Thought I thy spirits were stronger than thy shames, Hath drops too few to wash her clean again; Bene. Sir, sir, be patient: For my part I am so attir'd in wonder, I know not what to say. Beat. O, on my soul, my cousin is belied! Leon. Confirm'd, confirm'd! O, that is stronger made, Wash'd it with tears? Hence from her; let her die. Friar. Hear me a little ; For I have only been silent so long, And given way unto this course of fortune, a Frame ordinance, arrangement. Into her face; a thousand innocent shames Leon. Friar, it cannot be : Why seek'st thou then to cover with excuse Friar. Lady, what man is he you are accus'd of? Hero. They know that do accuse me; I know none: If I know more of any man alive Than that which maiden modesty doth warrant, Let all my sins lack mercy!-O my father, At hours unmeet, or that I yesternight Maintain'd the change of words with any creature, Friar. There is some strange misprision in the princes. And if their wisdoms be misled in this, The practice of it lives in John the bastard, Whose spirits toil in frame of villainies. Leon. I know not: If they speak but truth of her, These hands shall tear her; if they wrong her honour, The proudest of them shall well hear of it. Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my means, Nor my bad life reft me so much of friends, Friar. Leon. What shall become of this? What will this do? Friar. Marry, this, well carried, shall on her behalf Change slander to remorse; that is some good: But not for that dream I on this strange course, That what we have we prize not to the worth And every lovely organ of her life Shall come apparell'd in more precious habit, Into the eye and prospect of his soul, Than when she liv'd indeed :-then shall he mourn, Rack-strain, stretch, exaggerate: hence rack-rent. (If ever love had interest in his liver,) Out of all eyes, tongues, minds, and injuries. As secretly and justly as your soul Leon. Being that I flow in grief, The smallest twine may lead me. Friar. "T is well consented; presently away; For to strange sores strangely they strain the cure.Come, lady, die to live: this wedding-day, Perhaps, is but prolong'd; have patience, and endure. [Exeunt Friar, HERO, and LEON. Beat. You have no reason, I do it freely. Bene. Surely, I do believe your fair cousin is wronged. that would right her! Bene. Is there any way to show such friendship? Bene. May a man do it? Beat. It is a man's office, but not yours. Bene. I do love nothing in the world so well as you: Is not that strange? Beat. As strange as the thing I know not: It were as possible for me to say I loved nothing so well as you: but believe me not; and yet I lie not; I confess nothing, nor I deny nothing:-I am sorry for my cousin. Bene. By my sword, Beatrice, thou lovest me. Bene. I will swear by it that you love me; and I will make him eat it that says I love not you. Beat. Will you not eat your word? Bene. With no sauce that can be devised to it: I protest I love thee. Beat. Why, then God forgive me! Bene. What offence, sweet Beatrice? Beat. You have stayed me in a happy hour; I was about to protest I loved you. Bene. And do it with all thy heart. Beat. I love you with so much of my heart, that none is left to protest. Bene. Come, bid me do anything for thee. Beat. Kill Claudio. Bene. Ha! not for the wide world. Beat. You kill me to deny : Farewell. Bene. Tarry, sweet Beatrice.. Beat. I am gone, though I am here:-There is no love in you:-Nay, I pray you, let me go. Bene. Beatrice, Beat. In faith, I will go. Bene. We 'll be friends first. Beat. You dare easier be friends with me than fight with mine enemy. Bene. Is Claudio thine enemy? Beat. Is he not approved in the height a villain, that hath slandered, scorned, dishonoured my kinswoman ?— O, that I were a man !-What! bear her in hand until |