ACT III. Scene V.
The hall in Leonato's house.
Enter Leonato and the Constable [Dogberry] and the Headborough
[verges].
| LEON. | What would you with me, honest neighbour?
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| DOG. | Marry, sir, I would have some confidence with you that decerns
you nearly.
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| LEON. | Brief, I pray you; for you see it is a busy time with me.
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| DOG. | Marry, this it is, sir.
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| VERG. | Yes, in truth it is, sir.
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| LEON. | What is it, my good friends?
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| DOG. | Goodman Verges, sir, speaks a little off the matter--an old
man, sir, and his wits are not so blunt as, God help, I would
desire they were; but, in faith, honest as the skin between his
brows.
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| VERG. | write_ads(1,1)> Yes, I thank God I am as honest as any man living that is an
old man and no honester than I.
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| DOG. | Comparisons are odorous. Palabras, neighbour Verges.
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| LEON. | Neighbours, you are tedious.
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| DOG. | It pleases your worship to say so, but we are the poor Duke's
officers; but truly, for mine own part, if I were as tedious as a
king, I could find in my heart to bestow it all of your worship.
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| LEON. | All thy tediousness on me, ah?
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| DOG. | Yea, in 'twere a thousand pound more than 'tis; for I hear as
good exclamation on your worship as of any man in the city; and
though I be but a poor man, I am glad to hear it.
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| VERG. | And so am I.
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| LEON. | I would fain know what you have to say.
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| VERG. | write_ads(1,1)> Marry, sir, our watch to-night, excepting your worship's
presence, ha' ta'en a couple of as arrant knaves as any in
Messina.
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| DOG. | A good old man, sir; he will be talking. As they say,
'When the age is in, the wit is out.' God help us! it is a world to
see! Well said, i' faith, neighbour Verges. Well, God's a
good man. An two men ride of a horse, one must ride behind. An
honest soul, i' faith, sir, by my troth he is, as ever broke bread;
but God is to be worshipp'd; all men are not alike, alas, good
neighbour!
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| LEON. | Indeed, neighbour, he comes too short of you.
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| DOG. | Gifts that God gives.
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| LEON. | I must leave you.
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| DOG. | One word, sir. Our watch, sir, have indeed comprehended two
aspicious persons, and we would have them this morning examined
before your worship.
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| LEON. | Take their examination yourself and bring it me. I am now in
great haste, as it may appear unto you.
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| DOG. | It shall be suffigance.
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| LEON. | Drink some wine ere you go. Fare you well.
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[Enter a Messenger.]
| MESS. | My lord, they stay for you to give your daughter to her
husband.
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| LEON. | I'll wait upon them. I am ready.
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[Exeunt Leonato and Messenger.]
| DOG. | Go, good partner, go get you to Francis Seacoal; bid him bring
his pen and inkhorn to the jail. We are now to examination these
men.
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| VERG. | And we must do it wisely.
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| DOG. | We will spare for no wit, I warrant you. Here's that shall
drive some of them to a non-come. Only get the learned writer
to set down our excommunication, and meet me at the jail.
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[Exeunt.]
Next
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