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)

2385That quaint in greene, she shall be loose en-roab'd,

2386With Ribonds-pendant, flaring 'bout her head;

2387And when the Doctor spies his vantage ripe,

2388To pinch her by the hand, and on that token,

2389The maid hath giuen consent to go with him.

2390Host. Which meanes she to deceiue? Father, or Mo-

2391ther.

2392Fen. Both (my good Host) to go along with me:

2393And heere it rests, that you'l procure the Vicar

2394To stay for me at Church, 'twixt twelue, and one,

2395And in the lawfull name of marrying,

2396To giue our hearts vnited ceremony.

2397Host. Well, husband your deuice; Ile to the Vicar,

2398Bring you the Maid, you shall not lacke a Priest.

2399Fen. So shall I euermore be bound to thee;

2400Besides, Ile make a present recompence. Exeunt