ACT III
SCENE V 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 it 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 to-night, 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 it 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 non-come: only
 get the learned writer to set down our
 excommunication and meet me at the gaol.

 [Exeunt]




 MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING


ACT IV