Bora. Tush! I may as well say, the fool's the fool. But see'st thou not, what a deformed thiet 15 this fashion is? Watch. I know that Deformed; he has been a vile thief these seven years; he goes up and down like a gentleman: I remember his name. Bora. Didst thou not hear somebody? Conr. No; 'twas the vane on the house. Bora. Seest thou not, I say, what a deformed thief this Fashion is? how giddily he turns about all the hot bloods, between fourteen and five-andthirty? sometime, tashioning them like Pharaoh's 2 soldiers in the reechy painting; sometime, like god Bel's priests in the old church-window; sometime, like the shaven Hercules in the smirch'd' worn-eaten tapestry, where his, cod-piece seems as massy as his club? Cour. All this I see; and see, that the fashion) wears out more apparel than the man: But art not thou thyself giddy with the fashion too, that thou hast shifted out of thy tale into telling me of the fashion? Bora. We are like to prove a goodly commo dity, being taken up of these men's bills. Conr. A commodity in question, I warrant you Come, we'll obey you. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. An Apartment in Leonato's House. 30 35 Bora. Not so neither: but know, that I have to-night wooed Margaret, the lady Hero's gentlewonan, by the name of Hero; she leans me out at her mistress's chamber-window, bids me a thousand times good-night-I tell this tale vilely: 40 -I should first tell thee, how the prince, Claudio, and my master, planted and placed, and possessed by my master DonJohn, saw afar off in the orehare this amiable encounter. Urs. I will, lady, Hero. And bid her come hither. Conr. And thought they, Margaret was Hero: 45 Bora. Two of them did, the prince and Claudio: but the devil my ma-ter knew she was Margaret; and partly by his oaths, which first possess'd them, partly by the dark night, which di i deceive them but chielly by my villainy, which did confirm any 50 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 o'er night, and send her 55 home again without a husband. 1 Watch. We charge you in the prince's name, stand. 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. 2 Watch. Call up the right master constable :We have here recovered the most dangerous piece 60 Marg. I like the new tire within excellently, if the hair were a thought browner; and your gown's a most rare fashion, faith. I saw the dutchess of Milan's gown, that they praise so. Hero. O! that exceeds, they say. Marg. By my troth, it's but a night-gown in respect of your's: Cloth of gold, and cuts, and lac'd with silver; set with pearls, down sleeves, side sleeves, and skirts round, underborne with a blueish tinsel: but for a fine, quaint, graceful, and excellent fashion, your's is worth ten on't. is Hero. God give me joy to wear it, for my heart exceeding heavy! Murg. Twill, be heavier soon, by the weight of a man. Hero. Fie upon thee! art not asham'd? 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 peaking, 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. That is, unpractised in the ways of the world. i. e. painting discoloured by smoke. 3 Smirch'd is soil'd, obscured. Rabato, from the French rabat, signifies a neckband; a ruff. 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 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 look he shall lack no barns'. Marg. O illegitimate construction! I scorn that 10 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? 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! Hero. These gloves the count sent me, they are an excellent perfume. SCENE V. Another Apartment in Leonato's House. Enter Leonato, with Dogberry and Verges. Leon. What would you with me, honest neigh 5bour? 15 Dogb. Marry, sir, I would have some confi- Dogb. Marry, this it is, sir. Leon. What is it, my good friends? Dogb. Goodman Verges, sir, speaks a little of 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 20than I. Beat. I am stuff'd, cousin, I cannot smell. Marg. A maid, and stuff'd! there's goodly 25 catching of cold. Beat. O, God help me! God help me! how long have you profess'd apprehension? 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. Murg. Get you some of this distili'd 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 moral' in this Benedictus. 30 35 Marg. Moral? no, by my troth, I have no mo- 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. Hero. Help to dress me, good coz, good Meg, good Ursula. 55 Dogb. Comparisons are odorous: palabras", neighbour Verges. Leon. Neighbours, you are tedious. 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 tind in my heart to bestow it all of your worship. Leon. All thy tediousness on me! ha! Dogb. Yea, an '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, cxceptng your worship's presence, hath 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 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 worshipp'd: 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 have, indeed, comprehended two aspicious persons, and 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 may ap pear unto you. Dogb. It shall be suffigance. Leon. Drink some wine ere you go: fare you [Excuni.50well. An old dance tune so call'd. A quibble between barns and bairns. i. e. some secret meaning. Enter Friar. If either of you know any inward impediment why you should not be conjoined, charge you, on your souls, to utter it. Claud. Know you any, Hero? Friar. Know you any, count? 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! To witness simple virtue? Would not you swear, 25 30 Leon. What do you mean, my lord? Claud. Not to be marry'd, not knit my soul To an approved wanton. 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 known her, say; if I have You'll say, she did embrace me as a husband, 135I never tempted her with word too large; 40 Bene. How now! Interjections? Why, then some be of laughing, as, ha! ha! he! [leave; 45 Claud. Stand thee by, friar:-Father, by your Will you with free and unconstrained soul Give me this maid, your daughter? Leon. As freely, son, as God did give her me. Claud. And what have I to give you back, 50 whose worth May counterpoise this rich and precious gift? Pedro. Nothing, unless you render her again. Claud. Sweet prince, you learn me noble thank fulness. There, Leonato, take her back again; 155 50 Hero. And seem'd I ever otherwise to you? Claud. Out on thy seeming! I will write against it: You seem to me as Dian in her orb; I stand dishonour'd, that have gone about Claud. Leonato, stand I here? [true. 1 i. e. A lascivious bed. i. e. your own experiment or trial of her. i. e. Natural power. Leon. Leon. I charge thee do so, as thou art my child. Claud. Marry, that can Hero; John. Fie, fie! they are Not to be nam'd, my lord, not to be spoke of; Why ever wast thou lovely in my eyes? 10 20 Hath drops too few to wash her clean again; Isene. Sir, sir, be patient: For my part, I am so attir d in wonder, Bear, O, on my soul, my cousin is bely'd! For I have only been silent so long, And given way unto this course of fortune, Claud. O Hero! what a Hero hadst thou been, [me: John. Come, let us go: these things come thus Smother her spirits up. [to light, [Exeunt Don Pedro, Don John, and Claudio. 40 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! 45 Death is the fairest cover for her shame, That may be wish'd for. Beat. How now, cousin Hero! Leon. Dost thou look up? Friar. Yea; Wherefore should she not? [thing 50 To start into her face; a thousand innocent shames Leon. Friar, it cannot be: Thou seest, that all the grace that she hath left, Friar. Lady, what man is he you are accus'd of? princes. Meaning, the 1 Liberal here signifies, frank, free, open. 2 Meaning, the story which is too plainly discovered by her blushing. Frame here signifies, scheme, order, or disposition of things. highest degree. The The practice of it lives in John the bastard, [her, Leon. I know not; If they speak but truth of Nor fortune made such havock of my means, And let my counsel sway you in this case, [this do? Leon. What shall become of this? What will Friar. Marry, this well carry'd, shall on her behalt Change slander to remorse; that is some good: [mourn, 5 10 15 Yet, by mine honour, I will deal in this Leon. Being that I flow in grief, Friar. 'Tis well consented; presently away: For to strange sores strangely they strain the cure. and endure. Come, lady, die to live: this wedding-day, Beat. You have no reason, I do it freely. Bene. Surely, I do believe your fair cousin is wrong'd. Beat. Ah, how much might the man deserve 20 of me, that would right her! 25 Bene. Is there any way to shew such friendship? Beat. It is a man's office, but not yours. 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 30 not; I confess nothing, nor I deny nothing:-I am sorry for my cousin. Bene. By my sword, Beatrice, thou lov'st me. Bene. I will swear by it, that you love me; and 35I will make him eat it, that says, I love not you. Beat. Will you not eat your word? 40 Bene. With no sauce that can be devis'd 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 was about to protest, I lov'd you. Bene. And do it with all thy heart. Beat. I love you with so much of my heart, Than when she liv'd indeed:-Then shall he 45 that none is left to protest. (If ever love had interest in his liver) No, though he thought his accusation true. Will fashion the event in better shape you: 1 Ostentation here signifies show or appearance, rack-rents. 50 55 Bene. Come, bid me do any thing for thee. Beat. Kill Claudio. Bene. Ha! not for the wide world. Beat. You kill me to deny it: Farewell. Beat. I am gone, though I am here;-There is no love in you:-nay, I pray you, let me go. Bene. Beatrice, 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 approved in the height a vil60 lain, that hath slander'd, scorn'd, dishonour'd my kinswoman?-O, that I were a man!-What, 2 That is, raise it to its utmost value, alluding to bear |