A churchyard.
[Enter Claudio, Don Pedro, and three or four with tapers,
followed by Musicians.] CLAUDIO Is this the monument of Leonato?
LORD It is, my lord.
CLAUDIO [reads from a scroll] Epitaph.
Done to death by slanderous tongues Was the Hero that here lies. Death, in guerdon of her wrongs, Gives her fame which never dies. So the life that died with shame Lives in death with glorious fame. Hang thou there upon the tomb,
[Hangs up the scroll.] Praising her when I am dumb.
Now, music, sound, and sing your solemn hymn.
Song. Pardon, goddess of the night, Those that slew thy virgin knight; For the which, with songs of woe, Round about her tomb they go. Midnight, assist our moan, Help us to sigh and groan Heavily, heavily, Graves, yawn and yield your dead, Till death be uttered Heavily, heavily.
CLAUDIO Now unto thy bones good night!
Yearly will I do this rite.
PEDRO Good morrow, masters. Put your torches out.
The wolves have prey'd, and look, the gentle day,
Before the wheels of Phoebus, round about
Dapples the drowsy east with spots of grey.
Thanks to you all, and leave us. Fare you well.
CLAUDIO Good morrow, masters. Each his several way.
PEDRO Come, let us hence and put on other weeds,
And then to Leonato's we will go.
CLAUDIO And Hymen now with luckier issue speeds
Than this for whom we rend'red up this woe.
[Exeunt.]