Not Peer Reviewed
- Edition: The Merry Wives of Windsor
The Merry Wives of Windsor (Modern, Folio)
- Texts of this edition
- Facsimiles
2401[5.1]
2402Enter Falstaff [and] Quickly.
2403Falstaff
Prithee, no more prattling. Go. I'll hold. This is 2404the third time. I hope good luck lies in odd numbers. 2405Away, go! They say there is divinity in odd numbers, 2406either in nativity, chance, or death. Away!
2407Quickly
I'll prouvide you a chain, and I'll do what I can 2408to get you a pair of horns.
2409Falstaff
Away, I say, time wears, hold up your head and 2410mince. [Exit Quickly.]
[Enter Ford disguised as Broom.]
How now, Master Broom! Master Broom, the mat2411ter will be known tonight, or never. Be you in the 2412Park about midnight at Herne's Oak, and you shall 2413see wonders.
2414Ford
Went you not to her yesterday, sir, as you told 2415me you had appointed?
2416Falstaff
I went to her, Master Broom, as you see, like a 2417poor old man, but I came from her, Master Broom, 2418like a poor old woman. That same knave, Ford her hus2419band, hath the finest mad devil of jealousy in him, Ma2420ster Broom, that ever gouerned frenzy. I will tell you, 2421he beat me grieuously in the shape of a woman – for in 2422the shape of man, Master Broom, I fear not Goliath 2423with a weaver's beam, because I know also life is a 2424shuttle. I am in haste. Go along with me. I'll tell you all, 2425Master Broom. Since I plucked geese, played truant, 2426and whipped Top, I knew not what 'twas to be beaten, till 2427lately. Follow me, Ile tell you strange things of this 2428knave Ford, on whom tonight I will be revenged, and I 2429will deliver his wife into your hand. Follow – strange 2430things in hand, Master Broom – follow. Exeunt.