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It were a better death than die with mocks; [nothing Which is as bad as die with tickling.

Is couched in the woodbine coverture:
Fear you not my part of the dialogue.
Hero. Then go we near her, that her ear lofe
Of the falle sweet bait that we lay for it.-
[They advance to the bower.
No, truly, Urfula, fhe is too ditdainful;
I know, her fpirits are as coy and wild

As haggards of the rock.

Urf. But are you fure,

That Benedick loves Beatrice fo entirely?

Hero. Sofays the prince, and my new-trothed lord. Urf. And did they bid you tell her of it, madam? Hero. They did intreat me to acquaint her of it: But I perfuaded them, if they lov'd Benedick, To with him wrestle with affection, And never to let Beatrice know of it.

Unf. Why did you fo? Doth not the gentleman Deferve as full, as fortunate a bed ',

As ever Beatrice shall couch upon?

Hero. O God of love! I know, he doth deferve

As much as may be yielded to a man:
But nature never fram'd a woman's heart
Of prouder ftuff than that of Beatrice:
Difdain and fcorn ride fparkling in her eyes,
Mifprifing 2 what they look on; and her wit
Values itself fo highly, that to her

All matter elfe feems weak: the cannot love,
Nor take no fhape nor project of affection,
She is fo felf-endeared.

Uf. Sure, I think fo;

And therefore, certainly, it were not good
She knew his love, left the make fport at it.

Hero. Why, you fpeak truth: I never yet saw man,
How wife, how noble, young, how rarely featur'd,
But she would spell him backward 3: if fair-fac'd,
She'd fwear, the gentleman should be her fiiter;
If black, why, nature, drawing of an antick 4,
Made a foul blot; if tall, a lance ill-headed;
If low, au aglet 5 very vilely cut:

If (peaking, why, a vane blown with all winds;
If filent, why, a block moved with none.
So turns the every man the wrong fide out;
And never gives to truth and virtue, that
Which fimplenefs and merit purchaseth.

Urf. Sure, fure, fuch carping is not commendable.
Hero. No; not to be fo odd, and from all fashions,
As Beatrice is, cannot be commendable:
But who dare tell her fo? If I thould (peak,
She'd mock me into air; O, fhe would laugh me
Out of myself, prefs me to death with wit.
Therefore let Benedick, like cover'd fire,
Confume away in fighs, wafte inwardly;

Urf. Yet tell her of it; hear what she will say,
Hero. No; rather I will go to Benedick,
And counfel him to fight against his paffion:
And, truly, I'll devife fome honest flanders
To ftain my coufin with; one doth not know,
How much an ill word may empoifon liking.

Urf. O, do not do your coufin fuch a wrong.
She cannot be fo much without true judgement,
(Having fo fwift and excellent a wit,
As the is priz'd to have) as to refufe
So rare a gentleman as fignior Benedick.
Hero. He is the only man of Italy,
Always excepted my dear Claudio.

Urf. I pray you, be not angry with me, madam, Speaking my fancy; fignior Benedick, For fhape, for bearing, argument 6, and valour, Goes foremoft in report through Italy.

Hero. Indeed, he hath an excellent good name. Urf. His excellence did earn it, ere he had it.→→→ When are you marry'd, madam?

Hero. Why, every day;-to-morrow: Come, go in, I'll fhew thee fome attires; and have thy counfel, Which is the best to furnish me to-morrow.. Urf. She's lim'd 7, I warrant you; we have caught her, madam.

Hero. If it prove fo, then loving goes by haps: Some Cupid kills with arrows, fome with traps. [Exeunt.

Beatrice advancing. Beat. What fire is in mine ears? Can this be true? Stand I condemn'd for pride and fcorn fo much? Contempt, farewell! and maiden pride, adieu!

No glory lives behind the back of fuch.
And, Benedick, love on; I will requite thee;

Taming my wild heart to thy loving hand;
If thou doft love, my kindness fhall incite thee
To bind our loves up in a holy band:
For others fav, thou doft deferve; and I
Believe it better than reportingly.

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[Exit.

Enter Don Pedro, Claudio, Benedick, and Leonato. Pedo. I do but ftay till your marriage be confummate, and then go I toward Arragon.

Claud. I'll bring you thither, my lord, if you'll vouchfafe me.

Pedro. Nay, that would be as great a foil in the new glofs of your marriage, as to thew a child his new coat, and forbid him to wear it. I will only be

1 Meaning, as rich a wife. 2 That is, defpiling, 3 This alludes to the received notion of witches faying their prayers backwards. 4 The antick was a buffoon in the old English farces, with a blacked face, and a patch-work habit. 5 An aglet was the tag of thofe points, formerly fo much in falhion. Thefe tags were either of gold, filver, or brais, according to the quality of the wearer; and were commonly in the fhape of little images; or at leaft had a head cut at the extremity. The French call them aiguillates. And, as a tall man is before compared to a lance ill-headed; so, by the fame figure, a little man is very aptly liken'd to an aglet ill-cut. 6 Argument here feems to mean, the powers or gift of reafoning well. 7 That is, entangled. Alluding to a proverbial faying, that people's cars burn when others are talking of them.

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bold with Benedick for his company; for, from the eight or nine wife words to speak to you, which crown of his head to the fole of his foot, he is all thefe hobby-hories must not hear.

mirth; he hath twice or thrice cut Cupid's bow-
ftring, and the little hangman dare not shoot at him:
he hath a heart as found as a bell, and his tongue
is the clapper; for what his heart thinks, his tongue
fpeaks.

Bene. Galiants, I am not as I have been.
Lean. So fay 1; methinks, you are fadder.
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 fad, he wants money.

Bene. I have the tooth-ach.

Pedro. Draw it.

Bene. Hang it!

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Claud. You must hang it firft, and draw it after-hear; for what I would speak of, concerns him. wards.

Pedro. What, figh for the tooth-ach?

Leon. Where is but a humour, or a worm? Bene. Well, every one can mafter a grief, but he that has it.

Claud. Yet fay I, he is in love.

Pedro. What's the matter?

John. Means your lordship to be marry'd tomorrow? [To Claudio.

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.

Pedro. There is no appearance of fancy in him, unless it be a fancy that he hath to ftrange difguifes; as to be a Dutchman to-day; a Frenchman to-mor- John. You may think, I love you not; let that row; or in the shape of two countries at once; as a appear hereafter, and aim better at me by that I German from the waift downward, all flops ; and now will manifeft: For my brother, I think, he a Spaniard from the hip upward, no doublet: Unless holds you well; and in dearness of heart hath holp he have a fancy to this foolery, as it appears he hath, to effect your enfuing marriage: furely, fuit illhe is no fool for fancy, as you would have it to ap-fpent, and labour ill-bestow'd! pear he is.

Claud. If he be not in love with fome woman, there is no believing old figns: he brushes his hat o' mornings: What should that bode?

Pedro. Hath any man feen 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 ftuff'd tennis-balls.

Leon. Indeed, he looks younger than he did, by the lofs of a beard.

Pedro. Why, what's the matter?

Fol. I came hither to tell you, and circumstances thorten'd, (for the hath been too long a talking of) the lady is difloyal.

Claud. Who? Hero?

John. Even the; Leonato's Hero, your Hero, every man's Hero.

Claud. Difloyal?

John. The word is too good to paint out her wickednefs; I could fay, fhe were worfe; think

Pedro. Nay, he rubs himself with civet: Can you you of a worse title, and I will fit her to it. Won fmell him out by that?

der not till further warrant: go but with me to

Claud. That's as much as to fay, The fweet night, you fhall fee her chamber-window enter'd; 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 himfelf? for the which, I hear what they say of him.

Claud. Nay, but his jefting fpirit; which is now crept into a lute-string, 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.

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 fo?

Pedro, I will not think it.

John. If you dare not trust that you see, confefs not that you know; if you will follow me, I will fhew you enough; and when you have seen more, and heard more, proceed accordingly.

Claud. If I fee any thing to-night why I fhould not

Pedro. That would I know too; I warrant, one marry her; to-morrow, in the congregation, where that knows him not.

Claud. Yes, and his ill conditions; and, in de

fpight of all, dies for him.

I fhould wed, there will I fhame her.
Pedro. And, as I wooed for thee to obtain her,
I will join with thee to disgrace her.

Pedro. She fhall be buried with her face upwards. John. I will difparage her no farther, till you are Bene. Yet is this no charm for the tooth-ach.--my witneties: bear it coldly but till midnight, and Old fignior, walk afide with me; I have ftudied let the illue fhew itfelf,

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Enter Dogberry and Verges, with the Watch.
Dogb. Are you good men and true?
Verg. Yea, or elfe it were pity but they should
fuffer falvation, body and foul,

Dogb. Nay, that were a punishment too good for them, if they should have any allegiance in them, being chofen for the prince's watch.

Verg. Well, give them their charge, neighbour Dogberry.

Dogb. First, who think you the most defartless man to be conftable?

1 Watch. Hugh Oatcake, fir, or George Seacoal; for they can write and read.

Dogb. Come hither, neighbour Seacoal; God hath blefs'd you with a good name: to be a well-favour'd man is the gift of fortune; but to write and read comes by nature.

2 Watch. Both which, mafter constable,Dogb. You have; I knew it would be your anfwer. Well, for your favour, fir, why, give God thanks, and make no bocft of it; and for your writing and reading, let that appear when there is no need of fuch vanity. You are thought here to be the most senseless and fit man for the conftable of the watch; therefore bear you the lantho:n: This is your charge; you fhall comprehend all vagrom men; you are to bid any man ftand, in the prince's

name.

2 Watch. How if he will not stand?

Dogb. Why then, take no note of him, but let him go; and prefently call the reft 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 fubjects.

Dogb. True, and they are to meddle with none but the prince's fubjects:-You fhall alfo make no noife in the streets; for, for the watch to babble and talk, is most tolerable and not to be endur'd.

2 Watch. We will rather fleep than talk; we know what belongs to a watch.

Dogb. Why, you speak like an ancient and moft quiet watchman; for I cannot fee how fleeping fhould offend: only, have a care that your bills be not stolen-Well, you are to call at all the ale-houses, and bid them that are drunk get them to bed.

2 Watch. How if they will not?

Watch. Why then, let them alone till they are fober; if they make you not then the better anfwer, you may fay, they are not the men you took them for.

2 Watch. Well, fir.

Dogb. If you meet a thief, you may suspect him, by virtue of your office, to be no true man; and,

for fuch kind of men, the less you meddle or mako with them, why, the more is for your honesty.

2 Watch. If we know him to be a thief, fhall we not lay hands on him?

Dogb. Truly, by your office, you may; but, I think, they that touch pitch will be defil'd: the most peaceable way for you, if you do take a thief, is, to let him fhew himself what he is, and fteal out of your company.

Verg. You have always been call'd a merciful man, partner.

Dogb. Truly, I would not hang a dog by my will; much more a man who hath any honesty in him.

Verg. If you hear a child cry in the night, you must call to the nurfe, and bid her still it.

2 Watch. How if the nurse be asleep, and will not hear us?

Dogb. Why then, depart in peace, and let the child wake her with crying: for the ewe that will not hear her lamb when it baes, will never answer calf when he bleats,

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Verg. 'Tis very true.

Dogb. This is the end of the charge. You, conftable, are to prefent the prince's own perfon; if you meet the prince in the night, you may stay him.

Verg. Nay, by 'r lady, that, I think, he cannot.

Dogb. Five fhillings to one on 't, with any man that knows the ftatues, he may stay him: marry, not without the prince be willing: for, indeed, the watch ought to offend no man; and it is an offence to stay a man against his will.

Verg. By 'r lady, I think it be fo.

Dogb. Ha, ha, ha! Well, masters, good night: an there be any matter of weight chances, call up me; keep your fellows' counfels, and your own, and good night.-Come, neighbour.

2 Watch. Well, masters, we hear our charge; let us go fit here upon the church-bench till two, and then all to bed.

Dogb. One word more, honest neighbours: I pray you, watch about fignior Leonato's door; for the wedding being there to-morrow, there is a great coil to-night: Adieu, be vigilant, I beseech you.

[Exeunt Dogberry and Verges Enter Borachio and Conrade.

Bora. What! Conrade,-
Watch. Peace, stir not.
Bora. Conrade, I fay!

[Afide.

Conr. Here, man, I am at thy elbow. Bora. Mafs, and my elbow itch'd; I thought, there would a fcab follow.

Conr. I will owe thee an answer for that; and now forward with thy tale.

Bora. Stand thee clofe then under this pent-house, for it drizzles rain; and I will, like a true drunkard, utter all to thee.

Watch. [Afide.] Some treason, masters; yet stand

clofe.

Bora. Therefore know, I have earned of Don John a thousand ducats.

A bill was the old weapop of the English infantry,

Garco

Conr. Is it poffible that any villainy fhould be fo of lechery that ever was known in the commondear? w calth.

Bora. Thou should'st rather ask, if it were poffible any villainy fhould be fo rich: for when rich villains have need of poor ones, poor ones may make what price they will.

Conr. I wonder at it.

:

Bora. That thews, thou art unconfirmed 1 Thou knoweft, that the fashion of a doublet, or a hat, or a cloak, is nothing to a man.

Conr. Yes, it is apparel.

Bara. I mean, the fashion.

Conr. Yes, the fashion is the fashion.

Bora. Tufh! I may as well fay, the fool's the fool. But fee 'ft thou not, what a deformed thief this fashion is ?

Watch. I know that Deformed; he has been a vile thief these seven year; he goes up and down like a gentleman: I remember his name.

Bora. Didft thou not hear fome body?
Conr. No; 'twas the vane on the house.

Bora. Seeft thou not, I fay, what a deformed thief this fashion is how giddily he turns about all the hot bloods, between fourteen and five and thirty fometime, fashioning them like Pharaoh's foldiers in the reechy painting 2; fometime, like god Bel's priefts in the old church window; fometime, like the fhaven Hercules in the fmirch'd 3 worm-eaten tapestry, where his cod-piece feems as maily as his club?

the fathion?

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Hero. No, pray thee, good Meg, I'll wear

Marg. By my troth, it's not fo good; and I warrant, your coufin will fay fo.

Hero. My coutin's a fool, and thou art another; I'll wear none but this.

Conr. All this I fee; and fee, that the fashion wears out more apparel than the man: But art Marg. I like the new tire within excellently, not thou thyfelf giddy with the fashion too, that if the hair were a thought browner; and your thou hast shifted out of thy tale into telling me of gown's a moft rare fathion, i' faith. I faw the dutchefs of Milan's gown, that they praise fo. Bora. Not fo neither: but know, that I have Hero. O, that exceeds, they fay. to-night wooed Margaret, the lady Hero's gentle- Marg. By my troth, it's but a night-gown in woman, by the name of Hero; fhe leans me out refpect of yours: Cloth of gold, and cuts, and at her mistress's chamber-window, bids me a thou-lac'd with filver; fet with pearls, down fleeves, fand times good night-I tell this tale vilely :fhould first tell thee, how the prince, Claudio, and my mafter, planted and placed, and poffelled by my mafter Don John, faw afar off in the orchard this amiable encounter.

fide fleeve, and fkirts round, underborne with a blueifh tinfel; but for a fine, quaint, graceful, and excellent fathion, yours worth ten on't.

Hero. God give me joy to wear it, for my heart is exceeding heavy!

Marg. 'Twill be heavier foon, by the weight of a man.

Conr. And thought they, Margaret was Hero? Bora. Two of them did, the prince and Claudio; but the devil my master knew she was Margaret; Hero. Fie upon thee! art not asham'd? and partly by his oaths, which first poffefs'd them, Marg. Of what, lady? of speaking họ 1ourably? partly by the dark night, which did deceive them, Is not marriage honourable in a beggar? Is not but chiefly by my villainy, which did confirm any your lord honourable without marriage? I think flander that Don John had made, away went Clau- you would have me fay, faving your reverence,dio enraged; fwore he would meet her, as he was a bufband? an bad thinking do not wreft true appointed, next morning at the temple, and there, fpeaking, I'll offend no body: Is there any harm before the whole congregation, fhame her with in-the beavier for a bufband? None, I think, an what he saw o'er night, and fend her home again it be the right husband, and the right wife; other without a husband. wife, 'tis light, and not heavy: Afk my lady Bear 1 Watch, We charge you in the prince's name, trice elfe, here the comes. stand.

2 Wat:b. Call up the right master constable :We have here recovered the most dangerous piece

Enter Beatrice.

Hero. Good-morrow, coz.
Beat. Good-morrow, sweet Hero,

1 That is, unpractifed in the ways of the world. 2. c. painting difcoloured by smoke. 3 Smirch'd is foiled, obfcured, 4 Rabato, from the French rabat, fignifies a neckband; a ruff.

Hero

Hero. Why, how now! do you fpeak in the fick tune?

Beat. I am out of all other tune, methinks. Marg. Clap us into Light o' love; that goes without a burden; do you fing it, and I'll dance. it.

Beat. Yea, Light' love, with your heels then if your husband have stables enough, you'll look he thall lack no barns 2.

Marg. O illegitimate conftruction! I fcorn that with my heels.

Beat. 'Tis almoft five o'clock, coufin; 'tis time you were ready. By my troth, I am exceeding ill:-hey ho!

Marg. For a hawk, a horse, or a husband ? Beat. For the letter that begins them all, H. Marg. Well, an you be not turned Turk 3, there's no more failing by the star.

Beat. What means the fool, trow?

Marg. Nothing I; but God fend every one their heart's defire!

Hero. Thefe gloves the count fent me, they are an excellent perfume.

Beat. I am ftuff'd, coufin, I cannot fmell. Marg. A maid, and ftuff'd! there's goodly catching of cold.

Beat. O, God help me! God help me! how long have you profefs'd apprehenfion ?

Marg. Ever fince you left it: Doth not my wit become me rarely?

Beat. It is not feen enough, you should wear it in your cap. By my troth, I am fick.

Marg. Get you fome of this diftill'd Carduus Benedictus, and lay it to your heart; it is the only thing for a qualm.

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Another Apartment in Leonato's House. Enter Leonato, with Dogberry and Verges. Leon. What would you with me, honeft neighbour?

with you, that decerns you nearly. Dogb. Marry, fir, I would have fome confidence.

Leon. Brief, I pray you; for you fee 'tis a bufy time with me.

1

Dogb. Marry, this it is, fir.
Verg. Yes, in truth it is, fir.

Leon. What is it, my good friends?

Dogb. Goodman Verges, fir, fpeaks a little of the matter: an old man, fir, and his wits are not fo blunt, as, God help, I would defire they were ; but, in faith, honeft, as the fkin between his brows 5.

Verg. Yes, I thank God, I am as honeft as any man living, that is an old man, and no honester than I.

Dogb. Comparisons are odorous: palabras 62 neighbour Verges.

Leon. Neighbours, you are tedious.

Dogb. It pleafes your worship to fay fo, but we are the poor duke's officers; but truly, for mine find in my heart to bestow it all of your worship. own part, if I were as tedious as a king, I could

Leon. All thy tedioufncfs on me! ha!

Dogb. Yea, and 'twere a thousand times more than 'tis: for I hear as good exclamation on your worthip, as of any man in the city; and though I be but a poor man, I am glad to hear it.

Verg. And fo am I.

Leon. I would fain know what you have to fay. Verg. Marry, fr, our watch to-night, except

Hero. There thou prick'ft her with a thistle.
Beat. Benedictus! why Benedictus ? you haveing your worthip's prefence, hath ta'en a couple of

fome moral 4 in this Benedictus.

Marg. Moralno, by my troth, I have no moral meaning; I meant, plain holy-thiftle. You may think, perchance, that I think you are in love; nay, by'r-lady, I am not fuch a fool to think what I lift; nor I lift not to think what I can; nor, indeed, I cannot think, if I would think my heart 'out o' thinking, that you are in love, or that you will be in love, or that you can be in love: yet Benedick was fuch another, and now is he become

a man he fwore he would never marry; and yet
now, in defpight of his heart, he eats his meat
without grudging: and how you may be converted,
I know not; but, methinks, you look with your
eyes as other women do.

Beat. What pace is this that thy tongue keeps
Marg. Not a faise gallop.

Re-enter Urfula.

as arrant knaves as any in Melina.

Dogb. A good old man, fir; he will be talking; God help us! it is a world to fee 7!--Well faid, as they fay, When the age is in, the wit is out; i' faith, neighbour Verges-well, God's a good man; an two men ride of a horfe, one must ride behind :-An honeft foul, i' faith, fir; by my troth he is, as ever broke bread: but, God is to be worthipp'd: All men are not alike; alas, good neighbour!

of

Legn. Indeed, neighbour, he comes too short

you.

Dogb. Gifts that God gives. Leon. I muft leave you.

Dogh. One word, fir: our watch have, indeed, ? comprehended two afpicious perfons, and we would have them this morning examined before your worship.

Leon. Take their examination yourself, and bring it me; I am now in great hafte, as may appear unto you.

Uf. Madam, withdraw; the prince, the count, fignior Benedick, Don John, and all the gallants of the town, are come to fetch you to church. Hero. Help to drefs me, good coz, good Meg, good Urfula. [Exeunt. well.

Degb. It fhall be fuffigance.

Icon. Drink fome wine ere you go: fare you

1 An old dance tune fo call'd. 2 A quibble between barns and bairns. 3 i. e. taken captive b. love, and turned a renegado to his religion. i. e. fome fecret meaning. 5 A proverbial expreffion. A Spanish phrafe, fignifying, few words. 7 Meaning, it is wonderful to fec.

Enter

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