Bora. Even he.

D. John. A proper squire! And who, and who? which way looks he?

Bora. Marry, on Hero, the daughter and heir of Leonato.

D. John. A very forward March chick! How came you to this?

Bora. Being entertained for a perfumer, as I was smoking a musty roon, comes me the prince and Claudio, hand in hand, in sad* conference: I whipt me behind the arras; and there heard it agreed upon, that the prince should woo Hero for himself, and having obtained her, give her to count Claudio.

D. John. Come, come, let us thither; this may prove food to my displeasure: that young start-up hath all the glory of my overthrow; if I can cross him any way, I bless myself every way: You are both sure, and will assist me?

Con. To the death, my lord.

D. John. Let us to the great supper; their cheer is the greater, that I am subdued : 'Would the cook

my mind!-Shall we go prove what's to be done?

Bora. We'll wait upon your lordship. (Ereunt.

were of

ACT II.

SCENEI. A hall in Leonato's house.

Enter Leonato, Antonio, Hero, Beatrice, and others.

Leon. Was not count John here at supper?
Ant. I saw him not.

Beat. How tartly that gentleman looks ! I never can see him, but I am heart-burned an hour after.

Hero. He is of a very melancholy disposition.

* Serious.

man, that were made um and Benedick: the says nothing; and the est son, evermore tat

Benedick's tongue in count John's melan

- good foot, uncle, and uch a man would win De could get her good

ou wilt never get thee -d of thy tongue. -st. n curst: I shall lessen t is said, God sends a a cow too curst he

Scene I. ABOUT NOTHING
to heaven; here's no pluce for you maids: wodell
ver I up my apes, and away to Saint Peter for
heavens; he shows me where the bachelors sit,
there live we as merry as the day is long.

Ant. Well, niece, (To Hero.) I trust, you will
ruled by your father.

Beat. Yes, faith; it is my cousin's duty to ma
courtesy, and say, Father, as it please you :-
yet for all that, cousin, let him be a handsome fello
or else make another courtesy, and say, Father,
it please me.

Icon. Well, niece, I hope to see you one day il
with a husband.

Beat. Not till God make men of some other m
than earth. Would it not grieve a woman to
over-mastered with a piece of valiant dust? 10 |
an account of her life to a clod of wayward
No, uncle, I'll none: Adam's sons are my bret
and truly, I hold it a sin to match in my kindro

Leon. Daughter, remember, what I told
if the prince do solicit you in that kind, you
your answer.

Beat. The fault will be in the musick, cou
you be not woo'd in good time: if the prince
important*, tell him, there is measure in every
and so dance out the answer. For hear me,
wooing, wedding, and repenting, is as a Sco
a measure, and a cinque-pace: the first suit
and basty, like a Scotch jig, and full as fant
the wedding, mannerly-modest, as a measur
state and ancientry; and then comes reps
and, with his bad legs, falls into the cin
faster and faster, till he sink into his grave,

Leon. Cousin, you apprehend passing shu

Beat. I have a good eye, uncle; I ca church by day-light.

Leon. The revellers are entering; broth good room

=t, God will send you

no husband; for the upon his knees every I could not endure a face; I had rather lie

a husband, that hath

ith him? dress him in my waiting gentlewois more than a youth; - less than a man : and

is not for me; and he Lot for him. Therefore, arnest of the bear-herd,

o hell?

and there will the de. Lold, with horns on his ven, Beatrice, get you

* Importunate.

to headen; here's no place for you maids: so deli ver I up my apes, and away to Saint Peter for the heavens; he shows me where the bachelors sit, and there live we as merry as the day is long.

Ant. Well, niece, (To Hero.] I trust, you will be ruled by your father.

Beat. Yes, faith; it is my cousin's duty to make courtesy, and say, Father, as it please you..but yet for all that, cousin, let him be a handsome fellow, or else make another courtesy, and say, Father, as it please me.

Leon. Well, niece, I hope to see you one day fitted with a husband.

Beat. Not till God make men of some other metal than earth. Would it not grieve a woman to be over-mastered with a piece of valiant dust? to make, an account of her life to a clod of wayward marl? No, uncle, I'll done: Adam's sons are my brethren ; and truly, I hold it a sín to match in my kindred.

Leon. Daughter, remember, what I told you: if the prince do solicit you in that kind, you koow your answer.

Beat. The fault will be in the musick, cousin, if you be not woo'd in good time : if the prince be too important*, tell him, there is measure in every thing, and so dance out the answer. For hear me, Hero; wooing, wedding, and repenting, is as a Scotch jig, a measure, and a cinque-pace: the first suit is hot and hasty, like a Scotch jig, and full as fantastical ; the wedding, mannerly-modest, as a measare full of state and ancientry; and then comes repentance, and, with his bad legs, falls into the cinque-pace faster and faster, till he sink into his grave.

Leon. Cousin, you apprehend passing shrewdly.

Beat. I have a good eye, uncle; I can see a church by day-light.

Leon. The revellers are entering; brother, make good room.

* Importuoate.

you were the very man: Here's his dry hand up

and down; you are he, you are he.

Ant. At a word, I am not.

Urs. Come, come; do you think I do not know you by your excellent wit? Can virtue hide itself? Go to, mum, you are he: graces will appear, and there's an ead.

Beat. Will you not tell me who told you so.
Bene. No, you shall pardon me.
Beat. Nor will you not tell me who you are?
Bene. Not now.

Beat. That I was disdainful,--and that I had my
good wit out of the Hundred merry Tales ;-Well,
this was.signior Benedick that said so.
Bene. What's he?
Beat. I am sure, you know him well enough.
Bene. Not I, believe me.
Beat. Did he never make you laugh?
Bene. I

pray you, what is he? Beat. Why, he is the prince's jester : à very dull fool; only his gift is in devising impossible* slanders: none but libertines delight in him; and the commendation is not in his wit, but in his villainy; for he both pleaseth men, and angers them, and then they laugh at him, and beat him: I am sure, he is in the feet; I would he had boardedt me.

Bene. When I know the gentleman, I'll tell him what you say.

Beat. Do, do: he'll but break a comparison or two on me; which peradventure, not marked, or not laughed at, strikes him into melancholy; and then there's a partridge' wing saved, for the fool will eat no supper that uight. [Musicic within.] We must follow the leaders,

Bene. In every good thing.

Beut. Nay, if they lead to any ill, I will leave them at the next turning. [Dance. Then exeunt all but Don John,

Borachio, and Claudio.