Enter DON PEDRO, CLAUDIO, three or four LORDS with tapers, and musicians

CLAUDIO

Is this the monument of Leonato?

FIRST LORD

It is, my lord.

CLAUDIO

[reading an 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.

Hangs the scroll

Hang thou there upon the tomb, Praising her when I am dumb. Now, music, sound, and sing your solemn hymn. [sings] 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 utterèd , Heavily, heavily . Now, unto thy bones good night! Yearly will I do this rite.

DON PEDRO

Good morrow, masters. Put your torches out. The wolves have preyed, 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.

Exeunt LORDS and Musicians

DON 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 speed ’sThan this for whom we rendered up this woe.

Exeunt