Speeches (Lines) for Verges in "Much Ado About Nothing"

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. 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. Truly, by your office, you may; but I think they
that touch pitch will be defiled: the most peaceable
way for you, if you do take a thief, is to let him
show himself what he is and steal out of your company.

Verges. You have been always called a merciful man, partner.

Dogberry. Truly, I would not hang a dog by my will, much more
a man who hath any honesty in him.

Verges. If you hear a child cry in the night, you must call
to the nurse and bid her still it.

Dogberry. Why, then, depart in peace, and let the child wake
her with crying; for the ewe that will not hear her
lamb when it baes will never answer a calf when he bleats.

Verges. 'Tis very true.

Dogberry. This is the end of the charge:--you, constable, are
to present the prince's own person: if you meet the
prince in the night, you may stay him.

Verges. Nay, by'r our lady, that I think a' cannot.

Dogberry. Five shillings to one on't, with any man that knows
the statutes, he may stay him: marry, 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.

Verges. By'r lady, I think it be so.

Dogberry. Marry, this it is, sir.

Verges. Yes, in truth it is, sir.

Dogberry. Goodman Verges, sir, speaks a little off the
matter: an old man, sir, and his wits are not so
blunt as, 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. Yea, an 'twere a thousand pound more than 'tis; for
I hear as good exclamation on your worship as of any
man in the city; and though I be but a poor man, I
am glad to hear it.

Verges. And so am I.

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

Verges. Marry, sir, our watch to-night, excepting your
worship's presence, ha' ta'en a couple of as arrant
knaves as any in Messina.

Dogberry. Go, good partner, go, get you to Francis Seacole;
bid him bring his pen and inkhorn to the gaol: we
are now to examination these men.

Verges. And we must do it wisely.

Dogberry. Is our whole dissembly appeared?

Verges. O, a stool and a cushion for the sexton.

Dogberry. Marry, that am I and my partner.

Verges. Nay, that's certain; we have the exhibition to examine.

Dogberry. Flat burglary as ever was committed.

Verges. Yea, by mass, that it is.

Dogberry. Come, let them be opinioned.

Verges. Let them be in the hands--

Dogberry. Come, bring away the plaintiffs: by this time our
sexton hath reformed Signior Leonato of the matter:
and, masters, do not forget to specify, when time
and place shall serve, that I am an ass.

Verges. Here, here comes master Signior Leonato, and the
Sexton too.