Dogb. Marry, this it is, Sir.

Verg. Yes in truth it is, Sir.

Leon. What is it, my good friends?

Dogb. Goodman Verges, Sir, fpeaks a little of the matter, an old man, Sir, and his wits are not fo blunt, as God help I would defire they were, but, in faith, as honeft as the skin between his brows.

Verg. Yes, I thank God, I am as honeft as any man living, that is an old man and no honester than I. Dogb. Comparisons are odorous, palabras, neighbour Verges.

Leon. Neighbours, you are tedious.

Dogb. It pleafes your Worship to fay fo, 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.

Leon. All thy tedioufnefs on me, ha?

Dogb. Yea, and twice a thousand times more than 'tis, for I hear as good exclamation on your Worship as of any man in the city; and tho' I be but a poor man, I am glad to hear it.

Verg. And fo am I.

Leon. I would fain know what you have to say.

Verg. Marry, Sir, our Watch to-night, excepting your Worship's prefence, hath ta'en a couple of as arrant knaves as any in Melfina.

Dogb. A good old man, Sir, he will be talking as they fay; when the age is in, the wit is out, God help us, it is a world to fee: well faid, i' faith, neighbour Verges, well, he's a good man; an two men ride an horse, one muft ride behind; an honeft foul, i' faith, Sir, by my troth he is, as ever broke bread, but God is to be worfhip'd; all men are not alike, alas good neighbour!

Leon. Indeed, neighbour, he comes too fhort of you. Dogb. Gifts that God gives,

Leon. I must leave you.

Dogb. One word, Sir; our Watch have indeed comprehended two aufpicious perfons, and we would

have

have them this morning examin'd before your Worship.

Leon. Take their examination your felf, and bring it me; I am now in great hafte, as may appear unto you. Dogb. It fhall be fuffigance.

Leon. Drink fome wine ere you go: fare you well.

Enter a Mellenger.

Mell. My Lord, they stay for you to give your daughter to her husband.

Leon. I'll wait upon them. I am ready. [Exit Leon. Dogb. Go, good partner, go get you to Francis Seacole, bid him bring his pen and inkhorn to the jail; we are now to examine those men.

Verg. And we must do it wifely.

Dogb. We will fpare for no wit, I warrant; here's that fhall drive fome of them to a non-come. Only get the learned writer to fet down our excommunication, and meet me at the Jail. [Exeunt.

IV. SCENE I

ACT IV.

A CHURCH.

Enter D. Pedro, D. John, Leonato, Friar, Claudio,
Benedick, Hero, and Beatrice.

COM

LEONATO.

OME, friar Francis, be brief, only to the plain form of marriage, and you fhall recount their parti cular duties afterwards.

Friar. You come hither, my Lord, to marry this Lady?

Claud, No.

Leon.

Leon. To be marry'd to her, Friar; you come to marry her.

Friar. Lady, you come hither to be marry'd to this Count?

Hero, I do.

Friar. If either of you know any inward impediment why you should not be conjoin'd, I charge you on your fouls to utter it.

Claud. Know you any, Hero?
Hero. None, my Lord.

Friar: Know you any, Count?

Leon. I dare make his anfwer, none.

Claud. O what men dare do! what men may do! what men daily do!

Bene. How now! Interjections? why then, fome be of laughing, as ha, ha, he!

Claud. Stand thee by, Friar: father, by your leave. Will you with free and unconstrained foul

Give me this maid your daughter?

Leon. As freely, fon, as God did give her me.

Claud. And what have I to give you back, whose worth May counterpoise this rich and precious gift? Pedro. Nothing, unless you render her again.

Claud. Sweet Prince, you learn me noble thankfulness: There, Leonato, take her back again;

Give not this rotten orange to your friend.

She's but the fign and femblance of her honour:
Behold how like a maid fhe blushes here!

O, what authority and fhew of truth
Can cunning fin cover it felf withal!
Comes not that blood, as modeft evidence,
To witness fimple virtue? would you not swear,
All you that fee her, that fhe were a maid,
By thefe exterior fhews? but fhe is none:
She knows the heat of a luxurious bed;
Her blush is guiltinefs not modefty.
Leon. What do you mean, my Lord ?
Claud. Not to be marry'd,

Not

Not knit my foul to an approved Wanton.

7

Leon. Dear my Lord, if you in your own 'approof Have vanquish'd the refiftance of her youth,

And made defeat of her virginity

Claud. I know what you would fay: if I have known her, You'll fay, fhe did embrace me as a husband, And fo extenuate the forehand fin.

No, Leonato,

I never tempted her with word too large;
But, as a brother to his fifter, fhew'd
Bashful fincerity, and comely love.

Hero. And feem'd I ever otherwise to you?
Claud. Out on thy feeming! I will write against it;
You feem'd to me as Dian in her orb,

As chafte as is the bud ere it be blown:

But you are more intemperate in your blood
Than Venus, or those pamper'd animals

That rage in favage fenfuality.

Hero. Is my Lord well, that he doth speak so wide? Leon. Sweet Prince, why speak not you?

Pedro. What fhould I fpeak?

I ftand difhonour'd, that have gone about

To link my dear friend to a common Stale.

Leon. Are these things fpoken, or do I but dream? John. Sir, they are spoken, and these things are true. Bene. This looks not like a nuptial.

Hero. True! O God!

Claud. Leonato, stand I here?

Is this the Prince? Is this the Prince's brother?

Is this face Hero's? are our eyes our own?

Leon. All this is fo; but what of this, my Lord? Claud. Let me but move one queftion to your daughter, And by that fatherly and kindly power

That you have in her, bid her anfwer truly.

Leon. I charge thee do fo, as thou art my child.

Hero. O God defend me, how am befet!

What kind of catechizing call you this?

7 proof... old edit. Theob, emend.

Leon.

Leon. To make you answer truly to your name. Hero. Is it not Hero? who can blot that name With any just reproach?

Claud. Marry, that can Hero;

Hero her felf can blot out Hero's virtue.
What man was he talk'd with you yesternight
Out at your window betwixt twelve and one?
Now if you are a maid anfwer to this.

Hero. I talk'd with no man at that hour, my Lord.
Pedro. Why then you are no maiden. Leonato,
I am forry you must hear; upon mine honour,
My felf, my brother, and this grieved Count
Did fee her, hear her, at that hour last night
Talk with a ruffian at her chamber-window,
Who hath, indeed like an illiberal` villain,
Confefs'd the vile encounters, they have had
A thousand times in fecret.

John. 9'Fie, they are

Not to be nam'd, my Lord, not to be fpoken of;
There is not chastity enough in language,
Without offence, to utter them: thus, pretty Lady,
I am forry for thy much mifgovernment.

Claud. O Hero! what a Hero hadft thou been,
If half thy outward graces had been plac'd
About the thoughts and counfels of thy heart!
But fare thee well, moft foul, most fair! farewel,
Thou pure impiety, and impious purity!
For thee I'll lock up all the gates of love,
And on my eyelids fhall conjecture hang,
To turn all beauty into thoughts of harm,
And never shall it more be gracious.

Leon, Hath no man's dagger here a point for me?
[Hero fwoons.
Beat. Why, how now, coufin, wherefore fink you down?
John. Come, let us go; these things come thus to light
Smother her fpirits up.

VOL. I.

8 a liberal

[Exeunt D. Pedro, D. John and Claud.

Kk

9 Fie, fie, they

SCENE