Act 3, Scene 5: Another room in LEONATO'S house

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