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: K3r - Comedies, p. 113

Left Column


Much adoe about Nothing. Hero.
[1485]

God giue mee ioy to weare it, for my heart is

exceeding heauy.

Marga.

'Twill be heauier soone, by the waight of a

man.

Hero.

Fie vpon thee, art not asham'd ? An ink mark follows the end of this line.

Marg.
[1490]

Of what Lady? of speaking honourably? is

not marriage honourable in a beggar? is not your Lord

honourable without marriage? I thinke you would haue

me say, sauing your reuerence a husband: and bad thin­

king doe not wrest true speaking, Ile offend no body, is

[1495]

there any harme in the heauier for a husband? none I

thinke, and it be the right husband, and the right wife,

otherwise 'tis light and not heauy, aske my Lady Beatrice

else, here she comes.

Enter Beatrice. Hero.

Good morrow Coze.

Beat.
[1500]

Good morrow sweet Hero.

Hero.

Why how now? do you speake in the sick tune?

Beat.

I am out of all other tune, me thinkes.

Mar.

Claps into Light a loue, (that goes without a

burden,) do you sing it and Ile dance it.

Beat.
[1505]

Ye Light aloue with your heeles, then if your

husband haue stables enough, you'll looke he shall lacke

no barnes.

Mar.

O illegitimate construction! I scorne that with

my heeles.

Beat.
[1510]

'Tis almost fiue a clocke cosin, 'tis time you

were ready, by my troth I am exceeding ill, hey ho.

Mar.

For a hauke, a horse, or a husband?

Beat.

For the letter that begins them all, H.

Mar.

Well, and you be not turn'd Turke, there's no

[1515]

more sayling by the starre.

Beat.

What meanes the foole trow?

Mar.

Nothing I, but God send euery one their harts

desire.

Hero.

These gloues the Count sent mee, they are an

[1520]

excellent perfume.

Beat.

I am stuft cosin, I cannot smell.

Mar.

A maid and stuft! there's goodly catching of

colde.

Beat.

O God helpe me, God help me, how long haue

[1525]

you profest apprehension ?

Mar.

Euer since you left it, doth not my wit become

me rarely?

Beat.

It is not seene enough, you should weare it in

your cap, by my troth I am sicke.

Mar.
[1530]

Get you some of this distill'd carduus benedictus

and lay it to your heart, it is the onely thing for a qualm.

Hero.

There thou prickst her with a thissell.

Beat.

Benedictus, why benedictus? you haue some mo­

rall in this benedictus.

Mar.
[1535]

Morall? no by my troth, I haue no morall mea­

ning, I meant plaine holy thissell, you may thinke per­

chance that I thinke you are in loue, nay birlady I am not

such a foole to thinke what I list, nor I list not to thinke

what I can, nor indeed, I cannot thinke, if I would thinke

[1540]

my hart out of thinking, that you are in loue, or that you

will be in loue, or that you can be in loue: yet Benedicke

was such another, and now is he become a man, he swore

hee would neuer marry, and yet now in despight of his

heart he eates his meat without grudging, and how you

[1545]

may be conuerted I know not, but me thinkes you looke

with your eies as other women doe.

Beat.

What pace is this that thy tongue keepes.

Right Column


Mar.

Not a false gallop.

Enter Vrsula. Vrsula.

Madam, withdraw, the Prince, the Count, sig­

[1550]

nior Benedicke, Don Iohn, and all the gallants of the

towne are come to fetch you to Church.

Hero.

Helpe me to dresse mee good coze, good Meg,

good Vrsula.

[Act 3, Scene 5] Enter Leonato, and the Constable, and the Headborough. Leonato.

What would you with mee, honest neigh­

[1555]

bour?

Const. Dog.

Mary sir I would haue some confidence

with you, that decernes you nearly.

Leon.

Briefe I pray you, for you see it is a busie time

with me.

Const. Dog.
[1560]

Mary this it is sir.

Headb.

Yes in truth it is sir.

Leon.

What is it my good friends?

Con. Do.

Goodman Verges sir speakes a little of the

matter, an old man sir, and his wits are not so blunt, as

[1565]

God helpe I would desire they were, but infaith honest

as the skin betweene his browes.

Head.

Yes I thank God, I am as honest as any man li­

uing, that is an old man, and no honester then I.

Con. Dog.

Comparisons are odorous, palabras, neigh­

[1570]

bour Verges.

Leon.

Neighbours, you are tedious.

Con. Dog.

It pleases your worship to say so, but we are

the poore Dukes officers, but truely for mine owne part,

if I were as tedious as a King I could finde in my heart to

[1575]

bestow it all of your worship.

Leon.

All thy tediousnesse on me, ah?

Const. Dog.

Yea, and 'twere a thousand times more

than 'tis, for I heare as good exclamation on your Wor­

ship as of any man in the Citie, and though I bee but a

[1580]

poore man, I am glad to heare it.

Head.

And so am I.

Leon.

I would faine know what you haue to say.

Head.

Marry sir our watch to night, except ng your

worships presence, haue tane a couple of as arrant

[1585]

knaues as any in Messina.

Con. Dog.

A good old man sir, hee will be talking as

they say, when the age is in the wit is out, God helpe vs,

it is a world to see: well said yfaith neighbour Verges,

well, God's a good man, and two men ride of a horse,

[1590]

one must ride behinde, an honest soule yfaith sir, by my

troth he is, as euer broke bread, but God is to bee wor­

shipt, all men are not alike, alas good neighbour.

Leon.

Indeed neighbour he comes too short of you.

Con. Do.

Gifts that God giues.

Leon.
[1595]

I must leaue you.

Con. Dog.

One word sir, our watch sir haue indeed

comprehended two aspitious persons, & we would haue

them this morning examined before your worship.

Leon.

Take their examination your selfe, and bring it

[1600]

me, I am now in great haste, as may appeare vnto you.

Const.

It shall be suffigance.

Leon.

Drinke some wine ere you goe: fare you well.

( Exit.

Messenger.

My Lord, they stay for you to giue your

[1605]

daughter to her husband.

Leon.

Ile wait vpon them, I am ready.

Dogb.

Goe good partner, goe get you to Francis Sea‑ coale , bid him bring his pen and inkehorne to the Gaole:

we are now to examine those men.

Verges.
[1610]

And we must doe it wisely.

Dogb.

Wee will spare for no witte I warrant you: K3 heeres

Download the digital text and images of the play



 
[Act 3, Scene 5] Enter Leonato, and the Constable, and the Headborough. Leonato.

What would you with mee, honest neigh­

[1555]

bour?

Const. Dog.

Mary sir I would haue some confidence

with you, that decernes you nearly.

Leon.

Briefe I pray you, for you see it is a busie time

with me.

Const. Dog.
[1560]

Mary this it is sir.

Headb.

Yes in truth it is sir.

Leon.

What is it my good friends?

Con. Do.

Goodman Verges sir speakes a little of the

matter, an old man sir, and his wits are not so blunt, as

[1565]

God helpe I would desire they were, but infaith honest

as the skin betweene his browes.

Head.

Yes I thank God, I am as honest as any man li­

uing, that is an old man, and no honester then I.

Con. Dog.

Comparisons are odorous, palabras, neigh­

[1570]

bour Verges.

Leon.

Neighbours, you are tedious.

Con. Dog.

It pleases your worship to say so, but we are

the poore Dukes officers, but truely for mine owne part,

if I were as tedious as a King I could finde in my heart to

[1575]

bestow it all of your worship.

Leon.

All thy tediousnesse on me, ah?

Const. Dog.

Yea, and 'twere a thousand times more

than 'tis, for I heare as good exclamation on your Wor­

ship as of any man in the Citie, and though I bee but a

[1580]

poore man, I am glad to heare it.

Head.

And so am I.

Leon.

I would faine know what you haue to say.

Head.

Marry sir our watch to night, except ng your

worships presence, haue tane a couple of as arrant

[1585]

knaues as any in Messina.

Con. Dog.

A good old man sir, hee will be talking as

they say, when the age is in the wit is out, God helpe vs,

it is a world to see: well said yfaith neighbour Verges,

well, God's a good man, and two men ride of a horse,

[1590]

one must ride behinde, an honest soule yfaith sir, by my

troth he is, as euer broke bread, but God is to bee wor­

shipt, all men are not alike, alas good neighbour.

Leon.

Indeed neighbour he comes too short of you.

Con. Do.

Gifts that God giues.

Leon.
[1595]

I must leaue you.

Con. Dog.

One word sir, our watch sir haue indeed

comprehended two aspitious persons, & we would haue

them this morning examined before your worship.

Leon.

Take their examination your selfe, and bring it

[1600]

me, I am now in great haste, as may appeare vnto you.

Const.

It shall be suffigance.

Leon.

Drinke some wine ere you goe: fare you well.

( Exit.

Messenger.

My Lord, they stay for you to giue your

[1605]

daughter to her husband.

Leon.

Ile wait vpon them, I am ready.

Dogb.

Goe good partner, goe get you to Francis Sea‑ coale , bid him bring his pen and inkehorne to the Gaole:

we are now to examine those men.

Verges.
[1610]

And we must doe it wisely.

Dogb.

Wee will spare for no witte I warrant you:

heere's that shall driue some to a non‑come, on­

ly get the learned writer to set downe our excommuni­

cation, and meet me at the Iaile.

Exeunt.
 

Download the digital text of the play

                                
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   <head type="supplied">[Act 3, Scene 5]</head>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Leonato, and the Constable, and the Headborough.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leonato.</speaker>
      <p n="1554">What would you with mee, honest neigh­
      <lb n="1555"/>bour?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-dog">
      <speaker rend="italic">Const. Dog.</speaker>
      <p n="1556">Mary sir I would haue some confidence
      <lb n="1557"/>with you, that decernes you nearly.</p>
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   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leon.</speaker>
      <p n="1558">Briefe I pray you, for you see it is a busie time
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   <sp who="#F-ado-dog">
      <speaker rend="italic">Const. Dog.</speaker>
      <p n="1560">Mary this it is sir.</p>
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   <sp who="#F-ado-ver">
      <speaker rend="italic">Headb.</speaker>
      <p n="1561">Yes in truth it is sir.</p>
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   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leon.</speaker>
      <p n="1562">What is it my good friends?</p>
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      <speaker rend="italic">Con. Do.</speaker>
      <p n="1563">Goodman Verges sir speakes a little of the
      <lb n="1564"/>matter, an old man sir, and his wits are not so blunt, as
      <lb n="1565"/>God helpe I would desire they were, but infaith honest
      <lb n="1566"/>as the skin betweene his browes.</p>
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      <speaker rend="italic">Head.</speaker>
      <p n="1567">Yes I thank God, I am as honest as any man li­
      <lb n="1568"/>uing, that is an old man, and no honester then I.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-dog">
      <speaker rend="italic">Con. Dog.</speaker>
      <p n="1569">Comparisons are odorous, palabras, neigh­
      <lb n="1570"/>bour Verges.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leon.</speaker>
      <p n="1571">Neighbours, you are tedious.</p>
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   <sp who="#F-ado-dog">
      <speaker rend="italic">Con. Dog.</speaker>
      <p n="1572">It pleases your worship to say so, but we are
      <lb n="1573"/>the poore Dukes officers, but truely for mine owne part,
      <lb n="1574"/>if I were as tedious as a King I could finde in my heart to
      <lb n="1575"/>bestow it all of your worship.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leon.</speaker>
      <p n="1576">All thy tediousnesse on me, ah?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-dog">
      <speaker rend="italic">Const. Dog.</speaker>
      <p n="1577">Yea, and 'twere a thousand times more
      <lb n="1578"/>than 'tis, for I heare as good exclamation on your Wor­
      <lb n="1579"/>ship as of any man in the Citie, and though I bee but a
      <lb n="1580"/>poore man, I am glad to heare it.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ver">
      <speaker rend="italic">Head.</speaker>
      <p n="1581">And so am I.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leon.</speaker>
      <p n="1582">I would faine know what you haue to say.</p>
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   <sp who="#F-ado-ver">
      <speaker rend="italic">Head.</speaker>
      <p n="1583">Marry sir our watch to night, except<gap extent="1"
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              resp="#ES"/>ng your
      <lb n="1584"/>worships presence, haue tane a couple of as arrant
      <lb n="1585"/>knaues as any in Messina.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-dog">
      <speaker rend="italic">Con. Dog.</speaker>
      <p n="1586">A good old man sir, hee will be talking as
      <lb n="1587"/>they say, when the age is in the wit is out, God helpe vs,
      <lb n="1588"/>it is a world to see: well said yfaith neighbour<hi rend="italic">Verges</hi>,
      <lb n="1589"/>well, God's a good man, and two men ride of a horse,
      <lb n="1590"/>one must ride behinde, an honest soule yfaith sir, by my
      <lb n="1591"/>troth he is, as euer broke bread, but God is to bee wor­
      <lb n="1592"/>shipt, all men are not alike, alas good neighbour.</p>
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   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leon.</speaker>
      <p n="1593">Indeed neighbour he comes too short of you.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-dog">
      <speaker rend="italic">Con. Do.</speaker>
      <p n="1594">Gifts that God giues.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leon.</speaker>
      <p n="1595">I must leaue you.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-dog">
      <speaker rend="italic">Con. Dog.</speaker>
      <p n="1596">One word sir, our watch sir haue indeed
      <lb n="1597"/>comprehended two aspitious persons, &amp; we would haue
      <lb n="1598"/>them this morning examined before your worship.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leon.</speaker>
      <p n="1599">Take their examination your selfe, and bring it
      <lb n="1600"/>me, I am now in great haste, as may appeare vnto you.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-dog">
      <speaker rend="italic">Const.</speaker>
      <p n="1601">It shall be suffigance.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leon.</speaker>
      <p n="1602">Drinke some wine ere you goe: fare you well.
      <lb rend="turnover" n="1603"/>
         <c rend="turnover">(</c>
         <stage rend="inline italic" type="exit">Exit.</stage>
      </p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-mes">
      <speaker rend="italic">Messenger.</speaker>
      <p n="1604">My Lord, they stay for you to giue your
      <lb n="1605"/>daughter to her husband.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leon.</speaker>
      <p n="1606">Ile wait vpon them, I am ready.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-dog">
      <speaker rend="italic">Dogb.</speaker>
      <p n="1607">Goe good partner, goe get you to<hi rend="italic">Francis Sea‑
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      <lb n="1609"/>we are now to examine those men.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ver">
      <speaker rend="italic">Verges.</speaker>
      <p n="1610">And we must doe it wisely.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-dog">
      <speaker rend="italic">Dogb.</speaker>
      <p n="1611">Wee will spare for no witte I warrant you:<pb facs="FFimg:axc0134-0.jpg" n="114"/>
         <cb n="1"/>
         
      <lb n="1612"/>heere's that shall driue some to a non‑come, on­
      <lb n="1613"/>ly get the learned writer to set downe our excommuni­
      <lb n="1614"/>cation, and meet me at the Iaile.</p>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exeunt.</stage>
</div>

                                
                            

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