Slen.

I had rather than forty shillings I had my book of songs and sonnets here.

How now, Simple, where have you been? I must wait on my self, must I? you have not the book of riddles about you, have you?

Simp.

Book of riddles! why, did you not lend it to Alice Shortcake upon Alhollowmas last, a fortnight afore Michaelmas?

Shal.

Come coz, come coz; we stay for you: a word with you coz: marry this, coz; 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 is reason.

Shal.

Nay, but understand me.

Slen.

So I do, Sir.

Eva.

Give ear to his motions, Mr. 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 tho' I stand here.

Eva.

But that is not the question: the question is concerning your marriage.

Shal.

Ay, there's the point, Sir.

Eva.

Marry is it; the very point of it, to Mrs. Anne Page.

Slen.

Why, if it be so, I will marry her upon any reasonable demands.

Eva.

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 ^{c note}mind: therefore precisely, can you marry 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.

Eva.

Nay, Got's lords and his ladies, you must speak possitable, if you can carry her 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 heav'n may decrease it upon better acquaintance, when we are marry'd, and have more occasion to know one another; I hope upon familiarity will grow more content: but if you say, marry her, I will marry her, that I am freely dissolved, and dissolutely.

Eva.

It is a ferry discretion answer; save the fall is in th' 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 hang'd, la.