words to speak to you, which these
FTLN 1312 hobby-horses must not hear.
Benedick and Leonato exit.
PRINCE FTLN 1313 For my life, to break with him about Beatrice!
CLAUDIO FTLN 1314 70’Tis even so. Hero and Margaret have by this
FTLN 1315 played their parts with Beatrice, and then the two
FTLN 1316 bears will not bite one another when they meet.
Enter John the Bastard.
DON JOHN FTLN 1317 My lord and brother, God save you.
PRINCE FTLN 1318 Good e’en, brother.
DON JOHN FTLN 1319 75 If your leisure served, I would speak with
FTLN 1320 you.
PRINCE FTLN 1321 In private?

97
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 3. SC. 2
DON JOHN FTLN 1322 If it please you. Yet Count Claudio may
FTLN 1323 hear, for what I would speak of concerns him.
PRINCE FTLN 1324 80 What’s the matter?
DON JOHN , to Claudio FTLN 1325 Means your Lordship to be
FTLN 1326 married tomorrow?
PRINCE FTLN 1327 You know he does.
DON JOHN FTLN 1328 I know not that, when he knows what I
FTLN 1329 85 know.
CLAUDIO FTLN 1330 If there be any impediment, I pray you discover
FTLN 1331 it.
DON JOHN FTLN 1332 You may think I love you not. Let that
FTLN 1333 appear hereafter, and aim better at me by that I
FTLN 1334 90 now will manifest. For my brother, I think he holds
FTLN 1335 you well, and in dearness of heart hath holp to effect
FTLN 1336 your ensuing marriage—surely suit ill spent and
FTLN 1337 labor ill bestowed.
PRINCE FTLN 1338 Why, what’s the matter?
DON JOHN FTLN 1339 95 I came hither to tell you; and, circumstances
FTLN 1340 shortened, for she has been too long
FTLN 1341 a-talking of, the lady is disloyal.
CLAUDIO FTLN 1342 Who, Hero?
DON JOHN FTLN 1343 Even she: Leonato’s Hero, your Hero, every
FTLN 1344 100 man’s Hero.
CLAUDIO FTLN 1345 Disloyal?
DON JOHN FTLN 1346 The word is too good to paint out her
FTLN 1347 wickedness. I could say she were worse. Think you
FTLN 1348 of a worse title, and I will fit her to it. Wonder not
FTLN 1349 105 till further warrant. Go but with me tonight, you
FTLN 1350 shall see her chamber window entered, even the
FTLN 1351 night before her wedding day. If you love her then,
FTLN 1352 tomorrow wed her. But it would better fit your
FTLN 1353 honor to change your mind.
CLAUDIO , to Prince FTLN 1354 110 May this be so?
PRINCE FTLN 1355 I will not think it.
DON JOHN FTLN 1356 If you dare not trust that you see, confess
FTLN 1357 not that you know. If you will follow me, I will

99
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 3. SC. 3
FTLN 1358 show you enough, and when you have seen more
FTLN 1359 115 and heard more, proceed accordingly.
CLAUDIO FTLN 1360 If I see anything tonight why I should not
FTLN 1361 marry her, tomorrow in the congregation, where I
FTLN 1362 should wed, there will I shame her.
PRINCE FTLN 1363 And as I wooed for thee to obtain her, I will
FTLN 1364 120 join with thee to disgrace her.
DON JOHN FTLN 1365 I will disparage her no farther till you are
FTLN 1366 my witnesses. Bear it coldly but till midnight, and
FTLN 1367 let the issue show itself.
PRINCE FTLN 1368 O day untowardly turned!
CLAUDIO FTLN 1369 125 O mischief strangely thwarting!
DON JOHN FTLN 1370 O plague right well prevented! So will you
FTLN 1371 say when you have seen the sequel.
They exit.
Scene 3
Enter Dogberry and his compartner Verges
with the Watch.
DOGBERRY FTLN 1372 Are you good men and true?
VERGES FTLN 1373 Yea, or else it were pity but they should suffer
FTLN 1374 salvation, body and soul.
DOGBERRY FTLN 1375 Nay, that were a punishment too good for
FTLN 1376 5 them if they should have any allegiance in them,
FTLN 1377 being chosen for the Prince’s watch.
VERGES FTLN 1378 Well, give them their charge, neighbor
FTLN 1379 Dogberry.
DOGBERRY FTLN 1380 First, who think you the most desartless
FTLN 1381 10 man to be constable?
FIRST WATCHMAN FTLN 1382 Hugh Oatcake, sir, or George Seacoal,
FTLN 1383 for they can write and read.
DOGBERRY FTLN 1384 Come hither, neighbor Seacoal. Seacoal
steps forward. FTLN 1385 God hath blessed you with a good

101
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 3. SC. 3
FTLN 1386 15 name. To be a well-favored man is the gift of
FTLN 1387 fortune, but to write and read comes by nature.
SEACOAL FTLN 1388 Both which, master constable—
DOGBERRY FTLN 1389 You have. I knew it would be your answer.
FTLN 1390 Well, for your favor, sir, why, give God thanks, and
FTLN 1391 20 make no boast of it, and for your writing and
FTLN 1392 reading, let that appear when there is no need of
FTLN 1393 such vanity. You are thought here to be the most
FTLN 1394 senseless and fit man for the constable of the watch;
FTLN 1395 therefore bear you the lantern. This is your charge:
FTLN 1396 25 you shall comprehend all vagrom men; you are to
FTLN 1397 bid any man stand, in the Prince’s name.
SEACOAL FTLN 1398 How if he will not stand?
DOGBERRY FTLN 1399 Why, then, take no note of him, but let him
FTLN 1400 go, and presently call the rest of the watch together
FTLN 1401 30 and thank God you are rid of a knave.
VERGES FTLN 1402 If he will not stand when he is bidden, he is
FTLN 1403 none of the Prince’s subjects.
DOGBERRY FTLN 1404 True, and they are to meddle with none but
FTLN 1405 the Prince’s subjects.—You shall also make no
FTLN 1406 35 noise in the streets; for, for the watch to babble and
FTLN 1407 to talk is most tolerable and not to be endured.
SECOND WATCHMAN FTLN 1408 We will rather sleep than talk.
FTLN 1409 We know what belongs to a watch.
DOGBERRY FTLN 1410 Why, you speak like an ancient and most
FTLN 1411 40 quiet watchman, for I cannot see how sleeping
FTLN 1412 should offend; only have a care that your bills be not
FTLN 1413 stolen. Well, you are to call at all the alehouses and
FTLN 1414 bid those that are drunk get them to bed.
SEACOAL FTLN 1415 How if they will not?
DOGBERRY FTLN 1416 45 Why then, let them alone till they are sober.
FTLN 1417 If they make you not then the better answer, you
FTLN 1418 may say they are not the men you took them for.
SEACOAL FTLN 1419 Well, sir.
DOGBERRY FTLN 1420 If you meet a thief, you may suspect him, by
FTLN 1421 50 virtue of your office, to be no true man, and for such

103
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 3. SC. 3
FTLN 1422 kind of men, the less you meddle or make with
FTLN 1423 them, why, the more is for your honesty.
SEACOAL FTLN 1424 If we know him to be a thief, shall we not
FTLN 1425 lay hands on him?
DOGBERRY FTLN 1426 55 Truly, by your office you may, but I think
FTLN 1427 they that touch pitch will be defiled. The most
FTLN 1428 peaceable way for you, if you do take a thief, is to
FTLN 1429 let him show himself what he is and steal out of
FTLN 1430 your company.
VERGES FTLN 1431 60 You have been always called a merciful man,
FTLN 1432 partner.
DOGBERRY FTLN 1433 Truly, I would not hang a dog by my will,
FTLN 1434 much more a man who hath any honesty in him.
VERGES , to the Watch FTLN 1435 If you hear a child cry in the
FTLN 1436 65 night, you must call to the nurse and bid her still it.
SECOND WATCHMAN FTLN 1437 How if the nurse be asleep and
FTLN 1438 will not hear us?
DOGBERRY FTLN 1439 Why, then depart in peace, and let the
FTLN 1440 child wake her with crying, for the ewe that will
FTLN 1441 70 not hear her lamb when it baas will never answer a
FTLN 1442 calf when he bleats.
VERGES FTLN 1443’Tis very true.
DOGBERRY FTLN 1444 This is the end of the charge. You, constable,
FTLN 1445 are to present the Prince’s own person. If you
FTLN 1446 75 meet the Prince in the night, you may stay him.
VERGES FTLN 1447 Nay, by ’r Lady, that I think he cannot.
DOGBERRY FTLN 1448 Five shillings to one on ’t, with any man that
FTLN 1449 knows the statutes, he may stay him—marry, not
FTLN 1450 without the Prince be willing, for indeed the watch
FTLN 1451 80 ought to offend no man, and it is an offense to stay a
FTLN 1452 man against his will.
VERGES FTLN 1453 By ’r Lady, I think it be so.
DOGBERRY FTLN 1454 Ha, ah ha!—Well, masters, goodnight. An
FTLN 1455 there be any matter of weight chances, call up me.
FTLN 1456 85 Keep your fellows’ counsels and your own, and
FTLN 1457 goodnight.—Come, neighbor.
Dogberry and Verges begin to exit.

105
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 3. SC. 3
SEACOAL FTLN 1458 Well, masters, we hear our charge. Let us go
FTLN 1459 sit here upon the church bench till two, and then all
FTLN 1460 to bed.
DOGBERRY FTLN 1461 90 One word more, honest neighbors. I pray
FTLN 1462 you watch about Signior Leonato’s door, for the
FTLN 1463 wedding being there tomorrow, there is a great coil
FTLN 1464 tonight. Adieu, be vigitant, I beseech you.
Dogberry and Verges exit.
Enter Borachio and Conrade.
BORACHIO FTLN 1465 What, Conrade!
SEACOAL , aside FTLN 1466 95 Peace, stir not.
BORACHIO FTLN 1467 Conrade, I say!
CONRADE FTLN 1468 Here, man, I am at thy elbow.
BORACHIO FTLN 1469 Mass, and my elbow itched, I thought there
FTLN 1470 would a scab follow.
CONRADE FTLN 1471 100 I will owe thee an answer for that. And now
FTLN 1472 forward with thy tale.
BORACHIO FTLN 1473 Stand thee close, then, under this penthouse,
FTLN 1474 for it drizzles rain, and I will, like a true
FTLN 1475 drunkard, utter all to thee.
SEACOAL , aside FTLN 1476 105 Some treason, masters. Yet stand
FTLN 1477 close.
BORACHIO FTLN 1478 Therefore know, I have earned of Don
FTLN 1479 John a thousand ducats.
CONRADE FTLN 1480 Is it possible that any villainy should be so
FTLN 1481 110 dear?
BORACHIO FTLN 1482 Thou shouldst rather ask if it were possible
FTLN 1483 any villainy should be so rich. For when rich
FTLN 1484 villains have need of poor ones, poor ones may
FTLN 1485 make what price they will.
CONRADE FTLN 1486 115 I wonder at it.
BORACHIO FTLN 1487 That shows thou art unconfirmed. Thou
FTLN 1488 knowest that the fashion of a doublet, or a hat, or a
FTLN 1489 cloak, is nothing to a man.

107
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 3. SC. 3
CONRADE FTLN 1490 Yes, it is apparel.
BORACHIO FTLN 1491 120 I mean the fashion.
CONRADE FTLN 1492 Yes, the fashion is the fashion.
BORACHIO FTLN 1493 Tush, I may as well say the fool’s the fool.
FTLN 1494 But seest thou not what a deformed thief this
FTLN 1495 fashion is?
FIRST WATCHMAN , aside FTLN 1496 125 I know that Deformed. He
FTLN 1497 has been a vile thief this seven year. He goes up and
FTLN 1498 down like a gentleman. I remember his name.
BORACHIO FTLN 1499 Didst thou not hear somebody?
CONRADE FTLN 1500 No, ’twas the vane on the house.
BORACHIO FTLN 1501 130 Seest thou not, I say, what a deformed thief
FTLN 1502 this fashion is, how giddily he turns about all the
FTLN 1503 hot bloods between fourteen and five-and-thirty,
FTLN 1504 sometimes fashioning them like Pharaoh’s soldiers
FTLN 1505 in the reechy painting, sometimes like god Bel’s
FTLN 1506 135 priests in the old church window, sometimes like
FTLN 1507 the shaven Hercules in the smirched worm-eaten
FTLN 1508 tapestry, where his codpiece seems as massy as his
FTLN 1509 club?
CONRADE FTLN 1510 All this I see, and I see that the fashion wears
FTLN 1511 140 out more apparel than the man. But art not thou
FTLN 1512 thyself giddy with the fashion too, that thou hast
FTLN 1513 shifted out of thy tale into telling me of the
FTLN 1514 fashion?
BORACHIO FTLN 1515 Not so, neither. But know that I have tonight
FTLN 1516 145 wooed Margaret, the Lady Hero’s gentlewoman,
FTLN 1517 by the name of Hero. She leans me out at
FTLN 1518 her mistress’ chamber window, bids me a thousand
FTLN 1519 times goodnight. I tell this tale vilely. I should first
FTLN 1520 tell thee how the Prince, Claudio, and my master,
FTLN 1521 150 planted and placed and possessed by my master
FTLN 1522 Don John, saw afar off in the orchard this amiable
FTLN 1523 amiable encounter.
CONRADE FTLN 1524 And thought they Margaret was Hero?
BORACHIO FTLN 1525 Two of them did, the Prince and Claudio,

109
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 3. SC. 3
FTLN 1526 155 but the devil my master knew she was Margaret;
FTLN 1527 and partly by his oaths, which first possessed them,
FTLN 1528 partly by the dark night, which did deceive them,
FTLN 1529 but chiefly by my villainy, which did confirm any
FTLN 1530 slander that Don John had made, away went Claudio
FTLN 1531 160 enraged, swore he would meet her as he was
FTLN 1532 appointed next morning at the temple, and there,
FTLN 1533 before the whole congregation, shame her with
FTLN 1534 what he saw o’ernight and send her home again
FTLN 1535 without a husband.
FIRST WATCHMAN FTLN 1536 165 We charge you in the Prince’s name
FTLN 1537 stand!
SEACOAL FTLN 1538 Call up the right Master Constable. Second
Watchman exits. FTLN 1539 We have here recovered the most
FTLN 1540 dangerous piece of lechery that ever was known in
FTLN 1541 170 the commonwealth.
FIRST WATCHMAN FTLN 1542 And one Deformed is one of them. I
FTLN 1543 know him; he wears a lock.
Enter Dogberry, Verges, and Second Watchman.
DOGBERRY FTLN 1544 Masters, masters—
FIRST WATCHMAN , to Borachio FTLN 1545 You’ll be made bring
FTLN 1546 175 Deformed forth, I warrant you.
DOGBERRY , to Borachio and Conrade FTLN 1547 Masters, never
FTLN 1548 speak, we charge you, let us obey you to go with us.
BORACHIO , to Conrade FTLN 1549 We are like to prove a goodly
FTLN 1550 commodity, being taken up of these men’s bills.
CONRADE FTLN 1551 180 A commodity in question, I warrant you.—
FTLN 1552 Come, we’ll obey you.
They exit.

111
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 3. SC. 4
Scene 4
Enter Hero, and Margaret, and Ursula.
HERO FTLN 1553 Good Ursula, wake my cousin Beatrice and
FTLN 1554 desire her to rise.
URSULA FTLN 1555 I will, lady.
HERO FTLN 1556 And bid her come hither.
URSULA FTLN 1557 5 Well. Ursula exits.
MARGARET FTLN 1558 Troth, I think your other rebato were
FTLN 1559 better.
HERO FTLN 1560 No, pray thee, good Meg, I’ll wear this.
MARGARET FTLN 1561 By my troth, ’s not so good, and I warrant
FTLN 1562 10 your cousin will say so.
HERO FTLN 1563 My cousin’s a fool, and thou art another. I’ll
FTLN 1564 wear none but this.
MARGARET FTLN 1565 I like the new tire within excellently, if the
FTLN 1566 hair were a thought browner; and your gown’s a
FTLN 1567 15 most rare fashion, i’ faith. I saw the Duchess of
FTLN 1568 Milan’s gown that they praise so.
HERO FTLN 1569 O, that exceeds, they say.
MARGARET FTLN 1570 By my troth, ’s but a nightgown in respect
FTLN 1571 of yours—cloth o’ gold, and cuts, and laced with
FTLN 1572 20 silver, set with pearls, down sleeves, side sleeves,
FTLN 1573 and skirts round underborne with a bluish tinsel.
FTLN 1574 But for a fine, quaint, graceful, and excellent fashion,
FTLN 1575 yours is worth ten on ’t.
HERO FTLN 1576 God give me joy to wear it, for my heart is
FTLN 1577 25 exceeding heavy.
MARGARET FTLN 1578’Twill be heavier soon by the weight of a
FTLN 1579 man.
HERO FTLN 1580 Fie upon thee! Art not ashamed?
MARGARET FTLN 1581 Of what, lady? Of speaking honorably? Is
FTLN 1582 30 not marriage honorable in a beggar? Is not your
FTLN 1583 lord honorable without marriage? I think you
FTLN 1584 would have me say “Saving your reverence, a husband.”
FTLN 1585 An bad thinking do not wrest true speaking,

113
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 3. SC. 4
FTLN 1586 I’ll offend nobody. Is there any harm in “the heavier
FTLN 1587 35 for a husband”? None, I think, an it be the right
FTLN 1588 husband and the right wife. Otherwise, ’tis light and
FTLN 1589 not heavy. Ask my lady Beatrice else. Here she
FTLN 1590 comes.
Enter Beatrice.
HERO FTLN 1591 Good morrow, coz.
BEATRICE FTLN 1592 40 Good morrow, sweet Hero.
HERO FTLN 1593 Why, how now? Do you speak in the sick tune?
BEATRICE FTLN 1594 I am out of all other tune, methinks.
MARGARET FTLN 1595 Clap ’s into “Light o’ love.” That goes
FTLN 1596 without a burden. Do you sing it, and I’ll dance it.
BEATRICE FTLN 1597 45 You light o’ love with your heels! Then, if
FTLN 1598 your husband have stables enough, you’ll see he
FTLN 1599 shall lack no barns.
MARGARET FTLN 1600 O, illegitimate construction! I scorn that
FTLN 1601 with my heels.
BEATRICE FTLN 1602 50’Tis almost five o’clock, cousin. ’Tis time
FTLN 1603 you were ready. By my troth, I am exceeding ill.
FTLN 1604 Heigh-ho!
MARGARET FTLN 1605 For a hawk, a horse, or a husband?
BEATRICE FTLN 1606 For the letter that begins them all, H.
MARGARET FTLN 1607 55 Well, an you be not turned Turk, there’s no
FTLN 1608 more sailing by the star.
BEATRICE FTLN 1609 What means the fool, trow?
MARGARET FTLN 1610 Nothing, I; but God send everyone their
FTLN 1611 heart’s desire.
HERO FTLN 1612 60 These gloves the Count sent me, they are an
FTLN 1613 excellent perfume.
BEATRICE FTLN 1614 I am stuffed, cousin. I cannot smell.
MARGARET FTLN 1615 A maid, and stuffed! There’s goodly catching
FTLN 1616 of cold.
BEATRICE FTLN 1617 65 O, God help me, God help me! How long
FTLN 1618 have you professed apprehension?

115
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 3. SC. 4
MARGARET FTLN 1619 Ever since you left it. Doth not my wit
FTLN 1620 become me rarely?
BEATRICE FTLN 1621 It is not seen enough; you should wear it in
FTLN 1622 70 your cap. By my troth, I am sick.
MARGARET FTLN 1623 Get you some of this distilled carduus benedictus
FTLN 1624 and lay it to your heart. It is the only thing for
FTLN 1625 a qualm.
HERO FTLN 1626 There thou prick’st her with a thistle.
BEATRICE FTLN 1627 75 Benedictus! Why benedictus? You have some
FTLN 1628 moral in this benedictus?
MARGARET FTLN 1629 Moral? No, by my troth, I have no moral
FTLN 1630 meaning; I meant plain holy thistle. You may think
FTLN 1631 perchance that I think you are in love. Nay, by ’r
FTLN 1632 80 Lady, I am not such a fool to think what I list, nor I
FTLN 1633 list not to think what I can, nor indeed I cannot
FTLN 1634 think, if I would think my heart out of thinking, that
FTLN 1635 you are in love or that you will be in love or that you
FTLN 1636 can be in love. Yet Benedick was such another, and
FTLN 1637 85 now is he become a man. He swore he would never
FTLN 1638 marry, and yet now, in despite of his heart, he eats
FTLN 1639 his meat without grudging. And how you may be
FTLN 1640 converted I know not, but methinks you look with
FTLN 1641 your eyes as other women do.
BEATRICE FTLN 1642 90 What pace is this that thy tongue keeps?
MARGARET FTLN 1643 Not a false gallop.
Enter Ursula.
URSULA FTLN 1644 Madam, withdraw. The Prince, the Count,
FTLN 1645 Signior Benedick, Don John, and all the gallants of
FTLN 1646 the town are come to fetch you to church.
HERO FTLN 1647 95 Help to dress me, good coz, good Meg, good
FTLN 1648 Ursula.
They exit.

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ACT 3. SC. 5
Scene 5
Enter Leonato, and Dogberry, the Constable, and
Verges, the Headborough.
LEONATO FTLN 1649 What would you with me, honest neighbor?
DOGBERRY FTLN 1650 Marry, sir, I would have some confidence
FTLN 1651 with you that decerns you nearly.
LEONATO FTLN 1652 Brief, I pray you, for you see it is a busy time
FTLN 1653 5 with me.
DOGBERRY FTLN 1654 Marry, this it is, sir.
VERGES FTLN 1655 Yes, in truth, it is, sir.
LEONATO FTLN 1656 What is it, my good friends?
DOGBERRY FTLN 1657 Goodman Verges, sir, speaks a little off the
FTLN 1658 10 matter. An old man, sir, and his wits are not so blunt
FTLN 1659 as, God help, I would desire they were, but, in faith,
FTLN 1660 honest as the skin between his brows.
VERGES FTLN 1661 Yes, I thank God I am as honest as any man
FTLN 1662 living that is an old man and no honester than I.
DOGBERRY FTLN 1663 15 Comparisons are odorous. Palabras, neighbor
FTLN 1664 Verges.
LEONATO FTLN 1665 Neighbors, you are tedious.
DOGBERRY FTLN 1666 It pleases your Worship to say so, but we
FTLN 1667 are the poor duke’s officers. But truly, for mine
FTLN 1668 20 own part, if I were as tedious as a king, I could find
FTLN 1669 in my heart to bestow it all of your Worship.
LEONATO FTLN 1670 All thy tediousness on me, ah?
DOGBERRY FTLN 1671 Yea, an ’twere a thousand pound more
FTLN 1672 than ’tis, for I hear as good exclamation on your
FTLN 1673 25 Worship as of any man in the city, and though I be
FTLN 1674 but a poor man, I am glad to hear it.
VERGES FTLN 1675 And so am I.
LEONATO FTLN 1676 I would fain know what you have to say.
VERGES FTLN 1677 Marry, sir, our watch tonight, excepting your
FTLN 1678 30 Worship’s presence, ha’ ta’en a couple of as arrant
FTLN 1679 knaves as any in Messina.
DOGBERRY FTLN 1680 A good old man, sir. He will be talking. As

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FTLN 1681 they say, “When the age is in, the wit is out.” God
FTLN 1682 help us, it is a world to see!—Well said, i’ faith,
FTLN 1683 35 neighbor Verges.—Well, God’s a good man. An two
FTLN 1684 men ride of a horse, one must ride behind. An
FTLN 1685 honest soul, i’ faith, sir, by my troth he is, as ever
FTLN 1686 broke bread, but God is to be worshiped, all men
FTLN 1687 are not alike, alas, good neighbor.
LEONATO FTLN 1688 40 Indeed, neighbor, he comes too short of you.
DOGBERRY FTLN 1689 Gifts that God gives.
LEONATO FTLN 1690 I must leave you.
DOGBERRY FTLN 1691 One word, sir. Our watch, sir, have indeed
FTLN 1692 comprehended two aspicious persons, and we
FTLN 1693 45 would have them this morning examined before
FTLN 1694 your Worship.
LEONATO FTLN 1695 Take their examination yourself and bring it
FTLN 1696 me. I am now in great haste, as it may appear unto
FTLN 1697 you.
DOGBERRY FTLN 1698 50 It shall be suffigance.
LEONATO FTLN 1699 Drink some wine ere you go. Fare you well.
Enter a Messenger.
MESSENGER FTLN 1700 My lord, they stay for you to give your
FTLN 1701 daughter to her husband.
LEONATO FTLN 1702 I’ll wait upon them. I am ready.
He exits, with the Messenger.
DOGBERRY FTLN 1703 55 Go, good partner, go, get you to Francis
FTLN 1704 Seacoal. Bid him bring his pen and inkhorn to the
FTLN 1705 jail. We are now to examination these men.
VERGES FTLN 1706 And we must do it wisely.
DOGBERRY FTLN 1707 We will spare for no wit, I warrant you.
FTLN 1708 60 Here’s that shall drive some of them to a noncome.
FTLN 1709 Only get the learned writer to set down our excommunication
FTLN 1710 and meet me at the jail.
They exit.

ACT 4
Scene 1
Enter Prince, John the Bastard, Leonato, Friar,
Claudio, Benedick, Hero, and Beatrice, with
Attendants.
LEONATO FTLN 1711 Come, Friar Francis, be brief, only to the
FTLN 1712 plain form of marriage, and you shall recount their
FTLN 1713 particular duties afterwards.
FRIAR , to Claudio FTLN 1714 You come hither, my lord, to marry
FTLN 1715 5 this lady?
CLAUDIO FTLN 1716 No.
LEONATO FTLN 1717 To be married to her.—Friar, you come to
FTLN 1718 marry her.
FRIAR FTLN 1719 Lady, you come hither to be married to this
FTLN 1720 10 count?
HERO FTLN 1721 I do.
FRIAR FTLN 1722 If either of you know any inward impediment
FTLN 1723 why you should not be conjoined, I charge you on
FTLN 1724 your souls to utter it.
CLAUDIO FTLN 1725 15 Know you any, Hero?
HERO FTLN 1726 None, my lord.
FRIAR FTLN 1727 Know you any, count?
LEONATO FTLN 1728 I dare make his answer, none.
CLAUDIO FTLN 1729 O, what men dare do! What men may do!
FTLN 1730 20 What men daily do, not knowing what they do!
BENEDICK FTLN 1731 How now, interjections? Why, then, some
FTLN 1732 be of laughing, as ah, ha, he!
123

125
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 4. SC. 1
CLAUDIO
FTLN 1733 Stand thee by, friar.—Father, by your leave,
FTLN 1734 Will you with free and unconstrainèd soul
FTLN 1735 25 Give me this maid, your daughter?
LEONATO
FTLN 1736 As freely, son, as God did give her me.
CLAUDIO
FTLN 1737 And what have I to give you back whose worth
FTLN 1738 May counterpoise this rich and precious gift?
PRINCE
FTLN 1739 Nothing, unless you render her again.
CLAUDIO
FTLN 1740 30 Sweet prince, you learn me noble thankfulness.—
FTLN 1741 There, Leonato, take her back again.
FTLN 1742 Give not this rotten orange to your friend.
FTLN 1743 She’s but the sign and semblance of her honor.
FTLN 1744 Behold how like a maid she blushes here!
FTLN 1745 35 O, what authority and show of truth
FTLN 1746 Can cunning sin cover itself withal!
FTLN 1747 Comes not that blood as modest evidence
FTLN 1748 To witness simple virtue? Would you not swear,
FTLN 1749 All you that see her, that she were a maid,
FTLN 1750 40 By these exterior shows? But she is none.
FTLN 1751 She knows the heat of a luxurious bed.
FTLN 1752 Her blush is guiltiness, not modesty.
LEONATO
FTLN 1753 What do you mean, my lord?
CLAUDIO FTLN 1754 Not to be married,
FTLN 1755 45 Not to knit my soul to an approvèd wanton.
LEONATO
FTLN 1756 Dear my lord, if you in your own proof
FTLN 1757 Have vanquished the resistance of her youth,
FTLN 1758 And made defeat of her virginity—
CLAUDIO
FTLN 1759 I know what you would say: if I have known her,
FTLN 1760 50 You will say she did embrace me as a husband,

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ACT 4. SC. 1
FTLN 1761 And so extenuate the forehand sin.
FTLN 1762 No, Leonato,
FTLN 1763 I never tempted her with word too large,
FTLN 1764 But, as a brother to his sister, showed
FTLN 1765 55 Bashful sincerity and comely love.
HERO
FTLN 1766 And seemed I ever otherwise to you?
CLAUDIO
FTLN 1767 Out on thee, seeming! I will write against it.
FTLN 1768 You seem to me as Dian in her orb,
FTLN 1769 As chaste as is the bud ere it be blown.
FTLN 1770 60 But you are more intemperate in your blood
FTLN 1771 Than Venus, or those pampered animals
FTLN 1772 That rage in savage sensuality.
HERO
FTLN 1773 Is my lord well that he doth speak so wide?
LEONATO
FTLN 1774 Sweet prince, why speak not you?
PRINCE FTLN 1775 65 What should I
FTLN 1776 speak?
FTLN 1777 I stand dishonored that have gone about
FTLN 1778 To link my dear friend to a common stale.
LEONATO
FTLN 1779 Are these things spoken, or do I but dream?
DON JOHN
FTLN 1780 70 Sir, they are spoken, and these things are true.
BENEDICK FTLN 1781 This looks not like a nuptial.
HERO FTLN 1782 True! O God!
CLAUDIO FTLN 1783 Leonato, stand I here?
FTLN 1784 Is this the Prince? Is this the Prince’s brother?
FTLN 1785 75 Is this face Hero’s? Are our eyes our own?
LEONATO
FTLN 1786 All this is so, but what of this, my lord?
CLAUDIO
FTLN 1787 Let me but move one question to your daughter,

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FTLN 1788 And by that fatherly and kindly power
FTLN 1789 That you have in her, bid her answer truly.
LEONATO
FTLN 1790 80 I charge thee do so, as thou art my child.
HERO
FTLN 1791 O, God defend me, how am I beset!—
FTLN 1792 What kind of catechizing call you this?
CLAUDIO
FTLN 1793 To make you answer truly to your name.
HERO
FTLN 1794 Is it not Hero? Who can blot that name
FTLN 1795 85 With any just reproach?
CLAUDIO FTLN 1796 Marry, that can Hero!
FTLN 1797 Hero itself can blot out Hero’s virtue.
FTLN 1798 What man was he talked with you yesternight
FTLN 1799 Out at your window betwixt twelve and one?
FTLN 1800 90 Now, if you are a maid, answer to this.
HERO
FTLN 1801 I talked with no man at that hour, my lord.
PRINCE
FTLN 1802 Why, then, are you no maiden.—Leonato,
FTLN 1803 I am sorry you must hear. Upon mine honor,
FTLN 1804 Myself, my brother, and this grievèd count
FTLN 1805 95 Did see her, hear her, at that hour last night
FTLN 1806 Talk with a ruffian at her chamber window,
FTLN 1807 Who hath indeed, most like a liberal villain,
FTLN 1808 Confessed the vile encounters they have had
FTLN 1809 A thousand times in secret.
DON JOHN
FTLN 1810 100 Fie, fie, they are not to be named, my lord,
FTLN 1811 Not to be spoke of!
FTLN 1812 There is not chastity enough in language,
FTLN 1813 Without offense, to utter them.—Thus, pretty lady,
FTLN 1814 I am sorry for thy much misgovernment.
CLAUDIO
FTLN 1815 105 O Hero, what a Hero hadst thou been

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ACT 4. SC. 1
FTLN 1816 If half thy outward graces had been placed
FTLN 1817 About thy thoughts and counsels of thy heart!
FTLN 1818 But fare thee well, most foul, most fair. Farewell,
FTLN 1819 Thou pure impiety and impious purity.
FTLN 1820 110 For thee I’ll lock up all the gates of love
FTLN 1821 And on my eyelids shall conjecture hang,
FTLN 1822 To turn all beauty into thoughts of harm,
FTLN 1823 And never shall it more be gracious.
LEONATO
FTLN 1824 Hath no man’s dagger here a point for me?
Hero falls.
BEATRICE
FTLN 1825 115 Why, how now, cousin, wherefore sink you down?
DON JOHN
FTLN 1826 Come, let us go. These things, come thus to light,
FTLN 1827 Smother her spirits up.
Claudio, Prince, and Don John exit.
BENEDICK
FTLN 1828 How doth the lady?
BEATRICE FTLN 1829 Dead, I think.—Help, uncle!—
FTLN 1830 120 Hero, why Hero! Uncle! Signior Benedick! Friar!
LEONATO
FTLN 1831 O Fate, take not away thy heavy hand!
FTLN 1832 Death is the fairest cover for her shame
FTLN 1833 That may be wished for.
BEATRICE FTLN 1834 How now, cousin Hero? Hero stirs.
FRIAR , to Hero FTLN 1835 125 Have comfort, lady.
LEONATO , to Hero
FTLN 1836 Dost thou look up?
FRIAR FTLN 1837 Yea, wherefore should she not?
LEONATO
FTLN 1838 Wherefore? Why, doth not every earthly thing
FTLN 1839 Cry shame upon her? Could she here deny
FTLN 1840 130 The story that is printed in her blood?—
FTLN 1841 Do not live, Hero, do not ope thine eyes,
FTLN 1842 For, did I think thou wouldst not quickly die,

133
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ACT 4. SC. 1
FTLN 1843 Thought I thy spirits were stronger than thy shames,
FTLN 1844 Myself would, on the rearward of reproaches,
FTLN 1845 135 Strike at thy life. Grieved I I had but one?
FTLN 1846 Chid I for that at frugal Nature’s frame?
FTLN 1847 O, one too much by thee! Why had I one?
FTLN 1848 Why ever wast thou lovely in my eyes?
FTLN 1849 Why had I not with charitable hand
FTLN 1850 140 Took up a beggar’s issue at my gates,
FTLN 1851 Who, smirchèd thus, and mired with infamy,
FTLN 1852 I might have said “No part of it is mine;
FTLN 1853 This shame derives itself from unknown loins”?
FTLN 1854 But mine, and mine I loved, and mine I praised,
FTLN 1855 145 And mine that I was proud on, mine so much
FTLN 1856 That I myself was to myself not mine,
FTLN 1857 Valuing of her—why she, O she, is fall’n
FTLN 1858 Into a pit of ink, that the wide sea
FTLN 1859 Hath drops too few to wash her clean again,
FTLN 1860 150 And salt too little which may season give
FTLN 1861 To her foul tainted flesh!
BENEDICK FTLN 1862 Sir, sir, be patient.
FTLN 1863 For my part, I am so attired in wonder
FTLN 1864 I know not what to say.
BEATRICE
FTLN 1865 155 O, on my soul, my cousin is belied!
BENEDICK
FTLN 1866 Lady, were you her bedfellow last night?
BEATRICE
FTLN 1867 No, truly not, although until last night
FTLN 1868 I have this twelvemonth been her bedfellow.
LEONATO
FTLN 1869 Confirmed, confirmed! O, that is stronger made
FTLN 1870 160 Which was before barred up with ribs of iron!
FTLN 1871 Would the two princes lie and Claudio lie,
FTLN 1872 Who loved her so that, speaking of her foulness,
FTLN 1873 Washed it with tears? Hence from her. Let her die!
FRIAR FTLN 1874 Hear me a little,

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ACT 4. SC. 1
FTLN 1875 165 For I have only silent been so long,
FTLN 1876 And given way unto this course of fortune,
FTLN 1877 By noting of the lady. I have marked
FTLN 1878 A thousand blushing apparitions
FTLN 1879 To start into her face, a thousand innocent shames
FTLN 1880 170 In angel whiteness beat away those blushes,
FTLN 1881 And in her eye there hath appeared a fire
FTLN 1882 To burn the errors that these princes hold
FTLN 1883 Against her maiden truth. Call me a fool,
FTLN 1884 Trust not my reading nor my observations,
FTLN 1885 175 Which with experimental seal doth warrant
FTLN 1886 The tenor of my book; trust not my age,
FTLN 1887 My reverence, calling, nor divinity,
FTLN 1888 If this sweet lady lie not guiltless here
FTLN 1889 Under some biting error.
LEONATO FTLN 1890 180 Friar, it cannot be.
FTLN 1891 Thou seest that all the grace that she hath left
FTLN 1892 Is that she will not add to her damnation
FTLN 1893 A sin of perjury. She not denies it.
FTLN 1894 Why seek’st thou then to cover with excuse
FTLN 1895 185 That which appears in proper nakedness?
FRIAR
FTLN 1896 Lady, what man is he you are accused of?
HERO
FTLN 1897 They know that do accuse me. I know none.
FTLN 1898 If I know more of any man alive
FTLN 1899 Than that which maiden modesty doth warrant,
FTLN 1900 190 Let all my sins lack mercy!—O my father,
FTLN 1901 Prove you that any man with me conversed
FTLN 1902 At hours unmeet, or that I yesternight
FTLN 1903 Maintained the change of words with any creature,
FTLN 1904 Refuse me, hate me, torture me to death!
FRIAR
FTLN 1905 195 There is some strange misprision in the princes.
BENEDICK
FTLN 1906 Two of them have the very bent of honor,

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ACT 4. SC. 1
FTLN 1907 And if their wisdoms be misled in this,
FTLN 1908 The practice of it lives in John the Bastard,
FTLN 1909 Whose spirits toil in frame of villainies.
LEONATO
FTLN 1910 200 I know not. If they speak but truth of her,
FTLN 1911 These hands shall tear her. If they wrong her honor,
FTLN 1912 The proudest of them shall well hear of it.
FTLN 1913 Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine,
FTLN 1914 Nor age so eat up my invention,
FTLN 1915 205 Nor fortune made such havoc of my means,
FTLN 1916 Nor my bad life reft me so much of friends,
FTLN 1917 But they shall find, awaked in such a kind,
FTLN 1918 Both strength of limb and policy of mind,
FTLN 1919 Ability in means and choice of friends,
FTLN 1920 210 To quit me of them throughly.
FRIAR FTLN 1921 Pause awhile,
FTLN 1922 And let my counsel sway you in this case.
FTLN 1923 Your daughter here the princes left for dead.
FTLN 1924 Let her awhile be secretly kept in,
FTLN 1925 215 And publish it that she is dead indeed.
FTLN 1926 Maintain a mourning ostentation,
FTLN 1927 And on your family’s old monument
FTLN 1928 Hang mournful epitaphs and do all rites
FTLN 1929 That appertain unto a burial.
LEONATO
FTLN 1930 220 What shall become of this? What will this do?
FRIAR
FTLN 1931 Marry, this well carried shall on her behalf
FTLN 1932 Change slander to remorse. That is some good.
FTLN 1933 But not for that dream I on this strange course,
FTLN 1934 But on this travail look for greater birth.
FTLN 1935 225 She, dying, as it must be so maintained,
FTLN 1936 Upon the instant that she was accused,
FTLN 1937 Shall be lamented, pitied, and excused
FTLN 1938 Of every hearer. For it so falls out
FTLN 1939 That what we have we prize not to the worth

139
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ACT 4. SC. 1
FTLN 1940 230 Whiles we enjoy it, but being lacked and lost,
FTLN 1941 Why then we rack the value, then we find
FTLN 1942 The virtue that possession would not show us
FTLN 1943 Whiles it was ours. So will it fare with Claudio.
FTLN 1944 When he shall hear she died upon his words,
FTLN 1945 235 Th’ idea of her life shall sweetly creep
FTLN 1946 Into his study of imagination,
FTLN 1947 And every lovely organ of her life
FTLN 1948 Shall come appareled in more precious habit,
FTLN 1949 More moving, delicate, and full of life,
FTLN 1950 240 Into the eye and prospect of his soul,
FTLN 1951 Than when she lived indeed. Then shall he mourn,
FTLN 1952 If ever love had interest in his liver,
FTLN 1953 And wish he had not so accused her,
FTLN 1954 No, though he thought his accusation true.
FTLN 1955 245 Let this be so, and doubt not but success
FTLN 1956 Will fashion the event in better shape
FTLN 1957 Than I can lay it down in likelihood.
FTLN 1958 But if all aim but this be leveled false,
FTLN 1959 The supposition of the lady’s death
FTLN 1960 250 Will quench the wonder of her infamy.
FTLN 1961 And if it sort not well, you may conceal her,
FTLN 1962 As best befits her wounded reputation,
FTLN 1963 In some reclusive and religious life,
FTLN 1964 Out of all eyes, tongues, minds, and injuries.
BENEDICK
FTLN 1965 255 Signior Leonato, let the Friar advise you.
FTLN 1966 And though you know my inwardness and love
FTLN 1967 Is very much unto the Prince and Claudio,
FTLN 1968 Yet, by mine honor, I will deal in this
FTLN 1969 As secretly and justly as your soul
FTLN 1970 260 Should with your body.
LEONATO FTLN 1971 Being that I flow in grief,
FTLN 1972 The smallest twine may lead me.
FRIAR
FTLN 1973 ’Tis well consented. Presently away,

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ACT 4. SC. 1
FTLN 1974 For to strange sores strangely they strain the
FTLN 1975 265 cure.—
FTLN 1976 Come, lady, die to live. This wedding day
FTLN 1977 Perhaps is but prolonged. Have patience and
FTLN 1978 endure.
All but Beatrice and Benedick exit.
BENEDICK FTLN 1979 Lady Beatrice, have you wept all this while?
BEATRICE FTLN 1980 270 Yea, and I will weep a while longer.
BENEDICK FTLN 1981 I will not desire that.
BEATRICE FTLN 1982 You have no reason. I do it freely.
BENEDICK FTLN 1983 Surely I do believe your fair cousin is
FTLN 1984 wronged.
BEATRICE FTLN 1985 275 Ah, how much might the man deserve of me
FTLN 1986 that would right her!
BENEDICK FTLN 1987 Is there any way to show such friendship?
BEATRICE FTLN 1988 A very even way, but no such friend.
BENEDICK FTLN 1989 May a man do it?
BEATRICE FTLN 1990 280 It is a man’s office, but not yours.
BENEDICK FTLN 1991 I do love nothing in the world so well as
FTLN 1992 you. Is not that strange?
BEATRICE FTLN 1993 As strange as the thing I know not. It were as
FTLN 1994 possible for me to say I loved nothing so well as you,
FTLN 1995 285 but believe me not, and yet I lie not; I confess
FTLN 1996 nothing, nor I deny nothing. I am sorry for my
FTLN 1997 cousin.
BENEDICK FTLN 1998 By my sword, Beatrice, thou lovest me!
BEATRICE FTLN 1999 Do not swear and eat it.
BENEDICK FTLN 2000 290 I will swear by it that you love me, and I will
FTLN 2001 make him eat it that says I love not you.
BEATRICE FTLN 2002 Will you not eat your word?
BENEDICK FTLN 2003 With no sauce that can be devised to it. I
FTLN 2004 protest I love thee.
BEATRICE FTLN 2005 295 Why then, God forgive me.
BENEDICK FTLN 2006 What offense, sweet Beatrice?
BEATRICE FTLN 2007 You have stayed me in a happy hour. I was
FTLN 2008 about to protest I loved you.

143
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 4. SC. 1
BENEDICK FTLN 2009 And do it with all thy heart.
BEATRICE FTLN 2010 300 I love you with so much of my heart that
FTLN 2011 none is left to protest.
BENEDICK FTLN 2012 Come, bid me do anything for thee.
BEATRICE FTLN 2013 Kill Claudio.
BENEDICK FTLN 2014 Ha! Not for the wide world.
BEATRICE FTLN 2015 305 You kill me to deny it. Farewell.
She begins to exit.
BENEDICK FTLN 2016 Tarry, sweet Beatrice.
BEATRICE FTLN 2017 I am gone, though I am here. There is no
FTLN 2018 love in you. Nay, I pray you let me go.
BENEDICK FTLN 2019 Beatrice—
BEATRICE FTLN 2020 310 In faith, I will go.
BENEDICK FTLN 2021 We’ll be friends first.
BEATRICE FTLN 2022 You dare easier be friends with me than
FTLN 2023 fight with mine enemy.
BENEDICK FTLN 2024 Is Claudio thine enemy?
BEATRICE FTLN 2025 315 Is he not approved in the height a villain
FTLN 2026 that hath slandered, scorned, dishonored my kinswoman?
FTLN 2027 O, that I were a man! What, bear her in
FTLN 2028 hand until they come to take hands, and then, with
FTLN 2029 public accusation, uncovered slander, unmitigated
FTLN 2030 320 rancor—O God, that I were a man! I would eat his
FTLN 2031 heart in the marketplace.
BENEDICK FTLN 2032 Hear me, Beatrice—
BEATRICE FTLN 2033 Talk with a man out at a window! A proper
FTLN 2034 saying.
BENEDICK FTLN 2035 325 Nay, but Beatrice—
BEATRICE FTLN 2036 Sweet Hero, she is wronged, she is slandered,
FTLN 2037 she is undone.
BENEDICK FTLN 2038 Beat—
BEATRICE FTLN 2039 Princes and counties! Surely a princely testimony,
FTLN 2040 330 a goodly count, Count Comfect, a sweet
FTLN 2041 gallant, surely! O, that I were a man for his sake! Or
FTLN 2042 that I had any friend would be a man for my sake!
FTLN 2043 But manhood is melted into curtsies, valor into

145
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 4. SC. 2
FTLN 2044 compliment, and men are only turned into tongue,
FTLN 2045 335 and trim ones, too. He is now as valiant as Hercules
FTLN 2046 that only tells a lie and swears it. I cannot be a man
FTLN 2047 with wishing; therefore I will die a woman with
FTLN 2048 grieving.
BENEDICK FTLN 2049 Tarry, good Beatrice. By this hand, I love
FTLN 2050 340 thee.
BEATRICE FTLN 2051 Use it for my love some other way than
FTLN 2052 swearing by it.
BENEDICK FTLN 2053 Think you in your soul the Count Claudio
FTLN 2054 hath wronged Hero?
BEATRICE FTLN 2055 345 Yea, as sure as I have a thought or a soul.
BENEDICK FTLN 2056 Enough, I am engaged. I will challenge
FTLN 2057 him. I will kiss your hand, and so I leave you. By
FTLN 2058 this hand, Claudio shall render me a dear account.
FTLN 2059 As you hear of me, so think of me. Go comfort your
FTLN 2060 350 cousin. I must say she is dead, and so farewell.
They exit.
Scene 2
Enter the Constables Dogberry and Verges, and the
Town Clerk, or Sexton, in gowns, with the Watch,
Conrade, and Borachio.
DOGBERRY FTLN 2061 Is our whole dissembly appeared?
VERGES FTLN 2062 O, a stool and a cushion for the Sexton.
A stool is brought in; the Sexton sits.
SEXTON FTLN 2063 Which be the malefactors?
DOGBERRY FTLN 2064 Marry, that am I, and my partner.
VERGES FTLN 2065 5 Nay, that’s certain, we have the exhibition to
FTLN 2066 examine.
SEXTON FTLN 2067 But which are the offenders that are to be
FTLN 2068 examined? Let them come before Master
FTLN 2069 Constable.

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DOGBERRY FTLN 2070 10 Yea, marry, let them come before me.
Conrade and Borachio are brought forward.
FTLN 2071 What is your name, friend?
BORACHIO FTLN 2072 Borachio.
DOGBERRY FTLN 2073 Pray, write down “Borachio.”—Yours,
FTLN 2074 sirrah?
CONRADE FTLN 2075 15 I am a gentleman, sir, and my name is
FTLN 2076 Conrade.
DOGBERRY FTLN 2077 Write down “Master Gentleman Conrade.”—
FTLN 2078 Masters, do you serve God?
BORACHIO/CONRADE FTLN 2079 Yea, sir, we hope.
DOGBERRY FTLN 2080 20 Write down that they hope they serve
FTLN 2081 God; and write God first, for God defend but God
FTLN 2082 should go before such villains!—Masters, it is
FTLN 2083 proved already that you are little better than false
FTLN 2084 knaves, and it will go near to be thought so shortly.
FTLN 2085 25 How answer you for yourselves?
CONRADE FTLN 2086 Marry, sir, we say we are none.
DOGBERRY FTLN 2087 A marvelous witty fellow, I assure you,
FTLN 2088 but I will go about with him.—Come you hither,
FTLN 2089 sirrah, a word in your ear. Sir, I say to you it is
FTLN 2090 30 thought you are false knaves.
BORACHIO FTLN 2091 Sir, I say to you we are none.
DOGBERRY FTLN 2092 Well, stand aside.—’Fore God, they are
FTLN 2093 both in a tale. Have you writ down that they are
FTLN 2094 none?
SEXTON FTLN 2095 35 Master constable, you go not the way to
FTLN 2096 examine. You must call forth the watch that are
FTLN 2097 their accusers.
DOGBERRY FTLN 2098 Yea, marry, that’s the eftest way.—Let
FTLN 2099 the watch come forth. Masters, I charge you in the
FTLN 2100 40 Prince’s name, accuse these men.
FIRST WATCHMAN FTLN 2101 This man said, sir, that Don John, the
FTLN 2102 Prince’s brother, was a villain.
DOGBERRY FTLN 2103 Write down Prince John a villain. Why,
FTLN 2104 this is flat perjury, to call a prince’s brother villain!

149
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ACT 4. SC. 2
BORACHIO FTLN 2105 45 Master constable—
DOGBERRY FTLN 2106 Pray thee, fellow, peace. I do not like thy
FTLN 2107 look, I promise thee.
SEXTON , to Watch FTLN 2108 What heard you him say else?
SEACOAL FTLN 2109 Marry, that he had received a thousand
FTLN 2110 50 ducats of Don John for accusing the Lady Hero
FTLN 2111 wrongfully.
DOGBERRY FTLN 2112 Flat burglary as ever was committed.
VERGES FTLN 2113 Yea, by Mass, that it is.
SEXTON FTLN 2114 What else, fellow?
FIRST WATCHMAN FTLN 2115 55 And that Count Claudio did mean,
FTLN 2116 upon his words, to disgrace Hero before the whole
FTLN 2117 assembly, and not marry her.
DOGBERRY , to Borachio FTLN 2118 O, villain! Thou wilt be condemned
FTLN 2119 into everlasting redemption for this!
SEXTON FTLN 2120 60 What else?
SEACOAL FTLN 2121 This is all.
SEXTON FTLN 2122 And this is more, masters, than you can deny.
FTLN 2123 Prince John is this morning secretly stolen away.
FTLN 2124 Hero was in this manner accused, in this very
FTLN 2125 65 manner refused, and upon the grief of this suddenly
FTLN 2126 died.—Master constable, let these men be bound
FTLN 2127 and brought to Leonato’s. I will go before and show
FTLN 2128 him their examination. He exits.
DOGBERRY FTLN 2129 Come, let them be opinioned.
VERGES FTLN 2130 70 Let them be in the hands—
CONRADE FTLN 2131 Off, coxcomb!
DOGBERRY FTLN 2132 God’s my life, where’s the Sexton? Let
FTLN 2133 him write down the Prince’s officer “coxcomb.”
FTLN 2134 Come, bind them.—Thou naughty varlet!
CONRADE FTLN 2135 75 Away! You are an ass, you are an ass!
DOGBERRY FTLN 2136 Dost thou not suspect my place? Dost
FTLN 2137 thou not suspect my years? O, that he were here to
FTLN 2138 write me down an ass! But masters, remember that
FTLN 2139 I am an ass, though it be not written down, yet
FTLN 2140 80 forget not that I am an ass.—No, thou villain, thou

151
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 4. SC. 2
FTLN 2141 art full of piety, as shall be proved upon thee by
FTLN 2142 good witness. I am a wise fellow and, which is more,
FTLN 2143 an officer and, which is more, a householder and,
FTLN 2144 which is more, as pretty a piece of flesh as any is in
FTLN 2145 85 Messina, and one that knows the law, go to, and a
FTLN 2146 rich fellow enough, go to, and a fellow that hath had
FTLN 2147 losses, and one that hath two gowns and everything
FTLN 2148 handsome about him.—Bring him away.—O, that I
FTLN 2149 had been writ down an ass!
They exit.

ACT 5
Scene 1
Enter Leonato and his brother.
LEONATO’S BROTHER
FTLN 2150 If you go on thus, you will kill yourself,
FTLN 2151 And ’tis not wisdom thus to second grief
FTLN 2152 Against yourself.
LEONATO FTLN 2153 I pray thee, cease thy counsel,
FTLN 2154 5 Which falls into mine ears as profitless
FTLN 2155 As water in a sieve. Give not me counsel,
FTLN 2156 Nor let no comforter delight mine ear
FTLN 2157 But such a one whose wrongs do suit with mine.
FTLN 2158 Bring me a father that so loved his child,
FTLN 2159 10 Whose joy of her is overwhelmed like mine,
FTLN 2160 And bid him speak of patience.
FTLN 2161 Measure his woe the length and breadth of mine,
FTLN 2162 And let it answer every strain for strain,
FTLN 2163 As thus for thus, and such a grief for such,
FTLN 2164 15 In every lineament, branch, shape, and form.
FTLN 2165 If such a one will smile and stroke his beard,
FTLN 2166 Bid sorrow wag, cry “hem” when he should
FTLN 2167 groan,
FTLN 2168 Patch grief with proverbs, make misfortune drunk
FTLN 2169 20 With candle-wasters, bring him yet to me,
FTLN 2170 And I of him will gather patience.
FTLN 2171 But there is no such man. For, brother, men
155

157
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 5. SC. 1
FTLN 2172 Can counsel and speak comfort to that grief
FTLN 2173 Which they themselves not feel, but tasting it,
FTLN 2174 25 Their counsel turns to passion, which before
FTLN 2175 Would give preceptial med’cine to rage,
FTLN 2176 Fetter strong madness in a silken thread,
FTLN 2177 Charm ache with air and agony with words.
FTLN 2178 No, no, ’tis all men’s office to speak patience
FTLN 2179 30 To those that wring under the load of sorrow,
FTLN 2180 But no man’s virtue nor sufficiency
FTLN 2181 To be so moral when he shall endure
FTLN 2182 The like himself. Therefore give me no counsel.
FTLN 2183 My griefs cry louder than advertisement.
LEONATO’S BROTHER
FTLN 2184 35 Therein do men from children nothing differ.
LEONATO
FTLN 2185 I pray thee, peace. I will be flesh and blood,
FTLN 2186 For there was never yet philosopher
FTLN 2187 That could endure the toothache patiently,
FTLN 2188 However they have writ the style of gods
FTLN 2189 40 And made a push at chance and sufferance.
LEONATO’S BROTHER
FTLN 2190 Yet bend not all the harm upon yourself.
FTLN 2191 Make those that do offend you suffer too.
LEONATO
FTLN 2192 There thou speak’st reason. Nay, I will do so.
FTLN 2193 My soul doth tell me Hero is belied,
FTLN 2194 45 And that shall Claudio know; so shall the Prince
FTLN 2195 And all of them that thus dishonor her.
Enter Prince and Claudio.
LEONATO’S BROTHER
FTLN 2196 Here comes the Prince and Claudio hastily.
PRINCE
FTLN 2197 Good e’en, good e’en.
CLAUDIO FTLN 2198 Good day to both of you.

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ACT 5. SC. 1
LEONATO
FTLN 2199 50 Hear you, my lords—
PRINCE FTLN 2200 We have some haste,
FTLN 2201 Leonato.
LEONATO
FTLN 2202 Some haste, my lord! Well, fare you well, my lord.
FTLN 2203 Are you so hasty now? Well, all is one.
PRINCE
FTLN 2204 55 Nay, do not quarrel with us, good old man.
LEONATO’S BROTHER
FTLN 2205 If he could right himself with quarrelling,
FTLN 2206 Some of us would lie low.
CLAUDIO FTLN 2207 Who wrongs him?
LEONATO
FTLN 2208 Marry, thou dost wrong me, thou dissembler, thou.
FTLN 2209 60 Nay, never lay thy hand upon thy sword.
FTLN 2210 I fear thee not.
CLAUDIO FTLN 2211 Marry, beshrew my hand
FTLN 2212 If it should give your age such cause of fear.
FTLN 2213 In faith, my hand meant nothing to my sword.
LEONATO
FTLN 2214 65 Tush, tush, man, never fleer and jest at me.
FTLN 2215 I speak not like a dotard nor a fool,
FTLN 2216 As under privilege of age to brag
FTLN 2217 What I have done being young, or what would do
FTLN 2218 Were I not old. Know, Claudio, to thy head,
FTLN 2219 70 Thou hast so wronged mine innocent child and me
FTLN 2220 That I am forced to lay my reverence by,
FTLN 2221 And with gray hairs and bruise of many days
FTLN 2222 Do challenge thee to trial of a man.
FTLN 2223 I say thou hast belied mine innocent child.
FTLN 2224 75 Thy slander hath gone through and through her
FTLN 2225 heart,
FTLN 2226 And she lies buried with her ancestors,
FTLN 2227 O, in a tomb where never scandal slept,
FTLN 2228 Save this of hers, framed by thy villainy.

161
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 5. SC. 1
CLAUDIO
FTLN 2229 80 My villainy?
LEONATO FTLN 2230 Thine, Claudio, thine, I say.
PRINCE
FTLN 2231 You say not right, old man.
LEONATO FTLN 2232 My lord, my lord,
FTLN 2233 I’ll prove it on his body if he dare,
FTLN 2234 85 Despite his nice fence and his active practice,
FTLN 2235 His May of youth and bloom of lustihood.
CLAUDIO
FTLN 2236 Away! I will not have to do with you.
LEONATO
FTLN 2237 Canst thou so daff me? Thou hast killed my child.
FTLN 2238 If thou kill’st me, boy, thou shalt kill a man.
LEONATO’S BROTHER
FTLN 2239 90 He shall kill two of us, and men indeed,
FTLN 2240 But that’s no matter. Let him kill one first.
FTLN 2241 Win me and wear me! Let him answer me.—
FTLN 2242 Come, follow me, boy. Come, sir boy, come, follow
FTLN 2243 me.
FTLN 2244 95 Sir boy, I’ll whip you from your foining fence,
FTLN 2245 Nay, as I am a gentleman, I will.
LEONATO FTLN 2246 Brother—
LEONATO’S BROTHER
FTLN 2247 Content yourself. God knows I loved my niece,
FTLN 2248 And she is dead, slandered to death by villains
FTLN 2249 100 That dare as well answer a man indeed
FTLN 2250 As I dare take a serpent by the tongue.—
FTLN 2251 Boys, apes, braggarts, jacks, milksops!
LEONATO FTLN 2252 Brother Anthony—
LEONATO’S BROTHER
FTLN 2253 Hold you content. What, man! I know them, yea,
FTLN 2254 105 And what they weigh, even to the utmost scruple—
FTLN 2255 Scambling, outfacing, fashionmonging boys,
FTLN 2256 That lie and cog and flout, deprave and slander,
FTLN 2257 Go anticly and show outward hideousness,

163
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 5. SC. 1
FTLN 2258 And speak off half a dozen dang’rous words
FTLN 2259 110 How they might hurt their enemies, if they durst,
FTLN 2260 And this is all.
LEONATO FTLN 2261 But brother Anthony—
LEONATO’S BROTHER FTLN 2262 Come, ’tis no matter.
FTLN 2263 Do not you meddle. Let me deal in this.
PRINCE
FTLN 2264 115 Gentlemen both, we will not wake your patience.
FTLN 2265 My heart is sorry for your daughter’s death,
FTLN 2266 But, on my honor, she was charged with nothing
FTLN 2267 But what was true and very full of proof.
LEONATO FTLN 2268 My lord, my lord—
PRINCE FTLN 2269 120 I will not hear you.
LEONATO
FTLN 2270 No? Come, brother, away. I will be heard.
LEONATO’S BROTHER
FTLN 2271 And shall, or some of us will smart for it.
Leonato and his brother exit.
Enter Benedick.
PRINCE
FTLN 2272 See, see, here comes the man we went to seek.
CLAUDIO FTLN 2273 Now, signior, what news?
BENEDICK , to Prince FTLN 2274 125 Good day, my lord.
PRINCE FTLN 2275 Welcome, signior. You are almost come to
FTLN 2276 part almost a fray.
CLAUDIO FTLN 2277 We had like to have had our two noses
FTLN 2278 snapped off with two old men without teeth.
PRINCE FTLN 2279 130 Leonato and his brother. What think’st thou?
FTLN 2280 Had we fought, I doubt we should have been too
FTLN 2281 young for them.
BENEDICK FTLN 2282 In a false quarrel there is no true valor. I
FTLN 2283 came to seek you both.
CLAUDIO FTLN 2284 135 We have been up and down to seek thee, for
FTLN 2285 we are high-proof melancholy and would fain have
FTLN 2286 it beaten away. Wilt thou use thy wit?

165
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 5. SC. 1
BENEDICK FTLN 2287 It is in my scabbard. Shall I draw it?
PRINCE FTLN 2288 Dost thou wear thy wit by thy side?
CLAUDIO FTLN 2289 140 Never any did so, though very many have
FTLN 2290 been beside their wit. I will bid thee draw, as we do
FTLN 2291 the minstrels: draw to pleasure us.
PRINCE FTLN 2292 As I am an honest man, he looks pale.—Art
FTLN 2293 thou sick, or angry?
CLAUDIO , to Benedick FTLN 2294 145 What, courage, man! What
FTLN 2295 though care killed a cat? Thou hast mettle enough
FTLN 2296 in thee to kill care.
BENEDICK FTLN 2297 Sir, I shall meet your wit in the career, an
FTLN 2298 you charge it against me. I pray you, choose another
FTLN 2299 150 subject.
CLAUDIO , to Prince FTLN 2300 Nay, then, give him another staff.
FTLN 2301 This last was broke ’cross.
PRINCE FTLN 2302 By this light, he changes more and more. I
FTLN 2303 think he be angry indeed.
CLAUDIO FTLN 2304 155 If he be, he knows how to turn his girdle.
BENEDICK FTLN 2305 Shall I speak a word in your ear?
CLAUDIO FTLN 2306 God bless me from a challenge!
BENEDICK , aside to Claudio FTLN 2307 You are a villain. I jest
FTLN 2308 not. I will make it good how you dare, with what you
FTLN 2309 160 dare, and when you dare. Do me right, or I will
FTLN 2310 protest your cowardice. You have killed a sweet
FTLN 2311 lady, and her death shall fall heavy on you. Let me
FTLN 2312 hear from you.
CLAUDIO FTLN 2313 Well, I will meet you, so I may have good
FTLN 2314 165 cheer.
PRINCE FTLN 2315 What, a feast, a feast?
CLAUDIO FTLN 2316 I’ faith, I thank him. He hath bid me to a
FTLN 2317 calf’s head and a capon, the which if I do not carve
FTLN 2318 most curiously, say my knife’s naught. Shall I not
FTLN 2319 170 find a woodcock too?
BENEDICK FTLN 2320 Sir, your wit ambles well; it goes easily.
PRINCE FTLN 2321 I’ll tell thee how Beatrice praised thy wit the
FTLN 2322 other day. I said thou hadst a fine wit. “True,” said

167
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 5. SC. 1
FTLN 2323 she, “a fine little one.” “No,” said I, “a great wit.”
FTLN 2324 175 “Right,” says she, “a great gross one.” “Nay,” said I,
FTLN 2325 “a good wit.” “Just,” said she, “it hurts nobody.”
FTLN 2326 “Nay,” said I, “the gentleman is wise.” “Certain,”
FTLN 2327 said she, “a wise gentleman.” “Nay,” said I, “he
FTLN 2328 hath the tongues.” “That I believe,” said she, “for he
FTLN 2329 180 swore a thing to me on Monday night which he
FTLN 2330 forswore on Tuesday morning; there’s a double
FTLN 2331 tongue, there’s two tongues.” Thus did she an hour
FTLN 2332 together transshape thy particular virtues. Yet at
FTLN 2333 last she concluded with a sigh, thou wast the
FTLN 2334 185 proper’st man in Italy.
CLAUDIO FTLN 2335 For the which she wept heartily and said she
FTLN 2336 cared not.
PRINCE FTLN 2337 Yea, that she did. But yet for all that, an if she
FTLN 2338 did not hate him deadly, she would love him
FTLN 2339 190 dearly. The old man’s daughter told us all.
CLAUDIO FTLN 2340 All, all. And, moreover, God saw him when
FTLN 2341 he was hid in the garden.
PRINCE FTLN 2342 But when shall we set the savage bull’s horns
FTLN 2343 on the sensible Benedick’s head?
CLAUDIO FTLN 2344 195 Yea, and text underneath: “Here dwells Benedick,
FTLN 2345 the married man”?
BENEDICK FTLN 2346 Fare you well, boy. You know my mind. I
FTLN 2347 will leave you now to your gossip-like humor. You
FTLN 2348 break jests as braggarts do their blades, which, God
FTLN 2349 200 be thanked, hurt not.—My lord, for your many
FTLN 2350 courtesies I thank you. I must discontinue your
FTLN 2351 company. Your brother the Bastard is fled from
FTLN 2352 Messina. You have among you killed a sweet and
FTLN 2353 innocent lady. For my Lord Lackbeard there, he and
FTLN 2354 205 I shall meet, and till then peace be with him.
Benedick exits.
PRINCE FTLN 2355 He is in earnest.
CLAUDIO FTLN 2356 In most profound earnest, and, I’ll warrant
FTLN 2357 you, for the love of Beatrice.

169
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 5. SC. 1
PRINCE FTLN 2358 And hath challenged thee?
CLAUDIO FTLN 2359 210 Most sincerely.
PRINCE FTLN 2360 What a pretty thing man is when he goes in his
FTLN 2361 doublet and hose and leaves off his wit!
CLAUDIO FTLN 2362 He is then a giant to an ape; but then is an ape
FTLN 2363 a doctor to such a man.
PRINCE FTLN 2364 215 But soft you, let me be. Pluck up, my heart,
FTLN 2365 and be sad. Did he not say my brother was fled?
Enter Constables Dogberry and Verges, and the Watch,
with Conrade and Borachio.
DOGBERRY FTLN 2366 Come you, sir. If justice cannot tame you,
FTLN 2367 she shall ne’er weigh more reasons in her balance.
FTLN 2368 Nay, an you be a cursing hypocrite once, you must
FTLN 2369 220 be looked to.
PRINCE FTLN 2370 How now, two of my brother’s men bound?
FTLN 2371 Borachio one!
CLAUDIO FTLN 2372 Hearken after their offense, my lord.
PRINCE FTLN 2373 Officers, what offense have these men done?
DOGBERRY FTLN 2374 225 Marry, sir, they have committed false
FTLN 2375 report; moreover, they have spoken untruths;
FTLN 2376 secondarily, they are slanders; sixth and lastly, they
FTLN 2377 have belied a lady; thirdly, they have verified unjust
FTLN 2378 things; and, to conclude, they are lying knaves.
PRINCE FTLN 2379 230 First, I ask thee what they have done; thirdly, I
FTLN 2380 ask thee what’s their offense; sixth and lastly, why
FTLN 2381 they are committed; and, to conclude, what you lay
FTLN 2382 to their charge.
CLAUDIO FTLN 2383 Rightly reasoned, and in his own division;
FTLN 2384 235 and, by my troth, there’s one meaning well suited.
PRINCE , to Borachio and Conrade FTLN 2385 Who have you offended,
FTLN 2386 masters, that you are thus bound to your
FTLN 2387 answer? This learned constable is too cunning to be
FTLN 2388 understood. What’s your offense?
BORACHIO FTLN 2389 240 Sweet prince, let me go no farther to mine
FTLN 2390 answer. Do you hear me, and let this count kill me.

171
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 5. SC. 1
FTLN 2391 I have deceived even your very eyes. What your
FTLN 2392 wisdoms could not discover, these shallow fools
FTLN 2393 have brought to light, who in the night overheard
FTLN 2394 245 me confessing to this man how Don John your
FTLN 2395 brother incensed me to slander the Lady Hero, how
FTLN 2396 you were brought into the orchard and saw me
FTLN 2397 court Margaret in Hero’s garments, how you disgraced
FTLN 2398 her when you should marry her. My villainy
FTLN 2399 250 they have upon record, which I had rather seal with
FTLN 2400 my death than repeat over to my shame. The lady is
FTLN 2401 dead upon mine and my master’s false accusation.
FTLN 2402 And, briefly, I desire nothing but the reward of a
FTLN 2403 villain.
PRINCE , to Claudio
FTLN 2404 255 Runs not this speech like iron through your blood?
CLAUDIO
FTLN 2405 I have drunk poison whiles he uttered it.
PRINCE , to Borachio
FTLN 2406 But did my brother set thee on to this?
BORACHIO FTLN 2407 Yea, and paid me richly for the practice of
FTLN 2408 it.
PRINCE
FTLN 2409 260 He is composed and framed of treachery,
FTLN 2410 And fled he is upon this villainy.
CLAUDIO
FTLN 2411 Sweet Hero, now thy image doth appear
FTLN 2412 In the rare semblance that I loved it first.
DOGBERRY FTLN 2413 Come, bring away the plaintiffs. By this
FTLN 2414 265 time our sexton hath reformed Signior Leonato of
FTLN 2415 the matter. And, masters, do not forget to specify,
FTLN 2416 when time and place shall serve, that I am an ass.
VERGES FTLN 2417 Here, here comes Master Signior Leonato,
FTLN 2418 and the Sexton too.
Enter Leonato, his brother, and the Sexton.

173
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 5. SC. 1
LEONATO
FTLN 2419 270 Which is the villain? Let me see his eyes,
FTLN 2420 That, when I note another man like him,
FTLN 2421 I may avoid him. Which of these is he?
BORACHIO
FTLN 2422 If you would know your wronger, look on me.
LEONATO
FTLN 2423 Art thou the slave that with thy breath hast killed
FTLN 2424 275 Mine innocent child?
BORACHIO FTLN 2425 Yea, even I alone.
LEONATO
FTLN 2426 No, not so, villain, thou beliest thyself.
FTLN 2427 Here stand a pair of honorable men—
FTLN 2428 A third is fled—that had a hand in it.—
FTLN 2429 280 I thank you, princes, for my daughter’s death.
FTLN 2430 Record it with your high and worthy deeds.
FTLN 2431 ’Twas bravely done, if you bethink you of it.
CLAUDIO
FTLN 2432 I know not how to pray your patience,
FTLN 2433 Yet I must speak. Choose your revenge yourself.
FTLN 2434 285 Impose me to what penance your invention
FTLN 2435 Can lay upon my sin. Yet sinned I not
FTLN 2436 But in mistaking.
PRINCE FTLN 2437 By my soul, nor I,
FTLN 2438 And yet to satisfy this good old man
FTLN 2439 290 I would bend under any heavy weight
FTLN 2440 That he’ll enjoin me to.
LEONATO
FTLN 2441 I cannot bid you bid my daughter live—
FTLN 2442 That were impossible—but, I pray you both,
FTLN 2443 Possess the people in Messina here
FTLN 2444 295 How innocent she died. And if your love
FTLN 2445 Can labor aught in sad invention,
FTLN 2446 Hang her an epitaph upon her tomb
FTLN 2447 And sing it to her bones. Sing it tonight.
FTLN 2448 Tomorrow morning come you to my house,

175
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 5. SC. 1
FTLN 2449 300 And since you could not be my son-in-law,
FTLN 2450 Be yet my nephew. My brother hath a daughter,
FTLN 2451 Almost the copy of my child that’s dead,
FTLN 2452 And she alone is heir to both of us.
FTLN 2453 Give her the right you should have giv’n her cousin,
FTLN 2454 305 And so dies my revenge.
CLAUDIO FTLN 2455 O, noble sir!
FTLN 2456 Your overkindness doth wring tears from me.
FTLN 2457 I do embrace your offer and dispose
FTLN 2458 For henceforth of poor Claudio.
LEONATO
FTLN 2459 310 Tomorrow then I will expect your coming.
FTLN 2460 Tonight I take my leave. This naughty man
FTLN 2461 Shall face to face be brought to Margaret,
FTLN 2462 Who I believe was packed in all this wrong,
FTLN 2463 Hired to it by your brother.
BORACHIO FTLN 2464 315 No, by my soul, she was not,
FTLN 2465 Nor knew not what she did when she spoke to me,
FTLN 2466 But always hath been just and virtuous
FTLN 2467 In anything that I do know by her.
DOGBERRY , to Leonato FTLN 2468 Moreover, sir, which indeed is
FTLN 2469 320 not under white and black, this plaintiff here, the
FTLN 2470 offender, did call me ass. I beseech you, let it be
FTLN 2471 remembered in his punishment. And also the watch
FTLN 2472 heard them talk of one Deformed. They say he
FTLN 2473 wears a key in his ear and a lock hanging by it and
FTLN 2474 325 borrows money in God’s name, the which he hath
FTLN 2475 used so long and never paid that now men grow
FTLN 2476 hardhearted and will lend nothing for God’s sake.
FTLN 2477 Pray you, examine him upon that point.
LEONATO FTLN 2478 I thank thee for thy care and honest pains.
DOGBERRY FTLN 2479 330 Your Worship speaks like a most thankful
FTLN 2480 and reverent youth, and I praise God for you.
LEONATO , giving him money FTLN 2481 There’s for thy pains.
DOGBERRY FTLN 2482 God save the foundation.

177
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 5. SC. 2
LEONATO FTLN 2483 Go, I discharge thee of thy prisoner, and I
FTLN 2484 335 thank thee.
DOGBERRY FTLN 2485 I leave an arrant knave with your Worship,
FTLN 2486 which I beseech your Worship to correct
FTLN 2487 yourself, for the example of others. God keep your
FTLN 2488 Worship! I wish your Worship well. God restore you
FTLN 2489 340 to health. I humbly give you leave to depart, and if a
FTLN 2490 merry meeting may be wished, God prohibit it.—
FTLN 2491 Come, neighbor. Dogberry and Verges exit.
LEONATO
FTLN 2492 Until tomorrow morning, lords, farewell.
LEONATO’S BROTHER
FTLN 2493 Farewell, my lords. We look for you tomorrow.
PRINCE
FTLN 2494 345 We will not fail.
CLAUDIO FTLN 2495 Tonight I’ll mourn with Hero.
LEONATO , to Watch
FTLN 2496 Bring you these fellows on.—We’ll talk with
FTLN 2497 Margaret,
FTLN 2498 How her acquaintance grew with this lewd fellow.
They exit.
Scene 2
Enter Benedick and Margaret.
BENEDICK FTLN 2499 Pray thee, sweet Mistress Margaret, deserve
FTLN 2500 well at my hands by helping me to the speech of
FTLN 2501 Beatrice.
MARGARET FTLN 2502 Will you then write me a sonnet in praise
FTLN 2503 5 of my beauty?
BENEDICK FTLN 2504 In so high a style, Margaret, that no man
FTLN 2505 living shall come over it, for in most comely truth
FTLN 2506 thou deservest it.
MARGARET FTLN 2507 To have no man come over me? Why, shall I
FTLN 2508 10 always keep below stairs?

179
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 5. SC. 2
BENEDICK FTLN 2509 Thy wit is as quick as the greyhound’s
FTLN 2510 mouth; it catches.
MARGARET FTLN 2511 And yours as blunt as the fencer’s foils,
FTLN 2512 which hit but hurt not.
BENEDICK FTLN 2513 15 A most manly wit, Margaret; it will not hurt
FTLN 2514 a woman. And so, I pray thee, call Beatrice. I give
FTLN 2515 thee the bucklers.
MARGARET FTLN 2516 Give us the swords; we have bucklers of our
FTLN 2517 own.
BENEDICK FTLN 2518 20 If you use them, Margaret, you must put in
FTLN 2519 the pikes with a vice, and they are dangerous
FTLN 2520 weapons for maids.
MARGARET FTLN 2521 Well, I will call Beatrice to you, who I
FTLN 2522 think hath legs.
BENEDICK FTLN 2523 25 And therefore will come.
Margaret exits.
Sings FTLN 2524 The god of love
FTLN 2525 That sits above,
FTLN 2526 And knows me, and knows me,
FTLN 2527 How pitiful I deserve—
FTLN 2528 30 I mean in singing. But in loving, Leander the good
FTLN 2529 swimmer, Troilus the first employer of panders, and
FTLN 2530 a whole book full of these quondam carpetmongers,
FTLN 2531 whose names yet run smoothly in the even
FTLN 2532 road of a blank verse, why, they were never so truly
FTLN 2533 35 turned over and over as my poor self in love. Marry,
FTLN 2534 I cannot show it in rhyme. I have tried. I can find out
FTLN 2535 no rhyme to “lady” but “baby”—an innocent
FTLN 2536 rhyme; for “scorn,” “horn”—a hard rhyme; for
FTLN 2537 “school,” “fool”—a babbling rhyme; very ominous
FTLN 2538 40 endings. No, I was not born under a rhyming
FTLN 2539 planet, nor I cannot woo in festival terms.
Enter Beatrice.
FTLN 2540 Sweet Beatrice, wouldst thou come when I called
FTLN 2541 thee?

181
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 5. SC. 2
BEATRICE FTLN 2542 Yea, signior, and depart when you bid me.
BENEDICK FTLN 2543 45 O, stay but till then!
BEATRICE FTLN 2544“Then” is spoken. Fare you well now. And
FTLN 2545 yet, ere I go, let me go with that I came, which is,
FTLN 2546 with knowing what hath passed between you and
FTLN 2547 Claudio.
BENEDICK FTLN 2548 50 Only foul words, and thereupon I will kiss
FTLN 2549 thee.
BEATRICE FTLN 2550 Foul words is but foul wind, and foul wind is
FTLN 2551 but foul breath, and foul breath is noisome. Therefore
FTLN 2552 I will depart unkissed.
BENEDICK FTLN 2553 55 Thou hast frighted the word out of his right
FTLN 2554 sense, so forcible is thy wit. But I must tell thee
FTLN 2555 plainly, Claudio undergoes my challenge, and either
FTLN 2556 I must shortly hear from him, or I will subscribe
FTLN 2557 him a coward. And I pray thee now tell me, for
FTLN 2558 60 which of my bad parts didst thou first fall in love
FTLN 2559 with me?
BEATRICE FTLN 2560 For them all together, which maintained so
FTLN 2561 politic a state of evil that they will not admit any
FTLN 2562 good part to intermingle with them. But for which
FTLN 2563 65 of my good parts did you first suffer love for me?
BENEDICK FTLN 2564 Suffer love! A good epithet. I do suffer love
FTLN 2565 indeed, for I love thee against my will.
BEATRICE FTLN 2566 In spite of your heart, I think. Alas, poor
FTLN 2567 heart, if you spite it for my sake, I will spite it for
FTLN 2568 70 yours, for I will never love that which my friend
FTLN 2569 hates.
BENEDICK FTLN 2570 Thou and I are too wise to woo peaceably.
BEATRICE FTLN 2571 It appears not in this confession. There’s not
FTLN 2572 one wise man among twenty that will praise
FTLN 2573 75 himself.
BENEDICK FTLN 2574 An old, an old instance, Beatrice, that lived
FTLN 2575 in the time of good neighbors. If a man do not erect
FTLN 2576 in this age his own tomb ere he dies, he shall live no
FTLN 2577 longer in monument than the bell rings and the
FTLN 2578 80 widow weeps.

183
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 5. SC. 3
BEATRICE FTLN 2579 And how long is that, think you?
BENEDICK FTLN 2580 Question: why, an hour in clamor and a
FTLN 2581 quarter in rheum. Therefore is it most expedient for
FTLN 2582 the wise, if Don Worm, his conscience, find no
FTLN 2583 85 impediment to the contrary, to be the trumpet of
FTLN 2584 his own virtues, as I am to myself. So much for
FTLN 2585 praising myself, who, I myself will bear witness, is
FTLN 2586 praiseworthy. And now tell me, how doth your
FTLN 2587 cousin?
BEATRICE FTLN 2588 90 Very ill.
BENEDICK FTLN 2589 And how do you?
BEATRICE FTLN 2590 Very ill, too.
BENEDICK FTLN 2591 Serve God, love me, and mend. There will I
FTLN 2592 leave you too, for here comes one in haste.
Enter Ursula.
URSULA FTLN 2593 95 Madam, you must come to your uncle. Yonder’s
FTLN 2594 old coil at home. It is proved my Lady Hero
FTLN 2595 hath been falsely accused, the Prince and Claudio
FTLN 2596 mightily abused, and Don John is the author of all,
FTLN 2597 who is fled and gone. Will you come presently?
Ursula exits.
BEATRICE FTLN 2598 100 Will you go hear this news, signior?
BENEDICK FTLN 2599 I will live in thy heart, die in thy lap, and be
FTLN 2600 buried in thy eyes—and, moreover, I will go with
FTLN 2601 thee to thy uncle’s.
They exit.
Scene 3
Enter Claudio, Prince, and three or four Lords with
tapers, and Musicians.
CLAUDIO FTLN 2602 Is this the monument of Leonato?
FIRST LORD FTLN 2603 It is, my lord.

185
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 5. SC. 3
CLAUDIO , reading an Epitaph.
FTLN 2604 Done to death by slanderous tongues
FTLN 2605 Was the Hero that here lies.
FTLN 2606 5 Death, in guerdon of her wrongs,
FTLN 2607 Gives her fame which never dies.
FTLN 2608 So the life that died with shame
FTLN 2609 Lives in death with glorious fame.
He hangs up the scroll.
FTLN 2610 Hang thou there upon the tomb,
FTLN 2611 10 Praising her when I am dumb.
FTLN 2612 Now music, sound, and sing your solemn hymn.
Song
FTLN 2613 Pardon, goddess of the night,
FTLN 2614 Those that slew thy virgin knight,
FTLN 2615 For the which with songs of woe,
FTLN 2616 15 Round about her tomb they go.
FTLN 2617 Midnight, assist our moan.
FTLN 2618 Help us to sigh and groan
FTLN 2619 Heavily, heavily.
FTLN 2620 Graves, yawn and yield your dead,
FTLN 2621 20 Till death be utterèd,
FTLN 2622 Heavily, heavily.
CLAUDIO
FTLN 2623 Now, unto thy bones, goodnight.
FTLN 2624 Yearly will I do this rite.
PRINCE
FTLN 2625 Good morrow, masters. Put your torches out.
FTLN 2626 25 The wolves have preyed, and look, the gentle day
FTLN 2627 Before the wheels of Phoebus, round about
FTLN 2628 Dapples the drowsy east with spots of gray.
FTLN 2629 Thanks to you all, and leave us. Fare you well.
CLAUDIO
FTLN 2630 Good morrow, masters. Each his several way.
Lords and Musicians exit.

187
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 5. SC. 4
PRINCE
FTLN 2631 30 Come, let us hence, and put on other weeds,
FTLN 2632 And then to Leonato’s we will go.
CLAUDIO
FTLN 2633 And Hymen now with luckier issue speed ’s,
FTLN 2634 Than this for whom we rendered up this woe.
They exit.
Scene 4
Enter Leonato, Benedick, Beatrice, Margaret, Ursula,
Leonato’s brother, Friar, Hero.
FRIAR
FTLN 2635 Did I not tell you she was innocent?
LEONATO
FTLN 2636 So are the Prince and Claudio, who accused her
FTLN 2637 Upon the error that you heard debated.
FTLN 2638 But Margaret was in some fault for this,
FTLN 2639 5 Although against her will, as it appears
FTLN 2640 In the true course of all the question.
LEONATO’S BROTHER
FTLN 2641 Well, I am glad that all things sorts so well.
BENEDICK
FTLN 2642 And so am I, being else by faith enforced
FTLN 2643 To call young Claudio to a reckoning for it.
LEONATO
FTLN 2644 10 Well, daughter, and you gentlewomen all,
FTLN 2645 Withdraw into a chamber by yourselves,
FTLN 2646 And when I send for you, come hither masked.
FTLN 2647 The Prince and Claudio promised by this hour
FTLN 2648 To visit me.—You know your office, brother.
FTLN 2649 15 You must be father to your brother’s daughter,
FTLN 2650 And give her to young Claudio. The ladies exit.

189
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 5. SC. 4
LEONATO’S BROTHER
FTLN 2651 Which I will do with confirmed countenance.
BENEDICK
FTLN 2652 Friar, I must entreat your pains, I think.
FRIAR FTLN 2653 To do what, signior?
BENEDICK
FTLN 2654 20 To bind me, or undo me, one of them.—
FTLN 2655 Signior Leonato, truth it is, good signior,
FTLN 2656 Your niece regards me with an eye of favor.
LEONATO
FTLN 2657 That eye my daughter lent her; ’tis most true.
BENEDICK
FTLN 2658 And I do with an eye of love requite her.
LEONATO
FTLN 2659 25 The sight whereof I think you had from me,
FTLN 2660 From Claudio, and the Prince. But what’s your will?
BENEDICK
FTLN 2661 Your answer, sir, is enigmatical.
FTLN 2662 But for my will, my will is your goodwill
FTLN 2663 May stand with ours, this day to be conjoined
FTLN 2664 30 In the state of honorable marriage—
FTLN 2665 In which, good friar, I shall desire your help.
LEONATO
FTLN 2666 My heart is with your liking.
FRIAR FTLN 2667 And my help.
FTLN 2668 Here comes the Prince and Claudio.
Enter Prince, and Claudio, and two or three other.
PRINCE FTLN 2669 35 Good morrow to this fair assembly.
LEONATO
FTLN 2670 Good morrow, prince; good morrow, Claudio.
FTLN 2671 We here attend you. Are you yet determined
FTLN 2672 Today to marry with my brother’s daughter?
CLAUDIO
FTLN 2673 I’ll hold my mind were she an Ethiope.

191
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 5. SC. 4
LEONATO
FTLN 2674 40 Call her forth, brother. Here’s the Friar ready.
Leonato’s brother exits.
PRINCE
FTLN 2675 Good morrow, Benedick. Why, what’s the matter
FTLN 2676 That you have such a February face,
FTLN 2677 So full of frost, of storm, and cloudiness?
CLAUDIO
FTLN 2678 I think he thinks upon the savage bull.
FTLN 2679 45 Tush, fear not, man. We’ll tip thy horns with gold,
FTLN 2680 And all Europa shall rejoice at thee,
FTLN 2681 As once Europa did at lusty Jove
FTLN 2682 When he would play the noble beast in love.
BENEDICK
FTLN 2683 Bull Jove, sir, had an amiable low,
FTLN 2684 50 And some such strange bull leapt your father’s cow
FTLN 2685 And got a calf in that same noble feat
FTLN 2686 Much like to you, for you have just his bleat.
CLAUDIO
FTLN 2687 For this I owe you. Here comes other reck’nings.
Enter Leonato’s brother, Hero, Beatrice, Margaret,
Ursula, the ladies masked.
FTLN 2688 Which is the lady I must seize upon?
LEONATO
FTLN 2689 55 This same is she, and I do give you her.
CLAUDIO
FTLN 2690 Why, then, she’s mine.—Sweet, let me see your face.
LEONATO
FTLN 2691 No, that you shall not till you take her hand
FTLN 2692 Before this friar and swear to marry her.
CLAUDIO , to Hero
FTLN 2693 Give me your hand before this holy friar.
They take hands.
FTLN 2694 60 I am your husband, if you like of me.

193
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 5. SC. 4
HERO
FTLN 2695 And when I lived, I was your other wife,
FTLN 2696 And when you loved, you were my other husband.
She unmasks.
CLAUDIO
FTLN 2697 Another Hero!
HERO FTLN 2698 Nothing certainer.
FTLN 2699 65 One Hero died defiled, but I do live,
FTLN 2700 And surely as I live, I am a maid.
PRINCE
FTLN 2701 The former Hero! Hero that is dead!
LEONATO
FTLN 2702 She died, my lord, but whiles her slander lived.
FRIAR
FTLN 2703 All this amazement can I qualify,
FTLN 2704 70 When after that the holy rites are ended,
FTLN 2705 I’ll tell you largely of fair Hero’s death.
FTLN 2706 Meantime let wonder seem familiar,
FTLN 2707 And to the chapel let us presently.
BENEDICK
FTLN 2708 Soft and fair, friar.—Which is Beatrice?
BEATRICE , unmasking
FTLN 2709 75 I answer to that name. What is your will?
BENEDICK
FTLN 2710 Do not you love me?
BEATRICE FTLN 2711 Why no, no more than reason.
BENEDICK
FTLN 2712 Why then, your uncle and the Prince and Claudio
FTLN 2713 Have been deceived. They swore you did.
BEATRICE
FTLN 2714 80 Do not you love me?
BENEDICK FTLN 2715 Troth, no, no more than reason.
BEATRICE
FTLN 2716 Why then, my cousin, Margaret, and Ursula
FTLN 2717 Are much deceived, for they did swear you did.

195
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 5. SC. 4
BENEDICK
FTLN 2718 They swore that you were almost sick for me.
BEATRICE
FTLN 2719 85 They swore that you were well-nigh dead for me.
BENEDICK
FTLN 2720 ’Tis no such matter. Then you do not love me?
BEATRICE
FTLN 2721 No, truly, but in friendly recompense.
LEONATO
FTLN 2722 Come, cousin, I am sure you love the gentleman.
CLAUDIO
FTLN 2723 And I’ll be sworn upon ’t that he loves her,
FTLN 2724 90 For here’s a paper written in his hand,
FTLN 2725 A halting sonnet of his own pure brain,
FTLN 2726 Fashioned to Beatrice. He shows a paper.
HERO FTLN 2727 And here’s another,
FTLN 2728 Writ in my cousin’s hand, stol’n from her pocket,
FTLN 2729 95 Containing her affection unto Benedick.
She shows a paper.
BENEDICK FTLN 2730 A miracle! Here’s our own hands against
FTLN 2731 our hearts. Come, I will have thee, but by this light
FTLN 2732 I take thee for pity.
BEATRICE FTLN 2733 I would not deny you, but by this good day, I
FTLN 2734 100 yield upon great persuasion, and partly to save your
FTLN 2735 life, for I was told you were in a consumption.
BENEDICK FTLN 2736 Peace! I will stop your mouth.
They kiss.
PRINCE
FTLN 2737 How dost thou, Benedick, the married man?
BENEDICK FTLN 2738 I’ll tell thee what, prince: a college of
FTLN 2739 105 wit-crackers cannot flout me out of my humor.
FTLN 2740 Dost thou think I care for a satire or an epigram?
FTLN 2741 No. If a man will be beaten with brains, he shall
FTLN 2742 wear nothing handsome about him. In brief, since I
FTLN 2743 do purpose to marry, I will think nothing to any
FTLN 2744 110 purpose that the world can say against it, and

197
Much Ado About Nothing
ACT 5. SC. 4
FTLN 2745 therefore never flout at me for what I have said
FTLN 2746 against it. For man is a giddy thing, and this is my
FTLN 2747 conclusion.—For thy part, Claudio, I did think to
FTLN 2748 have beaten thee, but in that thou art like to be my
FTLN 2749 115 kinsman, live unbruised, and love my cousin.
CLAUDIO FTLN 2750 I had well hoped thou wouldst have denied
FTLN 2751 Beatrice, that I might have cudgeled thee out of thy
FTLN 2752 single life, to make thee a double-dealer, which out
FTLN 2753 of question thou wilt be, if my cousin do not look
FTLN 2754 120 exceeding narrowly to thee.
BENEDICK FTLN 2755 Come, come, we are friends. Let’s have a
FTLN 2756 dance ere we are married, that we may lighten our
FTLN 2757 own hearts and our wives’ heels.
LEONATO FTLN 2758 We’ll have dancing afterward.
BENEDICK FTLN 2759 125 First, of my word! Therefore play, music.—
FTLN 2760 Prince, thou art sad. Get thee a wife, get thee a wife.
FTLN 2761 There is no staff more reverend than one tipped
FTLN 2762 with horn.
Enter Messenger.
MESSENGER , to Prince
FTLN 2763 My lord, your brother John is ta’en in flight,
FTLN 2764 130 And brought with armed men back to Messina.
BENEDICK , to Prince FTLN 2765 Think not on him till tomorrow.
FTLN 2766 I’ll devise thee brave punishments for him.—Strike
FTLN 2767 up, pipers! Music plays. They dance.
They exit.