Enter a Melenger.

Verg. And we must do it wisely. Mell. My lord, they stay for you to give your Dob. We will 1pare for no wit, I warrant daughter to her husband.

you; here's that (touching bis forehead] thall drive Leon. I will wait upon them ; I am ready. some of them to a non-com: only get the learned

[Exit Leonato. writer to set down our excommunication, and Dogb. Go, good partner, go, get you to Fran. meet me at the jail. cis Se.coal, bid him bring his pen and inkhorn to

(Exeunt. the jail ; we are now to examination there men.

COME

S CE NE I,

To witness fimple virtue ? Would not you swear, A Church. .

All you that fee her, that she were a maid,

By these exterior shews. But the is none : Enter Don Pedro, Don John, Leonato, Friar, Clair- She knows the heat of a luxurious ? bed :

dio, Benedick, Hero, and Beatrice. Her bluth is guiltine's, not modetty. Leca. OME, frisr Francis, be brief ; only to Leon. What do you mean, my lord ?

the plain form of marriage, and you Claud. Not to be marry'd, not knit my soul recount their particular duties afterwards. To an approved wanton, Friar. You came hither, my lord, to marry Leon. Dear my lord, tris laciy

If you in your own proof 2, Clad. No.

Have vanquish'd the reuitance of her youth, Le n. To be marry'd to her, friar ; you come to And made defeat of her virginity,marry her.

Claud. I know what you would say ; if I have Par. Lady, you come hithes to be marry'd to

known her, this count?

You'll say, she did embrace me as a husband, 1.90. I do.

And to extenuate the forehand fin : Friar. If either of you know any inward impe- No, Leonato, diment why you should not be conjoined, I charge I never tempted her with word too large; you, on your souls, to utter it.

But, as a brother to his fifter, shew'd Claud. Know you any, Hero?

B.hful sincerity and comely love. Hero. None, my lord.

Hero. And Teem'd I ever otherwise to you? Friar. Know you any, count?

Claud. Out on thy seeming! I will write against Leon. I dare make his answer, none,

it :
Claud. O what men dare do! what men may You seem to me as Dian in her orb ;
do! what

As chalte as is the bud ere it be blown;
Men daily do! not knowing what they do! But you are more intemperate in your blood

Bere. How now! Interjections ? Why, then Tian Venus, or those pamper'd animals some be of laughing, as, ha! ha! he! (leave ; | That rage in savage entuality.

[wide : Claud. Stand thee by, friar : --Father, by your Hero. Is my lord well, that he doth speak fo Will you with free and unconstrained soul

Leon. Sweet prince, why speak not you?
Give me this maid, your daughter?

Pedra. What should I speak?
Lin. As freely, son, as God did give her me. I stand dishonour'd, that have gone about
Claud. And what have I to give you back, To link my dear friend to a common stale.
whose worth

Leon. Are these things spoken, or do I but dream? M:zy counterpoise this rich and precious gift? John. Sir, they are spoken, and these things are

P.dro. Nothing, unless you render her again. Bene. This looks not like a nuptials true. Cloud. Sweet prince, you learn me noble thank Hero. True, () God! fulness.

Claud. Leonato, stand I here? There, Leonato, take her back again ;

Is this the prince? Is this the prince's brother? Give not this rotten orange to your friend ; Is this face Hero's? Are our eyes our own ? She's but the sign and femblance of her honour : Leon. All this is to : But what of this, my lord ! Behold, how like a maid the blushes here : Claud. Let me but move one question to your 0, what authority and few of truth

daughter ; Can cunning fin cover itself withal !

And by that fatherly and kindly 3 power Comes i ot that blood, as modeft evidence, That you have in her, bid her answer truly.

ii. c. Alzfrivious bed. 2 i. c. your own experiment or trial of her. 3 i, e. Natural power,

Leon

Leon. I charge thee do so, as thou art my child. Wiry ever wast thou lovely in my eyes

Hero. O God defend me! how I am beset ! Why had I not, with charitable hand,
What kind of catechizing call you this?

Took up a beggar's issue at my gates ;
Claud. To make you answer truly to your name. Who smeared thus, and mir'd with infamy,

Hero. Is it not Hero? Who can blot that name I might have said, No part of it is mine,
With any just reproach?

This shame derives itself from unknown loins ? Claud. Marry, that can Hero ;

But mine, and mine I lov'd, and mine I prais'd,
Hero itself can blot out Hero's virtue.

And mine that I was proud on; mine so much,
What man was he talk'd with you yeiternight That I myself was to myself not mine,
Out at your window, betwixt twelve and one ? Valuing of her ; why, them, the is fallen
Now, if you are a maid, answer to this. Into a pit of ink! that the wide sea

Hero. I talk'd with no man at that hour, my lord. Hath drops too few to wash her clean again ;

Pedro. Why, then you are no maiden.—Leonato, And salt too licle, which may season give
1 am sorry, you must hear ; Upon mine honour, To her foul tainted Alesh!
Myself, my brother, and this grieved count, Bene. Sir, sir, be patient :
Did see her, hear her, at that hour last night, For my part, I am so attir'd in wonder,
Talk with a ruffian at her chamber-window; I know not what to say.
Who hath, indeed, most like a liberal ? villain, Beat. O, on my soul, my cousin is bely'd !.
Confefs'd the vile encounters they have had

Bene. Lady, were you her bedfellow last nighe ?
A thousand times in secret.

Beat. No, truly, not; although, until last night, Jobu. Fie, fie! they are

I have this twelvemonth been her bedfellow. [made,
Not to be nam’d, my lord, not to be spoke of ; Leon. Confirm'd, confirm'd! O, that is ftronger
There is not chastity enough in language,

Which was before barr'd up with ribs of iron !
Without offence, to utter them: Thus, pretty lady, Would the two princes lie and Claudio lie?
I am sorry for thy much misgovernment. Who lov'd her so, that, speaking of her foulness,

Claud. O Hero! what a Hero hadít thou been, Wah'd it with tears? Hence from her ; let her die.
If half thy outward graces had been plac'd

Friar. Hear me a little;
About the thoughts and couniels of thy heart ! For I have only been silent so long,
But, fare thee well, most foul, most fair ! farewel, And given way unto this course of fortune,
Thou pure impiety, and impious purity!

By noting of the lady : I have mark'd
For thee I'll lock up all the gates of love, A thoutand blushing apparitions
And on my eye-lids ihall conjecture hang, To start into her face; a thousand innocent Thames
To turn all beauty into thoughts of harın, In angel whiteness bear away those blushes ;
And never shall it more be gracious.

And in her eye there hath appear'd a fire,
Leon. Hath no man's dagger here a point for me? To.burn the errors that these princes hold
Beat. Why, how now, coufin, wherefore sink Against her maiden truih :-Call me a fool;

[Hero /woons. Trust not my reading, nor my observation, John. Come, let us go : these things come thus Which with experimental seal doth warrant Smother her spirits up.

(to light, The tenour of my book; trust not my age, [Exeunt Don Pedro, Don John, and Cluudio. My reverence, calling, nor divinity, Bene. How doth the lady?

If this sweet lady lie not guiltless here Brai. Dead, I think ;---Help, uncle ;

Under some biting error. Hero ! why Héro !--uncle !-fignior Benedick! Leon. Friar, it cannot be ; friar!

Thou seeft, that all the grace that she hath left,
Leon. O fate! take not away thy heavy hand! Is, that he will not add to her damnation
Death is the fairest cover for her shame,

A fun of perjury; The not denies it ;
That may be wish'd for.

Why seek'st thou then to cover with excuse Bear. How now, cousin Hero!

That, which appears in proper nakedness? Friai. Have comfort, lady. .

Friar. Lady, what man is he you are accus d of: Leon. Dost thou look up ?

Hero. They know, that do accuse me; I know Friar. Yea; Wherefore should she not? (thing If I know more of any man alive, (none :

Leon. Wherefore ? Why, doth not every earthly Than that which maiden modelty doth warrant,
Cry shame upon her ? Could the here deny Let all my fins lack mercy ko my father,
The story that is printed in her blood 2 -

Prove you that any man with me convers'd
Do not live, Hero ; do not ope thine eyes : At hours unmeet, or that I yesternight
For did I think, thou would'ít not quickly die, Maintain'o the change of words with any creature,
Thought I, thy spirits were tronger than thy shames, Refuse me, hate me, torture me to death.
Myself would, on the rearward of reproaches, Friar. There is some strange misprifion in the
Strike at thy life. Griev'd I, I had but one?

princes.

(nour ; Chid I for that, at frugal nature's frame 3 ?

Bone. Two of them have the very bent 4 of hoO, one too much by thee! Why had I one? And if their wisdoms be milled in this,

i Liberal here signifies, frank, free, open. 2 Meaning, the story which is too plainly discovered by her blushing. 3 Frame biere fignifies, scheme, order, or dispositiop of things. 4 Meaning, the highest degree.

you down

cure.

The practice of it lives in John the baitard, Yet, by mine honour, I will deal in this
Whole spirits toil in frame of villainies.

As secretly, and juitly, as your foul
Leon. I know not; If they speak but truth of her, should with your body.
These hands shall tear her; if they wrong her ho Leon. Being that I flow in grief,
The proudest of them Thall well hear of it. (nour, The smallest twine may lead me.
Time hath not yet so dry'd this blood of mine, Friar. 'Tis well consented; presently away :
Nor age so eat up my invention,

For to strange fores strangely they strain the Nor fortune made such havock of my means, Nor my bad life reft me so much of friends, Come, lady, die to live : this wedding day, But they shall find, awak'd in such a kind,

Perhaps, is but prolong'd; have patience,' Both strength of limb, and policy of mind,

and endure.

[Exeunt. Ability in means, and choice of friends,

Manent Benedick and Beatrice. To quit me of them thoroughly.

Bene. Lady Beatrice, have you wept all this while Friar. Pause a while,

Beat. Yea, and I will weep a while longer. And let my counsel sway you in this case.

Bene. I will not desire that,
Your daughter here the princes left for dead ; Beat. You have no reason, I do it freely.
Let her awhile be secretly kept in,

Bene. Surely, 1 do believe your fair cousin is And publish it, that she is dead indeed :

wrong'd. Maintain a mourning oftentation ' ;

Beat. Ah, tow much might the man deserve of And on your family's old monument

me, that would right her! Hang mournful epitaphs, and do all rites

Bere. Is there any way to shew such friendship! That appertain unto a burial.

(this do

Beat. A very even way, but no such friend. Leon. What shall become of this? What will Bene. May a man do it? Friar. Marry, this well carry'd, thall on her

Bear. It is a man's office, but not yours. (you ; behalf

Bene. I do love nothing in the world so well as Change Nander to remorfe ; that is some good : Is not that Itrange! But not for that, dream I on this strange course, Brai. As strange as the thing I know not : I[ Eut on this travail look for greater birth.

were as poflible for me to say, I loved nothing so She dying, as it must be so maintain'd,

well as you: but believe me not; and yet I lic l'pon the instant that she was accus’d,

not; I confess nothing, nor I deny nothing :--I am Sall be lamented, pity'd, and excus'd,

sorry for my cousin. Of every hearer ; For it so falls out,

Bene. By my sword, Beatrice, thou lov'st me. That what we have we prize not to the worth, Becit. Do not swear by it, and eat it. Whiles we enjoy it ; but being lack'd and lott, Bene. I will swear by it, that you love me ; and Why, then we rack 2 the value; then we find I will make him eat it, that says, I love not you. The virtue that porlesfion would not thew us Beat. Will you not eat your word ? Whiles it was ours ;-So will it fare with Claudio ; Benc. With no sauce that can be devis'd to it: I When he thall hear The dy'd upon his words, protest I love thee. The idea of her life thall sweetly creep

Beat. Why then, God forgive me! Into his study of imagination ;

Bene. What offence, sweet Beatrice? And every lovely organ of her life

Beat. You have staid me in a happy hour ; I Shall come apparel'd in more precious habit, was about to protest, I lov'd you. More moving, delicate, and full of life,

Bene. And do it with all thy heart. Into the eye and prospect of his soul,

Beat. I love you with so much of my heart, that Than when she liv'd indeed: -Then shall he mour, none is left to protest. (If ever love had interest in his liver)

Bene. Come, bid me do any thing for thee. And with he had not so accus'd her:

Beat. Kill Claudio. No, thongh he thought his accusation true.

Bene. Ha ! not for the wide world. Let this be so, and doubt not but success

Beat. You kill me to deny it : Farewell. Will fashion the event in better Thape

Benc. Tarry, sweet Beatrice. Than I can lay it down in likelihood.

Beat. I am gone, though I am here ;-Thert But if all aim but this be levell’d false,

is no love in you :-nay, I pray you, let me go. The supposition of the lady's death

Bene. Beatrice, Will quench the wonder of her infamy ;

Beat. In faith, I will go. And, if it fort not well, you may conceal her Bene. We'll be friends first. (As beft befits her wounded reputation)

Beat. You dare easier be friends with me, than În fome reclusive and religious life,

fight with mine enemy. Out of all eyes, tongues, minds, and injuries. Bene. Is Claudio thine enemy?

Bene. Signior Leonato, let the friar advise you : Bcat. Is he not approved in the height a vilAnd though, you know, my inwardness and love lain, that hath Nander'd, scorn'd, dishonour'd my Is very much unto the prince and Claudio, kinswomano, that I were a man What

Openiation here signifies fhow or appearang, Tapk-rais.

2 That is, raise it to its utmost value, alludir

We

bear her in hand until they come to take hands; God thould go before such villains !---Masters, it and then with publick ac usation, uncover'd Nander, is proved already that you are little better tiuan false unmitigated rancour,---God, that I were a mau ! knaves, and it will go near to be thought so I would eat his heart in the market-place. thortly : How an wer you for yourselves? Bine. Hear me, Beatrice !

Cour. Marry, fir, we fay, we are none. Bear. Talk with a man out at a window ?ma Dogb. A marvellous witty fellow, I aliure you ; proper saving!

but I will go about with him.--Come you hither, Bene. Nay, but, Beatrice ;-

firrah; a word in your car, sir; I say to you, it Beat, Sweet Hero lihe is wrong’d, she is Nan- is thought you are salle knaves. der'd, the is undone.

Bo'a. Sir, I say to you; we are none. Bine. Beat

Dagb. Well, stand afidit:--Fore God, they are Bea:. Princes and counties ! ! Surely, a princely both in a tale :—Have you writ down--that they testimony, a goodly count-comfect; a sweet ga!- are none ? lant, surely! () that I were a man for his fake! Sexton. Master constable, you go not the way or that I had any friend would be a man for my to examine ; you must call the watch that are their sake! But manhood is melted into courtesies, valour accusers. imo compliment, and men are only turn d into Dogb. Yea, marry, that's the efteft? way :

:- Let tongue, and trim ones too: he is now as valiant the watch come forth : Masters, I charge you in as Hercules, that only tells a lye, and swears it the prince's name accuse these men. I cannot be a man with withing, therefore I will

Inter Watcbrien. die a woman with grieving.

Watch. This man said, sir, that Don John, Bine. Tarry, good Beatrice ; By this hand, I the prince's brother, was a villain. Jove thee.

Dogt. Write down--prince John a villain :Beat. Use it for my love some other way than why this is fiat perjury, to call a prince's brother swearing by it.

-villain. Bene. Think you in your soul, the count Clau Bora. Master constable,-dio hath wrong'd Hero?

Dogb. Pray thee, fellow, peace; I do not like Beat. Yea, as sure as I have a thought, or a thy look, I promise thee. foul.

Sextin. What heard you him say else? Bere. Enougli, I am engag'd, I will challenge 2 l'arch. Marry, that he had received a thouhim; I will kits your hand, and to leave you :-(and ducats of Don John, for accusing the lady Fy this hand, Claudio iliall render mea dear account: Hero wrongfully. As you hear of me, so think of me. Go comfort Dogó. Flat burglary, as ever was committed, your coufin! I mult íay, she is dead; and so fare Verg. Yea, by the mass, that it is. well.

[Exeunt. Sexton. What elte, fellow? SCENE

i Watch. And that count Claudio did mean, upon II. 4 Prifon.

his words, to disgrace Hero before the whole af.

fenibly, and not marry her. Inter Dorierry, Virges, Borachio, Comrade, the

Degb. O villain ! thou wilt be condemned into Town Clerk and Sixton in goruns. everlaiting redemption for this. Dngh. Is our whole dillembly appear'd ?

Sexton. What elie ? Verg. O, a stool and a cuthion for the texton! 2 l'arcb. This is all. Sexton. Which be the malefactors?

Sexton. And this is more, masters, than you can Dogb. Marry, that am I and my partner. deny. Prince Jolin is this morning secretly stolen

Verg. Nay, that's certain ; we have the exhi- away ; Hero was in this manner accus’d, in this bition to examine.

very manner refus d, and upon the grief of this, Sexton. but which are the offenders that are to suddenly dy'd.--Matter constable, let these men be examin'd? let them come before master con- be bound, and brought to Leonato's ; 1 isill go Itable.

before, and shew him their examination. [Exit. Dogó. Yea, marry, let them come before me. Dogo. Come, let them be opinion d. What is your name, friend?

Verg. Let them be in hand. Bora. Borachio.

Corr. Off, coxcomb ! Dugó. Pray, write down --- Borachio.--Yours, Dogb. God's my life! where's the sexton ? let firrah?

him write down--the prince's officer, coxcomb.-Coor. I am a gentleman, fir, and my name is Con bind them :

-Thou naughty varlet! Conrade.

Conr. Away! you are an ass, you are an ass, Drgo. Write down--master gentleman Consale. Dogb. Doit thou not suspect my place? Don Miafters, do you serve God ?

thou not suspect my years ? - that he were here Icth. Yet, sir, we lope.

to write me down--an als !--but, matters, rei Toge. Write down-that they hope they serve member, that I am an afs; though it be not writo jud: - d write God firit; for God defend buiten down, yet forget not that I am an ais :-NO

1

County, from the Fiench Conte, was anciently used to signify a noblimar. į. c, the guide highest de

tipo

sieli way:

thou villain, thou art full of piety, as thall be one that knows the law, go to ; and a rich fellow proved upon thee by good witness: I am a wise enough, go to; and a fellow that hath had lolles ; fellow; and, which is more, an officer; and, and one that hath two gowns, and every thing which is more, an houtholder ; and, which is more, handsome about him :-Bring him away. O, that as pretty a piece of Aesh as any is in Mellina ; and I had been writ down-an als ! [E.xunt.

$ CE NE 1.

And that Thall Claudio know, so Thall the prince,

And all of them, that thus dishonour her.
Before Leonato's House.

Enter Don Pedro and Claudio.
Exier Leonato and Antonio.

Ant. Here comes the prince, and Claudio, hastily,

Pedro. Good den, gori den. And 'tis not wisdom, thus to second grief Cluud. Good day to both of you. Against yourself.

Leon. Hear you, my lords,-Leor. I pray thee, cease thy counsel,

Pedo. We have some hante, Leonato. Which falls into mine ears as profitlels

Lcon. Some hatte, my lord? --well, fare you As water in a fiere: give not me counsel;

well, my brd: Nor iet no comforter delight mine ear,

Are you so hasty now :--Well, all is one. [man. But such a cne whose wrongs do suit with mine. Pedro. Nay, do not quarrel with us, good old Bring me a father, that fo lov'd his child,

Ano. If he could right hiinself with quarrelling, Wwe joy of her is overwhelm'd like mine, Some of us would lyc low. And bid hir (peak of patience ;

Claud. Who wrongs hin? (bler, thou! Measure his woe the length and breadih of mine, Leon. Marry, thou doit wrong me, thou diiiennAnd let it aniwer every Itrain for 1trz.in ; Niy, nerer lay thy hand upon thy sword, As thus for thus, and luch a grief for fech, I icar thice not. In every lineament, branch, thape, and furm : Claud. Marry, behrew my hand, If such a one will finile, and fuoke lus beard ; If it inould give your age such cause of fear : And, Surrow wag! cy: herr., when he thould in fatii, my hand meant nothing to my sword. (me; groan ;

Licn. Tuth, tuih, man, never feer and jest at Patch rief with proverbs.: make misfitune drunk Ifjcik not like a dotard, nor a fool ; With candle-watters ; bring him yet to me, À, under privilege of age, to brag And I of him will gather parience.

What I have done being young, or what would do, But there is no such man : For, brother, men Werul nut uld: Know, Claudio, to thy head, Can counsel, and give comfort to that grief Thou mít io wrong'd my innocent child, and me, Which they themselves not feel; but, tarting it, That I am forc'd to lay my reverence by ; Their counsel turns to passion, which before And, with grey hairs, and bruisc

many days, Would give preceptial medicine to rage,

Do challenge thee to tryal of a man. Fetter itrong m:idners in a filken thread, 1 jay, thou hait bely'd mine innoxent child, [heart, Charm ach with air, and agony with words : Thy blander hath gone through and through lier No, no ; 'tis all men's office to speak patience And she lyes bury'd with her ancestors : To those that wring under the load of sorrow; 0, in a tomb where scandal never lept, But no man's virtue, nor sufficiency,

Save this of hers, franı'd by thy villainy !
To be so moral, when he shall endure

Claud. My villainy?
The like him elf: therefore give me no counsel; Leon. Thine, Chudio; thine, I say.
My griefs cry louder than advertisement'.

Pedro. You say uot right, old man.
Art. Therein do men from children nothing differ. Leor.. My lord, my Lord,

Leon. I pray thee, peace; I will be fiesh and blood; 1'll prore it on his łod;, if he dare ; For there was nerer yet philofopher,

Despight his nice fence, and his active practice, That could endure the tooth-ach patiently, His May of youth, and bloom of luftyhood. However they have writ the style of gods,

Claud. Away, I will not have to do with you. And male a pish 21 chance and sufferance.

Leon. Const thou so darte a me? Thou liat kill'd Ant. Yet bend not all the hurn upon yourself;

my child;' Make those that do offend you, suffer too. I thou kill'it me, boy, thou fjalt kill a man.

Leon. There thou speak'st reason: nay, i will do so. ini. He shall kill two of us, and men indeed : My soul doth tell me, Hero is bely'd ;

But that's no matter ; let him kiil one firit;

. That is, than admonition. 2 That is, canst thou fo / ut me of ?