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  • Title: The Merry Wives of Windsor (Modern, Quarto)
  • Editor: Helen Ostovich
  • Markup editor: Janelle Jenstad
  • Coordinating editor: Janelle Jenstad

  • Copyright Helen Ostovich. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Editor: Helen Ostovich
    Not Peer Reviewed

    The Merry Wives of Windsor (Modern, Quarto)

    [Scene 9]
    Enter Master Ford.
    The time draws on, he should come to my house.
    Well, wife, you had best work closely,
    Or I am like to go beyond your cunning.
    I now will seek my guests that comes to dinner,
    1268.5 And in good time see where they all are come.
    Enter Shallow, Page, Host, Slender, Doctor, and Sir Hugh.
    By my faith, a knot well met: you're welcome all.
    I thank you, good Master Ford.
    Welcome, good Master Page, I would your daughter were here.
    I thank you, sir, she is very well at home.
    Slender
    Father Page, I hope I have your consent for Mistress Anne?
    You have, son Slender, but my wife here is altogether for Master Doctor.
    1325 Caius
    Begar, I tank her heartily.
    But what say you to young Master Fenton? He capers, he dances, he writes verses, he smells all April and May. He will carry it, he will carry't,1330 'tis in his buttons, he will carry't!
    My Host, not with my consent. The gentleman is wild; he knows too much. If he take her,1335 let him take her simply, for my goods goes with my liking, and my liking goes not that way.
    Well, I pray go home with me to dinner. Besides your cheer, I'll show you wonders, I'll1340 Show you a monster. You shall go with me, Master Page, and so shall you, Sir Hugh, and you, Master Doctor.
    If there be one in the company, I shall make two.
    And dere be ven, two, I sall make de turd.
    In your teeth, for shame!
    Shallow
    Well, well, God be with you. [Aside to Slender] We shall have the fairer1341.5 wooing at Master Page's.
    Exeunt Shallow and Slender.
    I'll to my honest knight, Sir John Falstaff, and drink canary with him.
    Exit Host.
    I may chance to make him drink in pipe wine. First, come, gentlemen.
    Exeunt omnes.