Much Ado About Nothing: Act 1, Scene 1
Enter LEONATO, governor of Messina,
Emma Thompson as Beatrice HERO his daughter, and BEATRICE
his niece, with a Messenger.
LEONATO
1 I learn in this letter that Don Pedro of Arragon 2 comes this night to Messina.
Messenger
3-4. by this: by this time. not three leagues off: less than three leagues away. —Three leagues equal 9 miles or 14.4 kilometers. "League" originally meant the distance a person could walk in an hour.
3 He is very near by this: he was not three leagues 4 off when I left him.
LEONATO
5 How many gentlemen have you lost in this6. action: military campaign.
6 action?
Messenger
7. But few of any sort, and none of name: few of any rank, and none of great reputation.
7 But few of any sort, and none of name.
LEONATO
8 A victory is twice itself when the achiever brings 9 home full numbers. I find here that Don Pedro 10 hath bestowed much honor on a young 11 Florentine called Claudio.
Messenger
12. equally remembered: honored as he deserved.
12 Much deserved on his part and equally remembered 13-15. he hath borne ... a lion: i.e., he has achieved things that would not be expected of such a young man by accomplishing the feats of the lion while appearing to be a lamb. 15. bett'red: surpassed
13 by Don Pedro: he hath borne himself beyond the 14 promise of his age, doing, in the figure of a lamb, 15 the feats of a lion: he hath indeed better bett'red 16 expectation than you must expect of me to tell 17 you how.
LEONATO
18. an uncle here in Messina: —Claudio's uncle is never again mentioned. will: who will.
18 He hath an uncle here in Messina will be very 19 much glad of it.
Messenger
20 I have already delivered him letters, and there 21 appears much joy in him; even so much that joy 22. modest: natural.
22 could not show itself modest enough without a 23. badge of bitterness: sign of sorrow; i.e., tears. —Although tears are the "badge of bitterness," Claudio's uncle probably cried tears of joy for the dangers that Claudio had escaped.
23 badge of bitterness.
LEONATO
24 Did he break out into tears?
Messenger
25 In great measure.
LEONATO
26. kind: natural. kindness: natural feeling (for a kinsman).
26 A kind overflow of kindness: there are no faces 27 truer than those that are so washed. How much 28 better is it to weep at joy than to joy at 29 weeping!
BEATRICE
30. Signior Mountanto: —"Mountanto" is probably derived from the Italian word montanto, a fencing term meaning an upward thrust. Beatrice is being sarcastic, and her "Signior Mountanto" can be roughly translated as "Mr. Fancy Fighter."
30 I pray you, is Signior Mountanto returned from 31 the wars or no?
Messenger
32 I know none of that name, lady: there was none 33 such in the army of any sort.
LEONATO
34 What is he that you ask for, niece?
HERO
35 My cousin means Signior Benedick of 36 Padua.
Messenger
37. pleasant: witty, jocular.
37 O, he's returned; and as pleasant as ever 38 he was.
BEATRICE
39. bills: public notices, pasted on walls.
39 He set up his bills here in Messina and40. challeng'd Cupid at the flight: challenged Cupid to an archery contest. >>> 41. fool: jester. subscrib'd for Cupid: signed up to compete on behalf of Cupid. 42. burbolt: bird-bolt, a blunt-headed arrow used for shooting birds. >>>
44-45. I promis'd to eat all of his killing: —This is Beatrice's outrageous way of saying that Benedick isn't enough a soldier to kill anyone.
44-45. I promis'd to eat all of his killing: —This is Beatrice's outrageous way of saying that Benedick isn't enough a soldier to kill anyone.
40 challeng'd Cupid at the flight; and my uncle's 41 fool, reading the challenge, subscrib'd for Cupid, 42 and challenged him at the burbolt. I pray you, 43 how many hath he killed and eaten in these wars?
44 But how many hath he killed? for indeed I promis'd 45 to eat all of his killing.
LEONATO
46 Faith, niece, you tax Signior Benedick too much;46. tax: criticize. 47. be meet with you: i.e., give as good as he gets. —As Leonato says later, there is a "kind of merry war" between Benedick and Beatrice; Leonato is predicting that Benedick will have as many witty things to say about Beatrice as she has to say about him.
47 but he'll be meet with you, I doubt it not.
Messenger
48 He hath done good service, lady, in these 49 wars.
BEATRICE
50. musty: stale. holp: helped.
50 You had musty victual, and he hath holp to eat it:51. trencherman: good eater.
51 he is a very valiant trencherman; he hath an52. stomach: appetite. —Beatrice is punning. To "have a stomach" was to be proud and courageous, qualities appropriate to a soldier; Beatrice's point is that Benedick's stomach is only good for digesting food.
52 excellent stomach.
Messenger
53 And a good soldier too, lady.
BEATRICE
54. to: in comparison with.
54 And a good soldier to a lady: but what is 55 he to a lord?
Messenger
56 A lord to a lord, a man to a man; stuff'd with all 57 honorable virtues.
BEATRICE
58-59. stuff'd man: i.e., a dummy, not a real man.
58 It is so, indeed; he is no less than a stuff'd 59-60. but for the stuffing,— well, we are all mortal: as for his character—well, we all have our faults.
59 man: but for the stuffing,—well, we are all 60 mortal.
LEONATO
61 You must not, sir, mistake my niece. There is a 62 kind of merry war betwixt Signior Benedick and her: 63 they never meet but there's a skirmish of wit 64 between them.
BEATRICE
65 Alas! he gets nothing by that. In our last66. five wits: —Usually listed as memory, fantasy, judgment, imagination, and common wit. halting: limping.
66 conflict four of his five wits went halting off, and 67 now is the whole man governed with one: so that if 68 he have wit enough to keep himself warm, let him 69 bear it for a difference between himself and his 70 horse; for it is all the wealth that he hath left,71. to be known: i.e., in order that he may be recognized as.
71 to be known a reasonable creature. Who is his72-73. sworn brother: brother in arms; friend with whom he has exchanged vows of lifelong fidelity.
72 companion now? He hath every month a new sworn 73 brother.
Messenger
74 Is't possible?
BEATRICE
75. faith: fidelity, loyalty.
75 Very easily possible: he wears his faith but as
76 the fashion of his hat; it ever changes with the 77 next block. 77. block: wooden mold for shaping hats.
Messenger
78 I see, lady, the gentleman is not in your79. books: i.e., good books, favor. 79 books.
BEATRICE
80. an: if. study: i.e., the room where one keeps books. 80 No; an he were, I would burn my study. But, I pray 81 you, who is his companion? Is there no young82. squarer: quarreller. 82 squarer now that will make a voyage with 83 him to the devil?
Messenger
84 He is most in the company of the right 85 noble Claudio.
BEATRICE
86 O Lord, he will hang upon him like a disease: he 87 is sooner caught than the pestilence, and the taker88. presently: immediately.
88 runs presently mad. God help the noble Claudio! 89 if he have caught the Benedick, it will cost him a
90. 'a: he.
90 thousand pound ere 'a be cur'd.
Messenger
91. hold friends: keep on friendly terms. —The messenger is showing his appreciation of Beatrice's wit by saying that he'll keep himself on her good side so that he won't become her target.
91 I will hold friends with you, lady.
BEATRICE
92 Do, good friend.
LEONATO
93. run mad: (1) go crazy. (2) i.e., catch the disease known as "the Benedick." — See above (line 88), "runs presently mad."
93 You will never run mad, niece.
BEATRICE
94 No, not till a hot January.
Messenger
95 Don Pedro is approached.
Enter DON PEDRO, CLAUDIO, BENEDICK,
BALTHASAR, and [DON] JOHN the Bastard.
DON PEDRO
96 Good Signior Leonato, you are come to meet 97. your trouble: i.e., the expense of entertaining me and my followers. 98. cost: expense. you encounter it: you welcome it.
97 your trouble: the fashion of the world is to 98 avoid cost, and you encounter it.
LEONATO
99. trouble: —Now Leonato is using the word "trouble" in the sense that is more familiar today (C.E. 2015).
99 Never came trouble to my house in the likeness of100 your grace: for trouble being gone, comfort should101 remain; but when you depart from me, sorrow abides102 and happiness takes his leave.
DON PEDRO
103-104. embrace your charge: welcome your burden. I think this is your daughter: —Don Pedro is referring to Hero.
103 You embrace your charge too willingly. I think this104 is your daughter.
LEONATO
105. Her mother hath many times told me so: This is a guy joke, based on the idea that a wife will always be unfaithful, but always lie about it and assure her husband that the children are really his.
105 Her mother hath many times told me so.
BENEDICK
106 Were you in doubt, sir, that you asked her?
LEONATO
107. Signior Benedick, no; for then were you a child.: —This is another guy joke. >>>
107 Signior Benedick, no; for then were you108 a child.
DON PEDRO
109. You have it full: You are well answered; have got back as good as you gave. >>>
111-112. fathers herself: shows who her father is (by her resemblance to him). are like: resemble; have the same character as. 109 You have it full, Benedick: we may110 guess by this what you are, being a man. Truly,111 the lady fathers herself. Be happy, lady; for you are112 like an honorable father.
BENEDICK
113-114. she would not have his head on her shoulders: i.e., she wouldn't want to look like an old man, even her father. —Benedick's joke is pretty feeble, and no one is paying attention except Beatrice.
113 If Signior Leonato be her father, she would not114 have his head on her shoulders for all Messina, as115 like him as she is.
BEATRICE
116. still: always.
116 I wonder that you will still be talking, Signior117. nobody marks you: nobody is paying attention to you.
117 Benedick: nobody marks you.
BENEDICK
118-119. What, my dear Lady Disdain! are you yet living?: —Benedick's joke is that he would have expected Beatrice, "Lady Disdain," to die from the sheer boredom of looking down upon all of her inferiors.
118 What, my dear Lady Disdain! are you yet119 living?
BEATRICE
120 Is it possible disdain should die while she hath121. meet: appropriate.
121 such meet food to feed it as Signior Benedick?122. convert: change.
122 Courtesy itself must convert to disdain, if you 123 come in her presence.
BENEDICK
124 Then is courtesy a turncoat. But it is certain 125 I am loved of all ladies, only you excepted: 126 and I would I could find in my heart that I 127 had not a hard heart; for, truly, I love none.
BEATRICE
128. dear happiness: great stroke of good fortune.
128 A dear happiness to women: they would else 129 have been troubled with a pernicious suitor. I 130-131. I am of your humor for that: I am of the same disposition in that matter; i.e., I, too, love no one.
130 thank God and my cold blood, I am of your 131 humor for that: I had rather hear my dog bark 132 at a crow than a man swear he loves me.
BENEDICK
133 God keep your ladyship still in that mind! 134. 'scape: escape.
134 so some gentleman or other shall 'scape a
135. predestinate: inevitable (for anyone who marries Beatrice).
135 predestinate scratched face.
BEATRICE
136 Scratching could not make it worse, an 137 'twere such a face as yours were.
BENEDICK
138. rare: outstanding, excellent. parrot-teacher: i.e., one who would teach a parrot well because she says the same things over and over.
138 Well, you are a rare parrot-teacher.
BEATRICE
139-140. A bird of my tongue is better than a beast of yours: i.e., a bird taught to speak like me would be better than an beast taught to speak like you. —Beatrice's joke is that the bird says something, but the beast can't say anything at all.
139 A bird of my tongue is better than a beast140 of yours.
BENEDICK
141 I would my horse had the speed of your tongue, 142. so good a continuer: so able to go on and on.
142 and so good a continuer. But keep your way, 143 i' God's name; I have done.
BEATRICE
144. jade's trick: —A jade is a slacker horse, one which will drop out of a race before it is over.
144 You always end with a jade's trick: I know145 you of old.
DON PEDRO
146. That is the sum of all: —While Benedick and Beatrice have been exchanging insults, Don Pedro and Leonato have been talking; apparently Don Pedro has just finished explaining what he has been doing since Leonato has last seen him.
146 That is the sum of all, Leonato. Signior 147 Claudio and Signior Benedick, my dear 148 friend Leonato hath invited you all. I tell 149 him we shall stay here at the least a month; 150 and he heartily prays some occasion may 151 detain us longer. I dare swear he is no hypocrite, 152 but prays from his heart.
LEONATO
153 If you swear, my lord, you shall not be forsworn.
To DON JOHN.
154 Let me bid you welcome, my lord: 155-156. being: since you are. reconciled to the prince your brother: —In the "action" mentioned at the beginning of the scene, Don John fought against Don Pedro.
155 being reconciled to the prince your 156 brother, I owe you all duty.
DON JOHN
157 I thank you: I am not of many words, 158 but I thank you.
LEONATO
159 Please it your grace lead on?
DON PEDRO
160 Your hand, Leonato; we will go161 together.
Exeunt. Manent BENEDICK
and CLAUDIO.
CLAUDIO
162 Benedick, didst thou note the daughter of163 Signior Leonato?
BENEDICK
164. I noted her not; but I looked on her: i.e., I saw her, but didn't see anything special.
164 I noted her not; but I looked on her.
CLAUDIO
165. modest: attractively well-behaved.
165 Is she not a modest young lady?
BENEDICK
166 Do you question me, as an honest man 167 should do, for my simple true judgment; 168 or would you have me speak after my custom, 169. a professed tyrant to their sex: i.e., one who is known to criticize women at every opportunity.
169 as being a professed tyrant to their sex?
CLAUDIO
170 No; I pray thee speak in sober judgment.
BENEDICK
171. low: short. —Benedick is punning; a "low" person is a rascal.
171 Why, i' faith, methinks she's too low for a high172 praise, too brown for a fair praise and too little173 for a great praise: only this commendation I can174 afford her, that were she other than she is, she175 were unhandsome; and being no other but as she 176 is, I do not like her.
CLAUDIO
177 Thou thinkest I am in sport: I pray thee tell me178 truly how thou likest her.
BENEDICK
179 Would you buy her, that you inquire after180 her?
CLAUDIO
181 Can the world buy such a jewel?
BENEDICK
182. case: (1) a jewel case (2) suit of clothes.
182 Yea, and a case to put it into. But speak you this
183. sad: serious. flouting Jack: mocking rascal.
183 with a sad brow? or do you play the flouting Jack,
184-185. to tell us ... carpenter: i.e., are you saying obviously stupid things, such as that Cupid (who is blindfolded) can spot rabbits, or that Vulcan (who was the blacksmith of the gods) is an excellent carpenter? 186. go in the song: sing in harmony with you.
184 to tell us Cupid is a good hare-finder and Vulcan a185 rare carpenter? Come, in what key shall a man take186 you, to go in the song?
CLAUDIO
187 In mine eye she is the sweetest lady that ever I188 looked on.
BENEDICK
189 I can see yet without spectacles and I see no such190. her cousin: i.e., Beatrice. an: if
190 matter: there's her cousin, an she were not191 possessed with a fury, exceeds her as much in beauty192 as the first of May doth the last of December. But I193 hope you have no intent to turn husband,194 have you?
CLAUDIO
195 I would scarce trust myself, though I had sworn the196 contrary, if Hero would be my wife.
BENEDICK
197-198. hath . . . suspicion?: i.e., is there no man in the world who will not stay unmarried? >>>
199. bachelor of three-score: sixty-year old bachelor.
200-202. Go ... Sundays: i.e., you've got to be kidding, really, if you will insist upon thrusting your neck into the yoke of marriage, wearing the imprint of that yoke, and sighing away Sundays. 202. Sundays: —On a Sunday it's very hard for a man to find an excuse to get out of the house and get away from his wife.
199. bachelor of three-score: sixty-year old bachelor.
200-202. Go ... Sundays: i.e., you've got to be kidding, really, if you will insist upon thrusting your neck into the yoke of marriage, wearing the imprint of that yoke, and sighing away Sundays. 202. Sundays: —On a Sunday it's very hard for a man to find an excuse to get out of the house and get away from his wife.
197 Is't come to this? In faith, hath not the world198 one man but he will wear his cap with suspicion?
199 Shall I never see a bachelor of three-score again?
200 Go to, i' faith; an thou wilt needs thrust thy neck201 into a yoke, wear the print of it, and sigh away202 Sundays. Look, Don Pedro is returned to203 seek you.
Enter DON PEDRO.
DON PEDRO
204 What secret hath held you here, that you followed205 not to Leonato's?
BENEDICK
206 I would your grace would constrain me to207 tell.
DON PEDRO
208 I charge thee on thy allegiance.
BENEDICK
209-210. I can be secret as a dumb man: I can keep a secret as well as a man who is a mute.
209 You hear, Count Claudio: I can be secret as a 210 dumb man; I would have you think so; but, on211 my allegiance, mark you this, on my allegiance.
212-213. that is your grace's part: i.e., that is for you to ask him.
Mark how short his answer is: i.e., Notice that there is a clue in his very short (= silent) answer. 214. short daughter: The part of Hero was played by a short boy, who >>>
Mark how short his answer is: i.e., Notice that there is a clue in his very short (= silent) answer. 214. short daughter: The part of Hero was played by a short boy, who >>>
212 He is in love. With who? now that is your grace's213 part. Mark how short his answer is;—With Hero,214 Leonato's short daughter.
CLAUDIO
215. If this were so, so were it utt'red: i.e., if I really were in love, and if I really were asked who I loved, my answer would indeed be very short.
215 If this were so, so were it uttered.
BENEDICK
216. the old tale: An English fairy tale known as 'Mr. Fox'. >>>
216 Like the old tale, my lord: 'it is not so, nor217 'twas not so, but, indeed, God forbid it should 218 be so'.
CLAUDIO
219. shortly: —I wonder if Claudio is intentionally picking up on Benedick's joke about Hero being short.
219 If my passion change not shortly, God forbid it220 should be otherwise.
DON PEDRO
221 Amen, if you love her; for the lady is222 very well worthy.
CLAUDIO
223. fetch me in: take me in, get me to confess.
223 You speak this to fetch me in, my lord.
DON PEDRO
224 By my troth, I speak my thought.
CLAUDIO
225 And, in faith, my lord, I spoke mine.
BENEDICK
226 And, by my two faiths and troths, my227 lord, I spoke mine.
CLAUDIO
228 That I love her, I feel.
DON PEDRO
229 That she is worthy, I know.
BENEDICK
230 That I neither feel how she should be loved 231 nor know how she should be worthy, is the 232 opinion that fire cannot melt out of me: I will233 die in it at the stake.
DON PEDRO
234-235. Thou wast ever an obstinate heretic in the despite of beauty: you have always been an obstinate heretic (in the religion of love) by your despising of beauty.
234 Thou wast ever an obstinate heretic in235 the despite of beauty.
CLAUDIO
236-237. And never could maintain his part but in the force of his will: and never could hold up his end of the argument except by mere wilfulness.
236 And never could maintain his part but in the 237 force of his will.
BENEDICK
238 That a woman conceived me, I thank her; that 239 she brought me up, I likewise give her most
240-241. that I will . . . forehead: i.e., that I should wear a cuckold's horns. >>> 241. baldrick: a holster strap. >>> 242. shall pardon me: must excuse me from.
240 humble thanks: but that I will have a recheat 241 winded in my forehead, or hang my bugle in 242 an invisible baldrick, all women shall pardon me. 243 Because I will not do them the wrong to mistrust 244 any, I will do myself the right to trust none; and 245. fine: conclusion. go the finer: —As a bachelor, Benedick will have more to spend on fine clothes.
245 the fine is, for the which I may go the finer, I will 246 live a bachelor.
DON PEDRO
247 I shall see thee, ere I die, look pale with248 love.
BENEDICK
249 With anger, with sickness, or with hunger, my lord,250-251. prove: i.e., if you can show. I lose . . . drinking: It was a common belief that sighing (characteristic of lovers) consumed the blood, but that wine generated fresh blood. 252. a ballad-maker's pen: i.e., a pen that would be used to write love ballads. 253. sign: —Inns, shops, etc. were identified by painted signs. An image of Cupid would be appropriate for a sign hung in front of a brothel.
250 not with love: prove that ever I lose more blood251 with love than I will get again with drinking, pick252 out mine eyes with a ballad-maker's pen and hang 253 me up at the door of a brothel-house for the sign of254 blind Cupid.
DON PEDRO
255 Well, if ever thou dost fall from this faith, thou
256. notable argument: i.e., a well-known example in discussions of the topic of marriage.
257. bottle: wicker case. Sometimes a cat was suspended in such a container as a target for archers.
257. bottle: wicker case. Sometimes a cat was suspended in such a container as a target for archers.
256 wilt prove a notable argument.
BENEDICK
257 If I do, hang me in a bottle like a cat and shoot258 at me; and he that hits me, let him be clapped on
259. Adam: Perhaps an allusion to Adam Bell, an archer outlaw celebrated in ballads for his skill.
259 the shoulder, and called Adam.
DON PEDRO
260-261. try: test, show. In time the savage bull doth bear the yoke: i.e., in time even the most stubborn bull can be tamed.
260 Well, as time shall try: 'In time the savage bull261 doth bear the yoke'.
BENEDICK
262 The savage bull may; but if ever the sensible
262. sensible: rational.
263 Benedick bear it, pluck off the bull's horns and set 263. bear it: bear the yoke of marriage.
264. vilely: wretchedly.
264 them in my forehead: and let me be vilely painted,265 and in such great letters as they write 'Here is266 good horse to hire', let them signify under my sign267 'Here you may see Benedick the268 married man'.
CLAUDIO
269 If this should ever happen, thou wouldst270. horn-mad: i.e., a cuckold who is as crazy as a raging bull.
270 be horn-mad.
DON PEDRO
271-272. if ... in Venice: if Cupid hasn't shot all of his arrows in Venice. —Venice was home to the world's most alluring courtesans, and so a natural playground for Cupid. quake: i.e., quake with awe at the power of love, and quake with the chills and fever of a sexually transmitted disease. 273. earthquake: i.e., a once-in-a-thousand years event.
271 Nay, if Cupid have not spent all his quiver in272 Venice, thou wilt quake for this shortly.
BENEDICK
273 I look for an earthquake too, then.
DON PEDRO
274. you temporize with the hours: i.e., you are wasting time by trying to put off the moment when you become a married man.
274 Well, you temporize with the hours. In the275 meantime, good Signior Benedick, repair to276 Leonato's: commend me to him and tell him I will277 not fail him at supper; for indeed he hath made278 great preparation.
BENEDICK
279. matter: substance; i.e., wit, intelligence.
279 I have almost matter enough in me for such an
280. and so I commit you: — "I commit you to the tuition of God" was a stock expression of farewell, like "goodbye" (short for "God be with ye"). Claudio and Don Pedro mock Benedick by extending it, as though it were the closing of a letter.
281. tuition: guidance, protection.
281. tuition: guidance, protection.
280 embassage; and so I commit you—
CLAUDIO
281 To the tuition of God: From my house,282 if I had it,—
DON PEDRO
283 The sixth of July: Your loving friend,284 Benedick.
BENEDICK
285-289. The body of your ... conscience: — Benedick warns Don Pedro and Claudio against thinking that they are wits. >>>
288. flout: mock, jeer at. old ends: (1) old remnants of cloth: (2) old-fashioned, conventional closings [of speeches or letters].
288. flout: mock, jeer at. old ends: (1) old remnants of cloth: (2) old-fashioned, conventional closings [of speeches or letters].
285 Nay, mock not, mock not. The body of your286 discourse is sometime guarded with fragments, 287 and the guards are but slightly basted on neither:
288 ere you flout old ends any further, examine your289 conscience: and so I leave you.
Exit.
CLAUDIO
290 My liege, your highness now may do me good.
DON PEDRO
291. My love is thine to teach: i.e., my love for you is eager to learn (how to do you good).
291 My love is thine to teach: teach it but how,292 And thou shalt see how apt it is to learn293 Any hard lesson that may do thee good.
CLAUDIO
294 Hath Leonato any son, my lord?
DON PEDRO
295 No child but Hero; she's his only heir.296. affect: love.
296 Dost thou affect her, Claudio?
CLAUDIO
296 O, my lord,297. ended action: military campaign now ended.
297 When you went onward on this ended action,298 I look'd upon her with a soldier's eye,299 That liked, but had a rougher task in hand300 Than to drive liking to the name of love:
301. now I: now that I.
301 But now I am return'd and that war-thoughts302 Have left their places vacant, in their rooms303 Come thronging soft and delicate desires,304 All prompting me how fair young Hero is,305 Saying, I liked her ere I went to wars.
DON PEDRO
306. presently: any moment now.
306 Thou wilt be like a lover presently
307. book of words: i.e., whole book of lovers' speeches.
307 And tire the hearer with a book of words.308 If thou dost love fair Hero, cherish it,309. break with: broach the subject to.
309 And I will break with her and with her father,310 And thou shalt have her. Was't not to this end
311. twist: spin, draw out the thread of.
311 That thou began'st to twist so fine a story?
CLAUDIO
312 How sweetly you do minister to love,313. his complexion: its outward appearance. —Claudio is grateful that Don Pedro can see that he is in love just by looking at him, so he doesn't have to do too much explaining. 315. salv'd it: i.e., put a better face on it. treatise: explanation, justification.
313 That know love's grief by his complexion!314 But lest my liking might too sudden seem,315 I would have salv'd it with a longer treatise.
DON PEDRO
316. What . . . flood?: what need is there for a bridge to be longer than the stream is wide? >>> 317. The fairest grant is the necessity: the best gift is the one that is urgently needed. >>> 318. Look, what: whatever. 'tis once: i.e., in short, it's enough that.
316 What need the bridge much broader than the flood?317 The fairest grant is the necessity.318 Look what will serve is fit: 'tis once, thou lovest,319 And I will fit thee with the remedy.320 I know we shall have revelling tonight:321 I will assume thy part in some disguise322 And tell fair Hero I am Claudio,
323. in her bosom I'll unclasp my heart: to her private hearing I'll open the book of my heart.
323 And in her bosom I'll unclasp my heart324 And take her hearing prisoner with the force325 And strong encounter of my amorous tale:326 Then after to her father will I break;327 And the conclusion is, she shall be thine.
328. In practise let us put it presently: let's put this plan into action immediately.
328 In practise let us put it presently.
Exeunt.