Page 1372 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

ACT III IT

Scene I IT

Enter Hero and two gentlewomen (Margaret and Ursula).

HERO
Good Margaret, run thee to the parlour;
There shalt thou find my cousin Beatrice
Proposing with the Prince and Claudio.

Whisper her ear, and tell her I and Ursula
Walk in the orchard, and our whole discourse [5]
Is all of her; say that thou overheardst us,
And bid her steal into the pleachèd bower,
Where honeysuckles, ripened by the sun,

Forbid the sun to enter − like favourites,
Made proud by princes, that advance their pride [10]
Against that power that bred it. There will she hide her,

To listen our propose. This in thy office;
Bear thee well in it, and leave us alone.

MARGARET
I’ll make her come, I warrant you, presently.
Exit.

HERO
Now, Ursula, when Beatrice doth come, [15]
As we do trace this alley up and down,

Our talk must only be of Benedick;
When I do name him, let it be thy part
To praise him more than ever man did merit.

My talk to thee must be how Benedick [20]
Is sick in love with Beatrice. Of this matter