| [Enter LEONATO and ANTONIO, meeting] | |
| LEONATO | How now, brother! Where is my cousin, your son? hath 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 mine 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 | Hath 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 withal, that she may be the better prepared for an answer, if peradventure this be true. Go you and tell her of it. |
| [Enter 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. |
|
| [Exeunt] |