# 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

2

I learn in this letter that Don Peter of Arragon
comes this night to Messina.

2

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Leonato

8

A victory is twice itself when the achiever brings
home full numbers. I find here that Don Peter hath
bestowed much honour on a young Florentine called Claudio.

3

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Messenger

19

I have already delivered him letters, and there
appears much joy in him; even so much that joy could
not show itself modest enough without a badge of
bitterness.

4

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Leonato

25

A kind overflow of kindness: there are no faces
truer than those that are so washed. How much
better is it to weep at joy than to joy at weeping!

5

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Messenger

30

I know none of that name, lady: there was none such
in the army of any sort.

6

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Leonato

32

What is he that you ask for, niece?

7

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.

8

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?

9

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Benedick

95

Were you in doubt, sir, that you asked her?

10

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Beatrice

104

I wonder that you will still be talking, Signior
Benedick: nobody marks you.

11

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.

12

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.

13

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Benedick

120

God keep your ladyship still in that mind! so some
gentleman or other shall 'scape a predestinate
scratched face.

14

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Don Pedro

131

That is the sum of all, Leonato. Signior Claudio
and Signior Benedick, my dear friend Leonato hath
invited you all. I tell him we shall stay here at
the least a month; and he heartily prays some
occasion may detain us longer. I dare swear he is no
hypocrite, but prays from his heart.

15

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.

16

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Benedick

161

Would you buy her, that you inquire after her?

17

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Claudio

168

In mine eye she is the sweetest lady that ever I
looked on.

18

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Don Pedro

184

What secret hath held you here, that you followed
not to Leonato's?

19

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.

20

Much Ado about Nothing
[I, 1]

Claudio

205

That I love her, I feel.