Boy. Signior?
Bene. In my chamber-window lies a book: bring it hither to me in the orchard.
005 Boy. I am here already, sir.
Bene. I know that; but I would have thee hence, and [007] here again. [Exit Boy.] I do much wonder that one man, seeing how much another man is a fool when he dedicates his behaviours to love, will, after he hath laughed at such 010 shallow follies in others, become the argument of his own scorn by falling in love: and such a man is Claudio. I have known when there was no music with him but the drum and the fife; and now had he rather hear the tabor and the pipe: I have known when he would have walked ten mile a-foot 015 to see a good armour; and now will he lie ten nights awake, carving the fashion of a new doublet. He was wont to speak plain and to the purpose, like an honest man and a soldier; [018] and now is he turned orthography; his words are a very fantastical banquet,—just so many strange dishes. May I 020 be so converted, and see with these eyes? I cannot tell; I think not: I will not be sworn but love may transform me [022] to an oyster; but I’ll take my oath on it, till he have made an oyster of me, he shall never make me such a fool. One woman is fair, yet I am well; another is wise, yet I am 025 well; another virtuous, yet I am well: but till all graces be in one woman, one woman shall not come in my grace. [027] Rich she shall be, that’s certain; wise, or I’ll none; virtuous, or I’ll never cheapen her; fair, or I’ll never look on [029] her; mild, or come not near me; noble, or not I for an 030 angel; of good discourse, an excellent musician, and her hair shall be of what colour it please God. Ha! the prince and Monsieur Love! I will hide me in the arbour. [Withdraws.
[033] Enter Don Pedro, Claudio, and Leonato.
D. Pedro. Come, shall we hear this music?
Claud. Yea, my good lord. How still the evening is,
035 As hush’d on purpose to grace harmony!
D. Pedro. See you where Benedick hath hid himself?
Claud. O, very well, my lord: the music ended,