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- William Shakespeare: Merry Wives of Windsor, Act III, Scene II
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Scene IIA streetEnter Mistress Page and RobinMistress PageNay, keep your way, little gallant; you were wont to be a follower, but now you are a leader. Whether had you rather lead mine eyes, or eye your master’s heels?RobinI had rather, forsooth, go before you like a man than follow him like a dwarf.Mistress PageO, you are a flattering boy: now I see you’ll be a courtier.Enter FordFordWell met, Mistress Page. Whither go you?Mistress PageTruly, sir, to see your wife. Is she at home?FordAy; and as idle as she may hang together, for want of company. I think, if your husbands were dead, you two would marry.Mistress PageBe sure of that,—two other husbands.FordWhere had you this pretty weather-cock?Mistress PageI cannot tell what the dickens his name is my husband had him of. What do you call your knight’s name, sirrah?RobinSir John Falstaff.FordSir John Falstaff!Mistress PageHe, he; I can never hit on’s name. There is such a league between my good man and he! Is your wife at home indeed?FordIndeed she is.Mistress PageBy your leave, sir: I am sick till I see her.Exeunt Mistress Page and RobinFordHas Page any brains? hath he any eyes? hath he any thinking? Sure, they sleep; he hath no use of them. Why, this boy will carry a letter twenty mile, as easy as a cannon will shoot point-blank twelve score. He pieces out his wife’s inclination; he gives her folly motion and advantage: and now she’s going to my wife, and Falstaff’s boy with her. A man may hear this shower sing in the wind. And Falstaff’s boy with her! Good plots, they are laid; and our revolted wives share damnation together. Well; I will take him, then torture my wife, pluck the borrowed veil of modesty from the so seeming Mistress Page, divulge Page himself for a secure and wilful Actaeon; and to these violent proceedings all my neighbours shall cry aim.Clock heardThe clock gives me my cue, and my assurance bids me search: there I shall find Falstaff: I shall be rather praised for this than mocked; for it is as positive as the earth is firm that Falstaff is there: I will go.Enter Page, Shallow, Slender, Host, Sir Hugh Evans, Doctor Caius, and RugbyShallow, PageWell met, Master Ford. &c.FordTrust me, a good knot: I have good cheer at home; and I pray you all go with me.ShallowI must excuse myself, Master Ford.SlenderAnd so must I, sir: we have appointed to dine with Mistress Anne, and I would not break with her for more money than I’ll speak of.ShallowWe have lingered about a match between Anne Page and my cousin Slender, and this day we shall have our answer.SlenderI hope I have your good will, father Page.PageYou have, Master Slender; I stand wholly for you: but my wife, master doctor, is for you altogether.Doctor CaiusAy, be-gar; and de maid is love-a me: my nursh-a Quickly tell me so mush.HostWhat say you to young Master Fenton? he capers, he dances, he has eyes of youth, he writes verses, he speaks holiday, he smells April and May: he will carry’t, he will carry’t; ’tis in his buttons; he will carry’t.PageNot by my consent, I promise you. The gentleman is of no having: he kept company with the wild prince and Poins; he is of too high a region; he knows too much. No, he shall not knit a knot in his fortunes with the finger of my substance: if he take her, let him take her simply; the wealth I have waits on my consent, and my consent goes not that way.FordI beseech you heartily, some of you go home with me to dinner: besides your cheer, you shall have sport; I will show you a monster. Master doctor, you shall go; so shall you, Master Page; and you, Sir Hugh.ShallowWell, fare you well: we shall have the freer wooing at Master Page’s.Exeunt Shallow, and SlenderDoctor CaiusGo home, John Rugby; I come anon.Exit RugbyHostFarewell, my hearts: I will to my honest knight Falstaff, and drink canary with him.ExitFord [Aside] I think I shall drink in pipe wine first with him; I’ll make him dance. Will you go, gentles?AllHave with you to see this monster.Exeunt
William Shakespeare: Merry Wives of Windsor, Act III
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William Shakespeare: Merry Wives of Windsor, Act III, Scene III
- William Shakespeare: Merry Wives of Windsor, Act III, Scene III
TrendingHere are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about.
Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?
The Twelve Dancing Princesses
Current Events This Week: January 2023
African Americans by the Numbers
Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents
The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales
TrendingHere are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about.
Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?
The Twelve Dancing Princesses
Current Events This Week: January 2023
African Americans by the Numbers
Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents
The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales
- Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?
- The Twelve Dancing Princesses
- Current Events This Week: January 2023
- African Americans by the Numbers
- Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents
- The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales
