Sil.

Here come two of Sir John Falstaff's men, as I think.

Shal.

Good-morrow, honest gentlemen.

Bard.

I beseech you, which is Justice Shallow?

Shal.

I am Robert Shallow, Sir, a poor Esquire of this county, one of the King's Justices of the peace: what is your good pleasure with me?

Bard.

My captain, Sir, commends him to you: my captain, Sir John Falstaff; a tall gentleman, by heav'n! and a most gallant leader.

Shal.

He greets me well. Sir, I knew him a good back-sword man. How doth the good knight? may I ask how my lady his wife doth?

Bard.

Sir, pardon, a soldier is better accommodated than with a wife.

Shal.

It is well said, Sir; and it is well said, indeed, too: better accommodated—it is good, yea indeed is it; good phrases surely are, and ever were, very commendable. Accommodated—it comes of accommodo; very good, a good phrase.

Bard.

Pardon me, Sir, I have heard the word. Phrase, call you it? by this day, I know not the phrase: but I will maintain the word, with my sword, to be a soldier-like word, and a word of exceeding good command. Accommodated, that is, when a man is, as they say, accommodated; or, when a man is, being whereby he may be thought to be accommodated; which is an excellent thing* ^note.

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