The bystanders were astonished at this curt response, but Leonato corrected the Friar’s words.
“To be married to her; Friar, you come to marry her.”
“Lady, you come hither to be married to this Count?”
“I do,” said Hero, in a low but steady voice.
“If either of you know any inward impediment why you should not be conjoined, I charge you on your souls to utter it,” said the Friar.
“Know you any, Hero?” demanded Claudio sternly.
“None, my lord,” came the slightly wondering but unfaltering answer.
“Know you any, Count?”
“I dare make his answer, none,” interposed Leonato.
“Oh, what men dare do! what men may do! what men daily do, not knowing what they do!” cried Claudio, in a burst of bitter scorn. Then, turning to Leonato, he said: “Will you with free soul give me this maid, your daughter?”