Hero. Help to dress me, good coz, good Meg, good Ursula. [Exeunt. S CENE V. Another Room in LEONATO's House. Enter LEONATO, with DOGBERRY and VERGES. Leon. What would you with me, honest neighbour? Dogb. Marry, Sir, I would have some confdence with you, that decerus you neasy. Leon. Brief, I pray you; for you sce', 'tis a busy time with me. Dogb. Marry, this it is, Sir. Verg. Yes, in truth it is, Sir. Leon. What is it, my good friends? Dogb. 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. Verg. Yes, I thank God, I am as honest as any man living, that is an old man, and no honester than I. Dogb. Comparisons are odorous palabras, neighbour Verges. Leon. Neighbours, you are tedious. Dogh. It pleases your Worship to say so, but we are the poor Duke's officers; but, truly, for mine own part, if L were as tedious as a King. I could find in my heart to bestow it all of your Worship. Leon. All thy tediousness on me! ha! Dogb. Yea, and 'twere a thousand times more than 'is: for I hear as good exclamation on your Worship, as of any man in the city: and though Verg. And so am I. Leon. I would fain know what you have to say. Verg., Marry, Sir, our watch to-night, exccpting your Worship's presence, have ta'en a couple of as 'arrant knaves as any in Messina. Dogb. 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 worshipp'd: All men are not alike;, alas good, neighbour! 1 Leon. Indeed, neighbour, he comes too short of you. Dogb. Gifts, that God gives. Leon. I must leave you. Dogb. One word, Sir: our watch, Sir, have, indeed, comprehended two aspicious persons, and we would have them this morning examined before your Worship. Leon. Take their examination yourself, and bring it me; I am now in great haste, as it may, appear unto you. Dogb. It shall be suffigance. Leon. Drink some wine ere you go: fare you Well. Enter a Messenger. Mess. My Lord, they stay for you to give your daughter to her husband. Leon. I will wait upon them; I am ready. [Exeunt LEONATO and Messenger. Dogb. Go, good partner, go, get you to Francis, Seacoal, bid him bring his pen and inkhorn to the gaol; we are now to examination these men. Verg. And we must do it wisely. Dogb. We will spare for no wit, I warrant you; here's that [Touching his forehead.] shall_', drive sne of them to a non com: only get the learned writer to set down our excommunication, and meet me at the gaol. [Exeunt. ACT IV. SCENE I. The inside of a Church. Enter Don PEDRO, Don JOHN, LEONATO, Friar, CLAUDIO, BENEDICK, HERO, and BEATRICE, etc. Leon. Come, friar Francis, be brief; only to the plain form of marriage, and you shall recount their particular duties afterwards. Friar. You come hither, my Lord, to marry. this lady? Claud. No. Leon. To be married to her, friar; you come to marry her. Friar. Lady, you come hither to be married to this Count? Hero. I do. Friar. If either of you know any inward impediment why you should not be conjoined, I charge you, on your souls, to utter it. Claud. Know you any, Hero? Hero. None, my Lord. Friar. Know you any, Count? Leon. I dare make his answer, none. Claud. O, what men dare do! what men may do! what men daily do! not knowing what they do! Bene. How now! Interjections? Why, then some be of laughing, as, ha! ha! he! Claud. Stand thee by, friar: leave; Father, by your Will you with free and unconstrained soul Leon. As freely, son, as God did give her me. Claud. And what have I to give you back, whose worth May counterpoise this rich and precious gift? There, Leonato, take her back again; Give not this rotten orange to your friend; nour: Behold, how like a maid she blushes here: Comes not that blood, as modest evidence, To witness simple virtue? Would you not swear, Leon. What do you mean, my Lord? Not kuit my soul to an approved wanton. Have vanquish'd the resistance of her youth, Claud: I know what you would say; have known her, You'll say, she did embrace me as a husband, No, Leonato, I never tempted her with word too large; Bashful sincerity, and comely love. If I Hero. And seem'd I ever otherwise to you? Claud. Out on thy seeming! I will write against it: You seem to me as Dian in her orb; As chaste as is the bud ere it be blown; But you are more intemperate in your blood That rage in savage sensuality. Hero. Is my Lord weil, that he doth speak so wide? Leon. Sweet Prince, why speak not you? I stand dishonour'd, that have gone about Leon. Are these things spoken? or do I but dream? D. John. Sir, they are spoken, and these things are true. Bene. This looks not like a nuptial. Hero. True, O God! Claud. Leonato, stand I here? |