Page 1331 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

Don Pedro is approached.

Enter Don Pedro, Claudio, Benedick, Balthasar, and Don John the Bastard.

DON PEDRO
Good Signor Leonato, are you come to meet your trouble? The fashion of the
world is to avoid cost, [90] and you encounter it.

LEONATO
Never came trouble to my house in the likeness of your grace; for trouble

being gone, comfort should remain; but when you depart from me sorrow
abides, and happiness takes his leave. [95]

DON PEDRO
You embrace your charge too willingly. I think this is your daughter.

LEONATO
Her mother hath many times told me so.

BENEDICK
Were you in doubt, sir, that you asked her?

LEONATO
Signor Benedick, no; for then were you a child. [100]

DON PEDRO
You have it full, Benedick; we may guess by this what you are, being a man.

Truly, the lady fathers herself. Be happy, lady; for you are like an honourable
father.

BENEDICK
If Signor Leonato be her father, she would not [105] have his head on her
shoulders for all Messina, as like him as she is.

BEATRICE
I wonder that you will still be talking, Signor Benedick; nobody marks you.