when I come to woo ladies, I fright them. But, in faith, Kate, the clder I wax, the better I shall appear: my comfort is, that old age, that ill layer-up of beauty, can do no more spoil upon my face: Thou hast me, if thou hast me, at the worst; and thou shalt wear me, if thou wear me, better and better; and therefore tell me, most fair Katharine, will you have me? Put off your maiden blushes; avouch the thoughts of your heart with the looks of an empress ; take me by the hand, and say-Harry of England, I am thine which word thou shalt no sooner bless mine ear withal, but I will tell thee aloud-England is thine, Ireland is thine, France is thine, and Henry Plantagenet is thine; who, though I speak it before his face, if he be not fellow with the best king, thou shalt find the best king of good fellows. Come, your answer in broken music; for thy voice is music, and thy English broken: therefore, queen of all, Katharine, wilt thou have me? Kath. Dat is, as it shall please le roi, mon pere. K. Hen. Nay, it will please him; it shall please him, Kate. Kath.' Den it shall also content me. K. Hen. Upon that, I kiss you, and I call youmy queen. You have witchcraft in your lips, Kate: there is more eloquence in a touch of them, than in the tongues of the French council; and they should sooner persuade Harry of England, than a general petition of monarchs.-Here comes your father. Enter the FRENCH KING and QUEEN, with all the FRENCH and ENGLISH LORDS, CAPTAIN, and GUARDS. Bur. My royal cousin, teach you our princess, English? K. Hen. I would have her learn, my fair cousin, how perfectly I love her; and that is good English. Bur. Is she not apt K. Hen. Our tongue is rough, coz; and my condition is not smooth: so that, having neither the voice nor the heart of flattery about me, I cannot so conjure up the spirit of love in her, that he will appear in his true likeness.-Shall Kate be my wife? Fr. King. So please you. Exe. The king hath granted every article: His daughter, first; and then, in sequel, all, According to their firm proposed natures. Fr. King, Take her, fair son; and from her blood raise up Issue to me that the contending kingdoms Of France and England, whose very shores look pale May cease their hatred; and this dear conjunction That here I take her as my sovereign queen.— [Flourish of Drums and Trumpets.] Prepare we for our marriage: on which day, [Exeunt omnes. THE END. A COMEDY, IN FIVE ACTS; BY WILLIAM SHAKSPEARE. AS PERFORMED AT THE THEATRES ROYAL, DRURY LANE AND COVENT GARDEN. PRINTED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE MANAGERS FROM THE PROMPT BOOK. WITH REMARKS BY MRS. INCHBALD. LONDON: PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, AND ORME, REMARKS. The story of this comedy is supposed, by Pope, to have been taken from the fifth book of Ariosto's Orlando Furioso. Steevens says, there is as remote an original to be traced in Spenser's "Fairy Queen." "Much ado about Nothing" has more charms in its dialogue, than in its fable, or events. The first plot appears a trivial one, because all the incidents of note, which arise from it, are connected with persons of so little consequence in the piece, that their vicissitudes of fortune excite not that hope, fear, nor curiosity in the audience, which more important characters would inspire. Claudio and Hero are said to be in love, but they say so little about it themselves, that no strong sympathy is created, either by their joys, or their sorrows, their expectations or disappointments;though, such is the reverence for justice implanted in humankind, that every spectator feels a degree of delight in the final vindication of her innocence, and the confusion of her guilty accusers. Those persons, for whom the hearts of the audience |