The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 2 of 9] — John Shaqi
The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 2 of 9]Shakespeare, William
General
The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 2 of 9]
Shakespeare, William
English drama
_Bene._ I know that; but I would have thee hence, and
here again. [_Exit Boy._] I do much wonder that one man,
seeing how much another man is a fool when he dedicates
his behaviours to love, will, after he hath laughed at such
shallow follies in others, become the argument of his own 10
scorn by falling in love: and such a man is Claudio. I have
known when there was no music with him but the drum and
the fife; and now had he rather hear the tabor and the pipe:
I have known when he would have walked ten mile a-foot
to see a good armour; and now will he lie ten nights awake, 15
carving the fashion of a new doublet. He was wont to speak
plain and to the purpose, like an honest man and a soldier;
and now is he turned orthography; his words are a very
fantastical banquet,—just so many strange dishes. May I
be so converted, and see with these eyes? I cannot tell; I 20
think not: I will not be sworn but love may transform me
to an oyster; but I’ll take my oath on it, till he have made
an oyster of me, he shall never make me such a fool. One
woman is fair, yet I am well; another is wise, yet I am
well; another virtuous, yet I am well: but till all graces 25
be in one woman, one woman shall not come in my grace.
Rich she shall be, that’s certain; wise, or I’ll none; virtuous,
or I’ll never cheapen her; fair, or I’ll never look on
her; mild, or come not near me; noble, or not I for an
angel; of good discourse, an excellent musician, and her 30
hair shall be of what colour it please God. Ha! the prince
and Monsieur Love! I will hide me in the arbour.
[_Withdraws._
_Enter_ DON PEDRO, CLAUDIO, _and_ LEONATO.
_D. Pedro._ Come, shall we hear this music?
_Claud._ Yea, my good lord. How still the evening is,
As hush’d on purpose to grace harmony! 35
_D. Pedro._ See you where Benedick hath hid himself?
_Claud._ O, very well, my lord: the music ended,
We’ll fit the kid-fox with a pennyworth.
_Enter_ BALTHASAR _with Music_.
_D. Pedro._ Come, Balthasar, we’ll hear that song again.
_Balth._ O, good my lord, tax not so bad a voice 40
To slander music any more than once.
_D. Pedro._ It is the witness still of excellency
To put a strange face on his own perfection.
I pray thee, sing, and let me woo no more.
_Balth._ Because you talk of wooing, I will sing; 45
Since many a wooer doth commence his suit
To her he thinks not worthy, yet he wooes,
Yet will he swear he loves.
_D. Pedro._ Nay, pray thee, come;
Or, if thou wilt hold longer argument,
Do it in notes.
_Balth._ Note this before my notes; 50
There’s not a note of mine that’s worth the noting.
_D. Pedro._ Why, these are very crotchets that he speaks;
Note, notes, forsooth, and nothing. [_Air._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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