But mine, and mine I lov'd, and mine I prais'd, Hath drops too few to wash her clean again; Bene. Sir, sir, be patient: For my part, am so attir'd in wonder, I know not what to say. Beat. O, on my soul, my cousin is belied! Bene. Lady, were you her bedfellow last night? Beat. No, truly, not: although, until last night, I have this twelvemonth been her bedfellow. 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. A sin of perjury; she not denies it: Why seek'st thou then to cover with excuse Friar. Lady, what man is he you are accused of? Hero. They know that do accuse me; I know none: If I know more of any man alive, Than that which maiden modesty doth warrant, Maintain'd the change of words with any creature, Friar. There is some strange misprision1 in the princes. Bene. Two of them have the very bent of honour; And if their wisdoms be misled in this, The practice of it lives in John the bastard, Leon. I know not; if they speak but truth of her, These hands shall tear her; if they wrong her honour, The proudest of them shall well hear of it. Nor fortune made such havoc of my means, Friar. And publish it, that she is dead indeed: Maintain a mourning ostentation; (1) Misconception. Hang mournful epitaphs, and do all rites Leon. What shall become of this? What will this do? Friar. Marry, this, well carried, shall on her behalf Change slander to remorse; that is some good: That what we have we prize not to the worth, And every lovely organ of her life Shall come apparell'd in more precious habit, More moving-delicate, and full of life, Into the eye and prospect of his soul, Than when she liv'd indeed :-then shall he mourn No, though he thought his accusation true. (1) While. (2) Over-rate. (3) By. Out of all eyes, tongues, minds, and injuries. Leon. Being that I flow in grief, The smallest twine may lead me. Friar. 'Tis well consented; presently away; For to strange sores strangely they strain the cure. Come lady, die to live: this wedding day, Perhaps, is but prolong'd; have patience, and endure. [Exe. Friar, Hero, and Leon. Bene. Lady Beatrice, have you wept all this while? Beat. Yea, and I will weep a while longer. Beat. You have no reason, I do it freely. Beat. Ah, how much might the man deserve of me, that would right her! Bene. Is there any way to show such friendship? Beat. It is a man's office, but not yours. Bene. I do love nothing in the world so well as you; is not that strange? 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. Bene. I will swear by it, that you love me; and (1) Intimacy. I will make him eat it, that says, I love not 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; was about to protest I loved you. Bene. And do it with all thy heart. Beat. I love you with so much of my heart, that none is left to protest. 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 approv'd in the height a villain, that hath slandered, scorned, dishonoured my kinswoman?---O, that I were a man!-What! bear her in hand1 until they come to take hands; and then with public accusation, uncovered slander, unmitigated rancour,-O 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 ?-a proper saying! Bene. Nay but, Beatrice ; Beat. Sweet Hero!-she is wronged, she is slandered, she is undone. Bene Beat (1) Delude her with hopes. |