Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Gretchen Minton
Not Peer Reviewed

Much Ado About Nothing (Quarto 1, 1600)

about Nothing.
to see: well said yfaith neighbour Verges, well, God's a good
1630man, and two men ride of a horse, one must ride behind, an ho-
nest soule yfaith sir, by my troth he is, as euer broke bread, but
God is to be worshipt, all men are not alike, alas good neigh-
bour.
Leonato Indeed neighbour he comes too short of you.
1635Const. Do. Gifts that God giues.
Leonato I must leaue you.
Const. Dog. One word sir, our watch sir haue indeede com-
prehended two aspitious persons, and wee woulde haue them
this morning examined before your worship.
1640Leonato Take their examination your selfe, and bring it me,
I am now in great haste, as it may appeare vnto you.
Constable It shall be suffigance.
Leonato Drinke some wine ere you goe: fare you well. (exit
Messenger My lord, they stay for you, to giue your daugh-
1645ter to her husband.
Leon. Ile wait vpon them, I am ready.
Dogb. Go good partner, goe get you to Francis Sea-cole,
bid him bring his penne and inckehorne to the Gaole: we are
now to examination these men.
1650Verges And we must do it wisely.
Dogbery We will spare for no witte I warrant you: heeres
that shall driue some of them to a noncome, only get the lear-
ned writer to set downe our excommunication, and meet me
at the Iaile.
Enter Prince, Bastard, Leonato, Frier, Claudio, Bene-
dicke, Hero, and Beatrice
Leonato Come Frier Francis, be briefe, onely to the plaine
forme of marriage, and you shall recount their particular due-
1660ties afterwards.
Fran. You come hither, my lord, to marry this lady.
Claudio No.
Leo To bee married to her: Frier, you come to marry her.
1665Frier Lady, you come hither to be married to this counte.
Hero I do.
Frier If either of you know any inward impediment why
F3 you