Much Ado About Nothing: Act 3, Scene 5
Enter LEONATO and the Constable
[DOGBERRY] and the Headborough [VERGES].
LEONATO
1
What would you with me, honest neighbor?
DOGBERRY
2. confidence: malapropism for "conference." 3. decerns: malapropism for "concerns." nearly: intimately.
2
Marry, sir, I would have some confidence with 3
you that decerns you nearly.
LEONATO
4
Brief, I pray you; for you see it is a busy 5
time with me.
DOGBERRY
6
Marry, this it is, sir.
VERGES
7
Yes, in truth it is, sir.
LEONATO
8
What is it, my good friends?
DOGBERRY
9. Goodman: title for one just below the rank of gentleman.
11. blunt: I don't know what word Dogberry might be groping for, but he means "sharp." 12. honest as the skin between his brows: This is a proverbial expression meaning that the person is totally honest.
11. blunt: I don't know what word Dogberry might be groping for, but he means "sharp." 12. honest as the skin between his brows: This is a proverbial expression meaning that the person is totally honest.
9
Goodman Verges, sir, speaks a little off the 10
matter: an old man, sir, and his wits are not so 11
blunt as, God help, I would desire they were; but, 12
in faith, honest as the skin between his brows.
VERGES
13
Yes, I thank God I am as honest as any 14
man living that is an old man and no honester 15
than I.
DOGBERRY
16. odorous: malapropism for "odious." palabras: short for Spanish pocas palabras, "few words."
16
Comparisons are odorous: palabras, 17
neighbor Verges.
LEONATO
18
Neighbors, you are tedious.
DOGBERRY
19
It pleases your worship to say so, but we are the 20
poor duke's officers; but truly, for mine own part, 21
if I were as tedious as a king, I could find it in22. of: Dogberry means to say "on your worship," but he has actually said "from your worship."
22
my heart to bestow it all of your worship.
LEONATO
23
All thy tediousness on me, ah?
DOGBERRY
24. and: even if.
25. exclamation: Whatever Dogberry means to say, he has used a word that usually means "accusation."
25. exclamation: Whatever Dogberry means to say, he has used a word that usually means "accusation."
24
Yea, and 'twere a thousand pound more than 'tis; 25
for I hear as good exclamation on your worship 26
as of any man in the city; and though I be but a 27
poor man, I am glad to hear it.
VERGES
28
And so am I.
LEONATO
29
I would fain know what you have to say.
VERGES
30. tonight: last night. excepting: malapropism for "respecting." Verges intends something like, "Excuse me for speaking of such disrespectable things in your presence," but he has actually said that Leonato is the worst of all the "arrant knaves" in Messina. However, Verges has managed to convey some actual information: that two "arrant knaves" are in custody.
34. when the age is in, the wit is out: 35. it is a world to see: A proverbial phrase meaning "It's a wonder to see." 36. God's a good man: Another proverbial phrase.>>> 36-37. an two men ride of a horse, one must ride behind: Yet another proverbial phrase. >>>
39. God is to be worshipped: i.e., we must praise God for whatever he sees fit to bestow.
34. when the age is in, the wit is out: 35. it is a world to see: A proverbial phrase meaning "It's a wonder to see." 36. God's a good man: Another proverbial phrase.>>> 36-37. an two men ride of a horse, one must ride behind: Yet another proverbial phrase. >>>
39. God is to be worshipped: i.e., we must praise God for whatever he sees fit to bestow.
30
Marry, sir, our watch tonight, excepting your 31
worship's presence, ha' ta'en a couple of as arrant 32
knaves as any in Messina.
DOGBERRY
33
A good old man, sir; he will be talking: as they 34
say, when the age is in, the wit is out: God help 35
us! it is a world to see. Well said, i' faith, neighbor 36
Verges: well, God's a good man; an two men ride 37
of a horse, one must ride behind. An honest soul, 38
i' faith, sir; by my troth he is, as ever broke bread; 39
but God is to be worshipped; all men are not alike; 40
alas, good neighbor!
LEONATO
41
Indeed, neighbor, he comes too short of 42
you.
DOGBERRY
43
Gifts that God gives.
LEONATO
44
I must leave you.
DOGBERRY
45
One word, sir: our watch, sir, have indeed46. comprehended: malapropism for "apprehended." A further humorous irony is that "comprehended" means "understood," and Dogberry rarely understands anything or makes himself understood. aspicious: malapropism for "suspicious." "Aspicious," which is not a word, sounds like "auspicious."
46
comprehended two aspicious persons, and 47
we would have them this morning examined 48
before your worship.
LEONATO
49
Take their examination yourself and bring 50
it me: I am now in great haste, as it may 51
appear unto you.
DOGBERRY
52. suffigance: malapropism for "sufficient."
52
It shall be suffigance.
LEONATO
53
Drink some wine ere you go: fare you well.
[Enter a MESSENGER.]
Messenger
54. they stay: everyone is waiting.
54
My lord, they stay for you to give your 55
daughter to her husband.
LEONATO
56. wait upon: attend.
56
I'll wait upon them: I am ready.
[Exeunt Leonato and Messenger.]
DOGBERRY
57
Go, good partner, go, get you to Francis Seacole; 58
bid him bring his pen and inkhorn to the gaol: we59. to examination: malapropism for "examine" or "conduct an examination of."
59
are now to examination these men.
VERGES
60
And we must do it wisely.
DOGBERRY
61
We will spare for no wit, I warrant you; here's62. non-come: shortened form of non compos mentis, "not of sound mind." Maybe Dogberry means that they will outwit the knaves that they are going to question. 64. excommunication: Maybe Dogberry thinks that an "excommunication" is a communication that comes out of a judicial hearing.
62
that shall drive some of them to a non-come: 63
only get the learned writer to set down our 64
excommunication and meet me at the gaol.
[Exeunt.]