Page 1335 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

Is’t come to this? In faith, hath not the world one man but he will wear his
cap with suspicion? Shall I [185] never see a bachelor of threescore again?
Go to, i’faith; an thou wilt needs thrust thy neck into a yoke, wear the print of
it, and sigh away Sundays. Look, Don Pedro is returned to seek you.

Enter Don Pedro.

DON PEDRO

What secret hath held you here, that you followed [190] not to Leonato’s?

BENEDICK
I would your grace would constrain me to tell.

DON PEDRO
I charge thee on thy allegiance.

BENEDICK
You hear, Count Claudio; I can be secret as a dumb man, I would have you
think so; but, on my allegiance, [195] mark you this, on my allegiance − he is
in love. With who? Now that is your grace’s part. Mark how short his answer

is: with Hero, Leonato’s short daughter.

CLAUDIO
If this were so, so were it uttered.

BENEDICK
Like the old tale, my lord; ’It is not so, nor [200] ’twas not so; but, indeed,
God forbid it should be so!’

CLAUDIO
If my passion change not shortly, God forbid it should be otherwise!

DON PEDRO

Amen, if you love her; for the lady is very well worthy. [205]

CLAUDIO

You speak this to fetch me in, my lord.