ACT III - Scene V Much Ado About Nothing
Another room in Leonato’s house.
| Enter Leonato, with Dogberry and Verges. | |
| Leonato | What would you with me, honest neighbour? |
| Dogberry | Marry, sir, I would have some confidence with you that decerns you nearly. |
| Leonato | Brief, I pray you; for you see it is a busy time with me. |
| Dogberry | Marry, this it is, sir. |
| Verges | Yes, in truth it is, sir. |
| Leonato | What is it, my good friends? |
| Dogberry | 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. |
| Verges | Yes, I thank God I am as honest as any man living that is an old man and no honester than I. |
| Dogberry | Comparisons are odorous: palabras, neighbour Verges. |
| Leonato | Neighbours, you are tedious. |
| Dogberry | 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. |
| Leonato | All thy tediousness on me, ah? |
| Dogberry | Yea, an ’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. |
| Verges | And so am I. |
| Leonato | I would fain know what you have to say. |
| Verges | Marry, sir, our watch tonight, excepting your worship’s presence, ha’ ta’en a couple of as arrant knaves as any in Messina. |
| Dogberry | 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 worshipped; all men are not alike; alas, good neighbour! |
| Leonato | Indeed, neighbour, he comes too short of you. |
| Dogberry | Gifts that God gives. |
| Leonato | I must leave you. |
| Dogberry | One word, sir: our watch, sir, have indeed comprehended two aspicious persons, and we would have them this morning examined before your worship. |
| Leonato | Take their examination yourself and bring it me: I am now in great haste, as may appear unto you. |
| Dogberry | It shall be suffigance. |
| Leonato | Drink some wine ere you go: fare you well. |
| Enter a Messenger. | |
| Messenger | My lord, they stay for you to give your daughter to her husband. |
| Leonato | I’ll wait upon them: I am ready. Exeunt Leonato and Messenger. |
| Dogberry | Go, good partner, go, get you to Francis Seacole; bid him bring his pen and inkhorn to the gaol: we are now to examination these men. |
| Verges | And we must do it wisely. |
| Dogberry | We will spare for no wit, I warrant you; here’s 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. |