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A street.
[Enter MISTRESS PAGE and ROBIN]
MISTRESS PAGE
Nay keep your way (little gallant) you were wont to be a follower, but now
you are a leader: Whether had you rather lead mine eyes, or eye your
master's heels?
ROBIN
I had rather (forsooth) go before you like a man, than follow him like a
dwarf.
MISTRESS PAGE
O you are a flattering boy, now I see you'll be a courtier.
[Enter FORD]
FORD
Well met Mistress Page, whither go you.
MISTRESS PAGE
Truly sir, to see your wife. Is she at home?
FORD
Aye, and as idle as she may hang together for want of company: I think if
your husbands were dead, you two would marry.
MISTRESS PAGE
Be sure of that, two other husbands.
FORD
Where had you this pretty weather-cock?
MISTRESS PAGE
I cannot tell what (the dickens) his name is my husband had him of, what do
you call your knight's name sirrah?
ROBIN
Sir John Falstaff.
FORD
Sir John Falstaff.
MISTRESS PAGE
He, he, I can never hit on his name; There is such a league between my good
man, and he: Is your wife at home indeed?
FORD
Indeed she is.
MISTRESS PAGE
By your leave sir, I am sick till I see her.
[Exeunt MISTRESS PAGE and ROBIN]
FORD
Has Page any brains? hath he any eyes? hath he any thinking? Sure they
sleep, he hath no use of them: Why this boy will carry a letter twenty
mile as easy, as a cannon will shoot point-blank twelve score: He pieces out
his wife's inclination: he gives her folly motion and advantage: and now
she's going to my wife, and Falstaff's boy with her: A man may hear this
shower sing in the wind; And Falstaff's boy with her: Good plots, they are
laid, and our revolted wives share damnation together. Well, I will take
him, then torture my wife, pluck the borrowed veil of modesty from the so
seeming Mistress Page, divulge Page himself for a secure and wilful Actaeon,
and to these violent proceedings all my neighbours shall cry aim. The clock
gives me my cue, and my assurance bids me search, there I shall find
Falstaff: I shall be rather praised for this, than mocked, for it is as
positive, as the earth is firm, that Falstaff is there: I will go.
[Enter PAGE, SHALLOW, SLENDER, Host, SIR HUGH EVANS, DOCTOR CAIUS, and
RUGBY]
SHALLOW, PAGE, ETC
Well met Master Ford.
FORD
Trust me, a good knot; I have good cheer at home, and I pray you all go with
me.
SHALLOW
I must excuse myself Master Ford.
SLENDER
And so must I sir,
, , 2 , , ,
We have | appoint|ed to dine | with Mist|ress Anne,
,
2 , ,
, ,
And I
| would not^break | with her | for more | money ??
,
,
Than I'll | speak of. \\
SHALLOW
We have lingered about a match between Anne Page and my cousin Slender, and
this day we shall have our answer.
SLENDER
I hope I have your good will father Page.
PAGE
You have Master Slender, I stand wholly for you, but my wife (master
doctor) is for you altogether.
DOCTOR CAIUS
Aye be-gar, and de maid is love-a me: my nursh-a Quickly tell me so mush.
HOST
What say you to young Master Fenton? he capers, he dances, he has eyes of
youth: he writes verses, he speaks holiday, he smells April and May, he will
carry it, he will carry it, 'tis in his buttons, he will carry it.
PAGE
Not by my consent I promise you. The gentleman is of no having, he kept
company with the wild prince, and Poins: he is of too high a region, he knows
too much: No, he shall not knit a knot in his fortunes, with the finger of my
substance: if he take her, let him take her simply: the wealth I have waits
on my consent, and my consent goes not that way.
FORD
I beseech you heartily, some of you go home with me to dinner: besides your
cheer you shall have sport, I will show you a monster: Master doctor, you
shall go, so shall you Master Page, and you Sir Hugh.
SHALLOW
Well, fare you well:
We shall have the freer wooing at Master Page's.
[Exeunt SHALLOW and SLENDER]
DOCTOR CAIUS
Go home John Rugby, I come anon.
[Exit RUGBY]
HOST
Farewell my hearts, I will to my honest knight Falstaff, and drink canary
with him.
[Exit]
FORD
I think I shall drink in pipe wine first with him, I'll make him dance. Will
you go, gentles?
ALL
Have with you, to see this monster.
[Exeunt]