Much Ado about Nothing Act 4, Scene 2: "A Prison"

Dogberry and Verges plan to examine Borachio and Conrade in gaol (jail) with the help of the town clerk, the Sexton and the night watchmen who accused them. The sexton cannot believe how dimwitted Dogberry is and gives him help in his examination of the accused criminals. The night watchmen tell Dogberry of what the two men are accused. The sexton tells them that everything to which they admitted did come to pass: Don John left town, Hero was accused, disgraced, and died immediately upon the slander to her name. Conrade and Borachio are taken away. Conrade calls Dogberry an ass, to which Dogberry replies: "Oh that he were here to write me down an ass! But, masters, remember that I am an ass; though it be not written down, yet forget not that I am an ass" Act 4, Scene 2, lines 80-83.