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Folger Shakespeare tMatterFrom the Director of the Folger ShakespeareLibraryTextual IntroductionSynopsisCharacters in the PlayACT 1Scene 1Scene 2Scene 3ACT 2Scene 1Scene 2
Scene 3ACT 3Scene 1Scene 2Scene 3Scene 4Scene 5ACT 4Scene 1Scene 2ACT 5Scene 1Scene 2Scene 3Scene 4From the Director of the Folger ShakespeareLibraryIt is hard to imagine a world without Shakespeare. Since theircomposition four hundred years ago, Shakespeare’s plays and poemshave traveled the globe, inviting those who see and read his works tomake them their own.Readers of the New Folger Editions are part of this ongoing processof “taking up Shakespeare,” finding our own thoughts and feelings inlanguage that strikes us as old or unusual and, for that very reason,new. We still struggle to keep up with a writer who could think a milea minute, whose words paint pictures that shift like clouds. Theseexpertly edited texts are presented to the public as a resource forstudy, artistic adaptation, and enjoyment. By making the classic textsof the New Folger Editions available in electronic form as The FolgerShakespeare (formerly Folger Digital Texts), we place a trustedresource in the hands of anyone who wants them.The New Folger Editions of Shakespeare’s plays, which are the basisfor the texts realized here in digital form, are special because of theirorigin. The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is thesingle greatest documentary source of Shakespeare’s works. Anunparalleled collection of early modern books, manuscripts, and
artwork connected to Shakespeare, the Folger’s holdings have beenconsulted extensively in the preparation of these texts. The Editionsalso reflect the expertise gained through the regular performance ofShakespeare’s works in the Folger’s Elizabethan Theatre.I want to express my deep thanks to editors Barbara Mowat and PaulWerstine for creating these indispensable editions of Shakespeare’sworks, which incorporate the best of textual scholarship with arichness of commentary that is both inspired and engaging. Readerswho want to know more about Shakespeare and his plays can followthe paths these distinguished scholars have tread by visiting theFolger either in-person or online, where a range of physical anddigital resources exists to supplement the material in these texts. Icommend to you these words, and hope that they inspire.Michael WitmoreDirector, Folger Shakespeare LibraryTextual IntroductionBy Barbara Mowat and Paul WerstineUntil now, with the release of The Folger Shakespeare (formerlyFolger Digital Texts), readers in search of a free online text ofShakespeare’s plays had to be content primarily with using theMoby Text, which reproduces a late-nineteenth century version ofthe plays. What is the difference? Many ordinary readers assume thatthere is a single text for the plays: what Shakespeare wrote. ButShakespeare’s plays were not published the way modern novels orplays are published today: as a single, authoritative text. In somecases, the plays have come down to us in multiple published versions,represented by various Quartos (Qq) and by the great collection puttogether by his colleagues in 1623, called the First Folio (F). Thereare, for example, three very different versions of Hamlet, two of KingLear, Henry V, Romeo and Juliet, and others. Editors choose whichversion to use as their base text, and then amend that text with words,lines or speech prefixes from the other versions that, in theirjudgment, make for a better or more accurate text.Other editorial decisions involve choices about whether an unfamiliarword could be understood in light of other writings of the period orwhether it should be changed; decisions about words that made it intoShakespeare’s text by accident through four hundred years of
printings and misprinting; and even decisions based on culturalpreference and taste. When the Moby Text was created, forexample, it was deemed “improper” and “indecent” for Miranda tochastise Caliban for having attempted to rape her. (See The Tempest,1.2: “Abhorred slave,/Which any print of goodness wilt nottake,/Being capable of all ill! I pitied thee ”). All Shakespeareeditors at the time took the speech away from her and gave it to herfather, Prospero.The editors of the Moby Shakespeare produced their text longbefore scholars fully understood the proper grounds on which to makethe thousands of decisions that Shakespeare editors face. The FolgerLibrary Shakespeare Editions, on which the Folger Shakespeare textsdepend, make this editorial process as nearly transparent as ispossible, in contrast to older texts, like the Moby , which hideeditorial interventions. The reader of the Folger Shakespeare knowswhere the text has been altered because editorial interventions aresignaled by square brackets (for example, from Othello: “ If she inchains of magic were not bound, ”), half-square brackets (forexample, from Henry V: “With blood and sword and fire to winyour right,”), or angle brackets (for example, from Hamlet: “Ofarewell, honest soldier. Who hath relieved/you?”). At any point inthe text, you can hover your cursor over a bracket for moreinformation.Because the Folger Shakespeare texts are edited in accord withtwenty-first century knowledge about Shakespeare’s texts, the Folgerhere provides them to readers, scholars, teachers, actors, directors,and students, free of charge, confident of their quality as texts of theplays and pleased to be able to make this contribution to the studyand enjoyment of Shakespeare.SynopsisThe primary plot of Much Ado About Nothing turns on the courtshipand scandal involving young Hero and her suitor, Claudio, but thewitty war of words between Claudio’s friend Benedick and Hero’scousin Beatrice often takes center stage.Set in Messina, the play begins as Don Pedro’s army returns after avictory. Benedick, a gentleman soldier, resumes a verbal duel withBeatrice, the niece of Messina’s governor, Leonato. Count Claudio issmitten by Leonato’s daughter, Hero. After Don Pedro woos her in
disguise for Claudio, the two young lovers plan to marry in a week.To fill in the time until the wedding, Don Pedro and the others setabout tricking Benedick and Beatrice into falling in love with eachother. Meanwhile, Don Pedro’s disgruntled brother, Don John, plotsto ruin Hero and halt her wedding. Claudio believes Don John’sdeception, is convinced Hero has a lover, and, at the wedding,brutally rejects her.With Hero in hiding and falsely reported dead, Beatrice persuadesBenedick to fight Claudio. Tragedy is averted when the bumblingcity watch, having discovered Don John’s treachery, arrives andclears Hero’s name. With Claudio forgiven, both couples are ready toget married.Characters in the PlayLEONATO ,Governor of MessinaHERO , his daughterBEATRICE , his nieceLEONATO’S BROTHERMARGARETwaiting gentlewomen to HeroURSULADON PEDRO,Prince of AragonCOUNT CLAUDIO , a young lord from FlorenceSIGNIOR BENEDICK, a gentleman from PaduaBALTHASARSIGNIOR ANTONIODON JOHN ,Don Pedro’s brotherBORACHIOCONRADEDon John’s followersDOGBERRY ,Master Constable in MessinaVERGES , Dogberry’s partnerGEORGE SEACOAL, leader of the WatchFIRST WATCHMANSECOND WATCHMANSEXTONFRIAR FRANCISto LeonatoMESSENGER to Don PedroMESSENGERBOY
Musicians, Lords, Attendants, Son to Leonato’s brotherACT 1Scene 1Enter Leonato, Governor of Messina, Hero his daughter,and Beatrice his niece, with a Messenger.LEONATO ,FTLN 0001FTLN 0002with a letterI learn in this letter that DonPedro of Aragon comes this night to Messina.MESSENGERFTLN 0003FTLN 0004He is very near by this. He was not threeleagues off when I left him.LEONATOFTLN 0005FTLN 0006How many gentlemen have you lost in thisaction?5MESSENGERFTLN 0007But few of any sort, and none of name.LEONATOFTLN 0008FTLN 0009FTLN 0010FTLN 0011A victory is twice itself when the achieverbrings home full numbers. I find here that DonPedro hath bestowed much honor on a youngFlorentine called Claudio.10MESSENGERFTLN 0012FTLN 0013FTLN 0014FTLN 0015FTLN 0016FTLN 0017Much deserved on his part, and equallyremembered by Don Pedro. He hath borne himselfbeyond the promise of his age, doing in the figureof a lamb the feats of a lion. He hath indeed betterbettered expectation than you must expect of me totell you how.15LEONATOFTLN 0018FTLN 0019He hath an uncle here in Messina will bevery much glad of it.MESSENGERFTLN 0020FTLN 0021I have already delivered him letters, andthere appears much joy in him, even so much that20
joy could not show itself modest enough without abadge of bitterness.FTLN 0022FTLN 002379Much Ado About NothingACT 1. SC. 1LEONATOFTLN 0024Did he break out into tears?MESSENGERFTLN 0025In great measure.25LEONATOFTLN 0026FTLN 0027FTLN 0028FTLN 0029A kind overflow of kindness. There are nofaces truer than those that are so washed. Howmuch better is it to weep at joy than to joy atweeping!BEATRICEFTLN 0030FTLN 0031I pray you, is Signior Mountanto returnedfrom the wars or no?30MESSENGERFTLN 0032FTLN 0033I know none of that name, lady. Therewas none such in the army of any sort.LEONATOFTLN 0034What is he that you ask for, niece?HEROFTLN 0035My cousin means Signior Benedick of Padua.35MESSENGERFTLN 0036FTLN 0037O, he’s returned, and as pleasant as everhe was.BEATRICEFTLN 0038FTLN 0039FTLN 0040FTLN 0041FTLN 0042FTLN 0043FTLN 0044He set up his bills here in Messina andchallenged Cupid at the flight, and my uncle’s Fool,reading the challenge, subscribed for Cupid andchallenged him at the bird-bolt. I pray you, howmany hath he killed and eaten in these wars? Buthow many hath he killed? For indeed I promised toeat all of his killing.40LEONATOFTLN 0045FTLN 0046Faith, niece, you tax Signior Benedick toomuch, but he’ll be meet with you, I doubt it not.MESSENGER45
FTLN 0047FTLN 0048He hath done good service, lady, in thesewars.BEATRICEFTLN 0049FTLN 0050FTLN 0051You had musty victual, and he hath holp toeat it. He is a very valiant trencherman; he hath anexcellent stomach.50MESSENGERFTLN 0052And a good soldier too, lady.BEATRICEFTLN 0053FTLN 0054And a good soldier to a lady, but what is heto a lord?MESSENGERFTLN 0055FTLN 0056A lord to a lord, a man to a man, stuffedwith all honorable virtues.55BEATRICEFTLN 0057FTLN 0058It is so indeed. He is no less than a stuffedman, but for the stuffing—well, we are all mortal.11Much Ado About NothingACT 1. SC. 1LEONATOFTLN 0059FTLN 0060FTLN 0061FTLN 0062You must not, sir, mistake my niece. There isa kind of merry war betwixt Signior Benedick andher. They never meet but there’s a skirmish of witbetween them.60BEATRICEFTLN 0063FTLN 0064FTLN 0065FTLN 0066FTLN 0067FTLN 0068FTLN 0069FTLN 0070FTLN 0071Alas, he gets nothing by that. In our lastconflict, four of his five wits went halting off, andnow is the whole man governed with one, so that ifhe have wit enough to keep himself warm, let himbear it for a difference between himself and hishorse, for it is all the wealth that he hath left tobe known a reasonable creature. Who is his companionnow? He hath every month a new swornbrother.MESSENGERFTLN 0072Is ’t possible?BEATRICEFTLN 0073FTLN 0074FTLN 0075Very easily possible. He wears his faith butas the fashion of his hat; it ever changes with the6570
next block.75MESSENGERFTLN 0076FTLN 0077I see, lady, the gentleman is not in yourbooks.BEATRICEFTLN 0078FTLN 0079FTLN 0080FTLN 0081No. An he were, I would burn my study. ButI pray you, who is his companion? Is there noyoung squarer now that will make a voyage withhim to the devil?80MESSENGERFTLN 0082FTLN 0083He is most in the company of the rightnoble Claudio.BEATRICEFTLN 0084FTLN 0085FTLN 0086FTLN 0087FTLN 0088O Lord, he will hang upon him like adisease! He is sooner caught than the pestilence,and the taker runs presently mad. God help thenoble Claudio! If he have caught the Benedick, itwill cost him a thousand pound ere he be cured.85MESSENGERFTLN 0089I will hold friends with you, lady.BEATRICEFTLN 0090Do, good friend.90LEONATOFTLN 0091You will never run mad, niece.BEATRICEFTLN 0092No, not till a hot January.MESSENGERFTLN 0093Don Pedro is approached.13Much Ado About NothingACT 1. SC. 1Enter Don Pedro, Prince of Aragon, with Claudio,Benedick, Balthasar, and John the Bastard.PRINCEFTLN 0094FTLN 0095FTLN 0096Good Signior Leonato, are you come to meetyour trouble? The fashion of the world is to avoidcost, and you encounter it.LEONATOFTLN 0097Never came trouble to my house in the95
FTLN 0098FTLN 0099FTLN 0100likeness of your Grace, for trouble being gone,comfort should remain, but when you depart fromme, sorrow abides and happiness takes his leave.100PRINCEFTLN 0101FTLN 0102You embrace your charge too willingly. Turningto Hero.I think this is your daughter.LEONATOFTLN 0103Her mother hath many times told me so.BENEDICKFTLN 0104Were you in doubt, sir, that you asked her?LEONATOFTLN 0105FTLN 0106Signior Benedick, no, for then were you achild.105PRINCEFTLN 0107FTLN 0108FTLN 0109FTLN 0110You have it full, Benedick. We may guess bythis what you are, being a man. Truly the ladyfathers herself.—Be happy, lady, for you are likean honorable father.Leonato and the Prince move aside.110BENEDICKFTLN 0111FTLN 0112FTLN 0113If Signior Leonato be her father, she wouldnot have his head on her shoulders for all Messina,as like him as she is.BEATRICEFTLN 0114FTLN 0115I wonder that you will still be talking, SigniorBenedick, nobody marks you.115BENEDICKFTLN 0116FTLN 0117What, my dear Lady Disdain! Are you yetliving?BEATRICEFTLN 0118FTLN 0119FTLN 0120FTLN 0121Is it possible disdain should die while shehath such meet food to feed it as Signior Benedick?Courtesy itself must convert to disdain if you comein her presence.120BENEDICKFTLN 0122FTLN 0123FTLN 0124FTLN 0125Then is courtesy a turncoat. But it is certainI am loved of all ladies, only you excepted; andI would I could find in my heart that I had not ahard heart, for truly I love none.125
15Much Ado About NothingACT 1. SC. 1BEATRICEFTLN 0126FTLN 0127FTLN 0128FTLN 0129FTLN 0130A dear happiness to women. They wouldelse have been troubled with a pernicious suitor. Ithank God and my cold blood I am of your humorfor that. I had rather hear my dog bark at a crowthan a man swear he loves me.130BENEDICKFTLN 0131FTLN 0132FTLN 0133God keep your Ladyship still in that mind,so some gentleman or other shall ’scape a predestinatescratched face.BEATRICEFTLN 0134FTLN 0135Scratching could not make it worse an’twere such a face as yours were.135BENEDICKFTLN 0136Well, you are a rare parrot-teacher.BEATRICEFTLN 0137FTLN 0138A bird of my tongue is better than a beast ofyours.BENEDICKFTLN 0139FTLN 0140FTLN 0141I would my horse had the speed of yourtongue and so good a continuer, but keep yourway, i’ God’s name, I have done.140BEATRICEFTLN 0142FTLN 0143You always end with a jade’s trick. I knowyou of old.Leonato and the Prince come forward.PRINCEFTLN 0144FTLN 0145FTLN 0146FTLN 0147FTLN 0148FTLN 0149That is the sum of all, Leonato.—SigniorClaudio and Signior Benedick, my dear friendLeonato hath invited you all. I tell him we shall stayhere at the least a month, and he heartily prayssome occasion may detain us longer. I dare swearhe is no hypocrite, but prays from his heart.145LEONATOFTLN 0150FTLN 0151FTLN 0152FTLN 0153If you swear, my lord, you shall not beforsworn. To Don John. Let me bid you welcome,my lord, being reconciled to the Prince your brother,I owe you all duty.150DON JOHNFTLN 0154FTLN 0155I thank you. I am not of many words, but Ithank you.LEONATOFTLN 0156Please it your Grace lead on?155
PRINCEFTLN 0157Your hand, Leonato. We will go together.All exit except Benedick and Claudio.CLAUDIOFTLN 0158FTLN 0159Benedick, didst thou note the daughter ofSignior Leonato?17Much Ado About NothingACT 1. SC. 1BENEDICKFTLN 0160I noted her not, but I looked on her.160CLAUDIOFTLN 0161Is she not a modest young lady?BENEDICKFTLN 0162FTLN 0163FTLN 0164FTLN 0165Do you question me as an honest manshould do, for my simple true judgment? Or wouldyou have me speak after my custom, as being aprofessed tyrant to their sex?165CLAUDIOFTLN 0166No, I pray thee, speak in sober judgment.BENEDICKFTLN 0167FTLN 0168FTLN 0169FTLN 0170FTLN 0171FTLN 0172Why, i’ faith, methinks she’s too low for ahigh praise, too brown for a fair praise, and toolittle for a great praise. Only this commendation Ican afford her, that were she other than she is, shewere unhandsome, and being no other but as she is,I do not like her.170CLAUDIOFTLN 0173FTLN 0174Thou thinkest I am in sport. I pray thee tellme truly how thou lik’st her.BENEDICKFTLN 0175FTLN 0176Would you buy her that you enquire afterher?175CLAUDIOFTLN 0177Can the world buy such a jewel?BENEDICKFTLN 0178FTLN 0179FTLN 0180FTLN 0181Yea, and a case to put it into. But speak youthis with a sad brow? Or do you play the floutingjack, to tell us Cupid is a good hare-finder andVulcan a rare carpenter? Come, in what key shall a180
man take you to go in the song?FTLN 0182CLAUDIOFTLN 0183FTLN 0184In mine eye she is the sweetest lady that everI looked on.BENEDICKFTLN 0185FTLN 0186FTLN 0187FTLN 0188FTLN 0189FTLN 0190I can see yet without spectacles, and I seeno such matter. There’s her cousin, an she were notpossessed with a fury, exceeds her as much inbeauty as the first of May doth the last of December.But I hope you have no intent to turn husband, haveyou?185190CLAUDIOFTLN 0191FTLN 0192I would scarce trust myself, though I hadsworn the contrary, if Hero would be my wife.BENEDICKFTLN 0193FTLN 0194FTLN 0195Is ’t come to this? In faith, hath not theworld one man but he will wear his cap withsuspicion? Shall I never see a bachelor of threescore19FTLN 0196FTLN 0197FTLN 0198FTLN 0199Much Ado About Nothing195ACT 1. SC. 1again? Go to, i’ faith, an thou wilt needs thrustthy neck into a yoke, wear the print of it, and sighaway Sundays. Look, Don Pedro is returned to seekyou.Enter Don Pedro, Prince of Aragon.PRINCEFTLN 0200FTLN 0201What secret hath held you here that you followednot to Leonato’s?200BENEDICKFTLN 0202FTLN 0203I would your Grace would constrain me totell.PRINCEFTLN 0204I charge thee on thy allegiance.BENEDICKFTLN 0205FTLN 0206FTLN 0207You hear, Count Claudio, I can be secret asa dumb man, I would have you think so, but on myallegiance—mark you this, on my allegiance—he205
is in love. With who? Now, that is your Grace’s part.Mark how short his answer is: with Hero, Leonato’sshort daughter.FTLN 0208FTLN 0209FTLN 0210210CLAUDIOFTLN 0211If this were so, so were it uttered.BENEDICKFTLN 0212FTLN 0213FTLN 0214Like the old tale, my lord: “It is not so, nor’twas not so, but, indeed, God forbid it should beso.”CLAUDIOFTLN 0215FTLN 0216If my passion change not shortly, God forbidit should be otherwise.215PRINCEFTLN 0217FTLN 0218Amen, if you love her, for the lady is very wellworthy.CLAUDIOFTLN 0219You speak this to fetch me in, my lord.PRINCEFTLN 0220By my troth, I speak my thought.220CLAUDIOFTLN 0221And in faith, my lord, I spoke mine.BENEDICKFTLN 0222FTLN 0223And by my two faiths and troths, my lord, Ispoke mine.CLAUDIOFTLN 0224That I love her, I feel.PRINCEFTLN 0225That she is worthy, I know.225BENEDICKFTLN 0226FTLN 0227FTLN 0228FTLN 0229That I neither feel how she should be lovednor know how she should be worthy is the opinionthat fire cannot melt out of me. I will die in it at thestake.21Much Ado About NothingACT 1. SC. 1PRINCEFTLN 0230FTLN 0231Thou wast ever an obstinate heretic in thedespite of beauty.CLAUDIOFTLN 0232230
FTLN 0233And never could maintain his part but in theforce of his will.BENEDICKFTLN 0234FTLN 0235FTLN 0236FTLN 0237FTLN 0238FTLN 0239FTLN 0240FTLN 0241FTLN 0242That a woman conceived me, I thank her;that she brought me up, I likewise give her mosthumble thanks. But that I will have a recheatwinded in my forehead or hang my bugle in aninvisible baldrick, all women shall pardon me.Because I will not do them the wrong to mistrustany, I will do myself the right to trust none. And thefine is, for the which I may go the finer, I will live abachelor.235240PRINCEFTLN 0243I shall see thee, ere I die, look pale with love.BENEDICKFTLN 0244FTLN 0245FTLN 0246FTLN 0247FTLN 0248FTLN 0249With anger, with sickness, or with hunger,my lord, not with love. Prove that ever I lose moreblood with love than I will get again with drinking,pick out mine eyes with a ballad-maker’s pen andhang me up at the door of a brothel house for thesign of blind Cupid.245PRINCEFTLN 0250FTLN 0251Well, if ever thou dost fall from this faith, thouwilt prove a notable argument.250BENEDICKFTLN 0252FTLN 0253FTLN 0254If I do, hang me in a bottle like a cat andshoot at me, and he that hits me, let him be clappedon the shoulder and called Adam.PRINCEFTLN 0255FTLN 0256Well, as time shall try.In time the savage bull doth bear the yoke.255BENEDICKFTLN 0257FTLN 0258FTLN 0259FTLN 0260FTLN 0261FTLN 0262The savage bull may, but if ever the sensibleBenedick bear it, pluck off the bull’s horns and setthem in my forehead, and let me be vilely painted,and in such great letters as they write “Here is goodhorse to hire” let them signify under my sign “Hereyou may see Benedick the married man.”CLAUDIOFTLN 0263FTLN 0264If this should ever happen, thou wouldst behorn-mad.260
23Much Ado About NothingACT 1. SC. 1PRINCEFTLN 0265FTLN 0266Nay, if Cupid have not spent all his quiver inVenice, thou wilt quake for this shortly.265BENEDICKFTLN 0267I look for an earthquake too, then.PRINCEFTLN 0268FTLN 0269FTLN 0270FTLN 0271FTLN 0272Well, you will temporize with the hours. In themeantime, good Signior Benedick, repair to Leonato’s.Commend me to him, and tell him I will notfail him at supper, for indeed he hath made greatpreparation.270BENEDICKFTLN 0273FTLN 0274I have almost matter enough in me for suchan embassage, and so I commit you—CLAUDIOFTLN 0275FTLN 0276To the tuition of God. From my house, if I hadit—275PRINCEFTLN 0277FTLN 0278The sixth of July. Your loving friend,Benedick.BENEDICKFTLN 0279FTLN 0280FTLN 0281FTLN 0282FTLN 0283Nay, mock not, mock not. The body of yourdiscourse is sometimes guarded with fragments,and the guards are but slightly basted on neither.Ere you flout old ends any further, examine yourconscience. And so I leave you.He exits.280CLAUDIOFTLN 0284My liege, your Highness now may do me good.PRINCEFTLN 0285FTLN 0286FTLN 0287My love is thine to teach. Teach it but how,And thou shalt see how apt it is to learnAny hard lesson that may do thee good.285CLAUDIOFTLN 0288Hath Leonato any son, my lord?PRINCEFTLN 0289FTLN 0290No child but Hero; she’s his only heir.Dost thou affect her, Claudio?CLAUDIOFTLN 0291FTLN 0292FTLN 0293FTLN 0294O, my lord,When you went onward on this ended action,I looked upon her with a soldier’s eye,That liked, but had a rougher task in hand290
FTLN 0295FTLN 0296Than to drive liking to the name of love.But now I am returned and that war thoughts25FTLN 0297FTLN 0298FTLN 0299FTLN 0300Much Ado About Nothing295ACT 1. SC. 1Have left their places vacant, in their roomsCome thronging soft and delicate desires,All prompting me how fair young Hero is,Saying I liked her ere I went to wars.300PRINCEFTLN 0301FTLN 0302FTLN 0303FTLN 0304FTLN 0305FTLN 0306Thou wilt be like a lover presentlyAnd tire the hearer with a book of words.If thou dost love fair Hero, cherish it,And I will break with her and with her father,And thou shalt have her. Was ’t not to this endThat thou began’st to twist so fine a story?305CLAUDIOFTLN 0307FTLN 0308FTLN 0309FTLN 0310How sweetly you do minister to love,That know love’s grief by his complexion!But lest my liking might too sudden seem,I would have salved it with a longer treatise.310PRINCEFTLN 0311FTLN 0312FTLN 0313FTLN 0314FTLN 0315FTLN 0316FTLN 0317FTLN 0318FTLN 0319FTLN 0320FTLN 0321FTLN 0322FTLN 0323What need the bridge much broader than the flood?The fairest grant is the necessity.Look what will serve is fit. ’Tis once, thou lovest,And I will fit thee with the remedy.I know we shall have reveling tonight.I will assume thy part in some disguiseAnd tell fair Hero I am Claudio,And in her bosom I’ll unclasp my heartAnd take her hearing prisoner with the forceAnd 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.They exit.315320
27Much Ado About NothingACT 1. SC. 2Scene 2Enter Leonato, meeting an old man, brother toLeonato.LEONATOFTLN 0324FTLN 0325How now, brother, where is my cousin, yourson? Hath he provided this music?LEONATO’S BROTHERFTLN 0326FTLN 0327FTLN 0328He is very busy about it. But,brother, I can tell you strange news that you yetdreamt not of.5LEONATOFTLN 0329Are they good?LEONATO’S BROTHERFTLN 0330FTLN 0331FTLN 0332FTLN 0333FTLN 0334FTLN 0335FTLN 0336FTLN 0337FTLN 0338FTLN 0339As the events stamps them, butthey have a good cover; they show well outward.The Prince and Count Claudio, walking in a thick-pleachedalley in mine orchard, were thus muchoverheard by a man of mine: the Prince discoveredto Claudio that he loved my niece your daughter andmeant to acknowledge it this night in a dance, and ifhe found her accordant, he meant to take thepresent time by the top and instantly break with youof it.1015LEONATOFTLN 0340Hath the fellow any wit that told you this?LEONATO’S BROTHERFTLN 0341FTLN 0342A good sharp fellow. I will sendfor him, and question him yourself.LEONATOFTLN 0343FTLN 0344FTLN 0345FTLN 0346FTLN 0347No, no, we will hold it as a dream till itappear itself. But I will acquaint my daughterwithal, that she may be the better prepared for ananswer, if peradventure this be true. Go you and tellher of it.Enter Antonio’s son, with a Musician and Attendants.20
Cousins, you know what you have to do.—O, I cryyou mercy, friend. Go you with me and I will useyour skill.—Good cousin, have a care this busytime.They exit.FTLN 0348FTLN 0349FTLN 0350FTLN 035129Much Ado About Nothing25ACT 1. SC. 3Scene 3Enter Sir John the Bastard, and Conrade, hiscompanion.CONRADEFTLN 0352FTLN 0353What the goodyear, my lord, why are youthus out of measure sad?DON JOHNFTLN 0354FTLN 0355There is no measure in the occasion thatbreeds. Therefore the sadness is without limit.CONRADEFTLN 0356You should hear reason.5DON JOHNFTLN 0357FTLN 0358And when I have heard it, what blessingbrings it?CONRADEFTLN 0359FTLN 0360If not a present remedy, at least a patientsufferance.DON JOHNFTLN 0361FTLN 0362FTLN 0363FTLN 0364FTLN 0365FTLN 0366FTLN 0367FTLN 0368I wonder that thou, being, as thou sayst thouart, born under Saturn, goest about to apply a moralmedicine to a mortifying mischief. I cannot hidewhat I am. I must be sad when I have cause, andsmile at no man’s jests; eat when I have stomach,and wait for no man’s leisure; sleep when I amdrowsy, and tend on no man’s business; laugh whenI am merry, and claw no man in his humor.CONRADE1015
FTLN 0369FTLN 0370FTLN 0371FTLN 0372FTLN 0373FTLN 0374FTLN 0375Yea, but you must not make the full show ofthis till you may do it without controlment. Youhave of late stood out against your brother, and hehath ta’en you newly into his grace, where it isimpossible you should take true root but by the fairweather that you make yourself. It is needful thatyou frame the season for your own harvest.20DON JOHNFTLN 0376FTLN 0377FTLN 0378FTLN 0379FTLN 0380FTLN 0381FTLN 0382FTLN 0383I had rather be a canker in a hedge than arose in his grace, and it better fits my blood to bedisdained of all than to fashion a carriage to roblove from any. In this, though I cannot be said to bea flattering honest man, it must not be denied but Iam a plain-dealing villain. I am trusted with amuzzle and enfranchised with a clog; therefore Ihave decreed not to sing in my cage. If I had my31FTLN 0384FTLN 0385FTLN 0386Much Ado About Nothing2530ACT 1. SC. 3mouth, I would bite; if I had my liberty, I would domy liking. In the meantime, let me be that I am, andseek not to alter me.35CONRADEFTLN 0387Can you make no use of your discontent?DON JOHNFTLN 0388FTLN 0389I make all use of it, for I use it only. Whocomes here?Enter Borachio.FTLN 0390What news, Borachio?BORACHIOFTLN 0391FTLN 0392FTLN 0393FTLN 0394I came yonder from a great supper. ThePrince your brother is royally entertained byLeonato, and I can give you intelligence of anintended marriage.40DON JOHNFTLN 0395FTLN 0396FTLN 0397Will it serve for any model to build mischiefon? What is he for a fool that betroths himself tounquietness?45
BORACHIOFTLN 0398Marry, it is your brother’s right hand.DON JOHNFTLN 0399Who, the most exquisite Claudio?BORACHIOFTLN 0400Even he.DON JOHNFTLN 0401FTLN 0402A proper squire. And who, and who? Whichway looks he?50BORACHIOFTLN 0403FTLN 0404Marry, on Hero, the daughter and heir ofLeonato.DON JOHNFTLN 0405FTLN 0406A very forward March chick! How came youto this?55BORACHIOFTLN 0407FTLN 0408FTLN 0409FTLN 0410FTLN 0411FTLN 0412FTLN 0413Being entertained for a perfumer, as I wassmoking a musty room, comes me the Prince andClaudio, hand in hand, in sad conference. Iwhipped me behind the arras, and there heard itagreed upon that the Prince should woo Hero forhimself, and having obtained her, give her to CountClaudio.60DON JOHNFTLN 0414FTLN 0415FTLN 0416Come, come, let us thither. This may provefood to my displeasure. That young start-up hathall the glory of my overthrow. If I can cross him any33FTLN 0417FTLN 0418Much Ado About Nothing65ACT 1. SC. 3way, I bless myself every way. You are both sure, andwill assist me?CONRADEFTLN 0419To the death, my lord.DON JOHNFTLN 0420FTLN 0421FTLN 0422Let us to the great supper. Their cheer is thegreater that I am subdued. Would the cook were o’my mind! Shall we go prove what’s to be done?BORACHIOFTLN 0423We’ll wait upon your Lordship.70
They exit.ACT 2Scene 1Enter Leonato, his brother, Hero his daughter, andBeatrice his niece, with Ursula and Margaret.LEONATOFTLN 0424Was not Count John here at supper?LEONATO’S BROTHERFTLN 0425I saw him not.BEATRICEFTLN 0426FTLN 0427How tartly that gentleman looks! I nevercan see him but I am heartbur
deception, is convinced Hero has a lover, and, at the wedding, brutally rejects her. With Hero in hiding and falsely reported dead, Beatrice persuades Benedick to fight Claudio. Tragedy is averted when the bumbling city watch, having discovered Don John’s treachery, arrives and clears Hero
![Fear Nothing [039 5.0] By Dean R. Koontz](/img/5/fearnothing.jpg)
