Act 2, Scene I - Page 2

Well, niece, I hope to see you one day fitted with a husband.

BEATRICE
Not till God make men of some other metal than
earth. Would it not grieve a woman to be
overmastered with a pierce of valiant dust? to make
an account of her life to a clod of wayward marl?
No, uncle, I'll none: Adam's sons are my brethren;
and, truly, I hold it a sin to match in my kindred.

LEONATO
Daughter, remember what I told you: if the prince
do solicit you in that kind, you know your answer.

BEATRICE
The fault will be in the music, cousin, if you be
not wooed in good time: if the prince be too
important, tell him there is measure in every thing
and so dance out the answer. For, hear me, Hero:
wooing, wedding, and repenting, is as a Scotch jig,
a measure, and a cinque pace: the first suit is hot
and hasty, like a Scotch jig, and full as
fantastical; the wedding, mannerly-modest, as a
measure, full of state and ancientry; and then comes
repentance and, with his bad legs, falls into the
cinque pace faster and faster, till he sink into his grave.

LEONATO
Cousin, you apprehend passing shrewdly.

BEATRICE
I have a good eye, uncle; I can see a church by daylight.

LEONATO
The revellers are entering, brother: make good room.

All put on their masks

Enter DON PEDRO, CLAUDIO, BENEDICK, BALTHASAR, DON JOHN, BORACHIO, MARGARET, URSULA and others, masked

DON PEDRO
Lady, will you walk about with your friend?

HERO
So you walk softly and look sweetly and say nothing,
I am yours for the walk; and especially when I walk away.

DON PEDRO
With me in your company?

HERO
I may say so, when I please.

DON PEDRO
And when please you to say so?

HERO
When I like your favour; for God defend the lute
should be like the case!

DON PEDRO
My visor is Philemon's roof; within the house is Jove.

HERO
Why, then, your visor should be thatched.

DON PEDRO
Speak low, if you speak love.

Drawing her aside

BALTHASAR
Well, I would you did like me.

MARGARET
So would not I, for your own sake; for I have many
ill-qualities.

BALTHASAR
Which is one?

MARGARET
I say my prayers aloud.

BALTHASAR
I love you the better: the hearers may cry, Amen.

MARGARET
God match me with a good dancer!

BALTHASAR
Amen.

MARGARET
And God keep him out of my sight when the dance is
done! Answer, clerk.

BALTHASAR
No more words: the clerk is answered.

URSULA
I know you well enough; you are Signior Antonio.

ANTONIO
At a word, I am not.

URSULA
I