The Bodleian First Folio

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



Text and Image

Here you can read a digital edition of each play in various views.

Page Image & Text
Digital Text
XML

Reference: I4r - Comedies, p. 103

Left Column


Much adoe about Nothing. Ben.

That a woman conceiued me, I thanke her: that

she brought mee vp, I likewise giue her most humble

[225]

thankes: but that I will haue a rechate winded in my

forehead, or hang my bugle in an inuisible baldricke, all

women shall pardon me: because I will not do them the

wrong to mistrust any, I will doe my selfe the right to

trust none: and the fine is, (for the which I may goe the

[230]

finer) I will liue a Batchellor.

Pedro.

I shall see thee ere I die, looke pale with loue.

Bene.

With anger, with sicknesse, or with hunger,

my Lord, not with loue: proue that euer I loose more

blood with loue, then I will get againe with drinking,

[235]

picke out mine eyes with a Ballet‑makers penne, and

hang me vp at the doore of a brothel‑house for the signe

of blinde Cupid.

Pedro.

Well, if euer thou doost fall from this faith,

thou wilt proue a notable argument.

Bene.
[240]

If I do, hang me in a bottle like a Cat, & shoot

at me, and he that hit's me, let him be clapt on the shoul­

der, and cal'd Adam.

Pedro.

Well, as time shall trie: In time the sauage

Bull doth beare tne the yoake.

Bene.
[245]

The sauage bull may, but if euer the sensible

Benedicke beare it, plucke off the bulles hornes, and set

them in my forehead, and let me be vildely painted, and

in such great Letters as they write, heere is good horse

to hire: let them signifie vnder my signe, here you may

[250]

see Benedicke the married man.

Clau.

If this should euer happen, thou wouldst bee

horne mad.

Pedro.

Nay, if Cupid haue not spent all his Quiuer in

Venice, thou wilt quake for this shortly.

Bene.
[255]

I looke for an earthquake too then.

Pedro.

Well, you will temporize with the houres, in

the meane time, good Signior Benedicke, repaire to Leo­ natoes , commend me to him, and tell him I will not faile

him at supper, for indeede he hath made great prepara­

[260]

tion.

Bene.

I haue almost matter enough in me for such an

Embassage, and so I commit you.

Clau.

To the tuition of God. From my house, if I

had it.

Pedro.
[265]

The sixt of Iuly. Your louing friend, Benedick.

Bene.

Nay mocke not, mocke not; the body of your

discourse is sometime guarded with fragments, and the

guardes are but slightly basted on neither, ere you flout

old ends any further, examine your conscience, and so I

[270]

leaue you.

Exit. Clau. My Liege, your Highnesse now may doe mee good. Pedro. My loue is thine to teach, teach it but how, And thou shalt see how apt it is to learne Any hard Lesson that may do thee good. Clau.
[275]
Hath Leonato any sonne my Lord?
Pedro. No childe but Hero, she's his onely heire. Dost thou affect her Claudio? Clau. O my Lord, When you went onward on this ended action, An ink mark follows the end of this line.
[280]
I look'd vpon her with a souldiers eie, That lik'd, but had a rougher taske in hand, Than to driue liking to the name of loue: But now I am return'd, and that warre‑thoughts Haue left their places vacant: in their roomes,
[285]
Come thronging soft and delicate desires, All prompting mee how faire yong Hero is, Saying I lik'd her ere I went to warres.

Right Column


Pedro. Thou wilt be like a louer presently, And tire the hearer with a booke of words:
[290]
If thou dost loue faire Hero, cherish it, And I will breake with her: wast not to this end, That thou began ft st to twist so fine a story?
Clau. How sweetly doe you minister to loue, That know loues griefe by his complexion!
[295]
But lest my liking might too sodaine seeme, I would haue salu'd it with a longer treatise.
Ped. What need yͤ bridge much broder then the flood? The fairest graunt is the necessitie: Looke what will serue, is fit: 'tis once, thou louest,
[300]
And I will fit thee with the remedie, I know we shall haue reuelling to night, I will assume thy part in some disguise, And tell faire Hero I am Claudio, And in her bosome Ile vnclaspe my heart,
[305]
And take her hearing prisoner with the force And strong incounter of my amorous tale: Then after, to her father will I breake, And the conclusion is, shee shall be thine, In practise let vs put it presently.
Exeunt.
[Act 1, Scene 2] Enter Leonato and an old man, brother to Leonato. Leo.
[310]

How now brother, where is my cosen your son:

hath he prouided this musicke?

Old.

He is very busie about it, but brother, I can tell

you newes that you yet dreamt not of.

Lo.

Are they good ?

Old.
[315]

As the euents stamps them, but they haue a good

couer: they shew well outward, the Prince and Count

Claudio walking in a thick pleached alley in my orchard,

were thus ouer‑heard by a man of mine: the Prince dis­

couered to Claudio that hee loued my niece your daugh­

[320]

ter, and meant to acknowledge it this night in a dance;

and if hee found her accordant, hee meant to take the

present time by the top, and instantly breake with you

of it.

Leo.

Hath the fellow any wit that told you this?

Old.
[325]

A good sharpe fellow, I will send for him, and

question him your selfe.

Leo.

No, no; wee will hold it as a dreame, till it ap­

peare it selfe: but I will acquaint my daughter withall,

that she may be the better prepared for an answer, if per­

[330]

aduenture this bee true: goe you and tell her of it: coo­

sins, you know what you haue to doe, O I crie you mer­

cie friend, goe you with mee and I will vse your skill,

good cosin haue a care this busie time.

Exeunt.
[Act 1, Scene 3] Enter Sir Iohn the Bastard, and Conrade his companion. Con.

What the good yeere my Lord, why are you

[335]

thus out of measure sad?

Ioh.

There is no measure in the occasion that breeds,

therefore the sadnesse is without limit.

Con.

You should heare reason.

Iohn.

And when I haue heard it, what blessing brin­

[340]

geth it?

Con.

If not a present remedy, yet a patient sufferance.

Ioh.

I wonder that thou (being as thou saist thou art,

borne vnder Saturne) goest about to apply a morall me­

dicine, to a mortifying mischiefe: I cannot hide what I

[345]

am: I must bee sad when I haue cause, and smile at no

mans iests, eat when I haue stomacke, and wait for no

mans leisure: sleepe when I am drowsie, and tend on no

mans businesse, laugh when I am merry, and claw no man

in his humor.

Con.
[350]

Yea, but you must not make the ful show of this,

till you may doe it without controllment, you haue of late

Download the digital text and images of the play



 
[Act 1, Scene 3] Enter Sir Iohn the Bastard, and Conrade his companion. Con.

What the good yeere my Lord, why are you

[335]

thus out of measure sad?

Ioh.

There is no measure in the occasion that breeds,

therefore the sadnesse is without limit.

Con.

You should heare reason.

Iohn.

And when I haue heard it, what blessing brin­

[340]

geth it?

Con.

If not a present remedy, yet a patient sufferance.

Ioh.

I wonder that thou (being as thou saist thou art,

borne vnder Saturne) goest about to apply a morall me­

dicine, to a mortifying mischiefe: I cannot hide what I

[345]

am: I must bee sad when I haue cause, and smile at no

mans iests, eat when I haue stomacke, and wait for no

mans leisure: sleepe when I am drowsie, and tend on no

mans businesse, laugh when I am merry, and claw no man

in his humor.

Con.
[350]

Yea, but you must not make the ful show of this,

till you may doe it without controllment, you haue of

late stood out against your brother, and hee hath tane

you newly into his grace, where it is impossible you

should take root, but by the faire weather that you make

[355]

your selfe, it is needful that you frame the season for your

owne haruest.

Iohn.

I had rather be a canker in a hedge, then a rose

in his grace, and it better fits my bloud to be disdain'd of

all, then to fashion a carriage to rob loue from any: in this

[360]

(though I cannot be said to be a flattering honest man)

it must not be denied but I am a plaine dealing villaine, I

am trusted with a mussell, and enfranchisde with a clog,

therefore I haue decreed, not to sing in my cage: if I had

my mouth, I would bite: if I had my liberty, I would do

[365]

my liking: in the meane time, let me be that I am, and

seeke not to alter me.

Con.

Can you make no vse of your discontent?

Iohn.

I will make all vse of it, for I vse it onely.

Who comes here? what newes Borachio?

Enter Borachio. Bor.
[370]

I came yonder from a great supper, the Prince

your brother is royally entertained by Leonato, and I can

giue you intelligence of an intended marriage.

Iohn.

Will it serue for any Modell to build mischiefe

on? What is hee for a foole that betrothes himselfe to

[375]

vnquietnesse?

Bor.

Mary it is your brothers right hand.

Iohn.

Who, the most exquisite Claudio?

Bor.

Euen he.

Iohn.

A proper squier, and who, and who, which way lookes he?

Bor.
[380]

Mary on Hero, the daughter and Heire of Leo­ nato .

Iohn.

A very forward March‑chicke, how came you

to this?

Bor.

Being entertain'd for a perfumer, as I was smoa­

[385]

king a musty roome, comes me the Prince and Claudio,

hand in hand in sad conference: I whipt behind the Ar­

ras, and there heard it agreed vpon, that the Prince should

wooe Hero for himselfe, and hauing obtain'd her, giue

her to Count Claudio.

Iohn.
[390]

Come, come, let vs thither, this may proue food

to my displeasure, that young start‑vp hath all the glorie

of my ouerthrow: if I can crosse him any way, I blesse

my selfe euery way, you are both sure, and will assist

mee?

Conr.
[395]

To the death my Lord.

Iohn.

Let vs to the great supper, their cheere is the

greater that I am subdued, would the Cooke were of my

minde: shall we goe proue whats to be done?

Bor.

Wee'll wait vpon your Lordship.

Exeunt.
 

Download the digital text of the play

                                
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<div type="scene" n="3" rend="notPresent">
   <head type="supplied">[Act 1, Scene 3]</head>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Sir Iohn the Bastard, and Conrade his companion.</stage>
   <sp who="dog">
      <speaker rend="italic">Con.</speaker>
      <p n="334">What the good yeere my Lord, why are you
      <lb n="335"/>thus out of measure sad?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-joh">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ioh.</speaker>
      <p n="336">There is no measure in the occasion that breeds,
      <lb n="337"/>therefore the sadnesse is without limit.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-con">
      <speaker rend="italic">Con.</speaker>
      <p n="338">You should heare reason.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-joh">
      <speaker rend="italic">Iohn.</speaker>
      <p n="339">And when I haue heard it, what blessing brin­
      <lb n="340"/>geth it?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-con">
      <speaker rend="italic">Con.</speaker>
      <p n="341">If not a present remedy, yet a patient sufferance.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-joh">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ioh.</speaker>
      <p n="342">I wonder that thou (being as thou saist thou art,
      <lb n="343"/>borne vnder<hi rend="italic">Saturne</hi>) goest about to apply a morall me­
      <lb n="344"/>dicine, to a mortifying mischiefe: I cannot hide what I
      <lb n="345"/>am: I must bee sad when I haue cause, and smile at no
      <lb n="346"/>mans iests, eat when I haue stomacke, and wait for no
      <lb n="347"/>mans leisure: sleepe when I am drowsie, and tend on no
      <lb n="348"/>mans businesse, laugh when I am merry, and claw no man
      <lb n="349"/>in his humor.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-con">
      <speaker rend="italic">Con.</speaker>
      <p n="350">Yea, but you must not make the ful show of this,
      <lb n="351"/>till you may doe it without controllment, you haue of<pb facs="FFimg:axc0124-0.jpg" n="104"/>
         <cb n="1"/>
         
      <lb n="352"/>late stood out against your brother, and hee hath tane
      <lb n="353"/>you newly into his grace, where it is impossible you
      <lb n="354"/>should take root, but by the faire weather that you make
      <lb n="355"/>your selfe, it is needful that you frame the season for your
      <lb n="356"/>owne haruest.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-joh">
      <speaker rend="italic">Iohn.</speaker>
      <p n="357">I had rather be a canker in a hedge, then a rose
      <lb n="358"/>in his grace, and it better fits my bloud to be disdain'd of
      <lb n="359"/>all, then to fashion a carriage to rob loue from any: in this
      <lb n="360"/>(though I cannot be said to be a flattering honest man)
      <lb n="361"/>it must not be denied but I am a plaine dealing villaine, I
      <lb n="362"/>am trusted with a mussell, and enfranchisde with a clog,
      <lb n="363"/>therefore I haue decreed, not to sing in my cage: if I had
      <lb n="364"/>my mouth, I would bite: if I had my liberty, I would do
      <lb n="365"/>my liking: in the meane time, let me be that I am, and
      <lb n="366"/>seeke not to alter me.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-con">
      <speaker rend="italic">Con.</speaker>
      <p n="367">Can you make no vse of your discontent?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-joh">
      <speaker rend="italic">Iohn.</speaker>
      <p n="368">I will make all vse of it, for I vse it onely.</p>
      <p n="369">Who comes here? what newes<hi rend="italic">Borachio</hi>?</p>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Borachio.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bor">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bor.</speaker>
      <p n="370">I came yonder from a great supper, the Prince
      <lb n="371"/>your brother is royally entertained by<hi rend="italic">Leonato</hi>, and I can
      <lb n="372"/>giue you intelligence of an intended marriage.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-joh">
      <speaker rend="italic">Iohn.</speaker>
      <p n="373">Will it serue for any Modell to build mischiefe
      <lb n="374"/>on? What is hee for a foole that betrothes himselfe to
      <lb n="375"/>vnquietnesse?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bor">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bor.</speaker>
      <p n="376">Mary it is your brothers right hand.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-joh">
      <speaker rend="italic">Iohn.</speaker>
      <p n="377">Who, the most exquisite<hi rend="italic">Claudio</hi>?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bor">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bor.</speaker>
      <p n="378">Euen he.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-joh">
      <speaker rend="italic">Iohn.</speaker>
      <p n="379">A proper squier, and who, and who, which way lookes he?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bor">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bor.</speaker>
      <p n="380">Mary on<hi rend="italic">Hero</hi>, the daughter and Heire of<hi rend="italic">Leo­
      <lb n="381"/>nato</hi>.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-joh">
      <speaker rend="italic">Iohn.</speaker>
      <p n="382">A very forward March‑chicke, how came you
      <lb n="383"/>to this?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bor">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bor.</speaker>
      <p n="384">Being entertain'd for a perfumer, as I was smoa­
      <lb n="385"/>king a musty roome, comes me the Prince and<hi rend="italic">Claudio</hi>,
      <lb n="386"/>hand in hand in sad conference: I whipt behind the Ar­
      <lb n="387"/>ras, and there heard it agreed vpon, that the Prince should
      <lb n="388"/>wooe<hi rend="italic">Hero</hi>for himselfe, and hauing obtain'd her, giue
      <lb n="389"/>her to Count<hi rend="italic">Claudio</hi>.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-joh">
      <speaker rend="italic">Iohn.</speaker>
      <p n="390">Come, come, let vs thither, this may proue food
      <lb n="391"/>to my displeasure, that young start‑vp hath all the glorie
      <lb n="392"/>of my ouerthrow: if I can crosse him any way, I blesse
      <lb n="393"/>my selfe euery way, you are both sure, and will assist
      <lb n="394"/>mee?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-con">
      <speaker rend="italic">Conr.</speaker>
      <p n="395">To the death my Lord.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-joh">
      <speaker rend="italic">Iohn.</speaker>
      <p n="396">Let vs to the great supper, their cheere is the
      <lb n="397"/>greater that I am subdued, would the Cooke were of my
      <lb n="398"/>minde: shall we goe proue whats to be done?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bor">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bor.</speaker>
      <p n="399">Wee'll wait vpon your Lordship.</p>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exeunt.</stage>
</div>

                                
                            

Download the XML