Act III, Scene 5

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. 1585

• 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, 1590
  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. 1595

• 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? 1600

• 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. 1605

• 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 1610
  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 1615
  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. 1620

• 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. 1625

• 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. 1630

• 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. 1635

• 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. 1640

[Exeunt]