The Bodleian First Folio

A digital facsimile of the First Folio of Shakespeare's plays, Bodleian Arch. G c.7.



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Reference: E1r - Comedies, p. 49

Left Column


The Merry Wiues of Windsor. Cai. I, dat is very good, excellant. Host. Peace, I say: heare mine Host of the Garter, Am I politicke? Am I subtle? Am I a Machiuell?
[1155]

Shall I loose my Doctor? No, hee giues me the Potions

and the Motions. Shall I loose my Parson? my Priest?

my Sir Hugh? No, he giues me the Prouerbes, and the

No‑verbes. Giue me thy hand (Celestiall) so: Boyes of

Art, I haue deceiu'd you both: I haue directed you to

[1160]

wrong places: your hearts are mighty, your skinnes are

whole, and let burn'd Sacke be the issue: Come, lay their

swords to pawne: Follow me, Lad of peace, follow, fol­

low, follow.

Shal. Trust me, a mad Host: follow Gentlemen, fol­ low. Slen.
[1165]
O sweet Anne Page.
Cai. Ha' do I perceiue dat? Haue you make‑a‑de‑sot of vs, ha, ha? Eua.

This is well, he has made vs his vlowting‑stog:

I desire you that we may be friends: and let vs knog our

praines together to be reuenge on this same scall‑scur­

[1170]

uy‑cogging‑companion the Host of the Garter.

Cai.

By gar, with all my heart: he promise to bring

me where is Anne Page: by gar he deceiue me too.

Euan.

Well, I will smite his noddles: pray you follow.

Scena Secunda. [Act 3, Scene 2] Mist. Page, Robin, Ford, Page, Shallow, Slender, Host, Euans, Caius. Mist.Page.

Nay keepe your way (little Gallant) you

[1175]

were wont to be a follower, but now you are a Leader:

whether had your rather lead mine eyes, or eye your ma­

sters heeles?

Rob.

I had rather (forsooth) go before you like a man,

then follow him like a dwarfe.

M. Pa.
[1180]
O you are a flattering boy, now I see you'l be a (Courtier.
Ford. Well met mistris Page, whether go you. M. Pa. Truly Sir, to see your wife, is she at home? Ford. I, and as idle she may hang together for want of company: I think if your husbands were dead, you two would marry. M.Pa. Be sure of that, two other husbands. Ford.
[1185]
Where had your this pretty weather‑cocke?
M.Pa. I cannot tell what (the dickens) his name is my husband had him of, what do you cal your Knights name (sirrah? Rob. Sir Iohn Falstaffe. Ford. Sir Iohn Falstaffe. M. Pa. He, he I can neuer hit on's name: there is such a league between my goodman, and he: is your Wife at (home indeed? Ford.
[1190]
Indeed she is.
M.Pa. By your leaue sir, I am sicke till I see her. Ford.

Has Page any braines? Hath he any eies? Hath he

any thinking? Sure they sleepe, he hath no vse of them:

why this boy will carrie a letter twentie mile as easie, as

[1195]

a Canon will shoot point‑blanke twelue score: hee pee­

ces out his wiues inclination: he giues her folly motion

and aduantage: and now she's going to my wife, Fal­ staffes boy with her: A man may heare this showre sing

in the winde; and Falstaffes boy with her: good plots,

[1200]

they are laide, and our reuolted wiues share damnation

together. Well, I will take him, then torture my wife,

plucke the borrowed vaile of modestie from the so‑see­

ming Mist. Page, divulge Page himselfe for a secure and

Right Column


wilfull Acteon, and to these violent proceedings all my

[1205]

neighbors shall cry aime. The clocke giues my Qu,

and my assurance bids me search, there I shall finde Fal­ staffe : I shall be rather praisd for this, then mock'd, for

it is as possitiue, as the earth is firme, that Falstaffe is

there: I will go.

Shal. Page &c.
[1210]

Well met M r Ford.

Ford.

Trust me a good knotte; I haue good cheere at

home, and I pray you all go with me.

Shal. I must excuse my selfe M r. Ford. Slen. And so must I Sir,
[1215]
We haue appointed to dine with Mistris Anne, And I would not breake with her for more mony Then Ile speake of.
Shal.

We haue linger'd about a match betweene An Page , and my cozen Slender, and this day wee shall haue

[1220]

our answer.

Slen. I hope I haue your good will Father Page. Pag. You haue M r Slender, I stand wholly for you, But my wife (M r Doctor) is for you altogether. Cai. I be‑gar, and de Maid is loue‑a‑me: my nursh‑ a‑Quickly tell me so mush. Host.
[1225]

What say you to yong M r Fenton? He capers,

he dances, he has eies of youth: he writes verses, hee

speakes holliday, he smels April and May, he wil carry't,

he will carry't, 'tis in his buttons, he will carry't.

Page.

Not by my consent I promise you. The Gentle­

[1230]

man is of no hauing, hee kept companie with the wilde

Prince, and Pointz: he is of too high a Region, he knows

too much: no, hee 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 haue waits on my consent,

[1235]

and my consent goes not that way.

Ford.

I beseech you heartily, some of you goe home

with me to dinner: besides your cheere you shall haue

sport, I will shew you a monster: M r Doctor, you shal

go, so shall you Mr Page, and you Sir Hugh.

Shal.
[1240]
Well, fare you well: We shall haue the freer woing at M r Pages.
Cai. Go home Iohn Rugby, I come anon. Host. Farewell my hearts, I will to my honest Knight Falstaffe, and drinke Canarie with him. Ford.

I thinke I shall drinke in Pipe‑wine first with

[1245]

him, Ile make him dance. Will you go Gentles?

All.

Haue with you, to see this Monster.

Exeunt.
Scena Tertia. [Act 3, Scene 3] Enter M.Ford, M.Page, Seruants, Robin, Falstaffe, Ford, Page, Caius, Euans. Mist.Ford. What Iohn, what Robert. M.Page. Quickly, quickly: Is the Buck‑basket— Mis.Ford. I warrant. What Robin I say. Mis.Page.
[1250]
Come, come, come.
Mist.Ford. Heere, set it downe. M.Pag. Giue your men the charge, we must be briefe. M.Ford.

Marrie, as I told you before ( Iohn & Robert )

be ready here hard‑by in the Brew‑house, & when I so­

[1255]

dainly call you, come forth, and (without any pause, or

staggering) take this basket on your shoulders: y t done,

trudge with it in all hast, and carry it among the Whit­

sters in Dotchet Mead, and there empty it in the muddie

ditch, close by the Thames side.

M.Page.
[1260]
You will do it?
M.Ford. I ha told them ouer and ouer, they lacke no (direction. E Be

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Scena Secunda. [Act 3, Scene 2] Mist. Page, Robin, Ford, Page, Shallow, Slender, Host, Euans, Caius. Mist.Page.

Nay keepe your way (little Gallant) you

[1175]

were wont to be a follower, but now you are a Leader:

whether had your rather lead mine eyes, or eye your ma­

sters heeles?

Rob.

I had rather (forsooth) go before you like a man,

then follow him like a dwarfe.

M. Pa.
[1180]
O you are a flattering boy, now I see you'l be a (Courtier.
Ford. Well met mistris Page, whether go you. M. Pa. Truly Sir, to see your wife, is she at home? Ford. I, and as idle she may hang together for want of company: I think if your husbands were dead, you two would marry. M.Pa. Be sure of that, two other husbands. Ford.
[1185]
Where had your this pretty weather‑cocke?
M.Pa. I cannot tell what (the dickens) his name is my husband had him of, what do you cal your Knights name (sirrah? Rob. Sir Iohn Falstaffe. Ford. Sir Iohn Falstaffe. M. Pa. He, he I can neuer hit on's name: there is such a league between my goodman, and he: is your Wife at (home indeed? Ford.
[1190]
Indeed she is.
M.Pa. By your leaue sir, I am sicke till I see her. Ford.

Has Page any braines? Hath he any eies? Hath he

any thinking? Sure they sleepe, he hath no vse of them:

why this boy will carrie a letter twentie mile as easie, as

[1195]

a Canon will shoot point‑blanke twelue score: hee pee­

ces out his wiues inclination: he giues her folly motion

and aduantage: and now she's going to my wife, Fal­ staffes boy with her: A man may heare this showre sing

in the winde; and Falstaffes boy with her: good plots,

[1200]

they are laide, and our reuolted wiues share damnation

together. Well, I will take him, then torture my wife,

plucke the borrowed vaile of modestie from the so‑see­

ming Mist. Page, divulge Page himselfe for a secure and

wilfull Acteon, and to these violent proceedings all my

[1205]

neighbors shall cry aime. The clocke giues my Qu,

and my assurance bids me search, there I shall finde Fal­ staffe : I shall be rather praisd for this, then mock'd, for

it is as possitiue, as the earth is firme, that Falstaffe is

there: I will go.

Shal. Page &c.
[1210]

Well met M r Ford.

Ford.

Trust me a good knotte; I haue good cheere at

home, and I pray you all go with me.

Shal. I must excuse my selfe M r. Ford. Slen. And so must I Sir,
[1215]
We haue appointed to dine with Mistris Anne, And I would not breake with her for more mony Then Ile speake of.
Shal.

We haue linger'd about a match betweene An Page , and my cozen Slender, and this day wee shall haue

[1220]

our answer.

Slen. I hope I haue your good will Father Page. Pag. You haue M r Slender, I stand wholly for you, But my wife (M r Doctor) is for you altogether. Cai. I be‑gar, and de Maid is loue‑a‑me: my nursh‑ a‑Quickly tell me so mush. Host.
[1225]

What say you to yong M r Fenton? He capers,

he dances, he has eies of youth: he writes verses, hee

speakes holliday, he smels April and May, he wil carry't,

he will carry't, 'tis in his buttons, he will carry't.

Page.

Not by my consent I promise you. The Gentle­

[1230]

man is of no hauing, hee kept companie with the wilde

Prince, and Pointz: he is of too high a Region, he knows

too much: no, hee 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 haue waits on my consent,

[1235]

and my consent goes not that way.

Ford.

I beseech you heartily, some of you goe home

with me to dinner: besides your cheere you shall haue

sport, I will shew you a monster: M r Doctor, you shal

go, so shall you Mr Page, and you Sir Hugh.

Shal.
[1240]
Well, fare you well: We shall haue the freer woing at M r Pages.
Cai. Go home Iohn Rugby, I come anon. Host. Farewell my hearts, I will to my honest Knight Falstaffe, and drinke Canarie with him. Ford.

I thinke I shall drinke in Pipe‑wine first with

[1245]

him, Ile make him dance. Will you go Gentles?

All.

Haue with you, to see this Monster.

Exeunt.
 

Download the digital text of the play

                                
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<div type="scene" n="2">
   <head rend="italic center">Scena Secunda.</head>
   <head type="supplied">[Act 3, Scene 2]</head>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="business">Mist. Page, Robin, Ford, Page, Shallow, Slender, Host,
      <lb/>Euans, Caius.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-mpa">
      <speaker rend="italic">Mist.Page.</speaker>
      <p n="1174">Nay keepe your way (little Gallant) you
      <lb n="1175"/>were wont to be a follower, but now you are a Leader:
      <lb n="1176"/>whether had your rather lead mine eyes, or eye your ma­
      <lb n="1177"/>sters heeles?</p>
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   <sp who="#F-wiv-rob">
      <speaker rend="italic">Rob.</speaker>
      <p n="1178">I had rather (forsooth) go before you like a man,
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   <sp who="#F-wiv-mpa">
      <speaker rend="italic">M. Pa.</speaker>
      <l n="1180">O you are a flattering boy, now I see you'l be a
      <lb rend="turnover"/>
         <pc rend="turnover">(</pc>Courtier.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-for">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ford.</speaker>
      <l n="1181">Well met mistris<hi rend="italic">Page</hi>, whether go you.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-mpa">
      <speaker rend="italic">M. Pa.</speaker>
      <l n="1182">Truly Sir, to see your wife, is she at home?</l>
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   <sp who="#F-wiv-for">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ford.</speaker>
      <l n="1183">I, and as idle she may hang together for want
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      <lb/>two would marry.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-mpa">
      <speaker rend="italic">M.Pa.</speaker>
      <l n="1184">Be sure of that, two other husbands.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-for">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ford.</speaker>
      <l n="1185">Where had your this pretty weather‑cocke?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-mpa">
      <speaker rend="italic">M.Pa.</speaker>
      <l n="1186">I cannot tell what (the dickens) his name is my
      <lb/>husband had him of, what do you cal your Knights name
      <lb rend="turnunder"/>
         <pc rend="turnunder">(</pc>sirrah?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-rob">
      <speaker rend="italic">Rob.</speaker>
      <l n="1187">Sir<hi rend="italic">Iohn Falstaffe</hi>.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-for">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ford.</speaker>
      <l n="1188">Sir<hi rend="italic">Iohn Falstaffe</hi>.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-mpa">
      <speaker rend="italic">M. Pa.</speaker>
      <l n="1189">He, he I can neuer hit on's name: there is such a
      <lb/>league between my goodman, and he: is your Wife at
      <lb rend="turnunder"/>
         <pc rend="turnunder">(</pc>home indeed?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-for">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ford.</speaker>
      <l n="1190">Indeed she is.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-mpa">
      <speaker rend="italic">M.Pa.</speaker>
      <l n="1191">By your leaue sir, I am sicke till I see her.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-for">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ford.</speaker>
      <p n="1192">Has<hi rend="italic">Page</hi>any braines? Hath he any eies? Hath he
      <lb n="1193"/>any thinking? Sure they sleepe, he hath no vse of them:
      <lb n="1194"/>why this boy will carrie a letter twentie mile as easie, as
      <lb n="1195"/>a Canon will shoot point‑blanke twelue score: hee pee­
      <lb n="1196"/>ces out his wiues inclination: he giues her folly motion
      <lb n="1197"/>and aduantage: and now she's going to my wife,<hi rend="italic">Fal­
      <lb n="1198"/>staffes</hi>boy with her: A man may heare this showre sing
      <lb n="1199"/>in the winde; and<hi rend="italic">Falstaffes</hi>boy with her: good plots,
      <lb n="1200"/>they are laide, and our reuolted wiues share damnation
      <lb n="1201"/>together. Well, I will take him, then torture my wife,
      <lb n="1202"/>plucke the borrowed vaile of modestie from the so‑see­
      <lb n="1203"/>ming Mist.<hi rend="italic">Page</hi>, divulge<hi rend="italic">Page</hi>himselfe for a secure and<cb n="2"/>
         
      <lb n="1204"/>wilfull<hi rend="italic">Acteon</hi>, and to these violent proceedings all my
      <lb n="1205"/>neighbors shall cry aime. The clocke giues my Qu,
      <lb n="1206"/>and my assurance bids me search, there I shall finde<hi rend="italic">Fal­
      <lb n="1207"/>staffe</hi>: I shall be rather praisd for this, then mock'd, for
      <lb n="1208"/>it is as possitiue, as the earth is firme, that<hi rend="italic">Falstaffe</hi>is
      <lb n="1209"/>there: I will go.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-sha #F-wiv-pag">
      <speaker rend="italic">Shal. Page &amp;c.</speaker>
      <p n="1210">Well met M<c rend="superscript">r</c>
         <hi rend="italic">Ford</hi>.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-for">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ford.</speaker>
      <p n="1211">Trust me a good knotte; I haue good cheere at
      <lb n="1212"/>home, and I pray you all go with me.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-sha">
      <speaker rend="italic">Shal.</speaker>
      <l n="1213">I must excuse my selfe M<c rend="superscript">r</c>.<hi rend="italic">Ford</hi>.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-sle">
      <speaker rend="italic">Slen.</speaker>
      <l n="1214">And so must I Sir,</l>
      <l n="1215">We haue appointed to dine with Mistris<hi rend="italic">Anne</hi>,</l>
      <l n="1216">And I would not breake with her for more mony</l>
      <l n="1217">Then Ile speake of.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-sha">
      <speaker rend="italic">Shal.</speaker>
      <p n="1218">We haue linger'd about a match betweene<hi rend="italic">An
      <lb n="1219"/>Page</hi>, and my cozen<hi rend="italic">Slender</hi>, and this day wee shall haue
      <lb n="1220"/>our answer.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-sle">
      <speaker rend="italic">Slen.</speaker>
      <l n="1221">I hope I haue your good will Father<hi rend="italic">Page</hi>.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-pag">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pag.</speaker>
      <l n="1222">You haue M<c rend="superscript">r</c>
         <hi rend="italic">Slender</hi>, I stand wholly for you,</l>
      <l n="1223">But my wife (M<c rend="superscript">r</c>Doctor) is for you altogether.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-cai">
      <speaker rend="italic">Cai.</speaker>
      <l n="1224">I be‑gar, and de Maid is loue‑a‑me: my nursh‑
      <lb/>a‑Quickly
      <lb/>tell me so mush.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-hos">
      <speaker rend="italic">Host.</speaker>
      <p n="1225">What say you to yong M<c rend="superscript">r</c>
         <hi rend="italic">Fenton</hi>? He capers,
      <lb n="1226"/>he dances, he has eies of youth: he writes verses, hee
      <lb n="1227"/>speakes holliday, he smels April and May, he wil carry't,
      <lb n="1228"/>he will carry't, 'tis in his buttons, he will carry't.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-pag">
      <speaker rend="italic">Page.</speaker>
      <p n="1229">Not by my consent I promise you. The Gentle­
      <lb n="1230"/>man is of no hauing, hee kept companie with the wilde
      <lb n="1231"/>Prince, and<hi rend="italic">Pointz</hi>: he is of too high a Region, he knows
      <lb n="1232"/>too much: no, hee shall not knit a knot in his fortunes,
      <lb n="1233"/>with the finger of my substance: if he take her, let him
      <lb n="1234"/>take her simply: the wealth I haue waits on my consent,
      <lb n="1235"/>and my consent goes not that way.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-for">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ford.</speaker>
      <p n="1236">I beseech you heartily, some of you goe home
      <lb n="1237"/>with me to dinner: besides your cheere you shall haue
      <lb n="1238"/>sport, I will shew you a monster: M<c rend="superscript">r</c>Doctor, you shal
      <lb n="1239"/>go, so shall you Mr<hi rend="italic">Page</hi>, and you Sir<hi rend="italic">Hugh</hi>.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-sha">
      <speaker rend="italic">Shal.</speaker>
      <l n="1240">Well, fare you well:</l>
      <l n="1241">We shall haue the freer woing at M<c rend="superscript">r</c>
         <hi rend="italic">Pages</hi>.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-cai">
      <speaker rend="italic">Cai.</speaker>
      <l n="1242">Go home<hi rend="italic">Iohn Rugby</hi>, I come anon.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-hos">
      <speaker rend="italic">Host.</speaker>
      <l n="1243">Farewell my hearts, I will to my honest Knight
      <lb/>
         <hi rend="italic">Falstaffe</hi>, and drinke Canarie with him.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-for">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ford.</speaker>
      <p n="1244">I thinke I shall drinke in Pipe‑wine first with
      <lb n="1245"/>him, Ile make him dance. Will you go Gentles?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-all">
      <speaker rend="italic">All.</speaker>
      <p n="1246">Haue with you, to see this Monster.</p>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exeunt.</stage>
</div>

                                
                            

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