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15 |
LEONATO
I dare make his answer, none.
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LEONATO
I’m sure I can answer for him—he
doesn’t know any, either.
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CLAUDIO
O, what men dare do! What men may do! What men daily
do, not knowing what they do!
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CLAUDIO
Oh, the things men dare to do! The things men are allowed to do!
The things men do daily, not knowing what they’re
doing!
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BENEDICK
How now, interjections? Why, then, some be of laughing,
as, ah, ha, he!
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BENEDICK
What, are we playing with interjections? Well then, add some
interjections that indicate laughter, like “ah,” “ha,” and “he!”
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20 |
CLAUDIO
Stand thee by, Friar.—Father, by your leave,
Will you with free and unconstrainèd soul
Give me this maid, your daughter?
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CLAUDIO
Hold on, Friar. (to
LEONATO) Father, are you giving me
your daughter freely?
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LEONATO
As freely, son, as God did give her me.
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LEONATO
As freely, son, as God gave her to me.
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25 |
CLAUDIO
And what have I to give you back whose worth
May counterpoise this rich and precious gift?
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CLAUDIO
And what should I give you that would be equal in value to this
rare and precious gift?
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DON PEDRO
Nothing, unless you render her again.
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DON PEDRO
Nothing, sir, except grandchildren.
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30 35 |
CLAUDIO
Sweet Prince, you learn me noble thankfulness.—
There, Leonato, take her back again.
Give not this rotten orange to your friend.
She’s but the sign and semblance of her honor.
Behold how like a maid she blushes here!
Oh, what authority and show of truth
Can cunning sin cover itself withal!
Comes not that blood as modest evidence
To witness simple virtue? Would you not swear,
All you that see her, that she were a maid
By these exterior shows? But she is none.
She knows the heat of a luxurious bed.
Her blush is guiltiness, not modesty.
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CLAUDIO
Good Prince, you have taught me how to accept things nobly. There,
Leonato, take your daughter back. Don’t insult a friend
by giving him a beautiful orange that rots inside. She only appears
honorable from the outside. Look, how she blushes like a virgin! Oh,
sin can disguise itself so artfully! Doesn’t that rising
blush suggest that she is virtuous and innocent? All of you who are
looking at her, wouldn’t you swear that she’s
a virgin, judging by these outward shows? But she is no virgin. She
has been in a man’s bed. She blushes from guilt, not
modesty.
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