Shallow.

[1] SIr Hugh, perswade me not: I will make a Star‑Chamber [l. 2] matter of it, if hee were twenty Sir [l. 3] Iohn Falstoffs, he shall not abuse Robert Shallow [l. 4] Esquire.

Slen.

[5] In the County of Glocester, Iustice of Peace and [l. 6] (Coram.

Shal.

Slen.

[8] I, and Rato lorum too; and a Gentleman borne [l. 9] (Master Parson) who writes himselfe Armigero, in any [l. 10] Bill, Warrant, Quittance, or Obligation, Armigero.

Shal.

[11] I that I doe, and haue done any time these three [l. 12] hundred yeeres.

Slen.

[13] All his successors (gone before him) hath don't: [l. 14] and all his Ancestors (that come after him) may: they [l. 15] may giue the dozen white Luces in their Coate.

Shal.

Euans.

[17] The dozen white Lowses doe become an old [l. 18] Coat well: it agrees well passant: It is a familiar beast to [l. 19] man, and signifies Loue.

Shal.

[20] The Luse is the fresh‑fish, the salt‑fish, is an old [l. 21] Coate.

Slen.

Shal.

Euans.

Shal.

Shal.

[26] Yes per‑lady: if he ha's a quarter of your coat, [l. 27] there is but three Skirts for your selfe, in my simple con­ [l. 28] iectures; but that is all one: if Sir Iohn Falstaffe haue [l. 29] committed disparagements vnto you, I am of the Church [l. 30] and will be glad to do my beneuolence, to make attone­ [l. 31] ments and compremises betweene you.

Shal.

[32] The Councell shall heare it, it is a Riot.

Euan.

[33] It is not meet the Councell heare a Riot: there [l. 34] is no feare of Got in a Riot: The Councell (looke you) [l. 35] shall desire to heare the feare of Got, and not to heare a [l. 36] Riot: take your viza‑ments in that.

Shal.

[37] Ha; o' my life, if I were yong againe, the sword [l. 38] should end it.

Euans.

[39] It is petter that friends is the sword, and end [l. 40] it: and there is also another deuice in my praine, which [l. 41] peraduenture prings goot discretions with it. There is [l. 42] Anne Page, which is daughter to Master Thomas Page, [l. 43] which is pretty virginity.

Slen.

[44] Mistris Anne Page? she has browne haire, and [l. 45] speakes small like a woman.

Euans.

[46] It is that ferry person for all the orld, as iust as [l. 47] you will desire, and seuen hundred pounds of Moneyes, [l. 48] and Gold, and Siluer, is her Grand‑sire vpon his deaths‑ [l. 49] bed, (Got deliuer to a ioyfull resurrections) giue, when [l. 50] she is able to ouertake seuenteene yeeres old. It were a [l. 51] goot motion, if we leaue our pribbles and prabbles, and [l. 52] desire a marriage betweene Master Abraham, and Mistris [l. 53] Anne Page.

Slen.

[54] Did her Grand‑sire leaue her seauen hundred [l. 55] pound?

Euan.

[56] I, and her father is make her a petter penny.

Slen.

[57] I know the young Gentlewoman, she hasgood [l. 58] gifts.

Euan.

[59] Seuen hundred pounds, and possibilities, is [l. 60] goot gifts.

Shal.

[61] Wel, let vs see honest Mr Page: is Falstaffe there? [l. 62]

Euan.

[63] Shall I tell you a lye? I doe despise a lyer, as I [l. 64] doe despise one that is false, or as I despise one that is not [l. 65] true: the Knight Sir Iohn is there, and I beseech you be [l. 66] ruled by your well‑willers: I will peat the doore for Mr. [l. 67] Page. What hoa? Got‑plesse your house here.

Mr. Page.

Euan.

[69] Here is go't's plessing and your friend, and Iu­ [l. 70] stice Shallow, and heere yong Master Slender: that perad­ [l. 71] uentures shall tell you another tale, if matters grow to [l. 72] your likings.

Mr. Page.

[73] I am glad to see your Worships well: I [l. 74] thanke you for my Venison Master Shallow.

Shal.

[75] Master Page, I am glad to see you: much good [l. 76] doe it your good heart: I wish'd your Venison better, it [l. 77] was ill killd: how doth good Mistresse Page? and I thank [l. 78] you alwaies with my heart, la: with my heart.

M.Page.

Shal.

M.Pa.

Slen.

[82] How do's your fallow Greyhound, Sir, I heard [l. 83] say he was out‑run on Cotsall.

M.Pa.

Slen.

Shal.

[86] That he will not, 'tis your fault, 'tis your fault: [l. 87] 'tis a good dogge.

M.Pa.

Shal.

[89] Sir: hee's a good dog, and a faire dog, can there [l. 90] be more said? he is good, and faire. Is Sir Iohn Falstaffe [l. 91] heere?

M.Pa.

[92] Sir, hee is within: and I would I could doe a [l. 93] good office betweene you.

Euan.

Shal.

M.Pa.

Shal.

[97] If it be confessed, it is not redressed; is not that [l. 98] so (M. Page?) he hath wrong'd me, indeed he hath, at a [l. 99] word he hath: beleeue me, Robert Shallow Esquire, saith [l. 100] he is wronged.

Ma.Pa

Fal.

[102] Now, Master Shallow, you'll complaine of me to [l. 103] the King?

Shal.

[104] Knight, you haue beaten my men, kill'd my [l. 105] deere, and broke open my Lodge.

Fal.

Shal.

Fal.

Shal.

Fal.

[111] 'Twere better for you if it were known in coun­cell: [l. 112] you'll be laugh'd at.

Eu.

Fal.

[114] Good worts? good Cabidge; Slender, I broke [l. 115] your head: what matter haue you against me?

Slen.

[116] Marry sir, I haue matter in my head against you, [l. 117] and against your cony‑catching Rascalls, Bardolf, Nym, [l. 118] and Pistoll.

Bar.

Slen.

Pist.

Slen.

Nym.

Slen.

[124] Where's Simple my man? can you tell, Cosen?

Eua.

[125] Peace, I pray you: now let vs vnderstand: there [l. 126] is three Vmpires in this matter, as I vnderstand; that is, [l. 127] Master Page (fidelicet Master Page,) & there is my selfe, [l. 128] (fidelicet my selfe) and the three party is (lastly, and fi­nally) [l. 129] mine Host of the Gater.

Ma.Pa

Euan.

[131] Ferry goo't, I will make a priefe of it in my [l. 132] note‑booke, and we wil afterwards orke vpon the cause, [l. 133] with as great discreetly as we can.

Fal.

Pist.

Euan.

[136] The Teuill and his Tam: what phrase is this? [l. 137] he heares with eare? why, it is affectations.

Fal.

Slen.

[139] I, by these gloues did hee, or I would I might [l. 140] neuer come in mine owne great chamber againe else, of [l. 141] seauen groates in mill‑sixpences, and two Edward Sho­uelboords, [l. 142] that cost me two shilling and two pence a [l. 143] peece of Yead Miller: by these gloues.

Fal.

Euan.

Pist.

[146] Ha, thou mountaine Forreyner: Sir Iohn, and [l. 147] Master mine, I combat challenge of this Latine Bilboe: [l. 148] word of deniall in thy labras here; word of denial; froth, [l. 149] and scum thou liest.

Slen.

Nym.

[151] Be auis'd sir, and passe good humours: I will [l. 152] say marry trap with you, if you runne the nut‑hooks hu­mor [l. 153] on me, that is the very note of it.

Slen.

[154] By this hat, then he in the red face had it: for [l. 155] though I cannot remember what I did when you made [l. 156] me drunke, yet I am not altogether an asse.

Fal.

Bar.

[158] Why sir, (for my part) I say the Gentleman had [l. 159] drunke himselfe out of his fiue sentences.

Eu.

Bar.

[161] And being fap, sir, was (as they say) casheerd: and [l. 162] so conclusions past the Car‑eires.

Slen.

[163] I, you spake in Latten then to: but 'tis no mat­ter; [l. 164] Ile nere be drunk whilst I liue againe, but in honest, [l. 165] ciuill, godly company for this tricke: if I be drunke, Ile [l. 166] be drunke with those that haue the feare of God, and not [l. 167] with drunken knaues.

Euan.

[168] So got‑udge me, that is a vertuous minde.

Fal.

[169] You heare all these matters deni'd, Gentlemen; [l. 170] you heare it.

Mr.Page.

[171] Nay daughter, carry the wine in, wee'll [l. 172] drinke within.

Slen.

Mr.Page.

Fal.

[175] Mistris Ford, by my troth you are very wel met: [l. 176] by your leaue good Mistris.

Mr.Page.

[177] Wife, bid these gentlemen welcome: come, [l. 178] we haue a hot Venison pasty to dinner; Come gentle­ [l. 179] men, I hope we shall drinke downe all vnkindnesse.

Slen.

[180] I had rather then forty shillings I had my booke [l. 181] of Songs and Sonnets heere: How now Simple, where [l. 182] haue you beene? I must wait on my selfe, must I? you [l. 183] haue not the booke of Riddles about you, haue you?

Sim.

[184] Booke of Riddles? why did you not lend it to [l. 185] Alice Short‑cake vpon Alhallowmas last, a fortnight a­fore [l. 186] Michaelmas.

Shal.

[187] Come Coz, come Coz, we stay for you: a word [l. 188] with you Coz: marry this, Coz: there is as 'twere a ten­ [l. 189] der, a kinde of tender, made a farre‑off by Sir Hugh here: [l. 190] doe you vnderstand me?

Slen.

Shal.

Slen.

Euan.

[195] Giue eare to his motions; (Mr. Slender) I will [l. 196] description the matter to you, if you be capacity of it.

Slen.

[197] Nay, I will doe as my Cozen Shallow saies: I [l. 198] pray you pardon me, he's a Iustice of Peace in his Coun­trie, [l. 199] simple though I stand here.

Euan.

[200] But that is not the question: the question is [l. 201] concerning your marriage.

Shal.

Eu.

Slen.

[204] Why if it be so; I will marry her vpon any rea­sonable [l. 205] demands.

Eu.

[206] But can you affection the 'o‑man, let vs command [l. 207] to know that of your mouth, or of your lips: for diuers [l. 208] Philosophers hold, that the lips is parcell of the mouth: [l. 209] therfore precisely, can you carry your good wil to yͤ maid?

Sh.

Slen.

[211] I hope sir, I will do as it shall become one that [l. 212] would doe reason.

Eu.

[213] Nay, got's Lords, and his Ladies, you must speake [l. 214] possitable, if you can carry‑her your desires towards her.

Shal.

Slen.

[216] I will doe a greater thing then that, vpon your [l. 217] request (Cosen) in any reason.

Shal.

[218] Nay conceiue me, conceiue mee, (sweet Coz): [l. 219] What I doe is to pleasure you (Coz:) can you loue the [l. 220] maid?

Slen.

[221] I will marry her (Sir) at your request; but if [l. 222] there bee no great loue in the beginning, yet Heauen [l. 223] may decrease it vpon better acquaintance, when wee [l. 224] are married, and haue more occasion to know one ano­ [l. 225] ther: I hope vpon familiarity will grow more content: [l. 226] but if you say mary‑her, I will mary‑her, that I am freely [l. 227] dissolued, and dissolutely.

Eu.

[228] It is a fery discretion‑answere; saue the fall is in [l. 229] the 'ord, dissolutely: the ort is (according to our mea­ [l. 230] ning) resolutely: his meaning is good.

Sh.

Sl.

Sh.

[233] Here comes faire Mistris Anne; would [.] I were [l. 234] yong for your sake, Mistris Anne.

An.

[235] The dinner is on the Table, my Father desires [l. 236] your worships company.

Sh.

Eu.

An.

Sl.

An.

Sl.

[242] I am not a‑hungry, I thanke you, forsooth: goe, [l. 243] Sirha, for all you are my man, goe wait vpon my Cosen [l. 244] Shallow: a Iustice of peace sometime may be beholding [l. 245] to his friend, for a Man; I keepe but three Men, and a [l. 246] Boy yet, till my Mother be dead: but what though, yet [l. 247] I liue like a poore Gentleman borne.

An.

[248] I may not goe in without your worship: they [l. 249] will not sit till you come.

Sl.

[250] I'faith, ile eate nothing: I thanke you as much as [l. 251] though I did.

An.

Sl.

[253] I had rather walke here (I thanke you) I bruiz'd [l. 254] my shin th' other day, with playing at Sword and Dag­ [l. 255] ger with a Master of Fence (three veneys for a dish of [l. 256] stew'd Prunes) and by my troth, I cannot abide the smell [l. 257] of hot meate since. Why doe your dogs barke so? be [l. 258] there Beares ith' Towne?

An.

Sl.

[260] I loue the sport well, but I shall as soone quarrell [l. 261] at it, as any man in England: you are afraid if you see the [l. 262] Beare loose, are you not?

An.

Sl.

[264] That's meate and drinke to me now: I haue seene [l. 265] Saskerson loose, twenty times, and haue taken him by the [l. 266] Chaine: but (I warrant you) the women haue so cride [l. 267] and shrekt at it, that it past: But women indeede, cannot [l. 268] abide 'em, they are very ill‑fauour'd rough things.

Ma.Pa

Sl.

Ma.Pa

Sl.

Ma.Pa.

Sl.

An.

Sl.

An.

Sl.

[278] Ile rather be vnmannerly, then troublesome: you [l. 279] doe your selfe wrong indeede‑la.

Eu.

[280] Go your waies, and aske of Doctor Caius house, [l. 281] which is the way; and there dwels one Mistris Quickly; [l. 282] which is in the manner of his Nurse; or his dry‑Nurse; or [l. 283] his Cooke; or his Laundry; his Washer, and his Ringer.

Si.

Eu.

[285] Nay, it is petter yet: giue her this letter; for it is [l. 286] a 'oman that altogeathers acquaintance with Mistris Anne [l. 287] Page; and the Letter is to desire, and require her to soli­ [l. 288] cite your Masters desires, to Mistris Anne Page: I pray [l. 289] you be gon: I will make an end of my dinner; ther's Pip­ [l. 290] pins and Cheese to come.

Fal.

[291] Mine Host of the Garter?

Ho.

[292] What saies my Bully Rooke? speake schollerly, [l. 293] and wisely.

Fal.

[294] Truely mine Host; I must turne away some of my [l. 295] followers.

Ho.

[296] Discard, (bully Hercules) casheere; let them wag; [l. 297] trot, trot.

Fal.

[298] I sit at ten pounds a weeke.

Ho.

[299] Thou'rt an Emperor (Cesar, Keiser and Pheazar) [l. 300] I will entertaine Bardolfe: he shall draw; he shall tap; said [l. 301] I well (bully Hector?)

Fa.

Ho.

[303] I haue spoke; let him follow: let me see thee froth, [l. 304] and liue: I am at a word: follow.

Fal.

[305] Bardolfe, follow him: a Tapster is a good trade: [l. 306] an old Cloake, makes a new Ierkin: a wither'd Seruing­ [l. 307] man, a fresh Tapster: goe, adew.

Ba.

[308] It is a life that I haue desir'd: I will thriue.

Pist.

Ni.

Fal.

[311] I am glad I am so acquit of this Tinderbox: his [l. 312] Thefts were too open: his filching was like an vnskilfull [l. 313] Singer, he kept not time.

Ni.

[314] The good humor is to steale at a minutes rest.

Pist.

[315] Conuay: the wise it call: Steale? foh: a fico for [l. 316] the phrase.

Fal.

Pist.

Fal.

Pist.

Fal.

Pist.

Fal.

Pist.

Fal.

[325] No quips now Pistoll: (Indeede I am in the waste [l. 326] two yards about: but I am now about no waste: I am a­ [l. 327] bout thrift) briefely: I doe meane to make loue to Fords [l. 328] wife: I spie entertainment in her: shee discourses: shee [l. 329] carues: she giues the leere of inuitation: I can construe [l. 330] the action of her familier stile, & the hardest voice of her [l. 331] behauior (to be english'd rightly) is, I am Sir Iohn Falstafs.

Pist.

[332] He hath studied her will; and translated her will: [l. 333] out of honesty, into English.

Ni.

[334] The Anchor is deepe: will that humor passe?

Fal.

[335] Now, the report goes, she has all the rule of her [l. 336] husbands Purse: he hath a legend of Angels.

Pist.

[337] As many diuels entertaine: and to her Boy say I.

Ni.

[338] The humor rises: it is good: humor me the angels.

Fal.

[339] I haue writ me here a letter to her: & here ano­ [l. 340] ther to Pages wife, who euen now gaue mee good eyes [l. 341] too; examind my parts with most iudicious illiads: some­ [l. 342] times the beame of her view, guilded my foote: some­ [l. 343] times my portly belly.

Pist.

Ni.

Fal.

[346] O she did so course o're my exteriors with such [l. 347] a greedy intention, that the appetite of her eye, did seeme [l. 348] to scorch me vp like a burning‑glasse: here's another [l. 349] letter to her: She beares the Purse too: She is a Region [l. 350] in Guiana: all gold, and bountie: I will be Cheaters to [l. 351] them both, and they shall be Exchequers to mee: they [l. 352] shall be my East and West Indies, and I will trade to [l. 353] them both: Goe, beare thou this Letter to Mistris Page; [l. 354] and thou this to Mistris Ford: we will thriue (Lads) we [l. 355] will thriue.

Pist.

Ni.

Fal.

Pist.

Ni.

Pist.

Ni.

Pist.

Ni.

Pist.

Ni.

[380] My humour shall not coole: I will incense Ford [l. 381] to deale with poyson: I will possesse him with yallow­ [l. 382] nesse, for the reuolt of mine is dangerous: that is my [l. 383] true humour.

Pist.

[384] Thou art the Mars of Malecontents: I second [l. 385] thee: troope on.

Qu.

[386] What, Iohn Rugby, I pray thee goe to the Case­ [l. 387] ment, and see if you can see my Master, Master Docter [l. 388] Caius comming: if he doe (I'faith) and finde any body [l. 389] in the house; here will be an old abusing of Gods pati­ [l. 390] ence, and the Kings English.

Ru.

Qu.

[392] Goe, and we'll haue a posset for't soone at night, [l. 393] (in faith) at the latter end of a Sea‑cole‑fire: An honest, [l. 394] willing, kinde fellow, as euer seruant shall come in house [l. 395] withall: and I warrant you, no tel‑tale, nor no breede‑ [l. 396] bate: his worst fault is, that he is giuen to prayer; hee is [l. 397] something peeuish that way: but no body but has his [l. 398] fault: but let that passe. Peter Simple, you say your [l. 399] name is?

Si.

Qu.

Si.

Qu.

Si.

[405] No forsooth: he hath but a little weeߛface; [l. 406] with a little yellow Beard: a Caine colourd Beard.

Qu.

Si.

[408] I forsooth: but he is as tall a man of his hands, as [l. 409] any is betweene this and his head: he hath fought with [l. 410] a Warrener.

Qu.

[411] How say you: oh, I should remember him: do's [l. 412] he not hold vp his head (as it were?) and strut in his gate?

Si.

Qu.

Ru.

Qu.

[418] We shall all be shent: Run in here, good young [l. 419] man: goe into this Closset: he will not stay long: what [l. 420] Iohn Rugby? Iohn: what Iohn I say? goe Iohn, goe en­ [l. 421] quire for my Master, I doubt he be not well, that hee [l. 422] comes not home: (and downe, downe, adowne'a. &c.

Ca.

[423] Vat is you sing? I doe not like des‑toyes: pray [l. 424] you goe and vetch me in my Closset, vnboyteene verd; [l. 425] a Box, a greene‑a‑Box: do intend vat I speake? a greene‑ [l. 426] a‑Box.

Qu.

Ca.

Qu.

Ca.

Qu.

Ru.

Ca.

Ru.

Ca.

[439] By my trot: I tarry too long: od's‑me: que ay ie [l. 440] oublie: dere is some Simples in my Closset, dat I vill not [l. 441] for the varld I shall leaue behinde.

Qu.

Ca.

Qu.

Ca.

Qu.

Ca.

[448] What shall de honest man do in my Closset: dere [l. 449] is no honest man dat shall come in my Closset.

Qu.

[450] I beseech you be not so flegmaticke: heare the [l. 451] truth of it. He came of an errand to mee, from Parson [l. 452] Hugh.

Ca.

Si.

Qu.

Ca.

Si.

[457] To desire this honest Gentlewoman (your Maid) [l. 458] to speake a good word to Mistris Anne Page, for my Ma­ [l. 459] ster in the way of Marriage.

Qu.

[460] This is all indeed‑la: but ile nere put my finger [l. 461] in the fire, and neede not.

Ca.

[462] Sir Hugh send‑a you? Rugby, ballow mee some [l. 463] paper: tarry you a littell‑a‑while.

Qui.

[464] I am glad he is so quiet: if he had bin through­ [l. 465] ly moued, you should haue heard him so loud, and so me­ [l. 466] lancholly: but notwithstanding man, Ile doe yoe your [l. 467] Master what good I can: and the very yea, & the no is, yͤ [l. 468] French Doctor my Master, (I may call him my Master, [l. 469] looke you, for I keepe his house; and I wash, ring, brew, [l. 470] bake, scowre, dresse meat and drinke, make the beds, and [l. 471] doe all my selfe.)

Simp.

[472] 'Tis a great charge to come vnder one bodies [l. 473] hand.

Qui.

[474] Are you a‑uis'd o'that? you shall finde it a great [l. 475] charge: and to be vp early, and down late: but notwith­ [l. 476] standing, (to tell you in your eare, I wold haue no words [l. 477] of it) my Master himselfe is in loue with Mistris Anne [l. 478] Page: but notwithstanding that I know Ans mind, that's [l. 479] neither heere nor there.

Caius.

[480] You, Iack'Nape: giue‑'a this Letter to Sir [l. 481] Hugh, by gar it is a shallenge: I will cut his troat in de [l. 482] Parke, and I will teach a scuruy Iack‑a‑nape Priest to [l. 483] meddle, or make: — you may be gon: it is not good [l. 484] you tarry here: by gar I will cut all his two stones: by [l. 485] gar, he shall not haue a stone to throw at his dogge.

Qui.

Caius.

[487] It is no matter 'a ver dat: do not you tell‑a‑me [l. 488] dat I shall haue Anne Page for my selfe? by gar, I vill [l. 489] kill de Iack‑Priest: and I haue appointed mine Host of [l. 490] de Iarteer to measure our weapon: by gar, I wil my selfe [l. 491] haue Anne Page.

Qui.

Caius.

Qui.

[495] You shall haue An‑fooles head of your owne: [l. 496] No, I know Ans mind for that: neuer a woman in Wind­ [l. 497] sor knowes more of Ans minde then I doe, nor can doe [l. 498] more then I doe with her, I thanke heauen.

Fenton.

Qui.

Fen.

Qui.

Fen.

Qui.

[504] In truth Sir, and shee is pretty, and honest, and [l. 505] gentle, and one that is your friend, I can tell you that by [l. 506] the way, I praise heauen for it.

Fen.

Qui.

[508] Troth Sir, all is in his hands aboue: but not­ [l. 509] withstanding (Master Fenton) Ile be sworne on a booke [l. 510] shee loues you: haue not your Worship a wart aboue [l. 511] your eye?

Fen.

Qui.

[513] Wel, thereby hangs a tale: good faith, it is such [l. 514] another Nan; (but (I detest) an honest maid as euer [l. 515] broke bread: wee had an howres talke of that wart; I [l. 516] shall neuer laugh but in that maids company: but (in­ [l. 517] deed) shee is giuen too much to Allicholy and musing: [l. 518] but for you— well— goe too⸺

Fen.

[519] Well: I shall see her to day: hold, there's mo­ [l. 520] ney for thee: Let mee haue thy voice in my behalfe: if [l. 521] thou seest her before me, commend me.⸺

Qui.

[522] Will I? I faith that wee will: And I will tell [l. 523] your Worship more of the Wart, the next time we haue [l. 524] confidence, and of other wooers.

Fen.

Qui.

[526] Fare‑well to your Worship: truely an honest [l. 527] Gentleman: but Anne loues hiim not: for I know Ans [l. 528] minde as well as another do's: out vpon't: what haue I [l. 529] forgot.

Mist.Page.

[530] What, haue scap'd Loue‑letters in the [l. 531] holly‑day‑time of my beauty, and am I now a subiect [l. 532] for them? let me see?

[533] Aske me no reason why I loue you, for though Loue vse Rea­ [l. 534] son for his precisian, hee admits him not for his Counsailour: [l. 535] you are not yong, no more am I: goe to then, there's simpathie: [l. 536] you are merry, so am I: ha, ha, then there's more simpathie: [l. 537] you loue sacke, and so do I: would you desire better simpathie? [l. 538] Let it suffice thee (Mistris Page) at the least if the Loue of [l. 539] Souldier can suffice, that I loue thee: I will not say pitty mee, [l. 540] 'tis not a Souldier‑like phrase; but I say, loue me:

Mis.Ford.

Mis.Page.

Mis.Ford.

Mis.Page.

Mis.Ford.

[559] Well: I doe then: yet I say, I could shew [l. 560] you to the contrary: O Mistris Page, giue mee some [l. 561] counsaile.

Mis.Page.

Mi.Ford.

Mi.Page.

[564] Hang the trifle (woman) take the honour: [l. 565] what is it? dispence with trifles: what is it?

Mi.Ford.

[566] If I would but goe to hell, for an eternall [l. 567] moment, or so: I could be knighted.

Mi.Page.

[568] What thou liest? Sir Alice Ford? these [l. 569] Knights will hacke, and so thou shouldst not alter the ar­ [l. 570] ticle of thy Gentry.

Mi.Ford.

[571] Wee burne day‑light: heere, read, read: [l. 572] perceiue how I might bee knighted, I shall thinke the [l. 573] worse of fat men, as long as I haue an eye to make diffe­ [l. 574] rence of mens liking: and yet hee would not sweare: praise {p. 44} The Merry Wiues of Windsor. [l. 575] praise womens modesty: and gaue such orderly and wel‑ [l. 576] behaued reproofe to al vncomelinesse, that I would haue [l. 577] sworne his disposition would haue gone to the truth of [l. 578] his words: but they doe no more adhere and keep place [l. 579] together, then the hundred Psalms to the tune of Green­sleeues: What tempest (I troa) threw this Whale, (with [l. 580] so many Tuns of oyle in his belly) a'shoare at Windsor? [l. 581] How shall I bee reuenged on him? I thinke the best way [l. 582] were, to entertaine him with hope, till the wicked fire [l. 583] of lust haue melted him in his owne greace: Did you e­ [l. 584] uer heare the like?

Mis.Page.

[585] Letter for letter; but that the name of [l. 586] Page and Ford differs: to thy great comfort in this my­ [l. 587] stery of ill opinions, heere's the twyn‑brother of thy Let­ [l. 588] ter: but let thine inherit first, for I protest mine neuer [l. 589] shall: I warrant he hath a thousand of these Letters, writ [l. 590] with blancke‑space for different names (sure more): and [l. 591] these are of the second edition: hee will print them out [l. 592] of doubt: for he cares not what hee puts into the presse, [l. 593] when he would put vs two: I had rather be a Giantesse, [l. 594] and lye vnder Mount Pelion: Well; I will find you twen­ [l. 595] tie lasciuious Turtles ere one chaste man.

Mis.Ford.

[596] Why this is the very same: the very hand: [l. 597] the very words: what doth he thinke of vs?

Mis.Page.

[598] Nay I know not: it makes me almost rea­ [l. 599] die to wrangle with mine owne honesty: Ile entertaine [l. 600] my selfe like one that I am not acquainted withall: for [l. 601] sure vnlesse hee know some straine in mee, that I know [l. 602] not my selfe, hee would neuer haue boorded me in this [l. 603] furie.

Mi.Ford.

[604] Boording, call you it? Ile bee sure to keepe [l. 605] him aboue decke.

Mi.Page.

[606] So will I: if hee come vnder my hatches, [l. 607] Ile neuer to Sea againe: Let's bee reueng'd on him: let's [l. 608] appoint him a meeting: giue him a show of comfort in [l. 609] his Suit, and lead him on with a fine baited delay, till hee [l. 610] hath pawn'd his horses to mine Host of the Garter.

Mi.Ford.

[611] Nay, I wil consent to act any villany against [l. 612] him, that may not sully the charinesse of our honesty: oh [l. 613] that my husband saw this Letter: it would giue eternall [l. 614] food to his iealousie.

Mis.Page.

[615] Why look where he comes; and my good [l. 616] man too: hee's as farre from iealousie, as I am from gi­ [l. 617] uing him cause, and that (I hope) is an vnmeasurable di­ [l. 618] stance.

Mis.Ford.

Mis.Page.

[620] Let's consult together against this greasie [l. 621] Knight: Come hither.

Ford.

Pist.

Ford.

Pist.

Ford.

Pist.

Ford.

Pist.

Ford.

Nim.

[639] And this is true: I like not the humor of lying: [l. 640] hee hath wronged mee in some humors: I should haue [l. 641] borne the humour'd Letter to her: but I haue a sword: [l. 642] and it shall bite vpon my necessitie: he loues your wife; [l. 643] There's the short and the long: My name is Corporall [l. 644] Nim: I speak, and I auouch; 'tis true: my name is Nim: [l. 645] and Falstaffe loues your wife: adieu, I loue not the hu­ [l. 646] mour of bread and cheese: adieu.

Page.

Ford.

Page.

Ford.

Page.

Ford.

Page.

Mist.Page.

Mis.Ford.

Ford.

Mis.Ford.

Mis.Page.

[660] Haue with you: you'll come to dinner [l. 661] George? Looke who comes yonder: shee shall bee our [l. 662] Messenger to this paltrie Knight.

Mis.Ford.

Mis.Page.

Qui.

Mis.Page.

Page.

For.

Page.

Ford.

Pag.

[671] Hang 'em slaues: I doe not thinke the Knight [l. 672] would offer it: But these that accuse him in his intent [l. 673] towards our wiues, are a yoake of his discarded men: ve‑ [l. 674] ry rogues, now they be out of seruice.

Ford.

Page.

Ford.

Page.

[679] I marry do's he: if hee should intend this voy­ [l. 680] age toward my wife, I would turne her loose to him; [l. 681] and what hee gets more of her, then sharpe words, let it [l. 682] lye on my head.

Ford.

[683] I doe not misdoubt my wife: but I would bee [l. 684] loath to turne them together: a man may be too confi­ [l. 685] dent: I would haue nothing lye on my head: I cannot [l. 686] be thus satisfied.

Page.

[687] Looke where my ranting‑Host of the Garter [l. 688] comes: there is eyther liquor in his pate, or mony in his [l. 689] purse, when hee lookes so merrily: How now mine [l. 690] Host?

Host.

Shal.

[693] I follow, (mine Host) I follow: Good‑euen, [l. 694] and twenty (good Master Page.) Master Page, wil you go [l. 695] with vs? we haue sport in hand.

Host.

Shall.

Ford.

Host.

Shal.

[700] Will you goe with vs to behold it? My merry [l. 701] Host hath had the measuring of their weapons; and (I [l. 702] thinke) hath appointed them contrary places: for (be­ [l. 703] leeue mee) I heare the Parson is no Iester: harke, I will [l. 704] tell you what our sport shall be.

Host.

Shal.

[706] None, I protest: but Ile giue you a pottle of [l. 707] burn'd sacke, to giue me recourse to him, and tell him [l. 708] my name is Broome: onely for a iest.

Host.

[709] My hand, (Bully:) thou shalt haue egresse and [l. 710] regresse, (said I well?) and thy name shall be Broome. It [l. 711] is a merry Knight: will you goe An‑heires?

Shal.

Page.

Shal.

[714] Tut sir: I could haue told you more: In these [l. 715] times you stand on distance: your Passes, Stoccado's, and [l. 716] I know not what: 'tis the heart (Master Page) 'tis heere, [l. 717] 'tis heere: I haue seene the time, with my long‑sword, I [l. 718] would haue made you fowre tall fellowes skippe like [l. 719] Rattes.

Host.

Page.

Ford.

[722] Though Page be a secure foole, and stands so [l. 723] firmely on his wiues frailty; yet, I cannot put‑off my o­ [l. 724] pinion so easily: she was in his company at Pages house: [l. 725] and what they made there, I know not. Well, I wil looke [l. 726] further into't, and I haue a disguise, to sound Falstaffe; if [l. 727] I finde her honest, I loose not my labor: if she be other­ [l. 728] wise, 'tis labour well bestowed.

Fal.

Pist.

Fal.

[731] Not a penny: I haue beene content (Sir,) you [l. 732] should lay my countenance to pawne: I haue grated vp­ [l. 733] on my good friends for three Repreeues for you, and [l. 734] your Coach‑fellow Nim; or else you had look'd through [l. 735] the grate, like a Geminy of Baboones: I am damn'd in [l. 736] hell, for swearing to Gentlemen my friends, you were [l. 737] good Souldiers, and tall‑fellowes. And when Mistresse [l. 738] Briget lost the handle of her Fan, I took't vpon mine ho­ [l. 739] nour thou hadst it not.

Pist.

Fal.

[741] Reason, you roague, reason: thinkst thou Ile en­ [l. 742] danger my soule, gratis? at a word, hang no more about [l. 743] mee, I am no gibbet for you: goe, a short knife, and a [l. 744] throng, to your Mannor of Pickt‑hatch: goe, you'll not [l. 745] beare a Letter for mee you roague? you stand vpon your [l. 746] honor: why, (thou vnconfinable basenesse) it is as much [l. 747] as I can doe to keepe the termes of my honor precise: [l. 748] I, I, I my selfe sometimes, leauing the feare of heauen on [l. 749] the left hand, and hiding mine honor in my necessity, am [l. 750] faine to shufflle: to hedge, and to lurch, and yet, you [l. 751] Rogue, will en‑sconce your raggs; your Cat‑a‑Moun­ [l. 752] taine‑lookes, your red‑lattice phrases, and your bold‑ [l. 753] beating‑oathes, vnder the shelter of your honor? you [l. 754] will not doe it? you?

Pist.

Robin.

Fal.

Qui.

Fal.

Qui.

Fal.

Qui.

Fal.

Qui.

Fal.

Qui.

[767] There is one Mistresse Ford, (Sir) I pray come a [l. 768] little neerer this waies: I my selfe dwell with M. Doctor [l. 769] Caius:

Fal.

Qui.

[771] Your worship saies very true: I pray your wor­ [l. 772] ship come a little neerer this waies.

Fal.

[773] I warrant thee, no‑bodie heares: mine owne [l. 774] people, mine owne people

Qui.

[775] Are they so? heauen‑blesse them, and make [l. 776] them his Seruants.

Fal.

Qui.

[778] Why, Sir; shee's a good‑creature; Lord, Lord, [l. 779] your Worship's a wanton: well: heauen forgiue you, [l. 780] and all of vs, I pray—

Fal.

Qui.

[782] Marry this is the short, and the long of it: you [l. 783] haue brought her into such a Canaries, as 'tis wonder­ [l. 784] full: the best Courtier of them all (when the Court lay [l. 785] at Windsor) could neuer haue brought her to such a Ca­ [l. 786] narie: yet there has beene Knights, and Lords, and Gen­ [l. 787] tlemen, with their Coaches; I warrant you Coach after [l. 788] Coach, letter after letter, gift after gift, smelling so sweet­ [l. 789] ly; all Muske, and so rushling, I warrant you, in silke [l. 790] and golde, and in such alligant termes, and in such wine [l. 791] and suger of the best, and the fairest, that would haue [l. 792] wonne any womans heart: and I warrant you, they could [l. 793] neuer get an eyeߛwinke of her: I had my selfe twentie [l. 794] Angels giuen me this morning, but I defie all Angels (in [l. 795] any such sort, as they say) but in the way of honesty: and [l. 796] I warrant you, they could neuer get her so much as sippe [l. 797] on a cup with the prowdest of them all, and yet there has [l. 798] beene Earles: nay, (which is more) Pentioners, but I [l. 799] warrant you all is one with her.

Fal.

Qui.

[801] Marry, she hath receiu'd your Letter: for the [l. 802] which she thankes you a thousand times; and she giues [l. 803] you to notifie, that her husband will be absence from his [l. 804] house, betweene ten and eleuen.

Fal.

Qui.

[806] I, forsooth: and then you may come and see the [l. 807] picture (she sayes) that you wot of: Master Ford her hus­ [l. 808] band will be from home: alas, the sweet woman leades [l. 809] an ill life with him: hee's a very iealousie‑man; she leads [l. 810] a very frampold life with him, (good hart.)

Fal.

Woman {p. 46} The Merry Wiues of Windsor.

Qui.

[813] Why, you say well: But I haue another messen­ [l. 814] ger to your worship: Mistresse Page hath her heartie [l. 815] commendations to you to: and let mee tell you in your [l. 816] eare, shee's as fartuous a ciuill modest wife, and one (I [l. 817] tell you) that will not misse you morning nor euening [l. 818] prayer, as any is in Windsor, who ere bee the other: and [l. 819] shee bade me tell your worship, that her husband is sel­ [l. 820] dome from home, but she hopes there will come a time. [l. 821] I neuer knew a woman so doate vpon a man; surely I [l. 822] thinke you haue charmes, la: yes in truth.

Fal.

[823] Not I, I assure thee; setting the attraction of my [l. 824] good parts aside, I haue no other charmes.

Qui.

Fal.

[826] But I pray thee tell me this: has Fords wife, and [l. 827] Pages wife acquainted each other, how they loue me?

Qui.

[828] That were a iest indeed: they haue not so little [l. 829] grace I hope, that were a tricke indeed: But Mistris Page [l. 830] would desire you to send her your little Page of al loues: [l. 831] her husband has a maruellous infection to the little Page: [l. 832] and truely Master Page is an honest man: neuer a wife in [l. 833] Windsor leades a better life then she do's: doe what shee [l. 834] will, say what she will, take all, pay all, goe to bed when [l. 835] she list, rise when she list, all is as she will: and truly she [l. 836] deserues it; for if there be a kinde woman in Windsor, she [l. 837] is one: you must send her your Page, no remedie.

Fal.

Qu.

[839] Nay, but doe so then, and looke you, hee may [l. 840] come and goe betweene you both: and in any case haue [l. 841] a nay‑word, that you may know one anothers minde, [l. 842] and the Boy neuer neede to vnderstand any thing; for' [l. 843] tis not good that children should know any wickednes: [l. 844] olde folkes you know, haue discretion, as they say, and [l. 845] know the world.

Fal.

[846] Farethee‑well, commend mee to them both: [l. 847] there's my purse, I am yet thy debter: Boy, goe along [l. 848] with this woman, this newes distracts me.

Pist.

Fal.

[852] Saist thou so (old Iacke) go thy waies: Ile make [l. 853] more of thy olde body then I haue done: will they yet [l. 854] looke after thee? wilt thou after the expence of so much [l. 855] money, be now a gainer? good Body, I thanke thee: let [l. 856] them say 'tis grossely done, so it bee fairely done, no [l. 857] matter.

Bar.

[858] Sir Iohn, there's one Master Broome below would [l. 859] faine speake with you, and be acquainted with you; and [l. 860] hath sent your worship a mornings draught of Sacke.

Fal.

Bar.

Fal.

[863] Call him in: such Broomes are welcome to mee, [l. 864] that ore'flowes such liquor: ah ha, Mistresse Ford and Mi­ [l. 865] stresse Page, haue I encompass'd you? goe to, via.

Ford.

Fal.

Ford.

[868] I make bold, to presse, with so little prepara­ [l. 869] tion vpon you.

Fal.

Ford.

Fal.

Ford.

[873] Good Sir Iohn, I sue for yours: not to charge [l. 874] you, for I must let you vnderstand, I thinke my selfe in [l. 875] better plight for a Lender, then you are: the which hath [l. 876] something emboldned me to this vnseason'd intrusion: [l. 877] for they say, if money goe before, all waies doe lye [l. 878] open.

Fal.

Ford.

[880] Troth, and I haue a bag of money heere trou­ [l. 881] bles me: if you will helpe to beare it (Sir Iohn) take all, [l. 882] or halfe, for easing me of the carriage.

Fal.

Ford.

Fal.

[885] Speake (good Master Broome) I shall be glad to [l. 886] be your Seruant.

Ford.

[887] Sir, I heare you are a Scholler: (I will be briefe [l. 888] with you) and you haue been a man long knowne to me, [l. 889] though I had neuer so good means as desire, to make my [l. 890] selfe acquainted with you. I shall discouer a thing to [l. 891] you, wherein I must very much lay open mine owne im­ [l. 892] perfection: but (good Sir Iohn) as you haue one eye vp­ [l. 893] on my follies, as you heare them vnfolded, turne another [l. 894] into the Register of your owne, that I may passe with a [l. 895] reproofe the easier, sith you your selfe know how easie it [l. 896] is to be such an offender.

Fal.

Ford.

Fal.

Ford.

[900] I haue long lou'd her, and I protest to you, be­ [l. 901] stowed much on her: followed her with a doating ob­ [l. 902] seruance: Ingross'd opportunities to meete her: fee'd e­ [l. 903] uery slight occasion that could but nigardly giue mee [l. 904] sight of her: not only bought many presents to giue her, [l. 905] but haue giuen largely to many, to know what shee [l. 906] would haue giuen: briefly, I haue pursu'd her, as Loue [l. 907] hath pursued mee, which hath beene on the wing of all [l. 908] occasions: but whatsoeuer I haue merited, either in my [l. 909] minde, or in my meanes, meede I am sure I haue receiued [l. 910] none, vnlesse Experience be a Iewell, that I haue purcha­ [l. 911] sed at an infinite rate, and that hath taught mee to say [l. 912] this,

Fal.

Ford.

Fal.

Ford.

Fal.

Ford.

[920] Like a fair house, built on another mans ground, [l. 921] so that I haue lost my edifice, by mistaking the place, [l. 922] where I erected it.

Fal.

For.

[924] When I haue told you that, I haue told you all: [l. 925] Some say, that though she appeare honest to mee, yet in [l. 926] other places shee enlargeth her mirth so farre, that there [l. 927] is shrewd construction made of her. Now (Sir Iohn) here [l. 928] is the heart of my purpose: you are a gentleman of ex­ [l. 929] cellent breeding, admirable discourse, of great admit­ [l. 930] tance, authenticke in your place and person, generally [l. 931] allow'd for your many war⸗like, court‑like, and learned [l. 932] preparations.

Fal.

Ford.

[934] Beleeue it, for you know it: there is money, [l. 935] spend it, spend it, spend more; spend all I haue, onely giue {p. 47} The Merry Wiues of Windsor. [l. 936] giue me so much of your time in enchange of it, as to lay [l. 937] an amiable siege to the honesty of this Fords wife: vse [l. 938] your Art of wooing; win her to consent to you: if any [l. 939] man may, you may as soone as any.

Fal.

[940] Would it apply well to the vehemency of your [l. 941] affection that I should win what you would enioy? Me­ [l. 942] thinkes you prescribe to your selfe very preposterously.

Ford.

[943] O, vnderstand my drift: she dwells so securely [l. 944] on the excellency of her honor, that the folly of my soule [l. 945] dares not present it selfe: shee is too bright to be look'd [l. 946] against. Now, could I come to her with any detection [l. 947] in my hand; my desires had instance and argument to [l. 948] commend themselues, I could driue her then from the [l. 949] ward of her purity, her reputation, her marriage‑vow, [l. 950] and a thousand other her defences, which now are too‑ [l. 951] too strongly embattaild against me: what say you too't, [l. 952] Sir Iohn?

Fal.

[953] Master Broome, I will first make bold with your [l. 954] money: next, giue mee your hand: and last, as I am a [l. 955] gentleman, you shall, if you will, enioy Fords wife.

Ford.

Fal.

Ford.

Fal.

[959] Want no Mistresse Ford (Master Broome) you shall [l. 960] want none: I shall be with her (I may tell you) by her [l. 961] owne appointment, euen as you came in to me, her assi­ [l. 962] stant, or goe‑betweene, parted from me: I say I shall be [l. 963] with her betweene ten and eleuen: for at that time the [l. 964] iealious‑rascally‑knaue her husband will be forth: come [l. 965] you to me at night, you shall know how I speed.

Ford.

Fal.

[967] Hang him (poore Cuckoldly knaue) I know [l. 968] him not: yet I wrong him to call him poore: They say [l. 969] the iealous wittolly‑knaue hath masses of money, for [l. 970] the which his wife seemes to me well‑fauourd: I will vse [l. 971] her as the key of the Cuckoldly‑rogues Coffer, & ther's [l. 972] my haruest‑home.

Ford.

[973] I would you knew Ford, sir, that you might a­ [l. 974] uoid him, if you saw him.

Fal.

[975] Hang him, mechanicall‑salt‑butter rogue; I wil [l. 976] stare him out of his wits: I will awe‑him with my cud­ [l. 977] gell: it shall hang like a Meteor ore the Cuckolds horns: [l. 978] Master Broome, thou shalt know, I will predominate o­ [l. 979] uer the pezant, and thou shalt lye with his wife. Come [l. 980] to me soone at night: Ford's a knaue, and I will aggra­ [l. 981] uate his stile: thou (Master Broome) shalt know him for [l. 982] knaue, and Cuckold. Come to me soone at night.

Ford.

[983] What a damn'd EpicurianߛRascall is this? my [l. 984] heart is ready to cracke with impatience: who saies this is [l. 985] improuident iealousie? my wife hath sent to him, the [l. 986] howre is fixt, the match is made: would any man haue [l. 987] thought this? see the hell of hauing a false woman: my [l. 988] bed shall be abus'd, my Coffers ransack'd, my reputati­ [l. 989] on gnawne at, and I shall not onely receiue this villainous [l. 990] wrong, but stand vnder the adoption of abhominable [l. 991] termes, and by him that does mee this wrong: Termes, [l. 992] names: Amaimon sounds well: Lucifer, well: Barbason, [l. 993] well: yet they are Diuels additions, the names of fiends: [l. 994] But Cuckold, Wittoll, Cuckold? the Diuell himselfe [l. 995] hath not such a name. Page is an Asse, a secure Asse; hee [l. 996] will trust his wife, hee will not be iealous: I will rather [l. 997] trust a Fleming with my butter, Parson Hugh the Welsh­ [l. 998] man with my Cheese, an Irish‑man with my Aqua‑vitæ‑bottle, [l. 999] or a Theefe to walke my ambling gelding, then [l. 1000] my wife with her selfe. Then she plots, then shee rumi­ [l. 1001] nates, then shee deuises: and what they thinke in their [l. 1002] hearts they may effect; they will breake their hearts but [l. 1003] they will effect. Heauen bee prais'd for my iealousie: [l. 1004] eleuen o'clocke the howre, I will preuent this, detect [l. 1005] my wife, bee reueng'd on Falstaffe, and laugh at Page. I [l. 1006] will about it, better three houres too soone, then a my­ [l. 1007] nute too late: fie, fie, fie: Cuckold, Cuckold, Cuckold.

Caius.

Rug.

Caius.

Rug.

Cai.

[1012] By gar, he has saue his soule, dat he is no‑come: [l. 1013] hee has pray his Pible well, dat he is no‑come: by gar [l. 1014] (Iack Rugby) he is dead already, if he be come.

Rug.

[1015] Hee is wise Sir: hee knew your worship would [l. 1016] kill him if he came.

Cai.

[1017] By gar, de herring is no dead, so as I vill kill [l. 1018] him: take your Rapier, (Iacke) I vill tell you how I vill [l. 1019] kill him.

Rug.

Cai.

Rug.

Host.

Shal.

Page.

Slen.

Caius.

Host.

[1028] To see thee fight, to see thee foigne, to see thee [l. 1029] trauerse, to see thee heere, to see thee there, to see thee [l. 1030] passe thy puncto, thy stock, thy reuerse, thy distance, thy [l. 1031] montant: Is he dead, my Ethiopian? Is he dead, my Fran­ [l. 1032] cisco? ha Bully? what saies my Esculapius? my Galien? my [l. 1033] heart of Elder? ha? is he dead bully‑Stale? is he dead?

Cai.

[1034] By gar, he is de Coward‑Iack‑Priest of de vorld: [l. 1035] he is not show his face.

Host.

Cai.

[1037] I pray you beare witnesse, that me haue stay, [l. 1038] sixe or seuen, two tree howres for him, and hee is no‑ [l. 1039] come.

Shal.

[1040] He is the wiser man (M.Docto) rhe (M. Doctor) he is a curer of [l. 1041] soules, and you a curer of bodies: if you should fight, you [l. 1042] goe against the haire of your professions: is it not true, [l. 1043] Master Page?

Page.

Shal.

[1045] Body‑kins M. Page, though I now be old, and [l. 1046] of the peace; if I see a sword out, my finger itches to [l. 1047] make one: though wee are Iustices, and Doctors, and [l. 1048] Church‑men (M. Page) wee haue some salt of our youth [l. 1049] in vs, we are the sons of women (M. Page.)

Page.

[1050] 'Tis true, Mr. Shallow.

Shal.

[1051] It wil be found so, (M. Page:) M. Doctor Caius, [l. 1052] I am come to fetch you home: I am sworn of the peace: [l. 1053] you haue show'd your selfe a wise Physician, and Sir [l. 1054] Hugh hath showne himselfe a wise and patient Church­ [l. 1055] man: you must goe with me, M. Doctor.

Host.

Cai.

Host.

Cai.

Host.

Cai.

Host.

Cai.

Host.

Cai.

Host.

[1066] And moreouer, (Bully) but first, Mr. Ghuest, [l. 1067] and M. Page, & eeke Caualeiro Slender, goe you through [l. 1068] the Towne to Frogmore.

Page.

Host.

Shal.

All.

Cai.

Host.

[1074] Let him die: sheath thy impatience: throw cold [l. 1075] water on thy Choller: goe about the fields with mee [l. 1076] through Frogmore, I will bring thee where Mistris Anne [l. 1077] Page is, at a Farm‑house a Feasting: and thou shalt wooe [l. 1078] her: Cride‑game, said I well?

Cai.

[1079] By‑gar, mee dancke you vor dat: by gar I loue [l. 1080] you: and I shall procure 'a you de good Guest: de Earle, [l. 1081] de Knight, de Lords, de Gentlemen, my patients.

Host.

Cai.

Host.

Cai.

Euans.

[1086] I pray you now, good Master Slenders seruing­ [l. 1087] man, and friend Simple by your name; which way haue [l. 1088] you look'd for Master Caius, that calls himselfe Doctor [l. 1089] of Phisicke.

Sim.

Euan.

[1091] I most‑fehemently desire you, you will also [l. 1092] looke that way.

Sim.

Euan.

[1094] 'Plesse my soule: how full of Chollors I am, and [l. 1095] trempling of minde: I shall be glad if he haue deceiued [l. 1096] me: how melancholies I am? I will knog his Vrinalls a­ [l. 1097] bout his knaues costard, when I haue good opportunities [l. 1098] for the orke: 'Plesse my soule: To shallow Riuers to whose [l. 1099] falls: melodious Birds sings Madrigalls: There will we make [l. 1100] our Peds of Roses: and a thousand fragrant posies. To shal­ [l. 1101] low: 'Mercie on mee, I haue a great dispositions to cry. [l. 1102] Melodious birds sing Madrigalls: —When as I sat in Pa­ [l. 1103] bilon: and a thousand vagram Posies. To shallow, &c.

Sim.

Euan.

Sim.

Euan.

Shal.

Slen.

Page.

Euan.

Shal.

Page.

Euan.

Page.

Euan.

Page.

[1119] Yonder is a most reuerend Gentleman; who [l. 1120] (be‑like) hauing receiued wrong by some person, is at [l. 1121] most odds with his owne grauity and patience, that euer [l. 1122] you saw.

Shal.

[1123] I haue liued foure‑score yeeres, and vpward: I [l. 1124] neuer heard a man of his place, grauity, and learning, so [l. 1125] wide of his owne respect.

Euan.

Page.

[1127] I thinke you know him: Mr. Doctor Caius the [l. 1128] renowned French Physician.

Euan.

[1129] Got's‑will, and his passion of my heart: I had [l. 1130] as lief you would tell me of a messe of porredge.

Page.

Euan.

Page.

Slen.

Shal.

Page.

Shal.

Host.

Cai.

[1139] I pray you let‑a‑mee speake a word with your [l. 1140] eare; vherefore vill you not meet‑a me?

Euan.

Cai.

Euan.

[1143] Pray you let vs not be laughing‑stocks to other [l. 1144] mens humors: I desire you in friendship, and I will one [l. 1145] way or other make you amends: I will knog your Vrinal [l. 1146] about your knaues Cogs‑combe.

Cai.

[1147] Diable: Iack Rugby: mine Host de Iarteer: haue I [l. 1148] not stay for him, to kill him? haue I not at de place I did [l. 1149] appoint?

Euan.

Host.

Cai.

Host.

[1155] Shall I loose my Doctor? No, hee giues me the Potions [l. 1156] and the Motions. Shall I loose my Parson? my Priest? [l. 1157] my Sir Hugh? No, he giues me the Prouerbes, and the [l. 1158] No‑verbes. Giue me thy hand (Celestiall) so: Boyes of [l. 1159] Art, I haue deceiu'd you both: I haue directed you to [l. 1160] wrong places: your hearts are mighty, your skinnes are [l. 1161] whole, and let burn'd Sacke be the issue: Come, lay their [l. 1162] swords to pawne: Follow me, Lad of peace, follow, fol­ [l. 1163] low, follow.

Shal.

Slen.

Cai.

Eua.

[1167] This is well, he has made vs his vlowting‑stog: [l. 1168] I desire you that we may be friends: and let vs knog our [l. 1169] praines together to be reuenge on this same scall‑scur­ [l. 1170] uy‑cogging‑companion the Host of the Garter.

Cai.

[1171] By gar, with all my heart: he promise to bring [l. 1172] me where is Anne Page: by gar he deceiue me too.

Euan.

[1173] Well, I will smite his noddles: pray you follow.

Mist.Page.

[1174] Nay keepe your way (little Gallant) you [l. 1175] were wont to be a follower, but now you are a Leader: [l. 1176] whether had your rather lead mine eyes, or eye your ma­ [l. 1177] sters heeles?

Rob.

[1178] I had rather (forsooth) go before you like a man, [l. 1179] then follow him like a dwarfe.

M. Pa.

Ford.

M. Pa.

Ford.

M.Pa.

Ford.

M.Pa.

Rob.

Ford.

M. Pa.

Ford.

M.Pa.

Ford.

[1192] Has Page any braines? Hath he any eies? Hath he [l. 1193] any thinking? Sure they sleepe, he hath no vse of them: [l. 1194] why this boy will carrie a letter twentie mile as easie, as [l. 1195] a Canon will shoot point‑blanke twelue score: hee pee­ [l. 1196] ces out his wiues inclination: he giues her folly motion [l. 1197] and aduantage: and now she's going to my wife, Fal­ [l. 1198] staffes boy with her: A man may heare this showre sing [l. 1199] in the winde; and Falstaffes boy with her: good plots, [l. 1200] they are laide, and our reuolted wiues share damnation [l. 1201] together. Well, I will take him, then torture my wife, [l. 1202] plucke the borrowed vaile of modestie from the so‑see­ [l. 1203] ming Mist. Page, divulge Page himselfe for a secure and [l. 1204] wilfull Acteon, and to these violent proceedings all my [l. 1205] neighbors shall cry aime. The clocke giues my Qu, [l. 1206] and my assurance bids me search, there I shall finde Fal­ [l. 1207] staffe: I shall be rather praisd for this, then mock'd, for [l. 1208] it is as possitiue, as the earth is firme, that Falstaffe is [l. 1209] there: I will go.

Shal. Page &c.

[1210] Well met Mr Ford.

Ford.

[1211] Trust me a good knotte; I haue good cheere at [l. 1212] home, and I pray you all go with me.

Shal.

Slen.

Shal.

[1218] We haue linger'd about a match betweene An [l. 1219] Page, and my cozen Slender, and this day wee shall haue [l. 1220] our answer.

Slen.

Pag.

Cai.

Host.

[1225] What say you to yong Mr Fenton? He capers, [l. 1226] he dances, he has eies of youth: he writes verses, hee [l. 1227] speakes holliday, he smels April and May, he wil carry't, [l. 1228] he will carry't, 'tis in his buttons, he will carry't.

Page.

[1229] Not by my consent I promise you. The Gentle­ [l. 1230] man is of no hauing, hee kept companie with the wilde [l. 1231] Prince, and Pointz: he is of too high a Region, he knows [l. 1232] too much: no, hee shall not knit a knot in his fortunes, [l. 1233] with the finger of my substance: if he take her, let him [l. 1234] take her simply: the wealth I haue waits on my consent, [l. 1235] and my consent goes not that way.

Ford.

[1236] I beseech you heartily, some of you goe home [l. 1237] with me to dinner: besides your cheere you shall haue [l. 1238] sport, I will shew you a monster: Mr Doctor, you shal [l. 1239] go, so shall you Mr Page, and you Sir Hugh.

Shal.

Cai.

Host.

Ford.

[1244] I thinke I shall drinke in Pipe‑wine first with [l. 1245] him, Ile make him dance. Will you go Gentles?

All.

[1246] Haue with you, to see this Monster.

Mist.Ford.

M.Page.

Mis.Ford.

Mis.Page.

Mist.Ford.

M.Pag.

M.Ford.

[1253] Marrie, as I told you before (Iohn & Robert) [l. 1254] be ready here hard‑by in the Brew‑house, & when I so­ [l. 1255] dainly call you, come forth, and (without any pause, or [l. 1256] staggering) take this basket on your shoulders: yt done, [l. 1257] trudge with it in all hast, and carry it among the Whit­ [l. 1258] sters in Dotchet Mead, and there empty it in the muddie [l. 1259] ditch, close by the Thames side.

M.Page.

M.Ford.

E Be {p. 58} The Merry Wiues of Windsor.

M.Page.

Mist.Ford.

Rob.

M.Page.

Rob.

Mist.Pag.

[1269] Thou'rt a good boy: this secrecy of thine [l. 1270] shall be a Tailor to thee, and shal make thee a new dou­ [l. 1271] blet and hose. Ile go hide me.

Mi.Ford.

Mist.Pag.

Mist.Ford.

[1274] Go‑too then: we'l vse this vnwholsome [l. 1275] humidity, this grosse‑watry Pumpion; we'll teach him [l. 1276] to know Turtles from Iayes.

Fal.

[1277] Haue I caught thee, my heauenly Iewell? Why [l. 1278] now let me die, for I haue liu'd long enough: This is the [l. 1279] period of my ambition: O this blessed houre.

Mist.Ford.

Fal.

Mist.Ford.

Fal.

Mist.Ford.

Fal.

[1286] Thou art a tyrant to say so: thou wouldst make [l. 1287] an absolute Courtier, and the firme fixture of thy foote, [l. 1288] would giue an excellent motion to thy gate, in a semi‑ [l. 1289] circled Farthingale. I see what thou wert if Fortune thy [l. 1290] foe, were not Nature thy friend: Come, thou canst not [l. 1291] hide it.

Mist.Ford.

Fal.

[1293] What made me loue thee? Let that perswade [l. 1294] thee. Ther's something extraordinary in thee: Come, I [l. 1295] cannot cog, and say thou art this and that, like a‑manie [l. 1296] of these lisping‑hauthorne buds, that come like women [l. 1297] in mens apparrell, and smell like Bucklers‑berry in sim­ [l. 1298] ple time: I cannot, but I loue thee, none but thee; and [l. 1299] thou deseru'st it.

M.Ford.

Fal.

Mis.Ford.

Fal.

Mist.Ford.

Rob.

[1307] Mistris Ford, Mistris Ford: heere's Mistris Page at [l. 1308] the doore, sweating, and blowing, and looking wildely, [l. 1309] and would needs speake with you presently.

Fal.

M.Ford.

Mist.Page.

M.Ford.

M.Page.

M.Ford.

M.Page.

M.Ford.

M.Page.

[1321] Your husband's comming hether (Woman) [l. 1322] with all the Officers in Windsor, to search for a Gentle­ [l. 1323] man, that he sayes is heere now in the house; by your [l. 1324] consent to take an ill aduantage of his absence: you are [l. 1325] vndone.

M.Ford.

M.Page.

[1327] Pray heauen it be not so, that you haue such [l. 1328] a man heere: but 'tis most certaine your husband's com­ [l. 1329] ming, with halfe Windsor at his heeles, to serch for such [l. 1330] a one, I come before to tell you: If you know your selfe [l. 1331] cleere, why I am glad of it: but if you haue a friend here, [l. 1332] conuey, conuey him out. Be not amaz'd, call all your [l. 1333] senses to you, defend your reputation, or bid farwell to [l. 1334] your good life for euer.

M.Ford.

[1335] What shall I do? There is a Gentleman my [l. 1336] deere friend: and I feare not mine owne shame so much, [l. 1337] as his perill. I had rather then a thousand pound he were [l. 1338] out of the house.

M.Page.

[1339] For shame, neuer stand (you had rather, and [l. 1340] you had rather:) your husband's heere at hand, bethinke [l. 1341] you of some conueyance: in the house you cannot hide [l. 1342] him. Oh, how haue you deceiu'd me? Looke, heere is a [l. 1343] basket, if he be of any reasonable stature, he may creepe [l. 1344] in heere, and throw fowle linnen vpon him, as if it were [l. 1345] going to bucking: Or it is whiting time, send him by [l. 1346] your two men to Datchet‑Meade.

M.Ford.

Fal.

M.Page.

Fal.

M.Page.

M.Ford.

[1353] What Iohn, Robert, Iohn; Go, take vp these [l. 1354] cloathes heere, quickly: Wher's the Cowle‑staffe? Look [l. 1355] how you drumble? Carry them to the Landresse in Dat­ [l. 1356] chet mead: quickly, come.

Ford.

Ser.

M.Ford.

[1361] Why, what haue you to doe whether they [l. 1362] beare it? You were best meddle with buck‑washing.

Ford.

[1366] Gentlemen, I haue dream'd to night, Ile tell you my [l. 1367] dreame: heere, heere, heere bee my keyes, ascend my [l. 1368] Chambers, search, seeke, finde out: Ile warrant wee'le [l. 1369] vnkennell the Fox. Let me stop this way first: so, now [l. 1370] vncape.

Page.

Ford.

Follow {p. 51} The Merry Wiues of Windsor.

Euans.

Caius.

Page.

Mist.Page

Mist.Ford.

Mist.Page.

Mist.Ford.

[1384] I am halfe affraid he will haue neede of [l. 1385] washing: so throwing him into the water, will doe him [l. 1386] a benefit.

Mist.Page.

[1387] Hang him dishonest rascall: I would all [l. 1388] of the same straine, were in the same distresse.

Mist.Ford.

[1389] I thinke my husband hath some speciall [l. 1390] suspition of Falstaffs being heere: for I neuer saw him so [l. 1391] grosse in his iealousie till now.

Mist.Page.

[1392] I will lay a plot to try that, and wee will [l. 1393] yet haue more trickes with Falstaffe: his dissolute disease [l. 1394] will scarse obey this medicine.

Mis.Ford.

[1395] Shall we send that foolishion Carion, Mist. [l. 1396] Quickly to him, and excuse his throwing into the water, [l. 1397] and giue him another hope, to betray him to another [l. 1398] punishment?

Mist.Page.

[1399] We will do it: let him be sent for to mor­ [l. 1400] row eight a clocke to haue amends.

Ford.

[1401] I cannot finde him: may be the knaue bragg'd [l. 1402] of that he could not compasse.

Mis.Page.

Mis.Ford.

Ford.

M.Ford.

Ford.

Mi.Page.

Ford.

Eu.

[1410] If there be any pody in the house, & in the cham­ [l. 1411] bers, and in the coffers, and in the presses: heauen for­ [l. 1412] giue my sins at the day of iudgement.

Caius.

Page.

[1414] Fy, fy, M. Ford, are you not asham'd? What spi­ [l. 1415] rit, what diuell suggests this imagination? I wold not ha [l. 1416] your distemper in this kind, for yͤ welth of Windsor castle.

Ford.

Euans.

[1418] You suffer for a pad conscience: your wife is [l. 1419] as honest a o'mans, as I will desires among fiue thou­ [l. 1420] sand, and fiue hundred too.

Cai.

Ford.

[1422] Well, I promisd you a dinner: come, come, walk [l. 1423] in the Parke, I pray you pardon me: I wil hereafter make [l. 1424] knowne to you why I haue done this. Come wife, come [l. 1425] Mi. Page, I pray you pardon me. Pray hartly pardon me.

Page.

[1426] Let's go in Gentlemen, but (trust me) we'l mock [l. 1427] him: I doe inuite you to morrow morning to my house [l. 1428] to breakfast: after we'll a Birding together, I haue a fine [l. 1429] Hawke for the bush. Shall it be so:

Ford.

Eu.

Ca.

Ford.

Eua.

Cai.

Eua.

Fen.

Anne.

[1439] Alas, how then?

Fen.

An.

An.

Shal.

Slen.

Shal.

Slen.

Qui.

An.

Qui.

Shal.

Slen.

Shal.

Slen.

Shal.

Slen.

Shal.

Anne.

Shal.

[1481] Marrie I thanke you for it: I thanke you for [l. 1482] that good comfort: she cals you (Coz) Ile leaue you.

Anne.

Slen.

Anne.

Slen.

Anne.

Slen.

[1488] Truely, for mine owne part, I would little or [l. 1489] nothing with you: your father and my vncle hath made [l. 1490] motions: if it be my lucke, so; if not, happy man bee his [l. 1491] dole, they can tell you how things go, better then I can: [l. 1492] you may aske your father, heere he comes.

Page.

Fen.

Mist.Page.

Page.

Fen.

Page.

Qui.

Fen.

An.

Mist.Page.

Qui.

An.

Mist.Page.

Fen.

Qui.

Fen.

Qui.

[1526] Now heauen send thee good fortune, a kinde [l. 1527] heart he hath: a woman would run through fire & wa­ [l. 1528] ter for such a kinde heart. But yet, I would my Maister [l. 1529] had Mistris Anne, or I would M. Slender had her: or (in [l. 1530] sooth) I would M. Fenton had her; I will do what I can [l. 1531] for them all three, for so I haue promisd, and Ile bee as [l. 1532] good as my word, but speciously for M. Fenton. Well, I [l. 1533] must of another errand to Sir Iohn Falstaffe from my two [l. 1534] Mistresses: what a beast am I to slacke it.

Fal.

Bar.

Fal.

[1537] Go, fetch me a quart of Sacke, put a tost in't. [l. 1538] Haue I liu'd to be carried in a Basket like a barrow of [l. 1539] butchers Offall? and to be throwne in the Thames? Wel, [l. 1540] if I be seru'd such another tricke, Ile haue my braines [l. 1541] 'tane out and butter'd, and giue them to a dogge for a [l. 1542] New‑yeares gift. The rogues slighted me into the riuer [l. 1543] with as little remorse, as they would haue drown'de a [l. 1544] blinde bitches Puppies, fifteene i'th litter: and you may [l. 1545] know by my size, that I haue a kinde of alacrity in sink­ [l. 1546] ing: if the bottome were as deepe as hell, I shold down. [l. 1547] I had beene drown'd, but that the shore was sheluy and [l. 1548] shallow: a death that I abhorre: for the water swelles a [l. 1549] man; and what a thing should I haue beene, when I [l. 1550] had beene swel'd? I should haue beene a Mountaine of [l. 1551] Mummie.

Bar.

Fal.

[1553] Come, let me poure in some Sack to the Thames [l. 1554] water: for my bellies as cold as if I had swallow'd snow­ [l. 1555] bals, for pilles to coole the reines. Call her in.

Bar.

Qui.

Fal.

Bard.

Fal.

[1562] Simple of it selfe: Ile no PulletߛSpersme in my [l. 1563] brewage. How now?

Qui.

Fal.

Qui.

[1566] Alas the day, (good‑heart) that was not her [l. 1567] fault: she do's so take on with her men; they mistooke [l. 1568] their erection.

Fal.

Qui.

[1570] Well, she laments Sir for it, that it would yern [l. 1571] your heart to see it: her husband goes this morning a [l. 1572] birding; she desires you once more to come to her, be­ [l. 1573] tweene eight and nine: I must carry her word quickely, [l. 1574] she'll make you amends I warrant you.

Fal.

[1575] Well, I will visit her, tell her so: and bidde her [l. 1576] thinke what a man is: Let her consider his frailety, and [l. 1577] then iudge of my merit.

Qui.

Fal.

Qui.

Fal.

Qui.

Fal.

Ford.

Fal.

Ford.

Fal.

Ford.

Fal.

Ford.

Fal.

[1594] No (M. Broome) but the peaking Curnuto her hus­ [l. 1595] band (M. Broome) dwelling in a continual larum of ielou­ [l. 1596] sie, coms me in the instant of our encounter, after we had [l. 1597] embrast, kist, protested, & (as it were) spoke the prologue [l. 1598] of our Comedy: and at his heeles, a rabble of his compa­ [l. 1599] nions, thither prouoked and instigated by his distemper, [l. 1600] and (forsooth) to serch his house for his wiues Loue.

Ford.

Fal.

For.

Fal.

[1604] You shall heare. As good lucke would haue it, [l. 1605] comes in one Mist. Page, giues intelligence of Fords ap­ [l. 1606] proch: and in her inuention, and Fords wiues distraction, [l. 1607] they conuey'd me into a bucke‑basket.

Ford.

Fal.

[1609] Yes: a Buck‑basket: ram'd mee in with foule [l. 1610] Shirts and Smockes, Socks, foule Stockings, greasie [l. 1611] Napkins, that (Master Broome) there was the rankest [l. 1612] compound of villanous smell, that euer offended no­ [l. 1613] strill.

Ford.

Fal.

[1615] Nay, you shall heare (Master Broome) what I [l. 1616] hau[.] sufferd, to bring this woman to euill, for your [l. 1617] good: Being thus cram'd in the Basket, a couple of [l. 1618] Fords knaues, his Hindes, were cald forth by their Mi­ [l. 1619] stris, to carry mee in the name of foule Cloathes to [l. 1620] Datchet‑lane: they tooke me on their shoulders: met [l. 1621] the iealous knaue their Master in the doore; who [l. 1622] ask'd them once or twice what they had in their Bas­ [l. 1623] ket? I quak'd for feare least the Lunatique Knaue [l. 1624] would haue search'd it: but Fate (ordaining he should [l. 1625] be a Cuckold) held his hand: well, on went hee, for [l. 1626] a search, and away went I for foule Cloathes: But [l. 1627] marke the sequell (Master Broome) I suffered the pangs [l. 1628] of three seuerall deaths: First, an intollerable fright, [l. 1629] to be detected with a iealious rotten Bell‑weather: [l. 1630] Next to be compass'd like a good Bilbo in the circum­ [l. 1631] ference of a Pecke, hilt to point, heele to head. And [l. 1632] then to be stopt in like a strong distillation with stink­ [l. 1633] ing Cloathes, that fretted in their owne grease: [l. 1634] thinke of that, a man of my Kidney; thinke of that, [l. 1635] that am as subiect to heate as butter; a man of conti­ [l. 1636] nuall dissolution, and thaw: it was a miracle to scape [l. 1637] suffocation. And in the height of this Bath (when I [l. 1638] was more then halfe stew'd in grease (like a Dutch‑ [l. 1639] dish) to be throwne into the Thames, and [l. 1640] coold, glowing‑hot, in that serge like a Horse­ [l. 1641] shoo; thinke of that; hissing hot: thinke of that (Master [l. 1642] Broome.)

Ford.

Fal.

[1645] Master Broome: I will be throwne into Etna, [l. 1646] as I haue beene into Thames, ere I will leaue her thus; [l. 1647] her Husband is this morning gone a Birding: I [l. 1648] haue receiued from her another ambassie of mee­ [l. 1649] ting: 'twixt eight and nine is the houre (Master [l. 1650] Broome.)

Ford.

Fal.

[1652] Is it? I will then addresse mee to my appoint­ [l. 1653] ment: Come to mee at your conuenient leisure, and [l. 1654] you shall know how I speede: and the conclusion [l. 1655] shall be crowned with your enioying her: adiew: you [l. 1656] shall haue her (Master Broome) Master Broome, you shall [l. 1657] cuckold Ford.

Ford.

[1658] Hum: ha? Is this a vision? Is this a dreame? [l. 1659] doe I sleepe? Master Ford awake, awake Master Ford: [l. 1660] ther's a hole made in your best coate (Master Ford:) this [l. 1661] 'tis to be married; this 'tis to haue Lynnen, and Buck‑ [l. 1662] baskets: Well, I will proclaime my selfe what I am: [l. 1663] I will now take the Leacher: hee is at my house: hee [l. 1664] cannot scape me: 'tis impossible hee should: hee can­ [l. 1665] not creepe into a halfe‑penny purse, nor into a Pepper‑ [l. 1666] Boxe: But least the Diuell that guides him, should [l. 1667] aide him, I will search impossible places: though [l. 1668] what I am, I cannot auoide; yet to be what I would [l. 1669] not, shall not make me tame: If I haue hornes, to make [l. 1670] one mad, let the prouerbe goe with me, Ile be horneߛ [l. 1671] mad.

Mist.Pag.

Qui.

[1673] Sure he is by this; or will be presently; but [l. 1674] truely he is very couragious mad, about his throwing [l. 1675] into the water. Mistris Ford desires you to come so­ [l. 1676] dainely.

Mist.Pag.

[1677] Ile be with her by and by: Ile but bring [l. 1678] my yong‑man here to Schoole: looke where his Master [l. 1679] comes; 'tis a playing day I see: how now Sir Hugh, no [l. 1680] Schoole to day?

Eua.

Qui.

[1682] 'Blessing of his heart.

Mist.Pag.

[1683] Sir Hugh, my husband saies my sonne pro­ [l. 1684] fits nothing in the world at his Booke: I pray you aske [l. 1685] him some questions in his Accidence.

Eu.

Mist.Pag.

[1687] Come‑on Sirha; hold vp your head; an­ [l. 1688] swere your Master, be not afraid.

Eua.

Will.

Qui.

[1691] Truely, I thought there had bin one Number [l. 1692] more, because they say od's‑Nownes.

Eua.

Will.

Qu.

Eua.

[1696] You are a very simplicity o'man: I pray you [l. 1697] peace. What is (Lapis) William?

Will.

Eua.

Will.

Eua.

Will.

Eua.

Will.

[1704] Articles are borrowed of the Pronoune; and be [l. 1705] thus declined. Singulariter nominatiuo hic, hæc, hoc.

Eua.

Will.

Eua.

Qu.

Eua.

[1710] Leaue your prables (o'man) What is the Foca­ [l. 1711] tiue case (William?)

Will.

Eua.

Qu.

Eua.

Mist.Pag.

Eua.

Will.

Eua.

Will.

Qu.

Eua.

Qu.

[1723] You doe ill to teach the childe such words: hee [l. 1724] teaches him to hic, and to hac; which they'll doe fast [l. 1725] enough of themselues, and to call horum; fie vpon you.

Euans.

[1726] O'man, art thou Lunaties? Hast thou no vn­ [l. 1727] derstandings for thy Cases, & the numbers of the Gen­ [l. 1728] ders? Thou art as foolish Christian creatures, as I would [l. 1729] desires.

Mi.Page.

Eu.

Will.

Eu.

[1733] It is Qui, que, quod; if you forget your Quies, [l. 1734] your Ques, and your Quods, you must be preeches: Goe [l. 1735] your waies and play, go.

M.Pag.

Eu.

Mis.Page.

Fal.

[1740] Mi. Ford, Your sorrow hath eaten vp my suffe­ [l. 1741] rance; I see you are obsequious in your loue, and I pro­ [l. 1742] fesse requitall to a haires bredth, not onely Mist. Ford, [l. 1743] in the simple office of loue, but in all the accustrement, [l. 1744] complement, and ceremony of it: But are you sure of [l. 1745] your husband now?

Mis.Ford.

Mis.Page.

Mis.Ford.

Mis.Page.

Mis.Ford.

Mis.Page.

Mis.Ford.

Mist.Pag.

Mist.Ford.

Mis.Page.

[1755] Why woman, your husband is in his olde [l. 1756] lines againe: he so takes on yonder with my husband, so [l. 1757] railes against all married mankinde; so curses all Eues [l. 1758] daughters, of what complexion soeuer; and so buffettes [l. 1759] himselfe on the for‑head: crying peere‑out, peere‑out, [l. 1760] that any madnesse I euer yet beheld, seem'd but tame­ [l. 1761] nesse, ciuility, and patience to this his distemper he is in [l. 1762] now: I am glad the fat Knight is not heere.

Mist.Ford.

Mist.Page.

[1764] Of none but him, and sweares he was ca­ [l. 1765] rried out the last time hee search'd for him, in a Basket: [l. 1766] Protests to my husband he is now heere, & hath drawne [l. 1767] him and the rest of their company from their sport, to [l. 1768] make another experiment of his suspition: But I am glad [l. 1769] the Knight is not heere; now he shall see his owne foo⸗ [l. 1770] lerie.

Mist.Ford.

Mist.Pag.

Mist.Ford.

Mist.Page.

[1774] Why then you are vtterly sham'd, & hee's [l. 1775] but a dead man. What a woman are you? Away with [l. 1776] him, away with him: Better shame, then murther.

Mist.Ford.

Fal.

Mist.Page.

[1780] Alas: three of Mr. Fords brothers watch [l. 1781] the doore with Pistols, that none shall issue out: other­ [l. 1782] wise you might slip away ere hee came: But what make [l. 1783] you heere?

Fal.

Mist.Ford.

Fal.

Mist.Ford.

[1787] He will seeke there on my word: Neyther [l. 1788] Presse, Coffer, Chest, Trunke, Well, Vault, but he hath [l. 1789] an abstract for the remembrance of such places, and goes [l. 1790] to them by his Note: There is no hiding you in the [l. 1791] house.

Fal.

Mist.Ford.

[1793] If you goe out in your owne semblance, [l. 1794] you die Sir Iohn, vnlesse you go out disguis'd.

Mist.Ford.

Mist.Page.

[1796] Alas the day I know not, there is no wo­ [l. 1797] mans gowne bigge enough for him: otherwise he might [l. 1798] put on a hat, a muffler, and a kerchiefe, and so escape.

Fal.

[1799] Good hearts, deuise something: any extremitie, [l. 1800] rather then a mischiefe.

Mist.Ford.

[1801] My Maids Aunt the fat woman of Brain­ [l. 1802] ford, has a gowne aboue.

Mist.Page.

[1803] On my word it will serue him: shee's as [l. 1804] big as he is: and there's her thrum'd hat, and her muffler [l. 1805] too: run vp Sir Iohn.

Mist.Ford.

Mist.Page.

Mist.Ford.

[1808] I would my husband would meete him [l. 1809] in this shape: he cannot abide the old woman of Brain­ [l. 1810] ford; he sweares she's a witch, forbad her my house, and [l. 1811] hath threatned to beate her.

Mist.Page.

[1812] Heauen guide him to thy husbands cud­ [l. 1813] gell: and the diuell guide his cudgell afterwards.

Mist.Ford.

Mist.Page.

Mist.Ford.

[1816] Wee'l try that: for Ile appoint my men to [l. 1817] carry the basket againe, to meete him at the doore with [l. 1818] it, as they did last time.

Mist.Page.

[1819] Nay, but hee'l be heere presently: let's go [l. 1820] dresse him like the witch of Brainford.

Mist.Ford.

[1821] Ile first direct direct my men, what they [l. 1822] shall doe with the basket: Goe vp, Ile bring linnen for [l. 1823] him straight.

Mist.Page.

Mist.Ford.

[1830] Go Sirs, take the basket againe on your [l. 1831] shoulders: your Master is hard at doore: if hee bid you [l. 1832] set it downe, obey him: quickly, dispatch.

1 Ser.

2 Ser.

1 Ser.

Ford.

Page.

Euans.

Shall.

Ford.

[1842] So say I too Sir, come hither Mistris Ford, Mi­ [l. 1843] stris Ford, the honest woman, the modest wife, the vertu­ [l. 1844] ous creature, that hath the iealious foole to her husband: [l. 1845] I suspect without cause (Mistris) do I?

Mist.Ford.

[1846] Heauen be my witnesse you doe, if you [l. 1847] suspect me in any dishonesty.

Ford.

[1848] Well said Brazon‑face, hold it out: Come forth [l. 1849] sirrah.

Page.

Mist.Ford.

Ford.

Eua.

Ford.

M.Ford.

Ford.

[1856] Master Page, as I am a man, there was one con­ [l. 1857] uay'd out of my house yesterday in this basket: why [l. 1858] may not he be there againe, in my house I am sure he is: [l. 1859] my Intelligence is true, my iealousie is reasonable, pluck [l. 1860] me out all the linnen.

Mist.Ford.

Page.

Shal.

Euans.

Ford.

Page.

Ford.

[1867] Helpe to search my house this one time: if I find [l. 1868] not what I seeke, shew no colour for my extremity: Let [l. 1869] me for euer be your Tableߛsport: Let them say of me, as [l. 1870] iealous as Ford, that search'd a hollow Wall‑nut for his [l. 1871] wiues Lemman. Satisfie me once more, once more serch [l. 1872] with me.

M.Ford.

[1873] What hoa (Mistris Page,) come you and [l. 1874] the old woman downe: my husband will come into the [l. 1875] Chamber.

Ford.

M.Ford.

Ford.

[1878] A witch, a Queane, an olde couzening queane: [l. 1879] Haue I not forbid her my house. She comes of errands [l. 1880] do's she? We are simple men, wee doe not know what's [l. 1881] brought to passe vnder the profession of Fortune‑telling. [l. 1882] She workes by Charmes, by Spels, by th'Figure, & such [l. 1883] dawbry as this is, beyond our Element: wee know no­ [l. 1884] thing. Come downe you Witch, you Hagge you, come [l. 1885] downe I say.

Mist.Ford.

Mist.Page.

Ford.

[1888] Ile Prat‑her: Out of my doore, you Witch, [l. 1889] you Ragge, you Baggage, you Poulcat, you Runnion, [l. 1890] out, out: Ile coniure you, Ile fortune‑tell you.

Mist.Page.

Mist.Ford.

Ford.

Eua.

[1895] By yea, and no, I thinke the o'man is a witch in­ [l. 1896] deede: I like not when a o'man has a great peard; I spie [l. 1897] a great peard vnder his muffler.

Ford.

[1898] Will you follow Gentlemen, I beseech you fol­ [l. 1899] low: see but the issue of my iealousie: If I cry out thus [l. 1900] vpon no traile, neuer trust me when I open againe.

Page.

Mist.Page.

Mist.Ford.

Mist.Page.

Mist.Ford.

[1906] What thinke you? May we with the war­ [l. 1907] rant of woman‑hood, and the witnesse of a good consci­ [l. 1908] ence, pursue him with any further reuenge?

M.Page.

[1909] The spirit of wantonnesse is sure scar'd out [l. 1910] of him, if the diuell haue him not in fee‑simple, with [l. 1911] fine and recouery, he will neuer (I thinke) in the way of [l. 1912] waste, attempt vs againe.

Mist.Ford.

[1913] Shall we tell our husbands how wee haue [l. 1914] seru'd him?

Mist.Page.

[1915] Yes, by all meanes: if it be but to scrape [l. 1916] the figures out of your husbands braines: if they can find [l. 1917] in their hearts, the poore vnuertuous fat Knight shall be [l. 1918] any further afflicted, wee two will still bee the mini­ [l. 1919] sters.

Mist.Ford.

[1920] Ile warrant, they'l haue him publiquely [l. 1921] sham'd, and me thinkes there would be no period to the [l. 1922] iest, should he not be publikely sham'd.

Mist.Page.

Bar.

[1924] Sir, the Germane desires to haue three of your [l. 1925] horses: the Duke himselfe will be to morrow at Court, [l. 1926] and they are going to meet him.

Host.

[1927] What Duke should that be comes so secretly? [l. 1928] I heare not of him in the Court: let mee speake with the [l. 1929] Gentlemen, they speake English?

Bar.

Host.

[1931] They shall haue my horses, but Ile make them [l. 1932] pay: Ile sauce them, they haue had my houses a week at [l. 1933] commaund: I haue turn'd away my other guests, they [l. 1934] must come off, Ile sawce them, come.

Eua.

Page.

Mist.Page.

Ford.

(In {p. 56} The Merry Wiues of Windsor.

Page.

Ford.

Page.

Eu.

[1951] You say he has bin throwne in the Riuers: and [l. 1952] has bin greeuously peaten, as an old o'man: me‑thinkes [l. 1953] there should be terrors in him, that he should not come: [l. 1954] Me‑thinkes his flesh is punish'd, hee shall haue no de­ [l. 1955] sires

Page.

M.Ford.

Mis.Page.

Page.

Mist.Ford.

Page.

Mist.Pa.

Ford.

Mist.Page.

Ford.

Eua.

Ford.

Mist.Page.

Page.

Ford.

Mist.Page.

Euans.

Mis.Page.

Host.

[2023] What wouldst thou haue? (Boore) what? (thick [l. 2024] skin) speake, breathe, discusse: breefe, short, quicke, [l. 2025] snap.

Simp.

[2026] Marry Sir, I come to speake with Sir Iohn Fal­ [l. 2027] staffe from M. Slender.

Host.

[2028] There's his Chamber, his House, his Castle, [l. 2029] his standing‑bed and truckle‑bed: 'tis painted about [l. 2030] with the story of the Prodigall, fresh and new: go, knock [l. 2031] and call: hee'l speake like an Anthropophaginian vnto [l. 2032] thee: Knocke I say.

Simp.

[2033] There's an olde woman, a fat woman gone vp [l. 2034] into his chamber: Ile be so bold as stay Sir till she come [l. 2035] downe: I come to speake with her indeed.

Host.

[2036] Ha? A fat woman? The Knight may be robb'd: [l. 2037] Ile call. BullyߛKnight, Bully Sir Iohn: speake from thy [l. 2038] Lungs Military: Art thou there? It is thine Host, thine [l. 2039] Ephesian cals.

Fal.

Host.

[2041] Here's a Bohemian‑Tartar taries the comming [l. 2042] downe of thy fat‑woman: Let her descend (Bully) let [l. 2043] her descend: my Chambers are honourable: Fie, priu­ [l. 2044] acy? Fie.

Fal.

[2045] There was (mine Host) an old‑fat‑woman euen [l. 2046] now with me, but she's gone.

Simp.

Fal.

[2048] I marry was it (Mussel‑shell) what would you [l. 2049] with her?

Simp.

[2050] My Master (Sir) my master Slender, sent to her [l. 2051] seeing her go thorough the streets, to know (Sir) whe­ [l. 2052] ther one Nim (Sir) that beguil'd him of a chaine, had the [l. 2053] chaine, or no.

Fal.

Sim.

Fal.

Simp.

[2057] I would I could haue spoken with the Woman her {p. 57} The Merry Wiues of Windsor. [l. 2058] her selfe, I had other things to haue spoken with her [l. 2059] too, from him.

Fal.

Host.

Fal.

Host.

Sim.

Fal.

Sim.

Fal.

Sim.

Fal.

Sim.

[2070] I thanke your worship: I shall make my Master [l. 2071] glad with these tydings.

Host.

[2072] Thou art clearkly: thou art clearkly (Sir Iohn) [l. 2073] was there a wise woman with thee?

Fal.

[2074] I that there was (mine Host) one that hath taught [l. 2075] me more wit, then euer I learn'd before in my life: and [l. 2076] I paid nothing for it neither, but was paid for my lear­ [l. 2077] ning.

Bar.

Host.

Bar.

[2080] Run away with the cozoners: for so soone as [l. 2081] I came beyond Eaton, they threw me off, from behinde [l. 2082] one of them, in a slough of myre; and set spurres, and [l. 2083] away; like three Germane‑diuels; three Doctor Fau­ [l. 2084] staffes.

Host.

[2085] They are gone but to meete the Duke (villaine) [l. 2086] doe not say they be fled: Germanes are honest men.

Euan.

Host.

Euan.

[2089] Haue a care of your entertainments: there is a [l. 2090] friend of mine come to Towne, tels mee there is three [l. 2091] Cozen‑Iermans, that has cozend all the Hosts of Reading, [l. 2092] of Maidenhead; of Cole‑brooke, of horses and money: I [l. 2093] tell you for good will (looke you) you are wise, and full [l. 2094] of gibes, and vlouting‑stocks: and 'tis not conuenient [l. 2095] you should be cozoned. Fare you well.

Cai.

Host.

[2097] Here (Master Doctor) in perplexitie, and doubt­ [l. 2098] full delemma.

Cai.

[2099] I cannot tell vat is dat: but it is tell‑a‑me, dat [l. 2100] you make grand preparation for a Duke de Iamanie: by [l. 2101] my trot: der is no Duke that the Court is know, to [l. 2102] come: I tell you for good will: adieu.

Host.

[2103] Huy and cry, (villaine) goe: assist me Knight, I [l. 2104] am vndone: fly, run: huy, and cry (villaine) I am vn­ [l. 2105] done.

Fal.

[2106] I would all the world might be cozond, for I [l. 2107] haue beene cozond and beaten too: if it should come [l. 2108] to the eare of the Court, how I haue beene transformed; [l. 2109] and how my transformation hath beene washd, and [l. 2110] cudgeld, they would melt mee out of my fat drop by [l. 2111] drop, and liquor Fishermens‑boots with me: I warrant [l. 2112] they would whip me with their fine wits, till I were as [l. 2113] crest‑falne as a dride‑peare: I neuer prosper'd, since I [l. 2114] forswore my selfe at Primero: well, if my winde were [l. 2115] but long enough; I would repent: Now? Whence come [l. 2116] you?

Qui.

Fal.

[2118] The Diuell take one partie, and his Dam the [l. 2119] other: and so they shall be both bestowed; I haue suf­ [l. 2120] fer'd more for their sakes; more then the villanous in­ [l. 2121] constancy of mans disposition is able to beare.

Qui.

[2122] And haue not they suffer'd? Yes, I warrant; spe­ [l. 2123] ciously one of them; Mistris Ford (good heart) is beaten [l. 2124] blacke and blew, that you cannot see a white spot about [l. 2125] her.

Fal.

[2126] What tell'st thou mee of blacke, and blew? I [l. 2127] was beaten my selfe into all the colours of the Raine­ [l. 2128] bow: and I was like to be apprehended for the Witch [l. 2129] of Braineford, but that my admirable dexteritie of wit, [l. 2130] my counterfeiting the action of an old woman deliuer'd [l. 2131] me, the knaue Constable had set me ith'Stocks, ith'com­ [l. 2132] mon Stocks, for a Witch.

Qu.

[2133] Sir: let me speake with you in your Chamber, [l. 2134] you shall heare how things goe, and (I warrant) to your [l. 2135] content: here is a Letter will say somewhat: (good‑ [l. 2136] hearts) what a‑doe here is to bring you together? Sure, [l. 2137] one of you do's not serue heauen well, that you are so [l. 2138] cross'd.

Fal.

Host.

[2140] Master Fenton, talke not to mee, my minde is [l. 2141] heauy: I will giue ouer all.

Fen.

Host.

[2145] I will heare you (Master Fenton) and I will (at [l. 2146] the least) keepe your counsell.

Fen.

That {p. 58} The Merry Wiues of Windsor.

Host.

Fen.

Host.

Fen.

Fal.

Qui.

[2196] Ile prouide you a chaine, and Ile do what I can [l. 2197] to get you a paire of hornes.

Fall.

[2198] Away I say, time weares, hold vp your head & [l. 2199] mince. How now M Broome? Master Broome, the mat­ [l. 2200] ter will be knowne to night, or neuer. Bee you in the [l. 2201] Parke about midnight, at Hernes‑Oake, and you shall [l. 2202] see wonders.

Ford.

[2203] Went you not to her yesterday (Sir) as you told [l. 2204] me you had appointed?

Fal.

[2205] I went to her (Master Broome) as you see, like a [l. 2206] poore‑old‑man, but I came from her (Master Broome) [l. 2207] like a poore‑old‑woman; that same knaue (Ford hir hus­ [l. 2208] band) hath the finest mad diuell of iealousie in him (Ma­ [l. 2209] ster Broome) that euer gouern'd Frensie. I will tell you, [l. 2210] he beate me greeuously, in the shape of a woman: (for in [l. 2211] the shape of Man (Master Broome) I feare not Goliah [l. 2212] with a Weauers beame, because I know also, life is a [l. 2213] Shuttle) I am in hast, go along with mee, Ile tell you all [l. 2214] (Master Broome:) since I pluckt Geese, plaide Trewant, [l. 2215] and whipt Top, I knew not what 'twas to be beaten, till [l. 2216] lately. Follow mee, Ile tell you strange things of this [l. 2217] knaue Ford, on whom to night I will be reuenged, and I [l. 2218] will deliuer his wife into your hand. Follow, straunge [l. 2219] things in hand (M. Broome) follow.

Page.

[2220] Come, come: wee'll couch i'th Castle‑ditch, [l. 2221] till we see the light of our Fairies. Remember son Slen­ [l. 2222] der, my

Slen.

[2223] I forsooth, I haue spoke with her, & we haue [l. 2224] a nay‑word, how to know one another. I come to her [l. 2225] in white, and cry Mum; she cries Budget, and by that [l. 2226] we know one another.

Shal.

[2227] That's good too: But what needes either your [l. 2228] Mum, or her Budget? The white will decipher her well [l. 2229] enough. It hath strooke ten a'clocke.

Page.

[2230] The night is darke, Light and Spirits will be­ [l. 2231] come it wel: Heauen prosper our sport. No man means [l. 2232] euill but the deuill, and we shal know him by his hornes. [l. 2233] Lets away: follow me.

Mist.Page.

[2234] Mr Doctor, my daughter is in green, when [l. 2235] you see your time, take her by the hand, away with her [l. 2236] to the Deanerie, and dispatch it quickly: go before into [l. 2237] the Parke: we two must go together.

Cai.

Mist.Page.

[2239] Fare you well (Sir:) my husband will not [l. 2240] reioyce so much at the abuse of Falstaffe, as he will chafe [l. 2241] at the Doctors marrying my daughter: But 'tis no mat­ [l. 2242] ter; better a little chiding, then a great deale of heart­ [l. 2243] breake.

Mist.Ford.

[2244] Where is Nan now? and her troop of Fai­ [l. 2245] ries? and the Welch‑deuill Herne?

Mist.Page.

[2246] They are all couch'd in a pit hard by Hernes [l. 2247] Oake, with obscur'd Lights; which at the very instant [l. 2248] of Falstaffes and our meeting, they will at once display to [l. 2249] the night.

Mist.Ford.

Mist.Page.

Mist.Ford.

Mist.Page.

Mist.Ford.

Euans.

[2256] Trib, trib Fairies: Come, and remember your [l. 2257] parts: be pold (I pray you) follow me into the pit, and [l. 2258] when I giue the watch‑'ords, do as I pid you: Come, [l. 2259] come, trib, trib.

Fal.

[2260] The Windsor‑bell hath stroke twelue: the Mi­ [l. 2261] nute drawesߛon: Now the hot‑bloodied‑Gods assist me: [l. 2262] Remember Ioue, thou was't a Bull for thy Europa, Loue [l. 2263] set on thy hornes. O powerfull Loue, that in some re­ [l. 2264] spects makes a Beast a Man: in som other, a Man a beast. [l. 2265] You were also (Iupiter) a Swan, for the loue of Leda: O omnipotent {p. 51} The Merry Wiues of Windsor. [l. 2266] omnipotent Loue, how nere the God drew to the com­ [l. 2267] plexion of a Goose: a fault done first in the forme of a [l. 2268] beast, (O Ioue, a beastly fault:) and then another fault, [l. 2269] in the semblance of a Fowle, thinke on't (Ioue) a fowle‑ [l. 2270] fault. When Gods haue hot backes, what shall poore [l. 2271] men do? For me, I am heere a Windsor Stagge, and the [l. 2272] fattest (I thinke) i'th Forrest. Send me a coole rut‑time [l. 2273] (Ioue) or who can blame me to pisse my Tallow? Who [l. 2274] comes heere? my Doe?

M.Ford.

Fal.

[2277] My Doe, with the blacke Scut? Let the skie [l. 2278] raine Potatoes: let it thunder, to the tune of Greene­ [l. 2279] sleeues, haile‑kissing Comfits, and snow Eringoes: Let [l. 2280] there come a tempest of prouocation, I will shelter mee [l. 2281] heere.

M.Ford.

[2282] Mistris Page is come with me (sweet hart.)

Fal.

[2283] Diuide me like a brib'd‑Bucke, each a Haunch: [l. 2284] I will keepe my sides to my selfe, my shoulders for the [l. 2285] fellow of this walke; and my hornes I bequeath your [l. 2286] husbands. Am I a Woodman, ha? Speake I like Herne [l. 2287] the Hunter? Why, now is Cupid a child of conscience, [l. 2288] he makes restitution. As I am a true spirit, welcome.

M.Page.

M.Ford.

Fal.

M.Ford. M.Page.

Fal.

Qui.

Pist.

Fal.

Eu.

Qu.

Euan.

Fal.

Pist.

Qu.

Pist.

Eua.

Fal.

Qui.

Page.

[2360] Nay do not flye, I thinke we haue watcht you [l. 2361] now: VVill none but Herne the Hunter serue your [l. 2362] turne?

M.Page.

Ford.

M.Ford.

[2371] Sir Iohn, we haue had ill lucke: wee could [l. 2372] neuer meete: I will neuer take you for my Loue againe, [l. 2373] but I will alwayes count you my Deere.

Fal.

Ford.

Fal.

[2376] And these are not Fairies:

[2377] I was three or foure times in the thought they were not [l. 2378] Fairies, and yet the guiltinesse of my minde, the sodaine [l. 2379] surprize of my powers, droue the grossenesse of the fop­ [l. 2380] pery into a receiu'd beleefe, in despight of the teeth of [l. 2381] all rime and reason, that they were Fairies. See now [l. 2382] how wit may be made a Iacke‑a‑Lent, when 'tis vpon ill [l. 2383] imployment.

Euant.

[2384] Sir Iohn Falstaffe, serue Got, and leaue your [l. 2385] desires, and Fairies will not pinse you.

Ford.

[2386] VVell said Fairy Hugh.

Euans.

[2387] And leaue you your iealouzies too, I pray [l. 2388] you.

Ford.

[2389] I will neuer mistrust my wife againe, till thou [l. 2390] art able to woo her in good English.

Fal.

[2391] Haue I laid my braine in the Sun, and dri'de it, [l. 2392] that it wants matter to preuent so grosse ore‑reaching as [l. 2393] this? Am I ridden with a Welch Goate too? Shal I haue [l. 2394] a Coxcombe of Frize? Tis time I were choak'd with a [l. 2395] peece of toasted Cheese.

Eu.

[2396] Seese is not good to giue putter; your belly is al [l. 2397] putter.

Fal.

[2398] Seese, and Putter? Haue I liu'd to stand at the [l. 2399] taunt of one that makes Fritters of English? This is e­ [l. 2400] nough to be the decay of lust and late‑walking through [l. 2401] the Realme.

Mist.Page.

[2402] Why Sir Iohn, do you thinke though wee [l. 2403] would haue thrust vertue out of our hearts by the head [l. 2404] and shoulders, and haue giuen our selues without scru­ [l. 2405] ple to hell, that euer the deuill could haue made you our [l. 2406] delight?

Ford.

Mist.Page.

Page.

Ford.

Page.

Ford.

Euan.

[2413] And giuen to Fornications, and to Tauernes, [l. 2414] and Sacke, and Wine, and Metheglins, and to drinkings [l. 2415] and swearings, and starings? Pribles and prables?

Fal.

[2416] Well, I am your Theame: you haue the start of [l. 2417] me, I am deiected: I am not able to answer the Welch [l. 2418] Flannell, Ignorance it selfe is a plummet ore me, vse me [l. 2419] as you will.

Ford.

[2420] Marry Sir, wee'l bring you to Windsor to one [l. 2421] Mr Broome, that you haue cozon'd of money, to whom [l. 2422] you should haue bin a Pander: ouer and aboue that you [l. 2423] haue suffer'd, I thinke, to repay that money will be a bi­ [l. 2424] ting affliction.

Page.

[2425] Yet be cheerefull Knight: thou shalt eat a pos­ [l. 2426] set to night at my house, wher I will desire thee to laugh [l. 2427] at my wife, that now laughes at thee: Tell her Mr Slen­ [l. 2428] der hath married her daughter.

Mist.Page.

Slen.

Page.

Slen.

[2434] Dispatch'd? Ile make the best in Glostershire [l. 2435] know on't: would I were hang'd la, else.

Page.

[2436] Of what sonne?

Slen.

[2437] I came yonder at Eaton to marry Mistris Anne [l. 2438] Page, and she's a great lubberly boy. If it had not bene [l. 2439] i'th Church, I would haue swing'd him, or hee should [l. 2440] haue swing'd me. If I did not thinke it had beene Anne [l. 2441] Page, would I might neuer stirre, and 'tis a Post‑masters [l. 2442] Boy.

Page.

Slen.

[2444] What neede you tell me that? I think so, when [l. 2445] I tooke a Boy for a Girle: If I had bene married to him, [l. 2446] (for all he was in womans apparrell) I would not haue [l. 2447] had him.

Page.

Slen.

[2451] I went to her in greene, and cried Mum, and [l. 2452] she cride budget, as Anne and I had appointed, and yet [l. 2453] it was not Anne, but a Post‑masters boy.

Mist.Page.

[2454] Good George be not angry, I knew of [l. 2455] your purpose: turn'd my daughter into white, and in­ [l. 2456] deede she is now with the Doctor at the Deanrie, and [l. 2457] there married.

Cai.

[2458] Ver is Mistris Page: by gar I am cozoned, I ha [l. 2459] married oon Garsoon, a boy; oon pesant, by gar. A boy, [l. 2460] it is not An Page, by gar, I am cozened.

M.Page.

Cai.

Ford.

Page.

Anne.

Page.

M.Page.

Fen.

Ford.

Fal.

[2483] I am glad, though you haue tane a special stand [l. 2484] to strike at me, that your Arrow hath glanc'd.

Page.

[2485] Well, what remedy? Fenton, heauen giue thee [l. 2486] ioy, what cannot be eschew'd, must be embrac'd.

Fal.

[2487] When night‑dogges run, all sorts of Deere are [l. 2488] chac'd.

Mist.Page.

Ford.