Page 1370 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

Never tell him, my lord; let her wear it out with good counsel. [195]

LEONATO
Nay, that’s impossible; she may wear her heart out first.

DON PEDRO
Well, we will hear further of it by your daughter; let it cool the while. I love
Benedick well; and I could wish he would modestly examine himself, to see
[200] how much he is unworthy so good a lady.

LEONATO
My lord, will you walk? Dinner is ready.

CLAUDIO
(aside) If he do not dote on her upon this, I will never trust my expectation.

DON PEDRO
(to Leonato) Let there be the same net spread [205] for her, and that must
your daughter and her gentle-women carry. The sport will be, when they hold
one an opinion of another’s dotage, and no such matter; that’s the scene that

I would see, which will be merely a dumb-show. Let us send her to call him in
to dinner. [210]
Exeunt Don Pedro, Claudio, and Leonato.

BENEDICK
(coming forward) This can be no trick. The conference was sadly borne. They
have the truth of this from Hero. They seem to pity the lady; it seems her

affections have their full bent. Love me? Why, it must be requited. I heard
how I am censured; they say I will bear [215] myself proudly, if I perceive the
love come from her; they say, too, that she will rather die than give any sign
of affection. I did never think to marry. I must not seem proud; happy are

they that hear their detractions and can put them to mending. They say the
lady is fair; ’tis a [220] truth, I can bear them witness; and virtuous; ’tis so, I
cannot reprove it; and wise, but for loving me. By my troth, it is no addition
to her wit, nor no great argument of her folly, for I will be horribly in love with

her. I may chance have some odd quirks and remnants of wit [225] broken on
me, because I have railed so long against marriage; but doth not the appetite