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  • Title: The Merry Wives of Windsor (Folio 1, 1623)

  • 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
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    The Merry Wives of Windsor (Folio 1, 1623)

    Actus Quintus. Scoena Prima.
    Enter Falstoffe, Quickly, and Ford.
    Fal. Pre'thee no more pratling: go, Ile hold, this is
    the third time: I hope good lucke lies in odde numbers:
    2405Away, go, they say there is Diuinity in odde Numbers,
    either in natiuity, chance, or death: away.
    Qui. Ile prouide you a chaine, and Ile do what I can
    to get you a paire of hornes.
    Fall. Away I say, time weares, hold vp your head &
    2410mince. How now M. Broome? Master Broome, the mat-
    ter will be knowne to night, or neuer. Bee you in the
    Parke about midnight, at Hernes-Oake, and you shall
    see wonders.
    Ford. Went you not to her yesterday (Sir) as you told
    2415me you had appointed?
    Fal. I went to her (Master Broome) as you see, like a
    poore-old-man, but I came from her (Master Broome)
    like a poore-old-woman; that same knaue (Ford hir hus-
    band) hath the finest mad diuell of iealousie in him (Ma-
    2420ster Broome) that euer gouern'd Frensie. I will tell you,
    he beate me greeuously, in the shape of a woman: (for in
    the shape of Man (Master Broome) I feare not Goliah
    with a Weauers beame, because I know also, life is a
    Shuttle) I am in hast, go along with mee, Ile tell you all
    2425(Master Broome:) since I pluckt Geese, plaide Trewant,
    and whipt Top, I knew not what 'twas to be beaten, till
    lately. Follow mee, Ile tell you strange things of this
    knaue Ford, on whom to night I will be reuenged, and I
    will deliuer his wife into your hand. Follow, straunge
    2430things in hand (M. Broome) follow. Exeunt.