Reading Help MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
Enter Don Pedro, Claudio, Benedick, and Leonato. `
` `
` Pedro. I do but stay till your marriage be consummate, and then `
` go `
` I toward Arragon. `
` Claud. I'll bring you thither, my lord, if you'll vouchsafe me. `
` Pedro. Nay, that would be as great a soil in the new gloss of `
` your `
` marriage as to show a child his new coat and forbid him to `
` wear `
` it. I will only be bold with Benedick for his company; for, `
` from `
` the crown of his head to the sole of his foot, he is all `
` mirth. `
` He hath twice or thrice cut Cupid's bowstring, and the little `
` hangman dare not shoot at him. He hath a heart as sound as a `
` bell; and his tongue is the clapper, for what his heart `
` thinks, `
` his tongue speaks. `
` Bene. Gallants, I am not as I have been. `
` Leon. So say I. Methinks you are sadder. `
` Claud. I hope he be in love. `
` Pedro. Hang him, truant! There's no true drop of blood in him `
` to be `
` truly touch'd with love. If he be sad, he wants money. `
` Bene. I have the toothache. `
` Pedro. Draw it. `
` Bene. Hang it! `
` Claud. You must hang it first and draw it afterwards. `
` Pedro. What? sigh for the toothache? `
` Leon. Where is but a humour or a worm. `
` Bene. Well, every one can master a grief but he that has it. `
` Claud. Yet say I he is in love. `
` Pedro. There is no appearance of fancy in him, unless it be a `
` fancy `
` that he hath to strange disguises; as to be a Dutchman `
` to-day, a `
` Frenchman to-morrow; or in the shape of two countries at `
` once, as `
` a German from the waist downward, all slops, and a Spaniard `
` from `
` the hip upward, no doublet. Unless he have a fancy to this `
` foolery, as it appears he hath, he is no fool for fancy, as `
` you `
` would have it appear he is. `
` Claud. If he be not in love with some woman, there is no `
` believing `
` old signs. 'A brushes his hat o' mornings. What should that `
` bode? `
` Pedro. Hath any man seen him at the barber's? `
` Claud. No, but the barber's man hath been seen with him, and `
` the `
` old ornament of his cheek hath already stuff'd tennis balls. `
` Leon. Indeed he looks younger than he did, by the loss of a `
` beard. `
` Pedro. Nay, 'a rubs himself with civet. Can you smell him out `
` by `
` that? `
` Claud. That's as much as to say, the sweet youth's in love. `
` Pedro. The greatest note of it is his melancholy. `
` Claud. And when was he wont to wash his face? `
` Pedro. Yea, or to paint himself? for the which I hear what they `
` say `
` of him. `
` Claud. Nay, but his jesting spirit, which is new-crept into a `
` lutestring, and now govern'd by stops. `
` Pedro. Indeed that tells a heavy tale for him. Conclude, `
` conclude, `
` he is in love. `
` Claud. Nay, but I know who loves him. `
` Pedro. That would I know too. I warrant, one that knows him `
` not. `
` Claud. Yes, and his ill conditions; and in despite of all, dies `
` for `
` him. `
` Pedro. She shall be buried with her face upwards. `
` Bene. Yet is this no charm for the toothache. Old signior, walk `
` aside with me. I have studied eight or nine wise words to `
` speak `
` to you, which these hobby-horses must not hear. `
` [Exeunt Benedick and Leonato.] `
` Pedro. For my life, to break with him about Beatrice! `
` Claud. 'Tis even so. Hero and Margaret have by this played `
` their `
` parts with Beatrice, and then the two bears will not bite one `
` another when they meet. `
` `
` Enter John the Bastard. `
` `
` John. My lord and brother, God save you. `
` Pedro. Good den, brother. `
` John. If your leisure serv'd, I would speak with you. `
` Pedro. In private? `
` John. If it please you. Yet Count Claudio may hear, for what I `
` would speak of concerns him. `
` Pedro. What's the matter? `
` John. [to Claudio] Means your lordship to be married tomorrow? `
` Pedro. You know he does. `
` John. I know not that, when he knows what I know. `
` Claud. If there be any impediment, I pray you discover it. `
` John. You may think I love you not. Let that appear hereafter, `
` and `
` aim better at me by that I now will manifest. For my brother, `
` I `
` think he holds you well and in dearness of heart hath holp to `
` effect your ensuing marriage--surely suit ill spent and `
` labour `
` ill bestowed! `
` Pedro. Why, what's the matter? `
` John. I came hither to tell you, and, circumstances short'ned `
` (for `
` she has been too long a-talking of), the lady is disloyal. `
` Claud. Who? Hero? `
` John. Even she--Leonato's Hero, your Hero, every man's Hero. `
` Claud. Disloyal? `
` John. The word is too good to paint out her wickedness. I could `
` say `
` she were worse; think you of a worse title, and I will fit `
` her to `
` it. Wonder not till further warrant. Go but with me to-night, `
` you `
` shall see her chamber window ent'red, even the night before `
` her `
` wedding day. If you love her then, to-morrow wed her. But it `
` would better fit your honour to change your mind. `
` Claud. May this be so? `
` Pedro. I will not think it. `
` John. If you dare not trust that you see, confess not that you `
` know. If you will follow me, I will show you enough; and when `
` you `
` have seen more and heard more, proceed accordingly. `
` Claud. If I see anything to-night why I should not marry her `
` to-morrow, in the congregation where I should wed, there will `
` I `
` shame her. `
` Pedro. And, as I wooed for thee to obtain her, I will join with `
` thee to disgrace her. `
` John. I will disparage her no farther till you are my `
` witnesses. `
` Bear it coldly but till midnight, and let the issue show `
` itself. `
` Pedro. O day untowardly turned! `
` Claud. O mischief strangely thwarting! `
` John. O plague right well prevented! `
` So will you say when you have seen the Sequel. `
` Exeunt. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` Scene III. `
` A street. `
` `
` Enter Dogberry and his compartner [Verges], with the Watch. `
` `
` Dog. Are you good men and true? `
` Verg. Yea, or else it were pity but they should suffer `
` salvation, `
` body and soul. `
` Dog. Nay, that were a punishment too good for them if they `
` should `
` have any allegiance in them, being chosen for the Prince's `
` watch. `
` Verg. Well, give them their charge, neighbour Dogberry. `
` Dog. First, who think you the most desartless man to be `
` constable? `
` 1. Watch. Hugh Oatcake, sir, or George Seacoal; for they can `
` write `
` and read. `
` Dog. Come hither, neighbour Seacoal. God hath bless'd you with `
` a `
` good name. To be a well-favoured man is the gift of fortune, `
` but `
` to write and read comes by nature. `
` 2. Watch. Both which, Master Constable-- `
` Dog. You have. I knew it would be your answer. Well, for your `
` favour, sir, why, give God thanks and make no boast of it; `
` and `
` for your writing and reading, let that appear when there is `
` no `
` need of such vanity. You are thought here to be the most `
` senseless and fit man for the constable of the watch. `
` Therefore `
` bear you the lanthorn. This is your charge: you shall `
` comprehend `
` all vagrom men; you are to bid any man stand, in the Prince's `
` name. `
` 2. Watch. How if 'a will not stand? `
` Dog. Why then, take no note of him, but let him go, and `
` presently `
` call the rest of the watch together and thank God you are rid `
` of `
` a knave. `
` Verg. If he will not stand when he is bidden, he is none of the `
` Prince's subjects. `
` Dog. True, and they are to meddle with none but the Prince's `
` subjects. You shall also make no noise in the streets; for `
` for `
` the watch to babble and to talk is most tolerable, and not to `
` be `
` endured. `
`
` `
` Pedro. I do but stay till your marriage be consummate, and then `
` go `
` I toward Arragon. `
` Claud. I'll bring you thither, my lord, if you'll vouchsafe me. `
` Pedro. Nay, that would be as great a soil in the new gloss of `
` your `
` marriage as to show a child his new coat and forbid him to `
` wear `
` it. I will only be bold with Benedick for his company; for, `
` from `
` the crown of his head to the sole of his foot, he is all `
` mirth. `
` He hath twice or thrice cut Cupid's bowstring, and the little `
` hangman dare not shoot at him. He hath a heart as sound as a `
` bell; and his tongue is the clapper, for what his heart `
` thinks, `
` his tongue speaks. `
` Bene. Gallants, I am not as I have been. `
` Leon. So say I. Methinks you are sadder. `
` Claud. I hope he be in love. `
` Pedro. Hang him, truant! There's no true drop of blood in him `
` to be `
` truly touch'd with love. If he be sad, he wants money. `
` Bene. I have the toothache. `
` Pedro. Draw it. `
` Bene. Hang it! `
` Claud. You must hang it first and draw it afterwards. `
` Pedro. What? sigh for the toothache? `
` Leon. Where is but a humour or a worm. `
` Bene. Well, every one can master a grief but he that has it. `
` Claud. Yet say I he is in love. `
` Pedro. There is no appearance of fancy in him, unless it be a `
` fancy `
` that he hath to strange disguises; as to be a Dutchman `
` to-day, a `
` Frenchman to-morrow; or in the shape of two countries at `
` once, as `
` a German from the waist downward, all slops, and a Spaniard `
` from `
` the hip upward, no doublet. Unless he have a fancy to this `
` foolery, as it appears he hath, he is no fool for fancy, as `
` you `
` would have it appear he is. `
` Claud. If he be not in love with some woman, there is no `
` believing `
` old signs. 'A brushes his hat o' mornings. What should that `
` bode? `
` Pedro. Hath any man seen him at the barber's? `
` Claud. No, but the barber's man hath been seen with him, and `
` the `
` old ornament of his cheek hath already stuff'd tennis balls. `
` Leon. Indeed he looks younger than he did, by the loss of a `
` beard. `
` Pedro. Nay, 'a rubs himself with civet. Can you smell him out `
` by `
` that? `
` Claud. That's as much as to say, the sweet youth's in love. `
` Pedro. The greatest note of it is his melancholy. `
` Claud. And when was he wont to wash his face? `
` Pedro. Yea, or to paint himself? for the which I hear what they `
` say `
` of him. `
` Claud. Nay, but his jesting spirit, which is new-crept into a `
` lutestring, and now govern'd by stops. `
` Pedro. Indeed that tells a heavy tale for him. Conclude, `
` conclude, `
` he is in love. `
` Claud. Nay, but I know who loves him. `
` Pedro. That would I know too. I warrant, one that knows him `
` not. `
` Claud. Yes, and his ill conditions; and in despite of all, dies `
` for `
` him. `
` Pedro. She shall be buried with her face upwards. `
` Bene. Yet is this no charm for the toothache. Old signior, walk `
` aside with me. I have studied eight or nine wise words to `
` speak `
` to you, which these hobby-horses must not hear. `
` [Exeunt Benedick and Leonato.] `
` Pedro. For my life, to break with him about Beatrice! `
` Claud. 'Tis even so. Hero and Margaret have by this played `
` their `
` parts with Beatrice, and then the two bears will not bite one `
` another when they meet. `
` `
` Enter John the Bastard. `
` `
` John. My lord and brother, God save you. `
` Pedro. Good den, brother. `
` John. If your leisure serv'd, I would speak with you. `
` Pedro. In private? `
` John. If it please you. Yet Count Claudio may hear, for what I `
` would speak of concerns him. `
` Pedro. What's the matter? `
` John. [to Claudio] Means your lordship to be married tomorrow? `
` Pedro. You know he does. `
` John. I know not that, when he knows what I know. `
` Claud. If there be any impediment, I pray you discover it. `
` John. You may think I love you not. Let that appear hereafter, `
` and `
` aim better at me by that I now will manifest. For my brother, `
` I `
` think he holds you well and in dearness of heart hath holp to `
` effect your ensuing marriage--surely suit ill spent and `
` labour `
` ill bestowed! `
` Pedro. Why, what's the matter? `
` John. I came hither to tell you, and, circumstances short'ned `
` (for `
` she has been too long a-talking of), the lady is disloyal. `
` Claud. Who? Hero? `
` John. Even she--Leonato's Hero, your Hero, every man's Hero. `
` Claud. Disloyal? `
` John. The word is too good to paint out her wickedness. I could `
` say `
` she were worse; think you of a worse title, and I will fit `
` her to `
` it. Wonder not till further warrant. Go but with me to-night, `
` you `
` shall see her chamber window ent'red, even the night before `
` her `
` wedding day. If you love her then, to-morrow wed her. But it `
` would better fit your honour to change your mind. `
` Claud. May this be so? `
` Pedro. I will not think it. `
` John. If you dare not trust that you see, confess not that you `
` know. If you will follow me, I will show you enough; and when `
` you `
` have seen more and heard more, proceed accordingly. `
` Claud. If I see anything to-night why I should not marry her `
` to-morrow, in the congregation where I should wed, there will `
` I `
` shame her. `
` Pedro. And, as I wooed for thee to obtain her, I will join with `
` thee to disgrace her. `
` John. I will disparage her no farther till you are my `
` witnesses. `
` Bear it coldly but till midnight, and let the issue show `
` itself. `
` Pedro. O day untowardly turned! `
` Claud. O mischief strangely thwarting! `
` John. O plague right well prevented! `
` So will you say when you have seen the Sequel. `
` Exeunt. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` Scene III. `
` A street. `
` `
` Enter Dogberry and his compartner [Verges], with the Watch. `
` `
` Dog. Are you good men and true? `
` Verg. Yea, or else it were pity but they should suffer `
` salvation, `
` body and soul. `
` Dog. Nay, that were a punishment too good for them if they `
` should `
` have any allegiance in them, being chosen for the Prince's `
` watch. `
` Verg. Well, give them their charge, neighbour Dogberry. `
` Dog. First, who think you the most desartless man to be `
` constable? `
` 1. Watch. Hugh Oatcake, sir, or George Seacoal; for they can `
` write `
` and read. `
` Dog. Come hither, neighbour Seacoal. God hath bless'd you with `
` a `
` good name. To be a well-favoured man is the gift of fortune, `
` but `
` to write and read comes by nature. `
` 2. Watch. Both which, Master Constable-- `
` Dog. You have. I knew it would be your answer. Well, for your `
` favour, sir, why, give God thanks and make no boast of it; `
` and `
` for your writing and reading, let that appear when there is `
` no `
` need of such vanity. You are thought here to be the most `
` senseless and fit man for the constable of the watch. `
` Therefore `
` bear you the lanthorn. This is your charge: you shall `
` comprehend `
` all vagrom men; you are to bid any man stand, in the Prince's `
` name. `
` 2. Watch. How if 'a will not stand? `
` Dog. Why then, take no note of him, but let him go, and `
` presently `
` call the rest of the watch together and thank God you are rid `
` of `
` a knave. `
` Verg. If he will not stand when he is bidden, he is none of the `
` Prince's subjects. `
` Dog. True, and they are to meddle with none but the Prince's `
` subjects. You shall also make no noise in the streets; for `
` for `
` the watch to babble and to talk is most tolerable, and not to `
` be `
` endured. `
`