Much Ado About Nothing
Act I, Scene 2
A room in Leonato’s house.
Much Ado About Nothing at the Imperial Theatre
Ralph Cleaver, 1903
- Enter Leonato and an old man Antonio, brother to Leonato,
- meeting.
Leonato
1 - 2- How now, brother, where is my cousin, your son? Hath he
- provided this music?
Antonio
3 - 4- He is very busy about it. But, brother, I can tell you
- strange news that you yet dreamt not of.
Leonato
5- Are they good?
Antonio
6 - 13- As the event stamps them, but they have a good cover; they
- show well outward. The Prince and Count Claudio, walking in
- a thick-pleach’d alley in mine orchard, were thus much
- overheard by a man of mine. The Prince discover’d to Claudio
- that he lov’d my niece your daughter, and meant to
- acknowledge it this night in a dance; and if he found her
- accordant, he meant to take the present time by the top, and
- instantly break with you of it.
Leonato
14- Hath the fellow any wit that told you this?
Antonio
15 - 16- A good sharp fellow. I will send for him, and question him
- yourself.
Leonato
17 - 23- No, no, we will hold it as a dream till it appear itself;
- but I will acquaint my daughter withal, that she may be the
- better prepar’d for an answer, if peradventure this be true.
- Go you and tell her of it.
- Several persons cross the stage.
- Cousins, you know what you have to do. O, I cry you mercy,
- friend, go you with me, and I will use your skill. Good
- cousin, have a care this busy time.
- Exeunt.
Frontpiece to J. M. Dent edition of Much Ado About Nothing
1899