1599 MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
Page: 52

a
double tongue; there's two tongues.' Thus did she an hour
together transshape thy particular virtues. Yet at last she
concluded with a sigh, thou wast the proper'st man in Italy.
Claud. For the which she wept heartily and said she cared not.
Pedro. Yea, that she did; but yet, for all that, an if she did
not
hate him deadly, she would love him dearly. The old man's
daughter told us all.
Claud. All, all! and moreover, God saw him when he was hid in
the
garden.
Pedro. But when shall we set the savage bull's horns on the
sensible 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 gossiplike humour. You break jests as braggards do their
blades, which God be thanked hurt not. My lord, for your many
courtesies I thank you. I must discontinue your company. Your
brother the bastard is fled from Messina. You have among you
kill'd a sweet and innocent lady. For my Lord Lackbeard
there, he
and I shall meet; and till then peace be with him.
[Exit.]
Pedro. He is in earnest.
Claud. In most profound earnest; and, I'll warrant you, for the

love of Beatrice.
Pedro. And hath challeng'd thee.
Claud. Most sincerely.
Pedro. What a pretty thing man is when he goes in his doublet
and
hose and leaves off his wit!

Enter Constables [Dogberry and Verges, with the Watch, leading]
Conrade and Borachio.

Claud. He is then a giant to an ape; but then is an ape a
doctor to
such a man.
Pedro. But, soft you, let me be! Pluck up, my heart, and be
sad!
Did he not say my brother was fled?
Dog. Come you, sir. If justice cannot tame you, she shall ne'er
weigh more reasons in her balance. Nay, an you be a cursing
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?