Reading Help MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
But, on my honour, she was charg'd with nothing `
` But what was true, and very full of proof. `
` Leon. My lord, my lord-- `
` Pedro. I will not hear you. `
` Leon. No? Come, brother, away!--I will be heard. `
` Ant. And shall, or some of us will smart for it. `
` Exeunt ambo. `
` `
` Enter Benedick. `
` `
` Pedro. See, see! Here comes the man we went to seek. `
` Claud. Now, signior, what news? `
` Bene. Good day, my lord. `
` Pedro. Welcome, signior. You are almost come to part almost a `
` fray. `
` Claud. We had lik'd to have had our two noses snapp'd off with `
` two `
` old men without teeth. `
` Pedro. Leonato and his brother. What think'st thou? Had we `
` fought, `
` I doubt we should have been too young for them. `
` Bene. In a false quarrel there is no true valour. I came to `
` seek `
` you both. `
` Claud. We have been up and down to seek thee; for we are `
` high-proof `
` melancholy, and would fain have it beaten away. Wilt thou use `
` thy `
` wit? `
` Bene. It is in my scabbard. Shall I draw it? `
` Pedro. Dost thou wear thy wit by thy side? `
` Claud. Never any did so, though very many have been beside `
` their `
` wit. I will bid thee draw, as we do the minstrel--draw to `
` pleasure us. `
` Pedro. As I am an honest man, he looks pale. Art thou sick or `
` angry? `
` Claud. What, courage, man! What though care kill'd a cat, thou `
` hast `
` mettle enough in thee to kill care. `
` Bene. Sir, I shall meet your wit in the career an you charge it `
` against me. I pray you choose another subject. `
` Claud. Nay then, give him another staff; this last was broke `
` cross. `
` Pedro. By this light, he changes more and more. I think he be `
` angry `
` indeed. `
` Claud. If he be, he knows how to turn his girdle. `
` Bene. Shall I speak a word in your ear? `
` Claud. God bless me from a challenge! `
` Bene. [aside to Claudio] You are a villain. I jest not; I will `
` make `
` it good how you dare, with what you dare, and when you dare. `
` Do `
` me right, or I will protest your cowardice. You have kill'd a `
` sweet lady, and her death shall fall heavy on you. Let me `
` hear `
` from you. `
` Claud. Well, I will meet you, so I may have good cheer. `
` Pedro. What, a feast, a feast? `
` Claud. I' faith, I thank him, he hath bid me to a calve's head `
` and `
` a capon, the which if I do not carve most curiously, say my `
` knife's naught. Shall I not find a woodcock too? `
` Bene. Sir, your wit ambles well; it goes easily. `
` Pedro. I'll tell thee how Beatrice prais'd thy wit the other `
` day. I `
` said thou hadst a fine wit: 'True,' said she, 'a fine little `
` one.' 'No,' said I, 'a great wit.' 'Right,' says she, 'a `
` great `
` gross one.' 'Nay,' said I, 'a good wit.' 'Just,' said she, `
` 'it `
` hurts nobody.' 'Nay,' said I, 'the gentleman is wise.' `
` 'Certain,' `
` said she, a wise gentleman.' 'Nay,' said I, 'he hath the `
` tongues.' 'That I believe' said she, 'for he swore a thing to `
` me `
` on Monday night which he forswore on Tuesday morning. There's `
` a `
` double tongue; there's two tongues.' Thus did she an hour `
` together transshape thy particular virtues. Yet at last she `
` concluded with a sigh, thou wast the proper'st man in Italy. `
` Claud. For the which she wept heartily and said she cared not. `
` Pedro. Yea, that she did; but yet, for all that, an if she did `
` not `
` hate him deadly, she would love him dearly. The old man's `
` daughter told us all. `
` Claud. All, all! and moreover, God saw him when he was hid in `
` the `
` garden. `
` Pedro. But when shall we set the savage bull's horns on the `
` sensible Benedick's head? `
` Claud. Yea, and text underneath, 'Here dwells Benedick, the `
` married `
` man'? `
` Bene. Fare you well, boy; you know my mind. I will leave you `
` now to `
` your gossiplike humour. You break jests as braggards do their `
` blades, which God be thanked hurt not. My lord, for your many `
` courtesies I thank you. I must discontinue your company. Your `
` brother the bastard is fled from Messina. You have among you `
` kill'd a sweet and innocent lady. For my Lord Lackbeard `
` there, he `
` and I shall meet; and till then peace be with him. `
` [Exit.] `
` Pedro. He is in earnest. `
` Claud. In most profound earnest; and, I'll warrant you, for the `
` `
` love of Beatrice. `
` Pedro. And hath challeng'd thee. `
` Claud. Most sincerely. `
` Pedro. What a pretty thing man is when he goes in his doublet `
` and `
` hose and leaves off his wit! `
` `
` Enter Constables [Dogberry and Verges, with the Watch, leading] `
` Conrade and Borachio. `
` `
` Claud. He is then a giant to an ape; but then is an ape a `
` doctor to `
` such a man. `
` Pedro. But, soft you, let me be! Pluck up, my heart, and be `
` sad! `
` Did he not say my brother was fled? `
` Dog. Come you, sir. If justice cannot tame you, she shall ne'er `
` weigh more reasons in her balance. Nay, an you be a cursing `
` hypocrite once, you must be look'd to. `
` Pedro. How now? two of my brother's men bound? Borachio one. `
` Claud. Hearken after their offence, my lord. `
` Pedro. Officers, what offence have these men done? `
` Dog. Marry, sir, they have committed false report; moreover, `
` they `
` have spoken untruths; secondarily, they are slanders; sixth `
` and `
` lastly, they have belied a lady; thirdly, they have verified `
` unjust things; and to conclude, they are lying knaves. `
` Pedro. First, I ask thee what they have done; thirdly, I ask `
` thee `
` what's their offence; sixth and lastly, why they are `
` committed; `
` and to conclude, what you lay to their charge. `
` Claud. Rightly reasoned, and in his own division; and by my `
` troth `
` there's one meaning well suited. `
` Pedro. Who have you offended, masters, that you are thus bound `
` to `
` your answer? This learned constable is too cunning to be `
` understood. What's your offence? `
` Bora. Sweet Prince, let me go no farther to mine answer. Do you `
` hear me, and let this Count kill me. I have deceived even `
` your `
` very eyes. What your wisdoms could not discover, these `
` shallow `
` fools have brought to light, who in the night overheard me `
` confessing to this man, how Don John your brother incensed me `
` to `
` slander the Lady Hero; how you were brought into the orchard `
` and `
` saw me court Margaret in Hero's garments; how you disgrac'd `
` her `
` when you should marry her. My villany they have upon record, `
` which I had rather seal with my death than repeat over to my `
` shame. The lady is dead upon mine and my master's false `
` accusation; and briefly, I desire nothing but the reward of a `
` villain. `
` Pedro. Runs not this speech like iron through your blood? `
` Claud. I have drunk poison whiles he utter'd it. `
` Pedro. But did my brother set thee on to this? `
` Bora. Yea, and paid me richly for the practice of it. `
` Pedro. He is compos'd and fram'd of treachery, `
` And fled he is upon this villany. `
` Claud. Sweet Hero, now thy image doth appear `
` In the rare semblance that I lov'd it first. `
` Dog. Come, bring away the plaintiffs. By this time our sexton `
` hath `
` reformed Signior Leonato of the matter. And, masters, do not `
` forget to specify, when time and place shall serve, that I am `
` an `
` ass. `
` Verg. Here, here comes Master Signior Leonato, and the sexton `
` too. `
` `
` Enter Leonato, his brother [Antonio], and the Sexton. `
` `
` Leon. Which is the villain? Let me see his eyes, `
` That, when I note another man like him, `
` I may avoid him. Which of these is he? `
` Bora. If you would know your wronger, look on me. `
` Leon. Art thou the slave that with thy breath hast kill'd `
` Mine innocent child? `
` Bora. Yea, even I alone. `
` Leon. No, not so, villain! thou beliest thyself. `
` Here stand a pair of honourable men-- `
` A third is fled--that had a hand in it. `
` I thank you princes for my daughter's death. `
` Record it with your high and worthy deeds. `
` 'Twas bravely done, if you bethink you of it. `
` Claud. I know not how to pray your patience; `
` Yet I must speak. Choose your revenge yourself; `
` Impose me to what penance your invention `
` Can lay upon my sin. Yet sinn'd I not `
`
` But what was true, and very full of proof. `
` Leon. My lord, my lord-- `
` Pedro. I will not hear you. `
` Leon. No? Come, brother, away!--I will be heard. `
` Ant. And shall, or some of us will smart for it. `
` Exeunt ambo. `
` `
` Enter Benedick. `
` `
` Pedro. See, see! Here comes the man we went to seek. `
` Claud. Now, signior, what news? `
` Bene. Good day, my lord. `
` Pedro. Welcome, signior. You are almost come to part almost a `
` fray. `
` Claud. We had lik'd to have had our two noses snapp'd off with `
` two `
` old men without teeth. `
` Pedro. Leonato and his brother. What think'st thou? Had we `
` fought, `
` I doubt we should have been too young for them. `
` Bene. In a false quarrel there is no true valour. I came to `
` seek `
` you both. `
` Claud. We have been up and down to seek thee; for we are `
` high-proof `
` melancholy, and would fain have it beaten away. Wilt thou use `
` thy `
` wit? `
` Bene. It is in my scabbard. Shall I draw it? `
` Pedro. Dost thou wear thy wit by thy side? `
` Claud. Never any did so, though very many have been beside `
` their `
` wit. I will bid thee draw, as we do the minstrel--draw to `
` pleasure us. `
` Pedro. As I am an honest man, he looks pale. Art thou sick or `
` angry? `
` Claud. What, courage, man! What though care kill'd a cat, thou `
` hast `
` mettle enough in thee to kill care. `
` Bene. Sir, I shall meet your wit in the career an you charge it `
` against me. I pray you choose another subject. `
` Claud. Nay then, give him another staff; this last was broke `
` cross. `
` Pedro. By this light, he changes more and more. I think he be `
` angry `
` indeed. `
` Claud. If he be, he knows how to turn his girdle. `
` Bene. Shall I speak a word in your ear? `
` Claud. God bless me from a challenge! `
` Bene. [aside to Claudio] You are a villain. I jest not; I will `
` make `
` it good how you dare, with what you dare, and when you dare. `
` Do `
` me right, or I will protest your cowardice. You have kill'd a `
` sweet lady, and her death shall fall heavy on you. Let me `
` hear `
` from you. `
` Claud. Well, I will meet you, so I may have good cheer. `
` Pedro. What, a feast, a feast? `
` Claud. I' faith, I thank him, he hath bid me to a calve's head `
` and `
` a capon, the which if I do not carve most curiously, say my `
` knife's naught. Shall I not find a woodcock too? `
` Bene. Sir, your wit ambles well; it goes easily. `
` Pedro. I'll tell thee how Beatrice prais'd thy wit the other `
` day. I `
` said thou hadst a fine wit: 'True,' said she, 'a fine little `
` one.' 'No,' said I, 'a great wit.' 'Right,' says she, 'a `
` great `
` gross one.' 'Nay,' said I, 'a good wit.' 'Just,' said she, `
` 'it `
` hurts nobody.' 'Nay,' said I, 'the gentleman is wise.' `
` 'Certain,' `
` said she, a wise gentleman.' 'Nay,' said I, 'he hath the `
` tongues.' 'That I believe' said she, 'for he swore a thing to `
` me `
` on Monday night which he forswore on Tuesday morning. There's `
` a `
` double tongue; there's two tongues.' Thus did she an hour `
` together transshape thy particular virtues. Yet at last she `
` concluded with a sigh, thou wast the proper'st man in Italy. `
` Claud. For the which she wept heartily and said she cared not. `
` Pedro. Yea, that she did; but yet, for all that, an if she did `
` not `
` hate him deadly, she would love him dearly. The old man's `
` daughter told us all. `
` Claud. All, all! and moreover, God saw him when he was hid in `
` the `
` garden. `
` Pedro. But when shall we set the savage bull's horns on the `
` sensible Benedick's head? `
` Claud. Yea, and text underneath, 'Here dwells Benedick, the `
` married `
` man'? `
` Bene. Fare you well, boy; you know my mind. I will leave you `
` now to `
` your gossiplike humour. You break jests as braggards do their `
` blades, which God be thanked hurt not. My lord, for your many `
` courtesies I thank you. I must discontinue your company. Your `
` brother the bastard is fled from Messina. You have among you `
` kill'd a sweet and innocent lady. For my Lord Lackbeard `
` there, he `
` and I shall meet; and till then peace be with him. `
` [Exit.] `
` Pedro. He is in earnest. `
` Claud. In most profound earnest; and, I'll warrant you, for the `
` `
` love of Beatrice. `
` Pedro. And hath challeng'd thee. `
` Claud. Most sincerely. `
` Pedro. What a pretty thing man is when he goes in his doublet `
` and `
` hose and leaves off his wit! `
` `
` Enter Constables [Dogberry and Verges, with the Watch, leading] `
` Conrade and Borachio. `
` `
` Claud. He is then a giant to an ape; but then is an ape a `
` doctor to `
` such a man. `
` Pedro. But, soft you, let me be! Pluck up, my heart, and be `
` sad! `
` Did he not say my brother was fled? `
` Dog. Come you, sir. If justice cannot tame you, she shall ne'er `
` weigh more reasons in her balance. Nay, an you be a cursing `
` hypocrite once, you must be look'd to. `
` Pedro. How now? two of my brother's men bound? Borachio one. `
` Claud. Hearken after their offence, my lord. `
` Pedro. Officers, what offence have these men done? `
` Dog. Marry, sir, they have committed false report; moreover, `
` they `
` have spoken untruths; secondarily, they are slanders; sixth `
` and `
` lastly, they have belied a lady; thirdly, they have verified `
` unjust things; and to conclude, they are lying knaves. `
` Pedro. First, I ask thee what they have done; thirdly, I ask `
` thee `
` what's their offence; sixth and lastly, why they are `
` committed; `
` and to conclude, what you lay to their charge. `
` Claud. Rightly reasoned, and in his own division; and by my `
` troth `
` there's one meaning well suited. `
` Pedro. Who have you offended, masters, that you are thus bound `
` to `
` your answer? This learned constable is too cunning to be `
` understood. What's your offence? `
` Bora. Sweet Prince, let me go no farther to mine answer. Do you `
` hear me, and let this Count kill me. I have deceived even `
` your `
` very eyes. What your wisdoms could not discover, these `
` shallow `
` fools have brought to light, who in the night overheard me `
` confessing to this man, how Don John your brother incensed me `
` to `
` slander the Lady Hero; how you were brought into the orchard `
` and `
` saw me court Margaret in Hero's garments; how you disgrac'd `
` her `
` when you should marry her. My villany they have upon record, `
` which I had rather seal with my death than repeat over to my `
` shame. The lady is dead upon mine and my master's false `
` accusation; and briefly, I desire nothing but the reward of a `
` villain. `
` Pedro. Runs not this speech like iron through your blood? `
` Claud. I have drunk poison whiles he utter'd it. `
` Pedro. But did my brother set thee on to this? `
` Bora. Yea, and paid me richly for the practice of it. `
` Pedro. He is compos'd and fram'd of treachery, `
` And fled he is upon this villany. `
` Claud. Sweet Hero, now thy image doth appear `
` In the rare semblance that I lov'd it first. `
` Dog. Come, bring away the plaintiffs. By this time our sexton `
` hath `
` reformed Signior Leonato of the matter. And, masters, do not `
` forget to specify, when time and place shall serve, that I am `
` an `
` ass. `
` Verg. Here, here comes Master Signior Leonato, and the sexton `
` too. `
` `
` Enter Leonato, his brother [Antonio], and the Sexton. `
` `
` Leon. Which is the villain? Let me see his eyes, `
` That, when I note another man like him, `
` I may avoid him. Which of these is he? `
` Bora. If you would know your wronger, look on me. `
` Leon. Art thou the slave that with thy breath hast kill'd `
` Mine innocent child? `
` Bora. Yea, even I alone. `
` Leon. No, not so, villain! thou beliest thyself. `
` Here stand a pair of honourable men-- `
` A third is fled--that had a hand in it. `
` I thank you princes for my daughter's death. `
` Record it with your high and worthy deeds. `
` 'Twas bravely done, if you bethink you of it. `
` Claud. I know not how to pray your patience; `
` Yet I must speak. Choose your revenge yourself; `
` Impose me to what penance your invention `
` Can lay upon my sin. Yet sinn'd I not `
`