Page 1337 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

BENEDICK

With anger, with sickness, or with hunger, my lord, not with love. Prove that
ever I lose more blood [230] with love than I will get again with drinking, pick
out mine eyes with a ballad-maker’s pen and hang me up at the door of a

brothel-house for the sign of blind Cupid.

DON PEDRO

Well, if ever thou dost fall from this faith, thou wilt prove a notable argument.
[235]

BENEDICK
If I do, hang me in a bottle like a cat, and shoot at me; and he that hits me,
let him be clapped on the shoulder, and called Adam.

DON PEDRO
Well, as time shall try; ‘In time the savage bull doth bear the yoke.’ [240]

BENEDICK
The savage bull may; but if ever the sensible Benedick bear it, pluck off the

bull’s horns and set them in my forehead, and let me be vilely painted; and in
such great letters as they write ‘Here is good horse to hire’, let them signify
under my sign ‘Here you may see Benedick [245] the married man.’

CLAUDIO
If this should ever happen, thou wouldst be horn-mad.

DON PEDRO

Nay, if Cupid have not spent all his quiver in Venice, thou wilt quake for this
shortly. [250]

BENEDICK
I look for an earthquake too, then.

DON PEDRO
Well, you will temporize with the hours. In the meantime, good Signor
Benedick, repair to Leonato’s, commend me to him and tell him I will not fail
him at supper; for indeed he hath made great [255] preparation.