Reading Help MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
not `
` endure a husband with a beard on his face. I had rather lie `
` in `
` the woollen! `
` Leon. You may light on a husband that hath no beard. `
` Beat. What should I do with him? dress him in my apparel and `
` make `
` him my waiting gentlewoman? He that hath a beard is more than `
` a `
` youth, and he that hath no beard is less than a man; and he `
` that `
` is more than a youth is not for me; and he that is less than `
` a `
` man, I am not for him. Therefore I will even take sixpence in `
` earnest of the berrord and lead his apes into hell. `
` Leon. Well then, go you into hell? `
` Beat. No; but to the gate, and there will the devil meet me `
` like an `
` old cuckold with horns on his head, and say 'Get you to `
` heaven, `
` Beatrice, get you to heaven. Here's no place for you maids.' `
` So `
` deliver 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. [to Hero] Well, niece, I trust you will be rul'd by your `
` father. `
` Beat. Yes faith. It is my cousin's duty to make cursy and say, `
` 'Father, as it please you.' But yet for all that, cousin, let `
` him `
` be a handsome fellow, or else make another cursy, 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 overmaster'd with a piece of `
` valiant `
` dust? to make an account of her life to a clod of wayward `
` marl? `
` No, uncle, I'll none. Adam's sons are my brethren, and truly `
` I `
` hold it a sin to match in my kinred. `
` Leon. Daughter, remember what I told you. If the Prince do `
` solicit `
` you in that kind, you know your answer. `
` Beat. The fault will be in the music, cousin, if you be not `
` wooed `
` in good time. If the Prince be too important, tell him there `
` is `
` measure in everything, 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 measure, 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 daylight. `
` Leon. The revellers are ent'ring, brother. Make good room. `
` [Exit Antonio.] `
` `
` Enter, [masked,] Don Pedro, Claudio, Benedick, and Balthasar. `
` [With them enter Antonio, also masked. After them enter] `
` Don John [and Borachio (without masks), who stand aside `
` and look on during the dance]. `
` `
` Pedro. Lady, will you walk a bout with your friend? `
` Hero. So you walk softly and look sweetly and say nothing, `
` I am yours for the walk; and especially when I walk away. `
` Pedro. With me in your company? `
` Hero. I may say so when I please. `
` Pedro. And when please you to say so? `
` Hero. When I like your favour, for God defend the lute should `
` be `
` like the case! `
` Pedro. My visor is Philemon's roof; within the house is Jove. `
` Hero. Why then, your visor should be thatch'd. `
` Pedro. Speak low if you speak love. [Takes her aside.] `
` Balth. Well, I would you did like me. `
` Marg. So would not I for your own sake, for I have many ill `
` qualities. `
` Balth. Which is one? `
` `
` Marg. I say my prayers aloud. `
` Balth. I love you the better. The hearers may cry Amen. `
` Marg. God match me with a good dancer! `
` Balth. Amen. `
` Marg. And God keep him out of my sight when the dance is done! `
` Answer, clerk. `
` Balth. No more words. The clerk is answered. `
` [Takes her aside.] `
` Urs. I know you well enough. You are Signior Antonio. `
` Ant. At a word, I am not. `
` Urs. I know you by the waggling of your head. `
` Ant. To tell you true, I counterfeit him. `
` Urs. You could never do him so ill-well unless 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 end. [ They step aside.] `
` 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, a 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 villany; for he both pleases men and angers them, and `
` then `
` they laugh at him and beat him. I am sure he is in the fleet. `
` I would he had boarded 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 laugh'd at, strikes him into `
` melancholy; and then there's a partridge wing saved, for the `
` fool `
` will eat no supper that night. `
` [Music.] `
` We must follow the leaders. `
` Bene. In every good thing. `
` Beat. Nay, if they lead to any ill, I will leave them at the `
` next `
` turning. `
` Dance. Exeunt (all but Don John, Borachio, and Claudio]. `
` John. Sure my brother is amorous on Hero and hath withdrawn her `
` father to break with him about it. The ladies follow her and `
` but `
` one visor remains. `
` Bora. And that is Claudio. I know him by his bearing. `
` John. Are you not Signior Benedick? `
` Claud. You know me well. I am he. `
` John. Signior, you are very near my brother in his love. He is `
` enamour'd on Hero. I pray you dissuade him from her; she is `
` no `
` equal for his birth. You may do the part of an honest man in `
` it. `
` Claud. How know you he loves her? `
` John. I heard him swear his affection. `
` Bora. So did I too, and he swore he would marry her tonight. `
` John. Come, let us to the banquet. `
` Exeunt. Manet Claudio. `
` Claud. Thus answer I in name of Benedick `
` But hear these ill news with the ears of Claudio. `
` [Unmasks.] `
` 'Tis certain so. The Prince wooes for himself. `
` Friendship is constant in all other things `
` Save in the office and affairs of love. `
` Therefore all hearts in love use their own tongues; `
` Let every eye negotiate for itself `
` And trust no agent; for beauty is a witch `
` Against whose charms faith melteth into blood. `
` This is an accident of hourly proof, `
` Which I mistrusted not. Farewell therefore Hero! `
` `
` Enter Benedick [unmasked]. `
` `
` Bene. Count Claudio? `
` Claud. Yea, the same. `
` Bene. Come, will you go with me? `
` Claud. Whither? `
` Bene. Even to the next willow, about your own business, County. `
` What `
` fashion will you wear the garland of? about your neck, like `
` an `
` usurer's chain? or under your arm, like a lieutenant's scarf? `
` You `
` must wear it one way, for the Prince hath got your Hero. `
` Claud. I wish him joy of her. `
` Bene. Why, that's spoken like an honest drovier. So they sell `
` bullocks. But did you think the Prince would have served you `
` thus? `
` Claud. I pray you leave me. `
` Bene. Ho! now you strike like the blind man! 'Twas the boy that `
` stole your meat, and you'll beat the post. `
` Claud. If it will not be, I'll leave you. Exit. `
` Bene. Alas, poor hurt fowl! now will he creep into sedges. But, `
` that my Lady Beatrice should know me, and not know me! The `
` Prince's fool! Ha! it may be I go under that title because I `
` am `
`
` endure a husband with a beard on his face. I had rather lie `
` in `
` the woollen! `
` Leon. You may light on a husband that hath no beard. `
` Beat. What should I do with him? dress him in my apparel and `
` make `
` him my waiting gentlewoman? He that hath a beard is more than `
` a `
` youth, and he that hath no beard is less than a man; and he `
` that `
` is more than a youth is not for me; and he that is less than `
` a `
` man, I am not for him. Therefore I will even take sixpence in `
` earnest of the berrord and lead his apes into hell. `
` Leon. Well then, go you into hell? `
` Beat. No; but to the gate, and there will the devil meet me `
` like an `
` old cuckold with horns on his head, and say 'Get you to `
` heaven, `
` Beatrice, get you to heaven. Here's no place for you maids.' `
` So `
` deliver 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. [to Hero] Well, niece, I trust you will be rul'd by your `
` father. `
` Beat. Yes faith. It is my cousin's duty to make cursy and say, `
` 'Father, as it please you.' But yet for all that, cousin, let `
` him `
` be a handsome fellow, or else make another cursy, 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 overmaster'd with a piece of `
` valiant `
` dust? to make an account of her life to a clod of wayward `
` marl? `
` No, uncle, I'll none. Adam's sons are my brethren, and truly `
` I `
` hold it a sin to match in my kinred. `
` Leon. Daughter, remember what I told you. If the Prince do `
` solicit `
` you in that kind, you know your answer. `
` Beat. The fault will be in the music, cousin, if you be not `
` wooed `
` in good time. If the Prince be too important, tell him there `
` is `
` measure in everything, 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 measure, 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 daylight. `
` Leon. The revellers are ent'ring, brother. Make good room. `
` [Exit Antonio.] `
` `
` Enter, [masked,] Don Pedro, Claudio, Benedick, and Balthasar. `
` [With them enter Antonio, also masked. After them enter] `
` Don John [and Borachio (without masks), who stand aside `
` and look on during the dance]. `
` `
` Pedro. Lady, will you walk a bout with your friend? `
` Hero. So you walk softly and look sweetly and say nothing, `
` I am yours for the walk; and especially when I walk away. `
` Pedro. With me in your company? `
` Hero. I may say so when I please. `
` Pedro. And when please you to say so? `
` Hero. When I like your favour, for God defend the lute should `
` be `
` like the case! `
` Pedro. My visor is Philemon's roof; within the house is Jove. `
` Hero. Why then, your visor should be thatch'd. `
` Pedro. Speak low if you speak love. [Takes her aside.] `
` Balth. Well, I would you did like me. `
` Marg. So would not I for your own sake, for I have many ill `
` qualities. `
` Balth. Which is one? `
` `
` Marg. I say my prayers aloud. `
` Balth. I love you the better. The hearers may cry Amen. `
` Marg. God match me with a good dancer! `
` Balth. Amen. `
` Marg. And God keep him out of my sight when the dance is done! `
` Answer, clerk. `
` Balth. No more words. The clerk is answered. `
` [Takes her aside.] `
` Urs. I know you well enough. You are Signior Antonio. `
` Ant. At a word, I am not. `
` Urs. I know you by the waggling of your head. `
` Ant. To tell you true, I counterfeit him. `
` Urs. You could never do him so ill-well unless 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 end. [ They step aside.] `
` 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, a 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 villany; for he both pleases men and angers them, and `
` then `
` they laugh at him and beat him. I am sure he is in the fleet. `
` I would he had boarded 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 laugh'd at, strikes him into `
` melancholy; and then there's a partridge wing saved, for the `
` fool `
` will eat no supper that night. `
` [Music.] `
` We must follow the leaders. `
` Bene. In every good thing. `
` Beat. Nay, if they lead to any ill, I will leave them at the `
` next `
` turning. `
` Dance. Exeunt (all but Don John, Borachio, and Claudio]. `
` John. Sure my brother is amorous on Hero and hath withdrawn her `
` father to break with him about it. The ladies follow her and `
` but `
` one visor remains. `
` Bora. And that is Claudio. I know him by his bearing. `
` John. Are you not Signior Benedick? `
` Claud. You know me well. I am he. `
` John. Signior, you are very near my brother in his love. He is `
` enamour'd on Hero. I pray you dissuade him from her; she is `
` no `
` equal for his birth. You may do the part of an honest man in `
` it. `
` Claud. How know you he loves her? `
` John. I heard him swear his affection. `
` Bora. So did I too, and he swore he would marry her tonight. `
` John. Come, let us to the banquet. `
` Exeunt. Manet Claudio. `
` Claud. Thus answer I in name of Benedick `
` But hear these ill news with the ears of Claudio. `
` [Unmasks.] `
` 'Tis certain so. The Prince wooes for himself. `
` Friendship is constant in all other things `
` Save in the office and affairs of love. `
` Therefore all hearts in love use their own tongues; `
` Let every eye negotiate for itself `
` And trust no agent; for beauty is a witch `
` Against whose charms faith melteth into blood. `
` This is an accident of hourly proof, `
` Which I mistrusted not. Farewell therefore Hero! `
` `
` Enter Benedick [unmasked]. `
` `
` Bene. Count Claudio? `
` Claud. Yea, the same. `
` Bene. Come, will you go with me? `
` Claud. Whither? `
` Bene. Even to the next willow, about your own business, County. `
` What `
` fashion will you wear the garland of? about your neck, like `
` an `
` usurer's chain? or under your arm, like a lieutenant's scarf? `
` You `
` must wear it one way, for the Prince hath got your Hero. `
` Claud. I wish him joy of her. `
` Bene. Why, that's spoken like an honest drovier. So they sell `
` bullocks. But did you think the Prince would have served you `
` thus? `
` Claud. I pray you leave me. `
` Bene. Ho! now you strike like the blind man! 'Twas the boy that `
` stole your meat, and you'll beat the post. `
` Claud. If it will not be, I'll leave you. Exit. `
` Bene. Alas, poor hurt fowl! now will he creep into sedges. But, `
` that my Lady Beatrice should know me, and not know me! The `
` Prince's fool! Ha! it may be I go under that title because I `
` am `
`