Verges.
Leo.
What would you with me, honest neighbour?
Dog.
Marry, sir, I would have some confidence with
you, that decerns you nearly.
Leo.
Brief, I pray you, for you see it is a busy
time with me.
Dog.
Marry, this it is, sir:
Ver.
Yes, in truth, it is, sir.
Leo.
What is it, my good friends?
Dog.
Goodman Verges, sir, speaks a little of the note
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.
-- 56 --
Ver.
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.
Leo.
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.
Leo.
All thy tediousness on me! ah!
Dog.
Yea, an 'twere a thousand pound more note 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.
Ver.
And so am I.
Leo.
I would fain know what you have to say.
Ver.
Marry, sir, our watch to-night, excepting your
worship's presence, have 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, note one must ride behind:—An honest
soul, i' faith, sir; by my troth, he is, as ever broke
bread: but, God is to be worship'd; All men are not
alike; alas, good neighbour!
Leo.
Indeed, neighbour, he comes too short of you.
Dog.
Gifts that God gives.
Leo.
I must leave you.
Dog.
One word, sir: our watch, sir, have, indeed,
comprehended two aspitious note persons, and we would have
-- 57 --
them this morning examined before your worship.
Leo.
Take their examination yourself, and bring
it me; I am now in great haste, as may note appear unto
you.
Dog.
It shall be suffigance.
Leo.
Drink some wine ere you go: fare you well.
Enter a Messenger.b
Mes.
My lord, they stay for you to give your daughter
to her husband.
Leo.
I'll wait upon them; I am ready.
[Exeunt Leonato, and Messenger.
Dog.
Go, good partner, go, get you to Francis Seacoal,
bid him bring his pen and ink-horn to the jail;
we are now to examination these note men.
Ver.
And we must do it wisely.
Dog.
We will spare for no wit, I warrant you;
here's that † shall drive some of them to a non-com14Q0171:
only get the learned writer to set down our excommunication,
and meet me at the jail.
[Exeunt.
Edward Capell [1767], Mr William Shakespeare his comedies, histories, and tragedies, set out by himself in quarto, or by the Players his Fellows in folio, and now faithfully republish'd from those Editions in ten Volumes octavo; with an introduction: Whereunto will be added, in some other Volumes, notes, critical and explanatory, and a Body of Various Readings entire (Printed by Dryden Leach, for J. and R. Tonson [etc.], London) [word count] [S10601].
