Much Ado About Nothing: Act 4, Scene 1
Enter Prince [DON PEDRO, DON JOHN the]
Bastard, LEONATO, FRIAR [FRANCIS],
CLAUDIO, BENEDICK, HERO, and BEATRICE
[with ATTENDANTS].
LEONATO
1
Come, Friar Francis, be brief; only to the plain 2
form of marriage, and you shall recount their 3
particular duties afterwards.
FRIAR FRANCIS
4
You come hither, my lord, to marry this 5
lady.
CLAUDIO
6
No.
LEONATO
7
To be married to her: friar, you come to 8
marry her.
FRIAR FRANCIS
9
Lady, you come hither to be married to 10
this count.
HERO
11
I do.
FRIAR FRANCIS
12. inward: secret, private.
12
If either of you know any inward impediment 13
why you should not be conjoined, I charge you, 14
on your souls, to utter it.
CLAUDIO
15
Know you any, Hero?
HERO
16
None, my lord.
FRIAR FRANCIS
17
Know you any, count?
LEONATO
18
I dare make his answer, none.
CLAUDIO
19
O, what men dare do! what men may do! what 20
men daily do, not knowing what they do!
BENEDICK
21-22. How now! . . . ha, he!: Interjections are sudden expressions of emotion, such as "Wow!" or "Hooray!" Benedick's point is that at a wedding any interjections should express laughter (and sexual joy), not the bitterness expressed by Claudio. 23. Stand thee by: stand aside. Claudio takes the friar's place and faces the congregation. Father: Claudio is speaking to Leonato, who is his "father" in the sense of being his presumptive father-in-law.
21
How now! interjections? Why, then, some be 22
of laughing, as, ah, ha, he!
CLAUDIO
23
Stand thee by, friar. Father, by your leave: 24
Will you with free and unconstrained soul 25
Give me this maid, your daughter?
LEONATO
26
As freely, son, as God did give her me.
CLAUDIO
27
And what have I to give you back, whose worth28. counterpoise: balance, be equivalent to.
29. render her again: give her back.
29. render her again: give her back.
28
May counterpoise this rich and precious gift?
DON PEDRO
29
Nothing, unless you render her again.
CLAUDIO
30. learn: teach.
31. There: This word indicates that Claudio makes some dramatic gesture; perhaps he mockingly hands Hero back to her father, or he may shove her back.
31. There: This word indicates that Claudio makes some dramatic gesture; perhaps he mockingly hands Hero back to her father, or he may shove her back.
30
Sweet prince, you learn me noble thankfulness. 31
There, Leonato, take her back again: 32
Give not this rotten orange to your friend; 33
She's but the sign and semblance of her honor. 34
Behold how like a maid she blushes here!35. authority: assurance, authenticity.
37. that blood: i.e., Hero's blush. modest evidence: natural, believable evidence.
37. that blood: i.e., Hero's blush. modest evidence: natural, believable evidence.
35
O, what authority and show of truth 36
Can cunning sin cover itself withal! 37
Comes not that blood as modest evidence 38
To witness simple virtue? Would you not swear, 39
All you that see her, that she were a maid, 40
By these exterior shows? But she is none:41. luxurious: lascivious, lustful.
41
She knows the heat of a luxurious bed; 42
Her blush is guiltiness, not modesty.
LEONATO
43
What do you mean, my lord?
CLAUDIO
43
Not to be married,44. approved: convicted, proven.
45. proof: i.e., test or trial of her.
45. proof: i.e., test or trial of her.
44
Not to knit my soul to an approved wanton.
LEONATO
45
Dear my lord, if you, in your own proof, 46
Have vanquish'd the resistance of her youth, 47
And made defeat of her virginity,
CLAUDIO
48. known her: had sex with her.
48
I know what you would say: if I have known her, 49
You will say she did embrace me as a husband,50. extenuate: lessen, excuse. 'forehand sin: sin of anticipating (marriage); i.e., premarital sex relations.
52. large: broad, immodest.
52. large: broad, immodest.
50
And so extenuate the 'forehand sin: 51
No, Leonato, 52
I never tempted her with word too large; 53
But, as a brother to his sister, show'd 54
Bashful sincerity and comely love.
HERO
55
And seem'd I ever otherwise to you?
CLAUDIO
56
Out on thee! Seeming! I will write against it:57. Dian: Diana. orb: sphere [of the moon]. Diana was a Roman goddess of the moon and chastity. >>> 58. the bud ere it be blown: the bud before it blooms.
60-61. those pamper'd animals / That rage in savage sensuality: This may be an allusion to the royal lions kept in the Tower of London. Apparently the lions relieved their boredom with frequent copulation.
62. wide: wide of the mark, far from the truth.
60-61. those pamper'd animals / That rage in savage sensuality: This may be an allusion to the royal lions kept in the Tower of London. Apparently the lions relieved their boredom with frequent copulation.
62. wide: wide of the mark, far from the truth.
57
You seem to me as Dian in her orb, 58
As chaste as is the bud ere it be blown; 59
But you are more intemperate in your blood 60
Than Venus, or those pamper'd animals 61
That rage in savage sensuality.
HERO
62
Is my lord well, that he doth speak so wide?
LEONATO
63
Sweet prince, why speak not you?
DON PEDRO
63
What should I speak?64-65. gone about / To: taken a lot of trouble to.
64
I stand dishonor'd, that have gone about
65. common stale: low-class prostitute.
65
To link my dear friend to a common stale.
LEONATO
66
Are these things spoken, or do I but dream?
DON JOHN
67
Sir, they are spoken, and these things are true.
BENEDICK
68
This looks not like a nuptial.
HERO
68. True! O God!: Hero could be responding to Benedick's statement that "This looks not like a nuptial," but I think it's more likely that she is expressing shock and dismay at Don John's assertion that "these things are true."
68
True! O God!
CLAUDIO
69
Leonato, stand I here? 70
Is this the prince? is this the prince's brother? 71
Is this face Hero's? are our eyes our own?
LEONATO
72
All this is so: but what of this, my lord?
CLAUDIO
73. move: propose.
73
Let me but move one question to your daughter;74. kindly: natural.
74
And, by that fatherly and kindly power 75
That you have in her, bid her answer truly.
LEONATO
76
I charge thee do so, as thou art my child.
HERO
77. beset: attacked from all sides.
77
O, God defend me! how am I beset!
78. catechising: i.e., hostile questioning. >>>
78
What kind of catechising call you this?
CLAUDIO
79. To make you answer truly to your name: i.e., this question will force you to tell the truth about who you are and what your name really means.
79
To make you answer truly to your name.
HERO
80
Is it not Hero? Who can blot that name 81
With any just reproach?
CLAUDIO
81
Marry, that can Hero;82. Hero itself: the name Hero (which is now the name for a whore).
82
Hero itself can blot out Hero's virtue. 83
What man was he talk'd with you yesternight 84
Out at your window betwixt twelve and one?85. if you are a maid, answer to this: i.e., if you are a virgin, explain this away.
85
Now, if you are a maid, answer to this.
HERO
86
I talk'd with no man at that hour, my lord.
DON PEDRO
87
Why, then are you no maiden. Leonato, 88
I am sorry you must hear: upon mine honor,89. grieved: aggrieved, wronged.
89
Myself, my brother and this grieved count
90
Did see her, hear her, at that hour last night 91
Talk with a ruffian at her chamber-window92. liberal: gross, licentious.
92
Who hath indeed, most like a liberal villain, 93
Confess'd the vile encounters they have had 94
A thousand times in secret.
DON JOHN
95
Fie, fie! they are not to be named, my lord, 96
Not to be spoke of; 97
There is not chastity enough in language 98
Without offence to utter them. Thus, pretty lady,99. much misgovernment: great misconduct, evil conduct.
99
I am sorry for thy much misgovernment.
CLAUDIO
100
O Hero, what a Hero hadst thou been,101
If half thy outward graces had been placed102
About thy thoughts and counsels of thy heart!103
But fare thee well, most foul, most fair! farewell,104
Thou pure impiety and impious purity!105. For thee: because of my experience with you.
105
For thee I'll lock up all the gates of love,106. conjecture: evil suspicion.
106
And on my eyelids shall conjecture hang,107
To turn all beauty into thoughts of harm,108. be gracious: seem beautiful, attractive, graceful.
108
And never shall it more be gracious.
LEONATO
109
Hath no man's dagger here a point for me?
[Hero swoons.]
BEATRICE
110
Why, how now, cousin! wherefore sink you down?
DON JOHN
111
Come, let us go. These things, come thus to light,112
Smother her spirits up.
[Exeunt Don Pedro, Don John, and Claudio.]
BENEDICK
113
How doth the lady?
BEATRICE
113
Dead, I think. Help, uncle!114
Hero! why, Hero! Uncle! Signior Benedick! Friar!
LEONATO
115
O Fate! take not away thy heavy hand.116
Death is the fairest cover for her shame117
That may be wish'd for.
BEATRICE
117
How now, cousin Hero!
FRIAR FRANCIS
118
Have comfort, lady.
LEONATO
119
Dost thou look up?
FRIAR FRANCIS
119
Yea, wherefore should she not?
LEONATO
120
Wherefore! Why, doth not every earthly thing121
Cry shame upon her? Could she here deny122. blood: blushes.
122
The story that is printed in her blood?123
Do not live, Hero; do not ope thine eyes:124
For, did I think thou wouldst not quickly die,
125. shames: feelings of shame.
125
Thought I thy spirits were stronger than thy shames,126. on the rearward of reproaches: after reproaching you.
126
Myself would, on the rearward of reproaches,127
Strike at thy life. Grieved I, I had but one?
128. frugal nature's frame: nature's frugal design (in giving me only one child).
128
Chid I for that at frugal nature's frame?129
O, one too much by thee! Why had I one?130
Why ever wast thou lovely in my eyes?131
Why had I not with charitable hand132
Took up a beggar's issue at my gates,133
Who smirch'd thus and mired with infamy,134
I might have said 'No part of it is mine;135
This shame derives itself from unknown loins'?136
But mine and mine I loved and mine I praised137
And mine that I was proud on, mine so much138-139. I myself was to myself not mine / Valuing of her: i.e., I valued her so highly that I lived only for her, and valued myself at nothing.
138
That I myself was to myself not mine,139
Valuing of her,why, she, O, she is fallen140
Into a pit of ink, that the wide sea141
Hath drops too few to wash her clean again
142. season give: act as a preservative. Salt was used to preserve meat from rotting.
142
And salt too little which may season give143
To her foul-tainted flesh!
BENEDICK
143
Sir, sir, be patient.144. attired: wrapped.
144
For my part, I am so attired in wonder,145
I know not what to say.
BEATRICE
146
O, on my soul, my cousin is belied!
BENEDICK
147
Lady, were you her bedfellow last night?
BEATRICE
148
No, truly not; although, until last night,149
I have this twelvemonth been her bedfellow.
LEONATO
150
Confirm'd, confirm'd! O, that is stronger made151
Which was before barr'd up with ribs of iron!152
Would the two princes lie, and Claudio lie,153
Who loved her so, that, speaking of her foulness,154
Wash'd it with tears? Hence from her! let her die.
FRIAR FRANCIS
155
Hear me a little;156-158. I have . . . the lady: I have been silent so long, and not interfered with these happenstances, only because I have concentrated on observing the lady. >>> 158-161. I have mark'd . . . blushes: i.e., I have seen innocence in her change of color. >>>
156
For I have only been silent so long157
And given way unto this course of fortune,158
By noting of the lady. I have mark'd159
A thousand blushing apparitions160
To start into her face, a thousand innocent shames161
In angel whiteness beat away those blushes;162-164. And in her eye . . . her maiden truth: i.e., And in her eyes there burns a fire which should burn away any doubt of her innocence. >>>
162
And in her eye there hath appear'd a fire,163
To burn the errors that these princes hold164
Against her maiden truth. Call me a fool;165
Trust not my reading nor my observations,
166-167. Which with experimental seal doth warrant / The tenor of my book: A seal on a document guarantees its authenticity. Metaphorically, the friar's seal is his experience in reading people; in this case, his "book" is Hero's face, and its meaning ("tenor") is her innocence.
166
Which with experimental seal doth warrant167
The tenor of my book; trust not my age,168
My reverence, calling, nor divinity,169
If this sweet lady lie not guiltless here170
Under some biting error.
LEONATO
170
Friar, it cannot be.171
Thou seest that all the grace that she hath left172
Is that she will not add to her damnation173
A sin of perjury; she not denies it:174
Why seek'st thou then to cover with excuse175. proper: its own.
175
That which appears in proper nakedness?
FRIAR FRANCIS
176
Lady, what man is he you are accused of?
HERO
177
They know that do accuse me; I know none:178
If I know more of any man alive179
Than that which maiden modesty doth warrant,180
Let all my sins lack mercy! O my father,181
Prove you that any man with me conversed182. unmeet: improper.
182
At hours unmeet, or that I yesternight
183. Maintain'd the change of words: had an exchange of words. 184. Refuse: renounce, cast off.
183
Maintain'd the change of words with any creature,184
Refuse me, hate me, torture me to death!
FRIAR FRANCIS
185. misprision: mistake, misunderstanding, misapprehension.
185
There is some strange misprision in the princes.
BENEDICK
186. the very bent of: a perfect inclination of the mind toward.
186
Two of them have the very bent of honor;187
And if their wisdoms be misled in this,
188. practice: scheming, plotting.
188
The practice of it lives in John the bastard,
189. Whose spirits toil in frame of villanies: i.e., whose nature it is to be always hard at work plotting villanies.
189
Whose spirits toil in frame of villanies.
LEONATO
190
I know not. If they speak but truth of her,191
These hands shall tear her; if they wrong her honor,192
The proudest of them shall well hear of it.193
Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine,194. age: i.e., old age eat: eaten. invention: ability to make plans (for revenge).
194
Nor age so eat up my invention,195
Nor fortune made such havoc of my means,196
Nor my bad life reft me so much of friends,
197. kind: degree.
197
But they shall find, awaked in such a kind,
198. policy of mind: shrewdness in planning (revenge).
198
Both strength of limb and policy of mind,199
Ability in means and choice of friends,
200. quit me of them throughly: settle my account with them thoroughly; i.e., take revenge on them.
200
To quit me of them throughly.
FRIAR FRANCIS
200
Pause awhile,201. let my counsel sway you: let my advice guide you.
201
And let my counsel sway you in this case.202
Your daughter here the princes left for dead:203
Let her awhile be secretly kept in,
204. publish it: let it be known.
204
And publish it that she is dead indeed;
205. Maintain a mourning ostentation: keep up a show of mourning.
205
Maintain a mourning ostentation206
And on your family's old monument207
Hang mournful epitaphs and do all rites208
That appertain unto a burial.
LEONATO
209. become of: result from.
209
What shall become of this? what will this do?
FRIAR FRANCIS
210. carried: managed.
210
Marry, this well carried shall on her behalf211
Change slander to remorse; that is some good:212
But not for that dream I on this strange course,
213. on this travail look for: from this labor expect.
214-215. She dying, as it must so be maintain'd, / Upon the instant that she was accused: because she died, as it must be given out, at the very instant that she was accused.
214-215. She dying, as it must so be maintain'd, / Upon the instant that she was accused: because she died, as it must be given out, at the very instant that she was accused.
213
But on this travail look for greater birth.214
She dying, as it must so be maintain'd,215
Upon the instant that she was accused,216
Shall be lamented, pitied and excused
217. Of: by.
217
Of every hearer: for it so falls out218
That what we have we prize not to the worth219
Whiles we enjoy it, but being lack'd and lost,220. rack: closely examine. >>>
221. virtue: value, worth.
221. virtue: value, worth.
220
Why, then we rack the value, then we find
221
The virtue that possession would not show us222
Whiles it was ours. So will it fare with Claudio:
223. upon: in consequence of, as a result of.
223
When he shall hear she died upon his words,224
The idea of her life shall sweetly creep
225. study of imagination: imaginative study; i.e., musing contemplation, reverie. 226. every lovely organ of her life: every aspect of her lovely life. 227. habit: dress.
225
Into his study of imagination,226
And every lovely organ of her life227
Shall come apparell'd in more precious habit,228
More moving-delicate and full of life,
229. prospect: view, range of vision.
229
Into the eye and prospect of his soul,230
Than when she lived indeed; then shall he mourn,
231. interest in: any claim upon (a legal term). liver: The liver was believed to be the source of the passion of love.
231
If ever love had interest in his liver,232
And wish he had not so accused her,233
No, though he thought his accusation true.
234-236. Let this . . . likelihood: If you believe this >>>
234
Let this be so, and doubt not but success235
Will fashion the event in better shape236
Than I can lay it down in likelihood.
237-239. But . . . infamy: i.e., if every other aim except this comes to nothing, at least the belief that the lady is dead will drown out the amazement at her infamy.
237
But if all aim but this be levell'd false,238
The supposition of the lady's death239
Will quench the wonder of her infamy:
240. sort: turn out.
240
And if it sort not well, you may conceal her,241
As best befits her wounded reputation,
242. reclusive: retired, secluded (as a religious recluse).
243. Out of: out of reach of. injuries: insults.
243. Out of: out of reach of. injuries: insults.
242
In some reclusive and religious life,243
Out of all eyes, tongues, minds and injuries.
BENEDICK
244
Signior Leonato, let the friar advise you:245. inwardness and love: trusting familiarity and close friendship.
245
And though you know my inwardness and love246
Is very much unto the prince and Claudio,247
Yet, by mine honor, I will deal in this248
As secretly and justly as your soul249
Should with your body.
LEONATO
249. Being that I flow in grief: since I am carried away by the current of grief.
249
Being that I flow in grief,250
The smallest twine may lead me.
FRIAR FRANCIS
251. presently away: i.e., let's leave immediately.
252. For to strange sores strangely they strain the cure: i.e., for strange diseases physicians come up with strange cures.
252. For to strange sores strangely they strain the cure: i.e., for strange diseases physicians come up with strange cures.
251
'Tis well consented: presently away;252
For to strange sores strangely they strain the cure.253
Come, lady, die to live: this wedding-day
254. but prolong'd: only postponed.
254
Perhaps is but prolong'd: have patience and endure.
Exit [with all but Benedick and Beatrice].
BENEDICK
255
Lady Beatrice, have you wept all this while?
BEATRICE
256
Yea, and I will weep a while longer.
BENEDICK
257
I will not desire that.
BEATRICE
258
You have no reason; I do it freely.
BENEDICK
259
Surely I do believe your fair cousin is260
wrong'd.
BEATRICE
261
Ah, how much might the man deserve of me262
that would right her!
BENEDICK
263
Is there any way to show such friendship?
BEATRICE
264. even way: clear path.
264
A very even way, but no such friend.
BENEDICK
265
May a man do it?
BEATRICE
266. a man's office: the kind of service that a man would be expected to do. but not yours: What Beatrice has in mind becomes clear a little later. She wants Benedick to punish Claudio for his accusations against Hero. Perhaps she means that the "office" is not Benedick's because he is Claudio's friend, or perhaps she means that Benedick is not the sort of man to challenge Claudio to a duel.
266
It is a man's office, but not yours.
BENEDICK
267
I do love nothing in the world so well as you: 268
is not that strange?
BEATRICE
269. As strange as the thing I know not: i.e., as strange as my confused emotions.
269
As strange as the thing I know not. It were 270
as possible for me to say I loved nothing so271
well as you: but believe me not; and yet I lie 272
not; I confess nothing, nor I deny nothing. I 273
am sorry for my cousin.
BENEDICK
274
By my sword, Beatrice, thou lovest me.
BEATRICE
275. eat it: eat your sword; i.e., go back on your oath.
275
Do not swear, and eat it.
BENEDICK
276
I will swear by it that you love me; and I 277. eat it: eat my sword.
277
will make him eat it that says I love not you.
BEATRICE
278
Will you not eat your word?
BENEDICK
279
With no sauce that can be devised to it. 280. protest: declare, swear.
280
I protest I love thee.
BEATRICE
281
Why, then, God forgive me!
BENEDICK
282
What offence, sweet Beatrice?
BEATRICE
283. in a happy hour: at just the right moment, opportunely.
283
You have stayed me in a happy hour: 284
I was about to protest I loved you.
BENEDICK
285
And do it with all thy heart.
BEATRICE
286
I love you with so much of my heart 287. none is left to protest: Here Beatrice uses the word "protest" in the sense of "object to."
287
that none is left to protest.
BENEDICK
288
Come, bid me do any thing for thee.
BEATRICE
289
Kill Claudio!
BENEDICK
290
Ha! not for the wide world.
BEATRICE
291. deny: refuse.
291
You kill me to deny it. Farewell.
BENEDICK
292
Tarry, sweet Beatrice.
BEATRICE
293. am gone: have left you (in spirit).
293
I am gone, though I am here: there is no
294. nay, let me go: Shakespeare often implies stage directions. Here, it seems that Benedick is somehow preventing Beatrice from leaving.
294
love in you: nay, I pray you, let me go.
BENEDICK
295
Beatrice,
BEATRICE
296
In faith, I will go.
BENEDICK
297
We'll be friends first.
BEATRICE
298
You dare easier be friends with me than 299
fight with mine enemy.
BENEDICK
300
Is Claudio thine enemy?
BEATRICE
301. approved: proved. height: highest degree.
301
Is he not approved in the height a villain, 302
that hath slandered, scorned, dishonored 303
my kinswoman? O that I were a man! What, 304. bear . . . hands: i.e., lead her on until the moment when they exchange marriage vows. 305. uncovered: unconcealed, open.
304
bear her in hand until they come to take hands; 305
and then, with public accusation, uncovered 306
slander, unmitigated rancour, O God, that I 307
were a man! I would eat his heart in the market-place.
BENEDICK
308
Hear me, Beatrice,
BEATRICE
309-310. proper saying: i.e., believable statement. Beatrice is being extremely sarcastic; she means that the idea of Hero talking with a man at her window is wildly unbelievable.
309
Talk with a man out at a window! A proper310
saying!
BENEDICK
311
Nay, but, Beatrice,
BEATRICE
312
Sweet Hero! She is wronged, she is slandered,313
she is undone.
BENEDICK
314
Beat
BEATRICE
315
Princes and counties! Surely, a princely testimony,316
a goodly count, Count Comfect; a sweet gallant,317
surely! O that I were a man for his sake! or that I318
had any friend would be a man for my sake! But319
manhood is melted into courtesies, valour into320
compliment, and men are only turned into tongue,321. trim: fine, nice (used ironically).
322. swears it: swears it is true.
322. swears it: swears it is true.
321
and trim ones too: he is now as valiant as Hercules322
that only tells a lie and swears it. I cannot be a man 323
with wishing, therefore I will die a woman with grieving.
BENEDICK
324
Tarry, good Beatrice. By this hand, I love325
thee.
BEATRICE
326
Use it for my love some other way than327
swearing by it.
BENEDICK
328
Think you in your soul the Count Claudio329
hath wrong'd Hero?
BEATRICE
330
Yea, as sure as I have a thought or a soul.
BENEDICK
331. engaged: bound by a pledge.
333. Claudio shall render me a dear account: i.e., I will make Claudio pay dearly for what he has done.
333. Claudio shall render me a dear account: i.e., I will make Claudio pay dearly for what he has done.
331
Enough, I am engaged; I will challenge him. 332
I will kiss your hand, and so I leave you. By333
this hand, Claudio shall render me a dear account.334
As you hear of me, so think of me. Go, comfort335
your cousin: I must say she is dead: and so,336
farewell.
[Exeunt.]