Much Ado About Nothing

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Enter Benedicke alone.Enter Benedick alone MA II.iii.1
Bene. BENEDICK 
Boy.Boy! MA II.iii.1
Enter Boy MA II.iii.2
Boy. BOY 
Signior.Signor? MA II.iii.2
Bene. BENEDICK 
In my chamber window lies a booke, bring itIn my chamber-window lies a book; bring it MA II.iii.3
hither to me in the orchard.hither to me in the orchard. MA II.iii.4
Boy. BOY 
I am heere already sir. I am here already, sir. MA II.iii.5
Bene. BENEDICK 
I know that, but I would haue thee hence, andI know that; but I would have thee hence, and MA II.iii.6
heere againe.here again. MA II.iii.7
Exit Boy MA II.iii.7
I doe much wonder, that one man seeing how muchI do much wonder that one man, seeing how much MA II.iii.8
another man is a foole, when he dedicates his behauioursanother man is a fool when he dedicates his behaviours MA II.iii.9
to loue, will after hee hath laught at such shallowto love, will, after he hath laughed at such shallow MA II.iii.10
follies in others, become the argument of his owne follies in others, become the argument of his ownargument (n.)
subject, point, theme, target
MA II.iii.11
scorne, by falling in loue, & such a man is Claudio, Iscorn by falling in love; and such a man is Claudio. I MA II.iii.12
haue known when there was no musicke with him but thehave known when there was no music with him but the MA II.iii.13
drum and the fife, and now had hee rather heare the taberdrum and the fife, and now had he rather hear the tabortabor (n.)

old form: taber
type of small drum, especially used in revelling
MA II.iii.14
and the pipe: I haue knowne when he would haue walktand the pipe. I have known when he would have walked MA II.iii.15
ten mile afoot, to see a good armor, and now will he lieten mile afoot to see a good armour; and now will he lie MA II.iii.16
ten nights awake caruing the fashion of a new dublet:ten nights awake carving the fashion of a new doublet.doublet
man's close-fitting jacket with short skirt
MA II.iii.17
carve (v.)

old form: caruing
design, make up, shape artistically
he was wont to speake plaine, & to the purpose (like anHe was wont to speak plain and to the purpose, like anpurpose (n.)
point at issue, matter in hand
MA II.iii.18
wont (v.)
be accustomed, used [to], be in the habit of
honest man & a souldier) and now is he turn'd orthography,honest man and a soldier, and now is he turned orthography;orthography (n.)
speaker of high-flown phrases, stylistically polished person
MA II.iii.19
his words are a very fantasticall banquet, iust sohis words are a very fantastical banquet, just sofantastical (adj.)

old form: fantasticall
fanciful, imaginative, full of wild ideas
MA II.iii.20
many strange dishes: may I be so conuerted, & see withmany strange dishes. May I be so converted and see with MA II.iii.21
these eyes? I cannot tell, I thinke not: I will not beethese eyes? I cannot tell; I think not. I will not be MA II.iii.22
sworne, but loue may transforme me to an oyster, but Ilesworn but love may transform me to an oyster; but I'll MA II.iii.23
take my oath on it, till he haue made an oyster of me, hetake my oath on it, till he have made an oyster of me, he MA II.iii.24
shall neuer make me such a foole: one woman is faire, yetshall never make me such a fool. One woman is fair, yet MA II.iii.25
I am well: another is wise, yet I am well: another vertuous,I am well; another is wise, yet I am well; another virtuous, MA II.iii.26
yet I am well: but till all graces be in one woman,yet I am well; but till all graces be in one woman, MA II.iii.27
one woman shall not come in my grace: rich shee shallone woman shall not come in my grace. Rich she shall MA II.iii.28
be, that's certaine: wise, or Ile none: vertuous, or Ilebe, that's certain; wise, or I'll none; virtuous, or I'll MA II.iii.29
neuer cheapen her: faire, or Ile neuer looke on her: milde,never cheapen her; fair, or I'll never look on her; mild,cheapen (v.)
bargain for, bid for, settle the price of
MA II.iii.30
or come not neere me: Noble, or not for an Angell: ofor come not near me; noble, or not I for an angel; of MA II.iii.31
good discourse: an excellent Musitian, and her haire shalgood discourse, an excellent musician, and her hair shall MA II.iii.32
be of what colour it please God, hah! the Prince andbe of what colour it please God. Ha! The Prince and MA II.iii.33
Monsieur Loue, I will hide me in the Arbor. Monsieur Love! I will hide me in the arbour. MA II.iii.34
He withdraws MA II.iii.35.1
Enter Prince, Leonato, Claudio, and Iacke Wilson.Enter Don Pedro, Leonato, and Claudio MA II.iii.35.2
Prin. DON PEDRO 
Come, shall we heare this musicke?Come, shall we hear this music? MA II.iii.35
Claud. CLAUDIO 
Yea my good Lord: how still the euening is,Yea, my good lord. How still the evening is, MA II.iii.36
As husht on purpose to grace harmonie.As hushed on purpose to grace harmony! MA II.iii.37
Prin. DON PEDRO 
See you where Benedicke hath hid himselfe?See you where Benedick hath hid himself? MA II.iii.38
Clau. CLAUDIO 
O very well my Lord: the musicke ended,O, very well, my lord: the music ended, MA II.iii.39
Wee'll fit the kid-foxe with a penny worth.We'll fit the kid-fox with a pennyworth.pennyworth, penn'orth (n.)

old form: penny worth
money's worth, bargain, good value
MA II.iii.40
kid-fox (n.)

old form: kid-foxe
crafty young cub
fit (v.)
supply [with what is fit], satisfy
Enter Balthasar with music MA II.iii.41
Prince.DON PEDRO 
Come Balthasar, wee'll heare that song again.Come, Balthasar, we'll hear that song again. MA II.iii.41
Balth. BALTHASAR 
O good my Lord, taxe not so bad a voyce,O, good my lord, tax not so bad a voicetax (v.)

old form: taxe
order, tell, command
MA II.iii.42
To slander musicke any more then once.To slander music any more than once.slander (v.)
misuse, disgrace, bring into ill repute
MA II.iii.43
Prin. DON PEDRO 
It is the witnesse still of excellency, / To slander Musicke any more then once. / Prince. It is the witnesse still of excellencie,It is the witness still of excellencyexcellency (n.)
excellence, accomplishment, talent
MA II.iii.44
still (adv.)
constantly, always, continually
witness (n.)

old form: witnesse
evidence, sign
To put a strange face on his owne perfection,To put a strange face on his own perfection.strange (adj.)
diffident, pretending, coy
MA II.iii.45
I pray thee sing, and let me woe no more.I pray thee sing, and let me woo no more. MA II.iii.46
Balth. BALTHASAR 
Because you talke of wooing, I will sing,Because you talk of wooing, I will sing, MA II.iii.47
Since many a wooer doth commence his suit,Since many a wooer doth commence his suitsuit (n.)
wooing, courtship
MA II.iii.48
To her he thinkes not worthy, yet he wooes,To her he thinks not worthy; yet he woos, MA II.iii.49
Yet will he sweare he loues.Yet will he swear he loves. MA II.iii.50.1
Prince. DON PEDRO 
Nay pray thee come,Now, pray thee, come; MA II.iii.50.2
Or if thou wilt hold longer argument,Or, if thou wilt hold longer argument,argument (n.)
discussion, debate, dialogue
MA II.iii.51
Doe it in notes.Do it in notes. MA II.iii.52.1
Balth. BALTHASAR 
Note this before my notes,Note this before my notes; MA II.iii.52.2
Theres not a note of mine that's worth the noting.There's not a note of mine that's worth the noting. MA II.iii.53
Prince. DON PEDRO 
Why these are very crotchets that he speaks,Why, these are very crotchets that he speaks;crotchet (n.)
strange notion, perverse idea, whimsical fancy
MA II.iii.54
Note notes forsooth, and nothing. Note notes, forsooth, and nothing.forsooth (adv.)
in truth, certainly, truly, indeed
MA II.iii.55
Music MA II.iii.56.1
Bene. BENEDICK 
Now diuine aire, now is his soule rauisht, isNow, divine air! Now is his soul ravished! Isravish (v.)

old form: rauisht
entrance, enrapture, carry away with joy
MA II.iii.56
it not strange that sheepes guts should hale soules out ofit not strange that sheep's guts should hale souls out ofhale (v.)
drag, pull, haul
MA II.iii.57
mens bodies? well, a horne for my money when all'smen's bodies? Well, a horn for my money, when all'shorn (n.)

old form: horne
type of wind instrument
MA II.iii.58
done. done. MA II.iii.59
The Song.The Song MA II.iii.60
BALTHASAR 
Sigh no more Ladies, sigh no more,Sigh no more, ladies, sigh no more, MA II.iii.60
Men were deceiuers euer,Men were deceivers ever, MA II.iii.61
One foote in Sea, and one on shore,One foot in sea and one on shore, MA II.iii.62
To one thing constant neuer,To one thing constant never: MA II.iii.63
Then sigh not so, but let them goe,Then sigh not so, but let them go, MA II.iii.64
And be you blithe and bonnie,And be you blithe and bonny,blithe (adj.)
merry, happy, joyful
MA II.iii.65
bonny (adj.)

old form: bonnie
fine, beautiful, splendid
Conuerting all your sounds of woe,Converting all your sounds of woeconvert (v.)

old form: Conuerting
change, transform, alter
MA II.iii.66
Into hey nony nony.Into Hey nonny, nonny. MA II.iii.67
Sing no more ditties, sing no moe,Sing no more ditties, sing no moe,mo, moe (adj.)
more [in number]
MA II.iii.68
Of dumps so dull and heauy,Of dumps so dull and heavy;heavy (adj.)

old form: heauy
sorrowful, sad, gloomy
MA II.iii.69
dull (adj.)
gloomy, melancholic, sullen
dump (n.)
plaintive melody, mournful song
The fraud of men were euer so,The fraud of men was ever so, MA II.iii.70
Since summer first was leauy,Since summer first was leavy: MA II.iii.71
Then sigh not so, &c.Then sigh not so, but let them go, MA II.iii.72
And be you blithe and bonny, MA II.iii.73
Converting all your sounds of woe MA II.iii.74
Into Hey nonny, nonny. MA II.iii.75
Prince. DON PEDRO 
By my troth a good song.By my troth, a good song.troth, by my
by my truth [exclamation emphasizing an assertion]
MA II.iii.76
Balth. BALTHASAR 
And an ill singer, my Lord.And an ill singer, my lord.ill (adj.)
poor, inadequate, miserable
MA II.iii.77
Prince. DON PEDRO 
Ha, no, no faith, thou singst well enoughHa, no, no, faith; thou singest well enough MA II.iii.78
for a shift.for a shift.shift, for a
as a makeshift, for lack of a better alternative
MA II.iii.79
Ben. BENEDICK 
And he had been a dog that should haueAn he had been a dog that should haveand, an (conj.)
if, whether
MA II.iii.80
howld thus, they would haue hang'd him, and I prayhowled thus, they would have hanged him: and I pray MA II.iii.81
God his bad voyce bode no mischiefe, I had as liefe haueGod his bad voice bode no mischief. I had as lief havelief, had as

old form: liefe
should like just as much
MA II.iii.82
bode (v.)
forebode, portend, predict, augur
heard the night-rauen, come what plague could haueheard the night-raven, come what plague could have MA II.iii.83
come after it.come after it. MA II.iii.84
Prince. DON PEDRO 
Yea marry, dost thou heare Balthasar? IYea, marry, dost thou hear, Balthasar? Imarry (int.)
[exclamation] by Mary
MA II.iii.85
pray thee get vs some excellent musick: for to morrowpray thee, get us some excellent music; for tomorrow MA II.iii.86
night we would haue it at the Lady Heroes night we would have it at the Lady Hero's MA II.iii.87
chamber window.chamber-window. MA II.iii.88
Balth. BALTHASAR 
The best I can, my Lord. The best I can, my lord. MA II.iii.89
Prince. DON PEDRO 
Do so, farewell.Do so; farewell. MA II.iii.90
Exit Balthasar.Exit Balthasar MA II.iii.90
Come hither Leonato, what was it you told me of to day,Come hither, Leonato. What was it you told me of today, MA II.iii.91
that your Niece Beatrice was in loue with signior that your niece Beatrice was in love with Signor MA II.iii.92
Benedicke?Benedick? MA II.iii.93
Cla. CLAUDIO  
(aside) MA II.iii.94.1
O I, stalke on, stalke on/span>, the foule sits. IO, ay; stalk on, stalk on, the fowl sits. – Istalk on (v.)

old form: stalke
move stealthily in concealment [as by using a stalking-horse to catch game]
MA II.iii.94
did neuer thinke that Lady would haue loued any man.did never think that lady would have loved any man. MA II.iii.95
Leon. LEONATO 
No, nor I neither, but most wonderful, that No, nor I neither; but most wonderful that MA II.iii.96
she should so dote on Signior Benedicke, whom shee hathshe should so dote on Signor Benedick, whom she hath MA II.iii.97
in all outward behauiours seemed euer to abhorre.in all outward behaviours seemed ever to abhor. MA II.iii.98
Bene. BENEDICK  
(aside) MA II.iii.99
Is't possible? sits the winde in thatIs't possible? Sits the wind in that MA II.iii.99
corner?corner? MA II.iii.100
Leo. LEONATO 
By my troth my Lord, I cannot tell what toBy my troth, my lord, I cannot tell what to MA II.iii.101
thinke of it, but that she loues him with an inraged affection,think of it; but that she loves him with an enraged affection,enraged (adj.)

old form: inraged
passionate, ardent, furiously aroused
MA II.iii.102
it is past the infinite of thought.it is past the infinite of thought.infinite (n.)
infinity, infinite quantity, eternity
MA II.iii.103
Prince. DON PEDRO 
May be she doth but counterfeit.May be she doth but counterfeit.counterfeit (v.)
pretend, feign, make believe
MA II.iii.104
Claud. CLAUDIO 
Faith like enough.Faith, like enough.like (adv.)
likely, probable / probably
MA II.iii.105
Leon. LEONATO 
O God! counterfeit? there was neuer counterfeitO God! Counterfeit? There was never counterfeitcounterfeit (n.)
likeness, portrait, image
MA II.iii.106
of passion, came so neere the life of passion as sheof passion came so near the life of passion as she MA II.iii.107
discouers it.discovers it.discover (v.)

old form: discouers
reveal, show, make known
MA II.iii.108
Prince. DON PEDRO 
Why what effects of passion shewes she?Why, what effects of passion shows she?effect (n.)
sign, mark, token, manifestation
MA II.iii.109
Claud. CLAUDIO  
(to Don Pedro and Leonato) MA II.iii.110
Baite the hooke well,Bait the hook well; MA II.iii.110
this fish will bite.this fish will bite. MA II.iii.111
Leon. LEONATO 
What effects my Lord? shee will sit you, youWhat effects, my lord? She will sit you – you MA II.iii.112
heard my daughter tell you how.heard my daughter tell you how. MA II.iii.113
Clau. CLAUDIO 
She did indeed.She did, indeed. MA II.iii.114
Prin. DON PEDRO 
How, how I pray you? you amaze me, IHow, how, I pray you? You amaze me; I  MA II.iii.115
would haue thought her spirit had beene inuinciblewould have thought her spirit had been invincible MA II.iii.116
against all assaults of affection.against all assaults of affection.assault (n.)
attack, temptation, snare
MA II.iii.117
Leo. LEONATO 
I would haue sworne it had, my Lord, especiallyI would have sworn it had, my lord, especially MA II.iii.118
against Benedicke.against Benedick. MA II.iii.119
Bene. BENEDICK  
(aside) MA II.iii.120.1
I should thinke this a gull, but that theI should think this a gull, but that thegull (n.)
trick, hoax, deception
MA II.iii.120
white-bearded fellow speakes it: knauery cannot surewhite-bearded fellow speaks it; knavery cannot, sure, MA II.iii.121
hide himselfe in such reuerence.hide himself in such reverence.reverence (n.)

old form: reuerence
respected state, venerable condition
MA II.iii.122
Claud. CLAUDIO  
(to Don Pedro and Leonato) MA II.iii.123
He hath tane th'He hath ta'en the MA II.iii.123
infection, hold it vp.infection; hold it up.hold up (v.)

old form: vp
continue, keep going, carry on
MA II.iii.124
Prince. DON PEDRO 
Hath shee made her affection known to Hath she made her affection known to MA II.iii.125
Benedicke?Benedick? MA II.iii.126
Leonato. LEONATO 
No, and sweares she neuer will, that's herNo, and swears she never will; that's her MA II.iii.127
torment.torment. MA II.iii.128
Claud. CLAUDIO 
'Tis true indeed, so your daughter saies: shall'Tis true, indeed, so your daughter says. ‘ Shall MA II.iii.129
I, saies she, that haue so oft encountred him with I,’ says she, ‘ that have so oft encountered him withoft (adv.)
often
MA II.iii.130
scorne, write to him that I loue him?scorn, write to him that I love him?’ MA II.iii.131
Leo. LEONATO 
This saies shee now when shee is beginning toThis says she now when she is beginning to MA II.iii.132
write to him, for shee'll be vp twenty times a night, andwrite to him; for she'll be up twenty times a night, and MA II.iii.133
there will she sit in her smocke, till she haue writ a sheetthere will she sit in her smock till she have writ a sheetsmock (n.)

old form: smocke
woman's undergarment, shift, slip, chemise
MA II.iii.134
of paper: my daughter tells vs all.of paper. My daughter tells us all. MA II.iii.135
Clau. CLAUDIO 
Now you talke of a sheet of paper, I rememberNow you talk of a sheet of paper, I remember  MA II.iii.136
a pretty iest your daughter told vs of.a pretty jest your daughter told us of. MA II.iii.137
Leon. LEONATO 
O when she had writ it, & was reading itO, when she had writ it and was reading it MA II.iii.138
ouer, she found Benedicke and Beatrice betweene the over, she found Benedick and Beatrice between the MA II.iii.139
sheete.sheet? MA II.iii.140
Clau. CLAUDIO 
That.That. MA II.iii.141
Leon. LEONATO 
O she tore the letter into a thousand halfpence,O, she tore the letter into a thousand halfpence;halfpence (n.)

old form: halfpence
fragment, tiny piece, bit
MA II.iii.142
raild at her self, that she should be so immodest railed at herself, that she should be so immodestrail (v.)

old form: raild
rant, rave, be abusive [about]
MA II.iii.143
to write, to one that shee knew would flout her:to write to one that she knew would flout her.flout (v.)
insult, abuse, mock
MA II.iii.144
I measure him, saies she, by my owne spirit, for I ‘ I measure him,’ says she, ‘ by my own spirit; for I MA II.iii.145
should flout him if hee writ to mee, yea though I loueshould flout him, if he writ to me; yea, though I love MA II.iii.146
him, I should.him, I should.’ MA II.iii.147
Clau. CLAUDIO 
Then downe vpon her knees she falls, weepes,Then down upon her knees she falls, weeps, MA II.iii.148
sobs, beates her heart, teares her hayre, praies, curses, Osobs, beats her heart, tears her hair, prays, curses – ‘ O MA II.iii.149
sweet Benedicke, God giue me patience.sweet Benedick! God give me patience!’ MA II.iii.150
Leon. LEONATO 
She doth indeed, my daughter saies so, and theShe doth indeed, my daughter says so; and the MA II.iii.151
extasie hath so much ouerborne her, that my daughterecstasy hath so much overborne her that my daughterecstasy (n.)

old form: extasie
fit, bout of madness, frenzied behaviour
MA II.iii.152
overbear (v.)

old form: ouerborne
overwhelm, overcome, overpower
is somtime afeard she will doe a desperate out-rage tois sometime afeard she will do a desperate outrage toafeard (adj.)
afraid, frightened, scared
MA II.iii.153
her selfe, it is very true.herself. It is very true. MA II.iii.154
Princ. DON PEDRO 
It were good that Benedicke knew of it by It were good that Benedick knew of it by MA II.iii.155
some other, if she will not discouer it.some other, if she will not discover it.discover (v.)

old form: discouer
reveal, show, make known
MA II.iii.156
Clau. CLAUDIO 
To what end? he would but make a sport of it,To what end? He would make but a sport of itsport (n.)
recreation, amusement, entertainment
MA II.iii.157
and torment the poore Lady worse.and torment the poor lady worse. MA II.iii.158
Prin. DON PEDRO 
And he should, it were an almes to hang him,An he should, it were an alms to hang him.and, an (conj.)
if, whether
MA II.iii.159
alms (n.)

old form: almes
charity, good deed, meritorious act
shee's an excellent sweet Lady, and (out of all suspition,)She's an excellent sweet lady, and, out of all suspicion, MA II.iii.160
she is vertuous.she is virtuous. MA II.iii.161
Claudio. CLAUDIO 
And she is exceeding wise.And she is exceeding wise. MA II.iii.162
Prince. DON PEDRO 
In euery thing, but in louing Benedicke.In every thing but in loving Benedick. MA II.iii.163
Leon. LEONATO 
O my Lord, wisedome and bloud combating in soO, my lord, wisdom and blood combating in so blood (n.)

old form: bloud
passion, feeling, strong emotion [especially sexual]
MA II.iii.164
tender a body, we haue ten proofes to one, that bloudtender a body, we have ten proofs to one that blood MA II.iii.165
hath the victory, I am sorry for her, as I haue iust cause,hath the victory. I am sorry for her, as I have just cause, MA II.iii.166
being her Vncle, and her Guardian.being her uncle and her guardian. MA II.iii.167
Prince. DON PEDRO 
I would shee had bestowed this dotage on mee,I would she had bestowed this dotage on me;dotage (n.)
doting, infatuation, excessive affection
MA II.iii.168
I would haue daft all other respects, and made her halfeI would have daffed all other respects and made her halfrespect (n.)
consideration, factor, circumstance
MA II.iii.169
daff (v.), past form daft
put to one side, thrust aside
my selfe: I pray you tell Benedicke of it, and heare whatmyself. I pray you, tell Benedick of it, and hear what MA II.iii.170
he will say.'a will say. MA II.iii.171
Leon. LEONATO 
Were it good thinke you?Were it good, think you? MA II.iii.172
Clau. CLAUDIO 
Hero thinkes surely she wil die, for she saies sheHero thinks surely she will die; for she says she MA II.iii.173
will die, if hee loue her not, and shee will die ere shee makewill die, if he love her not; and she will die, ere she make MA II.iii.174
her loue knowne, and she will die if hee wooe her, ratherher love known; and she will die if he woo her, rather MA II.iii.175
than shee will bate one breath of her accustomedthan she will bate one breath of her accustomedbate (v.)
abate, modify, lessen
MA II.iii.176
crossenesse.crossness. MA II.iii.177
Prin. DON PEDRO 
She doth well, if she should make tender ofShe doth well. If she should make tender oftender (n.)
offer, offering
MA II.iii.178
her loue, 'tis very possible hee'l scorne it, for the manher love, 'tis very possible he'll scorn it; for the man, MA II.iii.179
(as you know all) hath a contemptible spirit.as you know all, hath a contemptible spirit.contemptible (adj.)
scornful, disdainful, full of contempt
MA II.iii.180
Clau. CLAUDIO 
He is a very proper man.He is a very proper man.proper (adj.)
good-looking, handsome, comely
MA II.iii.181
Prin. DON PEDRO 
He hath indeed a good outward happines.He hath, indeed, a good outward happiness.happiness (n.)

old form: happines
pleasing demeanour, felicitous manner
MA II.iii.182
Clau. CLAUDIO 
'Fore God, and in my minde very wise.Before God, and in my mind, very wise. MA II.iii.183
Prin. DON PEDRO 
He doth indeed shew some sparkes that areHe doth, indeed, show some sparks that are MA II.iii.184
like wit.like wit.wit (n.)
intelligence, wisdom, good sense, mental ability
MA II.iii.185
Leon. CLAUDIO 
And I take him to be valiant.And I take him to be valiant. MA II.iii.186
Prin. DON PEDRO 
As Hector, I assure you, and in the managingAs Hector, I assure you; and in the managingHector (n.)
son of Priam, married to Andromache; the bravest Trojan, who led out their army to battle
MA II.iii.187
of quarrels you may see hee is wise, for either heeof quarrels you may say he is wise, for either he MA II.iii.188
auoydes them with great discretion, or vndertakes themavoids them with great discretion, or undertakes them MA II.iii.189
with a Christian-like feare.with a most Christian-like fear. MA II.iii.190
Leon. LEONATO 
If hee doe feare God, a must necessarilie keepeIf he do fear God, 'a must necessarily keep MA II.iii.191
peace, if hee breake the peace, hee ought to enter into apeace; if he break the peace, he ought to enter into a MA II.iii.192
quarrell with feare and trembling.quarrel with fear and trembling. MA II.iii.193
Prin. DON PEDRO 
And so will he doe, for the man doth fear God,And so will he do, for the man doth fear God, MA II.iii.194
howsoeuer it seemes not in him, by some large ieasts heehowsoever it seems not in him by some large jests helarge (adj.)
licentious, coarse
MA II.iii.195
will make: well, I am sorry for your niece, shall we goewill make. Well I am sorry for your niece. Shall we go MA II.iii.196
see Benedicke, and tell him of her loue.seek Benedick, and tell him of her love? MA II.iii.197
Claud. CLAUDIO 
Neuer tell him, my Lord, let her weare it out withNever tell him, my lord; let her wear it out with MA II.iii.198
good counsell.good counsel.counsel (n.)

old form: counsell
resolution, intention, purpose
MA II.iii.199
Leon. LEONATO 
Nay that's impossible, she may weare her heartNay, that's impossible; she may wear her heart MA II.iii.200
out first.out first. MA II.iii.201
Prin. DON PEDRO 
Well, we will heare further of it by yourWell, we will hear further of it by your MA II.iii.202
daughter, let it coole the while, I loue Benedicke well, anddaughter; let it cool the while. I love Benedick well; and MA II.iii.203
I could wish he would modestly examine himselfe, to seeI could wish he would modestly examine himself, to see MA II.iii.204
how much he is vnworthy to haue so good a Lady.how much he is unworthy so good a lady. MA II.iii.205
Leon. LEONATO 
My Lord, will you walke? dinner is ready.My lord, will you walk? Dinner is ready. MA II.iii.206
Clau. CLAUDIO  
(aside) MA II.iii.207
If he do not doat on her vpon this, I wilIf he do not dote on her upon this, I will MA II.iii.207
neuer trust my expectation.never trust my expectation. MA II.iii.208
Prin. DON PEDRO  
(to Leonato) MA II.iii.209
Let there be the same Net spreadLet there be the same net spread MA II.iii.209
for her, and that must your daughter and her gentlewomanfor her, and that must your daughter and her gentlewomen MA II.iii.210
carry: the sport will be, when they hold onecarry. The sport will be, when they hold onesport (n.)
recreation, amusement, entertainment
MA II.iii.211
carry (v.)
carry out, manage, conduct
an opinion of anothers dotage, and no such matter,an opinion of another's dotage, and no such matter;matter (n.)
subject-matter, content, substance
MA II.iii.212
dotage (n.)
doting, infatuation, excessive affection
that's the Scene that I would see, which will be meerely athat's the scene that I would see, which will be merely amerely (adv.)

old form: meerely
completely, totally, entirely
MA II.iii.213
dumbe shew: let vs send her to call him into dinner. dumb-show. Let us send her to call him in to dinner. MA II.iii.214
Exeunt.Exeunt Don Pedro, Claudio, and Leonato MA II.iii.214
Bene. BENEDICK  
(coming forward) MA II.iii.215
This can be no tricke, theThis can be no trick. The MA II.iii.215
conference was sadly borne, they haue the truth of thisconference was sadly borne. They have the truth of thissadly (adv.)
seriously, gravely, solemnly
MA II.iii.216
conference (n.)
conversation, talk, discourse
bear (v.), past forms bore, borne
carry on, manage, conduct [an affair]
from Hero, they seeme to pittie the Lady: it seemes herfrom Hero. They seem to pity the lady; it seems her MA II.iii.217
affections haue the full bent: loue me? why it must affections have their full bent. Love me? Why it mustbent (n.)
degree, capacity, extent [to which a bow can be bent]
MA II.iii.218
be requited: I heare how I am censur'd, they say I willbe requited. I hear how I am censured: they say I willrequite (v.), past forms requit, requited
reward, repay, recompense
MA II.iii.219
censure (v.)

old form: censur'd
judge, think of, give an opinion of [not involving blame]
beare my selfe proudly, if I perceiue the loue come frombear myself proudly, if I perceive the love come from MA II.iii.220
her: they say too, that she will rather die than giue any her; they say, too, that she will rather die than give any MA II.iii.221
signe of affection: I did neuer thinke to marry, I must not sign of affection. I did never think to marry. I must not MA II.iii.222
seeme proud, happy are they that heare their detractions,seem proud; happy are they that hear their detractions MA II.iii.223
and can put them to mending: they say the Lady is faire,and can put them to mending. They say the lady is fair; MA II.iii.224
'tis a truth, I can beare them witnesse: and vertuous, tis so,'tis a truth, I can bear them witness; and virtuous; so, MA II.iii.225
I cannot reprooue it, and wise, but for louing me, by myI cannot reprove it; and wise, but for loving me. By myreprove (v.)

old form: reprooue
disprove, rebut, refute, deny
MA II.iii.226
troth it is no addition to her witte, nor no great argumenttroth, it is no addition to her wit, nor no great argumentwit (n.)

old form: witte
intelligence, wisdom, good sense, mental ability
MA II.iii.227
argument (n.)
proof, evidence, demonstration
of her folly; for I wil be horribly in loue with her, I mayof her folly, for I will be horribly in love with her. I may MA II.iii.228
chance haue some odde quirkes and remnants of witte brokenchance have some odd quirks and remnants of wit brokenwit (n.)

old form: witte
mental sharpness, acumen, quickness, ingenuity
MA II.iii.229
quirk (n.)

old form: quirkes
quip, wisecrack, witticism
break (on, upon) (v.)
[of jokes] crack, make
on mee, because I haue rail'd so long against marriage:on me, because I have railed so long against marriage;rail (v.)

old form: rail'd
rant, rave, be abusive [about]
MA II.iii.230
but doth not the appetite alter? a man loues the meat inbut doth not the appetite alter? A man loves the meat in MA II.iii.231
his youth, that he cannot indure in his age. Shall quipshis youth that he cannot endure in his age. Shall quips MA II.iii.232
and sentences, and these paper bullets of the braine awe aand sentences and these paper bullets of the brain awe asentence (n.)
maxim, wise saying, precept
MA II.iii.233
man from the careere of his humour? No, the world must man from the career of his humour? No, the world mustcareer (n.)

old form: careere
rapid course, height, full swing
MA II.iii.234
humour (n.)
mood, disposition, frame of mind, temperament [as determined by bodily fluids]
be peopled. When I said I would die a batcheler, I didbe peopled. When I said I would die a bachelor, I did MA II.iii.235
not think I should liue till I were maried, here comesnot think I should live till I were married. Here comes MA II.iii.236
Beatrice: by this day, shee's a faire Lady, I doe spie someBeatrice. By this day, she's a fair lady! I do spy some MA II.iii.237
markes of loue in her.marks of love in her. MA II.iii.238
Enter Beatrice.Enter Beatrice MA II.iii.238
Beat. BEATRICE 
Against my wil I am sent to bid you come in toAgainst my will I am sent to bid you come in to MA II.iii.239
dinner.dinner. MA II.iii.240
Bene. BENEDICK 
Faire Beatrice, I thanke you for your paines.Fair Beatrice, I thank you for your pains. MA II.iii.241
Beat. BEATRICE 
I tooke no more paines for those thankes, thenI took no more pains for those thanks than MA II.iii.242
you take paines to thanke me, if it had been painefull, Iyou take pains to thank me; if it had been painful, I MA II.iii.243
would not haue come.would not have come. MA II.iii.244
Bene. BENEDICK 
You take pleasure then in the message.You take pleasure then in the message? MA II.iii.245
Beat. BEATRICE 
Yea iust so much as you may take vpon aYea, just so much as you may take upon a MA II.iii.246
kniues point, and choake a daw withall: you haue no knife's point, and choke a daw withal. You have nodaw (n.)
jackdaw [as noted for its stupidity]; dolt, fool
MA II.iii.247
stomacke signior, fare you well. stomach, signor; fare you well.fare ... well (int.)
goodbye [to an individual]
MA II.iii.248
Exit.Exit MA II.iii.248
Bene. BENEDICK 
Ha, against my will I am sent to bid youHa! ‘ Against my will I am sent to bid you MA II.iii.249
come into dinner: there's a double meaning in that: Icome in to dinner ’ – there's a double meaning in that. ‘ I MA II.iii.250
tooke no more paines for those thankes then you tooke painestook no more pains for those thanks than you took pains MA II.iii.251
to thanke me, that's as much as to say, any paines thatto thank me ’ – that's as much as to say, ‘ Any pains that MA II.iii.252
I take for you is as easie as thankes: if I do not take pitty ofI take for you is as easy as thanks.’ If I do not take pity of MA II.iii.253
her I am a villaine, if I doe not loue her I am a Iew, I willher, I am a villain; if I do not love her, I am a Jew. I will MA II.iii.254
goe get her picture.go get her picture. MA II.iii.255
Exit.Exit MA II.iii.255
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