Page 1433 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

Will you then write me a sonnet in praise of my beauty? [5]

BENEDICK
In so high a style, Margaret, that no man living shall come over it; for, in
most comely truth, thou deservest it.

MARGARET
To have no man come over me! Why, shall I always keep below stairs? [10]

BENEDICK
Thy wit is as quick as the greyhound’s mouth; it catches.

MARGARET
And yours as blunt as the fencer’s foils, which hit, but hurt not.

BENEDICK
A most manly wit, Margaret; it will not hurt a [15] woman. And so, I pray

thee, call Beatrice; I give thee the bucklers.

MARGARET
Give us the swords; we have bucklers of our own.

BENEDICK
If you use them, Margaret, you must put in the [20] pikes with a vice; and
they are dangerous weapons for maids.

MARGARET
Well, I will call Beatrice to you, who I think hath legs.

Exit Margaret.

BENEDICK
And therefore will come. [25] (sings)
The God of love,
That sits above,
And knows me, and knows me,

How pitiful I deserve −
I mean in singing; but in loving, Leander the good [30] swimmer, Troilus the