Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Not Peer Reviewed

The Merry Wives of Windsor (Quarto 1, 1602)

A pleasant Comedie, of
Fal. Of what qualitie is your loue then?
975Ford. Ifaith sir, like a faire house set vpon
Another mans foundation.
Fal. And to what end haue you vnfolded this to (me?
For. O sir, when I haue told you that, I told you(all:
For she sir stands so pure in the firme state
Of her honestie, that she is too bright to be looked
Against: Now could I come against her
With some detectiõ, I should sooner perswade her
From her marriage vow, and a hundred such nice
Tearmes that sheele stand vpon.
995Fal. Why would it apply well to the veruensie
of your affection,
That another should possesse what you would en-(joy?
Meethinks you prescribe verie proposterously
To your selfe.
997.1For. No sir, for by that meanes should I be cer-
taine of that which I now misdoubt.
Fal. Well M. Brooke, Ile first make bold with your (mony,
Next, giue me your hand. Lastly, you shall
1010And you will, enioy Fords wife.
For. O good sir.
Fal. M. Brooke, I say you shall.
Ford. Want no mony Syr Iohn, you shall want (none.
Fal. Want no Misteris Ford M. Brooke,
You shall want none. Euen as you came to me,
Her spokes mate, her go between parted from me:
I may tell you M. Brooke, I am to meet her
Between 8. and 9. for at that time the Iealous
Cuckally knaue her husband wil be from home,
Come to me soone at night, you shall know how
1020I speed M. Brooke.
Ford.