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: K3v - Comedies, p. 114

Left Column


Much adoe about Nothing.

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.
Actus Quartus. [Act 4, Scene 1] Enter Prince, Bastard, Leonato, Frier, Claudio, Benedicke, Hero, and Beatrice. Leonato.
[1615]

Come Frier Francis, be briefe, onely to the

plaine forme of marriage, and you shal recount their par­

ticular duties afterwards.

Fran.

You come hither, my Lord, to marry this Lady.

Clau.

No.

Leo.
[1620]

To be married to her: Frier, you come to mar­

rie her.

Frier.

Lady, you come hither to be married to this

Count.

Hero.

I doe.

Frier.
[1625]

If either of you know any inward impediment

why you should not be conioyned, I charge you on your

soules to vtter it.

Claud.

Know you anie, Hero?

Hero.

None my Lord.

Frier.
[1630]

Know you anie, Count?

Leon.

I dare make his answer, None.

Clau.

O what men dare do ! what men may do! what

men daily do!

Bene.

How now! interiections? why then, some be

[1635]

of laughing, as ha, ha, he.

Clau. Stand thee by Frier, father, by your leaue, Will you with free and vnconstrained soule Giue me this maid your daughter? Leon. As freely sonne as God did giue her me. Cla.
[1640]
And what haue I to giue you back, whose worth May counterpoise this rich and precious gift?
Prin. Nothing, vnlesse you render her againe. Clau. Sweet Prince, you learn me noble thankfulnes: There Leonato, take her backe againe,
[1645]
Giue not this rotten Orenge to your friend, Shee's but the signe and semblance of her honour: Behold how like a maid she blushes heere! O what authoritie and shew of truth Can cunning sinne couer it selfe withall!
[1650]
Comes not that bloud, as modest euidence, To witnesse simple Vertue? would you not sweare All you that see her, that she were a maide, By these exterior shewes? But she is none: She knowes the heat of a luxurious bed:
[1655]
Her blush is guiltinesse, not modestie.
Leonato. What doe you meane, my Lord? Clau. Not to be married, Not to knit my soule to an approued wanton. Leon. Deere my Lord, if you in your owne roofe,
[1660]
Haue vanquisht the resistance of her youth, And made defeat of her virginitie.
Clau. I know what you would say: if I haue knowne (her, You will say, she did imbrace me as a husband, And so extenuate the forehand sinne: No Leonato,
[1665]
I neuer tempted her with word too large, But as a brother to his sister, shewed Bashfull sinceritie and comely loue.
Hero. And seem'd I euer otherwise to you?

Right Column


Clau. Out on thee seeming, I will write against it,
[1670]
You seeme to me as Diane in her Orbe, As chaste as is the budde ere it be blowne: But you are more intemperate in your blood, Than Venus, or those pampred animalls, That rage in sauage sensualitie.
Hero.
[1675]
Is my Lord well, that he doth speake so wide?
Leon. Sweete Prince, why speake not you? Prin. What should I speake ? I stand dishonour'd that haue gone about, To linke my deare friend to a common stale. Leon.
[1680]
Are these things spoken, or doe I but dreame?
Bast. Sir, they are spoken, and these things are true. Bene. This lookes not like a nuptiall. Hero. True, O God ! Clau. Leonato, stand I here?
[1685]
Is this the Prince? is this the Princes brother? Is this face Heroes? are our eies our owne?
Leon. All this is so, but what of this my Lord? Clau. Let me but moue one question to your daugh­ (ter, And by that fatherly and kindly power,
[1690]
That you haue in her, bid her answer truly.
Leo. I charge thee doe, as thou art my childe. Hero. O God defend me how am I beset, What kinde of catechizing call you this? Clau. To make you answer truly to your name. Hero.
[1695]
Is it not Hero? who can blot that name With any iust reproach?
Claud. Marry that can Hero, Hero it selfe can blot out Heroes vertue. What man was he, talkt with you yesternight,
[1700]
Out at your window betwixt twelue and one? Now if you are a maid, answer to this.
Hero. I talkt with no man at that howre my Lord. Prince. Why then you are no maiden. Leonato, I am sorry you must heare: vpon mine honor,
[1705]
My selfe, my brother, and this grieued Count Did see her, heare her, at that howre last night, Talke with a ruffian at her chamber window, Who hath indeed most like a liberall villaine, Confest the vile encounters they haue had
[1710]
A thousand times in secret.
Iohn. Fie, fie, they are not to be named my Lord, Not to be spoken of, There is not chastitie enough in language, Without offence to vtter them: thus pretty Lady
[1715]
I am sorry for thy much misgouernment.
Claud. O Hero! what a Hero hadst thou beene If halfe thy outward graces had beene placed About thy thoughts and counsailes of thy heart? But fare thee well, most foule, most faire, farewell
[1720]
Thou pure impiety, and impious puritie, For thee Ile locke vp all the gates of Loue, And on my eie‑lids shall Coniecture hang, To turne all beauty into thoughts of harme, And neuer shall it more be gracious.
Leon.
[1725]
Hath no mans dagger here a point for me?
Beat. Why how now cosin, wherfore sink you down? Bast. Come, let vs go: these things come thus to light, Smother her spirits vp. Bene. How doth the Lady? Beat.
[1730]
Dead I thinke, helpe vncle, Hero, why Hero, Vncle, Signor Benedicke, Frier.
Leonato. O Fate! take not away thy heauy hand, Death is the fairest couer for her shame That may be wisht for. Beat. How

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Actus Quartus. [Act 4, Scene 1] Enter Prince, Bastard, Leonato, Frier, Claudio, Benedicke, Hero, and Beatrice. Leonato.
[1615]

Come Frier Francis, be briefe, onely to the

plaine forme of marriage, and you shal recount their par­

ticular duties afterwards.

Fran.

You come hither, my Lord, to marry this Lady.

Clau.

No.

Leo.
[1620]

To be married to her: Frier, you come to mar­

rie her.

Frier.

Lady, you come hither to be married to this

Count.

Hero.

I doe.

Frier.
[1625]

If either of you know any inward impediment

why you should not be conioyned, I charge you on your

soules to vtter it.

Claud.

Know you anie, Hero?

Hero.

None my Lord.

Frier.
[1630]

Know you anie, Count?

Leon.

I dare make his answer, None.

Clau.

O what men dare do ! what men may do! what

men daily do!

Bene.

How now! interiections? why then, some be

[1635]

of laughing, as ha, ha, he.

Clau. Stand thee by Frier, father, by your leaue, Will you with free and vnconstrained soule Giue me this maid your daughter? Leon. As freely sonne as God did giue her me. Cla.
[1640]
And what haue I to giue you back, whose worth May counterpoise this rich and precious gift?
Prin. Nothing, vnlesse you render her againe. Clau. Sweet Prince, you learn me noble thankfulnes: There Leonato, take her backe againe,
[1645]
Giue not this rotten Orenge to your friend, Shee's but the signe and semblance of her honour: Behold how like a maid she blushes heere! O what authoritie and shew of truth Can cunning sinne couer it selfe withall!
[1650]
Comes not that bloud, as modest euidence, To witnesse simple Vertue? would you not sweare All you that see her, that she were a maide, By these exterior shewes? But she is none: She knowes the heat of a luxurious bed:
[1655]
Her blush is guiltinesse, not modestie.
Leonato. What doe you meane, my Lord? Clau. Not to be married, Not to knit my soule to an approued wanton. Leon. Deere my Lord, if you in your owne roofe,
[1660]
Haue vanquisht the resistance of her youth, And made defeat of her virginitie.
Clau. I know what you would say: if I haue knowne (her, You will say, she did imbrace me as a husband, And so extenuate the forehand sinne: No Leonato,
[1665]
I neuer tempted her with word too large, But as a brother to his sister, shewed Bashfull sinceritie and comely loue.
Hero. And seem'd I euer otherwise to you? Clau. Out on thee seeming, I will write against it,
[1670]
You seeme to me as Diane in her Orbe, As chaste as is the budde ere it be blowne: But you are more intemperate in your blood, Than Venus, or those pampred animalls, That rage in sauage sensualitie.
Hero.
[1675]
Is my Lord well, that he doth speake so wide?
Leon. Sweete Prince, why speake not you? Prin. What should I speake ? I stand dishonour'd that haue gone about, To linke my deare friend to a common stale. Leon.
[1680]
Are these things spoken, or doe I but dreame?
Bast. Sir, they are spoken, and these things are true. Bene. This lookes not like a nuptiall. Hero. True, O God ! Clau. Leonato, stand I here?
[1685]
Is this the Prince? is this the Princes brother? Is this face Heroes? are our eies our owne?
Leon. All this is so, but what of this my Lord? Clau. Let me but moue one question to your daugh­ (ter, And by that fatherly and kindly power,
[1690]
That you haue in her, bid her answer truly.
Leo. I charge thee doe, as thou art my childe. Hero. O God defend me how am I beset, What kinde of catechizing call you this? Clau. To make you answer truly to your name. Hero.
[1695]
Is it not Hero? who can blot that name With any iust reproach?
Claud. Marry that can Hero, Hero it selfe can blot out Heroes vertue. What man was he, talkt with you yesternight,
[1700]
Out at your window betwixt twelue and one? Now if you are a maid, answer to this.
Hero. I talkt with no man at that howre my Lord. Prince. Why then you are no maiden. Leonato, I am sorry you must heare: vpon mine honor,
[1705]
My selfe, my brother, and this grieued Count Did see her, heare her, at that howre last night, Talke with a ruffian at her chamber window, Who hath indeed most like a liberall villaine, Confest the vile encounters they haue had
[1710]
A thousand times in secret.
Iohn. Fie, fie, they are not to be named my Lord, Not to be spoken of, There is not chastitie enough in language, Without offence to vtter them: thus pretty Lady
[1715]
I am sorry for thy much misgouernment.
Claud. O Hero! what a Hero hadst thou beene If halfe thy outward graces had beene placed About thy thoughts and counsailes of thy heart? But fare thee well, most foule, most faire, farewell
[1720]
Thou pure impiety, and impious puritie, For thee Ile locke vp all the gates of Loue, And on my eie‑lids shall Coniecture hang, To turne all beauty into thoughts of harme, And neuer shall it more be gracious.
Leon.
[1725]
Hath no mans dagger here a point for me?
Beat. Why how now cosin, wherfore sink you down? Bast. Come, let vs go: these things come thus to light, Smother her spirits vp. Bene. How doth the Lady? Beat.
[1730]
Dead I thinke, helpe vncle, Hero, why Hero, Vncle, Signor Benedicke, Frier.
Leonato. O Fate! take not away thy heauy hand, Death is the fairest couer for her shame That may be wisht for. Beatr.
[1735]
How now cosin Hero?
Fri. Haue comfort Ladie. Leon. Dost thou looke vp? Frier. Yea, wherefore should she not? Leon. Wherfore? Why doth not euery earthly thing
[1740]
Cry shame vpon her? Could she heere denie The storie that is printed in her blood? Do not liue Hero, do not ope thine eyes: For did I thinke thou wouldst not quickly die, Thought I thy spirits were stronger then thy shames,
[1745]
My selfe would on the reward of reproaches Strike at thy life. Grieu'd I, I had but one? Chid I, for that at frugal Natures frame? O one too much by thee: why had I one ? Why euer was't thou louelie in my eies?
[1750]
Why had I not with charitable hand Tooke vp a beggars issue at my gates, Who smeered thus, and mir'd with infamie, I might haue said, no part of it is mine: This shame deriues it selfe from vnknowne loines,
[1755]
But mine, and mine I lou'd, and mine I prais'd, And mine that I was proud on mine so much, That I my selfe, was to my selfe not mine: Valewing of her, why she, O she is falne Into a pit of Inke, that the wide sea
[1760]
Hath drops too few to wash her cleane againe, And salt too little, which may season giue To her foule tainted flesh.
Ben.

Sir, sir, be patient: for my part, I am so attired

in wonder, I know not what to say.

Bea.
[1765]
O on my soule my cosin is belied.
Ben. Ladie, were you her bedfellow last night? Bea. No, truly: not although vntill last night, I haue this tweluemonth bin her bedfellow. Leon. Confirm'd, confirm'd, O that is stronger made
[1770]
Which was before barr'd vp with ribs of iron. Would the Princes lie, and Claudio lie, Who lou'd her so, that speaking of her foulnesse, Wash'd it with teares? Hence from her, let her die.
Fri.

Heare me a little, for I haue onely bene silent so

[1775]

long, and giuen way vnto this course of fortune, by no­

ting of the Ladie, I haue markt.

A thousand blushing apparitions, To start into her face, a thousand innocent shames, In Angel whitenesse beare away those blushes,
[1780]
And in her eie there hath appear'd a fire To burne the errors that these Princes hold Against her maiden truth. Call me a foole, Trust not my reading, nor my obseruations, Which with experimental seàle doth warrant
[1785]
The tenure of my booke: trust not my age, My reuerence, calling, nor diuinitie, If this sweet Ladie lye not guiltlesse heere, Vnder some biting error.
Leo. Friar, it cannot be:
[1790]
Thou seest that all the Grace that she hath left, Is, that she wil not adde to her damnation, A sinne of periury, she not denies it: Why seek'st thou then to couer with excuse, That which appeares in proper nakednesse ?
Fri.
[1795]
Ladie, what man is he you are accus'd of?
Hero. They know that do accuse me, I know none: If I know more of any man aliue Then that which maiden modestie doth warrant, Let all my sinnes lacke mercy. O my Father,
[1800]
Proue you that any man with me conuerst, At houres vnmeete, or that I yesternight Maintain'd the change of words with any creature, Refuse me, hate me, torture me to death.
Fri. There is some strange misprision in the Princes. Ben.
[1805]
Two of them haue the verie bent of honor, And if their wisedomes be misled in this: The practise of it liues in Iohn the bastard, Whose spirits toile in frame of villanies.
Leo. I know not: if they speake but truth of her,
[1810]
These hands shall teare her: If they wrong her honour, The proudest of them shall wel heare of it. Time hath not yet so dried this bloud of mine, Nor age so eate vp my inuention, Nor Fortune made such hauocke of my meanes,
[1815]
Nor my bad life reft me so much of friends, But they shall finde, awak'd in such a kinde, Both strength of limbe, and policie of minde, Ability in meanes, and choise of friends, To quit me of them thoroughly.
Fri.
[1820]
Pause awhile: And let my counsell sway you in this case, Your daughter heere the Princesse (left for dead) Let her awhile be secretly kept in, And publish it, that she is dead indeed:
[1825]
Maintaine a mourning ostentation, And on your Families old monument, Hang mournfull Epitaphes, and do all rites, That appertaine vnto a buriall.
Leon. What shall become of this? What wil this do ? Fri.
[1830]
Marry this wel carried, shall on her behalfe, Change slander to remorse, that is some good, But not for that dreame I on this strange course, But on this trauaile looke for greater birth: She dying, as it must be so maintain'd,
[1835]
Vpon the instant that she was accus'd, Shal be lamented, pittied, and excus'd Of euery hearer: for it so fals out, That what we haue, we prize not to the worth, Whiles we enioy it; but being lack'd and lost,
[1840]
Why then we racke the value, then we finde The vertue that possession would not shew vs Whiles it was ours, so will it fare with Claudio: When he shal heare she dyed vpon his words, Th'Idea of her life shal sweetly creepe
[1845]
Into his study of imagination. And euery louely Organ of her life, Shall come apparel'd in more precious habite: More mouing delicate, and ful of life, Into the eye and prospect of his soule
[1850]
Then when she liu'd indeed: then shal he mourne, If euer Loue had interest in his Liuer, And wish he had not so accused her: No, though he thought his accusation true: Let this be so, and doubt not but successe
[1855]
Wil fashion the euent in better shape, Then I can lay it downe in likelihood. But if all ayme but this be leuelld false, The supposition of the Ladies death, Will quench the wonder of her infamie.
[1860]
And if it sort not well, you may conceale her As best befits her wounded reputation, In some reclusiue and religious life, Out of all eyes, tongues, mindes and iniuries.
Bene. Signior Leonato, let the Frier aduise you,
[1865]
And though you know my inwardnesse and loue Is very much vnto the Prince and Claudio. Yet, by mine honor, I will deale in this, As secretly and iustlie, as your soule Should with your bodie.
Leon.
[1870]
Being that I flow in greefe, The smallest twine may lead me.
Frier. 'Tis well consented, presently away, For to strange sores, strangely they straine the cure, Come Lady, die to liue, this wedding day
[1875]
Perhaps is but prolong'd, haue patience & endure.
Exit. Bene.

Lady Beatrice, haue you wept all this while?

Beat.

Yea, and I will weepe a while longer.

Bene.

I will not desire that.

Beat.

You haue no reason, I doe it freely.

Bene.
[1880]

Surelie I do beleeue your fair cosin is wrong'd.

Beat.

Ah, how much might the man deserue of mee

that would right her!

Bene.

Is there any way to shew such friendship?

Beat.

A verie euen way, but no such friend.

Bene.
[1885]

May a man doe it?

Beat.

It is a mans office, but not yours.

Bene.

I doe loue nothing in the world so well as you,

is not that strange?

Beat.

As strange as the thing I know not, it were as

[1890]

possible for me to say, I loued nothing so well as you, but

beleeue me not, and yet I lie not, I confesse nothing, nor

I deny nothing, I am sorry for my cousin.

Bene.

By my sword Beatrice thou lou'st me.

Beat.

Doe not sweare by it and eat it.

Bene.
[1895]

I will sweare by it that you loue mee, and I will

make him eat it that sayes I loue not you.

Beat.

Will you not eat your word?

Bene.

With no sawce that can be deuised to it, I pro­

test I loue thee.

Beat.
[1900]

Why then God forgiue me.

Bene.

What offence sweet Beatrice?

Beat.

You haue stayed me in a happy howre, I was a­

bout to protest I loued you.

Bene.

And doe it with all thy heart.

Beat.
[1905]

I loue you with so much of my heart, that none

is left to protest.

Bened.

Come, bid me doe any thing for thee.

Beat.

Kill Claudio.

Bene.

Ha, not for the wide world.

Beat.
[1910]

You kill me to denie, farewell.

Bene.

Tarrie sweet Beatrice.

Beat.

I am gone, though I am heere, there is no loue

in you, nay I pray you let me goe.

Bene.

Beatrice.

Beat.
[1915]

Infaith I will goe.

Bene.

Wee'll be friends first.

Beat.

You dare easier be friends with mee, than fight

with mine enemy.

Bene.

Is Claudio thine enemie?

Beat.
[1920]

Is a not approued in the height a villaine, that

hath slandered, scorned, dishonoured my kinswoman? O

that I were a man! what, beare her in hand vntill they

come to take hands, and then with publike accusation

vncouered slander, vnmittigated rancour? O God that I

[1925]

were a man! I would eat his heart in the marketȑplace.

Bene.

Heare me Beatrice.

Beat.

Talke with a man out at a window, a proper

saying.

Bene.

Nay but Beatrice.

Beat.
[1930]

Sweet Hero, she is wrong'd, shee is slandered,

she is vndone.

Bene.

Beat?

Beat.

Princes and Counties! surelie a Princely testi­

monie, a goodly Count, Comfect, a sweet Gallant sure­

[1935]

lie, O that I were a man for his sake! or that I had any

friend would be a man for my sake ! But manhood is mel­

ted into cursies, valour into complement, and men are

onelie turned into tongue, and trim ones too: he is now

as valiant as Hercules, that only tells a lie, and sweares it:

[1940]

I cannot be a man with wishing, therfore I will die a wo­

man with grieuing.

Bene.

Tarry good Beatrice, by this hand I loue thee.

Beat.

Vse it for my loue some other way then swea­

ring by it.

Bened.
[1945]

Thinke you in your soule the Count Claudio

hath wrong'd Hero?

Beat.

Yea, as sure as I haue a thought, or a soule.

Bene.

Enough, I am engagde, I will challenge him, I

will kisse your hand, and so leaue you: by this hand Clau­ dio shall render me a deere account: as you heare of me,

so thinke of me: goe comfort your coosin, I must say she

is dead, and so farewell.

 

Download the digital text of the play

                                
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<div type="scene" n="1">
   <head rend="italic center">Actus Quartus.</head>
   <head type="supplied">[Act 4, Scene 1]</head>
   <stage rend="italic left" type="entrance">Enter Prince, Bastard, Leonato, Frier, Claudio, Benedicke,
      <lb/>Hero, and Beatrice.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leonato.</speaker>
      <p n="1615">Come Frier<hi rend="italic">Francis</hi>, be briefe, onely to the
      <lb n="1616"/>plaine forme of marriage, and you shal recount their par­
      <lb n="1617"/>ticular duties afterwards.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-fra">
      <speaker rend="italic">Fran.</speaker>
      <p n="1618">You come hither, my Lord, to marry this Lady.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Clau.</speaker>
      <p n="1619">No.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leo.</speaker>
      <p n="1620">To be married to her: Frier, you come to mar­
      <lb n="1621"/>rie her.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-fra">
      <speaker rend="italic">Frier.</speaker>
      <p n="1622">Lady, you come hither to be married to this
      <lb n="1623"/>Count.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-her">
      <speaker rend="italic">Hero.</speaker>
      <p n="1624">I doe.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-fra">
      <speaker rend="italic">Frier.</speaker>
      <p n="1625">If either of you know any inward impediment
      <lb n="1626"/>why you should not be conioyned, I charge you on your
      <lb n="1627"/>soules to vtter it.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Claud.</speaker>
      <p n="1628">Know you anie,<hi rend="italic">Hero?</hi>
      </p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-her">
      <speaker rend="italic">Hero.</speaker>
      <p n="1629">None my Lord.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-fra">
      <speaker rend="italic">Frier.</speaker>
      <p n="1630">Know you anie, Count?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leon.</speaker>
      <p n="1631">I dare make his answer, None.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Clau.</speaker>
      <p n="1632">O what men dare do<c rend="italic">!</c>what men may do! what
      <lb n="1633"/>men daily do!</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bene.</speaker>
      <p n="1634">How now! interiections? why then, some be
      <lb n="1635"/>of laughing, as ha, ha, he.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Clau.</speaker>
      <l n="1636">Stand thee by Frier, father, by your leaue,</l>
      <l n="1637">Will you with free and vnconstrained soule</l>
      <l n="1638">Giue me this maid your daughter?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leon.</speaker>
      <l n="1639">As freely sonne as God did giue her me.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Cla.</speaker>
      <l n="1640">And what haue I to giue you back, whose worth</l>
      <l n="1641">May counterpoise this rich and precious gift?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ped">
      <speaker rend="italic">Prin.</speaker>
      <l n="1642">Nothing, vnlesse you render her againe.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Clau.</speaker>
      <l n="1643">Sweet Prince, you learn me noble thankfulnes:</l>
      <l n="1644">There<hi rend="italic">Leonato</hi>, take her backe againe,</l>
      <l n="1645">Giue not this rotten Orenge to your friend,</l>
      <l n="1646">Shee's but the signe and semblance of her honour:</l>
      <l n="1647">Behold how like a maid she blushes heere!</l>
      <l n="1648">O what authoritie and shew of truth</l>
      <l n="1649">Can cunning sinne couer it selfe withall!</l>
      <l n="1650">Comes not that bloud, as modest euidence,</l>
      <l n="1651">To witnesse simple Vertue? would you not sweare</l>
      <l n="1652">All you that see her, that she were a maide,</l>
      <l n="1653">By these exterior shewes? But she is none:</l>
      <l n="1654">She knowes the heat of a luxurious bed:</l>
      <l n="1655">Her blush is guiltinesse, not modestie.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leonato.</speaker>
      <l n="1656">What doe you meane, my Lord?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Clau.</speaker>
      <l n="1657">Not to be married,</l>
      <l n="1658">Not to knit my soule to an approued wanton.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leon.</speaker>
      <l n="1659">Deere my Lord, if you in your owne<gap extent="1"
              unit="chars"
              reason="illegible"
              agent="inkBlot"
              resp="#ES"/>roofe,</l>
      <l n="1660">Haue vanquisht the resistance of her youth,</l>
      <l n="1661">And made defeat of her virginitie.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Clau.</speaker>
      <l n="1662">I know what you would say: if I haue knowne
      <lb rend="turnover"/>
         <pc rend="turnover">(</pc>her,</l>
      <l n="1663">You will say, she did imbrace me as a husband,</l>
      <l n="1664">And so extenuate the forehand sinne: No<hi rend="italic">Leonato</hi>,</l>
      <l n="1665">I neuer tempted her with word too large,</l>
      <l n="1666">But as a brother to his sister, shewed</l>
      <l n="1667">Bashfull sinceritie and comely loue.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-her">
      <speaker rend="italic">Hero.</speaker>
      <l n="1668">And seem'd I euer otherwise to you?</l>
   </sp>
   <cb n="2"/>
   <sp who="#F-ado-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Clau.</speaker>
      <l n="1669">Out on thee seeming, I will write against it,</l>
      <l n="1670">You seeme to me as<hi rend="italic">Diane</hi>in her Orbe,</l>
      <l n="1671">As chaste as is the budde ere it be blowne:</l>
      <l n="1672">But you are more intemperate in your blood,</l>
      <l n="1673">Than<hi rend="italic">Venus</hi>, or those pampred animalls,</l>
      <l n="1674">That rage in sauage sensualitie.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-her">
      <speaker rend="italic">Hero.</speaker>
      <l n="1675">Is my Lord well, that he doth speake so wide?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leon.</speaker>
      <l n="1676">Sweete Prince, why speake not you?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ped">
      <speaker rend="italic">Prin.</speaker>
      <l n="1677">What should I speake<c rend="italic">?</c>
      </l>
      <l n="1678">I stand dishonour'd that haue gone about,</l>
      <l n="1679">To linke my deare friend to a common stale.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leon.</speaker>
      <l n="1680">Are these things spoken, or doe I but dreame?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-joh">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bast.</speaker>
      <l n="1681">Sir, they are spoken, and these things are true.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bene.</speaker>
      <l n="1682">This lookes not like a nuptiall.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-her">
      <speaker rend="italic">Hero.</speaker>
      <l n="1683">True, O God<c rend="italic">!</c>
      </l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Clau.</speaker>
      <l n="1684">
         <hi rend="italic">Leonato</hi>, stand I here?</l>
      <l n="1685">Is this the Prince? is this the Princes brother?</l>
      <l n="1686">Is this face<hi rend="italic">Heroes</hi>? are our eies our owne?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leon.</speaker>
      <l n="1687">All this is so, but what of this my Lord?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Clau.</speaker>
      <l n="1688">Let me but moue one question to your daugh­
      <lb rend="turnunder"/>
         <pc rend="turnunder">(</pc>ter,</l>
      <l n="1689">And by that fatherly and kindly power,</l>
      <l n="1690">That you haue in her, bid her answer truly.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leo.</speaker>
      <l n="1691">I charge thee doe, as thou art my childe.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-her">
      <speaker rend="italic">Hero.</speaker>
      <l n="1692">O God defend me how am I beset,</l>
      <l n="1693">What kinde of catechizing call you this?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Clau.</speaker>
      <l n="1694">To make you answer truly to your name.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-her">
      <speaker rend="italic">Hero.</speaker>
      <l n="1695">Is it not<hi rend="italic">Hero</hi>? who can blot that name</l>
      <l n="1696">With any iust reproach?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Claud.</speaker>
      <l n="1697">Marry that can<hi rend="italic">Hero</hi>,</l>
      <l n="1698">
         <hi rend="italic">Hero</hi>it selfe can blot out<hi rend="italic">Heroes</hi>vertue.</l>
      <l n="1699">What man was he, talkt with you yesternight,</l>
      <l n="1700">Out at your window betwixt twelue and one?</l>
      <l n="1701">Now if you are a maid, answer to this.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-her">
      <speaker rend="italic">Hero.</speaker>
      <l n="1702">I talkt with no man at that howre my Lord.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ped">
      <speaker rend="italic">Prince.</speaker>
      <l n="1703">Why then you are no maiden.<hi rend="italic">Leonato</hi>,</l>
      <l n="1704">I am sorry you must heare: vpon mine honor,</l>
      <l n="1705">My selfe, my brother, and this grieued Count</l>
      <l n="1706">Did see her, heare her, at that howre last night,</l>
      <l n="1707">Talke with a ruffian at her chamber window,</l>
      <l n="1708">Who hath indeed most like a liberall villaine,</l>
      <l n="1709">Confest the vile encounters they haue had</l>
      <l n="1710">A thousand times in secret.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-joh">
      <speaker rend="italic">Iohn.</speaker>
      <l n="1711">Fie, fie, they are not to be named my Lord,</l>
      <l n="1712">Not to be spoken of,</l>
      <l n="1713">There is not chastitie enough in language,</l>
      <l n="1714">Without offence to vtter them: thus pretty Lady</l>
      <l n="1715">I am sorry for thy much misgouernment.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Claud.</speaker>
      <l n="1716">O<hi rend="italic">Hero</hi>! what a<hi rend="italic">Hero</hi>hadst thou beene</l>
      <l n="1717">If halfe thy outward graces had beene placed</l>
      <l n="1718">About thy thoughts and counsailes of thy heart?</l>
      <l n="1719">But fare thee well, most foule, most faire, farewell</l>
      <l n="1720">Thou pure impiety, and impious puritie,</l>
      <l n="1721">For thee Ile locke vp all the gates of Loue,</l>
      <l n="1722">And on my eie‑lids shall Coniecture hang,</l>
      <l n="1723">To turne all beauty into thoughts of harme,</l>
      <l n="1724">And neuer shall it more be gracious.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leon.</speaker>
      <l n="1725">Hath no mans dagger here a point for me?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bea">
      <speaker rend="italic">Beat.</speaker>
      <l n="1726">Why how now cosin, wherfore sink you down?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-joh">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bast.</speaker>
      <l n="1727">Come, let vs go: these things come thus to light,</l>
      <l n="1728">Smother her spirits vp.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bene.</speaker>
      <l n="1729">How doth the Lady?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bea">
      <speaker rend="italic">Beat.</speaker>
      <l n="1730">Dead I thinke, helpe vncle,</l>
      <l n="1731">
         <hi rend="italic">Hero</hi>, why<hi rend="italic">Hero</hi>, Vncle, Signor<hi rend="italic">Benedicke</hi>, Frier.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leonato.</speaker>
      <l n="1732">O Fate! take not away thy heauy hand,</l>
      <l n="1733">Death is the fairest couer for her shame</l>
      <l n="1734">That may be wisht for.</l>
   </sp>
   <pb facs="FFimg:axc0135-0.jpg" n="115"/>
   <cb n="1"/>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bea">
      <speaker rend="italic">Beatr.</speaker>
      <l n="1735">How now cosin<hi rend="italic">Hero</hi>?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-fra">
      <speaker rend="italic">Fri.</speaker>
      <l n="1736">Haue comfort Ladie.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leon.</speaker>
      <l n="1737">Dost thou looke vp?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-fra">
      <speaker rend="italic">Frier.</speaker>
      <l n="1738">Yea, wherefore should she not?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leon.</speaker>
      <l n="1739">Wherfore? Why doth not euery earthly thing</l>
      <l n="1740">Cry shame vpon her? Could she heere denie</l>
      <l n="1741">The storie that is printed in her blood?</l>
      <l n="1742">Do not liue<hi rend="italic">Hero</hi>, do not ope thine eyes:</l>
      <l n="1743">For did I thinke thou wouldst not quickly die,</l>
      <l n="1744">Thought I thy spirits were stronger then thy shames,</l>
      <l n="1745">My selfe would on the reward of reproaches</l>
      <l n="1746">Strike at thy life. Grieu'd I, I had but one?</l>
      <l n="1747">Chid I, for that at frugal Natures frame?</l>
      <l n="1748">O one too much by thee: why had I one<c rend="italic">?</c>
      </l>
      <l n="1749">Why euer was't thou louelie in my eies?</l>
      <l n="1750">Why had I not with charitable hand</l>
      <l n="1751">Tooke vp a beggars issue at my gates,</l>
      <l n="1752">Who smeered thus, and mir'd with infamie,</l>
      <l n="1753">I might haue said, no part of it is mine:</l>
      <l n="1754">This shame deriues it selfe from vnknowne loines,</l>
      <l n="1755">But mine, and mine I lou'd, and mine I prais'd,</l>
      <l n="1756">And mine that I was proud on mine so much,</l>
      <l n="1757">That I my selfe, was to my selfe not mine:</l>
      <l n="1758">Valewing of her, why she, O she is falne</l>
      <l n="1759">Into a pit of Inke, that the wide sea</l>
      <l n="1760">Hath drops too few to wash her cleane againe,</l>
      <l n="1761">And salt too little, which may season giue</l>
      <l n="1762">To her foule tainted flesh.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ben.</speaker>
      <p n="1763">Sir, sir, be patient: for my part, I am so attired
      <lb n="1764"/>in wonder, I know not what to say.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bea">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bea.</speaker>
      <l n="1765">O on my soule my cosin is belied.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ben.</speaker>
      <l n="1766">Ladie, were you her bedfellow last night?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bea">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bea.</speaker>
      <l n="1767">No, truly: not although vntill last night,</l>
      <l n="1768">I haue this tweluemonth bin her bedfellow.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leon.</speaker>
      <l n="1769">Confirm'd, confirm'd, O that is stronger made</l>
      <l n="1770">Which was before barr'd vp with ribs of iron.</l>
      <l n="1771">Would the Princes lie, and<hi rend="italic">Claudio</hi>lie,</l>
      <l n="1772">Who lou'd her so, that speaking of her foulnesse,</l>
      <l n="1773">Wash'd it with teares? Hence from her, let her die.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-fra">
      <speaker rend="italic">Fri.</speaker>
      <p n="1774">Heare me a little, for I haue onely bene silent so
      <lb n="1775"/>long, and giuen way vnto this course of fortune, by no­
      <lb n="1776"/>ting of the Ladie, I haue markt.</p>
      <l n="1777">A thousand blushing apparitions,</l>
      <l n="1778">To start into her face, a thousand innocent shames,</l>
      <l n="1779">In Angel whitenesse beare away those blushes,</l>
      <l n="1780">And in her eie there hath appear'd a fire</l>
      <l n="1781">To burne the errors that these Princes hold</l>
      <l n="1782">Against her maiden truth. Call me a foole,</l>
      <l n="1783">Trust not my reading, nor my obseruations,</l>
      <l n="1784">Which with experimental seàle doth warrant</l>
      <l n="1785">The tenure of my booke: trust not my age,</l>
      <l n="1786">My reuerence, calling, nor diuinitie,</l>
      <l n="1787">If this sweet Ladie lye not guiltlesse heere,</l>
      <l n="1788">Vnder some biting error.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leo.</speaker>
      <l n="1789">Friar, it cannot be:</l>
      <l n="1790">Thou seest that all the Grace that she hath left,</l>
      <l n="1791">Is, that she wil not adde to her damnation,</l>
      <l n="1792">A sinne of periury, she not denies it:</l>
      <l n="1793">Why seek'st thou then to couer with excuse,</l>
      <l n="1794">That which appeares in proper nakednesse<c rend="italic">?</c>
      </l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-fra">
      <speaker rend="italic">Fri.</speaker>
      <l n="1795">Ladie, what man is he you are accus'd of?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-her">
      <speaker rend="italic">Hero.</speaker>
      <l n="1796">They know that do accuse me, I know none:</l>
      <l n="1797">If I know more of any man aliue</l>
      <l n="1798">Then that which maiden modestie doth warrant,</l>
      <l n="1799">Let all my sinnes lacke mercy. O my Father,</l>
      <l n="1800">Proue you that any man with me conuerst,</l>
      <cb n="2"/>
      <l n="1801">At houres vnmeete, or that I yesternight</l>
      <l n="1802">Maintain'd the change of words with any creature,</l>
      <l n="1803">Refuse me, hate me, torture me to death.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-fra">
      <speaker rend="italic">Fri.</speaker>
      <l n="1804">There is some strange misprision in the Princes.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ben.</speaker>
      <l n="1805">Two of them haue the verie bent of honor,</l>
      <l n="1806">And if their wisedomes be misled in this:</l>
      <l n="1807">The practise of it liues in<hi rend="italic">Iohn</hi>the bastard,</l>
      <l n="1808">Whose spirits toile in frame of villanies.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leo.</speaker>
      <l n="1809">I know not: if they speake but truth of her,</l>
      <l n="1810">These hands shall teare her: If they wrong her honour,</l>
      <l n="1811">The proudest of them shall wel heare of it.</l>
      <l n="1812">Time hath not yet so dried this bloud of mine,</l>
      <l n="1813">Nor age so eate vp my inuention,</l>
      <l n="1814">Nor Fortune made such hauocke of my meanes,</l>
      <l n="1815">Nor my bad life reft me so much of friends,</l>
      <l n="1816">But they shall finde, awak'd in such a kinde,</l>
      <l n="1817">Both strength of limbe, and policie of minde,</l>
      <l n="1818">Ability in meanes, and choise of friends,</l>
      <l n="1819">To quit me of them thoroughly.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-fra">
      <speaker rend="italic">Fri.</speaker>
      <l n="1820">Pause awhile:</l>
      <l n="1821">And let my counsell sway you in this case,</l>
      <l n="1822">Your daughter heere the Princesse (left for dead)</l>
      <l n="1823">Let her awhile be secretly kept in,</l>
      <l n="1824">And publish it, that she is dead indeed:</l>
      <l n="1825">Maintaine a mourning ostentation,</l>
      <l n="1826">And on your Families old monument,</l>
      <l n="1827">Hang mournfull Epitaphes, and do all rites,</l>
      <l n="1828">That appertaine vnto a buriall.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leon.</speaker>
      <l n="1829">What shall become of this? What wil this do<c rend="italic">?</c>
      </l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-fra">
      <speaker rend="italic">Fri.</speaker>
      <l n="1830">Marry this wel carried, shall on her behalfe,</l>
      <l n="1831">Change slander to remorse, that is some good,</l>
      <l n="1832">But not for that dreame I on this strange course,</l>
      <l n="1833">But on this trauaile looke for greater birth:</l>
      <l n="1834">She dying, as it must be so maintain'd,</l>
      <l n="1835">Vpon the instant that she was accus'd,</l>
      <l n="1836">Shal be lamented, pittied, and excus'd</l>
      <l n="1837">Of euery hearer: for it so fals out,</l>
      <l n="1838">That what we haue, we prize not to the worth,</l>
      <l n="1839">Whiles we enioy it; but being lack'd and lost,</l>
      <l n="1840">Why then we racke the value, then we finde</l>
      <l n="1841">The vertue that possession would not shew vs</l>
      <l n="1842">Whiles it was ours, so will it fare with<hi rend="italic">Claudio</hi>:</l>
      <l n="1843">When he shal heare she dyed vpon his words,</l>
      <l n="1844">Th'Idea of her life shal sweetly creepe</l>
      <l n="1845">Into his study of imagination.</l>
      <l n="1846">And euery louely Organ of her life,</l>
      <l n="1847">Shall come apparel'd in more precious habite:</l>
      <l n="1848">More mouing delicate, and ful of life,</l>
      <l n="1849">Into the eye and prospect of his soule</l>
      <l n="1850">Then when she liu'd indeed: then shal he mourne,</l>
      <l n="1851">If euer Loue had interest in his Liuer,</l>
      <l n="1852">And wish he had not so accused her:</l>
      <l n="1853">No, though he thought his accusation true:</l>
      <l n="1854">Let this be so, and doubt not but successe</l>
      <l n="1855">Wil fashion the euent in better shape,</l>
      <l n="1856">Then I can lay it downe in likelihood.</l>
      <l n="1857">But if all ayme but this be leuelld false,</l>
      <l n="1858">The supposition of the Ladies death,</l>
      <l n="1859">Will quench the wonder of her infamie.</l>
      <l n="1860">And if it sort not well, you may conceale her</l>
      <l n="1861">As best befits her wounded reputation,</l>
      <l n="1862">In some reclusiue and religious life,</l>
      <l n="1863">Out of all eyes, tongues, mindes and iniuries.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bene.</speaker>
      <l n="1864">Signior<hi rend="italic">Leonato</hi>, let the Frier aduise you,</l>
      <l n="1865">And though you know my inwardnesse and loue</l>
      <l n="1866">Is very much vnto the Prince and<hi rend="italic">Claudio</hi>.</l>
      <pb facs="FFimg:axc0136-0.jpg" n="116"/>
      <cb n="1"/>
      <l n="1867">Yet, by mine honor, I will deale in this,</l>
      <l n="1868">As secretly and iustlie, as your soule</l>
      <l n="1869">Should with your bodie.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-leo">
      <speaker rend="italic">Leon.</speaker>
      <l n="1870">Being that I flow in greefe,</l>
      <l n="1871">The smallest twine may lead me.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-fra">
      <speaker rend="italic">Frier.</speaker>
      <l n="1872">'Tis well consented, presently away,</l>
      <l n="1873">For to strange sores, strangely they straine the cure,</l>
      <l n="1874">Come Lady, die to liue, this wedding day</l>
      <l n="1875">Perhaps is but prolong'd, haue patience &amp; endure.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bene.</speaker>
      <p n="1876">Lady<hi rend="italic">Beatrice</hi>, haue you wept all this while?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bea">
      <speaker rend="italic">Beat.</speaker>
      <p n="1877">Yea, and I will weepe a while longer.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bene.</speaker>
      <p n="1878">I will not desire that.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bea">
      <speaker rend="italic">Beat.</speaker>
      <p n="1879">You haue no reason, I doe it freely.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bene.</speaker>
      <p n="1880">Surelie I do beleeue your fair cosin is wrong'd.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bea">
      <speaker rend="italic">Beat.</speaker>
      <p n="1881">Ah, how much might the man deserue of mee
      <lb n="1882"/>that would right her!</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bene.</speaker>
      <p n="1883">Is there any way to shew such friendship?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bea">
      <speaker rend="italic">Beat.</speaker>
      <p n="1884">A verie euen way, but no such friend.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bene.</speaker>
      <p n="1885">May a man doe it?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bea">
      <speaker rend="italic">Beat.</speaker>
      <p n="1886">It is a mans office, but not yours.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bene.</speaker>
      <p n="1887">I doe loue nothing in the world so well as you,
      <lb n="1888"/>is not that strange?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bea">
      <speaker rend="italic">Beat.</speaker>
      <p n="1889">As strange as the thing I know not, it were as
      <lb n="1890"/>possible for me to say, I loued nothing so well as you, but
      <lb n="1891"/>beleeue me not, and yet I lie not, I confesse nothing, nor
      <lb n="1892"/>I deny nothing, I am sorry for my cousin.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bene.</speaker>
      <p n="1893">By my sword<hi rend="italic">Beatrice</hi>thou lou'st me.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bea">
      <speaker rend="italic">Beat.</speaker>
      <p n="1894">Doe not sweare by it and eat it.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bene.</speaker>
      <p n="1895">I will sweare by it that you loue mee, and I will
      <lb n="1896"/>make him eat it that sayes I loue not you.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bea">
      <speaker rend="italic">Beat.</speaker>
      <p n="1897">Will you not eat your word?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bene.</speaker>
      <p n="1898">With no sawce that can be deuised to it, I pro­
      <lb n="1899"/>test I loue thee.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bea">
      <speaker rend="italic">Beat.</speaker>
      <p n="1900">Why then God forgiue me.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bene.</speaker>
      <p n="1901">What offence sweet Beatrice?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bea">
      <speaker rend="italic">Beat.</speaker>
      <p n="1902">You haue stayed me in a happy howre, I was a­
      <lb n="1903"/>bout to protest I loued you.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bene.</speaker>
      <p n="1904">And doe it with all thy heart.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bea">
      <speaker rend="italic">Beat.</speaker>
      <p n="1905">I loue you with so much of my heart, that none
      <lb n="1906"/>is left to protest.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bened.</speaker>
      <p n="1907">Come, bid me doe any thing for thee.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bea">
      <speaker rend="italic">Beat.</speaker>
      <p n="1908">Kill<hi rend="italic">Claudio</hi>.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bene.</speaker>
      <p n="1909">Ha, not for the wide world.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bea">
      <speaker rend="italic">Beat.</speaker>
      <p n="1910">You kill me to denie, farewell.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bene.</speaker>
      <p n="1911">Tarrie sweet<hi rend="italic">Beatrice</hi>.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bea">
      <speaker rend="italic">Beat.</speaker>
      <p n="1912">I am gone, though I am heere, there is no loue
      <lb n="1913"/>in you, nay I pray you let me goe.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bene.</speaker>
      <p n="1914">
         <hi rend="italic">Beatrice</hi>.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bea">
      <speaker rend="italic">Beat.</speaker>
      <p n="1915">Infaith I will goe.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bene.</speaker>
      <p n="1916">Wee'll be friends first.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bea">
      <speaker rend="italic">Beat.</speaker>
      <p n="1917">You dare easier be friends with mee, than fight
      <lb n="1918"/>with mine enemy.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bene.</speaker>
      <p n="1919">Is<hi rend="italic">Claudio</hi>thine enemie?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bea">
      <speaker rend="italic">Beat.</speaker>
      <p n="1920">Is a not approued in the height a villaine, that
      <lb n="1921"/>hath slandered, scorned, dishonoured my kinswoman? O
      <lb n="1922"/>that I were a man! what, beare her in hand vntill they
      <lb n="1923"/>come to take hands, and then with publike accusation
      <lb n="1924"/>vncouered slander, vnmittigated rancour? O God that I
      <lb n="1925"/>were a man! I would eat his heart in the marketȑplace.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bene.</speaker>
      <p n="1926">Heare me<hi rend="italic">Beatrice</hi>.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bea">
      <speaker rend="italic">Beat.</speaker>
      <p n="1927">Talke with a man out at a window, a proper
      <lb n="1928"/>saying.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bene.</speaker>
      <p n="1929">Nay but<hi rend="italic">Beatrice</hi>.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bea">
      <speaker rend="italic">Beat.</speaker>
      <p n="1930">Sweet<hi rend="italic">Hero</hi>, she is wrong'd, shee is slandered,
      <lb n="1931"/>she is vndone.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bene.</speaker>
      <p n="1932">Beat?</p>
   </sp>
   <cb n="2"/>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bea">
      <speaker rend="italic">Beat.</speaker>
      <p n="1933">Princes and Counties! surelie a Princely testi­
      <lb n="1934"/>monie, a goodly Count, Comfect, a sweet Gallant sure­
      <lb n="1935"/>lie, O that I were a man for his sake! or that I had any
      <lb n="1936"/>friend would be a man for my sake<c rend="italic">!</c>But manhood is mel­
      <lb n="1937"/>ted into cursies, valour into complement, and men are
      <lb n="1938"/>onelie turned into tongue, and trim ones too: he is now
      <lb n="1939"/>as valiant as<hi rend="italic">Hercules</hi>, that only tells a lie, and sweares it:
      <lb n="1940"/>I cannot be a man with wishing, therfore I will die a wo­
      <lb n="1941"/>man with grieuing.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bene.</speaker>
      <p n="1942">Tarry good<hi rend="italic">Beatrice</hi>, by this hand I loue thee.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bea">
      <speaker rend="italic">Beat.</speaker>
      <p n="1943">Vse it for my loue some other way then swea­
      <lb n="1944"/>ring by it.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bened.</speaker>
      <p n="1945">Thinke you in your soule the Count<hi rend="italic">Claudio</hi>
         
      <lb n="1946"/>hath wrong'd<hi rend="italic">Hero</hi>?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bea">
      <speaker rend="italic">Beat.</speaker>
      <p n="1947">Yea, as sure as I haue a thought, or a soule.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-ben">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bene.</speaker>
      <p n="1948">Enough, I am engagde, I will challenge him, I
      <lb n="1949"/>will kisse your hand, and so leaue you: by this hand<hi rend="italic">Clau­
      <lb n="1950"/>dio</hi>shall render me a deere account: as you heare of me,
      <lb n="1951"/>so thinke of me: goe comfort your coosin, I must say she
      <lb n="1952"/>is dead, and so farewell.</p>
   </sp>
</div>

                                
                            

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