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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    Not Peer Reviewed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)

    the merry wives of windsor.
    2310For I am cousoned and beaten too.
    Well, I neuer prospered since I forswore
    My selfe at Primero: and my winde
    Were but long inough to say my prayers,
    Ide repent, now from whence come you?
    2318.1Enter Mistresse Quickly.
    2320Quic. From the two parties forsooth.
    Fal. The diuell take the one partie,
    And his dam the other,
    And theyle be both bestowed.
    I haue endured more for their sakes,
    Then man is able to endure.
    2325Quic. O Lord sir, they are the sorowfulst creatures
    That euer liued: specially mistresse Ford,
    Her husband hath beaten her that she is all
    Blacke and blew poore soule.
    Fal. What tellest me of blacke and blew,
    I haue bene beaten all the colours in the Rainbow,
    And in my escape like to a bene apprehended
    For a witch of Brainford, and set in the stockes.
    Quic. Well sir, she is a sorrowfull woman,
    And I hope when you heare my errant,
    Youle be perswaded to the contrarie.
    Fal. Come goe with me into my chamber, Ile
    heare thee. Exit omnes.
    Enter Host and Fenton.
    2345Host. Speake not to me sir, my mind is heauie,
    I haue had a great losse.
    Fen. Yet heare me, and as I am a gentleman,
    Ile giue you a hundred pound toward your losse.
    2350Host. Well sir Ile heare you, and at least keep your
    counsell.
    Fen. Thẽ thus my host. Tis not vnknown to you,
    G1 The