Bora.
Seest thou not, I say, what a deformed thief this fashion is? how
giddily 'a turns about all the hot-bloods between fourteen and
five-and-thirty? sometimes fashioning them like Pharaoh's
soldiers in the reechy painting, sometime like god Bel's priests
in the old church window, sometime like the shaven Hercules in
the smirch'd worm-eaten tapestry, where his codpiece seems as
massy as his club?
Con.
All this I see; and I see that the fashion wears out more apparel
than the man. But art not thou thyself giddy with the fashion
too, that thou hast shifted out of thy tale into telling me of
the fashion?
Bora.
Not so neither. But know that I have to-night 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.
Con.
And thought they Margaret was Hero?
Bora.
Two of them did, the Prince and Claudio; but the devil my master
knew she was Margaret; and partly by his oaths, which first
possess'd them, partly by the dark night, which did
deceive them, but chiefly by my villany, which did confirm any
slander that Don John had made, away went Claudio enrag'd; 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'ernight and send her home again without a husband.
2. Watch.
We charge you in the Prince's name stand!
1. Watch.
Call up the right Master Constable. We have here recover'd the
most dangerous piece of lechery that ever was known in the
commonwealth.
2. Watch.
And one Deformed is one of them. I know him; 'a wears a lock.
Con.
Masters, masters--
1. Watch.
You'll be made bring Deformed forth, I warrant you.
Con.
Masters--
2. Watch.
Never speak, we charge you. Let us obey you to go with us.
Bora.
We are like to prove a goodly commodity, being taken up of these
men's bills.
Con.
A commodity in question, I warrant you. Come, we'll obey you.
[Exeunt.]
Scene IV.
A Room in Leonato's house.
[Enter Hero, and Margaret and Ursula.]
Hero.
Good Ursula, wake my cousin Beatrice and desire her to rise.
Urs.
I will, lady.
Hero.
And bid her come hither.
Urs.
Well. [Exit.]
Marg.
Troth, I think your other rebato were better.
Hero.
No, pray thee, good Meg, I'll wear this.
Marg.
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.
Marg.
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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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