[Enter DON JOHN and CONRADE]
- Conrade. What the good-year, my lord! why are you thus out
330
of measure sad?
- Don John. There is no measure in the occasion that breeds;
therefore the sadness is without limit.
- Don John. And when I have heard it, what blessing brings it?
335
- Conrade. If not a present remedy, at least a patient
sufferance.
- Don John. I wonder that thou, being, as thou sayest thou art,
born under Saturn, goest about to apply a moral
medicine to a mortifying mischief. I cannot hide
340 what I am: I must be sad when I have cause and smile
at no man's jests, eat when I have stomach and wait
for no man's leisure, sleep when I am drowsy and
tend on no man's business, laugh when I am merry and
claw no man in his humour.
345
- Conrade. Yea, but you must not make the full show of this
till you may do it without controlment. You have of
late stood out against your brother, and he hath
ta'en you newly into his grace; where it is
impossible you should take true root but by the
350 fair weather that you make yourself: it is needful
that you frame the season for your own harvest.
- Don John. I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose in
his grace, and it better fits my blood to be
disdained of all than to fashion a carriage to rob
355 love from any: in this, though I cannot be said to
be a flattering honest man, it must not be denied
but I am a plain-dealing villain. I am trusted with
a muzzle and enfranchised with a clog; therefore I
have decreed not to sing in my cage. If I had my
360 mouth, I would bite; if I had my liberty, I would do
my liking: in the meantime let me be that I am and
seek not to alter me.
- Conrade. Can you make no use of your discontent?
- Don John. I make all use of it, for I use it only.
365
Who comes here?
[Enter BORACHIO]
What news, Borachio?
- Borachio. I came yonder from a great supper: the prince your
brother is royally entertained by Leonato: and I
370 can give you intelligence of an intended marriage.
- Don John. Will it serve for any model to build mischief on?
What is he for a fool that betroths himself to
unquietness?
- Borachio. Marry, it is your brother's right hand.
375
- Don John. Who? the most exquisite Claudio?
- Don John. A proper squire! And who, and who? which way looks
he?
- Borachio. Marry, on Hero, the daughter and heir of Leonato.
380
- Don John. A very forward March-chick! How came you to this?
- Borachio. Being entertained for a perfumer, as I was smoking a
musty room, comes me the prince and Claudio, hand
in hand in sad conference: I whipt me behind the
arras; and there heard it agreed upon that the
385 prince should woo Hero for himself, and having
obtained her, give her to Count Claudio.
- Don John. Come, come, let us thither: this may prove food to
my displeasure. That young start-up hath all the
glory of my overthrow: if I can cross him any way, I
390 bless myself every way. You are both sure, and will assist me?
- Don John. Let us to the great supper: their cheer is the
greater that I am subdued. Would the cook were of
my mind! Shall we go prove what's to be done?
395
- Borachio. We'll wait upon your lordship.
[Exeunt]
|