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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    Not Peer Reviewed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
    Anne. Now forsooth why do you stay me?
    173.20What would you with me?
    Slen. Nay for my owne part, I would litle or no-
    thing with you. I loue you well, and my vncle can
    tell you how my liuing stands. And if you can loue
    me why so. If not, why then happie man be his
    173.25dole.
    An. You say well M. Slender.
    But first you must giue me leaue to
    Be acquainted with your humor,
    And afterward to loue you if I can.
    273.30Slen. Why by God, there's neuer a man in chri-
    stendome can desire more. What haue you Beares
    in your Towne mistresse Anne, your dogs barke so?
    An. I cannot tell M. Slender, I thinke there be.
    270Slen. Ha how say you? I warrant your afeard of
    a Beare let loose, are you not?
    An. Yes trust me.
    Slen. Now that's meate and drinke to me,
    Ile run yon to a Beare, and take her by the mussell,
    269.1You neuer saw the like.
    But indeed I cannot blame you,
    For they are maruellous rough things.272.1An. Will you goe in to dinner M. Slendor?
    The meate staies for you.
    Slen. No faith not I. I thanke you,
    260I cannot abide the smell of hot meate
    Nere since I broke my shin. Ile tel you how it came
    By my troth. A Fencer and I plaid three venies
    For a dish of stewd prunes, and I with my ward
    259.1Defending my head, he hot my shin. Yes faith.
    Enter