benedick monologue

This can be no trick.

The conference was sadly borne; they have the truth of this from Hero; they seem to pity the lady.

It seems her affections have their full bent.

Love me?

Why, it must be requited!

I hear how I am censured.

They say I will bear myself proudly if I perceive the love come from her.

They say, too, that she will rather die than give any sign of affection.

I did never think to marry.

I must not seem proud.

Happy are they that hear their detractions and can put them to mending.

They say the lady is fair; ’tis a truth, I can bear them witness.

And virtuous; ’tis so, I cannot reprove it.

And wise, but for loving me; by my troth, it is no addition to her wit, nor no great argument of her folly, for I will be horribly in love with her!

I may chance have some odd quirks and remnants of wit broken on me because I have railed so long against marriage, but doth not the appetite alter?

A man loves the meat in his youth that he cannot endure in his age.

Shall quips and sentences and these paper bullets of the brain awe a man from the career of his humor?

No! The world must be peopled.

When I said I would die a bachelor, I did not think I should live till I were married.

Here comes Beatrice.

By this day, she’s a fair lady.

I do spy some marks of love in her.