Sir Hugh Evans.
Shal.
Sir Hugh, persuade me not; I will make a Starchamber
matter of it: if he were twenty Sir John Falstaffs,
he shall not abuse Robert Shallow, esquire.
Slen.
In the county of Gloucester, justice of peace
and ‘Coram.’
Shal.
Ay, cousin Slender, and ‘Custalorum note.’
Slen.
Ay, and ‘Rato-lorum note’ too; and a gentleman born,
master parson; who writes himself ‘Armigero,’ in any bill,
warrant, quittance, or obligation, ‘Armigero.’
Shal.
Ay, that I note do; and have done any time these
three hundred years.
Slen.
All his successors gone before him hath note done't;
and all his ancestors that come after him may: they may
give the dozen white luces in their coat.
Shal.
It is an old coat.
Evans.
The dozen white louses do become an old coat
well; it agrees well, passant; it is a familiar beast to man,
and signifies love.
-- 166 --
Shal.
The luce is note the fresh fish; the salt fish is an
old coat.
Slen.
I may quarter, coz.
Shal.
You may, by marrying.
Evans.
It is marring note indeed, if he quarter it.
Shal.
Not a whit.
Evans.
Yes, py'r lady note; if he has a quarter of your
coat, there is but three skirts note for yourself, in my simple conjectures:
but that is all one. If Sir John Falstaff have committed
disparagements unto note you, I am of the church, and
will be glad to do my benevolence to make atonements and
compremises note between you.
Shal.
The council shall hear it; it is a riot.
Evans.
It is not meet the council hear note a riot; there is
no fear of Got in a riot: the council, look you, shall desire
to hear the fear of Got, and not to hear a riot; take your note
vizaments in that.
Shal.
Ha! o' my life, if I were young again, the sword
should end it.
Evans.
It is petter that friends is the sword, and note end
it: and there is also another device in my prain, which peradventure
prings goot note discretions with it:—there is Anne
Page, which is daughter to Master Thomas note Page, which is
pretty virginity.
Slen.
Mistress Anne Page? She has brown hair, and
speaks small note like a woman.
Evans.
It is that fery person for all the orld note, as just as
you will desire; and seven hundred pounds of moneys, and
gold and silver, is her grandsire upon his death's-bed (Got
deliver to a joyful resurrections!) give, when she is able to
noteovertake seventeen years old: it were a goot motion if we
-- 167 --
leave our pribbles and prabbles, and desire a marriage between
Master Abraham and Mistress Anne Page.
note
Slen.
Did her grandsire leave her seven hundred pound?
Evans.
Ay, and her father note is make her a petter penny.
Slen.
I know the young gentlewoman; she has good
gifts.
Evans.
Seven hundred pounds and possibilities note is goot
gifts.
Shal.
Well, let us see honest Master Page. Is Falstaff
there?
Evans.
Shall I tell you a lie? I do despise a liar as I do
despise one that is false, or as I despise one that is not true.
The knight, Sir John, is there; and, I beseech you, be ruled
by your well-willers note. I will peat the door for Master Page.
[Knocks] What, hoa! Got pless your house here!
Page. [Within]
Who's there?
noteEnter Page. note
Evans.
Here is Got's plessing, and your friend, and
Justice Shallow; and here note young Master Slender, that peradventures
shall tell you another tale, if matters grow to
your likings.
Page.
I am glad to see your worships note well. I thank
you for my venison, Master Shallow.
Shal.
Master Page, I am glad to see you: much good
do it your good heart! I wished your venison better; it
was ill killed. How doth good Mistress Page?—and I
thank note you always with my heart, la! with my heart.
Page.
Sir, I thank you.
Shal.
Sir, I thank note you; by yea and no, I do.
Page.
I am glad to see you, good Master Slender.
-- 168 --
Slen.
How does your fallow greyhound, sir? I heard
say he was outrun on Cotsall note.
Page.
It could not be judged, sir.
Slen.
You'll not confess, you'll not confess.
Shal.
That he will not. 'Tis your fault, 'tis your fault;
'tis a good dog note.
Page.
A cur, sir.
Shal.
Sir, he's a good dog, and a fair dog: can there be
more said? he is good and fair. Is Sir John Falstaff here?
Page.
Sir, he is within; and I would I could do a good
office between you.
Evans.
It is spoke as a Christians ought to speak.
Shal.
He hath wronged me, Master Page.
Page.
Sir, he doth in some sort confess it.
Shal.
If it be confessed, it is not redressed: is not that
so, Master Page? He hath wronged me; indeed he hath;
at a word, he hath, believe me: Robert Shallow, esquire,
saith, he is wronged.
Page.
Here comes Sir John.
noteEnter Sir John Falstaff, Bardolph, Nym, and Pistol.
Fal.
Now, Master Shallow, you'll complain of me to
the king note?
Shal.
Knight, you have beaten my men, killed my
deer, and broke open my lodge.
Fal.
But not kissed your keeper's daughter? note
Shal.
Tut, a pin! this shall be answered.
Fal.
I will answer it straight; I have done all this.
That is now answered.
Shal.
The council shall know this.
Fal.
'Twere better for you if it were known note in counsel note:
you'll note be laughed at.
-- 169 --
Evans.
Pauca verba, Sir John; goot worts.
Fal.
Good worts! good cabbage. Slender, I broke
your head: what matter have you against me?
Slen.
Marry, sir, I have matter in my head against
you; and against your cony-catching rascals, Bardolph,
Nym, and Pistol. note
Bard.
You Banbury cheese!
Slen.
Ay, it is no matter.
Pist.
How now, Mephostophilus!
Slen.
Ay, it is no matter.
Nym.
Slice, I say! pauca, pauca: slice! that's my
humour note.
Slen.
Where's Simple, my man? Can you tell,
cousin?
Evans.
Peace, I pray you. Now let us understand.
There is three umpires in this matter, as I understand;
that is, Master Page, fidelicet Master Page; and there is
myself, fidelicet myself; and the three note party is, lastly
and finally, mine host of the Garter note.
Page.
We three, to hear it and end it between them.
Evans.
Fery goot: I will make a prief of it in my
note-book; and we will afterwards ork upon the cause
with as great discreetly note as we can.
Fal.
Pistol!
Pist.
He hears with ears.
Evans.
The tevil and his tam! what phrase is this, ‘He
hears with ear’? why, it is affectations.
Fal.
Pistol, did you pick Master Slender's purse?
Slen.
Ay, by these gloves, did he, or I would I might
never come in mine own great chamber again else, of
seven groats in mill-sixpences, and two Edward shovelboards,
that cost me two shilling and two pence a-piece of
Yead Miller, by these gloves.
Fal.
Is this true, Pistol?
-- 170 --
Evans.
No; it is false, if it is a pick-purse.
Pist.
Ha, thou mountain-foreigner! Sir John and master mine,
I combat challenge of this latten note bilbo. note
Word of denial in thy labras here note!
Word of denial: froth and scum, thou liest!
Slen.
By these gloves, then, 'twas he.
Nym.
Be avised note, sir, and pass good humours: I will
say ‘marry trap’ with you, if you run the nuthook's humour note
on me; that is the very note of it.
Slen.
By this hat, then, he in the red face had it; for
though I cannot remember what I did when you made me
drunk, yet I am not altogether an ass.
Fal.
What say you, Scarlet and John?
Bard.
Why, sir, for my part, I say the gentleman had
drunk himself out of his five sentences.
Evans.
It is his five senses: fie, what the ignorance is!
Bard.
And being fap note, sir, was, as they say, cashiered;
and so conclusions passed the careires note.
Slen.
Ay, you spake in Latin then too; but 'tis no
matter: I'll ne'er be drunk whilst I live again, but in
honest, civil, godly company, for this trick: if I be drunk,
I'll be drunk with those that have the fear of God, and not
with drunken knaves.
Evans.
So Got udge me, that is a virtuous mind.
Fal.
You hear all these matters denied, gentlemen;
you hear it.
Enter Anne Page, with wine; Mistress Ford and Mistress Page, following.
Page.
Nay, daughter, carry the wine in; we'll drink
within.
[Exit Anne Page. note
-- 171 --
Slen.
O heaven! this is Mistress Anne Page.
Page.
How now, Mistress Ford!
Fal.
Mistress Ford, by my troth, you are very well
met: by your leave, good mistress.
[Kisses her. note
Page.
Wife, bid these gentlemen welcome. Come, we
have a hot venison pasty to dinner: come, gentlemen, I
hope we shall drink down all unkindness.
[Exeunt all except Shal., Slen., and Evans.
note
Slen.
I had rather than forty shillings I had my Book
of Songs and Sonnets here.
Enter Simple.
How now, Simple! where have you been? I must wait on
myself, must I? You have not the Book of Riddles about
you, have you?
Sim.
Book of Riddles! why, did you not lend it to
Alice Shortcake upon All-hallowmas last, a fortnight afore
Michaelmas note?
Shal.
Come, coz; come, coz; we stay for you. A word
with you, coz; marry, this, coz note: there is, as 'twere, a tender,
a kind of tender, made afar off by Sir Hugh here. Do
you understand me?
Slen.
Ay, sir, you shall find me reasonable; if it be so,
I shall do that that note is reason.
Shal.
Nay, but understand me.
Slen.
So I do, sir.
Evans.
Give ear to his motions, Master Slender: I will
description the matter to you, if you be capacity of it.
Slen.
Nay, I will do as my cousin Shallow says: I
pray you, pardon me; he's a justice of peace in his country,
simple though I stand here.
Evans.
But that is not the question: the question is
concerning your marriage.
Shal.
Ay, there's the point, sir.
Evans.
Marry, is it; the very point of it; to Mistress
Anne Page.
-- 172 --
Slen.
Why, if it be so, I will marry her upon any reasonable
demands.
Evans.
But can you affection the 'oman? Let us command
to know that of your mouth or of your lips; for divers
philosophers hold that the lips is parcel of the mouth note.
Therefore, precisely, can you carry note your good will to the
maid?
Shal.
Cousin Abraham Slender, can you love her?
Slen.
I hope, sir, I will do as it shall become one that
would do reason.
Evans.
Nay, Got's lords and his ladies! you must
speak possitable, if you can carry her note your desires towards
her.
Shal.
That you must. Will you, upon good dowry,
marry her?
Slen.
I will do a greater thing than that, upon your
request, cousin, in any reason.
Shal.
Nay, conceive me, conceive me, sweet coz: what
I do is to pleasure you, coz. Can you love the maid?
Slen.
I will marry her, sir, at your request: but if there
be no great love in the beginning, yet heaven may decrease
it upon better acquaintance, when we are married and have
more occasion to know one another; I hope, upon familiarity
will grow more contempt note: but if you say, ‘Marry her,’
I will marry her; that I am freely dissolved, and dissolutely.
Evans.
It is a fery discretion answer; save the fall note is in
the ort ‘dissolutely:’ the ort is, according to our meaning,
‘resolutely:’ his meaning is good.
Shal.
Ay, I think my cousin meant well.
Slen.
Ay, or else I would I might be hanged note, la!
Shal.
Here comes fair Mistress Anne.
-- 173 --
noteRe-enter Anne Page.
Would I were young for your sake, Mistress Anne!
Anne.
The dinner is on the table; my father desires
your worships' company.
Shal.
I will wait on him, fair Mistress Anne.
Evans.
Od's plessed will! I will not be absence at the
grace.
[Exeunt Shallow and Evans.
Anne.
Will't please your worship to come in, sir?
Slen.
No, I thank you, forsooth, heartily; I am very
well.
Anne.
The dinner attends you, sir.
Slen.
I am not a-hungry, I thank you, forsooth. Go,
sirrah, for all you are my man, go wait upon my cousin
Shallow. [Exit Simple.] A justice of peace sometimes
may be beholding note to his friend for a man. I keep but
three men and a boy yet, till my mother be dead: but
what though? yet I live like note a poor gentleman born.
Anne.
I may not go in without your worship: they
will not sit till you come.
Slen.
I' faith, I'll eat nothing; I thank you as much as
though I did.
Anne.
I pray you, sir, walk in.
Slen.
I had rather walk here, I thank you. I bruised
my shin th' other day with playing at sword and dagger
with a master of fence; three veneys for a dish of stewed
prunes; and, by my troth, I cannot abide the smell of hot
meat since. Why do your dogs bark so? be there bears
i' the town?
Anne.
I think there are, sir; I heard them talked of.
Slen.
I love the sport well; but I shall as soon quarrel
at it as any man in England. You are afraid, if you
see the bear loose, are you not?
Anne.
Ay, indeed, sir.
Slen.
That's meat and drink to me, now. I have seen
Sackerson loose twenty times, and have taken him by the
chain; but, I warrant you, the women have so cried and
-- 174 --
shrieked at it, that it passed: but women, indeed, cannot
abide 'em; they are very ill-favoured rough things.
Re-enter Page.
Page.
Come, gentle Master Slender, come; we stay for
you.
Slen.
I'll eat note nothing, I thank you, sir.
Page.
By cock and pie, you shall not choose, sir! come,
come.
Slen.
Nay, pray you, lead the way.
Page.
Come on, sir.
Slen.
Mistress Anne, yourself shall go first.
Anne.
Not I, sir; pray you, keep on.
Slen.
Truly, I will not go first; truly, la! I will not do
you that wrong.
Anne.
I pray you, sir.
Slen.
I'll rather be unmannerly than troublesome.
You do yourself wrong, indeed, la!
[Exeunt.
note
Scene II. [Footnote:
The same. note
Enter Sir Hugh Evans and Simple.
Evans.
Go your ways, and ask of Doctor Caius' house
which is the way: and there dwells one Mistress Quickly,
which is in the manner of his nurse, or his dry note nurse, or his
cook, or his laundry, his washer, and his wringer note.
Sim.
Well, sir.
Evans.
Nay, it is petter yet. Give her this letter; for
it is a 'oman that altogether's acquaintance with Mistress
Anne Page: and the letter is, to desire and require her to
solicit your master's desires to Mistress Anne Page. I
pray you, be gone: I will make an end of my dinner;
there's pippins and cheese note to come.
[Exeunt.
-- 175 --
note
Scene III. [Footnote:
A room in the Garter Inn.
Enter Falstaff, Host, Bardolph, Nym, Pistol, and Robin.
Fal.
Mine host of the Garter!
Host.
What says my bully-rook note? speak scholarly and
wisely.
Fal.
Truly, mine host, I must turn away some of my
followers.
Host.
Discard, bully Hercules; cashier: let them wag;
trot, trot.
Fal.
I sit at ten pounds a week.
Host.
Thou'rt an emperor, Cæsar, Keisar, and Pheezar.
I will entertain Bardolph; he shall draw, he shall note tap: said
I well, bully Hector?
Fal.
Do so, good mine host.
Host.
I have spoke; let him follow. [To Bard.] Let
me see thee froth note and lime note: I am at a word; follow.
[Exit.
Fal.
Bardolph, follow him. A tapster is a good trade:
an old cloak makes a new jerkin; a withered serving-man
a fresh tapster. Go; adieu.
Bard.
It is a life that I have desired: I will thrive.
Pist.
O base Hungarian note wight! wilt thou the spigot
wield?
[Exit Bardolph.
Nym.
He was gotten in drink: is not the humour
conceited? note
Fal.
I am glad I am so acquit note of this tinder-box: his
thefts were too open; his filching was like an unskilful
singer; he kept not time.
Nym.
The good humour is to steal at a minute's note rest.
Pist.
‘Convey,’ the wise it call. ‘Steal!’ foh! a fico
for the phrase!
-- 176 --
Fal.
Well, sirs, I am almost out at heels.
Pist.
Why, then, let kibes ensue.
Fal.
There is no remedy; I must cony-catch; I must
shift.
Pist.
Young ravens must have food.
Fal.
Which of you know Ford of this town?
Pist.
I ken the wight: he is of substance good.
Fal.
My honest lads, I will tell you what I am about.
Pist.
Two yards, and more.
Fal.
No quips now, Pistol! Indeed, I am in the waist
two yards about; but I am now about no waste; I am
about thrift. Briefly, I do mean to make love to Ford's
wife: I spy entertainment in her; she discourses, she carves note,
she gives the leer of invitation: I can construe the action
of her familiar style; and the hardest voice of her behaviour,
to be Englished rightly, is, ‘I am Sir John Falstaff's.’
Pist.
He hath studied her will note, and translated her will note,
out of honesty into English.
Nym.
The anchor note is deep: will that humour pass?
Fal.
Now, the report goes she has all the rule of her
husband's purse: he note hath a legion note of angels.
Pist.
As many devils entertain note; and ‘To her, boy,’ say I.
Nym.
The humour rises; it is good: humour me the
angels.
Fal.
I have writ me here a letter to her: and here
another to Page's wife, who even now gave me good eyes
too, examined my parts with most judicious œillades note;
sometimes the beam of her view gilded note my foot, sometimes
my portly belly.
Pist.
Then did the sun on dunghill shine.
-- 177 --
Nym.
I thank thee for that humour.
Fal.
O, she did so course o'er my exteriors with such
a greedy intention, that the appetite of her eye did seem to
scorch me up like a burning-glass! Here's another letter
to her: she bears the purse too; she is a region in Guiana,
all gold and bounty. I will be cheaters note to them both, and
they shall be exchequers to me; they shall be my East
and West Indies, and I will trade to them both. Go bear
thou this letter to Mistress Page; and thou this to Mistress
Ford: we will thrive, lads, we will thrive.
Pist.
Shall I Sir Pandarus of Troy become,
And by my side wear steel? then, Lucifer take all!
Nym.
I will run no base humour: here, take the
humour-letter: I will keep the haviour of reputation.
Fal. [To Robin]
Hold, sirrah, bear you these letters tightly note;
note
Sail like my pinnace to these golden shores.
Rogues, hence, avaunt! vanish like hailstones, go;
Trudge, plod away o' the note hoof; seek shelter, pack!
Falstaff will learn note the humour note of the note age,
French thrift, you rogues; myself and skirted page.
[Exeunt Falstaff and Robin. note
note
Pist.
Let vultures gripe thy guts! for gourd and fullam holds note,
And high and low beguiles note the rich and poor:
Tester I'll have in pouch when thou shalt lack,
Base Phrygian Turk!
Nym.
I have operations note which be humours of revenge.
Pist.
Wilt thou revenge?
Nym.
By welkin and her star note!
-- 178 --
Pist.
With wit or steel?
Nym.
With both the humours, I:
I will discuss note the humour of this love to Page.
Pist.
And I to Ford note shall eke unfold
How Falstaff, varlet vile,
His dove will prove, his gold will hold,
And his soft couch defile.
Nym.
My humour shall not cool: I will incense Page note
to deal with poison; I will possess him with yellowness note, for
the note revolt of mine note is dangerous: that is my true humour.
Pist.
Thou art the Mars of malecontents: I second
thee; troop on.
[Exeunt.
note
Scene IV. [Footnote:
A room in Doctor Caius's house.
Enter Mistress Quickly, Simple, and Rugby.
Quick.
What, John Rugby! I pray thee, go to the
casement, and see if you can see my master, Master
Doctor Caius, coming. If he do, i' faith, and find any
body in the house, here will be an note old abusing of God's
patience and the king's English.
Rug.
I'll go watch.
Quick.
Go; and we'll have a posset for't soon at night,
in faith, at the latter end of a sea-coal fire. [Exit Rugby.]
An honest, willing, kind fellow, as ever servant shall come
in house withal; and, I warrant you, no tell-tale nor no
breed-bate: his worst fault is, that he is given to prayer; he is
something peevish that way: but nobody but has his fault;
but let that pass. Peter Simple, you say your name is?
Sim.
Ay, for fault of a better.
Quick.
And Master Slender's your master?
Sim.
Ay, forsooth.
-- 179 --
Quick.
Does he not wear a great round beard, like a
glover's paring-knife?
Sim.
No, forsooth: he hath but a little wee note face, with
a little yellow beard,—a Cain note-coloured beard.
Quick.
A softly-sprighted man, is he not?
Sim.
Ay, forsooth: but he is as tall a man of his
hands as any is between this and his head; he hath fought
with a warrener.
Quick.
How say you?—O, I should remember him:
does he not hold up his head, as it were, and strut in his gait?
Sim.
Yes, indeed, does he.
Quick.
Well, heaven send Anne Page no worse fortune!
Tell Master Parson Evans I will do what I can
for your master: Anne is a good girl, and I wish—
Re-enter Rugby.
note
Rug.
Out, alas! here comes my master.
Quick.
We shall all be shent. Run in here, good
young man; go into this closet: he will not stay long.
[Shuts Simple in the closet note.] What, John Rugby! John!
what, John, I say! Go, John, go inquire for my master;
I doubt he be not well, that he comes not home.
[Singing]
And down, down, adown-a, &c.
noteEnter Doctor Caius.
Caius.
Vat is you sing? I do not like des toys note. Pray
you, go and vetch me in my closet un boitier note vert,—a box,
a green-box: do intend vat I speak? a green-a box.
Quick.
Ay, forsooth; I'll fetch it you. [Aside] I am
glad he went not in himself: if he had found the young
man, he would have been horn-mad.
Caius.
Fe, fe, fe, fe! ma foi, il fait fort chaud. Je
m'en vais à la cour,—la grande affaire note.
-- 180 --
Quick.
Is it this, sir?
Caius.
Oui; mette le au mon pocket: dépêche note, quickly.
Vere is dat knave Rugby?
Quick.
What, John Rugby! John!
Rug.
Here, sir!
Caius.
You are John Rugby, and you are Jack Rugby note.
Come, take-a note your rapier, and come after my heel to the
court.
Rug.
'Tis ready, sir, here in the porch.
Caius.
By my trot, I tarry too long.—Od's me!
Qu'ai-j'oublié! dere is some simples in my closet, dat I
vill note not for the varld I shall leave behind.
Quick.
Ay me, he'll find the young man there, and be
mad!
Caius.
O diable, diable! vat is in my closet? Villain note!
larron note! [Pulling Simple out note.] Rugby, my rapier!
Quick.
Good master, be content.
Caius.
Wherefore shall note I be content-a?
Quick.
The young man is an honest man.
Caius.
What shall de honest man do in my closet?
dere is no honest man dat shall note come in my closet.
Quick.
I beseech you, be not so phlegmatic. Hear the
truth of it: he came of an errand to me from Parson Hugh.
Caius.
Vell.
Sim.
Ay, forsooth; to desire her to—
Quick.
Peace, I pray you.
Caius.
Peace-a your tongue. Speak-a your tale.
Sim.
To desire this honest gentlewoman, your maid,
to speak a good word to Mistress Anne Page for my
master in the way of marriage.
Quick.
This is all, indeed, la! but I'll ne'er put my
finger in the fire, and need not.
Caius.
Sir Hugh send-a you? Rugby, baille note me some
paper. Tarry you a little-a while.
[Writes.
-- 181 --
Quick. [Aside to Simple]
I am glad he is so quiet:
if he had been throughly moved, you should have heard
him so loud and so melancholy. But notwithstanding,
man, I'll do you note your master what good I can: and the
very yea and the no is, the French note doctor, my master,—I
may call him my master, look you, for I keep his house;
and I wash, wring note, brew, bake, scour, dress meat and drink,
make the beds, and do all myself,—
Sim. [Aside to Quickly]
'Tis a great charge to come
under one body's hand.
Quick. [Aside to Simple]
Are you avised o' that? you
shall find it a great charge: and to be up early and down
late;—but notwithstanding,—to tell you in your ear; I
would have no words of it,—my master himself is in love
with Mistress Anne Page: but notwithstanding that, I know
Anne's mind,—that's neither here nor there.
Caius.
You jack'nape, give-a note this letter to Sir Hugh;
by gar, it is a shallenge: I will note cut his troat in de park;
and I will note teach a scurvy jack-a-nape priest to meddle or
make. You may be gone; it is not good you tarry here.—
By gar, I will note cut all his two stones; by gar, he shall not
have a stone to throw note at his dog.
[Exit Simple.
Quick.
Alas, he speaks but for his friend.
Caius.
It is no matter-a ver note dat:—do not you tell-a
me dat I shall have Anne Page for myself?—By gar, I vill
kill de Jack priest; and I have appointed mine host of de
Jarteer note to measure our weapon:—By gar, I will myself
have Anne Page.
Quick.
Sir, the maid loves you, and all shall be well.
We must give folks leave to prate: what, the good-jer note!
Caius.
Rugby, come to the court with me. By gar, if
I have not Anne Page, I shall turn your head out of my
door. Follow my heels, Rugby.
[Exeunt Caius and Rugby.
-- 182 --
Quick.
You shall have An fool's-head of your own.
No, I know Anne's mind for that: never a woman in
Windsor knows more of Anne's mind than I do; nor can
do more than I do with her, I thank heaven.
Fent. [Within]
Who's within there? ho!
Quick.
Who's there, I trow? Come near the house, I
pray you.
noteEnter Fenton.
Fent.
How now, good woman! how dost thou?
Quick.
The better that it pleases your good worship
to ask.
Fent.
What news? how does pretty Mistress Anne?
Quick.
In truth, sir, and she is pretty, and honest, and
gentle; and one that is your friend, I can tell you that by
the way; I praise heaven for it.
Fent.
Shall I do any good, thinkest thou? shall I not
lose my suit?
Quick.
Troth, sir, all is in his hands above: but notwithstanding,
Master Fenton, I'll be sworn on a book, she
loves you. Have not your worship a wart above note your eye?
Fent.
Yes, marry, have I; what of that? note
Quick.
Well, thereby hangs a tale:—good faith, it is
such another Nan; but, I detest, an honest maid as ever
broke bread:—we had an hour's talk of that wart.—I shall
never laugh but in that maid's company!—But, indeed, she
is given too much to allicholy and musing: but for you—
well, go to.
Fent.
Well, I shall see her to-day. Hold, there's
money for thee; let me have thy voice in my behalf:
if thou seest her before me, commend me.
Quick.
Will I? i' faith, that we will note; and I will tell
your worship more of the wart the next time we have
confidence; and of other wooers.
Fent.
Well, farewell; I am in great haste now.
-- 183 --
Quick.
Farewell to your worship. [Exit Fenton.] Truly,
an honest gentleman: but Anne loves him not; for I know
Anne's mind as well as another does.—Out upon't! what
have I forgot?
[Exit.
William Aldis Wright [1863–1866], The works of William Shakespeare edited by William George Clark... and John Glover [and William Aldis Wright] (Macmillan and Co., London) [word count] [S10701].
