Page 1395 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

LEONATO

Brief, I pray you, for you see it is a busy time with me. [5]

DOGBERRY
Marry, this it is, sir.

VERGES
Yes, in truth it is, sir.

LEONATO
What is it, my good friends?

DOGBERRY
Goodman Verges, sir, speaks a little off the matter − an old man, sir, and his

wits are not so blunt as, [10] God help, I would desire they were; but, in
faith, honest as the skin between his brows.

VERGES
Yes, I thank God I am as honest as any man living that is an old man and no
honester than I.

DOGBERRY
Comparisons are odorous: palabras, [15] neighbour Verges.

LEONATO
Neighbours, you are tedious.

DOGBERRY
It pleases your worship to say so, 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 it in my
heart to [20] bestow it all of your worship.

LEONATO
All thy tediousness on me, ah?

DOGBERRY
Yea, an’t ’twere a thousand pound more than ’tis, for I hear as good