Reading Help MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
Beat. A bird of my tongue is better than a beast of yours. `
` Bene. I would my horse had the speed of your tongue, and so `
` good a `
` continuer. But keep your way, a God's name! I have done. `
` Beat. You always end with a jade's trick. I know you of old. `
` Pedro. That is the sum of all, Leonato. Signior Claudio and `
` Signior `
` Benedick, my dear friend Leonato hath invited you all. I tell `
` him `
` we shall stay here at the least a month, and he heartly prays `
` `
` some occasion may detain us longer. I dare swear he is no `
` hypocrite, but prays from his heart. `
` Leon. If you swear, my lord, you shall not be forsworn. [To Don `
` John] Let me bid you welcome, my lord. Being reconciled to `
` the `
` Prince your brother, I owe you all duty. `
` John. I thank you. I am not of many words, but I thank you. `
` Leon. Please it your Grace lead on? `
` Pedro. Your hand, Leonato. We will go together. `
` Exeunt. Manent Benedick and Claudio. `
` Claud. Benedick, didst thou note the daughter of Signior `
` Leonato? `
` Bene. I noted her not, but I look'd on her. `
` Claud. Is she not a modest young lady? `
` Bene. Do you question me, as an honest man should do, for my `
` simple `
` true judgment? or would you have me speak after my custom, as `
` being a professed tyrant to their sex? `
` Claud. No. I pray thee speak in sober judgment. `
` Bene. Why, i' faith, methinks she's too low for a high praise, `
` too brown for a fair praise, and too little for a great `
` praise. `
` Only this commendation I can afford her, that were she other `
` than she is, she were unhandsome, and being no other but as `
` she `
` is, I do not like her. `
` Claud. Thou thinkest I am in sport. I pray thee tell me truly `
` how `
` thou lik'st her. `
` Bene. Would you buy her, that you enquire after her? `
` Claud. Can the world buy such a jewel? `
` Bene. Yea, and a case to put it into. But speak you this with a `
` sad `
` brow? or do you play the flouting Jack, to tell us Cupid is a `
` good hare-finder and Vulcan a rare carpenter? Come, in what `
` key `
` shall a man take you to go in the song? `
` Claud. In mine eye she is the sweetest lady that ever I look'd `
` on. `
` Bene. I can see yet without spectacles, and I see no such `
` matter. `
` There's her cousin, an she were not possess'd with a `
` fury,exceeds `
` her as much in beauty as the first of May doth the last of `
` December. But I hope you have no intent to turn husband, have `
` you? `
` Claud. I would scarce trust myself, though I had sworn the `
` contrary, if Hero would be my wife. `
` Bene. Is't come to this? In faith, hath not the world one man `
` but `
` he will wear his cap with suspicion? Shall I never see a `
` bachelor of threescore again? Go to, i' faith! An thou wilt `
` needs `
` thrust thy neck into a yoke, wear the print of it and sigh `
` away `
` Sundays. `
` `
` Enter Don Pedro. `
` `
` Look! Don Pedro is returned to seek you. `
` Pedro. What secret hath held you here, that you followed not to `
` Leonato's? `
` Bene. I would your Grace would constrain me to tell. `
` Pedro. I charge thee on thy allegiance. `
` Bene. You hear, Count Claudio. I can be secret as a dumb man, I `
` would have you think so; but, on my allegiance--mark you `
` this-on `
` my allegiance! he is in love. With who? Now that is your `
` Grace's `
` part. Mark how short his answer is: With Hero, Leonato's `
` short `
` daughter. `
` Claud. If this were so, so were it utt'red. `
` Bene. Like the old tale, my lord: 'It is not so, nor 'twas not `
` so; `
` but indeed, God forbid it should be so!' `
` Claud. If my passion change not shortly, God forbid it should `
` be `
` otherwise. `
` Pedro. Amen, if you love her; for the lady is very well worthy. `
` Claud. You speak this to fetch me in, my lord. `
` Pedro. By my troth, I speak my thought. `
` Claud. And, in faith, my lord, I spoke mine. `
` Bene. And, by my two faiths and troths, my lord, I spoke mine. `
` Claud. That I love her, I feel. `
` Pedro. That she is worthy, I know. `
` Bene. That I neither feel how she should be loved, nor know how `
` she `
` should be worthy, is the opinion that fire cannot melt out of `
` me. `
` I will die in it at the stake. `
` Pedro. Thou wast ever an obstinate heretic in the despite of `
` beauty. `
` Claud. And never could maintain his part but in the force of `
` his `
` will. `
` Bene. That a woman conceived me, I thank her; that she brought `
` me `
` up, I likewise give her most humble thanks; but that I will `
` have `
` a rechate winded in my forehead, or hang my bugle in an `
` invisible `
` baldrick, all women shall pardon me. Because I will not do `
` them `
` the wrong to mistrust any, I will do myself the right to `
` trust `
` none; and the fine is (for the which I may go the finer), I `
` will `
` live a bachelor. `
` Pedro. I shall see thee, ere I die, look pale with love. `
` Bene. With anger, with sickness, or with hunger, my lord; not `
` with `
` love. Prove that ever I lose more blood with love than I will `
` get `
` again with drinking, pick out mine eyes with a ballad-maker's `
` pen `
` and hang me up at the door of a brothel house for the sign of `
` blind Cupid. `
` Pedro. Well, if ever thou dost fall from this faith, thou wilt `
` prove a notable argument. `
` Bene. If I do, hang me in a bottle like a cat and shoot at me; `
` and `
` he that hits me, let him be clapp'd on the shoulder and `
` call'd `
` Adam. `
` Pedro. Well, as time shall try. `
` 'In time the savage bull doth bear the yoke.' `
` Bene. The savage bull may; but if ever the sensible Benedick `
` bear `
` it, pluck off the bull's horns and set them in my forehead, `
` and `
` let me be vilely painted, and in such great letters as they `
` write `
` 'Here is good horse to hire,' let them signify under my sign `
` 'Here you may see Benedick the married man.' `
` Claud. If this should ever happen, thou wouldst be horn-mad. `
` Pedro. Nay, if Cupid have not spent all his quiver in Venice, `
` thou `
` wilt quake for this shortly. `
` Bene. I look for an earthquake too then. `
` Pedro. Well, you will temporize with the hours. In the `
` meantime, `
` good Signior Benedick, repair to Leonato's, commend me to him `
` and `
` tell him I will not fail him at supper; for indeed he hath `
` made `
` great preparation. `
` Bene. I have almost matter enough in me for such an embassage; `
` and `
` so I commit you-- `
` Claud. To the tuition of God. From my house--if I had it-- `
` Pedro. The sixth of July. Your loving friend, Benedick. `
` Bene. Nay, mock not, mock not. The body of your discourse is `
` sometime guarded with fragments, and the guards are but `
` slightly `
` basted on neither. Ere you flout old ends any further, `
` examine `
` your conscience. And so I leave you. Exit. `
` Claud. My liege, your Highness now may do me good. `
` Pedro. My love is thine to teach. Teach it but how, `
` And thou shalt see how apt it is to learn `
` Any hard lesson that may do thee good. `
` Claud. Hath Leonato any son, my lord? `
` Pedro. No child but Hero; she's his only heir. `
` Dost thou affect her, Claudio? `
` Claud.O my lord, `
` When you went onward on this ended action, `
` I look'd upon her with a soldier's eye, `
` That lik'd, but had a rougher task in hand `
` Than to drive liking to the name of love; `
` But now I am return'd and that war-thoughts `
` Have left their places vacant, in their rooms `
` Come thronging soft and delicate desires, `
` All prompting me how fair young Hero is, `
` Saying I lik'd her ere I went to wars. `
` Pedro. Thou wilt be like a lover presently `
` And tire the hearer with a book of words. `
` If thou dost love fair Hero, cherish it, `
` And I will break with her and with her father, `
` And thou shalt have her. Wast not to this end `
` That thou began'st to twist so fine a story? `
` Claud. How sweetly you do minister to love, `
` That know love's grief by his complexion! `
` But lest my liking might too sudden seem, `
` I would have salv'd it with a longer treatise. `
` Pedro. What need the bridge much broader than the flood? `
` The fairest grant is the necessity. `
` Look, what will serve is fit. 'Tis once, thou lovest, `
` And I will fit thee with the remedy. `
` I know we shall have revelling to-night. `
`
` Bene. I would my horse had the speed of your tongue, and so `
` good a `
` continuer. But keep your way, a God's name! I have done. `
` Beat. You always end with a jade's trick. I know you of old. `
` Pedro. That is the sum of all, Leonato. Signior Claudio and `
` Signior `
` Benedick, my dear friend Leonato hath invited you all. I tell `
` him `
` we shall stay here at the least a month, and he heartly prays `
` `
` some occasion may detain us longer. I dare swear he is no `
` hypocrite, but prays from his heart. `
` Leon. If you swear, my lord, you shall not be forsworn. [To Don `
` John] Let me bid you welcome, my lord. Being reconciled to `
` the `
` Prince your brother, I owe you all duty. `
` John. I thank you. I am not of many words, but I thank you. `
` Leon. Please it your Grace lead on? `
` Pedro. Your hand, Leonato. We will go together. `
` Exeunt. Manent Benedick and Claudio. `
` Claud. Benedick, didst thou note the daughter of Signior `
` Leonato? `
` Bene. I noted her not, but I look'd on her. `
` Claud. Is she not a modest young lady? `
` Bene. Do you question me, as an honest man should do, for my `
` simple `
` true judgment? or would you have me speak after my custom, as `
` being a professed tyrant to their sex? `
` Claud. No. I pray thee speak in sober judgment. `
` Bene. Why, i' faith, methinks she's too low for a high praise, `
` too brown for a fair praise, and too little for a great `
` praise. `
` Only this commendation I can afford her, that were she other `
` than she is, she were unhandsome, and being no other but as `
` she `
` is, I do not like her. `
` Claud. Thou thinkest I am in sport. I pray thee tell me truly `
` how `
` thou lik'st her. `
` Bene. Would you buy her, that you enquire after her? `
` Claud. Can the world buy such a jewel? `
` Bene. Yea, and a case to put it into. But speak you this with a `
` sad `
` brow? or do you play the flouting Jack, to tell us Cupid is a `
` good hare-finder and Vulcan a rare carpenter? Come, in what `
` key `
` shall a man take you to go in the song? `
` Claud. In mine eye she is the sweetest lady that ever I look'd `
` on. `
` Bene. I can see yet without spectacles, and I see no such `
` matter. `
` There's her cousin, an she were not possess'd with a `
` fury,exceeds `
` her as much in beauty as the first of May doth the last of `
` December. But I hope you have no intent to turn husband, have `
` you? `
` Claud. I would scarce trust myself, though I had sworn the `
` contrary, if Hero would be my wife. `
` Bene. Is't come to this? In faith, hath not the world one man `
` but `
` he will wear his cap with suspicion? Shall I never see a `
` bachelor of threescore again? Go to, i' faith! An thou wilt `
` needs `
` thrust thy neck into a yoke, wear the print of it and sigh `
` away `
` Sundays. `
` `
` Enter Don Pedro. `
` `
` Look! Don Pedro is returned to seek you. `
` Pedro. What secret hath held you here, that you followed not to `
` Leonato's? `
` Bene. I would your Grace would constrain me to tell. `
` Pedro. I charge thee on thy allegiance. `
` Bene. You hear, Count Claudio. I can be secret as a dumb man, I `
` would have you think so; but, on my allegiance--mark you `
` this-on `
` my allegiance! he is in love. With who? Now that is your `
` Grace's `
` part. Mark how short his answer is: With Hero, Leonato's `
` short `
` daughter. `
` Claud. If this were so, so were it utt'red. `
` Bene. Like the old tale, my lord: 'It is not so, nor 'twas not `
` so; `
` but indeed, God forbid it should be so!' `
` Claud. If my passion change not shortly, God forbid it should `
` be `
` otherwise. `
` Pedro. Amen, if you love her; for the lady is very well worthy. `
` Claud. You speak this to fetch me in, my lord. `
` Pedro. By my troth, I speak my thought. `
` Claud. And, in faith, my lord, I spoke mine. `
` Bene. And, by my two faiths and troths, my lord, I spoke mine. `
` Claud. That I love her, I feel. `
` Pedro. That she is worthy, I know. `
` Bene. That I neither feel how she should be loved, nor know how `
` she `
` should be worthy, is the opinion that fire cannot melt out of `
` me. `
` I will die in it at the stake. `
` Pedro. Thou wast ever an obstinate heretic in the despite of `
` beauty. `
` Claud. And never could maintain his part but in the force of `
` his `
` will. `
` Bene. That a woman conceived me, I thank her; that she brought `
` me `
` up, I likewise give her most humble thanks; but that I will `
` have `
` a rechate winded in my forehead, or hang my bugle in an `
` invisible `
` baldrick, all women shall pardon me. Because I will not do `
` them `
` the wrong to mistrust any, I will do myself the right to `
` trust `
` none; and the fine is (for the which I may go the finer), I `
` will `
` live a bachelor. `
` Pedro. I shall see thee, ere I die, look pale with love. `
` Bene. With anger, with sickness, or with hunger, my lord; not `
` with `
` love. Prove that ever I lose more blood with love than I will `
` get `
` again with drinking, pick out mine eyes with a ballad-maker's `
` pen `
` and hang me up at the door of a brothel house for the sign of `
` blind Cupid. `
` Pedro. Well, if ever thou dost fall from this faith, thou wilt `
` prove a notable argument. `
` Bene. If I do, hang me in a bottle like a cat and shoot at me; `
` and `
` he that hits me, let him be clapp'd on the shoulder and `
` call'd `
` Adam. `
` Pedro. Well, as time shall try. `
` 'In time the savage bull doth bear the yoke.' `
` Bene. The savage bull may; but if ever the sensible Benedick `
` bear `
` it, pluck off the bull's horns and set them in my forehead, `
` and `
` let me be vilely painted, and in such great letters as they `
` write `
` 'Here is good horse to hire,' let them signify under my sign `
` 'Here you may see Benedick the married man.' `
` Claud. If this should ever happen, thou wouldst be horn-mad. `
` Pedro. Nay, if Cupid have not spent all his quiver in Venice, `
` thou `
` wilt quake for this shortly. `
` Bene. I look for an earthquake too then. `
` Pedro. Well, you will temporize with the hours. In the `
` meantime, `
` good Signior Benedick, repair to Leonato's, commend me to him `
` and `
` tell him I will not fail him at supper; for indeed he hath `
` made `
` great preparation. `
` Bene. I have almost matter enough in me for such an embassage; `
` and `
` so I commit you-- `
` Claud. To the tuition of God. From my house--if I had it-- `
` Pedro. The sixth of July. Your loving friend, Benedick. `
` Bene. Nay, mock not, mock not. The body of your discourse is `
` sometime guarded with fragments, and the guards are but `
` slightly `
` basted on neither. Ere you flout old ends any further, `
` examine `
` your conscience. And so I leave you. Exit. `
` Claud. My liege, your Highness now may do me good. `
` Pedro. My love is thine to teach. Teach it but how, `
` And thou shalt see how apt it is to learn `
` Any hard lesson that may do thee good. `
` Claud. Hath Leonato any son, my lord? `
` Pedro. No child but Hero; she's his only heir. `
` Dost thou affect her, Claudio? `
` Claud.O my lord, `
` When you went onward on this ended action, `
` I look'd upon her with a soldier's eye, `
` That lik'd, but had a rougher task in hand `
` Than to drive liking to the name of love; `
` But now I am return'd and that war-thoughts `
` Have left their places vacant, in their rooms `
` Come thronging soft and delicate desires, `
` All prompting me how fair young Hero is, `
` Saying I lik'd her ere I went to wars. `
` Pedro. Thou wilt be like a lover presently `
` And tire the hearer with a book of words. `
` If thou dost love fair Hero, cherish it, `
` And I will break with her and with her father, `
` And thou shalt have her. Wast not to this end `
` That thou began'st to twist so fine a story? `
` Claud. How sweetly you do minister to love, `
` That know love's grief by his complexion! `
` But lest my liking might too sudden seem, `
` I would have salv'd it with a longer treatise. `
` Pedro. What need the bridge much broader than the flood? `
` The fairest grant is the necessity. `
` Look, what will serve is fit. 'Tis once, thou lovest, `
` And I will fit thee with the remedy. `
` I know we shall have revelling to-night. `
`