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Much Ado About Nothing - Act 3, scene 5
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Much Ado About Nothing - Act 3, scene 5Act 3, scene 5
⌜Scene 5⌝
Synopsis:
Dogberry and Verges try to tell Leonato about the arrest of Borachio and Conrade, but they are so unintelligible that Leonato impatiently dismisses them, telling them to examine the prisoners. He leaves for the wedding.
Enter Leonato, and ⌜Dogberry,⌝ the Constable, and⌜Verges,⌝ the Headborough.
LEONATO 1649 What would you with me, honest neighbor?
DOGBERRY 1650 Marry, sir, I would have some confidence
1651 with you that decerns you nearly.
LEONATO 1652 Brief, I pray you, for you see it is a busy time
1653 5 with me.
DOGBERRY 1654 Marry, this it is, sir.
VERGES 1655 Yes, in truth, it is, sir.
LEONATO 1656 What is it, my good friends?
DOGBERRY 1657 Goodman Verges, sir, speaks a little off the
1658 10 matter. An old man, sir, and his wits are not so blunt
1659 as, God help, I would desire they were, but, in faith,
1660 honest as the skin between his brows.
VERGES 1661 Yes, I thank God I am as honest as any man
1662 living that is an old man and no honester than I.
DOGBERRY 1663 15Comparisons are odorous. Palabras, neighbor
1664 Verges.
LEONATO 1665 Neighbors, you are tedious.
DOGBERRY 1666 It pleases your Worship to say so, but we
1667 are the poor duke’s officers. But truly, for mine
1668 20 own part, if I were as tedious as a king, I could find
1669 in my heart to bestow it all of your Worship.
LEONATO 1670 All thy tediousness on me, ah?
DOGBERRY 1671 Yea, an ’twere a thousand pound more
1672 than ’tis, for I hear as good exclamation on your
1673 25 Worship as of any man in the city, and though I be
1674 but a poor man, I am glad to hear it.
VERGES 1675 And so am I.
LEONATO 1676 I would fain know what you have to say.
VERGES 1677 Marry, sir, our watch tonight, excepting your
1678 30 Worship’s presence, ha’ ta’en a couple of as arrant
1679 knaves as any in Messina.
DOGBERRY 1680 A good old man, sir. He will be talking. As
p.
119
1681
they say, “When the age is in, the wit is out.” God1682 help us, it is a world to see!—Well said, i’ faith,
1683 35 neighbor Verges.—Well, God’s a good man. An two
1684 men ride of a horse, one must ride behind. An
1685 honest soul, i’ faith, sir, by my troth he is, as ever
1686 broke bread, but God is to be worshiped, all men
1687 are not alike, alas, good neighbor.
LEONATO 1688 40Indeed, neighbor, he comes too short of you.
DOGBERRY 1689 Gifts that God gives.
LEONATO 1690 I must leave you.
DOGBERRY 1691 One word, sir. Our watch, sir, have indeed
1692 comprehended two aspicious persons, and we
1693 45 would have them this morning examined before
1694 your Worship.
LEONATO 1695 Take their examination yourself and bring it
1696 me. I am now in great haste, as it may appear unto
1697 you.
DOGBERRY 1698 50It shall be suffigance.
LEONATO 1699 Drink some wine ere you go. Fare you well.
⌜Enter a Messenger.⌝
MESSENGER 1700 My lord, they stay for you to give your
1701 daughter to her husband.
LEONATO 1702 I’ll wait upon them. I am ready.
He exits, ⌜with the Messenger.⌝
DOGBERRY 1703 55Go, good partner, go, get you to Francis
1704 Seacoal. Bid him bring his pen and inkhorn to the
1705 jail. We are now to examination these men.
VERGES 1706 And we must do it wisely.
DOGBERRY 1707 We will spare for no wit, I warrant you.
1708 60 Here’s that shall drive some of them to a noncome.
1709 Only get the learned writer to set down our excommunication
1710 and meet me at the jail.
⌜They exit.⌝