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  • Title: Much Ado About Nothing (Quarto 1, 1600)
  • Editor: Gretchen Minton
  • ISBN: 978-1-55058-516-2

    Copyright Gretchen Minton. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Gretchen Minton
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Much Ado About Nothing (Quarto 1, 1600)

    about Nothing.
    Dog. Why then depart in peace, and let the child wake her
    with crying, for the ewe that will not heare her lamb when it
    baes, will neuer answer a calfe when he bleates.
    1400Verges Tis very true.
    Dog. This is the end of the charge: you constable are to
    present the princes owne person, if you meete the prince in the
    night, you may stay him.
    Verges Nay birlady that I thinke a cannot.
    1405Dog. Fiue shillings to one on't with any man that knowes
    the statutes, he may stay him, mary 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.
    1410Verges Birlady I thinke it be so.
    Dog. Ha ah ha, wel masters good night, and there be any
    matter of weight chaunces, cal vp me, keepe your fellowes
    counsailes, and your owne, and good night, come neigh-
    bour.
    1415Watch Well masters, we heare our charge, let vs goe sitte
    here vppon the church bench till twoo, and then all to
    Dog. One word more, honest neighbors, I pray you watch
    about signior Leonatoes doore, for the wedding being there to
    1420morrow, there is a great coyle to night, adiew, be vigitant I be-
    seech you. exeunt.
    Enter Borachio and Conrade.
    Bor. What Conrade?
    Watch Peace, stir not.
    1425Bor. Conrade I say.
    Con. Here man, I am at thy elbow.
    Bor. Mas and my elbow itcht, I thought there would a
    scabbe follow.
    Con. I will owe thee an answer for that, and now forward
    1430with thy tale.
    Bor. Stand thee close then vnder this penthouse, for it
    drissells raine, and I will, like a true drunckard, vtter all to
    thee.
    Watch Some treason masters, yet stand close.
    Bor.