SCENE III
The sameEnter DON JOHN and CONRADE.
Con.
What the good-year, my lord! why
are you thus out of measure sad?
D. John.
There is no measure in the occasion
that breeds; therefore the sadness is
without limit.
Con.
You should hear reason.
D. John.
And when I have heard it, what
blessing brings it?
Con.
If not a present remedy, at least a (10)
patient sufferance.
D. 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 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 humor. (20)
Con.
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 fair weather
that you make yourself: it is needful that
you frame the season for your own harvest.
D. John.
I had rather be a canker in a
hedge than a rose in his grace, and it better (30)
fits my blood to be disdained of all than to
fashion a carriage to rob 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 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. (40)
Con.
Can you make no use of your discontent?
D. John.
I make all use of it, for I use it only.
Who comes here? Enter BORACHIO.
What news, Borachio?
Bora.
I came yonder from a great supper:
the prince your brother is royally entertained
by Leonato: and I can give you intelligence
of an intended marriage.
D. John.
Will it serve for any model to
build mischief on? What is he for a fool that (50)
betroths himself to unquietness?
Bora.
Marry, it is your brother's right hand.
D. John.
Who? the most exquisite Claudio?
Bora.
Even he.
D. John.
A proper squire! And who, and
who? which way looks he?
Bora.
Marry, on Hero, the daughter and
heir of Leonato.
D. John.
A very forward March-chick!
How came you to this? (60)
Bora.
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 prince
should woo Hero for himself, and having obtained
her, give her to Count Claudio.
D. John.
Come, come, let us thither: this
may prove food to my displeasure. That young
start-up hath all the glory of my overthrow: (70)
if I can cross him any way, I bless myself
every way. You are both sure, and will assist
me?
Con.
To the death, my lord.
D. 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?
Bora.
We'll wait upon your lordship. [Exeunt.
