[Enter Benedick, who meets Margaret]
Benedick: Mistress Margaret, please help me speak to Lady Beatrice.
Margaret: If I do, will you write a poem to my beauty?
Benedick: In the finest words possible, to describe your fine beauty!
Margaret: If it's as fine as that, why am I still unmarried?
Benedick: You are quick with your answers! Your wit's too sharp!
Margaret: As yours used to be, but it isn't now.
Benedick: Well, I don't want to use it on a woman, that's the truth. Words can be dangerous, especially for a woman. Do call Beatrice, so that I can speak to her.
Margaret: She has legs to bring her here. I expect she will come [Exit Margaret]
Benedick: I am sure she will. Let's see if I can finish my poem: Who sits above And knows me and knows How sad love makes me Love makes me sad, because I can't find the words to describe it. Many other men have written fine poems about love, why can't I? Love has turned me upside down, but I can't find a thing to say. I can't find words with the right sounds and sense: lady and baby scorn and horn, fool and school? No, nothing's right. Oh dear. [Enter Beatrice]
Sweet Beatrice! So you came when I asked you!
Beatrice: Yes, sir, and I'll go when you tell me to.
Benedick: Oh, stay until then!
Beatrice: "Then' has been said, so goodbye! But before l go, l must know what happened between you and Claudio. That's why I came.