Marg.
Moral? No, by my troth, I have no moral meaning; I meant plain
holy thistle. You may think perchance that I think you are in
love. Nay, by'r lady, I am not such a fool to think what I list;
nor I list not to think what I can; nor indeed I cannot think, if
I would think my heart out of thinking, that you are in love, or
that you will be in love, or that you can be in
love. Yet Benedick was such another, and now is he become a man.
He swore he would never marry; and yet now in despite of his
heart he eats his meat without grudging; and how you may be
converted I know not, but methinks you look with your eyes as
other women do.
Beat.
What pace is this that thy tongue keeps?
Marg.
Not a false gallop.
[Enter Ursula.]
Urs.
Madam, withdraw. The Prince, the Count, Signior Benedick, Don
John, and all the gallants of the town are come to fetch you to
church.
Hero.
Help to dress me, good coz, good Meg, good Ursula.
[Exeunt.]
Scene V.
The hall in Leonato's house.
[Enter Leonato and the Constable [Dogberry] and the
Headborough[verges.]
Leon.
What would you with me, honest neighbour?
Dog.
Marry, sir, I would have some confidence with you that decerns
you nearly.
Leon.
Brief, I pray you; for you see it is a busy time with me.
Dog.
Marry, this it is, sir.
Verg.
Yes, in truth it is, sir.
Leon.
What is it, my good friends?
Dog.
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.
Verg.
Yes, I thank God I am as honest as any man living that is an old
man and no honester than I.
Dog.
Comparisons are odorous. Palabras, neighbour Verges.
Leon.
Neighbours, you are tedious.
Dog.
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 in my heart to bestow it all of your
worship.
Leon.
All thy tediousness on me, ah?
Dog.
Yea, in '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.
Verg.
And so am I.
Leon.
I would fain know what you have to say.
Verg.
Marry, sir, our watch to-night, excepting your worship's
presence, ha' ta'en a couple of as arrant knaves as any in
Messina.
Dog.
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!
Leon.
Indeed, neighbour, he comes too short of you.
Dog.
Gifts that God gives.
Leon.
I must leave you.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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