Caius. By gar, then I have as much muckvater as de Englishman:-Scurvy Jack-dog priest; by gar, me vill cut his ears. Host. He will clapper-claw thee tightly, bully. Caius. Clapper-de-claw! vat is dat ? Host. That is, he will make thee amends. Caius. By gar, me do look, he shall clapperde-claw me: for, by gar, me vill have it. Host. And I will provoke him to't, or let him wag. Caius. Me tank you for dat.

names of fiends: but cuckold! wittol cuckold! Host. Muck-water, in our English tongue, is he devil himself hath not such a name. Page valour, bully. an ass, a secure ass; he will trust his wife, he will not be jealous: I will rather trust a Fleming with my butter, parson Hugh the Welshman with my cheese, an Irishman with my aquavitæ bottle, or a thief to walk my ambling geldmg, than my wife with herself: then she plots, then she ruminates, then she devises: and what they think in their hearts they may effect, they will break their hearts but they will effect. Heaven be praised for my jealousy !-Eleven o'clock the hour-I will prevent this, detect my wife, be revenged on Falstaff, and laugh at Page. will about it; better three hours too soon, than a minute too late. Fie, fie, fie! cuckold [Exit.

cuckold! cuckold!

SCENE III.

Windsor Park.
Enter Caius and Rugby.

Caius. Jack Rugby.

Rug. Sir.

Caius. Vat is de clock, Jack? Rug. Tis past the hour, sir, that Sir Hugh promised to meet.

Caius. By gar, he has save his soul, dat he is no come: he has pray his Pible vell, dat he is no come by gar, Jack Rugby, he is dead already, if he be come.

Rug. He is wise, sir; he knew your worship would kill him, if he came.

Caius. By gar, de herring is no dead, so as I vill kill him. Take your rapier, Jack; I vill tell you how I vill kill him.

Rug. Alas, sir, I cannot fence.
Caius. Villany, take your rapier.
Rug. Forbear; here's company.

Enter Host, Shallow, Slender, and Page.
Host. 'Bless thee, bully doctor.
Shal. Save you, master doctor Caius.
Page. Now, good master doctor!
Slen. Give you good-morrow, sir.
Caius. Vat be all you, one, two, tree, four,
come for ?

Host. To see thee fight, to see thee foin, to see thee traverse, to see thee here, to see thee there; to see thee pass thy punto, thy stock, thy reverse, thy distance, thy montant. Is he dead, my Ethiopian is he dead, my Francisco? ha, bully! What says my Esculapius? my Galen? my heart of elder ? ha! is he dead, bully

Stale 7 is he dead?

Caius. By gar, he is de coward Jack-priest of de vorld; he is not show his face.

Host. Thou art a Castilian, king-urinal! Hector of Greece, my boy!

Caius. I pray you, bear vitness that me have stay six or seven, two, tree hours for him, and he is no come.

Shal. He is the wiser man, master doctor: he is a curer of souls, and you a curer of bodies; if you should fight, you go against the hair of your professions; is it not true, master Page? Page. Master Shallow, you have yourself been a great fighter, though now a man of peace.

Shal. Bodykins, master Page, though I now be old, and of the peace, if I see a sword out, my finger itches to make one: though we are justices, and doctors, and churchmen, niaster Page, we have some salt of our youth in us; we are the sons of women, Master Page.

Page. "Tis true, master Shallow.

Shal. It will be found so, master Page. Master doctor Caius, I am come to fetch you home. 1 am sworn of the peace; you have showed yourself a wise physician, and Sir Hugh hath shown himself a wise and patient churchman; you must go with me, master doctor.

Host. Pardon, guest justice -A word, monsieur Mack-water.

Caius, Muck-vater vat is dat ?

Host. And moreover, bully,-But first, master guest, and master Page, and eke cavalero Slender, go you through the town to Frogmore. Aside to them.

Page. Sir Hugh is there, is he? Host. He is there: see what humour he is in; and I will bring the doctor about by the fields: will it do well?

Shal. We will do it. Page, Shal. and Slen. Adieu, good master doctor. [Exeunt Page, Shal. and Slen. Caius. By gar, me vill kill de priest; for he speak for a jack-an-ape to Anne Page. Host. Let him die: but, first, sheath thy impatience; throw cold water on thy choler: go about the fields with me through Frogmore: 1 will bring thee where Mrs. Anne Page is, at a farmhouse a feasting; and thou shalt woo her: Cry'd game, said I well?

Caius. By gar, me tank you for dat: by gar, I love you and I shall procure-a you de good guest, de earl, de knight, de lords, de gentlemen, my patients.

Host. For the which, I will be thy adversary towards Anne Page; said I well?

Caius. By gar, 'tis good; vell said.
Host. Let us wag then.

Caius. Come at my heels, Jack Rugby.

ACT III.

[Exeuni

SCENE 1. A Field near Frogmore.

Enter Sir Hugh Evans and Simple. Eva. I pray you now, good master Slender's serving-man, and friend Simple by your name, which way have you looked for master Caius, that calls himself Doctor of Physic?

Sim. Marry, sir, the city-ward, the parkward, every way; old Windsor way, and every way but the town way.

Eva. I most fehemently desire you, you will also look that way. Sim. I will, sir.

Eva. 'Pless my soul! how full of cholers I
am, and trempling of mind!- shall be glad, if
he have deceive me :-how melancholies I am!
-I will knog his ur nals about his knave's cos-
tard, when I have good opportunities for the
'ork:-'pless my soul!
[Sings.

To shallow rivers, to whose falls
Melodious birds sing madrigals;
There will we make our peds of roses,
And a thousand fragrant posies.

To shallow

Eva. Pray you, give me my gown; or else -Come, lay their swords to pawn:-Follow keep it in your arms. me, lad of peace; follow, follow, follow. Shal. Trust me, a mad host:-Follow, gentlemen, follow.

Enter Page, Shallow, and Slender.
Shal. How now, master parson? Good mor-
row, good Sir Hugh. Keep a gamester from
the dice, and a good student from his book,
and it is wonderful.

Slen. Ah, sweet Anne Page!
Page. Save you, good Sir Hugh.

Eva. 'Pless you from his mercy sake, all of you! Shal. What! the sword and the word! do you study them both, master parson?

Page. And youthful still, in your doublet and hose, this raw rheumatic day?

Eva. There is reasons and causes for it.

Slen. O, sweet Anne Page!

[Exeunt Shal. Šlen. Page, and Host. Caius. Ha! do I perceive dat? have you make-a de sot of us? ha, ha!

Eva. This is well; he has made us his vlouting-stog.-I desire you, that we may be friends; and let us knog our prains together, to be revenge on this same scall, scurvy, cogging companion, the host of the Garter.

Caius. By gar, vit all my heart; he promise to bring me vere is Anne Page: by gar, he deceive me too.

Page. We are come to you, to do a good of Eva. Well, I will smite his noddles:-Pray fice, master parson.

Eva. Fery well: What is it?

and patience, that ever you saw.

[Exeunt

you, follow."
SCENE II. The Street in Windsor.
Enter Mistress Page and Robin.

Page. Yonder is a most reverend gentleman, who belike, having received wrong by some person, is at most odds with his own gravity, Mrs. Page. Nay, keep your way, little gallant; you were wont to be a follower, but now Shal. I have lived fourscore years and up-you are a leader: Whether had you rather lead ward; I never heard a man of his place, gravity, and learning, so wide of his own respect. Eva. What is he?

Page. I think you know him; master doctor
Caius, the renowned French physician.
Eva. Got's will, and his passion of my heart!
I had as lief you would tell me of a mess of
porridge.

mine eyes, or eye your master's heels?

Rob. I had rather, forsooth, go before you like a man, than follow him like a dwarf. Mrs. Page. O you are a flattering boy; now see you'll be a courtier.

I

Enter Ford.

Ford. Well met, mistress Page; Whither go you ?

Mrs. Page. Truly, sir, to see your wife: Is

she at home?

Page. Why? Eva. He has no more knowledge in Hibocrates and Galen,-and he is a knave besides; a cowardly knave, as you would desires to be ac-ther, for want of company: I think, if your husFord. Ay; and as idle as she may hang togequainted withal. bands were dead, you two would marry.

Page. I warrant you, he's the man should fight with him.

Slen. O sweet Anne Page!

Shal. It appears so, by his weapons:-Keep them asunder;-here comes doctor Caius.

Enter Host, Caius, and Rugby.

Mrs. Page. Be sure of that,-two other husbands.

Ford. Where had you this pretty weathercock ?

Mrs. Page. I cannot tell what the dickens his name is my husband had him of: What do you

Page. Nay, good master parson, keep in your call your knight's name, sirrah?

weapon.

Shal. So do you, good master doctor.
Host. Disarm them, and let them question;
let them keep their limbs whole, and hack our
English.

Caius. I pray you, let-a me speak a word vit your ear: Verefore vill you not meet-a me? Eva. Pray you, use your patience: In good

time.

Rob. Sir John Falstaff.
Ford. Sir John Falstaff!

Mrs. Page. He, he; I can never hit on's name.
There is such a league between my good man
and he!-Is your wife at home, indeed?
Ford. Indeed she is.

I see her.

Mrs. Page. By your leave, sir;-I am sick, till Ford. Has Page any brains? hath he any eyes? [Exeunt Mrs. Page and Robin. Caius. By gar, you are de coward, de Jack hath he any thinking? Sure, they sleep; he hath dog, John ape. no use of them. Why, this boy will carry a letEva. Pray you, let us not be laughing-stogs ter twenty miles, as easy as a cannon will shoot to other men's humours; I desire you in friend-point blank twelve score. He pieces-out his ship, and I will one way or other make you wife's inclination; he gives her folly motion and amends:-I will knog your urinals about your advantage: and now she's going to my wife, and knave's cogscomb, for missing your meetings Falstaff's boy with her. A man may hear this and appointments.

Caius. Diable!-Jack Rugby,-mine Host de Jarterre, have I not stay for him, to kill him? have I not, at de place I did appoint 7

Eva. As I am a Christians soul, now, look you, this is the place appointed; I'll be judgment by mine host of the Garter.

Host. Peace, I say Guallia and Gaul, French and Welsh; soul-curer and body-curer."

Caius. Ay, dat is very good! excellent! Host. Peace, I say hear mine host of the Garter. Am I politick? am I subtle? am I a Machiavel? Shall I lose my doctor? no; he gives me the potions, and the motions. Shall I lose my parson? my priest, my Sir Hugh? no; he gives me the pro-verbs and the no-verbs. -Give me thy hand, terrestrial; so:-Give me thy hand, celestial; so.Boys of art, I have deceived you both; I have directed you to wrong places: your hearts are mighty, your skins are whole, and let burnt sack be the issue.

shower sing in the wind!-and Falstaff's boy
with her!-Good plots!-they are laid; and our
revolted wives share damnation together. Well;
I will take him; then torture my wife, pluck the
borrowed veil of modesty from the so-seeming
mistress Page, divulge Page himself for a secure
and wilful Actæon; and to these violent_pro-
ceedings all my neighbours shall cry aim. [Clock
strikes.] The clock gives me my cue, and my as-
surance bids me search; there shall I find Fal-
staff: I shall be rather praised for this, than
mocked; for it is as positive as the earth is firm,
that Falstaff is there: I will go.
Enter Page, Shallow, Slender, Host, Sir Hugh
Evans, Caius, and Rugby.
Shal. Page, &c. Well met, master Ford.
Ford. Trust me a good knot: I have good cheer
at home; and, I pray you all, go with me.
Shal. I must excuse myself, master Ford.
Slen. And so must I, sir; we have appointed

to dine with mistress Anne, and I would not break with her for more money than I'll speak of. Shal We have lingered about a match between Anne Page and my cousin Slender, and this day we shall have our answer.

Slen. I hope, I have your good will, father Page. Page. You have, master Slender; I stand wholly for you:-but my wife, master doctor, is for you altogether.

Caius. Ay, by gar; and de maid is love-a me; my nursh-a Quickly tell me so mush.

Host. What say you to young master Fenton ? he capers, he dances, he has eyes of youth, he writes verses, he speaks holyday, he smells April and May: he will carry't; he will carry': 'tis

m his buttons: he will carry't

Page. Not by my consent, I promise you. The gentleman is of no having: he kept company with the wild Prince and Poins; he is of too high a region, he knows too much. No, he shall not knit a knot in his fortunes with the finger of my substance: if he take her, let him take her simply; the wealth I have waits on my consent, and my consent goes not that way.

Ford. I beseech you, heartily, some of you go home with me to dinner: besides your cheer, you shall have sport; I will show you a mon ster. Master doctor, you shall go;-so shall you, raster Page;-And you, Sir Hugh. Shal. Well, fare you well:-we shall have the freer wooing at master Page's.

Fal. Have I caught thee, my heavenly jewel? Why, now let me die, for I have lived long enough; this is the period of my ambition: this blessed hour!

Mrs. Ford. O sweet Sir John!

Fal. Mistress Ford, I cannot cog, 1 cannot prate, inistress Ford. Now shall sin in my wish I would thy husband were dead: 11 speak it before the best lord, I would make thee my lady.

Mrs. Ford. 1 your lady, Sir John! alas, I should be a pitiful lady.

Fal. Let the court of France show me snch diamond: Thou hast the right arched bent of another; I see how thine eye would emulate the the brow, that becomes the ship-tire, the tirevaliant, or any tire of Venetian admittance. Mrs. Ford. A plain kerchief, Sir John: my brows become nothing else; nor that well nei

ther.

[Exeunt Shallow and Slender. Fal. By the lord, thou art a traitor to say so: Camus. Go home, John Rugby; I come anon. thon would'st make an absolute courtier; and [Erit Rugby. the firm fixture of thy foot would give an excelHost. Farewell, my hearts: I will to my holent motion to thy gait, in a semi-circled farnest knight Falstaff, and drink canary with him. thingale. I see what thou wert, if fortune thy Erit Host.foe were not: nature is thy friend: Come, thou canst not hide it.

Ford. [Aside. I think, I shall drink in pipewine first with him? I'll make him dance. Will You go, gentles?

All. Have with you, to see this monster.

Mrs. Ford. Believe me, there's no such thing

in me.

Fal. What made me love thee? let that persuade thee, there's something extraordinary in thee. Come, I cannot cog, and say thou art this and that, like a many of these lisping hawthorn buds, that come like women in men's apparel, and smell like Bucklersbury in simple-time; I buck-cannot: but I love thee; none but thee; and

[Exeunt.
SCENE III. A Room in Ford's House.
Enter Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Page.
Mrs. Ford. What John! what Robert!

Mrs. Page. Quickly, quickly: Is the

basket

Mrs. Ford. I warrant :-What, Robin,

Enter Servants with a basket.

I

I say

Mrs. Page. Come, come, come.
Mrs. Ford. Here, set it down.
Mrs. Page. Give your men the charge; we
must be brief.

thon deservest it.

love mistress Page.
Mrs. Ford. Do not betray me, sir; 1 fear you

Fal. Thon might'st as well say, I love to walk by the Counter-gate; which is as hateful to me as the reek of a lime-kiln.

Mrs. Ford. Well, heaven knows how I love
yon; and you shall one day find it.
Fal. Keep in that mind; I'll deserve it.
Mrs. Ford. Nay, I must tell you, so you do;
or else I could not be in that mind.

Mrs. Ford. Marry, as I told you before, John
and Robert, be ready here hard by in the brew-
house; and when I suddenly call you, come forth,
and (without any pause or staggering) take this
basket on your shoulders; that done, trudge with
it in all haste, and carry it among the whitsters
in Datchet mead, and there empty it in the mud-speak with you presently.
dy ditch, close by the Thames' side.
Mrs. Page. You will do it?

Mrs. Ford. I have told them over and over;
They lack no direction: Be gone, and come when
you are called.
[Exeunt Servants,
Mrs. Page. Here comes little Robin.
Enter Robin.
Mrs. Ford. How now, my eyas-musket? what
news with you?

Rob. My master Sir John is come in at your back door, mistress Ford; and requests your company. Mrs. Page. You little Jack-a-lent, have you been true to us?

Rob. Ay, I'll be sworn: My master knows not of your being here; and has threatened to put me into everlasting liberty, if I tell you of it; for, he swears, he'll turn me away. Mrs. Page. Thou art a good boy; this secrecy

Rob. [within.]_Mistress Ford, mistress Ford! here's inistress Page at the door, sweating and blowing, and looking wildly, and would needs'

Fal. She shall not see me; I will ensconce me behind the arras.

Mrs. Ford. Pray you, do so; she's a very tattling woman.[Falstaff hides himself. Enter Mistress Page and Robin. What's the matter? how now? Mrs. Page. O mistress Ford, what have you done? You're shamed, you are overthrown, you are undone for ever.

Mrs. Ford. What's the matter, good mistress Page!

Mrs. Page. O well-a-day, mistress Ford! hav ing an honest man to your husband, to give him such canse of suspicion!

Mrs. Ford. What cause of suspicion?
Mrs. Page. What cause of suspicion? Out upon
you! how am I mistook in you!

Mrs. Ford. Why, alas! what's the matter 7
Mrs. Page. Your husband's coming hither, wo-

man, with all the officers in Windsor, to search for a gentleman, that, he says, is here now in the house, by your consent, to take an ill advantage of his absence: You are undone.

Mrs. Ford. Speak louder.-[Aside.]-Tis not so, I hope.

Mrs. Page. Pray heaven it be not so, that you have such a man here; but 'tis most certain your husband's coming with half Windsor at his heels, to search for such a one. I come before to tell you: if you know yourself clear, why I am glad of it: but if you have a friend here, convey, convey him out. Be not amazed: call all your senses to you; defend your reputation, or bid farewell to your good life for ever.

Mrs. Ford. What shall I do ?-There is a gentleman, my dear friend; and I fear not mine own shame, so much as his peril: I had rather than a thousand pound, he were out of the house. Mrs. Page. For shame, never stand, you had rather, and you had rather; your husband's here at hand, bethink you of some conveyance: in the house you cannot hide him.-O, how have you deceived me!-Look, here is a basket; if he be of any reasonable stature he may creep in here; and throw foul linen upon him, as if it were going to bucking: Or, it is whiting-time, send him by your two men to Datchet mead. Mrs. Ford. He's too big to go in there: What shall I do?

Re-enter Falstaff.

Fal. Let me see't; let me see't! O let me see't! I'll in, I'll in; follow your friend's counsel:-I'll in.

Mrs. Page. What! Sir John Falstaff! Are these your letters, knight?

Fal. I love thee, and none but thee; help me away: let me creep in here; I'll never

[He goes into the basket; they cover him
with foul linen.

'Mrs. Page. Help to cover your master, boy:
Call your men, mistress Ford:-You dissembling
knight!

Mrs. Ford. I know not which pleases me better, that my husband is deceived, or Sir John. Mrs. Page. What a taking was he in, when your husband asked who was in the basket! Mrs. Ford. 1 am half afraid he will have need of washing; so throwing him into the water will do him a benefit.

Mrs. Page. Hang him, dishonest rascal! I would all of the same strain were in the same distress

Mrs. Ford. I think my husband hath some special suspicion of Falstaff's being here; for 1 never saw him so gross in his jealousy till now. Mrs. Page. I will lay a plot to try that: And we will yet have more tricks with Falstaff; his dissolute disease will scarce obey this medicine. Mrs. Ford. Shall we send that foolish carrion, mistress Quickly, to him, and excuse his throwing into the water; and give him another hope, to betray him to another punishment? Mrs. Page. We'll do it; let him be sent for to-morrow eight o'clock to have amends. Re-enter Ford, Page, Caius,and Sir Hugh Evans. Ford. I cannot find him: may be the knave bragged of that he could not compass. Mrs. Page. Heard you that? Mrs. Ford. Ay, ay, peace:-You use me well, master Ford, do you?

Ford. Ay, I do so.

Mrs. Ford. Heaven make you better than your thoughts!

Ford. Amen.

Mrs. Page. You do yourself mighty wrong, master Ford.

Ford. Ay, ay; I must bear it.

Eva. If there be any pody in the house, and in the chambers, and in the coffers, and in the presses, heaven forgive my sins at the day of judgment.

Caius. By gar, nor 1 too; dere is no bodies. Page. Fie. fie, master Ford! are you not ashamed? What spirit, what devil suggests this imagination? I would not have your distemper Mrs. Ford. What, John, Robert, John! [Erit in this kind for the wealth of Windsor Castle. Robin; Re-enter Servants.] Go take up these Ford. 'Tis my fault, master Page: I suffer for it. clothes here, quickly; where's the cowl-staff? Era. You suffer for a pad conscience: your look, how you drumble: carry them to the laun-wife is as honest a 'omans as I will desires among dress in Datchet mead; quickly, come. Enter Ford, Page, Caius, and Sir Hugh Evans. Ford. Pray, you, come near: If I suspect without cause, why then make sport at me, then let me be your jest; I deserve it.-How now? whither bear you this?

Ser. To the laundress, forsooth. Mrs. Ford. Why, what have you to do whither they bear it? You were best meddle with buckwashing.

five thousand, and five hundred too.

Caius. By gar, I see 'tis an honest woman. Ford. Well;-I promised you a dinner:Come, come, walk in the park: I pray you, pardon me; I will hereafter make known to you, why I have don this.-Come, wife ;Come, mistress Page; I pray you, pardon me; pray heartily, pardon me.

Page. Let's go in, gentlemen; but, trust me, we'll mock him. I do invite you to-morrow morning to my house to breakfast; after, we'll a birding together; I have a fine hawk for the

Eva. If there is one, I shall make two in the company;

Caius. If there be one or two, I shall make-a de tird.

Ford. Buck? I would 1 could wash myself of
the buck! Buck! buck! buck? Ay, buck! Ibush: Shall it be so?
warrant you, buck; and of the season too, it Ford. Any thing.
shall appear. [Exeunt Servants with the basket. 1
Gentlemen, I have dreamed to-night; I'll tell
you my dream. Here, here, here be my keys:
ascend my chambers, search, seek, find out:
I'll warrant we'll unkennel the fox:-Let me
stop this way first :-So, now uncape.
Page. Good master Ford, be contented: you
wrong yourself too much.
Ford. True, master Page.-Up, gentlemen;
you shall see sport anon: follow me, gentlemen.
[Erit.
Eva. This is fery fantastical humours and jea-
Jonsies.

Caius. By gar, 'tis no de fashion of France;
it is not jealous in France.
Page. Nay, follow him, gentlemen, see the
Issue of his search.

[Exeunt Evans, Page, and Caius. Mrs. Page. Is there not a double excellency

n this?

Eva. In your teeth; for shame.
Ford. Pray you go, master Page.
Eva. I pray you now remembrance to-morrow,
on the lousy knave, mine host.
Caius. Dat is good; by gar, vit all my heart.
Eva. A lousy knave; to have his gibes, and
his mockeries.
[Exeunt.

SCENE IV. A Room in Page's House.
Enter Fenton and Mistress Anne Page.
Fent. I see, I cannot get thy father's love;
Therefore, no more turn me to him, sweet Nan.
Anne. Alas! how then?
Why, thou must be thyself
He doth object, I am too great of birth;
And that, my state being gall'd with my expense

F'ent.

I seek to heal it only by his wealth:
Besides these, other bars he lays before me,-
My riots past, my wild societies:
And tells me, 'tis a thing impossible
I should love thee, but as a property.
Anne. May be, he tells you true.

Fent. No, heaven so speed me in my time to

come!

Anne.
Gentle master Fenton,
Yet seek my father's love: still seek it, sir:
If opportunity and humblest suit
Cannot attain it, why then-Hark you hither.
[They converse apart.

Enter Shallow, Slender, and Mrs. Quickly. Shal. Break their talk, mistress Quickly; my kinsman shall speak for himself.

Sten. I'll make a shaft or a bolt on't: slid, 'tis but venturing.

Shal. Be not dismay'd.

Slen. No, she shall not dismay me: I care not for that, but that I am afeard.

Quick. Hark ye; master Slender would speak a word with you.

Anne. I come to him.-This is my father's

choice.

0, what a world of vile ill-favour'd faults Looks handsome in three hundred pounds a year! [Aside. Quick. And how does good master Fenton Pray you, a word with you.

Shal. She's coming; to her, coz. O boy, thou

hadst a father!

Slen. I had a father, mistress Anne;-my uncle can tell you good jests of him:-Pray you, uncle, tell mistress Anne the jest, how my father stole two geese out of a pen, good uncle.

Fent. Sir, will you hear me?
Page.
No, good master Fenton.
Come,master Shallow; come, son Slender; in:-
Knowing my mind, you wrong me, master Fen-

ton.

[Exeunt Page, Shallow, and Slender. Quick. Speak to mistress Page.

Fent. Good mistress Page, for that I love your
daughter

In such a righteous fashion as I do,
Perforce, against all checks, rebukes, and man-
ners,

I must advance the colours of my love,
And not retire: Let me have your good will.
Anne. Good mother, do not marry me to yond'
fool.

Mrs. Page. I mean it not; I seek you a better
husband.

Quick. That's my master, master doctor. Anne. Alas, I had rather be set quick i' the earth,

And bowl'd to death with turnips.

Mrs. Page. Come, trouble not yourself: Good
master Fenton,

I will not be your friend, nor enemy.
My daughter will I question how she loves you,
And as I find her, so am I affected;
'Till then, farewell, sir:-she must needs go in ;
Her father will be angry.

Fent. Farewell,gentle mistress; farewell, Nan. [Exeunt Mrs. Page and Anne. Quick. This is my doing, now:-Nay, said I, will you cast away your child on a fool, and a physician? Look on master Fenton :-this is my doing.

?
Give my sweet Nan this ring: There's for thy
pains.
Quick. Now heaven send thee good fortune!
[Exit.
A kind heart he hath: a woman would run
through fire and water for such a kind heart.
But yet, I would my master had mistress Anne;
or I would master Slender had her; or, in sooth,
I would master Fenton had her: I will do what
I can for them all three; for so I have promised,
and I'll be as good as my word; but speciously
for master Fenton. Well, I must of another
errand to Sir John Falstaff from my two mis-
tresses: What a beast am I to slack it! [Exit.

Fent. I thank thee; and I pray thee, once to-
night

Shal. Mistress Anne, my cousin loves you. Slen. Ay, that 1 do; as well as I love any woman in Gloucestershire.

Shal. He will maintain you like a gentle

woman.

Slen. Ay, that 1 will, come cut and long tail, under the degree of a 'squire.

Shal. He will make you a hundred and fifty pounds jointure.

Anne. Good master Shallow, let him woo for himself.

Shal. Marry, I thank you for it; 1 thank you for that good comfort. She calls you, coz; I'll

leave you.

Anne. Now, master Slender.
Slen. Now, good mistress Anne.
Anne. What is your will?

Slen. My will ? od's heartlings, that's a pretty
jest indeed! I ne'er made my will yet, I thank
heaven; I am not such a sickly creature, I give
heaven praise.
Anne. I mean, master Slender, what would

you with me?

Slen. Truly, for mine own part, I would little or nothing with you: Your father, and my uncle ave made motions; if it be my luck, so: if not, appy man be his dole! They can tell you how things go, better than I can: You may ask your ather; here he comes.

Enter Page and Mistress Page.
Page. Now, master Slender :-Love him,
daughter Anne.-

Why, how now! what does master Fenton here?
You wrong me, sir, thus still to haunt my house:
told you, sir, my daughter is dispos'd of.
Fent. Nay, master Page, be not impatient.
Mrs. Page. Good master Fenton, come not to
my child.
Page. She is no match for you.

SCENE V. A room in the Garter Inn.

Enter Falstaff and Bardolph.

Bard. Here, sir.
Fal. Bardolph, I say,-

Fal. Go fetch me a quart of sack; put a toast in't. [Exit Bard.] Have I lived to be carried in a basket, like a barrow of butcher's offal; and served such another trick, I'll have my brains to be thrown into the Thames? Well; if I be ta'en out, and butter'd, and give them to a dog for a new year's gift. The rogues slighted me into the river with as little remorse as they would have drowned a bitch's blind puppies, fifteen i' have a kind of alacrity in sinking; if the botthe litter and you may know by my size, that tom were as deep as hell, I should down. I had been drowned, but that the shore was shelvy and shallow; a death that I abhor; for the water swells a man; and what a thing should I have been, when I had been swelled! I should have been a mountain of mummy.

Re-enter Bardolph, with the wine. * Bard. Here's mistress Quickly, sir, to speak with you.

Fal. Come, let me pour in some sack to the Thames water: for my belly's as cold, as if I had swallowed snow-balls for pills to cool the reins. Call her in.

Bard. Come in, woman.