2124Eua. 'Tis one of the best discretions of a o'man as e-

2125uer I did looke vpon.

2126Page. And did he send you both these Letters at an

2127instant?

2128Mist. Page. VVithin a quarter of an houre.

2129Ford. Pardon me (wife) henceforth do what y^u wilt:

2130I rather will suspect the Sunne with gold,

2131Then thee with wantonnes: Now doth thy honor stand

2132(In him that was of late an Heretike)

2133As firme as faith.

2134Page. 'Tis well, 'tis well, no more:

2135Be not as extreme in submission, as in offence,

2136But let our plot go forward: Let our wiues

2137Yet once againe (to make vs publike sport)

2138Appoint a meeting with this old fat-fellow,

2139Where we may take him, and disgrace him for it.

2140Ford. There is no better way then that they spoke of.

2141Page. How? to send him word they'll meete him in

2142the Parke at midnight? Fie, fie, he'll neuer come.

2143Eu. You say he has bin throwne in the Riuers: and

2144has bin greeuously peaten, as an old o'man: me-thinkes

2145there should be terrors in him, that he should not come:

2146Me-thinkes his flesh is punish'd, hee shall haue no de-

2147sires.

2148Page. So thinke I too.

2149M. Ford. Deuise but how you'l vse him whē he comes,

2150And let vs two deuise to bring him thether.

2151Mi[s]. Page. There is an old tale goes, that Herne the

2152Hunter (sometime a keeper heere in Windsor Forrest)

2153Doth all the winter time, at still midnight

2154Walke round about an Oake, with great rag'd-hornes,

2155And there he blasts the tree, and takes the cattle,

2156And make milch-kine yeeld blood, and shakes a chaine

2157In a most hideous and dreadfull manner.

2158You haue heard of such a Spirit, and well you know

2159The superstitious idle-headed-Eld

2160Receiu'd, and did deliuer to our age

2161This tale of Herne the Hunter, for a truth.

2162Page. Why yet there want not many that do feare

2163In deepe of night to walke by this Hernes Oake:

2164But what of this?

2165Mist. Ford. Marry this is our deuise,

2166That Falstaffe at that Oake shall meete with vs.

2167Page. Well, let it not be doubted but he'll come,

2168And in this shape, when you haue brought him thether,

2169What shall be done with him? What is your plot?

2170Mist.Pa. That likewise haue we thoght vpon: & thus:

2171Nan Page (my daughter) and my little sonne,

2172And three or foure more of their growth, wee'l dresse

2173Like Vrchins, Ouphes, and Fairies, greene and white,

2174With rounds of waxen Tapers on their heads,

2175And rattles in their hands; vpon a sodaine,

2176As Falstaffe, she, and I, are newly met,

2177Let them from forth a saw-pit rush at once

2178With some diffused song: Vpon their sight

2179We two, in great amazednesse will flye:

2180Then let them all encircle him about,

2181And Fairy-like to pinch the vncleane Knight;

2182And aske him why that houre of Fairy Reuell,

2183In their so sacred pathes, he dares to tread

2184In shape prophane.

2185Ford. And till he tell the truth,

2186Let the supposed Fairies pinch him, sound,

2187And burne him with their Tapers.

2188Mist. Page. The truth being knowne,

2189We'll all present our selues; dis-horne the spirit,

2190And mocke him home to Windsor.

2191Ford. The children must

2192Be practis'd well to this, or they'll neu'r doo't.

2193Eua. I will teach the children their behauiours: and I

2194will be like a Iacke-an-Apes also, to burne the Knight

2195with my Taber.

2196Ford. That will be excellent,

2197Ile go buy them vizards.

2198Mist. Page. My Nan shall be the Queene of all the

2199Fairies, finely attired in a robe of white.

2200Page. That silke will I go buy, and in that time

2201Shall M. Slender steale my Nan away,

2202And marry her at Eaton: go, send to Falstaffe straight.

2203Ford. Nay, Ile to him againe in name of Broome,

2204Hee'l tell me all his purpose: sure hee'l come.

2205Mist. Page. Feare not you that: Go get vs properties

2206And tricking for our Fayries.

2207Euans. Let vs about it,

2208It is admirable pleasures, and ferry honest knaueries.

2209Mis. Page. Go Mist. Ford,

2210Send quickly to Sir Iohn, to know his minde:

2211Ile to the Doctor, he hath my good will,

2212And none but he to marry with Nan Page:

2213That Slender (though well landed) is an Ideot:

2214And he, my husband best of all affects:

2215The Doctor is well monied, and his friends

2216Potent at Court: he, none but he shall haue her,

2217Though twenty thousand worthier come to craue her.