A room in LEONATO'S house. Enter LEONATO, ANTONIO, BENEDICK, BEATRICE, MARGARET, URSULA, FRIAR FRANCIS, and HERO FRIAR FRANCIS Did I not tell you she was innocent? LEONATO So are the prince and Claudio, who accused her Upon the error that you heard debated:
But Margaret was in some fault for this, Although against her will, as it appears In the true course of all the question. ANTONIO Well, I am glad that all things sort so well. BENEDICK And so am I, being else by faith enforced To call young Claudio to a reckoning for it. LEONATO Well, daughter, and you gentle-women all, Withdraw into a chamber by yourselves, And when I send for you, come hither mask'd.
Exeunt Ladies The prince and Claudio promised by this hour To visit me. You know your office, brother:
You must be father to your brother's daughter And give her to young Claudio. ANTONIO Which I will do with confirm'd countenance. BENEDICK Friar, I must entreat your pains, I think. FRIAR FRANCIS To do what, signior? BENEDICK To bind me, or undo me; one of them.
Signior Leonato, truth it is, good signior, Your niece regards me with an eye of favour. LEONATO That eye my daughter lent her: 'tis most true. BENEDICK And I do with an eye of love requite her. LEONATO The sight whereof I think you had from me, From Claudio and the prince: but what's your will? BENEDICK Your answer, sir, is enigmatical:
But, for my will, my will is your good will May stand with ours, this day to be conjoin'd In the state of honourable marriage:
In which, good friar, I shall desire your help. LEONATO My heart is with your liking. FRIAR FRANCIS And my help.
Here comes the prince and Claudio.
Enter DON PEDRO and CLAUDIO, and two or three others DON PEDRO Good morrow to this fair assembly. LEONATO Good morrow, prince; good morrow, Claudio:
We here attend you. Are you yet determined To-day to marry with my brother's daughter? CLAUDIO I'll hold my mind, were she an Ethiope. LEONATO Call her forth, brother; here's the friar ready.
Exit ANTONIO DON PEDRO Good morrow, Benedick. Why, what's the matter, That you have such a February face, So full of frost, of storm and cloudiness? CLAUDIO I think he thinks upon the savage bull.
Tush, fear not, man; we'll tip thy horns with gold And all Europa shall rejoice at thee, As once Europa did at lusty Jove, When he would play the noble beast in love. BENEDICK Bull Jove, sir, had an amiable low;And some such strange bull leap'd your father's cow, And got a calf in that same noble feat Much like to you, for you have just his bleat. CLAUDIO For this I owe you: here comes other reckonings.
Re-enter ANTONIO, with the Ladies masked Which is the lady I must seize upon? ANTONIO This same is she, and I do give you her. CLAUDIO Why, then she's mine. Sweet, let me see your face. LEONATO No, that you shall not, till you take her hand Before this friar and swear to marry her. CLAUDIO Give me your hand: before this holy friar, I am your husband, if you like of me. HERO And when I lived, I was your other wife:
Unmasking And when you loved, you were my other husband. CLAUDIO Another Hero! HERO Nothing certainer: