In my chamber window lies a book. Bring it hither to me in
the orchard.
BENEDICK
In my bedroom window there is a book. Go get it and bring it to me
here in the orchard.
BOY
5
I am here already, sir.
BOY
I'm already here, sir.
BENEDICK
I know that, but I would have thee hence and here again.
BENEDICK
I see that you are here, but I'd like you to go there
and then come back again.*
Exit BOY
The BOY exits.
I do much wonder that one man, seeing how much another
man is a fool when he dedicates his behaviors to love, will,
after he hath laughed at such shallow follies in others,
10
become the argument of his own scorn by falling in
love—
and such a man is Claudio. I have known when there was no
music with him but the drum and the fife, and now had he
rather hear the tabor and the pipe. I have known when he
would have walked ten mile afoot to see a good armor, and
15
now will he lie ten nights awake carving the fashion of a new
doublet. He was wont to speak plain and to the purpose,
like an honest man and a soldier, and now is he turned
orthography; his words are a very fantastical banquet, just
so many strange dishes. May I be so converted and see with
20
these eyes? I cannot tell; I think not.
I'm amazed that a man, after watching romance turn
another man into a fool and laughing at that man, can turn right
around and become the thing he's scorned.
That's the kind of man Claudio is. I knew him when he
listened to nothing but the military drum and fife; now he would
rather hear the sweet and refined music of the tabor and pipe. I
knew him when he would've walked ten miles to see a
well-crafted suit of armor; now he spends ten nights awake in his
room designing himself a fancy new jacket. He used to speak plainly
and to the point, like an honorable man and soldier; now his speech
is elaborate and flowery. His words are like a miraculous banquet,
full of strange new dishes. Will I be changed like that, and see the
world through a lover's eyes? I'm not sure,
but I don't think so.
