Text	Circles	Dramatis Personae	Synopsis	All Definitions

× Print Much Ado About Nothing Select what you want to print Current play Modern text Current act Folio text Current scene Definitions   Key line show Original text show Modern text show Definitions show Key line show Hyperlinks  print Modern text Original text Modern text with Definitions Original text with Definitions Modern text with Key line Hyperlinks Act 1 > Scene 1 Act 1 > Scene 2 Act 1 > Scene 3 Act 2 > Scene 1 Act 2 > Scene 2 Act 2 > Scene 3 Act 3 > Scene 1 Act 3 > Scene 2 Act 3 > Scene 3 Act 3 > Scene 4 Act 3 > Scene 5 Act 4 > Scene 1 Act 4 > Scene 2 Act 5 > Scene 1 Act 5 > Scene 2 Act 5 > Scene 3 Act 5 > Scene 4 All text Act I scene IIIIII Act II scene IIIIII Act III scene IIIIIIIVV Act IV scene III Act V scene IIIIIIIV First folio Modern text Definitions Key line Enter Prince, Bastard, Leonato, Frier, Enter Don Pedro, Don John, Leonato, Friar Francis,   MA IV.i.1.1 Claudio, Benedicke, Hero, and Beatrice. Claudio, Benedick, Hero, Beatrice, and attendants   MA IV.i.1.2 Leonato. LEONATO   Come Frier Francis, be briefe, onely to the plaine Come, Friar Francis, be brief; only to the plain   MA IV.i.1 forme of marriage, and you shal recount their particular form of marriage, and you shall recount their particular   MA IV.i.2 duties afterwards. duties afterwards.   MA IV.i.3 Fran. FRIAR   You come hither, my Lord, to marry this Lady. You come hither, my lord, to marry this lady?   MA IV.i.4 Clau. CLAUDIO   No. No.   MA IV.i.5 Leo. LEONATO   To be married to her: Frier, you come to marrie To be married to her; Friar, you come to marry   MA IV.i.6 her. her!   MA IV.i.7 Frier. FRIAR   Lady, you come hither to be married to this Count. Lady, you come hither to be married to this Count.   MA IV.i.8 Hero. HERO   I doe. I do.   MA IV.i.9 Frier. FRIAR   If either of you know any inward impediment why If either of you know any inward impediment why inward (adj.) secret, private, undisclosed MA IV.i.10 you should not be conioyned, I charge you on your soules you should not be conjoined, I charge you, on your souls,   MA IV.i.11 to vtter it. to utter it.   MA IV.i.12 Claud. CLAUDIO   Know you anie, Hero? Know you any, Hero?   MA IV.i.13 Hero. HERO   None my Lord. None, my lord.   MA IV.i.14 Frier. FRIAR   Know you anie, Count? Know you any, Count?   MA IV.i.15 Leon. LEONATO   I dare make his answer, None. I dare make his answer, None.   MA IV.i.16 Clau. CLAUDIO   O what men dare do! what men may do! O, what men dare do! What men may do!   MA IV.i.17 what men daily do! What men daily do, not knowing what they do!   MA IV.i.18 Bene. BENEDICK   How now! interiections? why then, some be How now! Interjections? Why, then, some be   MA IV.i.19 of laughing, as ha, ha, he. of laughing, as, ah, ha, he!   MA IV.i.20 Clau. CLAUDIO   Stand thee by Frier, father, by your leaue, Stand thee by, Friar. Father, by your leave: stand by (v.) stand aside, draw back MA IV.i.21 Will you with free and vnconstrained soule Will you with free and unconstrained soul   MA IV.i.22 Giue me this maid your daughter? Give me this maid, your daughter?   MA IV.i.23 Leon. LEONATO   As freely sonne as God did giue her me. As freely, son, as God did give her me.   MA IV.i.24 Cla. CLAUDIO   And what haue I to giue you back, whose worth And what have I to give you back, whose worth   MA IV.i.25 May counterpoise this rich and precious gift? May counterpoise this rich and precious gift? counterpoise (v.) equal, match, rival MA IV.i.26 Prin. DON PEDRO   Nothing, vnlesse you render her againe. Nothing, unless you render her again.   MA IV.i.27 Clau. CLAUDIO   Sweet Prince, you learn me noble thankfulnes: Sweet Prince, you learn me noble thankfulness. learn (v.) teach, instruct [not a regional dialect usage as in modern English] MA IV.i.28 There Leonato, take her backe againe, There, Leonato, take her back again,   MA IV.i.29 Giue not this rotten Orenge to your friend, Give not this rotten orange to your friend;   MA IV.i.30 Shee's but the signe and semblance of her honour: She's but the sign and semblance of her honour. sign (n.) old form: signe mere semblance, token symbol, show MA IV.i.31 Behold how like a maid she blushes heere! Behold how like a maid she blushes here!   MA IV.i.32 O what authoritie and shew of truth O, what authority and show of truth   MA IV.i.33 Can cunning sinne couer it selfe withall! Can cunning sin cover itself withal!   MA IV.i.34 Comes not that bloud, as modest euidence, Comes not that blood as modest evidence evidence (n.) old form: euidence witness, testimony, avowal MA IV.i.35 modest (adj.) decorous, seemly, not offending modesty blood (n.) old form: bloud colouring, healthy complexion, blushing To witnesse simple Vertue? would you not sweare To witness simple virtue? Would you not swear, witness (v.) old form: witnesse bear witness to, attest, testify to MA IV.i.36 All you that see her, that she were a maide, All you that see her, that she were a maid   MA IV.i.37 By these exterior shewes? But she is none: By these exterior shows? But she is none;   MA IV.i.38 She knowes the heat of a luxurious bed: She knows the heat of a luxurious bed. luxurious (adj.) lustful, lecherous, lascivious MA IV.i.39 Her blush is guiltinesse, not modestie. Her blush is guiltiness, not modesty.   MA IV.i.40 Leonato. LEONATO   What doe you meane, my Lord? What do you mean, my lord?   MA IV.i.41.1 Clau. CLAUDIO   Not to be married, Not to be married,   MA IV.i.41.2 Not to knit my soule to an approued wanton. Not to knit my soul to an approved wanton. wanton (n.) harlot, whore MA IV.i.42 approved (adj.) old form: approued tested, tried, established, proven Leon. LEONATO   Deere my Lord, if you in your owne proofe, Dear my lord, if you, in your own proof, proof (n.) old form: proofe test, trial MA IV.i.43 Haue vanquisht the resistance of her youth, Have vanquished the resistance of her youth,   MA IV.i.44 And made defeat of her virginitie. And made defeat of her virginity – defeat (n.) act of destruction, ruin MA IV.i.45 Clau. CLAUDIO   I know what you would say: if I haue knowne her, I know what you would say. If I have known her, know (v.) old form: knowne have sexual knowledge of, have intercourse with MA IV.i.46 You will say, she did imbrace me as a husband, You will say she did embrace me as a husband,   MA IV.i.47 And so extenuate the forehand sinne: And so extenuate the 'forehand sin. extenuate (v.) mitigate, lessen, tone down MA IV.i.48 forehand, fore-hand (adj.) beforehand, previously committed No Leonato, No, Leonato,   MA IV.i.49 I neuer tempted her with word too large, I never tempted her with word too large, large (adj.) licentious, coarse MA IV.i.50 But as a brother to his sister, shewed But, as a brother to his sister, showed   MA IV.i.51 Bashfull sinceritie and comely loue. Bashful sincerity and comely love.   MA IV.i.52 Hero. HERO   And seem'd I euer otherwise to you? And seemed I ever otherwise to you?   MA IV.i.53 Clau. CLAUDIO   Out on thee seeming, I will write against it, Out on thee! Seeming! I will write against it. seeming (n.) deceptive appearance, two-faced behaviour, pretence MA IV.i.54 You seeme to me as Diane in her Orbe, You seem to me as Dian in her orb, Diana, Dian (n.) Roman goddess associated with the Moon, chastity, and hunting MA IV.i.55 As chaste as is the budde ere it be blowne: As chaste as is the bud ere it be blown; blown (adj.) old form: blowne in full flower, in its bloom MA IV.i.56 But you are more intemperate in your blood, But you are more intemperate in your blood blood (n.) passion, feeling, strong emotion [especially sexual] MA IV.i.57 Than Venus, or those pampred animalls, Than Venus, or those pampered animals Venus (n.) Roman goddess of beauty and love MA IV.i.58 That rage in sauage sensualitie. That rage in savage sensuality. savage (adj.) old form: sauage uncivilized, wild, ungoverned MA IV.i.59 Hero. HERO   Is my Lord well, that he doth speake so wide? Is my lord well, that he doth speak so wide? wide (adv.) in error, mistakenly MA IV.i.60 Leon. LEONATO   Sweete Prince, why speake not you? Sweet Prince, why speak not you?   MA IV.i.61.1 Prin. DON PEDRO   What should I speake? What should I speak?   MA IV.i.61.2 I stand dishonour'd that haue gone about, I stand dishonoured, that have gone about   MA IV.i.62 To linke my deare friend to a common stale. To link my dear friend to a common stale. stale (n.) prostitute, wanton, harlot MA IV.i.63 Leon. LEONATO   Are these things spoken, or doe I but dreame? Are these things spoken, or do I but dream?   MA IV.i.64 Bast. DON JOHN   Sir, they are spoken, and these things are true. Sir, they are spoken, and these things are true.   MA IV.i.65 Bene. BENEDICK   This lookes not like a nuptiall. This looks not like a nuptial.   MA IV.i.66.1 Hero. HERO   True, O God! True? O God!   MA IV.i.66.2 Clau. CLAUDIO   Leonato, stand I here? Leonato, stand I here?   MA IV.i.67 Is this the Prince? is this the Princes brother? Is this the Prince? Is this the Prince's brother?   MA IV.i.68 Is this face Heroes? are our eies our owne? Is this face Hero's? Are our eyes our own?   MA IV.i.69 Leon. LEONATO   All this is so, but what of this my Lord? All this is so; but what of this, my lord?   MA IV.i.70 Clau. CLAUDIO   Let me but moue one question to your daughter, Let me but move one question to your daughter;   MA IV.i.71 And by that fatherly and kindly power, And, by that fatherly and kindly power power (n.) control, influence, sway MA IV.i.72 kindly (adj.) natural, proper That you haue in her, bid her answer truly. That you have in her, bid her answer truly.   MA IV.i.73 Leo. LEONATO   I charge thee doe, as thou art my childe. I charge thee do so, as thou art my child.   MA IV.i.74 Hero. HERO   O God defend me how am I beset, O God defend me! How am I beset!   MA IV.i.75 What kinde of catechizing call you this? What kind of catechizing call you this?   MA IV.i.76 Clau. CLAUDIO   To make you answer truly to your name. To make you answer truly to your name.   MA IV.i.77 Hero. HERO   Is it not Hero? who can blot that name Is it not Hero? Who can blot that name   MA IV.i.78 With any iust reproach? With any just reproach?   MA IV.i.79.1 Claud. CLAUDIO   Marry that can Hero, Marry, that can Hero; marry (int.) [exclamation] by Mary MA IV.i.79.2 Hero it selfe can blot out Heroes vertue. Hero itself can blot out Hero's virtue.   MA IV.i.80 What man was he, talkt with you yesternight, What man was he talked with you yesternight yesternight (n.) last night MA IV.i.81 Out at your window betwixt twelue and one? Out at your window betwixt twelve and one?   MA IV.i.82 Now if you are a maid, answer to this. Now, if you are a maid, answer to this.   MA IV.i.83 Hero. HERO   I talkt with no man at that howre my Lord. I talked with no man at that hour, my lord.   MA IV.i.84 Prince. DON PEDRO   Why then you are no maiden. Leonato, Why, then are you no maiden. Leonato,   MA IV.i.85 I am sorry you must heare: vpon mine honor, I am sorry you must hear. Upon mine honour,   MA IV.i.86 My selfe, my brother, and this grieued Count Myself, my brother, and this grieved Count grieved (adj.) old form: grieued aggrieved, wronged, ill-used MA IV.i.87 Did see her, heare her, at that howre last night, Did see her, hear her, at that hour last night   MA IV.i.88 Talke with a ruffian at her chamber window, Talk with a ruffian at her chamber-window;   MA IV.i.89 Who hath indeed most like a liberall villaine, Who hath indeed, most like a liberal villain, liberal (adj.) old form: liberall coarse, licentious, promiscuous MA IV.i.90 Confest the vile encounters they haue had Confessed the vile encounters they have had   MA IV.i.91 A thousand times in secret. A thousand times in secret.   MA IV.i.92 Iohn. DON JOHN   Fie, fie, they are not to be named my Lord, Fie, fie, they are not to be named, my lord,   MA IV.i.93 Not to be spoken of, Not to be spoke of!   MA IV.i.94 There is not chastitie enough in language, There is not chastity enough in language   MA IV.i.95 Without offence to vtter them: thus pretty Lady Without offence to utter them. Thus, pretty lady,   MA IV.i.96 I am sorry for thy much misgouernment. I am sorry for thy much misgovernment. much (adj.) great, flagrant, brazen MA IV.i.97 misgovernment (n.) old form: misgouernment misconduct, wicked behaviour Claud. CLAUDIO   O Hero! what a Hero hadst thou beene O Hero! What a Hero hadst thou been,   MA IV.i.98 If halfe thy outward graces had beene placed If half thy outward graces had been placed   MA IV.i.99 About thy thoughts and counsailes of thy heart? About thy thoughts and counsels of thy heart!   MA IV.i.100 But fare thee well, most foule, most faire, farewell But fare thee well, most foul, most fair! Farewell, fare ... well (int.) goodbye [to an individual] MA IV.i.101 Thou pure impiety, and impious puritie, Thou pure impiety and impious purity!   MA IV.i.102 For thee Ile locke vp all the gates of Loue, For thee I'll lock up all the gates of love,   MA IV.i.103 And on my eie-lids shall Coniecture hang, And on my eyelids shall conjecture hang, conjecture (n.) old form: Coniecture suspicion, misgiving, evil doubt MA IV.i.104 To turne all beauty into thoughts of harme, To turn all beauty into thoughts of harm,   MA IV.i.105 And neuer shall it more be gracious. And never shall it more be gracious. gracious (adj.) delightful, lovely, charming MA IV.i.106 Leon. LEONATO   Hath no mans dagger here a point for me? Hath no man's dagger here a point for me?   MA IV.i.107 Hero swoons   MA IV.i.107 Beat. BEATRICE   Why how now cosin, wherfore sink you down? Why, how now, cousin! Wherefore sink you down?   MA IV.i.108 Bast. DON JOHN   Come, let vs go: these things come thus to light, Come, let us go. These things, come thus to light,   MA IV.i.109 Smother her spirits vp. Smother her spirits up. spirit (n.) (plural) vital power, energy, vigour MA IV.i.110 Exeunt Don Pedro, Don John, and Claudio   MA IV.i.110 Bene. BENEDICK   How doth the Lady? How doth the lady?   MA IV.i.111.1 Beat. BEATRICE   Dead I thinke, helpe vncle, Dead, I think. Help, uncle!   MA IV.i.111.2 Hero, why Hero, Vncle, Signor Benedicke, Frier. Hero! Why, Hero! Uncle! Signor Benedick! Friar!   MA IV.i.112 Leonato. LEONATO   O Fate! take not away thy heauy hand, O Fate! Take not away thy heavy hand. heavy (adj.) old form: heauy brutal, oppressive, wicked MA IV.i.113 Death is the fairest couer for her shame Death is the fairest cover for her shame   MA IV.i.114 That may be wisht for. That may be wished for.   MA IV.i.115.1 Beatr. BEATRICE   How now cosin Hero? How now, cousin Hero?   MA IV.i.115.2 Fri. FRIAR   Haue comfort Ladie. Have comfort, lady.   MA IV.i.116 Leon. LEONATO   Dost thou looke vp? Dost thou look up?   MA IV.i.117.1 Frier. FRIAR   Yea, wherefore should she not? Yea, wherefore should she not?   MA IV.i.117.2 Leon. LEONATO   Wherfore? Why doth not euery earthly thing Wherefore! Why, doth not every earthly thing   MA IV.i.118 Cry shame vpon her? Could she heere denie Cry shame upon her? Could she here deny   MA IV.i.119 The storie that is printed in her blood? The story that is printed in her blood? blood (n.) colouring, healthy complexion, blushing MA IV.i.120 Do not liue Hero, do not ope thine eyes: Do not live, Hero, do not ope thine eyes; ope (v.) open MA IV.i.121 For did I thinke thou wouldst not quickly die, For, did I think thou wouldst not quickly die,   MA IV.i.122 Thought I thy spirits were stronger then thy shames, Thought I thy spirits were stronger than thy shames,   MA IV.i.123 My selfe would on the reward of reproaches Myself would, on the rearward of reproaches, rearward of, on the (prep.) following, immediately after MA IV.i.124 Strike at thy life. Grieu'd I, I had but one? Strike at thy life. Grieved I, I had but one?   MA IV.i.125 Chid I, for that at frugal Natures frame? Chid I for that at frugal Nature's frame? chide (v.), past form chid scold, rebuke, reprove MA IV.i.126 frame (n.) plan, established order, scheme of things O one too much by thee: why had I one? O, one too much by thee! Why had I one?   MA IV.i.127 Why euer was't thou louelie in my eies? Why ever wast thou lovely in my eyes?   MA IV.i.128 Why had I not with charitable hand Why had I not with charitable hand   MA IV.i.129 Tooke vp a beggars issue at my gates, Took up a beggar's issue at my gates, issue (n.) child(ren), offspring, family, descendant MA IV.i.130 Who smeered thus, and mir'd with infamie, Who smirched thus and mired with infamy, smirched (adj.) marked, soiled, stained MA IV.i.131 I might haue said, no part of it is mine: I might have said ‘ No part of it is mine;   MA IV.i.132 This shame deriues it selfe from vnknowne loines, This shame derives itself from unknown loins ’? derive (v.) old form: deriues descend MA IV.i.133 But mine, and mine I lou'd, and mine I prais'd, But mine and mine I loved and mine I praised   MA IV.i.134 And mine that I was proud on mine so much, And mine that I was proud on, mine so much   MA IV.i.135 That I my selfe, was to my selfe not mine: That I myself was to myself not mine,   MA IV.i.136 Valewing of her, why she, O she is falne Valuing of her – why, she, O, she is fallen   MA IV.i.137 Into a pit of Inke, that the wide sea Into a pit of ink, that the wide sea   MA IV.i.138 Hath drops too few to wash her cleane againe, Hath drops too few to wash her clean again   MA IV.i.139 And salt too little, which may season giue And salt too little which may season give season (n.) seasoning, flavour, preservative MA IV.i.140 To her foule tainted flesh. To her foul tainted flesh!   MA IV.i.141.1 Ben. BENEDICK   Sir, sir, be patient: Sir, sir, be patient.   MA IV.i.141.2 for my part, I am so attired For my part, I am so attired in wonder, attired (adj.) wrapped, clothed, swathed MA IV.i.142 in wonder, I know not what to say. I know not what to say.   MA IV.i.143 Bea. BEATRICE   O on my soule my cosin is belied. O, on my soul, my cousin is belied! belie (v.) slander, tell lies about MA IV.i.144 Ben. BENEDICK   Ladie, were you her bedfellow last night? Lady, were you her bedfellow last night?   MA IV.i.145 Bea. BEATRICE   No truly: not although vntill last night, No, truly not; although, until last night,   MA IV.i.146 I haue this tweluemonth bin her bedfellow. I have this twelvemonth been her bedfellow.   MA IV.i.147 Leon. LEONATO   Confirm'd, confirm'd, O that is stronger made Confirmed, confirmed! O, that is stronger made   MA IV.i.148 Which was before barr'd vp with ribs of iron. Which was before barred up with ribs of iron!   MA IV.i.149 Would the Princes lie, and Claudio lie, Would the two Princes lie, and Claudio lie,   MA IV.i.150 Who lou'd her so, that speaking of her foulnesse, Who loved her so, that, speaking of her foulness,   MA IV.i.151 Wash'd it with teares? Hence from her, let her die. Washed it with tears? Hence from her, let her die!   MA IV.i.152 Fri. FRIAR   Heare me a little, Hear me a little;   MA IV.i.153 for I haue onely bene silent so long, For I have only silent been so long,   MA IV.i.154 and giuen way vnto this course of fortune, And given way unto this course of fortune course (n.) course of action, way of proceeding MA IV.i.155 by noting of the Ladie, I haue markt. By noting of the lady. I have marked mark (v.) old form: markt note, pay attention [to], take notice [of] MA IV.i.156 A thousand blushing apparitions, A thousand blushing apparitions   MA IV.i.157 To start into her face, a thousand innocent shames, To start into her face, a thousand innocent shames start (v.) hurry, rush, hasten MA IV.i.158 In Angel whitenesse beare away those blushes, In angel whiteness beat away those blushes;   MA IV.i.159 And in her eie there hath appear'd a fire And in her eye there hath appeared a fire,   MA IV.i.160 To burne the errors that these Princes hold To burn the errors that these Princes hold   MA IV.i.161 Against her maiden truth. Call me a foole, Against her maiden truth. Call me a fool;   MA IV.i.162 Trust not my reading, nor my obseruations, Trust not my reading nor my observations,   MA IV.i.163 Which with experimental seale doth warrant Which with experimental seal doth warrant experimental (adj.) on the basis of experience, often observed MA IV.i.164 warrant (v.) act as a pledge for, give an assurance about seal (n.) old form: seale authentication, confirmation, attestation The tenure of my booke: trust not my age, The tenor of my book; trust not my age, tenor, tenour (n.) old form: tenure substance, content, matter, drift MA IV.i.165 book (n.) old form: booke book-learning, scholarship, erudition My reuerence, calling, nor diuinitie, My reverence, calling, nor divinity,   MA IV.i.166 If this sweet Ladie lye not guiltlesse heere, If this sweet lady lie not guiltless here lie under (v.) old form: lye Vnder be subject to, suffer the consequences of MA IV.i.167 Vnder some biting error. Under some biting error.   MA IV.i.168.1 Leo. LEONATO   Friar, it cannot be: Friar, it cannot be.   MA IV.i.168.2 Thou seest that all the Grace that she hath left, Thou seest that all the grace that she hath left   MA IV.i.169 Is, that she wil not adde to her damnation, Is that she will not add to her damnation   MA IV.i.170 A sinne of periury, she not denies it: A sin of perjury; she not denies it:   MA IV.i.171 Why seek'st thou then to couer with excuse, Why seek'st thou then to cover with excuse   MA IV.i.172 That which appeares in proper nakednesse? That which appears in proper nakedness? proper (adj.) thorough, absolute, complete MA IV.i.173 Fri. FRIAR   Ladie, what man is he you are accus'd of? Lady, what man is he you are accused of?   MA IV.i.174 Hero. HERO   They know that do accuse me, I know none: They know that do accuse me; I know none.   MA IV.i.175 If I know more of any man aliue If I know more of any man alive   MA IV.i.176 Then that which maiden modestie doth warrant, Than that which maiden modesty doth warrant, warrant (v.) authorize, sanction, license MA IV.i.177 Let all my sinnes lacke mercy. O my Father, Let all my sins lack mercy! O my father,   MA IV.i.178 Proue you that any man with me conuerst, Prove you that any man with me conversed   MA IV.i.179 At houres vnmeete, or that I yesternight At hours unmeet, or that I yesternight unmeet (adj.) old form: vnmeete unfitting, unsuitable, improper MA IV.i.180 yesternight (n.) last night Maintain'd the change of words with any creature, Maintained the change of words with any creature, change (n.) exchange, replacement [for] MA IV.i.181 Refuse me, hate me, torture me to death. Refuse me, hate me, torture me to death! refuse (v.) spurn, disown, cast off MA IV.i.182 Fri. FRIAR   There is some strange misprision in the Princes. There is some strange misprision in the Princes. misprision (n.) mistake, error, misunderstanding, misconception MA IV.i.183 Ben. BENEDICK   Two of them haue the verie bent of honor, Two of them have the very bent of honour; very (adj.) old form: verie true, real, genuine MA IV.i.184 bent (n.) disposition, constitution, temperament And if their wisedomes be misled in this: And if their wisdoms be misled in this,   MA IV.i.185 The practise of it liues in Iohn the bastard, The practice of it lives in John the Bastard, practice (n.) old form: practise trickery, treachery MA IV.i.186 Whose spirits toile in frame of villanies. Whose spirits toil in frame of villainies. frame (n.) framing, plotting, contriving MA IV.i.187 Leo. LEONATO   I know not: if they speake but truth of her, I know not. If they speak but truth of her,   MA IV.i.188 These hands shall teare her: If they wrong her honour, These hands shall tear her; if they wrong her honour,   MA IV.i.189 The proudest of them shall wel heare of it. The proudest of them shall well hear of it.   MA IV.i.190 Time hath not yet so dried this bloud of mine, Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine,   MA IV.i.191 Nor age so eate vp my inuention, Nor age so eat up my invention, invention (n.) old form: inuention inventiveness, imagination, creative faculty MA IV.i.192 Nor Fortune made such hauocke of my meanes, Nor fortune made such havoc of my means,   MA IV.i.193 Nor my bad life reft me so much of friends, Nor my bad life reft me so much of friends, reave (v.), past form reft rob, deprive MA IV.i.194 But they shall finde, awak'd in such a kinde, But they shall find, awaked in such a kind, kind (n.) old form: kinde manner, way, state MA IV.i.195 Both strength of limbe, and policie of minde, Both strength of limb and policy of mind, policy (n.) old form: policie statecraft, statesmanship, diplomacy MA IV.i.196 Ability in meanes, and choise of friends, Ability in means and choice of friends   MA IV.i.197 To quit me of them throughly. To quit me of them throughly. throughly (adv.) thoroughly, fully, completely MA IV.i.198.1 quit (v.) avenge, requite, take vengeance [on] Fri. FRIAR   Pause awhile: Pause awhile,   MA IV.i.198.2 And let my counsell sway you in this case, And let my counsel sway you in this case. sway (v.) control, rule, direct, govern MA IV.i.199 Your daughter heere the Princesse (left for dead) Your daughter here the Princes left for dead;   MA IV.i.200 Let her awhile be secretly kept in, Let her awhile be secretly kept in,   MA IV.i.201 And publish it, that she is dead indeed: And publish it that she is dead indeed.   MA IV.i.202 Maintaine a mourning ostentation, Maintain a mourning ostentation, ostentation (n.) public show, display, exhibition MA IV.i.203 And on your Families old monument, And on your family's old monument   MA IV.i.204 Hang mournfull Epitaphes, and do all rites, Hang mournful epitaphs and do all rites   MA IV.i.205 That appertaine vnto a buriall. That appertain unto a burial.   MA IV.i.206 Leon. LEONATO   What shall become of this? What wil this do? What shall become of this? What will this do?   MA IV.i.207 Fri. FRIAR   Marry this wel carried, shall on her behalfe, Marry, this, well carried, shall on her behalf carry (v.) carry out, manage, conduct MA IV.i.208 Change slander to remorse, that is some good, Change slander to remorse; that is some good. remorse (n.) pity, regret, sorrow MA IV.i.209 But not for that dreame I on this strange course, But not for that dream I on this strange course, course (n.) course of action, way of proceeding MA IV.i.210 But on this trauaile looke for greater birth: But on this travail look for greater birth. travail, travel (n.) old form: trauaile suffering, torment, distress MA IV.i.211 She dying, as it must be so maintain'd, She dying, as it must be so maintained,   MA IV.i.212 Vpon the instant that she was accus'd, Upon the instant that she was accused,   MA IV.i.213 Shal be lamented, pittied, and excus'd Shall be lamented, pitied, and excused   MA IV.i.214 Of euery hearer: for it so fals out, Of every hearer; for it so falls out   MA IV.i.215 That what we haue, we prize not to the worth, That what we have we prize not to the worth worth (n.) worthiness, value, excellence MA IV.i.216 Whiles we enioy it; but being lack'd and lost, Whiles we enjoy it, but being lacked and lost,   MA IV.i.217 Why then we racke the value, then we finde Why, then we rack the value, then we find rack (v.) old form: racke exaggerate, inflate, increase MA IV.i.218 The vertue that possession would not shew vs The virtue that possession would not show us   MA IV.i.219 Whiles it was ours, so will it fare with Claudio: Whiles it was ours. So will it fare with Claudio. fare (v.) go, happen, turn out MA IV.i.220 When he shal heare she dyed vpon his words, When he shall hear she died upon his words,   MA IV.i.221 Th'Idea of her life shal sweetly creepe Th' idea of her life shall sweetly creep   MA IV.i.222 Into his study of imagination. Into his study of imagination, imagination (n.) thought, soul-searching, introspection MA IV.i.223 study (n.) reflection, reverie, musing And euery louely Organ of her life, And every lovely organ of her life organ (n.) feature, trait, facet MA IV.i.224 life (n.) living being, person Shall come apparel'd in more precious habite: Shall come apparelled in more precious habit, habit (n.) old form: habite dress, clothing, costume MA IV.i.225 apparel (v.) old form: apparel'd clothe, dress up, trick out More mouing delicate, and ful of life, More moving, delicate, and full of life,   MA IV.i.226 Into the eye and prospect of his soule Into the eye and prospect of his soul,   MA IV.i.227 Then when she liu'd indeed: then shal he mourne, Than when she lived indeed. Then shall he mourn,   MA IV.i.228 If euer Loue had interest in his Liuer, If ever love had interest in his liver, liver (n.) old form: Liuer part of the body thought to be the seat of the passions [especially sexual desire] MA IV.i.229 And wish he had not so accused her: And wish he had not so accused her –   MA IV.i.230 No, though he thought his accusation true: No, though he thought his accusation true.   MA IV.i.231 Let this be so, and doubt not but successe Let this be so, and doubt not but success success (n.) course of events, process of time MA IV.i.232 Wil fashion the euent in better shape, Will fashion the event in better shape event (n.) old form: euent outcome, issue, consequence MA IV.i.233 Then I can lay it downe in likelihood. Than I can lay it down in likelihood. lay down (v.) old form: downe formulate, work out, estimate MA IV.i.234 But if all ayme but this be leuelld false, But if all aim but this be levelled false, level (v.) old form: leuelld aim, direct, target MA IV.i.235 false (adj.) wrong, mistaken false (adv.) wrongly, erroneously, in error The supposition of the Ladies death, The supposition of the lady's death supposition (n.) notion, opinion, belief MA IV.i.236 Will quench the wonder of her infamie. Will quench the wonder of her infamy; wonder (n.) surprise, astonishment, amazement MA IV.i.237 And if it sort not well, you may conceale her, And if it sort not well, you may conceal her, sort (v.) turn out, fall out, come about MA IV.i.238 As best befits her wounded reputation, As best befits her wounded reputation,   MA IV.i.239 In some reclusiue and religious life, In some reclusive and religious life, reclusive (adj.) old form: reclusiue secluded, cloistered, withdrawn from society MA IV.i.240 Out of all eyes, tongnes, mindes and iniuries. Out of all eyes, tongues, minds, and injuries.   MA IV.i.241 Bene. BENEDICK   Signior Leonato, let the Frier aduise you, Signor Leonato, let the Friar advise you;   MA IV.i.242 And though you know my inwardnesse and loue And though you know my inwardness and love inwardness (n.) old form: inwardnesse attachment, intimacy, close friendship MA IV.i.243 Is very much vnto the Prince and Claudio. Is very much unto the Prince and Claudio,   MA IV.i.244 Yet, by mine honor, I will deale in this, Yet, by mine honour, I will deal in this   MA IV.i.245 As secretly and iustlie, as your soule As secretly and justly as your soul   MA IV.i.246 Should with your bodie. Should with your body.   MA IV.i.247.1 Leon. LEONATO   Being that I flow in greefe, Being that I flow in grief, being that (conj.) since, seeing that MA IV.i.247.2 The smallest twine may lead me. The smallest twine may lead me.   MA IV.i.248 Frier. FRIAR   'Tis well consented, presently away, 'Tis well consented. Presently away; presently (adv.) immediately, instantly, at once MA IV.i.249 For to strange sores, strangely they straine the cure, For to strange sores strangely they strain the cure. strain (v.) old form: straine constrain, force, press MA IV.i.250 Come Lady, die to liue, this wedding day Come, lady, die to live; this wedding-day   MA IV.i.251 Perhaps is but prolong'd, haue patience & endure. Perhaps is but prolonged; have patience and endure. prolong (v.) old form: prolong'd postpone, put off, delay MA IV.i.252 Exit. Exeunt all but Benedick and Beatrice   MA IV.i.252 Bene. BENEDICK   Lady Beatrice, haue you wept all this while? Lady Beatrice, have you wept all this while?   MA IV.i.253 Beat. BEATRICE   Yea, and I will weepe a while longer. Yea, and I will weep a while longer.   MA IV.i.254 Bene. BENEDICK   I will not desire that. I will not desire that.   MA IV.i.255 Beat. BEATRICE   You haue no reason, I doe it freely. You have no reason; I do it freely.   MA IV.i.256 Bene. BENEDICK   Surelie I do beleeue your fair cosin is wrong'd. Surely I do believe your fair cousin is wronged.   MA IV.i.257 Beat. BEATRICE   Ah, how much might the man deserue of mee Ah, how much might the man deserve of me   MA IV.i.258 that would right her! that would right her!   MA IV.i.259 Bene. BENEDICK   Is there any way to shew such friendship? Is there any way to show such friendship?   MA IV.i.260 Beat. BEATRICE   A verie euen way, but no such friend. A very even way, but no such friend. even (adj.) old form: euen straightforward, forthright, direct MA IV.i.261 Bene. BENEDICK   May a man doe it? May a man do it?   MA IV.i.262 Beat. BEATRICE   It is a mans office, but not yours. It is a man's office, but not yours. office (n.) task, service, duty, responsibility MA IV.i.263 Bene. BENEDICK   I doe loue nothing in the world so well as you, is I do love nothing in the world so well as you; is   MA IV.i.264 not that strange? not that strange?   MA IV.i.265 Beat. BEATRICE   As strange as the thing I know not, it were as As strange as the thing I know not. It were as   MA IV.i.266 possible for me to say, I loued nothing so well as you, but possible for me to say I loved nothing so well as you; but   MA IV.i.267 beleeue me not, and yet I lie not, I confesse nothing, nor I believe me not, and yet I lie not; I confess nothing, nor I   MA IV.i.268 deny nothing, I am sorry for my cousin. deny nothing. I am sorry for my cousin.   MA IV.i.269 Bene. BENEDICK   By my sword Beatrice thou lou'st me. By my sword, Beatrice, thou lovest me.   MA IV.i.270 Beat. BEATRICE   Doe not sweare by it and eat it. Do not swear, and eat it.   MA IV.i.271 Bene. BENEDICK   I will sweare by it that you loue mee, and I will I will swear by it that you love me; and I will   MA IV.i.272 make him eat it that sayes I loue not you. make him eat it that says I love not you.   MA IV.i.273 Beat. BEATRICE   Will you not eat your word? Will you not eat your word?   MA IV.i.274 Bene. BENEDICK   With no sawce that can be deuised to it, I protest With no sauce that can be devised to it; I protest protest (v.) make protestation, avow, affirm, proclaim MA IV.i.275 I loue thee. I love thee.   MA IV.i.276 Beat. BEATRICE   Why then God forgiue me. Why, then, God forgive me!   MA IV.i.277 Bene. BENEDICK   What offence sweet Beatrice? What offence, sweet Beatrice?   MA IV.i.278 Beat. BEATRICE   You haue stayed me in a happy howre, I was You have stayed me in a happy hour; I was stay (v.) detain, confine, keep MA IV.i.279 happy (adj.) opportune, appropriate, propitious, favourable hour (n.) old form: howre time, moment about to protest I loued you. about to protest I loved you.   MA IV.i.280 Bene. BENEDICK   And doe it with all thy heart. And do it with all thy heart.   MA IV.i.281 Beat. BEATRICE   I loue you with so much of my heart, that none I love you with so much of my heart that none   MA IV.i.282 is left to protest. is left to protest.   MA IV.i.283 Bened. BENEDICK   Come, bid me doe any thing for thee. Come, bid me do anything for thee.   MA IV.i.284 Beat. BEATRICE   Kill Claudio. Kill Claudio.   MA IV.i.285 Bene. BENEDICK   Ha, not for the wide world. Ha! Not for the wide world.   MA IV.i.286 Beat. BEATRICE   You kill me to denie, farewell. You kill me to deny it. Farewell.   MA IV.i.287 Bene. BENEDICK   Tarrie sweet Beatrice. (taking her by the hand) Tarry, sweet Beatrice.   MA IV.i.288 Beat. BEATRICE   I am gone, though I am heere, there is no loue in I am gone though I am here; there is no love in   MA IV.i.289 you, nay I pray you let me goe. you. Nay, I pray you, let me go.   MA IV.i.290 Bene. BENEDICK   Beatrice. Beatrice –   MA IV.i.291 Beat. BEATRICE   In faith I will goe. In faith, I will go.   MA IV.i.292 Bene. BENEDICK   Wee'll be friends first. We'll be friends first.   MA IV.i.293 Beat. BEATRICE   You dare easier be friends with mee, than fight You dare easier be friends with me than fight   MA IV.i.294 with mine enemy. with mine enemy.   MA IV.i.295 Bene. BENEDICK   Is Claudio thine enemie? Is Claudio thine enemy?   MA IV.i.296 Beat. BEATRICE   Is a not approued in the height a villaine, that Is he not approved in the height a villain that approve (v.) old form: approued prove, confirm, corroborate, substantiate MA IV.i.297 hath slandered, scorned, dishonoured my kinswoman? hath slandered, scorned, dishonoured my kinswoman?   MA IV.i.298 O that I were a man! what, beare her in hand vntill they O that I were a man! What, bear her in hand until they bear in hand old form: beare abuse, take advantage of, delude, deceive MA IV.i.299 come to take hands, and then with publike accusation come to take hands, and then, with public accusation,   MA IV.i.300 vncouered slander, vnmittigated rancour? O God that uncovered slander, unmitigated rancour – O God, that uncovered (adj.) old form: vncouered barefaced, naked, glaring MA IV.i.301 I were a man! I would eat his heart in the market-place. I were a man! I would eat his heart in the market-place.   MA IV.i.302 Bene. BENEDICK   Heare me Beatrice. Hear me, Beatrice –   MA IV.i.303 Beat. BEATRICE   Talke with a man out at a window, a proper Talk with a man out at a window! A proper   MA IV.i.304 saying. saying!   MA IV.i.305 Bene. BENEDICK   Nay but Beatrice. Nay, but Beatrice –   MA IV.i.306 Beat. BEATRICE   Sweet Hero, she is wrong'd, shee is slandered, Sweet Hero! She is wronged, she is slandered,   MA IV.i.307 she is vndone. she is undone. undone (adj.) old form: vndone ruined, destroyed, brought down MA IV.i.308 Bene. BENEDICK   Beat? Beat –   MA IV.i.309 Beat. BEATRICE   Princes and Counties! surelie a Princely testimonie, Princes and counties! Surely, a princely testimony, county (n.) [title of rank] count MA IV.i.310 a goodly Count, Comfect, a sweet Gallant a goodly count, Count Comfect; a sweet gallant, gallant (n.) fine gentleman, man of fashion MA IV.i.311 comfect (n.) sweetmeat, sugar-plum, comfit surelie, O that I were a man for his sake! or that I had surely! O that I were a man for his sake, or that I had   MA IV.i.312 any friend would be a man for my sake! But manhood any friend would be a man for my sake! But manhood   MA IV.i.313 is melted into cursies, valour into complement, and is melted into curtsies, valour into compliment, and compliment, complement (n.) old form: complement ceremony, etiquette, protocol MA IV.i.314 curtsy, curtsey (n.) old form: cursies courtly ceremony, mannered politeness men are onelie turned into tongue, and trim ones too: he men are only turned into tongue, and trim ones too. He trim (adj.) glib, suave, slick MA IV.i.315 tongue (n.) speech, expression, language, words, voice is now as valiant as Hercules, that only tells a lie, and is now as valiant as Hercules that only tells a lie and Hercules (n.) [Roman form of Heracles] proverbial for his mythical physical strength and miraculous achievements MA IV.i.316 sweares it: I cannot be a man with wishing, therfore I swears it. I cannot be a man with wishing, therefore I   MA IV.i.317 will die a woman with grieuing. will die a woman with grieving.   MA IV.i.318 Bene. BENEDICK   Tarry good Beatrice, by this hand I loue Tarry, good Beatrice. By this hand, I love   MA IV.i.319 thee. thee.   MA IV.i.320 Beat. BEATRICE   Vse it for my loue some other way then swearing Use it for my love some other way than swearing   MA IV.i.321 by it. by it.   MA IV.i.322 Bened. BENEDICK   Thinke you in your soule the Count Claudio hath Think you in your soul the Count Claudio hath   MA IV.i.323 wrong'd Hero? wronged Hero?   MA IV.i.324 Beat. BEATRICE   Yea, as sure as I haue a thought, or a soule. Yea, as sure as I have a thought or a soul.   MA IV.i.325 Bene. BENEDICK   Enough, I am engagde, I will challenge him, Enough, I am engaged; I will challenge him.   MA IV.i.326 I will kisse your hand, and so leaue you: by this hand I will kiss your hand, and so I leave you. By this hand,   MA IV.i.327 Claudio shall render me a deere account: as you heare of Claudio shall render me a dear account. As you hear of   MA IV.i.328 me, so thinke of me: goe comfort your coosin, I must say me, so think of me. Go, comfort your cousin; I must say   MA IV.i.329 she is dead, and so farewell. she is dead; and so, farewell.   MA IV.i.330 Exeunt   MA IV.i.330 ACT I. Act I. > scene I. Act I. > scene II. Act I. > scene III. ACT II. Act II. > scene I. Act II. > scene II. Act II. > scene III. ACT III. Act III. > scene I. Act III. > scene II. Act III. > scene III. Act III. > scene IV. Act III. > scene V. ACT IV. Act IV. > scene I. Act IV. > scene II. ACT V. Act V. > scene I. Act V. > scene II. Act V. > scene III. Act V. > scene IV.  Previous Act IV, Scene I Next