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: I3v - Comedies, p. 102

Left Column


Much adoe about Nothing. Pedro.

You embrace your charge too willingly: I

[95]

thinke this is your daughter.

Leonato.

Her mother hath many times told me so.

Bened.

Were you in doubt that you askt her?

Leonato.

Signior Benedicke, no, for then were you a

childe.

Pedro.
[100]

You haue it full Benedicke, we may ghesse by

this, what you are, being a man, truely the Lady fathers

her selfe: be happie Lady, for you are like an honorable

father.

Ben.

If Signior Leonato be her father, she would not

[105]

haue his head on her shoulders for al Messina, as like him

as she is.

Beat.

I wonder that you will still be talking, signior

Benedicke, no body markes you.

Ben.

What my deere Ladie Disdaine! are you yet

[110]

liuing?

Beat.

Is it possible Disdaine should die, while shee

hath such meete foode to feede it, as Signior Benedicke?

Curtesie it selfe must conuert to Disdaine, if you come in

her presence.

Bene.
[115]

Then is curtesie a turneȑcoate, but it is cer­

taine I am loued of all Ladies, onely you excepted: and

I would I could finde in my heart that I had not a hard

heart, for truely I loue none.

Beat.

A deere happinesse to women, they would else

[120]

haue beene troubled with a pernitious Suter, I thanke

God and my cold blood, I am of your humour for that, I

had rather heare my Dog barke at a Crow, than a man

sweare he loues me.

Bene.

God keepe your Ladiship still in that minde,

[125]

so some Gentleman or other shall scape a predestinate

scratcht face.

Beat.

Scratching could not make it worse, and 'twere

such a face as yours were.

Bene.

Well, you are a rare Parrat teacher.

Beat.
[130]

A bird of my tongue, is better than a beast of

your.

Ben.

I would my horse had the speed of your tongue,

and so good a continuer, but keepe your way a Gods

name, I haue done.

Beat.
[135]

You alwaies end with a Iades tricke, I know

you of old.

Pedro.

This is the summe of all: Leonato, signior Clau­ dio , and signior Benedicke; my deere friend Leonato, hath

inuited you all, I tell him we shall stay here, at the least

[140]

a moneth, and he heartily praies some occasion may de­

taine vs longer: I dare sweare hee is no hypocrite,

but praies from his heart.

Leon.

If you sweare, my Lord, you shall not be for­

sworne, let mee bid you welcome, my Lord, being re­

[145]

conciled to the Prince your brother: I owe you all

duetie.

Iohn.

I thanke you, I am not of many words, but I

thanke you.

Leon.

Please it your grace leade on ?

Pedro.
[150]

Your hand Leonato, we will goe together.

Exeunt. Manet Benedicke and Claudio. Clau.

Benedicke, didst thou note the daughter of sig­

nior Leonato?

Bene.

I noted her not, but I lookt on her.

Claud.

Is she not a modest yong Ladie?

Bene.
[155]

Doe you question me as an honest man should

doe, for my simple true iudgement? or would you haue

me speake after my custome, as being a professed tyrant

to their sexe ?

Right Column


Clau.

No, I pray thee speake in sober iudgement.

Bene.
[160]

Why yfaith me thinks shee's too low for a hie

praise, too browne for a faire praise, and too little for a

great praise, onely this commendation I can affoord her,

that were shee other then she is, she were vnhandsome,

and being no other, but as she is, I doe not like her.

Clau.
[165]

Thou think'st I am in sport, I pray thee tell me

truely how thou lik'st her.

Bene.

Would you buie her, that you enquier after

her ?

Clau.

Can the world buie such a iewell?

Ben.
[170]

Yea, and a case to put it into, but speake you this

with a sad brow? Or doe you play the flowting iacke, to

tell vs Cupid is a good Hare‑finder, and Vulcan a rare

Carpenter: Come, in what key shall aman a man take you to

goe in the song?

Clau.
[175]

In mine eie, she is the sweetest Ladie that euer

I lookt on.

Bene.

I can see yet without spectacles, and I see no

such matter: there's her cosin, and she were not possest

with a furie, exceedes her as much in beautie, as the first

[180]

of Maie doth the last of December: but I hope you haue

no intent to turne husband, haue you?

Clau.

I would scarce trust my selfe, though I had

sworne the contrarie, if Hero would be my wife.

Bene.

Ist come to this? in faith hath not the world one

[185]

man but he will weare his cap with suspition? shall I ne­

uer see a batcheller of three score againe? goe to yfaith,

and thou wilt needes thrust thy necke into a yoke, weare

the print of it, and sigh away sundaies: looke, don Pedro

is returned to seeke you.

Enter don Pedro, Iohn the bastard. Pedr.
[190]

What secret hath held you here, that you fol­

lowed not to Leonatoes?

Bened.

I would your Grace would constraine mee to

tell.

Pedro.

I charge thee on thy allegeance.

Ben.
[195]

You heare, Count Claudio, I can be secret as a

dumbe man, I would haue you thinke so (but on my al­

legiance, marke you this, on my allegiance) hee is in

loue, With who? now that is your Graces part: marke

how short his answere is, with Hero, Leonatoes short

[200]

daughter.

Clau.

If this were so, so were it vttred.

Bened.

Like the old tale, my Lord, it is not so, nor 'twas

not so: but indeede, God forbid it should be so.

Clau.

If my passion change not shortly, God forbid it

[205]

should be otherwise.

Pedro.

Amen, if you loue her, for the Ladie is verie

well worthie.

Clau.

You speake this to fetch me in, my Lord.

Pedr.

By my troth I speake my thought.

Clau.
[210]

And in faith, my Lord, I spoke mine.

Bened.

And by my two faiths and troths, my Lord, I

speake mine.

Clau.

That I loue her, I feele.

Pedr.

That she is worthie, I know.

Bened.
[215]

That I neither feele how shee should be lo­

ued, nor know how shee should be worthie, is the

opinion that fire cannot melt out of me, I will die in it at

the stake.

Pedr.

Thou wast euer an obstinate heretique in the de­

[220]

spight of Beautie.

Clau.

And neuer could maintaine his part, but in the

force of his will.

Bene. That

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[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.
 

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   <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,
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   <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>
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   <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
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      <p n="350">Yea, but you must not make the ful show of this,
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         <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>
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   <sp who="#F-ado-con">
      <speaker rend="italic">Con.</speaker>
      <p n="367">Can you make no vse of your discontent?</p>
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   <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>

                                
                            

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