Act 3 — 000 Scene V. Another room in Leonato’s house.
Reading edition
000 Scene V. Another room in Leonato’s house.
MAAN III. 5 Enter Leonato, with Dogberry and Verges.
Leon. What would you with me, honest neighbour?
Dog. Marry, sir, I would have some confidence with you that decerns you nearly.
004 Leon. Brief, I pray you; for you see it is a busy time 005 with me.
Dog. Marry, this it is, sir.
Verg. Yes, in truth it is, sir.
Leon. What is it, my good friends?
009 Dog. Goodman Verges, sir, speaks a little off the matter: 010 an old man, sir, and his wits are not so blunt as, God 011 help, I would desire they were; but, in faith, honest as the skin between his brows.
Verg. Yes, I thank God I am as honest as any man living that is an old man and no honester than I.
015 Dog. Comparisons are odorous: palabras, neighbour Verges.
Leon. Neighbours, you are tedious.
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 020 as tedious as a king, I could find in my heart to bestow it all of your worship.
Leon. All thy tediousness on me, ah?
023 Dog. Yea, an ’twere a thousand pound more than ’tis; for I hear as good exclamation on your worship as of any 025 man in the city; and though I be but a poor man, I am glad to hear it.
Verg. And so am I.
Leon. I would fain know what you have to say.
Verg. Marry, sir, our watch to-night, excepting your 030 worship’s presence, ha’ ta’en a couple of as arrant knaves as any in Messina.
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, 035 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 worshipped; all men are not alike; alas, good neighbour!
Leon. Indeed, neighbour, he comes too short of you.
040 Dog. Gifts that God gives.
Leon. I must leave you.
042 Dog. One word, sir: our watch, sir, have indeed comprehended 043 two aspicious persons, and we would have them this morning examined before your worship.
045 Leon. Take their examination yourself, and bring it 046 me: I am now in great haste, as it may appear unto you.
047 Dog. It shall be suffigance.
048 Leon. Drink some wine ere you go: fare you well.
Enter a Messenger.
Mess. My lord, they stay for you to give your daughter 050 to her husband.
051 Leon. I’ll wait upon them: I am ready. [Exeunt Leonato and Messenger.
Dog. Go, good partner, go, get you to Francis Seacole; bid him bring his pen and inkhorn to the gaol: we are now 054 to examination these men.
055 Verg. And we must do it wisely.
056 Dog. We will spare for no wit, I warrant you; here’s 057 that shall drive some of them to a noncome: only get the learned writer to set down our excommunication, and meet me at the gaol. [Exeunt.