Dogb. One word, Sir; our Watch have, indeed, comprehended two aufpicious perfons; and we would have them this morning examin'd before your Worship. Leon. Take their examination yourself, and bring it me; I am now in great hafte, as may appear unto you. Dogb. It fhall be fuffigance. Leon. Drink fome wine ere you go: fare you well. Enter a Messenger: Melf. My lord, they ftay for you to give your daughter to her husband. Leon. I'll wait upon them. I am ready. [Exeunt Leonato. Dogb. Go, good Partner, go get you to Francis Seacoale, bid him bring his pen and inkhorn to the jail; we are now to examine those men. Verg. And we must do it wifely. Dogb. We will fpare for no wit, I warrant; here's That [touching his forehead] fhall drive fome of them to a non-come. Only get the learned writer to fet down our excommunication, and meet me at the Jail. [Exeunt. ACT A CT IV. SCENE I A CHURCH. Enter D. Pedro, D. John, Leonato, Friar, Claudio, Benedick, Hero, and Beatrice. COM LEONATO. COME, friar Francis, be brief, only to the plain form of marriage, and you fhall recount their particular duties afterwards. Friar. You come hither, my Lord, to marry this lady? Claud. No. Leon. To be marry'd to her, Friar. You come to marry her. Friar. Lady, you come hither to be marry'd to this Count. Hero. I do. Friar. If either of you know any inward impediment why you should not be conjoin'd, I charge you on your fouls to utter it. Claud. Know you any, Hero? Hero. None, my Lord. Friar. Know you any, Count? Leon. I dare make his anfwer, none. Claud. O what men dare do! what men may do! what Men daily do not knowing what they do! 5 Bene. How now! Interjections? why, then fome be of laughing, as, ha, ha, he! Claud. Stand thee by, friar: father, by your leave, Will you with free and unconstrained foul $ Some be of laughing.] This is a quotation from the Accidence. Give me this maid your daughter? Leon. As freely, fon, as God did give her me. Claud. And what have I to give you back, whofe worth May counterpoife this rich and precious gift? There, Leonato, take her back again; Give not this rotten orange to your friend. Not to knit my foul to an approved Wanton. Claud. I know what you would fay. If I have known her, 6 luxurious bed;] That is, lafcivious. Luxury is the confeffor's term for unlawful pleafures of the fex. Dear my Lord, if you in your own Proof] I am furpriz'd, the Poetical Editors did not obferve the Lamenefs of this Verfe. It evidently wants a Syllable in the laft Foot, which I have reflor'd by a Word, which, I pre fume, the firfl Editors might he fitate at; tho' it is a very proper one, and a Word elsewhere used by our Author. Befides, in the Paffage under Examination, this Word comes in a'moft neceffarily, as Claudio had faid in the line immediately preceding; Not knit my Soul to an approved Wanton. THEOBALD. You'll You'll fay, fhe did embrace me as a husband, No, Leonato, I never tempted her with word too large; Hero. And feem'd I ever otherwife to you? As chafte as is the budere it be blown : Hero. Is my Lord well, that he doth speak fo wide? I ftand dishonour'd, that have gone about Hero. True! O God! Claud. Leonato, ftand I here? Is this the Prince? Is this the Prince's Brother? Is this face Hero's? are our eyes our own; Leon. All this is fo; but what of this, my lord? Claud. Let me but move one queftion to your daughter, 2 And, by that fatherly and kindly power Leon. I charge thee do so, as thou art my child. Hero. O God defend me, how am I befet! What kind of catechizing call you this? Claud. To make you anfwer truly to your name. Hero. Is it not Hero? who can blot that name With any just reproach? Claud. Marry, that can Hero; Hero herfelf can blot out Hero's virtue. What man was he talk'd with you yesternight Hero. I talk'd with no man at that hour, my Lord. Pedro. Why, then you are no maiden. Leonato, I am forry, you must hear; upon mine Honour, Myfelf, my Brother, and this grieved Count Did fee her, hear her, at that hour last night, Talk with a ruffian at her chamber window Who hath, indeed, most like a liberal villain 3, Confefs'd the vile encounters they have had A thousand times in fecret. John. Fie, fie, they are not to be nam'd, my Lord. Not to be spoken of; There is not chastity enough in language, Without offence, to utter them: thus, pretty lady, Claud. O Hero! what a Hero hadft thou been +, 3 liberal villain.] Li- ilüberal. beral here, as in many places of thefe plays, means, frank beyond banefty or decency. Free of tongue. Dr. Warburton unneceffarily reads + I am afraid here is intended a poor conceit upon the word. Hero. And |