Internet Shakespeare Editions

About this text

  • Title: Much Ado About Nothing (Folio 1, 1623)
  • Editor: Gretchen Minton
  • ISBN: 978-1-55058-516-2

    Copyright Gretchen Minton. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Gretchen Minton
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Much Ado About Nothing (Folio 1, 1623)

    Enter Claudio, Prince, and three or foure with Tapers.
    Clau. Is this the monument of Leonato?
    Lord. It is my Lord. Epitaph.
    Done to death by slanderous tongues,
    2525Was the Hero that here lies:
    Death in guerdon of her wrongs,
    Giues her fame which neuer dies:
    So the life that dyed with shame,
    Liues in death with glorious fame.
    2530 Hang thou there vpon the tombe,
    Praising her when I am dombe.
    Clau. Now musick sound & sing your solemn hymne
    Song.
    Pardon goddesse of the night,
    2535Those that slew thy virgin knight,
    For the which with songs of woe,
    Round about her tombe they goe:
    Midnight assist our mone, helpe vs to sigh and grone.
    Heauily, heauily.
    2540Graues yawne and yeelde your dead,
    Till death be vttered,
    Heauenly, heauenly.
    Lo. Now vnto thy bones good night, yeerely will I do (this right.
    Prin. Good morrow masters, put your Torches out,
    2545The wolues haue preied, and looke, the gentle day
    Before the wheeles of Phoebus, round about
    Dapples the drowsie East with spots of grey:
    Thanks to you all, and leaue vs, fare you well.
    Clau. Good morrow masters, each his seuerall way.
    2550Prin. Come let vs hence, and put on other weedes,
    And then to Leonatoes we will goe.
    Clau. And Hymen now with luckier issue speeds,
    Then
    Much ado about Nothing. 121
    Then this for whom we rendred vp this woe. Exeunt.