Much Ado about Nothing: ACT I , SCENE III. The same.

Much Ado about Nothing: ACT I


	Introduction

	ACT I

		SCENE I. Before LEONATO'S house.

		SCENE II. A room in LEONATO's house.

		SCENE III. The same.

	ACT II

	ACT III

	ACT IV

	ACT V

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SCENE III. The same.

Enter DON JOHN and CONRADE

CONRADE

What the good-year, my lord! why are you thus out
of measure sad?

DON JOHN

There is no measure in the occasion that breeds;
therefore the sadness is without limit.

CONRADE

5 You should hear reason.

DON JOHN

And when I have heard it, what blessing brings it?

CONRADE

If not a present remedy, at least a patient
sufferance.

DON JOHN

      I wonder that thou, being, as thou sayest thou art,
10    born under Saturn, goest about to apply a moral
      medicine to a mortifying mischief. I cannot hide
      what I am: I must be sad when I have cause and smile
      at no man's jests, eat when I have stomach and wait
      for no man's leisure, sleep when I am drowsy and
15    tend on no man's business, laugh when I am merry and
      claw no man in his humour.

CONRADE

      Yea, but you must not make the full show of this
      till you may do it without controlment. You have of
      late stood out against your brother, and he hath
20    ta'en you newly into his grace; where it is
      impossible you should take true root but by the
      fair weather that you make yourself: it is needful
      that you frame the season for your own harvest.

DON JOHN

      I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose in
25    his grace, and it better fits my blood to be
      disdained of all than to fashion a carriage to rob
      love from any: in this, though I cannot be said to
      be a flattering honest man, it must not be denied
      but I am a plain-dealing villain. I am trusted with
30    a muzzle and enfranchised with a clog; therefore I
      have decreed not to sing in my cage. If I had my
      mouth, I would bite; if I had my liberty, I would do
      my liking: in the meantime let me be that I am and
      seek not to alter me.

CONRADE

35 Can you make no use of your discontent?

DON JOHN

I make all use of it, for I use it only.
Who comes here?

Enter BORACHIO

What news, Borachio?

BORACHIO

      I came yonder from a great supper: the prince your
40    brother is royally entertained by Leonato: and I
      can give you intelligence of an intended marriage.

DON JOHN

      Will it serve for any model to build mischief on?
      What is he for a fool that betroths himself to
      unquietness?

BORACHIO

45 Marry, it is your brother's right hand.

DON JOHN

Who? the most exquisite Claudio?

BORACHIO

Even he.

DON JOHN

A proper squire! And who, and who? which way looks
he?

BORACHIO

50 Marry, on Hero, the daughter and heir of Leonato.

DON JOHN

A very forward March-chick! How came you to this?

BORACHIO

      Being entertained for a perfumer, as I was smoking a
      musty room, comes me the prince and Claudio, hand
      in hand in sad conference: I whipt me behind the
55    arras; and there heard it agreed upon that the
      prince should woo Hero for himself, and having
      obtained her, give her to Count Claudio.

DON JOHN

      Come, come, let us thither: this may prove food to
      my displeasure. That young start-up hath all the
60    glory of my overthrow: if I can cross him any way, I
      bless myself every way. You are both sure, and will assist me?

CONRADE

To the death, my lord.

DON JOHN

      Let us to the great supper: their cheer is the
      greater that I am subdued. Would the cook were of
65    my mind! Shall we go prove what's to be done?

BORACHIO

We'll wait upon your lordship.

Exeunt

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