Much Ado About Nothing
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Enter Dogbery and his compartner with the Enter Dogberry and his compartner Verges with thecompartner (n.)
associate, partner		MA III.iii.1.1
watch.Watchwatch (n.)
watchmen, officers, street patrol		MA III.iii.1.2
Dog. DOGBERRY 
Are you good men and true?Are you good men and true? MA III.iii.1
Verg. VERGES 
Yea, or else it were pitty but they should sufferYea, or else it were pity but they should suffer MA III.iii.2
saluation body and soule.salvation, body and soul. MA III.iii.3
Dogb. DOGBERRY 
Nay, that were a punishment too good forNay, that were a punishment too good for MA III.iii.4
them, if they should haue any allegiance in them, beingthem, if they should have any allegiance in them, being MA III.iii.5
chosen for the Princes watch.chosen for the Prince's watch. MA III.iii.6
Verges. VERGES 
Well, giue them their charge, neighbourWell, give them their charge, neighbourcharge (n.)
commission, responsibility, official duty		MA III.iii.7
Dogbery.Dogberry. MA III.iii.8
Dog. DOGBERRY 
First, who thinke you the most desartlesse manFirst, who think you the most desartless mandesartless (adj.)

old form: desartlesse
underserving, lacking in merit [malapropism for ‘deserving’]		MA III.iii.9
to be Constable?to be constable?constable (n.)
leader of the Watch, chief officer		MA III.iii.10
Watch. 1. FIRST WATCHMAN 
Hugh Ote-cake sir, or George Sea-coale, Hugh Oatcake, sir, or George Seacoal, MA III.iii.11
for they can write and reade.for they can write and read. MA III.iii.12
Dogb. DOGBERRY 
Come hither neighbour Sea-coale, God hathCome hither, neighbour Seacoal. God hath MA III.iii.13
blest you with a good name: to be a wel-fauoured man,blessed you with a good name. To be a well-favouredwell-favoured (adj.)

old form: wel-fauoured
good-looking, attractive in appearance		MA III.iii.14
is the gift of Fortune, but to write and reade, comes man is the gift of fortune; but to write and read comes MA III.iii.15
by Nature.by nature. MA III.iii.16
Watch 2. SECOND WATCHMAN 
Both which Master ConstableBoth which, Master Constable – MA III.iii.17
Dogb. DOGBERRY 
You haue: I knew it would be your answere:You have; I knew it would be your answer. MA III.iii.18
well, for your fauour sir, why giue God thankes, & Well, for your favour, sir, why, give God thanks, andfavour (n.)

old form: fauour
[facial] appearance, countenance, features, looks		MA III.iii.19
make no boast of it, and for your writing and reading, make no boast of it; and for your writing and reading, MA III.iii.20
let that appeare when there is no need of such vanity, you let that appear when there is no need of such vanity. You MA III.iii.21
are thought heere to be the most senslesse and fit man are thought here to be the most senseless and fit man MA III.iii.22
for the Constable of the watch: therefore beare you the for the constable of the watch; therefore bear you the MA III.iii.23
lanthorne: this is your charge: You shall comprehend alllantern. This is your charge: you shall comprehend allcomprehend (v.)
malapropism for ‘apprehend’		MA III.iii.24
vagrom men, you are to bid any man stand in the vagrom men; you are to bid any man stand, in thestand (v.)
stop, halt		MA III.iii.25
vagrom (adj.)
vagrant, vagabond [malapropism of ‘vagrant’]
Princes name.Prince's name. MA III.iii.26
Watch 2. SECOND WATCHMAN 
How if a will not stand?How if 'a will not stand? MA III.iii.27
Dogb. DOGBERRY 
Why then take no note of him, but let him go,Why, then, take no note of him, but let him go; MA III.iii.28
and presently call the rest of the Watch together, andand presently call the rest of the watch together andpresently (adv.)
immediately, instantly, at once		MA III.iii.29
thanke God you are ridde of a knaue.thank God you are rid of a knave.knave (n.)

old form: knaue
scoundrel, rascal, rogue		MA III.iii.30
Verges. VERGES 
If he will not stand when he is bidden, hee is none If he will not stand when he is bidden, he is none MA III.iii.31
of the Princes subiects.of the Prince's subjects. MA III.iii.32
Dogb. DOGBERRY 
True, and they are to meddle with none but the True, and they are to meddle with none but the MA III.iii.33
Princes subiects: you shall also make no noise in thePrince's subjects. You shall also make no noise in the MA III.iii.34
streetes: for, for the Watch to babble and talke, is moststreets; for for the watch to babble and to talk is most MA III.iii.35
tollerable, and not to be indured.tolerable and not to be endured. MA III.iii.36
Watch. FIRST WATCHMAN 
We will rather sleepe than talke, wee We will rather sleep than talk; we MA III.iii.37
know what belongs to a Watch.know what belongs to a watch.belong (v.)
be the duty of, pertain to		MA III.iii.38
Dog. DOGBERRY 
Why you speake like an ancient and most quietWhy, you speak like an ancient and most quietancient, aunchient (adj.)
time-worn, experienced, renowned		MA III.iii.39
watchman, for I cannot see how sleeping should offend:watchman, for I cannot see how sleeping should offend; MA III.iii.40
only haue a care that your bills be not stolne: well, youonly, have a care that your bills be not stolen. Well, youbill (n.)
[applied to various kinds of long-handled spear-like weapon] halberd; bill-hook		MA III.iii.41
are to call at all the Alehouses, and bid them that areare to call at all the alehouses, and bid those that are MA III.iii.42
drunke get them to bed.drunk get them to bed. MA III.iii.43
Watch. SECOND WATCHMAN 
How if they will not?How if they will not? MA III.iii.44
Dogb. DOGBERRY 
Why then let them alone till they are sober, Why, then, let them alone till they are sober; MA III.iii.45
if they make you not then the better answere, you may if they make you not then the better answer, you may MA III.iii.46
say, they are not the men you tooke them for.say they are not the men you took them for. MA III.iii.47
Watch. SECOND WATCHMAN 
Well sir.Well, sir. MA III.iii.48
Dogb. DOGBERRY 
If you meet a theefe, you may suspect him, byIf you meet a thief, you may suspect him, by MA III.iii.49
vertue of your office, to be no true man: and for suchvirtue of your office, to be no true man; and, for suchoffice (n.)
role, position, place, function		MA III.iii.50
true (adj.)
honest, upright, law-abiding
kinde of men, the lesse you meddle or make with them,kind of men, the less you meddle or make with them,meddle or make
interfere, butt in		MA III.iii.51
why the more is for your honesty.why, the more is for your honesty. MA III.iii.52
Watch. SECOND WATCHMAN 
If wee know him to be a thiefe, shall If we know him to be a thief, shall MA III.iii.53
wee not lay hands on him.we not lay hands on him? MA III.iii.54
Dogb. DOGBERRY 
Truly by your office you may, but I think Truly, by your office, you may, but I think MA III.iii.55
they that touch pitch will be defil'd: the most peaceable they that touch pitch will be defiled. The most peaceable MA III.iii.56
way for you, if you doe take a theefe, is, to let him way for you, if you do take a thief, is to let him MA III.iii.57
shew himselfe what he is, and steale out of your company.show himself what he is and steal out of your company. MA III.iii.58
Ver. VERGES 
You haue bin alwaies cal'd a merciful mã You have been always called a merciful man, MA III.iii.59
partner.partner. MA III.iii.60
Dog. DOGBERRY 
Truely I would not hang a dog by my will, Truly, I would not hang a dog by my will, MA III.iii.61
much more a man who hath anie honestie in him.much more a man who hath any honesty in him. MA III.iii.62
Verges. VERGES 
If you heare a child crie in the night you must call If you hear a child cry in the night, you must call MA III.iii.63
to the nurse, and bid her still it.to the nurse and bid her still it. MA III.iii.64
Watch. SECOND WATCHMAN 
How if the nurse be asleepe and will How if the nurse be asleep and will MA III.iii.65
not heare vs?not hear us? MA III.iii.66
Dog. DOGBERRY 
Why then depart in peace, and let the childeWhy, then, depart in peace, and let the child MA III.iii.67
wake her with crying, for the ewe that will not heare her wake her with crying; for the ewe that will not hear her MA III.iii.68
Lambe when it baes, will neuer answere a calfe when he lamb when it baas will never answer a calf when he MA III.iii.69
bleates.bleats. MA III.iii.70
Verges. VERGES 
'Tis verie true.'Tis very true. MA III.iii.71
Dog. DOGBERRY 
This is the end of the charge: you constableThis is the end of the charge: you, constable,charge (n.)
commission, responsibility, official duty		MA III.iii.72
are to present the Princes owne person, if you meete theare to present the Prince's own person; if you meet thepresent (v.)
symbolize, represent, suggest		MA III.iii.73
Prince in the night, you may staie him.Prince in the night, you may stay him.stay (v.)

old form: staie
detain, confine, keep		MA III.iii.74
Verges. VERGES 
Nay birladie that I thinke a cannot.Nay, by'r Lady, that I think 'a cannot. MA III.iii.75
Dog. DOGBERRY 
Fiue shillings to one on't with anie man thatFive shillings to one on't, with any man thatshilling (n.)
coin valued at twelve old pence or one twentieth of a pound		MA III.iii.76
knowes the Statutes, he may staie him, marrie not without knows the statutes, he may stay him; marry, not withoutstatute (n.)
law, decree, regulation		MA III.iii.77
without (conj.)
unless
marry (int.)
[exclamation] by Mary
the prince be willing, for indeed the watch ought tothe Prince be willing; for, indeed, the watch ought to MA III.iii.78
offend no man, and it is an offence to stay a man againstoffend no man, and it is an offence to stay a man against MA III.iii.79
his will.his will. MA III.iii.80
Verges. VERGES 
Birladie I thinke it be so.By'r Lady, I think it be so. MA III.iii.81
Dog. DOGBERRY 
Ha, ah ha, well masters good night, and Ha, ah ha! Well, masters, good night; anand, an (conj.)
if, whether		MA III.iii.82
there be anie matter of weight chances, call vp me, keepe there be any matter of weight chances, call up me. Keep MA III.iii.83
your fellowes counsailes, and your owne, and good night,your fellows' counsels and your own, and good night.counsel (n.)

old form: counsailes
secret, inmost thought, confidence		MA III.iii.84
come neighbour.Come, neighbour. MA III.iii.85
Watch. FIRST WATCHMAN 
Well masters, we heare our charge, Well, masters, we hear our charge. MA III.iii.86
let vs go sit here vpon the Church bench till two, and Let us go sit here upon the church-bench till two, and MA III.iii.87
then all to bed.then all to bed. MA III.iii.88
Dog. DOGBERRY 
One word more, honest neighbors. I pray One word more, honest neighbours. I pray MA III.iii.89
you watch about signior Leonatoes doore, for the wedding you, watch about Signor Leonato's door, for the wedding MA III.iii.90
being there to morrow, there is a great coyle to night,being there tomorrow, there is a great coil tonight.coil (n.)

old form: coyle
turmoil, disturbance, fuss		MA III.iii.91
adiew, be vigitant I beseech you. Adieu; be vigitant, I beseech you. MA III.iii.92
Exeunt.Exeunt Dogberry and Verges MA III.iii.92
Enter Borachio and Conrade.Enter Borachio and Conrade MA III.iii.92
Bor. BORACHIO 
What, Conrade?What, Conrade! MA III.iii.93
Watch. SECOND WATCHMAN  
(aside) MA III.iii.94
Peace, stir not.Peace! stir not. MA III.iii.94
Bor. BORACHIO 
Conrade I say.Conrade, I say! MA III.iii.95
Con. CONRADE 
Here man, I am at thy elbow.Here, man, I am at thy elbow. MA III.iii.96
Bor. BORACHIO 
Mas and my elbow itcht, I thought there Mass, and my elbow itched; I thought there MA III.iii.97
would a scabbe follow.would a scab follow. MA III.iii.98
Con. CONRADE 
I will owe thee an answere for that, and nowI will owe thee an answer for that; and nowowe (v.)
repay, compensate, pay back		MA III.iii.99
forward with thy tale.forward with thy tale. MA III.iii.100
Bor. BORACHIO 
Stand thee close then vnder this penthouse, Stand thee close then under this penthouse,penthouse, pent-house (n.)
covered way, sloping porch, overhanging roof		MA III.iii.101
close (adv.)
closely, staying near
for it drissels raine, and I will, like a true drunkard, for it drizzles rain; and I will, like a true drunkard, MA III.iii.102
vtter all to thee.utter all to thee. MA III.iii.103
Watch. SECOND WATCHMAN  
(aside) MA III.iii.104
Some treason masters, yet Some treason, masters; yet MA III.iii.104
stand close.stand close. MA III.iii.105
Bor. BORACHIO 
Therefore know, I haue earned of Don Iohn aTherefore know I have earned of Don John a MA III.iii.106
thousand Ducates.thousand ducats.ducat (n.)
gold (sometimes silver) coin used in several European countries		MA III.iii.107
Con. CONRADE 
Is it possible that anie villanie should be so deare?Is it possible that any villainy should be so dear? MA III.iii.108
Bor. BORACHIO 
Thou should'st rather aske if it were possible Thou shouldst rather ask if it were possible MA III.iii.109
anie villanie should be so rich? for when rich villains any villainy should be so rich; for when rich villains MA III.iii.110
haue neede of poore ones, poore ones may make what pricehave need of poor ones, poor ones may make what price MA III.iii.111
they will.they will. MA III.iii.112
Con. CONRADE 
I wonder at it.I wonder at it.wonder (v.)
marvel [at], be astonished [at]		MA III.iii.113
Bor. BORACHIO 
That shewes thou art vnconfirm'd, thou That shows thou art unconfirmed. Thouunconfirmed (adj.)

old form: vnconfirm'd
inexperienced, uninstructed, ignorant		MA III.iii.114
knowest that the fashion of a doublet, or a hat, or a knowest that the fashion of a doublet, or a hat, or adoublet
man's close-fitting jacket with short skirt		MA III.iii.115
cloake, is nothing to a man.cloak, is nothing to a man. MA III.iii.116
Con. CONRADE 
Yes, it is apparell.Yes, it is apparel.apparel (n.)

old form: apparell
clothes, clothing, dress		MA III.iii.117
Bor. BORACHIO 
I meane the fashion.I mean, the fashion. MA III.iii.118
Con. CONRADE 
Yes the fashion is the fashion.Yes, the fashion is the fashion. MA III.iii.119
Bor. BORACHIO 
Tush, I may as well say the foole's the foole, butTush! I may as well say the fool's the fool. But MA III.iii.120
seest thou not what a deformed theefe this fashion is?seest thou not what a deformed thief this fashion is? MA III.iii.121
Watch. FIRST WATCHMAN  
(aside) MA III.iii.122
I know that deformed, a has I know that Deformed; 'a has MA III.iii.122
bin a vile theefe, this vii. yeares, a goes vp and downe been a vile thief this seven year; 'a goes up and down MA III.iii.123
like a gentle man: I remember his name.like a gentleman. I remember his name. MA III.iii.124
Bor. BORACHIO 
Did'st thou not heare some bodie?Didst thou not hear somebody? MA III.iii.125
Con. CONRADE 
No, 'twas the vaine on the house.No; 'twas the vane on the house. MA III.iii.126
Bor. BORACHIO 
Seest thou not (I say) what a deformed thiefeSeest thou not, I say, what a deformed thiefthief (n.)

old form: thiefe
villain, scoundrel, rogue, wretch		MA III.iii.127
this fashion is, how giddily a turnes about all the this fashion is, how giddily 'a turns about all the hotgiddily (adv.)
madly, foolishly, insanely		MA III.iii.128
Hotblouds, betweene foureteene & fiue & thirtie, sometimesbloods between fourteen and five-and-thirty, sometimesblood (n.)

old form: blouds
man of fire, hot-blooded fellow, spirited youth		MA III.iii.129
fashioning them like Pharaoes souldiours in the fashioning them like Pharaoh's soldiers in thePharaoh (n.)
[pron: 'fairoh] in the Bible, an Egyptian ruler		MA III.iii.130
rechie painting, sometime like god Bels priests in the reechy painting, sometime like god Bel's priests in thereechy (adj.)

old form: rechie
begrimed by smoke, discoloured, filthy		MA III.iii.131
Bel (n.)
Babylonian god, in the Bible discredited by Daniel
old Church window, sometime like the shauen Hercules old church-window, sometime like the shaven HerculesHercules (n.)
[Roman form of Heracles] proverbial for his mythical physical strength and miraculous achievements		MA III.iii.132
in the smircht worm eaten tapestrie, where his cod-peecein the smirched worm-eaten tapestry, where his codpiecesmirched (adj.)

old form: smircht
marked, soiled, stained		MA III.iii.133
codpiece, cod-piece (n.)

old form: cod-peece
cloth case or pocket worn by a man at the front of breeches or hose; also: what it contains
seemes as massie as his club.seems as massy as his club?massy (adj.)

old form: massie
massive, heavy, colossal		MA III.iii.134
Con. CONRADE 
All this I see, and see that the fashion weares All this I see; and I see that the fashion wears MA III.iii.135
out more apparrell then the man; but art not thou thy selfeout more apparel than the man. But art not thou thyselfapparel (n.)

old form: apparrell
clothes, clothing, dress		MA III.iii.136
giddie with the fashion too that thou hast shifted out giddy with the fashion too, that thou hast shifted out MA III.iii.137
of thy tale into telling me of the fashion?of thy tale into telling me of the fashion? MA III.iii.138
Bor. BORACHIO 
Not so neither, but know that I haue to nightNot so, neither: but know that I have tonight MA III.iii.139
wooed Margaret the Lady Heroes gentle-woman, by thewooed Margaret, the Lady Hero's gentlewoman, by the MA III.iii.140
name of Hero, she leanes me out at her mistris name of Hero; she leans me out at her mistress' MA III.iii.141
chamber-window, bids me a thousand times chamber-window, bids me a thousand times MA III.iii.142
good night: I tell this tale vildly. I should first tell thee how good night – I tell this tale vilely – I should first tell thee how MA III.iii.143
the Prince Claudio and my Master planted, and the Prince, Claudio, and my master, planted, and MA III.iii.144
placed, and possessed by my Master Don Iohn, saw a far placed, and possessed, by my master Don John, saw afarpossess (v.)
notify, inform, acquaint		MA III.iii.145
off in the Orchard this amiable incounter.off in the orchard this amiable encounter.encounter (n.)

old form: incounter
liaison, intercourse, amorous affair		MA III.iii.146
amiable (adj.)
amorous, loving, tender
Con. CONRADE 
And thought thy Margaret was Hero?And thought they Margaret was Hero? MA III.iii.147
Bor. BORACHIO 
Two of them did, the Prince and Claudio, but Two of them did, the Prince and Claudio; but MA III.iii.148
the diuell my Master knew she was Margaret and partly the devil my master knew she was Margaret; and partly MA III.iii.149
by his oathes, which first possest them, partly by the by his oaths, which first possessed them, partly by thepossess (v.)

old form: possest
notify, inform, acquaint		MA III.iii.150
darke night which did deceiue them, but chiefely, by my dark night, which did deceive them, but chiefly by my MA III.iii.151
villanie, which did confirme any slander that Don Iohn villainy, which did confirm any slander that Don John MA III.iii.152
had made, away went Claudio enraged, swore hee wouldhad made, away went Claudio enraged; swore he would MA III.iii.153
meete her as he was apointed next morning at the meet her, as he was appointed, next morning at the MA III.iii.154
Temple, and there, before the whole congregation shame temple, and there, before the whole congregation, shametemple (n.)
church		MA III.iii.155
her with what he saw o're night, and send her home her with what he saw o'er night, and send her home MA III.iii.156
againe without a husband.again without a husband. MA III.iii.157
Watch. 1. FIRST WATCHMAN 
We charge you in the Princes name We charge you, in the Prince's name, MA III.iii.158
stand.stand! MA III.iii.159
Watch. 2. SECOND WATCHMAN 
Call vp the right master Constable, Call up the right Master Constable.right (adj.)
veritable, true, good		MA III.iii.160
we haue here recouered the most dangerous peece of We have here recovered the most dangerous piece of MA III.iii.161
lechery, that euer was knowne in the Common-wealth.lechery that ever was known in the commonwealth. MA III.iii.162
Watch. 1. FIRST WATCHMAN 
And one Deformed is one of them, And one Deformed is one of them; I MA III.iii.163
I know him, a weares a locke.know him; 'a wears a lock. MA III.iii.164
Conr. CONRADE 
Masters, masters.Masters, masters – MA III.iii.165
Watch. 2. SECOND WATCHMAN 
Youle be made bring deformed You'll be made bring Deformed MA III.iii.166
forth I warrant you,forth, I warrant you.warrant (v.)
assure, promise, guarantee, confirm		MA III.iii.167
Conr. CONRADE 
Masters – MA III.iii.168
FIRST WATCHMAN 
Masters, neuer speake, we charge you, let vs Never speak, we charge you; let us MA III.iii.169
obey you to goe with vs.obey you to go with us. MA III.iii.170
Bor. BORACHIO 
We are like to proue a goodly commoditie, We are like to prove a goodly commodity,like (adv.)
likely, probable / probably		MA III.iii.171
goodly (adj.)
splendid, excellent, fine
being taken vp of these mens bils.being taken up of these men's bills.take up (v.)

old form: vp
arrest, seize, apprehend		MA III.iii.172
bill (n.)

old form: bils
[applied to various kinds of long-handled spear-like weapon] halberd; bill-hook
Conr. CONRADE 
A commoditie in question I warrant you, comeA commodity in question, I warrant you. Come,question, in
on trial, under examination		MA III.iii.173
warrant (v.)
assure, promise, guarantee, confirm
weele obey you. we'll obey you. MA III.iii.174
Exeunt.Exeunt MA III.iii.174
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