C.)
Sexton.
Which be the malefactors?
Dogb.
Marry, that am I and my partner.
Verges. (R. C.)
Nay, that's certain; we have the exhibition
to examine.
Sexton. (L. C.)
But which are the offenders that are to be
examined? let them come before Master Constable. (opens
the book and preparing to write)
Dogb. (C.)
Yea, marry, let them come before me.
Enter Watch, bringing in Borachio and Conrade, R.
What is your name, friend?
Borach.
Borachio.
Dogb.
Pray write down Borachio. Yours, sirrah?
Conrade.
I am a gentleman, sir, and my name is Conrade.
Dogb.
Write down master gentleman Conrade.—
Masters, do you serve heaven?
Conrade and Borach.
Yes, sir, we hope—
Dogb.
Write down, that they hope they serve heaven
—and write heaven first: for heaven defend but heaven
should go before such villains! Masters, it is proved already,
that you are little better than false knaves; and it
will go near to be thought so shortly. How answer you
for yourselves.
Conrade.
Marry, sir, we say we are none.
Dogb.
A marvellous witty fellow, I assure you!—but I
will go about with him. Come you hither, sirrah! a word
in your ear, sir; I say to you, it is thought you are false
knaves.
-- 47 --
Borach.
Sir, I say to you, we are none.
Dogb.
Well, stand aside—'Fore heaven, they are both
in a tale! Have you writ down, that they are none?
Sexton.
Master Constable, you go not the way to
examine; you must call forth the Watch that are their
accusers.
Dogb.
Yea, marry, that's the eftest way. Let the
Watch stand forth:—Masters, I charge you, in the prince's
name, accuse these men!
Seacoal.
This man said, sir, that Don John, the prince's
brother, was a villain.
Dogb.
Write down,—Prince John, a villain.—Why,
that is flat perjury, to call a prince's brother villain!
Borach.
Master Constable—
Dogb.
'Pray thee, fellow, peace!—I do not like thy
look, I promise thee.
Sexton.
What heard you him say else?
Oatcake.
Marry, that he had received a thousand ducats
of Don John, for accusing the Lady Hero wrongfully.
Dogb.
Flat burglary, as ever was committed!
Verges.
Yea, by the mass, that it is!
Sexton.
What else, fellow?
Seacoal.
And that Count Claudio did mean, upon his
words, to disgrace Hero before the whole assembly, and not
marry her.
Dogb.
O villain! thou wilt be condemned into everlasting
redemption for this.
Sexton.
What else?
Seacoal.
This is all.
Sexton.
And this is more, masters, than you can deny.
Prince John is this morning secretly stolen away: Hero
was in this manner accused, in this very manner refused,
and, upon the grief of this, suddenly died. Master Constable,
let these men be bound, and brought to Leonato's;
I will go before, and show him their examination.
Exit, L.
Dogb. (R.)
Come, let them be opinioned.
Conrade.
Off, coxcomb!
Dogb.
Gad's my life! where's the Sexton? let him
write down the prince's officer, coxcomb. Come, bind
them. Thou naughty varlet!
Conrade and Borachio are bound singly.
-- 48 --
Conrade.
Away, you are an ass! you are an ass!
Dogb.
Dost thou not suspect my place? Dost thou not
suspect my years? O that he were here, to write me down
an ass!—but masters, remember, that I am an ass; though
it be not written down, yet forget not, that I am an ass:—
No, thou villain, thou art full of piety, as shall be proved
upon thee by good witness! I am a wise fellow; and,
which is more, an officer; and, which is more, a householder;
and, which is more, as pretty a piece of flesh, as
any in Messina; and one that knows the law, go to; and
a rich fellow enough, go to; and a fellow that hath had
losses; and one that hath two gowns, and every thing
handsome about him.—Bring him away. O, that I had
been writ down an ass!
They exeunt, L.
END OF ACT IV.
Charles Kean [1858], [Much Ado About Nothing. A Comedy, in five acts. By William Shakespeare, in] Lacy's acting edition of plays, dramas, farces, extravaganzas, etc. etc. as performed at the various theatres. Volume 35 containing Love Knot. Much Ado About Nothing. Ticklish Times. A Lucky Hit. Faint Heart Never Won Fair Lady. Double Dummy. Spectre Bridegroom. Birthplace Of Podgers. Crossing The Line. Children of the Castle. Nothing Venture Nothing Win. Fra Diavolo (Burlesque). Margaret Catchpole. My Wife's Dentist. Schoolfellows. (Thomas Hailes Lacy [etc.], London) [word count] [S40500].
