Page 1328 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

MESSENGER

I have already delivered him letters, and there appears much joy in him;
even so much that joy [20] could not show itself modest enough without a
badge of bitterness.

LEONATO
Did he break out into tears?

MESSENGER

In great measure.

LEONATO

A kind overflow of kindness; there are no faces [25] truer than those that are
so washed. How much better is it to weep at joy than to joy at weeping!

BEATRICE
I pray you, is Signor Mountanto returned from the wars, or no?

MESSENGER
I know none of that name, lady; there was [30] none such in the army of any
sort.

LEONATO
What is he that you ask for, niece?

HERO

My cousin means Signor Benedick of Padua.

MESSENGER

O, he’s returned, and as pleasant as ever he was. [35]

BEATRICE
He set up his bills here in Messina, and challenged Cupid at the flight; and my
uncle’s fool, reading the challenge, subscribed for Cupid, and challenged him
at the bird-bolt. I pray you, how many hath he killed and eaten in these

wars? But how many hath he killed? For [40] indeed, I promised to eat all of
his killing.