BORACHIO.
Not so neither; but know, that I have tonight wooed Margaret,
the Lady Hero’s gentlewoman, by the name of Hero: she leans me out
at her mistress’ chamber window, bids me a thousand times good
night,—I tell this tale vilely:—I should first tell thee how the Prince,
Claudio, and my master, planted and placed and possessed by my master Don
John, saw afar off in the orchard this amiable encounter.
CONRADE.
And thought they Margaret was Hero?
BORACHIO.
Two of them did, the Prince and Claudio; but the devil my
master, knew she was Margaret; and partly by his oaths, which first
possessed them, partly by the dark night, which did deceive them, but
chiefly by my villainy, which did confirm any slander that Don John had
made, away went Claudio enraged; swore he would meet her, as he was
appointed, next morning at the temple, and there, before the whole
congregation, shame her with what he saw o’er night, and send her
home again without a husband.
FIRST WATCH.
We charge you in the Prince’s name, stand!
SECOND WATCH.
Call up the right Master Constable. We have here recovered
the most dangerous piece of lechery that ever was known in the
commonwealth.
FIRST WATCH.
And one Deformed is one of them: I know him, a’ wears a lock.
CONRADE.
Masters, masters!
SECOND WATCH.
You’ll be made bring Deformed forth, I warrant you.
CONRADE.
Masters,—
FIRST WATCH.
Never speak: we charge you let us obey you to go with us.
BORACHIO.
We are like to prove a goodly commodity, being taken up of these
men’s bills.
CONRADE.
A commodity in question, I warrant you. Come, we’ll obey you.
[Exeunt.]
Scene IV. A Room in Leonato’s House.
Enter Hero, Margaret and Ursula.
HERO.
Good Ursula, wake my cousin Beatrice, and desire her to rise.
URSULA.
I will, lady.
HERO.
And bid her come hither.
URSULA.
Well.
[Exit.]
MARGARET.
Troth, I think your other rebato were better.
HERO.
No, pray thee, good Meg, I’ll wear this.
MARGARET.
By my troth’s not so good; and I warrant your cousin will say so.
HERO.
My cousin’s a fool, and thou art another: I’ll
wear none but this.
MARGARET.
I like the new tire within excellently, if the hair were a thought
browner; and your gown’s a most rare fashion, i’ faith. I saw the
Duchess of Milan’s gown that they praise so.
HERO.
O! that exceeds, they say.
MARGARET.
By my troth ’s but a night-gown in respect of yours: cloth o’ gold, and
cuts, and laced with silver, set with pearls, down sleeves, side
sleeves, and skirts round, underborne with a bluish tinsel; but for a
fine, quaint, graceful, and excellent fashion, yours is worth ten on’t.
HERO.
God give me joy to wear it! for my heart is exceeding heavy.
MARGARET.
’Twill be heavier soon by the weight of a man.
HERO.
Fie upon thee! art not ashamed?
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