Reading Help MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
endured. `
` 2. Watch. We will rather sleep than talk. We know what belongs `
` to `
` a watch. `
` Dog. 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 stol'n. Well, you are to call at all the `
` alehouses `
` and bid those that are drunk get them to bed. `
` 2. Watch. How if they will not? `
` Dog. 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. `
` 2. Watch. Well, sir. `
` Dog. 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 your honesty. `
` 2. Watch. If we know him to be a thief, shall we not lay hands `
` on `
` him? `
` Dog. Truly, by your office you may; but I think they that touch `
` pitch will be defil'd. The most peaceable way for you, if you `
` do `
` take a thief, is to let him show himself what he is, and `
` steal `
` out of your company. `
` Verg. You have been always called a merciful man, partner. `
` Dog. Truly, I would not hang a dog by my will, much more a man `
` who `
` hath any honesty in him. `
` Verg. If you hear a child cry in the night, you must call to `
` the `
` nurse and bid her still it. `
` 2. Watch. How if the nurse be asleep and will not hear us? `
` Dog. 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 answer a calf when he bleats. `
` Verg. 'Tis very true. `
` Dog. This is the end of the charge: you, constable, are to `
` present `
` the Prince's own person. If you meet the Prince in the night, `
` you may stay him. `
` Verg. Nay, by'r lady, that I think 'a cannot. `
` Dog. Five shillings to one on't 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 offence to stay a man against his will. `
` Verg. By'r lady, I think it be so. `
` Dog. Ha, ah, ha! Well, masters, good night. An there be any `
` matter `
` of weight chances, call up me. Keep your fellows' counsels `
` and `
` your own, and good night. Come, neighbour. `
` 2. Watch. Well, masters, we hear our charge. Let us go sit here `
` upon the church bench till two, and then all to bed. `
` Dog. One word more, honest neighbours. I pray you watch about `
` Signior Leonato's door; for the wedding being there tomorrow, `
` `
` there is a great coil to-night. Adieu. Be vigitant, I beseech `
` you. Exeunt [Dogberry and Verges]. `
` `
` Enter Borachio and Conrade. `
` `
` Bora. What, Conrade! `
` 2. Watch. [aside] Peace! stir not! `
` Bora. Conrade, I say! `
` Con. Here, man. I am at thy elbow. `
` Bora. Mass, and my elbow itch'd! I thought there would a scab `
` follow. `
` Con. I will owe thee an answer for that; and now forward with `
` thy `
` tale. `
` Bora. Stand thee close then under this penthouse, for it `
` drizzles `
` rain, and I will, like a true drunkard, utter all to thee. `
` 2. Watch. [aside] Some treason, masters. Yet stand close. `
` Bora. Therefore know I have earned of Don John a thousand `
` ducats. `
` Con. Is it possible that any villany should be so dear? `
` Bora. Thou shouldst rather ask if it were possible any villany `
` should be so rich; for when rich villains have need of poor `
` ones, `
` poor ones may make what price they will. `
` Con. I wonder at it. `
` Bora. That shows thou art unconfirm'd. Thou knowest that the `
` fashion of a doublet, or a hat, or a cloak, is nothing to a `
` man. `
` Con. Yes, it is apparel. `
` Bora. I mean the fashion. `
` Con. Yes, the fashion is the fashion. `
` Bora. Tush! I may as well say the fool's the fool. But seest `
` thou `
` not what a deformed thief this fashion is? `
` 2. Watch. [aside] I know that Deformed. 'A bas been a vile `
` thief `
` this seven year; 'a goes up and down like a gentleman. I `
` remember `
` his name. `
` Bora. Didst thou not hear somebody? `
` Con. No; 'twas the vane on the house. `
` Bora. Seest thou not, I say, what a deformed thief this fashion `
` is? `
` how giddily 'a turns about all the hot-bloods between `
` fourteen `
` and five-and-thirty? sometimes fashioning them like Pharaoh's `
` soldiers in the reechy painting, sometime like god Bel's `
` priests `
` in the old church window, sometime like the shaven Hercules `
` in `
` the smirch'd worm-eaten tapestry, where his codpiece seems as `
` `
` massy as his club? `
` Con. All this I see; and I see that the fashion wears out more `
` apparel than the man. But art not thou thyself giddy with the `
` fashion too, that thou hast shifted out of thy tale into `
` telling `
` me of the fashion? `
` Bora. Not so neither. But know that I have to-night wooed `
` Margaret, `
` the Lady Hero's gentlewoman, by the name of Hero. She leans `
` me `
` out at her mistress' chamber window, bids me a thousand times `
` good night--I tell this tale vilely; I should first tell thee `
` how `
` the Prince, Claudio and my master, planted and placed and `
` possessed by my master Don John, saw afar off in the orchard `
` this `
` amiable encounter. `
` Con. And thought they Margaret was Hero? `
` Bora. Two of them did, the Prince and Claudio; but the devil my `
` master knew she was Margaret; and partly by his oaths, which `
` first possess'd them, partly by the dark night, which did `
` deceive `
` them, but chiefly by my villany, which did confirm any `
` slander `
` that Don John had made, away went Claudio enrag'd; swore he `
` would `
` meet her, as he was appointed, next morning at the temple, `
` and `
` there, before the whole congregation, shame her with what he `
` saw `
` o'ernight and send her home again without a husband. `
` 2. Watch. We charge you in the Prince's name stand! `
` 1. Watch. Call up the right Master Constable. We have here `
` recover'd the most dangerous piece of lechery that ever was `
` known `
` in the commonwealth. `
` 2. Watch. And one Deformed is one of them. I know him; 'a wears `
` a `
` lock. `
` Con. Masters, masters-- `
` 1. Watch. You'll be made bring Deformed forth, I warrant you. `
` Con. Masters-- `
` 2. Watch. Never speak, we charge you. Let us obey you to go `
` with `
` us. `
` Bora. We are like to prove a goodly commodity, being taken up `
` of `
` these men's bills. `
` Con. A commodity in question, I warrant you. Come, we'll obey `
` you. `
` Exeunt. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` Scene IV. `
` A Room in Leonato's house. `
` `
` Enter Hero, and Margaret and Ursula. `
` `
` Hero. Good Ursula, wake my cousin Beatrice and desire her to `
` rise. `
` Urs. I will, lady. `
` Hero. And bid her come hither. `
` Urs. Well. [Exit.] `
` Marg. Troth, I think your other rebato were better. `
` Hero. No, pray thee, good Meg, I'll wear this. `
` Marg. By my troth, 's not so good, and I warrant your cousin `
` will `
` say so. `
` Hero. My cousin's a fool, and thou art another. I'll wear none `
` but `
` this. `
` Marg. I like the new tire within excellently, if the hair were `
` a `
` thought browner; and your gown's a most rare fashion, i' `
` faith. `
` I saw the Duchess of Milan's gown that they praise so. `
` Hero. O, that exceeds, they say. `
` Marg. By my troth, 's but a nightgown in respect of yours-- `
` cloth-o'-gold and cuts, and lac'd with silver, set with `
` pearls `
`
` 2. Watch. We will rather sleep than talk. We know what belongs `
` to `
` a watch. `
` Dog. 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 stol'n. Well, you are to call at all the `
` alehouses `
` and bid those that are drunk get them to bed. `
` 2. Watch. How if they will not? `
` Dog. 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. `
` 2. Watch. Well, sir. `
` Dog. 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 your honesty. `
` 2. Watch. If we know him to be a thief, shall we not lay hands `
` on `
` him? `
` Dog. Truly, by your office you may; but I think they that touch `
` pitch will be defil'd. The most peaceable way for you, if you `
` do `
` take a thief, is to let him show himself what he is, and `
` steal `
` out of your company. `
` Verg. You have been always called a merciful man, partner. `
` Dog. Truly, I would not hang a dog by my will, much more a man `
` who `
` hath any honesty in him. `
` Verg. If you hear a child cry in the night, you must call to `
` the `
` nurse and bid her still it. `
` 2. Watch. How if the nurse be asleep and will not hear us? `
` Dog. 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 answer a calf when he bleats. `
` Verg. 'Tis very true. `
` Dog. This is the end of the charge: you, constable, are to `
` present `
` the Prince's own person. If you meet the Prince in the night, `
` you may stay him. `
` Verg. Nay, by'r lady, that I think 'a cannot. `
` Dog. Five shillings to one on't 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 offence to stay a man against his will. `
` Verg. By'r lady, I think it be so. `
` Dog. Ha, ah, ha! Well, masters, good night. An there be any `
` matter `
` of weight chances, call up me. Keep your fellows' counsels `
` and `
` your own, and good night. Come, neighbour. `
` 2. Watch. Well, masters, we hear our charge. Let us go sit here `
` upon the church bench till two, and then all to bed. `
` Dog. One word more, honest neighbours. I pray you watch about `
` Signior Leonato's door; for the wedding being there tomorrow, `
` `
` there is a great coil to-night. Adieu. Be vigitant, I beseech `
` you. Exeunt [Dogberry and Verges]. `
` `
` Enter Borachio and Conrade. `
` `
` Bora. What, Conrade! `
` 2. Watch. [aside] Peace! stir not! `
` Bora. Conrade, I say! `
` Con. Here, man. I am at thy elbow. `
` Bora. Mass, and my elbow itch'd! I thought there would a scab `
` follow. `
` Con. I will owe thee an answer for that; and now forward with `
` thy `
` tale. `
` Bora. Stand thee close then under this penthouse, for it `
` drizzles `
` rain, and I will, like a true drunkard, utter all to thee. `
` 2. Watch. [aside] Some treason, masters. Yet stand close. `
` Bora. Therefore know I have earned of Don John a thousand `
` ducats. `
` Con. Is it possible that any villany should be so dear? `
` Bora. Thou shouldst rather ask if it were possible any villany `
` should be so rich; for when rich villains have need of poor `
` ones, `
` poor ones may make what price they will. `
` Con. I wonder at it. `
` Bora. That shows thou art unconfirm'd. Thou knowest that the `
` fashion of a doublet, or a hat, or a cloak, is nothing to a `
` man. `
` Con. Yes, it is apparel. `
` Bora. I mean the fashion. `
` Con. Yes, the fashion is the fashion. `
` Bora. Tush! I may as well say the fool's the fool. But seest `
` thou `
` not what a deformed thief this fashion is? `
` 2. Watch. [aside] I know that Deformed. 'A bas been a vile `
` thief `
` this seven year; 'a goes up and down like a gentleman. I `
` remember `
` his name. `
` Bora. Didst thou not hear somebody? `
` Con. No; 'twas the vane on the house. `
` Bora. Seest thou not, I say, what a deformed thief this fashion `
` is? `
` how giddily 'a turns about all the hot-bloods between `
` fourteen `
` and five-and-thirty? sometimes fashioning them like Pharaoh's `
` soldiers in the reechy painting, sometime like god Bel's `
` priests `
` in the old church window, sometime like the shaven Hercules `
` in `
` the smirch'd worm-eaten tapestry, where his codpiece seems as `
` `
` massy as his club? `
` Con. All this I see; and I see that the fashion wears out more `
` apparel than the man. But art not thou thyself giddy with the `
` fashion too, that thou hast shifted out of thy tale into `
` telling `
` me of the fashion? `
` Bora. Not so neither. But know that I have to-night wooed `
` Margaret, `
` the Lady Hero's gentlewoman, by the name of Hero. She leans `
` me `
` out at her mistress' chamber window, bids me a thousand times `
` good night--I tell this tale vilely; I should first tell thee `
` how `
` the Prince, Claudio and my master, planted and placed and `
` possessed by my master Don John, saw afar off in the orchard `
` this `
` amiable encounter. `
` Con. And thought they Margaret was Hero? `
` Bora. Two of them did, the Prince and Claudio; but the devil my `
` master knew she was Margaret; and partly by his oaths, which `
` first possess'd them, partly by the dark night, which did `
` deceive `
` them, but chiefly by my villany, which did confirm any `
` slander `
` that Don John had made, away went Claudio enrag'd; swore he `
` would `
` meet her, as he was appointed, next morning at the temple, `
` and `
` there, before the whole congregation, shame her with what he `
` saw `
` o'ernight and send her home again without a husband. `
` 2. Watch. We charge you in the Prince's name stand! `
` 1. Watch. Call up the right Master Constable. We have here `
` recover'd the most dangerous piece of lechery that ever was `
` known `
` in the commonwealth. `
` 2. Watch. And one Deformed is one of them. I know him; 'a wears `
` a `
` lock. `
` Con. Masters, masters-- `
` 1. Watch. You'll be made bring Deformed forth, I warrant you. `
` Con. Masters-- `
` 2. Watch. Never speak, we charge you. Let us obey you to go `
` with `
` us. `
` Bora. We are like to prove a goodly commodity, being taken up `
` of `
` these men's bills. `
` Con. A commodity in question, I warrant you. Come, we'll obey `
` you. `
` Exeunt. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` Scene IV. `
` A Room in Leonato's house. `
` `
` Enter Hero, and Margaret and Ursula. `
` `
` Hero. Good Ursula, wake my cousin Beatrice and desire her to `
` rise. `
` Urs. I will, lady. `
` Hero. And bid her come hither. `
` Urs. Well. [Exit.] `
` Marg. Troth, I think your other rebato were better. `
` Hero. No, pray thee, good Meg, I'll wear this. `
` Marg. By my troth, 's not so good, and I warrant your cousin `
` will `
` say so. `
` Hero. My cousin's a fool, and thou art another. I'll wear none `
` but `
` this. `
` Marg. I like the new tire within excellently, if the hair were `
` a `
` thought browner; and your gown's a most rare fashion, i' `
` faith. `
` I saw the Duchess of Milan's gown that they praise so. `
` Hero. O, that exceeds, they say. `
` Marg. By my troth, 's but a nightgown in respect of yours-- `
` cloth-o'-gold and cuts, and lac'd with silver, set with `
` pearls `
`