MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

Act 1 Scene 2

(Enter Leonato and Antonio, an old man brother to Leonato, severally)
l1l	Leonato	 How now, brother, where is my cousin, your
l2l		son? Hath he provided this music?
l3l	Antonio	He is very busy about it. But brother, I can tell
l4l		you strange news that you yet dreamt not of.
l5l	Leonato	Are they good?
l6l	Antonio	As the event stamps them. But they have a good
l7l		cover, they show well outward. The Prince and Count
l8l		Claudio, walking in a thick-pleached alley in mine
l9l		orchard, were thus much overheard by a man of mine:
l10l		the Prince discovered to Claudio that he loved my niece,
l11l		your daughter, and meant to acknowledge it this night
l12l		in a dance, and if he found her accordant he meant to
l13l		take the present time by the top and instantly break
l14l		with you of it.
l15l	Leonato	Hath the fellow any wit that told you this?
l16l	Antonio	A good sharp fellow. I will send for him, and
l17l		question him yourself.
l18l	Leonato	No, no. We will hold it as a dream till it appear
l19l		itself. But I will acquaint my daughter withal, that
l20l		she may be the better prepared for an answer if
l21l		peradventure this be true. Go you and tell her of it.
		(Enter attendants)
l22l		Cousins, you know what you have to do. O, I cry you
l23l		mercy, friend. Go you with me and I will use your
l24l		skill.—Good cousin, have a care this busy time.
		(Exeunt)