The Bodleian First Folio

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Reference: E5v - Comedies, p. 58

Left Column


The Merry Wiues of Windsor. That quaint in greene, she shall be loose en‑roab'd,
[2180]
With Ribonds‑pendant, flaring 'bout her head; And when the Doctor spies his vantage ripe, To pinch her by the hand, and on that token, The maid hath giuen consent to go with him.
Host. Which meanes she to deceiue? Father, or Mo­ ther. Fen.
[2185]
Both (my good Host) to go along with me: And heere it rests, that you'l procure the Vicar To stay for me at Church, 'twixt twelue, and one, And in the lawfull name of marrying, To giue our hearts vnited ceremony.
Host.
[2190]
Well, husband your deuice; Ile to the Vicar, Bring you the Maid, you shall not lacke a Priest.
Fen. So shall I euermore be bound to thee; Besides, Ile make a present recompence. Exeunt
Actus Quintus. Scœna Prima. [Act 5, Scene 1] Enter Falstoffe, Quickly, and Ford. Fal. Pre'thee no more pratling: go, Ile hold, this is the third time: I hope good lucke lies in odde numbers:
[2195]
Away, go, they say there is Diuinity in odde Numbers, either in natiuity, chance, or death: away.
Qui.

Ile prouide you a chaine, and Ile do what I can

to get you a paire of hornes.

Fall.

Away I say, time weares, hold vp your head &

mince. How now M Broome? Master Broome, the mat­

[2200]

ter will be knowne to night, or neuer. Bee you in the

Parke about midnight, at Hernes‑Oake, and you shall

see wonders.

Ford.

Went you not to her yesterday (Sir) as you told

me you had appointed?

Fal.
[2205]

I went to her (Master Broome) as you see, like a

poore‑old‑man, but I came from her (Master Broome)

like a poore‑old‑woman; that same knaue ( Ford hir hus­

band) hath the finest mad diuell of iealousie in him (Ma­

ster Broome) that euer gouern'd Frensie. I will tell you,

[2210]

he beate me greeuously, in the shape of a woman: (for in

the shape of Man (Master Broome) I feare not Goliah

with a Weauers beame, because I know also, life is a

Shuttle) I am in hast, go along with mee, Ile tell you all

(Master Broome:) since I pluckt Geese, plaide Trewant,

[2215]

and whipt Top, I knew not what 'twas to be beaten, till

lately. Follow mee, Ile tell you strange things of this

knaue Ford, on whom to night I will be reuenged, and I

will deliuer his wife into your hand. Follow, straunge

things in hand (M. Broome) follow.

Exeunt.
Scena Secunda. [Act 5, Scene 2] Enter Page, Shallow, Slender. Page.
[2220]

Come, come: wee'll couch i'th Castle‑ditch,

till we see the light of our Fairies. Remember son Slen­ der , my

Slen.

I forsooth, I haue spoke with her, & we haue

a nay‑word, how to know one another. I come to her

[2225]

in white, and cry Mum; she cries Budget, and by that

Right Column


we know one another.

Shal.

That's good too: But what needes either your

Mum, or her Budget? The white will decipher her well

enough. It hath strooke ten a'clocke.

Page.
[2230]

The night is darke, Light and Spirits will be­

come it wel: Heauen prosper our sport. No man means

euill but the deuill, and we shal know him by his hornes.

Lets away: follow me.

Exeunt.
Scena Tertia. [Act 5, Scene 3] Enter Mist.Page, Mist.Ford, Caius. Mist.Page.

M r Doctor, my daughter is in green, when

[2235]

you see your time, take her by the hand, away with her

to the Deanerie, and dispatch it quickly: go before into

the Parke: we two must go together.

Cai. I know vat I haue to do, adieu. Mist.Page.

Fare you well (Sir:) my husband will not

[2240]

reioyce so much at the abuse of Falstaffe, as he will chafe

at the Doctors marrying my daughter: But 'tis no mat­

ter; better a little chiding, then a great deale of heart­

breake.

Mist.Ford.

Where is Nan now? and her troop of Fai­

[2245]

ries? and the Welch‑deuill Herne?

Mist.Page.

They are all couch'd in a pit hard by Hernes

Oake, with obscur'd Lights; which at the very instant

of Falstaffes and our meeting, they will at once display to

the night.

Mist.Ford.
[2250]
That cannot choose but amaze him.
Mist.Page. If he be not amaz'd he will be mock'd: If he be amaz'd, he will euery way be mock'd. Mist.Ford. Wee'll betray him finely. Mist.Page. Against such Lewdsters, and their lechery, Those that betray them, do no treachery. Mist.Ford.
[2255]
The houre drawes‑on: to the Oake, to the Oake.
Exeunt.
Scena Quarta. [Act 5, Scene 4] Enter Euans and Fairies. Euans.

Trib, trib Fairies: Co me, and remember your

parts: be pold (I pray you) follow me into the pit, and

when I giue the watch‑'ords, do as I pid you: Come,

come, trib, trib.

Exeunt
Scena Quinta. [Act 5, Scene 5] Enter Falstaffe, Mistris Page, Mistris Ford, Euans, Anne Page, Fairies, Page, Ford, Quickly, Slender, Fenton, Caius, Pistoll. Fal.
[2260]

The Windsor‑bell hath stroke twelue: the Mi­

nute drawesߛon: Now the hot‑bloodied‑Gods assist me:

Remember Ioue, thou was't a Bull for thy Europa, Loue

set on thy hornes. O powerfull Loue, that in some re­

spects makes a Beast a Man: in som other, a Man a beast.

[2265]

You were also (Iupiter) a Swan, for the loue of Leda: O omnipotent

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Scena Quinta. [Act 5, Scene 5] Enter Falstaffe, Mistris Page, Mistris Ford, Euans, Anne Page, Fairies, Page, Ford, Quickly, Slender, Fenton, Caius, Pistoll. Fal.
[2260]

The Windsor‑bell hath stroke twelue: the Mi­

nute drawesߛon: Now the hot‑bloodied‑Gods assist me:

Remember Ioue, thou was't a Bull for thy Europa, Loue

set on thy hornes. O powerfull Loue, that in some re­

spects makes a Beast a Man: in som other, a Man a beast.

[2265]

You were also (Iupiter) a Swan, for the loue of Leda: O

omnipotent Loue, how nere the God drew to the com­

plexion of a Goose: a fault done first in the forme of a

beast, (O Ioue, a beastly fault:) and then another fault,

in the semblance of a Fowle, thinke on't (Ioue) a fowle‑

[2270]

fault. When Gods haue hot backes, what shall poore

men do? For me, I am heere a Windsor Stagge, and the

fattest (I thinke) i'th Forrest. Send me a coole rut‑time

(Ioue) or who can blame me to pisse my Tallow? Who

comes heere? my Doe?

M.Ford.
[2275]
Sir Iohn? Art thou there (my Deere?) My male‑Deere?
Fal.

My Doe, with the blacke Scut? Let the skie

raine Potatoes: let it thunder, to the tune of Greene­

sleeues, haile‑kissing Comfits, and snow Eringoes: Let

[2280]

there come a tempest of prouocation, I will shelter mee

heere.

M.Ford.

Mistris Page is come with me (sweet hart.)

Fal.

Diuide me like a brib'd‑Bucke, each a Haunch:

I will keepe my sides to my selfe, my shoulders for the

[2285]

fellow of this walke; and my hornes I bequeath your

husbands. Am I a Woodman, ha? Speake I like Herne

the Hunter? Why, now is Cupid a child of conscience,

he makes restitution. As I am a true spirit, welcome.

M.Page. Alas, what noise? M.Ford.
[2290]
Heauen forgiue our sinnes.
Fal. What should this be? M.Ford. M.Page. Away, away. Fal. I thinke the diuell wil not haue me damn'd, Least the oyle that's in me should set hell on fire;
[2295]
He would neuer else crosse me thus.
Enter Fairies. Qui. Fairies blacke, gray, greene, and white, You Moone‑shine reuellers, and shades of night. You Orphan heires of fixed destiny, Attend your office, and your quality.
[2300]
Crier Hob‑goblyn, make the Fairy Oyes.
Pist. Elues, list your names: Silence you aiery toyes. Cricket, to Windsor‑chimnies shalt thou leape; Where fires thou find'st vnrak'd, and hearths vnswept, There pinch the Maids as blew as Bill‑berry,
[2305]
Our radiant Queene, hates Sluts, and Sluttery.
Fal. They are Fairies, he that speaks to them shall die, Ile winke, and couch: No man their workes must eie. Eu. Wher's Bede? Go you, and where you find a maid That ere she sleepe has thrice her prayers said,
[2310]
Raise vp the Organs of her fantasie, Sleepe she as sound as carelesse infancie, But those as sleepe, and thinke not on their sins, Pinch them armes, legs, backes, shoulders, sides, & shins.
Qu. About, about:
[2315]
Search Windsor Castle (Elues) within, and out. Strew good lucke (Ouphes) on euery sacred roome, That it may stand till the perpetuall doome, In state as wholsome, as in state 'tis fit, Worthy the Owner, and the Owner it.
[2320]
The seuerall Chaires of Order, looke you scowre With iuyce of Balme; and euery precious flowre, Each faire Instalment, Coate, and seu'rall Crest, With loyall Blazon, euermore be blest. And Nightly‑meadow7#x2011;Fairies, looke you sing
[2325]
Like to the Garters‑Compasse, in a ring Th'expressure that it beares: Greene let it be, More fertile‑fresh then all the Field to see: And, Hony Soit Qui Mal‑y‑Pence , write In Emrold‑tuffes, Flowres purple, blew, and white,
[2330]
Like Saphire‑pearle, and rich embroiderie, Buckled below faire Knight‑hoods bending knee; Fairies vse Flowres for their characterie. Away, disperse: But till 'tis one a clocke, Our Dance of Custome, round about the Oke
[2335]
Of Herne the Hunter, let vs not forget.
Euan. Pray you lock hand in hand: your selues in order (set: And twenty glow‑wormes shall our Lanthornes bee To guide our Measure round about the Tree. But stay, I smell a man of middle earth. Fal.
[2340]
Heauens defend me from that Welsh Fairy, Least he transforme me to a peece of Cheese.
Pist. Vilde worme, thou wast ore‑look'd euen in thy birth. Qu. With Triall‑fire touch me his finger end: If he be chaste, the flame will backe descend
[2345]
And turne him to no paine: but if he start, It is the flesh of a corrupted hart.
Pist. A triall, come. Eua. Come: will this wood take fire? Fal. Oh, oh, oh. Qui.
[2350]
Corrupt, corrupt, and tainted in desire. About him (Fairies) sing a scornfull rime, And as you trip, still pinch him to your time.
The Song. Fie on sinnefull phantasie: Fie on Lust, and Luxurie: Lust is but a bloudy fire, kindled with vnchaste desire,
[2355]
Fed in heart whose flames aspire, As thoughts do blow them higher and higher. Pinch him (Fairies) mutually: Pinch him for his villanie. Pinch him, and burne him, and turne him about, Till Candles, & Star‑light, & Moone‑shine be out.
Page.
[2360]

Nay do not flye, I thinke we haue watcht you

now: VVill none but Herne the Hunter serue your

turne?

M.Page. I pray you come, hold vp the iest no higher. Now (good Sir Iohn) how like you Windsor wiues?
[2365]
See you these husband? Do not these faire yoakes Become the Forrest better then the Towne?
Ford. Now Sir, whose a Cuckold now? M r Broome, Falstaffes a Knaue, a Cuckoldly knaue, Heere are his hornes Master Broome:
[2370]
And Master Broome, he hath enioyed nothing of Fords, but his Buck‑basket, his cudgell, and twenty pounds of money, which must be paid to M r Broome, his horses are arrested for it, M r Broome.
M.Ford.

Sir Iohn, we haue had ill lucke: wee could

neuer meete: I will neuer take you for my Loue againe,

but I will alwayes count you my Deere.

Fal. I do begin to perceiue that I am made an Asse. Ford.
[2375]
I, and an Oxe too: both the proofes are ex­ tant.
Fal.

And these are not Fairies:

I was three or foure times in the thought they were not

Fairies, and yet the guiltinesse of my minde, the sodaine

surprize of my powers, droue the grossenesse of the fop­

[2380]

pery into a receiu'd beleefe, in despight of the teeth of

all rime and reason, that they were Fairies. See now

how wit may be made a Iacke‑a‑Lent, when 'tis vpon ill

imployment.

Euant.

Sir Iohn Falstaffe, serue Got, and leaue your

[2385]

desires, and Fairies will not pinse you.

Ford.

VVell said Fairy Hugh.

Euans.

And leaue you your iealouzies too, I pray

you.

Ford.

I will neuer mistrust my wife againe, till thou

[2390]

art able to woo her in good English.

Fal.

Haue I laid my braine in the Sun, and dri'de it,

that it wants matter to preuent so grosse ore‑reaching as

this? Am I ridden with a Welch Goate too? Shal I haue

a Coxcombe of Frize? Tis time I were choak'd with a

[2395]

peece of toasted Cheese.

Eu.

Seese is not good to giue putter; your belly is al

putter.

Fal.

Seese, and Putter? Haue I liu'd to stand at the

taunt of one that makes Fritters of English? This is e­

[2400]

nough to be the decay of lust and late‑walking through

the Realme.

Mist.Page.

Why Sir Iohn, do you thinke though wee

would haue thrust vertue out of our hearts by the head

and shoulders, and haue giuen our selues without scru­

[2405]

ple to hell, that euer the deuill could haue made you our

delight?

Ford. What, a hodge‑pudding? A bag of flax? Mist.Page. A puft man? Page. Old, cold, wither'd, and of intollerable en­ trailes? Ford.
[2410]
And one that is as slanderous as Sathan?
Page. And as poore as Iob? Ford. And as wicked as his wife? Euan.

And giuen to Fornications, and to Tauernes,

and Sacke, and Wine, and Metheglins, and to drinkings

[2415]

and swearings, and starings? Pribles and prables?

Fal.

Well, I am your Theame: you haue the start of

me, I am deiected: I am not able to answer the Welch

Flannell, Ignorance it selfe is a plummet ore me, vse me

as you will.

Ford.
[2420]

Marry Sir, wee'l bring you to Windsor to one

M r Broome, that you haue cozon'd of money, to whom

you should haue bin a Pander: ouer and aboue that you

haue suffer'd, I thinke, to repay that money will be a bi­

ting affliction.

Page.
[2425]

Yet be cheerefull Knight: thou shalt eat a pos­

set to night at my house, wher I will desire thee to laugh

at my wife, that now laughes at thee: Tell her M r Slen­ der hath married her daughter.

Mist.Page. Doctors doubt that;
[2430]
If Anne Page be my daughter, she is (by this) Doctour Caius wife.
Slen. Whoa hoe, hoe, Father Page. Page. Sonne? How now? How now Sonne, Haue you dispatch'd? Slen.

Dispatch'd? Ile make the best in Glostershire

[2435]

know on't: would I were hang'd la, else.

Page.

Of what sonne?

Slen.

I came yonder at Eaton to marry Mistris Anne Page , and she's a great lubberly boy. If it had not bene

i'th Church, I would haue swing'd him, or hee should

[2440]

haue swing'd me. If I did not thinke it had beene Anne Page , would I might neuer stirre, and 'tis a Post‑masters

Boy.

Page. Vpon my life then, you tooke the wrong. Slen.

What neede you tell me that? I think so, when

[2445]

I tooke a Boy for a Girle: If I had bene married to him,

(for all he was in womans apparrell) I would not haue

had him.

Page. Why this is your owne folly, Did not I tell you how you should know my daughter,
[2450]
By her garments?
Slen.

I went to her in greene, and cried Mum, and

she cride budget, as Anne and I had appointed, and yet

it was not Anne, but a Post‑masters boy.

Mist.Page.

Good George be not angry, I knew of

[2455]

your purpose: turn'd my daughter into white, and in­

deede she is now with the Doctor at the Deanrie, and

there married.

Cai.

Ver is Mistris Page: by gar I am cozoned, I ha

married oon Garsoon, a boy; oon pesant, by gar. A boy,

[2460]

it is not An Page, by gar, I am cozened.

M.Page. VVhy? did you take her in white? Cai. I bee gar, and 'tis a boy: be gar, Ile raise all Windsor. Ford. This is strange: Who hath got the right Anne? Page. My heart misgiues me, here comes M r Fenton. How now Mr Fenton? Anne.
[2465]
Pardon good father, good my mother pardon
Page. Now Mistris: How chance you went not with M r Slender? M.Page. Why went you not with M r Doctor, maid? Fen. You do amaze her: heare the truth of it,
[2470]
You would haue married her most shamefully, Where there was no proportion held in loue: The truth is, she and I (long since contracted) Are now so sure that nothing can dissolue vs: Th'offence is holy, that she hath committed,
[2475]
And this deceit looses the name of craft, Of disobedience, or vnduteous title, Since therein she doth euitate and shun A thousand irreligious cursed houres Which forced marriage would haue brought vpon her.
Ford.
[2480]
Stand not amaz'd, here is no remedie: In Loue, the heauens themselues do guide the state, Money buyes Lands, and wiues are sold by fate.
Fal.

I am glad, though you haue tane a special stand

to strike at me, that your Arrow hath glanc'd.

Page.
[2485]

Well, what remedy? Fenton, heauen giue thee

ioy, what cannot be eschew'd, must be embrac'd.

Fal.

When night‑dogges run, all sorts of Deere are

chac'd.

Mist.Page. Well, I will muse no further: M r Fenton,
[2490]
Heauen giue you many, many merry dayes: Good husband, let vs euery one go home, And laugh this sport ore by a Countrie fire, Sir Iohn and all.
Ford. Let it be so (Sir Iohn:)
[2495]
To Master Broome, you yet shall hold your word, For he, to night, shall lye with Mistris Ford:
Exeunt FINIS.
 

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<div type="scene" n="5">
   <head rend="italic center">Scena Quinta.</head>
   <head type="supplied">[Act 5, Scene 5]</head>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Falstaffe, Mistris Page, Mistris Ford, Euans,
      <lb/>Anne Page, Fairies, Page, Ford, Quickly,
      <lb/>Slender, Fenton, Caius, Pistoll.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-fal">
      <speaker rend="italic">Fal.</speaker>
      <p n="2260">The Windsor‑bell hath stroke twelue: the Mi­
      <lb n="2261"/>nute drawesߛon: Now the hot‑bloodied‑Gods assist me:
      <lb n="2262"/>Remember Ioue, thou was't a Bull for thy<hi rend="italic">Europa</hi>, Loue
      <lb n="2263"/>set on thy hornes. O powerfull Loue, that in some re­
      <lb n="2264"/>spects makes a Beast a Man: in som other, a Man a beast.
      <lb n="2265"/>You were also (Iupiter) a Swan, for the loue of<hi rend="italic">Leda</hi>: O<pb facs="FFimg:axc0079-0.jpg" n="51"/>
         <cb n="1"/>
         
      <lb n="2266"/>omnipotent Loue, how nere the God drew to the com­
      <lb n="2267"/>plexion of a Goose: a fault done first in the forme of a
      <lb n="2268"/>beast, (O Ioue, a beastly fault:) and then another fault,
      <lb n="2269"/>in the semblance of a Fowle, thinke on't (Ioue) a fowle‑
      <lb n="2270"/>fault. When Gods haue hot backes, what shall poore
      <lb n="2271"/>men do? For me, I am heere a Windsor Stagge, and the
      <lb n="2272"/>fattest (I thinke) i'th Forrest. Send me a coole rut‑time
      <lb n="2273"/>(Ioue) or who can blame me to pisse my Tallow? Who
      <lb n="2274"/>comes heere? my Doe?</p>
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   <sp who="#F-wiv-mfo">
      <speaker rend="italic">M.Ford.</speaker>
      <l n="2275">Sir<hi rend="italic">Iohn</hi>? Art thou there (my Deere?)</l>
      <l n="2276">My male‑Deere?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-fal">
      <speaker rend="italic">Fal.</speaker>
      <p n="2277">My Doe, with the blacke Scut? Let the skie
      <lb n="2278"/>raine Potatoes: let it thunder, to the tune of Greene­
      <lb n="2279"/>sleeues, haile‑kissing Comfits, and snow Eringoes: Let
      <lb n="2280"/>there come a tempest of prouocation, I will shelter mee
      <lb n="2281"/>heere.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-mfo">
      <speaker rend="italic">M.Ford.</speaker>
      <p n="2282">Mistris<hi rend="italic">Page</hi>is come with me (sweet hart.)</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-fal">
      <speaker rend="italic">Fal.</speaker>
      <p n="2283">Diuide me like a brib'd‑Bucke, each a Haunch:
      <lb n="2284"/>I will keepe my sides to my selfe, my shoulders for the
      <lb n="2285"/>fellow of this walke; and my hornes I bequeath your
      <lb n="2286"/>husbands. Am I a Woodman, ha? Speake I like<hi rend="italic">Herne</hi>
         
      <lb n="2287"/>the Hunter? Why, now is Cupid a child of conscience,
      <lb n="2288"/>he makes restitution. As I am a true spirit, welcome.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-mpa">
      <speaker rend="italic">M.Page.</speaker>
      <l n="2289">Alas, what noise?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-mfo">
      <speaker rend="italic">M.Ford.</speaker>
      <l n="2290">Heauen forgiue our sinnes.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-fal">
      <speaker rend="italic">Fal.</speaker>
      <l n="2291">What should this be?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-mfo #F-wiv-mpa">
      <speaker rend="italic">M.Ford. M.Page.</speaker>
      <l n="2292">Away, away.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-fal">
      <speaker rend="italic">Fal.</speaker>
      <l n="2293">I thinke the diuell wil not haue me damn'd,</l>
      <l n="2294">Least the oyle that's in me should set hell on fire;</l>
      <l n="2295">He would neuer else crosse me thus.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Fairies.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-mqu">
      <speaker rend="italic">Qui.</speaker>
      <l n="2296">Fairies blacke, gray, greene, and white,</l>
      <l n="2297">You Moone‑shine reuellers, and shades of night.</l>
      <l n="2298">You Orphan heires of fixed destiny,</l>
      <l n="2299">Attend your office, and your quality.</l>
      <l n="2300">Crier Hob‑goblyn, make the Fairy Oyes.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-pis">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pist.</speaker>
      <l n="2301">Elues, list your names: Silence you aiery toyes.</l>
      <l n="2302">Cricket, to Windsor‑chimnies shalt thou leape;</l>
      <l n="2303">Where fires thou find'st vnrak'd, and hearths vnswept,</l>
      <l n="2304">There pinch the Maids as blew as Bill‑berry,</l>
      <l n="2305">Our radiant Queene, hates Sluts, and Sluttery.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-fal">
      <speaker rend="italic">Fal.</speaker>
      <l n="2306">They are Fairies, he that speaks to them shall die,</l>
      <l n="2307">Ile winke, and couch: No man their workes must eie.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-eva">
      <speaker rend="italic">Eu.</speaker>
      <l n="2308">Wher's<hi rend="italic">Bede</hi>? Go you, and where you find a maid</l>
      <l n="2309">That ere she sleepe has thrice her prayers said,</l>
      <l n="2310">Raise vp the Organs of her fantasie,</l>
      <l n="2311">Sleepe she as sound as carelesse infancie,</l>
      <l n="2312">But those as sleepe, and thinke not on their sins,</l>
      <l n="2313">Pinch them armes, legs, backes, shoulders, sides, &amp; shins.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-mqu">
      <speaker rend="italic">Qu.</speaker>
      <l n="2314">About, about:</l>
      <l n="2315">Search Windsor Castle (Elues) within, and out.</l>
      <l n="2316">Strew good lucke (Ouphes) on euery sacred roome,</l>
      <l n="2317">That it may stand till the perpetuall doome,</l>
      <l n="2318">In state as wholsome, as in state 'tis fit,</l>
      <l n="2319">Worthy the Owner, and the Owner it.</l>
      <l n="2320">The seuerall Chaires of Order, looke you scowre</l>
      <l n="2321">With iuyce of Balme; and euery precious flowre,</l>
      <l n="2322">Each faire Instalment, Coate, and seu'rall Crest,</l>
      <l n="2323">With loyall Blazon, euermore be blest.</l>
      <l n="2324">And Nightly‑meadow7#x2011;Fairies, looke you sing</l>
      <l n="2325">Like to the<hi rend="italic">Garters</hi>‑Compasse, in a ring</l>
      <l n="2326">Th'expressure that it beares: Greene let it be,</l>
      <l n="2327">More fertile‑fresh then all the Field to see:</l>
      <l n="2328">And,<hi rend="italic">Hony Soit Qui Mal‑y‑Pence</hi>, write</l>
      <l n="2329">In Emrold‑tuffes, Flowres purple, blew, and white,</l>
      <l n="2330">Like Saphire‑pearle, and rich embroiderie,</l>
      <cb n="2"/>
      <l n="2331">Buckled below faire Knight‑hoods bending knee;</l>
      <l n="2332">Fairies vse Flowres for their characterie.</l>
      <l n="2333">Away, disperse: But till 'tis one a clocke,</l>
      <l n="2334">Our Dance of Custome, round about the Oke</l>
      <l n="2335">Of<hi rend="italic">Herne</hi>the Hunter, let vs not forget.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-eva">
      <speaker rend="italic">Euan.</speaker>
      <l n="2336">Pray you lock hand in hand: your selues in order
      <lb rend="turnover"/>
         <pc rend="turnover">(</pc>set:</l>
      <l n="2337">And twenty glow‑wormes shall our Lanthornes bee</l>
      <l n="2338">To guide our Measure round about the Tree.</l>
      <l n="2339">But stay, I smell a man of middle earth.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-fal">
      <speaker rend="italic">Fal.</speaker>
      <l n="2340">Heauens defend me from that Welsh Fairy,</l>
      <l n="2341">Least he transforme me to a peece of Cheese.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-pis">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pist.</speaker>
      <l n="2342">Vilde worme, thou wast ore‑look'd euen in thy
      <lb/>birth.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-mqu">
      <speaker rend="italic">Qu.</speaker>
      <l n="2343">With Triall‑fire touch me his finger end:</l>
      <l n="2344">If he be chaste, the flame will backe descend</l>
      <l n="2345">And turne him to no paine: but if he start,</l>
      <l n="2346">It is the flesh of a corrupted hart.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-pis">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pist.</speaker>
      <l n="2347">A triall, come.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-eva">
      <speaker rend="italic">Eua.</speaker>
      <l n="2348">Come: will this wood take fire?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-fal">
      <speaker rend="italic">Fal.</speaker>
      <l n="2349">Oh, oh, oh.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-mqu">
      <speaker rend="italic">Qui.</speaker>
      <l n="2350">Corrupt, corrupt, and tainted in desire.</l>
      <l n="2351">About him (Fairies) sing a scornfull rime,</l>
      <l n="2352">And as you trip, still pinch him to your time.</l>
   </sp>
   <lg>
      <head>The Song.</head>
      <l rend="italic" n="2353">Fie on sinnefull phantasie: Fie on Lust, and Luxurie:</l>
      <l rend="italic" n="2354">Lust is but a bloudy fire, kindled with vnchaste desire,</l>
      <l rend="italic" n="2355">Fed in heart whose flames aspire,</l>
      <l rend="italic" n="2356">As thoughts do blow them higher and higher.</l>
      <l rend="italic" n="2357">Pinch him (Fairies) mutually: Pinch him for his villanie.</l>
      <l rend="italic" n="2358">Pinch him, and burne him, and turne him about,</l>
      <l rend="italic" n="2359">Till Candles, &amp; Star‑light, &amp; Moone‑shine be out.</l>
   </lg>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-pag">
      <speaker rend="italic">Page.</speaker>
      <p n="2360">Nay do not flye, I thinke we haue watcht you
      <lb n="2361"/>now: VVill none but<hi rend="italic">Herne</hi>the Hunter serue your
      <lb n="2362"/>turne?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-mpa">
      <speaker rend="italic">M.Page.</speaker>
      <l n="2363">I pray you come, hold vp the iest no higher.</l>
      <l n="2364">Now (good Sir<hi rend="italic">Iohn</hi>) how like you<hi rend="italic">Windsor</hi>wiues?</l>
      <l n="2365">See you these husband? Do not these faire yoakes</l>
      <l n="2366">Become the Forrest better then the Towne?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-for">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ford.</speaker>
      <l n="2367">Now Sir, whose a Cuckold now?</l>
      <l n="2368">M<c rend="superscript">r</c>
         <hi rend="italic">Broome</hi>,<hi rend="italic">Falstaffes</hi>a Knaue, a Cuckoldly knaue,</l>
      <l n="2369">Heere are his hornes Master<hi rend="italic">Broome</hi>:</l>
      <l n="2370">And Master<hi rend="italic">Broome</hi>, he hath enioyed nothing of<hi rend="italic">Fords</hi>,
      <lb/>but his Buck‑basket, his cudgell, and twenty pounds of
      <lb/>money, which must be paid to M<c rend="superscript">r</c>
         <hi rend="italic">Broome</hi>, his horses are
      <lb/>arrested for it, M<c rend="superscript">r</c>
         <hi rend="italic">Broome</hi>.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-mfo">
      <speaker rend="italic">M.Ford.</speaker>
      <p n="2371">Sir<hi rend="italic">Iohn</hi>, we haue had ill lucke: wee could
      <lb n="2372"/>neuer meete: I will neuer take you for my Loue againe,
      <lb n="2373"/>but I will alwayes count you my Deere.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-fal">
      <speaker rend="italic">Fal.</speaker>
      <l n="2374">I do begin to perceiue that I am made an Asse.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-for">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ford.</speaker>
      <l n="2375">I, and an Oxe too: both the proofes are ex­
      <lb/>tant.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-fal">
      <speaker rend="italic">Fal.</speaker>
      <p n="2376">And these are not Fairies:</p>
      <p n="2377">I was three or foure times in the thought they were not
      <lb n="2378"/>Fairies, and yet the guiltinesse of my minde, the sodaine
      <lb n="2379"/>surprize of my powers, droue the grossenesse of the fop­
      <lb n="2380"/>pery into a receiu'd beleefe, in despight of the teeth of
      <lb n="2381"/>all rime and reason, that they were Fairies. See now
      <lb n="2382"/>how wit may be made a Iacke‑a‑Lent, when 'tis vpon ill
      <lb n="2383"/>imployment.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-eva">
      <speaker rend="italic">Euant.</speaker>
      <p n="2384">Sir<hi rend="italic">Iohn Falstaffe</hi>, serue Got, and leaue your
      <lb n="2385"/>desires, and Fairies will not pinse you.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-for">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ford.</speaker>
      <p n="2386">VVell said Fairy<hi rend="italic">Hugh</hi>.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-eva">
      <speaker rend="italic">Euans.</speaker>
      <p n="2387">And leaue you your iealouzies too, I pray
      <lb n="2388"/>you.</p>
   </sp>
   <pb facs="FFimg:axc0080-0.jpg" n="60"/>
   <cb n="1"/>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-for">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ford.</speaker>
      <p n="2389">I will neuer mistrust my wife againe, till thou
      <lb n="2390"/>art able to woo her in good English.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-fal">
      <speaker rend="italic">Fal.</speaker>
      <p n="2391">Haue I laid my braine in the Sun, and dri'de it,
      <lb n="2392"/>that it wants matter to preuent so grosse ore‑reaching as
      <lb n="2393"/>this? Am I ridden with a Welch Goate too? Shal I haue
      <lb n="2394"/>a Coxcombe of Frize? Tis time I were choak'd with a
      <lb n="2395"/>peece of toasted Cheese.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-eva">
      <speaker rend="italic">Eu.</speaker>
      <p n="2396">Seese is not good to giue putter; your belly is al
      <lb n="2397"/>putter.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-fal">
      <speaker rend="italic">Fal.</speaker>
      <p n="2398">Seese, and Putter? Haue I liu'd to stand at the
      <lb n="2399"/>taunt of one that makes Fritters of English? This is e­
      <lb n="2400"/>nough to be the decay of lust and late‑walking through
      <lb n="2401"/>the Realme.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-mpa">
      <speaker rend="italic">Mist.Page.</speaker>
      <p n="2402">Why Sir<hi rend="italic">Iohn</hi>, do you thinke though wee
      <lb n="2403"/>would haue thrust vertue out of our hearts by the head
      <lb n="2404"/>and shoulders, and haue giuen our selues without scru­
      <lb n="2405"/>ple to hell, that euer the deuill could haue made you our
      <lb n="2406"/>delight?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-for">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ford.</speaker>
      <l n="2407">What, a hodge‑pudding? A bag of flax?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-mpa">
      <speaker rend="italic">Mist.Page.</speaker>
      <l n="2408">A puft man?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-pag">
      <speaker rend="italic">Page.</speaker>
      <l n="2409">Old, cold, wither'd, and of intollerable en­
      <lb/>trailes?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-for">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ford.</speaker>
      <l n="2410">And one that is as slanderous as Sathan?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-pag">
      <speaker rend="italic">Page.</speaker>
      <l n="2411">And as poore as Iob?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-for">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ford.</speaker>
      <l n="2412">And as wicked as his wife?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-eva">
      <speaker rend="italic">Euan.</speaker>
      <p n="2413">And giuen to Fornications, and to Tauernes,
      <lb n="2414"/>and Sacke, and Wine, and Metheglins, and to drinkings
      <lb n="2415"/>and swearings, and starings? Pribles and prables?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-fal">
      <speaker rend="italic">Fal.</speaker>
      <p n="2416">Well, I am your Theame: you haue the start of
      <lb n="2417"/>me, I am deiected: I am not able to answer the Welch
      <lb n="2418"/>Flannell, Ignorance it selfe is a plummet ore me, vse me
      <lb n="2419"/>as you will.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-for">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ford.</speaker>
      <p n="2420">Marry Sir, wee'l bring you to Windsor to one
      <lb n="2421"/>M<c rend="superscript">r</c>
         <hi rend="italic">Broome</hi>, that you haue cozon'd of money, to whom
      <lb n="2422"/>you should haue bin a Pander: ouer and aboue that you
      <lb n="2423"/>haue suffer'd, I thinke, to repay that money will be a bi­
      <lb n="2424"/>ting affliction.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-pag">
      <speaker rend="italic">Page.</speaker>
      <p n="2425">Yet be cheerefull Knight: thou shalt eat a pos­
      <lb n="2426"/>set to night at my house, wher I will desire thee to laugh
      <lb n="2427"/>at my wife, that now laughes at thee: Tell her M<c rend="superscript">r</c>
         <hi rend="italic">Slen­
      <lb n="2428"/>der</hi>hath married her daughter.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-mpa">
      <speaker rend="italic">Mist.Page.</speaker>
      <l n="2429">Doctors doubt that;</l>
      <l n="2430">If<hi rend="italic">Anne Page</hi>be my daughter, she is (by this) Doctour
      <lb/>
         <hi rend="italic">Caius</hi>wife.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-sle">
      <speaker rend="italic">Slen.</speaker>
      <l n="2431">Whoa hoe, hoe, Father<hi rend="italic">Page</hi>.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-pag">
      <speaker rend="italic">Page.</speaker>
      <l n="2432">Sonne? How now? How now Sonne,</l>
      <l n="2433">Haue you dispatch'd?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-sle">
      <speaker rend="italic">Slen.</speaker>
      <p n="2434">Dispatch'd? Ile make the best in Glostershire
      <lb n="2435"/>know on't: would I were hang'd la, else.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-pag">
      <speaker rend="italic">Page.</speaker>
      <p n="2436">Of what sonne?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-sle">
      <speaker rend="italic">Slen.</speaker>
      <p n="2437">I came yonder at<hi rend="italic">Eaton</hi>to marry Mistris<hi rend="italic">Anne
      <lb n="2438"/>Page</hi>, and she's a great lubberly boy. If it had not bene
      <lb n="2439"/>i'th Church, I would haue swing'd him, or hee should
      <lb n="2440"/>haue swing'd me. If I did not thinke it had beene<hi rend="italic">Anne
      <lb n="2441"/>Page</hi>, would I might neuer stirre, and 'tis a Post‑masters
      <lb n="2442"/>Boy.</p>
   </sp>
   <cb n="2"/>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-pag">
      <speaker rend="italic">Page.</speaker>
      <l n="2443">Vpon my life then, you tooke the wrong.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-sle">
      <speaker rend="italic">Slen.</speaker>
      <p n="2444">What neede you tell me that? I think so, when
      <lb n="2445"/>I tooke a Boy for a Girle: If I had bene married to him,
      <lb n="2446"/>(for all he was in womans apparrell) I would not haue
      <lb n="2447"/>had him.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-pag">
      <speaker rend="italic">Page.</speaker>
      <l n="2448">Why this is your owne folly,</l>
      <l n="2449">Did not I tell you how you should know my daughter,</l>
      <l n="2450">By her garments?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-sle">
      <speaker rend="italic">Slen.</speaker>
      <p n="2451">I went to her in greene, and cried Mum, and
      <lb n="2452"/>she cride budget, as<hi rend="italic">Anne</hi>and I had appointed, and yet
      <lb n="2453"/>it was not<hi rend="italic">Anne</hi>, but a Post‑masters boy.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-mpa">
      <speaker rend="italic">Mist.Page.</speaker>
      <p n="2454">Good<hi rend="italic">George</hi>be not angry, I knew of
      <lb n="2455"/>your purpose: turn'd my daughter into white, and in­
      <lb n="2456"/>deede she is now with the Doctor at the Deanrie, and
      <lb n="2457"/>there married.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-cai">
      <speaker rend="italic">Cai.</speaker>
      <p n="2458">Ver is Mistris<hi rend="italic">Page</hi>: by gar I am cozoned, I ha
      <lb n="2459"/>married oon Garsoon, a boy; oon pesant, by gar. A boy,
      <lb n="2460"/>it is not<hi rend="italic">An Page</hi>, by gar, I am cozened.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-mpa">
      <speaker rend="italic">M.Page.</speaker>
      <l n="2461">VVhy? did you take her in white?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-cai">
      <speaker rend="italic">Cai.</speaker>
      <l n="2462">I bee gar, and 'tis a boy: be gar, Ile raise all
      <lb/>Windsor.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-for">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ford.</speaker>
      <l n="2463">This is strange: Who hath got the right<hi rend="italic">Anne</hi>?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-pag">
      <speaker rend="italic">Page.</speaker>
      <l n="2464">My heart misgiues me, here comes M<c rend="superscript">r</c>
         <hi rend="italic">Fenton</hi>.
      <lb/>How now Mr<hi rend="italic">Fenton</hi>?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-ann">
      <speaker rend="italic">Anne.</speaker>
      <l n="2465">Pardon good father, good my mother pardon</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-pag">
      <speaker rend="italic">Page.</speaker>
      <l n="2466">Now Mistris:</l>
      <l n="2467">How chance you went not with M<c rend="superscript">r</c>
         <hi rend="italic">Slender</hi>?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-mpa">
      <speaker rend="italic">M.Page.</speaker>
      <l n="2468">Why went you not with M<c rend="superscript">r</c>Doctor, maid?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-fen">
      <speaker rend="italic">Fen.</speaker>
      <l n="2469">You do amaze her: heare the truth of it,</l>
      <l n="2470">You would haue married her most shamefully,</l>
      <l n="2471">Where there was no proportion held in loue:</l>
      <l n="2472">The truth is, she and I (long since contracted)</l>
      <l n="2473">Are now so sure that nothing can dissolue vs:</l>
      <l n="2474">Th'offence is holy, that she hath committed,</l>
      <l n="2475">And this deceit looses the name of craft,</l>
      <l n="2476">Of disobedience, or vnduteous title,</l>
      <l n="2477">Since therein she doth euitate and shun</l>
      <l n="2478">A thousand irreligious cursed houres</l>
      <l n="2479">Which forced marriage would haue brought vpon her.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-for">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ford.</speaker>
      <l n="2480">Stand not amaz'd, here is no remedie:</l>
      <l n="2481">In Loue, the heauens themselues do guide the state,</l>
      <l n="2482">Money buyes Lands, and wiues are sold by fate.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-fal">
      <speaker rend="italic">Fal.</speaker>
      <p n="2483">I am glad, though you haue tane a special stand
      <lb n="2484"/>to strike at me, that your Arrow hath glanc'd.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-pag">
      <speaker rend="italic">Page.</speaker>
      <p n="2485">Well, what remedy?<hi rend="italic">Fenton</hi>, heauen giue thee
      <lb n="2486"/>ioy, what cannot be eschew'd, must be embrac'd.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-fal">
      <speaker rend="italic">Fal.</speaker>
      <p n="2487">When night‑dogges run, all sorts of Deere are
      <lb n="2488"/>chac'd.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-mpa">
      <speaker rend="italic">Mist.Page.</speaker>
      <l n="2489">Well, I will muse no further: M<c rend="superscript">r</c>
         <hi rend="italic">Fenton</hi>,</l>
      <l n="2490">Heauen giue you many, many merry dayes:</l>
      <l n="2491">Good husband, let vs euery one go home,</l>
      <l n="2492">And laugh this sport ore by a Countrie fire,</l>
      <l n="2493">Sir<hi rend="italic">Iohn</hi>and all.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-wiv-for">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ford.</speaker>
      <l n="2494">Let it be so (Sir<hi rend="italic">Iohn</hi>:)</l>
      <l n="2495">To Master<hi rend="italic">Broome</hi>, you yet shall hold your word,</l>
      <l n="2496">For he, to night, shall lye with Mistris<hi rend="italic">Ford</hi>:</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exeunt</stage>
   <trailer>FINIS.</trailer>
</div>

                                
                            

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