Page 1377 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

Believe it better than reportingly.
Exit.

Scene II IT

Enter Don Pedro, Claudio, Benedick, and Leonato.

DON PEDRO

I do but stay till your marriage be consummate, and then go I toward
Arragon.

CLAUDIO
I’ll bring you thither, my lord, if you’ll vouchsafe me.

DON PEDRO
Nay, that would be as great a soil in the new [5] gloss of your marriage as to
show a child his new coat and forbid him to wear it. I will only be bold with

Benedick for his company; for, from the crown of his head to the sole of his
foot, he is all mirth; he hath twice or thrice cut Cupid’s bow-string and the
little hangman dare not [10] shoot at him. He hath a heart as sound as a bell
and his tongue is the clapper, for what his heart thinks, his tongue speaks.

BENEDICK

Gallants, I am not as I have been.

LEONATO

So say I; methinks you are sadder. [15]

CLAUDIO
I hope he be in love.

DON PEDRO
Hang him, truant! There’s no true drop of blood in him to be truly touched
with love; if he be sad, he wants money.

BENEDICK