1599 MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
Page: 53

Dog. Marry, sir, they have committed false report; moreover,
they
have spoken untruths; secondarily, they are slanders; sixth
and
lastly, they have belied a lady; thirdly, they have verified
unjust things; and to conclude, they are lying knaves.
Pedro. First, I ask thee what they have done; thirdly, I ask
thee
what's their offence; sixth and lastly, why they are
committed;
and to conclude, what you lay to their charge.
Claud. Rightly reasoned, and in his own division; and by my
troth
there's one meaning well suited.
Pedro. Who have you offended, masters, that you are thus bound
to
your answer? This learned constable is too cunning to be
understood. What's your offence?
Bora. Sweet Prince, let me go no farther to mine answer. Do you
hear me, and let this Count kill me. I have deceived even
your
very eyes. What your wisdoms could not discover, these
shallow
fools have brought to light, who in the night overheard me
confessing to this man, how Don John your brother incensed me
to
slander the Lady Hero; how you were brought into the orchard
and
saw me court Margaret in Hero's garments; how you disgrac'd
her
when you should marry her. My villany they have upon record,
which I had rather seal with my death than repeat over to my
shame. The lady is dead upon mine and my master's false
accusation; and briefly, I desire nothing but the reward of a
villain.
Pedro. Runs not this speech like iron through your blood?
Claud. I have drunk poison whiles he utter'd it.
Pedro. But did my brother set thee on to this?
Bora. Yea, and paid me richly for the practice of it.
Pedro. He is compos'd and fram'd of treachery,
And fled he is upon this villany.
Claud. Sweet Hero, now thy image doth appear
In the rare semblance that I lov'd it first.
Dog. 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.
Verg. Here, here comes Master Signior Leonato, and the sexton