Page 1405 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

Into a pit of ink, that the wide sea
Hath drops too few to wash her clean again [140]
And salt too little which may season give
To her foul tainted flesh!

BENEDICK
Sir, sir, be patient.

For my part, I am so attired in wonder,
I know not what to say.

BEATRICE
O, on my soul, my cousin is belied! [145]

BENEDICK
Lady, were you her bedfellow last night?

BEATRICE
No, truly not; although, until last night,

I have this twelvemonth been her bedfellow.

LEONATO
Confirmed, confirmed! O, that is stronger made
Which was before barred up with ribs of iron! [150]
Would the two Princes lie, and Claudio lie,
Who loved her so, that, speaking of her foulness,

Washed it with tears? Hence from her, let her die!

FRIAR
Hear me a little;
For I have only been silent so long, [155]
And given way unto this course of fortune

By noting of the lady. I have marked
A thousand blushing apparitions
To start into her face, a thousand innocent shames
In angel whiteness beat away those blushes; [160]

And in her eye there hath appeared a fire,
To burn the errors that these Princes hold