Whisper her ear, and tell her, I and Ursula Walk in the orchard, and our whole discourse Is all of her; say, that thou overheard'st us; And bid her steal into the pleached bower, "Where honey-suckles, ripen'd by the sun, "Forbid the sun to enter;-like favourites, "Made proud by princes, that advance their pride 10 "Against that power that bred it-there will she hide her," To listen our purpose: This is thy office, Marg. I'll make her come, I warrant you, presently. [Exit. Hero. Now, Ursula, when Beatrice doth come, As we do trace this alley up and down, Our talk must only be of Benedick: When I do name him, let it be thy part To praise him more than ever man did merit: My talk to thee must be, how Benedick Is sick in love with Beatrice: Of this matter Is little Cupid's crafty arrow made, That only wounds by hear-say. Now begin. Enter BEATRICE, behind. For look where Beatrice, like a lapwing, runs 20 So angle we for Beatrice; who even now 30 Hero. Then go we near her, that her ear lose nothing Of the false sweet bait that we lay for it. [They advance to the bower. No, truly, Ursula, she is too disdainful; Urs. But are you sure, That Benedick loves Beatrice so entirely? Hero. So says the prince, and my new-trothed lord. 40 "Urs. And did theybid you tell her of it, madam ? "Hero." They did intreat me to acquaint her of it: But I persuaded them, if they lov'd Benedick, And never to let Beatrice know of it. Urs. Why did you so? Doth not the gentleman Deserve as full, as fortunate a bed, Hero. O God of love! I know, he doth deserve As ever Beatrice shall couch upon ? As much as may be yielded to a man: 50 But nature never fram'd a woman's heart Of prouder stuff than that of Beatrice; Disdain and scorn ride sparkling in her eyes, All |