Benedick

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Benedick was a merry chatterbox who had determined to live a bachelor.

Claudio, on the other hand, no sooner arrived at Messina than he fell in love with Hero, the daughter of Leonato, Governor of Messina.

One July day, a perfumer called Borachio was burning dried lavender in a musty room in Leonato's house when the sound of conversation floated through the open window.

"Give me your candid opinion of Hero," Claudio asked, and Borachio settled himself for comfortable listening.

"Too short and brown for praise," was Benedick's reply, "but alter her color or height and you spoil her." "In my eyes, she is the sweetest of women," said Claudio.

"Not in mine," retorted Benedick, "and I have no need for glasses.

She is like the last day of December compared with the first of May if you set her beside her cousin.