345313Con. What the goodyeere my lord, why are you thus out of

346314measure sad?

347315Iohn There is no measure in the occasion that breeds, ther-

348316fore the sadnesse is without limit.

349317Con. You should heare reason.

350318Iohn And when I haue heard it, what blessing brings it?

352319Con If not a present remedy, at least a patient sufferance.

353320Iohn I wonder that thou (being as thou saist, thou art, borne

354321vnder Saturne) goest about to apply a morall medicine, to a

B2 mor-

355322mortifying mischiefe: I cannot hide what I am: I must be sad

356323when I haue cause, and smile at no mans iests, eate when I haue

357324stomack, and wait for no mans leisure: sleep when I am drow-

358325sie, and tend on no mans businesse, laugh when I am mery, and

359326claw no man in his humor.

361327Con. Yea but you must not make the full show of this till

362328you may do it without controllment, you haue of late stoode

363329out against your brother, and he hath tane you newly into his

364330grace, where it is impossible you should take true root, but by

365331the faire weather that you make your self, it is needful that you

366332frame the season for your owne haruest.

368333Iohn I had rather be a canker in a hedge, then a rose in his

369334grace, and it better fits my bloud to be disdain'd of all, then to

370335fashion a cariage to rob loue from any: in this (thogh I cannot

371336be said to be a flatering honest man) it must not be denied but I

372337am a plain dealing villaine, I am trusted with a mussel, and en-

373338fraunchisde with a clogge, therfore I haue decreed, not to sing

374339in my cage: if I had my mouth I would bite: if I had my liber-

375340ty I would do my liking: in the mean time, let me be that I am,

376341and seeke not to alter me.

378342Con. Can you make no vse of your discontent?

379343Iohn I make all vse of it, for I vse it only,

380344Who comes here? what newes Borachio?

382346Bor. I came yonder from a great supper, the prince your

383347brother is royally entertain'd by Leonato, and I can giue you

384348intelligence of an intended mariage.

385349Iohn Wil it serue for any model to build mischiefe on? what

386350is he for a foole that betrothes himselfe to vnquietnesse?

388351Bor. Mary it is your bothers right hand.

389352Iohn Who, the most exquisite Claudio?

390353Bor. Euen he.

391354Iohn A proper squier, and who, and who, which way looks

392355he?

393356Bor. Mary one Hero the daughter and heire of Leonato.

395357Iohn A very forward March-chicke, how came you to

396358this?

397359Bor Being entertain'd for a perfumer, as I was smoaking a

398360musty roome, comes me the prince and Claudio, hand in

399361hand in sad conference: I whipt me behind the arras, and there

400362heard it agreed vpon, that the prince should wooe Hero for

401363himselfe, and hauing obtain'd her, giue her to Counte Clau-

402364dio.

403365Iohn Come, come, let vs thither, this may proue food to my

404366displeasure, that yong start-vp hath all the glory of my ouer-

405367throw: if I can crosse him any way, I blesse my selfe euery way,

406368you are both sure, and wil assist me.

408369Conr. To the death my Lord.

409370Iohn Let vs to the great supper, their cheere is the greater

410371that I am subdued, would the cooke were a my mind, shall we

411372go proue whats to be done?

412373Bor. Weele wait vpon your lordship. exit.