DRAMATIS PERSONA. DON PEDRO, Prince of Arragon. LEONATO, Governour of Messina. Don John, Bastard-Brother to Don PEDRO. CLAUDIO, a young Lord of Florence, Favourite to Don PEDRO. BENEDICK, a young Lord of Padua, favour'd likewise by Don PEDRO. BALTHAZAR, Servant to Don PEDRO. ANTONIO, Brother to LEONATO. BORACHIO, Confident to Don JOHN. ERRY,} two foolish officers. HERO, Daughter to LEONATO. BEATRICE, Neice to LEONATO. MARGARET, two Gentlewomen attending on Hero. URSULA, HERO. A Friar, Mefsfenger, Watch, Town-Clerk, Sexton, and Attendants. SCENE Messina. The Story from ARIOSTO, Orl. Fur. 1. 5. MUCH MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. ACT I. SCENE I. A Court before Leonato's House. Enter Leonato, Hero, and Beatrice, with a Messsenger. I LEONATо. Learn in this letter, that Don Pedro of Arragon comes this night to Messina. Meff. He is very near by this; he was not three leagues off when I left him. Leon. How many gentlemen have you lost in this action? Meff. But few of any fort, and none of name. Leon. A victory is twice itself, when the atchiever brings home full numbers; I find here, that Don Pedro hath bestowed much honour on a young Florentine, call'd Claudio. Meff. Much deserved on his part, and equally remembred by Don Pedro: he hath born himself beyond the promise of his age, doing in the figure of a lamb the feats of a lion: he hath, indeed, better better'd expectation, than you must expect of me to tell you how. Leon. He hath an uncle here in Messina will be very much glad of it. Meff. I have already delivered him letters, and there appears much joy in him; even so much, that joy could not show itself modeft enough, without a badge of bitterness. Leon. Did he break out into tears? Meff. In great measure. Leon.. |