# Result number

Work The work is either a play, poem, or sonnet. The sonnets are treated as single work with 154 parts.

Character Indicates who said the line. If it's a play or sonnet, the character name is "Poet."

Line Shows where the line falls within the work.

The numbering is not keyed to any copyrighted numbering system found in a volume of collected works (Arden, Oxford, etc.) The numbering starts at the beginning of the work, and does not restart for each scene.

Text The line's full text, with keywords highlighted within it, unless highlighting has been disabled by the user.

1

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Leonato

32

What is he that you ask for, niece?

2

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Beatrice

35

He set up his bills here in Messina and challenged
Cupid at the flight; and my uncle's fool, reading
the challenge, subscribed for Cupid, and challenged
him at the bird-bolt. I pray you, how many hath he
killed and eaten in these wars? But how many hath
he killed? for indeed I promised to eat all of his killing.

3

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Beatrice

51

It is so, indeed; he is no less than a stuffed man:
but for the stuffing,—well, we are all mortal.

4

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Beatrice

57

Alas! he gets nothing by that. In our last
conflict four of his five wits went halting off, and
now is the whole man governed with one: so that if
he have wit enough to keep himself warm, let him
bear it for a difference between himself and his
horse; for it is all the wealth that he hath left,
to be known a reasonable creature. Who is his
companion now? He hath every month a new sworn brother.

5

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Leonato

88

Never came trouble to my house in the likeness of
your grace: for trouble being gone, comfort should
remain; but when you depart from me, sorrow abides
and happiness takes his leave.

6

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Leonato

96

Signior Benedick, no; for then were you a child.

7

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Don Pedro

97

You have it full, Benedick: we may guess by this
what you are, being a man. Truly, the lady fathers
herself. Be happy, lady; for you are like an
honourable father.

8

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Benedick

101

If Signior Leonato be her father, she would not
have his head on her shoulders for all Messina, as
like him as she is.

9

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Benedick

111

Then is courtesy a turncoat. But it is certain I
am loved of all ladies, only you excepted: and I
would I could find in my heart that I had not a hard
heart; for, truly, I love none.

10

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Beatrice

115

A dear happiness to women: they would else have
been troubled with a pernicious suitor. I thank God
and my cold blood, I am of your humour for that: I
had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man
swear he loves me.

11

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Benedick

149

Do you question me, as an honest man should do, for
my simple true judgment; or would you have me speak
after my custom, as being a professed tyrant to their sex?

12

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Benedick

153

Why, i' faith, methinks she's too low for a high
praise, too brown for a fair praise and too little
for a great praise: only this commendation I can
afford her, that were she other than she is, she
were unhandsome; and being no other but as she is, I
do not like her.

13

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Don Pedro

200

Amen, if you love her; for the lady is very well worthy.

14

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Benedick

214

That a woman conceived me, I thank her; that she
brought me up, I likewise give her most humble
thanks: but that I will have a recheat winded in my
forehead, or hang my bugle in an invisible baldrick,
all women shall pardon me. Because I will not do
them the wrong to mistrust any, I will do myself the
right to trust none; and the fine is, for the which
I may go the finer, I will live a bachelor.

15

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Benedick

223

With anger, with sickness, or with hunger, my lord,
not with love: prove that ever I lose more blood
with love than I will get again with drinking, pick
out mine eyes with a ballad-maker's pen and hang me
up at the door of a brothel-house for the sign of
blind Cupid.

16

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Don Pedro

243

Nay, if Cupid have not spent all his quiver in
Venice, thou wilt quake for this shortly.

17

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Benedick

245

I look for an earthquake too, then.

18

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Don Pedro

246

Well, you temporize with the hours. In the
meantime, good Signior Benedick, repair to
Leonato's: commend me to him and tell him I will
not fail him at supper; for indeed he hath made
great preparation.

19

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Benedick

251

I have almost matter enough in me for such an
embassage; and so I commit you—

20

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 2]

Antonio

318

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