[Leonato's garden. Enter Benedick. He sits down and starts talking to himself]
Benedick: How love changes a man! I'm talking about Claudio, of course. He used to laugh to see a man in love, but now he is in love himself! He was always interested in war and being a soldier. Now all he thinks about is fine new clothes. He used to speak simply, like an honest man- like a soldier, but now he talks without end about love, always about love. Could that happen to me? No, I don't think so, because no woman is worthy of my love. One woman may be fair, another clever and the third very good, but I'm not interested in any one of them. The woman I loved would have to be all three-fair, clever and good too. But that's not all. She'd have to be rich, I'm sure of that. Quiet too-but able to speak well. And, of course, she would always have to agree with me. What else? Yes, I'd like her to be a good musician. Most important of all, she must be beautiful, or I would never be able to look at her! What about her hair? It can be any colour- as long as it's natural!
[Enter Don Pedro, Leonato, Claudio and Balthasar ]
Here come the prince and Signor Love. I'll hide myself.
[ Benedick hides behind some trees]
Don Pedro: Let's sit down here and listen to the song again.
Claudio : Yes, my good lord. The evening is so quiet, Because it is waiting to hear sweet music.
Don Pedro: [Very quietly, to Claudio] Now,can you see where Benedick is hiding?
Claudio : Of course, my lord. And when the music's over catch that clever fool with clever words.
Pedro : Come on, Balthasar. Sing your song again.
Balthasar : Oh, my good lord, please do not order me To shame sweet for a second time.
Don Pedro : The best is always slow to praise itself.