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

Prev Next

Reference: K1r - Comedies, p. 109

Left Column


Much adoe about Nothing.

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

know all) hath a contemptible spirit.

 Clau.
[980]

He is a very proper man.

 Prin.

He hath indeed a good outward happines.

 Clau.

'Fore God, and in my minde very wise.

 Prin.

He doth indeed shew some sparkes that are like

wit.

 Leon.
[985]

And I take him to be valiant.

 Prin.

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

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

them with great discretion, or vndertakes them with a

Christian‑like feare.

 Leon.
[990]

If hee doe feare God, a must necessarilie keepe

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

quarrell with feare and trembling.

 Prin.

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

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

[995]

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

see Benedicke, and tell him of her loue.

Claud.

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

with good counsell.

 Leon.

Nay that's impossible, she may weare her heart

[1000]

out first.

 Prin.

Well, we will heare further of it by your daugh­

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

could wish he would modestly examine himselfe, to see

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

 Leon.
[1005]

My Lord, will you walke? dinner is ready.

 Clau.

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

trust my expectation.

 Prin.

Let there be the same Net spread for her, and

that must your daughter and her gentlewoman carry:

[1010]

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

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

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

send her to call him into dinner.

 Exeunt. Bene.

This can be no tricke, the conference was sadly

[1015]

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

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

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

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

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

[1020]

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

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

they that heare their detractions, and can put them to

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

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

[1025]

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

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

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

haue some odde quirkes and remnants of witte broken

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

[1030]

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

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

and sentences, and these paper bullets of the braine awe

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

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

[1035]

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

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

markes of loue in her.

 Enter Beatrice. Beat.

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

dinner.

 Bene.
[1040]

Faire Beatrice, I thanke you for your paines.

Image


[full image]

Right Column


Beat.

I tooke no more paines for those thankes, then

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

would not haue come.

 Bene.

You take pleasure then in the message.

 Beat.
[1045]

Yea iust so much as you may take vpon a kniues

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

signior, fare you well.

 Exit. Bene.

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

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

[1050]

no more paines for those thankes then you took paines

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

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

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

will goe get her picture.

 Exit.
Actus Tertius. [Act 3, Scene 1] Enter Hero and two Gentlemen, Margaret, and Vrsula. Hero.
[1055]
Good Margaret runne thee to the parlour, There shalt thou finde my Cosin Beatrice, Proposing with the Prince and Claudio, Whisper her eare, and tell her I and Vrsula, Walke in the Orchard, and our whole discourse
[1060]
Is all of her, say that thou ouer‑heardst vs, And bid her steale into the pleached bower, Where hony‑suckles ripened by the sunne, Forbid the sunne to enter: like fauourites, Made proud by Princes, that aduance their pride,
[1065]
Against that power that bred it, there will she hide her, To listen our purpose, this is thy office, Beare thee well in it, and leaue vs alone. Marg. Ile make her come I warrant you presently. Hero. Now Vrsula, when Beatrice doth come,
[1070]
As we do trace this alley vp and downe, Our talke must onely be of Benedicke, When I doe name him, let it be thy part, To praise him more then euer man did merit, My talke to thee must be how Benedicke
[1075]
Is sicke in loue with Beatrice; of this matter, Is little Cupids crafty arrow made, That onely wounds by heare‑say: now begin, Enter Beatrice. For looke where Beatrice like a Lapwing runs Close by the ground, to heare our conference. Vrs.
[1080]
The pleasant'st angling is to see the fish Cut with her golden ores the siluer streame, And greedily deuoure the treacherous baite: So angle we for Beatrice, who euen now, Is couched in the wood‑bine couerture,
[1085]
Feare you not my part of the Dialogue. Her. Then go we neare her that her eare loose nothing, Of the false sweete baite that we lay for it: No truely Vrsula, she is too disdainfull, I know her spirits are as coy and wilde,
[1090]
As Haggerds of the rocke. Vrsula. But are you sure, That Benedicke loues Beatrice so intirely? Her. So saies the Prince, and my new trothed Lord. Vrs. And did they bid you tell her of it, Madam? Her.
[1095]
They did intreate me to acquaint her of it, But I perswaded them, if they lou'd Benedicke, K To

Download the digital text and images of the play


Prev Next


 
Actus Tertius. [Act 3, Scene 1] Enter Hero and two Gentlemen, Margaret, and Vrsula. Hero.
[1055]
Good Margaret runne thee to the parlour, There shalt thou finde my Cosin Beatrice, Proposing with the Prince and Claudio, Whisper her eare, and tell her I and Vrsula, Walke in the Orchard, and our whole discourse
[1060]
Is all of her, say that thou ouer‑heardst vs, And bid her steale into the pleached bower, Where hony‑suckles ripened by the sunne, Forbid the sunne to enter: like fauourites, Made proud by Princes, that aduance their pride,
[1065]
Against that power that bred it, there will she hide her, To listen our purpose, this is thy office, Beare thee well in it, and leaue vs alone. Marg. Ile make her come I warrant you presently. Hero. Now Vrsula, when Beatrice doth come,
[1070]
As we do trace this alley vp and downe, Our talke must onely be of Benedicke, When I doe name him, let it be thy part, To praise him more then euer man did merit, My talke to thee must be how Benedicke
[1075]
Is sicke in loue with Beatrice; of this matter, Is little Cupids crafty arrow made, That onely wounds by heare‑say: now begin, Enter Beatrice. For looke where Beatrice like a Lapwing runs Close by the ground, to heare our conference. Vrs.
[1080]
The pleasant'st angling is to see the fish Cut with her golden ores the siluer streame, And greedily deuoure the treacherous baite: So angle we for Beatrice, who euen now, Is couched in the wood‑bine couerture,
[1085]
Feare you not my part of the Dialogue. Her. Then go we neare her that her eare loose nothing, Of the false sweete baite that we lay for it: No truely Vrsula, she is too disdainfull, I know her spirits are as coy and wilde,
[1090]
As Haggerds of the rocke. Vrsula. But are you sure, That Benedicke loues Beatrice so intirely? Her. So saies the Prince, and my new trothed Lord. Vrs. And did they bid you tell her of it, Madam? Her.
[1095]
They did intreate me to acquaint her of it, But I perswaded them, if they lou'd Benedicke, To wish him wrastle with affection, And neuer to let Beatrice know of it. Vrsula. Why did you so, doth not the Gentleman
[1100]
Deserue as full as fortunate a bed, As euer Beatrice shall couch vpon? Hero. O God of loue! I know he doth deserue, As much as may be yeelded to a man: But Nature neuer fram'd a womans heart,
[1105]
Of prowder stuffe then that of Beatrice: Disdaine and Scorne ride sparkling in her eyes, Mis‑prizing what they looke on, and her wit Values it selfe so highly, that to her All matter else seemes weake: she cannot loue,
[1110]
Nor take no shape nor proiect of affection, Shee is so selfe indeared. Vrsula. Sure I thinke so, And therefore certainely it were not good She knew his loue, lest she make sport at it. Hero.
[1115]
Why you speake truth, I neuer yet saw man, How wise, how noble, yong, how rarely featur'd. But she would spell him backward: if faire fac'd, She would sweare the gentleman should be her sister: If blacke, why Nature drawing of an anticke,
[1120]
Made a foule blot: if tall, a launce ill headed: If low, an agot very vildlie cut: If speaking, why a vane blowne with all windes: If silent, why a blocke moued with none. So turnes she euery man the wrong side out,
[1125]
And neuer giues to Truth and Vertue, that Which simplenesse and merit purchaseth. Vrsu. Sure, sure, such carping is not commendable. Hero. No, not to be so odde, and from all fashions, As Beatrice is, cannot be commendable,
[1130]
But who dare tell her so? if I should speake, She would mocke me into ayre, O she would laugh me Out of my selfe, presse me to death with wit, Therefore let Benedicke like couered fire, Consume away in sighes, waste inwardly:
[1135]
It were a better death, to die with mockes, Which is as bad as die with tickling. Vrsu. Yet tell her of it, heare what shee will say. Hero. No, rather I will goe to Benedicke, And counsaile him to fight against his passion,
[1140]
And truly Ile deuise some honest slanders, To staine my cosin with, one doth not know, How much an ill word may impoison liking. Vrsu. O doe not doe your cosin such a wrong, She cannot be so much without true iudgement,
[1145]
Hauing so swift and excellent a wit As she is prisde to haue, as to refuse So rare a Gentleman as signior Benedicke. Hero. He is the onely man of Italy, Alwaies excepted, my deare Claudio. Vrsu.
[1150]
I pray you be not angry with me, Madame, Speaking my fancy: Signior Benedicke, For shape, for bearing argument and valour, Goes formost in report through Italy. Hero. Indeed he hath an excellent good name. Vrsu.
[1155]
His excellence did earne it ere he had it: When are you married Madame? Hero. Why euerie day to morrow, come goe in, Ile shew thee some attires, and haue thy counsell, Which is the best to furnish me to morrow. Vrsu.
[1160]
Shee's tane I warrant you, We haue caught her Madame? Hero. If it proue so, then louing goes by haps, Some Cupid kills with arrowes, some with traps. Exit. Beat. What fire is in mine eares? can this be true?
[1165]
Stand I condemn'd for pride and scorne so much? Contempt, farewell, and maiden pride, adew, No glory liues behinde the backe of such. And Benedicke, loue on, I will requite thee, Taming my wilde heart to thy louing hand:
[1170]
If thou dost loue, my kindnesse shall incite thee To binde our loues vp in a holy band. For others say thou dost deserue, and I Beleeue it better then reportingly. Exit.
 

Download the digital text of the play

                                
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<div type="scene" n="1">
   <head rend="italic center">Actus Tertius.</head>
   <head type="supplied">[Act 3, Scene 1]</head>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Hero and two Gentlemen, Margaret, and Vrsula.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-ado-her">
      <speaker rend="italic">Hero.</speaker>
      <l n="1055">Good<hi rend="italic">Margaret</hi>runne thee to the parlour,</l>
      <l n="1056">There shalt thou finde my Cosin<hi rend="italic">Beatrice</hi>,</l>
      <l n="1057">Proposing with the Prince and<hi rend="italic">Claudio</hi>,</l>
      <l n="1058">Whisper her eare, and tell her I and<hi rend="italic">Vrsula</hi>,</l>
      <l n="1059">Walke in the Orchard, and our whole discourse</l>
      <l n="1060">Is all of her, say that thou ouer‑heardst vs,</l>
      <l n="1061">And bid her steale into the pleached bower,</l>
      <l n="1062">Where hony‑suckles ripened by the sunne,</l>
      <l n="1063">Forbid the sunne to enter: like fauourites,</l>
      <l n="1064">Made proud by Princes, that aduance their pride,</l>
      <l n="1065">Against that power that bred it, there will she hide her,</l>
      <l n="1066">To listen our purpose, this is thy office,</l>
      <l n="1067">Beare thee well in it, and leaue vs alone.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-mar">
      <speaker rend="italic">Marg.</speaker>
      <l n="1068">Ile make her come I warrant you presently.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-her">
      <speaker rend="italic">Hero.</speaker>
      <l n="1069">Now<hi rend="italic">Vrsula</hi>, when<hi rend="italic">Beatrice</hi>doth come,</l>
      <l n="1070">As we do trace this alley vp and downe,</l>
      <l n="1071">Our talke must onely be of<hi rend="italic">Benedicke</hi>,</l>
      <l n="1072">When I doe name him, let it be thy part,</l>
      <l n="1073">To praise him more then euer man did merit,</l>
      <l n="1074">My talke to thee must be how<hi rend="italic">Benedicke</hi>
      </l>
      <l n="1075">Is sicke in loue with<hi rend="italic">Beatrice</hi>; of this matter,</l>
      <l n="1076">Is little<hi rend="italic">Cupids</hi>crafty arrow made,</l>
      <l n="1077">That onely wounds by heare‑say: now begin,</l>
      <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Beatrice.</stage>
      <l n="1078">For looke where<hi rend="italic">Beatrice</hi>like a Lapwing runs</l>
      <l n="1079">Close by the ground, to heare our conference.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-urs">
      <speaker rend="italic">Vrs.</speaker>
      <l n="1080">The pleasant'st angling is to see the fish</l>
      <l n="1081">Cut with her golden ores the siluer streame,</l>
      <l n="1082">And greedily deuoure the treacherous baite:</l>
      <l n="1083">So angle we for<hi rend="italic">Beatrice</hi>, who euen now,</l>
      <l n="1084">Is couched in the wood‑bine couerture,</l>
      <l n="1085">Feare you not my part of the Dialogue.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-her">
      <speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
      <l n="1086">Then go we neare her that her eare loose nothing,</l>
      <l n="1087">Of the false sweete baite that we lay for it:</l>
      <l n="1088">No truely<hi rend="italic">Vrsula</hi>, she is too disdainfull,</l>
      <l n="1089">I know her spirits are as coy and wilde,</l>
      <l n="1090">As Haggerds of the rocke.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-urs">
      <speaker rend="italic">Vrsula.</speaker>
      <l n="1091">But are you sure,</l>
      <l n="1092">That<hi rend="italic">Benedicke</hi>loues<hi rend="italic">Beatrice</hi>so intirely?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-her">
      <speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
      <l n="1093">So saies the Prince, and my new trothed Lord.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-urs">
      <speaker rend="italic">Vrs.</speaker>
      <l n="1094">And did they bid you tell her of it, Madam?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-her">
      <speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
      <l n="1095">They did intreate me to acquaint her of it,</l>
      <l n="1096">But I perswaded them, if they lou'd<hi rend="italic">Benedicke</hi>,</l>
      <pb facs="FFimg:axc0130-0.jpg" n="110"/>
      <cb n="1"/>
      <l n="1097">To wish him wrastle with affection,</l>
      <l n="1098">And neuer to let<hi rend="italic">Beatrice</hi>know of it.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-urs">
      <speaker rend="italic">Vrsula.</speaker>
      <l n="1099">Why did you so, doth not the Gentleman</l>
      <l n="1100">Deserue as full as fortunate a bed,</l>
      <l n="1101">As euer<hi rend="italic">Beatrice</hi>shall couch vpon?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-her">
      <speaker rend="italic">Hero.</speaker>
      <l n="1102">O God of loue! I know he doth deserue,</l>
      <l n="1103">As much as may be yeelded to a man:</l>
      <l n="1104">But Nature neuer fram'd a womans heart,</l>
      <l n="1105">Of prowder stuffe then that of<hi rend="italic">Beatrice</hi>:</l>
      <l n="1106">Disdaine and Scorne ride sparkling in her eyes,</l>
      <l n="1107">Mis‑prizing what they looke on, and her wit</l>
      <l n="1108">Values it selfe so highly, that to her</l>
      <l n="1109">All matter else seemes weake: she cannot loue,</l>
      <l n="1110">Nor take no shape nor proiect of affection,</l>
      <l n="1111">Shee is so selfe indeared.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-urs">
      <speaker rend="italic">Vrsula.</speaker>
      <l n="1112">Sure I thinke so,</l>
      <l n="1113">And therefore certainely it were not good</l>
      <l n="1114">She knew his loue, lest she make sport at it.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-her">
      <speaker rend="italic">Hero.</speaker>
      <l n="1115">Why you speake truth, I neuer yet saw man,</l>
      <l n="1116">How wise, how noble, yong, how rarely featur'd.</l>
      <l n="1117">But she would spell him backward: if faire fac'd,</l>
      <l n="1118">She would sweare the gentleman should be her sister:</l>
      <l n="1119">If blacke, why Nature drawing of an anticke,</l>
      <l n="1120">Made a foule blot: if tall, a launce ill headed:</l>
      <l n="1121">If low, an agot very vildlie cut:</l>
      <l n="1122">If speaking, why a vane blowne with all windes:</l>
      <l n="1123">If silent, why a blocke moued with none.</l>
      <l n="1124">So turnes she euery man the wrong side out,</l>
      <l n="1125">And neuer giues to Truth and Vertue, that</l>
      <l n="1126">Which simplenesse and merit purchaseth.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-urs">
      <speaker rend="italic">Vrsu.</speaker>
      <l n="1127">Sure, sure, such carping is not commendable.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-her">
      <speaker rend="italic">Hero.</speaker>
      <l n="1128">No, not to be so odde, and from all fashions,</l>
      <l n="1129">As<hi rend="italic">Beatrice</hi>is, cannot be commendable,</l>
      <l n="1130">But who dare tell her so? if I should speake,</l>
      <l n="1131">She would mocke me into ayre, O she would laugh me</l>
      <l n="1132">Out of my selfe, presse me to death with wit,</l>
      <l n="1133">Therefore let<hi rend="italic">Benedicke</hi>like couered fire,</l>
      <l n="1134">Consume away in sighes, waste inwardly:</l>
      <l n="1135">It were a better death, to die with mockes,</l>
      <l n="1136">Which is as bad as die with tickling.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-urs">
      <speaker rend="italic">Vrsu.</speaker>
      <l n="1137">Yet tell her of it, heare what shee will say.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-her">
      <speaker rend="italic">Hero.</speaker>
      <l n="1138">No, rather I will goe to<hi rend="italic">Benedicke</hi>,</l>
      <l n="1139">And counsaile him to fight against his passion,</l>
      <l n="1140">And truly Ile deuise some honest slanders,</l>
      <l n="1141">To staine my cosin with, one doth not know,</l>
      <l n="1142">How much an ill word may impoison liking.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-urs">
      <speaker rend="italic">Vrsu.</speaker>
      <l n="1143">O doe not doe your cosin such a wrong,</l>
      <l n="1144">She cannot be so much without true iudgement,</l>
      <l n="1145">Hauing so swift and excellent a wit</l>
      <l n="1146">As she is prisde to haue, as to refuse</l>
      <l n="1147">So rare a Gentleman as signior<hi rend="italic">Benedicke.</hi>
      </l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-her">
      <speaker rend="italic">Hero.</speaker>
      <l n="1148">He is the onely man of Italy,</l>
      <l n="1149">Alwaies excepted, my deare<hi rend="italic">Claudio.</hi>
      </l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-urs">
      <speaker rend="italic">Vrsu.</speaker>
      <l n="1150">I pray you be not angry with me, Madame,</l>
      <l n="1151">Speaking my fancy: Signior<hi rend="italic">Benedicke</hi>,</l>
      <l n="1152">For shape, for bearing argument and valour,</l>
      <l n="1153">Goes formost in report through Italy.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-her">
      <speaker rend="italic">Hero.</speaker>
      <l n="1154">Indeed he hath an excellent good name.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-urs">
      <speaker rend="italic">Vrsu.</speaker>
      <l n="1155">His excellence did earne it ere he had it:</l>
      <l n="1156">When are you married Madame?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-her">
      <speaker rend="italic">Hero.</speaker>
      <l n="1157">Why euerie day to morrow, come goe in,</l>
      <l n="1158">Ile shew thee some attires, and haue thy counsell,</l>
      <l n="1159">Which is the best to furnish me to morrow.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-urs">
      <speaker rend="italic">Vrsu.</speaker>
      <l n="1160">Shee's tane I warrant you,</l>
      <l n="1161">We haue caught her Madame?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ado-her">
      <speaker rend="italic">Hero.</speaker>
      <l n="1162">If it proue so, then louing goes by haps,</l>
      <cb n="2"/>
      <l n="1163">Some<hi rend="italic">Cupid</hi>kills with arrowes, some with traps.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-ado-bea">
      <speaker rend="italic">Beat.</speaker>
      <l n="1164">What fire is in mine eares? can this be true?</l>
      <l n="1165">Stand I condemn'd for pride and scorne so much?</l>
      <l n="1166">Contempt, farewell, and maiden pride, adew,</l>
      <l n="1167">No glory liues behinde the backe of such.</l>
      <l n="1168">And<hi rend="italic">Benedicke</hi>, loue on, I will requite thee,</l>
      <l n="1169">Taming my wilde heart to thy louing hand:</l>
      <l n="1170">If thou dost loue, my kindnesse shall incite thee</l>
      <l n="1171">To binde our loues vp in a holy band.</l>
      <l n="1172">For others say thou dost deserue, and I</l>
      <l n="1173">Beleeue it better then reportingly.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit.</stage>
</div>

Download the XML