Chapter V: Act III: SCENE I. LEONATO’S garden

_Enter_ HERO, MARGARET, _and_ URSULA.

_Hero._ Good Margaret, run thee to the parlour; There shalt thou find my cousin Beatrice Proposing with the prince and Claudio: Whisper her ear, and tell her, I and Ursula Walk in the orchard, and our whole discourse 5 Is all of her; say that thou overheard’st us; And bid her steal into the pleached bower, Where honeysuckles, ripen’d by the sun, Forbid the sun to enter; like favourites, Made proud by princes, that advance their pride 10 Against that power that bred it: there will she hide her, To listen our propose. This is thy office; Bear thee well in it, and leave us alone.

_Marg._ I’ll make her come, I warrant you, presently.

[_Exit._

_Hero._ Now, Ursula, when Beatrice doth come, 15 As we do trace this alley up and down, Our talk must only be of Benedick. When I do name him, let it be thy part To praise him more than ever man did merit: My talk to thee must be, how Benedick 20 Is sick in love with Beatrice. Of this matter Is little Cupid’s crafty arrow made, That only wounds by hearsay.

_Enter_ BEATRICE, _behind_.

Now begin; For look where Beatrice, like a lapwing, runs Close by the ground, to hear our conference. 25

_Urs._ The pleasant’st angling is to see the fish Cut with her golden oars the silver stream, And greedily devour the treacherous bait: So angle we for Beatrice; who even now Is couched in the woodbine coverture. 30 Fear you not my part of the dialogue.

_Hero._ Then go we near her, that her ear lose nothing Of the false sweet bait that we lay for it. [_Approaching the bower._ No, truly, Ursula, she is too disdainful; I know her spirits are as coy and wild 35 As haggerds of the rock.

_Urs._ But are you sure That Benedick loves Beatrice so entirely?

_Hero._ So says the prince and my new-trothed lord.

_Urs._ And did they bid you tell her of it, madam?

_Hero._ They did entreat me to acquaint her of it; 40 But I persuaded them, if they loved Benedick, To wish him wrestle with affection, And never to let Beatrice know of it.

_Urs._ Why did you so? Doth not the gentleman Deserve as full as fortunate a bed 45 As ever Beatrice shall couch upon?

_Hero._ O god of love! I know he doth deserve As much as may be yielded to a man: But Nature never framed a woman’s heart Of prouder stuff than that of Beatrice; 50 Disdain and scorn ride sparkling in her eyes, Misprising what they look on; and her wit Values itself so highly, that to her All matter else seems weak: she cannot love, Nor take no shape nor project of affection, 55 She is so self-endeared.

_Urs._ Sure, I think so; And therefore certainly it were not good She knew his love, lest she make sport at it.

_Hero._ Why, you speak truth. I never yet saw man, How wise, how noble, young, how rarely featured, 60 But she would spell him backward: if fair-faced, She would swear the gentleman should be her sister; If black, why, Nature, drawing of an antique, Made a foul blot; if tall, a lance ill-headed; If low, an agate very vilely cut; 65 If speaking, why, a vane blown with all winds; If silent, why, a block moved with none. So turns she every man the wrong side out; And never gives to truth and virtue that Which simpleness and merit purchaseth. 70

_Urs._ Sure, sure, such carping is not commendable.

_Hero._ No, not to be so odd, and from all fashions, As Beatrice is, cannot be commendable: But who dare tell her so? If I should speak, She would mock me into air; O, she would laugh me 75 Out of myself, press me to death with wit! Therefore let Benedick, like cover’d fire, Consume away in sighs, waste inwardly: It were a better death than die with mocks, Which is as bad as die with tickling. 80

_Urs._ Yet tell her of it: hear what she will say.

_Hero._ No; rather I will go to Benedick, And counsel him to fight against his passion. And, truly, I’ll devise some honest slanders To stain my cousin with: one doth not know 85 How much an ill word may empoison liking.

_Urs._ O, do not do your cousin such a wrong! She cannot be so much without true judgement,— Having so swift and excellent a wit As she is prized to have,—as to refuse 90 So rare a gentleman as Signior Benedick.

_Hero._ He is the only man of Italy, Always excepted my dear Claudio.

_Urs._ I pray you, be not angry with me, madam, Speaking my fancy: Signior Benedick, 95 For shape, for bearing, argument and valour, Goes foremost in report through Italy.

_Hero._ Indeed, he hath an excellent good name.

_Urs._ His excellence did earn it, ere he had it. When are you married, madam? 100

_Hero._ Why, every day, to-morrow. Come, go in: I’ll show thee some attires; and have thy counsel Which is the best to furnish me to-morrow.

_Urs._ She’s limed, I warrant you: we have caught her, madam.

_Hero._ If it prove so, then loving goes by haps: 105 Some Cupid kills with arrows, some with traps.

[_Exeunt Hero and Ursula._

_Beat._ [_Coming forward_] What fire is in mine ears? Can this be true? Stand I condemn’d for pride and scorn so much? Contempt, farewell! and maiden pride, adieu! No glory lives behind the back of such. 110 And, Benedick, love on; I will requite thee, Taming my wild heart to thy loving hand: If thou dost love, my kindness shall incite thee To bind our loves up in a holy band; For others say thou dost deserve, and I 115 Believe it better than reportingly. [_Exit._

~~~~~ Linenotes: _Much Ado About Nothing_, III. 1.

SCENE I. Enter... Ursula.] Enter H. and two Gentlewomen, M. and Ursley. Q.

1: _to_] _into_ Pope.

4: _Ursula_] _Ursley_ Q.

9: _like_] _like to_ Pope.

12: _listen our propose_] Q. _listen our purpose_ F1. _listen to our purpose_ F2 F3 F4.

14: _warrant you_] Q F1. _warrant_ F2 F3 F4.

23: Enter B. behind.] Steevens (after line 23). Enter B. Q (after line 25) Ff. Enter B. running towards the arbour. Theobald. Enter B. stealing in behind. Collier MS.

29: _even_] _e’en_ Pope.

33: _false sweet_] _false-sweet_ S. Walker conj.

34: _she is_] _she’s_ Pope.

42: _wrestle_] _wrastle_ Q Ff.

45: _as full as_] Q F1 F2. _as full, as_ F3 F4.

51: _eyes_] Q F1. _eye_ F2 F3 F4.

58: _she_] _sheele_ Q.

62: _She would_] _She’d_ Pope.

63: _antique_] Q. _anticke_ F1.

65: _agate_] _agot_ Q Ff. _aglet_ Theobald (Warburton).

72: _not_] _for_ Rowe. _nor_ Capell.

75: _She would_] _she’d_ Pope.

_air_] _an air_ Rowe (ed. I).

79: _better death than_] _better death, then_ Q. _better death, to_ F1. _better death, to_ F2 F3 F4.

80: _as die_] _as ’tis to die_ Pope.

89: _swift_] _sweet_ Rowe.

91: _Signior_] om. Pope.

96: _bearing, argument_] F4. _bearing argument_ Q F1 F2 F3.

_for bearing, argument_] _forbearing argument_ Jackson conj.

101: _every day_] _in a day_ Collier MS.

103: _me to-morrow_] _me,—to-morrow!_ Anon. conj.

104: _limed_] Q. _tane_ Ff. _ta’en_ Rowe.

106: _Cupid kills_] Q F1 F2. _Cupids kills_ F3. _Cupid kill_ F4.

107: _mine_] _my_ F4.

110: _behind the back_] _but in the lack_ Collier MS. ~~~~~

SCENE II. _A room in_ LEONATO’S _house_.

_Enter_ DON PEDRO, CLAUDIO, BENEDICK, _and_ LEONATO.

_D. Pedro._ I do but stay till your marriage be consummate, and then go I toward Arragon.

_Claud._ I’ll bring you thither, my lord, if you’ll vouchsafe me.

_D. Pedro._ Nay, that would be as great a soil in the new 5 gloss of your marriage, as to show a child his new coat and forbid him to wear it. I will only be bold with Benedick for his company; for, from the crown of his head to the sole of his foot, he is all mirth: he hath twice or thrice cut Cupid’s bow-string, and the little hangman dare not shoot at 10 him; he hath a heart as sound as a bell, and his tongue is the clapper, for what his heart thinks his tongue speaks.

_Bene._ Gallants, I am not as I have been.

_Leon._ So say I: methinks you are sadder.

_Claud._ I hope he be in love. 15

_D. Pedro._ Hang him, truant! there’s no true drop of blood in him, to be truly touched with love: if he be sad, he wants money.

_Bene._ I have the toothache.

_D. Pedro._ Draw it. 20

_Bene._ Hang it!

_Claud._ You must hang it first, and draw it afterwards.

_D. Pedro._ What! sigh for the toothache?

_Leon._ Where is but a humour or a worm.

_Bene._ Well, every one can master a grief but he that 25 has it.

_Claud._ Yet say I, he is in love.

_D. Pedro._ There is no appearance of fancy in him, unless it be a fancy that he hath to strange disguises; as, to be a Dutchman to-day, a Frenchman to-morrow; or in the 30 shape of two countries at once, as, a German from the waist downward, all slops, and a Spaniard from the hip upward, no doublet. Unless he have a fancy to this foolery, as it appears he hath, he is no fool for fancy, as you would have it appear he is. 35

_Claud._ If he be not in love with some woman, there is no believing old signs: a’ brushes his hat o’ mornings; what should that bode?

_D. Pedro._ Hath any man seen him at the barber’s?

_Claud._ No, but the barber’s man hath been seen with 40 him; and the old ornament of his cheek hath already stuffed tennis-balls.

_Leon._ Indeed, he looks younger than he did, by the loss of a beard.

_D. Pedro._ Nay, a’ rubs himself with civet: can you 45 smell him out by that?

_Claud._ That’s as much as to say, the sweet youth’s in love.

_D. Pedro._ The greatest note of it is his melancholy.

_Claud._ And when was he wont to wash his face?

_D. Pedro._ Yea, or to paint himself? for the which, I 50 hear what they say of him.

_Claud._ Nay, but his jesting spirit; which is now crept into a lute-string, and now governed by stops.

_D. Pedro._ Indeed, that tells a heavy tale for him: conclude, conclude he is in love. 55

_Claud._ Nay, but I know who loves him.

_D. Pedro._ That would I know too: I warrant, one that knows him not.

_Claud._ Yes, and his ill conditions; and, in despite of all, dies for him. 60

_D. Pedro._ She shall be buried with her face upwards.

_Bene._ Yet is this no charm for the toothache. Old signior, walk aside with me: I have studied eight or nine wise words to speak to you, which these hobby-horses must not hear. [_Exeunt Benedick and Leonato._ 65

_D. Pedro._ For my life, to break with him about Beatrice.

_Claud._ ’Tis even so. Hero and Margaret have by this played their parts with Beatrice; and then the two bears will not bite one another when they meet.

_Enter_ DON JOHN.

_D. John._ My lord and brother, God save you! 70

_D. Pedro._ Good den, brother.

_D. John._ If your leisure served, I would speak with you.

_D. Pedro._ In private?

_D. John._ If it please you: yet Count Claudio may hear; for what I would speak of concerns him. 75

_D. Pedro._ What’s the matter?

_D. John._ [_To Claudio_] Means your lordship to be married to-morrow?

_D. Pedro._ You know he does.

_D. John._ I know not that, when he knows what I know. 80

_Claud._ If there be any impediment, I pray you discover it.

_D. John._ You may think I love you not: let that appear hereafter, and aim better at me by that I now will manifest. For my brother, I think he holds you well, and 85 in dearness of heart hath holp to effect your ensuing marriage,—surely suit ill spent and labour ill bestowed.

_D. Pedro._ Why, what’s the matter?

_D. John._ I came hither to tell you; and, circumstances shortened, for she has been too long a talking of, the lady 90 is disloyal.

_Claud._ Who, Hero?

_D. John._ Even she; Leonato’s Hero, your Hero, every man’s Hero.

_Claud._ Disloyal? 95

_D. John._ The word is too good to paint out her wickedness; I could say she were worse: think you of a worse title, and I will fit her to it. Wonder not till further warrant: go but with me to-night, you shall see her chamber-window entered, even the night before her wedding-day: if 100 you love her then, to-morrow wed her; but it would better fit your honour to change your mind.

_Claud._ May this be so?

_D. Pedro._ I will not think it.

_D. John._ If you dare not trust that you see, confess 105 not that you know: if you will follow me, I will show you enough; and when you have seen more, and heard more, proceed accordingly.

_Claud._ If I see any thing to-night why I should not marry her to-morrow, in the congregation, where I should 110 wed, there will I shame her.

_D. Pedro._ And, as I wooed for thee to obtain her, I will join with thee to disgrace her.

_D. John._ I will disparage her no farther till you are my witnesses: bear it coldly but till midnight, and let the issue 115 show itself.

_D. Pedro._ O day untowardly turned!

_Claud._ O mischief strangely thwarting!

_D. John._ O plague right well prevented! so will you say when you have seen the sequel. [_Exeunt._ 120

~~~~~ Linenotes: _Much Ado About Nothing_, III. 2.

SCENE II. A room...] Capell.

2: _go I_] _I go_ F3 F4.

10: _hangman_] _henchman_ Upton conj. _twangman_ Becket conj.

15: _be_] _is_ Pope.

21, 22: Omitted by Tieck.

21: Bene.] Leon. Anon. conj.

24: _Where_] _Which_ Rowe.

25: _can_] Pope. _cannot_ Q Ff.

30–33: _or in the...doublet_] Q. omitted in Ff, restored by Pope (ed. 2).

33: _no doublet_] _all doublet_ Mason conj.

35: _appear_] Q. _to appear_ Ff.

37: _a’_] _a_ Q Ff. _he_ Rowe.

_o’ mornings_] Pope (ed. I). _a mornings_ Q Ff. _a-mornings_
Pope (ed. 2).

45: _a’_] _a_ Q Ff. _he_ Rowe.

48: D. Pedro.] Prin. Ff. Bene. Q.

53: _now governed_] _governed_ Anon. conj. _new-governed_ S. Walker conj.

54: _conclude, conclude_] Q. _conclude_ Ff.

61: _face_] _heels_ Theobald. _feet_ Mason conj.

_upwards_] _downwards_ Grey conj.

70: SCENE III. Pope.

76: D. Pedro.] Claudio. Capell conj.

85, 86: _brother,...heart hath_] Rowe. _brother (I think...heart) hath_ Q Ff.

90: _has_] Q. _hath_ Ff.

99: _to-night_,] Q omits the comma.

101: _her then_,] Hanmer. _her, then_ Q Ff.

110: _her to-morrow_,] Rowe. Q Ff. omit the comma. _her; to-morrow_, Capell.

115: _midnight_] Q. _night_ Ff.

119, 120: _so...sequel._] Printed as a verse by Rowe.

120: _when you have_] _when have_ F2. ~~~~~

SCENE III. _A street._

_Enter_ DOGBERRY _and_ VERGES _with the Watch_.

_Dog._ Are you good men and true?

_Verg._ Yea, or else it were pity but they should suffer salvation, body and soul.

_Dog._ Nay, that were a punishment too good for them, if they should have any allegiance in them, being chosen 5 for the prince’s watch.

_Verg._ Well, give them their charge, neighbour Dogberry.

_Dog._ First, who think you the most desartless man to be constable?

_First Watch._ Hugh Otecake, sir, or George Seacole; 10 for they can write and read.

_Dog._ Come hither, neighbour Seacole. God hath blessed you with a good name: to be a well-favoured man is the gift of fortune; but to write and read comes by nature.

_Sec. Watch._ Both which, master constable,— 15

_Dog._ You have: I knew it would be your answer. Well, for your favour, sir, why, give God thanks, and make no boast of it; and for your writing and reading, let that appear when there is no need of such vanity. You are thought here to be the most senseless and fit man for the constable 20 of the watch; therefore bear you the lantern. This is your charge: you shall comprehend all vagrom men; you are to bid any man stand, in the prince’s name.

_Sec. Watch._ How if a’ will not stand?

_Dog._ Why, then, take no note of him, but let him go; 25 and presently call the rest of the watch together, and thank God you are rid of a knave.

_Verg._ If he will not stand when he is bidden, he is none of the prince’s subjects.

_Dog._ True, and they are to meddle with none but the 30 prince’s subjects. You shall also make no noise in the streets; for for the watch to babble and to talk is most tolerable and not to be endured.

_Watch._ We will rather sleep than talk: we know what belongs to a watch. 35

_Dog._ Why, you speak like an ancient and most quiet watchman; for I cannot see how sleeping should offend: only, have a care that your bills be not stolen. Well, you are to call at all the ale-houses, and bid those that are drunk get them to bed. 40

_Watch._ How if they will not?

_Dog._ Why, then, let them alone till they are sober: if they make you not then the better answer, you may say they are not the men you took them for.

_Watch._ Well, sir. 45

_Dog._ If you meet a thief, you may suspect him, by virtue of your office, to be no true man; and, for such kind of men, the less you meddle or make with them, why, the more is for your honesty.

_Watch._ If we know him to be a thief, shall we not 50 lay hands on him?

_Dog._ Truly, by your office, you may; but I think they that touch pitch will be defiled: the most peaceable way for you, if you do take a thief, is to let him show himself what he is, and steal out of your company. 55

_Verg._ You have been always called a merciful man, partner.

_Dog._ Truly, I would not hang a dog by my will, much more a man who hath any honesty in him.

_Verg._ If you hear a child cry in the night, you must 60 call to the nurse and bid her still it.

_Watch._ How if the nurse be asleep and will not hear us?

_Dog._ Why, then, depart in peace, and let the child wake her with crying; for the ewe that will not hear her lamb 65 when it baes will never answer a calf when he bleats.

_Verg._ ’Tis very true.

_Dog._ This is the end of the charge:—you, constable, are to present the prince’s own person: if you meet the prince in the night, you may stay him. 70

_Verg._ Nay, by’r lady, that I think a’ cannot.

_Dog._ Five shillings to one on’t, with any man that knows the statues, he may stay him: marry, not without the prince be willing; for, indeed, the watch ought to offend no man; and it is an offence to stay a man against his will. 75

_Verg._ By’r lady, I think it be so.

_Dog._ Ha, ah, ha! Well, masters, good night: an there be any matter of weight chances, call up me: keep your fellows’ counsels and your own; and good night. Come, neighbour. 80

_Watch._ Well, masters, we hear our charge: let us go sit here upon the church-bench till two, and then all to bed.

_Dog._ One word more, honest neighbours. I pray you, watch about Signior Leonato’s door; for the wedding being 85 there to-morrow, there is a great coil to-night. Adieu: be vigitant, I beseech you. [_Exeunt Dogberry and Verges._

_Enter_ BORACHIO _and_ CONRADE.

_Bora._ What, Conrade!

_Watch._ [_Aside_] Peace! stir not.

_Bora._ Conrade, I say! 90

_Con._ Here, man; I am at thy elbow.

_Bora._ Mass, and my elbow itched; I thought there would a scab follow.

_Con._ I will owe thee an answer for that: and now forward with thy tale. 95

_Bora._ Stand thee close, then, under this pent-house, for it drizzles rain; and I will, like a true drunkard, utter all to thee.

_Watch._ [_Aside_] Some treason, masters: yet stand close.

_Bora._ Therefore know I have earned of Don John a 100 thousand ducats.

_Con._ Is it possible that any villany should be so dear?

_Bora._ Thou shouldst rather ask, if it were possible any villany should be so rich; for when rich villains have need of poor ones, poor ones may make what price they will. 105

_Con._ I wonder at it.

_Bora._ That shows thou art unconfirmed. Thou knowest that the fashion of a doublet, or a hat, or a cloak, is nothing to a man.

_Con._ Yes, it is apparel. 110

_Bora._ I mean, the fashion.

_Con._ Yes, the fashion is the fashion.

_Bora._ Tush! I may as well say the fool’s the fool. But seest thou not what a deformed thief this fashion is?

_Watch._ [_Aside_] I know that Deformed; a’ has been a 115 vile thief this seven year; a’ goes up and down like a gentleman: I remember his name.

_Bora._ Didst thou not hear somebody?

_Con._ No; ’twas the vane on the house.

_Bora._ Seest thou not, I say, what a deformed thief this 120 fashion is? how giddily a’ turns about all the hot bloods between fourteen and five-and-thirty? sometimes fashioning them like Pharaoh’s soldiers in the reeky painting, sometime like god Bel’s priests in the old church-window, sometime like the shaven Hercules in the smirched worm-eaten 125 tapestry, where his codpiece seems as massy as his club?

_Con._ All this I see; and I see that the fashion wears out more apparel than the man. But art not thou thyself giddy with the fashion too, that thou hast shifted out of thy tale into telling me of the fashion? 130

_Bora._ Not so, neither: but know that I have to-night wooed Margaret, the Lady Hero’s gentlewoman, by the name of Hero: she leans me out at her mistress’ chamber-window, bids me a thousand times good night,—I tell this tale vilely:—I should first tell thee how the prince, Claudio 135 and my master, planted and placed and possessed by my master Don John, saw afar off in the orchard this amiable encounter.

_Con._ And thought they Margaret was Hero?

_Bora._ Two of them did, the prince and Claudio; but 140 the devil my master knew she was Margaret; and partly by his oaths, which first possessed them, partly by the dark night, which did deceive them, but chiefly by my villany, which did confirm any slander that Don John had made, away went Claudio enraged; swore he would meet her, as 145 he was appointed, next morning at the temple, and there, before the whole congregation, shame her with what he saw o’er night, and send her home again without a husband.

_First Watch._ We charge you, in the prince’s name, stand! 150

_Sec. Watch._ Call up the right master constable. We have here recovered the most dangerous piece of lechery that ever was known in the commonwealth.

_First Watch._ And one Deformed is one of them: I know him; a’ wears a lock. 155

_Con._ Masters, masters,—

_Sec. Watch._ You’ll be made bring Deformed forth, I warrant you.

_Con._ Masters,—?

_First Watch._ Never speak: we charge you let us obey 160 you to go with us.

_Bora._ We are like to prove a goodly commodity, being taken up of these men’s bills.

_Con._ A commodity in question, I warrant you. Come, we’ll obey you. [_Exeunt._ 165

~~~~~ Linenotes: _Much Ado About Nothing_, III. 3.

SCENE III.] Capell. SCENE IV. Pope. om. Q Ff.

Enter D. and Verges...] Enter D. and his compartner... Q Ff.

8: _desartless_] _disartless_ F4.

10: _George_] _Francis_ Halliwell. See note (XVI).

19: _no_] _more_ Warburton.

21: _lantern_] _lantherne_ Q F1 F2. _lanthorn_ F3 F4.

24: _a’_] _he_ Rowe.

32: _to talk_] Q. _talk_ Ff.

34, 41, 50, 62, 81: Watch.] Watch 2. Rowe.

39: _those_] Q. _them_ Ff.

55: _your_] Q F1 F2. _his_ F3 F4.

66: _he bleats_] Q F1 F2. _it bleats_ F3 F4.

71: _a’_] _a_ Q F1 F2 F3. _I_ F4. _he_ Pope.

73: _statues_] F1. _statutes_ Q F2 F3 F4.

79: _fellows’_] Hanmer. _fellowes_ Q F1 F2. _fellows_ F3 F4. _fellow’s_ Rowe.

_counsels] counsel_ F4.

87: _vigitant_] Q F1. _vigilant_ F2 F3 F4.

88: SCENE V. Pope.

89: [Aside.] Rowe.

95: _with_] om. Rowe (ed. 1).

100: _Don_] _Dun_ Q.

104: _villany_] _villain_ Warburton.

_rich_] _cheap_ Theobald conj.

115, 116: _a’...a’_] _a...a_ Q Ff. _he...he_ Pope. See note (XVII).

116: _this seven year_] Q. _this seven years_ Ff. _these seven years_ Warburton. _these seven year_ Steevens.

119: _vane_] Q F2 F3 F4. _vaine_ F1. _rain_ S. Walker conj. See note (XVIII).

122: _sometimes_] Q Ff. _sometime_ Steevens.

123: _reeky_] _rechie_ Q Ff.

123, 124: _sometime_] Q F1 F2. _sometimes_ F3 F4.

124: _god_] _the god_ Pope.

124, 125: _sometime_] Q F1 F3 F4. _somtime_ F2. _sometimes_ Rowe.

127: _and I see_] Q. _and see_ Ff.

129: _too_] om. Rowe.

137: _afar_] _far_ Pope.

139: _they_] Q. _thy_ Ff.

147: _saw_] _had seen_ Capell.

149: [Starting out upon them. Capell.

153: _the_] Q F1 F2. _a_ F3 F4.

159–161: Con. _Masters,_—First Watch. _Never...us._] Theobald. Con. _Masters, never...us._ Q Ff. ~~~~~

SCENE IV. HERO’S _apartment_.

_Enter_ HERO, MARGARET, _and_ URSULA.

_Hero._ Good Ursula, wake my cousin Beatrice, and desire her to rise.

_Urs._ I will, lady.

_Hero._ And bid her come hither.

_Urs._ Well. [_Exit._ 5

_Marg._ Troth, I think your other rabato were better.

_Hero._ No, pray thee, good Meg, I’ll wear this.

_Marg._ By my troth’s not so good; and I warrant your cousin will say so.

_Hero._ My cousin’s a fool, and thou art another: I’ll 10 wear none but this.

_Marg._ I like the new tire within excellently, if the hair were a thought browner; and your gown’s a most rare fashion, i’ faith. I saw the Duchess of Milan’s gown that they praise so. 15

_Hero._ O, that exceeds, they say.

_Marg._ By my troth’s but a night-gown in respect of yours,—cloth o’ gold, and cuts, and laced with silver, set with pearls, down sleeves, side sleeves, and skirts, round underborne with a bluish tinsel: but for a fine, quaint, 20 graceful and excellent fashion, yours is worth ten on’t.

_Hero._ God give me joy to wear it! for my heart is exceeding heavy.

_Marg._ ’Twill be heavier soon by the weight of a man.

_Hero._ Fie upon thee! art not ashamed? 25

_Marg._ Of what, lady? of speaking honourably? Is not marriage honourable in a beggar? Is not your lord honourable without marriage? I think you would have me say, ‘saving your reverence, a husband:’ an bad thinking do not wrest true speaking, I’ll offend nobody: is there any 30 harm in ‘the heavier for a husband’? None, I think, an it be the right husband and the right wife; otherwise ’tis light, and not heavy: ask my Lady Beatrice else; here she comes.

_Enter_ BEATRICE.

_Hero._ Good morrow, coz.

_Beat._ Good morrow, sweet Hero. 35

_Hero._ Why, how now? do you speak in the sick tune?

_Beat._ I am out of all other tune, methinks.

_Marg._ Clap’s into ‘Light o’ love;’ that goes without a burden: do you sing it, and I’ll dance it.

_Beat._ Ye light o’ love, with your heels! then, if your 40 husband have stables enough, you’ll see he shall lack no barns.

_Marg._ O illegitimate construction! I scorn that with my heels.

_Beat._ ’Tis almost five o’clock, cousin; ’tis time you 45 were ready. By my troth, I am exceeding ill: heigh-ho!

_Marg._ For a hawk, a horse, or a husband?

_Beat._ For the letter that begins them all, H.

_Marg._ Well, an you be not turned Turk, there’s no more sailing by the star. 50

_Beat._ What means the fool, trow?

_Marg._ Nothing I; but God send every one their heart’s desire!

_Hero._ These gloves the count sent me; they are an excellent perfume. 55

_Beat._ I am stuffed, cousin; I cannot smell.

_Marg._ A maid, and stuffed! there’s goodly catching of cold.

_Beat._ O, God help me! God help me! how long have you professed apprehension? 60

_Marg._ Even since you left it. Doth not my wit become me rarely?

_Beat._ It is not seen enough, you should wear it in your cap. By my troth, I am sick.

_Marg._ Get you some of this distilled Carduus Benedictus, 65 and lay it to your heart: it is the only thing for a qualm.

_Hero._ There thou prickest her with a thistle.

_Beat._ Benedictus! why Benedictus? you have some moral in this Benedictus. 70

_Marg._ Moral! no, by my troth, I have no moral meaning; I meant, plain holy-thistle. You may think perchance that I think you are in love: nay, by’r lady, I am not such a fool to think what I list; nor I list not to think what I can; nor, indeed, I cannot think, if I would think my heart 75 out of thinking, that you are in love, or that you will be in love, or that you can be in love. Yet Benedick was such another, and now is he become a man: he swore he would never marry; and yet now, in despite of his heart, he eats his meat without grudging: and how you may be converted, 80 I know not; but methinks you look with your eyes as other women do.

_Beat._ What pace is this that thy tongue keeps?

_Marg._ Not a false gallop.

_Re-enter_ URSULA.

_Urs._ Madam, withdraw: the prince, the count, Signior 85 Benedick, Don John, and all the gallants of the town, are come to fetch you to church.

_Hero._ Help to dress me, good coz, good Meg, good Ursula. [_Exeunt._

~~~~~ Linenotes: _Much Ado About Nothing_, III. 4.

SCENE IV.] Capell. SCENE VI. Pope.

Hero’s apartment.] Theobald.

6: _rabato_] Hanmer. _rebato_ Q Ff.

8: _troth’s_] _troth it’s_ Rowe (ed. 2).

17: _troth’s_] _troth it’s_ Pope. See note (XIX).

18: _o’ gold_] Capell. _a gold_ Q Ff. _of gold_ Pope.

19: _pearls, down sleeves_] _pearls down the sleeves_ Steevens conj.

_skirts, round_] Q F1 F2. _skirts, round,_ F3 F4. _skirts
round,_ Hanmer. _skirts round_ Dyce.

29: _say, ‘saving...husband:’_] See note (XX).

_an_] _and_ Ff. & Q. _if_ Pope.

34: SCENE VII. Pope.

38: _Clap’s_] Q. _Claps_ Ff. _Clap us_ Rowe (ed. 2).

38, 40: _o’ love_] Rowe (ed. 2). _a love_ Q Ff.

40: _Ye_] Q Ff. _Yes,_ Rowe. _Yea,_ Steevens (Capell conj.).

41: _see_] Q. _look_ Ff.

57: _goodly_] Q F1 F2. _a goodly_ F3 F4.

65: _this_] _the_ Capell conj.

76: _of thinking_] _with thinking_ Pope. _o’ thinking_ Capell.

79: _eats_] _eats not_ Johnson conj.

83: _that_] om. F4. ~~~~~

SCENE V. _Another room in_ LEONATO’S _house_.

_Enter_ LEONATO, _with_ DOGBERRY _and_ VERGES.

_Leon._ What would you with me, honest neighbour?

_Dog._ Marry, sir, I would have some confidence with you that decerns you nearly.

_Leon._ Brief, I pray you; for you see it is a busy time with me. 5

_Dog._ Marry, this it is, sir.

_Verg._ Yes, in truth it is, sir.

_Leon._ What is it, my good friends?

_Dog._ Goodman Verges, sir, speaks a little off the matter: an old man, sir, and his wits are not so blunt as, God 10 help, I would desire they were; but, in faith, honest as the skin between his brows.

_Verg._ Yes, I thank God I am as honest as any man living that is an old man and no honester than I.

_Dog._ Comparisons are odorous: palabras, neighbour 15 Verges.

_Leon._ Neighbours, you are tedious.

_Dog._ It pleases your worship to say so, but we are the poor duke’s officers; but truly, for mine own part, if I were as tedious as a king, I could find in my heart to bestow it 20 all of your worship.

_Leon._ All thy tediousness on me, ah?

_Dog._ Yea, an ’twere a thousand pound more than ’tis; for I hear as good exclamation on your worship as of any man in the city; and though I be but a poor man, I am 25 glad to hear it.

_Verg._ And so am I.

_Leon._ I would fain know what you have to say.

_Verg._ Marry, sir, our watch to-night, excepting your worship’s presence, ha’ ta’en a couple of as arrant knaves 30 as any in Messina.

_Dog._ A good old man, sir; he will be talking: as they say, When the age is in, the wit is out: God help us! it is a world to see. Well said, i’ faith, neighbour Verges: well, God’s a good man; an two men ride of a horse, one must 35 ride behind. An honest soul, i’ faith, sir; by my troth he is, as ever broke bread; but God is to be worshipped; all men are not alike; alas, good neighbour!

_Leon._ Indeed, neighbour, he comes too short of you.

_Dog._ Gifts that God gives. 40

_Leon._ I must leave you.

_Dog._ One word, sir: our watch, sir, have indeed comprehended two aspicious persons, and we would have them this morning examined before your worship.

_Leon._ Take their examination yourself, and bring it 45 me: I am now in great haste, as it may appear unto you.

_Dog._ It shall be suffigance.

_Leon._ Drink some wine ere you go: fare you well.

_Enter a_ Messenger.

_Mess._ My lord, they stay for you to give your daughter to her husband. 50

_Leon._ I’ll wait upon them: I am ready.

[_Exeunt Leonato and Messenger._

_Dog._ Go, good partner, go, get you to Francis Seacole; bid him bring his pen and inkhorn to the gaol: we are now to examination these men.

_Verg._ And we must do it wisely. 55

_Dog._ We will spare for no wit, I warrant you; here’s that shall drive some of them to a noncome: only get the learned writer to set down our excommunication, and meet me at the gaol. [_Exeunt._

~~~~~ Linenotes: _Much Ado About Nothing_, III. 5.

SCENE V.] SCENE VIII. Pope.

Enter...] Enter Leonato, and the Constable, and the Headborough. Q Ff.

4: _it is_] _’tis_ F4.

9: _off_] Steevens (Capell conj.). _of_ Q Ff.

11: _honest_] _as honest_ Rowe (ed. 2).

23: _an ’twere a thousand pound_] Capell. _and ’t twere a thousand pound_ Q. _and ’twere a thousand times_ Ff. _and twice a thousand times_ Pope.

30: _ha’_] _ha_ Q. _have_ Ff. _hath_ Pope.

35: _God’s_] _he’s_ Pope.

_an_] Pope. _and_ Q Ff.

_ride of a horse_] Q F1. _ride of horse_ F2. _rides an horse_
F3 F4. _ride an horse_ Rowe (ed 2).

42: _our watch, sir,_] om. _sir_ F4.

43: _aspicious_] _auspicious_ Rowe (ed. 2).

46: _it_] Q. om. Ff.

47: [Exit Q Ff.

48: Enter...] Rowe.

51: [Exeunt L. and M.] Capell. [Ex. Leon. Pope.

54: _examination_] Q. _examine_ Ff.

_these_] Q. _those_ Ff.

56: _you_] om. Pope.

57: _that_] _that_ [touching his forehead. Johnson.

57: _to a noncome_] Q Ff. _to non-come_ Pope. _to a non-com_ Capell. ~~~~~