Const.
Marrie sir, they haue committed false report, moreouer they haue spoken vntruths, secondarily they are slanders, sixt and lastly, they haue belyed a Ladie, thirdly, they haue verified vniust things, and to conclude they are lying knaues.
Prin.
First I aske thee what they haue done, thirdlie I aske thee what's their offence, sixt and lastlie why they are committed, and to conclude, what you lay to their charge.
Clau.
Rightlie reasoned, and in his owne diuision, and by my troth there's one meaning well suted.
Prin.
Who haue you offended masters, that you are thus bound to your answer? this learned Constable is too cunning to be vnderstood, what's your offence?
Bor.
Sweete Prince, let me go no farther to mine answere: do you heare me, and let this Count kill mee: I haue deceiued euen your verie eies: what your wisedomes could not discouer, these shallow fooles haue brought to light, who in the night ouerheard me confessing to this man, how Don Iohn your brother incensed me to slander the Ladie Hero, how you were brought into the Orchard, and saw me court Margaret in Heroes garments, how you disgrac'd her when you should marrie her: my villanie they haue vpon record, which I had rather seale with my death, then repeate ouer to my shame: the Ladie is dead vpon mine and my masters false accusation: and briefelie, I desire nothing but the reward of a villaine.
Prin.
Runs not this speech like yron through your bloud?
Clau.
I haue drunke poison whiles he vtter'd it.
Prin.
But did my Brother set thee on to this?
Bor.
Yea, and paid me richly for the practise of it.
Prin.
He is compos'd and fram'd of treacherie,
And fled he is vpon this villanie.
Clau.
Sweet Hero, now thy image doth appeare
In the rare semblance that I lou'd it first.
Const.
Come, bring away the plaintiffes, by this time our Sexton hath reformed Signior Leonato of the matter: and masters, do not forget to specifie when time & place shall serue, that I am an Asse.
Con.2.
Here, here comes master Signior Leonato, and the Sexton too.
Enter Leonato.
Leon.
Which is the villaine? let me see his eies,
That when I note another man like him,
I may auoide him: which of these is he?
Bor.
If you would know your wronger, looke on me.
Leon.
Art thou the slaue that with thy breath
hast kild mine innocent childe?
Bor.
Yea, euen I alone.
Leo.
No, not so villaine, thou beliest thy selfe,
Here stand a paire of honourable men,
A third is fled that had a hand in it:
I thanke you Princes for my daughters death,
Record it with your high and worthie deedes,
'Twas brauely done, if you bethinke you of it.
Clau.
I know not how to pray your patience,
Yet I must speake, choose your reuenge your selfe,
Impose me to what penance your inuention
Can lay vpon my sinne, yet sinn'd I not,
But in mistaking.
Prin.
By my soule nor I,
And yet to satisfie this good old man,
I would bend vnder anie heauie waight,
That heele enioyne me to.
Leon.
I cannot bid you bid my daughter liue,
That were impossible, but I praie you both,
Possesse the people in Messina here,
How innocent she died, and if your loue
Can labour aught in sad inuention,
Hang her an epitaph vpon her toomb,
And sing it to her bones, sing it to night:
To morrow morning come you to my house,
And since you could not be my sonne in law,
Be yet my Nephew: my brother hath a daughter,
Almost the copie of my childe that's dead,
And she alone is heire to both of vs,
Giue her the right you should haue giu'n her cosin,
And so dies my reuenge.
Clau.
O noble sir!
Your ouerkindnesse doth wring teares from me,
I do embrace your offer, and dispose
For henceforth of poore Claudio.
Leon.
To morrow then I will expect your comming,
To night I take my leaue, this naughtie man
Shall face to face be brought to Margaret,
Who I beleeue was packt in all this wrong,
Hired to it by your brother.
Bor.
No, by my soule she was not,
Nor knew not what she did when she spoke to me,
But alwaies hath bin iust and vertuous,
In anie thing that I do know by her.
Const.
Moreouer sir, which indeede is not vnder white and black, this plaintiffe here, the offendour did call mee asse, I beseech you let it be remembred in his punishment, and also the watch heard them talke of one Deformed, they say he weares a key in his eare and a lock hanging by it, and borrowes monie in Gods name, the which he hath vs'd so long, and neuer paied, that now men grow hard-harted and will lend nothing for Gods sake: praie you examine him vpon that point.
Leon.
I thanke thee for thy care and honest paines.
Const.
Your worship speakes like a most thankefull and reuerend youth, and I praise God for you.
Leon.
There's for thy paines.
Const.
God saue the foundation.
Leon.
Goe, I discharge thee of thy prisoner, and I thanke thee.
Const.
I leaue an arrant knaue with your worship, which I beseech your worship to correct your selfe, for the example of others: God keepe your worship, I wish your worship well, God restore you to health, I humblie giue you leaue to depart, and if a merrie meeting may be wisht, God prohibite it: come neighbour.
Leon.
Vntill to morrow morning, Lords, farewell. Exeunt.
Brot.
Farewell my Lords, we looke for you to morrow.
Prin.
We will not faile.
Clau.
To night ile mourne with Hero.
Leon.
Bring you these fellowes on, weel talke with Margaret, how her acquaintance grew with this lewd fellow. Exeunt.
Enter Benedicke and Margaret.
Praie thee sweete Mistris Margaret, deserue well at my hands, by helping mee to the speech of Beatrice.
