_Bene._ If Signior Leonato be her father, she would not have his head on her shoulders for all Messina, as like him as she is. _Beat._ I wonder that you will still be talking, Signior Benedick: nobody marks you. 100 _Bene._ What, my dear Lady Disdain! are you yet living? _Beat._ Is it possible disdain should die while she hath such meet food to feed it, as Signior Benedick? Courtesy itself must convert to disdain, if you come in her presence. _Bene._ Then is courtesy a turncoat. But it is certain I 105 am loved of all ladies, only you excepted: and I would I could find in my heart that I had not a hard heart; for, truly, I love none. _Beat._ A dear happiness to women: they would else have been troubled with a pernicious suitor. I thank God and 110 my cold blood, I am of your humour for that: I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me. _Bene._ God keep your ladyship still in that mind! so some gentleman or other shall ’scape a predestinate scratched face. _Beat._ Scratching could not make it worse, an ’twere such 115 a face as yours were. _Bene._ Well, you are a rare parrot-teacher. _Beat._ A bird of my tongue is better than a beast of yours. _Bene._ I would my horse had the speed of your tongue, and so good a continuer. But keep your way, i’ God’s 120 name; I have done. _Beat._ You always end with a jade’s trick: I know you of old. _D. Pedro._ That is the sum of all, Leonato. Signior Claudio and Signior Benedick, my dear friend Leonato 125 hath invited you all. I tell him we shall stay here at the least a month; and he heartily prays some occasion may detain us longer. I dare swear he is no hypocrite, but prays from his heart. _Leon._ If you swear, my lord, you shall not be forsworn. 130 [_To Don John_] Let me bid you welcome, my lord: being reconciled to the prince your brother, I owe you all duty. _D. John._ I thank you: I am not of many words, but I thank you. _Leon._ Please it your Grace lead on? 135 _D. Pedro._ Your hand, Leonato; we will go together. [_Exeunt all except Benedick and Claudio._ _Claud._ Benedick, didst thou note the daughter of Signior Leonato? _Bene._ I noted her not; but I looked on her. _Claud._ Is she not a modest young lady? 140 _Bene._ Do you question me, as an honest man should do, for my simple true judgement; or would you have me speak after my custom, as being a professed tyrant to their sex? _Claud._ No; I pray thee speak in sober judgement. _Bene._ Why, i’faith, methinks she’s too low for a high 145 praise, too brown for a fair praise, and too little for a great praise: only this commendation I can afford her, that were she other than she is, she were unhandsome; and being no other but as she is, I do not like her.