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Home : Much Ado About Nothing : Act 2, scene iii : page 94 Read the Study Guide: Much Ado About Nothing
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Much Ado About Nothing
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 BEATRICE
  I took no more pains for those thanks than you take pains to
  thank me. If it had been painful, I would not have come.
BEATRICE
I didn't take any more pains bringing this message than you took pains in thanking me. If the job had been painful, I would not have come.
 BENEDICK
210 You take pleasure then in the message?
BENEDICK
So you took pleasure in bringing me this message?
 BEATRICE
  Yea, just so much as you may take upon a knife's point and
  choke a daw withal. You have no stomach, Signior. Fare you
  well.
BEATRICE
Yes, as much pleasure as one might take in choking a bird at knifepoint. You don't want to eat, sir? Goodbye, then.
Exit
She exits.
 BENEDICK
  Ha! “Against my will I am sent to bid you come in to
215 dinner.” There's a double meaning in that. “I took no more
  pains for those thanks than you took pains to thank me.”
  That's as much as to say, “Any pains that I take for you is as
  easy as thanks.” If I do not take pity of her, I am a villain.
  If I do not love her, I am a Jew. I will go get her picture.
BENEDICK
Ha! “Against my will, I've been told to bring you in to dinner.” There's a double meaning in that. “I didn't take any more pains bringing this message than you took pains in thanking me.” That's like saying, “Any thing I do for you is as easy as saying ‘thank you.’” If this doesn't move me to take pity on her, I'm a horrible person. If I don't love her, I'm completely hard-hearted . I will go get her picture.
Exit
He exits.

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