Signior Leonato, truth it is, good signior,

Your niece regards me with an eye of favor.

Leo. That eye my daughter lent her; 'tis most

true.

Ben. And I do with an eye of love requite her. Leo. The sight whereof, I think, you had from

me,

From Claudio, and the prince. But what's your

will?

Ben. Your answer, sir, is enigmatical:
But, for my will, my will is, your good will
May stand with ours, this day to be conjoin'd
In the estate of honorable marriage ;-
In which, good friar, I shall desire your help.
Leo. My heart is with your liking.
Friar.

And my help.
Here comes the prince, and Claudio.

Enter DON PEDRO and CLAUDIO, with Attendants. D. Pe. Good morrow to this fair assembly. Leo. Good morrow, prince; good morrow, Claudio: We here attend you. Are you yet determined To-day to marry with my brother's daughter?

Clau. I'll hold my mind, were she an Ethiope. Leo. Call her forth, brother; here's the friar ready. [Exit Ant. D. Pe. Good morrow, Benedick. Why, what's

the matter,

That you have such a February face,

So full of frost, of storm, and cloudiness?

Clau. I think, he thinks upon the savage bull. Tush, fear not, man: we'll tip thy horns with gold; And all Europa shall rejoice at thee,

As once Europa did at lusty Jove,

When he would play the noble beast in love.

Ben. Bull Jove, sir, had an amiable low;

And some such strange bull leap'd your father's

cow,

And got a calf in that same noble feat,
Much like to you, for you have just his bleat.

Re-enter ANTONIO, with the Ladies masked.

Clau. For this I owe you: here come other reckonings.

Which is the lady I must seise upon?

Ant. This same is she, and I do give you her.

Clau. Why, then she's mine. Sweet, let me see your face.

Leo. No, that you shall not, till you take her hand

Before this friar, and swear to marry her.

Clau. Give me your hand before this holy friar. I am your husband, if you like of me.

Hero. And when I lived, I was your other wife; [unmasking. And when you loved, you were my other husband. Clau. Another Hero?

Hero.

Nothing certainer :

One Hero died defiled; but I do live
And, surely as I live, I am a maid.

BIBL

D. Pe. The former Hero! Hero that is dead!

Leo. She died, my lord, but whiles her slander

lived.

:

Friar. All this amazement can I qualify;
When, after that the holy rites are ended,
I'll tell you largely of fair Hero's death
Meantime, let wonder seem familiar,
And to the chapel let us presently.
Ben. Soft and fair, friar.-

-Which is Beatrice?

Bea. I answer to that name. [unmasking.] What

is your will?

Ben. Do not you love me?

Bea.

Why, no more than reason.

Ben. Why, then your uncle, and the prince, and

Claudio

Have been deceived; for they swore you did.

Bea. Do not you love me?

Ben. Troth, no, no more than reason. Bea. Why, then my cousin, Margaret, and Ursula Are much deceived; for they did swear you did. Ben. They swore that you were almost sick for

me.

Bea. They swore that you were well-nigh dead for me.

Ben. 'Tis no such matter.-Then, you do not love me?

Bea. No, truly, but in friendly recompense.

Leo. Come, cousin, I am sure you love the gentleman.

Clau. And I'll be sworn upon 't, that he loves

her;