The Bodleian First Folio

A digital facsimile of the First Folio of Shakespeare's plays, Bodleian Arch. G c.7.



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Reference: I6r - Comedies, p. 107

Left Column


Much adoe about Nothing.

married, they would talke themselues madde.

Prince.

Counte Claudio, when meane you to goe to

[725]

Church ?

Clau.

To morrow my Lord, Time goes on crutches,

till Loue haue all his rites.

Leonata.

Not till monday, my deare sonne, which is

hence a iust seuen night, and a time too briefe too, to haue

[730]

all things answer minde.

Prince.

Come, you shake the head at so long a brea­

thing, but I warrant thee Claudio, the time shall not goe

dully by vs, I will in the interim, vndertake one of Her­ cules labors, which is, to bring Signior Benedicke and the

[735]

Lady Beatrice into a mountaine of affection, th'one with

th'other, I would faine haue it a match, and I doubt not

but to fashion it, if you three will but minister such assi­

stance as I shall giue you direction.

Leonata.

My Lord, I am for you, though it cost mee

[740]

ten nights watchings.

Claud.

And I my Lord.

Prin.

And you to gentle Hero?

Hero.

I will doe any modest office, my Lord, to helpe

my cosin to a good husband.

Prin.
[745]

And Benedick is not the vnhopefullest husband

that I know: thus farre can I praise him, hee is of a noble

straine, of approued valour, and confirm'd honesty, I will

teach you how to humour your cosin, that shee shall fall

in loue with Benedicke, and I, with your two helpes, will

[750]

so practise on Benedicke, that in despight of his quicke

wit, and his queasie stomacke, hee shall fall in loue with

Beatrice: if wee can doe this, Cupid is no longer an Ar­

cher, his glory shall be ours, for wee are the onely loue­

gods, goe in with me, and I will tell you my drift.

Exit.
[Act 2, Scene 2] Enter Iohn and Borachio. Ioh.
[755]

It is so, the Count Claudio shal marry the daugh­

ter of Leonato.

Bora.

Yea my Lord, but I can crosse it.

Iohn.

Any barre, any crosse, any impediment, will be

medicinable to me, I am sicke in displeasure to him, and

[760]

whatsoeuer comes athwart his affection, ranges euenly

with mine, how canst thou crosse this marriage?

Bor.

Not honestly my Lord, but so couertly, that no

dishonesty shall appeare in me.

Iohn.

Shew me breefely how.

Bor.
[765]

I thinke I told your Lordship a yeere since, how

much I am in the fauour of Margaret, the waiting gentle­

woman to Hero.

Iohn.

I remember.

Bor.

I can at any vnseasonable instant of the night,

[770]

appoint her to looke out at her Ladies chamber window.

Iohn.

What life is in that, to be the death of this mar­

riage?

Bor.

The poyson of that lies in you to temper, goe

you to the Prince your brother, spare not to tell him, that

[775]

hee hath wronged his Honor in marrying the renowned

Claudio, whose estimation do you mightily hold vp, to a

contaminated stale, such a one as Hero.

Iohn.

What proofe shall I make of that?

Bor.

Proofe enough, to misuse the Prince, to vexe

[780]

Claudio, to vndoe Hero, and kill Leonato, looke you for a­

ny other issue?

Iohn.

Onely to despight them, I will endeauour any

thing.

Bor.

Goe then, finde me a meete howre, to draw on

[785]

Pedro and the Count Claudio alone, tell them that you

know that Hero loues me, intend a kinde of zeale both

to the Prince and Claudio (as in a loue of your brothers

Right Column


honor who hath made this match) and his friends repu­

tation, who is thus like to be cosen'd with the semblance

[790]

of a maid, that you haue discouer'd thus: they will scarce­

ly beleeue this without triall: offer them instances which

shall beare no lesse likelihood, than to see mee at her

chamber window, heare me call Margaret, Hero; heare

Margaret terme me Claudio, and bring them to see this

[795]

the very night before the intended wedding, for in the

meane time, I will so fashion the matter, that Hero shall

be absent, and there shall appeare such seeming truths of

Heroes disloyaltie, that iealousie shall be cal'd assurance,

and all the preparation ouerthrowne.

Iohn.
[800]

Grow this to what aduerse issue it can, I will

put it in practise: be cunning in the working this, and

thy fee is a thousand ducats.

Bor.

Be thou constant in the accusation, and my cun­

ning shall not shame me.

Iohn.
[805]

I will presentlie goe learne their day of marri­

age.

Exit.
[Act 2, Scene 3] Enter Benedicke alone. Bene.

Boy.

Boy.

Signior.

Bene.

In my chamber window lies a booke, bring it

[810]

hither to me in the orchard.

Boy.

I am heere already sir.

Exit. Bene.

I know that, but I would haue thee hence, and

heere againe. I doe much wonder, that one man seeing

how much another man is a foole, when he dedicates his

[815]

behauiours to loue, will after hee hath laught at such

shallow follies in others, become the argument of his

owne scorne, by falling in loue, & such a man is Claudio,

I haue known when there was no musicke with him but

the drum and the fife, and now had hee rather heare the

[820]

taber and the pipe: I haue knowne when he would haue

walkt ten mile afoot, to see a good armor, and now will

he lie ten nights awake caruing the fashion of a new dub­

let: he was wont to speake plaine, & to the purpose (like

an honest man & a souldier) and now is he tur n'd ortho­

[825]

graphy, his words are a very fantasticall banquet, iust so

many strange dishes: may I be so conuerted, & see with

these eyes? I cannot tell, I thinke not: I will not bee

sworne, but loue may transforme me to an oyster, but Ile

take my oath on it, till he haue made an oyster of me, he

[830]

shall neuer make me such a foole: one woman is faire, yet

I am well: another is wise, yet I am well: another vertu­

ous, yet I am well: but till all graces be in one woman,

one woman shall not come in my grace: rich shee shall

be, that's certaine: wise, or Ile none: vertuous, or Ile ne­

[835]

uer cheapen her: faire, or Ile neuer looke on her: milde,

or come not neere me: Noble, or not for an Angell: of

good discourse: an excellent Musitian, and her haire shal

be of what colour it please God, hah ! the Prince and

Monsieur Loue, I will hide me in the Arbor.

Enter Prince, Leonato, Claudio, and Iacke Wilson. Prin.
[840]
Come, shall we heare this musicke?
Claud. Yea my good Lord: how still the euening is, As husht on purpose to grace harmonie. Prin. See you where Benedicke hath hid himselfe? Clau. O very well my Lord: the musicke ended,
[845]
Wee'll fit the kid‑foxe with a penny worth.
Prince. Come Balthasar, wee'll heare that song again. Balth. O good my Lord, taxe not so bad a voyce, To slander musicke any more then once. Prin. It is the witnesse still of excellency, To

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[Act 2, Scene 3] Enter Benedicke alone. Bene.

Boy.

Boy.

Signior.

Bene.

In my chamber window lies a booke, bring it

[810]

hither to me in the orchard.

Boy.

I am heere already sir.

Exit. Bene.

I know that, but I would haue thee hence, and

heere againe. I doe much wonder, that one man seeing

how much another man is a foole, when he dedicates his

[815]

behauiours to loue, will after hee hath laught at such

shallow follies in others, become the argument of his

owne scorne, by falling in loue, & such a man is Claudio,

I haue known when there was no musicke with him but

the drum and the fife, and now had hee rather heare the

[820]

taber and the pipe: I haue knowne when he would haue

walkt ten mile afoot, to see a good armor, and now will

he lie ten nights awake caruing the fashion of a new dub­

let: he was wont to speake plaine, & to the purpose (like

an honest man & a souldier) and now is he tur n'd ortho­

[825]

graphy, his words are a very fantasticall banquet, iust so

many strange dishes: may I be so conuerted, & see with

these eyes? I cannot tell, I thinke not: I will not bee

sworne, but loue may transforme me to an oyster, but Ile

take my oath on it, till he haue made an oyster of me, he

[830]

shall neuer make me such a foole: one woman is faire, yet

I am well: another is wise, yet I am well: another vertu­

ous, yet I am well: but till all graces be in one woman,

one woman shall not come in my grace: rich shee shall

be, that's certaine: wise, or Ile none: vertuous, or Ile ne­

[835]

uer cheapen her: faire, or Ile neuer looke on her: milde,

or come not neere me: Noble, or not for an Angell: of

good discourse: an excellent Musitian, and her haire shal

be of what colour it please God, hah ! the Prince and

Monsieur Loue, I will hide me in the Arbor.

Enter Prince, Leonato, Claudio, and Iacke Wilson. Prin.
[840]
Come, shall we heare this musicke?
Claud. Yea my good Lord: how still the euening is, As husht on purpose to grace harmonie. Prin. See you where Benedicke hath hid himselfe? Clau. O very well my Lord: the musicke ended,
[845]
Wee'll fit the kid‑foxe with a penny worth.
Prince. Come Balthasar, wee'll heare that song again. Balth. O good my Lord, taxe not so bad a voyce, To slander musicke any more then once. Prin. It is the witnesse still of excellency,
[850]
To slander Musicke any more then once.
Prince. It is the witnesse still of excellencie, To put a strange face on his owne perfection, I pray thee sing, and let me woe no more. Balth. Because you talke of wooing, I will sing,
[855]
Since many a wooer doth commence his suit, To her he thinkes not worthy, yet he wooes, Yet will he sweare he loues.
Prince. Nay pray thee come, Or if thou wilt hold longer argument,
[860]
Doe it in notes.
Balth. Note this before my notes, Theres not a note of mine that's worth the noting. Prince. Why these are very crotchets that he speaks, Note notes forsooth, and nothing. Bene.
[865]

Now diuine aire, now is his soule rauisht, is it

not strange that sheepes guts should hale soules out of

mens bodies? well, a horne for my money when all's

done.

The Song. Sigh no more Ladies, sigh no more,
[870]
Men were deceiuers euer, One foote in Sea, and one on shore, To one thing constant neuer, Then sigh not so, but let them goe, And be you blithe and bonnie,
[875]
Conuerting all your sounds of woe, Into hey nony nony. Sing no more ditties, sing no moe, Of dumps so dull and heauy, The fraud of men were euer so,
[880]
Since summer first was leauy, Then sigh not so, &c. Prince.

By my troth a good song.

Balth.

And an ill singer, my Lord.

Prince.

Ha, no, no faith, thou singst well enough for a

[885]

shift.

Ben.

And he had been a dog that should haue howld

thus, they would haue hang'd him, and I pray God his

bad voyce bode no mischiefe, I had as liefe haue heard

the night‑rauen, come what plague could haue come af­

[890]

ter it.

Prince.

Yea marry, dost thou heare Balthasar? I pray

thee get vs some excellent musick: for to morrow night

we would haue it at the Lady Heroes chamber window.

Balth.

The best I can, my Lord.

Exit Balthasar. Prince.
[895]

Do so, farewell. Come hither Leonato, what

was it you told me of to day, that your Niece Beatrice

was in loue with signior Benedicke?

Cla.

O I, stalke on, stalke on, the foule sits. I did ne­

uer thinke that Lady would haue loued any man.

Leon.
[900]

No, nor I neither, but most wonderful, that she

should so dote on Signior Benedicke, whom shee hath in

all outward behauiours seemed euer to abhorre.

Bene.

Is't possible? sits the winde in that corner?

Leo.

By my troth my Lord, I cannot tell what to

[905]

thinke of it, but that she loues him with an inraged affe­

ction, it is past the infinite of thought.

Prince.

May be she doth but counterfeit.

Claud.

Faith like enough.

Leon.

O God! counterfeit? there was neuer counter­

[910]

feit of passion, came so neere the life of passion as she dis­

couers it.

Prince.

Why what effects of passion shewes she?

Claud.

Baite the hooke well, this fish will bite.

Leon.

What effects my Lord? shee will sit you,

[915]

you heard my daughter tell you how.

Clau.

She did indeed.

Prince.

How, how I pray you? you amaze me, I would

haue thought her spirit had beene inuincible against all

assaults of affection.

Leo.
[920]

I would haue sworne it had, my Lord, especially

against Benedicke.

Bene.

I should thinke this a gull, but that the white‑

bearded fellow speakes it: knauery cannot sure hide

himselfe in such reuerence.

Claud.
[925]

He hath tane th'infection, hold it vp.

Prince.

Hath shee made her affection known to Bene­ dicke ?

Leonato.

No, and sweares she neuer will, that's her

torment.

Claud.
[930]

'Tis true indeed, so your daughter saies: shall

I, saies she, that haue so oft encountred him with scorne,

write to him that I loue him?

Leo.

This saies shee now when shee is beginning to

write to him, for shee'll be vp twenty times a night, and

[935]

there will she sit in her smocke, till she haue writ a sheet

of paper: my daughter tells vs all.

Clau.

Now you talke of a sheet of paper, I remember

a pretty iest your daughter told vs of.

Leon.

O when she had writ it, & was reading it ouer,

[940]

she found Benedicke and Beatrice betweene the sheete.

Clau.

That.

Leon.

O she tore the letter into a thousand halfpence,

raild at her self, that she should be so immodest to write,

to one that shee knew would flout her: I measure him,

[945]

saies she, by my owne spirit, for I should flout him if hee

writ to mee, yea though I loue him, I should.

Clau.

Then downe vpon her knees she falls, weepes,

sobs, beates her heart, teares her hayre, praies, curses, O

sweet Benedicke, God giue me patience.

Leon.
[950]

She doth indeed, my daughter saies so, and the

extasie hath so much ouerborne her, that my daughter is

somtime afeard she will doe a desperate out‑rage to her

selfe, it is very true.

Prince.

It were good that Benedicke knew of it by some

[955]

other, if she will not discouer it.

Clau.

To what end ? he would but make a sport of it,

and torment the poore Lady worse.

Prin.

And he should, it were an almes to hang him,

shee's an excellent sweet Lady, and (out of all suspition,)

[960]

she is virtuous.

Claudio.

And she is exceeding wise.

Prince.

In euery thing, but in louing Benedicke.

Leon.

O my Lord, wisedome and bloud combating in

so tender a body, we haue ten proofes to one, that bloud

[965]

hath the victory, I am sorry for her, as I haue iust cause,

being her Vncle, and her Guardian.

Prince.

I would shee had bestowed this dotage on

mee, I would haue daft all other respects, and made her

halfe my selfe: I pray you tell Benedicke of it, and heare

[970]

what he will say.

Leon.

Were it good thinke you?

Clau.

Hero thinkes surely she wil die, for she saies she

will die, if hee loue her not, and shee will die ere shee

make her loue knowne, and she will die if hee wooe her,

[975]

rather than shee will bate one breath of her accustomed

crossenesse.

Prince.

She doth well, if she should make tender of her

loue, 'tis very possible hee'l scorne it, for the man (as you

know all) hath a contemptible spirit.

Clau.
[980]

He is a very proper man.

Prin.

He hath indeed a good outward happines.

Clau.

'Fore God, and in my minde very wise.

Prin.

He doth indeed shew some sparkes that are like

wit.

Leon.
[985]

And I take him to be valiant.

Prin.

As Hector, I assure you, and in the managing of

quarrels you may see hee is wise, for either hee auoydes

them with great discretion, or vndertakes them with a

Christian‑like feare.

Leon.
[990]

If hee doe feare God, a must necessarilie keepe

peace, if hee breake the peace, hee ought to enter into a

quarrell with feare and trembling.

Prin.

And so will he doe, for the man doth fear God,

howsoeuer it seemes not in him, by some large ieasts hee

[995]

will make: well, I am sorry for your niece, shall we goe

see Benedicke, and tell him of her loue.

Claud.

Neuer tell him, my Lord, let her weare it out

with good counsell.

Leon.

Nay that's impossible, she may weare her heart

[1000]

out first.

Prin.

Well, we will heare further of it by your daugh­

ter, let it coole the while, I loue Benedicke well, and I

could wish he would modestly examine himselfe, to see

how much he is vnworthy to haue so good a Lady.

Leon.
[1005]

My Lord, will you walke? dinner is ready.

Clau.

If he do not doat on her vpon this, I wil neuer

trust my expectation.

Prin.

Let there be the same Net spread for her, and

that must your daughter and her gentlewoman carry:

[1010]

the sport will be, when they hold one an opinion of ano­

ther's dotage, and no such matter, that's the Scene that I

would see, which will be meerely a dumbe shew: let vs

send her to call him into dinner.

Exeunt. Bene.

This can be no tricke, the conference was sadly

[1015]

borne, they haue the truth of this from Hero, they seeme

to pittie the Lady: it seemes her affections haue the full

bent: loue me? why it must be requited: I heare how I

am censur'd, they say I will beare my selfe proudly, if I

perceiue the loue come from her: they say too, that she

[1020]

will rather die than giue any signe of affection: I did ne­

uer thinke to marry, I must not seeme proud, happy are

they that heare their detractions, and can put them to

mending: they say the Lady is faire, 'tis a truth, I can

beare them witnesse: and vertuous, tis so, I cannot re­

[1025]

prooue it, and wise, but for louing me, by my troth it is

no addition to her witte, nor no great argument of her

folly; for I wil be horribly in loue with her, I may chance

haue some odde quirkes and remnants of witte broken

on mee, because I haue rail'd so long against marriage:

[1030]

but doth not the appetite alter ? a man loues the meat in

his youth, that he cannot indure in his age. Shall quips

and sentences, and these paper bullets of the braine awe

a man from the careere of his humour? No, the world

must be peopled. When I said I would die a batcheler, I

[1035]

did not think I should liue till I were maried, here comes

Beatrice: by this day, shee's a faire Lady, I doe spie some

markes of loue in her.

Enter Beatrice. Beat.

Against my wil I am sent to bid you come in to

dinner.

Bene.
[1040]

Faire Beatrice, I thanke you for your paines.

Beat.

I tooke no more paines for those thankes, then

you take paines to thanke me, if it had been painefull, I

would not haue come.

Bene.

You take pleasure then in the message.

Beat.
[1045]

Yea iust so much as you may take vpon a kniues

point, and choake a daw withall: you haue no stomacke

signior, fare you well.

Exit. Bene.

Ha, against my will I am sent to bid you come

into dinner: there's a double meaning in that: I tooke

[1050]

no more paines for those thankes then you took paines

to thanke me, that's as much as to say, any paines that I

take for you is as easie as thankes: if I do not take pitty

of her I am a villaine, if I doe not loue her I am a Iew, I

will goe get her picture.

Exit.
 

Download the digital text of the play

                                
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<div type="scene" n="3">
   <head type="supplied">[Act 2, Scene 3]</head>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Benedicke alone.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bene.</speaker>
      <p n="807">Boy.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-boy">
      <speaker rend="italic">Boy.</speaker>
      <p n="808">Signior.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bene.</speaker>
      <p n="809">In my chamber window lies a booke, bring it
      <lb n="810"/>hither to me in the orchard.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-boy">
      <speaker rend="italic">Boy.</speaker>
      <p n="811">I am heere already sir.</p>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bene.</speaker>
      <p n="812">I know that, but I would haue thee hence, and
      <lb n="813"/>heere againe. I doe much wonder, that one man seeing
      <lb n="814"/>how much another man is a foole, when he dedicates his
      <lb n="815"/>behauiours to loue, will after hee hath laught at such
      <lb n="816"/>shallow follies in others, become the argument of his
      <lb n="817"/>owne scorne, by falling in loue, &amp; such a man is<hi rend="italic">Claudio</hi>,
      <lb n="818"/>I haue known when there was no musicke with him but
      <lb n="819"/>the drum and the fife, and now had hee rather heare the
      <lb n="820"/>taber and the pipe: I haue knowne when he would haue
      <lb n="821"/>walkt ten mile afoot, to see a good armor, and now will
      <lb n="822"/>he lie ten nights awake caruing the fashion of a new dub­
      <lb n="823"/>let: he was wont to speake plaine, &amp; to the purpose (like
      <lb n="824"/>an honest man &amp; a souldier) and now is he tur<c rend="inverted">n</c>'d ortho­
      <lb n="825"/>graphy, his words are a very fantasticall banquet, iust so
      <lb n="826"/>many strange dishes: may I be so conuerted, &amp; see with
      <lb n="827"/>these eyes? I cannot tell, I thinke not: I will not bee
      <lb n="828"/>sworne, but loue may transforme me to an oyster, but Ile
      <lb n="829"/>take my oath on it, till he haue made an oyster of me, he
      <lb n="830"/>shall neuer make me such a foole: one woman is faire, yet
      <lb n="831"/>I am well: another is wise, yet I am well: another vertu­
      <lb n="832"/>ous, yet I am well: but till all graces be in one woman,
      <lb n="833"/>one woman shall not come in my grace: rich shee shall
      <lb n="834"/>be, that's certaine: wise, or Ile none: vertuous, or Ile ne­
      <lb n="835"/>uer cheapen her: faire, or Ile neuer looke on her: milde,
      <lb n="836"/>or come not neere me: Noble, or not for an Angell: of
      <lb n="837"/>good discourse: an excellent Musitian, and her haire shal
      <lb n="838"/>be of what colour it please God, hah<c rend="italic">!</c>the Prince and
      <lb n="839"/>Monsieur Loue, I will hide me in the Arbor.</p>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Prince, Leonato, Claudio, and Iacke Wilson.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ped">
      <speaker rend="italic">Prin.</speaker>
      <l n="840">Come, shall we heare this musicke?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Claud.</speaker>
      <l n="841">Yea my good Lord: how still the euening is,</l>
      <l n="842">As husht on purpose to grace harmonie.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ped">
      <speaker rend="italic">Prin.</speaker>
      <l n="843">See you where<hi rend="italic">Benedicke</hi>hath hid himselfe?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Clau.</speaker>
      <l n="844">O very well my Lord: the musicke ended,</l>
      <l n="845">Wee'll fit the kid‑foxe with a penny worth.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ped">
      <speaker rend="italic">Prince.</speaker>
      <l n="846">Come<hi rend="italic">Balthasar</hi>, wee'll heare that song again.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bal">
      <speaker rend="italic">Balth.</speaker>
      <l n="847">O good my Lord, taxe not so bad a voyce,</l>
      <l n="848">To slander musicke any more then once.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ped">
      <speaker rend="italic">Prin.</speaker>
      <l n="849">It is the witnesse still of excellency,</l>
      <pb facs="FFimg:axc0128-0.jpg" n="108"/>
      <cb n="1"/>
      <l n="850">To slander Musicke any more then once.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ped">
      <speaker rend="italic">Prince.</speaker>
      <l n="851">It is the witnesse still of excellencie,</l>
      <l n="852">To put a strange face on his owne perfection,</l>
      <l n="853">I pray thee sing, and let me woe no more.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bal">
      <speaker rend="italic">Balth.</speaker>
      <l n="854">Because you talke of wooing, I will sing,</l>
      <l n="855">Since many a wooer doth commence his suit,</l>
      <l n="856">To her he thinkes not worthy, yet he wooes,</l>
      <l n="857">Yet will he sweare he loues.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ped">
      <speaker rend="italic">Prince.</speaker>
      <l n="858">Nay pray thee come,</l>
      <l n="859">Or if thou wilt hold longer argument,</l>
      <l n="860">Doe it in notes.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bal">
      <speaker rend="italic">Balth.</speaker>
      <l n="861">Note this before my notes,</l>
      <l n="862">Theres not a note of mine that's worth the noting.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ped">
      <speaker rend="italic">Prince.</speaker>
      <l n="863">Why these are very crotchets that he speaks,</l>
      <l n="864">Note notes forsooth, and nothing.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bene.</speaker>
      <p n="865">Now diuine aire, now is his soule rauisht, is it
      <lb n="866"/>not strange that sheepes guts should hale soules out of
      <lb n="867"/>mens bodies? well, a horne for my money when all's
      <lb n="868"/>done.</p>
   </sp>
   <stage type="business" rend="italic center">The Song.</stage>
   <l rend="italic" n="869">Sigh no more Ladies, sigh no more,</l>
   <l rend="italic" n="870">Men were deceiuers euer,</l>
   <l rend="italic" n="871">One foote in Sea, and one on shore,</l>
   <l rend="italic" n="872">To one thing constant neuer,</l>
   <l rend="italic" n="873">Then sigh not so, but let them goe,</l>
   <l rend="italic" n="874">And be you blithe and bonnie,</l>
   <l rend="italic" n="875">Conuerting all your sounds of woe,</l>
   <l rend="italic" n="876">Into hey nony nony.</l>
   <l rend="italic" n="877">Sing no more ditties, sing no moe,</l>
   <l rend="italic" n="878">Of dumps so dull and heauy,</l>
   <l rend="italic" n="879">The fraud of men were euer so,</l>
   <l rend="italic" n="880">Since summer first was leauy,</l>
   <l rend="italic" n="881">Then sigh not so, &amp;c.</l>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ped">
      <speaker rend="italic">Prince.</speaker>
      <p n="882">By my troth a good song.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bal">
      <speaker rend="italic">Balth.</speaker>
      <p n="883">And an ill singer, my Lord.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ped">
      <speaker rend="italic">Prince.</speaker>
      <p n="884">Ha, no, no faith, thou singst well enough for a
      <lb n="885"/>shift.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ben.</speaker>
      <p n="886">And he had been a dog that should haue howld
      <lb n="887"/>thus, they would haue hang'd him, and I pray God his
      <lb n="888"/>bad voyce bode no mischiefe, I had as liefe haue heard
      <lb n="889"/>the night‑rauen, come what plague could haue come af­
      <lb n="890"/>ter it.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ped">
      <speaker rend="italic">Prince.</speaker>
      <p n="891">Yea marry, dost thou heare<hi rend="italic">Balthasar</hi>? I pray
      <lb n="892"/>thee get vs some excellent musick: for to morrow night
      <lb n="893"/>we would haue it at the Lady<hi rend="italic">Heroes</hi>chamber window.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bal">
      <speaker rend="italic">Balth.</speaker>
      <p n="894">The best I can, my Lord.</p>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit Balthasar.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ped">
      <speaker rend="italic">Prince.</speaker>
      <p n="895">Do so, farewell. Come hither<hi rend="italic">Leonato</hi>, what
      <lb n="896"/>was it you told me of to day, that your Niece<hi rend="italic">Beatrice</hi>
         
      <lb n="897"/>was in loue with signior<hi rend="italic">Benedicke</hi>?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Cla.</speaker>
      <p n="898">O I, stalke on, stalke on, the foule sits. I did ne­
      <lb n="899"/>uer thinke that Lady would haue loued any man.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leon.</speaker>
      <p n="900">No, nor I neither, but most wonderful, that she
      <lb n="901"/>should so dote on Signior<hi rend="italic">Benedicke</hi>, whom shee hath in
      <lb n="902"/>all outward behauiours seemed euer to abhorre.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bene.</speaker>
      <p n="903">Is't possible? sits the winde in that corner?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leo.</speaker>
      <p n="904">By my troth my Lord, I cannot tell what to
      <lb n="905"/>thinke of it, but that she loues him with an inraged affe­
      <lb n="906"/>ction, it is past the infinite of thought.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ped">
      <speaker rend="italic">Prince.</speaker>
      <p n="907">May be she doth but counterfeit.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Claud.</speaker>
      <p n="908">Faith like enough.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leon.</speaker>
      <p n="909">O God! counterfeit? there was neuer counter­
      <lb n="910"/>feit of passion, came so neere the life of passion as she dis­
      <lb n="911"/>couers it.</p>
   </sp>
   <cb n="2"/>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ped">
      <speaker rend="italic">Prince.</speaker>
      <p n="912">Why what effects of passion shewes she?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Claud.</speaker>
      <p n="913">Baite the hooke well, this fish will bite.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leon.</speaker>
      <p n="914">What effects my Lord? shee will sit you,
      <lb n="915"/>you heard my daughter tell you how.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Clau.</speaker>
      <p n="916">She did indeed.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ped">
      <speaker rend="italic">Prince.</speaker>
      <p n="917">How, how I pray you? you amaze me, I would
      <lb n="918"/>haue thought her spirit had beene inuincible against all
      <lb n="919"/>assaults of affection.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leo.</speaker>
      <p n="920">I would haue sworne it had, my Lord, especially
      <lb n="921"/>against<hi rend="italic">Benedicke</hi>.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bene.</speaker>
      <p n="922">I should thinke this a gull, but that the white‑
      <lb n="923"/>bearded fellow speakes it: knauery cannot sure hide
      <lb n="924"/>himselfe in such reuerence.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Claud.</speaker>
      <p n="925">He hath tane th'infection, hold it vp.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ped">
      <speaker rend="italic">Prince.</speaker>
      <p n="926">Hath shee made her affection known to<hi rend="italic">Bene­
      <lb n="927"/>dicke</hi>?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leonato.</speaker>
      <p n="928">No, and sweares she neuer will, that's her
      <lb n="929"/>torment.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Claud.</speaker>
      <p n="930">'Tis true indeed, so your daughter saies: shall
      <lb n="931"/>I, saies she, that haue so oft encountred him with scorne,
      <lb n="932"/>write to him that I loue him?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leo.</speaker>
      <p n="933">This saies shee now when shee is beginning to
      <lb n="934"/>write to him, for shee'll be vp twenty times a night, and
      <lb n="935"/>there will she sit in her smocke, till she haue writ a sheet
      <lb n="936"/>of paper: my daughter tells vs all.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Clau.</speaker>
      <p n="937">Now you talke of a sheet of paper, I remember
      <lb n="938"/>a pretty iest your daughter told vs of.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leon.</speaker>
      <p n="939">O when she had writ it, &amp; was reading it ouer,
      <lb n="940"/>she found<hi rend="italic">Benedicke</hi>and<hi rend="italic">Beatrice</hi>betweene the sheete.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Clau.</speaker>
      <p n="941">That.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leon.</speaker>
      <p n="942">O she tore the letter into a thousand halfpence,
      <lb n="943"/>raild at her self, that she should be so immodest to write,
      <lb n="944"/>to one that shee knew would flout her: I measure him,
      <lb n="945"/>saies she, by my owne spirit, for I should flout him if hee
      <lb n="946"/>writ to mee, yea though I loue him, I should.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Clau.</speaker>
      <p n="947">Then downe vpon her knees she falls, weepes,
      <lb n="948"/>sobs, beates her heart, teares her hayre, praies, curses, O
      <lb n="949"/>sweet<hi rend="italic">Benedicke</hi>, God giue me patience.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leon.</speaker>
      <p n="950">She doth indeed, my daughter saies so, and the
      <lb n="951"/>extasie hath so much ouerborne her, that my daughter is
      <lb n="952"/>somtime afeard she will doe a desperate out‑rage to her
      <lb n="953"/>selfe, it is very true.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ped">
      <speaker rend="italic">Prince.</speaker>
      <p n="954">It were good that<hi rend="italic">Benedicke</hi>knew of it by some
      <lb n="955"/>other, if she will not discouer it.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Clau.</speaker>
      <p n="956">To what end<c rend="italic">?</c>he would but make a sport of it,
      <lb n="957"/>and torment the poore Lady worse.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ped">
      <speaker rend="italic">Prin.</speaker>
      <p n="958">And he should, it were an almes to hang him,
      <lb n="959"/>shee's an excellent sweet Lady, and (out of all suspition,)
      <lb n="960"/>she is virtuous.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Claudio.</speaker>
      <p n="961">And she is exceeding wise.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ped">
      <speaker rend="italic">Prince.</speaker>
      <p n="962">In euery thing, but in louing<hi rend="italic">Benedicke</hi>.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leon.</speaker>
      <p n="963">O my Lord, wisedome and bloud combating in
      <lb n="964"/>so tender a body, we haue ten proofes to one, that bloud
      <lb n="965"/>hath the victory, I am sorry for her, as I haue iust cause,
      <lb n="966"/>being her Vncle, and her Guardian.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ped">
      <speaker rend="italic">Prince.</speaker>
      <p n="967">I would shee had bestowed this dotage on
      <lb n="968"/>mee, I would haue daft all other respects, and made her
      <lb n="969"/>halfe my selfe: I pray you tell<hi rend="italic">Benedicke</hi>of it, and heare
      <lb n="970"/>what he will say.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leon.</speaker>
      <p n="971">Were it good thinke you?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Clau.</speaker>
      <p n="972">
         <hi rend="italic">Hero</hi>thinkes surely she wil die, for she saies she
      <lb n="973"/>will die, if hee loue her not, and shee will die ere shee
      <lb n="974"/>make her loue knowne, and she will die if hee wooe her,
      <lb n="975"/>rather than shee will bate one breath of her accustomed
      <lb n="976"/>crossenesse.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ped">
      <speaker rend="italic">Prince.</speaker>
      <p n="977">She doth well, if she should make tender of her<pb facs="FFimg:axc0129-0.jpg" n="109"/>
         <cb n="1"/>
         
      <lb n="978"/>loue, 'tis very possible hee'l scorne it, for the man (as you
      <lb n="979"/>know all) hath a contemptible spirit.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Clau.</speaker>
      <p n="980">He is a very proper man.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ped">
      <speaker rend="italic">Prin.</speaker>
      <p n="981">He hath indeed a good outward happines.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Clau.</speaker>
      <p n="982">'Fore God, and in my minde very wise.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ped">
      <speaker rend="italic">Prin.</speaker>
      <p n="983">He doth indeed shew some sparkes that are like
      <lb n="984"/>wit.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leon.</speaker>
      <p n="985">And I take him to be valiant.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ped">
      <speaker rend="italic">Prin.</speaker>
      <p n="986">As<hi rend="italic">Hector</hi>, I assure you, and in the managing of
      <lb n="987"/>quarrels you may see hee is wise, for either hee auoydes
      <lb n="988"/>them with great discretion, or vndertakes them with a
      <lb n="989"/>Christian‑like feare.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leon.</speaker>
      <p n="990">If hee doe feare God, a must necessarilie keepe
      <lb n="991"/>peace, if hee breake the peace, hee ought to enter into a
      <lb n="992"/>quarrell with feare and trembling.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ped">
      <speaker rend="italic">Prin.</speaker>
      <p n="993">And so will he doe, for the man doth fear God,
      <lb n="994"/>howsoeuer it seemes not in him, by some large ieasts hee
      <lb n="995"/>will make: well, I am sorry for your niece, shall we goe
      <lb n="996"/>see<hi rend="italic">Benedicke</hi>, and tell him of her loue.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Claud.</speaker>
      <p n="997">Neuer tell him, my Lord, let her weare it out
      <lb n="998"/>with good counsell.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leon.</speaker>
      <p n="999">Nay that's impossible, she may weare her heart
      <lb n="1000"/>out first.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ped">
      <speaker rend="italic">Prin.</speaker>
      <p n="1001">Well, we will heare further of it by your daugh­
      <lb n="1002"/>ter, let it coole the while, I loue<hi rend="italic">Benedicke</hi>well, and I
      <lb n="1003"/>could wish he would modestly examine himselfe, to see
      <lb n="1004"/>how much he is vnworthy to haue so good a Lady.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leon.</speaker>
      <p n="1005">My Lord, will you walke? dinner is ready.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Clau.</speaker>
      <p n="1006">If he do not doat on her vpon this, I wil neuer
      <lb n="1007"/>trust my expectation.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ped">
      <speaker rend="italic">Prin.</speaker>
      <p n="1008">Let there be the same Net spread for her, and
      <lb n="1009"/>that must your daughter and her gentlewoman carry:
      <lb n="1010"/>the sport will be, when they hold one an opinion of ano­
      <lb n="1011"/>ther's dotage, and no such matter, that's the Scene that I
      <lb n="1012"/>would see, which will be meerely a dumbe shew: let vs
      <lb n="1013"/>send her to call him into dinner.</p>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exeunt.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bene.</speaker>
      <p n="1014">This can be no tricke, the conference was sadly
      <lb n="1015"/>borne, they haue the truth of this from<hi rend="italic">Hero</hi>, they seeme
      <lb n="1016"/>to pittie the Lady: it seemes her affections haue the full
      <lb n="1017"/>bent: loue me? why it must be requited: I heare how I
      <lb n="1018"/>am censur'd, they say I will beare my selfe proudly, if I
      <lb n="1019"/>perceiue the loue come from her: they say too, that she
      <lb n="1020"/>will rather die than giue any signe of affection: I did ne­
      <lb n="1021"/>uer thinke to marry, I must not seeme proud, happy are
      <lb n="1022"/>they that heare their detractions, and can put them to
      <lb n="1023"/>mending: they say the Lady is faire, 'tis a truth, I can
      <lb n="1024"/>beare them witnesse: and vertuous, tis so, I cannot re­
      <lb n="1025"/>prooue it, and wise, but for louing me, by my troth it is
      <lb n="1026"/>no addition to her witte, nor no great argument of her
      <lb n="1027"/>folly; for I wil be horribly in loue with her, I may chance
      <lb n="1028"/>haue some odde quirkes and remnants of witte broken
      <lb n="1029"/>on mee, because I haue rail'd so long against marriage:
      <lb n="1030"/>but doth not the appetite alter<c rend="italic">?</c>a man loues the meat in
      <lb n="1031"/>his youth, that he cannot indure in his age. Shall quips
      <lb n="1032"/>and sentences, and these paper bullets of the braine awe
      <lb n="1033"/>a man from the careere of his humour? No, the world
      <lb n="1034"/>must be peopled. When I said I would die a batcheler, I
      <lb n="1035"/>did not think I should liue till I were maried, here comes
      <lb n="1036"/>
         <hi rend="italic">Beatrice</hi>: by this day, shee's a faire Lady, I doe spie some
      <lb n="1037"/>markes of loue in her.</p>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Beatrice.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bea">
      <speaker rend="italic">Beat.</speaker>
      <p n="1038">Against my wil I am sent to bid you come in to
      <lb n="1039"/>dinner.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bene.</speaker>
      <p n="1040">Faire<hi rend="italic">Beatrice</hi>, I thanke you for your paines.</p>
   </sp>
   <cb n="2"/>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bea">
      <speaker rend="italic">Beat.</speaker>
      <p n="1041">I tooke no more paines for those thankes, then
      <lb n="1042"/>you take paines to thanke me, if it had been painefull, I
      <lb n="1043"/>would not haue come.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bene.</speaker>
      <p n="1044">You take pleasure then in the message.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bea">
      <speaker rend="italic">Beat.</speaker>
      <p n="1045">Yea iust so much as you may take vpon a kniues
      <lb n="1046"/>point, and choake a daw withall: you haue no stomacke
      <lb n="1047"/>signior, fare you well.</p>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bene.</speaker>
      <p n="1048">Ha, against my will I am sent to bid you come
      <lb n="1049"/>into dinner: there's a double meaning in that: I tooke
      <lb n="1050"/>no more paines for those thankes then you took paines
      <lb n="1051"/>to thanke me, that's as much as to say, any paines that I
      <lb n="1052"/>take for you is as easie as thankes: if I do not take pitty
      <lb n="1053"/>of her I am a villaine, if I doe not loue her I am a Iew, I
      <lb n="1054"/>will goe get her picture.</p>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit.</stage>
</div>

                                
                            

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