Claud.

He is then a giant to an ape; but then is an ape a doctor to such a man.

Pedro.

But, soft you, let me see, pluck up my heart and be sad; did he not say, my brother was fled?

Dogb.

Come, you, Sir; if justice cannot tame you,

she shall ne'er weigh more reasons in her balance; nay, an you be a cursing hypocrite once, you must be look'd to.

Pedro.

How now, two of my brother's men bound? Borachio, one?

Claud.

Hearken after their offence, my lord.

Pedro.

Officers, what offence have these men done?

Dogb.

Marry, Sir, they have committed false-report; moreover, they have spoken untruths; secondarily, they are slanders; sixth and lastly, they have bely'd a lady; thirdly, they have verify'd unjust things; and, to conclude, they are lying knaves.

Pedro.

First, I ask thee what they have done; thirdly, I ask thee what's their offence; sixth and lastly, why they are committed; and, to conclude, what you lay to their charge?

Claud.

Rightly reason'd, and in his own division; and, by my troth, there's one meaning well suited.^{1 note}

Pedro.

Whom have you offended, masters, that you are thus bound to your answer? This learned constable is too cunning to be understood. What's your offence?

Bora.

Sweet Prince, let me go no further to mine answer: do you hear me, and let this Count kill me: I have deceiv'd even your very eyes; what your wisdoms could not discover, these shallow fools have brought to light, who in the night overheard me confessing to this man, how Don John your brother incens'd me to slander the lady Hero; how you were brought into the orchard, and saw me court Margaret in Hero's garments; how you disgrac'd her, when you should marry her; my villany they have upon record, which I had rather seal with my death, than repeat over to my shame; the lady is dead upon mine

and my master's false accusation; and briefly, I desire nothing but the reward of a villain.

Pedro.
Runs not this speech like iron through your blood?

Claud.
I have drunk poison, while he utter'd it.

Pedro.
But did my brother set thee on to this?

Bora.
Yea, and paid me richly for the practice of it.

Pedro.
He is compos'd and fram'd of treachery;
And fled he is upon this villany.

Claud.
Sweet Hero! now thy image doth appear
In the rare semblance that I lov'd it first.

Dogb.

Come, bring away the plaintiffs; by this time, our Sexton hath reform'd Signior Leonato of the matter; and masters, do not forget to specify, when time and place shall serve, that I am an ass.

Verg.

Here, here comes master Signior Leonato, and the Sexton too.