William Shakespeare: Much Ado About Nothing

ACT 3. 4. Scene IV. A Room in LEONATO'S House.

[Enter HERO, MARGARET, and URSULA.]

HERO.
Good Ursula, wake my cousin Beatrice, and desire her to rise.

URSULA.
I will, lady.

HERO.
And bid her come hither.

URSULA.
Well.

[Exit.]

MARGARET.
Troth, I think your other rabato were better.

HERO.
No, pray thee, good Meg, I'll wear this.

MARGARET.
By my troth's not so good; and I warrant your cousin will say so.

HERO.
My cousin 's a fool, and thou art another: I'll wear none but this.

MARGARET.
I like the new tire within excellently, if the hair were a thought
browner; and your gown 's a most rare fashion, i' faith. I saw the
Duchess of Milan's gown that they praise so.

HERO.
O! that exceeds, they say.

MARGARET.
By my troth 's but a night-gown in respect of yours: cloth o' gold,
and cuts, and laced with silver, set with pearls, down sleeves, side
sleeves, and skirts round, underborne with a blush tinsel; but for a
fine, quaint, graceful, and excellent fashion, yours is worth ten on't.

HERO.
God give me joy to wear it! for my heart is exceeding heavy.

MARGARET.
'Twill be heavier soon by the weight of a man.

HERO.
Fie upon thee! art not ashamed?

MARGARET.
Of what, lady? of speaking honourably? is not marriage honourable in
a beggar? Is not your lord honourable without marriage? I think you
would have me say, 'saving your reverence, a husband:' an bad thinking
do not wrest true speaking, I'll offend nobody. Is there any harm in
'the heavier for a husband'? None, I think, an it be the right husband
and the right wife; otherwise 'tis light, and not heavy: ask my Lady
Beatrice else; here she comes.