Authors: John McCann,Monica Sweeney,Becky Thomas
DON JOHN
I will disparage her no farther till you are my witnesses: bear it coldly but till midnight, and let the issue show itself.
DON PEDRO
O day untowardly turned!
CLAUDIO
O mischief strangely thwarting!
DON JOHN
O plague right well prevented! so will you say when you have seen the sequel.
ACT III. Scene III (1–87).
DOGBERRY
Are you good men and true?
VERGES
Yea, or else it were pity but they should suffer salvation, body and soul.
DOGBERRY
Nay, that were a punishment too good for them, if they should have any allegiance in them, being chosen for the prince’s watch.
VERGES
Well, give them their charge, neighbour Dogberry.
DOGBERRY
First, who think you the most desertless man to be constable?
FIRST WATCHMAN
Hugh Otecake, sir, or George Seacole; for they can write and read.
DOGBERRY
Come hither, neighbour Seacole. God hath blessed you with a good name: to be a well-favoured man is the gift of fortune; but to write and read comes by nature.
SECOND WATCHMAN
Both which, master constable,—
DOGBERRY
You have: I knew it would be your answer. Well, for your favour, sir, why, give God thanks, and make no boast of it; and for your writing and reading, let that appear when there is no need of such vanity. You are thought here to be the most senseless and fit man for the constable of the watch; therefore bear you the lantern. This is your charge: you shall comprehend all vagrom men; you are to bid any man stand, in the prince’s name.
SECOND WATCHMAN
How if a’ will not stand?
DOGBERRY
Why, then, take no note of him, but let him go; and presently call the rest of the watch together and thank God you are rid of a knave.
VERGES
If he will not stand when he is bidden, he is none of the prince’s subjects.
DOGBERRY
True, and they are to meddle with none but the prince’s subjects. You shall also make no noise in the streets; for, for the watch to babble and to talk is most tolerable and not to be endured.
SECOND WATCHMAN
We will rather sleep than talk: we know what belongs to a watch.