Much Ado About Nothing

by: William Shakespeare

Act 3 Scene 5

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Original Text	Modern Text
Enter LEONATO withDOGBERRY and VERGES	LEONATO enters withDOGBERRY andVERGES.
LEONATO What would you with me, honest neighbor?	LEONATO What do you want from me, my good man?
DOGBERRY Marry, sir, I would have some confidence with you that decerns you nearly.	DOGBERRY Please, sir, I would like to discuss some news that decerns “Decerns” is a mistake for “concerns.” decerns you greatly.
LEONATO Brief, I pray you, for you see it is a busy time with me.	LEONATO Be brief, please, because, as you can see, this is a busy time for me.
DOGBERRY 5Marry, this it is, sir.	DOGBERRY Indeed, sir, it is.
VERGES Yes, in truth it is, sir.	VERGES Yes, it truly is.
LEONATO What is it, my good friends?	LEONATO What’s the news, my good friends?
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 10desire they were, but, in faith, honest as the skin between his brows.	DOGBERRY Sorry, sir, Goodman Verges tends to ramble. He’s an old man, sir, and his wits are not as blunt “Blunt” is a mistake for “sharp.” blunt as I wish they were. But truly, he’s as 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.	VERGES Yes, I thank God that I am as honest as all the other old men who are not honester than me.
DOGBERRY Comparisons are odorous. Palabras, neighbor Verges.	DOGBERRY Making comparisons is odorous “Odorous” is a mistake for “odious” (hateful). odorous, Verges. Get on with your story.
LEONATO 15Neighbors, you are tedious.	LEONATO Friends, you are becoming tedious.
DOGBERRY It pleases your Worship to say so, but we are the poor duke’s officers. But truly, for mine own part, if I were as tedious as a king, I could find it in my heart to bestow it all of your worship.	DOGBERRY Thank you for saying that, your Worship, but we’re just the poor duke’s officers. But truly, if I were as tedious Dogberry takes “tedious” to mean “rich.” tedious as a king, I would give everything to you, your Worship.

Read the Summary of Act III, scenes iv–v

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