Pedro. For my life, to break with him about Beatrice.

Claud. 'Tis even so: Hero and Margaret have, by this time, played their parts with Beatrice; and then the two bears will not bite one another, when they meet.

Enter DON JOHN.

John. My lord and brother, Heaven save you!
Pedro. Good den, brother.

John. If your leisure served, I would speak with you.

Pedro. In private ?

John. If it please you ;—yet Count Claudio may hear; for what I would speak of, concerns him. Pedro. What's the matter?

John. Means your lordship to be married to-mor row?

Pedro. You know, he does.

John. I know not that, when he knows what I know.

Claud. If there be any impediment, I pray you,

discover it.

John. You may think, I love you not; let that appear hereafter, and aim better at me by that I now will manifest for my brother, I think, he holds you well; and, in dearness of heart, hath holp to effect your ensuing marriage: surely, suit ill spent, and labour ill bestowed!

Pedro. Why, what's the matter?

John. I came hither to tell you, and, circumstances shortened, for she hath too long been a talking of, the lady is disloyal.

Claud. Who? Hero!

John. Even she; Leonato's Hero, your Hero, every man's Hero.

Claud. Disloyal!

John. The word is too good to paint out her wick

edness; I could say, she were worse; think you of a worse title, and I will fit her to it. Wonder not till farther warrant go but with me to-night, you shall see her chamber window entered; even the night before her wedding day; if you love her then, to-morrow wed her; but it would better fit your honour to change your mind.

Claud. May this be so?

Pedro. I will not think it.

John. If you dare not trust that you see, confess not that you know: if you will follow me, I will show you enough; and when you have seen more, and heard more, proceed accordingly.

Claud. If I see any thing to-night why I should not marry her to-morrow, in the congregation, where I should wed, there will I shame her.

Pedro. And, as I wooed for thee to obtain her, I will join with thee to disgrace her.

John. I will disparage her no farther, till you are my witnesses: bear it coldly but till midnight, and let the issue show itself. [Exeunt.

SCENE III.

The Street.

Enter DOG BERRY, VERGES, SEA COAL, OATCAKE, and Four WATCHMEN.

Dogb. Are you good men and true?

Verges. Yea, or else it were pity but they should suffer salvation, body and soul.

Dogb. 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.

Dogb. First, who think you the most desartless

man to be constable ?

Verges. Hugh Oatcake, sir, or George Seacoal; for they can write and read.

Dogb. Come hither, neighbour Seacoal: Heaven bath bless'd you with a good name: to be a well favour'd man is the gift of fortune; but to write and read comes by nature.

Sea. Both which, Master Constable,-
Dogb. You have.

Sea. I have.

Dogb. I knew it would be your answer. Well, for your favour, sir, why, give Heaven 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.

Sea. How if he will not stand?

Dogb. Why, then take no note of him, but let him go; and presently call the rest of the watch together, and thank Heaven you are rid of a knave.

Verges. If he will not stand when he is bidden, he is none of the prince's subjecst.

Dogb. 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 talk, is most tolerable, and not to be endured.

Sea. We will rather sleep than talk; we know what belongs to a watch.

Dogb. Why, you speak like an ancient and most quiet watchman; for I cannot see how sleeping should

offend: only, have a care that your bills be not stolen:-Well, you are to call at all the alehouses, and bid those that are drunk get them to bed. Sea. How if they will not?

Dogb. Why, then, let them alone till they are sober; if they make you not then the better answer, you may say, they are not the men you took them for.

Sea. Well, sir.

Dogb. If you meet a thief, you may suspect him, by virtue of your office, to be no true man; and, for such kind of men, the less you meddle or make with them, why, the more is for your honesty.

Sea. If we know him to be a thief, shall we not lay hands on him?

Dogb. 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.

Dogb. 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.

Sea. How if the nurse be asleep, and will not bear us?

Dogb. 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.

Dogh. 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'rlady, that, I think, he cannot. Dogb. Five shillings to one on't with any man, that

knows the statues, 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'rlady, I think, it be so.

Dogb. Ha! ha! ha! Well, masters, good night: an there be any matter of weight chances, call up me: keep your fellow's counsels and your own, and good night.-Come, neighbour.

[Exeunt DOG BERRY and VERGES. Sea. Well, masters, we hear our charge: let us go sit upon the church-bench till two, and then all to bed.

Enter DOG BERRY and VERGES.

Dogb. One word more, honest neighbours: I pray you, watch about Signior Leonato's door; for the wedding being there to-morrow, there is a great coil to-night: Adieu! be vigilant, I beseech you.

[Exeunt DOGBERRY and VERGES.

Enter BORACHIO.

Bor. What, Conrade!

Sea. [Aside.] Peace, stir not.

Bor. Conrade, I say!

Enter CONRADE.

Con. Here, man, I am at thy elbow.

Bor. Stand thee close, then; and I will, like a true drunkard, utter all to thee.

Sea. [Aside.] Some treason, masters; yet stand close.

Bor. Therefore know, I have earned of Don John a thousand ducats.

Con. Is it possible that any villany should be so dear?

Bor. Thou shouldst rather ask, if it were possible any villany should be so rich for, when rich villains