Bene. Well, every one can mafter a grief but he that has it.

Claud. Yet fay I he is in love.

Pedro. There is no appearance of fancy in him, unless it be a fancy that he hath to ftrange difguifes, as to be a Dutch man to-day, a French man to-morrow; unless he have a fancy to this foolery, as it appears he hath, he is no fool for fancy, as you would have it to appear he is.

Claud. If he be not in love with fome woman, there is no believing old figns; he brushes his hat a-mornings: what fhould that bode?

Pedro. Hath any man feen him at the barber's?

Claud. No, but the barber's man hath been seen with him, and the old ornament of his cheek hath already ftuft tennis-balls.

Leon. Indeed he looks younger than he did by the lofs of a beard.

Pedro. Nay, he rubs himself with civet; can you smell him out by that?

Claud. That's as much as to say, the sweet youth's in love.

Pedro. The greatest note of it is his melancholy.

Claud. And when was he wont to wash his face?

Pedro. Yea, or to paint himself? for the which I hear what they fay of him.

Claud. Nay, but his jefting fpirit, which is now crept into a lute-ftring, and now govern'd by ftops

Pedro. Indeed that tells a heavy tale for him.

he is in love.

Claud, Nay, but I know who loves him.

Conclude

Pedro. That would I know too: I warrant one that knows him not.

Claud. Yes, and his ill conditions, and in defpight of all, dies for him.

Pedro. She fhall be bury'd with her heels upwards.*

Bene. Yet is this no charm for the tooth-ach. Old Signior, walk afide with me, I have study'd eight or nine wife

They should be buried with their hee's upwards was a proverbial fay ng heretofo e in ute and applied to thote who had met with any piece of fortune very furprizing and very rare,

words

words to speak to you which these hobby-horfes must not hear. [Exeunt, Bene, and Leon. Pedro. For my life, to break with him about Beatrice. Claud. 'Tis even fo. Hero and Margaret have by this play'd their parts with Beatrice, and then the two bears will not bite one another when they meet.

SCENE III. Enter Don John.

Jobn. My Lord and brother, God fave you.
Pedro. Good den, brother.

John. If your leifure ferv'd, I would speak with you.
Pedro. In private ?

Fobn. If it pleafe you; yet Count Claudio may hear, for what I would fpeak of concerns him.

Pedro. What's the matter?

John. Means your Lordship to be marry'd to-morrow? [To Claudio.

Pedro. You know he does.

Jobz. I know not that, when he knows what I know.
Claud. If there be any impediment, I pray you, dif-

cover it.

John. You may think I love you not, let that appear hereafter, and aim better at me by that I now will manifeft; for my brother, I think he holds you well, and in dearness of heart hath holp to effect your enfuing marriage; furely, fuit ill fpent, and labour ill bestow'd.

Pedro, Why, what's the matter?

John. I came hither to tell you, and circumftances fhorten'd, (for the hath been too long a talking of) the Lady is difloyal.

Claud. Who? Hero?

John. Even fhe, Leonato's Hero, your Hero, every man's Hero.

Claud. Difloyal?

Jobn. The word is too good to paint out her wickedness I could fay fhe were worse; think you of a worse title, and I will fit her to it: wonder not 'till further warrant ; go but with me to-night, you fhall fee her chamber-window enter'd, even the night before her wedding-day; if you love her then, to-morrow wed her; but it would better fit your honour to change your mind.

Claud.

3

Claud. May this be fo?

Pedro. I will not think it.

Jobn. If you dare not truft that you fee, confess not that you know; if you will follow me, I will shew you enough ; and when you have seen more and heard more, proceed accordingly.

Claud. If I fee any thing to-night why I should not marry her to-morrow; in the congregation where I should wed, there will I fhame her.

Pedro. And as I wooed for thee to obtain her, I will join with thee to disgrace her.

Jobn. I will difparage her no farther, 'till you are my witneffes; bear it coldly but 'till night, and let the iffue fhew it felf.

Pedro. O day untowardly turned !

Claud. O mifchief strangely thwarting!
John. O plague right well prevented!
So will you fay when you have feen the fequel
SCENE IV. The Street.

[Exeunt.

Enter Dogberry and Verges, with the Watch.

Dogb. Are you good men and true?

Verg, Yea, or elfe it were pity but they should fuffer falvation, body and foul.

Dogb. Nay, that were a punishment too good for them, if they should have any allegiance in them, being chofen for the Prince's Watch.

Verg. Well, give them their charge, neighbour Dogberry. Dogb. First, who think you the most difartlefs man to be constable?

1 Watch. Hugh Oatcake, Sir, or George Seacole; for they can write and read,

Dogb. Come hither, neighbour Seacole: God hath bleft you with a good name; to be a well-favour'd man is the gift of fortune, but to write and read comes by nature.

2 Watch. Both which, master constable

Dogb. You have: I knew it would be your anfwer. Well, for your favour, Sir, why, give God thanks, and make no boast of it; and for your writing and reading, 'let that appear when there is no need of fuch vanity: you are thought here to be the moft fenfelefs and fit man for the Conftable

J

Conftable of the Watch, therefore bear you the lanthorn; this is your charge: you fhall comprehend all vagrom men, you are to bid any man ftand in the Prince's name.

2 Watch. How if he will not stand?

Dogb. Why then take no note of him, but let him go, and prefently call the reft of the Watch together, and thank God you are rid of a knave.

Verg. If he will not ftand when he is bidden, he is none of the Prince's fubjects.

Dogb. True, and they are to meddle with none but the Prince's fubjects: you fhall alfo make no noife in the ftreets; for, for the Watch to babble and talk, is most tolerable, and not to be endur'd.

2 Watch. We will rather fleep than talk; we know what belongs to a Watch.

Dogb. Why, you speak like an ancient and most quiet Watchman, for I cannot fee how fleeping fhould offend ; only have a care that your bills be not ftolen: well, you are to call at all the alehouses, and bid them that are drunk get them to bed.

2 Watch. How if they will not?

Dogb. Why then let them alone 'till they are fober; if they make you not then the better anfwer, you may fay they are not the men you took them for.

2 Watch. Well, Sir.

Dogb. If you meet a thief, you may suspect him by virtue of your office to be no true man; and for fuch kind of men, the less you meddle or make with them, why, the more is for your honesty.

2 Watch. If we know him to be a thief, fhall we not lay hands on him?

Dogb. Truly by your office you may; but I think they that touch pitch will be defil'd: the most peaceable way for you, if you do take a thief, is to let him fhew himself what he is, and fteal out of your company.

Verg. You have been always call'd a merciful man, part

ner.

Dogb. Truly I would not hang a dog by my will, much more a man who hath any honesty in him.

Verg. If you hear a child cry in the night, you mus call to the nurfe and bid her ftill it.

2 Watch. How if the nurse be asleep, and will not hear us?

Dogb. Why then depart in peace, and let the child wake her with crying: for the ewe that will not hear her lamb when it baes, will never anfwer a calf when he bleats.

Verg. 'Tis very true.

Dogb. This is the end of the charge: you, conftable, are to prefent the Prince's own perfon; if you meet the Prince in the night, you may stay him.

Verg. Nay, birlady, that I think he cannot.

Dogb. Five fhillings to one on't with any man that knows the Statues, he may ftay him; marry, not without the Prince be willing: for indeed the Watch ought to offend no man; and it is an offence to ftay a man against his will. Verg. Birlady, I think it be fo.

Dog. Ha, ha, ha! well, mafters, good night; an there be any matter of weight chances, call up me; keep your fellows' counsel and your own, and good night; come, neighbour.

2 Watch. Well, mafters, we hear our charge; let us go fit here upon the church-bench till two, and then all to bed. Dogb. One word more, honeft neighbours. I pray you, watch about Signior Leonato's door, for the wedding being there to-morrow, there is a great coil to-night; adieu; be vigilant, I beseech you. [Exeunt Dogb. and Verg. SCENE V. Enter Borachio and Conrade.

Bora. What, Conrade!

Watch. Peace, ftir not.

Bora. Conrade, I fay.

[Afide

Conr. Here, man, I am at thy elbow.

Bora. Mafs, and my elbow itch'd, I thought there would a fcab follow.

Conr. I will owe thee an answer for that, and now forward with thy tale.

Bora. Stand thee clofe then under this pent-house, for it drizles rain, and ▲ will, like a true drunkard, utter all to thee.

Watch, Some treafon, mafters; yet ftand close.

2