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  • Title: Much Ado About Nothing (Quarto 1, 1600)
  • 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    Not Peer Reviewed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 (Quarto 1, 1600)

    about Nothing.
    off in the orchard this amiable incounter.
    Conr. And thought they Margaret was Hero?
    Bar. Two of them did, the prince and Claudio, but the di-
    uel my master knew she was Margaret, and partly by his oths,
    which first possest them, partly by the darke night which did
    1480deceiue them, but chiefely, by my villany, which did confirme
    any slander that Don Iohn had made, away went Claudio en-
    ragde, swore he would meet her as he was apointed next mor-
    ning at the Temple, and there, before the whole congregation
    shame her, with what he saw o're night, and send her home a-
    1485gaine without a husband.
    Watch 1 We charge you in the princes name stand.
    Watch 2 Call vppe the right maister Constable, wee haue
    here recouerd the most dangerous peece of lechery, that euer
    1490was knowne in the common wealth.
    Watch 1 And one Deformed is one of them, I know him, a
    weares a locke.
    Conr Masters, masters.
    Watch 2 Youle be made bring deformed forth I warrant
    Conr Masters, neuer speake, we charge you, let vs obey you
    to go with vs.
    Bor. We are like to proue a goodly commoditie, being ta-
    ken vp of these mens billes.
    1500Conr. A commodity in question I warrant you, come weele
    obey you. exeunt.
    Enter Hero, and Margaret, and Vrsula.
    Hero Good Vrsula wake my cosin Beatrice, and desire her
    to rise.
    1505Vrsula I wil lady.
    Hero And bid her come hither.
    Vrsula Well.
    Marg. Troth I thinke your other rebato were better.
    Hero No pray thee good Meg, ile weare this.
    1510Marg. By my troth's not so good, and I warrant your cosin
    will say so.
    Hero My cosin's a foole, and thou art another, ile weare
    F none