[Transcriber's Note:
These texts of _The Merry Wives of Windsor_ are from Volume I of
the nine-volume 1863 Cambridge edition of Shakespeare. The Preface
(e-text 23041) and the other plays from this volume are each
available as separate e-texts.
General Notes are in their original location at the end of the play.
Text-critical notes are grouped at the end of each Scene. All line
numbers are from the original text; line breaks in dialogue--including
prose passages--are unchanged. Brackets are also unchanged; to avoid
ambiguity, footnotes and linenotes are given without added brackets.
In the notes, numerals printed as subscripts are shown inline as
F1, F2, Q1....
Texts cited in the Notes are listed at the end of the e-text.]
THE WORKS
of
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
Edited by
WILLIAM GEORGE CLARK, M.A.
Fellow and Tutor of Trinity College, and Public Orator
in the University of Cambridge;
and JOHN GLOVER, M.A.
Librarian Of Trinity College, Cambridge.
_VOLUME I._
Cambridge and London:
MACMILLAN AND CO.
1863.
THE
MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR.
Besides the copies of the _Merry Wives of Windsor_ appearing in the
folios and modern editions, a quarto, Q3, has been collated in these
Notes, of which the following is the title:
The | Merry Wives | of Windsor. | with the humours of Sir _John
Falstaffe_, | as also, The swaggering Vaine of Ancient | _Pistoll_,
and Corporall _Nym_. |WRITTEN BY _William Shake-speare_. | Newly
corrected. | LONDON: | printed by _T. H._ for _R. Meighen_ and are
to be sold | at his Shop, next to the Middle-Temple Gate, and in |
S. _Dunstan's_ Church-yard in _Fleet Street_. | 1630.
Q1 and Q2 are editions of an early sketch of the same play. The
variations between the text of these quartos and the received text are
so great that collation cannot be attempted. The text printed at the end
of the play is taken _literatim_ from Q1, the edition of 1602, of which
a copy is preserved among Capell's SHAKESPEARIANA, and this text is
collated _verbatim_ with Q2, the second quarto printed in 1619. Q1 was
reprinted in 1842 for the Shakespeare Society by Mr J. O. Halliwell.
This text, which differs in one or two places from Capell's Q1, has also
been collated. Q2 is given among TWENTY OF THE PLAYS OF SHAKESPEARE,
edited by Steevens. Their titles are as follows:
(1) A | Most pleasaunt and | excellent conceited Co-|medie, of Syr
_John Falstaffe_, and the | Merrie Wiues of _Windsor_. | Enter-mixed
with sundrie | variable and pleasing humors of Syr _Hugh_ | the
Welch Knight, Justice _Shallow_, and his | wise Cousin M. _Slender_.
| With the Swaggering vaine of Auncient | _Pistoll_, and Corporall
_Nym_. | By _William Shakespeare_. | As it hath been diuers times
Acted by the right Honorable | my Lord Chamberlaines seruants. Both
before her | Maiestie, and else-where. | London. | Printed by T. C.
for Arthur Johnson, and are to be sold at | his shop in Powles
Church-yard, at the signe of the | Flower de Leuse and the Crowne.
| 1602.
[This consists of 7 Quires of 4. In the Quire G one line, which we have
included in brackets, has been cut away by the binder. We have supplied
it from Halliwell's edition and Q2.]
(2) A | Most pleasant and ex-|cellent Comedy, | _of Sir John
Falstaffe, and the | merry Wives of Windsor_. | With the swaggering
vaine of An|cient _Pistoll_, and Corporall _Nym_. | Written by
W. SHAKESPEARE. | Printed for _Arthur Johnson_, 1619.
DRAMATIS PERSONÆ[1].
SIR JOHN FALSTAFF.
FENTON, a gentleman.
SHALLOW, a country justice.
SLENDER, cousin to Shallow.
FORD, } two gentlemen dwelling at Windsor.
PAGE, }
WILLIAM PAGE, a boy, son to Page.
SIR HUGH EVANS, a Welsh parson.
DOCTOR CAIUS, a French physician.
Host of the Garter Inn.
BARDOLPH, }
PISTOL, } sharpers attending on Falstaff.
NYM, }
ROBIN, page to Falstaff.
SIMPLE, servant to Slender.
RUGBY, servant to Doctor Caius.
MISTRESS FORD.
MISTRESS PAGE.
ANNE PAGE, her daughter.
MISTRESS QUICKLY, servant to Doctor Caius.
Servants to Page, Ford, &c.
SCENE--_Windsor, and the neighbourhood._
[Footnote 1: Not in Qq Ff. Inserted by Rowe.]
THE
MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR.
ACT I.
SCENE I. _Windsor. Before PAGE'S house._
_Enter JUSTICE SHALLOW, SLENDER, and SIR HUGH EVANS._
_Shal._ Sir Hugh, persuade me not; I will make a Star-chamber
matter of it: if he were twenty Sir John Falstaffs,
he shall not abuse Robert Shallow, esquire.
_Slen._ In the county of Gloucester, justice of peace
and 'Coram.' 5
_Shal._ Ay, cousin Slender, and 'Custalorum.'
_Slen._ Ay, and 'Rato-lorum' too; and a gentleman born,
master parson; who writes himself 'Armigero,' in any bill,
warrant, quittance, or obligation, 'Armigero.'
_Shal._ Ay, that I do; and have done any time these 10
three hundred years.
_Slen._ All his successors gone before him hath done't;
and all his ancestors that come after him may: they may
give the dozen white luces in their coat. 15
_Shal._ It is an old coat.
_Evans._ The dozen white louses do become an old coat
well; it agrees well, passant; it is a familiar beast to man,
and signifies love.
_Shal._ The luce is the fresh fish; the salt fish is an
old coat. 20
_Slen._ I may quarter, coz.
_Shal._ You may, by marrying.
_Evans._ It is marring indeed, if he quarter it.
_Shal._ Not a whit.
_Evans._ Yes, py'r lady; if he has a quarter of your 25
coat, there is but three skirts for yourself, in my simple
conjectures: but that is all one. If Sir John Falstaff have
committed disparagements unto you, I am of the church, and
will be glad to do my benevolence to make atonements and
compremises between you. 30
_Shal._ The council shall hear it; it is a riot.
_Evans._ It is not meet the council hear a riot; there is
no fear of Got in a riot: the council, look you, shall desire
to hear the fear of Got, and not to hear a riot; take your
vizaments in that. 35
_Shal._ Ha! o' my life, if I were young again, the sword
should end it.
_Evans._ It is petter that friends is the sword, and end
it: and there is also another device in my prain, which
peradventure prings goot discretions with it:--there is Anne 40
Page, which is daughter to Master Thomas Page, which is
pretty virginity.
_Slen._ Mistress Anne Page? She has brown hair, and
speaks small like a woman.
_Evans._ It is that fery person for all the orld, as just as 45
you will desire; and seven hundred pounds of moneys, and
gold and silver, is her grandsire upon his death's-bed (Got
deliver to a joyful resurrections!) give, when she is able to
overtake seventeen years old: it were a goot motion if we
leave our pribbles and prabbles, and desire a marriage between 50
Master Abraham and Mistress Anne Page.
_Slen._ Did her grandsire leave her seven hundred pound?
_Evans._ Ay, and her father is make her a petter penny.
_Slen._ I know the young gentlewoman; she has good
gifts. 55
_Evans._ Seven hundred pounds and possibilities is goot
gifts.
_Shal._ Well, let us see honest Master Page. Is Falstaff
there?
_Evans._ Shall I tell you a lie? I do despise a liar as I do 60
despise one that is false, or as I despise one that is not true.
The knight, Sir John, is there; and, I beseech you, be ruled
by your well-willers. I will peat the door for Master Page.
[_Knocks_] What, hoa! Got pless your house here!
_Page._ [_Within_] Who's there? 65
_Enter PAGE._
_Evans._ Here is Got's plessing, and your friend, and
Justice Shallow; and here young Master Slender, that peradventures
shall tell you another tale, if matters grow to
your likings.
_Page._ I am glad to see your worships well. I thank 70
you for my venison, Master Shallow.
_Shal._ Master Page, I am glad to see you: much good
do it your good heart! I wished your venison better; it
was ill killed. How doth good Mistress Page?--and I
thank you always with my heart, la! with my heart. 75
_Page._ Sir, I thank you.
_Shal._ Sir, I thank you; by yea and no, I do.
_Page._ I am glad to see you, good Master Slender.
_Slen._ How does your fallow greyhound, sir? I heard
say he was outrun on Cotsall. 80
_Page._ It could not be judged, sir.
_Slen._ You'll not confess, you'll not confess.
_Shal._ That he will not. 'Tis your fault, 'tis your fault;
'tis a good dog.
_Page._ A cur, sir. 85
_Shal._ Sir, he's a good dog, and a fair dog: can there be
more said? he is good and fair. Is Sir John Falstaff here?
_Page._ Sir, he is within; and I would I could do a good
office between you.
_Evans._ It is spoke as a Christians ought to speak. 90
_Shal._ He hath wronged me, Master Page.
_Page._ Sir, he doth in some sort confess it.
_Shal._ If it be confessed, it is not redressed: is not that
so, Master Page? He hath wronged me; indeed he hath;
at a word, he hath, believe me: Robert Shallow, esquire, 95
saith, he is wronged.
_Page._ Here comes Sir John.
_Enter SIR JOHN FALSTAFF, BARDOLPH, NYM, and PISTOL._
_Fal._ Now, Master Shallow, you'll complain of me to
the king?
_Shal._ Knight, you have beaten my men, killed my 100
deer, and broke open my lodge.
_Fal._ But not kissed your keeper's daughter?
_Shal._ Tut, a pin! this shall be answered.
_Fal._ I will answer it straight; I have done all this.
That is now answered. 105
_Shal._ The council shall know this.
_Fal._ 'Twere better for you if it were known in counsel:
you'll be laughed at.
_Evans._ Pauca verba, Sir John; goot worts.
_Fal._ Good worts! good cabbage. Slender, I broke 110
your head: what matter have you against me?
_Slen._ Marry, sir, I have matter in my head against
you; and against your cony-catching rascals, Bardolph,
Nym, and Pistol.
_Bard._ You Banbury cheese! 115
_Slen._ Ay, it is no matter.
_Pist._ How now, Mephostophilus!
_Slen._ Ay, it is no matter.
_Nym._ Slice, I say! pauca, pauca: slice! that's my
humour. 120
_Slen._ Where's Simple, my man? Can you tell,
cousin?
_Evans._ Peace, I pray you. Now let us understand.
There is three umpires in this matter, as I understand;
that is, Master Page, fidelicet Master Page; and there is 125
myself, fidelicet myself; and the three party is, lastly
and finally, mine host of the Garter.
_Page._ We three, to hear it and end it between them.
_Evans._ Fery goot: I will make a prief of it in my
note-book; and we will afterwards ork upon the cause 130
with as great discreetly as we can.
_Fal._ Pistol!
_Pist._ He hears with ears.
_Evans._ The tevil and his tam! what phrase is this, 'He
hears with ear'? why, it is affectations. 135
_Fal._ Pistol, did you pick Master Slender's purse?
_Slen._ Ay, by these gloves, did he, or I would I might
never come in mine own great chamber again else, of
seven groats in mill-sixpences, and two Edward shovel-boards,
that cost me two shilling and two pence a-piece of 140
Yead Miller, by these gloves.
_Fal._ Is this true, Pistol?
_Evans._ No; it is false, if it is a pick-purse.
_Pist._ Ha, thou mountain-foreigner! Sir John and master mine, 145
I combat challenge of this latten bilbo.
Word of denial in thy labras here!
Word of denial: froth and scum, thou liest!
_Slen._ By these gloves, then, 'twas he.
_Nym._ Be avised, sir, and pass good humours: I will 150
say 'marry trap' with you, if you run the nuthook's humour
on me; that is the very note of it.
_Slen._ By this hat, then, he in the red face had it; for
though I cannot remember what I did when you made me
drunk, yet I am not altogether an ass. 155
_Fal._ What say you, Scarlet and John?
_Bard._ Why, sir, for my part, I say the gentleman had
drunk himself out of his five sentences.
_Evans._ It is his five senses: fie, what the ignorance is!
_Bard._ And being fap, sir, was, as they say, cashiered; 160
and so conclusions passed the careires.
_Slen._ Ay, you spake in Latin then too; but 'tis no
matter: I'll ne'er be drunk whilst I live again, but in
honest, civil, godly company, for this trick: if I be drunk,
I'll be drunk with those that have the fear of God, and not 165
with drunken knaves.
_Evans._ So Got udge me, that is a virtuous mind.
_Fal._ You hear all these matters denied, gentlemen;
you hear it.
_Enter ANNE PAGE, with wine; MISTRESS FORD and MISTRESS PAGE,
following._
_Page._ Nay, daughter, carry the wine in; we'll drink 170
within. [_Exit Anne Page._
_Slen._ O heaven! this is Mistress Anne Page.
_Page._ How now, Mistress Ford!
_Fal._ Mistress Ford, by my troth, you are very well
met: by your leave, good mistress. [_Kisses her._ 175
_Page._ Wife, bid these gentlemen welcome. Come, we
have a hot venison pasty to dinner: come, gentlemen, I
hope we shall drink down all unkindness.
[_Exeunt all except Shal., Slen., and Evans._
_Slen._ I had rather than forty shillings I had my Book
of Songs and Sonnets here. 180
_Enter SIMPLE._
How now, Simple! where have you been? I must wait on
myself, must I? You have not the Book of Riddles about
you, have you?
_Sim._ Book of Riddles! why, did you not lend it to
Alice Shortcake upon All-hallowmas last, a fortnight afore 185
Michaelmas?
_Shal._ Come, coz; come, coz; we stay for you. A word
with you, coz; marry, this, coz: there is, as 'twere, a tender,
a kind of tender, made afar off by Sir Hugh here. Do
you understand me? 190
_Slen._ Ay, sir, you shall find me reasonable; if it be so,
I shall do that that is reason.
_Shal._ Nay, but understand me.
_Slen._ So I do, sir.
_Evans._ Give ear to his motions, Master Slender: I will 195
description the matter to you, if you be capacity of it.
_Slen._ Nay, I will do as my cousin Shallow says: I
pray you, pardon me; he's a justice of peace in his country,
simple though I stand here.
_Evans._ But that is not the question: the question is 200
concerning your marriage.
_Shal._ Ay, there's the point, sir.
_Evans._ Marry, is it; the very point of it; to Mistress
Anne Page.
_Slen._ Why, if it be so, I will marry her upon any reasonable 205
demands.
_Evans._ But can you affection the 'oman? Let us command
to know that of your mouth or of your lips; for divers
philosophers hold that the lips is parcel of the mouth.
Therefore, precisely, can you carry your good will to the 210
maid?
_Shal._ Cousin Abraham Slender, can you love her?
_Slen._ I hope, sir, I will do as it shall become one that
would do reason.
_Evans._ Nay, Got's lords and his ladies! you must 215
speak possitable, if you can carry her your desires towards
her.
_Shal._ That you must. Will you, upon good dowry,
marry her?
_Slen._ I will do a greater thing than that, upon your 220
request, cousin, in any reason.
_Shal._ Nay, conceive me, conceive me, sweet coz: what
I do is to pleasure you, coz. Can you love the maid?
_Slen._ I will marry her, sir, at your request: but if there
be no great love in the beginning, yet heaven may decrease 225
it upon better acquaintance, when we are married and have
more occasion to know one another; I hope, upon familiarity
will grow more contempt: but if you say, 'Marry her,'
I will marry her; that I am freely dissolved, and dissolutely.
_Evans._ It is a fery discretion answer; save the fall is in 230
the ort 'dissolutely:' the ort is, according to our meaning,
'resolutely:' his meaning is good.
_Shal._ Ay, I think my cousin meant well.
_Slen._ Ay, or else I would I might be hanged, la!
_Shal._ Here comes fair Mistress Anne. 235
_Re-enter ANNE PAGE._
Would I were young for your sake, Mistress Anne!
_Anne._ The dinner is on the table; my father desires
your worships' company.
_Shal._ I will wait on him, fair Mistress Anne.
_Evans._ Od's plessed will! I will not be absence at the 240
grace. [_Exeunt Shallow and Evans._
_Anne._ Will't please your worship to come in, sir?
_Slen._ No, I thank you, forsooth, heartily; I am very
well.
_Anne._ The dinner attends you, sir. 245
_Slen._ I am not a-hungry, I thank you, forsooth. Go,
sirrah, for all you are my man, go wait upon my cousin
Shallow. [_Exit Simple._] A justice of peace sometimes
may be beholding to his friend for a man. I keep but
three men and a boy yet, till my mother be dead: but 250
what though? yet I live like a poor gentleman born.
_Anne._ I may not go in without your worship: they
will not sit till you come.
_Slen._ I' faith, I'll eat nothing; I thank you as much as
though I did. 255
_Anne._ I pray you, sir, walk in.
_Slen._ I had rather walk here, I thank you. I bruised
my shin th' other day with playing at sword and dagger
with a master of fence; three veneys for a dish of stewed
prunes; and, by my troth, I cannot abide the smell of hot 260
meat since. Why do your dogs bark so? be there bears
i' the town?
_Anne._ I think there are, sir; I heard them talked of.
_Slen._ I love the sport well; but I shall as soon quarrel
at it as any man in England. You are afraid, if you 265
see the bear loose, are you not?
_Anne._ Ay, indeed, sir.
_Slen._ That's meat and drink to me, now. I have seen
Sackerson loose twenty times, and have taken him by the
chain; but, I warrant you, the women have so cried and 270
shrieked at it, that it passed: but women, indeed, cannot
abide 'em; they are very ill-favoured rough things.
_Re-enter PAGE._
_Page._ Come, gentle Master Slender, come; we stay for
you.
_Slen._ I'll eat nothing, I thank you, sir. 275
_Page._ By cock and pie, you shall not choose, sir! come,
come.
_Slen._ Nay, pray you, lead the way.
_Page._ Come on, sir.
_Slen._ Mistress Anne, yourself shall go first. 280
_Anne._ Not I, sir; pray you, keep on.
_Slen._ Truly, I will not go first; truly, la! I will not do
you that wrong.
_Anne._ I pray you, sir.
_Slen._ I'll rather be unmannerly than troublesome. 285
You do yourself wrong, indeed, la! [_Exeunt._
NOTES: I, 1
6: _Custalorum_] _Custos_ Farmer conj.
7: _Rato-lorum_] Ff. _Rotulorum_ Q3.
10: _I_] _We_ Steevens (Farmer conj.).
12: _hath_] F1 Q3 F2. _have_ F3 F4.
19: _The luce is_] _The luce_ [To _Slen._ showing him his seal-ring]
_is_ Capell.
23: _marring_] F1 Q3. _marrying_ F2 F3 F4.
25: _py'r lady_] _per-lady_ Ff Q3.
26: _skirts_] _shirts_ Q3.
28: _unto_] _upon_ Pope.
30: _compremises_] _compromises_ Pope.
32: _hear_] F1 Q3. _hear of_ F2 F3 F4.
34: _take your_] F1 Q3. _take you_ F2 F3 F4.
38: _and_] _that_ Pope.
40: _goot_] F1 Q3. _good_ F2 F3 F4.
41: _Thomas_] Ff Q3. _George_ Theobald. See note (I).
44: _small_] F1 Q3. om. F2 F3 F4.
45: _orld_] Ff. _world_ Q3.
49: See note (II).
52, 54, 55: Given to Shallow by Capell.
53: _her father_] _his father_ Capell (corrected in MS.).
56: _possibilities_] F1 Q3. possibility F2 F3 F4.
63: _well-willers_] _well-wishers_ Rowe.
65: Enter PAGE.] Edd. Enter Page. Rowe (after line 64).
Halliwell (after line 69).
65: SCENE II. Pope.
67: _here_] F1 Q3. _here's_ F2 F3 F4.
70: _worships_] _worship's_ Rowe.
75: _thank_] _love_ (Q1 Q2) Steevens (Farmer conj.).
77: _thank_] _love_ Farmer conj. MS.
80: _Cotsall_ F1 Q3.] _Cotsale_ F2 F3 F4.
82-84: _Slen ... dog_] _Shall. You'll ... confess._
Slen. _That ... not._ Shall. _'Tis ... dog._ Farmer conj. MS.
98: SCENE III. Pope.
99: _king_] _council_ (Q1 Q2) Warburton.
102: _daughter?_] F1 Q3 F2 F3. _daughter._ (Q1 Q2) F4.
106, 107: _council ... counsel_] _councell ... counsell_ (Q1 Q2).
_councell ... councill_ F1 Q3 F2. _council ... counsell_ F3.
_council ... councel_ F4.
107, 108: _you if ... you'll_] _you: if it were known in council,
you'll_ Harness (Johnson conj.).
107: _known_] _not known_ Pope.
114: _Pistol._] _Pistol; they carried me to the tavern and made me
drunk, and afterward picked my pocket._ Malone (from Q1 Q2).
See note (III).
119-120: _pauca, pauca ... humour_] Evans. _Pauca, pauca._
Nym. _Slice ... humour._ Farmer conj.
126: _three_] _third_ Pope.
127: _Garter_] Q3. _Gater_ Ff.
131: _discreetly_] _discretions_ Pope.
146: _latten_] _laten_ (Q1 Q3). latine Ff Q3.
_latten bilbo._] _latten. Bilbo!_ Becket conj.
147: _thy labras here_] _my labras hear_ Johnson conj.
150: _avised_] _advis'd_ F4.
151: _the nuthook's humour_] _the base humour_ Pope.
_bace humors_ (Q1 Q2).
160: _fap_] _sap_ A. A. conj. _vap_ Boys conj.
161: _careires_] _car-eires_ Ff Q3. _careeres_ Capell.
171: [Exit A. P.] Theobald.
175: [Kisses her.] Pope.
179: SCENE IV. Pope.
186: _Michaelmas_] _Martlemas_ Theobald.
188: _this, coz_] _this_ Q3.
192: _that that_] _that_ F3 F4.
209: _mouth_] _mind_ Pope.
210: _carry_] F1 Q3. _marry_ F2 F3 F4.
216: _carry her_] _carry-her_ F1 Q3 F2 F3. _carre-her_ F4.
228: _contempt_] Theobald. _content_ Ff Q3.
230: _fall_] Ff Q3. _faul'_ Hanmer. _fault_ Collier. _fall'_ Singer.
_faul_ Dyce.
234: _hanged_] _hang'_ F2 F3 F4.
236: SCENE V. Pope.
249: _beholding_] _beholden_ Pope.
251: _like_] om. F2 F3 F4.
275: _I'll eat_] _I chuse to eat_ Hanmer.
SCENE II. _The same._
_Enter SIR HUGH EVANS and SIMPLE._
_Evans._ Go your ways, and ask of Doctor Caius' house
which is the way: and there dwells one Mistress Quickly,
which is in the manner of his nurse, or his dry nurse, or his
cook, or his laundry, his washer, and his wringer.
_Sim._ Well, sir. 5
_Evans._ Nay, it is petter yet. Give her this letter; for
it is a 'oman that altogether's acquaintance with Mistress
Anne Page: and the letter is, to desire and require her to
solicit your master's desires to Mistress Anne Page. I
pray you, be gone: I will make an end of my dinner; 10
there's pippins and cheese to come. [_Exeunt._
NOTES: I, 2
SCENE II.] SCENE VI. Pope.
The same.] Capell. An outer room in Page's house. Dyce.
3: _dry_] _try_ (Q1 Q2) Dyce.
4: _wringer_] Theobald. _Ringer_ Ff Q3.
11: _cheese_] _seese_ Dyce.
SCENE III. _A room in the Garter Inn._
_Enter FALSTAFF, Host, BARDOLPH, NYM, PISTOL, and ROBIN._
_Fal._ Mine host of the Garter!
_Host._ What says my bully-rook? speak scholarly and
wisely.
_Fal._ Truly, mine host, I must turn away some of my
followers. 5
_Host._ Discard, bully Hercules; cashier: let them wag;
trot, trot.
_Fal._ I sit at ten pounds a week.
_Host._ Thou'rt an emperor, Cæsar, Keisar, and Pheezar.
I will entertain Bardolph; he shall draw, he shall tap: said 10
I well, bully Hector?
_Fal._ Do so, good mine host.
_Host._ I have spoke; let him follow. [_To Bard._] Let
me see thee froth and lime: I am at a word; follow. [_Exit._
_Fal._ Bardolph, follow him. A tapster is a good trade: 15
an old cloak makes a new jerkin; a withered serving-man
a fresh tapster. Go; adieu.
_Bard._ It is a life that I have desired: I will thrive.
_Pist._ O base Hungarian wight! wilt thou the spigot wield?
[_Exit Bardolph._ 20
_Nym._ He was gotten in drink: is not the humour
conceited?
_Fal._ I am glad I am so acquit of this tinder-box: his
thefts were too open; his filching was like an unskilful
singer; he kept not time. 25
_Nym._ The good humour is to steal at a minute's rest.
_Pist._ 'Convey,' the wise it call. 'Steal!' foh! a fico
for the phrase!
_Fal._ Well, sirs, I am almost out at heels.
_Pist._ Why, then, let kibes ensue. 30
_Fal._ There is no remedy; I must cony-catch; I must
shift.
_Pist._ Young ravens must have food.
_Fal._ Which of you know Ford of this town?
_Pist._ I ken the wight: he is of substance good. 35
_Fal._ My honest lads, I will tell you what I am about.
_Pist._ Two yards, and more.
_Fal._ No quips now, Pistol! Indeed, I am in the waist
two yards about; but I am now about no waste; I am
about thrift. Briefly, I do mean to make love to Ford's 40
wife: I spy entertainment in her; she discourses, she carves,
she gives the leer of invitation: I can construe the action
of her familiar style; and the hardest voice of her behaviour,
to be Englished rightly, is, 'I am Sir John Falstaff's.'
_Pist._ He hath studied her will, and translated her will, 45
out of honesty into English.
_Nym._ The anchor is deep: will that humour pass?
_Fal._ Now, the report goes she has all the rule of her
husband's purse: he hath a legion of angels.
_Pist._ As many devils entertain; and 'To her, boy,' say I. 50
_Nym._ The humour rises; it is good: humour me the
angels.
_Fal._ I have writ me here a letter to her: and here
another to Page's wife, who even now gave me good eyes
too, examined my parts with most judicious oeillades; 55
sometimes the beam of her view gilded my foot, sometimes
my portly belly.
_Pist._ Then did the sun on dunghill shine.
_Nym._ I thank thee for that humour.
_Fal._ O, she did so course o'er my exteriors with such 60
a greedy intention, that the appetite of her eye did seem to
scorch me up like a burning-glass! Here's another letter
to her: she bears the purse too; she is a region in Guiana,
all gold and bounty. I will be cheaters to them both, and
they shall be exchequers to me; they shall be my East 65
and West Indies, and I will trade to them both. Go bear
thou this letter to Mistress Page; and thou this to Mistress
Ford: we will thrive, lads, we will thrive.
_Pist._ Shall I Sir Pandarus of Troy become,
And by my side wear steel? then, Lucifer take all! 70
_Nym._ I will run no base humour: here, take the
humour-letter: I will keep the haviour of reputation.
_Fal._ [_To Robin_] Hold, sirrah, bear you these letters tightly;
Sail like my pinnace to these golden shores.
Rogues, hence, avaunt! vanish like hailstones, go; 75
Trudge, plod away o' the hoof; seek shelter, pack!
Falstaff will learn the humour of the age,
French thrift, you rogues; myself and skirted page.
[_Exeunt Falstaff and Robin._
_Pist._ Let vultures gripe thy guts! for gourd and fullam holds,
And high and low beguiles the rich and poor: 80
Tester I'll have in pouch when thou shalt lack,
Base Phrygian Turk!
_Nym._ I have operations which be humours of revenge.
_Pist._ Wilt thou revenge?
_Nym._ By welkin and her star! 85
_Pist._ With wit or steel?
_Nym._ With both the humours, I:
I will discuss the humour of this love to Page.
_Pist._ And I to Ford shall eke unfold
How Falstaff, varlet vile, 90
His dove will prove, his gold will hold,
And his soft couch defile.
_Nym._ My humour shall not cool: I will incense Page
to deal with poison; I will possess him with yellowness, for
the revolt of mine is dangerous: that is my true humour. 95
_Pist._ Thou art the Mars of malecontents: I second
thee; troop on. [_Exeunt._
NOTES: I, 3
SCENE III.] SCENE VII. Pope.
2: _bully-rook_] _Bully Rock_ Rowe, passim.
10: _shall ... shall_] F1 Q3. _will ... will_ F2 F3 F4.
14: _see thee froth_] _see thee, froth_ Staunton.
_lime_] Steevens. _lyme_ (Q1 Q2). _live_ Ff Q3.
19: _Hungarian_] Ff Q3. _Gongarian_ (Q1 Q2) Capell.
22: _conceited?_] Theobald here inserts (from Q1 Q2),
_His mind is not heroic and there's the humour of it._
23: _acquit_] _quit_ Pope.
26: _minute's_] Ff. _minuntes_ Q3. _minim's_ Singer
(Bennet-Langton conj.).
41: _carves_] Ff (Q1 Q2). _craves_ Q3.
45: _studied her will_] Ff Q3. _studied her well_ (Q1 Q2) Pope.
_translated her will_] Ff Q3 (om. Q1 Q2). _translated her well_
Pope. translated her Hanmer. _studied her well and translated her
will_ Grant White. _studied her well and translated her ill_
Edd. conj.
47: _anchor_] _author_ Johnson conj.
49: _he_] _she_ (Q1 Q2) Pope.
_a legion_] Pope. _a legend_ Ff. Q3. _legians_ (Q1). _legions_
(Q2) Capell.
50: _entertain_] Ff Q3. _attend her_ (Q1 Q2). _enter swine_
Coleridge conj. _in her train_ Anon. conj.
55: _oeillades_] _illiads_ Ff Q3. _eyelids_ Halliwell (Pope conj.).
56: _gilded_] _guilded_ F1 Q3. _guided_ F2 F3 F4.
64: _cheaters_] (Q1 Q2) F1 Q3 F3 F4. _cheators_ F2. _cheater_
Theobald. _escheator_ Hanmer. _'cheator_ Capell.
73: _tightly_] F1. _titely_ (Q1 Q2). _rightly_ Q3 F2 F3 F4.
74: [Exit Robin. Dyce.
76: _o' the_] _oth'_ F2 F3 F4. _ith'_ F1 Q3.
77: _learn_] _earn_ Anon. conj.
_humour_] (Q1 Q2) Theobald. _honour_ Ff Q3.
_the_] Ff Q3. _this_ (Q1 Q2) Capell.
78: [Exeunt Falstaff and Robin.] Rowe. [Exit. Dyce.
79: SCENE VIII. Pope.
_fullam holds_] _fullams hold_ Hanmer.
80: _beguiles_] _beguile_ Hanmer.
83: _operations_] Ff Q3. _operations in my head_ (Q1 Q2) Pope.
85: _star_] _fairies_ (Q1 Q2). _stars_ Collier MS.
88: _discuss_] _disclose_ Pope.
88, 89: _Page_ ... _Ford_] (Q1 Q2) Steevens. _Ford_ ... _Page_
Ff Q3. See note (I).
93: _Page_] Steevens. _Ford_ Ff Q3.
94: _yellowness_] _jealousies_ Pope.
95: _the_] _this_ Pope.
95: _mine_] _mien_ Theobald. _mind_ Jackson conj. _meisne_ or _men_
Anon. conj. See note (IV).
SCENE IV. _A room in DOCTOR CAIUS'S house._
_Enter MISTRESS QUICKLY, SIMPLE, and RUGBY._
_Quick._ What, John Rugby! I pray thee, go to the
casement, and see if you can see my master, Master
Doctor Caius, coming. If he do, i' faith, and find any
body in the house, here will be an old abusing of God's
patience and the king's English. 5
_Rug._ I'll go watch.
_Quick._ Go; and we'll have a posset for't soon at night,
in faith, at the latter end of a sea-coal fire. [_Exit Rugby._]
An honest, willing, kind fellow, as ever servant shall come
in house withal; and, I warrant you, no tell-tale nor no 10
breed-bate: his worst fault is, that he is given to prayer; he is
something peevish that way: but nobody but has his fault;
but let that pass. Peter Simple, you say your name is?
_Sim._ Ay, for fault of a better.
_Quick._ And Master Slender's your master? 15
_Sim._ Ay, forsooth.
_Quick._ Does he not wear a great round beard, like a
glover's paring-knife?
_Sim._ No, forsooth: he hath but a little wee face, with
a little yellow beard,--a Cain-coloured beard. 20
_Quick._ A softly-sprighted man, is he not?
_Sim._ Ay, forsooth: but he is as tall a man of his
hands as any is between this and his head; he hath fought
with a warrener.
_Quick._ How say you?--O, I should remember him: 25
does he not hold up his head, as it were, and strut in his gait?
_Sim._ Yes, indeed, does he.
_Quick._ Well, heaven send Anne Page no worse fortune!
Tell Master Parson Evans I will do what I can
for your master: Anne is a good girl, and I wish-- 30
_Re-enter RUGBY._
_Rug._ Out, alas! here comes my master.
_Quick._ We shall all be shent. Run in here, good
young man; go into this closet: he will not stay long.
[_Shuts Simple in the closet._] What, John Rugby! John!
what, John, I say! Go, John, go inquire for my master; 35
I doubt he be not well, that he comes not home.
[_Singing_] And down, down, adown-a, &c.
_Enter DOCTOR CAIUS._
_Caius._ Vat is you sing? I do not like des toys. Pray
you, go and vetch me in my closet un boitier vert,--a box,
a green-a box: do intend vat I speak? a green-a box. 40
_Quick._ Ay, forsooth; I'll fetch it you. [_Aside_] I am
glad he went not in himself: if he had found the young
man, he would have been horn-mad.
_Caius._ Fe, fe, fe, fe! ma foi, il fait fort chaud. Je
m'en vais Г la cour,--la grande affaire. 45
_Quick._ Is it this, sir?
_Caius._ Oui; mette le au mon pocket: dГ©pГЄche, quickly.
Vere is dat knave Rugby?
_Quick._ What, John Rugby! John!
_Rug._ Here, sir! 50
_Caius._ You are John Rugby, and you are Jack Rugby.
Come, take-a your rapier, and come after my heel to the
court.
_Rug._ 'Tis ready, sir, here in the porch.
_Caius._ By my trot, I tarry too long. --Od's me! 55
Qu'ai-j'oubliГ©! dere is some simples in my closet, dat I
vill not for the varld I shall leave behind.
_Quick._ Ay me, he'll find the young man there, and be
mad!
_Caius._ O diable, diable! vat is in my closet? Villain! 60
larron! [_Pulling Simple out._] Rugby, my rapier!
_Quick._ Good master, be content.
_Caius._ Wherefore shall I be content-a?
_Quick._ The young man is an honest man.
_Caius._ What shall de honest man do in my closet? 65
dere is no honest man dat shall come in my closet.
_Quick._ I beseech you, be not so phlegmatic. Hear the
truth of it: he came of an errand to me from Parson Hugh.
_Caius._ Vell.
_Sim._ Ay, forsooth; to desire her to-- 70
_Quick._ Peace, I pray you.
_Caius._ Peace-a your tongue. Speak-a your tale.
_Sim._ To desire this honest gentlewoman, your maid,
to speak a good word to Mistress Anne Page for my
master in the way of marriage. 75
_Quick._ This is all, indeed, la! but I'll ne'er put my
finger in the fire, and need not.
_Caius._ Sir Hugh send-a you? Rugby, baille me some
paper. Tarry you a little-a while. [_Writes._
_Quick._ [_Aside to Simple_] I am glad he is so quiet: 80
if he had been throughly moved, you should have heard
him so loud and so melancholy. But notwithstanding,
man, I'll do you your master what good I can: and the
very yea and the no is, the French doctor, my master,--I
may call him my master, look you, for I keep his house; 85
and I wash, wring, brew, bake, scour, dress meat and drink,
make the beds, and do all myself,--
_Sim._ [_Aside to Quickly_] 'Tis a great charge to come
under one body's hand.
_Quick._ [_Aside to Simple_] Are you avised o' that? you 90
shall find it a great charge: and to be up early and down
late;--but notwithstanding,--to tell you in your ear; I
would have no words of it,--my master himself is in love
with Mistress Anne Page: but notwithstanding that, I know
Anne's mind,--that's neither here nor there. 95
_Caius._ You jack'nape, give-a this letter to Sir Hugh;
by gar, it is a shallenge: I will cut his troat in de park;
and I will teach a scurvy jack-a-nape priest to meddle or
make. You may be gone; it is not good you tarry here. --By
gar, I will cut all his two stones; by gar, he shall not 100
have a stone to throw at his dog. [_Exit Simple._
_Quick._ Alas, he speaks but for his friend.
_Caius._ It is no matter-a ver dat:--do not you tell-a
me dat I shall have Anne Page for myself?--By gar, I vill
kill de Jack priest; and I have appointed mine host of de 105
Jarteer to measure our weapon:--By gar, I will myself
have Anne Page.
_Quick._ Sir, the maid loves you, and all shall be well.
We must give folks leave to prate: what, the good-jer!
_Caius._ Rugby, come to the court with me. By gar, if 110
I have not Anne Page, I shall turn your head out of my
door. Follow my heels, Rugby. [_Exeunt Caius and Rugby._
_Quick._ You shall have An fool's-head of your own.
No, I know Anne's mind for that: never a woman in
Windsor knows more of Anne's mind than I do; nor can 115
do more than I do with her, I thank heaven.
_Fent._ [_Within_] Who's within there? ho!
_Quick._ Who's there, I trow? Come near the house, I
pray you.
_Enter FENTON._
_Fent._ How now, good woman! how dost thou? 120
_Quick._ The better that it pleases your good worship
to ask.
_Fen._ What news? how does pretty Mistress Anne?
_Quick._ In truth, sir, and she is pretty, and honest, and
gentle; and one that is your friend, I can tell you that by 125
the way; I praise heaven for it.
_Fent._ Shall I do any good, thinkest thou? shall I not
lose my suit?
_Quick._ Troth, sir, all is in his hands above: but notwithstanding,
Master Fenton, I'll be sworn on a book, she 130
loves you. Have not your worship a wart above your eye?
_Fent._ Yes, marry, have I; what of that?
_Quick._ Well, thereby hangs a tale:--good faith, it is
such another Nan; but, I detest, an honest maid as ever
broke bread:--we had an hour's talk of that wart. --I shall 135
never laugh but in that maid's company!--But, indeed, she
is given too much to allicholy and musing: but for you--well,
go to.
_Fent._ Well, I shall see her to-day. Hold, there's
money for thee; let me have thy voice in my behalf: 140
if thou seest her before me, commend me.
_Quick._ Will I? i' faith, that we will; and I will tell
your worship more of the wart the next time we have
confidence; and of other wooers.
_Fent._ Well, farewell; I am in great haste now. 145
_Quick._ Farewell to your worship. [_Exit Fenton._] Truly,
an honest gentleman: but Anne loves him not; for I know
Anne's mind as well as another does. --Out upon't! what
have I forgot? [_Exit._
NOTES: I, 4
SCENE IV.] SCENE IX. Pope.
4: _an_] om. Pope.
19: _wee_] _whey_ Capell.
20: _Cain_] F3 F4. _Kane_ (Q1 Q2). _Caine_ F1 Q3 F2. _cane_ Pope.
31: [Exit. Grant White.
34: [Shuts S. in the closet] Rowe.
38: SCENE X. Pope.
_des toys_] F3 F4. _des-toyes_ F1 Q3 F2. _dese toys_ Theobald.
39: _un boitier_] Rowe. _unboyteene_ F1 F2 Q3. _unboyteen_ F3 F4.
44, 45: _ma foi ... affaire_] Rowe. _mai_ (_moi_ F2 F3 F4)
_foy, il fait for chando, Ie man voi a le Court la grand
affaires._ Ff Q3.
47: _dГ©pГЄche_] _de-peech_ Ff Q3.
51: _Jack Rugby_] _Jack Rogoby_ Halliwell.
52: _take-a_] _take_ Q3.
56: _vill_] _will_ F2 F3 F4.
60: _villain_] Q3. _villainie_ Ff.
61: _larron_] _La-roone_ Ff Q3.
[Pulling S. out] Theobald.
63, 66: _shall_] F1 Q3. _should_ F2 F3 F4.
78: _baille_] _ballow_ Ff Q3. _baillez_ Theobald.
83: _you_] _yoe_ F1 Q3. _for_ F2 F3 F4. om. Capell.
84: _the French_] Ff. _that French_ Q3.
86: _wring_] _ring_ Ff Q3.
96: _give-a_] F1 Q3. _givie-a_ F2 F3 F4.
97, 98, 100: _will_] _vill_ Pope.
101: _throw_] F1 Q3. _trow_ F2 F3 F4.
103: _ver_] Ff Q3. _for_ Capell.
106: _Jarteer_] F1 Q3 F2 F3. _Garter_ F4.
109: _good-jer_] _goujeres_ Hanmer. _goujere_ Johnson.
_good year_ Capell.
120: SCENE XI. Pope.
131: _above_] _about_ Steevens.
132: _what of that_?] _and what of that_? Pope.
142: _we will_] _I will_ Halliwell MS.
ACT II.
SCENE I. _Before PAGE'S house._
_Enter MISTRESS PAGE, with a letter._
[Transcriber's Note:
In order to preserve the marked line breaks without losing
readability, each line of the quoted letter has been split into
two equal halves.]
_Mrs Page._ What, have I scaped love-letters in the
holiday-time of my beauty, and am I now a subject for
them? Let me see. [_Reads:_
'Ask me no reason why I love you;
for though Love use Reason
for his physician, he admits him
not for his counsellor. You are 5
not young, no more am I; go to,
then, there's sympathy: you are
merry, so am I; ha, ha! then there's
more sympathy: you love sack,
and so do I; would you desire better
sympathy? Let it suffice thee,
Mistress Page,--at the least, if the
love of soldier can suffice,--that
I love thee. I will not say, pity
me,--'tis not a soldier-like phrase; 10
but I say, love me. By me,
Thine own true knight,
By day or night,
Or any kind of light,
With all his might 15
For thee to fight, JOHN FALSTAFF.'
What a Herod of Jewry is this! O wicked, wicked world!
One that is well-nigh worn to pieces with age to show himself
a young gallant! What an unweighed behaviour hath
this Flemish drunkard picked--with the devil's name!--out 20
of my conversation, that he dares in this manner assay me?
Why, he hath not been thrice in my company! What
should I say to him? I was then frugal of my mirth:
Heaven forgive me! Why, I'll exhibit a bill in the
parliament for the putting down of men. How shall I be revenged 25
on him? for revenged I will be, as sure as his guts
are made of puddings.
_Enter MISTRESS FORD._
_Mrs Ford._ Mistress Page! trust me, I was going to
your house.
_Mrs Page._ And, trust me, I was coming to you. You 30
look very ill.
_Mrs Ford._ Nay, I'll ne'er believe that; I have to show
to the contrary.
_Mrs Page._ Faith, but you do, in my mind.
_Mrs Ford._ Well, I do, then; yet, I say, I could show 35
you to the contrary. O Mistress Page, give me some
counsel!
_Mrs Page._ What's the matter, woman?
_Mrs Ford._ O woman, if it were not for one trifling respect,
I could come to such honour! 40
_Mrs Page._ Hang the trifle, woman! take the honour.
What is it?--dispense with trifles;--what is it?
_Mrs Ford._ If I would but go to hell for an eternal
moment or so, I could be knighted.
_Mrs Page._ What? thou liest! Sir Alice Ford! These 45
knights will hack; and so thou shouldst not alter the article
of thy gentry.
_Mrs Ford._ We burn daylight:--here, read, read; perceive
how I might be knighted. I shall think the worse of
fat men, as long as I have an eye to make difference of 50
men's liking: and yet he would not swear; praised women's
modesty; and gave such orderly and well-behaved reproof
to all uncomeliness, that I would have sworn his disposition
would have gone to the truth of his words; but they do no
more adhere and keep place together than the Hundredth 55
Psalm to the tune of 'Green Sleeves.' What tempest, I
trow, threw this whale, with so many tuns of oil in his
belly, ashore at Windsor? How shall I be revenged on
him? I think the best way were to entertain him with
hope, till the wicked fire of lust have melted him in his own 60
grease. Did you ever hear the like?
_Mrs Page._ Letter for letter, but that the name of
Page and Ford differs! To thy great comfort in this mystery
of ill opinions, here's the twin-brother of thy letter:
but let thine inherit first; for, I protest, mine never shall. 65
I warrant he hath a thousand of these letters, writ with
blank space for different names,--sure, more,--and these
are of the second edition: he will print them, out of doubt;
for he cares not what he puts into the press, when he would
put us two. I had rather be a giantess, and lie under 70
Mount Pelion. Well, I will find you twenty lascivious turtles
ere one chaste man.
_Mrs Ford._ Why, this is the very same; the very hand,
the very words. What doth he think of us?
_Mrs Page._ Nay, I know not: it makes me almost 75
ready to wrangle with mine own honesty. I'll entertain
myself like one that I am not acquainted withal; for, sure,
unless he know some strain in me, that I know not myself,
he would never have boarded me in this fury.
_Mrs Ford._ 'Boarding,' call you it? I'll be sure to keep 80
him above deck.
_Mrs Page._ So will I: if he come under my hatches,
I'll never to sea again. Let's be revenged on him: let's
appoint him a meeting; give him a show of comfort in his
suit, and lead him on with a fine-baited delay, till he hath 85
pawned his horses to mine host of the Garter.
_Mrs Ford._ Nay, I will consent to act any villany
against him, that may not sully the chariness of our honesty.
O, that my husband saw this letter! it would give
eternal food to his jealousy. 90
_Mrs Page._ Why, look where he comes; and my
good man too: he's as far from jealousy as I am from
giving him cause; and that, I hope, is an unmeasurable
distance.
_Mrs Ford._ You are the happier woman. 95
_Mrs Page._ Let's consult together against this greasy
knight. Come hither. [_They retire._
_Enter FORD, with PISTOL, and PAGE, with NYM._
_Ford._ Well, I hope it be not so.
_Pist._ Hope is a curtal dog in some affairs:
Sir John affects thy wife. 100
_Ford._ Why, sir, my wife is not young.
_Pist._ He wooes both high and low, both rich and poor,
Both young and old, one with another, Ford;
He loves the gallimaufry: Ford, perpend.
_Ford._ Love my wife! 105
_Pist._ With liver burning hot. Prevent, or go thou,
Like Sir Actæon he, with Ringwood at thy heels:
O, odious is the name!
_Ford._ What name, sir?
_Pist._ The horn, I say. Farewell. 110
Take heed; have open eye; for thieves do foot by night:
Take heed, ere summer comes, or cuckoo-birds do sing.
Away, Sir Corporal Nym!--
Believe it, Page; he speaks sense. [_Exit._
_Ford._ [_Aside_] I will be patient; I will find out this. 115
_Nym._ [_To Page_] And this is true; I like not the humour
of lying. He hath wronged me in some humours:
I should have borne the humoured letter to her; but I
have a sword, and it shall bite upon my necessity. He
loves your wife; there's the short and the long. My name 120
is Corporal Nym; I speak, and I avouch; 'tis true: my
name is Nym, and Falstaff loves your wife. Adieu. I
love not the humour of bread and cheese [and there's the
humour of it]. Adieu. [_Exit._
_Page._ 'The humour of it,' quoth 'a! here's a fellow 125
frights English out of his wits.
_Ford._ I will seek out Falstaff.
_Page._ I never heard such a drawling, affecting rogue.
_Ford._ If I do find it:--well.
_Page._ I will not believe such a Cataian, though the 130
priest o' the town commended him for a true man.
_Ford._ 'Twas a good sensible fellow:--well.
_Page._ How now, Meg!
[_Mrs Page and Mrs Ford come forward._
_Mrs Page._ Whither go you, George? Hark you.
_Mrs Ford._ How now, sweet Frank! why art thou melancholy? 135
_Ford._ I melancholy! I am not melancholy. Get you
home, go.
_Mrs Ford._ Faith, thou hast some crotchets in thy
head. Now, will you go, Mistress Page? 140
_Mrs Page._ Have with you. You'll come to dinner,
George? [_Aside to Mrs Ford_] Look who comes yonder:
she shall be our messenger to this paltry knight.
_Mrs Ford._ [_Aside to Mrs Page_] Trust me, I thought on
her: she'll fit it. 145
_Enter MISTRESS QUICKLY._
_Mrs Page._ You are come to see my daughter Anne?
_Quick._ Ay, forsooth; and, I pray, how does good Mistress
Anne?
_Mrs Page._ Go in with us and see: we have an hour's
talk with you. 150
[_Exeunt Mrs Page, Mrs Ford, and Mrs Quickly._
_Page._ How now, Master Ford!
_Ford._ You heard what this knave told me, did you not?
_Page._ Yes: and you heard what the other told me?
_Ford._ Do you think there is truth in them?
_Page._ Hang 'em, slaves! I do not think the knight 155
would offer it: but these that accuse him in his intent
towards our wives are a yoke of his discarded men; very
rogues, now they be out of service.
_Ford._ Were they his men?
_Page._ Marry, were they. 160
_Ford._ I like it never the better for that. Does he lie
at the Garter?
_Page._ Ay, marry, does he. If he should intend this
voyage toward my wife, I would turn her loose to him; and
what he gets more of her than sharp words, let it lie on my 165
head.
_Ford._ I do not misdoubt my wife; but I would be loath
to turn them together. A man may be too confident: I
would have nothing lie on my head: I cannot be thus
satisfied. 170
_Page._ Look where my ranting host of the Garter
comes: there is either liquor in his pate, or money in his
purse, when he looks so merrily.
_Enter HOST._
How now, mine host!
_Host._ How now, bully-rook! thou'rt a gentleman. 175
Cavaleiro-justice, I say!
_Enter SHALLOW._
_Shal._ I follow, mine host, I follow. Good even and
twenty, good Master Page! Master Page, will you go with
us? we have sport in hand.
_Host._ Tell him, cavaleiro-justice; tell him, bully-rook. 180
_Shal._ Sir, there is a fray to be fought between Sir
Hugh the Welsh priest and Caius the French doctor.
_Ford._ Good mine host o' the Garter, a word with you.
[_Drawing him aside._
_Host._ What sayest thou, my bully-rook?
_Shal._ [_To Page_] Will you go with us to behold it? My 185
merry host hath had the measuring of their weapons; and,
I think, hath appointed them contrary places; for, believe
me, I hear the parson is no jester. Hark, I will tell you
what our sport shall be. [_They converse apart._
_Host._ Hast thou no suit against my knight, my
guest-cavaleire? 190
