And got a calf in that same noble feat, Re-enter ANTONIO, with the Ladies mask'd. Which is the lady I must seize upon? Ant. This same is she, and I do give you her. Claud. Why, then she's mine: Sweet, let me see your face. Leon. No, that you shall not, lill you take her hand Before this friar, and swear to marry her. Claud. Give me your hand before this holy friar; I am your husband, if you like of me. Hero. And when I liv'd, I was wife : your other [Unmasking. And when you lov'd, you were my other hus band. Claud. Another Hero ? Hero. Nothing certainer: One Hero died defil'd; but I do live, Aud, surely as I live, I am a maid. D. Pedro. The former Hero! Hero that is dead! Leon. She died, my Lord, but whiles her slan der liv'd. Friar. All this amazement can I qualify; And to the chapel let us presently. Which is Beatrice? Beat. I answer to that name; [Unmasking] Bene. Do not you love me. Beat. No, no more than reason. Bene. Why, then your uncle, and the Prince, and Claudio, Have been deceived; for they swore you did. Bene. No, no more than reason. Bene. Why, then my cousin, Margaret, and Ursula, Are much deceiv'd; for they did swear, you did. Bene. They swore that you were almost sick for me. Beat. They swore that you were well nigh dead for me. Bene. 'Tis no such matter: Then, you do not love me? Beat. No, truly, but in friendly recompence. Leon. Come, cousin, I am sure you love the gentleman. Claud. And I'll be sworn upon't, that he loves her; For here's a paper, written in his hand, A halting sonnet of his own pure brain, Hero. And here's another, Writ in my cousin's hand, stolen from her pocket, Containing her affection unto Benedick. Bene. A miracle! here's our own hands against our hearts! Come, I will have thee; but, by this light, I take thee for pity. Beat. I would not deny you; but, by this good day, I yield upon great persuasion; and, partly, to save your life, for I was told you were in a consumption. Bene. Peace, I will stop your mouth. [Kissing her. D. Pedro. How dost thou, Benedick the married man? Bene. I'll tell thee what, wit-crackers cannot flout me Prince; a college of out of my humour: Dost thou think, I care for a satire, or an epi gram? No if a man will be beaten with brains, he shall wear nothing handsome about him: In brief, since I do purpose to marry, I will think nothing to any purpose that the world can say against it; and therefore never flout at me for what I have said against it; for man is a giddy thing, and this is my conclusion. For thy part, Claudio, I did think to have beaten thee; but in that thou art like to be my kinsman, live unbruis'd, and love my cousin. Claud. I had well hoped, thou wouldst have denied Beatrice, that I might have cudgell'd thee' out of thy single life, to make thee a double dealer; which, out of question, thou wilt be, if my cousin do not look exceeding narrowly to thee. Benc. Come, come, we are friends: let's have a dance ere we are married, that we may lighten our own hearts, and our wives' heels. Leon. We'll have dancing afterwards. Bene. First, o' my word; therefore, play, musick. – Prince, thou art sad; get thee a wife, get thee a wife there is no staff more reverend than one tipp'd with horn. › Enter a Messenger. Mess. My Lord, your brother John is ta'en in flight, And brought with armed men back to Messina. Bene. Think not on him till to-morrow; I'll devise thee brave punishments for him. Strike up, pipers. [Dance. [Exeunt. PERSONS REPRESENTED. Theseus, Duke of Athens. Lysander, } in love with Hermia. Philostrate, Masters of the Revels to Theseus, Quince, the Carpenter. Snug, the Joiner. Bottom, the Weaver. Flute, the Bellows mender. Snout, the Tinker. Starveling, the Tailor. Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons, bethrothed to Hermia, Daughter to Egeus, in love with Lysander. Other Fairies attending their King and Queen. Attendants on Theseus and Hippolyta. SCENE, Athens, and a Wood nor far from it. Athens. A Room in the Palace of Theseus. Enter THESEUS, HIPPOLYTA, PHILOSTRATE, and Attendants. The. Now, fair Hippolyta, our nuptial hour Four nights will quickly dream away the time; The. Go, Philostrate, Stir up the Athenian youth to merriments; [Exit PHILOSTRATE. With pomp, with triumph, and with revelling. |