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  • Title: The Merry Wives of Windsor (Quarto 1, 1602)

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    Not Peer Reviewed

    The Merry Wives of Windsor (Quarto 1, 1602)

    A pleasant Comedie, of
    and throwne into the Thames like a barow of But-
    chers offoll. Well, and I be serued such another
    1685tricke, Ile giue them leaue to take out my braines
    and butter them, and giue them to a dog for a new-
    yeares gift. Sblood, the rogues slided me in with as
    little remorse as if they had gone to drowne a blind
    bitches puppies in the litter: and they might know
    1690by my sise I haue a kind of alacritie in sinking: and
    the bottom had bin as deep as hell I should downe.
    I had bene drowned, but that the shore was sheluie
    and somewhat shallowe: a death that I abhorre.
    For you know the water swelles a man: and what a
    thing should I haue bene whẽ I had bene swelled?
    1694.1By the Lord a mountaine of money. Now is the
    Sacke brewed?
    Bar. I sir, there's a woman below would speake
    with you.
    Fal. Bid her come vp. Let me put some Sacke
    among this cold water, for my belly is as cold as if I
    had swallowed snow-balles for pilles.
    1699.1Enter Mistresse Quickly.
    Now whats the newes with you?
    Quic. I come from misteris Ford forsooth.
    1710Fal. Misteris Ford, I haue had Ford inough,
    I haue bene throwne into the Ford, my belly is full
    Of Ford: she hath tickled mee.
    Quic. O Lord sir, she is the sorrowfullest woman
    that her seruants mistooke, that euer liued. And sir,
    she would desire you of all loues you will meet her
    once againe, to morrow sir, betweene ten and ele-
    1720uen, and she hopes to make amends for all.
    1725Fal. Ten, and eleuen, saiest thou?
    Quic. I