2258her selfe, I had other things to haue spoken with her

2259too, from him.

2260Fal. What are they? let vs know.

2261Host. I: come: quicke.

2262Fal. I may not conceale them (Sir.)

2263Host. Conceale them, or thou di'st.

2264Sim. Why sir, they were nothing but about Mistris

2265Anne Page, to know if it were my Masters fortune to

2266haue her, or no.

2267Fal. 'Tis, 'tis his fortune.

2268Sim. What Sir?

2269Fal. To haue her, or no: goe; say the woman told

2270me so.

2271Sim. May I be bold to say so Sir?

2272Fal. I Sir: like who more bold.

2273Sim. I thanke your worship: I shall make my Master

2274glad with these tydings.

2275Host. Thou are clearkly: thou art clearkly (Sir Iohn)

2276was there a wise woman with thee?

2277Fal. I that there was (mine Host) one that hath taught

2278me more wit, then euer I learn'd before in my life: and

2279I paid nothing for it neither, but was paid for my lear-

2280ning.

2281Bar. Out alas (Sir) cozonage: meere cozonage.

2282Host. Where be my horses? speake well of them var-

2283letto.

2284Bar. Run away with the cozoners: for so soone as

2285I came beyond Eaton, they threw me off, from behinde

2286one of them, in a slough of myre; and set spurres, and

2287away; like three Germane-diuels; three Doctor Fau-

2288stasses.

2289Host. They are gone but to meete the Duke (villaine)

2290doe not say they be fled: Germanes are honest men.

2291Euan. Where is mine Host?

2292Host. What is the matter Sir?

2293Euan. Haue a care of your entertainments: there is a

2294friend of mine come to Towne, tels mee there is three

2295Cozen-Iermans, that has cozend all the Hosts of Readins,

2296of Maidenhead; of Cole-brooke, of horses and money: I

2297tell you for good will (looke you) you are wise, and full

2298of gibes, and vlouting-stocks: and 'tis not conuenient

2299you should be cozoned. Fare you well.

2300Cai. Ver' is mine Host de Iarteere?

2301Host. Here (Master Doctor) in perplexitie, and doubt-

2302full delemma.

2303Cai. I cannot tell vat is dat: but it is tell-a-me, dat

2304you make grand preparation for a Duke de Iamanie: by

2305my trot: der is no Duke that the Court is know, to

2306come: I tell you for good will: adieu.

2307Host. Huy and cry, (villaine) goe: assist me Knight, I

2308am vndone: fly, run: huy, and cry (villaine) I am vn-

2309done.

2310Fal. I would all the world might be cozond, for I

2311haue beene cozond and beaten too: if it should come

2312to the eare of the Court, how I haue beene transformed;

2313and how my transformation hath beene washd, and

2314cudgeld, they would melt mee out of my fat drop by

2315drop, and liquor Fishermens-boots with me: I warrant

2316they would whip me with their fine wits, till I were as

2317crest-falne as a dride-peare: I neuer prosper'd, since I

2318forswore my selfe at Primero: well, if my winde were

2319but long enough; I would repent: Now? Whence come

2320you?

2321Qui. From the two parties forsooth.

2322Fal. The Diuell take one partie, and his Dam the

2323other: and so they shall be both bestowed; I haue suf-

2324fer'd more for their sakes; more then the villanous in-

2325constancy of mans disposition is able to beare.

2326Qui. And haue not they suffer'd? Yes, I warrant; spe-

2327ciously one of them; Mistris Ford (good heart) is beaten

2328blacke and blew, that you cannot see a white spot about

2329her.

2330Fal. What tell'st thou mee of blacke, and blew? I

2331was beaten my selfe into all the colours of the Raine-

2332bow: and I was like to be apprehended for the Witch

2333of Braineford, but that my admirable dexteritie of wit,

2334my counterfeiting the action of an old woman deliuer'd

2335me, the knaue Constable had set me ith' Stocks, ith' com-

2336mon Stocks, for a Witch.

2337Qu, Sir: let me speake with you in your Chamber,

2338you shall heare how things goe, and (I warrant) to your

2339content: here is a Letter will say somewhat: (good-

2340hearts) what a-doe here is to bring you together? Sure,

2341one of you do's not serue heauen well, that you are so

2342cross'd.

2343Fal. Come vp into my Chamber. Exeunt.

2346Host. Master Fenton, talke not to mee, my minde is

2347heauy: I will giue ouer all.

2348Fen. Yet heare me speake: assist me in my purpose,

2349And (as I am a gentleman) ile giue thee

2350A hundred pound in gold, more then your losse.

2351Host. I will heare you (Master Fenton) and I will (at

2352the least) keepe your counsell.

2353Fen. From time to time, I haue acquainted you

2354With the deare loue I beare to faire Anne Page,

2355Who, mutually, hath answer'd my affection,

2356(So farre forth, as her selfe might be her chooser)

2357Euen to my wish; I haue a letter from her

2358Of such contents, as you will wonder at;

2359The mirth whereof, so larded with my matter,

2360That neither (singly) can be manifested

2361Without the shew of both: fat Falstaffe

2362Hath a great Scene; the image of the iest

2363Ile show you here at large (harke good mine Host:)

2364To night at Hernes-Oke, iust 'twixt twelue and one,

2365Must my sweet Nan present the Faerie-Queene:

2366The purpose why, is here: in which disguise

2367VVhile other Iests are something ranke on foote,

2368Her father hath commanded her to slip

2369Away with Slender, and with him, at Eaton

2370Immediately to Marry: She hath consented: Now Sir,

2371Her Mother, (euen strong against that match

2372And firme for Doctor Caius) hath appointed

2373That he shall likewise shuffle her away,

2374While other sports are tasking of their mindes,

2375And at the Deanry, where a Priest attends

2376Strait marry her: to this her Mothers plot

2377She seemingly obedient) likewise hath

2378Made promise to the Doctor: Now, thus it rests,

2379Her Father meanes she shall be all in white;

2380And in that habit, when Slender sees his time

2381To take her by the hand, and bid her goe,

2382She shall goe with him: her Mother hath intended

2383(The better to deuote her to the Doctor;

2384For they must all be mask'd, and vizarded)