Ben. How now? Interjections? Why, then some be of laughing, as, ha! ha! he! Clau. Stand thee by, friar.-Father, by your leave; Will you, with free and unconstrained soul, Leo. As freely, son, as God did give her me. Clau. And what have I to give you back, whose worth May counterpoise this rich and precious gift? D. Pe. Nothing, unless you render her again. Clau. Sweet prince, you learn me noble thankful ness. There, Leonato, take her back again; Give not this rotten orange to your friend : Not to be married, Not to knit my soul to an approved wanton. 1 Lascivious. Leo. Dear my lord, if you, in your own proof Have vanquish'd the resistance of her youth, And made defeat of her virginity, Clau. I know what you would say; if I have known her, You'll say, she did embrace me as a husband, No, Leonato ; I never tempted her with word too large; Bashful sincerity and comely love. 1 Hero. And seem'd I ever otherwise to you? Clau. Out on thy seeming! I will write against it. You seem to me as Dian in her orb; blood As chaste as is the bud ere it be blown : That rage in savage sensuality. Hero. Is my lord well, that he doth speak so wide? 2 Leo. Sweet prince, why speak not you? D. Pe. What should I speak? I stand dishonor'd, that have gone about Leo. Are these things spoken, or do I but dream? are true. Ben. This looks not like a nuptial. 1 Licentious. 2 So remotely from the present business. True, O God! Hero. Clau. Leonato, stand I here? Is this the prince? Is this the prince's brother? Leo. All this is so; but what of this, my lord? Clau. Let me but move one question to your daughter; 1 And, by that fatherly and kindly 1 power That you have in her, bid her answer truly. Leo. 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? Clau. To make you answer truly to your name. Hero. Is it not Hero? Who can blot that name With any just reproach? Clau. Marry, that can Hero; Hero itself can blot out Hero's virtue. What man was he talk'd with you yesternight Hero. I talk'd with no man at that hour, my lord. 1 Natural. 2 A villain free of tongue. A thousand times in secret. D. John. Fie, fie! they are Not to be named, my lord, not to be spoke of: Without offence, to utter them. Thus, pretty lady, Clau. O Hero! what a Hero hadst thou been, If half thy outward graces had been placed About thy thoughts, and counsels of thy heart! But, fare thee well, most foul, most fair! farewell, Thou pure impiety, and impious purity! For thee I'll lock up all the gates of love, And on my eyelids shall conjecture 1 hang, To turn all beauty into thoughts of harm, And never shall it more be gracious. Leo. Hath no man's dagger here a point for me ? [Hero swoons. Bea. Why, how now, cousin? wherefore sink you down? D. John. Come, let us go: these things, come thus to light, Smother her spirits up. [Exeunt D. Pe., D. John, and Clau. Ben. How doth the lady? Bea. Dead, I think.-Help, uncle : Hero! why, Hero!-uncle !-signior Benedick!- friar! Leo. O Fate, take not away thy heavy hand! 1 Suspicion. 2 Attractive, lovely. |