Caius.

Ver is mistress Page? by gar I am cozen'd, I ha' marry'd one garsoon, a boy; one pesant, 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. 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 eviate 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.

* ^noteEva. [To Fenton aside.]

I will 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. [Exe. Omnes.

MEASURE FOR

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