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- Edition: The Merry Wives of Windsor
The Merry Wives of Windsor (Modern, Folio)
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1268[3.2]
1269Enter Mistress Page [and] Robin [leading her].
1271Mistress Page
Nay, keep your way, little gallant. You 1272were wont to be a follower, but now you are a leader. 1273Whether had you rather, lead mine eyes, or eye your ma 1274ster's heels?
1275Robin
I had rather, forsooth, go before you like a man, 1276than follow him like a dwarf.
1277Mistress Page
Oh, you are a flattering boy! Now I see you'll be a courtier.
1278Enter Ford.
1279Ford
Well met, Mistress Page. Whither go you?
1280Mistress Page
Truly, sir, to see your wife. Is she at home?
1281Ford
Ay, and as idle as she may hang together for want 1282of company. I think if your husbands were dead, you 1283two would marry.
1284Mistress Page
Be sure of that -- two other husbands.
1285Ford
Where had you this pretty weathercock?
1286Mistress Page
I cannot tell what the dickens his name is my 1287husband had him of. What do you call your knight's name, sirrah?
1288Robin
Sir John Falstaff.
1289Ford
Sir John Falstaff!
1290Mistress Page
He, he! I can never hit on's name. There is such a 1291league between my goodman and he. Is your wife at home indeed?
1292Ford
Indeed, she is.
1293Mistress Page
By your leave, sir, I am sick till I see her.
[Exeunt Mistress Page and Robin.]
1294Ford
Has Page any brains? Hath he any eyes? Hath he 1295any thinking? Sure they sleep: he hath no use of them. 1296wWhy, this boy will carry a letter twenty mile as easy as 1297a cannon will shoot point-blank twelve score. He pie1298ces out his wife's inclination. He gives her folly motion 1299and aduantage. And now she's going to my wife, and Fal1300staff's boy with her. A man may hear this shower sing 1301in the wind: and Falstaff's boy with her! Good plots 1302they are laid, and our revolted wives share damnation 1303together. Well, I will take him, then torture my wife, 1304pluck the borrowed veil of modesty from the so-see1305ming Mistress Page, divulge Page himself for a secure and 1306wilful Acteon, and to these violent proceedings all my 1307neighbors shall cry aim.
[The clock strikes the hour.]
The clock gives me my cue, 1308and my assurance bids me search. There I shall find Fal1309staff. I shall be rather praised for this, than mocked, for 1310it is as possitive as the earth is firm that Falstaff is 1311there. I will go.
Enter Page, Shallow, Slender, Host, Evans, Caius [and Rugby].
1312Shallow, Page, Slender, Host, Evans, Caius
Well met, Master Ford.
1313Ford
Trust me, a good knot. I have good cheer at 1314home, and I pray you all go with me.
1315Shallow
I must excuse myself, Master Ford.
1316Slender
And so must I, sir. 1317We have appointed to dine with Mistress Anne, 1318And I would not break with her for more money 1319Than I'll speak of.
1320Shallow
We have lingered about a match between Anne 1321Page and my cousin Slender, and this day we shall have 1322our answer.
1323Slender
I hope I have your good will, Father Page.
1324Page
You have, Master Slender, I stand wholly for you, 1325[To Caius] but my wife, master doctor, is for you altogether.
1326Caius
Ay, begar, and de maid is love-a me. My nursh-a Quickly 1327tell me so mush.
1328Host
What say you to young Master Fenton? He capers, 1329he dances, he has eyes of youth, he writes verses, he 1330speaks holiday, he smells April and May. He wil carry't, 1331he will carry't, 'tis in his buttons, he will carry't.
1332Page
Not by my consent, I promise you. The gentle1333man is of no having. He kept company with the wild 1334prince, and Poins. He is of too high a region; he knows 1335too much. No, he shall not knit a knot in his fortunes 1336with the finger of my substance. If he take her, let him 1337take her simply. The wealth I have waits on my consent, 1338and my consent goes not that way.
1339Ford
I beseech you heartily, some of you go home 1340with me to dinner. Besides your cheer, you shall have 1341sport: I will show you a monster. Master doctor, you shall 1342go. So shall you, Master Page, and you, Sir Hugh.
1343Shallow
Well, fare you well. 1344We shall have the freer wooing at Master Page's.
1345Caius
Go home, John Rugby. I come anon.
[Exit Rugby.]
1346Host
Farewell, my hearts, I will to my honest knight 1347Falstaff and drink canary with him.
1348Ford
[Aside] I think I shall drink in pipe-wine first with 1349him. I'll make him dance. – Will you go, gentles?
1350Page, Caius, Evans
Have with you to see this monster.
Exeunt