# 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]

Beatrice

70

No; an he were, I would burn my study. But, I pray
you, who is his companion? Is there no young
squarer now that will make a voyage with him to the devil?

2

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.

3

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.

4

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.

5

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Benedick

127

I would my horse had the speed of your tongue, and
so good a continuer. But keep your way, i' God's
name; I have done.

6

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?

7

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Benedick

161

Would you buy her, that you inquire after her?

8

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Claudio

175

I would scarce trust myself, though I had sworn the
contrary, if Hero would be my wife.

9

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Benedick

186

I would your grace would constrain me to tell.

10

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Benedick

188

You hear, Count Claudio: I can be secret as a dumb
man; I would have you think so; but, on my
allegiance, mark you this, on my allegiance. He is
in love. With who? now that is your grace's part.
Mark how short his answer is;—With Hero, Leonato's
short daughter.

11

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Claudio

284

How sweetly you do minister to love,
That know love's grief by his complexion!
But lest my liking might too sudden seem,
I would have salved it with a longer treatise.

12

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 3]

Don John

353

I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose in
his grace, and it better fits my blood to be
disdained of all than to fashion a carriage to rob
love from any: in this, though I cannot be said to
be a flattering honest man, it must not be denied
but I am a plain-dealing villain. I am trusted with
a muzzle and enfranchised with a clog; therefore I
have decreed not to sing in my cage. If I had my
mouth, I would bite; if I had my liberty, I would do
my liking: in the meantime let me be that I am and
seek not to alter me.

13

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 3]

Don John

393

Let us to the great supper: their cheer is the
greater that I am subdued. Would the cook were of
my mind! Shall we go prove what's to be done?

14

Much Ado about Nothing
[II, 1]

Beatrice

411

With a good leg and a good foot, uncle, and money
enough in his purse, such a man would win any woman
in the world, if a' could get her good-will.

15

Much Ado about Nothing
[II, 1]

Beatrice

450

Not till God make men of some other metal than
earth. Would it not grieve a woman to be
overmastered with a pierce of valiant dust? to make
an account of her life to a clod of wayward marl?
No, uncle, I'll none: Adam's sons are my brethren;
and, truly, I hold it a sin to match in my kindred.

16

Much Ado about Nothing
[II, 1]

Balthasar

487

Well, I would you did like me.

17

Much Ado about Nothing
[II, 1]

Margaret

488

So would not I, for your own sake; for I have many
ill-qualities.

18

Much Ado about Nothing
[II, 1]

Beatrice

522

Why, he is the prince's jester: a very dull fool;
only his gift is in devising impossible slanders:
none but libertines delight in him; and the
commendation is not in his wit, but in his villany;
for he both pleases men and angers them, and then
they laugh at him and beat him. I am sure he is in
the fleet: I would he had boarded me.

19

Much Ado about Nothing
[II, 1]

Borachio

553

So did I too; and he swore he would marry her to-night.

20

Much Ado about Nothing
[II, 1]

Benedick

578

Why, that's spoken like an honest drovier: so they
sell bullocks. But did you think the prince would
have served you thus?