Much Ado About Nothing, Act 4, Scene 1, 255-332
Arden 3 | Claire McEachern, ed. | London: Bloomsbury, 2005 | pp.311-315
@1598
Benedick: 32 lines
Beatrice: 46 lines
Total: 78 lines
Speech
Words + Pronunciation
Translation
Assonance
Alliteration
Consonance
Thoughts
Thought Count
Rhythm
Pacing
Beats
Rhetoric
Full Scene
Given Circumstances
Scene
Arden 3 | 2005
Exeunt [all but BEATRICE and BENEDICK].
BENEDICK
Lady Beatrice, have you wept all this while? [255]
BEATRICE
Yea, and I will weep awhile longer.
BENEDICK
I will not desire that.
BEATRICE
You have no reason; I do it freely.
BENEDICK
Surely I do believe your fair cousin is
wronged. [260]
BEATRICE
Ah, how much might the man deserve of me
that would right her!
BENEDICK
Is there any way to show such friendship?
BEATRICE
A very even way, but no such friend.
BENEDICK
May a man do it? [265]
BEATRICE
It is a man’s office, but not yours.
BENEDICK
I do love nothing in the world so well as you.
Is not that strange?
BEATRICE
As strange as the thing I know not. It were as
possible for me to say I loved nothing so well as you. [270]
But believe me not – and yet I lie not. I confess nothing,
nor I deny nothing. I am sorry for my cousin.
BENEDICK
By my sword, Beatrice, thou lovest me.
BEATRICE
Do not swear and eat it.
BENEDICK
I will swear by it that you love me, and I will [275]
make him eat it that says I love not you.
BEATRICE
Will you not eat your word?
BENEDICK
With no sauce that can be devised to it. I
protest I love thee.
BEATRICE
Why then, God forgive me. [280]
BENEDICK
What offence, sweet Beatrice?
BEATRICE
You have stayed me in a happy hour; I was
about to protest I loved you.
BENEDICK
And do it, with all thy heart.
BEATRICE
I love you with so much of my heart that none [285]
is left to protest.
BENEDICK
Come, bid me do anything for thee.
BEATRICE
Kill Claudio.
BENEDICK
Ha, not for the wide world.
BEATRICE
You kill me to deny it. Farewell. [Moves as if to leave.] [290]
BENEDICK
Tarry, sweet Beatrice. [Stays her.]
BEATRICE
I am gone, though I am here. There is no love
in you; nay, I pray you, let me go.
BENEDICK
Beatrice –
BEATRICE
In faith, I will go. [295]
BENEDICK
We’ll be friends first.
BEATRICE
You dare easier be friends with me than fight
with mine enemy.
BENEDICK
Is Claudio thine enemy?
BEATRICE
Is ’a not approved in the height a villain, that [300]
hath slandered, scorned, dishonoured my kinswoman?
O, that I were a man! What, bear her in hand until they
come to take hands, and then with public accusation,
uncovered slander, unmitigated rancour? O God, that I
were a man! I would eat his heart in the marketplace. [305]
BENEDICK
Hear me, Beatrice –
BEATRICE
Talk with a man out at a window! A proper saying!
BENEDICK
Nay, but Beatrice –
BEATRICE
Sweet Hero! She is wronged, she is slandered, [310]
she is undone.
BENEDICK
Beat –
BEATRICE
Princes and counties! Surely a princely
testimony, a goodly count! Count Comfit, a sweet
gallant surely. O that I were a man for his sake! Or [315]
that I had any friend would be a man for my sake!
But manhood is melted into curtsies, valour into
compliment, and men are only turned into tongue,
and trim ones, too. He is now as valiant as Hercules
that only tells a lie and swears it. I cannot be a man [320]
with wishing, therefore I will die a woman with grieving.
BENEDICK
Tarry, good Beatrice. By this hand, I love thee.
BEATRICE
Use it for my love some other way than
swearing by it.
BENEDICK
Think you in your soul the Count Claudio [325]
hath wronged Hero?
BEATRICE
Yea, as sure as I have a thought or a soul.
BENEDICK
Enough, I am engaged. I will challenge him.
I will kiss your hand, and so I leave you. By this hand,
Claudio shall render me a dear account. As you hear of [330]
me, so think of me. Go comfort your cousin. I must say
she is dead, and so farewell.
[Exeunt by different doors.]
Words + Pronunciation
Arden 3 | 2006
Mewling: To cry out or whine (O.E.D). to wail almost like a kitten (Arden)
Ballad: A light song that is typically romantic in nature (O.E.D)
Pard: To be or be like a panther or leopard (Crystal) A leopard (Arden)
Quarrel: some dispute or hostility, a complaint against another person (O.E.D)
Bubble Reputation: Fame and pride that is as fragile and fleeting as a bubble(No Fear Shakespeare)
Justice: An officer of the court or a Judge (O.E.D)
Fair: Nice or well. In context it means well fed. (No Fear Shakespeare) With Justice or honesty (O.E.D)
Capon: A corrupt justice who takes bribes (O.E.D) A castrated cock, a fat chicken to eat (Arden)
Wise saws: Wise words or phrases (No Fear Shakespeare) Sage sayings (Arden)
Modern instances: Relevant and recent information (No Fear Shakespeare) Recent or new arguments, used in a legal case (Arden)
Lean: Alight, poor and gaunt (Crystal)
Slippered: well worn or shoddy (O.E.D)
Pantaloon: The clothes of an old man (Crystal) Baggy trousers worn by old men over their emaciated legs (Arden)
Pouch: A money bag or purse (Crystal)
Hose: A pair of pants (Crystal)
A World: Much (Arden) by a great deal, infinitely, vastly. (O.E.D)
Shrunk: To wither or shrivel (O.E.D)
Shank: Legs (Crystal)
Treble: Multiplied by three time (Crystal) The high pitched voice of a child (Arden)
Pipes: Voice (Crystal)
Whistles: To become quiet or whisper (Crystal) The indistinct articulation of children (Arden)
Mere: Total (Arden) Undiluted (O.E.D)
Pronunciation+
——————–All the world’s a stage, [140]
And all the men and women merely players.
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages. At first the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms; [145]
Then the whining school-boy, with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school; and then the lover,
Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress’ eyebrow; then a soldier, [150]
Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon’s mouth; and then the justice,
In fair round belly with good capon lined, [155]
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances;
And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slippered pantaloon,
With spectacles on nose and pouch on side, [160]
His youthful hose well saved, a world too wide
For his shrunk shank, and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history, [165]
Is second childishness and mere oblivion,
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.
Re-enter ORLANDO, with ADAM
Translation
No Fear Shakespeare
Everyone but BENEDICK and BEATRICE exits.
BENEDICK
Lady Beatrice, have you been crying this entire time?
BEATRICE
Yes, and I’ll keep crying a while longer.
BENEDICK
I don’t wish that on you.
BEATRICE
You don’t have to; I do it of my own free will.
BENEDICK
I really believe your cousin was falsely accused.
BEATRICE
Oh, the man who avenged her could ask anything of me!
BENEDICK
Is there any way I could show such friendship to you?
BEATRICE
A very clear way, but there is no friend who will undertake it.
BENEDICK
Can a man do it?
BEATRICE
It’s a job meant for a man, but not you.
BENEDICK
There is nothing in the world that I love as much as you. Isn’t that strange?
BEATRICE
It’s as strange as this other thing which I don’t understand. I could just as easily say that there is nothing in the world that I love as much as you. But don’t believe me—though I’m not lying. I confess nothing, and I deny nothing. I feel awful for my cousin.
Assonance
Arden 3 | 2006
Exeunt [all but BEATRICE and BENEDICK].
BENEDICK
Lady Beatrice, have you wept all this while? [255]
BEATRICE
Yea, and I will weep awhile longer.
BENEDICK
I will not desire that.
BEATRICE
You have no reason; I do it freely.
BENEDICK
Surely I do believe your fair cousin is
wronged. [260]
BEATRICE
Ah, how much might the man deserve of me
that would right her!
BENEDICK
Is there any way to show such friendship?
BEATRICE
A very even way, but no such friend.
BENEDICK
May a man do it? [265]
BEATRICE
It is a man’s office, but not yours.
BENEDICK
I do love nothing in the world so well as you.
Is not that strange?
BEATRICE
As strange as the thing I know not. It were as
possible for me to say I loved nothing so well as you. [270]
But believe me not – and yet I lie not. I confess nothing,
nor I deny nothing. I am sorry for my cousin.
BENEDICK
By my sword, Beatrice, thou lovest me.
BEATRICE
Do not swear and eat it.
BENEDICK
I will swear by it that you love me, and I will [275]
make him eat it that says I love not you.
BEATRICE
Will you not eat your word?
BENEDICK
With no sauce that can be devised to it. I
protest I love thee.
BEATRICE
Why then, God forgive me. [280]
BENEDICK
What offence, sweet Beatrice?
BEATRICE
You have stayed me in a happy hour; I was
about to protest I loved you.
BENEDICK
And do it, with all thy heart.
BEATRICE
I love you with so much of my heart that none [285]
is left to protest.
BENEDICK
Come, bid me do anything for thee.
BEATRICE
Kill Claudio.
BENEDICK
Ha, not for the wide world.
BEATRICE
You kill me to deny it. Farewell. [Moves as if to leave.] [290]
BENEDICK
Tarry, sweet Beatrice. [Stays her.]
BEATRICE
I am gone, though I am here. There is no love
in you; nay, I pray you, let me go.
BENEDICK
Beatrice –
BEATRICE
In faith, I will go. [295]
BENEDICK
We’ll be friends first.
BEATRICE
You dare easier be friends with me than fight
with mine enemy.
BENEDICK
Is Claudio thine enemy?
BEATRICE
Is ’a not approved in the height a villain, that [300]
hath slandered, scorned, dishonoured my kinswoman?
O, that I were a man! What, bear her in hand until they
come to take hands, and then with public accusation,
uncovered slander, unmitigated rancour? O God, that I
were a man! I would eat his heart in the marketplace. [305]
BENEDICK
Hear me, Beatrice –
BEATRICE
Talk with a man out at a window! A proper saying!
BENEDICK
Nay, but Beatrice –
BEATRICE
Sweet Hero! She is wronged, she is slandered, [310]
she is undone.
BENEDICK
Beat –
BEATRICE
Princes and counties! Surely a princely
testimony, a goodly count! Count Comfit, a sweet
gallant surely. O that I were a man for his sake! Or [315]
that I had any friend would be a man for my sake!
But manhood is melted into curtsies, valour into
compliment, and men are only turned into tongue,
and trim ones, too. He is now as valiant as Hercules
that only tells a lie and swears it. I cannot be a man [320]
with wishing, therefore I will die a woman with grieving.
BENEDICK
Tarry, good Beatrice. By this hand, I love thee.
BEATRICE
Use it for my love some other way than
swearing by it.
BENEDICK
Think you in your soul the Count Claudio [325]
hath wronged Hero?
BEATRICE
Yea, as sure as I have a thought or a soul.
BENEDICK
Enough, I am engaged. I will challenge him.
I will kiss your hand, and so I leave you. By this hand,
Claudio shall render me a dear account. As you hear of [330]
me, so think of me. Go comfort your cousin. I must say
she is dead, and so farewell.
[Exeunt by different doors.]
Alliteration
Arden 3 | 2006
Exeunt [all but BEATRICE and BENEDICK].
BENEDICK
Lady Beatrice, have you wept all this while? [255]
BEATRICE
Yea, and I will weep awhile longer.
BENEDICK
I will not desire that.
BEATRICE
You have no reason; I do it freely.
BENEDICK
Surely I do believe your fair cousin is
wronged. [260]
BEATRICE
Ah, how much might the man deserve of me
that would right her!
BENEDICK
Is there any way to show such friendship?
BEATRICE
A very even way, but no such friend.
BENEDICK
May a man do it? [265]
BEATRICE
It is a man’s office, but not yours.
BENEDICK
I do love nothing in the world so well as you.
Is not that strange?
BEATRICE
As strange as the thing I know not. It were as
possible for me to say I loved nothing so well as you. [270]
But believe me not – and yet I lie not. I confess nothing,
nor I deny nothing. I am sorry for my cousin.
BENEDICK
By my sword, Beatrice, thou lovest me.
BEATRICE
Do not swear and eat it.
BENEDICK
I will swear by it that you love me, and I will [275]
make him eat it that says I love not you.
BEATRICE
Will you not eat your word?
BENEDICK
With no sauce that can be devised to it. I
protest I love thee.
BEATRICE
Why then, God forgive me. [280]
BENEDICK
What offence, sweet Beatrice?
BEATRICE
You have stayed me in a happy hour; I was
about to protest I loved you.
BENEDICK
And do it, with all thy heart.
BEATRICE
I love you with so much of my heart that none [285]
is left to protest.
BENEDICK
Come, bid me do anything for thee.
BEATRICE
Kill Claudio.
BENEDICK
Ha, not for the wide world.
BEATRICE
You kill me to deny it. Farewell. [Moves as if to leave.] [290]
BENEDICK
Tarry, sweet Beatrice. [Stays her.]
BEATRICE
I am gone, though I am here. There is no love
in you; nay, I pray you, let me go.
BENEDICK
Beatrice –
BEATRICE
In faith, I will go. [295]
BENEDICK
We’ll be friends first.
BEATRICE
You dare easier be friends with me than fight
with mine enemy.
BENEDICK
Is Claudio thine enemy?
BEATRICE
Is ’a not approved in the height a villain, that [300]
hath slandered, scorned, dishonoured my kinswoman?
O, that I were a man! What, bear her in hand until they
come to take hands, and then with public accusation,
uncovered slander, unmitigated rancour? O God, that I
were a man! I would eat his heart in the marketplace. [305]
BENEDICK
Hear me, Beatrice –
BEATRICE
Talk with a man out at a window! A proper saying!
BENEDICK
Nay, but Beatrice –
BEATRICE
Sweet Hero! She is wronged, she is slandered, [310]
she is undone.
BENEDICK
Beat –
BEATRICE
Princes and counties! Surely a princely
testimony, a goodly count! Count Comfit, a sweet
gallant surely. O that I were a man for his sake! Or [315]
that I had any friend would be a man for my sake!
But manhood is melted into curtsies, valour into
compliment, and men are only turned into tongue,
and trim ones, too. He is now as valiant as Hercules
that only tells a lie and swears it. I cannot be a man [320]
with wishing, therefore I will die a woman with grieving.
BENEDICK
Tarry, good Beatrice. By this hand, I love thee.
BEATRICE
Use it for my love some other way than
swearing by it.
BENEDICK
Think you in your soul the Count Claudio [325]
hath wronged Hero?
BEATRICE
Yea, as sure as I have a thought or a soul.
BENEDICK
Enough, I am engaged. I will challenge him.
I will kiss your hand, and so I leave you. By this hand,
Claudio shall render me a dear account. As you hear of [330]
me, so think of me. Go comfort your cousin. I must say
she is dead, and so farewell.
[Exeunt by different doors.]
Consonance
Arden 3 | 2006
Exeunt [all but BEATRICE and BENEDICK].
BENEDICK
Lady Beatrice, have you wept all this while? [255]
BEATRICE
Yea, and I will weep awhile longer.
BENEDICK
I will not desire that.
BEATRICE
You have no reason; I do it freely.
BENEDICK
Surely I do believe your fair cousin is
wronged. [260]
BEATRICE
Ah, how much might the man deserve of me
that would right her!
BENEDICK
Is there any way to show such friendship?
BEATRICE
A very even way, but no such friend.
BENEDICK
May a man do it? [265]
BEATRICE
It is a man’s office, but not yours.
BENEDICK
I do love nothing in the world so well as you.
Is not that strange?
BEATRICE
As strange as the thing I know not. It were as
possible for me to say I loved nothing so well as you. [270]
But believe me not – and yet I lie not. I confess nothing,
nor I deny nothing. I am sorry for my cousin.
BENEDICK
By my sword, Beatrice, thou lovest me.
BEATRICE
Do not swear and eat it.
BENEDICK
I will swear by it that you love me, and I will [275]
make him eat it that says I love not you.
BEATRICE
Will you not eat your word?
BENEDICK
With no sauce that can be devised to it. I
protest I love thee.
BEATRICE
Why then, God forgive me. [280]
BENEDICK
What offence, sweet Beatrice?
BEATRICE
You have stayed me in a happy hour; I was
about to protest I loved you.
BENEDICK
And do it, with all thy heart.
BEATRICE
I love you with so much of my heart that none [285]
is left to protest.
BENEDICK
Come, bid me do anything for thee.
BEATRICE
Kill Claudio.
BENEDICK
Ha, not for the wide world.
BEATRICE
You kill me to deny it. Farewell. [Moves as if to leave.] [290]
BENEDICK
Tarry, sweet Beatrice. [Stays her.]
BEATRICE
I am gone, though I am here. There is no love
in you; nay, I pray you, let me go.
BENEDICK
Beatrice –
BEATRICE
In faith, I will go. [295]
BENEDICK
We’ll be friends first.
BEATRICE
You dare easier be friends with me than fight
with mine enemy.
BENEDICK
Is Claudio thine enemy?
BEATRICE
Is ’a not approved in the height a villain, that [300]
hath slandered, scorned, dishonoured my kinswoman?
O, that I were a man! What, bear her in hand until they
come to take hands, and then with public accusation,
uncovered slander, unmitigated rancour? O God, that I
were a man! I would eat his heart in the marketplace. [305]
BENEDICK
Hear me, Beatrice –
BEATRICE
Talk with a man out at a window! A proper saying!
BENEDICK
Nay, but Beatrice –
BEATRICE
Sweet Hero! She is wronged, she is slandered, [310]
she is undone.
BENEDICK
Beat –
BEATRICE
Princes and counties! Surely a princely
testimony, a goodly count! Count Comfit, a sweet
gallant surely. O that I were a man for his sake! Or [315]
that I had any friend would be a man for my sake!
But manhood is melted into curtsies, valour into
compliment, and men are only turned into tongue,
and trim ones, too. He is now as valiant as Hercules
that only tells a lie and swears it. I cannot be a man [320]
with wishing, therefore I will die a woman with grieving.
BENEDICK
Tarry, good Beatrice. By this hand, I love thee.
BEATRICE
Use it for my love some other way than
swearing by it.
BENEDICK
Think you in your soul the Count Claudio [325]
hath wronged Hero?
BEATRICE
Yea, as sure as I have a thought or a soul.
BENEDICK
Enough, I am engaged. I will challenge him.
I will kiss your hand, and so I leave you. By this hand,
Claudio shall render me a dear account. As you hear of [330]
me, so think of me. Go comfort your cousin. I must say
she is dead, and so farewell.
[Exeunt by different doors.]
Thoughts
Arden 3 | 2006
Exeunt [all but BEATRICE and BENEDICK].
BENEDICK
Lady Beatrice, have you wept all this while? [255]
BEATRICE
Yea, and I will weep awhile longer.
BENEDICK
I will not desire that.
BEATRICE
You have no reason; I do it freely.
BENEDICK
Surely I do believe your fair cousin is
wronged. [260]
BEATRICE
Ah, how much might the man deserve of me
that would right her!
BENEDICK
Is there any way to show such friendship?
BEATRICE
A very even way, but no such friend.
BENEDICK
May a man do it? [265]
BEATRICE
It is a man’s office, but not yours.
BENEDICK
I do love nothing in the world so well as you.
Is not that strange?
BEATRICE
As strange as the thing I know not. It were as
possible for me to say I loved nothing so well as you. [270]
But believe me not – and yet I lie not. I confess nothing,
nor I deny nothing. I am sorry for my cousin.
BENEDICK
By my sword, Beatrice, thou lovest me.
BEATRICE
Do not swear and eat it.
BENEDICK
I will swear by it that you love me, and I will [275]
make him eat it that says I love not you.
BEATRICE
Will you not eat your word?
BENEDICK
With no sauce that can be devised to it. I
protest I love thee.
BEATRICE
Why then, God forgive me. [280]
BENEDICK
What offence, sweet Beatrice?
BEATRICE
You have stayed me in a happy hour; I was
about to protest I loved you.
BENEDICK
And do it, with all thy heart.
BEATRICE
I love you with so much of my heart that none [285]
is left to protest.
BENEDICK
Come, bid me do anything for thee.
BEATRICE
Kill Claudio.
BENEDICK
Ha, not for the wide world.
BEATRICE
You kill me to deny it. Farewell. [Moves as if to leave.] [290]
BENEDICK
Tarry, sweet Beatrice. [Stays her.]
BEATRICE
I am gone, though I am here. There is no love
in you; nay, I pray you, let me go.
BENEDICK
Beatrice –
BEATRICE
In faith, I will go. [295]
BENEDICK
We’ll be friends first.
BEATRICE
You dare easier be friends with me than fight
with mine enemy.
BENEDICK
Is Claudio thine enemy?
BEATRICE
Is ’a not approved in the height a villain, that [300]
hath slandered, scorned, dishonoured my kinswoman?
O, that I were a man! What, bear her in hand until they
come to take hands, and then with public accusation,
uncovered slander, unmitigated rancour? O God, that I
were a man! I would eat his heart in the marketplace. [305]
BENEDICK
Hear me, Beatrice –
BEATRICE
Talk with a man out at a window! A proper saying!
BENEDICK
Nay, but Beatrice –
BEATRICE
Sweet Hero! She is wronged, she is slandered, [310]
she is undone.
BENEDICK
Beat –
BEATRICE
Princes and counties! Surely a princely
testimony, a goodly count! Count Comfit, a sweet
gallant surely. O that I were a man for his sake! Or [315]
that I had any friend would be a man for my sake!
But manhood is melted into curtsies, valour into
compliment, and men are only turned into tongue,
and trim ones, too. He is now as valiant as Hercules
that only tells a lie and swears it. I cannot be a man [320]
with wishing, therefore I will die a woman with grieving.
BENEDICK
Tarry, good Beatrice. By this hand, I love thee.
BEATRICE
Use it for my love some other way than
swearing by it.
BENEDICK
Think you in your soul the Count Claudio [325]
hath wronged Hero?
BEATRICE
Yea, as sure as I have a thought or a soul.
BENEDICK
Enough, I am engaged. I will challenge him.
I will kiss your hand, and so I leave you. By this hand,
Claudio shall render me a dear account. As you hear of [330]
me, so think of me. Go comfort your cousin. I must say
she is dead, and so farewell.
[Exeunt by different doors.]
Thought Count
Arden 3 | 2006
Thoughts |TBD
Short: 2 | 5
Medium: 2 | 5
Long: 2 | 1
Total: 5 | 11
Complex: 2 | 2,6
End-stopped: 2 | 6
Mid-line: 3 | 5
Periods: 5
Exclamations: 0
Questions: 0
Unfinished: 0
Rhythm
Arden 3 | 2006
Exeunt [all but BEATRICE and BENEDICK].
BENEDICK
Lady Beatrice, have you wept all this while? [255]
BEATRICE
Yea, and I will weep awhile longer.
BENEDICK
I will not desire that.
BEATRICE
You have no reason; I do it freely.
BENEDICK
Surely I do believe your fair cousin is
wronged. [260]
BEATRICE
Ah, how much might the man deserve of me
that would right her!
BENEDICK
Is there any way to show such friendship?
BEATRICE
A very even way, but no such friend.
BENEDICK
May a man do it? [265]
BEATRICE
It is a man’s office, but not yours.
BENEDICK
I do love nothing in the world so well as you.
Is not that strange?
BEATRICE
As strange as the thing I know not. It were as
possible for me to say I loved nothing so well as you. [270]
But believe me not – and yet I lie not. I confess nothing,
nor I deny nothing. I am sorry for my cousin.
BENEDICK
By my sword, Beatrice, thou lovest me.
BEATRICE
Do not swear and eat it.
BENEDICK
I will swear by it that you love me, and I will [275]
make him eat it that says I love not you.
BEATRICE
Will you not eat your word?
BENEDICK
With no sauce that can be devised to it. I
protest I love thee.
BEATRICE
Why then, God forgive me. [280]
BENEDICK
What offence, sweet Beatrice?
BEATRICE
You have stayed me in a happy hour; I was
about to protest I loved you.
BENEDICK
And do it, with all thy heart.
BEATRICE
I love you with so much of my heart that none [285]
is left to protest.
BENEDICK
Come, bid me do anything for thee.
BEATRICE
Kill Claudio.
BENEDICK
Ha, not for the wide world.
BEATRICE
You kill me to deny it. Farewell. [Moves as if to leave.] [290]
BENEDICK
Tarry, sweet Beatrice. [Stays her.]
BEATRICE
I am gone, though I am here. There is no love
in you; nay, I pray you, let me go.
BENEDICK
Beatrice –
BEATRICE
In faith, I will go. [295]
BENEDICK
We’ll be friends first.
BEATRICE
You dare easier be friends with me than fight
with mine enemy.
BENEDICK
Is Claudio thine enemy?
BEATRICE
Is ’a not approved in the height a villain, that [300]
hath slandered, scorned, dishonoured my kinswoman?
O, that I were a man! What, bear her in hand until they
come to take hands, and then with public accusation,
uncovered slander, unmitigated rancour? O God, that I
were a man! I would eat his heart in the marketplace. [305]
BENEDICK
Hear me, Beatrice –
BEATRICE
Talk with a man out at a window! A proper saying!
BENEDICK
Nay, but Beatrice –
BEATRICE
Sweet Hero! She is wronged, she is slandered, [310]
she is undone.
BENEDICK
Beat –
BEATRICE
Princes and counties! Surely a princely
testimony, a goodly count! Count Comfit, a sweet
gallant surely. O that I were a man for his sake! Or [315]
that I had any friend would be a man for my sake!
But manhood is melted into curtsies, valour into
compliment, and men are only turned into tongue,
and trim ones, too. He is now as valiant as Hercules
that only tells a lie and swears it. I cannot be a man [320]
with wishing, therefore I will die a woman with grieving.
BENEDICK
Tarry, good Beatrice. By this hand, I love thee.
BEATRICE
Use it for my love some other way than
swearing by it.
BENEDICK
Think you in your soul the Count Claudio [325]
hath wronged Hero?
BEATRICE
Yea, as sure as I have a thought or a soul.
BENEDICK
Enough, I am engaged. I will challenge him.
I will kiss your hand, and so I leave you. By this hand,
Claudio shall render me a dear account. As you hear of [330]
me, so think of me. Go comfort your cousin. I must say
she is dead, and so farewell.
[Exeunt by different doors.]
Pacing
Arden 3 | 2006
Exeunt [all but BEATRICE and BENEDICK].
BENEDICK
Lady Beatrice, have you wept all this while? [255]
BEATRICE
Yea, and I will weep awhile longer.
BENEDICK
I will not desire that.
BEATRICE
You have no reason; I do it freely.
BENEDICK
Surely I do believe your fair cousin is
wronged. [260]
BEATRICE
Ah, how much might the man deserve of me
that would right her!
BENEDICK
Is there any way to show such friendship?
BEATRICE
A very even way, but no such friend.
BENEDICK
May a man do it? [265]
BEATRICE
It is a man’s office, but not yours.
BENEDICK
I do love nothing in the world so well as you.
Is not that strange?
BEATRICE
As strange as the thing I know not. It were as
possible for me to say I loved nothing so well as you. [270]
But believe me not – and yet I lie not. I confess nothing,
nor I deny nothing. I am sorry for my cousin.
BENEDICK
By my sword, Beatrice, thou lovest me.
BEATRICE
Do not swear and eat it.
BENEDICK
I will swear by it that you love me, and I will [275]
make him eat it that says I love not you.
BEATRICE
Will you not eat your word?
BENEDICK
With no sauce that can be devised to it. I
protest I love thee.
BEATRICE
Why then, God forgive me. [280]
BENEDICK
What offence, sweet Beatrice?
BEATRICE
You have stayed me in a happy hour; I was
about to protest I loved you.
BENEDICK
And do it, with all thy heart.
BEATRICE
I love you with so much of my heart that none [285]
is left to protest.
BENEDICK
Come, bid me do anything for thee.
BEATRICE
Kill Claudio.
BENEDICK
Ha, not for the wide world.
BEATRICE
You kill me to deny it. Farewell. [Moves as if to leave.] [290]
BENEDICK
Tarry, sweet Beatrice. [Stays her.]
BEATRICE
I am gone, though I am here. There is no love
in you; nay, I pray you, let me go.
BENEDICK
Beatrice –
BEATRICE
In faith, I will go. [295]
BENEDICK
We’ll be friends first.
BEATRICE
You dare easier be friends with me than fight
with mine enemy.
BENEDICK
Is Claudio thine enemy?
BEATRICE
Is ’a not approved in the height a villain, that [300]
hath slandered, scorned, dishonoured my kinswoman?
O, that I were a man! What, bear her in hand until they
come to take hands, and then with public accusation,
uncovered slander, unmitigated rancour? O God, that I
were a man! I would eat his heart in the marketplace. [305]
BENEDICK
Hear me, Beatrice –
BEATRICE
Talk with a man out at a window! A proper saying!
BENEDICK
Nay, but Beatrice –
BEATRICE
Sweet Hero! She is wronged, she is slandered, [310]
she is undone.
BENEDICK
Beat –
BEATRICE
Princes and counties! Surely a princely
testimony, a goodly count! Count Comfit, a sweet
gallant surely. O that I were a man for his sake! Or [315]
that I had any friend would be a man for my sake!
But manhood is melted into curtsies, valour into
compliment, and men are only turned into tongue,
and trim ones, too. He is now as valiant as Hercules
that only tells a lie and swears it. I cannot be a man [320]
with wishing, therefore I will die a woman with grieving.
BENEDICK
Tarry, good Beatrice. By this hand, I love thee.
BEATRICE
Use it for my love some other way than
swearing by it.
BENEDICK
Think you in your soul the Count Claudio [325]
hath wronged Hero?
BEATRICE
Yea, as sure as I have a thought or a soul.
BENEDICK
Enough, I am engaged. I will challenge him.
I will kiss your hand, and so I leave you. By this hand,
Claudio shall render me a dear account. As you hear of [330]
me, so think of me. Go comfort your cousin. I must say
she is dead, and so farewell.
[Exeunt by different doors.]
Beats
Arden 3 | 2006
Exeunt [all but BEATRICE and BENEDICK].
BENEDICK
Lady Beatrice, have you wept all this while? [255]
BEATRICE
Yea, and I will weep awhile longer.
BENEDICK
I will not desire that.
BEATRICE
You have no reason; I do it freely.
BENEDICK
Surely I do believe your fair cousin is
wronged. [260]
BEATRICE
Ah, how much might the man deserve of me
that would right her!
BENEDICK
Is there any way to show such friendship?
BEATRICE
A very even way, but no such friend.
BENEDICK
May a man do it? [265]
BEATRICE
It is a man’s office, but not yours.
BENEDICK
I do love nothing in the world so well as you.
Is not that strange?
BEATRICE
As strange as the thing I know not. It were as
possible for me to say I loved nothing so well as you. [270]
But believe me not – and yet I lie not. I confess nothing,
nor I deny nothing. I am sorry for my cousin.
BENEDICK
By my sword, Beatrice, thou lovest me.
BEATRICE
Do not swear and eat it.
BENEDICK
I will swear by it that you love me, and I will [275]
make him eat it that says I love not you.
BEATRICE
Will you not eat your word?
BENEDICK
With no sauce that can be devised to it. I
protest I love thee.
BEATRICE
Why then, God forgive me. [280]
BENEDICK
What offence, sweet Beatrice?
BEATRICE
You have stayed me in a happy hour; I was
about to protest I loved you.
BENEDICK
And do it, with all thy heart.
BEATRICE
I love you with so much of my heart that none [285]
is left to protest.
BENEDICK
Come, bid me do anything for thee.
BEATRICE
Kill Claudio.
BENEDICK
Ha, not for the wide world.
BEATRICE
You kill me to deny it. Farewell. [Moves as if to leave.] [290]
BENEDICK
Tarry, sweet Beatrice. [Stays her.]
BEATRICE
I am gone, though I am here. There is no love
in you; nay, I pray you, let me go.
BENEDICK
Beatrice –
BEATRICE
In faith, I will go. [295]
BENEDICK
We’ll be friends first.
BEATRICE
You dare easier be friends with me than fight
with mine enemy.
BENEDICK
Is Claudio thine enemy?
BEATRICE
Is ’a not approved in the height a villain, that [300]
hath slandered, scorned, dishonoured my kinswoman?
O, that I were a man! What, bear her in hand until they
come to take hands, and then with public accusation,
uncovered slander, unmitigated rancour? O God, that I
were a man! I would eat his heart in the marketplace. [305]
BENEDICK
Hear me, Beatrice –
BEATRICE
Talk with a man out at a window! A proper saying!
BENEDICK
Nay, but Beatrice –
BEATRICE
Sweet Hero! She is wronged, she is slandered, [310]
she is undone.
BENEDICK
Beat –
BEATRICE
Princes and counties! Surely a princely
testimony, a goodly count! Count Comfit, a sweet
gallant surely. O that I were a man for his sake! Or [315]
that I had any friend would be a man for my sake!
But manhood is melted into curtsies, valour into
compliment, and men are only turned into tongue,
and trim ones, too. He is now as valiant as Hercules
that only tells a lie and swears it. I cannot be a man [320]
with wishing, therefore I will die a woman with grieving.
BENEDICK
Tarry, good Beatrice. By this hand, I love thee.
BEATRICE
Use it for my love some other way than
swearing by it.
BENEDICK
Think you in your soul the Count Claudio [325]
hath wronged Hero?
BEATRICE
Yea, as sure as I have a thought or a soul.
BENEDICK
Enough, I am engaged. I will challenge him.
I will kiss your hand, and so I leave you. By this hand,
Claudio shall render me a dear account. As you hear of [330]
me, so think of me. Go comfort your cousin. I must say
she is dead, and so farewell.
[Exeunt by different doors.]
Rhetoric
Arden 3 | 2006
Exeunt [all but BEATRICE and BENEDICK].
BENEDICK
Lady Beatrice, have you wept all this while? [255]
BEATRICE
Yea, and I will weep awhile longer.
BENEDICK
I will not desire that.
BEATRICE
You have no reason; I do it freely.
BENEDICK
Surely I do believe your fair cousin is
wronged. [260]
BEATRICE
Ah, how much might the man deserve of me
that would right her!
BENEDICK
Is there any way to show such friendship?
BEATRICE
A very even way, but no such friend.
BENEDICK
May a man do it? [265]
BEATRICE
It is a man’s office, but not yours.
BENEDICK
I do love nothing in the world so well as you.
Is not that strange?
BEATRICE
As strange as the thing I know not. It were as
possible for me to say I loved nothing so well as you. [270]
But believe me not – and yet I lie not. I confess nothing,
nor I deny nothing. I am sorry for my cousin.
BENEDICK
By my sword, Beatrice, thou lovest me.
BEATRICE
Do not swear and eat it.
BENEDICK
I will swear by it that you love me, and I will [275]
make him eat it that says I love not you.
BEATRICE
Will you not eat your word?
BENEDICK
With no sauce that can be devised to it. I
protest I love thee.
BEATRICE
Why then, God forgive me. [280]
BENEDICK
What offence, sweet Beatrice?
BEATRICE
You have stayed me in a happy hour; I was
about to protest I loved you.
BENEDICK
And do it, with all thy heart.
BEATRICE
I love you with so much of my heart that none [285]
is left to protest.
BENEDICK
Come, bid me do anything for thee.
BEATRICE
Kill Claudio.
BENEDICK
Ha, not for the wide world.
BEATRICE
You kill me to deny it. Farewell. [Moves as if to leave.] [290]
BENEDICK
Tarry, sweet Beatrice. [Stays her.]
BEATRICE
I am gone, though I am here. There is no love
in you; nay, I pray you, let me go.
BENEDICK
Beatrice –
BEATRICE
In faith, I will go. [295]
BENEDICK
We’ll be friends first.
BEATRICE
You dare easier be friends with me than fight
with mine enemy.
BENEDICK
Is Claudio thine enemy?
BEATRICE
Is ’a not approved in the height a villain, that [300]
hath slandered, scorned, dishonoured my kinswoman?
O, that I were a man! What, bear her in hand until they
come to take hands, and then with public accusation,
uncovered slander, unmitigated rancour? O God, that I
were a man! I would eat his heart in the marketplace. [305]
BENEDICK
Hear me, Beatrice –
BEATRICE
Talk with a man out at a window! A proper saying!
BENEDICK
Nay, but Beatrice –
BEATRICE
Sweet Hero! She is wronged, she is slandered, [310]
she is undone.
BENEDICK
Beat –
BEATRICE
Princes and counties! Surely a princely
testimony, a goodly count! Count Comfit, a sweet
gallant surely. O that I were a man for his sake! Or [315]
that I had any friend would be a man for my sake!
But manhood is melted into curtsies, valour into
compliment, and men are only turned into tongue,
and trim ones, too. He is now as valiant as Hercules
that only tells a lie and swears it. I cannot be a man [320]
with wishing, therefore I will die a woman with grieving.
BENEDICK
Tarry, good Beatrice. By this hand, I love thee.
BEATRICE
Use it for my love some other way than
swearing by it.
BENEDICK
Think you in your soul the Count Claudio [325]
hath wronged Hero?
BEATRICE
Yea, as sure as I have a thought or a soul.
BENEDICK
Enough, I am engaged. I will challenge him.
I will kiss your hand, and so I leave you. By this hand,
Claudio shall render me a dear account. As you hear of [330]
me, so think of me. Go comfort your cousin. I must say
she is dead, and so farewell.
[Exeunt by different doors.]
Scene
Arden 3 | 2006 | 215-233
Exeunt [all but BEATRICE and BENEDICK].
BENEDICK
Lady Beatrice, have you wept all this while? [255]
BEATRICE
Yea, and I will weep awhile longer.
BENEDICK
I will not desire that.
BEATRICE
You have no reason; I do it freely.
BENEDICK
Surely I do believe your fair cousin is
wronged. [260]
BEATRICE
Ah, how much might the man deserve of me
that would right her!
BENEDICK
Is there any way to show such friendship?
BEATRICE
A very even way, but no such friend.
BENEDICK
May a man do it? [265]
BEATRICE
It is a man’s office, but not yours.
BENEDICK
I do love nothing in the world so well as you.
Is not that strange?
BEATRICE
As strange as the thing I know not. It were as
possible for me to say I loved nothing so well as you. [270]
But believe me not – and yet I lie not. I confess nothing,
nor I deny nothing. I am sorry for my cousin.
BENEDICK
By my sword, Beatrice, thou lovest me.
BEATRICE
Do not swear and eat it.
BENEDICK
I will swear by it that you love me, and I will [275]
make him eat it that says I love not you.
BEATRICE
Will you not eat your word?
BENEDICK
With no sauce that can be devised to it. I
protest I love thee.
BEATRICE
Why then, God forgive me. [280]
BENEDICK
What offence, sweet Beatrice?
BEATRICE
You have stayed me in a happy hour; I was
about to protest I loved you.
BENEDICK
And do it, with all thy heart.
BEATRICE
I love you with so much of my heart that none [285]
is left to protest.
BENEDICK
Come, bid me do anything for thee.
BEATRICE
Kill Claudio.
BENEDICK
Ha, not for the wide world.
BEATRICE
You kill me to deny it. Farewell. [Moves as if to leave.] [290]
BENEDICK
Tarry, sweet Beatrice. [Stays her.]
BEATRICE
I am gone, though I am here. There is no love
in you; nay, I pray you, let me go.
BENEDICK
Beatrice –
BEATRICE
In faith, I will go. [295]
BENEDICK
We’ll be friends first.
BEATRICE
You dare easier be friends with me than fight
with mine enemy.
BENEDICK
Is Claudio thine enemy?
BEATRICE
Is ’a not approved in the height a villain, that [300]
hath slandered, scorned, dishonoured my kinswoman?
O, that I were a man! What, bear her in hand until they
come to take hands, and then with public accusation,
uncovered slander, unmitigated rancour? O God, that I
were a man! I would eat his heart in the marketplace. [305]
BENEDICK
Hear me, Beatrice –
BEATRICE
Talk with a man out at a window! A proper saying!
BENEDICK
Nay, but Beatrice –
BEATRICE
Sweet Hero! She is wronged, she is slandered, [310]
she is undone.
BENEDICK
Beat –
BEATRICE
Princes and counties! Surely a princely
testimony, a goodly count! Count Comfit, a sweet
gallant surely. O that I were a man for his sake! Or [315]
that I had any friend would be a man for my sake!
But manhood is melted into curtsies, valour into
compliment, and men are only turned into tongue,
and trim ones, too. He is now as valiant as Hercules
that only tells a lie and swears it. I cannot be a man [320]
with wishing, therefore I will die a woman with grieving.
BENEDICK
Tarry, good Beatrice. By this hand, I love thee.
BEATRICE
Use it for my love some other way than
swearing by it.
BENEDICK
Think you in your soul the Count Claudio [325]
hath wronged Hero?
BEATRICE
Yea, as sure as I have a thought or a soul.
BENEDICK
Enough, I am engaged. I will challenge him.
I will kiss your hand, and so I leave you. By this hand,
Claudio shall render me a dear account. As you hear of [330]
me, so think of me. Go comfort your cousin. I must say
she is dead, and so farewell.
[Exeunt by different doors.]
Given Circumstances
Arden 3 | 2006
JAQUES
——————–All the world’s a stage, [140]
And all the men and women merely players.
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages. At first the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms; [145]
Then the whining school-boy, with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school; and then the lover,
Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress’ eyebrow; then a soldier, [150]
Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon’s mouth; and then the justice,
In fair round belly with good capon lined, [155]
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances;
And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slippered pantaloon,
With spectacles on nose and pouch on side, [160]
His youthful hose well saved, a world too wide
For his shrunk shank, and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history, [165]
Is second childishness and mere oblivion,
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.
Re-enter ORLANDO, with ADAM