Fent.
I see, I cannot get thy father's love;
Therefore no more turn me to him, sweet Nan.

Anne.
Alas, how then?

Fent.
Why, thou must be thyself.
He doth object, I am too great of birth;
And that, my 'state being gall'd with my expence,
I seek to heal it only by his wealth:
Besides these, other bars he lays before me,—
My riots past, my wild societies;
And tells me, 'tis a thing impossible
I should love thee, but as a property.

Anne.
May be, he tells you true.

Fent.
No, Heaven so speed me in the time ^note to come!
Albeit, I will confess, thy father's wealth
Was the first motive that I woo'd thee, Anne:
Yet, wooing thee, I found thee of more value
Than stamps in gold, or sums in sealed bags;
And 'tis the very riches of thyself
That now I aim at.

Anne.
Gentle master Fenton,
Yet seek my father's love; still seek it, sir:
If opportunity,14Q0070 and humblest suit,
Cannot attain it, why then,—Hark you hither. [they converse apart.

Enter Shallow, Slender, and Mistress Quickly.

Shal.

Break their talk, mistress Quickly; my kinsman shall speak for himself.

Slen.

I'll make a shaft or a bolt on't:'s-lid, 'tis but venturing.

Shal.

Be not dismay'd.

Slen.

No, she shall not dismay me: I care not for that,—but that I am afeard.

Quic.

Hark ye; master Slender would speak a word with you.

Anne.

I come to him.—&clquo;This is my father's choice: O, what a world of vile ill-favour'd faults Look ^note handsome in three hundred pounds a year!&crquo;

Quic.

And how does good master Fenton? Pray you, a word with you.

Shal.

She's coming; to her, coz. O boy, thou hadst a father!

Slen.

I had a father, mistress Anne;—my uncle can tell you good jests of him:—Pray you, uncle, tell mistress Anne the jest, how my father stole two geese out of a pen, good uncle.

Shal.

Mistress Anne, my cousin loves you.

Slen.

Ay, that I do; as well as I love any woman in Glocestershire.

Shal.

He will maintain you like a gentlewoman.

Slen.

Ay, that I will, come cut and long tail, under the degree of a 'squire.

Shal.

He will make you a hundred and fifty pounds jointure.

Anne.

Good master Shallow, let him woo for himself.

Shal.

Marry, I thank you for it; I thank you for that good comfort.—She calls you, coz: I'll leave you.

Anne.

Now, master Slender.

Slen.

Now, good mistress Anne.

Anne.

What is your will?

Slen.

My will? 'od's heartlings, that's a pretty jest, indeed! I ne'er made my will yet, I thank heaven; I am not such a sickly creature, I give heaven praise.

Anne.

I mean, master Slender, what would you with me?

Slen.

Truly, for mine own part, I would little or nothing with you: Your father, and my uncle ^note, hath made motions: if it be my luck, so; if not, happy man be his dole: They can tell you how things go, better than I can: You may ask your ^note father; here he comes.