Another Room in Leonato's House.
 Enter LEONATO with the Constable DOGBERRY and the Headborough 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.

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, 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.

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 in my heart to bestow it all of your 
	worship.

Leonato	All thy tediousness on me, ah?

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.

Leonato	I would fain know what you have to say.

Verges	Marry, sir, our watch tonight, 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 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 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.

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.

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.

Leonato	I'll wait upon them; I am ready.
									[Exeunt LEONATO with MESSENGER.

Dogberry	Go, good partner; go get you to Francis Seacoal; bid him bring 
	his pen and inkhorn to the gaol. We are now to examination 
	these men.

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.
													[Exeunt.
