William Shakespeare: Much Ado About Nothing

ACT 3. 2. Scene II. A Room in LEONATO'S House. (continued)

DON PEDRO.
There is no appearance of fancy in him, unless it be a fancy that he
hath to strange disguises; as to be a Dutchman to-day, a Frenchman
to-morrow; or in the shape of two countries at once, as a German from
the waist downward, all slops, and a Spaniard from the hip upward, no
doublet. Unless he have a fancy to this foolery, as it appears he hath,
he is no fool for fancy, as you would have it appear he is.

CLAUDIO.
If he be not in love with some woman, there is no believing old signs:
a' brushes his hat a mornings; what should that bode?

DON PEDRO.
Hath any man seen him at the barber's?

CLAUDIO.
No, but the barber's man hath been seen with him; and the old
ornament of his cheek hath already stuffed tennis-balls.

LEONATO.
Indeed he looks younger than he did, by the loss of a beard.

DON PEDRO.
Nay, a' rubs himself with civet: can you smell him out by that?

CLAUDIO.
That's as much as to say the sweet youth's in love.

DON PEDRO.
The greatest note of it is his melancholy.

CLAUDIO.
And when was he wont to wash his face?

DON PEDRO.
Yea, or to paint himself? for the which, I hear what they say of him.

CLAUDIO.
Nay, but his jesting spirit; which is now crept into a lute-string,
and new-governed by stops.

DON PEDRO.
Indeed, that tells a heavy tale for him. Conclude, conclude he is
in love.

CLAUDIO.
Nay, but I know who loves him.

DON PEDRO.
That would I know too: I warrant, one that knows him not.