Proof enough to misuse the Prince, to vex Claudio, to undo
Hero, and kill Leonato. Look you for any other issue?
BORACHIO
Evidence enough to deceive the Prince, anger Claudio, ruin Hero,
and kill Leonato. Is there anything else you wish?
DON JOHN
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Only to despite them, I will endeavor anything.
DON JOHN
That's all I want, and I'll do anything to
accomplish it.
BORACHIO
Go then, find me a meet hour to draw Don Pedro and the
Count Claudio alone. Tell them that you know that Hero
loves me. Intend a kind of zeal both to the Prince and
Claudio, as in love of your brother's honor, who hath
made
30
this match, and his friend's reputation, who is thus
like to
be cozened with the semblance of a maid, that you have
discovered thus. They will scarcely believe this without
trial. Offer them instances, which shall bear no less
likelihood than to see me at her chamber window, hear me
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call Margaret “Hero,” hear Margaret term me
“Claudio,”
and bring them to see this the very night before the
intended wedding, for in the meantime I will so fashion the
matter that Hero shall be absent, and there shall appear
such seeming truth of Hero's disloyalty that jealousy
shall
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be called assurance and all the preparation overthrown.
BORACHIO
Find a time to speak with Don Pedro and Claudio alone. Tell them
you know that Hero loves me. Pretend to be very concerned about both
the Prince, who has compromised his honor by making the match, and
Claudio, whose reputation will be ruined by this woman
who's pretending to be a virgin. Of course, they
won't believe you without proof. Tell them
you've seen the two of us at Hero's bedroom
window, and then bring them to see for themselves on the night
before the wedding. I'll arrange it so that Hero is away
for the night, so what they'll actually see is Margaret
and me at the window, calling each other
“Hero” and “Claudio.”
It'll be such blatant evidence of
Hero's disloyalty that Claudio's jealousy will
quickly turn to certainty, and the wedding will be instantly called
off.
DON JOHN
Grow this to what adverse issue it can, I will put it in
practice. Be cunning in the working this, and thy fee is a
thousand ducats.
DON JOHN
Make the arrangements, and I'll do it. Do this
carefully, and I will reward you with a thousand gold coins.
BORACHIO
Be you constant in the accusation, and my cunning shall not
45
shame me.
BORACHIO
If you make the accusation convincingly, then my cunning
won't fail me.
