I see I cannot get thy father's love;

1571Therefore, no more turn me to him, sweet Nan.

Alas, how then?

Alas, how then? Why, thou must be thyself.

1574He doth object I am too great of birth,

1575And that, my state being galled with my expence,

1576I seek to heal it only by his wealth.

1577Besides these, other bars he lays before me --

1578My riots past, my wild societies --

1579And tells me 'tis a thing impossible

1580I should love thee but as a property.

Maybe he tells you true.

No, heaven so speed me in my time to come!

1583Albeit I will confess thy father's wealth

1584Was the first motive that I wooed thee, Anne;

1585Yet, wooing thee, I found thee of more value

1586Than stamps in gold, or sums in sealèd bags.

1587And 'tis the very riches of thyself

1588That now I aim at.

That now I aim at. Gentle M. Fenton,

1590Yet seek my father's love, still seek it, sir.

1591If opportunity and humblest suit

1592Cannot attain it, why then -- Hark you hither!

Break their talk, Mistress Quickly! 1594My kinsman shall speak for himself.

I'll make a shaft or a bolt on't. 'Slid, tis but venturing.

Be not dismayed.

No, she shall not dismay me. 1598I care not for that, but that I am afeared.

[To Anne] Hark ye, Master Slender would speak a word with you

I come to him. [Aside] This is my father's choice.

1601Oh, what a world of vile ill-favored faults

1602Looks handsome in three hundred pounds a year!

And how does good Master Fenton? 1604Pray you, a word with you.

She's coming. To her, coz. 1606Oh, boy, thou hadst a father.

I had a father, Mistress Anne. My uncle can tell you good 1608jests of him. – Pray you, uncle, tell Mistress Anne the jest how 1609my father stole two geese out of a pen, good uncle.

Mistress Anne, my cousin loves you.

Ay, that I do, as well as I love any woman in Glo1612cestershire.

He will maintain you like a gentlewoman.

Ay, that I will, come cut and long-tail, vnder the 1615degree of a squire.

He will make you a hundred and fifty pounds 1617jointure.

Good Master Shallow, let him woo for him1619self.

Marry, I thank you for it. I thank you for 1621that good comfort. -- She calls you, coz. I'll leave you.

Now, Master Slender.

Now, good Mistress Anne.

What is your will?

My will? 'Od's heartlings, that's a pretty 1626jest indeed. I ne'er made my will yet, I thank hea1627ven. I am not such a sickly creature, I give heaven 1628praise.

I mean, Master Slender, what would you with me?

Truly, for mine own part, I would little or 1631nothing with you. Your father and my uncle hath made 1632motions. If it be my luck, so. If not, happy man be his 1633dole. They can tell you how things go better than I can. 1634You may ask your father. Here he comes.

Now, Master Slender. – Love him, daughter Anne.

1636Why, how now? What does Master Fenter here?

1637[To Fenton] You wrong me, sir, thus still to haunt my house.

1638I told you, sir, my daughter is disposed of.

Nay, Master Page, be not impatient.

Good Master Fenton, come not to my child.

She is no match for you.

She is no match for you. Sir, will you hear me?

No, good M. Fenton. –

1644Come, Master Shallow, come, son Slender, in. –

1645Knowing my mind, you wrong me, Master Fenton.

[Aside to Fenton] Speak to Mistress Page.

Good Mistress Page, for that I love your daughter

1648In such a righteous fashion as I do,

1649Perforce, against all checks, rebukes, and manners,

1650I must advance the colors of my love,

1651And not retire. Let me have your good will.

Good mother, do not marry me to yond fool.

I mean it not. I seek you a better hus1654band.

That's my master, master doctor.

Alas I had rather be set quick i'th earth, 1657and bowled to death with turnips.

Come, trouble not yourself, good Master 1659Fenton.

I will not be your friend, nor enemy.

1660My daughter will I question how she loves you

1661And, as I find her, so am I affected.

1662Till then, farewell, sir. She must needs go in.

1663Her father will be angry. –

Farewell, gentle mistress. Farewell, Nan.

[To Fenton] This is my doing now." Nay," said I, "will you 1666cast away your child on a fool and a physician? 1667Look on Master Fenton!" This is my doing.

I thank thee, and I pray thee once to night,

1669Give my sweet Nan this ring. There's for thy pains.

Now heaven send thee good fortune. – [Exit Fenton.] A kind 1671heart he hath! A woman would run through fire and wa1672ter for such a kind heart. But yet I would my master 1673had Mistress Anne, or I would Master Slender had her, or in 1674sooth I would Master Fenton had her. I will do what I can 1675for them all three, for so I have promised, and I'll be as 1676good as my word, but speciously for Master Fenton. Well, I 1677must of another errand to Sir IJohn Falstaff from my two 1678mistresses. What a beast am I to slack it.