Reading Help MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
I know we shall have revelling to-night. `
` I will assume thy part in some disguise `
` And tell fair Hero I am Claudio, `
` And in her bosom I'll unclasp my heart `
` And take her hearing prisoner with the force `
` And strong encounter of my amorous tale. `
` Then after to her father will I break, `
` And the conclusion is, she shall be thine. `
` In practice let us put it presently. Exeunt. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` Scene II. `
` A room in Leonato's house. `
` `
` Enter [at one door] Leonato and [at another door, Antonio] an old `
` man, `
` brother to Leonato. `
` `
` Leon. How now, brother? Where is my cousin your son? Hath he `
` provided this music? `
` Ant. He is very busy about it. But, brother, I can tell you `
` strange `
` news that you yet dreamt not of. `
` Leon. Are they good? `
` Ant. As the event stamps them; but they have a good cover, they `
` show well outward. The Prince and Count Claudio, walking in a `
` thick-pleached alley in mine orchard, were thus much `
` overheard by `
` a man of mine: the Prince discovered to Claudio that he loved `
` my `
` niece your daughter and meant to acknowledge it this night in `
` a `
` dance, and if he found her accordant, he meant to take the `
` present time by the top and instantly break with you of it. `
` Leon. Hath the fellow any wit that told you this? `
` Ant. A good sharp fellow. I will send for him, and question him `
` yourself. `
` Leon. No, no. We will hold it as a dream till it appear itself; `
` but `
` I will acquaint my daughter withal, that she may be the `
` better `
` prepared for an answer, if peradventure this be true. Go you `
` and `
` tell her of it. [Exit Antonio.] `
` `
` [Enter Antonio's Son with a Musician, and others.] `
` `
` [To the Son] Cousin, you know what you have to do. `
` --[To the Musician] O, I cry you mercy, friend. Go you with `
` me, `
` and I will use your skill.--Good cousin, have a care this `
` busy `
` time. Exeunt. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` Scene III. `
` Another room in Leonato's house.] `
` `
` Enter Sir John the Bastard and Conrade, his companion. `
` `
` Con. What the goodyear, my lord! Why are you thus out of `
` measure `
` sad? `
` John. There is no measure in the occasion that breeds; `
` therefore `
` the sadness is without limit. `
` Con. You should hear reason. `
` John. And when I have heard it, what blessings brings it? `
` Con. If not a present remedy, at least a patient sufferance. `
` John. I wonder that thou (being, as thou say'st thou art, born `
` under Saturn) goest about to apply a moral medicine to a `
` mortifying mischief. I cannot hide what I am: I must be sad `
` when `
` I have cause, and smile at no man's jests; eat when I have `
` stomach, and wait for no man's leisure; sleep when I am `
` drowsy, `
` and tend on no man's business; laugh when I am merry, and `
` claw no `
` man in his humour. `
` Con. Yea, but you must not make the full show of this till you `
` may `
` do it without controlment. You have of late stood out against `
` your brother, and he hath ta'en you newly into his grace, `
` where `
` it is impossible you should take true root but by the fair `
` weather that you make yourself. It is needful that you frame `
` the `
` season for your own harvest. `
` John. I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose in his `
` grace, `
` and it better fits my blood to be disdain'd of all than to `
` fashion a carriage to rob love from any. In this, though I `
` cannot `
` be said to be a flattering honest man, it must not be denied `
` but `
` I am a plain-dealing villain. I am trusted with a muzzle and `
` enfranchis'd with a clog; therefore I have decreed not to `
` sing in `
` my cage. If I had my mouth, I would bite; if I had my `
` liberty, I `
` would do my liking. In the meantime let me be that I am, and `
` seek `
` not to alter me. `
` Con. Can you make no use of your discontent? `
` John. I make all use of it, for I use it only. `
` `
` Enter Borachio. `
` `
` Who comes here? What news, Borachio? `
` Bora. I came yonder from a great supper. The Prince your `
` brother is `
` royally entertain'd by Leonato, and I can give you `
` intelligence `
` of an intended marriage. `
` John. Will it serve for any model to build mischief on? `
` What is he for a fool that betroths himself to unquietness? `
` Bora. Marry, it is your brother's right hand. `
` John. Who? the most exquisite Claudio? `
` Bora. Even he. `
` John. A proper squire! And who? and who? which way looks he? `
` Bora. Marry, on Hero, the daughter and heir of Leonato. `
` John. A very forward March-chick! How came you to this? `
` Bora. Being entertain'd for a perfumer, as I was smoking a `
` musty `
` room, 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 `
` obtain'd her, give her to Count Claudio. `
` 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. `
` John. Let us to the great supper. Their cheer is the greater `
` that `
` I am subdued. Would the cook were o' my mind! Shall we go `
` prove `
` what's to be done? `
` Bora. We'll wait upon your lordship. `
` Exeunt. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` <<THIS ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM `
` SHAKESPEARE IS COPYRIGHT 1990-1993 BY WORLD LIBRARY, INC., AND IS `
` PROVIDED BY PROJECT GUTENBERG ETEXT OF CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY `
` WITH PERMISSION. ELECTRONIC AND MACHINE READABLE COPIES MAY BE `
` DISTRIBUTED SO LONG AS SUCH COPIES (1) ARE FOR YOUR OR OTHERS `
` PERSONAL USE ONLY, AND (2) ARE NOT DISTRIBUTED OR USED `
` COMMERCIALLY. PROHIBITED COMMERCIAL DISTRIBUTION INCLUDES BY ANY `
` SERVICE THAT CHARGES FOR DOWNLOAD TIME OR FOR MEMBERSHIP.>> `
` `
` `
` `
` ACT II. Scene I. `
` A hall in Leonato's house. `
` `
` Enter Leonato, [Antonio] his Brother, Hero his Daughter, `
` and Beatrice his Niece, and a Kinsman; [also Margaret and `
` Ursula]. `
` `
` 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-burn'd an hour after. `
` Hero. He is of a very melancholy disposition. `
` Beat. He were an excellent man that were made just in the `
` midway `
` between him and Benedick. The one is too like an image and `
` says `
` nothing, and the other too like my lady's eldest son, `
` evermore `
` tattling. `
` Leon. Then half Signior Benedick's tongue in Count John's `
` mouth, `
` and half Count John's melancholy in Signior Benedick's face-- `
` Beat. With a good leg and a good foot, uncle, and money enough `
` in `
` his purse, such a man would win any woman in the world--if 'a `
` could get her good will. `
` Leon. By my troth, niece, thou wilt never get thee a husband if `
` thou be so shrewd of thy tongue. `
` Ant. In faith, she's too curst. `
` Beat. Too curst is more than curst. I shall lessen God's `
` sending `
` that way, for it is said, 'God sends a curst cow short `
` horns,' `
` but to a cow too curst he sends none. `
` Leon. So, by being too curst, God will send you no horns. `
` Beat. Just, if he send me no husband; for the which blessing I `
` am `
` at him upon my knees every morning and evening. Lord, I could `
` not `
`
` I will assume thy part in some disguise `
` And tell fair Hero I am Claudio, `
` And in her bosom I'll unclasp my heart `
` And take her hearing prisoner with the force `
` And strong encounter of my amorous tale. `
` Then after to her father will I break, `
` And the conclusion is, she shall be thine. `
` In practice let us put it presently. Exeunt. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` Scene II. `
` A room in Leonato's house. `
` `
` Enter [at one door] Leonato and [at another door, Antonio] an old `
` man, `
` brother to Leonato. `
` `
` Leon. How now, brother? Where is my cousin your son? Hath he `
` provided this music? `
` Ant. He is very busy about it. But, brother, I can tell you `
` strange `
` news that you yet dreamt not of. `
` Leon. Are they good? `
` Ant. As the event stamps them; but they have a good cover, they `
` show well outward. The Prince and Count Claudio, walking in a `
` thick-pleached alley in mine orchard, were thus much `
` overheard by `
` a man of mine: the Prince discovered to Claudio that he loved `
` my `
` niece your daughter and meant to acknowledge it this night in `
` a `
` dance, and if he found her accordant, he meant to take the `
` present time by the top and instantly break with you of it. `
` Leon. Hath the fellow any wit that told you this? `
` Ant. A good sharp fellow. I will send for him, and question him `
` yourself. `
` Leon. No, no. We will hold it as a dream till it appear itself; `
` but `
` I will acquaint my daughter withal, that she may be the `
` better `
` prepared for an answer, if peradventure this be true. Go you `
` and `
` tell her of it. [Exit Antonio.] `
` `
` [Enter Antonio's Son with a Musician, and others.] `
` `
` [To the Son] Cousin, you know what you have to do. `
` --[To the Musician] O, I cry you mercy, friend. Go you with `
` me, `
` and I will use your skill.--Good cousin, have a care this `
` busy `
` time. Exeunt. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` Scene III. `
` Another room in Leonato's house.] `
` `
` Enter Sir John the Bastard and Conrade, his companion. `
` `
` Con. What the goodyear, my lord! Why are you thus out of `
` measure `
` sad? `
` John. There is no measure in the occasion that breeds; `
` therefore `
` the sadness is without limit. `
` Con. You should hear reason. `
` John. And when I have heard it, what blessings brings it? `
` Con. If not a present remedy, at least a patient sufferance. `
` John. I wonder that thou (being, as thou say'st thou art, born `
` under Saturn) goest about to apply a moral medicine to a `
` mortifying mischief. I cannot hide what I am: I must be sad `
` when `
` I have cause, and smile at no man's jests; eat when I have `
` stomach, and wait for no man's leisure; sleep when I am `
` drowsy, `
` and tend on no man's business; laugh when I am merry, and `
` claw no `
` man in his humour. `
` Con. Yea, but you must not make the full show of this till you `
` may `
` do it without controlment. You have of late stood out against `
` your brother, and he hath ta'en you newly into his grace, `
` where `
` it is impossible you should take true root but by the fair `
` weather that you make yourself. It is needful that you frame `
` the `
` season for your own harvest. `
` John. I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose in his `
` grace, `
` and it better fits my blood to be disdain'd of all than to `
` fashion a carriage to rob love from any. In this, though I `
` cannot `
` be said to be a flattering honest man, it must not be denied `
` but `
` I am a plain-dealing villain. I am trusted with a muzzle and `
` enfranchis'd with a clog; therefore I have decreed not to `
` sing in `
` my cage. If I had my mouth, I would bite; if I had my `
` liberty, I `
` would do my liking. In the meantime let me be that I am, and `
` seek `
` not to alter me. `
` Con. Can you make no use of your discontent? `
` John. I make all use of it, for I use it only. `
` `
` Enter Borachio. `
` `
` Who comes here? What news, Borachio? `
` Bora. I came yonder from a great supper. The Prince your `
` brother is `
` royally entertain'd by Leonato, and I can give you `
` intelligence `
` of an intended marriage. `
` John. Will it serve for any model to build mischief on? `
` What is he for a fool that betroths himself to unquietness? `
` Bora. Marry, it is your brother's right hand. `
` John. Who? the most exquisite Claudio? `
` Bora. Even he. `
` John. A proper squire! And who? and who? which way looks he? `
` Bora. Marry, on Hero, the daughter and heir of Leonato. `
` John. A very forward March-chick! How came you to this? `
` Bora. Being entertain'd for a perfumer, as I was smoking a `
` musty `
` room, 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 `
` obtain'd her, give her to Count Claudio. `
` 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. `
` John. Let us to the great supper. Their cheer is the greater `
` that `
` I am subdued. Would the cook were o' my mind! Shall we go `
` prove `
` what's to be done? `
` Bora. We'll wait upon your lordship. `
` Exeunt. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` <<THIS ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM `
` SHAKESPEARE IS COPYRIGHT 1990-1993 BY WORLD LIBRARY, INC., AND IS `
` PROVIDED BY PROJECT GUTENBERG ETEXT OF CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY `
` WITH PERMISSION. ELECTRONIC AND MACHINE READABLE COPIES MAY BE `
` DISTRIBUTED SO LONG AS SUCH COPIES (1) ARE FOR YOUR OR OTHERS `
` PERSONAL USE ONLY, AND (2) ARE NOT DISTRIBUTED OR USED `
` COMMERCIALLY. PROHIBITED COMMERCIAL DISTRIBUTION INCLUDES BY ANY `
` SERVICE THAT CHARGES FOR DOWNLOAD TIME OR FOR MEMBERSHIP.>> `
` `
` `
` `
` ACT II. Scene I. `
` A hall in Leonato's house. `
` `
` Enter Leonato, [Antonio] his Brother, Hero his Daughter, `
` and Beatrice his Niece, and a Kinsman; [also Margaret and `
` Ursula]. `
` `
` 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-burn'd an hour after. `
` Hero. He is of a very melancholy disposition. `
` Beat. He were an excellent man that were made just in the `
` midway `
` between him and Benedick. The one is too like an image and `
` says `
` nothing, and the other too like my lady's eldest son, `
` evermore `
` tattling. `
` Leon. Then half Signior Benedick's tongue in Count John's `
` mouth, `
` and half Count John's melancholy in Signior Benedick's face-- `
` Beat. With a good leg and a good foot, uncle, and money enough `
` in `
` his purse, such a man would win any woman in the world--if 'a `
` could get her good will. `
` Leon. By my troth, niece, thou wilt never get thee a husband if `
` thou be so shrewd of thy tongue. `
` Ant. In faith, she's too curst. `
` Beat. Too curst is more than curst. I shall lessen God's `
` sending `
` that way, for it is said, 'God sends a curst cow short `
` horns,' `
` but to a cow too curst he sends none. `
` Leon. So, by being too curst, God will send you no horns. `
` Beat. Just, if he send me no husband; for the which blessing I `
` am `
` at him upon my knees every morning and evening. Lord, I could `
` not `
`