LEONATOsuffigance = sufficient; Dogberry continues to speak what sounds like nonsense, but which is perfectly clear, even without footnotes.
Take their examination yourself and bring it me. I am now in great haste, as it may appear unto you.
DOGBERRY
It shall be suffigance.
LEONATO
Drink some wine ere you go. Fare you well.
[Enter a Messenger.]
MESSENGER
My lord, they stay for you to give your daughter to her husband.
LEONATO
I'll wait upon them. I am ready.
[Exeunt Leonato and Messenger.]
DOGBERRY
Go, good partner, go get you to Francis Seacoal; bid him bring his pen and inkhorn to the jail. We are now to examination these men.
VERGES
And we must do it wisely.
DOGBERRY
We will spare for no wit, I warrant you. Here's that shall drive some of them to a non-come. Only get the learned writer to set down our excommunication, and meet me at the jail.
[Exeunt.](Ado III.5.47-60)
When people make fun of Dogberry's apparent incompetence, or when Benedick tosses in the gratuitous anti-Semitic remark, "If I do not love her, I am a Jew" (III.1.253--and we all remember that Dogberry is a Jew and King of the Jews, as well as King of the Universe--which is why there is no other king in the play, though there are princes), is Dogberry resentful or angry? Not a bit. He hung on the cross for these people, knowing that they were all flawed, and He has long since come to terms with all their shortcomings. He tried, and continues to try, to teach them how to live, and He will never abandon them, no matter how hopeless they seem.non-come = non compis mentis = "not of sound mind," "in a distraction." The use is a sort of malapropism, but I'd prefer to call it a code, because obviously Verges knows what Dogberry means.
DOGBERRYYet after their interrogation, Dogberry takes a strong dislike to one of them:
Well, for your favor, sir, why, give God thanks and make no boast of it; and for your writing and reading, let that appear when there is no need of such vanity. (Ado III.3.18-21)
DOGBERRYDogberry has taken an instant dislike to Conrade, which dislike lasts to the end of the play. Yet Conrade and Borachio (whom Dogberry treats more kindly) have said exactly the same thing, have they not?
. . . What is your name, friend?
BORACHIO
Borachio.
DOGBERRY
Pray write down Borachio. Yours, sirrah?
CONRADE
I am a gentleman, sir, and my name is Conrade.
DOGBERRY
Write down Master Gentleman Conrade. Masters, do you serve God?
CONRADE and BORACHIO
Yea, sir, we hope.
DOGBERRY
Write down that they hope they serve God; and write God first, for God defend but God should go before such villains! Masters, it is proved already that you are little better than false knaves, and it will go near to be thought so shortly. How answer you for yourselves?
CONRADE
Marry, sir, we say we are none.
DOGBERRY
A marvellous witty fellow, I assure you; but I will go about with him. (to BORACHIO) Come you hither, sirrah. A word in your ear. Sir, I say to you, it is thought you are false knaves.
BORACHIO
Sir, I say to you we are none.
DOGBERRY Well, stand aside. Fore God, they are both in a tale. both in a tale = they offer a previously-agreed-upon spurious defense (Ado IV.2.10-31)
"The blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be amongst you and remain with you always." --Book of Common PrayerNow consider, if you please, Dogberry's farewell to Leonato:
God keep your worship! I wish your worship well. God restore you to health! (Ado V.i.312-4)Oh, I might as well make a beautiful table:
The blessing of God almighty, the Father | God keep your worship! |
the Son | I wish your worship well. |
and the Holy Spirit | God restore you to health! |
God, who watches from above, Bless and keep you in his love.Dogberry did not bow. He held his hands up as if he were blessing the audience, then turned, and the saint and angels exited with him, followed by the rest of the cast.