Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Gretchen Minton
Not Peer Reviewed

Much Ado About Nothing (Quarto 1, 1600)

about Nothing.
You will say, she did imbrace me as a husband,
And so extenuate the forehand sinne: No Leonato,
I neuer tempted her with word too large,
1710But as a brother to his sister, shewed
Bashfull sinceritie, and comelie loue.
Hero And seemde I euer otherwise to you?
Claudio Out on thee seeming. I wil write against it,
You seeme to me as Diane in her Orbe,
1715As chaste as is the budde ere it be blowne:
But you are more intemperate in your blood,
Than Venus, or those pampred animalls,
That rage in sauage sensualitie.
Hero Is my Lord well that he doth speake so wide?
1720Leonato Sweete prince, why speake not you?
Prince What should I speake?
I stand dishonourd that haue gone about,
To lincke my deare friend to a common stale.
Leonato Are these things spoken, or do I but dreame?
1725Bastard Sir, they are spoken, and these things are true.
Bened. This lookes not like a nuptiall.
Hero True, O God!
Claud. Leonato, stand I here?
Is this the prince? is this the princes brother?
1730Is this face Heroes? are our eies our owne?
Leonato All this is so, but what of this my Lord?
Claud. Let me but moue one question to your daughter,
And by that fatherly and kindly power,
That you haue in her, bid her answer truly.
1735Leonato I charge thee do so, as thou art my child.
Hero O God defend me how am I beset,
What kind of catechising call you this?
Claud. To make you answer truly to your name.
Hero Is it not Hero, who can blot that name
1740With any iust reproch?
Claud. Mary that can Hero,
Hero it selfe can blot out Heroes vertue.
What man was he talkt with you yesternight,
Out at your window betwixt twelue and one?
Now