A thousand times in secret. D. John. Fie, fie! they are Not to be named, my lord, not to be spoke of: Without offence, to utter them. Thus, pretty lady, Clau. O Hero! what a Hero hadst thou been, If half thy outward graces had been placed About thy thoughts, and counsels of thy heart! But, fare thee well, most foul, most fair! farewell, Thou pure impiety, and impious purity! For thee I'll lock up all the gates of love, And on my eyelids shall conjecture 1 hang, To turn all beauty into thoughts of harm, And never shall it more be gracious.o Leo. Hath no man's dagger here a point for me? [Hero swoons. Bea. Why, how now, cousin? wherefore sink you down? D. John. Come, let us go: these things, come thus to light, Smother her spirits up. [Exeunt D. Pe., D. John, and Clau. Ben. How doth the lady? Bea. : Dead, I think.—Help, uncle : Hero! why, Hero!-uncle !—signior Benedick !— friar! Leo. O Fate, take not away thy heavy hand! 1 Suspicion. 2 Attractive, lovely. Death is the fairest cover for her shame, That may be wish'd for. Bea. How now, cousin Hero? Friar. Have comfort, lady. Leo. Dost thou look up? Friar. Yea; wherefore should she not? Leo. Wherefore? Why, doth not every earthly thing Cry shame upon her? Could she here deny The story that is printed in her blood?— For did I think thou wouldst not quickly die, Thought I thy spirits were stronger than thy shames, Myself would, on the rearward of reproaches, Strike at thy life. Grieved I, I had but one? Chid I for that at frugal nature's frame? 1 O, one too much by thee! Why had I one? 1 Disposition of things. SHAK. 2 Sullied. IV N Hath drops too few to wash her clean again; To her foul tainted flesh! Ben. Sir, sir, be patient: For my part, I am so attired in wonder, I know not what to say. Bea. O, on my soul, my cousin is belied! Ben. Lady, were you her bedfellow last night? Bea. No, truly, not; although, until last night, I have this twelvemonth been her bedfellow. Leo. Confirm'd, confirm'd! O, that is stronger made, Which was before barr'd up with ribs of iron! Who loved her so, that, speaking of her foulness, For I have only been silent so long, And given way unto this course of fortune, What I have read. My reverence, calling, nor divinity, If this sweet lady lie not guiltless here Leo. Friar, it cannot be : Thou seest, that all the grace that she hath left, A sin of perjury; she not denies it. Why seek'st thou then to cover with excuse Friar. Lady, what man is he you are accused 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, Friar. There is some strange misprision1 in the princes. Ben. Two of them have the very bent 2 of honor; And if their wisdoms be misled in this, The practice of it lives in John the bastard, Leo. I know not: if they speak but truth of her, These hands shall tear her; if they wrong her honor, I Misconception. 2 The utmost degree. The proudest of them shall well hear of it. Nor fortune made such havoc of my means, Friar. Pause awhile, And let my counsel sway you in this case. Your daughter here the princes left for dead: And publish it, that she is dead indeed ; Hang mournful epitaphs, and do all rites Leo. 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: That what we have we prize not to the worth, |