MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

PERSONS OF THE DRAMA

Don Pedro, Prince of Arragon.
Don John, his Bastard Brother.
Claudio, a young Lord of Florence, Favourite to Don Pedro.
Benedick, a young Lord of Padua, favoured likewise by Don Pedro.
Leonato, Governor of Messina.
Antonio, his Brother.
Balthazar, Servant to Don Pedro.
Borachio, and Conrade, Followers of Don John.
Dogberry, and Verges, two foolish Officers.
A Sexton.
A Friar.

A Boy.

Hero, Daughter to Leonato.
Beatrice, Niece to Leonato.
Margaret, and Ursula, Gentlewomen attending on Hero.

Messengers, Watch, and Attendants.

SCENE, MESSINA.

Enter Leonato, Hero, and Beatrice, with a Messenger.

LEONATO

I

LEARN in this letter, that Don Pedro of Arragon comes this night to Messina.

Mes. He is very near by this; he was not three leagues off when I left him.

Leon. How many gentlemen have you lost in this action?
Mes. But few of any sort, and none of name.

Leon. A victory is twice itself, when the achiever brings home full numbers. I find here, that Don Pedro hath bestowed much honour on a young Florentine, called Claudio.

Mes. Much deserved on his part, and equally remembered by Don Pedro: He hath borne himself beyond the promise of his age; doing, in the figure of a lamb, the feats of a lion: he hath, indeed, better bettered expectation, than you must expect of me to tell you

how. Leon. He hath an uncle here in Messina will be very much glad of it.

Mes. I have already delivered him letters, and there ap