Caius.

Ver is mistress Page? by gar, I am cozen'd; I ha' marry'd one garsoon, a boy; one peasant, by gar; a boy; it is not Anne Page; by gar, I am cozen'd.

Mrs. Page.

Why? did you not take her in green?

Caius.

Ay, be gar, and 'tis a boy; be gar, I'll raise all Windsor.

Ford.

This is strange! who hath got the right Anne?

Page.

My heart misgives me; here comes Mr. Fenton.

Enter Fenton, and Anne Page. How now, Mr. Fenton?

Anne.

Pardon, good father; good my mother, pardon.

Page.

Now, mistress, how chance you went not with Mr. Slender?

Mrs. Page.

Why went you not with Mr. Doctor, maid?

Fent.
You do amaze her: Hear the truth of it.
You would have marry'd her most shamefully,
Where there was no proportion held in love:
The truth is, she and I, long since contracted,
Are now so sure, that nothing can dissolve us.
Th' offence is holy, that she hath committed;
And this deceit loses the name of craft,
Of disobedience, or unduteous title;
Since therein she doth evitate and shun
A thousand irreligious cursed hours,
Which forced marriage would have brought upon her.

Ford.
Stand not amaz'd, here is no remedy.
In love, the heav'ns themselves do guide the state;
Mony buys lands, and wives are sold by fate.

Fal.

I am glad, tho' you have ta'en a special Stand to strike at me, that your arrow hath glanc'd.

Page.
Well, what remedy? Fenton, heav'n give thee joy!
What cannot be eschew'd, must be embrac'd.

^{8 note}Eva.

I will also dance and eat plums at your Wedding.

Fal.

When night-dogs run, all sorts of deer are chac'd.

Mrs. Page.
Well, I will muse no further. Mr. Fenton,
Heav'n give you many, many merry days!

Good husband, let us every one go home,
And laugh this sport o'er by a country fire,
Sir John and all.

Ford.
Let it be so:—Sir John,
To master Brook you yet shall hold your word;
For he, to night, shall lye with mistress Ford. [Exeunt omnes.

MEASURE FOR

Previous section