A proper squire. And who, and who? Which way looks he?
DON JOHN
He's a very fancy gentleman. And who's the
girl who has caught his eye?
BORACHIO
Marry, on Hero, the daughter and heir of Leonato.
BORACHIO
Hero, the daughter and heir of Leonato.
DON JOHN
A very forward March-chick! How came you to this?
DON JOHN
A lively young one! How did you learn about this?
BORACHIO
45
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 whipped 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
50
Claudio.
BORACHIO
I was hired to perfume all the rooms in Leonato's
house. As I was working on one musty room, the Prince and Claudio
entered. They were in the middle of a serious conversation. I
quickly hid behind a tapestry and heard them agree that the Prince
would court Hero tonight at the dance and, once he won her consent
to marry, would give her to 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 bless myself every
way. You are both sure, and will assist me?
DON JOHN
Come, let's go to the dance. This just may cheer me up.
Claudio, the young upstart, was responsible for keeping me from
gaining power over my brother. If there's any way I can
spoil his life, I'll be overjoyed. You'll both
help me, right?
CONRAD
55
To the death, my lord.
CONRAD
Until the day we die, my lord.
DON JOHN
Let us to the great supper. Their cheer is the greater that I
am subdued. Would the cook were o' my mind! Shall we go
prove what's to be done?
DON JOHN
Let's go to this great feast. They'll be
even happier now that my mood has lightened. It's too bad
the cook doesn't think like me; she would have poisoned
them all if she did. Should we go check out the scene?
