Page images
PDF
EPUB

the heavens; he shows me where the bachelors sit, Urs. I know you by the waggling of your head. and there live we as merry as the day is long. Ant. To tell you true, I counterfeit him.

Ant. Wel), niece, [To Hero] I trust you will Urs. You could never do him so ill-well, unless be ruled by your father.

you were the very man: Here's his dry band up Beat. Yes, faith; it is my cousin's duty to make and down; you are he, you are be. courtesy, and say, Father as it please you :--but yet Ant. At a word, I am not. for all that. cousin, let him be a handsome fellow, Urs. Come, come ; do you think I do not know or else make another courtesy, and say, Father, as you by your excellent wit? Can virtue bide itself ? it please me.

Go to, mum, you are he: graces will appear, and Leon. Well, niece, I hope to see you one day there's an end. fitted with a husband.

Beat. Will you not tell me who told you so ? Beat. Not till God make men of some other Bene. No, you shall pardon me. metal than earth. Would it not grieve a woman to Beat. Nor will you not tell me who you are? be overmastered with a piece of valiant dust ? to Bene. Not now. make an account of her life to a clod of wayward Beat. That I was disdainful,-—and that I had my marl! No, uncle, I'll none : Adam's sons are my good wit out of the Hundred merry Tales ; -Welí, brethren; and truly, I hold it a sin to match in my ibis was Signior Benedick that said so. kindred.

Bene. What's he? Leon. Daughter, remember, what I told you : if Beat. I am sure, you know him well enough. the prince do solicit you in that kind, you know Bene. Not I, believe me. your answer.

Beat. Did he never make you laugh? Beat. The fault will be in the music, cousin, if Bene. I pray you, what is he? you be not woo'd in good time: if the prince be Beat. Why, be is the prince's jester : a very dull too importunate, tell him, there is measure in every fool ; only his gift is in devising impossible slanders thing, and so dance nut the answer. For hear me, none but libertines delight in him; a.d th: comHero; Wooing, wedding, and repenting, is as a mendation is not in his wit, but in his villany; for Scotch jig, a measure, and a cinque-pace : the first he both please!h men, and angers them, and then suit is hot and basty, like a Scotch jig, and full as they laugh at hini, and beat him : I am sure be is fantastical ; the wedding, mannerly modest, as a in the fleet; I would he bad boarded me. measure full of state and ancientry; and then comes Bene. When I know the gentleman, I'll tell him repentance, and, with his bad legs, falls into the what you say. cinque-pace faster and faster, till he sink into his Beat. Do, do: he'll but break a comparison or grave.

two on me; which, peradventure, not marked, or Leon. Cousin, you apprehend passing shrewdly. not laughed at, strikes him into melanch ly; and

Beat. I have a good eye, uncle ; I can see a then there's a partridge' wing saved, for the fool church by day-light.

will eat no supper that night. (Music within.] We Leon. The revellers are entering : brother, make must follow the leaders. good room.

Bene. In cvery good thing. Enter Don Pedro, Claudio, Benedick, Baltha them at the next turning.

Beat. Nay, if they lead to any ill, I will leave ZAR; Don John, BORACHIO, MARGARET, UR

[Dance. Then ereunt all but Don Joux, SULA, and others, masked.

BORACHIO, and CLAUDIO. D. Pedro. Lady, will you walk about with your D. John. Sure, my brother is amorous on Hero, friend?

and hath withdrawn her father to break with him Hero. So you walk softly, and look sweetly, and about it: The ladies follow her, and but one visor say nothing, I am yours for the walk; and, espe- remains. cially, when I walk away.

Bora. And that is Claudio : I know him by his D. Pedro. With me in your company?

bearing. Hero. I may say so, when I please.

D. John. Are not you Signior Benedick? D. Pedro. And when please you to say so? Claud. You know me well; I am he.

Herc. When I like your favour; for God defend, D. John. Signior, you are very near my brother the lute should be like the case !

in his love : he is enamour'd on Hero ; I pray you, D. Pedro. My visor is Philemon's roof; within dissuade him from her, she is no equal for bis birth the house is Jove.

you may do the part of an hones! man in it. Hero. Why, then your visor should be thatcb'd. Claud. How know you be loves her? D. Pedro. Speak low, if you speak love.

D. John. I heard him swear his affection.

[Takes her aside. Bora. So did I too; and he swore he would marry Bene. Well, I would you did like me.

her to-night. Marg. So would not I, for your own sake, for I D. John. Come, let us to the banquet. have many ill qualities.

[Ereunt Don John and BoracDIC. Bene. Wbich is one ?

Claud. Thus answer 1 in name of Benedick, Narg. I say my prayers aloud.

But hear these ill news with the ears of Claudio Bene. I love you the better ; the hearers may cry, 'Tis certain so :--the prince wooes for himself. Amen.

Friendship is constant in all other things, Marg. God match me with a good dancer! Save in the office and affairs of love : Balth. Amen.

Therefore, all hearts in love use their cwn tongies; Marg. And God keep him out of my sight, when Let every eye pegotiate for itself, the dance is done!-Answer, clerk.

And trust no agent: for beauty is a witch, Balth. No more words; the clerk is answered. Against whose charms faith melteth into blood

Urs. I know you well enough ; you are Signior This is an accident of hourly proof, Antonio.

Which I mistrusted not: Farewell, t.exfore, dut. At a word. I am not.

Herɔ!

as her terminations, there were no living near ner Re-enter BENEDICK.

she would infect, to the north star. I would not Bere. Count Claudio ?

marry her, th' ugh she were endowed with all that Claud. Yoa, the same.

Adam bad left him before be transgressed : she Bene. Come, will you go with me ?

would have made Hercules have turned spit; yea Claud. Whither ?

and have cleft his club to make the fire too. Come, Bene. Even to the next willow, about your own talk not of her : you shall find her the infernal Até business, count? What fashion will you wear the in good apparel. I would to God, some scholar garland of ? About your neck, like an usurer'schain? would conjure ber; for, certainly, while she is or under your arm, like a lieutenant's scarf? You here, a man may live as quiet in hell, as in a sancmust wear it one way, for the prince hath got your tuary, and people sin upon purpose, because they Hero.

would

go thither; so, indeed, all disquiet, borror, Claud. I wish him joy of her.

and perturbation follow ber. Bene. Wby, that's spoken like an honest drover; Re-enter Claudio, Beatrice, Leonato, and Hero. so they sell bullocks. But did you think the prince would have served you ihus ?

D. Pedro. Look, here she comes. Claud. I pray you, leave me. Bene. Ho! now you strike like the blind nian ; to the world's end ? I will go on the slightest errand

Bene. Will your grace command me any service 'twas the boy that stole your meat, and you'll beat now to the Antipodes, that you can devise to send the post. Cland. If it will not be, I'll leave you.

me on; I will fetch you a toothpicker now from the

(Exit. farthest inch of asia; bring you the length of Bene. Alas! poor burt fowl! Now will he creep Prester Jolin's foot ; fetch you a bair off the great into sedges. But, that my Lady Beatrice should Cham's beard ; do you any embassage to the Pig. know me, and not kuow me! The prince's fool! Ha, it may be, I go under that title, because I am this barpy: You have no employmeut for me?

mies, rather than lold three words'conference with merry.-Yea; but so; I am apt to do myself wrong :

D. Pedro. None, but to desire your good comI am not so reputed : it is the base, the bitter dis

pany. position of Beatrice, that puts the world into her

Bene. O God, sir, here's a disb I love not; I person, and so gives ne out. Well, I'll be re

cannot endure my Lady Tongue.

(Erit. venged as I may.

D. Pedro. Come, lady, come ; you have lost tha

beart of Signior Benedick. Re-enter Don PEDRO.

Beat. Indeed, my lord, he lent it me a while; and D. Pedro. Now, signior, where's the count; Did I gave him use for it, a double heart for his single you see him?

one: marry, once before, he won it of me with false Bene. Trotb, my lord, I bave played the part of dice, therefore your grace may well say, I have Lady Fame. I found him here as melancholy as a

lost it. lodge in a warren; I told him, and, I think, I told D. Pedro. You have put him down, lady, you lim true, that your grace bad got the good will of have put him down. this you g lady; and I offered him my company to

Beat. So I would not be should do me, my lord, a willow tree, either to make him a garland, as being lest I should prove the mother of fools. I have forsaken, or to bind bim up a rod, as being worthy brought Count Claudio, whom you sent me to seek. to be wbipped.

D. Pedro. Why, how now, count? wherefore are D. Pedro. To be whipped! What's bis fault? Bene. The lat transgression of a school-boy ; Claud. Not sad, my lord. wbo, being overjoy'd with finding a bird's nest, D. Pedro. How then? Sick? shows it his companion, and be steals it.

Claud. Neither, my lord. D. Pedro. Wilt thou make a trust a transgression? Beat. The count is neither sad, nor sick, nor The transgression is in the stealer.

merry, n'r well : but civil, count; civil as an Bene. Yet it bad not bren amiss, the rod bad orange, and something of that jealous complexion. been made, and the garland 100 ; for the garland D. Pedro. l'faith, lady, I think your blazon to be he might bave worn bimself; and the rod he might true; though, I'll be sworn, if he be so, his conhave bestow'd on you, who, as I take it, havestol'n ceit is false. Here, Claudio, I have wooed in thy bis bird's nest.

name, and fair Hero is won : I have broke with her D. Pedro. I will but teach them to sing, and re- father, and his good will obtained : name the day store them to the owner.

of marriage, and God give thee joy! Bene. If their singing answer your saying, by my Leon. Count, take of me my daughter, and with fath, you say honestly.

ber my fortunes ; his grace hath made the match, D. Pedro. The Lady Beatrice bath a quarrel to and all grace say Amen to it ! you; the gentleman, that danced with her, told Beat. Speak, count, 'tis your cue. her, she is mucb wrong'd by you.

Claud. Silence is the perfectest herald of joy: I Bene. O, she misuse i me past the endurance of were but little happy, if I could say how much.-a block; an oak, but with one green leaf on it, Lady, as you are mine, I am yours: I give away would have answer'd her; my very visor began to myself for you, and dote upon the exchange. assume life, and scold with her : She told me, not Beat. Speak, cousin; or, if you cannot, stop his thinking I bad been myself, that I was the prioce's mouth with a kiss, and let him not speak, neither. jester ; that I was duller than a great thaw; huddling D. Pedro. In faith, lady, you have a merry beort. jest upon jest, with such impossible conveyance, Beat. Yea, my lord; I thank it, poor fool, it upon me, that I stood like a man at a mark, with a keeps on the windy side of care :-My cousin tells whole army shooting at me : She speaks poniards, him in his ear, that he is in her heart. and every word stabs : if her breath were as terrible Claud And so she doth, cousin.

you sad ?

Beat. Good lord, for alliance !--Tbus goes eve:y one to the world but I, and I am sun-burned ; 1 SCENE II.-Another Room in Leonato's House. may sit in a corner, and cry, heigh-bo! for a hus.

Enter Don John and BORACHIO. band. D. Pedro. Lady Beatrice, I will get you one.

D. John. It is so; the Count Claudio sball marry Beat. I would rather have one of your father's the daughter of Leonato. getting : Hath your grace ne'er a brother like you ? Bora. Yea, my lord, but I can cross it. Your father got excellent busbands, if a maid could D. John. Any bar, any cross, any impediment come by them.

will be inedicinable to me: I am sick in displeasure D. Pedro. Will you have me, lady?

to him; and whatsoever comes athwart bis affecBeat. No, my lord, unless I might have another tion, ranges evenly with mine. How canst thou for working-days; your grace is too costly to wear cross this marriage ? every day : But, I beseech your grace, pardon me; Bora. Not honestly, my lord; but so covertly I was born to speak all mirth, and no matter. ibat no dishonesty shall appear in me.

D. Pedro. Your silence most offends me, and to D. John. Show me briefly how. be merry best becomes you; for, out of question, Bora. I think, I told your lordship, a year since, you were boru in a merry hour.

how much I am in the favour of Margaret, the Beat. No, sure, my lord, my mother cry'd ; but waiting-gentlewoman to Hero. then there was a star danced, and under that was I D. John. I remember. born.Cousins, God give you joy!

Bora. I can, at any unseasonable instant of the Leon. Niece, will you look to those things I told night, appoint her to look out at her lady's chamyou of ?

ber-window. Beat. I cry you mercy, uncle.-By your grace's D. John. What life is in that, to be the death of pardon.

[Exit BEATRICE. this marriage ? D. Pedro. By my troth, a pleasant-spirited lady. Bora. The poison of that lies in you to temper.

Leon. There's little of the melancholy element Go you to the prince your brother; spare not to in her, my lord: she is never sad, but when she tell him, that be hath wronged his bonour in marsleeps; and not ever sad then ; for I have heard my rying the renowned Claudio (whose estimation do daughter say, she bath often dreamed of unhappi- you mightily hold up) to a coutaminated stale, such ness, and waked herself with laughing.

a one as Hero. D. Pedro. She cannot endure to hear tell of a D. John. What proof shall I make of that? husband.

Bora. Proof enough to misuse the prirce, to v6x Leon. O, by no means; she mocks all her wooers Claudio, to undo Hero, aud kill Leonato : Look you out of suit.

for any other issue ? D. Pedro. She were an excellent wife for Bene- D. John. Only to despite them, I will endeavour dick.

any thing. Leon. O lord, my lord, if th y were but a week Bora. Go their, find me a meet hour to draw Don married, they would talk themselves mad. Pedro and the Count Claudio, alone : tell them,

D. Pedro. Count Claudio, when mean you to go that you know that Hero loves me; intend a kind to church?

of zeal both to the prince and Claudio, as-in love Claud. To-morrow, my lord: Time goes on of your brother's honour who hath made this crutches, till love bave all his rites.

match ; and his friend's reputation, who is thus liko Leon. Not till Monday, my dear son, which is to be cozened with the semblance of a maid,--that herce a just seven-night; and a time too brief too, you have discovered thus. They will scarcely be. to have all things answer my mind.

lieve this without trial : offer them instances D. Pedro. Come, you shake the head at so long which shall bear no less likelihood, than to see mo a breathing; but I warrant thee, Claudio, the time at her chamber-window ; hear me call Margaret, shall not go dully by us ; I will, in tbe interim, Hero; hear Margaret term me Borachio ; and bring undertake one of Hercules labours; which is, to them to see this, the very night before the intended bring Signir Benedick and the Lady Beatrice into wedding : fur, in the mean time, I will so fashion a mountain of affection, the one with the other. I the matter, that Hero shall be absent ; and there would fain have it a match; and I doubt not but to shall appear such seeming truth of Hero's disfashion it, if you three will but minister such as- loyalty, thae jealousy shall be call’d assurance, and sistance ass shall give you direction.

all the preparation overthrown. Lem. Myl ord, I am for you, though it cost me D. John. Grow this to what adverse issue it can, ten nights' watcbings.

I will put it in practice : Be cunning in the work. Claud. And I, my lord.

ing this, and thy fee is a thousand ducats. D. Pedro. And you too, gentle Hero?

Bora. Be you constant in the accusation, and my Hero. I will do any modest office, my lord, to cunning sball not s'ame me. help my cousin to a good husband.

D. John. I will presently go learn their day of D. Pedro. And Benedick is not the unhopeful- marriage.

[Ereunt lest husband that I know : thus far can I praise him ; he is of a noble strain, of approved valour,

SCENE III.-Leonato's Garden. and confirmed honesty. I will teach you how to

Enter BenediCK and a Buz. humour your cousin, that she shall fall in love with Benodick :-and I, with your two helps, will so

Bene. Boy, practise on Benedick, that, in despite of his quick Boy. Signior. wit and his queasy stomach, he shall fall in love Bene. In my cbamber-window lies a book : bring with Beatrice. If we can do this, Cupid is no it bither to me in the orchard. longer an archer; his glory shall be ours, for we are Boy. I am here already, sir. the only love-gods. Go in with me, and I will tell Bene. I know that;—but I would have thee

[Exeunt. hence, and here again. (Esit Boy)-1 do much

you my drift.

wonder, that one man, seeing how much another

Then sigh not so, man is a fool when he dedicates his behaviours to

But let them go, love, will, after he hath laughed at such shallow

And be you blithc and bonny; f.llies in others, become the argument of bis own

Converting all your sounds of wai scorn, by falling in love: And such a man is

Into, Hey nonny, nonny. Claudio. I have known, when there was no music

II. with him but the drum and fife; and now had he rather hear the tabor and the pipe: I have known,

Sing no more ditties, sing no more when he would have walked ten mile afoot, to see a

Of dumps so dull and heavy; good armour; and now will he lie ten nights awake,

The fraud of men was ever so, carving the fashion of a new doublet. He was

Since summer first was leavy. wont to speak plain, and to the purpose, like an

Then sigh not so, &c. honest man and a soldier; and now is he turn'd D. Pedro. By my troth, a good song. orthographer; his words are a very fantastical ban. Balth. And an ill singer, my lord. quer, just so many strange dishes. May I be so Claud. Ha? no; no, faith; Thou singest well eonverted, and see with these eyes? I cannot tell; enough for a shift. I think not: I will not be sworn, but love may Bene. [ Aside.) An he had been a dog, that should transform me to an oyster; but I'll take my oath have howled thus, they would have hanged him : on it, till he bave made an oyster of me, he shall and, I pray God, his bad voice bode no mischief! I rerer make me such a fool. One woman is fair; had as lief have beard the night-raven, come what yet I am well : another is wise; yet I am well.plague could have come after it. another virtuous; yet I am well : but till all graces Ď. Pedro. Yea, marry; [To Claudio]-Dost be in one woman, one woman shall not come in my thou hear, Balthazar? I pray thee, get us some grace. Rich, she shall be, that's certain ; wise, excellent music; for to-morrow night we would or I'll none; virtuous, or I'll never cheaper her; have it at the Lady Hero's chamber-window. fair, or I'll never look on her; mild, or come Balth. The best I can, my lord. not near me : noble, or not I for an angel ; of good D. Pedro. Do so : farewell. [Eaeunt BALTHAZAR discourse, an excellent musician, and her hair shall and music.) Come hither, Leonato: What was it be of what colour it please God. Ha! the prince you told me of to-day? that your niece Beatrice and Monsieur Love! I will hide me in the arbour. was in love with Signior Benedick ?

[Withdraus. Claud. O, ay : --Stalk on, stalk on: the fowl Enter Don Pedro, Leonato, and CLAUDIO.

sits. [Aside to Pedro.) I did never think that lady

would bave loved any man. D. Pedro. Come, shall we hear this music ?

Leon, No, nor I neither; but most wonderful, Claud. Yea, my good lord ;-How still the even that she should so dote on Signior Benedick, whom ing is,

sbe hath in all outward behaviours seemed ever to As bush'd on purpose to grace harmony !

abhor. D. Pedro. See you where Benedick hath bid

Bene. Is't possible ? Sits the wind in that corner! bimself?

(Aside. Claud. O, very well, my lord : the music ended, Leon. By my troth, my lord, I cannot tell what we'll fit the kid fox with a pennyworth.

to think of it; but that she loves him with an en Enter BALTHAZAR, with music.

raged affection,--it is past the infinite of thought. D. Pedro. Come, Balthazar, we'll hear that song

D. Pedro. May be, she doth but counterfeit. again.

Claud. 'Faith, like enough. Balth. O good my lord, tax not so bad a voice

Leon. () God! counterfeit! There never was To slander music any more than once.

counterfeit of passion came so near the life of pas. D. Pedro. It is the witness still of excellency,

sion, as she discovers it. To put a strange face on his own perfection :

D. Pedro. Why, what effects of passion shows

she? I pray thee, sing, and let me woo no more. Balth. Because you talk of wooing, I will sing:

Claud. Bait the book well; this fish will bite. Since many a wooer doth commence bis suit

[ Aside To her be thioks not worthy; yet he wooes ;

Leon. What effects, my lord! She will sit you, Yet will be swear, h: loves.

You heard my daughter tell you how. D. Pedro.

Claud. She did, indeed.

Nay, pray thee, come: Or, if thou wilt bold longer argument,

D. Pedro. How, bow, I pray you? You amaze Do it in notes.

me : I would have thougbi her spirit had been inBalth. Note this before my notes,

vincible against all assaults of affection. There's not a note of mine that's worth the noting.

Leon. I would have sworn it had, my lord; esD. Pedro. Wby these are very crotchets that he pecially against Benedick. speaks;

Bene. [ Aside.] I should think this a gull, but Note, notes, forsooth, and noting ! [Music.

that that the white-bearded fellow speaks it : kna. Bene. Now, Divine air! now is his soul ravished ! very cannot, sure, bide itself in such reverence.

Claud. He hath ta'en the infection; hold it up. Is it not strange, that sheeps' guts should hale souls out of men's bodies ?--Well, a born for my

[Aside, modev, wben all's done.

D. Pedro. Hath she made her affection known to

Benedick.
BALTHAZAR sings.

Leon. No; and swears she never will : that's ner
I.

torment. Balth. Sigh no more, ladies, sigh no more ;

Claud. 'Tis true, indeed ; so your daughter says : Men were deceivers ever ;

Shall I, says she, that have so oft encountered him One foot in sea, and one on shore;

with scorn, write to him that I love him? To one thing constant nerer :

Leon. This says she now when she is beginning 10 write to hiin : for she'll be up twenty times a! Lem. Nay, that s impossible she may wear be night: and there will she sit in her smock, till she heart cut first. have writ a sheet of paper :--my daughter tells us

D. Pedro. Well, we'll hea further of it by your all.

daughter: let it cool the wbile. I love Benedick Claud. Now you talk of a sheet of paper, I re- well: and I could wish he would modestly examine member a pretty jest your daughter told us of. bimself to see how much he is unworthy so good a

Leon. 0'!- When she had writ it, and was read. lady. ing it over, she found Benedick and Beatrice be- Leon. My lord, will you walk ?

inner is ready tween the sheet?

Claud. If he do not doat on her upon this, I Claud. That.

will never trust my expectation.

[Aside. Leon. O! she tore the letter into a thousand D. Pedro. Let there be the same net spread for halfpence; railed at berself, that she should be so her : and that must your daugliter, and her gentle. immodest to write to one that she knew would flout woman carry. The sport will be, when they hold ber: I measurd him, says she, by my own spirit; one an opinion of another's dotage, and no such for I should fout him, if he writ to me; yea, though matter; that's the scene that I would see, which 'I love him, I should.

will be merely a dumb show. Let us send her to Claud. Then down upon her knees she falls, call him in to dinner.

[Aside. weeps, sobs, beats her heart, tears her hair, prays, [Exeunt Don Pedro, CLAUDIU, and Leonato. curses ;-0 sweet Benedick ! God give me patience! Leon. She doth indeed ; my daughter says so:

Benedick advances from the arbour. and the ecstacy hath so much overborne her, that Bene. This can be no tick: The conference was my daughter is sometime afraid she will do a des- sadly borne. — They have the truth of this from perate outrage to lierself: It is very true.

Heró. They seem to pity the lady; it seems, her D. Pedro. It were good, that Benedick knew of affections have their full bent. Love me! why, it it by some other, if she will not discover it. must be required. I hear how I am censured :

Claud. To wbat end? He would but make a they say, I will bear myself proudly, if 1 perceive sport of it, and torment the poor lady worse. the love come from her; they say too, that she

D. Pedro. An he should, it were an alms to hang will rather die than give any sign of affection. I him : She's an excellent sweet lady; and, out of did never lhink to marry-I must not seem proud all suspicion, she is virtuous.

-Happy are they that bear their detractions, and Claud. And she is exceeding wise.

can put ihem to mending. They say, the lady is D. Pedro. In every thing, but in loving Bene- fair; 'tis a truth, I can bear them witness : and dick.

virtuous—'tis so, I cannot reprove it; and wise Leon. O my lord, wisdom and blood combating but for loving me :-By my troth, it is no addition in so tender a body, we have ten proofs to one, that to her wit;

;- nor no great argument of her folly, for blood hath the victory. I am sorry for her, as I l will be horribly in love with her.-I may chance have just cause, being her uncle and her guardian. have some odd quirks and remnants of wit broken

D. Pedro. I would she had bestowed this dotage on me, because I bave railed so long against maron mo; I would bave daff'd all other respects, and riage : But doth not the appetite alter? A man made her balf myself: I pray you, tell Benedick loves the meat in bis youth, that he cannot endure of it, and hear what he will say.

in his age : Shall quips, and sentences, and these Leon. Were it good, think you?

paper bullets of the brain, awe a man from the Claud. Hero thinks surely, she will die; for she carcer of his humour ? No: The world must be says, she will die if be love ber not; and she will peopled. When I said, I would die a bachelor, I die ere she makes her love known; and she will did not think I should live till I were married. die if be woo her, rather than she will 'bate one Here comes Beatrice: By this day, she's a fair breadth of her accustomed crossness.

lady : I do spy some marks of love in her. D. Pedro. She doth well, if she should make tender of her love, 'tis very possible he'll scorn it:

Enter BEATRICE. for the man, as you know alì, hath a contemptible Beat. Against my will, I am sent to bid you spirit.

come in to dinner. Claud. He is a very proper man.

Bene. Fair Beatrice, I thank you for your pains. D. Pedro. He bath, indeed, a good outward hap- Beat. I took no more pains for those thanks, piness.

than you take pains to thank me; if it had been Claud. 'Fore God, and in my mind, very wise. painful, I would not have come.

D. Pedro. He doth, indeed, show some sparks Bene. You take pleasure in the message ? that are like wit.

Beat. Yea, just so much as you may take upon a Leon. And I take him to be valiant.

knife's point, and choke a daw withal :- You have D. Pedro. As Hector, I assure you : and in the no stomach, signior ; fare you well. [ Erit. managing of quarrels you may say be is wise ; for Bene. Ha! Against my will I am sent to bid you cither be avoids them with great discretion, or un. come to dinner--there's a double meaning in that. dertakes them with a most Christian-like fear. I took no more pains for those thanks, than you took

Leon. If he do fear God, he must necessarily keep pains to thank me—that's as much as to say, Any peace; if he break the peace, he ought to enter pains that I take for you is as easy as thanks :-- If iato a quarrel with fear and trembling.

I do not take pity of her, I am a villain ; if I do not D. Pedro. And so will be do; for the man doth love her, I am a Jew I will go get her picture. fear God, howsoever it seems not in bim, by some

(Erit. large jests be will make. Well, I am sorry for your niece: Sball we go see Benedick, and tell him of her love?

Claud. Never tell him, my lord; let her wear it out with good counsel.

« PreviousContinue »