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  • Title: The Merry Wives of Windsor (Modern, Folio)
  • Editor: Helen Ostovich
  • Markup editor: Maxwell Terpstra
  • Coordinating editor: Janelle Jenstad

    • Copyright Helen Ostovich. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Helen Ostovich
    Not Peer Reviewed

    The Merry Wives of Windsor (Modern, Folio)

    [4.6]
    2345Enter Fenton [and] Host.
    Host
    Master Fenton, talk not to me – my mind is heavy. I will give over all.
    Fenton
    Yet hear me speak. Assist me in my purpose,
    And, as I am a gentleman, I'll give thee
    2350A hundred pound in gold, more than your loss.
    Host
    I will hear you, Master Fenton, and I will at the least keep your counsel.
    Fenton
    From time to time, I have acquainted you
    With the dear love I bear to fair Anne Page,
    2355Who, mutually, hath answered my affection –
    So far forth as herself might be her chooser –
    Even to my wish. I have a letter from her
    Of such contents as you will wonder at,
    The mirth whereof, so larded with my matter,
    2360That neither singly can be manifested
    Without the show of both. Fat Falstaff
    Hath a great scene; the image of the jest
    I'll show you here at large. Hark, good mine host.
    Tonight at Herne's Oake, just 'twixt twelve and one,
    2365Must my sweet Nan present the fairy queen –
    The purpose why is here – in which disguise,
    While other jests are something rank on foot,
    Her father hath commanded her to slip
    Away with Slender and with him at Eton
    2370Immediately to marry. She hath consented. Now, sir,
    Her mother, even strong against that match
    And firm for Doctor Caius, hath appointed
    That he shall likewise shuffle her away,
    While other sports are tasking of their minds,
    2375And at the deanery, where a priest attends,
    Straight marry her. To this her mother's plot
    She, seemingly obedient, likewise hath
    Made promise to the Doctor. Now, thus it rests:
    Her father means she shall be all in white;
    2380And in that habit, when Slender sees his time
    To take her by the hand and bid her go,
    She shall go with him; her mother hath intended –
    The better to devote her to the doctor,
    For they must all be masked and vizarded –
    2385That, quaint in green, she shall be loose enrobed
    With ribbons pendant flaring 'bout her head;
    And when the doctor spies his vantage ripe,
    To pinch her by the hand and on that token
    The maid hath given consent to go with him.
    2390Host
    Which means she to deceive, father, or mother?
    Fenton
    Both, my good host, to go along with me.
    And here it rests, that you'll procure the vicar
    To stay for me at church 'twixt twelve and one,
    2395And in the lawful name of marrying,
    To give our hearts united ceremony.
    Host
    Well, husband your device. I'll to the vicar.
    Bring you the maid, you shall not lack a priest.
    Fenton
    So shall I evermore be bound to thee.
    2400Besides, I'll make a present recompence. Exeunt.
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