tell you, how you should know my daughter by her garments? Slen. I went to her in white, and cry'd, mum, and she cry'd budget, as Anne and I had appointed; and yet it was not Anne, but a post-master's boy. Eva. Jeshu! Master Slender, cannot you see but marry boys? Page. O, I am vex'd at heart: What shall I do? Mrs. Page. Good George, be not angry: I knew of your purpose; turned my daughter into green; and, indeed, she is now with the doctor at the deanery, and there married. Enter Caius. Caius. Vere is mistress Page? By gar, I am cozened; I ha' married un garçon, a boy; un paisan, by gar, a boy; it is not Anne Page: by gar, I am cozened. Mrs. Page. Why, did you take her in green? Caius. Ay, be gar, and 'tis a boy: be gar, I'll raise all Windsor. [Exit Caius. Ford. This is strange: Who hath got the right Anne? Page. My heart misgives me: Here comes master Fenton. Enter Fenton and Anne Page. How now, master Fenton? Anne. Pardon, good father! good my mother, pardon! Page. Now, mistress? how chance you went not with master Slender? Mrs. Page. Why went you not with master doctor, maid? Fent. You do amaze her; Hear the truth of it. You would have married her most shamefully, Where there was no proportion held in love. The truth is, She and I, long since contracted, Are now so sure, that nothing can dissolve us. The offence is holy, that she hath committed: And this deceit loses the name of craft, Of disobedience, or unduteous title; Since therein she doth evitate and shun A thousand irreligious cursed hours, Which forced marriage would have brought upon her. Ford. Stand not amaz'd: here is no remedy:In love, the heavens themselves do guide the state; Money buys lands, and wives are sold by fate. Fal. I am glad, though you have ta'en a special stand to strike at me, that your arrow hath glanced. Page. Well, what remedy? Fenton, heaven give thee joy! What cannot be eschew'd, must be embrac'd. chas'd. Eva. I will dance and eat plums at your wedding. Mrs. Page. Well, I will muse no further:-Mas ter Fenton, Heaven give you many, many merry days!- Ford. Let it be so:-Sir John, To master Brook you yet shall hold your word; For he, to night, shall lie with mistress Ford. [Exeunt. PERSONS REPRESENTED. Orsino, duke of Illyria. Sebastian, a young gentleman, brother to Viola. A sea-captain, friend to Viola. Valentine, Curio, Lords, Priests, Sailors, Officers, Musicians, and other Attendants. SCENE, a city in Illyria; and the sea-coast near it. |