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Act 1, Scene 1
Much Ado About Nothing Translation Act 1, Scene 2
Enter LEONATO and ANTONIO
LEONATO
How now, brother, where is my cousin, your son? Hath he provided this music?
LEONATO
How are you, brother? Where is my nephew, your son? Has he taken care of the music for tonight's party?
ANTONIO
He is very busy about it. But, brother, I can tell you strange news that you yet dreamt not of.
ANTONIO
He's working on it right now. But, brother, I have some strange, surprising news to tell you.
LEONATO
Are they good?
LEONATO
Is it good news?
ANTONIO
As the events stamps them, but they have a good cover; they show well outward. The Prince and Count Claudio, walking in a thick-pleached alley in mine orchard, were thus much overheard by a man of mine: the Prince discovered to Claudio that he loved my niece yourdaughter and meant to acknowledge it this night in a dance, and if he found her accordant, he meant to take the present time by the top and instantly break with youof it.
ANTONIO
Well, it seems good right now, but who knows how it will unfold. A servant of mine overheard the Prince and Count Claudio as they walked along an overgrown path in my orchard. The Prince revealed to Claudio that he is in love with my niece Hero—your daughter—and that he means to tell her so at the dance tonight. If she seems agreeable to the idea, he intends to seize the opportunity and immediately ask you for permission to marry her.
LEONATO
Hath the fellow any wit that told you this?
LEONATO
Is the fellow who told you this a smart man?
ANTONIO
A good sharp fellow. I will send for him, and questionhim yourself.
ANTONIO
He's very sharp. I'll send for him, and you can question him yourself.
LEONATO
No, no, we will hold it as a dream till it appear itself. But I will acquaint my daughter withal, that shemay be the better prepared for an answer if peradventure this be true. Go you and tell her of it.
LEONATO
No, no, we'll pretend it was just a dream until it makes itself evident in reality. But my daughter should know about it, so she can be better prepared with an answer if all this happens to be true. Go and tell her about it.
Enter ANTONIO ’s son, with a musician and attendants
Cousins, you know what you have to do.—O, I cry you mercy, friend. Go you with me and I will use your skill.—Good cousin, have a care this busy time.
Men, you know what work you all have to do. Oh, I beg your pardon, friend. Come with me and I can use your help. Dear kinsman, be careful during this busy time.
Exeunt
