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No Fear Translations
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Modern Text |
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Enter LEONATO and ANTONIO
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Enter LEONATO and ANTONIO
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ANTONIO If you go on thus, you will kill yourself,
And ’tis not wisdom thus to second grief
Against yourself.
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ANTONIO If you go on thus, you will kill yourself,
And ’tis not wisdom thus to second grief
Against yourself.
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LEONATO I pray thee, cease thy counsel,
Which falls into mine ears as profitless
5 As water in a sieve. Give not me counsel,
Nor let no comforter delight mine ear
But such a one whose wrongs do suit with mine.
Bring me a father that so loved his child,
Whose joy of her is overwhelmed like mine,
10 And bid him speak of patience.
Measure his woe the length and breadth of mine,
And let it answer every strain for strain,
As thus for thus and such a grief for such,
In every lineament, branch, shape, and form.
15 If such a one will smile and stroke his beard,
Bid sorrow wag, cry “hem” when he should groan,
Patch grief with proverbs, make misfortune drunk
With candle-wasters, bring him yet to me
And I of him will gather patience.
20 But there is no such man. For, brother, men
Can counsel and speak comfort to that grief
Which they themselves not feel, but, tasting it,
Their counsel turns to passion which before
Would give preceptial med'cine to rage,
25 Fetter strong madness in a silken thread,
Charm ache with air, and agony with words.
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LEONATO I pray thee, cease thy counsel,
Which falls into mine ears as profitless
As water in a sieve. Give not me counsel,
Nor let no comforter delight mine ear
But such a one whose wrongs do suit with mine.
Bring me a father that so loved his child,
Whose joy of her is overwhelmed like mine,
And bid him speak of patience.
Measure his woe the length and breadth of mine,
And let it answer every strain for strain,
As thus for thus and such a grief for such,
In every lineament, branch, shape, and form.
If such a one will smile and stroke his beard,
Bid sorrow wag, cry “hem” when he should groan,
Patch grief with proverbs, make misfortune drunk
With candle-wasters, bring him yet to me
And I of him will gather patience.
But there is no such man. For, brother, men
Can counsel and speak comfort to that grief
Which they themselves not feel, but, tasting it,
Their counsel turns to passion which before
Would give preceptial med'cine to rage,
Fetter strong madness in a silken thread,
Charm ache with air, and agony with words.
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No, no, ’tis all men’s office to speak patience
To those that wring under the load of sorrow,
But no man’s virtue nor sufficiency
30 To be so moral when he shall endure
The like himself. Therefore give me no counsel.
My griefs cry louder than advertisement.
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No, no, ’tis all men’s office to speak patience
To those that wring under the load of sorrow,
But no man’s virtue nor sufficiency
To be so moral when he shall endure
The like himself. Therefore give me no counsel.
My griefs cry louder than advertisement.
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ANTONIO Therein do men from children nothing differ.
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ANTONIO Therein do men from children nothing differ.
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LEONATO I pray thee, peace. I will be flesh and blood,
35 For there was never yet philosopher
That could endure the toothache patiently,
However they have writ the style of gods
And made a push at chance and sufferance.
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LEONATO I pray thee, peace. I will be flesh and blood,
For there was never yet philosopher
That could endure the toothache patiently,
However they have writ the style of gods
And made a push at chance and sufferance.
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ANTONIO Yet bend not all the harm upon yourself.
40 Make those that do offend you suffer too.
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ANTONIO Yet bend not all the harm upon yourself.
Make those that do offend you suffer too.
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LEONATO There thou speak’st reason. Nay, I will do so.
My soul doth tell me Hero is belied,
And that shall Claudio know; so shall the Prince
And all of them that thus dishonor her.
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LEONATO There thou speak’st reason. Nay, I will do so.
My soul doth tell me Hero is belied,
And that shall Claudio know; so shall the Prince
And all of them that thus dishonor her.
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Enter DON PEDRO and CLAUDIO
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Enter DON PEDRO and CLAUDIO
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ANTONIO 45 Here comes the Prince and Claudio hastily.
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ANTONIO Here comes the Prince and Claudio hastily.
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DON PEDRO Good e'en, good e'en.
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DON PEDRO Good e'en, good e'en.
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CLAUDIO Good day to both of you.
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CLAUDIO Good day to both of you.
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LEONATO Hear you, my lords—
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LEONATO Hear you, my lords—
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DON PEDRO We have some haste, Leonato.
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DON PEDRO We have some haste, Leonato.
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LEONATO Some haste, my lord! Well, fare you well, my lord.
Are you so hasty now? Well, all is one.
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LEONATO Some haste, my lord! Well, fare you well, my lord.
Are you so hasty now? Well, all is one.
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DON PEDRO 50 Nay, do not quarrel with us, good old man.
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DON PEDRO Nay, do not quarrel with us, good old man.
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ANTONIO If he could right himself with quarreling,
Some of us would lie low.
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ANTONIO If he could right himself with quarreling,
Some of us would lie low.
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CLAUDIO Who wrongs him?
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CLAUDIO Who wrongs him?
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LEONATO Marry, thou dost wrong me, thou dissembler, thou.
Nay, never lay thy hand upon thy sword.
55 I fear thee not.
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LEONATO Marry, thou dost wrong me, thou dissembler, thou.
Nay, never lay thy hand upon thy sword.
I fear thee not.
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CLAUDIO Marry, beshrew my hand
If it should give your age such cause of fear.
In faith, my hand meant nothing to my sword.
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CLAUDIO Marry, beshrew my hand
If it should give your age such cause of fear.
In faith, my hand meant nothing to my sword.
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LEONATO Tush, tush, man, never fleer and jest at me.
I speak not like a dotard nor a fool,
60 As under privilege of age to brag
What I have done being young, or what would do
Were I not old. Know, Claudio, to thy head,
Thou hast so wronged mine innocent child and me
That I am forced to lay my reverence by,
65 And with gray hairs and bruise of many days
Do challenge thee to trial of a man.
I say thou hast belied mine innocent child.
Thy slander hath gone through and through her heart,
And she lies buried with her ancestors,
70 Oh, in a tomb where never scandal slept
Save this of hers, framed by thy villainy.
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LEONATO Tush, tush, man, never fleer and jest at me.
I speak not like a dotard nor a fool,
As under privilege of age to brag
What I have done being young, or what would do
Were I not old. Know, Claudio, to thy head,
Thou hast so wronged mine innocent child and me
That I am forced to lay my reverence by,
And with gray hairs and bruise of many days
Do challenge thee to trial of a man.
I say thou hast belied mine innocent child.
Thy slander hath gone through and through her heart,
And she lies buried with her ancestors,
Oh, in a tomb where never scandal slept
Save this of hers, framed by thy villainy.
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CLAUDIO My villainy?
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CLAUDIO My villainy?
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LEONATO Thine, Claudio, thine, I say.
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LEONATO Thine, Claudio, thine, I say.
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DON PEDRO You say not right, old man.
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DON PEDRO You say not right, old man.
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LEONATO My lord, my lord,
I’ll prove it on his body if he dare,
75 Despite his nice fence and his active practice,
His May of youth and bloom of lustihood.
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LEONATO My lord, my lord,
I’ll prove it on his body if he dare,
Despite his nice fence and his active practice,
His May of youth and bloom of lustihood.
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CLAUDIO Away! I will not have to do with you.
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CLAUDIO Away! I will not have to do with you.
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LEONATO Canst thou so daff me? Thou hast killed my child.
If thou kill’st me, boy, thou shalt kill a man.
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LEONATO Canst thou so daff me? Thou hast killed my child.
If thou kill’st me, boy, thou shalt kill a man.
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ANTONIO 80 He shall kill two of us, and men indeed,
But that’s no matter. Let him kill one first.
Win me and wear me! Let him answer me.—
Come, follow me, boy. Come, sir boy, come, follow me.
Sir boy, I’ll whip you from your foining fence,
85 Nay, as I am a gentleman, I will.
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ANTONIO He shall kill two of us, and men indeed,
But that’s no matter. Let him kill one first.
Win me and wear me! Let him answer me.—
Come, follow me, boy. Come, sir boy, come, follow me.
Sir boy, I’ll whip you from your foining fence,
Nay, as I am a gentleman, I will.
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LEONATO Brother—
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LEONATO Brother—
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ANTONIO Content yourself. God knows I loved my niece,
And she is dead, slandered to death by villains
That dare as well answer a man indeed
90 As I dare take a serpent by the tongue.—
Boys, apes, braggarts, jacks, milksops!
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ANTONIO Content yourself. God knows I loved my niece,
And she is dead, slandered to death by villains
That dare as well answer a man indeed
As I dare take a serpent by the tongue.—
Boys, apes, braggarts, jacks, milksops!
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LEONATO Brother Anthony—
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LEONATO Brother Anthony—
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ANTONIO Hold you content. What, man! I know them, yea,
And what they weigh, even to the utmost scruple—
95 Scrambling, outfacing, fashion-monging boys,
That lie and cog and flout, deprave and slander,
Go anticly and show outward hideousness,
And speak off half a dozen dang'rous words
How they might hurt their enemies, if they durst,
100 And this is all.
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ANTONIO Hold you content. What, man! I know them, yea,
And what they weigh, even to the utmost scruple—
Scrambling, outfacing, fashion-monging boys,
That lie and cog and flout, deprave and slander,
Go anticly and show outward hideousness,
And speak off half a dozen dang'rous words
How they might hurt their enemies, if they durst,
And this is all.
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LEONATO But brother Anthony—
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LEONATO But brother Anthony—
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ANTONIO Come, ’tis no matter.
Do not you meddle. Let me deal in this.
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ANTONIO Come, ’tis no matter.
Do not you meddle. Let me deal in this.
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DON PEDRO Gentlemen both, we will not wake your patience.
My heart is sorry for your daughter’s death,
105 But, on my honor, she was charged with nothing
But what was true and very full of proof.
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DON PEDRO Gentlemen both, we will not wake your patience.
My heart is sorry for your daughter’s death,
But, on my honor, she was charged with nothing
But what was true and very full of proof.
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LEONATO My lord, my lord—
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LEONATO My lord, my lord—
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DON PEDRO I will not hear you.
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DON PEDRO I will not hear you.
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LEONATO No? Come, brother; away! I will be heard.
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LEONATO No? Come, brother; away! I will be heard.
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ANTONIO 110 And shall, or some of us will smart for it.
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ANTONIO And shall, or some of us will smart for it.
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Exeunt LEONATO and ANTONIO
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Exeunt LEONATO and ANTONIO
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Enter BENEDICK
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Enter BENEDICK
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DON PEDRO See, see, here comes the man we went to seek.
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DON PEDRO See, see, here comes the man we went to seek.
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CLAUDIO Now, Signior, what news?
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CLAUDIO Now, Signior, what news?
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BENEDICK (to DON PEDRO) Good day, my lord.
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BENEDICK (to DON PEDRO) Good day, my lord.
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DON PEDRO Welcome, Signior. You are almost come to part almost a
115 fray.
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DON PEDRO Welcome, Signior. You are almost come to part almost a
fray.
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CLAUDIO We had like to have had our two noses snapped off with two
old men without teeth.
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CLAUDIO We had like to have had our two noses snapped off with two
old men without teeth.
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DON PEDRO Leonato and his brother. What think’st thou? Had we
fought, I doubt we should have been too young for them.
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DON PEDRO Leonato and his brother. What think’st thou? Had we
fought, I doubt we should have been too young for them.
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BENEDICK 120 In a false quarrel there is no true valor. I came to seek you
both.
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BENEDICK In a false quarrel there is no true valor. I came to seek you
both.
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CLAUDIO We have been up and down to seek thee, for we are high-
proof melancholy and would fain have it beaten away. Wilt
thou use thy wit?
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CLAUDIO We have been up and down to seek thee, for we are high-
proof melancholy and would fain have it beaten away. Wilt
thou use thy wit?
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BENEDICK 125 It is in my scabbard. Shall I draw it?
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BENEDICK It is in my scabbard. Shall I draw it?
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DON PEDRO Dost thou wear thy wit by thy side?
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DON PEDRO Dost thou wear thy wit by thy side?
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CLAUDIO Never any did so, though very many have been beside their
wit. I will bid thee draw, as we do the minstrels: draw to
pleasure us.
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CLAUDIO Never any did so, though very many have been beside their
wit. I will bid thee draw, as we do the minstrels: draw to
pleasure us.
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DON PEDRO 130 As I am an honest man, he looks pale.—Art thou sick, or
angry?
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DON PEDRO As I am an honest man, he looks pale.—Art thou sick, or
angry?
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CLAUDIO (to BENEDICK) What, courage, man! What though care
killed a cat? Thou hast mettle enough in thee to kill care.
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CLAUDIO (to BENEDICK) What, courage, man! What though care
killed a cat? Thou hast mettle enough in thee to kill care.
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BENEDICK Sir, I shall meet your wit in the career, an you charge it
135 against me. I pray you, choose another subject.
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BENEDICK Sir, I shall meet your wit in the career, an you charge it
against me. I pray you, choose another subject.
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CLAUDIO (to DON PEDRO) Nay, then, give him another staff. This last
was broke 'cross.
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CLAUDIO (to DON PEDRO) Nay, then, give him another staff. This last
was broke 'cross.
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DON PEDRO By this light, he changes more and more. I think he be angry
indeed.
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DON PEDRO By this light, he changes more and more. I think he be angry
indeed.
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CLAUDIO 140 If he be, he knows how to turn his girdle.
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CLAUDIO If he be, he knows how to turn his girdle.
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BENEDICK Shall I speak a word in your ear?
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BENEDICK Shall I speak a word in your ear?
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CLAUDIO God bless me from a challenge!
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CLAUDIO God bless me from a challenge!
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BENEDICK (aside to CLAUDIO) You are a villain. I jest not. I will make it
good how you dare, with what you dare, and when you
145 dare. Do me right, or I will protest your cowardice. You
have killed a sweet lady, and her death shall fall heavy on
you. Let me hear from you.
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BENEDICK (aside to CLAUDIO) You are a villain. I jest not. I will make it
good how you dare, with what you dare, and when you
dare. Do me right, or I will protest your cowardice. You
have killed a sweet lady, and her death shall fall heavy on
you. Let me hear from you.
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CLAUDIO Well, I will meet you, so I may have good cheer.
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CLAUDIO Well, I will meet you, so I may have good cheer.
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DON PEDRO What, a feast, a feast?
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DON PEDRO What, a feast, a feast?
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CLAUDIO capon, the which if I do not carve most curiously, say my
knife’s naught. Shall I not find a woodcock too?
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CLAUDIO capon, the which if I do not carve most curiously, say my
knife’s naught. Shall I not find a woodcock too?
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BENEDICK Sir, your wit ambles well; it goes easily.
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BENEDICK Sir, your wit ambles well; it goes easily.
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DON PEDRO I’ll tell thee how Beatrice praised thy wit he other day. I
one.” “No,” said I, “a great wit.” “Right,” says she, “a great
gross one.” “Nay,” said I, “a good wit.” “Just,” said she, “it
hurts nobody.” “Nay,” said I, “the gentleman is wise.”
“Certain,” said she, “a wise gentleman.” “Nay,” said I, “he
a thing to me on Monday night, which he forswore on
Tuesday morning; there’s a double tongue, there’s two
tongues.” Thus did she an hour together transshape thy
particular virtues. Yet at last she concluded with a sigh,
165 thou wast the proper’st man in Italy.
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DON PEDRO I’ll tell thee how Beatrice praised thy wit he other day. I
one.” “No,” said I, “a great wit.” “Right,” says she, “a great
gross one.” “Nay,” said I, “a good wit.” “Just,” said she, “it
hurts nobody.” “Nay,” said I, “the gentleman is wise.”
“Certain,” said she, “a wise gentleman.” “Nay,” said I, “he
a thing to me on Monday night, which he forswore on
Tuesday morning; there’s a double tongue, there’s two
tongues.” Thus did she an hour together transshape thy
particular virtues. Yet at last she concluded with a sigh,
thou wast the proper’st man in Italy.
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CLAUDIO For the which she wept heartily and said she cared not.
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CLAUDIO For the which she wept heartily and said she cared not.
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DON PEDRO Yea, that she did. But yet for all that, an if she did not hate
him deadly, she would love him dearly. The old man’s
daughter told us all.
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DON PEDRO Yea, that she did. But yet for all that, an if she did not hate
him deadly, she would love him dearly. The old man’s
daughter told us all.
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CLAUDIO 170 All, all. And, moreover, God saw him when he was hid in
the garden.
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CLAUDIO All, all. And, moreover, God saw him when he was hid in
the garden.
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DON PEDRO But when shall we set the savage bull’s horns on the sensible
Benedick’s head?
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DON PEDRO But when shall we set the savage bull’s horns on the sensible
Benedick’s head?
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CLAUDIO Yea, and text underneath: “Here dwells Benedick the
175 married man”?
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CLAUDIO Yea, and text underneath: “Here dwells Benedick the
married man”?
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BENEDICK Fare you well, boy. You know my mind. I will leave you now
to your gossip-like humor. You break jests as braggarts do
their blades, which, God be thanked, hurt not.—My lord,
for your many courtesies I thank you. I must discontinue
180 your company.
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BENEDICK Fare you well, boy. You know my mind. I will leave you now
to your gossip-like humor. You break jests as braggarts do
their blades, which, God be thanked, hurt not.—My lord,
for your many courtesies I thank you. I must discontinue
your company.
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Your brother the Bastard is fled from Messina. You have
among you killed a sweet and innocent lady. For my Lord
Lackbeard there, he and I shall meet, and till then peace be
with him.
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Your brother the Bastard is fled from Messina. You have
among you killed a sweet and innocent lady. For my Lord
Lackbeard there, he and I shall meet, and till then peace be
with him.
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Exit
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Exit
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DON PEDRO 185 He is in earnest.
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DON PEDRO He is in earnest.
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CLAUDIO In most profound earnest, and, I’ll warrant you, for the love
of Beatrice.
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CLAUDIO In most profound earnest, and, I’ll warrant you, for the love
of Beatrice.
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DON PEDRO And hath challenged thee?
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DON PEDRO And hath challenged thee?
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CLAUDIO Most sincerely.
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CLAUDIO Most sincerely.
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DON PEDRO 190 What a pretty thing man is when he goes in his doublet and
hose and leaves off his wit!
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DON PEDRO What a pretty thing man is when he goes in his doublet and
hose and leaves off his wit!
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CLAUDIO He is then a giant to an ape; but then is an ape a doctor to
such a man.
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CLAUDIO He is then a giant to an ape; but then is an ape a doctor to
such a man.
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DON PEDRO But soft you, let me be. Pluck up, my heart, and be sad. Did
195 he not say my brother was fled?
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DON PEDRO But soft you, let me be. Pluck up, my heart, and be sad. Did
he not say my brother was fled?
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Enter DOGBERRY , VERGES , and the Watch, with CONRADE and BORACHIO
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Enter DOGBERRY , VERGES , and the Watch, with CONRADE and BORACHIO
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DOGBERRY Come you, sir. If justice cannot tame you, she shall ne'er
weigh more reasons in her balance. Nay, an you be a cursing
hypocrite once, you must be looked to.
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DOGBERRY Come you, sir. If justice cannot tame you, she shall ne'er
weigh more reasons in her balance. Nay, an you be a cursing
hypocrite once, you must be looked to.
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DON PEDRO How now? Two of my brother’s men bound! Borachio one!
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DON PEDRO How now? Two of my brother’s men bound! Borachio one!
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CLAUDIO 200 Hearken after their offense, my lord.
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CLAUDIO Hearken after their offense, my lord.
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DON PEDRO Officers, what offense have these men done?
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DON PEDRO Officers, what offense have these men done?
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DOGBERRY Marry, sir, they have committed false report; moreover,
they have spoken untruths; secondarily, they are slanders;
sixth and lastly, they have belied a lady; thirdly, they have
205 verified unjust things; and, to conclude, they are lying
knaves.
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DOGBERRY Marry, sir, they have committed false report; moreover,
they have spoken untruths; secondarily, they are slanders;
sixth and lastly, they have belied a lady; thirdly, they have
verified unjust things; and, to conclude, they are lying
knaves.
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DON PEDRO First, I ask thee what they have done; thirdly, I ask thee
what’s their offense; sixth and lastly, why they are
committed; and, to conclude, what you lay to their charge.
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DON PEDRO First, I ask thee what they have done; thirdly, I ask thee
what’s their offense; sixth and lastly, why they are
committed; and, to conclude, what you lay to their charge.
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CLAUDIO 210 Rightly reasoned, and in his own division; and, by my
troth, there’s one meaning well suited.
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CLAUDIO Rightly reasoned, and in his own division; and, by my
troth, there’s one meaning well suited.
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DON PEDRO (to BORACHIO and CONRADE) Who have you offended,
masters, that you are thus bound to your answer? This
learned constable is too cunning to be understood. What’s
215 your offense?
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DON PEDRO (to BORACHIO and CONRADE) Who have you offended,
masters, that you are thus bound to your answer? This
learned constable is too cunning to be understood. What’s
your offense?
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BORACHIO Sweet Prince, let me go no farther to mine answer. Do you
hear me, and let this count kill me. I have deceived even your
very eyes. What your wisdoms could not discover, these
shallow fools have brought to light, who in the night
220 overheard me confessing to this man how Don John your
brother incensed me to slander the Lady Hero, how you
were brought into the orchard and saw me court Margaret in
Hero’s garments, how you disgraced her when you should
marry her. My villainy they have upon record, which I had
225 rather seal with my death than repeat over to my shame. The
lady is dead upon mine and my master’s false accusation.
And, briefly, I desire nothing but the reward of a villain.
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BORACHIO Sweet Prince, let me go no farther to mine answer. Do you
hear me, and let this count kill me. I have deceived even your
very eyes. What your wisdoms could not discover, these
shallow fools have brought to light, who in the night
overheard me confessing to this man how Don John your
brother incensed me to slander the Lady Hero, how you
were brought into the orchard and saw me court Margaret in
Hero’s garments, how you disgraced her when you should
marry her. My villainy they have upon record, which I had
rather seal with my death than repeat over to my shame. The
lady is dead upon mine and my master’s false accusation.
And, briefly, I desire nothing but the reward of a villain.
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DON PEDRO (to CLAUDIO) Runs not this speech like iron through your
blood?
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DON PEDRO (to CLAUDIO) Runs not this speech like iron through your
blood?
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CLAUDIO 230 I have drunk poison whiles he uttered it.
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CLAUDIO I have drunk poison whiles he uttered it.
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DON PEDRO (to BORACHIO) But did my brother set thee on to this?
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DON PEDRO (to BORACHIO) But did my brother set thee on to this?
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BORACHIO Yea, and paid me richly for the practice of it.
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BORACHIO Yea, and paid me richly for the practice of it.
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DON PEDRO He is composed and framed of treachery,
And fled he is upon this villainy.
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DON PEDRO He is composed and framed of treachery,
And fled he is upon this villainy.
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CLAUDIO 235 Sweet Hero, now thy image doth appear
In the rare semblance that I loved it first.
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CLAUDIO Sweet Hero, now thy image doth appear
In the rare semblance that I loved it first.
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DOGBERRY Come, bring away the plaintiffs. By this time our sexton
hath reformed Signior Leonato of the matter. And,
masters, do not forget to specify, when time and place shall
240 serve, that I am an ass.
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DOGBERRY Come, bring away the plaintiffs. By this time our sexton
hath reformed Signior Leonato of the matter. And,
masters, do not forget to specify, when time and place shall
serve, that I am an ass.
|
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VERGES Here, here comes Master Signior Leonato, and the Sexton
too.
|
VERGES Here, here comes Master Signior Leonato, and the Sexton
too.
|
|
Enter LEONATO and ANTONIO , with the SEXTON
|
Enter LEONATO and ANTONIO , with the SEXTON
|
|
LEONATO Which is the villain? Let me see his eyes,
That, when I note another man like him,
245 I may avoid him. Which of these is he?
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LEONATO Which is the villain? Let me see his eyes,
That, when I note another man like him,
I may avoid him. Which of these is he?
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|
BORACHIO If you would know your wronger, look on me.
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BORACHIO If you would know your wronger, look on me.
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LEONATO Art thou the slave that with thy breath hast killed
Mine innocent child?
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LEONATO Art thou the slave that with thy breath hast killed
Mine innocent child?
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BORACHIO Yea, even I alone.
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BORACHIO Yea, even I alone.
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LEONATO No, not so, villain, thou beliest thyself.
250 Here stand a pair of honorable men—
A third is fled—that had a hand in it.—
I thank you, princes, for my daughter’s death.
Record it with your high and worthy deeds.
'Twas bravely done, if you bethink you of it.
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LEONATO No, not so, villain, thou beliest thyself.
Here stand a pair of honorable men—
A third is fled—that had a hand in it.—
I thank you, princes, for my daughter’s death.
Record it with your high and worthy deeds.
'Twas bravely done, if you bethink you of it.
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CLAUDIO 255 I know not how to pray your patience,
Yet I must speak. Choose your revenge yourself.
Impose me to what penance your invention
Can lay upon my sin. Yet sinned I not
But in mistaking.
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CLAUDIO I know not how to pray your patience,
Yet I must speak. Choose your revenge yourself.
Impose me to what penance your invention
Can lay upon my sin. Yet sinned I not
But in mistaking.
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|
DON PEDRO By my soul, nor I,
260 And yet to satisfy this good old man
I would bend under any heavy weight
That he’ll enjoin me to.
|
DON PEDRO By my soul, nor I,
And yet to satisfy this good old man
I would bend under any heavy weight
That he’ll enjoin me to.
|
|
LEONATO I cannot bid you bid my daughter live—
That were impossible—but, I pray you both,
265 Possess the people in Messina here
How innocent she died. And if your love
Can labor ought in sad invention,
Hang her an epitaph upon her tomb
And sing it to her bones. Sing it tonight.
270 Tomorrow morning come you to my house,
And since you could not be my son-in-law,
Be yet my nephew. My brother hath a daughter,
Almost the copy of my child that’s dead,
And she alone is heir to both of us.
275 Give her the right you should have given her cousin,
And so dies my revenge.
|
LEONATO I cannot bid you bid my daughter live—
That were impossible—but, I pray you both,
Possess the people in Messina here
How innocent she died. And if your love
Can labor ought in sad invention,
Hang her an epitaph upon her tomb
And sing it to her bones. Sing it tonight.
Tomorrow morning come you to my house,
And since you could not be my son-in-law,
Be yet my nephew. My brother hath a daughter,
Almost the copy of my child that’s dead,
And she alone is heir to both of us.
Give her the right you should have given her cousin,
And so dies my revenge.
|
|
CLAUDIO O noble sir!
Your overkindness doth wring tears from me.
I do embrace your offer; and dispose
For henceforth of poor Claudio.
|
CLAUDIO O noble sir!
Your overkindness doth wring tears from me.
I do embrace your offer; and dispose
For henceforth of poor Claudio.
|
|
LEONATO 280 Tomorrow then I will expect your coming.
Tonight I take my leave. This naughty man
Shall face to face be brought to Margaret,
Who I believe was packed in all this wrong,
Hired to it by your brother.
|
LEONATO Tomorrow then I will expect your coming.
Tonight I take my leave. This naughty man
Shall face to face be brought to Margaret,
Who I believe was packed in all this wrong,
Hired to it by your brother.
|
|
BORACHIO 285 No, by my soul, she was not,
Nor knew not what she did when she spoke to me,
But always hath been just and virtuous
In any thing that I do know by her.
|
BORACHIO No, by my soul, she was not,
Nor knew not what she did when she spoke to me,
But always hath been just and virtuous
In any thing that I do know by her.
|
|
DOGBERRY (to LEONATO) Moreover, sir, which indeed is not under
290 white and black, this plaintiff here, the offender, did call me
ass. I beseech you, let it be remembered in his punishment.
And also the watch heard them talk of one Deformed. They
say he wears a key in his ear and a lock hanging by it and
borrows money in God’s name, the which he hath used so
295 long and never paid that now men grow hard-hearted and
will lend nothing for God’s sake. Pray you, examine him
upon that point.
|
DOGBERRY (to LEONATO) Moreover, sir, which indeed is not under
white and black, this plaintiff here, the offender, did call me
ass. I beseech you, let it be remembered in his punishment.
And also the watch heard them talk of one Deformed. They
say he wears a key in his ear and a lock hanging by it and
borrows money in God’s name, the which he hath used so
long and never paid that now men grow hard-hearted and
will lend nothing for God’s sake. Pray you, examine him
upon that point.
|
|
LEONATO I thank thee for thy care and honest pains.
|
LEONATO I thank thee for thy care and honest pains.
|
|
DOGBERRY Your worship speaks like a most thankful and reverent
300 youth, and I praise God for you.
|
DOGBERRY Your worship speaks like a most thankful and reverent
youth, and I praise God for you.
|
|
LEONATO (giving him money) There’s for thy pains.
|
LEONATO (giving him money) There’s for thy pains.
|
|
DOGBERRY God save the foundation!
|
DOGBERRY God save the foundation!
|
|
LEONATO Go, I discharge thee of thy prisoner, and I thank thee.
|
LEONATO Go, I discharge thee of thy prisoner, and I thank thee.
|
|
DOGBERRY I leave an arrant knave with your Worship, which I beseech
305 your Worship to correct yourself, for the example of others.
God keep your Worship! I wish your Worship well. God
restore you to health! I humbly give you leave to depart, and
if a merry meeting may be wished, God prohibit it!—
Come, neighbor.
|
DOGBERRY I leave an arrant knave with your Worship, which I beseech
your Worship to correct yourself, for the example of others.
God keep your Worship! I wish your Worship well. God
restore you to health! I humbly give you leave to depart, and
if a merry meeting may be wished, God prohibit it!—
Come, neighbor.
|
|
Exeunt DOGBERRY and VERGES
|
Exeunt DOGBERRY and VERGES
|
|
LEONATO 310 Until tomorrow morning, lords, farewell.
|
LEONATO Until tomorrow morning, lords, farewell.
|
|
ANTONIO Farewell, my lords. We look for you tomorrow.
|
ANTONIO Farewell, my lords. We look for you tomorrow.
|
|
DON PEDRO We will not fail.
|
DON PEDRO We will not fail.
|
|
CLAUDIO Tonight I’ll mourn with Hero.
|
CLAUDIO Tonight I’ll mourn with Hero.
|
|
LEONATO (to the Watch)
How her acquaintance grew with this lewd fellow.
|
LEONATO (to the Watch)
How her acquaintance grew with this lewd fellow.
|
|
Exeunt
|
Exeunt
|
Original Text |
Modern Text |
|
Enter LEONATO and ANTONIO
|
Enter LEONATO and ANTONIO
|
|
ANTONIO If you go on thus, you will kill yourself,
And ’tis not wisdom thus to second grief
Against yourself.
|
ANTONIO If you go on thus, you will kill yourself,
And ’tis not wisdom thus to second grief
Against yourself.
|
|
LEONATO I pray thee, cease thy counsel,
Which falls into mine ears as profitless
5 As water in a sieve. Give not me counsel,
Nor let no comforter delight mine ear
But such a one whose wrongs do suit with mine.
Bring me a father that so loved his child,
Whose joy of her is overwhelmed like mine,
10 And bid him speak of patience.
Measure his woe the length and breadth of mine,
And let it answer every strain for strain,
As thus for thus and such a grief for such,
In every lineament, branch, shape, and form.
15 If such a one will smile and stroke his beard,
Bid sorrow wag, cry “hem” when he should groan,
Patch grief with proverbs, make misfortune drunk
With candle-wasters, bring him yet to me
And I of him will gather patience.
20 But there is no such man. For, brother, men
Can counsel and speak comfort to that grief
Which they themselves not feel, but, tasting it,
Their counsel turns to passion which before
Would give preceptial med'cine to rage,
25 Fetter strong madness in a silken thread,
Charm ache with air, and agony with words.
|
LEONATO I pray thee, cease thy counsel,
Which falls into mine ears as profitless
As water in a sieve. Give not me counsel,
Nor let no comforter delight mine ear
But such a one whose wrongs do suit with mine.
Bring me a father that so loved his child,
Whose joy of her is overwhelmed like mine,
And bid him speak of patience.
Measure his woe the length and breadth of mine,
And let it answer every strain for strain,
As thus for thus and such a grief for such,
In every lineament, branch, shape, and form.
If such a one will smile and stroke his beard,
Bid sorrow wag, cry “hem” when he should groan,
Patch grief with proverbs, make misfortune drunk
With candle-wasters, bring him yet to me
And I of him will gather patience.
But there is no such man. For, brother, men
Can counsel and speak comfort to that grief
Which they themselves not feel, but, tasting it,
Their counsel turns to passion which before
Would give preceptial med'cine to rage,
Fetter strong madness in a silken thread,
Charm ache with air, and agony with words.
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|
No, no, ’tis all men’s office to speak patience
To those that wring under the load of sorrow,
But no man’s virtue nor sufficiency
30 To be so moral when he shall endure
The like himself. Therefore give me no counsel.
My griefs cry louder than advertisement.
|
No, no, ’tis all men’s office to speak patience
To those that wring under the load of sorrow,
But no man’s virtue nor sufficiency
To be so moral when he shall endure
The like himself. Therefore give me no counsel.
My griefs cry louder than advertisement.
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ANTONIO Therein do men from children nothing differ.
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ANTONIO Therein do men from children nothing differ.
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LEONATO I pray thee, peace. I will be flesh and blood,
35 For there was never yet philosopher
That could endure the toothache patiently,
However they have writ the style of gods
And made a push at chance and sufferance.
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LEONATO I pray thee, peace. I will be flesh and blood,
For there was never yet philosopher
That could endure the toothache patiently,
However they have writ the style of gods
And made a push at chance and sufferance.
|
|
ANTONIO Yet bend not all the harm upon yourself.
40 Make those that do offend you suffer too.
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ANTONIO Yet bend not all the harm upon yourself.
Make those that do offend you suffer too.
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LEONATO There thou speak’st reason. Nay, I will do so.
My soul doth tell me Hero is belied,
And that shall Claudio know; so shall the Prince
And all of them that thus dishonor her.
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LEONATO There thou speak’st reason. Nay, I will do so.
My soul doth tell me Hero is belied,
And that shall Claudio know; so shall the Prince
And all of them that thus dishonor her.
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Enter DON PEDRO and CLAUDIO
|
Enter DON PEDRO and CLAUDIO
|
|
ANTONIO 45 Here comes the Prince and Claudio hastily.
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ANTONIO Here comes the Prince and Claudio hastily.
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DON PEDRO Good e'en, good e'en.
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DON PEDRO Good e'en, good e'en.
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CLAUDIO Good day to both of you.
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CLAUDIO Good day to both of you.
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LEONATO Hear you, my lords—
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LEONATO Hear you, my lords—
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DON PEDRO We have some haste, Leonato.
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DON PEDRO We have some haste, Leonato.
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LEONATO Some haste, my lord! Well, fare you well, my lord.
Are you so hasty now? Well, all is one.
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LEONATO Some haste, my lord! Well, fare you well, my lord.
Are you so hasty now? Well, all is one.
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DON PEDRO 50 Nay, do not quarrel with us, good old man.
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DON PEDRO Nay, do not quarrel with us, good old man.
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ANTONIO If he could right himself with quarreling,
Some of us would lie low.
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ANTONIO If he could right himself with quarreling,
Some of us would lie low.
|
|
CLAUDIO Who wrongs him?
|
CLAUDIO Who wrongs him?
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LEONATO Marry, thou dost wrong me, thou dissembler, thou.
Nay, never lay thy hand upon thy sword.
55 I fear thee not.
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LEONATO Marry, thou dost wrong me, thou dissembler, thou.
Nay, never lay thy hand upon thy sword.
I fear thee not.
|
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CLAUDIO Marry, beshrew my hand
If it should give your age such cause of fear.
In faith, my hand meant nothing to my sword.
|
CLAUDIO Marry, beshrew my hand
If it should give your age such cause of fear.
In faith, my hand meant nothing to my sword.
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LEONATO Tush, tush, man, never fleer and jest at me.
I speak not like a dotard nor a fool,
60 As under privilege of age to brag
What I have done being young, or what would do
Were I not old. Know, Claudio, to thy head,
Thou hast so wronged mine innocent child and me
That I am forced to lay my reverence by,
65 And with gray hairs and bruise of many days
Do challenge thee to trial of a man.
I say thou hast belied mine innocent child.
Thy slander hath gone through and through her heart,
And she lies buried with her ancestors,
70 Oh, in a tomb where never scandal slept
Save this of hers, framed by thy villainy.
|
LEONATO Tush, tush, man, never fleer and jest at me.
I speak not like a dotard nor a fool,
As under privilege of age to brag
What I have done being young, or what would do
Were I not old. Know, Claudio, to thy head,
Thou hast so wronged mine innocent child and me
That I am forced to lay my reverence by,
And with gray hairs and bruise of many days
Do challenge thee to trial of a man.
I say thou hast belied mine innocent child.
Thy slander hath gone through and through her heart,
And she lies buried with her ancestors,
Oh, in a tomb where never scandal slept
Save this of hers, framed by thy villainy.
|
|
CLAUDIO My villainy?
|
CLAUDIO My villainy?
|
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LEONATO Thine, Claudio, thine, I say.
|
LEONATO Thine, Claudio, thine, I say.
|
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DON PEDRO You say not right, old man.
|
DON PEDRO You say not right, old man.
|
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LEONATO My lord, my lord,
I’ll prove it on his body if he dare,
75 Despite his nice fence and his active practice,
His May of youth and bloom of lustihood.
|
LEONATO My lord, my lord,
I’ll prove it on his body if he dare,
Despite his nice fence and his active practice,
His May of youth and bloom of lustihood.
|
|
CLAUDIO Away! I will not have to do with you.
|
CLAUDIO Away! I will not have to do with you.
|
|
LEONATO Canst thou so daff me? Thou hast killed my child.
If thou kill’st me, boy, thou shalt kill a man.
|
LEONATO Canst thou so daff me? Thou hast killed my child.
If thou kill’st me, boy, thou shalt kill a man.
|
|
ANTONIO 80 He shall kill two of us, and men indeed,
But that’s no matter. Let him kill one first.
Win me and wear me! Let him answer me.—
Come, follow me, boy. Come, sir boy, come, follow me.
Sir boy, I’ll whip you from your foining fence,
85 Nay, as I am a gentleman, I will.
|
ANTONIO He shall kill two of us, and men indeed,
But that’s no matter. Let him kill one first.
Win me and wear me! Let him answer me.—
Come, follow me, boy. Come, sir boy, come, follow me.
Sir boy, I’ll whip you from your foining fence,
Nay, as I am a gentleman, I will.
|
|
LEONATO Brother—
|
LEONATO Brother—
|
|
ANTONIO Content yourself. God knows I loved my niece,
And she is dead, slandered to death by villains
That dare as well answer a man indeed
90 As I dare take a serpent by the tongue.—
Boys, apes, braggarts, jacks, milksops!
|
ANTONIO Content yourself. God knows I loved my niece,
And she is dead, slandered to death by villains
That dare as well answer a man indeed
As I dare take a serpent by the tongue.—
Boys, apes, braggarts, jacks, milksops!
|
|
LEONATO Brother Anthony—
|
LEONATO Brother Anthony—
|
|
ANTONIO Hold you content. What, man! I know them, yea,
And what they weigh, even to the utmost scruple—
95 Scrambling, outfacing, fashion-monging boys,
That lie and cog and flout, deprave and slander,
Go anticly and show outward hideousness,
And speak off half a dozen dang'rous words
How they might hurt their enemies, if they durst,
100 And this is all.
|
ANTONIO Hold you content. What, man! I know them, yea,
And what they weigh, even to the utmost scruple—
Scrambling, outfacing, fashion-monging boys,
That lie and cog and flout, deprave and slander,
Go anticly and show outward hideousness,
And speak off half a dozen dang'rous words
How they might hurt their enemies, if they durst,
And this is all.
|
|
LEONATO But brother Anthony—
|
LEONATO But brother Anthony—
|
|
ANTONIO Come, ’tis no matter.
Do not you meddle. Let me deal in this.
|
ANTONIO Come, ’tis no matter.
Do not you meddle. Let me deal in this.
|
|
DON PEDRO Gentlemen both, we will not wake your patience.
My heart is sorry for your daughter’s death,
105 But, on my honor, she was charged with nothing
But what was true and very full of proof.
|
DON PEDRO Gentlemen both, we will not wake your patience.
My heart is sorry for your daughter’s death,
But, on my honor, she was charged with nothing
But what was true and very full of proof.
|
|
LEONATO My lord, my lord—
|
LEONATO My lord, my lord—
|
|
DON PEDRO I will not hear you.
|
DON PEDRO I will not hear you.
|
|
LEONATO No? Come, brother; away! I will be heard.
|
LEONATO No? Come, brother; away! I will be heard.
|
|
ANTONIO 110 And shall, or some of us will smart for it.
|
ANTONIO And shall, or some of us will smart for it.
|
|
Exeunt LEONATO and ANTONIO
|
Exeunt LEONATO and ANTONIO
|
|
Enter BENEDICK
|
Enter BENEDICK
|
|
DON PEDRO See, see, here comes the man we went to seek.
|
DON PEDRO See, see, here comes the man we went to seek.
|
|
CLAUDIO Now, Signior, what news?
|
CLAUDIO Now, Signior, what news?
|
|
BENEDICK (to DON PEDRO) Good day, my lord.
|
BENEDICK (to DON PEDRO) Good day, my lord.
|
|
DON PEDRO Welcome, Signior. You are almost come to part almost a
115 fray.
|
DON PEDRO Welcome, Signior. You are almost come to part almost a
fray.
|
|
CLAUDIO We had like to have had our two noses snapped off with two
old men without teeth.
|
CLAUDIO We had like to have had our two noses snapped off with two
old men without teeth.
|
|
DON PEDRO Leonato and his brother. What think’st thou? Had we
fought, I doubt we should have been too young for them.
|
DON PEDRO Leonato and his brother. What think’st thou? Had we
fought, I doubt we should have been too young for them.
|
|
BENEDICK 120 In a false quarrel there is no true valor. I came to seek you
both.
|
BENEDICK In a false quarrel there is no true valor. I came to seek you
both.
|
|
CLAUDIO We have been up and down to seek thee, for we are high-
proof melancholy and would fain have it beaten away. Wilt
thou use thy wit?
|
CLAUDIO We have been up and down to seek thee, for we are high-
proof melancholy and would fain have it beaten away. Wilt
thou use thy wit?
|
|
BENEDICK 125 It is in my scabbard. Shall I draw it?
|
BENEDICK It is in my scabbard. Shall I draw it?
|
|
DON PEDRO Dost thou wear thy wit by thy side?
|
DON PEDRO Dost thou wear thy wit by thy side?
|
|
CLAUDIO Never any did so, though very many have been beside their
wit. I will bid thee draw, as we do the minstrels: draw to
pleasure us.
|
CLAUDIO Never any did so, though very many have been beside their
wit. I will bid thee draw, as we do the minstrels: draw to
pleasure us.
|
|
DON PEDRO 130 As I am an honest man, he looks pale.—Art thou sick, or
angry?
|
DON PEDRO As I am an honest man, he looks pale.—Art thou sick, or
angry?
|
|
CLAUDIO (to BENEDICK) What, courage, man! What though care
killed a cat? Thou hast mettle enough in thee to kill care.
|
CLAUDIO (to BENEDICK) What, courage, man! What though care
killed a cat? Thou hast mettle enough in thee to kill care.
|
|
BENEDICK Sir, I shall meet your wit in the career, an you charge it
135 against me. I pray you, choose another subject.
|
BENEDICK Sir, I shall meet your wit in the career, an you charge it
against me. I pray you, choose another subject.
|
|
CLAUDIO (to DON PEDRO) Nay, then, give him another staff. This last
was broke 'cross.
|
CLAUDIO (to DON PEDRO) Nay, then, give him another staff. This last
was broke 'cross.
|
|
DON PEDRO By this light, he changes more and more. I think he be angry
indeed.
|
DON PEDRO By this light, he changes more and more. I think he be angry
indeed.
|
|
CLAUDIO 140 If he be, he knows how to turn his girdle.
|
CLAUDIO If he be, he knows how to turn his girdle.
|
|
BENEDICK Shall I speak a word in your ear?
|
BENEDICK Shall I speak a word in your ear?
|
|
CLAUDIO God bless me from a challenge!
|
CLAUDIO God bless me from a challenge!
|
|
BENEDICK (aside to CLAUDIO) You are a villain. I jest not. I will make it
good how you dare, with what you dare, and when you
145 dare. Do me right, or I will protest your cowardice. You
have killed a sweet lady, and her death shall fall heavy on
you. Let me hear from you.
|
BENEDICK (aside to CLAUDIO) You are a villain. I jest not. I will make it
good how you dare, with what you dare, and when you
dare. Do me right, or I will protest your cowardice. You
have killed a sweet lady, and her death shall fall heavy on
you. Let me hear from you.
|
|
CLAUDIO Well, I will meet you, so I may have good cheer.
|
CLAUDIO Well, I will meet you, so I may have good cheer.
|
|
DON PEDRO What, a feast, a feast?
|
DON PEDRO What, a feast, a feast?
|
|
CLAUDIO capon, the which if I do not carve most curiously, say my
knife’s naught. Shall I not find a woodcock too?
|
CLAUDIO capon, the which if I do not carve most curiously, say my
knife’s naught. Shall I not find a woodcock too?
|
|
BENEDICK Sir, your wit ambles well; it goes easily.
|
BENEDICK Sir, your wit ambles well; it goes easily.
|
|
DON PEDRO I’ll tell thee how Beatrice praised thy wit he other day. I
one.” “No,” said I, “a great wit.” “Right,” says she, “a great
gross one.” “Nay,” said I, “a good wit.” “Just,” said she, “it
hurts nobody.” “Nay,” said I, “the gentleman is wise.”
“Certain,” said she, “a wise gentleman.” “Nay,” said I, “he
a thing to me on Monday night, which he forswore on
Tuesday morning; there’s a double tongue, there’s two
tongues.” Thus did she an hour together transshape thy
particular virtues. Yet at last she concluded with a sigh,
165 thou wast the proper’st man in Italy.
|
DON PEDRO I’ll tell thee how Beatrice praised thy wit he other day. I
one.” “No,” said I, “a great wit.” “Right,” says she, “a great
gross one.” “Nay,” said I, “a good wit.” “Just,” said she, “it
hurts nobody.” “Nay,” said I, “the gentleman is wise.”
“Certain,” said she, “a wise gentleman.” “Nay,” said I, “he
a thing to me on Monday night, which he forswore on
Tuesday morning; there’s a double tongue, there’s two
tongues.” Thus did she an hour together transshape thy
particular virtues. Yet at last she concluded with a sigh,
thou wast the proper’st man in Italy.
|
|
CLAUDIO For the which she wept heartily and said she cared not.
|
CLAUDIO For the which she wept heartily and said she cared not.
|
|
DON PEDRO Yea, that she did. But yet for all that, an if she did not hate
him deadly, she would love him dearly. The old man’s
daughter told us all.
|
DON PEDRO Yea, that she did. But yet for all that, an if she did not hate
him deadly, she would love him dearly. The old man’s
daughter told us all.
|
|
CLAUDIO 170 All, all. And, moreover, God saw him when he was hid in
the garden.
|
CLAUDIO All, all. And, moreover, God saw him when he was hid in
the garden.
|
|
DON PEDRO But when shall we set the savage bull’s horns on the sensible
Benedick’s head?
|
DON PEDRO But when shall we set the savage bull’s horns on the sensible
Benedick’s head?
|
|
CLAUDIO Yea, and text underneath: “Here dwells Benedick the
175 married man”?
|
CLAUDIO Yea, and text underneath: “Here dwells Benedick the
married man”?
|
|
BENEDICK Fare you well, boy. You know my mind. I will leave you now
to your gossip-like humor. You break jests as braggarts do
their blades, which, God be thanked, hurt not.—My lord,
for your many courtesies I thank you. I must discontinue
180 your company.
|
BENEDICK Fare you well, boy. You know my mind. I will leave you now
to your gossip-like humor. You break jests as braggarts do
their blades, which, God be thanked, hurt not.—My lord,
for your many courtesies I thank you. I must discontinue
your company.
|
|
Your brother the Bastard is fled from Messina. You have
among you killed a sweet and innocent lady. For my Lord
Lackbeard there, he and I shall meet, and till then peace be
with him.
|
Your brother the Bastard is fled from Messina. You have
among you killed a sweet and innocent lady. For my Lord
Lackbeard there, he and I shall meet, and till then peace be
with him.
|
|
Exit
|
Exit
|
|
DON PEDRO 185 He is in earnest.
|
DON PEDRO He is in earnest.
|
|
CLAUDIO In most profound earnest, and, I’ll warrant you, for the love
of Beatrice.
|
CLAUDIO In most profound earnest, and, I’ll warrant you, for the love
of Beatrice.
|
|
DON PEDRO And hath challenged thee?
|
DON PEDRO And hath challenged thee?
|
|
CLAUDIO Most sincerely.
|
CLAUDIO Most sincerely.
|
|
DON PEDRO 190 What a pretty thing man is when he goes in his doublet and
hose and leaves off his wit!
|
DON PEDRO What a pretty thing man is when he goes in his doublet and
hose and leaves off his wit!
|
|
CLAUDIO He is then a giant to an ape; but then is an ape a doctor to
such a man.
|
CLAUDIO He is then a giant to an ape; but then is an ape a doctor to
such a man.
|
|
DON PEDRO But soft you, let me be. Pluck up, my heart, and be sad. Did
195 he not say my brother was fled?
|
DON PEDRO But soft you, let me be. Pluck up, my heart, and be sad. Did
he not say my brother was fled?
|
|
Enter DOGBERRY , VERGES , and the Watch, with CONRADE and BORACHIO
|
Enter DOGBERRY , VERGES , and the Watch, with CONRADE and BORACHIO
|
|
DOGBERRY Come you, sir. If justice cannot tame you, she shall ne'er
weigh more reasons in her balance. Nay, an you be a cursing
hypocrite once, you must be looked to.
|
DOGBERRY Come you, sir. If justice cannot tame you, she shall ne'er
weigh more reasons in her balance. Nay, an you be a cursing
hypocrite once, you must be looked to.
|
|
DON PEDRO How now? Two of my brother’s men bound! Borachio one!
|
DON PEDRO How now? Two of my brother’s men bound! Borachio one!
|
|
CLAUDIO 200 Hearken after their offense, my lord.
|
CLAUDIO Hearken after their offense, my lord.
|
|
DON PEDRO Officers, what offense have these men done?
|
DON PEDRO Officers, what offense have these men done?
|
|
DOGBERRY Marry, sir, they have committed false report; moreover,
they have spoken untruths; secondarily, they are slanders;
sixth and lastly, they have belied a lady; thirdly, they have
205 verified unjust things; and, to conclude, they are lying
knaves.
|
DOGBERRY Marry, sir, they have committed false report; moreover,
they have spoken untruths; secondarily, they are slanders;
sixth and lastly, they have belied a lady; thirdly, they have
verified unjust things; and, to conclude, they are lying
knaves.
|
|
DON PEDRO First, I ask thee what they have done; thirdly, I ask thee
what’s their offense; sixth and lastly, why they are
committed; and, to conclude, what you lay to their charge.
|
DON PEDRO First, I ask thee what they have done; thirdly, I ask thee
what’s their offense; sixth and lastly, why they are
committed; and, to conclude, what you lay to their charge.
|
|
CLAUDIO 210 Rightly reasoned, and in his own division; and, by my
troth, there’s one meaning well suited.
|
CLAUDIO Rightly reasoned, and in his own division; and, by my
troth, there’s one meaning well suited.
|
|
DON PEDRO (to BORACHIO and CONRADE) Who have you offended,
masters, that you are thus bound to your answer? This
learned constable is too cunning to be understood. What’s
215 your offense?
|
DON PEDRO (to BORACHIO and CONRADE) Who have you offended,
masters, that you are thus bound to your answer? This
learned constable is too cunning to be understood. What’s
your offense?
|
|
BORACHIO Sweet Prince, let me go no farther to mine answer. Do you
hear me, and let this count kill me. I have deceived even your
very eyes. What your wisdoms could not discover, these
shallow fools have brought to light, who in the night
220 overheard me confessing to this man how Don John your
brother incensed me to slander the Lady Hero, how you
were brought into the orchard and saw me court Margaret in
Hero’s garments, how you disgraced her when you should
marry her. My villainy they have upon record, which I had
225 rather seal with my death than repeat over to my shame. The
lady is dead upon mine and my master’s false accusation.
And, briefly, I desire nothing but the reward of a villain.
|
BORACHIO Sweet Prince, let me go no farther to mine answer. Do you
hear me, and let this count kill me. I have deceived even your
very eyes. What your wisdoms could not discover, these
shallow fools have brought to light, who in the night
overheard me confessing to this man how Don John your
brother incensed me to slander the Lady Hero, how you
were brought into the orchard and saw me court Margaret in
Hero’s garments, how you disgraced her when you should
marry her. My villainy they have upon record, which I had
rather seal with my death than repeat over to my shame. The
lady is dead upon mine and my master’s false accusation.
And, briefly, I desire nothing but the reward of a villain.
|
|
DON PEDRO (to CLAUDIO) Runs not this speech like iron through your
blood?
|
DON PEDRO (to CLAUDIO) Runs not this speech like iron through your
blood?
|
|
CLAUDIO 230 I have drunk poison whiles he uttered it.
|
CLAUDIO I have drunk poison whiles he uttered it.
|
|
DON PEDRO (to BORACHIO) But did my brother set thee on to this?
|
DON PEDRO (to BORACHIO) But did my brother set thee on to this?
|
|
BORACHIO Yea, and paid me richly for the practice of it.
|
BORACHIO Yea, and paid me richly for the practice of it.
|
|
DON PEDRO He is composed and framed of treachery,
And fled he is upon this villainy.
|
DON PEDRO He is composed and framed of treachery,
And fled he is upon this villainy.
|
|
CLAUDIO 235 Sweet Hero, now thy image doth appear
In the rare semblance that I loved it first.
|
CLAUDIO Sweet Hero, now thy image doth appear
In the rare semblance that I loved it first.
|
|
DOGBERRY Come, bring away the plaintiffs. By this time our sexton
hath reformed Signior Leonato of the matter. And,
masters, do not forget to specify, when time and place shall
240 serve, that I am an ass.
|
DOGBERRY Come, bring away the plaintiffs. By this time our sexton
hath reformed Signior Leonato of the matter. And,
masters, do not forget to specify, when time and place shall
serve, that I am an ass.
|
|
VERGES Here, here comes Master Signior Leonato, and the Sexton
too.
|
VERGES Here, here comes Master Signior Leonato, and the Sexton
too.
|
|
Enter LEONATO and ANTONIO , with the SEXTON
|
Enter LEONATO and ANTONIO , with the SEXTON
|
|
LEONATO Which is the villain? Let me see his eyes,
That, when I note another man like him,
245 I may avoid him. Which of these is he?
|
LEONATO Which is the villain? Let me see his eyes,
That, when I note another man like him,
I may avoid him. Which of these is he?
|
|
BORACHIO If you would know your wronger, look on me.
|
BORACHIO If you would know your wronger, look on me.
|
|
LEONATO Art thou the slave that with thy breath hast killed
Mine innocent child?
|
LEONATO Art thou the slave that with thy breath hast killed
Mine innocent child?
|
|
BORACHIO Yea, even I alone.
|
BORACHIO Yea, even I alone.
|
|
LEONATO No, not so, villain, thou beliest thyself.
250 Here stand a pair of honorable men—
A third is fled—that had a hand in it.—
I thank you, princes, for my daughter’s death.
Record it with your high and worthy deeds.
'Twas bravely done, if you bethink you of it.
|
LEONATO No, not so, villain, thou beliest thyself.
Here stand a pair of honorable men—
A third is fled—that had a hand in it.—
I thank you, princes, for my daughter’s death.
Record it with your high and worthy deeds.
'Twas bravely done, if you bethink you of it.
|
|
CLAUDIO 255 I know not how to pray your patience,
Yet I must speak. Choose your revenge yourself.
Impose me to what penance your invention
Can lay upon my sin. Yet sinned I not
But in mistaking.
|
CLAUDIO I know not how to pray your patience,
Yet I must speak. Choose your revenge yourself.
Impose me to what penance your invention
Can lay upon my sin. Yet sinned I not
But in mistaking.
|
|
DON PEDRO By my soul, nor I,
260 And yet to satisfy this good old man
I would bend under any heavy weight
That he’ll enjoin me to.
|
DON PEDRO By my soul, nor I,
And yet to satisfy this good old man
I would bend under any heavy weight
That he’ll enjoin me to.
|
|
LEONATO I cannot bid you bid my daughter live—
That were impossible—but, I pray you both,
265 Possess the people in Messina here
How innocent she died. And if your love
Can labor ought in sad invention,
Hang her an epitaph upon her tomb
And sing it to her bones. Sing it tonight.
270 Tomorrow morning come you to my house,
And since you could not be my son-in-law,
Be yet my nephew. My brother hath a daughter,
Almost the copy of my child that’s dead,
And she alone is heir to both of us.
275 Give her the right you should have given her cousin,
And so dies my revenge.
|
LEONATO I cannot bid you bid my daughter live—
That were impossible—but, I pray you both,
Possess the people in Messina here
How innocent she died. And if your love
Can labor ought in sad invention,
Hang her an epitaph upon her tomb
And sing it to her bones. Sing it tonight.
Tomorrow morning come you to my house,
And since you could not be my son-in-law,
Be yet my nephew. My brother hath a daughter,
Almost the copy of my child that’s dead,
And she alone is heir to both of us.
Give her the right you should have given her cousin,
And so dies my revenge.
|
|
CLAUDIO O noble sir!
Your overkindness doth wring tears from me.
I do embrace your offer; and dispose
For henceforth of poor Claudio.
|
CLAUDIO O noble sir!
Your overkindness doth wring tears from me.
I do embrace your offer; and dispose
For henceforth of poor Claudio.
|
|
LEONATO 280 Tomorrow then I will expect your coming.
Tonight I take my leave. This naughty man
Shall face to face be brought to Margaret,
Who I believe was packed in all this wrong,
Hired to it by your brother.
|
LEONATO Tomorrow then I will expect your coming.
Tonight I take my leave. This naughty man
Shall face to face be brought to Margaret,
Who I believe was packed in all this wrong,
Hired to it by your brother.
|
|
BORACHIO 285 No, by my soul, she was not,
Nor knew not what she did when she spoke to me,
But always hath been just and virtuous
In any thing that I do know by her.
|
BORACHIO No, by my soul, she was not,
Nor knew not what she did when she spoke to me,
But always hath been just and virtuous
In any thing that I do know by her.
|
|
DOGBERRY (to LEONATO) Moreover, sir, which indeed is not under
290 white and black, this plaintiff here, the offender, did call me
ass. I beseech you, let it be remembered in his punishment.
And also the watch heard them talk of one Deformed. They
say he wears a key in his ear and a lock hanging by it and
borrows money in God’s name, the which he hath used so
295 long and never paid that now men grow hard-hearted and
will lend nothing for God’s sake. Pray you, examine him
upon that point.
|
DOGBERRY (to LEONATO) Moreover, sir, which indeed is not under
white and black, this plaintiff here, the offender, did call me
ass. I beseech you, let it be remembered in his punishment.
And also the watch heard them talk of one Deformed. They
say he wears a key in his ear and a lock hanging by it and
borrows money in God’s name, the which he hath used so
long and never paid that now men grow hard-hearted and
will lend nothing for God’s sake. Pray you, examine him
upon that point.
|
|
LEONATO I thank thee for thy care and honest pains.
|
LEONATO I thank thee for thy care and honest pains.
|
|
DOGBERRY Your worship speaks like a most thankful and reverent
300 youth, and I praise God for you.
|
DOGBERRY Your worship speaks like a most thankful and reverent
youth, and I praise God for you.
|
|
LEONATO (giving him money) There’s for thy pains.
|
LEONATO (giving him money) There’s for thy pains.
|
|
DOGBERRY God save the foundation!
|
DOGBERRY God save the foundation!
|
|
LEONATO Go, I discharge thee of thy prisoner, and I thank thee.
|
LEONATO Go, I discharge thee of thy prisoner, and I thank thee.
|
|
DOGBERRY I leave an arrant knave with your Worship, which I beseech
305 your Worship to correct yourself, for the example of others.
God keep your Worship! I wish your Worship well. God
restore you to health! I humbly give you leave to depart, and
if a merry meeting may be wished, God prohibit it!—
Come, neighbor.
|
DOGBERRY I leave an arrant knave with your Worship, which I beseech
your Worship to correct yourself, for the example of others.
God keep your Worship! I wish your Worship well. God
restore you to health! I humbly give you leave to depart, and
if a merry meeting may be wished, God prohibit it!—
Come, neighbor.
|
|
Exeunt DOGBERRY and VERGES
|
Exeunt DOGBERRY and VERGES
|
|
LEONATO 310 Until tomorrow morning, lords, farewell.
|
LEONATO Until tomorrow morning, lords, farewell.
|
|
ANTONIO Farewell, my lords. We look for you tomorrow.
|
ANTONIO Farewell, my lords. We look for you tomorrow.
|
|
DON PEDRO We will not fail.
|
DON PEDRO We will not fail.
|
|
CLAUDIO Tonight I’ll mourn with Hero.
|
CLAUDIO Tonight I’ll mourn with Hero.
|
|
LEONATO (to the Watch)
How her acquaintance grew with this lewd fellow.
|
LEONATO (to the Watch)
How her acquaintance grew with this lewd fellow.
|
|
Exeunt
|
Exeunt
|
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