First folio
| Modern text
| Definitions
| Key line
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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: euidencewitness, testimony, avowal | MA IV.i.35 |
| | modest (adj.)decorous, seemly, not offending modesty | |
| | blood (n.) old form: bloudcolouring, 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: proofetest, 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: blownein 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 | kindly (adj.)natural, proper | MA IV.i.72 |
That you haue in her, bid her answer truly. | That you have in her, bid her answer truly. | power (n.)control, influence, sway | 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: misgouernmentmisconduct, 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 chidscold, 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: marktnote, 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: bookebook-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 consequence 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: vnmeeteunfitting, 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 practise 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: inuentioninventiveness, 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 reftrob, 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: kindemanner, 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: habitedress, 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: Liuerpart of the body thought to be at 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'dpostpone, 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: howretime, 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: vndoneruined, 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: complementceremony, etiquette, protocol | MA IV.i.314 |
| | curtsy, curtsey (n.) old form: cursiescourtly 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 |