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Much  adoe  about  Nothing, 


WRITTEN    r,Y 


WILLIAM    SHAKESPEARE. 


THE    QUARTO   EDITION, 
I  600. 


A   FACSIMILE 

BY 

CHARLES  PRAETORIUS. 

WITH   INTRODUCTION 
BY 

PETER  AUGUSTIN  DAMEL. 


LONDON : 

Produced  by  C.  PRAETORIUS,  14  Clareville  Grove, 
Hereford  Square,  S.W. 

1886. 


CONTENTS   OF    INTRODUCTION. 

AGE 

1' 

The  Entries  on  the  Stationers' Register        

iii 

Notice  of  the  Publishers          

iii 

Date  of  the  Play 

Not  mentioned  by  Meres             

iv 

Kemp's  connection  with  the  Play           

iv 

Mr.  Brae's  identification  of  the  Play  with  Lone  labours  wonne 

iv 

Relation  of  Fo.  to  Qo. 

The  Fo.  little  more  than  a  reprint         

V 

Variations  in  Stage  directions 

vi 

Fo.  reproduces  errors  in  Stage  directions  of  the  Qo.  ... 

vi 

Fo.  reproduces  errors  of  Qo.  text          

vii 

Errors  peculiar  to  Fo. — its  omissions     ...          ...          ...          ...          ...  viii 

,  ix 

Corrections  and  Variations  in  text  of  Fo.  not  due  to  MS.  authority 

X 

List  of  Fo.  Corrections  and  Variations 

X 

Line  numbers  and  marginal  marks  of  the  Facsimile            

xii 

40    SHAKSPERE   aUARTO   FACSIMILES, 

•WITH    INTROnrCTION'S,    LINE-NUMBEKS,    (ic,    BY    SIIAKSPEUE    SCHOLAKS, 

ISSUED  UNDEPv   THE  SUPERINTENDENCE  OF   DR  F.  J.  FURNIVA 

LL. 

I.     Those  by   \V.  Griggs. 

No. 

i\-o. 

1.  Hamlet.    1G03. 

8.  Henry  IV.  1st  Part.     1598. 

2.  Hamlet.     1604. 

9.  Henry  IV.  2nd  Part.     1600. 

3.  Midsummer  Night's  Dream.  1600.   (Fisher.) 

10.  Passionate  Pilgrim.    1599. 

4.  Midsummer  Night's  Dream.  1600.  (Roberts.) 

11.  Richard  m.     1597. 

5.  Loves  labor's  Lost.     1598. 

12.  Venus  and  Adonis.     15S3. 

6.  Meirv  "Wives.     1602. 

13.  Troilus  and  Cressida.     1609. 

7.  Merchant  of  Venice.     1600.    (Roberts.) 

; 

2.     Those  by  C.  Praeiorius. 

14.  Much  Ado  About  Nothing.     1600. 

26.  Romeo  and  Juliet.     1599. 

15.  Taming  of  a  Shrew.    1594. 

27.  Henry  V.     1600. 

16.  Merchant   of  Venice.    1600.     (I.   E.   for 

28.  Henry  V.     1608. 

Thomas  Heyes.) 

29.  Titus  Andronicus.     1600. 

17.  Richard  11.     1597.    Duke  of  Devonshire's 

30.  Sonnets  and  Lover's  Complaint.     16C9. 

copy,     (o/i  stone.') 

31.  OtheUo.     1622. 

18.  Richard  n.    1597.    Mr  Huth.    (fotoumft.) 

32.  Othello.    1630. 

19.   Richard  H.    1608.    Brit.  Mus.    (fotorjrdft.) 

33.  King  Lear.  1608.  Gi.  (N.  Butter,  VhJaB 

iU.) 

20.  Richard  n.   1634.    (fot«graft.) 

34.  King  Lear.     1608.    02.     (N.  Butter.) 

21.  Pericles.     1609.     Gi. 

35.  Lucrece.     1594. 

22.  Pericles.     1603.     Q2. 

36.  Romeo  and  Juliet.    Undated,     {fotograft.)           \ 

23.  The  Whole  Contention.    1619.    Part  I.  (for 

37.  Contention.     1594.     (not  yet  done.) 

2  Henry  VI.). 

38.  True  Tragedy.     15S5.     [not  yet  done.) 

24.  The  Whole  Contention.  1619.  Part  TL.  (for 

39.  The  Famous  Victories.  1598.  {not  yet  donc'^            \ 

3  Henry  VL). 

40.  The    Troublesome    Raigne.     1591. 

(For 

25.  Rjmeo  and  Juliet.     1597. 

King  John  :  not  yet  done.) 

[Shakspere-Qiiario  Facsimiles,  No.  14.] 

Ill 


INTRODUCTION 


Under  date  4th  August,  presumably  in  the  year  1600,  tlierc  is 
an  entry  in  the  Stationers'  Register  to  the  effect  that  Much  Ado 
about  N'oihing  and  other  plays,  As  You  Like  If,  Henry  V.  and 
Every  Man  in  his  Humour^  were  "to  be  staicd." 

The  reason  for  this  stay  or  injunction  is  not  known  ;  but  sliortly 
after,  on  the  23rd  August  1600,  we  find  Much  Ado  and  the  second 
part  of  Henry  IV.  entered  for  Andrew  Wyse  and  ^Villiam  Aspley, 
and  both  plays  were  printed  for  them,  in  this  same  year,  by  V.  S. 
[Valentine  Sims]. 

As  regards  the  Publishers  of  these  two  Plays,  I  do  not  find  in 
the  British  Museum  Catalogue  of  Early  English  Books  that  \Vise 
and  Aspley  had  ever  any  other  partnership  relations.  Wise  appears 
to  have  been  in  business  from  1594  to  1602.  During  the  years 
1597-1599  he  published  the  first  two  Qo.  editions  of  each  of  the 
three  plays,  Richard  II.,  Richard  III.  and  \st  Pi.  of  Henry  IV., 
and,  in  1602,  a  third  edition  of  Richard  III.  On  the  25th  Jan. 
1603  he  transferred  his  right  in  all  three  to  Matthew  Law,  by  whom 
nine  subsequent  editions  (2  oi  Richard  II. ;  3  oi  Richard  III ,  and 
4  of  Henry  IV.  Ft.  i)  were  published  prior  to  their  appearance  in 
the  first  Folio.  In  view  of  these  numerous  publications  it  is  a 
singular  but  unexplained  fact  that  no  second  quarto  editions  of  two 
such  popular  plays  as  Much  Ado  and  2  Henry  IV.  should  have 
been  issued. 

Aspley  is  shown  by  the  Catalogue  above-mentioned  to  have  been 
in  business  from  1599  to  1630;  his  name  appears  on  the  title-page 
of  some  copies  of  the  Sonnets,  1609,  as  the  bookseller,  and  in  1623 
he  was  one  of  the  four  booksellers  at  whose  charges  the  first  P'o. 
ed.  of  Shakespeare's  Plays  \vas  printed  (see  Colophon  of  that  vol.). 
The  two  plays  with  which  he  was  specially  connected  made  their 
appearance  in  that  volume  under  very  different  circumstances  ;  for 
while,  as  we  shall  see.  Much  Ado  was  little  more  than  a  reprint  of 
the  Qo.,  it  is  very  doubtfiil  wiiether  the  Qo.  ed.  of  2  Henry  IV. 
was  used  at  all  as  copy  for  the  Fo.  version.  Mr  H.  A.  Evans 
does  indeed,  in  his  Introduction  (p.  viii)  to  the  Facsimile  of  that 
Qo.,  point  out  some  instances  of  what  appears  to  be  reproduction  of 
Qo.  blunders,  and  a  few  other  seeming  points  of  contact  might  be 
adduced ;  but  on  the  whole  I  incline  to  agree  with  the  Cambridge 


IV  DATE.   MERES.   WILL  KEMP. 

editors  that  the  printers  of  the  Fo.  had  only  MS.  copy  for  2 
Henry  IV. 

The  entries  in  the  Stationers'  Register  of  course  determine  the 
latest  date  that  can  be  assigned  to  Much  Ado.  How  much  earHer 
it  was  produced  is  uncertain.  Meres  docs  not  mention  it  in  the 
list  of  twelve  plays  which  he  gives  in  his  Falladis  Taniia,  1598, 
and  although  this  of  course  is  no  proof  that  it  was  not  then  in 
existence,  Meres  has  shown  himself  to  be  so  well  informed  with 
regard  to  the  literature  of  the  day,  published  and  unpublished,  that 
the  absence  from  his  list  of  so  popular  a  play  as  this  must  at  once 
have  become,  has  been  accepted  by  nearly  all  editors  as  a  main 
argument  for  fixing  the  date  of  its  production  at  some  time  in  1599, 
1600. 

Another  point  to  be  considered  in  regard  to  date  is  Will  Kemp's 
connection  with  the  play :  from  the  prefixes  to  the  speeches  in  Act 
IV.  sc.  ii.,  we  learn  that  he  took  the  part  of  Dogberry  and  was  no 
doubt  its  first  personator,  or  ''creator,"  according  to  modern 
theatrical  parlance,  and  did  we  know  the  exact  time  at  which  he 
withdrew  from  the  Chamberlain's  Company  we  might  possibly  be 
able  to  determine  the  date  to  be  assigned  to  the  play  more  precisely 
than  by  the  entries  in  the  Stationers'  Register  we  now  can  do.  That 
he  was  a  member  of  the  Company  in  1598  we  have  the  testimony 
of  Ben  Jonson,  who  includes  his  name  in  the  list  of  Chamberlain's 
men  who  acted  in  Every  Man  in  his  Humour  in  that  year  ;  Jonson 
does  not  mention  him  in  a  similar  list  of  the  actors  of  Every  ATan 
out  of  his  Hninour,  performed  by  the  same  Company  in  1599  ;  but 
we  cannot  therefore  conclude  that  Kemp  had  then  quitted  that 
company  \  Kemp  and  Shakespeare,  in  fact,  are  in  exactly  the  same 
position  as  regards  these  two  plays :  both  performed  in  the  first, 
neither  in  the  second  ;  and  we  know  of  course  that  Shakespeare  had 
not  parted  company  with  the  Chamberlain's  men.  From  this 
mention  of  him  in  1598  till  his  name  appears  in  Henslowe's  Diary, 
10  March,  1602,  we  know  nothing  of  Kemp's  career,  with  the 
exception  of  the  fact  that  in  the  Lent  of  1599  he  danced  his  famous 
Morris  between  London  and  Norwich ;  but  as  this  was  during  the 
theatrical  vacation  it  would  not  have  interfered  with  his  duties  in 
the  company.  The  account  of  this  Morris,  which  he  published  the 
next  year  as  his  NiTie  daies  wonder^  was  entered  in  the  Stationers' 
Register,  22  April,  1600. 

The  appearance  then  of  Kemp's  name  in  the  play,  as  the 
original  personator  of  Dogberry,  is  in  no  way  inconsistent  with  the 
generally  received  opinion  that  Much  Ado  was  produced  at  some 
time  between  the  date  of  Meres's  book  and  the  entries  of  the  play 
in  the  Stationers'  Register. 

I  have  said  above  that  Meres  makes  no  mention  of  our  play ; 


LOUE  LABOURS  WONN'E,   RELATIONS  OP  QO.  &  FO.        V 

but  included  in  his  list  of  twelve  he  gives  us  the  title  of  a  play 
called  Lone  labours  woime,  and  Mr  A.  E.  Brae  in  his  pamphlet 
entitled  Collier,  Coleridge  and  Shakespeare,  i860,  endeavours  to  prove 
that  this  is  merely  another  title  for  Much  Ado  about  Nothing.  This 
identification  if  established  would  necessarily  throw  back  the  date 
of  our  play  to  some  time  not  later  than  the  beginning  of  1598  \  but 
I  own,  ingenious  as  Mr  Brae's  arguments  certainly  are,  they  fail  to 
carry  conviction  to  my  mind.  Much  Ado  is  not  the  only  play  which 
is  supposed  to  be  referred  to  under  the  title  of  Love  labours 
wonne :  Dr.  Farmer  in  his  Essay  on  the  Learning  of  Shakspeare  (see 
Vol.  I.  p.  314,  Var.  182 1),  suggested  AWs  Well  that  Ends  Well 
as  probably  the  supposed  lost  play ;  the  Rev.  Joseph  Hunter  in 
his  Disquisition  on  The  Tempest,  1841,  and  again  in  his  New 
Lllusf rations,  1845,  Vol.  I.  pp.  130  and  359,  argued  in  favour  of  The 
Te?npest;  Prof.  G.  L.  Craik,  in  his  English  of  Shakespeare,  ist  ed. 
1S57,  p.  7,  advocated  the  claims  of  the  Taming  of  the  Shrew,  and 
after  carefully  considering  all  these  claims  I  see  no  reason  why 
As  You  Like  Lt  and  Twelfth  Night  should  not  also  enter  into  the 
competition ;  though  possibly  it  will  be  thought  that  a  title  which 
can  be  made  to  fit  so  many  different  plays  probably  belongs  to 
none  of  them. 

At  any  rate  it  does  not  seem  to  me  that  the  claim  of  Much  Ado 
to  this  title  is  sufficiently  established  to  allow  of  its  intervention 
on  the  question  of  the  date  of  that  play. 

A  matter  presenting  less  scope  for  ingenious  speculation,  but 
one  of  very  much  greater  importance,  is  that  of  the  relationship  of 
the  Qo.  and  Fo.  versions ;  'till  this  is  ascertained,  and  their  relative 
authority  determined,  no  satisfactory  settlement  of  the  text  is  possible. 

As  regards  Much  Ado  the  question  presents  no  great  difficulties, 
and  it  may  be  stated  briefly  and  with  confidence  that  in  1633  the 
only  authority  Messrs.  Heminge  and  Condell  had  for  their  Folio 
edition  was  a  copy  of  the  quarto  containing  a  few  MS.  alterations 
and  corrections  made  probably  years  before,  and  not  specially  for 
this  purpose.  By  far  the  greater  number  of  the  variations  of  the 
Fo.  must,  however,  be  attributed  to  carelessness  on  the  part  of  its 
printer,  not  to  MS.  alterations  made  by  the  corrector  of  the  Qo. ; 
indeed  the  fewness  and  small  importance  of  those  which  can  be 
attributed  to  deliberate  alteration  and  correction  forbid  the  notion 
that  any  independent  MS.  of  the  Play  could  have  been  consulted 
for  the  purpose,  or  that  any  sustained  effort  was  made  to  supply  the 
deficiencies  of  the  Qo.  and  correct  its  errors. 

In  the  Fo.  we  find  the  Play  divided  into  Acts,  and  So.  i.  of  the 
fir^t  Act  marked ;  but  no  further  attempt  to  number  the  scenes  was 
made.  The  Fo.,  or  rather  tlie  "  corrected  "  Qo.  from  which  it  was 
printed,  must  also   be  credited  with  the  marking  of  four  or  five 


VI  VARIATIONS    IN    STAGE    DIRECTIONS.       lACKE    WILSON. 

more  exi/s  than  appear  in  the  Qo. ;  but,  as  regards  the  stage 
directions  and  distribution  of  speeches  generally,  both  editions  are 
almost  cciually  deficient  and  foulty.  The  only  variations  worth 
notice  in  this  respect  are : — 

Act  II.  sc.  i.  1.  88.  The  Qo.  has  Enter  pr vice,  Pedro,  Claudio, 
atid  Bencdicke,  and  Balthaser,  or  dumb  John.  To  this  muddle  the 
Fc,  without  correcting  it,  adds  Maskers  with  a  drum.  In  the 
same  scene,  1.  i6o,  the  Qo.  has  Dance  exeimt,  which  the  Fo.  changes 
to  Exeunt. I  Musickc  for  the  dance. 

In  tlie  same  scene,  1.  217,  the  Qo.  has  Enter  the  Prince,  Hero, 
Leonato,  lohn  and  Borachio,  and  Conrade.  The  Fo.  rightly  omits 
all  after  Prince,  and  at  1.  270  where  the  Qo.  has  Enter  Claudio  and 
Beatrice,  the  Fo.  rightly  adds  Hero,  Leonato. 

Act  II.  sc.  iii.  at  line  38  the  Qo.  has  Enter  prifice,  Leotiato, 
Claudio,  Musicke,  and  at  line  44  Enter  Balthaser  with  musicke. 
For  these  two  stage  directions  the  Fo.  only  has,  at  1.  38,  Enter 
Prince,  Leonato,  Claudio,  and  Lacke  Wilson. ' 

Act  II.  sc.  iii.  195.  A  speech  given  to  Claudio  in  Qo.  is  assigned 
to  Leonato  in  Fo. ;  either  may  be  right. 

Act  III.  sc.  i.  in  the  first  entrance,  the  Fo.  corrupts  Hero's 
Gejitleivomen  to  Gentlemen. 

Act  III.  sc.  ii.  1.  54.  A  speech  wrongly  assigned  to  Bened'ck 
in  the  Qo.  is^in  the  Fo.  given  to  Prince;  though  it  might  equally 
well  have  been  given  to  Leonato. 

Act  V.  sc.  i.  1.  209.  The  Fo.  for  Enter  Constables  has  Enter 
Constable ;  and  at  1.  267  where  the  Qo.  has  Enter  Leonato,  his  brother 
and  the  Sexton,  the  Fo.  wrongly  omits  all  after  Leonato. 

Act  V.  sc.  iv.  1.  33,  at  the  entry  of  the  Prince  and  Claudio, 
the  Fo.  changes  and  two  or  three  other  to  7vith  atte/idants. 

In  other  places  the  Fo.  reproduces  the  stage  directions  just  as 
they  appear  in  the  Qo. ;  Innogen,  wife  of  Leonato,  a  character  not 

'  Mr  Collier  supposed  that  "lacke  Wilson"  might  be  identical  with  a 
"John  Wilson,  son  of  Nicholas  Wilson,  minstrel,"  a  record  of  whose  birth,  24th 
April,  1585,  he  had  discovered  in  the  registers  of  St.  Giles  Cripplegate ;  he 
thought  too  that  this  might  be  the  same  individual  as  the  "  Mr  Wilson,  the 
singer,"  who  dined  with  Alleyn,  the  actor,  on  the  annivei'sary  of  his  wedding, 
22  Oct.  1620,  and  that  he  was  not  only  a  singer,  but  a  composer  of  Shaksperian 
music.  (See  his  Memoirs  of  Alleyn,  Sh.  Soc.  1841,  p.  153. — Sh.  Soc.  Papers, 
1845,  Vol.  II.  p.  33,  and  Introduction  to  Memoirs  of  Actors,  Sh.  Soc.  1846,  p. 
xvii.)  This  last  piece  of  information  ]\Ir  Collier  would  seem  to  have  derived  in 
an  imperfect  manner  from  Dr  E.  F.  Rimbault,  who  in  1846,  in  a  pamphlet 
entitled  Who  was  fack  Wilson  ?  sought,  with  some  degree  of  probability,  to 
identify  him  with  John  Wilson,  Dr  and  Prof,  of  Music  at  Oxford,  who  was  born 
1594  and  died  1673. 

It  is  evident  from  the  birth  dates  of  these  two  individuals  that  neither  of 
them  could  be  the  original  personator  of  Balthasar ;  but  either  might,  for  any- 
thing we  know  to  the  contrary,  have  taken  the  part  at  some  revival  of  the  play. 
Hence  the  insertion  of  the  name  in  the  theatrical  copy  of  the  Qo. 


ERRORS    IN    STAGE    DIRECTIONS    AND    IN    TEXTS    OF    QO.    &    FO.       vii 

in  the  Play  at  all,  is  reproduced  in  the  Fo.  as  in  the  Qo.  in  the 
entrances  to  Act  I.  sc.  i.,  and  Act  II.  sc.  i. ;  in  Act  I.  sc.  i.  1.  205, 
the  Fo.  follows  the  Qo.  in  making  "John  the  bastard"  enter  with 
Don  Pedro,  though  he  has  nothing  whatever  to  do  with  this  part  of 
the  scene ;  the  cousins  or  attendants  whom  Leonato  addresses  at 
the  end  of  Act  I.  sc.  ii,  are  no  more  provided  in  the  stage  directions 
of  the  Fo.  than  of  the  Qo.  ;  in  Act  II.  sc.  i.  11.  104,  107,  109,  three 
speeches  belonging  to  Balthasar  remain  in  the  Fo,  as  in  the  Qo.  to 
Benedick ;  no  correction  appears  in  the  Fo.  of  the  jumble  by  which 
in  III.  iii.  1.  187  Conrade  is  made  to  speak  both  his  own  and  the 
watchman's  speeches ;  the  confusion  of  prefixes  to  the  speeches  in 
Act  IV.  sc.  ii. — where  Kemp's  and  Cowley's  names  are  given 
instead  of  those  of  the  characters  they  represented — is  the  same  in 
the  Fo.  as  in  the  Qo.,  with  the  exception  that  the  prefix  to  the 
mangled  speeches,  11.  70,  71,  which  the  Qo.  gives  to  Coidey  is 
changed  in  the  Fo.  to  Sex.  i.  e.  the  Sexton,  who  has  already  left  the 
stage;  in  Act  V,  sc.  iii.,  in  both  Qo.  and  Fo.,  Claudio's  speech  11. 
22,  23  is  given  to  Lo.  [Lord]  and  printed  as  prose;  and  in  Act  V. 
sc.  V.  1.  98,  the  Fo.,  as  the  Qo.,  gives  to  Leonato  the  privilege 
which  belongs  to  Benedick,  of  stopping  Beatrice's  sweet  mouth. 

In  the  text  itself  we  find  in  the  Fo.  the  same  persistence  in  the 
errors  and  peculiarities  of  the  Qo.  The  following  instances — the 
number  of  which  might  be  largely  increased — will,  added  to  those 
already  displayed  in  connection  with  the  stage-directions,  suffice  to 
establish  the  dependence  of  the  Fo.  on  the  Qo.  : — 

I.  i.  I  and  10.     In  both  places  Don  Pedro  called  Peter. 

I.  i.  59— 

"But  for  the  stuffing  well,  we  are  all  mortall." — stuffing  and 
well  wrongly  connected. 

I.  i.  89.     Benedick  called  Benedict. 

III.  ii.  28— 

"  Well  euery  one  c3.nnol  master  a  griefe,  but  he  that  has  it." 

III.  ii.  118— 

"If  you  loue  her,  then  to-morrow  wed  her." — Comma  should 
come  after  then. 

III.  iii.  II.  George  Sea-cole.  In  Act  III.  sc.  v.  he  becomes 
Francis. 

III.  iii.  158— 

"how  the  Prince  Claudio  and  my  master  planted,  and  placed, 
and  possessed  by  my  master  Don  lohn." — Evidently  corrupt  ; 
should  probably  read — "how  the  Prince  and  Claudio  planted 
and  placed  and  possessed  by  my  master  Don  lohn." 

III.  V.  10— 

"  Speakes  a  little  ^the  matter." — ^for  off. 


VIU  ERUOllS    PECULIAU   TO    FO. 

IV.  i.  57- 

"Out  on  thee  seeming,"  etc. 

IV.  i.  103 — 

"  About  thy  thoughts  and  counsailes  of  tliy  heart." — thy  for  the. 

IV.  i.  145-147.  Benedick's  speech.  "Sir,  sir,  .  .  .  what  to 
say." — Printed  as  prose. 

IV.  i.  157-160.  Commencement  of  Friar's  speech.  "  Heare 
me  ...   I  have  markt."- — Printed  as  prose.' 

IV.  i.  204 — 

"  Your  daughter  heere  the  Princesse  {left  for  dead)  " — should  be — the 
princes  left  for  dead. 

V.  ii.  47  — 

"let  me  goe  with  that  I  came'''' — should  be  came  for. 

It  Avas  perhaps  scarcely  worth  while  to  take  into  account  obvious 
blunders  peculiar  to  the  Fo.,  but,  as  showing  the  general  inferiority 
of  its  text,  the  following  instances  may  be  noted  : — 

I.  i.  51.  ease  for  eate ;  I.  iii.  41.  /  will  make  for  /  make ;  II.  i. 

'  On  this  instance  the  Cambridge  Editors  remark — *'  The  commencement  of 
the  Friar's  speech  comes  at  the  bottom  of  page,  sig.  G.  i.  (r)  of  the  Quarto.  The 
type  appears  to  have  been  accidentally  dislocated,  and  the  passage  was  then  set 
up  as  prose."  The  Editors  further  suppose  that  "some  words  were  probably 
lost  in  the  operation,"  and  they  accordingly  mark  a  lucuna  in  their  Globe  edition. 
A  theory  of  a  bit  of  "pie"  resulting  in  corruption  of  the  text  demands  very 
careful  consideration.  I  do  not  perceive  that  any  words  are  wanting  for  the 
sense,  and  my  examination  of  the  page  (49  of  our  Facsimile)  inclines  me  to 
believe  that  there  was  nothing  accidental  in  the  printing  of  a  portion  of  it  as 
prose.  The  page,  it  will  be  observed,  is  abnormally  long,  and  consists  of  39 
lines  ;  whereas  the  regular  full  page,  including  line  for  signature  and  catch-woi-Q, 
has  38  only  :  but  if  this  page  had  been  printed  metrically  throughout  it  would 
have  required  42  lines  ;  of  which  three  would  have  been  occupied  by  Benedick's 
speech,  11.  145-7,  and  four  by  the  commencement  of  the  Friar's  speech.  Now  it 
is  not  to  be  supposed  that  the  whole  play  was  set  up  by  one  man,  and  it  is  there- 
fore allowable  to  imagine  that  the  portion  assigned  to — let  us  say — Compositor 
A.  may  have  'ended  with  the  last  line  of  this  page :  the  following  portion,  given 
out  to  Compositor  B.,  may  have  been  made  up  into  pages  before  A.  had  finished 
his  stint.  Were  B.'s  pages  to  be  pulled  to  pieces  to  make  room  for  the  fag  end 
of  A.'s  work?  I  imagine  not  :  it  was  less  trouble  to  compress  a  few  lines  of 
verse  into  prose  and,  with  the  help  of  an  extra  line,  to  get  all  A.'s  work  into  his 
last  page,  as  we  now  see  it  in  p.  49  of  our  Facsimile.  Probably  to  a  somewhat 
similar  transaction  in  the  printing  office  was  due  the  appearance  in  prose  of  the 
first  part  of  Mercutio's  famous  Queen  Mob  speech  in  Romeo  and  Juliet.  See  p. 
19  of  the  Facsimile  of  Q2  of  that  play,  edited  by  Mr  H.  A.  Evans. 

It  is  worth  noting  here  that  this  p.  49  of  Mitch  Ado  has  received  some  slight 
corrections  in  its  passage  through  the  press  :  in  1.  125,  "Do  not  liue  Hero,  do 
not  ope  thine  eies : ",  the  British  Museum  copy,  C.  12.  g.  29,  has  a  comma  in 
lieu  of  a  colon  at  the  end  of  the  line  ;  in  line  149,  "Lady,  were  you  her  bedfellow 
last  night  ?  ",  the  same  copy  has  no  comma  after  Lady  and  has  a  full  stop  in  place 
of  the  note  of  interrogation  at  the  end  of  the  line  ;  the  last  words  also  of  the 
page,  "haue  markt,"  do  not  in  this  copy  range  with  the  line  above,  but  are  the 
breadth  of  one  letter  within  the  line. 


OMISSIONS    IN'    FO. 


IX 


loo.  Loue  for  lone;  II.  i.  2S4.  this  Lady  tongue  for  my  Ladie 
Tongue ;  II.  i.  305.  something  of  a  iealous  complexion,  a  for  that ; 

II.  i.  328,  he  is  in  my  heart,  }iiy  for  her;  II.   ii.  34.  on  for  Don; 

III.  i.  79.  It  were  a  better  death,  to  die  with  mockes,  to  for  tJien ; 

IV.  i.    128.   reward  for  rereivard ;   V.   i.   6.  comfort  for  comforter; 

V.  ii.  33.   «(7w^  for  names  ;  V.  ii.  38,  39,  /////^  (twice)  for  r'nne. 
The  chief  sins  however  of  the  Fo.  in  this  respect  are  sins  of 

omission  ;  besides  numerous  single  words,  the  omission  of  which 
may  be  unhesitatingly  ascribed  to  carelessness  on  the  part  of  the 
printer,  the  Fo.  omits  some  eight  or  nine  lines,  here  noted;  the 
omitted  passages  being  printed  in  Italic ; — 

I.  i.  311,  31-— 

"And  I  will  breake  with  hir,  and  with  her  father. 
And  thou  shalt  haice  her :  wast  not  to  this  end,"  etc. 

A  common  error  of  the  press :  the  eye  of  the  compositor 
glancing  to  the  her  in  the  second  line,  he  overlooked  the  words 
between.  See  similar  instances  noted  at  tlie  end  of  Dr  Furnivall's 
Fore^aords  to  the  Q2  Hamlet  Facsimile. 

III.  ii.  2>3-Zl— 

"as  to  be  a  Dutcli-nian  to  day,  a  Fiencli-nian  to  morrow,  or  iti  the 
shape  of  tico  countries  at  once,  as  a  Gei'inaine  from  the  u-iiste 
do'vmvards,  all  slops,  and  a  Spaniaid  f-oin  the  hip  vpward,  no 
dnblet:' 

Malone  suggested  that  this  passage  may  have  been  struck  out 
"to  avoid  giving  any  offence  to  the  Spaniards,  with  A\honi  James 
became  a  friend  in  1604." 

IV.  i.  20— 

"  What  men  daily  do,  not  kno-mng  what  they  do." 

Here,  as  in  the  first  instance,  the  compositor  having  set  up  the 
first  do,  supposed  he  had  arrived  at  the  second. 

IV.  ii.  T8-23— 

Kemp  [Dogberry]  loq.  ..."  maisters,  do  you  serue  God? 

Both.      Yea  sir  lue  hope. 

Kem.      Write  down,  that  they  hope  they  seme  God :  and  write  God 

first,  for  God  defend  lutt  God  should  goe  before  such  villaiues  : 

maisters  it  is  proucd,"  etc. 

Blackstone  supposes  that  this  omission  "  may  be  accounted  for 
from  the  stat.  3  Jac.  I.  c.  21." 

V.  iv.  zi— 

^^ Here  comes  the  Prince  and  Claudia." 

T  have  given  Malone's  and  Blackstone's  reasons  for  the  omission 
of  two  of  these  passages  ;  but  I  apprehend  they  may  all  be  set  down 
to  accident. 


X       NO    MS.    AUTHORITY    FOU   FO.  :    ITS    CoHRECTIONS    &    VARIATKJNS. 

In  reviewing  then  the  errors  of  the  Fo.,  enough,  I  think,  has 
heen  said  to  prove  beyond  dispute  its  connection  with  the  Qo.  :  it 
now  remains  to  consider  whether  that  connection  has  been  in  any 
way  affected  by  the  supervising  authority  of  a  MS.  copy  of  the  play, 
as  has  been  shown  to  be  the  case  with  some  other  plays  where  the 
Qo.  editions  have  been  made  use  of  in  providing  "copy"  for  the 
printers  of  the  Fo. 

I  have  already  expressed  my  conviction  that  no  such  MS.  copy 
was  consulted  for  the  Fo.  edition  of  Af7ic/t  Ado ;  but  in  order  that 
the  reader  may  have  before  him  all  the  evidence  on  which  such  an 
opinion  could  be  founded,  I  have  made  out  a  list  of  all  the  correc- 
tions and  variations  of  the  Fo.  that  have  been  received  into  modern 
texts,  Mr.  Knight's  especially ;  for  he  more  than  any  other  editor 
has  taken  the  Fo.  for  his  guide.  When  he  rejects  its  authority  in 
favour  of  the  Qo.  the  Fo.  reading  must  indeed  be  "  grandly  sus- 
picious." In  this  list  I  have  marked  with  a  star  [*]  all  such 
variations  as  I  consider  to  be  obvious  corrections  :  there  will  not,  I 
think,  be  found  among  them  any  that  might  not  have  been  made  by 
an  ordinarily  intelligent  reader  of  the  Qo.  A  number  of  others  I 
have  marked  with  a  dagger  [t]  :  most  of  these  seem  to  me  very 
palpable  blunders,  and  I  should  not  have  encumbered  my  list  with 
them  were  it  not  that  Mr  Knight  has  adopted  and  popularized 
them  in  his  numerous  editions.  Another  few  I  have  marked  with 
a  parallel  [  ||  ] :  their  acceptance  or  rejection  would,  I  presume, 
depend  on  the  degree  of  authority  to  be  assigned  to  Qo.  or  Fo.  For 
the  rest,  which  I  have  left  blank,  I  think  we  need  not  look  further 
than  to  the  caprice  or  carelessness  of  the  printer  for  their  origin. 

The  quotations  are  taken  trom  the  Qo.^  followed  by  the 
variations  of  the  Fo. 

I.  i.  51 —  "/ie{s"—/ies. 

I.  i.  90 —  "ere  a  be  cured" — ere  he  be  curd. 

I.  1.  93 —  "  Yim  will  7ieuer" — yoti'l  ne'er. 

II  I.  i.  96 —  '^ are  you  come  to  meet  your  trouble" — yoii  are. 
t   I.  i.  106 —  "Were  you  in  doubt  «>" — sir  cm. 

II    I.  i.   147 —  "  That  is  the  summe  of  all  "—This. 

I.  i.  314 —  "How  sweetly _j/(?«  fl^i?  minister  to  loue" -(/('j'<'«. 

I  I.  U.  4 —  "  I  can  tell  you  j/ra/7^^  newes  " — strange 
I.  n.    10 —  "  in  ;«z';?^  orchard  " — my. 

t   I.  il.   II — -  "  were  thus  OT?<C/^  ouer-heard  " — muck  om. 

I.  ni.  8 — -  "  what  blessing  (Jrw^'j  it " — bringeth. 

II  I.  iii.  9 —  "  ^/ fezj-/ a  patient  sufferance  "—jr/. 


om. 


CORRECTIONS   AND    VARIATIONS    OF    ¥0.                                  xi 

t    I.  111.    25 

"where  it  is  iaipossiblc  you  blioiikl  take //v/t' root " — 

Inii;  om. 

t    I.   iii.   63  — 

"  I  wliipt  //le  behind  the  arras  " — ;«<:  om. 

II.   i.    17  — 

"if  a  could"— //^. 

II.   i.  34- 

"light  OH  a  husband" — v/>on. 

t    II.  i.   56- 

"/at/ter,  as  it  please  you  "—father  om. 

t  II.  i.  65— 

"  to  make  an  account  of  her  life  ''--an  om. 

II.  i.  146— 

"he  ho\\\ pleases  men"— pleaselk. 

II.  i.  195  — 

"  eouiity" — count. 

t  II.  i.  222 — 

"  I  tolde  him,  and  I  thinke  /tolde  him  true  "—last  /om. 

t  TI.  i.  223 — 

"  i\\s  goodwil  oi  this  young  Lady" — 2uiU. 

t  II.  i.  263— 

"  to  binde  him  -■/  a  rod" — :■/>  om. 

II.  i.  251 — 

*'  that  I  was  duller  than  a  great  thawe  " — ai/<i  that. 

t  II.  i.  2S8— 

"a  double  heart  for  his  single  one" — a. 

II.  i.  346- 

"out  a  question" — of. 

II.  i.  370— 

^'coiintie^-coiinte. 

t  II.  i.  376- 

"  to  haue  al  things  answer  /nj>  mind  " — »/y  om. 

t  II.  ii.  37— 

"  as  in  hue  of  your  brothers  honor  "—in  a  lone. 

II.  11.  49 

"  such  seeming  truth  of  Heroes  disloyallie  "  -  truths. 

t  II.  ii.  57- 

"  He  you  constant  " — thou. 

*  II.  iii.  141  — 

"your  daughter  told  ofc's  "—Z's  of. 

II   II.  iii.  162  — 

"  he  would  utahe  but  a  sport  of  it  " — but  make. 

II.  iii.  178  — 

"  what  a  will  say  " — he. 

II.  iii.  192 — 

"Before  God"— 'Fore. 

t  II.  iii.  197  — 

' '  you  may  sa_y  he  is  wise  " — see. 

t  II.  iii.  199 — 

"a  /uost  christianlike  feare  " — Mtost  om. 

t  II.  iii.  207 — 

"shall  we  go  seehe  Benedicke  "—see. 

II.  iii.  217  — 

' '  vn worthy  so  good  a  lady  " — to  haue  so. 

t  II.  iii.  223 — 

« '  gentLtvoinen  " — gentlewoman. 

*   III.  i.  4  — 

"  Vrsley"—Vrsula. 

Ii    III.  i.  12— 

"to  listen  om  propose"— purpose. 

II   HI.  i.  58- 

"lest  sheele  make  sport  at  \\."—she. 

II   III.  i.  104 — 

"  Shees  limeil  I  warrant  you  "—tane. 

III.  li.  39- 

"as  you  would  haue  it  appeare  he  is "--/<?  appeare. 

t  III.  ii.  64— 

"conclude,  conclude,  he  is  in  loue" — conclude  om. 

III.  ii.  106— 

"  she  has  bin  "—hath  beene. 

t  III.  ii.  132— 

"beare  it  coldely  but  'till  midnight"— night. 

t  III.  iii.  37  — 

"for  the  watch  to  babble  and  to  talke" — to  om. 

XU  CORRECTIONS    AND    VARIATIONS    OF    FO.       TUE    FACSIMILE. 

"bid  those  that  are  drunke  " — them. 

"  the  statutes"' — statues. 

' '  this  vij.  yeere  " — ycares. 

"  Al  this  I  see,  and  /  see  " — /  om. 

"And  thought  they  Margaret  was  Hero?" — thy. 

"  youle  see  he  shall  lacl-ce  no  barnes  " — look. 

"a  thousand /£'?/«(^  more " — times. 

'^  ha  tane" — haue. 

"  as  it  may  appeare  vnto  you  " — it  om. 

"  I  charge  thee  do  so,  as  tliou  art  my  child" — doe. 

"Why  then  are  you  no  maiden" — you  are. 

"  Not  to  be  spohe  of" — spoken. 

"  In  angel  wliitenesse  l)eateziW2.y  those  blushes  " — beare. 

"  Do  not  siveare  and  eate  it " — szveare  by  it. 

"  You  kill  me  to  deny  it" — it  om. 

' '  Counte,  Counte  Comfect " —  Count,  Comfeet. 

"I  will  kisse  your  hand,  and  so  /leaue  you" — /om. 

"  Yea  by  masse  "—by  th\ 

"whose  wrongs  doe  sute  with  mine" — doth. 

"  Would  giue  preceptiall  medcine  to  rage  " — medicine. 

"  mine  innocent  child  " — my. 

"  true  said  she,  a  fine  little^one  " — saies. 

"Art  tho7i  the  slaue" — thou  thou  (printing  the  verse  as 
prose). 

T    V  .  1.  8 1 —  "he  sliall  Hue  no  longer  in  monument  then  the  bell 

rings  " — monuments  .   .  .  bells  ring. 

■    V.  111.  lo —         "Praising  her  when  I  am  ^/mcf" — dombe. 

Ij    V.  111.  2  1—        " Heauily  heauily" — Heauenly,  heaiienly. 

V.  iv.  7 —  "  all  things  j^;-/5  "—.f^;-/'. 

The  Acts,  scenes  and  lines  of  the  Facsimile  are  numbered  in 
accordance  with  the  Globe  edition  on  the  outer  margin  \  on  this 
margin  also  a  dagger  [t]  marks  every  line  varying  in  any  way  in 
its  text  from  the  Fo. ;  lines  peculiar  to  the  Qo.  and  omitted  in  Fo. 
are  marked  with  an  asterisk  [*].  On  the  inner  margin  a  dagger 
marks  any  variation  of  the  stage  directions  or  of  the  prefixes  to 
speeches,  and  a  caret  [<J  marks  the  places  where  additional  stage 
directions  and  the  Act  divisions  are  found  in  the  Fo. 

P.  A.  Daniel. 
Sept.  1 886. 


III. 

iii.  45  — 

» 

111. 

iii.  85— 

III. 

iii.  134- 

t  III. 

iii.  148- 

t 

111. 

iii.  162- 

II 

111. 

iii.  48 — 

II 

111. 

V.  27 — 

111. 

V-  34 

t 

111. 

V.  54— 

t 

IV. 

L  77 

IV. 

i.  88 

IV. 

i.  97— 

il 

IV. 

i.  163— 

^ 

IV. 

i.  277— 

t 

iV. 

i.  293— 

IV. 

i.  318- 

IV. 

i-  33^— 

* 

IV. 

11-  53 

V.  i 

•  7— 

^ 

V.  i 

.  24 

V.  i 

•63- 

V.  i 

.  162 — 

t  V.  i 

.  272— 

Much  adoc  about 
Nothing. 

e^j  it  hath  heenfundrie  times  puhlil^Iy 

a(flcd  by  the  right  honourabIe,thc  Lord 

Chambcrlaioe  his  (eruants. 
Written  hy  ff^il/uim^  Shake ff>eAre^ 


LONDON 

Printed  by  V.S.for  Andrew  Wife,and 
WiHiam  Afpley, 


%w^^^. 


7^^^^^^ 


^^Vfe-SRCS^ 


W%      Much  adoe  about     ^3 


€mer  Lecttato  q^oucrnour  ofiJi-UjpMa,  Tnno^en  his  wife.  Hero 
ht4  dau^lcr,  and  Beatrice  his  ttetccjtuh  a 

mejfrngcr, 

Leonat«, 
r  carnc  in  thislciter ,  that  don  Peter  of  Arrat^oa 
^comcsthis  nig;lu  to  McfTiiu. 
r'M     Aitf.  H  t  IS  very  nc.irt  by  ihis^he  was  not  three 
leagues  oft  when  I  Icii  hiin. 
Ltona.  How  many  gentlemen  haue  you  loft  in  this  a^on? 
Ulfcff.  But  few  of  any  fort,and  none  of  name. 
Lconj.   A  viftory  is  twice  it  fdfe,  when  die  atchiuer  brings 
home  fill  numbers:  I  find  hcre,that  don  Peter  hath  beftowed 
much  honour  on  a  yong  Flore ntuie  called  Cbudio. 

CMe§.  Much  dtfcru'd  on  his  part,  and  equally  remembred 
by  don  Pedro, be  hath  borne  himfelft  bc>'ond  the  promife  of 
h»sa5e,doingmtlic  figure ofalamb,t he  feats  ofalion,he  hath 
indeed  belter  bettred  expe^anon  then  you  muO  expert  of  me 
to  tell  you  how. 

Leo.  He  hath  an  vnckle  here  in  Meflba  will  be  very  much 
glad  of  it, 

Mc{f.   I  haue  already  deliucred  him  letters,  and  there  ap- 
pcarcs  much  ioy  in  him,cucn  fo  much.ihat  ioy  could  not  JheA; 
it  felfe  modeft  enough,  without  a  badge  of  btttcmclTc. 
Leo.  D»dhcbreakcoulintotcarc&? 
AU^.  In  gf eat  mcofure. 


l.i 


IG 


nc 


24 


1. 1. 


fi5A4  uch  adoe 


36 


40 


-f-f 


:->2 


Leo,  A  kind  ouerfio'.v  of  kindneife^tlierc  ar€  no  faces  truci 
28         then  thofe  that  arc  (o  vvafl^t>  how  much  better  is  it  to  wecpe  at 
ioy,then  to  ioy  at  weeping? 

ieatr.  I  pray  you,  is  Signior  Mountanto  returnd  from  the 
warrcs  or  no? 

31  AUfetj.  Iknownoneofthatnamcjiadie,  there  was  none 

jfiich  in  the  army  of  any  fort. 

Leofiaio  What  is  he  that  you  aske  for  neecc? 
Hero  My  cofen  ineanes  Signior  Benedicketjf Padua. 
C^'f^ff.  O  hee's  returnd,  and  aspkafantas  euer  he  was* 
Bea,  Hcfetvphisbillshtre  in  iMeflina,  and  chaliengde 
Cupid  at  theFligbt,  and  my  vnclesfoole reading  the  chalenge 
rubfcnbde  for  Cupid,  and  chaliengde  him  at  the  Burbolt :  I 
pray  yoUjhow  many  hath  he  kild  and  eaten  in  thefe  warres? 
but  how  many  hath  he  kt1d?for  indeedc  I  promifed  toeate  all 
of  his  killing. 

Lea^  Faith  ncece  you  taxe  Signior  Benedicke  too  much, 
but  heele  be  meet  with  youjidoubtitnot. 
48  A^eff,   He  hath  done  good  feruice  lady  in  thefe  warrcs. 

'Seaf^  You  had  muUy  vittaile,and  he  hath  hoipe  to  eate  it, 
he  is  a  very  valiaunt  trencher  man ,  he  haJi  an  excdlttit  fto- 
macke. 

Mej[.  And  a  good  fouldier  too,lady. 
Beat.  And  a  good  fouidiour  to  a  Lady,  but  what  is  he  to  n 
Lord? 

5c  C^tejf.  A  lordto  aiord,aman  toa  man,flu{rt  with  al  hono- 

rable vcrtues. 

'Beat,  It  IS  (b  indecd,hc  is  no  leflc  then  a  fiuft  man,  but  for 
the  (luffing  wci, we  are  al  mortail. 

l^eo.  Youmuflnot,  fjr,mr{l:al<:cmyneece,  thereisakind 
ofmeiv  warre  betwixt  Si2;nior  Benedicke  and  her,iheyneuer 
meet  but  there's  a  skirmifh  of  wit  betwecnethcm. 
"Beat.  Alas  he  gets  nothing  by  ihatjin  our  lad  confli^,4oni{s 
fiue  wits  went  halting  oflr,and  now  is  the  whole  man  goucrnd 
with  one.fo  thntifhe  naue  wit  enough  to  keep  himfclfwarm, 
let  him  bearc  it  for  a  difFerence  between  himfelfand  hi  s  horfc, 
for  ii  is  all  die  wealth  that  he  hadi  left,  to  be  know  n  a  reafona- 

lie 


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SH 


ble  creatarcvvho  is  his  companion  novv:hc  hath  cuery  inonth       ?? 
a  new  fworne  brother* 
Mef  Iftpoflihlc? 

Beat,  Very  ealily  pofTiblejhc  vveares  his  £iith  but  as  the  fa- 
ihion  of  his  hjt,it  euer  changes  with  the  next  blocJce. 
Aicff".  I  fee  lady  the  j^cnilenian  is  not  in  your  bookes. 
Beat.  No, and  he  were,  I  would  buruemy  {}udy,but  I  pray        ho 
you  who  is  his  companion?  is  tli^reno  yong  fquarernov,'  tliat 
will  malce  a  voyage  with  him  to  the  diucli? 

Affj/i  He  IS  moR  in  the  companic  of  the  right  noble  Clau. 
dio. 

Beat.  O  Lord,  he  will  hang  vpon  himlikcadifcafe,  heeis 
fboner  caught  than  thepeOilcnce,  and  the  taker  luns  pre/cnt- 
iy  maddc,  God  help  the  noble  Claudio,  if  hchaue  caught  tlie 
Ecncdi(n-,it  will  coft  him  a  thoufand  pound  ereabc  cuicd. 
>^/c;^   I  will  holdc  friends  with  you  Ladie. 
'Beat.   Do  good  friend. 
Leon.   You  will  ncuerninne  maddc  niece. 
Bt\^t.  No,not  till  a  hotc  lanuary. 
Mejf'  Don  Pedro  is  approaclit. 

T->iter  don  'Tciiro,ClaudtOyBene(\%c^^^Bt:lchaj'ai' 
audlohnthe  bafiard. 
Pedro  Good  f;  wnior  Ltonato,  arc  you  come  to  meet  voar 
trouble  ;  tlicfalTiionofthe  world  is,toauoydcoft^nd  you  in- 
counter  it- 

Leon.  Neuer  came  trouble  to  my  houfe,  in  the  Irkcnc/Tc  of 
your  ffracc,  for  trouble  being  gone,  comfort /bould  rem.'iine: 
but  when  you  depart  from  mec,  forrow  abides,  and  liappincs 
takes  his  leauc. 

Pedro  You  embrace yoiu-  charge  too  willingly  ;  I  thindcc 
this  is  your  daughter.  w^t 

LeonAto  Her  mother  hath  many  times  tolde  me  fb. 
'Bemd.   Were  you  in  doubt  fir  that  you  askt  her? 
LeoH.ito  Signior  Bcnedicke.no,  for  then  were  you  a  child.  -.os 

Pedro  You  haue  it  full  Benedicke,v\  ec  may  glu  Tie  bv  this, 
whatyouaic,  beuigaman,  truclyihc  Lady  fathcis her fclfe: 

A  ?'  be 


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li  ^^^uchadoe 

ht  happy  Lady,  for  y oii  art  like  an  honourable  father. 

'Be.  lfSi«inior  Leonato  be  her  father,  Ihe  would  not  haue 
11C  hisheadonher  IhouldersfcrallMcfhnaaslikc  himaslheis. 

Beat.  I  wonder  that  you  will  ftill  be  talking,  fignior  B  cne- 
dicke,  no  body  markcs  you. 
120  Hene.  What  my  decrc  lady  Difdaine!  areyou  yet  liuing? 

Bca.    Is  it  poffible  Difdainc  Should  die,while  fhe  hath  luch 
rneete  foode  to  fcede  it,  as  fignior  Bcncdickc?  Curtefic  it  fdfc 
124  mtil^  conucrt  to  Difdainejif  you  come  mhcr  prefcnce. 

^ene.  Then  is  curtefie  a  turne-coatc ,  but  it  is  certaine  I  am 
louedofall  Ladies,  oneheyou  excq^tcd:  and  i  would  I  could 
1  Qe  finde  in  my  heart  that  I  had  not  a  hard  heart,  for  trucly  I  loue 

none. 

Be^At.  A  dccre  happincff  e  to  women,  they  would  clfc  haue 

beenc  troubled  with  a  perniticus  filter,  I  thanke  God  and  my 

132  cold  blood,  I  am  of  your  humour  for  that,  I  had  rather  hearc 

my  dog  barke  at  a  crow,  than  a  man  fweare  he  loues  me. 

Bene.  God  keepe  your  Ladifinp  llil  in  that  mind  ,  fo  fome 

136  Gentleman  or.othcriliall  fcapeapredeftinatefcratchtfacc. 

Beat.  Scratching  could  not  make  it  worfc ,  and  twcre  fuch 
a  face  as  yours  were. 

"Bene.   Wcll>you  are  a  rare  parrat  teacher. 
140  Beat.  A  bird  of  my  tongue,  is  better  than  a  bead  of  yours. 

'Ben.   I  would  my  horfc  had  the  fpced  ofyour  tongue,  and 
144  fo  good  a  continuer,  but  keep  your  way  a  Gods  name,l  hauc 

done. 

Beat.  You  alwayescnd  with  a  iades  tricke,  I  knowe  you  of 

olde. 

r  Vedra  That  is  the  fiimmeofall:  Lcon3to,fignior  Claudio, 

148  and  fienior  Rcncdicke,  my  dccre  friend  Leonato,hath  inuited 

yoti  all,  I  tell  him  we  fhall  flav  here,  at  the  leaft  a  moneth,  and 

he  heartily  praies  fome  occafion  may  detaine  vs  longer,  I  dare 

152  fweare  he  is  no  hypocrite,  but  praies  from  his  heart. 

Leon.  If  you  fweare,  mv  lord,  you  (hial!  not  be  forfwornc, 
)5c  let  mee  bidde  you  welcome,  my  lord,  being  reconciled  to  the 

Prince  your  brother :  I  owe  you  all  ductie. 

John  I  thahkc  vou,  f  am  not  of  many  wordes.but  I  thanke 
you  Leon- 


I.i. 


leo 


ahokt  O^othing. 

Leon.  Plcafe  it  your  grace  leadc  on? 

Fcdro  Your  hand  Lconato,wc  wil  go  togcthci-. 
exeunt.     Mortem  Benedickc  Q^  CUudio. 

C^u.  Bencciickc.didft  thou  note  the  daughter  of  Signror 

Bene.  I  noted  her  not.but  1  lookte  on  her,  (Lconato? 

Cl^f4.  Isfhcnot  amodeftyongladie?  ua 

'Bene.  Do  you  qucftion  me  as  an  hontft  man  fliould  doe, 
formyflmplelrueiudgciTjent  ?  or  would  you  hautincfpcake 
after  my  culi&mc,as  being  a  profcflcd  tyrant  to  their  fexJ 

Clahdto  No, I  pray  thcc  fpcokcin  (bbcr  iudgcmcnt. 

^ene.  Why  yfaith  me  thinks  (hees  too  low  for  a  hicpraife, 
too  browne  for  a  fairc  praifc,  and  too  litlc  for  a  great  praife.on- 
Jie  this  commendation  J  can  affoord  her,  that  were  Ont€  other 

then  rhc  is, rhc  were  vnhanfomc,and  being  no  other,butasnic 

is,  I  do  not  like  her.  na 

CI*iitdio  Thouthinkeft  I  am  in  (port ,  I  pray  thcc  tell  mce 
truclic  how  thou  likTt  her. 

Bene.  Would  you  buic  her  that  you  enquicr  after  her?  /«? 

Qat4J.io  Can  the  world  buie  fuch  a  icwel? 

7?<"w .  Yea  ,  and  a  cafe  to  putte  it  into,  but  fpcake  you  this 
with  a  fad  brow?  or  doc  you  plav  tlie  flowting  lacke,  to  tell  vs  /»<: 

Cupid  IS  a  good  Hare- finder,  and  Vulcan  a  rare  Carpenter  : 
Come,in  what  key  fliall  a  man  take  you  to  go  in  thcfonz? 

Qaudio  In  mine  cic  ,  Hiee  is  the  fweetcft  Ladic  that  euer  I  190 

lookton. 

Bcned.  I  can  fee  yet  w'nhom  fpeftaclcs  ,  and  I  {ee  no  fuch 
matter;  ihcres  ber  cofin,  and  flic  were  not  poffert  with  a  fury, 
cxcecdes  her  as  much  in  bcautie,  as  the  firll  of  Maic  dooth  1  he  /  94 

lafl  of  December :  but  I  hope  you  hauc  no  intent  to  lurne  huf- 
bandihaueyou? 

Claudto  1  would  fcarcc  truft  my  felfe,  though  I  had  fworne 
the  contrariejf  Hero  would  be  my  wife.  ;9s 

Bened.  Ift  come  to  this  ?  in  fiith  hnth  not  the  worlde  one 
man  but  he  will  wcarc  hiscappe  with  fufpition  ?  (IkiH  I  ncu^r 
fee  a  batcheller  of  three  fcoreagaine?go  to  yfaith, and  thou  wilt  -loi 

pccdesihrufl  thv  nccke  intoa  voke,  weare  the  print  ot  it,  and 
figh  away  fundaics:Iooke,don  Pedro  b  returned  to  feeke  you. 

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S'nterdon  Pedro,  lohtt  the  koTtord. 
Pedro  What  fecrct  h.ith  hdd  you  here ,  that  you  followed 
not  to  Lconcitocs? 
'Bene.  1  would  vour  Grace  would  conftraine  nic  to  tell. 
Pedro  I  charge  thee  on  thy  allcgcancc, 
Hen    You  hearc, Count  Claudlo,!  can  bcfcCTCtas  a  dumb 
man  ,   I  woulde  haue  you  thinkc  (b  f  but  on  my  allegiance, 
nnrkc  you  this,on  my  allegiance  jhe  is  in  louc,  with  who^now 
that  isyour  Graces  part:  m.irkehow  flioithisanfwcris,  with 
Hero  Lconatoesfhort  daughter, 

C^tiu,  If  this  were  (b  ,{b  were  it  vttred. 
'Bojed.  Like  the  olde  talc,  my  Lord ,  it  is  not  (b,  nor  twas 
tiot  fo  :  but  indccde,God  forbid  it  fhould  be  fo, 

Cimdto   I f  iny  paflion  change  not  (hortly,  God  forbid  it 
ftiould  be  oihcrwifc. 

Fedro  Amcn ,  if  you  loue  her  ,  for  the  Lady  is  very  well 
worthy. 

paudio  You  fpcakc  this  to  fetch  me  in,  my  Lord. 
?«  Pedro  By  my  troth  I  fpcake  my  thought. 

Ciaudio   And  in  faith,my  Lord,  I  (poke  mine, 
Bened.  And  by  my  two  faiths  and  troths,  myLordc,  I 
fpoke  mine. 

Clau.  T  hat  I  loue  hcr,T  fcclc, 
Pedro   T  hat  fh  e  i  s  worthy,!  know. 
Hencd.  That  I  neither  fcelc  how  fh e  fhould  be  loued ,  nor 
234  know  how  fhc  rhould  be  worthic,  is  the  opinion  that  fire  can 

not  melt  out  of  me,  I  will  die  in  it  at  the  flake. 

Pedro  Thou  waft  eucr  an  obffinatc  herctique  inthcdc- 
fpight  of  Beauty. 

238  Clan.  And  ncuer  could  maintainc  hi  j  part,  but  in  the  force 

ofhiswiU 

^erte.  That  a  woman  conceiued  me  J  thankc  her :  that  fhe 
242  brought  me  vp,  I  likcwife  gJuc  her  mofl  humble  thankesrbut 

that  I  will  haue  a  rechate  vvmdcd  in  my  forehead,  or  hang  my 
bugle  in  an  inuifible  baldricke,  all  women  fhall  pardon  mec : 
246  becaufe  T  will  not  doe  them  the  wrong  to  miftruft  any,  1  will 

doc  my  fclfe  die  right  to  truft  none  :  and  the  fine  is ,  (for  the 

which 


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wlikh  T  mny  gp  t^c  finer,)  I  wjII  htie  a  bacheller. 

Pedro  J  fliail  (cc  thee  ere  I  die,  looke  pale  with  loue. 
'Bene.  With  anger,  vfithfickeneHe,  or  with  huno-cn  mv 
Lord^ot  witli  louc :  prouc  that  cucr  J  looremore  blood  with 
louc  then  I  will  gctagatnc  with  drinking,  pickc  out  mine  eics 
with  a  Rallad-makers  pcnne^and  hang  me  vp  at  the  doorc  of  a 
brotlul  houfc  for  the  figne  of  blindc  Cupid. 

Pedro  Wcli,if  cucf  thou  doft  fall  from  this  faith,  thou  wilt 
proouc  a  notable  argument. 

Bene.  If  I  do,  fiang  me  in  a  bottfe  like  a  Cat,  and  il  .ootc  at 
inc,9nd  he  that  hits  me,  let  him  be  claptonthel'houldcr,  ar.d 
calld  A  dim. 

TeAro  VVcH,as  time  flial  trie:in  time  the  fauage  bull  doth 
bcare  theyoake. 

Bcr,:.  TlKnma2;c  bull  mav.liut  if  cuer  the  fenfihle  Bene- 
dicke  bcare  it,  plucke  off  the  bulls  homes,  and  (et  them  in  my  ■mi^ 
forehead,  and  let  me  be  vildly  painted  ,  and  m  fuch  great  let- 
ters as  they  writc,hcrc  is  2;ood  horfctohyre  :  let  them  figni- 
fle  vndcr  my  figne ,  here  you  may  fee  Benedickc  the  married 
man. 

Claudia  If  this  fhould  cuer  happcn,thou  wouldfl  be  horn 
ma^idc. 

Pedro  Nay,  if  Cupid  hnue  not  fpcnt  all  his  quiuer  in  Vc- 
nicCjthou  wilt  quake  for  this  11  .orliy. 

Ber.cd.  I  lookc  for  an  carrhquake  too  then. 
Vcdro  Well,  you  will  temponzc  wifh  the  howres ,    in  tlie 
mcane  time,  good  (Ignior  Benedicke ,  rcpairc  Xo  Leonaioes, 
commend  mc  to  him  ,  and  tell  him  1  willnoifailchimatiup- 
pcr,  for  indecde  he  hath  made  great picparation. 

'Br/ieA.  I  haucalmoft  matter  enoufrh  mmce  for  fuchcnii 

Embadagc,  and  fo  I  commit  you.  ?«2 

Qiivi.  1  o  the  tuition  of  God :  from  my  houfc  if  I  had  it. 

T^cdro  Tlicfixtofluly :  your  louing  friend  Eencdicke.  ■}>ic. 

Bencd,  Nay  mockenot,  mockc  not,  the  body  of  your  dif- 

courfeisfometimc  guarded  with  fragments ,  and  the  guardes 

are  but  fliglitly  balled  on  ncidicr,  ere  you  flowt  old  ends  .iny  7v<i/ 

further,  examine  your  con(ci€ncc,and  fo  1  leaue  you.     cxtt 

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Cfaadio  My  ^if  ge  ,   youi'  HiglinefTc  nowe  may  doc  mee 

good. 

'Vedro  My  loue  is  thine  to  tc.icli,tcnch  it  but  how. 
And  thou  fhalt  Ice  how  apt  it  is  to  !e.irne 
Atiy  h<ird  Iciron  that  may  do  thcc  good. 

Ciau.  Hath  Lconato  any  fonnCjmy  lord? 

Pedro  No  childe  but  Hcro,(hccs his onely  heirs: 
Dooll  thou  affc<f>  her  Claudio? 

CiaHiiio  O  my  lord, 
When  vou  went  onward  on  this  ended  a£^ion, 
1  lookt  vpon  her  with  a  fouldiers  eie. 
That  likt.bulhad  a  rougher  laskeinhand, 
ThantodriuehkingtothcnatDcofloue: 
But  now  [  amreturnde,and  that  warre- thoughts, 
Hauc  leftiheir  places  vacant:in  their  roomcs, 
Come  thron2,in2; (oft  and  dehcate  defires, 

•  ^  T    ¥  • 

All  prompting  mee  how  raire  yong  Hero  is. 
Saying  I  liki  her  ere  I  went  to  warres. 
■M8  Ttiiro  ThouwiltbelilcealoucrpreTently, 

And  tire  die  iiearcr  with  a  booke  or  words, 
Jf  thou  dofl  lout  £urc  Hero,  chcrifh  it, 
And  I  wjl  breakc  with  hir,and  with  her  father, 
•^'-'  And  thou  Hialthnuc  her:  waft  not  to  this  end. 

That  thou  beganfl:  to  twifl: (b  fine  a  ftorie? 

Chu.  How  fwcetiy  you  do  miniftcr  to  loue. 
That  knovv  loues  griefe  by  his  complexion! 
3iQ  But  left  ir»y  liking  might  too  fodaine  feeme, 

1  would  haue  faludc  it  with  a  Ion  ger  treatife. 

*Vtidro  What  need  the  bridge  much  broder  then  the  flood? 
The faiifift  graunt  is  thcneceHltic: 
Lookc  whatwiirerueisfir:tisonce,thoulouefV, 
And  I  wil  fit  thee  with  the  remcdic, 
1  know  wel)^allhaucreuellm2;to  nT2;ht, 
I  wil  airuiDc  thy  part  in  fomc  difguire. 
And  tell  faire  Hero  lam  ClaucHo, 
And  in  her  bofomeile  vnclafpe  my  heart, 
And  take  her  hearing  prifoner  with  the  force 

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And  ftrongmcounterof  my  amorous  talc: 
Then  after  to  Ikt  father  will  1  breake, 
And  the  condufion  is,  rtie  (hal  beihme, 

In  praftife  let  vs  put  it  prefenily.  exeurj.  

£nter  Lconato  and  an  otd  man  brother  to  t,eonAto  I .  j  i 

Leo,  How  now  brother, where  is  my  cofcn  your  ronne,hath 
he  prouided  this  mufique? 

OU  He  IS  veiybufie  about  it ,  but  brother,  I  can  Icli  you 
(Grange  ncwes  that  you  yet  drcampt  not  of. 
Leo.   A  re  they  good? 

Old  As  the  euents  ftarapcs  them^but  tliey  h;<ue  a  good  co- 
uer ;  they  fhew  well  outward,  the  prince  and  Count  Ciaudio         s 
walking  in  a  thiclce  pleached  alley  m  mine  orchard,  were  thus 
much  ouer-heard  bv  a  man  of  mine :  the  prmcc  difcouercd  to 
Claudio  that  he  loued  my  niece  your  daughter ,  and  meant  to         ^■^ 
acknowledge  it  this  night  in  a  dauncc,  and  if  he  found  her  ac- 
cordant ,  he  meant  to  take  the  prefent  time  by  the  top,  and  in- 
ilantlv  breake  with  vou  of  it. 

Leo  Hath  the  fellow  any  wit  fliat  told  you  this? 
Old  A  good  lliaip  fellow»I  wll  fend  for  him,  and  qucRion 
him  your  felfe. 

Leo.  No,no,  we  wil  hold  it  as  a  dreame  til  it  appeare  it  fclf: 
but  I  will  acquaint  my  daughter  withall ,  that  lite  may  bee  tlie 
better  prepared  fv)r  an  ;mfwcr,ifpcraduentui'e  this  be  true:  go  -.m 

you  and  tcl  hir  ofitrcoofins,  you  know  what )  ou  haueto  doe, 
O  I  crie  you  mercie  friendjgo  you  with  mc  and  I  vvil  vfe  your 
shilhgood  cofin  haue  a  care  this  bufie  time.  exeunt.  ust 

Er.tcr  fir  fokn  the  bafixrd^aym  Conr.ide  his  companion,  \.[\\. 

Con.  What  the  goodyecre  my  lord,why  are  you  thus  out  of 
meafure  fad? 

lohn   Thcrcis  no  meafure  in  the  occafion  that  breeds,  thcr- 
forethefadntfTe  is  without  limit. 
Cent   You  Diouldhearcreafcn. 
lohn   And  when  1  haue  hoard  It,  uhatblefljngbrings  it?  «t 

(^on  Ifnot  a  prefent  remedy,at  lead  a  patient  fiiffcrance. 
John  1  wonder  that  thou  (being  as  thou  fai{l,thou  art.  borne 
vnderSaturne)  gocft  about  to  apply  a  morall  medicine,  to  a 

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nyoMifyingmifcViicfc:!  cannothidcwbatlam:!  muftbcG^d 
wlicn  i  hauecaufcandfinideatno  mans  icfts^catc  when  I  hauc 
rtomack,and  wait  for  no  mans  leifurc:  fleep  when  Inrn  drow- 
fiCjand  tend  on  no  mans  bufincflc^laugh  when  I  am  mery,nnd 
claw  no  man  in  his  humor. 
w  Con.   Yea  but  ycu  muft  not  make  the  full  fhow  of  this  till 

you  may  do  it  without  controUrncnt ,  you  haue  of  Jate  ftoode 
out  againft  your  brother,  and  he  hath  tane  you  newly  into  hii 
\  -i^  pf^cc,  where  It  is  impoiliblf  you  (iiould  take  true  root,but  by 
the  fp.U'c  weather  ihnt  you  make  your  felf^ii  is  nccdfiJ  that  yau 
train  c  the  feafon  for  you r  o wnc  harue {1. 
IS  John   I  had  radier  bea  canker  in  a  hedge,  then  a  rofe  in  hij 

grace,  and  it  better  fits  my  bloud  to  be  d'.fclain'd  of  all,  then  to 
f  alli)on  a  cariage  to  rob  loue  from  any:in  this  (thogh  I  cannot 
31         be  (aid  to  be  a  Hatcring  honeft  man)it  muft  not  be  denied  but  I 
am  a  plain  dealing  viliame,!  am  truftcd  with  a  muflehand  en- 
fraunchjfdc  with  a  clogge,  therforc  I  hauc  dccrced^not  to  fing 
36         inmy  cage:if  I  had  my  mouth  I  would  biterif  I  had  my  liber- 
ty J  would  do  my  likmgrin  the  mean  timejet  me  be  that  lam, 
and  fcekc  not  to  alter  mc. 
CoTj,  Can  you  make  no  v/c  of  vour  difcontent? 
John  I  make  all  vfe  ofit,for  1  vfc  it  only, 
Who  comes hcre?what  ncwcs  BorachioJ 

E»/rr  'Borach'io. 
Bor.  Icameyonderfromagreatfupper,  the  prince  your 
brother  is  royally  cntertain'd  by  Leonato  ,  and  I  cangiueyou 
inte!!ig;encc  of  an  intended  mariaec. 
48        ^    John  VV il  It  feruc  for  any  model  to  build  mifchiefc  on?what 
ishefbrai^olc  thjt  bcttolhcs  himfclfetovnquietnefTcJ 
Bor.  Mary  it  is  your  bothers  right  hand. 
57  John  Whojthemoftcxc[uifitcClaudioJ 

'Bar.  Euenhe. 

John  A  proper  fquicrjand  who,and  who;,v.' hich  way  looks 
he? 

Bor.  Mary  one  Hero  the  daughter  and  heire  of  Leonato. 
Johi  A  very  forward  iMarch-chicke,  how  came  you  to 
this? 


i;i 

about  ^^othing.  uiL 

B  cr  Being  entt- rtain'd  for  a  pc'i iumtr ,  as  I  was  Tmonkin^  a 
muftyroome,  conies  ine  the  prince  and  Claudio,  hanclm 
hand  jn  fat^  conference:!  vvhipt  me  bthind  the arras,and  there 
hciird  it  agreed  vpon ,  that  the  prince  ("houid  wooe  Hero  for  e-i 
himfelfc .,  and  hauin^ obrain'd  her,  giue  her  to  Counte  Clau- 
ciio. 

John  Corre,comc,let  vs  thither,this  may  proue  food  Xo  my 
di^lcafurc ,  thaiyong  (lart  vp  hathni!  the  glory  cf my  oucr-  ^s 

throw:if  I  can  erode  him  anv  way/I  blclic  my  f elfe  euery  wav, 
you  are  both  furcjand  wii  affift  me. 

C^nr.   To  the  death  my  Lord. 

lohn  Let  vs  to  the  great  fuppcr,  their  cheere  is  the  greater 
ihat  I  am  fabducd^vvould  xhc  cooke  were  a  my  mind,  fhaJ!  wc 
go  proue  wluis  to  be  done? 

Bor.  Wcele  wail  vpon  your  lordfhip.  exti 


!  7? 


Snter  Leonato}jii  hroiher^hii  wife, Hero  his  doHohur/ind 
'Beatrice  hU  neece,anda  kin/man. 
Leonato  Was  not  counte  lohn  here  at  fupper? 
brother  1  faw  him  not. 

Beatrice  How  tartely  that  gentleman  lookes,!  ncuer  can  ice 
him  but  I  am  heart- burn'd  an  hower  after. 
Hero  He  is  of  a  very  melancholy  difpofltion* 
Beatrice  He  were  an  excellent  man  that  were  made  suft  in 
the  mid-v/ay  between  him  and  Benedick,the  one  is  too  like  an 
image  and  (aiesnothing.and  theothcr  too  like  my  ladies  eldefi 
lonne,  euermore  tailing, 

Leonato  Then  halfe  n^nior  Bcnedickes  tongue  in  Counte 
Johns  mouth,  and  Iialfc  Counte  lohus  melancholy  in  Signior 
Bencdickes  face. 

'Beatrice  With  a  good  leg^e  and  a  good  foote  vnckle ,  and 
money  inough  in  his  purfe,  uich  a  man  would  VN^nne  .my  wo- 
man in  the  world  if  a  ecu  Id  get  her  goodwill, 

Lecnato  By  my  troth  neccc  thou  wiltneuergcttheca  hut 
bandjif  thou  be  fo  Oirewd  of  thy  tongue.  w 

brother  Infaith  f^iecs  too  curft. 

Beatrka  Too  curft  is  jnorc  then  curft  ,   I  /hall  lelTer^ 

B  I  Godj 


n.i. 


14 
11.1. 


3-Z 


t 


4C 


^-f 


■fS 


^5M  uch  adoe 


Godi  fending  tliat  way,  for  it  i$  fiide,  God  fends  a  curfl  cow 
(liorl  homes,  biit  to  a  cow  too  cur  ft, he  fends  nont. 

Leonittv  So,  by  being  too  cuiO:,  God  will  fend  you  no 
■:e        horncs. 

Bi'itncc'  lufljif/hc  fend  inc  no  tiusband/or  the  which  blef- 
fitie;  [  iim  at  hnn  vpon  wy  knees  cuery  morning  and  eucning: 
Lord,  I  could  not  endure  a  husband  with  a  beard  on  his  facejl 
had  rather  lie  in  the  woollen! 
Leofuijo  You  may  light  on  a  husb  itt  d  Uiat  hath  no  beard. 
ae  Beatrice  What  iliould  1  do  with  hini,  drcllc  him  in  myap- 

pareil  and  make  him  my  waiting:  gentlewoman?  he  that  hath  a 
beard ,is  more  liicn  a  youth:  and  he  thnt  hath  nobeaid,  is  lefle 
then  a  man.and  he  that  is  more  then  a  youth,is  not  for  ine,and 
he  thdtislcrfT'ethenaman,  1  am  not  for  him,  therefore  I  will 
eucn  take  fixpcnce  in  caineftof  thcBcrrord,  andleadchis 
apes  into  hell. 

Jbcnoiito  W  ell  then  ,e;o  yon  into  hell . 
l^catnce  No  but  to  the  gate,  and  there  will  the  diueil  meete 
mt  like  an  old  cuckold  with  homes  on  his  head,  and  fay,  get 
you  to  heaucn  Bcatrice,getyou  to  hcauen,  heercs  no  place  for 
you  ma^ds.ib  dcliuer  1  vp  my  apes  and  away  to  faint  Peterrfor 
the  heauens,  he  llKwesme  where  the  Batchcllcrs  fit,and  there 
52         line  we  as  mtiy  as  the  day  is  Jong. 

irotbcr  Well  ncece,  1  truft  you  will  be  ruldc  by  yotu"  fa- 
ther. 
'Bcatrici:  Yes  faith,  it  is  my  cofensduetie  to  make  curfie  and 
T  5c         fay,fcither,as  it  pltafe  you:but  yetforall  that  colln,lcthim  be  a 
handfome  fellow,or  elfe  makcan  other  curfie,  and  (ay,  fadier, 
asitpleafeme. 
c,c  Leonato  Well  neecc,T  hope  to  fee  you  one  day  fitted  with  a 

husband, 

'HeMrice  Nottil  God  make  men  ofitime  other  mcttal  then 
64         earth,  would  it  notgricuea  woman  to  be  oucr-inaftcrd  with 
a  peece  ofvab'antdu(}?to  make  an  account  of  her  life  to  a  clod 
ofwaiward  marlc?  no  vnckle,iie  none;  Adams  fonnes  arc  my 
G8        brethren  ,  and  truclyl  holde  iita  finne  to  match  inmy  kin- 
red. 

LeoiMto 


about  ^\(olhmg.  ji.i. 


Leortato  Dau5hter,remenibcrwliatItoldyoU;ifthe  prince 
do  foliate  you  in  that  kind,you  know  your  a»rvvcr. 

'^Btatrice  The  fault  will  be  in  the  inufique  cofln,  ifvou  be  12 

not  wooed  in  good  tinit: :  if  the  prince  be  too  important,  tell 
him  there  is  meafure  in  euery  ihing,and  (0  dauncc  out  the  an* 
fwer,for  here  me  Hero,  wooing,  wedding,  and  repenting,  is  7c 

as  a  Scotch  ijgge.a  nu'afvjre,and  a  cinquepaee:  the  Tuft  fu itc  is 
hot  and  hally  like  a  Scotch  i)gge  (and  ful  as  fantaflicaU)  the 
weddini5manerlymodcfl(asanieafui-e)fulioFftate  and  aun-  sc 

clientry,  and  then  comes  Repentance,  and  with  his  bad  legs 
falls  into  the  cinqucpacc  fhfter  and  fader,  til  he  fincke  into  his 
graue. 

Leonato  Cofin  you  apprehend  pailingfhrewdly.  «* 

Beatrice  1  haue  a  good  cie  vncklc  ,  1  can  fee  a  church  by 
d'ly-light. 

Leonnto  Thereucllcrs  arc  entrins;  brodier ,  make  ?ood  sa 

roomc. 

^nter  prince  fPedro^CiAudiOyArtd'Bencdicke^d'Baithafcr, 

Qrdumh  fohn, 
Pedro  Lad  V  will  you  vvalke  about  with  your  friend? 
Hero  So,you  walke  fofily,  and  looke  fweetlv,  and  fiy  no- 
thing,! am  yours  for  the  vvaJkc,  and  e(pecialiy  when  I  walk  a*  9-2 
wny. 

'Pedro  Witli  me  in  vour  company. 
Hi-'fo  I  may  fay  fo  when  I  pleafe. 
Pcaro  And  w  hen  plea  fe  yo  u  to  fiy  fo^  »e 

Hera  VVlien  I  like  yourfaiiour ,  ^yr  God  defend  the  luic 
fhould  belike  the  cafe. 

Pedro  iMy  vifbr  is  Philemons  roofe ,  within  the  houfe  is 
louc. 

Hero  Why  thtnyourvifor  fhould  bethatcht* 
Pedro  Spcake  low  'f  you  fpeake  louc. 
'Bene.  V/cll,!  would  you  did  like  me,  104 

UMar,  So  would  not  1  for  your  own€  (ake/or  I  hauc  ma- 
ny ill  qualities. 
Bene.  Which  isoncV 
CMar.  1  fay  my  praiers  aiovvd*  ws 

Bene- 


7C0f 


u 


II. i. 


U7 


liti 


i-lO 


vi-: 


■.3i 


r 


^tlAduch  adoe 

'Bi'ff^.  T  tone  you  the  bctter,the  hearers  may  cry  Amen . 

(.J^4ar7.  God  match  mc  with  a  good  daunccr. 

'Balth.   Amen. 

iji^arg.  And  God  kcepe  him  out  of  my  fight  when  the 
Haunceiii  done  :  anfwer  Clarke. 

Daith.   Ko  more  words  the  CJarkeisanrwcred. 

VrfuU  I  know  you  well  enough,  you  arc  fignior  Antho- 
nio. 

Anth<).  At  a  word  I  am  not. 

"VrftiU  I  knowe  you  by  the  wagting  oFyour  head. 

Antho.  To  tdl  you  irue^I  coumerfcit him. 

VrfuU  You  couideneucr  doe  him  (b  ill  well,  vnlefTc  you 
w  ere  the  very  man :  hccrcs  his  drie  hand  vp  and  downe  ,  you 
avehcjVouarche. 

Antho.  At  a  word  ,1  am  not. 

Urfuk  Come,come,do  you  thinkt:  I  do  not  know  you  by 
your  excellent  w!t?can  vertuc  hide  itfeifcJgo  to,  mummc,you 
are  he,  graces  will  3ppecrc,and  theres  an  tnd. 

Beat.  Will  you  not  tell  me  who  tolde  you  To? 

Bcneci.  Ko.yoa  Hnall  pardon  me. 

'Seat.  Nor  will  you  not  tell  me  who  you  arc? 

TUned,  Not  now. 

Beat.  Th^l  I  was  difdainefull,  and  that  I  had  niy  good  wit 
out  of  the  hundred  mcry  tales:  wel,  this  was  fignior  Benedick 
that  faid  fo. 

Bened,  W hats  he? 

'Beau  I  .im  furc  you  know  him  well  enough. 

Vtened.  Not  l,belccueme. 

B^<?r.  Did  he  neucr  make  you  laugh? 

gifted.  I  pray  you  what  is  he? 

Beat.  "W  hy  he  is  the  princes  icafl:cr,avery  dul  foo],only  his 
gift  is,  in  deuidngimpofiibleflaundcrs ,  none  but  Libertines 
delight  in  him,  and  the  commendation  is  not  in  his  wit,  but  in 
his  villanicjfor  he  bothpkafes  men  and  angers  them,and  then 
they  laugh  at  him,and  beate  him  :  I  am  furc  he  is  in  the  Flcete^ 
I  would  he  had  boordcd  me. 

Bene.  When  I  know  the  Gentleman,  ilc  tdl  him  what  you 
fay.  B^at, 


17 

about  O^thin^,  m. 

Bfnt,  Do,do,hcele  but  break  a  comparifon  or  two  on  me,  is« 

winch  peraducture,(not  markt,or  not  bught  at)Qr«kcs  him  in- 
to  melancholy  and  then  thcrcs  a  partngc  wmg  faued ,  for  the 
foole  will  eate  no  (upper  that  night :  wee  muU  follow  the  lea-  ^e 

dcrs. 

Bene.  Tn  cuery  good  tbing. 

Beat.  Nay,  ifihcy  ieadetoqny  ill,  Iwillleauc  them  atthe 
next  turning.  Dance  exeurt  leo 

Ichn  Sure  my  brother  is  amorous  on  Hero,and  hath  with- 
drawncher  father  to  breakc  with  him  about  it :  the  Ladies  fo- 
low  her,3nd  but  one  vifbr  remamcs. 

"Borachta  And  diatis  Claudio  ,  I  knowc  htm  by  his  bear- 
ing. 

John  A  re  not  you  (ignior  B  enedickc? 

(luu.   You  know  mc  well, I  am  he.  les 

lohn  Signtcr,you  are  very  necre  my  brothcrin  his  louc,hc 
is  enamcurd  on  Hero,  I  pray  you  difTwadc  him  from  herjdje 
is  no  cquall  tor  his  birth,  you  may  doe  the  parte  of  an  honefl 
man  in  it. 

CUtidio  How  know  you  he  loues  her? 

lohn  1  heard  him  fwearehis  affcftion. 

Borac.  So  ih<i  I  too,and  he  fworc  hce  would  marry  her  to 
night. 

Ichn  Come  let  vs  to  the  banquet.       exemtt:  manet  Qlau, 

Claud.   ThusanrwcrlinnamcofBcnedicke, 
But  heare  thefc  ill  newes  with  the  eares  of  Claudio:  ,so 

Tis  ccrtatnc  fojthc  Prince  wooes  for  himfelfe, 
Friendfliip  is  conftant  in  all  other  things. 
Sane  in  the  office  and  affaires  of  loue : 
Therefore  all  hearts  in  loue  vfe  their  ovvne  tongues.  m 

Let  eucry  eie  negotiate  for  it  fclfc. 
And  truli  no  Agent :  for  Beauty  is  a  witch, 
Againfl  whofe  cbanne$,faith  mcltcth  into  blood: 
This  is  an  accident  of  hourely  proofe,  {dicke  7** 

Which  1  miftrufted  not :  fjrcwel  therefore  Hero.  E/tft-r  BertC' 

Sfnedicke  Count  Claudio. 

Clftudio  Yea,thefame. 

C  Bene, 


m 


T7e 


[« 


II. 


11  u 


■:  u 


■!-JC 


V"' 


2QH 


iSKitich  adoe 


3.'  Sine.  Come,vvilIvoue:owuhme? 

CUuMo   Whither? 

^ent",  Euen  to  the  next  wil!ovv,about  your  owne  builne?, 
t .  u;         county :  wh^t  Fafhion  wil!  you  weare  the  garland  of  ?  about 
your  necke,  likean  V(urers  chaineJorvnder  vourarme,  hkca 
Lieutenants  fciriTe?  you  mufl  weare  it  one  v.'ay/br  the  prince 
liathc;otyoiu  Hero. 
uc  Claitdio  I  wifii  iumioyofher. 

SerteJ.  VVliy  thats  fpokcn  like  an  honeft  Drouier ,  Co  they 
fell  bullockes :  but  did  you  thinke  the  Prince  would  luue  fer- 
ued  you  thus? 
■ir-.  flaudio  Iprayyouicaucme, 

Henedicke  Ho  now  you  ftrikc  like  the  blindman,  twasthe 
boy  that  flole  your  meatcand  youk  beate  the  poft 
■.'cs  Cidudio  If  Jtwilinotbe^ikleaueyou.  exit 

Tenedicke  A  Jas  poorc liurt foule,now  will hee  crecpe  info 
fedgcs :  but  that  my  Ladie  Beatrice  Oiculd  know  me.and  not 
know  mee:  the  princes  foolclhah,  u  maybe  I  goe  vndcr  that 
title  bf  caufe  I  am  meny :  yea  but  fo  I  am  apte  to  dot  my  felfe 
wrong;  T  am  notfo  rtputed.it  is  the  bafe(though  bitta)dirpo- 
fition  of  Beatrice,  that  puts  the  world  into  her  perfon,  andfb 
gluts  me  out:  wellple  be  reuenged  as  I  may. 

Emer  the  Princs^Htro^eofuttOjIohnand^crachiOf 
ondQonrade. 
Tedro  Now  fignior^wberesthe  Counte,  dldyeu  fee  him? 
Btncdkks  Troth  my  lord ,  I  haueplayed  the  part  of  Ladie 
Fame,  T  found  him  hecre  as  melancholy  as  a  Lodge  in  a  War* 
ren,  !  tolde  him,  and  I  thmkel  toldc  him  tfue,thatyour  grace 
bad  got  thegoodwil  of  thisyoong  Lady^and  1  oflrcdhim  my 
company  to  a  willow  tree.either  to  niake  him  a  ^arland^as  be- 
ing fo  rfaken,or  to  binde  him  vp  a  rod,as  bemg  worthic  to  bee 
whipt. 
Pedira  To  be  whiptjwhats  bis  fiult? 
Beuedicke  The  flatie  n-anfgrciTion  ofa  Schoole-boy ,  who 
being  ouer-ioyed  with  finding  a  birds  ncft,/liewes  it  his  com. 
panion,and  he  Oeales  it. 
Ped'rq  Will  thou  make  a  truH  a  tran/grc/Iion?thc  tranfsircf^ 


■.•.?;• 


19 

ai^out  U^othing^  ill 

fionisinthe  dealer. 

Bencduke  YelithadnotbceneamifTe  tlieroddehadbeene 
made,  &  the  garbnd  too,  for  the  2;arl<ind  h?  might  hauc  worn 
liimff lfe,and  the  rodde  he  might  nauc  beftowed  on  you^who 
(as  I  take  it )  haue  flolne  his  birds  neft. 

Fedro  1  wil  but  teach  them  to  iin^,  and  reilore  them  to  the 
owner. 

'Benedtcke  Tf  their  finging  anfwer  your  faying ,  by  my  faith 
youfay  honeftly. 

Pedro  Theladie  Beatrice  harh  a  quarrcll  to  you, the  Gen- 
tleman that  daunft  with  her,  told  her  lliee  is  much  vvrongd  by 
you. 

"Bened,  O  fhee  mifufdemepaft  the  induranccof  a  blocker 
an  oake  but  with  one  greenc  leafe  on  Jt,would  haue  anfWercd 
hcr:my  very  vi(br  beganne  to  aflume  life,  and  fcold  with  her: 
(\\€.  tolde  me,not  thinking  I  had  beenc  my  felfcthat  I  was  the 
Princes  iefter,  that  1  was  duller  than  a  great  thawe,  huddleing  t 

ltd  vpon  iert,  with  fuch  impofUble  conueiance  vpon  me,that  •..z 

I  floodc  like  a  man  at  a  marke ,  with  a  whole  army  fhooting 
at  me;  fhe  fpcakes  poynyards,and  eucry  word  (labbes :  if  her 
breath  were  as  terrible  as  her  terminations,  there  were  no  liu- 
ingneereherjfhce  would  infeft  to  the  north  ftarre:  T  wouMe 
not  marry  her,  though  fhee  were  indowed  with  a!  that  Adam 
had  left  him  before  he  tranfgrefl,  fhe  would  haue  made  Her- 
cules haue  tumd  fpit ,  yea,  and  haue  cleft  his  club  to  make  the 
fir€too:come,ta1kenotofher,you  Oiall  find  hcrtheinfernall 
Atein  good  apparell,  I  would  to  God  fomefcholler  woulde 
coniure  her,  for  certainely,  while  fhe  is  heere,  a  man  may  iiue 
iS  quiet  m  hell,as  in  a  faiK^uarie,  and  people  finne  vpon  pur- 
poic.becaufe  they  would  goe  thither ,  fo  indeede  all  difqtiiet, 
horrour,and  perturbation  followes  her. 
SfJtcr  Claudu?  and  Beatrtce. 

Tedro  Looke  heere  fhe  comes. 

hf»edicke  Will  your  grace  command  me  any  feruice  to  the 
worldes  end?  I  will  go  on  the  flighted  arrand  now  to  the  An- 
t)'podes  that  you  can  deuife  to  fend  mecon  :  I  will  fetch  you  a 
tooth-picket  now  from  thefitflheft  inchofAfu  :  bring  you 

C  2  the 


r>c  + 


?7? 


20 

Hi. 


yie 


2se 


SCO 


31Z 


31S 


C\Iuch  adoe 


the  length  of  Prcfler  lohns  fbotrfefch  you  a  haireoff  the  great 
Chams  beard  :  doe  you  any  embaffagc  to  the  Pigmies,  rather 
than  holdc  three  words  conference,  with  this  harpy, you  haue 
280        no  imployment  for  me  ? 

Pedro  None, but  to  defire your  good  company. 
'Benedicke  O  God  fir,  heercs  a  cUfh  1  louc  no<,  I  cannot  in- 
f  2«4         dure  my  Ladic  Tongue.  exit. 

Tadiri  Come  Lady,come,  you  haue  loft  the  heart  of  figni  - 
or  Benedickc. 

'Beatrice  Indeed  my  Lord,hc  lent  it  me  awhile,  and  I  gauc 
f  2s>>         him  vfc  for  it,  a  double  heart  for  his  fingle  one,  mary  once  be- 
fore he  wonnc  it  of  me,  with  falfc  dice ,  therefore  your  grace 
may  well  fay  1  haue  loft  it. 
292  Pedro  You  hauc  put  him  downe  Lady,you  haue  puthim 

downc. 

'Beatrice  So  T  would  not  he  ftiould  do  mc,  my  Lord,Icft  I 
fhouldproooe  the  mother  of  fooics  :  I  hauc  brought  Counte 
CbiudiOjWhom  you  fent  me  to  fecke. 

Vedro  Why  how  now  Countc^whcrefor*  are  you  fad? 
Clatidio   Not  fad  my  Lord. 
Tedro  How  then?  ficke? 
Claudio  N<iither,my  Lord, 

Beatrice  The  Counte  is  neither  fad,  nor  ficke,nor  merry, 
son-  nor  well :  but  ciuill  Countc,ciuil  as  an  orange,  and  fomethmg 

f  of  that  iealous  complexion. 

fcdro   Ifaith  Lady,  I  think  your  blazon  to  be  true,though 

S08  lie  be  {vvome,ifhe  be  fo.hjs  conceit  is  falfe:  heere  Claudio,  I 

hauc  wooed  in  thy  name,and  faire  Hero  is  won,l  haue  broke 

with  her  father,  and  his  good  wiil  obtained  ,  name  the  day  of 

iiiarriage,and  God  giue  th>ce  ioy. 

Lconato  Counte  take  of  me  my  danghter.and  with  her  my 
fortunes:  his  grace  hath  made  the  match',  and  all  grace  fay  A- 
mcn  to  it. 

'Btjftrice  Spcake  Counte,  tis  your  Qu. 

Ciaudin   Silenceistheperfefteft  Herault of ioy,T  were  but 

little  happy  if  I  could  fay,how  much?  Lady,  as  you  are  mine; 

szo  I  am  yours,  I  giue  away  my  felfc  for  you,  and  doatc  vpon  the 

cxcliange.  Beatr. 


21 


about  t^Qothmg,  \i^ 


3Zt 
f 


Beat.  Speake  cofin,or(if  you  cannot) (lop  his  mouth  wifh  a 
lcifre,and  let  not  him  fpeakc  neither. 

*Feiin>  Infaith  lady  you  liaue  a  iT>erry  heart. 

IBeatr.  Yea  my  lord  I  thankc  it,poorc  foole  it  keepes  on  the 
vvindy  fideorCare,my  coofin  tells  him  in  his  eare  that  he  is  in 
her  heart 

(^'lau^  And  (o  fhe  doth  coofin. 

'Beat.  Good  Lord  for  aliance :  thus  goes  euery  one  to  the 
world  but  I,and  I  ain  fun-burnt,!  may  ht  in  a  corner  and  crie,         ssz 
heigh  ho  for  a  husband. 

Pedro  Lady  Beatrice,]  \vill  get  you  one. 

*Bt'at.  I  would  rather  haueone  ofyourfathers  getting;ha(h 
your  grace  neVc  a  brother  like  you  ?  your  father  got  excellent 
husbands  if  a  maide  coulde  come  by  them. 

Prittce  Will  you  haue  merlady. 

Teatr,  No  my  lord,  vnles  I  might  haue  another  for  work- 
ing-daies ,  your  grace  is  too  codly  to  weare  euery  day  :  but  I 
bcfcech  your  grace  pardon  me,I  was  born  to  fpeake  all  minh, 
and  no  matter. 

Phnce  Your  filcncc  moft  offends  me,and  to  be  merry ,beft 
becomes  you ,  for  out  a  queftion,  you  were  borne  in  a  merry 
hower. 

'Beatr.  No  fure  my  lord,  my  mother  cried,  but  then  there  s^a 

was  a  ftarrc  daunfl ,  and  vndur  that  was  1  borne,  coflns  God 
giue  you  ioy. 

Lvontao  Neece ,  will  you  looke  to  thofe  things  T  lolde  you  352 

of? 

Beat  I  crie  you  mercy  vndc,  by  your  graces  pardon. 

exWBeatrtcc. 

Prince  By  mv  troth  a  pleafant  fpirifed  lady, 

Leon.  Thercs  little  of  the  melancholy  element  in  her  my 
lord, fhe  is  neuerfad,  but  when  Hit  llcepsA  not  euer  fad  then; 
for  i  haue  heard  my  daughter  fay ,  fhe  hath  often  dreampt  of  seo 

Vnhappines  and  wakt  her  felfe  with  laughing, 

Ttiire  She  cannot  mdure  to  hcare  tell  of  a  husband. 

Lionaio  O  by  no  meanes,Gicmockes  al  her  wooers  out  of         ss* 
fute. 

C  3  Ptince 


33<i 


StO 


3<Ht- 


3.%- 


22 

II. i. 


:IM 


'  .T.fe- 


3:i . 


■MIS 


:t^2 


t^i;. 


itSAd  uch  adoe 


7*rirtce  She  were  an  excellent  wife  for  Benedick. 
Leonato  O  Lord, my  loid/iFihey  were  but  a  wccke  marriecf, 
they  would  talke  themfelues  madde, 

Prtrtce  Countic  Claudio ,  when  mcane  you  to  goe  to 
church? 

C/att^  To  morow  my  Iord,Timc  goes  on  crutches, til  Loue 
hauc  all  his  rites. 

Leoiidto  Not  til  monday,  my  deare  (bnae,which  is  hence  a 
iurt  fcucnnight.and  a  timetoo  briefe  too,  to  hauc  al  things  an- 
{v,'er»i'v  mind. 

prince  Comeyou  fhake  the  head  atfb  long  a  breathing, 
but  I  warrant  thee  Claudio,the  time  fhall  not  go  dully  by  vs,  I 
«r  vvil  in  theinterim,vndcrtakeoneof  Herculeslabors,whichis, 

to  brinsz;  Signior  Benedick  and  the  lady  Beatrice  into  a  moun- 
laine  of  affcdioOjth'one  with  th'other,  I  would  fame  haueit  a 
match ,  and  T  doubt  not  but  to  fa(hion  it,if  you  three  will  but 
miniftcr  fuch  alliftance  as  I  fhall  giue  you  diredion, 

Leonato  My  lord,I  am  for  you,though  it  coll  mt  ten  nights 
vvatchings. 
CUud.  And  I  my  Lord, 
Trince  And  you  too  gentle  Hero? 
Hero  I  wil  do  any  modeft  office,my  Iord,to  help  my  cofin 
to  a  good  husband. 

Trince  And  Benedickeisnotthe  vnhopefijllefl  husband 
thati  knovvrthus  farre  can  I  praife  him,heisofa  noble  ftrain, 
ofapprooued  valour,and  confirmdehonefty,  1  will  teach  you 
how  to  humour  your  cohn,  that  fhe  /hall  fal  in  loue  with  Be- 
ncdicke,  and  l,with  your  two  helpes,  wil  (b  praftife  on  Bcne- 
" '  dicke ,  that  in  difpight  of  his  quicke  wit,and  his  queafie  fto- 

niacke,he  (hall  fall  m  loue  with  Bcatriccrif  we  can  do  this, Cu- 
pid is  no  longer  an  Archer,  his  glory  fhall  bee  ours,  for  we  are 
the  onely  loue-  gods.,  goe  in  with  mce,  and  1  will  tell  you  ray 

drift.  *  exit, 

Jl  .ii.  Snur  John  and  Borachio, 

lohn  It  is  fo^the  Counte  Claudio  (hall  marry  the  daughter 
ofLeonato- 
Bcra.  Yeamylord,butlcancro{reit, 

lohn 


about  J\(j)t  htng,  ii.u. 


■i  r 


John  Anybarrc>anycrolTc,any  impedimenf,  willbeinec!- 
cinableto mej  am  ficke  in dirpleafure to  him^iind  whatfoeuer 
comes  athwart  his  afFeflion,  ranges  euciily  with  mint,  how 
canft  thou  aofTe  this  marriage? 

Bor,  Not  fioneftly  my  lord,bui  fo  coutrlly^ihatno  diflio- 
ncfty  (liall  appcare  in  me. 
lolm  Shew  jne  bnefely how. 
iScr.  IthmkeltoMyourlorddiipayecrtTince,  how  much  /2 

I  am  in  the  fauour  of  Margaret ,  the  waiting  gentlewoman  to 
Hero. 
lohn    1  remember. 

Bor.  lean  at  any  ynreafonablcinflantofthenight, appoint 
her  to  looke  out  at  her  ladies  chamber  window. 
John  Whatliftis  in  that  to  be  the  death  of  this  mariagt?  20 

Bor.  Thepoifonof  that  lies  in  you  to  temper,  goe  you  to 
the  prince  your  brother ,  fpare  not  to  tell  him  ,  that  he  hath 
wronged  his  honor  in  marrying  the  renowned  Oaudio.whofe 
eflimation  do  you  mightily  hold  vp ,  to  a  contaminated  fble, 
fuchaoneas  Hero 

John  Whatproofefhalllmakeofthat? 
'Bor.  Proofe  enou«;h,to  mifufe  the  prince,  to  vexe  Claudio, 
to  vndoe  Hero ,  and  kill  Leonato ,  iooke  you  for  any  other 
ifTue? 

John  Onely  to  difpight  them  I  will  endeuour  any  thing.  32 

'Bar.  Co  thcn,find  mea  meet  houre,to  draw  don  Pedro  and 
the  Counte  Claudio  alone,  tell  them  that  you  know  that  Hero 
loues  me,  intend  a  kind  of  zealc  both  to  the  prince  &  Claudio  at 

(as  in  loue  of  your  brothers  honor  who  hath  made  this  match) 
and  his  friends  reputation,  who  is  thus  like  to  beecofen'd  with 
the  feinblance  of  a  maid.that  you  hauedifcouer'd  thu$:thcy  wil 
fcarcely  beleeue  this  without  tnallrofiPer  them  inftanccs  which 
rtiall  beare  no  IclTe  likelihood ,  than  to  fee  meat  her  chamber 
uindow,heare  me  call  Margaret  Hcro,heareMarg.terme  me 
Claud  10, &  bring  them  to  fee  this  the  very  night  before  the  in- 
tended vvedding,for  in  the  mean  time,!  wil  fofa/hion  the  mat* 
ter,that  Hero  fhal  be  abfent,anci  there  Hial  appeere  fuch  (eem- 
ing  truth  of  Heroes  difloyaliie,  that  iealoufie  (hal  be  cald  alTu- 

ranee 


■2S 


t 


■IC 


-l-i 


24 

ranee ,and  a1  the  preparation  ouerthrowne. 
52  lohn  Grow  this  to  what  adutifeilTue  it  can,  I  will  put  it  in 

praftife :  be  cunning  in  the  working  this,an<l  thy  fee  is  a  thou- 

(and  ducates. 
t  Tior.  Beyouconftantintheaccufetion,    and  my  cunning 

56         (hall  not  Ihame  me. 

lohn  1  will  prefently  go  learne  their  day  of  marnage.     exit 

ILiii  Enter  'Benedicke  (done. 

Bene.  Boy. 
'Boy  Signior. 

Bene.  In  my  chamber  window  lies  a  booke»  bring  it  hither 

to  me  in  the  orchard. 

*Boy.  lam  here  already  fir,  exit, 

'Bene.  I  know  that,bat  I  would  haue  thee  hence  and  here  a- 

gaine .  I  do  much  wonder ,that  one  man  feeing  how  much  an 

other  man  is  a  fbole  ,when  he  dedicates  his  behauiours  to  loue , 

wil  after  he  hath  laughtat  fuch  (hallowfollies  in  others,becom 

12  the  argument  ofhis  owne  fcorne,  by  falling  in  loue,  and  fiich  a 

man  is  Claudio,  I  haue  knowne  when  there  was  no  mufique 

with  himbutthedrummeand  the  fife*  and  now  had  he  rather 

ie  h  eare  the  taber  and  the  pipe  :  IhaueknownewhenhewouU 

haue  vvalkt  ten  mile  afoot,  to  fee  a  good  armour,  and  now  wil 

he  lie  ten  nightsawake  caruing  the  fafhion  ofa  new  dub!et:he 

20  was  woont  to  fpeake  plaine,aiid  to  the  purpore(likean  honcfl 

man  and  a  fouldier)and  now  is  heturnd  ortography,his  words 

are  a  very  fantafticall  banouet ,  iuft  Co  many  ftrange  difhes  •> 

may  I  be  fo  conoerted  and  (ee  with  thefe eies?   I  cannotlell,  I 

thinkenot;!  wil  not  befworne  but  loue  may  transfbrmemeto 

an  oy  Her,  but  ile  take  my  oath  on  it,till  he  haue  made  and  oy- 

28  fler  of  me,  he  fhall  neucr  make  me  fuch  a  foole:  one  woman  is 

faire,  yet  I  am  well ,  an  other  is  wife,  yet  I  am  well:  an  other 

vertuous,yet  I  am  wel;but  till  all  graces  be  in  one  woman,  one 

32  woma  fhal  not  com  in  my  grace;  rich  One  fhal  be  thats  certain, 

wife.or  ilenone,vertuous,or  ileneuer  cheapen  her:faire,or  ile 

neuer  looke  on  her,mild,or  come  not  neare  me,  noble,or  not  I 

se         for  an  angel!,  of  good  difcourfcjan  excellent  mufitian^and  her 

haire 


zt- 


25 


about  3s(Qlhing. 


II  ill. 


4* 


52 


liaire  fhall  be  of  vvhat  colour  it  ple^ifeGod  Haftlhe  prince  artH 
inonfieurLoue,lwilhidememtheart)OT. 

£fUer  prince,  LeonAto^Claudto^uftcl^e. 

prince  Comenialiwchearerfusmullqacf 

Claud.  Yea  my  good  lordihow  ftil  the  cucning  is,  a-o 

As  huHit  on  purpofe  to  grace  harmonic! 

Trmce  See  you  where  Benedickehath  hid  himfelft? 

Claud.  O  very  wel  my  lord:  the  mufique  ended, 
Wcele  fit  the  kid-foxe  with  a  penny  worth. 
Enter  "Balthafer  rriih  muftcke. 

Prmce  Come  Baltha(er,weele  hearc  that  fong  againe. 

'Balth.  O  good  my  lord.taxe  not  fo  bad  a  voice, 
To  flaunder  muficke  any  more  then  once. 

Trwce  ItisthewitncdeQillof  wccciJencie,  *^ 

To  put  a  ftrange  face  on  his  owne  perf  eOion, 
I  pray  thee  fing,and  let  me  wooe  no  more. 

Balth.  Becaufe  you  tal  ke  of  wooing  T  will  (ing, 
Since  many  a  wooer  doth  commence  his  futc. 
To  her  he  thinkes  not  worthy,yet  he  wooes, 
Yet  will  he  fweare  he  louef . 

Prince    Naypray  thee  come, 
Or  if  thou  wilt  hold  longer  argument, 
Do  it  in  notes. 

^alth.   Note  this  before  my  notes,  se 

Theres  not  a  note  of  mine  thats  worth  the  noting, 

T^rince  W  hy  thefe  art  very  crotchets  that  helpeakeS, 
Note  notes  forfooih,  and  nothing, 

*Bene.  Now  diuineaire,  nowishis  foulerauiflit,   is  it  not  eo 

ftrange  that  flicepcs  guts  OiouM  hale  foules  out  of  mens  bo- 
dies? well  a  home  for  my  mon  v  when  alls  done. 

The'Scn^. 
SighnomoreladicSjfighnomore,  ^^ 

JVlcn  were  dcceiuers  euer, 
One  foote  in  fea.and  one  on  fhore, 
Tooneihingconflant  neuer, 
Then  figh  not  ro,b\ii  let  rhem  go,  ^^ 

And  beyoublitharid  bonnie, 

D  Con- 


ll.iii. 


::g 

fiS\1  tich  adoe 


72 


7i; 


I 


8C 


04 


100 


104 


Copucrtingallyourroundes  ofwoe, 
Intohty  nonynony. 

Sing  no  more  ditties,  fingno  moe. 
Of  clumps  fo  dull  and  hcauy. 
The  fraud  ofrnen  waseuerfb. 
Since  fummcr  firft  wasleauy. 
Then  fighnotfoAc* 


*Prince  E  y  my  troth  a  goo  d  fong. 

Bahh,  And  anil!  finger mv lor d. 

Prince  Ha,  no  no  faith,  thou  fingft  w  el  enough  for  a  (h\h, 

Ben,  And  he  had  bin  a  dog  that  fhould  haue  hovvld  thus, 
ihev  would  haufi  han^d  him  ,  and  I  pray  God  his  bad  voice 
bode  nc  mifcheefc,  1  had  as  iiue  haue  heard  the  night-raucHj 
come  what  plague  could  hauc  come  after  it. 

Prmce  Vcamary,  dooflthouhcarcBalthsfar?  Iprayehec 
8s  get  vs  fome  excellent  mufiquc'.for  to  morow  night  vv€  would 

Faueitatthe  ladie  Heroes  chamber  window. 

'JBaitL  The bcftl can mv brd. 

Exit  'Sa/ihafar. 

Princs  Do  fo.  farewell.  Come  hither  Leonato,  what  was 
it  you  told  mecof  to  day,  that  your  niece  Beatrice  vvas  in  toue 
with  fignior  Benedicke? 
36  Cla.  OI,flalkeoiiijnaltc;on,thcfouIcfits.ldidneu€nhuik 

that  lady  would  hnucloued  any  man, 

Leo,  Ko  nor  I  ncither.but  mort  wcnderfuJ.that  fh^  Hiould 
fo  dote  on  figniorBenedicke.vyhome/behathinall  outward 
behauiors  feemdcucrtoabhorre. 

Bern.  \  Q  po(Tible?  fits  the  wind  in  that  corner? 

Leo.  By  my  troth  my  Lord,  I  cannot  tell  what  to  thinkeof 
h.but  that  /he  foties  him  with  an  inraged  affeAion,it  is  pafl  she 
infinite  of  thought. 

prince  May  beiliedoth  but  counterfeil, 
■ios  CUnd^  Faith  like  enough, 

Leon,  O  Godlcountetfeit?  there  vvas  neuer  counterfeit  of 
paffion^came  fo  neare  the  life  of  paflion  as  (Ke  difcouers  it. 


21 
11.111. 


i'ji 


:r,o 


ahout  ^othtng. 

Prince  Why  what  efFecTks  ofpaflion  Hi  ewes  /Iief 

Claud.  Baitethehookevvel,  this  fifli  wiil  bite. 

L<i077.  What  efte^s  my  Lord?lhc  vvil  fityou>  you  heard  my 
daughter  tell  you  how. 

Claud.  Shedidindeede. 
n^rittce  How  .how  J  pray  you!you  amaze  ine,l  woi:ld  haue         -  « 
thought  her  fpirite  had  beene  inuincible  again  ft  ail  airaults  of 
alTcftion. 

Lto.  I  would  haue  fwornit  had,my  lordjefpecially  again  ft 
Bencdicke, 

Bene.  I  (houM  think  this  3  gull,but  thattlie  white  bearded 
fellow  fpeakes  it:knauery  cannot  fure  hide  himfelf in  fuch  re- 
uerence. 

(^^laud.  He  hafh  taneth'infcction,hold  it  vp, 

Prince  Hath  Aiee  made  her  affe^icn  knownc  to  Bene- 
dicke? 

Leonato  No»  and  fweares /heeneucr  will,  th^ts  her  tor- 
ment. 

Chudto  Tis  true  indeed  ,{b  your  daughter  flies:  fhall  I.fiies 
fhe,that  hauefo  oftencounired  him  withfcornejwntcto  him 
that  I  loue  him? 

Lio,  This  faies  (Tie  now  whenfheis  beginning  to  write  to 
Kim,  for  fheel  be  vp  twenty  limes  anight.and  there  will  fhefij 
in  her  fmocke  til  Hie  haue  writ  a  fiieete  of  paper:  my  daughter 
teJsvsall. 

Quu^  Now  you  talk  cfa  /lieet  of  paper  J  remember  a  prety 
left  your  daughter  told  of  vs. 

Leonato  O  when  (he  had  writ  it,and  was  reading  it  ouer,fhe 
found  Benedickeand  Beatrice  bet weene  the  Hieete. 

Claudia  That, 

Iao*u.  O  Oietore  the  letter  into  a  thoufand  halfpence,  rjild 
at  her  felf,  that  (he  fhould  be  Co imrnodeR  to  wrae.to  one  that 
/heknew  wouldflout  her,  I  meafurehim^Ciies  />ic,bY  my  own 
fpirit,  for  I  Hiould flout  him,!f  he  wntto  me,yea  iho^h  I  louc 
him  I  Should. 

Ci^ij-  Then  downe  vpon  her  knees  fhe  falls,  weepes.  fobj, 
beaUsher  heart,  teares  herhaire;prayes,curres,  OfweeiBene- 

D  2  dicke. 


li-i 


■■ia 


ibt 


U.ii! 


28 

fs^4  uch  adoe 


tee 


no 


d3«k«,Gotl  gme  iTic  patience. 
LeoKato  She  doth  indeed,  my  dau2htcr  faies  fb,  and  die  ex- 
1SS  tafie  hath  Co  much  ouerborne  her ,  thaC  my  d.iaghter  is  fbme- 

tiisie  afeardfheewilldoeadefperatcout-rsgctoheffelfe,  it  is 
ver)'  true, 

Prkce  It  were  good  that  Benedicke  knew  of  it  by  Cqtsiq  o- 
lher,if  rhe  will  not  difcouer  ii, 
t  ?^2  Qaudiut  To  what  end-,  he  would  make  but  a  (port  of  Jt,and 

torment  ihepoore  Lady  worfe. 

Prince  And  he  rhould,it  were  an  almesto  hang  him, Oiees 
an  excellent  fwecte  lady,  and(out  of  all  fufpition,)  Hie  is  vertu- 
ous. 

Ckitdio  And  the  is  exceeding  wife. 
^Prince  In  euery  thing  but  in  loumg  Benedicke. 
Leonato  O  my  Lord,  wifedorce  and  blood  combating  in 
Cq  tcndtr  a  body,  wc  haue  ten  proofes  to  one,»hat  bloud  h^th 
the  viftory,  I  am  forj'for  her,  as  I  haue  iuft  caufe,  beeing  her 
t7^  vncle,  and  hergardian. 

^rmci-  I  would  (hee  had  beftowed  this  doms:e  on  met ,  I 
would  haiie  daft  all  other  refpef^^SjSnd  made  herTjalfc  my  fclf: 
t  "!*■  Iprayyou  tell  Benedicke  of  it,andliearewhatawili(ay. 

Lemato  Were  it  good  thmke  you? 
Clattdio  Hero  ihinkes  furely  itie  will  die,fcr  ^\q  (ayes  /hee 
1SZ  will  die,  if  he  loue  her  not,  and  fliec  will  d  Je  ere  ihce  make  he/ 

loue  knowne,and  (lis  will  die  sf  he  wooe  her,  rather  than  iLee 
will  bate  one  breach  ofher  accufiomed  crcfnHle. 

*Trince  She  doth  well,  if Ihee  ihoiildc  make  ifLn^xn  ofher 
'se  loue.tis  very  podible  hccle  fcorr.c  it/or  the  nia5i(as  you  know- 

all )  hath  a  cxyntemprible  fpirite. 
CLudto  H  e  is  a  very  proper  man. 
'Frtnce  He  hath  indecde  a  good  outward  happmes. 
f  Claudio  Before  God,  and  in  my  mind,  very  wi(cc 

frtnce  Hce  dooth  indcede  (Lew  /bme  fparkes  that  arc  like 
7P'^  wit. 

Ckmlio  And  I  take  him  to  be  vamnt. 
frmce  As  Hector,  J  aiTure  you,  and  in  the  jnannagingcf 
t  ^5s  quart  eh  you  may  fay  he  is  wife »  for  eiihes  hst  auoy  oe^  them 

wuh 


19  C 


■^m 


Z!0 


29 

about  U\(othing.  iiiii. 

wHli  great  Hifcrction,or  vndertakes  ihcm  with  a  moft  chrif!  j  -  f 

aiiltkc  ^are. 

Ltofutto  If  he  dofeare  Go«,a  muO:  ncce/TarJly  keep  peace» 
if  hee  brcake  the  peace,  hc€  ought  to  enter  into  a  quarreJ  vvitl^ 
feare  and  ircinbling. 

'prince  A  nd  fo  will  hee  doe,  for  th«  man  doth  feartr  Cod, 
liowfbeuer  it  (eeines  not  m  hiin ,  by  (bmc  laroje  seftes  hee  will 
make :  well  1  am  (bry  for  your  niece,  fbali  wt  go  fecke  Bene-  ^^o  f 

dickc.and  tell  him  ofher  loue? 

CltiUihc  Ncuer  leli  hiiu^my  Lord,  let  her  wtare  it  out  with 
good  counfeli. 

Leonato  Nay  thats  impoflible,  (hee  may  weare  her  heart 
cut  hrft, 

Prince  Well,  we  will  heare  farther  ofit  by  your  dats^htcf^ 
!etit  coole  the  while,  I  louc  Benedicke  wel, and  I  codd"w»/ih 
he  would  modcHly  examine  himfelfc,  to  fee  how  much  he  is 
vnworthy  (6  good  a  lady.  j. 

Ltonato  My  Iord,will  you  walke  ?  dinner  is  ready.  zis 

CUu^o  If  he  Ao  not  doate  on  her  vppoa  tiiis,  1  vyjII  neuer 
Ifuft  my  expciftarion 

'Prince  Let  there  be  the  ftme  nette  ipread  for  her^nd  that 
niuft  your  daughter  and  her  gentlewomen  carry  :  the  fporie  222  \ 

V^ill  be,  when  (Key  holdc  one  an  opinion  of  an  others  dotage, 
and  no  fuch  matter  >  thats  the  fcene  that  1  xvoulde  fee  >  which 
vvil  be  mcercly  a  dumbe  (hew ;  la?  vs  fend  her  to  call  him  in  to 
dinner, 

Btmciickt  This  can  be  no  irickc,  the  conference  was  fjd^* 
borne,  they  hauc  the  trueth  of  this  from  Hcroj  they  feemo  to 
pittie  the  Lady  ;  it  fecmcs  her  liifccticns  hauc  iheirfull  bent :  j. 

loue  mc?why  it  mufl  be  requited:  1  hearc  how  I  am  ccnfurdc, 
they  fay  I  will  bcare  my  felfc  prowdly ,  if  1  perceiue  the  loue 
come  from  her :  they  (ay  too.that  (he  will  rather  die  than  giue 
anicfigncofaiFcOion  :  (  didneuerthinke  tomarry,  I  muft 
not  fecmc  prowd,happy  are  they  that  hvTwv  their  dttrartions, 
nnd  can  put  them  to  mending :  th^'  fay  the  Lady  is  fairc,  tis  a 
trueth,  I  can  beare  them  vvimcffc :  and  vertuous,  tb  (b.  I  can- 
not reprcoucit)  and  wif«i,  but  for  louing  me,  by  my  troth  it  is  v*2 

P'j  no 


■^2t^ 


2  ill 


234 


3il! 


:.'n 


iO ^ 

„K  (SM^uchadoe 

no  ac^ditionto  her  wit,  nor  no  great  argument  of  her  foHie,For 
I  wnll  be  horribly  in  loae  with  her,  1  mny  chaunce  haue  fome 
otide  quirkcs  arwl  remnants  otwitie  broken  on  me,  bccaufc  I 
haue  railed  fo  long  again fl  marriaee  :  but  doth  not  tlie  appe- 
tite alter?  a  man  loucs  the  mcate  in  his  youih,ihat  he  cannot  in- 
durcin  his  age  Shai!  quippcs  and  rentences,and  ihefe  paper 
bullets  ot'the  brain  awe  a  man  from  the  carreere  ofhis  humor? 
Nojthe  world  muil  be  peopled  .  W  hen  1  faide  I  v\  oulde  die  a 
batchellerjdidnot  think  1  ftiouldliue  til  I  were  married,  here 
■2M  comes  Beatrice:  by  this  day  .fiiees  afaire  lady,  1  doe  fpie  Tome 

markcs  of  ioue  in  her. 

Enter  Bent  rice. 
Beatr,  A  ganft  my  will  I  am  Cent  to  bid  you  come  in  to  din« 
ncr. 
,'.5«  Be»e.  Faire  Beatrice,!  thanke  you  for  your  patnes. 

'Beat,  1  tookeno  more  painesforthofethankes,   then  you 
take  paincs  to  dianke  jTie,if  it  had  bin  paiiiftil  I  would  noi  haue 
come. 
362  'BeMe.    You  take  pleafure  then  in  the  meflage* 

Beat,  Yeaiuftfomuchas  you  may  take  vppon  a  kniues 
point,and  choake  a  daw  withalhyou  haue  no  ftomach  fignior, 
fare  you  well,  exit, 

'Bene,  Ha.  againfl  my  will  I  airtfentto  bidyoucomcinto 

dinnerrthcres  a  double  meaning  in  that:  I  took  no  more  paines 

for  thofe  thanks  the  you  took  pains  to  thank  me,  thats  as  much 

■ji''         astoray,any  pains  that  I  take  for  you  is  as  caCy  asthanks:iri  do 

not  take  pitty  of  her  I  am  a  villaine,  if  1  do  not  loue  her  I  am  a 

levvj  will  go  get  her  pifture,  exit. 

Ill.i.  Etiter  Hero  and  two  Gerit/erfowen^UMArg.tret.andZJrfleyt 

Hero  ■  Good  Margaret  runne  thee  to  the  pailour. 
There  fhalt  thou  find  my  cofin  Beatrice, 
Propofmg  with  the  prince  and  Ciaudio, 
Whifperher  eareand  tell  her  I  and  Vrflcy, 
Walkein  the  or  chard, and  ourwholedifcour{e 
1  s  all  of  her , fay  that  thou  oucr-  heardft  vs, 
And  bid  her  {lealeinro  the  pleached  bowere 
Where  hony-  fuckles  ripened  by  the  fuiine. 

Forbid 


t  2<?t; 


t  f 


al^out  !7s(j)th'mg. 


Jll.i. 


Forbid  the  Cunne  to  enterrlike  fauouiites, 

iVIade  proud  by  princes,  that  acJuaunce  their  pride. 

Again  ft  that  power  that  bred  it,there  will  iLt  hide  her, 

To  liften  our  propofcjChis  is  thy  office, 

Beare  thee  well  in  Jt,and  leaue  vs  alone. 

tJ^far0.  lie  make  her  come  T  warrant  you  prefently. 
Hero  Now  Vrfulajwhen  Beatrice  doth  come. 
As  we  do  trace  this  alley  vp  and  dovvne,  ic 

Our  talke  mull:  onely  be  of  Bcnedicke, 
When  1  6,0  name  him  let  it  be  thy  part, 
To  praife  him  more  than  euer  man  did  merite, 
My  talke  to  thee  mufi  be  how  Bcncdicke, 
Isfickeinlouewith  Bcatriceiofihis  matter. 
Is  little  Cupids  crafty  arrow  made, 
That  onely  w  ounds  by  hearc-fay.-now  begin, 
For  looke  where  Beatrice  like  a  Lapwing  runs 
Clofe  by  the  ground,  to  heare  our  conference. 

Enter  ^cAirice. 
'UrfuU  Thepieafantflanghngjsto  feethefifh 
Cut  with  her  golden  ores  the  fiiuer  llreame, 
And  greedily  deuoure  the  treacherous  baite: 
So  angle  we  for  Beatrice,  who  euen  now. 
Is  couched  in  the  wood-bine  couerture, 
F eare  you  not  my  part  of  the  dialogue. 

Hero  T hen  go  we  neare  h.er  that  her  eare  loore nothing, 
Of  the  falfe  fwecte  b^tite  that  v>'elay  for  it: 
No  truly  Vi  fula.Oie  is  too  difdainfull, 
I  know  her  fpirits  are  as  coy  and  wild, 
A  s  haeaerds  of  the  rocke.  -i^ 

V  rfyU  B  u  t  a  r c  y o  u  fu  re, 
That  Benedickc  loues  Beatrice /b  intirely? 

Hero  %c>  faies  tlie  princc,and  my  new  trothed  Lord. 
iJrJiiU  And  did  they  bid  you  tel  lier  of  it,n)adame? 
Hero  They  did  intreate  nic  to  ac<]uaint  her  of  it, 
Butl  pei-fwadedthem/ifthey  lou'deBenedicke, 
To  wifh  him  vvraflle  with  alTe<I^ion, 
And  neutr  to  let  Bcatiict- know  of  it 

VrfuU 


32 


It- 


fP^uchadoe 


Vr/uk  Why  did  you  fcdooih  notthegentieraan 
X)cferue  as  fiill  aj  foriuriatf  a  bed, 
<ftf  As  cuer  Beatrice  fhall  couch  vpon? 

Hero  O  God  of  louell  know  he  doth  deferue. 
As  much  asmay  beyedded  to  a  man: 
But  nature  neuerframde  a  womans  hart, 
50  Of  prowder  (luffe  then  that  of  Beatrice; 

Difda'me  and  Scorne  ride  fpaikUng  in  her  cies, 
Mifprifing  what  they  looke  on.and  her  wit 
Valcvves  it  fclfefo  highIy,ihatto  her 
s'h  All  matter  els  feemes  weakerfhe  cannot  loiic, 

NortakenorhapenotproieAofaflfeOion, 
She  is  (b  felfe  indeared , 

J&r*t^a  Surelthinkefo, 
And  thereforecertainely  it  were  not  good, 
ss  She  knew  his  loue  left  flieelc  makefport  atit» 

Hero  Why  you  fpcake  truth,!  neuer  yet  (aw  man, 
How  wife, how  nob!e,yong.how  rarely  featured. 
But  die  would  (pel  him  backward:  if  fairefaced, 
ez  She  would  fwearc  the  gentleman  fhould  be  her  (ifler: 

If  blacke,  why  Nature  drawing  of  an  antique. 
Made  a  foule  blot:  if  tall,  3  launce  ill  headed: 
TRow.an  agot  very  vildly  cut; 
et>  If  rpeaking,  why  a  vane  biownc  with  all  winds: 

J  f  lilent,  why  a  blocke  moued  with  none: 
So  turnes  {he  euery  nwn  the  wrong  fide  out, 
A  nd  nciier  giucs  to  Truth  and  Vertue,  that 
lo  which  fiinplenelTe  and  nierite  purchafclh. 

Vrfuia  Sure,(ure,fuch  carping  is  not  commendable. 
Htro  No  not  to  befb  odde,and  from  all  fafhions. 
As  Beatrice  is,  cannot  be  commendable, 
But  who  dare  tell  her  fo.'if  I  (liould  fpeake, 
She  would  mockemeinto  ayTe,0  (be  would  bugh  me 
Out  of  my  (elfe^prefTe  melo  denth  with  wit, 
Therefore  let  Bencdickdike  coue^d  fire, 
18  Confumeaway  in  figheSjWafte  inwardly: 

Itwere  a  better  deatli,thefi  die  with  mockes, 

Which 


33 

about  0\(othing.  m.\. 

which  is  as  bad  as  die  with  tickliiia;. 

/  'r/uU  Yet  tel  her  oFitjheare  what  Uie  vvu  lay. 

Hero  No  rather  1  will  go  to  Bencdickc,  82 

And  counfailc  him  to  fight  againff  his  paflion, 
And  truly  lie  dcuife  (ome  honeft  Piaunders, 
To  llaine  my  cofin  with,onc  doth  not  know. 
How  much  an  ill  word  may  impoifon  likmg.  «« 

Vrfula  O  do  not  (\o  your  colin  fuch  a  wrong. 
She  cannot  be  fo  much  without  true  iadgcmenl, 
Hauingfo  fwift  and  excellent  a  wit, 

As  file  IS  prilde  to  haue.as  to  rcfufe  so 

So  rare  a  gentleman  as  Hgricr  Bencdicke. 

H  era  H  e  is  the  onely  man  of  Italy^ 
Alwaies  excepted  my  deare  Claudio 

yrfuU  I  pray  you  be  not  angry  with  me,iTiadame,  »+ 

Speaking  my  fancy:fignior  Bcnedicke, 
For  (]-iapc,for  ber.nng  argument  and  valour^ 
Goes  formoll:  in  report  through  Italy, 

Hero  Indeed  he  hath  an  excellent  good  name,  aa 

VrJuU  His  excellence  did  eai  ne  it,  ere  he  had  it: 
When  are  you  married  madame? 

Hero  Why  euery  day  to  morrovv,comc  go  in, 
lie  fhew  thee  (oiwt  attyres,and  hauc  thy  counfaile,  ws 

Which  is  the  bell  to  fui niili  me  to  morrow. 

VrJiiU  Shecs  limed  I  warrant  you, 
We  haue  caught  her  madame. 

hierc  If  it  proue  fojtlicn  loui  ng  goes  by  haps, 
Some  Cupid  kills  with  arrowes  Ibmc  with  traps.  -joc 

'Bectt^  What  fire  is  in  mme  eares?canthis  be  true? 
Stand  I  condemn'd  for  pride  and  fcornc  fo  much? 
Contcmpt,farevvei,and  maiden  pride,adew, 
No  glory  liucs  behind  the  backe  of  fuch.  uo 

And  Bcnedicke,  !ot)e  on  I  will  requite  thee, 
Taming  my  wild  heart  to  thy  louin^  hand: 
IFlhoudoriloue,my  kindnclTerhalTincitethee 
To  bind  our  loues  vp  in  a  holy  band.  /;4 

Tor  others  fay  thou  dofi;  defer uCjand  I 

£  Beleeue 


34 


-»z 


j         B  eU-euc':t  better  then  reportingly.  '  exit. 

*?rifiee  Idoebutftay  til  your  manage  be  conrumniate,and 
tbengo  1  toward  Arragon. 
Cuiul  lie  bring  you  thithcrmylord,  ifyouk  vouchrAfe 

me. 

Prince  Nay  tbat  would  be  as  great  a  foyle  in  the  new  dolle 
of  your  marriage ,  as  to  0\ew  a  child  his  new  coatc  and  forbid 
)iim  to  vvcarc  itj  wil  only  be  bold  with  Benedick  for  his  cosn- 
pany  ,  for  fronn  the  crowne  of  his  head^to  the  foie  of  his  foot, 
he  is  al  mirth,  he  hach  twice  or  ihrice  cut  Cupides  bow-  ftring, 
arid  the  little  hang-man  da?c  not  llioot  at  hirn^  he  hatha  heart 
as  fovnd  as  a  bell ,  and  his  tongue  is  the  clapper,  for  what  his 
heart  thinkes^his  tongue  fpcakes. 

Btfte.  Gallants,!  am  not  as  I  haue  bin. 
Z^e.  So  fay  J,me  thinkes  you  are  ladder. 
{"Irtff,  ]  hope  ]>c  be  in  loue . 

Prifsce  Hand  hiin  trunnt ,  theres  no  true  drop  of  bloud  in 
him  to  be  traly  toucht  with  loue,  if  he  be  fuddc^hc  wantes  mo- 
ney. 
i<?w.  T  haue the  tooth-ach. 
prince  Draw  it. 
*BeHe.   Hang  it. 

C/aH.  You  mu  (1  hang  it  fir  Q,and  draw  it  afterwards. 
Prince  Whatrfigh  for  thetooth-ach, 
Leotj.    Where  is  but  a  Jiumour  or  a  worme. 
'Bene,  Wel>  euery  one  cannot  tnader  a  giiefe ,  but  he  that 
has  it. 

C/tffi.  Yet  fay  I,he  is  in  loue. 

Prince  There  is  no  appccrance  of fancic  in  him ,  vnlefTc  it 
be  a  Bncy  that  lie  hath  to  flrangc  difguifes ,  as  to  bea  Dutcl;- 
man  to  day,  a  French-man  to  morrow,  or  in  the  fhapeof  two 
count!  ics  at  once,  asaGermainefromthe  waftedownward, 
all  flopj:,  and  a  Spaniard  from  the  hip  vpvvard,  no  dublet:  vn  - 
Icffe  he  haue  a  fancie  to  this  foolery  ,  as  it  appearcs  he  hath^ 
)•  lie  is  no  foole  for  fancy  >  as  you  would  haue  it  appcare  he 


20 


3% 


*< 


.se 


'tS 


35 

a  bout  VX^othing.  ihjl 

(^tan.  Tfhebenotinlouewiihfomewomanjthereisno  be-  ^ 

leeuing  old  fignes,  a  bruOies  his  hat  a  mornings,  what  fhould 
that  bode? 

Prince  Hath  any  man  (eene  him  at  the  Barbers? 
Clau.  No,but  the  barbers  man  hath  bin  fcenc  with  him, 
and  the  oldd  ornament  of  his  checkehath  already  ftulTt  tennis 
bails. 

Lecrt.  Indeed  be  lookcs  yonger  than  he  did, by  the  lofTe  of 
a  beard. 

Priftce  Nay  a  rubs himfelfe  with ciuit,  canyoufmellhim 
out  by  that? 

Ottna.  Thats  as  much  as  to  fay ,  the  fweete  youthens  in 
loue. 

^ettf.  The  greatcfl  note  of  it  is  his  melancholy. 

£lAud.  And  when  washevvoontto  vvafh  his  face? 

Prince  Yea  or  to  paint  himfelfe?  for  the  which  1  heare  what 
they  (ay  of  him. 

Qm<L  Nay  but  his  ieHing  fpirit.which  is  now  crept  into  a 
lute- ftring.and  now  gouerndby  Oops. 

Prince  Indeed  that  tdlsa  heauy  tale  for  him:condudc,con- 
clude,heisin  loue.  e-i 

0aud.  Nay  but  T  know  who  loues  him. 

Prince  That  Would  I  know  too,  I  warrant  one  that  knows 
him  not. 

ClauA.  Yes,andhisillconditions,  andindifpightofal,  dies  e« 

for  him. 

Pr'mce  She  Qiall  be  buried  with  her  face  vpvvards. 

Bene.   Yet  is  this  no  charmc  for  the  tooth-ake ,  old  fignior,  m 

walke  afide  with  me,I  haue  (ludied  eight  or  nine*  wife  v/ordes 
torpeakctoyou,which  thefc  hobby- horfesmu ft  not  heare. 

^Prince  For  my  life  to  breake  with  him  about  Beatrice,  ie 

Claud.  Tiseucnfo,  Hero  and  Margaret  haue  by  this  play- 
ed their  parts  with  Beatrice ,  and  then  the  two  bearcs  will  not  so 
bite  one  another  when  they  meete. 

Enter  lobn  the  T.ift^rJ. 

Baflard  My  lord  and  brother,God  fauc  you. 

Trmce  Good  dcn  brother. 

E   2  Taflard 


62 


66 


eo 


wa 


36 ^ 

lu.ii.,  cSAduch  adoe 

a*  Bajlard  Ifyour  leifure  fcru'cljl  would  fpeake  with  you. 

Prince  Inpriuatc? 

Bdftnrd  If  itplcafe you, yet  Count  Clau Jio may Heare,  for 
88       w\\Ai  I  would  fpcakc  of,concernes  him. 

Prince  W  hats  the  matter? 
33  'Basi.  Al  canes  your  Lordfliip  to  be  married  to  morrow- 

'prificc  You  know  he  does- 

J5^/?.  I  know  not  that  when  he  knowTS  what  I  know. 
96  C/aud,   If  there  be  any  impediment,  I  pray  you  difcouer  it, 

Basi.  You  may  think  i  loue  you  notjlet  that  appeare  here- 
after ,  and  ayme  better  at  me  by  that  I  now  will  manifcfl: ,  for 
mybrother(l  thinke^heholdes  you  well,  andindcareneflcof 
lieait)haih  holpe  to  cfifeO  your  enfuing  mariage:furcly  fule  ill 
(jDcnt,  andlaborill  bellowed. 
lOf  Prince  Why  w  hats  the  matter? 

'Ball,  I  came  hither  to  tel  you,  and  circnmRances  fhcrtned, 
(for  flie  has  bin  too  long  a  talking  of) the  lady  is  difloyall. 
los  Qau.  Who  Hero? 

Bajiar,  Euen  flie,LeonatoesHcro.yourHero,cucr)'  mans 
tlevo. 
Qau.  Difioyall? 
!i2  Baji.  Thewordistoogoodtopaintouthcr  wickednefTe,  I 

could  fay  flie  were  worfe.thinke  you  of  a  vvorfe  title,  and  I  wil 
fit  her  to  it :  wonder  not  till  further  warrant :  go  but  with  me 
nc  to  night  you  fhall  fee  her  chamber  window  entred^  euen  the 

night  before  her  wedding  day,  if  you  louc  her,  then  to  morow 
wed  her:  But  it  would  better  fittc  your  honour  to  change  your 
mind* 
^2c  Claud.  May  this  be  fo? 

'Prince  I  w)inot  thinkeir* 

B<tJ}.   If  you  dare  not  tm  ft  that  you  fee  ,  confefTe  not  that 
12-t  you  knowe :  if  you  will  follow  mee,T  will  fhew  you  enough , 

and  when  you  haue  feene  morCjand  heard  more,procecde  ac- 
cordingly. 

Cidftdio  If  I  fee  anie  thing  to  night.why  T  Oiould  not  mar- 
ry her  to  morrow  in  the  congregation^  where  1  iliould  wed, 
128  there  will  I  Hiaine  her, 

Priftce 


37 


Sout  iJS(j)thing.  m.ii. 

I^rincfi  And  as  I  wooed forthee  to  obtaine  her,I  vvil  ioyric 
with  thee,to  difgrace  her. 

^Ba^ard  J  will  difparage  her  no  farther,  till  you  .ire  my  wil- 
reffesjbeare  it  coldely  but  till  midnight,  and  let  the  iflue  fliew  132  f 

jt  felFe. 

Fnncc  O  day vnlovvardly  turned! 

CkHcl.  O  mifchiefe  ftrangely  thwarting! 

TIajiard  O  plague  right  well  preuented  !  fo  will  youiay, 
when  you  haue  fcene  thefecjucle. 


1SG 


Eytter  T>offbeyy  and  his  compartner  ivith  the  fVatch.  nT-iJl. 

T^og.  Are  you  goodmen  and  true? 

Vetoes  Yea,  or  elfe  it  were  pitty  but  they  Should  fufferfal- 
uation  body  andfoule. 

Dog.  Nay,that  were  a  punifhment  too  good  for  them  ,  if 
ihcy  Hiould  haue  any  allegcance  in  thcm,bcing  chofen  for  the 
Princes  watch. 

Verges  Well,  giuc  them  their  charge  ,  neighbour  Dog- 
bery. 

'Doghery  Firft ,  whotliJnkeyou  themofl  defartlelTeman 
tobeConftablc? 


Watch  I  HughOte-cake{lr,orGeorgeSea-cole/orthey 
can  write  and  rcade. 

^ogbery  Come  hither  neighbor  Sea-cole.God  hath  blefl 
you  with  a  good  name:  xo  be  a  vvelfauoured  man,is  the  gift  of 
Fortune  ,  but  to  write  and  reade,comes  by  nature.  ic 

JVatch  2  Both  which  maiilerConftable. 

T>oabery  Y ou  hauc :  I  knew  it  would  be  your  anfwcr: wel, 
for  yourfauour  fir,  why  giue  God  thanks,  and  make  no  boail  20 

of  it,  and  for  your  writing  and  reading ,  letthat  appeere  when 
there  is  no  neede  of  fuch  vanity ,  you  are  thou2,ht  heere  to  be 
the  moO  fcnfleife  and  fit  man  for  the  Conftableof  the  watch: 
therefore  beare  you  the  lanthorne:  this  is  your  charge,  You 
/hall  comprehend  all  vagrom  men ,  you  are  to  biddc  any  man 
ftand,inthe  Princesname. 

Watch  1   Howifa  will  notOand?  2« 

'Dogbery  Why  then  lake  no  note  of  him ,  but  let  him  goe, 

E  I  and 


38 

iir.iii.  ^SAduchadoe 

and  prefently  call  ilie  reft  of  the  watch  togctlicr ,  and  thanke 
god  you  are  i  iddc  of  a  knaue* 

Verges  j  f  he  wil  not  fland  wh«n  he  is  bidden  Jie  is  cone  of 
the  Princes  fiibiefts. 

Doobiry  True,  and  thev  arc  to  meddle  with  none  but  the 

Princes fnbie^s  :  voufhallalfomakenonoifcinthcftrcctcs: 

for,  for  the  watcli  to  babble  and  to  talke,is  mofl  tollerable,and 

noltobeindured. 

Watch  We  will  rather  flecpe  than  talke,we  know  what  be- 

*c  longs  to  a  watch. 

Do^bery  Why  youfpeaUclikean  antient  and  moft  quiet 

watchman,  for  1  cannot  fee  how  flceping  iTiould  ofFendione- 

ly  haue  a  care  that  your  billes  bee  not  ftolne  :  well,  you  are  to 

I  cai  at  al  the  alehoufes^and  bid  thofc  that  arc  drunke  get  them  to 

bed. 

Watch  How  if  they  will  not? 
♦*  'Dogfsery  Why  then  let  them  alone  til  they  arc fober,if  they 

make  you  not  then  the  better  anfwer,you  may  (ay,thcv  arc  not 
the  men  you  tooke  them  for. 

Watch  Well  fir. 

'Dogberj  If  you  meete  a  thicfe ,  you  may  fufpc^  him,  \iy 
Verlue  of  your  office,  to  be  no  true  man :  and  for  ftich  kind  of 
men , the  lelTe  you  meddle  or  make  with  them ,  why  the  more 
sv  is  for  your  Ironefty. 

WMch  If  wc  know  Kim  to  bea  thiefe,(bal  wc  not  lay  hands 
on  him? 

T)ogbery  Truely  by  your  office  you  may,but  I  thinke  they 
that  touch  pitch  will  be  dcfilde  :  the  mofl  peaceable  way  for 
you,if you  doe  take  a  thiefc,  is,  to  let  him  rficw  himfclfc  what 
he  is,  and  fteale  out  of  your  companie. 

Verges  You  haue  beene  alwayes  called  a  mercifull  mann^ 
paitner. 

1)og.  Truely  I  would  not  hang  a  dogge  by  my  will,  much 
more  a  man  who  hath  anic  honcftie  in  him. 

Verges  If  you  hcarc  a  child  eric  in  the  night  you  muft  call  to 
thenurfe  and  bid  her  flilit 

Watch  How  if  the  nurfe  be  afleepeand  will  not  hearc  vs. 


ao 


«* 


39 


about  O^othtng.  mm. 


'Dog,  Why  then  depart  in  peace,and  let  the  child  wake  her 
Vrith  crying  ,  fortheewcthat  will  not  hearc  her  Jamb  when  it 
Laes.will  neuer  anfwer  a  calfe  when  he  bleatcs.  76 

Verges  Tis  very  true 

^Dog.  This  is  the  end  of  the  charge  :  you  conHable  are  to 
prefcnc  the  princes  ownepeifon^ifyou  mecte  tlic  prince  in  the 
night,ycu  may  ftay  him. 

Verges  Nay  birlady  that  I  thinke  a  cannot. 

T>og^  Fiuc  HiJllings  to  one  on't  with  any  man  that  knowes 
ihedatutes.he  may  (lay  him,  mary  not  without  the  prince  be 
willingjfor  indeed  the  watch  ought  to  offend  no  man,  and  it  is 
an  oflTenceto  (lav  a  man  ag-ainfl:  bis  will.  ss 

■J  \^i 

Verger  Birlady  I  tliinke  it  be  fo. 

Dog.  Ha  ah  ha ,  we!  madcrs  good  night,  and  there  be  any 
matter  of  weight  chaunccs ,  cal  vp  me  ,  kcepe  your  fcllowes  sz 

counfailcs ,  and  your  ownc,  and  good  night ,   tome  neigh- 
bour. 

iVatch  Well  maflers,  we  hcare  our  charge ,  let  vs  goe  {\{Xt 
here  vppon  the  church  bench  till  twoo ,  and  then  all  to  ae 

bedc 

"Dog.  One  word  more.honefl  neighbors,!  pray  you  wateh 
about  fignior  Leonatoes  doore,for  the  wedding  being  there  to 
morrow,  there  is  a  great  coyie  to  night,adiew,be  vigilant  I  be- 
ieechyou*  exeunt. 

Enter'Bsrach$o  andConrade. 
Tor.  WhatConrade? 
Watch  Peace,  (lir  not. 
Bar.  Conradc  1  fav. 
Co»,  Here  man,l  am  at  thy  elbow. 
Bor.  xMas  at>d my  elbow  itcht,  I  thought  there  would  a 
Icabbe  follow. 

Con,  1  will  owe  thee  an  anrwcr  for  that,  and  now  forward 
witli  thy  tale. 

Bor  Stand  thee  dofe  then  vndcr  this  penthoufe ,  for  it 
driflells  raiiic,  and  1  will,  like  a  trye  drunckard ,  vltcr  all  to 
thee. 

iVatch  Some  trcafon  raaflers,yet  fland  do{€. 

Bor^ 


\00 


to* 


lOS 


■JJ2 


40 
m.iii. 


T 

11G 


120 


724 


128 

132 

t 
l36 

HC 


n^ 


t   MS 


752 


ise 


IGC 


Sor.  Therefore  know,I  hauc  earned  of  Dun  lohn  a  thou- 
/and  ducAtes. 
Co»-  Is  it  polTlblc  that  nny  vilhinie  Hiould  be  fo  deare? 
*Bor.  Thou  fliouldft  rather  aske  if  it  v^erc  poflible  any  vil- 
lanle  fhuld  befo  rich?for  when  rich  villains  hauc  need  of  poor 
ones,  poore  ones  may  iTiake  what  puce  they  will. 

(^on.    1  wonder  at  it. 

Bor.  ThatHiewes  thou  art  vnconhrni'd,  thou  knoweft 
that  the  fashion  of  a  dublet.or  a  liatora  cloake,  is  notliing  to  a 
man. 

Con.  Yes  Ttisapparell. 

Bor.   T  meanethefafliion. 

Con.  Yes  ihe fa (liion  is  thefaHiicn. 

Bor.  TuH-),!  may  as  well  fay  thefooles  the  foolc,  but  fcefl 
thou  not  what  a  deformed  theefe  this  fafhion  is? 

n^atch  1  know  that  deformed  ,  ahasbina  viletheefcj  this 
vij.yccrca  goes  vp  and  downclike  a  gendc  man :  I  remember 
his  name. 

'Bor.  Didfl  thou  not  hearcfbmc body? 

Cm.  NOjtwas  the  vane  on  thehoufe. 

i?<7r.See(hhou  not(  I  fay )  what  a  deformed  diiefe  this  fifbi- 
on  isjhovv  giddily  a  tnrnes  about  alhhcHot-blouds,  between 
foureteene  and  fiuc  and  thirtie ,  fomefnnes  fafliioningthem 
like  Pharaoes  fouldioui  s  in  the  rechie  painting,fometiiiie  like 
god  Bels  pnefls  in  the  old  church  window,  fometime  like  the 
fhauen  Hercules  in  the  fmircht  worm-eaten  tapellry ,  where 
hiscod-peeccfecmcsasmadieashis  club. 

Con.  AI  this  Ifee.and  I  fee  that  the  fafhion  weares  out  more 
apparrell  then  the  man  .  but  art  not  thou  thy  felfe  giddy  with 
the  fafhion  too  .that  thou  haft  fhifted  out  ofthy  tale  into  telling 
meofthefafhion^* 

"Bor.  Not  fo  neither,  but  know  that  I  haue  to  night  wooed 
Margaret  the  Lady  Heroes  gentle-woman ,  by  the  name  of 
Hero,  Die  leanes  me  out  at  her  miflris  chamber  window,  bids 
me  a  thoufand  times  good  night:  I  tell  this  tale  vildly,!  Hiould 
firfl  tcl  thee  how  the  prince  Claudio  and  my  mafter  planted, 
and  placed; and  pofTefTedjby my  mafter  Don  lohn/aw  a  fane 

off 


41 


about  0\(^thing. 


ofTin  the  orchard  this  nmiable  inccunter. 

Conr.  And  thought  they  iMargaret  was  Hero? 
"Bar.  Two  ofthem  did^thc  prince  and  Claiidio ,  but  the  di- 
ueliTiy  mafterlcnew  (he  was  Margaret. and  partly  by  hisoths. 
which  fu  ri:  pofTcfl:  them  ,  partly  by  the  darkc  night  which  ^ii(i 
dcceiue  them. but  cliicfclv.bvmy  vi!lanv,whicii  did  confirme 
any  riandcr  that  Don  lohn  had  n)ade,away  went  Claudioen- 
ragde,  fworc  he  would  meet  her  as  he  wasapoiiitcd  next  mor- 
ning at  the  Temple, and  tliere,  before  the  whole  congregation 
fliame  her,  witii  what  he  favv  o  re  night,  and  fend  her  horaea- 
gaine  without  a  husband. 

fVatch  I   We  charge  you  in  the  princes  name  (land. 

Watch  1  Call  vppc  thcright  maimer  Conftable,  wee  haue 
here  rccoucrd  the  moft  dangerous  pcece  of  lechery,  that  euer 
was  knownein  the  common  wealth. 

fVatch  I  And  one  Deformed  is  one  of  them^I  know  him_,a 
Wearesalockc. 

(^onr  MafterSjinafters. 

Watch  2  Youle  be  made  bring  deformed  forth  T  warrant 
von. 

Conr  Mafiers_,  neucrfpeake,we  charge  you,let  vs  obey  you 
to  go  with  vs. 

^or.  Wcarclikctoproueagoodly  commoditie,  being  ta- 
ken vp  of  thefe  mens  billes. 

Conr.  A  commodity  in  quefbon  I  warrant  you,comc  wcele 
obey  you.  exipsnt. 

Efiter  Hero ^andU\'fargiirct ydnd  Vrfu/a. 

Hero  Good  Vrfula  wake  my  cofin  Beatricc^and  defirc  her 
to  rife, 

Vrfula  Iwillady. 

Hero    Andbidhercomehithcr, 

VrJftU  Well. 

C^^arg.  Troth  T  thinke  your  other  rebate  were  better. 

Hero  No  pray  thee  good  Meg,  lie  weare  this. 

Marg.  By  my  troth's  not  (b  good,  and  I  warrant  your  cofin 
will  fay  fo. 

Hero  Mycofinsafoole,an4  then  art  another,  ile weare 

F  none 


ril.iii. 


r 


JG8 


J  72 


r,G 


180 


184 


188 


792 


ID.  IV 


12 


42 


ts 


Z4 


Z8 


32 


se 


40 


f  -*8 


Ox! 


t!7Auchadoe 

Mar  1  like  the  rww  tire  within  e5fcelently,if  thehaire  were  a 
thought  browner: ancl  your  gown's  a  inoft  rare  fa fhion  yfaith, 
\  faw  ihe  Dutchede  of  Millaincs  gowne  that  ihey  praife fo. 

Hero  O  that  exctedes  they  lay. 

AiArg.  By  my  troth  s  but  a  night-gown  it  rcfpe^t  of  your  j, 
cloth  a  gold  anJ  cuts ,  and  lac'd  with  filuer,  fet  with  pearlcs, 
dowiie  (leeues.fide  fleeucs,and  skiris,round  vnderborne  with 
a  blcwifh  tinfe!!,  but  for  a  fine  queint  graceful  and  excelcnt  fa- 
niion,yoursis  worth  tenon't* 

Htro  God  giue  me  ioy  to  weare  it,  for  my  heart  is  exceed- 
ing hcauy. 

U\'[arg.  Twill  be  heauier  foonc  Ly  the  weight  of  a 
man. 

Hero  Fievponthee,artnota{hamed? 

Marg.  Of  what  lady?offpcaking  honourably  ?is  not  marri- 
age honourable  in  a  beggar  ?  is  not  your  Lord  honourable 
v/ithout  managc?l  thin  ke  you  would  haue  me  fay  ,fauing  your 
reucrence  a  husband :  &  bad  thinking  do  not  wreft  true  fpea- 
lclng,ile  ofFend  no  body,  is  there  any  harm  in  the  heauier,  for  a 
husband?  none  1  thinke ,  and  itbe  the  right  husband,and  the 
riglit  wife,othervvife  tis  light  and  not  heauy,aske  my  lady  Bea- 
trice ebj^here  (lie  comes. 

Sntcr  Beatrice. 

Hero  Good  morrow  coze. 

Beat,  Good  morrow  fwecte  Hero. 

Hero  Why  how  now'do  you  fpeake  in  the  ficke  tune? 

"Beat^  I  am  out  ofall  other  tune,me  thinkes- 

Mar  Clap's  into  Light  a  louc,(^that  goes  without  a  burden,) 
do  you  fing  it.and  ile  daunce  it. 

ieat.  Ye  Light  aioue  with  your  heels,then  if  your  husband 
hauc  Prables  enough  youle  fee  he  (hall  lacke  no  barnes. 

Mar.  O  illegitimate  conflru^lion  •  1  fcome  that  with  my 
heeles. 

Beat.  Tis  almofl:  fiue  a  clocke  cofin,  tis  time  you  were  rea- 
dy,by  my  troth  I  am  exceeding  ill.hey  ho. 

Aiar^  For  a  hauke,a  horfe,or  a  husband? 


fie 


hO 


<.'4 


n? 


43 

ahom  V^othtng.  my_ 

'Beat.  For  the  letter  that  begins  them  al,  H. 
Mar.  Wei,  and  you  be  not  turiide  Turke,  thcres  no  more 
faylingbythellarre. 

'Btnt,    What  meanes  ihe  foolc  trow? 

AUr.  Nothing  I,  but  God  fend  eutry  one  their  hearts  J«- 
(ire. 

Hero   Thefe  gloues  the  Counle  fcni  nie,t!iey  arc  an  txcel« 
lent  perfume. 

Beat,   I  am  ftuft  cofin  J  cannot  fmell. 

Mar.  A  maJde  and  ftuft !    thcres  goodly  catching  of 
colde* 

Beat.  O  God  help  me,God  help  me,  how  long  haue  you 
profcft  apprehenfion?  ^* 

Mar.  Euerfinceyouleftit,  doth  not  my  wit  become  mt 
rarely? 

^eat.  Ttisnotfeeneenoughjou/liould  weare  it  in  youT 
cap,by  my  trodi  I  am  fickc. 

iJAiar.  Get  you  feme  of  this  diflili'd  cfirdmu  Ifenedi-^ui, 
and  lay  it  to  your  heart, u  is  the  onely  thing  for  a  qualme. 

Hero   There  thou  prickfl  her  with  a  tlulTel.  ie 

Beat.  Heneiiiny^.Vfihy  henedidMsi-yow  haue  fome  moral  in  this 
henecUSlus. 

mfar.  MoralUno  by  my  troth  I  haue  no  morall  meaning, 
J  meant  plaine  holy  thiflel,  youmay  thinke  pferchaunccthat  1 
think  you  are  in  loue,i  lay  birlady  I  am  not  fuch  a  foole  to  think 
what  I  lifl:,nor  I  lifl  not  to  thinkc  what  I  cm,  nor  indeed  1  can 
notlhink,  if  I  would  thinke  my  heart  out  ofthinking.thatyou  ».» 

are  in  loue ,  or  that  you  will  be  in  loue ,  or  that  you  can  be  in 
loueryet  Bcncdicke  vvas  fuch  another  and  now  is  he  become  a 
man,he(wore  he  would  neuer  marry,  and  yet  now  in  dirpight  *? 

of  his  heart  he  eatcs  his  meate  without  grudging,  and  how  you 
may  be  conuerted  I  know  not,  but  me  thiukes  you  looke  with 
your  eies  as  other  women  (^o.  sz 

Beat,  what  pace  is  this  that  thy  tongue  keeper? 
CJJ//7r^.  Not  a  falfe  gallop,  SnierVrfuIa. 

IJrfuLi  Madame wiihdraw,the prince,  theCountjfignior 
Beuedicke,  Donlohn,  and  all  the  gallants  ofihetovvnt  are  ae 

t   1  come 


so 


4 
EIJ.iv. 


ni.v. 


12 


16 


QO 


14 


t 
78 


32 


3C 


«i5l</  uch  adoe 

come  to  fetch  you  to  church. 

Hero  Help  to  dielTe  me  good  coze^good  Meg,  good  Vr- 
fula. 

EnUr  LeonatOyaudthe  ^onjiabley'tndthe  HeAdhorcuqh , 
Leomto  What  would  you  with  me,honcO  neighbour? 
Conli.Dog.  Maryilrl  would  haue  fome  confidence  with 
you, that  decernesyou  nearcly. 

Leomto  iJiiefe  1  pray  you,  for  you  fee  it  is  a  haflc  time  with 
me. 

Ccnft  ''Dec.  Mary  this  it  is  (Tr. 
HeaS,   y«intruthitisfr, 
Lecvato  W  hat  is  it  mv  srood  fi'icnds? 
(^vn.'Do.  Goodman  Verges  fir  fpeaks  a  little  oft  he  matter, 
anoldmanfir,  andhiswittes  are  not  fo  blunt ,  nsGodhelpe  I 
would  def h  e  ihey  were^but  infaith  honefl^as  the  skin  between 
Iiisbrowes. 

Head.  Yes  T  thank  God  J  am  as  honeft  as  any  man  liuing, 
that  is  an  old  man,and  no  honeflerthen  I. 

ConJl.^Dog.  Comparifonsare  odorous,palabras,neighbour 
Verges. 
Lecnato  Neighbors,  you  are  tedious. 
Conji.Dog.  j  t  pleafes  your  worJhip  to  fay  fo ,  but  we  are  the 
poore  Dukes  officers.buttruly  for  mine  owne  part  if  I  were  as 
tedious  as  a  King  I  could  find  in  my  heart  to  bellow  it  all  of 
your  worfhip, 

Leomto  Al  thy  tedioufnefle  on  me,ah? 
Conft.Dog.  Yea,and't  twere  a  thoufand  pound  more  than  ti^, 
for  1  heare  as  good  exclamation  on  your  worinippe  as.  of  any 
man  in  the  citie,and  though  I  be  but  a  poore  man>l  am  rflad  to 
heare  it. 

Head.  And-fbamL 

Leonato  \  would  faine  know  what  you  haue  to  (ay. 
Head.  Mary  fir  our  watch  to  night,  excepting;  yourwor- 
Oiips  prefence ,  ha  tanea  couple  of  as  arrant  knaues  as  any  m 
Me/Tina, 

(/mfl.Dog,  A  good  old  man  fir ,  he  will  be  talking  as  they 
fay^  when  the  age  js  in^the  wit  is  out,  God  help  v$,  it  is  a  world 

to 


45 


about  J^othitjg,  m.v. 


to  fee:  well  (aid  yfaith  neighbour  Verges,  well,  God's  a  good 
man,and  two  men  ride  of  a  hoi{e,oiic  niuft  ride  bchiiid^an  ho-  40 

nefi:  foule  yfaith  rir,by  my  troth  he  is, as  euer  broke  bread,but 
God  IS  to  be  worfhipt,  all  men  are  not  alike,  alas  good  neigh- 
bour. 

Leonato  Indeed  neigl^bour  lie  comes  too  fhori  of  you. 
Coyfi-Do,  Gifts  that  Ciod  giues, 
Zfow^j/tf  I  muftleaucyou.  48 

Confl.Oog.  One  word  fir,  our  watch  fir  haue  indeede  com- 
prehended twoafpitions  pcrfons,  and  wee  woulde  haue  them 
this  morninc;  examined  before  your  worHiip.  52 

Leomto  Takctheirexaminationyourfelfc^and  bring  it  me, 
lam  nowingreatha(le,asitmayappeare  vntoyou.  T 

(^onjiiible   It  fhall  be  fijffigance.  {exit  se 

Leon.no  Drinlce  Tome  vvmc  ere  vou  s;oe  :  fare  vou  well. 
Afe(fcnijer  Mv  lord,  they  Ray  for  you.to  giue  your  daugh- 
ter to  her  husband.  '^^ 
Leon.  lie  w.qit  vpon  them,  I  am  ready. 
'T)ogb.  Go  good  partner,  goc  get  you  to  Francis  Sea- cole, 
bid  him  bring  his  pcnne  and  inckchorne  to  the  Gaolc :  we  are 
now  to  examination  thcfe  men.  6-» 
Verges  A nd  we  niufl  do  it  wifely. 

Dogbery  We  will  fpare  for  no  witte  I  warrant  you  :  heeres 
that  fhall  driuefomc  of  them  toa  noncome,only  getthelear-  cs 

xied  wnter  10  fct  downeour  excommunication,  and  meet  me 
at  the  laile. 

Enter  Prince ^a,5lard,  Leonato, Frier,  (^kttdio,Befu.^' 
dicke,  Hero.and'^eatrice. 
Leonato  Come  Frier  Francis  be briefe,  onely  to  theplaine 
forme  of  marriage,  and  you  fhall  recount  their  particular  due- 
ties  afterwards. 
Fran.  You  come  hither,my  lord,to  marry  this  lady. 
Ctandw  No. 

Leo  Tobeemarricdtohcr  :  Frier,you  come  to  marry  her. 
Frier  Lady,  you  come  hither  to  be  marned  to  this  counte. 
Hero  I  do. 

Trier  If  cither  of  you  know  any  inward  impediracnt  why 

F  3  you 


IV.  i, 


2* 


4-6 

I 

you  HiouW  not  be  conioyned ,  I  charge  you  on  your  (bwlcs  to 
vtter  it. 
CUhSo  Know  you  any,Hero? 
^e  Hero   None  my  lord. 

Trier  Know  you  any ,Counte? 
heonato  I  dare  inake  his  anfwer,  None. 
Clan.  O  what  men  dare  do!  whai  men  may  dol  what  men 
*  20  daily  do,  not  knowing  what  they  do! 

'Bene.  Howe  nowct  intericftions  ?  whythen^  (bmcbcof 
Jaughing,as,  ah,na,he. 

Qaudio  Stand  thee  by  Fricr,6ther,by  your  leaue, 
"Will  you  with  free  and  vnconllraincdfouie 
Giue  me  this  maide  your  daughter? 
Leonata  A  s  freely  fonne  as  God  did  giue  her  mee. 
2«  CiauMo  And  what  haue  I  to  giue  you  backe  whofe  woorth 

May  counterpoife  this  rich  and  prctious  gift? 
Princn  Nothing,vnlefre  you  render  her  againe. 
CUtudio  S  weete  Prince,  you  Icarne  me  noble  thankfulncs: 
32  There  Leonato,  take  her  backe  againe, 

Giue  not  this  rotten  orenge  to  your  friend, 
Shcc'sbut  theligneand  (emblanccof  her  honor: 
Behold  how  like  a  maide  fhe  blufhes  heerc! 
36  O  what  authoritieand  fhew  of  truth 

Can  cunning  finne  couer  it  (elfe  withalll 
Comes  not  that  Uocd,as  modcfl  euidence, 
To  witncfTe  fi  mple  Vertuc?  would  you  not  (weare 
<w;  All  you  that  fee  her,that  Hie  were  a  maide, 

By  ihefe  exterior  /hewes?  But  fhe  is  none: 
She  knoweslhcheateofa  luxurious  bed: 
Her  bludi  is  guiltineffejnotmodeflie. 
Leonato  W  ha  t  do  you  mcane  my  lord? 
Ciatfdio  Not  to  be  married. 
Not  to  knit  my  fbule  to  an  approoued  wanton. 

Leonato  Deere  my  lord,ifyou  in  your  owne  proofs, 
Haue  vanquifht  the  refinance  of  her  youth, 
*s  A  nd  made  dcfeate  oflicr  virginiiic. 

ClAtidto  Iknowwhatyouwouldfay  :ifIhaueknownehcr, 

You 


>n 


47 


about  !A(j)thir}g.  iva. 


You  will  /ay,rhe  did  imbrace  me  as  a  husband, 
And  fo  extenuate  the  forehand  finne:  NoLtonato, 
I  ncucr  tempted  her  with  word  too  large, 
But  as  a  brother  to  his  fifter,  llicwed 
Barhfull  finccrit!c,aiid  comelie  loue. 

Hero  And  fcemde  I  euer  othervvife  to  you.^ 
C/andio  Out  on  thee  fecining,!  wjI  write againfl  if. 
You  fccmc  to  mc  as  Diane  in  her  Orbe, 
As  chaftc  as  is  the  budde  ere  it  be  blownc: 
But  you  are  more  intemperate  in  your  blood,  *.< 

Than  Venus,  or  thofe  pampred  animalls. 
That  rage  mfauagefenfuaiitie. 

Hero  Is  my  Lord  well  that  he  doth  fpeake  ^o  wide? 
Lecnato  Sweete  prince,why  fpeake  not  you? 
'Prince  What  (l^ould  I  fpeake?  e^ 

I  ftand  difhonourd  that  haue  gone  about, 
To  lincke  my  deare  friend  to  a  common  ftale. 

LeettAto  Are  thefe  things  fpoken,or  do  I  buf  dreame? 
'Bdfiard  Sir,they  are  fpoken^arid  thefethings  are  true. 
'Bened,  Thislookcs  not  likea  nuptiail. 
Hero  True,OGod! 
CL-iad,  Leonato,ftand  I  here? 
Is  this  the  pnncc?is  this  the  princes  brother? 
Is  this  face  Herocs?are  our  ties  our  owne? 

Leomto  Al!  this  is  fo.but  what  of  this  mv  Lord/" 
Ciaud^  Let  me  but  moue  one  queOionto  yourdaughttr. 
And  by  that  fatherly  and  kindly  power, 
That  you  haue  in  her,b)d  her  anfwer  truly. 

Leomto  I  charge  thee  do  fo,as  thou  art  my  child* 
Here  O  God  defend  me  how  am  1  bcfel, 
What  kind  of  catechifing  call  you  this? 
Claude  To  maUe  you  anfwer  truly  to  your  name.  so 

Hero  Is  it  not  Kero,who  can  blot  that  name 
With  any  iuflreproch? 

C/aud,  Mary  that  can  Hero, 
Hero  itfclfe  can  blot  out  Heroes  vertue. 
What  man  was  he  talkt  with  you  yefternighfr,  g^ 

Out  at  your  window  betwixt  twdue  and  one?  Now 


t 


702 


48 

iv.i.l  ^!A4uchadoe 

Now  if  you  arc  a  mnid€,an{vvcr  to  this* 

Hero  I  talkt  with  no  man  at  that  hower  my  lord. 

l^rince  Why  then  are  you  no  maiden-  Leouato, 
I  am  Tory  you  muft  hearervpon  mine  honor, 
9c        My  relFe,my  hrothcr,and  thisgrieued  Counte 
Did  fee  her,heaie  her,at  that  howrc  lafi:  night, 
Talke  with  a  ruffian  at  her  chamber  window. 
Who  hath  indeedc  mod:  hke  a  libcrall  villaine, 
94        ConFeft  the  vile  encounters  they  hauc  had 
A  thoufand  times  in  fecret. 

lohn  Fie,fie,ihcy  arenot  to  bcnamed  my  lord, 
Not  to  be  fpoke  of, 
as        T  here  is  not  challitie  enough  in  language, 

Without  offence  to  vttcr  them:thu$  pretty  lady, 
I  am  fbry  for  thy  much  mifgouemcment, 

Claud.  O  Hero  [what  a  Hero  hadft  thou  bin. 
If  halfe  thy  outward  graces  had  bin  placed, 
Aboutthy  thoughts  and  counfailes  of  thy  heart? 
But  hxt  thee  wcll,mofl:  foule.moft  fai  re, fare  well 
Thou  pureimpictic,and  impious  puritiCj 
we         For  thee  ile  locke  vp  all  the  gates  of  LouCt 

And  on  my  eie-liddes  fhall  Conie6>ure  hang, 
To  turneali  bcautie  into  thoughts  Off  harrac. 
And  neuer  fhall  it  more  be  gracious. 

Lconato   Hath  no  mans  daggerherea  point  forme, 

Beatrice  Why  how  now  cofin,wherforc  finke  you  down? 

"Baffard  Come  let  vs  go:thefe  things  come  thus  to  light. 
Smother  herfpirits  vp, 
iH  Beyfedicke  How  doth  the  Lady? 

Beatrice  DeadI  thinkc,helpvncle, 
Hero,  why  Hero,  vncle,  fignior  Benedicke,Frier. 

Lcortaro  OPateltakcnotaway  thy heauy hand, 
Death  is  the  faircfl;  coucr  for  her  iTiame 
That  may  be  wifht  for. 

IjCfltrice  How  now  cofln  Hcro^ 

Frier  Hauc  comfort  lady. 

Leonato  Dofl  thou  looke  vp? 

Frkr 


110 


lie 


49 

ahout  ^hQothing.  iv.i. 

Frier  Yea,whereforc  fliouldilienot? 

Leofiiito  "VVheifore?  vvliy  doth  not  euery  earthly  thing,  722 

Cryiliame  vponhcrPcouId  fhe  here  deny 
Theilory  that  is  printed  in  her  bloudf 
V>o  not  hncHero^do  not  ope  thine  eics: 

Fordid  I  thinke  thou  wouldf}  notquickiy  die,  /2# 

Thought  i  thy  fpirites  wcrcrtrongcr  than  thy  Ihanifs, 
My  fclte  would  on  the  rerevvard  of  rcprochcs 
Strike  at  thy  life.  Gricuedl  1  had  but  one? 
Chid  I  for  that  aifrugall  Natures  frame?  iw 

()  one  too  much  by  thcc.'why  had  I  one? 
Why  euer  waft  thou  loudy  in  my  eies? 
W  liy  had  I  not  with  charitable  hand, 

Tookc  vp  a  beggars  ilTue  at  my  gates,  754 

Who  finirchcd  (husband  inired  with  infamy,  f 

I  might  hauc  faid,no  part  of  it  is  mine, 
This  fhamc  deriues  it  fclfe  from  vnknovvne  loyne5> 
But  mine  and  niine  1  loued,and  mine  1  praifde,  «« 

KnC\  mine  that  1  was  prowd  on  mine  fo  much, 
Tliat  1  my  felfe,wa.s  to  my  feifc  not  mine: 
Valewingofher,vvhy  Ilic.Oflieisfalne, 

Into  apitofincke,  that  the  wide iea  ^^^ 

Hath  drops  too  few  to  walli  her  cleane  aga'inc, 
And  fait  too  littlc,whichmayfea(bngiue 
To  her  foule  tainted  flefh. 

Vicn.  Sir,fir,be  paticnt/ormypartlamfoatlircdinwon-  jt^ 

dcr,  I  know  not  what  to  fay. 

Beat,  O  on  my  foule  my  cofin  is  belied. 

Bene,  Lady, were  you  her  bedfellow  lafl  night? 

'BcAt.  No  tmly ,not  although  vntill  l^ft  night,  ^5o 

I  hauc  this  twelucmonth  bin  her  bedfellow. 

Leon,  Confirmd,confirmd,Othatisflrongcr  made, 
Which  was  before  bard  vp  with  ribs  of  yron, 
Would  the  two  princes  lie.and  Clandio  lie,  /5*t 

Who  loued  her  fo,that  f  peaking  of  her  foulcncfTe, 
Wallit  It  with  tcarcslhencc  from  hci-,let  her  die. 

Frier  Hcare  me  a  litt1e,for  I  haue  only  bin  (llcntfo  long, 8c  15s 

ucn  way  vnto  this  courfc  of  fortune,  by  noting  of  the  lady,! 
iinuemarkt, G A 


I 


IGO 


50 


TV:i. 


tS\<[uch  adoe 


A  tlioufaiKJ  tlufliins;  apparitions, 
lez        To  ftai  t  into  her  face, a  tlioufand  i/mocent  fiiames^ 
I  In  angel  white ncde  beatc  away  thofe  bluili^s, 

And  in  her  eic  there  hath  appeard  a  fire. 

To  hurne  t  he  crroTs  that  thefe  princes  hold 
166         A  gainfl  her  maiden  taiih:call  rmc  a  foole, 

TruH  not  my  reading.nor  my  ohreruation.s. 

Which  with  experimental  feale  doth  warrant 

Tiietenureofmy  l)Ooke:truf]notmyage, 
TTo        My  reucrence,caiIing,nordiuinitie, 

If  this  fvvccte  i^die  lie  not  guiltieflc  hcre_, 

Vnder  fonie  biting  errour, 
Leovato  Fiier,it  cannot  be. 

Thou  (eeQ  that  ?d  the  grace  that  Oie  hath  left, 
-;7*         Is.thatOiewili  notaddeto  her  damnation, 

A  fmne  of  periury,rhe  not  denies  it: 

Why  fcckfi^  thou  then  to  couer  witli  excufe. 

That  which  nppeares  in  proper  iiakednell*?? 
,78  Frier  Lady.what  man  is  he  you  arcaccufde  of? 

Bero  They  know  that  do  accufcmc,  I  knownon*;. 

If  I  know  more  of  any  man  aliue 

Then  that  wliich  maiden  modcRy  dotli  warrant, 
I8Z         Let  ail  my  hnncs  lackemercic,0  my  father, 

Proueyou  that  any  man  with  me  cor.uerft, 

At  houres  vnmeete,or  that  I  yeflernight 

Maintaind  the  change  ofwords  with  any  creature, 

Refiife  mc.hate  me,torture  me  to  death. 
Trier  There rs  fbme /Grange  mifprifion  in  theprinccs. 
Bern.  Two  of  them  haue  the  very  bent  of  honour, 

And  if  their  wifedomes  bemificdin  this, 
\9o         The  pra<ftifeof  It  lines  m  lohn  the  BaQard, 

Whofe  fpirites  toyle  in  frame  oFviUanies. 

Leomto  1  know  not,iftheyfpcake  but  truth  of  her, 

Thefe  hands  Oiall  tearc  her ,  ifihey  wrong  her  honour, 
194^         Theprowdefr  ofihem  fiial  welheareof  it. 

Timehaih  not  yet  fo  dried  this  bloud  ofjuine, 

Kor  ag,e  fo  eate  vp  my  inuentiion. 

Nor 


5] 

Nor  Fortaue  made  fuch  hauoclceof  iny  meanes, 

Nor  tpv  bad  life  reft  me  (o  much  of  fiiendf,  i3« 

But  they  iLall  find  nwakte  in  fuch  a  kind> 

Both  Oircnifrth  of  iimbe.and  policy  of  mind, 

Ability  in  meancs,and  choiie  of  friends. 

To  quit  me  oFthcm  throughly.  zoz 

[rur  Pawfp  awhile, 
And  let  my  counfell  fvvay  you  in  this  cafe, 
Your  dauglitcr  here  the  princeflTe  (left  for  dead,) 
Let  her  av/hile  be  fccretly  kept  in, 
And  publiOi  it,i)ut  (liejs  ^t:sA  indeede,  zoe 

Maintainc  a  mourning  oltcntation, 
And  o'^  vour  families  old  monument, 
Hang  mourncfulcpitciphcs  and  do  all  rites. 
That  appcrtaine  vnto  a  buriall.  zw 

Leon,   What  fhall  become  of  this:what  will  this  do? 

Fntr  Mary  this  well  caried,  (liall  on  her  behalfe,. 
Change  (launder  to  remorfe,thal  is  Tome  good. 
But  not  for  that  dreanic  [  on  this  ftrangc  courfe,  zi^ 

Baton  this  trauailelooke  for  greater  birth: 
She  dying,as  it  muH:  be  fb  maintaind, 
Vpon  theinQantthatrhewasaccufcIc, 
Shalbelamented,pitticd,andexcurdc  z^s 

Ofeuery  hcarerrfor  it  fo  falls  out. 
That  what  we  haue,we  prize  not  to  the  worth, 
Whiles  we  eniov  it,bui  being  lackt  and  loft. 
Why  then  wcrackethevalew, then  we  find  zzz 

T he  vertue  that  poffeflion  would  not  fhew  v$ 
Whiles  It  was  ours,fo  will  it  fare  with  Claudio: 
When  i  lee  fhall  heare  (Tie  died  vpon  his  words, 
Th  1  d^a  of  her  life  fliall  fwcetly  creepe,  zze 

Into  his  ftudy  of  imagination. 
And  euerylouely  Organ  of  her  life, 
Shall  come  apparelld  in  more  precious  habite, 
More  mooumg  delicate,and  full  of  life,  zso 

Into  the  eie  and  profpe^  o^ his  foule 
Then  when  fheliude  indeedrthen  fhall  he  mourne, 

G  2  If 


52 

ivi  tysdmhadoe 

If  cucr  loue  had  intcreO  in  his  liuer, 
?5v  And  Willi  he  had  noifo  accufcd  her: 

No>thoiigh  he  thought  his  accufation  true; 
Let  this  be  {o,  and  doubt  not  but  fuccefTe 
Will  fafhion  the  euent  in  better  {h ape, 
?.w  Then  1  can  lay  it  downe  in  likelihood. 

But  ifall  ayme  but  this  be  Icuelld  falfe, 
The  fuppofition  of  the  ladies  death. 
Will  cjuench  the  wonder  of  her  infamie. 
2*z         And  if  it  (brt  not  wel,  you  may  conceale  her. 
As  befl  befitsher  wounded  reputation. 
In  (bme  rcdufiue  and  religious  life. 
Out  ofall  eicSjtongues,  niinds,and  iniuries. 
?-«.■  liene.  Siguier  Leonaio,let  the  Frier  aduife  you, 

And  though  you  know  my  inwardncfTc  and  louc 
Is  very  much  vnio  the  prince  and  Claudio, 
Yctjby  mine  honor,  I  will  deale  in  this, 
250  As  fccreily  and  iulUy  as  your  foule 

Should  with  your  body, 

Leon.  Being  that  1  flow  in  griefe. 
The  fmallert  twine  may  leadc  me. 

Frier  Tis  wel  Confented,  prefently  away, 
25+  Forto  flrangc  fores,ftrangely  they  ffrainethe  cure. 

Come  lady,die  to  liuc,  this  wedding  day 
Perhaps  is  but  prolong'd,haue  patience  and  endure,     exitt 
Bene.  Lady  Beatrice.haueyou  wept  al  this  whileJ 
258  Heat,  Yea,  and  I  will  weep  a  while  longer. 

Bene.  I  will  not  defire  that. 
Beat.  You  haue  no  reafon,!  do  it  freely. 
^ene.  Surely  1  do  belccuc  yourfaire  cofin  is  wronged. 
Heat.  Ah,  how  much  might  the  man  dcfeme  of  mc  that 
would  right  her! 

Bene.  Is  there  any  way  to  Hiew  fuch  fricndfhip? 
2ee  B^-tff.  A  very  euen  wayjbul  no  fuch  friend. 

B^i?f .  May  a  man  do  it? 
Heat.  1 1  is  a  mans  office ,but  not  yours, 
Bo;^.  I  doe  loue  nothing  in  the  worlde  fo  well  as  you, 

is 


2G2 


53 

about  O^othing.  r^ 

isnottliatftrangc?  . 

V>eat,  As  ftrange  as  the  thing  1  knowc  not,  it  were  as  polli- 
ble  for  metofaV,llouccl  nothing  fowel  as  you,  but  belcucmc  zn 

not  ,ana  y«  I  lie  not,  1  confdTe  nothuig,  nor  I  deny  nothing,! 

amforyforinycoofin. 

^ened.  Bv  my  fword  Beatnce,thou  louelt  me.  ^ire 

'Beat.   Donotfwcarcancleatcit.  t 

Tietied.   I  wilirwearcby  ilthatyoulouerae,andI\\il  make 

him  eate  it  that  fayes  1  loue  not  you. 

'JBeat.   Will  vou  not  eate  your  word?  280 

hated.  With  nofawcc  that  can  be  deuifed  to  it,  I  proteft  I 

louc  thee. 

Bear.  Why  then  God  forgiue  me. 

Beried.  VVhatoffencerweeteBeatrrce?  ^^ 

Be^!.   YouhaueOaycd  me  in  a  happy  houre,  I  was  about 
to  proteft  1  loued  you. 

'Bencd.   And  do  it  with  all  thy  heart. 

'Bear,  lioue  you  withfo  much  ofmyhcartjthat  none  is  left  238 

toproteft.  T-      r     I 

Be»ed.  Come  lid  me  doe  any  thing  for  thee. 

Beat.  KillClaudio. 
Bepied.  Ha,  not  for  the  wide  world.  ^^ 

Beat.  You  kill  me  to  deny  it,  farewell.  t 

Bened.  Tarry  fwcete  Beatrice. 

Beat.  I  am  gone,though  1  am  here,  there  is  no  loue  in  yoii, 
nay  I  pray  you  let  nie  go. 
"Sened.   Beatrice. 
Bear.   1  n  fciith  I  will  go. 
*^»f^.  Week  be  friends  firft. 
Beat.  You  dare  eaficr  be  friends  with  mee,  than  fight  wuh  soo 

mine  enemy. 

TeHcl  Is  Claudio  thine  enemy.? 

Beat.  Is  a  not  approoued  in  the  height  a  villaine,  that  hath 
flaundered,  fcomed,  difhonored  my  kinfwoman  ?    O thati  3(»- 

wereaman!  what,  bcare  her  m  hand,  vntill  they  come  to  take 
handes,  and  then  with  publike  accufation  vncoucrd  flaunder, 
vrmitticated  rancour  ?  O  God  that  I  were  a  man  i  1  woulde  sos 

G  3  €ate 


2&e 


54 

ivi.  tlA/fachadoe 

cate  his  heart  in  the  market  place. 
Bened.  Hearemc  Beatrice. 
9IZ  Beat .  T alke  with  a  man  out  at  a  window,  a  proper  fayiti g. 

Bated.  Nav  but  Beatrice. 

"Beat.  S weete  Hero,flie is  wrongtl,fhe  is  flaundrcd, (hce  is 
vndone. 
3ie  Bened.  Beat? 

BeiJt.  Princes  and  Countiesl  furely  a  princely  teflimonie ,» 

f  goodly  Counte,  Counte  Comfeft,a  fweete  Gallant  furely,  O 

3z(i        that  I  were  a  man  for  his  fake!  or  that  I  had  any  friend  woulde 

be  a  man  for  my  fake !  But  manhoode  is  melted  into  curfies, 

valour  jnto  coniplemen{,and  men  are  only  turnd  into  tongue, 

38*        and  trim  ones  too :   he  is  now  as  valiant  as  Hercules,  that  only 

tels  a  lie.and  fweares  it :  I  cannot  be  a  man  with  wifliing,lher- 

fore  I  will  die  a  worain  with  grieuing. 

sza  'Bened.  Tarry  good  Bcatrice,by  this  hand  I  loue  thee. 

^Beatrice  Vfe  it  for  my  louc  fome  other  way  than  fw earing 

by  it. 

Bened.  Thinke  you  in  your  foule  the  Count  Claudio  hath 

S3Z         wrongd  Hero? 

Beatrice  Yea,  as  fure  as  I  haue  a  thought,or  a  foule. 
Hened.  Enough,!  am  engagdc,  I  will  challenge  him,  I  will 
\m         IdfTe your  hand,and  fo  i  Icauc  you  :  by  this  hand,Claudio  fhal 
render  me  a  deere  account:  as  you  heareofme,fo  think  of  me: 
goe  comfoi te  your  coofin,  1  muft  fay  flic  is  dead,  and  fo  farc- 

well. 

ISFjj.  Enter  the  Con]lables^orachio,4ndthe  Tmw  clearke 

ingorvnct. 
Keeper  Is  our  whole  dillembly  appeard? 
Cow/ey  O  a  (looie  and  a  cufhion  for  the  Sexton. 
Sexton  "Which  be  the  malefafl^ors? 
y^ndrevp  M ary  that  am  I ,and  my  partner. 
CowUy  Nay  thats  certaine,we  haue  the  exhibition  to  txa- 
mine. 

.Sextoft  But  which  are  the  offenders?  that  arc  to  be  cxami  - 
ned,lrt  them  come  before  maiftcr  conOable. 

X*iw/>  Yea  mary,  let  them  come  before  mee ,  what  is  your 

name. 


55 


about  J^Qothing.  jya 


12 


ie 


namc,rrien(^? 

^oK.    Borachio. 

Ke.  PraywritcdowneBonchio.  Yours  (irra. 

Con.  I  am  a  gentleman  fir^nd  my  name  is  Conrade. 

Ke.  Write  downe  maiHer  gentleman  Conrade :  maiftcrSj 
do  you  feme  God  ^ 

Both  Yea  fir  we  hope. 

Kem.  Write  downe,  that  they  hope  they  ferueGod  :  and 
write  God  Firfl:,for  God  defend  but  God  fhouldegoe  before 
fuch  vlllalncsMnaifterSjir  isprooued  alreadie  that  you  are  little 
better  than  falfe  knaues ,  and  it  will  go  necre  to  be  thought  Co  24- 

fhortly,  how  anfwer  you  for  your  felues? 

{^oft.  Marj'lirvvcfayjWearenone. 

Kemp  A  maruelious  witty  fcilowe  laffureyou ,  but  I  will 
Co  about  with  him: come  you  hither  firra ,  a  word  in  your  €ar€  2s 

(ir,I  (ay  to  you,  it  is  thought  you  arcfaifc  knaues. 

Sor.  Sir,l  fay  to  you,  we  arc  none. 

Kewp  V  Vc!,ftand  aiide,  fore  G  od  they  art;  botli  in  a  tale:  3z 

haue  you  writ  downe,that  they  are  none? 

Sexto»  Mafter  conftabie,  you  go  not  the  way  to  examine, 
you  nmrt  call  foorth  the  watch  that  are  their  accufcrs.  3e 

Kemp  Yea  mary ,  thats  the  efteft  way,  let  the  wat^  come 
forth ;  mailers,  1  charge  you  in  the  Princes  name  accufethefe 
men.  40 

rV.itch  T  This  manfaidfir,that  don  lohnthePrinces bro- 
ther wasaviliaine, 

Kemp  Write  downe^prince  John  a  villaine ;  why  this  is  flat 
pcriarie,to  call  a  Princes  brother  villaine.  '*^ 

Borttchio  MaifU-r  Con(}able. 

Kemp  Pray  thcc  feilowe  peace,  I  doe  not  like  thy  looke  I 
promifethee. 

Sexton  What  heard  you  him  fay  elfe? 

If^atch  2  Mary  that  he  had  receiued  a  ihoufand  duckats  of 
don  lohn,for  acaifingthe  Ladie  Hero  wrongfully. 

Kemp  Flat  burglarie  as  euer  was  comnnitlcd.  sz 

Conjl.  Yea  by  maffe  that  it  is,  ^ 

Sfxton  VVbdt  elfe  fellow? 

IVatch 


t^a 


56 

Kii.  oJAduch  adoe 

JVatch  r   And  tfiat  Counte  Cbudfo  did  meanc vppon  Ms 
se  wordcs,  to  difgracc  Hero  before  the  whole  a(lemblie,and  not 

marric  her. 

Kemp  O  villaine!  thou  wilt  becondemnd  into  euerlafting 
redemption  for  this. 
w  Sexton  WhateKe?  fFa/c/;  This  is  all. 

Sexton  And  this  is  more  maflers  then  you  can  deny  ,prince 

*f  John  is  this  morning  fecretlie  ftolne  awaie  :  Hero  was  in  diis 

manner  accufde,  in  this  vcrie  manner  refufde ,  and  vppon  the 

sriefeofthis  fodainlic  died  :  Maiftcr  Conftable,letthefemcn 

t  be  bound ,  and  brought  to  Leonatoes,  I  will  goe  before  and 

€s  /hew  him  their  examination. 

Confiable  Come  let  them  be  opiniond. 
(^ouley  Let  them  be  in  the  hands  ofCoxcombe. 
Tz  Kemp  Qq^%  my  life.wheres  the  SextonJiet  him  write  down 

the  Princes  officer  Coxcombe:come,bindlhcm,thou  naugh- 
ty varlet. 

Couley  Away,  you  are  an  a{re,you  are  an  aiTe. 
16  Kemp  Dooft  thou  notfufpcifl  my  place  ?  dooH  thou  not 

fufpe^  my  yeeres.'O  that  he  were  here  to  write  me  downe  an 
afTe!  but  maifters  »  remember  that  I  am  an  aiTe,  ihoug^h  it  bee 
eo  not  written  do  wne,yet  forget  not  that  i  am  an  affe  :  No  thou 

villaine,  thou  artful!  ofpietie  as  fhal  beprou'de  vpon  thee  by 
good  witnes,  lama  wifefellow,  and  which  is  more,an  officer, 
S4-  and  vyhich  is  more,  a  houfholder,  and  which  is  more,  as  pret- 

t  tyapeeceofflefh  asanieisin  Medina  ,  and  one  that  knowes 

the  Law,  goe  to,  and  a  rich  fellow  enough,go  to ,  and  a  fellow 
88  that  hath  had  loffeSjand  one  that  hath  two  gowncs.and  cucry 

thing  hanfome  about  him :  bring  him  away:0  that  1  had  bin 
writ  dow  ne  an  affe  I  exit. 

Vi.  Enter  Leonatn andhU  brother. 

brother  If  you  go  on  thus,you  will  kill  yourfelfe. 
And  tis  not  wifedome  thus  tofecond  griefe, 
Againfl:  yourfelfe. 

Leonato  I  pray  thee  ceafe  thy  counfaile. 
Which  falles'into  mme  cares  as  profitleiTc, 
As  water  in  afyue:giue  not  me  counfaile. 

Nor 


57 


ahut  U^thing^ 


Nor  let  no  comforter  delight  mine  care, 
Butfuch  a  one  whofc  wrongs  doefute  with  mine 
Bring  me  a  father  that  fo  lou  d  his  child, 


XL 

t 

t 


le 


20 


Whofc  ioy  of  her  is  ouer-whelmd  like  mine. 

And  bid  him  fpealcc  of  patience, 

Meafarc  his  woe  the  Icncih  and  bredth  of  mine. 

And  let  it  anfvvcr  eucry  ftraine  for  ftrainc, 

As  thus  for  thus,  and  fiich  a  griefe  for  fuch. 

In  eucr)'  lineament,branch,lhape,and  forme: 

If  fuch  a  one  will  fmile  and  ftroke  his  beard, 

Andforrow,wagge,criehem,  when  hcfhould  grone. 

Patch  griefe  with  prouerbcs,make  misfortune  dirunkc, 

With  candle- waflers:  bring  him  yet  to  me, 

And  i  of  him  will  gather  patience: 

But  there  is  no  fuch  man,for  brothcr,men 

Can  counfaile  and  fpeake  comfort  to  that  griefe. 

Which  they  themfelucs  not  feele,but  tafting  it. 

Their  counfaile  turncsto  paflion,which  before. 

Would  giuc  preceptiall  medcine  to  rage,  2^  t 

Fetter  ftrong  madneiTe  in  a  filken  thred, 

Charmc  ach  with  a)'rc,and  agony  with  words, 

No,no,tis  all  mens  office,  to  fpeake  patience 

To  thofe  that  wring  vnder  the  bade  of  forrow  2s 

But  no  mans  veitue  nor  fufficicncie 

To  be  fb  raorall,  when  he  fhall  endure 

The  like  himfelfe:  therefore  giue  me  no  counlai^ 

My  gricfcs  crie  lo  wder  then  aduertifement.  sz 

^Brother  Therein  6lO  mcnfrom  children  nothing  diflfer. 

Leonnto  I  pray  thee  peace,  I  wil  be  flelli  and  bloud. 
For  there  was  ncuer  yet  Philofopher, 
That  could  endure  tlic  tooth-ake  patiently,  se 

How  euer  they  hauc  writ  the  (ble  of  gods, 
And  made  a  puih  at  chance  and  fufferancc, 

brother  Yet  bend  not  all  the  harme  vpon  your  felfe. 
Make  thofe  that  do  offend  you,fuflrer  too.  * 

Leon  At  0  There  thou  fpcakft  reafon,nay  I  will  do  fo. 

My  foule  doth  tell  me,Hero  15  belied, 
^  H  And 


58 


v:i. 


eo 


68 


(^luch  ac/oe 


AnA  tlint  fhall  Claurlio  know/o  Qiall  ihcprince, 
A  nd  all  of  them  that  thus  «ii(honour  her. 

Snter  PrmceattdQaMdio. 

'Brother  Here  comes  the  Prince  and  Claudio  haHily. 

prince   Goodden,gOoddcn. 

Cldtidio  Good  day  to  both  of  you. 

Leonato  Heare  you  niy  LordsJ" 

*Trmce  We  haue  lopie  haftc  Leonato. 
ts  Leonato  Sonie  hafte  my  lord!  well,farc  you  well  my  lord, 

Are  you  fo  hafry  no  w^weljall  is  one. 

Trince  Nay  do  not  quarrel  with  vs,good  old  man. 

'Brother  If  he  could  right  himfclfe  with  quarrelling, 
Some  of  vs  would  lie  low. 

ClapJto  Who  wrongs  him? 

L€ona.  iMary  diou  dofl wrong  m€,thou  difTembler,  thouj 
"Nay, neuer  lay  thy  hand  vpon  thy  ilvord, 
I  feare  thee  not. 

Claudh  Mary  befhrew  my  hand. 
If  It  fhould  due  vour  aeefuch  caafe  offeare, 
In&ith  my  hand  meant  nothing  to  my  fword. 

LeoMAio  Tuflijtufh  tiian,neuer  fiecre  and  ieft  at  me, 
irpeake  not  like  a  dotard,  norafbole. 
As  vnderpr:uiledgc  of  age  to  bragge, 
What  i  haue  ^ont  bein?yong,or  what  would  doe, 
Were  I  not  old,know  Claudio  to  thy  head, 
f  T  hou  haft  Co  wrongd  mine  innocent  child  and  me. 

That  I  am  forft  to  lay  my  reuercnceby. 
And  with  grey  haires  and  bruile  of  many  dates. 
Do  challenge  thee  to  triall  of  a  man, 
I  lay  thou  haR  belied  mine  innocent  child. 
Thy  flander  hath  gone  through  and  through  her  heart. 
And  (lie  lies  buried  with  heranceilors: 
O  in  a  toomb  where  neuer  fcandalflept, 
Saue  this  of  hers,  framde  by  thy  villanie. 

Claudio  Mvviliany? 
m  Li'omto  ThlneClaudiOjthinelfay. 

Prmcc  You  fay  not  rj^ht  old  man. 

Leotutto 


5^) 

ahout  3^(otbrrjg.  VA 

Leonato  My  Lord, my  Lord, 
He  prooue  it  on  his  body  if  he  dare,  i* 

Difpighthis  nice  fence,  and  his  adhue  pi'a(J>ife, 
HisMaic  of  youthjand  bloome  of  iiiftihood, 

CiauSo  Away, I  will  not  haue  to  doe  with  you. 

Leonato  Canft  thou  fo  dafFe  me?thou  haft  kild  my  childj  -js 

If  thou  kilft  me,bov,thou  f}ialt  kill  a  man. 

Brother  He  fhaf  kill  two  ofvs,and  men  indeed, 
But  thats  no  matter,lcl  hur  kill  one  firft : 

Win  me  and  weare  me,let  him  anfwer  me,  82 

Come  follow  me  boy,come  fir  boy.come  follow  me 
Sir  boy,ilc  whip  you  from  your foyning  fence, 
Nay,as  I  am  a  gentleman  I, will. 

Leonato  Brother,  (,6 

'Brother  Content  your  felf,God  knowes,!  loued  my  necce, 
A  nd  rheis  dead,flandcrd  to  death  by  villaines, 
T  hat  dare  as  well  anfwer  a  man  indeed, 
As  I  dare  take  a  fcipent  by  the  tongue,  so 

Boyes,apes,braggarts,Iackes,milke-fops. 

Leonato  Brother  Anthony. 

Brother  Hold  you  content,what  manll  know  them,yta 
And  what  they  weigh  ,eucn  to  the  vtmoft  fcruple, 
Scambling,ont-facing,fafhion-mongingboics,  »* 

ThatUe,and  coggc,andflout,depraue,and  (launder. 
Go  antiquely ,and  O^ew  outward  hidioufnelTe, 
And  fpeakeofhalfe  a  dozen  dangVous  words. 
How  they  might  hurt  their  cnemics,if  they  durft,  na 

And  this  is  all. 

Leonato  But  brother  Anthonie 

'Brother  Come  tis  no  matter, 
Do  not  you  meddle,lct  me  dcale  in  this. 

Trince  Gentlemen  both,  we  will  not  wake  your  patience,  toz 

M  y  heart  is  fory  for  your  daughters  death : 
But  on  my  honour  fhe  was  chargde  with  nothing 
Bui  what  was  true,  and  veiy  full  of  proofe. 

Leonato  MyLord,my  Lord.  ^«* 

^rtncg  I  will  not  lieare  you. 

H  2  LeonAJo 


110 


122 


60 

Y.i.  (tS^uch  acfoe 

Leo.  No  come  brother,a way,  I  wil  be  heard.  Sxeutit  amh, 
'Bro^  And  fhal,  or  fome  of  vs  wil  fmart  for  it.       fmer  'Ben, 
Prince  See  fet,heere comes  the  man  we  went  to  fceke. 
Qatid.  Now  figniorjvvhat  newes  ? 
Berted.  Good  day  my  Lord  : 

Prince  Welcome  fignior,  you  are  almoft  come  to  parte  al- 
//*         mo  ft  a  fray. 

C/(iud.  Wee  had  likttohauehadourtwonofes  fnapt  oiF 
with  two  old  men  without  teeth. 

T^rwce  Leonato  and  his  brother  what  thinkft  thourhad  we 
7>s         fought,!  doubt  we  fbould  hauebeene  tooyong  for  them. 

"BeneJ,  In  a  falfc  quarrell  there  is  no  inae  valour,  1  came  to 
feeke  you  both. 

C7(ihd.  We  haue  beene  vp  and  downe  to  fecke  thee,for we 
are  high  proofe  rnelancholie,  and  would  faine  haue  it  beaten 
away,  wilt  thou  vfe  thy  wit .'' 

Bened,  It  is  in  my  icabberd,  Hial  I  drawe  it  ? 
rze  prince  Doeft  thou  weare  thy  wit  by  thy  (ide  ? 

{"Ufid,  Neuer  any  did  fb,though  very  many  haue  been  be- 
{ide  their  wit ,  I  will  bid  thee  drawe,as  wcc  doe  the  minftrcls, 
draw  to  plcafurc  vs. 

Prtfice  As  I  am  an  hon  eft  man  he  lookes  pale,  art  thou 
ficke,or  angry .? 

pand.  What  courage  man  :  what  though  care  kildacatte, 
cf  thou  haft  mettle  enough  in  thee  to  kill  care. 

'Bened.  Sir,  I  fhall  mecte  yourwitinthecareere  ,  and  you 
charge  it  againft  me,  I  pray  you  chufe  another  fubie^ 
I3S  paud.  Nay  thengiuehimanothcrftafFc,thislaft  was  broke 

crofTe., 

Trince  By  lliis  light  he  chaunges  more  and  more,  I  thinke 
he  be  angry  indeed. 
W2  (^lastd.  If  he  be,he  knowes  how  to  tume  his  girdle. 

'Bened.  Shall  I  fpeake  a  word  in  youreare  J 
Qand,  God  blefTe  me  from  a  challenge. 
Bened.  Youarea  villaine,  I  ieaft  not,  I  will  make  it  good 
howe  you  dare,  with  what  you  dare,  and  when  you  dare ;  doo 
mec  right,or  1  willproieft  your  cowardife  :  you  haue  kilid  a 

fwcfete 


130 


I4€ 


alfout  U^otbing. 


61 


Vi. 

150 


15* 


158 


IGC 


fweeete  LaJy,  and  her  death  Oiall  fallheaoieon  you,  let  me 
htarc  from  you. 

Ciaud.  Well  I  w il  meet  you  ,(b  I  may  haue  good  cheare. 
Trmcc  W hat.a  fcaft,  a  feafi:? 

Ciaud,  I  faith  I  thanke  him  he  hath  bid  me  to  a  calues  head 
&  a  capon,the  wliich  if  I  doe  not  caiue  moft  curioufly/ay  my 
knjfiPe's  naught, fhall  rnotfindawoodcockeioo? 
Bened.  Sir  your  wit  ambles  well,  it  goes  cafily. 
'Prtnce  lie  tell  thee  how  Beatrice  praifd  thyvvitte  the  other 
day;I  faidthou  hadftaflnewitte,  true faid ill e,a  fine  little  one:  ,62^ 

no  (aid  I,a  great  wit :  rightfaies  (he,  a  great  groffc  oticnay  faid 
I,  a  good  wit,  iuftfaid  flhe,it  hurts  no  bodyrnay  faid  I,  the  gen- 
tleman is  wife:  certainefaid  fhe,  a  wife  gentleman:  nay  faid  I,he 
hath  the  tongues:  that  I  beleeue  faid  fhee,for  he  fworeaihing 
to  mee  on  munday  night,which  hce  forfworc  on  tuefday  mor- 
ning, theres  a  double  tongue  theirs  two  tongues,  thus  did  flice  /,-<?  f 
an  houre  together  tranf-fhape  thy  particular  veitues,yet  at  lad 
fhe  cocluded  with  a  figh,thou  waft  the  properrt  man  in  Italy.            ,7-4  f 

Ciatui.    For  the  which  Oiee  wept  heartily  and  faide  ihe  ca- 
red not. 

,Pr'mee   Yea  that  fhe  did,  but  yet  for  all  that,    andiffhcdid 
not  hate  him  deadly,  fhe  would  loue  him  dearely,  the  old  mans  i-s 

daughter  told  vs  all. 

C^nftd.  All  all,  and  moreouer,God  lavve  him.  when  he  was 
hid  in  the  garden.    . 

Prince  But  when  fhall  wefet  thefauage  bulles  homes  one  f 

thcfenfible  Benedicks;  head? 

patf.  Yea  and  text  vndcr-neath,  here  dwells  Benedick  the 
married  man. 

Tened.  Fare  you  wel,  boy,you  know  my  minde,  I  wil  leaue 
vou  now  to  your  gofTep-like  humor ,you  breake  icfts  as  brag- 
gards  do  their  blades,  which  God  be  thanked  hurt  not  :  my  w 

Lord,for  your  many  courtrfies  1  thanke  you  ,  1  murt  difconti- 
nuc  your  company,your  brother  the  baftard  is  fiedfrom  Mef- 
fina:  you  haue  among  you,  kild  a  fweetand  innocent  lady:for  a-w 

my  Lord  Lacke-beard,  there  hee  andl  fhal  meet,and  til!  then 
peace  be  with  him, 

H  3  *Frm€e 


me 


62 


zuv 


20^ 


prince  Heisin  enrnefl. 

p>tudio  I  nn\oft  profound  earned,  and  ilewaiTontyou/or 
the  louc  of  Beatrice. 
Pritice  Andlinth  challcngde  thee. 
Clattdio  Mo  if  fincerely. 

'Prtnce  What  a  pretty  thinj^  nwn  is,wfu:n  he  goes  in  his 
dtibiet and hofcjcind  I Cciues  offhis  w«.' 

Snter  Conjiahies,  Co  nradc,  and  T^orachio. 
CLuidio  He  IS  then  a  G  lant  to  an  Apc,but  then  is  an  Ape  a 
Do<llor  to  fach  a  man. 
2CS  "Prince  Butfoft  you, let  me  be,  plucke  vp  my  heartland  be 

rjd,did  he  not  fay  my  brother  was  ne^Xi 

Confi.   Come  you  fir/ifiuOice  cannot  tame  you  ,  /he  fliall 
nere  weigh  m  ore  reafons  in  her  ballance  ,  nay,  and  you  be  a 
zn        curling  hypocrite  once,you  mufl:  belookt  to. 

T^rmce  How  noWjtwo  of  my  brothers  men  bound.''  Bora- 
chio  one. 

Qaudto  Hearken  after  their  offence  my  Lord. 
Prince  Officers^what  oifence  baue  thefe  men  done? 
Conft.  ]Vl p.ry  Hr ,they  haue  committed  filfe  report^  morco- 
uertheyhauefpoken  vntruths,  fecondarily  they  are  flandcrs, 
/ixtandlaftly,  they  hauebelyed  a  Lady,  thirdly  they  haue  ve- 
22'^         refied  vniufl:  thinges,  and  to  conclude,they  are  lying  knaues. 
Prince^  Fir/ll aske thee  what  they  haue  done,  thirdly  I 
ask  thee  whats  their  ofFence,fixt  and  laftly  w  hy  they  are  com « 
2ZS         muted,  and  to  conclu  de,what  you  lay  to  their  charge. 

Claud.  Rightly  reafoned,and  in  his  ownc  diuifion,  and  by 
my  troth  theresonemeaning  wel  futed. 
ZS2  Prince  Who  haue  you  offended  maiflers,  that  you  are  thus 

bound  to  your  jnfwere/'this  learned  Conftableis  too  cunning 
to  be  vnderdood,  whats  your  offence  ? 

"^or.  S'A'eete  prince,let  me  goe  no  farther  to  mine  anfwtre: 
do  you  heare  me^nnd  let  this  Counte  kill  me :  I  haue  dcceiucd 
euen your  very  eyes:  what  your  wifcdoms  could  not  difcouer, 
Z4-V  ihefc  fhallowefooles  haue  hroghtto  light,  who  in  the  night  o- 
uerheard  me  confeffing  to  this  man, how  Don  John  your  bro- 
ther incenfed  me  to  (launder  the  Lady  H  ero,  howe  you  were 

brought 


2ie 


zzo 


:^3(,' 


z»<» 


•<AH 


Z6Z 


: 63 

about  ^hQ)ihing.  vi 

troughLinfotficordurdjand  law  me  court  Margaret  in  He- 
roes 3;»rmei)ts.iio\v  you dilgraccie hir  vvlicn  you  DiouM marry 
hirnry  vjlJanv  they  hauevpon  record, which  I  had  raihcrfcale 
with  my  death, then  repcateouer  to  my  fliamerihe  lady  is  dead 
%'pon  mm : .ind  iiiy  inaflci s  falfe  accaliiiion.'.and  bricftly, [  de- 
fiienothinojbiit  the  reward ol" a  vjI bine. 

Vnncti  Runnci  not  this  fpetch  like  yron  (Jirough  your 
bloud.' 
Qatid,  I  }i3ue  dronke  poifon  whiWs  he vttcrd  if* 
Frinci'  But  did  my  brother  fc?  thee  on  to  this/" 
Bor.  Yta.AiKi  paid  ine  richl)  lor  the  praiiife  ofit.  25-^- 

l^rmcc-  Me  is compofdc  and  framdc  ofircacherie. 
And  fled  heisvpon  ihisviDanie. 

CiaUt  Sweet  Hero,  now  thy  iina^e doth  appt* arc 
In  the  rare  feniWancethat  I  iou'd  itnrn-, 

Confi.  Come,  bring  away  the  piamtiffcs,  by  this  time  our 
fexton  hath  reformed  Signior  Lconato  of  the  matter:  and  ma- 
fters,  do  not  forget  io  fpecifie  when  time  and  place  fiial  ferue,        i  u^ 
that  I  am  an  alTe. 

Con.i   Here,here  comes  mafler  Signior  Lconato,  and  the 
icxton  too. 

Enter  Leoratojjii  l^rothcr^wd  ih^  Sexton, 
Leoyiato  Which  is  the  vi]laine/"lct  me  feehis eies, 
That  when  T  notcanothcr  man  like  him, 
I  may  auoide  him:vYhich  ofthcfe  is  he? 

Bor.    Ifyou  would  Icnow  your  w  rongcr.Iooke  on  me. 
Leonato  Art  thou  the  llaucthat  witli  thy  breath  had  killd 
JVlinc  innocent  child.' 
'Bar.  Yca,eucn  I  alone. 
Leo.  No,not  fo  villaine,thou  belied  thy  fclfe. 
Here  (land  a  pjire  of  honourable  men, 
A  third  is  fled  that  had  a  hand  in  it: 
I  thanke  you  Princes  forms' daue:hters  death. 
Record  it  with  yourhij^h  and  wordiy  deeds, 
Tvvas  brauciv  done,  if  you  bcthinke  you  ofit- 

Qati.    I  Icnow  not  how  to  pray  your  pacienc c, 
Yet  I  mud  fpeake,choofe  your  reuenge  you  r  Idle, 

Lnpofc 


Z€S 


Zii\ 


ziv 


ZtIO 


64 


V.i. 


3CC 


3M 


312 


3ie 


^^Aduch  adoe 


Impoie  me  to  what  penance  your  inuention 

Can  lay  vpon  my  iinnc,ycl  linnd  1  not, 
2S4        But  in  miftakin^. 

Prince  By  my  foulc  nor  I, 

And  yet  to  fatisfic  this  good  old  man, 

I  would  bend  vnder  any  heauy  waight, 

Thathecle  cnioyneme  to, 
2S8  Leomto  I  ca  nnot  bid  you  bid  my  dau  ghtcr  liuc. 

That  were  impoflible,but  Iprayyou  both, 

PofTeUe  the  people  in  Mcihna  here, 

How  innocent  rfie  died.and  if  your  louc 
292        Can  labour  aught  in  fad  inuention, 

Hang  her  an  epitaph  vpon  her  toomb» 

And  (ing  it  to  her  boneSjfing  it  to  night: 

To  morrow  morning  come  you  to  my  houfe, 
296        And  fince  you  could  not  be  myfon  in  law. 

Be  yet  my  nephew:  my  brother  hath  a  daughter, 

Almofl  die  copie  of  my  child  thats  dead, 

Andihe  alone  is  heyre  to  both  of  vs, 

Giue her  the  right  you  ihould  hauegiu  n her  coiin, 

And  (b  dies  my  reuenge. 
Ciaudw  Onobleiir! 

Your  ouer  kindneffc  doth  wring  teares  from  me, 

I  do  embrace  your  offer  and  difpofe, 

For  henceforth  of  poore  Claudio, 

Leonato  To  morrow  then  I  wil  expcft  your  comming, 

To  night  I  take  my  leaue,this  naughty  man 

Shal  face  to  face  be  brought  to  Margaret, 
308        Who  T  beleeue  was  packt  in  al  this  wrong, 

Hyred  to  it  by  your  brother. 

Bor.  No  by  my  foule  (he  was  not. 

Nor  knew  not  what  (he  did  when  fhefjjoke  to  me, 

Butalwayes  hath  bin  iuft  and  vertuous. 

In  any  thing  that  I  do  know  by  her. 
Confl.  Morcoucr  fir,  which  indeede  is  not  vnder  white  and 

Wackcthis  plaintiffchcere,  theoffcndour,  did  call  me  alTe ,  I 

befeech  you  let  it  be  remcrobrcd  in  his  piminunent ,  and  alfo 

the 


33Z 


65 

alout  D^ihlng^  vi 

die  watch  heard  them  talke  of  one  Deformed,  they  %  he 
wearcs  a  key  in  his  eare  and  a  lockc  heinging  by  it,and  borows 
monie in  Gods namc^he  which  \ia  hath  v(cJe  (o  long>&  neua         sxo 
paicdjthat  now  men  grow  hard  hearted  and  wil  lend  nothing 
for  Gods  /ake.-praie  you  examine  him  vpon  that  pojnt. 

Lecnato  I  thanke  thee  for  thy  care  and  honeft  paines. 
Cenfl.  Your  wof  j'hip  fpeakes  like  a  mofl:  thankful  and  re-         32* 
uercnt  youth ^and  I  praifc  God  for  you» 

Lecn.  Theres  for  thy  paines. 

ConH,  God  (aue  tiie  foundation. 

Leon.  Goc,  I  difchargethee  o^'thy  prifoncr,  and  I  thanke         szs 
the^. 

{'onFi.  I  leaue an  arrant  knauc  with  your  worfh'p,vvhich  I 
befecch  your  worlhip  to  corrcfl  your  fclfe/or  the  example  of 
others:  God  keepeyour  worOiip,  I  wiliiyour  worfhip  wdJ, 
God  reftore  you  to  health  J  humblie  eiue  you  leaue  to  depart 
and  if  a  merie  meeting  may  be  wifht^God  prohibite  it ;  come  sse 
neighbour. 

Leon^  Vntiil  to  morrow  raoming,Lords,fareweil. 

Trot.  Farewellmy  lords,  wc  lookefor  you  to  morrow. 

Trtncc  Wc  will  not  faile. 

Claud.   To  night  ile  mourne  with  Hero. 

LeonAto  Bring  you  thefe  fellovvcs  on,  wee!  taike  with  Mar-  3*0 

garet,how  her  acquaintance  grew  wich  this  lewd  felow.  exmnt         

£nter  V>eKedickeAnd  MargAr^'t »  \' Ai. 

"^encd.  Praie  thee  fweetc  miftris  Margaret,  de/erue  well  at 
my  hands,by  helping  me  to  the  fpcech  or  Beatrice. 

Mat.  Wil  you  then  write  mc  a  foanet  in  praife  of  my  \>f:3i^'' 
tie.? 

^ene,  Jn  fo  high  a  ftile  Margaret,  that  no  man  liuing  Hiall 
comcouerit,forin  mod  comely  truth  thou  deferuetl  it. 

Adar,  To  hauc  no  man  come  ouer  me,  why  fliai  I  alwaies 
keep  below  (laires. 

'^ne.  Thywitisasquickcasthe  gre)'-hounds  mouth,  it 
catches. 

Mar.  And  yoiir's>as  blunt  as  the  Fencers  fbilcs .  which  hit, 
but  hurt  not. 

I  V)CHe. 


6t; 


\:n. 


u 


Z8 


4C 


4.4 


48 


SZ 


5G 


^5\luch  adoe 


"Rene.  A  mo  ft  manly  wittc  Margaret ,  it  will  not  hurt  a  wo- 
ie         inan :  and  Co  I  pray  thee  call  Beatrice ,  1  giue  thee  the  buck- 
lers. 

Mrr^.  Giuevs  the  fwordes,  weehaue  bucklers  of  our 

owne. 

Be»^'  TfyouvTe  them  Margaret,  you  mufl  puttc  in  the 
pikes  with  a  vice,  and  they  are  daungcrous  weapons  for 
maides. 

A<far»  Well,  1  will  call  Beatrice  to  you  ,  who  I  thinke  hath 
lego'CS.  Exiti^iargartte. 

B^w.  And  therefore  wil  come .  T  he  God  of  loue  that  fits 
aboue,  and  knowes  mee,  and  knowes  me,  how  pitliflill  I  de- 
fcrue.  I  meane  in  finging ,  but  in  louing ,  Leander  the  good 
fwimmer,  Troilusthcfirftimploier  ofpandars,  and  a  whole 
f  3z  booke  full  of  thefe  quondam  carpet-mongers,  whofe  names 

yet  runne  fmoothly  in  the  eucn  rode  of  a  biancke  vcrfe ,  why 
ihey  were  neuer  fo  truly  lurnd  ouer  and  ouer  as  my  poore  felf^ 
\3g  in  louecmary  I  cannot  fhc  w  it  in  rime,!  haue  tried,  I  can  finde 

ouinorimetoLadiebutbabie,  an  innocent  rime;  forfcorne, 
f  hornc,3  hard  rime:fbr  fchoole  foolcja  babling  rime:  very  omi- 

nous endings ,  no,  I  was  not  borne  vnder  a  riming  plannet. 
I  nor  I  cannot  wooe  in  feftiuall  termesrfwecte  Beatrice  wouldft 

thou  come  when  I  cald  thee? 

Sftter  'Beatrice. 
'Beat.  Yea  (ign!or,and  depart  when  you  bid  me, 
hene.  O  ftay  but  till  then. 

heat.  Then,i$rpoken:  fareyou wel  now^andyetereT  goe, 
let  mc  goc  with  that  I  came ,  which  is ,  with  knowing  what 
hath  paft  betweene  you  and  Claudio. 

hene.  Onelyfoulewords.andlherevponI  willkifTethee. 
heat.  Foule  words  is  but  foule  wind,  and  foule  wind  is  but 
foulc  breath, and  foule  breath  is  noilbme,therforel  wildepart 
vnkift. 

^ene.  Thou  haft  frighted  the  word  out  of  his  right  fence, 
(o  forcible  is  thy  wit,but  I  muft  tel  thee  plainly,Claudio  vnder. 
goes  my  challenge,  and  cither  I  muft  ftiortly  heare  from  him, 
or  I  will  fubfcribc  him  a  cowaid,  and  I  pray  thee  now  tell  mc, 

for 


67 


about  U^othing.  vm. 


IZ 


for  whidi  of  my  bad  parts  didft  diou  firftfalin  loue  witli  mc? 
Beat.  For  them  all  together,  which  maintainci  fo  politicjue 
a  ftate  ofcuil^that  they  will  not  admitte  any  eood  part  to  inter- 
mingle with  them:but  for  which  of  my  good  parts  did  you  firft 
fuffer  loue  for  me? 

Bene,   Suffer  loue!a  good  cpithite.I  do  fuffer  loue  indeed, 
for  I  loue  thee  againft  my  will.  ea 

Beat.  In  fpight  of  your  heart  I  tliinke ,  alas  poorc  heart  ,if 
you  rpight  it  for  my  fake,!  will  fpight  it  for  yours,for  I  wil  ne- 
uer  loue  that  which  my  friend  hates. 

'Betie.  Thou  and  I  are  too  wife  to  wooc  peaceably. 

Bent,  It  appcares  not  in  this  confeffion.theres  not  one  wife 
man  among  twcntie  that  will  praife  himfelfe.  ne 

"Bene.   An  old,an  old  inftance  Beatrice,  that  liu'd  in  the  time 

of  good  neighbours,if  a  man  do  not  creft  in  this  age  Iiis  ownc 

toomb  ere  he  dies,  hefhallliueno  longer  in  monument,  then  f 

the  bell  rings,and  the  widow  weepes.  \ 

Beat.  And  how  long  is  that  thinke  you? 

Hene.  Quefl:ion,whyanhowerinclamourandaquarterin  #♦ 

rhcwme,  thereforeisit  moll  cxptdJentfor  the  wife,  if  Don 
worme(his  confcicnce)find  no  impediment  to  thecontrary,to 
be  the  trumpet  of  his  owne  vertucs.as  T  am  to  my  feifib  much 
forpraifingmyfelfe.who  Imy  felfe  will  bearewitnesis  praife 
vvorthie,and  now  tell  me,how  doth  your  cofin? 

'Beat.  Veritill. 

Bene.  Andiiow  doyou? 

BcAt.  Vericilltoo. 

'Bene.  Serue  God,loue  me,and  mend,iherc  wil  T  leaue you 
too,for  here  comes  one  in  hafte.  V-^ter  Vrfula^ 

VrfuU  Madam,  you  muft  come  to  your  vncle.yonders  old 
coile  athome,it  is  proouedmy  Lady  Hero  hath  bin  falfely  so - 
cufde,the  Prince  and  Claudio  mightily  abufde^nd  Don  lohn 
is  the  author  of  all,  who  is  fled  and  gone  :  will  you  come  pre- 
fently? 

Beat.  Will  you  go  hcnre  this  ncwcs  fignior? 

Bene.  I  williuein  thy  heart,dieinthy  lap.andbeburiedin  w-y 

thy  cies:and  moreoucr,  I  wil  go  with  thee  to  (hy  vnclcs.    cxa. 

I  2  '  filler 


Sk 


9Z 


9e 


wo 


G8 


V.iii. 


zo 


<J\duch  adoe 


Enter  Q^tudiot  Trlrtce,  and  three  orfoure  with  tofers, 
C/c»dio   Is  this  the  monument  of  Leonatoi' 
Lord  It  is  my  LorcJ.  Epitajth. 

Done  to  death  by  flauderous  tongues. 
Was  the  Hero  that  heerelies: 
Death  in  guerdon  of  her  wronges, 
Giues  her  fame  which  neuer  dies: 
So  the  hfe  that  dyed  with  fhame, 
Liues  in  death  with  glorious  fame. 
Hang  thou  there  vpon  the  toomb, 
Prailing  hir  when  I  am  dead. 
Claudlo  Now  iKuficlc  found  &  fing  your  folemne  hymne. 
Song  Pardon  ^oddcfle  of  the  night, 
T hofe  that  He  wtny  virgin  knight. 
For  the  which  with  fbngs  of  woe. 
Round  about  her  tombcthey  goe: 
jMidniehtalTift  our  nione,help  vsto  figh  &:  grone. 
Heauilyhcauiiy. 

Graues  yawne  and  yeeld  your  dead. 
Till  death  be  vttered, 
t  Hcauily  heauily.  O'S^f* 

Lo.  How  vnto  thy  bones  good  night, yeerely  will  I  do  this 
2*  Prince  Good  morrow  maiflerSj  put  your  torches  out. 

The  wolues  haue  preied,and  iooke,  the  gentle  day 
Before  the  wheeles  of  Phcebus,  round  about 
Dapples  the  dro^vfieEafl  with  /pots  of  grey: 
Thanks  to  you  al,and  Icaue  vs,  fare  you  well. 

Cifudlo  Good  morrow  maflers.each  his  feuerall  way. 
prince  Come  let  vs  hcncCjand  put  on  other  weedes. 
And  then  to  Leonatoes  we  will  goe. 
3z  Chtudio  And  Hymen  now  with  luckier  iffue  fpeeds, 

Then  this  for  whom  we  rendred  vp  this  woe.  exennt, 

WS-  Jlnter  Levnato^SenedicU^^Margitret  Z/rfft/a^oUimanJ^rieryHerc^ 

frier  Did  I  not  tell  you  Hiee  was  innocent? 
Leo.  So  sre  the  Prince  and  Claudio  who  accufd  her, 
Vpon  the  crrour  that  you  heard  debated; 
But  Margaret  was  in  fome  fault  for  this, 
Alihough  againft  her  will  as  it  appeares.  In 


69 


about  V^othing.  Vr 

Inthettuecourfc  of  all  the  qucftion. 

Old  Wcl,  I  am  glad  that  all  things  (bits  fo  well» 
'Bsned^  And  {o  am  I,l>cing  elfe  by  faith  enforft 
To  call  young  Claudio  to  a  reckoning  for  it. 

Leo,  Well  daughter,and  you  gentlewomen  all. 
Withdraw  into  a  chamber  by  your  (clues. 
And  when  I  (end  for  you  come  hither  masked: 
The  Prince  and  Claudio  promi(de  by  thishowre 
To  vifite  me,you  know  your  office  brother. 
You  muft  be  father  to  your  brothers  daughter. 
And  giuc  her  to  young  Claudio.  Exeunt  Ladies.         le 

Old  Which  I  will  doe  with  confirmd  countenance. 
Bentd^  Frier ,1  mufl:  intreate  yoiu-  paines,!  thinke. 
Trier  To  doe  what  Signior  ? 

Bened,  Tobindme,orvndo  me,oneofthem:  zo 

Signior  Leonato,truth  it  is  good  Signior, 
Your  niece  regards  me  with  an  eye  offauour. 

Leo,  That  eye  my  daughter  lent  her,tis  moft  true. 
'Betted^  And  I  do  with  an  eye  of  loue  requite  her.  2* 

Leo,  The(ight  whereof  I  thinke  you  had  from  me. 
From  Claudio  and  the  Prince,  but  whats  your  will  / 

Bened,  Your anfwere (iris enigmatical!. 
But  for  my  vvil,  my  will  is,  your  good  will 
May  ftand  with  ours, this  day  to  beconioynd. 
In  the  ftate  of  honorable  marriage. 
In  which  (good  Frier)  I  (hal  defire  your  help, 
1^0.  My  heart  is  with  your  liking. 
Frier  Andmyhelpe. 
Heere  comes  the  Piinceand  Claudio. 

Etiter  Trint'e^  atfdpaudio,  and  two  or  three  other. 
Prince  Good  morrow  to  this  f^-e  a(rcmbly, 
Leo,  Good  morrow  Prince,good  morrow  Claudio: 
We  heerc  attend  you,  are  you  yet  determined. 
To  day  to  marry  with  my  brothers  daughter? 
paud,  1  le  hold  my  mind  were  (he  an  Ethiope . 
Leo  Call  her  foorth  brother,hercs  the  Frier  ready, 
'P,  Good  morrow  B  «ied.why  whats  the  matter?  <*o  f 

I  3  That 


70 

vjv^  ^5\duch  adoe 

That  you  hauc  fucli  a  Fcbniarie  face, 

So  full  of  froftjof  ftormc,and  clowdineflc. 

Oiwc^,  I  ihiuke  he  thinkes  vpon  the  fauagc  bull: 
Tufh  fearc  not  man.weeletip  thy  homes  with  gold. 
And  all  Europa  fhall  rcioyccal  thee, 
AsonceEuropadidatlufticIoue, 
When  he  would  play  the  noble  bead  in  loue. 
4s  Bene.  Bull  loue  fir  had  an  amiable  lowe. 

And  fome  fuch  ftrange  bull  leapt  your  fathers  cowe, 
And  got  a  calfe  in  that  fame  noble  feate. 
Much  like  to  you,for  you  haue  iuft  his  bleate. 

€mer-  brother  ^tieroy  Beatrice  ^  Aiar^arct^Urfula, 
sz  O^M.  For  tliis  I  owe  yourherc  comes  other  recknings. 

Which  is  the  Lady  I  muft  feize  vponJ 

Leo.  This  fame  is  fhe,and  I  do  giue  you  her. 
CUud,  Why  then  fhccs  minc,fwect  jet  me  fee  your  face. 
56  Leon.  No  that  you  (hall  rot  till  you  take  her  hand. 

Before  this  Fricr,and  fwcarc  to  marry  hir. 

Claud.  Giue  me  your  hand  before  this  holy  Frier, 
I  am  your  husband  if  you  like  of  me. 
60  Hero  And  when  I  liu'd  1  was  your  other  wife. 

And  when  you  loucd,  you  were  my  other  husband. 
CUuA.  Another  Hero. 
Hero  Nothing  ccrtainer. 
One  Hero  died  dcfilde,but  I  do  Hue, 
e<^         And  (urcly  as  I  Hue,!  am  a  maide. 

Vrince  The  former  Hero,  Hero  that  is  dead. 
Leon.  She  died  my  Lord,but  whiles  her  flaunder  liu'd. 
Vrier  All  this  amazement  can  I  c]ualifie, 
6«  When  after  that  the  holy  rites  are  ended, 

lie  tell  you  largely  offaire  Heroes  death, 
Mcane  time  let  wonder  (ecme  familiar, 
And  to  the  chappell  let  vs  prefently, 
12  'Ben.  Soft  and  faircFncr,which  is  Beatrice? 

^eat^  I  anfwcr  to  that  narae,what  is  your  will? 
Bene.  Do  not  you  loue  mc? 
"Beat .  W  hy  no,no  more  dien  reafon. 

Betje, 


f 


about  U^othing.  viv 

'Bent'.  "Why  ihcn your  vncie>  and  the  prince,  and  Claudio . 
Hauc  bcenc  dccciued,  they  fworc  you  did. 

heat.  Donotyouloueme? 

B<»^.  Troth  no,no  more  then  rcafon. 

Br*//.  Why  then  my  cofin  Margaret  and  Vrfula 
Are  much  dcceiu'd,for  they  did  (vvearc  you  did. 

hctte.  Theyfworcthatyouwerealmol}  fiekc  forme.  3o\ 

heat.  They  fwore  that  you  were  wehiigh  dead  For  me.  f 

'hene.  Tis  no  fuch  matter,then  you  do  not  loue  me. 
heat.  No  truly,but  in  friend  lyrccompence. 
Leon.  Come  cofin,I  am  furc  you  loue  the  gentleman.  s^ 

C^ti.  And  lie  bcfworne  vpon'tj  that  hcloues  licr. 
For  beres  a  paper  written  in  his  hand, 
A  halting  fonnctof  his  owne  piurc  brainc, 
Fafhioned  to  Beatrice. 

Hero  And  heres  anodier, 
Writ  in  mycofinshand,ftolne  from  her  pocket. 
Containing  her  afFe^ion  vnto  Benedicke. 

hene^  A  miracle,heres  our  owne  hands  againfl  our  hearts: 
come,I  will  haue  thee,but  by  this  light  I  take  ihee  for  pjtrle.  sz 

heat.  I  would  not  denie  you,but  by  this  good  day,  I  yteld 
vpon  great  perfwafion,  and  partly  to  faue  your  life,  for  I  was        «<• 
told,  you  werein  a  confumption, 
Leon,  Peace  I  will  Hop  your  mouth, 
Prince  How  dofl  thou  Benedicke  the  married  man? 
'Rene,  lie  tel  thee  what  princera  collcdge  of  wille-crackcrs 
cannot  flout  me  out  of  my  humour,  doR  thou  think  I  care  for 
a  Satyre  or  an  Epigramme  ?  no,  if  a  man  will  be  beaten  with 
braincs,  a  fliall  weare  nothing  hanfome  about  him:  in  briefe, 
fince  1  doe  purpofe  to  marric,!  will  think  nothing  to  anie  pur- 
pofe  that  the  v/orld  can  faie  againQ  it,  and  therfbre  neuer  Hout         io8 
at  me,for  what  I  haue  faid  againfl  it:  for  man  is  a  giddic  thing, 
and  this  is  my  conclufion  :  for  thy  part  Claudio,  I  did  thinke 
to  haue  beaten  thee, but  in  that  thou  art  like  to  be  my  kinfiuan, 
liue  vnbriiifdc,and  loue  my  coufen. 

Cku,  I  had  wel  hopte  thou  wouldH  haue  denied  Beatrice, 
tLit  I  migjit  hauc  cudgdld  thee  out  of  thy  finglc  life,  to  make        ne 

ihee 


100 


IC* 


72 


V.w. 


1Z0 


1Z4- 


128 


llice  a  double  dealer,wliich  out  of  queftion  thou  wilt  be,if  my 
coofin  do  not  looke  exceeding  narrowly  to  thee, 

hene^  Come,  comeiWeare  friendsjletshauea  dance  ere  we 
are  iiiaried,that  vve  may  lighten  our  own  htarts,and  our  v/iucs 

hecles, 

Leon.  Week  haue  dancing  afterward, 

Bfw^*  FirftjoFmy  worde,  therefore  plaie  muficke.  Prince, 
thou  art  fadjget  thee  a  wife,  get  thee  a  wife ,  there  is  no  ftaife 
more  reuerent  then  one  tipt  with  home. 

Oifejf.  My  Lord,your  brother  lohn  is  tane  in  flight. 
And  brou^u  with  armed  men  backe  to  Medina. 

'Sem.  ThJnke  not  on  him  till  tomorrow  ,  ilc  deuife  tliee 
brauepuni/hracnts  for  him:Arike  vp  Pipers.  ilvtce: » 


FINIS. 


r\ 


^ 


PR      Shakespeare,  William 

2750       I^ch  adoe  about  nothing 

328 

1886 


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