Page 1363 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

DON PEDRO

See you where Benedick hath hid himself?

CLAUDIO
O, very well, my lord; the music ended,
We’ll fit the hid-fox with a pennyworth. [40]

Enter Balthasar with music.

DON PEDRO
Come, Balthasar, we’ll hear that song again.

BALTHASAR
O, good my lord, tax not so bad a voice

To slander music any more than once.

DON PEDRO
It is the witness still of excellency
To put a strange face on his own perfection. [45]
I pray thee sing, and let me woo no more.

BALTHASAR

Because you talk of wooing, I will sing,
Since many a wooer doth commence his suit
To her he thinks not worthy; yet he woos,
Yet will he swear he loves.

DON PEDRO
Nay, pray thee, come; [50]

Or, if thou wilt hold longer argument,
Do it in notes.

BALTHASAR
Note this before my notes;
There’s not a note of mine that’s worth the noting.

DON PEDRO