tranf-shape thy particular virtues; yet at laft fhe concluded with a figh, thou waft the propereft man in Italy. Claud. For the which fhe wept heartily, and faid fhe car'd not. Pedro, Yea, that fhe did; but yet for all that, and if she did not hate him deadly, fhe would love him dearly; the old man's daughter told us all. Claud, All, all; and moreover, God faw him when he was hid in the garden. Pedro. But when shall we fet the falvage bull's horns on the fenfible Benedick's head? Claud. Yea, and text underneath, Here dwells Benedick the married man. Bene. Fare you well, boy, you know my mind; I will leave you now to your goffip-like humour; you break jefts as braggarts do their blades, which, God be thank'd, hurt not. My Lord, for your many courtefies I thank you; I must difcontinue your company; your brother, the baftard, is fled from Meffina; you have among you killed a fweet and innocent lady. For my Lord Lack-beard there, he and I fhall meet; and till then, peace be with him! [Exit Benedick. Pedro He is in earnest. Claud. In moft profound earneft, and, I'll warrant you, for the love of Beatrice. Pedro. And hath challenge'd thee? Claud. Moft fincerely. Pedro. What a pretty thing man is, when he goes his doublet and hofe, and leaves off his wit! in Enter Dogberry, Verges, Conrade and Borachię guarded. Claud. He is then a giant to an ape; but then is an ape a doctor to fuch a man. Pedro. But, foft you, let me fee, pluck up my heart and be fad; did he not fay, my brother was fled? Dogb, Come, you, Sir; if Juftice cannot tame you, the fhall ne'er weigh more reafons in her balance; nay, an you be a curfing hypocrite once, you must be look'd to. Pedro. How now, two of my brother's men bound? Borachio one? Claud. Hearken after their offence, my Lord. Pedro. Officers, what offence have these men done? Dogb. Marry, Sir, they have committed falfe report; moreover they have fpoken untruths; fecondarily, they are flanders; fixth and laftly, they have bely'd a lady; thirdly, they have verify'd unjust things; and, to conclude they are lying knaves. Pedro. Firft, I ask thee what they have done; thirdly, I afk thee what's their offence; fixth and lastly, why they are committed; and, to conclude, what you lay to their charge? Claud. Rightly reafon'd, and in his own divifion; and, by my troth, there's one meaning well-fuited. Pedro. Whom have you offended, Masters, that you are thus bound to your anfwer? This learned constable is too cunning to be underftood. What's your offence? Boka. Sweet Prince, let me go no further to mine anfwer: do you hear me, and let this Count kill me. I have deceiv'd even your very eyes; what your wifdoms could not difcover, thefe thallow fools have brought to light, who in the night overheard me confeffing to this man, how Don John your brother incens'd me to flander the Lady Hero; how you were brought into the orchard, and faw me court Margaret in Hero's garments; how you difgrace'd her, when you fhould marry her. My villany they have upon record, which I had rather feal with my death, than repeat over to my fhame. The lady is dead upon mine and my mafter's falfe accufation; and, briefly, I defire nothing but the reward of a villain. Pedro. Runs not this fpeech like iron through your blood? Claud. I have drunk poifon while he utter'd it. Pedro. But did my brother fet thee on to this? Bora Yea, and paid me richly for the practice of it. Pedro He is compos'd and fram'd of treachery; And fled he is upon this villany. Claud. Claud. Sweet Hero! now thy image doth appear In the rare femblance that I lov'd it first. Dogb. Come, bring away the plaintiffs; by this time our Sexton hath reform'd Signior Leonato of the matter; and, Masters, do not forget to fpecify, when time and place fhall ferve, that I am an ass. Verg: Here, here comes Mafter Signior Leonato, and the Sexton too. SCENE V. Enter Leonato and Sexton. Leon. Which is the villain? let me fee his eyes, "That when I note another man like him, "I may avoid him; which of thefe is he? Bora. If you would know your wronger, look on me. Leon. Art thou, art thou the flave, that with thy breath Haft kill'd mine innocent child? Bora. Yea, even I alone. Leon. No, not fo, villain; thou bely'ft thyfelf; Here ftand a pair of honourable men, A third is fled, that had a hand in it. I thank you, princes, for my daughter's death; Claud. I know not how to pray your patience, Pedro. By my foul, nor I; And yet, to fatisfy this good old man, I would bend under any heavy weight, That he'll injoin me to. Leon. You cannot bid my daughter live again; That were impoffible; but, I pray you both, Poffefs the people in Meffina here How innocent the dy'd; and if your love Be Be yet my nephew; my brother hath a daughter,. And fhe alone is heir to both of us; Give her the right you fhould have given her coufin, And fo dies my revenge. Claud. O noble Sir! Your over-kindness doth wring tears from me. For henceforth of poor Claudio. Leon. To-morrow then I will expect your coming, To-night I take my leave. This naughty man Shall face to face be brought to Margaret, Who, I believe, was pack'd in all his wrong, Hir'd to it by your brother. Bora. No, by my foul, fhe was not; Nor knew not what fhe did, when she spoke to me. Dogb. Moreover, Sir, which indeed is not under white and black, this plaintiff here, the offender, did call me afs. I befeech you, let it be remember'd in his punishment; " and alfo the watch heard them talk of 66 one deformed. They fay he wears a key in his ear, "and a lock hanging by it; and borrows money in "God's name, the which he hath us'd fo long, and never paid, that now men grow hard-hearted, and "will lend nothing for God's fake. Pray you, exa"mine him upon that point." Leon. I thank thee for thy care and honest pains. Dogb. Your worship fpeaks like a moft thankful and reverend youth: and I praife God for you. Leon. There's for thy pains. Dogh. God fave the foundation! Leon. Go, I difcharge thee of thy prifoner; and I thank thee. Dogb. I leave an errant knave with your Worship, which I befeech your Worship to correct yourself, for the example of others. God keep your worthip; I with your Worship well. God reftore you to health: I humbly give you leave to depart; and if a merry meeting may be with'd, God prohibit it. Come, neighbour. [Exeunt Leon. Leon. Until to-morrow morning, Lords, fareweł. Ant. Farewel, my Lords; we look for you to-mor row. Pedro. We will not fail. Claud. To-night I'll mourn with Hero. Leon. Bring you thefe fellows on; we'll talk with Margaret, How her acquaintance grew with this lewd fellow. SCENE VI. Changes to Leonato's houfe. Bene. Pray thee, sweet Mistress Margaret, deserve well at my hands, by helping me to the fpeech of Beatrice. Marg. Will you then write me a fonnet in praise of my beauty. Bene. In fo high a ftyle, Margaret, that no man living thall come over it; for, in moft comely truth, thou deferveft it. Marg. To have no man come over me? Why shalf I always keep above ftairs? Bene. Thy wit is as quick as the greyhound's mouth; it catches. Marg. And your's as blunt as the fencer's foils, which hit, but hurt not. Bene. A moft manly wit, Margaret, it will not hurt a woman; and fo, I pray thee, call Beatrice; I give thee the bucklers. Marg. Give us the fwords; we have bucklers of our own. Bene. If you use them, Margaret, you must put in the pikes with a vice, and they are dangerous weapons for maids. Marg. Well, I will call Beatrice to you, who I think, hath legs. [Exit Margaret. Bene. And therefore will come. [Sings.] The God of love that fits above, and knows me, and knows me, how pitiful I deferve,-I mean, in finging; but in lov ing, Leander the good fwimmer, Troilus the first employer of pandars, and the whole book full of those |