Much Ado About Nothing

Act 1, Scene 2

Modern spelling. Stage directions omitted.

Listen to Act 1. LibriVox volunteers recorded “Act I” as one track, so it runs past this scene and includes stage directions this page leaves out. LibriVox catalog.

LEONATO

How now, brother? Where is my cousin your son? he provided this music?

ANTONIO

He is very busy about it. But, brother, I can tell you strange news that you yet dreamt not of.

LEONATO

Are they good?

ANTONIO

As the event stamps them: but they have a good cover; they show well outward. The Prince and Count Claudio, walking in a thick-pleached alley in my orchard, were thus much overheard by a man of mine: the Prince discovered to Claudio that he loved my niece your daughter 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 you of it.

LEONATO

the fellow any wit that told you this?

ANTONIO

A good sharp fellow: I will send for him; and question him yourself.

LEONATO

No, no; we will hold it as a dream till it appear itself: but I will acquaint my daughter , that she may be the better prepared for an answer, if peradventure this be true. Go you and tell her of it.

LEONATO

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.

All of Much Ado About Nothing

Act 1

Act 1, Scene 1Act 1, Scene 2Act 1, Scene 3,

Act 2

Act 2, Scene 1Act 2, Scene 2Act 2, Scene 3,

Act 3

Act 3, Scene 1Act 3, Scene 2Act 3, Scene 3Act 3, Scene 4Act 3, Scene 5,

Act 4

Act 4, Scene 1Act 4, Scene 2,

Act 5

Act 5, Scene 1Act 5, Scene 2Act 5, Scene 3Act 5, Scene 4

Open Much Ado About Nothing in the 1623 First Folio. See its words in the cloud.

Modern spelling for reading. The edition is public domain in the United States. Edition source.