| Enter Dogberry and Verges with the watch | Are you good men and true? |
| yea or else it were pity but they should suffer salvation body and soul. | Nay, that were a punishment too good for them, if they should have any allegiance in them, being chosen for the princes watch. |
| huge otecake sir, or george seacole, for they can write and read | come hither neighbor seacole. God hath blessed you with a good nmae. To be a well-favored man is the gift of fortune, but to write and read comes by nature- |
| Both which, Master constable– | You have, I knew it would be your answer. Well, for your favor sir, why give God thanks, and make no boast of it, and for your writing and reading, let that apear when there is no need for such vanity. You are thought to be the most senseless and fit man for the constable of the watch; therefore bear you the lantern, this is your charge: you shall comprehend all vagrom men, you are to bid any man stand, in the Prince’s name. |
| How if he will not stand | True, and they are to meddle with none but the princes subjects.– You shall also make no noise in the streets; for, for the watch to babble and to talk is most tolerable and not to be endured. |
| we will rather sleep than talk. we know what belongs to a watch. | why you speak like an ancient and most quiet watchman for i cannot see how sleeping should offend. only have a care that your bills be not stolen. well, you are to call at all the alehouses and big those that are drunk to get them to bed. |
| how if they will not | why then let them alone till they are sober. if they make you not then the better answer, you may say they are not the men you took them for. |
| well sir | if you meet a thief you may suspect him, by virtue of your office to be no true man, and for such kind of men, the less you meddle or make with them, why the more is for your honesty |
| if we know him to be a thief, shall we not lay hands on him? | truly by your office you may, but i think they that pitch will be defiled. the most peaceable way for you, if you do take a thief is to let him show himselft what he is and steal out of your company |
| you have been always called a merciful man partner | truly i would not hand a dog by my will, much more than a man who hath any honesty in him |
| how if the nurse be asleep and will not hear us? | why then depart in peace and let the child wake her with crying, for the ewe that will not hear her lamb when it bass will never answer the calf when it bleats. |
| tis very true | this is the end of the charge. you constable are to present the princes own person. if you meet the prince in the night you may stay him |
| nay by ‘r lady that i think he cannot | five shillings to one with any man that knows the statutes, he may stay him– marry, not without the prince be willing, for indeed the watch ought to offend no man, and it is an offense to stay a man against his will |
| by ‘r lady i think it be so | hahaha well masters good night. an there be any matter of weight chances call up me. keep your fellows counsels and your own; good night –come neighbor |
| well masters we hear our charge. let us go sit here upon the church bench till two and then all to bed | one word more, honest neighbors. i pray you watch about signior leonatos door, for the wedding being there tomorrow , there is a great coil tonight. adieu be vigitant, i beseech you |
much ado about nothing lines (Dogberry)
July 12, 2019