Robin.
Mrs. 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?
Rob.
I had rather, forsooth, go before you like a man,
than follow him like a dwarf.
Mrs. Page.
O you are a flattering boy, now you'll be
a courtier.
Enter Ford.
Ford.
Well met, Mistress Page; whither go you?
Mrs. Page.
Truly, sir, to see your wife; is she at
home?
Ford.
Ay, and as idle as she may hang together, for
want of company; I think, if your husbands were dead,
you two would marry.
Mrs. Page.
Be sure of that, two other husbands.
Ford.
Where had you this pretty weather-cock?
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?
Rob.
Sir John Falstaff.
Ford.
Sir John Falstaff!
Mrs. Page.
He, he; I can never hit his name; there
is such a league between my good man and he; is your
good wife at home, indeed?
-- 40 --
Ford.
Indeed, she is.
Mrs. Page.
By your leave, sir; I am sick till I see
her.
[Exeunt Mrs. Page and Robin.
* noteFord
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 miles, 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. Well, I will take him, then
torture my wife, pluck the borrowed veil of modesty
from the so seeming Mrs. Page, divulge Page himself
for a secure and wilful Acteon—[Clock strikes ten.] The
clock gives me my cue, and my assurance bids me
search; there shall I 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.
Enter Page, Shallow, Slender, Host, Evans, and Caius.
Shal. Page, &c.
Well met, Mr. Ford.
Ford.
Trust me, a good knot: I have good cheer at
home, and I pray you all go with me.
Shal.
I must excuse myself, Mr. Ford.
Slen.
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.
Shal.
We have linger'd about a match between Anne
Page and my cousin Slender; and this day we shall have
our answer.
Slen.
I hope I shall have your good will, father Page.
Page.
You have, Mr. Slender, I stand wholly for you;
but my wife, master doctor, is for you, all-together.
-- 41 --
Caius.
Ay, by gar, and de maid is love a-me: my
nursh-a-Quickly tell me so mush.
Host.
What say you to young Mr. Fenton? he capers,
he dances, he has eyes of youth, he writes verses, he
speaks holy-days, he smells April and May; he will
carry't, he will carry't, he will carry't.
Page.
Not by my consent, I promise you: 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; and I will shew you a monster. Mr. Doctor, you
shall go; so shall you, Mr. Page, and you Sir Hugh.
Shal.
Well, fare you well;
We shall have the freer wooing at Mr. Page's.
Caius.
Go home, John Rugby; I come anon.
Host.
Farewel, my heart; I will to my honest knight
Falstaff, and drink canary with him.
[Exeunt.
John Bell [1774], Bell's Edition of Shakespeare's Plays, As they are now performed at the Theatres Royal in London; Regulated from the Prompt Books of each House By Permission; with Notes Critical and Illustrative; By the Authors of the Dramatic Censor (Printed for John Bell... and C. Etherington [etc.], York) [word count] [S10401].
