Much Ado About Nothing- Leonato

START I learn in this letter that Don Pedro of Arragon come this mighy to Messina.
Messenger: He is very near by this, he was not three leagues off when I left him. How many gentlemen have you lost in this action?
Messenger: But few of any sort, and none of name. A victory is twice itself when the achiever brings home full numbers. I find here that Don Pedro hath bestow’d much honor on a young Florentine call’d Claudio.
Messenger: Much deserve’d on his part, and equally rememb’red by Don Pedro. He hath borne himself beyond the promise of his age, doing in the figure of a lamb the feats of a lion. He hath indeed better bett’red expectation than you must expect of me to tell you how. He hath an uncle here in Messina will be very much glad of it.
Messenger: I have already deliver’ him letters, and there appears much joy in him, even so much that joy could not show itself modest enough without a badge of bitterness. Did he break out into tears?
Messenger: In great measure. A kind overflow of kindness. There are no faces truer than those that are so wash’d. How much better is it to weep at joy than to joy at weeping!
Messenger: I know none of that name, lady. There is none such in the army of any sort. What is he that you ask for, niece?
Beatrice: He set up his bills here in Messina, and challeng’d Cupid at the fight, and my uncle’s fool, reading the challenge, subscrib’d for Cupid, and challeng’d him at the burbolt. I pray you, how many hath he kill’d and eaten in these wars? But how many hath he kill’d? For indeed I promis’d to eat all of his killing. Faith, niece, you tax Signior Benedick too much, but he’ll be meet with you, I doubt it not.
Beatrice: it is so indeed, he is no less than a stuff’ man. But for the stuffing – well, we are all mortal. You must not, sir, mistake my niece. There is a kind of Kerry war betwixt Signior Benedick and her; they never meet but there’s a skirmish of wit between them.
Beatrice: Do, good friend. You will never run mad, niece.
Don Pedro: Good Signior Leonato, are you Coke to meet your trouble? The fashion of the world is to avoid cost, and you encounter it. Never came trouble to my house in the likeness of your Grace, for trouble being gone, comfort should remain; but when you depart from me, sorrow abides and happiness takes his leave.
Don Pedro: You embrace your cabaret too willingly. I think this is your daughter. Her mother hath many times told me so.
Benedick: We’re you in doubt, sir, that you ask’d her? Signior Benedick, no, for then were you a child.
Don Pedro: That is the sum of all: Leonato – Signior Claudio and Signior Benedick – my dear friend Leonato hath invited you all. I tell him we shall stay here at least a month, and he heartily prays some occasion may detain us longer. I dare swear he is no hypocrite, but he prays for his heart. If you swear, my lord, you shall not be forsworn, (To Don John) Let me bid you welcome, my lord, being reconcil’d to the Prince your brother: I owe you all duty.
Don John: I thank you. I am not of many words, but I thank you. Please it be your Grace lead on?
July 25, 2019