Con. Masters, masters. Marg. Well, an you be not turned Turk, there's 2 Watch. You'll be made bring Deformed forth, no more sailing by the star. I warrant you. Con. Masters, 1 Watch. Never speak; we charge you, let us obey you to go with us. Bora. We are like to prove a goodly commodity, being taken up of these men's bills. Con. A commodity in question, I warrant you. Come, we'll obey you. [Exeunt. SCENE IV.-A room in Leonato's house. ter Hero, Margaret, and Ursula. Beat. What means the fool, trow? Marg. Nothing 1; but God send every one their heart's desire! Hero. These gloves the count sent me, they are an excellent perfume. Beat. I am stuffed, cousin, I cannot smell. Marg. A maid, and stufied! there's goodly catching of cold. En-long have you profess'd apprehension? Marg. Troth, I think, your other rabato1 were better. Hero. No, pray thee, good Meg, I'll wear this. Marg. By my troth, it's not so good; and I warrant, your cousin will say so. Hero. My cousin's a fool, and thou art another; I'll wear none but this. Beat. O, God help me! God help me! how Marg. Ever since you left it: doth not my wit become me rarely ? Beat. It is not seen enough, you should wear it in your cap.-By my troth, I am sick. Marg. Get you some of this distilled Carduus Benedictus, and lay it to your heart; it is the only thing for a qualm. Hero. There thou prick'st her with a thistle. Beat. Benedictus! why Benedictus? you have some morals in this Benedictus. Marg. Moral? no, by my troth, I have no moral think, perchance, that I think you are in love: meaning; I meant, plain holy thistle. You may nay, by'r lady, I am not such a fool to think what Marg. I like the new tire within excellently, I list; nor I list not to think what I if the hair were a thought browner: and your deed, I cannot think, if I would think my heart can; nor, ingown's a most rare fashion, i'faith. I saw the out of thinking, that you are in love, or that you duchess of Milan's gown, that they praise so. Hero. O, that exceeds, they say. will be in love, or that you can be in love: yet Benedick was such another, and now is he become Marg. By my troth it's but a night-gown in re- a man: he swore he would never marry; and yet spect of yours: Cloth of gold, and cuts, and laced. now, in despite of his heart, he eats his meat withwith silver; set with pearls, down sleeves, side-out grudging: and how you may be converted, I sleeves, and skirts round, underborne with a bluish know not; but methinks, you look with your eyes tinsel: but for a fine, quaint, graceful, and excel- as other women do. lent fashion, your's is worth ten on't. Hero. God give me joy to wear it, for my heart is exceeding heavy! Marg. 'Twill be heavier soon, by the weight of a man. Hero. Fie upon thee! art not ashamed? Beat. What pace is this that thy tongue keeps ? Re-enter Ursula. Urs. Madam, withdraw; the prince, the count, signior Benedick, Don John, and all the gallants of the town, are come to fetch you to church. good Ursula. Hero. Help to dress me, good coz, good Meg, Marg. Of what, lady ? of speaking honourably? Is not marriage honourable in a beggar? Is not your lord honourable without marriage? I think you would have me ay, saving your reverence, a husband: an bad thinking do not wrest true speaking, I'll offend nobody: Is there any harm in the heavier for a husband? None, I think, an if it be the right husband, and the right wife; otherwise, 'tis light, and not heavy: Ask my lady Bea-bour? trice else, here she comes. Enter Beatrice. Hero. Good morrow, coz. Beat. Good morrow, sweet Hero. [Excunt. SCENE V.-Another room in Leonato's house. Leon. What would you with me, honest neigh Dogb. Marry, sir, I would have some confidence with you, that decerns you nearly. Leon. Brief, I pray you; for you see, 'tis a busy time with me. Dogb. Marry, this it is, sir. Verg. Yes, in truth it is, sir. Hero. Why, how now! do you speak in the sick Leon. What is it, my good friends? tune? Beat. I am out of all other tune, methinks. Marg. Clap us into-Light o love; that goes without a burden; do you sing it, and I'll dance it. Beat. Yea, Light o' love, with your heels!then if your husband have stables enough, you'll see he shall lack no barns. Marg. O illegitimate construction! I scorn that with my heels. Beat. 'Tis almost five o'clock, cousin; 'tis time you were ready. By my troth I am exceeding ill; hey ho! Marg. For a hawk, a horse, or a husband? Dogb. Yea, and 'twere a thousand times more than 'tis: for I hear as good exclamation on your worship, as of any man in the city; and though I be but a poor man, I am glad to hear it. Verg. And so am I. Leon. I would fain know what you have to say. Verg. Marry, sir, our watch to-night, excepting your worship's presence, have ta'en a couple of as arrant knaves as any in Messina. Dogb. A good old man, sir; he will be talking; as they say, When the age is in, the wit is out; God help us! it is a world to see!-Well said, Plaith, neighbour Verges: -well, God's a good man; an two men ride of a horse, one must ride behind:-an honest soul, i'faith, sir; by my troth he is, as ever broke bread: but, God is to be worshipped: all men are not alike; alas, good neighbour! Leon. Indeed, neighbour, he comes too short of you. Dogb. Gifts, that God gives. Leon. I must leave you. Dogb. One word, sir: our watch, sir, have, in Leon. I dare make his answer, none. Claud. O, what men dare do! what men may do! what men daily do! not knowing what they do! Bene. How now! interjections? Why, then some be of laughing, as, ha! ha! he! Claud. Stand thee by, friar:-Father, by your leave; Will you with free and unconstrained soul Leon. As freely, son, as God did give her me. Claud. And what have I to give you back, whose worth, May counterpoise this rich and precious gift. There, Leonato, take her back again; Comes not that blood, as modest evidence, deed, comprehended two auspicious persons, and To witness simple virtue? Would you not swear, we would have them this morning examined before your worship. Leon. Take their examination yourself, and bring it me; I am now in great haste, as it may appear unto you. Dogb. It shall be suffigance. All you that see her, that she were a maid, Not to be married, Leon. Drink some wine ere you go: fare you well. Not knit my soul to an approved wanton. Enter a Messenger. Mess. My lord, they stay for you to give your Leon. I will wait upon them; I am ready. daughter to her husband. [Exeunt Leonato and Messenger. Dogb. Go, good partner, go; get you to Francis Seacol, bid him bring his pen and inkhorn to the gaol; we are now to examination these men. Verg. And we must do it wisely. Dogb. We will spare for no wit, I warrant you; here's that [Touching his forehead.) shall drive some of them to a non com: only get the learned writer to set down our excommunication, and meet me at the goal. Leon. Dear my lord, if you, in your own proof Have vanquish'd the resistance of her youth, And made defeat of her virginity, Claud. I know what you would say; If I have known her, You'll say, she did embrace me as a husband, No, Leonato, Hero. And seem'd I ever otherwise to you? You seem to me as Dian in her orb; Hero. Is my lord well, that he doth speak so I stand dichonour'd, that have gone about are true. Bene. This looks not like a nuptial. Hero. Claud. Leonato, stand I here? True, O God! Is this the prince? Is this the prince's brother? Leon. All this is so; but what of this, my lord ? daughter; And, by that fatherly and kindly power That you have in her, bid her answer truly. Leon. I charge thee do so, as thou art my child. Hero. O God defend me! how am I beset! What kind of catechizing call you this? Claud. To make you answer truly to your name. (4) Remote from the business in hand. Hero. Is it not Hero? Who can blot that name Into a pit of ink! that the wide sea With any just reproach? Claud. Marry, that can Hero; Hero itself can blot out Hero's virtue. What man was he talk'd with you yesternight Out at your window, betwixt twelve and one? Now, if you are a maid, answer to this. Hero. I talk'd with no man at that hour, my lord. D. Pedro. Why, then are you no maiden. Leonato, I am sorry you must hear; upon mine honour, D. John. Fie, fie! they are Not to be nam'd, my lord, not to be spoke of; There is not chastity enough in language, Without offence, to utter them: thus, pretty lady, I am sorry for thy much misgovernment. Claud. O Hero! what a Hero hadst thou been, If half thy outward graces had been placed Leon, Hath no man's dagger here a point for [Hero swoons. me? Beat, Why, how now, cousin? wherefore sink you down? D. Jolin. Come, let us go: these things, come thus to light, Smother her spirits up, [Exeunt Don Pedro, Don John, and Claudio. Bene. How doth the lady ? Beat. Dead, I think; -help, uncle; Hero! why, Hero! - Uncle!-Signior Benedick!friar! Leon. O fate, take not away thy heavy hand! Death is the fairest cover for her shame, That may be wish'd for. Beat. How now, cousin Hero? Friar. Have comfort, lady. Leon. Dost thou look up? Friar. Yea; wherefore should she not? thing Cry shame upon her? Could she here deny Do not live, Hero; do not ope thine eyes: O, one too much by thee! Why had I one? This shame derives itself from unknown loins? (1) Too free of tongue, (2) Attractive, Hath drops too few to wash her clean again; Sir, sir, be patient: Beat. O, on my soul, my cousin is belied ! Leon. Confirm'd, confirm'd! O, that is stronger made, Which was before barr'd up with ribs of iron! For I have only been silent so long, Leon. Friar. Lady, what man is he you are accused of? Beat. As strange as the thing I know not: it were as possible for me to say, I loved nothing so well as you: but believe me not; and yet I lie not; I confess nothing, nor I deny nothing: -I am sorry for my cousin. Bene. By my sword, Beatrice, thou lovest me. you. Beat. Will you not eat your word? Bene. With no sauce that can be devised to it. I protest I love thee. Beat. Why then, God forgive me! Bene. What offence, sweet Beatrice? Beat. You have staid me in a happy hour; I That what we have we prize not to the worth, was about to protest I loved you. Bene. And do it with all thy heart. The virtue, that possession would not show us dio: Beat. I love you with so much of my heart, that Whiles it was ours: -So will it fare with Clau-none is left to protest. When he shall hear she died upon his words, The idea of her life shall sweetly creep Into his study of imagination; And every lovely organ of her life Shall come apparell'd in more precious habit, More moving-delicate, and full of life, Into the eve and prospect of his soul, Than when she liv'd indeed:-then shall he mourn (If ever love had interest in his liver,) And wish he had not so accused her; No, though he thought his accusation true. Out of all eyes, tongues, minds, and injuries. As secretly, and justly, as your soul Leon. Being that I flow in grief, The smallest twine may lead me. Friar. 'Tis well consented; presently away; cure. Bene. Come, bid me do any thing for thee. Bene. Ha! not for the wide world. Beat. You kill me to deny it: farewell. Bene. Tarry, sweet Beatrice. Beat. I am gone, though I am here;-there is no love in you: -nay, I pray you, let me go. Beat. In faith I will go. Bene. We'll be friends first. Beat. You dare easier be friends with me, than fight with mine enemy. Bene. Is Claudio thine enemy? Beat. Is he not approv'd in the height a villain, that hath slandered, scorned, dishonoured my kinswoman?-0, that I were a man!-What! beat her in hands until they come to take hands; and then with public accusation, uncovered slander, unn.itigated rancour, -0 God, that I were a man! I would eat his heart in the market-place. Bene. Hear me, Beatrice; Beat. Talk with a man out at a window? proper saying! Bene. Nay but, Beatrice; a Beat. Sweet Hero!-she is wronged, she is slandered, she is undone. Bene. Beat Beat. Princes, and counties! Surely a princely testimony, a goodly count-confect; a sweet gallant, surely! O that I were a man for his sake! or that I had any friend would be a man for my sake! But manhood is melted into courtesies, valour into compliment, and men are only turned into tongue, and trim ones too: he is now as valiant as Hercu Come, lady, die to live: this wedding day, Perhaps, is but prolong'd; have patience, and les, that only tells a lie, and swears it:-I cannot endure. [Exe. Friar, Hero, and Leon. be a man with wishing, therefore I will die a woBene, Lady Beatrice, have you wept all this man with grieving. while? Beat. Yea, and I will weep a while longer. Bene. I will not desire that. Beat. You have no reason, I do it freely. wrong'd. Bene. Tarry, good Beatrice: by this hand I love thee. Beat. Use it for my love some other way than swearing by it. Bene. Think you in your soul the count Claudio hath wronged Hero? Beat. Yea, as sure as I have a thought, or a soul. Bene. Enough, I am engaged, I will challenge him; I will kiss your hand, and so leave you: by this hand, Claudio shall render me a dear account: as you hear of me, so think of me. Go, comfort [Exeunt. Bene. I do love nothing in the world so well as your cousin: I must say, she is dead; and so fare you; is not that strange? well. (1) While. (2) Over-rate. (3) By. (4) Intimacy. (5) Delude her with hopes. (6) Noblemen. (7) A nobleman made out of sugar. (8) Ceremony. SCENE II. A prison. Enter Dogberry, Ver-) ges, and Sexton, in gowns; and the Watch, with Conrade and Borachio. Dogb. Is our whole dissembly appeared? Dogb. Marry, that am I and my partner. Verg. Let them be in band. Verg. Nay, that's certain; we have the exhibi- thou not suspect my years?-O that he were here tion to examine. to write me down-an ass!-but, masters, remenSexton. But which are the offenders that are to be ber, that I am an ass; though it be not written examined? let them come before master constable, down, yet forget not that I am an ass:-No, thou Dogb. Yea, marry, let them come before me. - villain, thou art full of piety, as shall be proved What is your name, friend? Bora. Borachio. Dogb. Pray write down-Borachio. sirrah? Yours, upon thee by good witness. I am a wise fellow; and, which is more, an officer; and, which is more, a householder: and, which is more, as pretty a piece of flesh as any is in Messina; and one that Con. I am a gentleman, sir, and my name is knows the law, go to; and a rich fellow enough, Conrade. go to; and a fellow that hath had losses; and one Con-that hath two gowns, and every thing handsome about him:-Bring him away. O, that I had been writ down-an ass. [Exeunt. Dogb. Write down-master gentleman rade.-Masters, do you serve God? Con. Bora. Yea, sir, we hope. Dogb. Write down-that they hope they serve God:-and write God first; for God defend but God should go before such villains!-Masters, it is proved already that you are little better than false ACT V. knaves; and it will go near to be thought so shortly. SCENE I.-Before Leonato's house. Enter How answer you for yourselves? Con. Marry, sir, we say we are none. Dogb. A marvellous witty fellow, I assure you; but I will go about with him. Come you hither, sirrah; a word in your ear, sir; I say to you, it is thought you are false knaves. Bora. Sir, I say to you, we are none. Dogb. Well, stand aside.-'Fore God, they are both in a tale: have you writ down-that they are none? Sexton. Master constable, you go not the way to examine; you must call forth the watch that are their accusers. Dogb. Yea, marry, that's the eftest way: - Let the watch come forth: -Masters, I charge you, in the prince's name, accuse these men. 1 Watch. This man said, sir, that Don John, the prince's brother, was a villain. I pray thee, cease thy counsel, Which falls into mine ears as profitless Dogb. Write down-prince John a villain. - Cry-sorrow, wag! and hem, when he should groan, Why this is flat perjury, to call a prince's brother villain. Bora. Master constable, Dogb. Pray thee, fellow, peace; I do not like thy look, I promise thee. Sexton. What heard you him say else? 2 Watch. Marry, that he had received a thousand ducats of Don John, for accusing the lady Hero wrongfully. Dogb. Flat burglary, as ever was committed. Serton. What else, fellow? 1 Watch. And that Count Claudio did mean, upon his words, to disgrace Hero before the whole assembly, and not marry her. Patch grief with proverbs; make misfortunes drunk But there is no such man: For, brother, men Charm ache with air, and agony with words: To be so moral, when he shall endure The like himself: therefore give me no counsel: Fogb. O villain! thou wilt be condemned into My griefs cry louder than advertisement.2 everlasting redemption for this. Sexton. What else? 2 Watch. This is all. Sexton. And this is more, masters, than you can For there was never yet philosopher, away; Hero was in this manner accused, in this (2) Admonition. |