SCENE V
Another room in LEONATO’S house.
[Enter LEONATO, with DOGBERRY and VERGES]
LEONATO
What would you with me, honest neighbour?
What would you with me, honest neighbour?
DOGBERRY
Marry, sir, I would have some confidence with you that decerns you nearly.
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.
Brief, I pray you; for you see it is a busy time with me.
DOGBERRY
Marry, this it is, sir.
Marry, this it is, sir.
VERGES
Yes, in truth it is, sir.
Yes, in truth it is, sir.
LEONATO
What is it, my good friends?
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.
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.
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.
Comparisons are odorous: palabras, neighbour Verges.
LEONATO
Neighbours, you are tedious.
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.
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?
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.
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.
And so am I.
LEONATO
I would fain know what you have to say.
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.
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!
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.
Indeed, neighbour, he comes too short of you.
DOGBERRY
Gifts that God gives.
Gifts that God gives.
LEONATO
I must leave you.
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.
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.
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.
It shall be suffigance.
LEONATO
Drink some wine ere you go: fare you well.
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.
My lord, they stay for you to give your daughter to her husband.
LEONATO
I’ll wait upon them: I am ready.
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.
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.
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.
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]
