Page 1334 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

No, I pray thee speak in sober judgement. [160]

BENEDICK
Why, i’faith, methinks she’s too low for a high 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. [165]

CLAUDIO
Thou thinkest I am in sport; I pray thee tell me truly how thou likest her.

BENEDICK
Would you buy her, that you inquire after her?

CLAUDIO
Can the world buy such a jewel?

BENEDICK
Yea, and a case to put it into. But speak you [170] this with a sad brow? Or
do you play the flouting Jack, to tell us Cupid is a good hare-finder, and

Vulcan a rare carpenter? Come, in what key shall a man take you to go in the
song?

CLAUDIO
In mine eye she is the sweetest lady that ever I [175] looked on.

BENEDICK
I can see yet without spectacles, and I see no such matter; there’s her
cousin, an she were not possessed with a fury, exceeds her as much in
beauty as the first of May doth the last of December. But I hope you [180]

have no intent to turn husband, have you?

CLAUDIO
I would scarce trust myself, though I had sworn the contrary, if Hero would
be my wife.

BENEDICK