[Exeunt Ladies]
The prince and Claudio promised by this hour
To visit me. You know your office, brother:
You must be father to your brother's daughter
And give her to young Claudio.
ANTONIO Which I will do with confirm'd countenance.
BENEDICK Friar, I must entreat your pains, I think.
FRIAR FRANCIS To do what, signior?
BENEDICK To bind me, or undo me; one of them.
Signior Leonato, truth it is, good signior,
Your niece regards me with an eye of favour.
LEONATO That eye my daughter lent her: 'tis most true.
BENEDICK And I do with an eye of love requite her.
LEONATO The sight whereof I think you had from me,
From Claudio and the prince: but what's your will?
BENEDICK Your answer, sir, is enigmatical:
But, for my will, my will is your good will
May stand with ours, this day to be conjoin'd
In the state of honourable marriage:
In which, good friar, I shall desire your help.
LEONATO My heart is with your liking.
FRIAR FRANCIS And my help.
Here comes the prince and Claudio.
[Enter DON PEDRO and CLAUDIO, and two or
three others]
DON PEDRO Good morrow to this fair assembly.
LEONATO Good morrow, prince; good morrow, Claudio:
We here attend you. Are you yet determined
To-day to marry with my brother's daughter?
CLAUDIO I'll hold my mind, were she an Ethiope.
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