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Another room in LEONATO'S house.
[Enter LEONATO, with DOGBERRY and VERGES]
LEONATO
What would you with me, honest neighbor?
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 of 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, neighbor Verges.
LEONATO
Neighbors, 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, and '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, have tane 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 in faith
neighbor Verges, well, God's a good man, an two men ride of a horse, one
must ride behind, an honest soul in faith sir, by my troth he is, as ever
broke bread, but God is to be worshipped, all men are not alike, alas, good
neighbor.
LEONATO
Indeed neighbor 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.
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 jail: we are now to examine those 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 jail.
[Exeunt]