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MRS.

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!

MRS.

PAGE. He, he; I can never hit on's name. There is such

a league between my good man and he! Is your wife at home indeed?

FORD.

Indeed she is.

MRS.

PAGE. By your leave, sir. I am sick till I see her.

Exeunt MRS. 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 pointblank 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 show'r 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. [Clock strikes]

The clock gives me my cue, and my assurance bids me

search; there I shall find Falstaff. I shall be rather prais'd

for this than mock'd; 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,

CAIUS, and RUGBY

SHALLOW, PAGE, &C. 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; we have appointed to dine with

Mistress Anne, and I would not break with her for more

money than I'll speak of.

SHALLOW.

We have linger'd 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.

CAIUS.

Ay, 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 't, he will

carry 't; 'tis in his buttons; he will carry 't.

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

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 HOST

FORD.

[Aside] 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

SCENE 3.

FORD'S house

Enter MISTRESS FORD and MISTRESS PAGE

MRS.

FORD. What, John! what, Robert!

MRS.

PAGE. Quickly, quickly! Is the buck-basket-

MRS.

FORD. I warrant. What, Robin, I say!

Enter SERVANTS with a basket

MRS.

PAGE. Come, come, come.

MRS.

FORD. Here, set it down.

MRS.

PAGE. Give your men the charge; we must be brief.

MRS.

FORD. Marry, as I told you before, John and Robert, be

ready here hard by in the brew-house; and when I suddenly

call you, come forth, and, without any pause or

staggering, take this basket on your shoulders. That done,

trudge with it in all haste,