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, I see, you'll be a courtier.

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 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.

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 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; and our revolted wives share damnation together. Well; I will take him, then torture my wife, pluck the borrow'd veil of modesty from the so seeming mistress Page^{7 note}
, divulge Page himself for a secure and wilful Actæon; and to these violent proceedings all my neighbours shall cry aim^{8 note}. 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.

Shal. 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.

Shal.

I must excuse myself, master 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.

^{9 note}

Slen.

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, by 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, ^{1 note}he writes verses, he speaks holy-day^{2 note}, he smells April and May:

he will carry't, he will carry't; ^{3 note}

Page.

Not by my consent, I premise you. The gentleman is ^{4 note}

Ford.

I beseech you, heartily, some of you go home with me to dinner: besides your cheer, you shall have sport; I will shew you a monster. —Master doctor,

you shall go;—so shall you, master Page;—and you, Sir Hugh.

Shal.

Well, fare you well:—we shall have the freer wooing at master Page's.

Caius.

Go home, John Rugby; I come anon.

Host.

^{5 note}

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.