ARKCODEX
Act III, Scene 4
1Hero’sapartment.
2Enter Hero, Margaret, and Ursula.
3HeroGood Ursula, wake my cousin Beatrice, and desire her to rise.
4UrsulaI will, lady.
5HeroAnd bid her come hither.
6UrsulaWell. Exit.
7MargaretTroth, I think your other rebato were better.
8HeroNo, pray thee, good Meg, I’ll wear this.
9MargaretBy my troth, ’s not so good; and I warrant your cousin will say so.
10HeroMy cousin ’s a fool, and thou art another: I’ll wear none but this.
11MargaretI like the new tire within excellently, if the hair were a thought browner; and your gown’s a most rare fashion, i’ faith. I saw the Duchess of Milan’s gown that they praise so.
12HeroO, that exceeds, they say.
13MargaretBy my troth, ’s but a nightgown in respect of yours: cloth o’ gold, and cuts, and laced with silver, set with pearls, down sleeves, side sleeves, and skirts, round underborne with a bluish tinsel: but for a fine, quaint, graceful and excellent fashion, yours is worth ten on’t.
14HeroGod give me joy to wear it! for my heart is exceeding heavy.
15Margaret’Twill be heavier soon by the weight of a man.
16HeroFie upon thee! art not ashamed?
17MargaretOf what, lady? of speaking honourably? Is not marriage honourable in a beggar? Is not your lord honourable without marriage? I think you would have me say, “saving your reverence, a husband:” an bad thinking do not wrest true speaking, I’ll offend nobody: is there any harm in “the heavier for a husband?” None, I think, an it be the right husband and the right wife; otherwise ’tis light, and not heavy: ask my Lady Beatrice else; here she comes.
18Enter Beatrice.
19HeroGood morrow, coz.
20BeatriceGood morrow, sweet Hero.
21HeroWhy, how now? do you speak in the sick tune?
22BeatriceI am out of all other tune, methinks.
23MargaretClap’s into “Light o’ love;” that goes without a burden: do you sing it, and I’ll dance it.
24BeatriceYe light o’ love with your heels! then, if your husband have stables enough, you’ll see he shall lack no barns.
25MargaretO illegitimate construction! I scorn that with my heels.
26Beatrice’Tis almost five o’clock, cousin; ’tis time you were ready. By my troth, I am exceeding ill: heigh-ho!
27MargaretFor a hawk, a horse, or a husband?
28BeatriceFor the letter that begins them all, H.
29MargaretWell, an you be not turned Turk, there’s no more sailing by the star.
30BeatriceWhat means the fool, trow?
31MargaretNothing I; but God send everyone their heart’s desire!
32HeroThese gloves the Count sent me; they are an excellent perfume.
33BeatriceI am stuffed, cousin; I cannot smell.
34MargaretA maid, and stuffed! there’s goodly catching of cold.
35BeatriceO, God help me! God help me! how long have you professed apprehension?
36MargaretEver since you left it. Doth not my wit become me rarely?
37BeatriceIt is not seen enough, you should wear it in your cap. By my troth, I am sick.
38MargaretGet you some of this distilled Carduus Benedictus, and lay it to your heart: it is the only thing for a qualm.
39HeroThere thou prickest her with a thistle.
40BeatriceBenedictus! why Benedictus? you have some moral in this Benedictus.
41MargaretMoral! no, by my troth, I have no moral meaning; I meant, plain holy thistle. You may think perchance that I think you are in love: nay, by’r Lady, I am not such a fool to think what I list, nor I list not to think what I can, nor indeed I cannot think, if I would think my heart out of thinking, that you are in love or that you will be in love or that you can be in love. Yet Benedick was such another, and now is he become a man: he swore he would never marry, and yet now, in despite of his heart, he eats his meat without grudging: and how you may be converted I know not, but methinks you look with your eyes as other women do.
42BeatriceWhat pace is this that thy tongue keeps?
43MargaretNot a false gallop.
44Reenter Ursula.
45UrsulaMadam, withdraw: the prince, the count, Signior Benedick, Don John, and all the gallants of the town, are come to fetch you to church.
46HeroHelp to dress me, good coz, good Meg, good Ursula. Exeunt.