The merry vviues of Windsor With the humours of Sir Iohn Falstaffe, as also the swaggering vaine of ancient Pistoll, and Corporall Nym. Written by William Shake-speare. Newly corrected.

Scoena Quarta:

Enter Mistris Quickly, Simple, Iohn Rugby, Doctor Caius, Fenton.

Qu.

What, Iohn Rugby, I pray thee goe to the Casement, and see if you can see my Master, Master Doctor Caius com∣ming; if he do (I'faith) and finde any body in the house; here will be an old abusing of Gods patience, and the Kings English.

Ru.

Ile goe watch.

Qu.

Goe, and we'll haue a posset for't soone at night, (in faith) at the latter end of a Sea-cole-fire: An honest, willing, kinde fellow, as euer seruant shall come in house withall: & I warrant you, no tel-tale, nor no breedebate: his worst fault is, that he is giuen to prayer; hee is something peeuish that way: but no body but has his fault: but let that passe. Peter Simple, you say your name is?

Si.

I, for fault of a better.

Qu.

And Master Slender's your Master?

Si.

I forsooth.

Qui.

Do's he not weare a great round Beard, like a Glouers paring-knife?

Si.

No forsooth, he hath but a little wee-face; with a little yellow Beard, a Caine colourd Beard.

Qu.

A softtly-sprighted man, is he not?

Si.

I forsooth, but he is as tall a man of his hands, as any is betweene this and his head; hee hath fought with a Warrener.

Qu.

How say you; oh, I should remember him, do's hee not hold vp his head (as it were?) and strut in his gate?

Si.

Yes indeede do's he.

Qui.

Well, heauen send Anne Page, no worse fortune, Tell Master Parson, Euans, I will doe what I can for your Master; Anne is a good girle, and I wish—

Ru.

Out alas, here comes my Master.

Qu.

Wee shall all be shent; Run in here, good young

man, goe into this Closset: hee will not stay long? what Iohn Rugby? Iohn; what Iohn I say? goe Iohn, goe enquire for my Master, I doubt hee be not well, that hee comes not home, (and downe, downe, downe'a, &c.

Ca.

Vat is you sing? I doe not like des-toyes, pray you goe and vetch me in my Closst, vnboyteene verd; a Box, a greene-a-Box; do intend vat I speake? greene-a-Box.

Qu.

I forsooth ile fetch it you: I am glad hee went not in himselfe: if hee had found the yong man he would haue beene horne-mad.

Ca.

Fe, fe, fe, fe, mai foy, il fait for chando, le man voi a le Court la grand affaires.

Qu.

Is it this Sir?

Ca.

Ouy mette le au mon pocket, de-peech quickly: Vere is dat knaue Rugby?

Qu.

What Iohn Rugby, Iohn?

Ru.

Here Sir.

Ca.

You are Iohn Rugby, and you are Iacke Rugby; Come, take your Rapier, and come after my heele to the Court.

Ru.

'Tis ready Sir, here in the Porch.

Ca.

By my trot, I tarry too long, od's-me: que ay ie oublie dere is some Simples in my Closset, dat I vill not for the varld I shall leaue behinde.

Qu.

Ay-me, he'll finde the yong man there, and be mad▪

Ca.

O Diable, Diable; vat is in my Closset? Villaine, La-roone; Rugby, my Rapier.

Qu,

Good Master be content.

Ca.

Wherefore shall I be content-a?

Qu.

The yong man is an honest man.

Ca.

What shall de honest man do in my Closset, here is no honest man dat shall come in my Closset.

Qu.

I beseech you be not so flegmaticke; heare the truth of it. He came of an errand to mee, from Parson Hugh.

Ca.

Vell.

Si.

I forsooth: to desire her to—

Qu.

Peace, I pray you.

Ca.

Peace-a-your tongue: speake-a-your Tale.

Si.

To desire this honest Gentlewoman (your Maid) to speake a good word to Mistris Anne Page, for my Master in the way of Marriage.

Qu.

This is all indeed-la: but ile nere put my finger in the fire, and neede not.

Ca.

Sir Hugh send-a you? Rugby, ballow me some paper: tarry you a littell-a while.

Qu.

I am glad hee is so quiet: if hee had bin throughly moued, you should haue heard him so loud, and so me∣lancholly; but notwithstanding man, Ile doe yoe your Master what good I can; and the very yea, and the no is that French Doctor my Master, (I may call him my Master, looke you, for I keepe his house; and I wash, ring, brew, bake, scowre, dresse meate and drinke, make the beds, and doe all my selfe.)

Simp.

'Tis a great charge to come vnder one bodies hand.

Qui.

Are you a uis'd o' that? you shall finde it a great charge: and to be vp early, and downe late; but notwith∣standing, (to tell you in your eare, I would haue no words of it) my Master himselfe is in loue with Mistris Anne Page; but notwithstanding that I know Ans mind, that's neither heere nor there.

Caius.

You, Iack 'Nape; glue-'a this Letter to Sir Hugh, by gar it is a shallenge: I will cut his troat in de Parke, and I will teach a scuruy Iack-a-nape Priest to meddle, or make:—you may be gon: it is not good you tarry here; by gar I will cut all his two stones; by gar, he shall not haue a stone to throw at his dogge.

Qui.

Alas, he speakes but for his friend.

Caius.

It is no matter'a v••r dat; do not you tell-a-me dat I shall haue Anne Page for my selfe? by gar, I vill kill de Iacke Priest; and I haue appointed mine Host of de Iarteer to measure our weapon, by gar, I will my selfe haue Anne Page.

Qui.

Sir, the maid loues you, and all shall bee well; Wee must giue folkes leaue to pr••te; what the good ier.

Caius.

Rugby, come to the Court with me: by gar, if I haue not Anne Page, I shall turne your head out of my dore: follow my heeles, Rugby.

Qui.

You shall haue An-fooles head of your owne; No, I know Ans mind for that; neuer a woman in Windsor knowes more of Ans minde then I doe, nor can doe more then I doe with her, I thanke heauen.

Fenton.

Who's with in there, hoa?

Qui.

Who's there, I troa? Come neere the house I pray you.

Fen.

How now (good woman) how dost thou?

Qui.

The better that it pleases your good Worship to aske?

Fen.

What newes? how do's pretty Mistris Anne?

Qui.

In truth Sir, and shee is pretty, and honest, and gen∣tle, and one that is your friend, I can tell you that by the way, I praise heauen for it.

Fen.

Shall I doe any good thinkst thou? shall I not loose my suit?

Qui.

Troth Sir, all is in his hands aboue; but not∣withstanding (Master Fenton) Ile be sworne on a booke shee loues you; haue not your Worship a wart aboue your eye?

Fen.

Yes marry haue I, what of that?

Qui.

Well, thereby hangs a tale; good faith, it is such an∣other Nan; (but (I detest) an honest maid as euer broke bread: wee had an howres talke of that wart; I shall neuer laugh but in that maids company, but (indeed) shee is giuen too much to Allicholy and musing; but for you—well—goe too—.

Fen.

Well, I shall see her to day; hold, there's money for thee. Let mee haue thy voice in my behalfe; if thou seest her before me, commend me.—

Qui.

Willi••? I faith that wee will; And I will tell your Worship more of the Wart, the next time we haue confi∣dence, and of other wooers.

Fen.

Well, fare-well, I am in great haste now.

Qui.

Fare-well to your Worship; truely an honest

Gentleman: but Anne loues him not, for I know Ans minde as well as another do's, out vpon't, what haue I forgot.

Exit.