Page 1375 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

URSULA

Sure, sure, such carping is not commendable.

HERO
No, not to be so odd and from all fashions
As Beatrice is, cannot be commendable;
But who dare tell her so? If I should speak,

She would mock me into air; O, she would laugh me [75]
Out of myself, press me to death with wit!
Therefore let Benedick, like covered fire,
Consume away in sighs, waste inwardly.

It were a better death than die with mocks,
Which is as bad as die with tickling. [80]

URSULA
Yet tell her of it; hear what she will say.

HERO
No; rather I will go to Benedick
And counsel him to fight against his passion.

And, truly, I’ll devise some honest slanders
To stain my cousin with. One doth not know [85]
How much an ill word may empoison liking.

URSULA
O, do not do your cousin such a wrong!
She cannot be so much without true judgement −

Having so swift and excellent a wit
As she is prized to have − as to refuse [90]
So rare a gentleman as Signor Benedick.

HERO
He is the only man of Italy,

Always excepted my dear Claudio.

URSULA
I pray you be not angry with me, madam,