Act I, Scene 2

A room in LEONATO’s house.

[Enter LEONATO and ANTONIO, meeting]

• Leonato. How now, brother! Where is my cousin, your son?
  hath he provided this music?

• Antonio. He is very busy about it. But, brother, I can tell 305
  you strange news that you yet dreamt not of.

• Leonato. Are they good?

• Antonio. As the event stamps them: but they have a good
  cover; they show well outward. The prince and Count
  Claudio, walking in a thick-pleached alley in mine 310
  orchard, were thus much overheard by a man of mine:
  the prince discovered to Claudio that he loved my
  niece your daughter and meant to acknowledge it
  this night in a dance: and if he found her
  accordant, he meant to take the present time by the 315
  top and instantly break with you of it.

• Leonato. Hath the fellow any wit that told you this?

• Antonio. A good sharp fellow: I will send for him; and
  question him yourself.

• Leonato. No, no; we will hold it as a dream till it appear 320
  itself: but I will acquaint my daughter withal,
  that she may be the better prepared for an answer,
  if peradventure this be true. Go you and tell her of it.
  [Enter Attendants]
  Cousins, you know what you have to do. O, I cry you 325
  mercy, friend; go you with me, and I will use your
  skill. Good cousin, have a care this busy time.

[Exeunt]