Claud. And when was he wont to wash his face? Pedro. Yea, or to paint himself? for the which, I hear what they say of him. Claud. Nay, but his jefting fpirit, which is now crept into a lute-ftring and now govern'd by ftopsPedro. Indeed, that tells a heavy tale for him. Conclude, he is in love. Claud. Nay, but I know who loves him. Pedro. That would I know too: I warrant, one that knows him not. Claud. Yes, and his ill conditions, and in defpight of all, dies for him. Pedro. She fhall be bury'd with her face upwards. Bene. Yet is this no charm for the tooth-ach. Old Signior, walk afide with me, I have study'd eight or nine wife words to fpeak to you which these hobbyhorses must not hear. [Exeunt Benedick and Leonato. Pedro. For my life, to break with him about Beatrice. Claud. 'Tis even fo. Hero and Margaret have by this play'd their parts with Beatrice; and then the two bears will not bite one another, when they meet. John. My Lord and Brother, God fave you. John. If your leifure ferv'd, I would speak with you. John. If it please you; yet Count Claudio may hear; for, what I would speak of, concerns him. Pedro. What's the matter? John. Means your lordship to be marry'd to morrow? [To Claudio. Pedro. You know, he does. John. John. I know not that, when he knows what I know. Claud. If there be any impediment, I pray you, discover it. John. You may think, I love you not; let that appear hereafter; and aim better at me by That I now will manifeft; for my brother, I think, he holds you well, and in dearness of heart hath holp to effect your enfuing marriage; furely, Suit ill fpent, and Labour ill bestow'd! Pedro. Why, what's the matter? John. I came hither to tell you, and circumftances fhorten'd, (for fhe hath been too long a talking of) the Lady is difloyal. Claud. Who? Hero? John. Even the; Leonato's Hero, your Hero, every man's Hero. Claud. Difloyal? John. The word is too good to paint out her wickednefs; I could fay, fhe were worfe; think you of a worfe title, and I will fit her to it; wonder not 'till further warrant; go but with me to night, you shall fee her chamber-window enter'd, even the night before her wedding day; if you love her, then to morrow wed her; but it would better fit your honour to change your mind. Claud. May this be fo? Pedro. I will not think it. John. If you dare not truft that you fee, confefs not that you know; if you will follow me, I will fhew you enough; and when you have feen more and heard more, proceed accordingly. Claud. If I fee any thing to night why I fhould not marry her to morrow; in the Congregation, where I should wed, there will I fhame her. Pedro. And as I wooed for thee to obtain her, I will join with thee to disgrace her. John. John. I will difparage her no farther, 'till you are my witneffes; bear it coldly but 'till night, and let the iffue fhew itself. So Pedro. O day untowardly turned! Claud. O mifchief ftrangely thwarting! you will fay, when you have feen the fequel. [Exeunt. Enter Dogberry and Verges, with the Watch. Dogb. ARE you good men and true? Verg. Yea, or elfe it were pity but they should fuffer falvation, body and foul. Dogb. Nay, that were a punishment too good for them, if they fhould have any allegiance in them, being chofen for the Prince's Watch, Verg. Well, give them their charge, neighbour Dogberry. Dogb. Firft, who think you the most defartless man to be constable? I Watch. Hugh Oatecake, Sir, or George Seacole; for they can write and read. Dogb. Come hither, neighbour Seacole: God hath bleft you with a good name; and to be a wellfavour'd man is the gift of fortune, but to write and read comes by nature. 2 Watch. Both which, mafter conftable Dogb. You have: I knew, it would be your answer. Well, for your Favour, Sir, why, give God thanks, and make no boaft of it; and for your writing and reading, let that appear when there is "more need of fuch vanity: you are thought here to 6 no need of fuch vanity:] Dogberry is only abfurd, not abfolutely out of his fenfes. We fhould read therefore, MORE need. be be the most senseless and fit man for the Constable of the Watch, therefore bear you the lanthorn; this is your charge you fhall comprehend all vagrom men ; you are to bid any man ftand, in the Prince's name. 2 Watch. How if he will not ftand? Dogb. Why, then take no note of him, but let him go; and presently call the reft of the Watch together, and thank God you are rid of a knave. Verg. If he will not ftand when he is bidden, he is none of the Prince's Subjects. Dogb. True, and they are to meddle with none but the Prince's Subjects: you fhall alfo make no noise in the streets; for, for the Watch to babble and talk, is moft tolerable, and not to be endur'd. 2 Watch." We will rather fleep than talk; we "know what belongs to a Watch. Dogb. "Why, you speak like an ancient and most "quiet watchman, for I cannot see how Sleeping "fhould offend; only have a care that your Bills be "not ftolen: well, you are to call at all the ale❝houses, and bid them that are drunk get them "to bed." 2 Watch. How if they will not? Dogb. Why then let them alone 'till they are fober; if they make you not then the better answer, you may say, they are not the men you took them for. 2. Watch. Well, Sir. Dogb. If you meet a thief, you may fufpect him by vertue of your office to be no true man; and for fuch kind of men, the lefs you meddle or make with them, why, the more is for your honefty. 2 Watch. If we know him to be a thief, fhall we not lay hands on him? Dogb. Truly, by your office you may; but, I think, they that touch pitch will be defil'd: the moft peaceable way for you, if you do take a thief, is, to let him fhew himself what he is, and steal out of your company. Verg. You have been always call'd a merciful man, Partner. Dogb. Truly, I would not hang a dog by my will, much more a man who hath any honefty in him. Verg. If you hear a child cry in the night, you muft call to the nurse and bid her ftill it. 2 Watch. How if the nurse be asleep, and will not hear us? Dogb. Why, then depart in Peace, and let the child wake her with crying: for the ewe that will not hear her lamb when it baes, will never anfwer a calf when he bleats. Verg. 'Tis very true. Dogb. This is the end of the Charge: you, conftable, are to prefent the Prince's own perfon; if you meet the Prince in the night, you may stay him. Verg. Nay, birlady, that, I think, he cannot. Dogb. Five fhillings to one on't with any man that knows the Statues, he may ftay him; marry, not without the Prince be willing: for, indeed, the Watch ought to offend no man; and it is an offence to stay a man against his will. Verg. Birlady, I think, it be fo. Dogb. Ha, ha, ha! well, masters, good night; an there be any matter of weight chances, call up me; keep your fellow's counfels and your own, and good night; come, neighbour. 2 Watch. Well, mafters, we hear our charge; let us go fit here upon the church-bench 'till two, and then all to bed. Dogb. One word more, honeft neighbours. I pray you, watch about Signior Leonato's door, for the Wedding being there to morrow, there is a great coil to night; adiệu; be vigilant, I befeech you. VOL. II. Exeunt Dogberry and Verges. |