hide her, 11 and no such matter: that's the scene that I | Against that power that red it. There will she would see, which will be merely a dumb-show. Let us send her to call him in to dinner. 233 Exeunt Don PEDRO, CLAUDIO, and LEONATO. : Bene. Advancing from the arbour. This can be no trick the conference was sadly borne. They have the truth of this from Hero. They seem to pity the lady it seems her affections have their full bent. Love me! why, it must be requited. I hear how I am censured: they say I will bear myself proudly, if I perceive the love come from her; they say too that she will rather die than give any sign of affection. I did never think to marry: I must not seem proud: happy are they that hear their detractions, and can put them to mending. They say the lady is fair: 'tis a truth, I can bear them witness; and virtuous: 'tis so, I cannot reprove it; and wise, but for loving me. By my troth, it is no addition to her wit, nor no great argument of her folly, for I will be horribly in love with her. I may chance have some old quirks and remnants of wit broken on me, because I have railed so long against marriage; but doth not the appetite alter? A man loves the meat in his youth that he cannot endure in his age. Shall quips and sentences and these paper bullets of the brain awe a man from the career of his humour? No; the world must be peopled. When I said I would die a bachelor, I did not think I should live till I were married. Here comes Beatrice. By this day! she's a fair lady: I do spy some marks of love in her. Enter BEATRICE. 262 Beat. Against my will I am sent to bid you come in to dinner. Bene. Fair Beatrice, I thank you for your pains. Beut. I took no more pains for those thanks than you take pains to thank me if it had been painful, I would not have come. Bene. You take pleasure then in the message? Beat. Yea, just so much as you may take upon a knife's point, and choke a daw withal. You have no stomach, signior: fare you well. Exit. Bene. Ha! Against my will I am sent to bid you come in to dinner;' there's a double meaning in that. I took no more pains for those thanks than you took pains to thank me;' that's as much as to say, Any pains that I take for you is as easy as thanks. If I do not take pity of her, I am a villain; if I do not love her, I am a Jew. I will go get her picture. ACT III. SCENE I.-LEONATO'S Garden. Exit. 280 Enter HERO, MARGARET, and URSULA. Hero. Good Margaret, run thee to the parlour; There shalt thou find my cousin Beatrice Proposing with the prince and Claudio : Whisper her ear, and tell her I and Ursula Walk in the orchard, and our whole discourse Is all of her; say that thou overheard'st us, And bid her steal into the pleached bower, Where honey-suckles, ripen'd by the sun, Forbid the sun to enter; like favourites, Made proud by princes, that advance their pride To listen our propose. This is thy office; Enter BEATRICE, behind. Now begin; For look where Beatrice, like a lapwing, runs Close by the ground, to hear our conference. Urs. The pleasant'st angling is to see the fish Of the false sweet bait that we lay for it. Urs. Urs. And did they bid you tell her of it, madam? Hero. They did entreat me to acquaint her of it; But I persuaded them, if they lov'd Benedick, 40 Urs. Why did you so? Doth not the gentle man Deserve as full as fortunate a bed Urs. If silent, why, a block moved with none. Urs. Sure, sure, such carping is not commendable. Hero. No; not to be so odd and from all fashions As Beatrice is, cannot be commendable. But who dare tell her so? If I should speak, She would mock me into air: O! she would laugh me Out of myself, press me to death with wit. 80 Urs. Yet tell her of it: hear what she will say. Hero. No; rather I will go to Benedick, And counsel him to fight against his passion. And, truly, I'll devise some honest slanders To stain my cousin with. One doth not know How much an ill word may empoison liking. Urs. O! do not do your cousin such a wrong. She cannot be so much without true judgment, Having so swift and excellent a wit As she is priz'd to have, as to refuse So rare a gentleman as Signior Benedick. Hero. He is the only man of Italy, Always excepted my dear Claudio. 90 I'll show thee some attires, and have thy counsel Which is the best to furnish me to-morrow. Urs. She's lim'd, I warrant you: we have caught her, madam. Hero. If it prove so, then loving goes by haps: Some Cupid kills with arrows, some with traps. Exeunt HERO and URSULA. Beat. Coming forward. What fire is in mine ears? Can this be true? Stand I condemn'd for pride and scorn so much? Contempt, farewell! and maiden pride, adieu ! No glory lives behind the back of such. 110 And, Benedick, love on; I will requite thee, Taming my wild heart to thy loving hand: If thou dost love, my kindness shall incite thee To bind our loves up in a holy band; For others say thou dost deserve, and I Believe it better than reportingly. Exit. SCENE II.-A Room in LEONATO'S House. Enter Don PEDRO, CLAUDIO, BENEDICK, and LEONATO. D. Pedro. I do but stay till your marriage be consummate, and then go I toward Arragon. Claud. I'll bring you thither, my lord, if you'll vouchsafe me. D. Pedro. Nay; that would be as great a soil in the new gloss of your marriage, as to show a child his new coat and forbid him to wear it, I will only be bold with Benedick for his company; for, from the crown of his head to the sole of his foot, he is all mirth: he hath twice or thrice cut Cupid's bow-string, and the little hangman dare not shoot at him. He hath a heart as sound as a bell, and his tongue is the clapper; for what his heart thinks his tongue speaks. Bene. Gallants, I am not as I have been. D. Pedro. Hang him, truant! there's no true drop of blood in him, to be truly touched with love. If he be sad, he wants money. Bene. I have the tooth-ache. D. Pedro. Draw it. Bene. Hang it. 20 Claud. You must hang it first, and draw it afterwards. D. Pedro. What! sigh for the tooth-ache? Leon. Where is but a humour or a worm. Bene. Well, every one can master a grief but he that has it. Claud. Yet say I, he is in love. 30 D. Pedro. There is no appearance of fancy in him, unless it be a fancy that he hath to strange disguises; as, to be a Dutchman to-day, a Frenchman to-morrow, or in the shape of two countries at once, as, a German from the waist downward, all slops, and a Spaniard from the hip upward, no doublet. Unless he have a fancy to this foolery, as it appears he hath, he is no fool for fancy, as you would have it appear he is. Claud. If he be not in love with some woman, there is no believing old signs: a' brushes his hat o' mornings; what should that bode? D. Pedro. Hath any man seen him at the barber's? 42 Claud. That's as much as to say, the sweet youth's in love. D. Pedro. The greatest note of it is his melancholy. Claud. And when was he wont to wash his face? D. Pedro. Yea, or to paint himself? for the which, I hear what they say of him. Claud. Nay, but his jesting spirit; which is now crept into a lute-string, and now governed by stops. 61 D. Pedro. Indeed, that tells a heavy tale for him. Conclude, conclude he is in love. Claud, Nav, but I know who loves him. D. Pedro. That would I know too: I warrant, one that knows him not. Claud. Yes, and his ill conditions; and, in despite of all, dies for him. D. Pedro. She shall be buried with her face upwards. 70 Bene. Yet is this no charm for the tooth-ache. Old signior, walk aside with me: I have studied eight or nine wise words to speak to you, which these hobby-horses must not hear. Exeunt BENEDICK and LEONATO. D. Pedro. For my life, to break with him about Beatrice, D. John I came hither to tell you; and, circumstances shortened, for she has been too long a talking of, the lady is disloyal. Claud. Who? Hero? Dogb. Nay, that were a punishment too good for them, if they should have any allegiance in them, being chosen for the prince's watch. Verg. Well, give them their charge, neighbour Dogberry. Dogb. First, who think you the most desartless man to be constable? - 10 First Watch. Hugh Oatcake, sir, or George Seacoal, for they can write and read. Dogb. Come hither, neighbour Seacoal. God hath blessed you with a good name: to be a well-favoured man is the gift of fortune, but to write and read comes by nature. Second Watch. Both which, Master constable,— Dogb. You have: I knew it would be your answer. Well, for your favour, sir, why, give God thanks, and make no boast of it; and for your writing and reading, let that appear when there is no need of such vanity. You are thought here to be the most senseless and fit man for the constable of the watch; therefore bear you the lantern. This is your charge: you shall comprehend all vagrom men; you are to bid any man stand, in the prince's name. Watch. How if a' will not stand? 23 Dogb. Why, then take no note of him, but let him go; and presently call the rest of the watch together, and thank God you are rid of a knave. he is none of the prince's subjects. Verg. If he will not stand when he is bidden, Dogb. True, and they are to meddle with none but the prince's subjects. You shall also make no noise in the streets: for for the watch to D. John. Even she: Leonato's Hero, your babble and talk is most tolerable and not to be Hero, every man's Hero. Claud. Disloyal? 110 D. John. The word is too good to paint out her wickedness; I could say she were worse: think you of a worse title, and I will fit her to it. Wonder not till further warrant: go but with me to-night, you shall see her chamber-window entered, even the night before her weddingday if you love her then, to-morrow wed her; but it would better fit your honour to change your mind. Claud. May this be so? D. Pedro. I will not think it. 120 D. John. If you dare not trust that you see, confess not that you know. If you will follow me, I will show you enough; and when you have seen more and heard more, proceed accordingly, Claud. If I see anything to-night why I should not marry her to-morrow, in the congregation, where I should wed, there will I shame her. D. Pedro. And, as I wooed for thee to obtain her, I will join with thee to disgrace her. 130 D. John. I will disparage her no further till you are my witnesses: bear it coldly but till midnight, and let the issue show itself. D. Pedro. O day untowardly turned! Claud. O mischief strangely thwarting! D. John. O plague right well prevented! will you say when you have seen the sequel. SCENE III-A Street. So Exeunt. Enter DOGBERRY and VERGES, with the Watch. Dogb. Are you good men and true? endured. Watch. We will rather sleep than talk: we know what belongs to a watch. 40 Dogb. Why, you speak like an ancient and ing should offend; only have a care that your most quiet watchman, for I cannot see how sleepbills be not stolen. Well, you are to call at all the alehouses, and bid those that are drunk get them to bed. Watch. How if they will not? Dogb. Why then, let them alone till they are sober if they make you not then the better took them for. answer, you may say they are not the men you Watch. Well, sir. 51 by virtue of your office, to be no true man; and, Dogb. If you meet a thief, you may suspect him, for such kind of men, the less you meddle or make with them, why, the more is for your honesty. Watch. If we know him to be a thief, shall we not lay hands on him? think they that touch pitch will be defiled. The Dogh. Truly, by your office you may; but I most peaceable way for you, if you do take a thief, is to let him show himself what he is and steal out of your company. Verg. You have been always called a merciful man, partner. Dogb. Truly, I would not hang a dog by my will, much more a man who hath any honesty in him. Verg. If you hear a child cry in the night, you must call to the nurse and bid her still it. Watch. How if the nurse be asleep and will Verg. Yea, or else it were pity but they should not hear us? suffer salvation, body and soul. 70 Dogb. Why, then depart in peace, and let the SCENE III] child wake her with crying; for the ewe that will not hear her lamb when it baes, will never answer a calf when he bleats. Verg. 'Tis very true. Dogb. This is the end of the charge. You, constable, are to present the prince's own person: if you meet the prince in the night, you may stay him. 81 Verg. Nay, by 'r lady, that I think a' cannot. Dogb. Five shillings to one on 't, with any man that knows the statues, he may stay him: marry, not without the prince be willing; for, indeed, the watch ought to offend no man, and it is an offence to stay a man against his will. Verg. By 'r lady, I think it be so. Dogb. Ha, ah, ha! Well, masters, good night: an there be any matter of weight chances, call up me. Keep your fellows' counsels and your own, and good night. Come, neighbour. 92 Watch. Well, masters, we hear our charge: let us go sit here upon the church-bench till two, and then all to bed. Dogb. One word more, honest neighbours. I pray you, watch about Signior Leonato's door; for the wedding being there to-morrow, there is a great coil to-night. Adieu; be vigitant, I beseech you. Excunt DOGBERRY and VERGES. Enter BORACHIO and CONRADE. Bora. What, Conrade! Watch. Aside. Peace! stir not. Bora. Conrade, I say! Con. Here, man, I am at thy elbow. 101 Bora. Mass, and my elbow itched; I thought there would a scab follow. god Bel's priests in the old church-window; Con. All this I see, and I see that the fashion 150 Bora. Not so neither; but know that I have to-night wooed Margaret, the lady Hero's gentle-. woman, by the name of Hero: she leans me out at her mistress' chamber-window, bids me a thousand times good night,-I tell this tale vilely-I should first tell thee how the prince, Claudio, and my master, planted and placed and possessed by my master Don John, saw afar off in the orchard this amiable encounter. 159 Con. And thought they Margaret was Hero?, Bora. Two of them did, the prince and Claudio; but the devil my master knew she was Margaret; and partly by his oaths, which first possessed them, partly by the dark night, which did deceive them, but chiefly by my villany, which did confirm any slander that Don John had made, away went Claudio enraged; swore he would meet her, as he was appointed, next morning at the temple, and there, before the whole congregation, shame her with what he saw over night, and send her home again without a husband. 171 First Watch. We charge you in the prince's name, stand! Second Watch. Call up the right Master constable. We have here recovered the most dangerous piece of lechery that ever was known in Con. I will owe thee an answer for that; and the commonwealth. now forward with thy tale. 111 First Watch. And one Deformed is one of them: I know him, a' wears a lock. Con. Masters, masters! 180 Second Watch. You'll be made bring Deformed Bora. Stand thee close then under this penthouse, for it drizzles rain, and I will, like a true drunkard, utter all to thee. Watch. Aside. Some treason, masters; yet forth, I warrant you. Con. Masters,stand close. First Watch. Never speak: we charge you let us obey you to go with us. Bora. Therefore know I have earned of Don John a thousand ducats. Con. Is it possible that any villany should be so dear? Bora. Thou should'st rather ask if it were possible any villany should be so rich; for when rich villains have need of poor ones, poor ones may make what price they will. Con. I wonder at it. 121 Bora. That shows thou art unconfirmed. Thou knowest that the fashion of a doublet, or a hat, or a cloak, is nothing to a man. Con. Yes, it is apparel. Bora. I mean, the fashion. Con. Yes, the fashion is the fashion. Bora. Tush! I may as well say the fool's the fool. But seest thou not what a deformed thief this fashion is ? 131 Watch. Aside. I know that Deformed; a' has been a vile thief this seven year; a' goes up and down like a gentleman: I remember his name. Bora. Didst thou not hear somebody? Con. No: 'twas the vane on the house. Bora. Seest thou not, I say, what a deformed thief this fashion is? how giddily a' turns about all the hot bloods between fourteen and five-andthirty? sometime fashioning them like Pharaoh's soldiers in the reeky painting; sometime like 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. Exeunt. Come, we'll obey you. SCENE IV. A Room in LEONATO'S House. Enter HERO, MARGARET, and URSULA. Hero. Good Ursula, wake my cousin Beatrice, and desire her to rise. Urs. I will, lady. Hero. And bid her come hither. Exit. Marg. Troth, I think your other rabato were better. Hero. No, pray thee, good Meg, I'll wear this. Marg. By my troth's not so good; and I warrant, your cousin will say so. 10 Hero. My cousin's a fool, and thou art another: I'll wear none but this. Marg. I like the new tire within excellently, I saw the if the hair were a thought browner; and your gown's a most rare fashion, i' faith. Duchess of Milan's gown that they praise so. Hero. O that exceeds, they say. Marg. By my troth, 's but a night gown in respect of yours: cloth o' gold, and cuts, and laced with silver, set with pearls down sleeves, side sleeves, and skirts round, underborne with a bluish tinsel; but for a fine, quaint, graceful, and excellent fashion, yours 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. 28 Hero. Fie upon thee! art not ashamed? 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 say, '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 it be the right husband and the right wife; otherwise 'tis light, and not heavy: ask my Lady Beatrice else; here she comes. Enter BEATRICE. Ilcro. Good morrow, coz. 40 Beat. Good morrow, sweet Hero. Hero. Why, how now? do you speak in the sick tune? Beat. I am out of all other tune, methinks. Marg. Clap us into 'Light o' love': that goes without a burthen: do you sing it, and I'll dance it. Beat. Ye 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! that with my heels. I scorn 51 Beat. 'Tis almost five o'clock, cousin: 'tis time you were ready. By my troth, I am exceeding ill. Heigh-ho! Marg. For a hawk, a horse, or a husband? Beat. For the letter that begins them all, H. Marg. Well, an you be not turned Turk, there's no more sailing by the star. Beat. What means the fool, trow? Marg. Nothing I; but God send every one their heart's desire! 61 Marg. Moral! no, by my troth, I have no moral meaning; I meant, plain holy-thistle. You may think, perchance, that I think you are in love; nay, by 'r lady, I am not such a fool to think what I list; nor I list not to think what I can; nor indeed, I cannot think, if I would think my heart out of thinking, that you are in love, or that you will be in love, or that you can 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. Hero. Help to dress me, good coz, good Meg, good Ursula. Exeunt. 10) SCENE V.-Another Room in LEONATO's House. Enter LEONATO, with DOGBERRY and VERGES. Leon. What would you with me, honest neighbour? Dogb. Marry, sir, I would have some confidence with you, that decerns you nearly. Leon. Brief, I pray you; for you see it is a busy time with me. Dogb. Marry, this it is, sir. 9 Dogb. Goodman Verges, sir, speaks a little off the matter: an old man, sir, and his wits are not so blunt, as, God help, I would desire they were; but, in faith, honest as the skin between his brows. Verg. Yes, I thank God I am as honest as any man living that is an old man and no honester than I. Dogb. Comparisons are odorous: palabras, neighbour Verges. Leon. Neighbours, you are tedious. 20 Dogb. It pleases your worship to say so, but we are the poor duke's officers; but, truly, for mine own part, if I were as tedious as a king, I could find in my heart to bestow it all of your worship. Leon. All thy tediousness on me? ha! Dogb. Yea, an 'twere a thousand pound 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. 30 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, i' faith, 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. 44 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 indeed comprehended two aspicious persons, and |
