I Know You Of Old

by Lailariel

Beatrice and Benedick are perhaps Shakespeare's most delightful couple - equally matched in every way, including fury and stubbornness. Revel their merry war in a more intimate setting than the play allows, and delight in how love conquers all every time.

10. Act III: Scene ii - Benedick

Act III: Scene ii (Benedick)

Location - Messina, A room in Leonato's House

It is evident in the way my prince and Claudio tease me most mercilessly that they suspect the reason for my change in demeanor. I protest it is but a toothache, but indeed, how could they not? Is it not a wonder that I cannot hide the joy that bursts from a heart I had thought long cold - for Beatrice loves me! The part of coarse and hardy soldier has been but one I played to hide from all the softness of my soul. What need have I for beards and slovenliness, which Beatrice hath ever abhorred, when my angel needs no provoking to turn her divine eye towards me once again? They may poke and prod at me all they like, and point out the hypocrisy of my ways, but their jesting only heaps fuel upon the fires of hope that blaze in my heart. Claudio is a fool in love, but even fools speak truth. And every effort my prince makes to enkindle passion betwixt Beatrice and I betrays his conviction that Beatrice will have none of him. Were I not so abysmal a troubadour I would sing a ballad in his honor.

They congratulate themselves heartily even in my hearing for their cleverness, which does beg the question of their sanity. I draw good Leonato away from their company to discuss dear Beatrice's prospects - 'tis not the first time we have so conversed, and I can only hope that this time good Leonato's blessing will serve me better than it did before. I would marry my darling girl if she were a pauper on the street with naught but her good name to her, and indeed, 'twould be a good deal easier if she were. Joining together the properties of a lord and a lord's daughter, impoverished though she be, is hardly the stuff of romance, but I would not do my lady the dishonor of wooing her by proxy.

I see when I return to the courtyard that my prince and Claudio are conversing raptly with that scurrilous bastard, Don John. Their demeanors are more serious than I have seen since we were about to take to the field of battle, and I wonder whether Don John is making mischief.