hind one of them, in a slough of mire; and set spurs, and away, like three German devils, three Doctor Faustus's. 480 Host. They are gone but to meet the duke, villain : do not say, they are fled; Germans are honest men. Enter Sir HUGH EVANS. Eva. Where is mine host? Host. What is the matter, sir? Eva. Have a care of your entertainments: there is a friend of mine come to town, tells me, there is three couzin-germans, that hath cozen'd all the hosts of Readings, of Maidenhead, of Colebrooke, of horses and money. I tell you for good will, look you: you are wise, and full of gibes and vloutingstogs; and 'tis not convenient you should be cozen'd: Fare you well. [Exit.] Enter CAIUS. Caius. Vere is mine Host de Jarterre ? 492 Host. Here, master doctor, in perplexity, and doubtful dilemma. Caius. I cannot tell vat is dat: But it is tell-a-me, dat you make a grand preparation for a duke de Jamany: by my trot, dere is no duke, dat the court is know, to come: I tell you for good vill: adieu. [Exit. Host. Hue and cry, villain, go! assist me, knight; I am undone :-fly, run, hue and cry, villain! I am undone ! Iij [Exit.] 502 Fal. Fal. I would all the world might be cozen'd; for I have been cozen'd, and beaten too. If it should come to the ear of the court, how I have been transform'd, and how my transformation hath been wash'd and cudgel'd, they would melt me out of my fat, drop by drop, and liquor fishermen's boots with me ; I warrant they would whip me with their fine wits, till I were as crest-faln as a dry'd pear. I never prosper'd since I forswore myself at Primero. Well, if my wind were but long enough to say my prayers, I would repent.513 Enter Mistress QUICKLY. Now, whence come you? Quic. From the two parties, forsooth. Fal. The devil take one party, and his dam the other, and so they shall be both bestow'd! I have suffer'd more for their sakes, more, than the villanous inconstancy of man's disposition is able to bear. Quic. And have not they suffer'd? yes, I warrant, speciously one of them; mistress Ford, good heart, is beaten black and blue, that you cannot see a white spot about her. 523 Fal. What tell'st thou me of black and blue; I was beaten myself into all the colours of the rainbow; and I was like to be apprehended for the witch of Brent, ford; but that my adinirable dexterity of wit, counterfeiting the action of an old woman, deliver'd me, the knave constable had set me i' the stocks, i' the common stocks, for a witch, 530 |