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  • Title: The Merry Wives of Windsor (Quarto 1, 1602)

    • Copyright Internet Shakespeare Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-proift purposes; for all other uses contact the Coordinating Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Not Peer Reviewed

    The Merry Wives of Windsor (Quarto 1, 1602)

    A pleasant Comedie, of
    And whats to come sir Iohn, that can we tell.
    2595.5Mi. Pa. Sir Iohn tis thus, your dishonest meanes
    To call our credits into question,
    Did make vs vndertake to our best,
    To turne your leaud lust to a merry Iest.
    Fal. Iest, tis well, haue I liued to these yeares
    2595.10To be gulled now, now to be ridden?
    Why then these were not Fairies?
    Mis. Pa. No sir Iohn but boyes.
    Fal. By the Lord I was twice or thrise in the (mind
    They were not, and yet the grosnesse
    Of the fopperie perswaded me they were.
    2608.1Well, and the fine wits of the Court heare this,
    Thayle so whip me with their keene Iests,
    That thayle melt me out like tallow,
    Drop by drop out of my grease. Boyes!
    Sir Hu. I trust me boyes Sir Iohn: and I was
    Also a Fairie that did helpe to pinch you.
    2614.1Fal. I, tis well I am your May-pole,
    You haue the start of mee,
    Am I ridden too with a wealch goate?
    With a peece of toasted cheese?
    2625Sir Hu. Butter is better then cheese sir Iohn,
    You are all butter, butter.
    2626.1For. There is a further matter yet sir Iohn,
    There's 20. pound you borrowed of M. Brooke Sir (Iohn,
    2651.1And it must be paid to M. Ford Sir Iohn.
    Mi. For. Nay husband let that go to make amẽds,
    Forgiue that sum, and so weele all be friends.
    For. Well here is my hand, all's forgiuen at last.
    2651.5Fal. It hath cost me well,
    I haue bene well pinched and washed.
    Enter
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