Enter Slender.

Slen. What hoe! hoe! father Page:

Page. Son, how now? how now, fon, have you dispatch'd?

Slen. Difpatch'd? I'll make the best in Gloucestershire know on't; would I were hang'd la, else. Page. Of what, fon?

Slen. I came yonder at Eaton to marry mistress Anne Page, and he's a great lubberly boy. If it had not been i'th' church, I would have fwing'd him, or he fhould have fwing'd me. If I did not think it had been Anne Page, would I might never stir, and 'tis a postmaster's boy.

Page. Upon my life, then you took the wrong. Slen. What need you tell me that? I think fo, when I took a boy for a girl: if I had been marry'd to him, for all he was in woman's apparel, I would not have had him.

Page. Why, this is your own folly. Did not I tell you, how you should know my daughter by her garments?

Slen. I went to her in white and cry'd mum, and the cry'd budget, as Anne and I had appointed; and yet it was not Anne, but a post-master's boy.

Eva. Jefhu! Mafter Slender, cannot you fee but marry boys?

Page. O, I am vext at heart. What shall I do? Mrs. Page. Good George, be not angry; I knew of your purpofe, turn'd my daughter into green, and, indeed, he is now with the Doctor at the Deanry, and there married.

SCENE

Enter Caius.

Caius. Ver is miftrefs Page? by gar, I am cozen'd; I ha' marry'd one garfoon, a boy; one peasant, 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 raife all Windfor.

?

Ford. This is ftrange! who hath got the right Anne?
Page. My heart mifgives me; here comes Mr. Fenton,

Enter Fenton, and Anne Page,

How now, Mr. Fenton?

Anne. Pardon, good father; good my mother, par

don.

Page. Now, miftrefs, 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, he and I, long fince contracted,
Are now fo fure, that nothing can diffolve us.
Th' offence is holy, that he hath committed;
And this deceit lofes the name of craft,
Of disobedience, or unduteous title;
Since therein the doth evitate and fhun

A thousand irreligious curfed 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 ftate;
Mony buys lands, and wives are fold by fate.

Fal.

Fal. I am glad, tho' you have ta'en a fpecial Stand to ftrike at me, that your arrow hath glanc'd. *Page. Well, what remedy? Fenton, heav'n give thee joy!

What cannot be efchew'd, must be embrac'd. Eva. I will alfo dance and eat plums at your Wedding.

Fal. When night-dogs run, all forts of deer are chac’d.

Mrs. Page. Well, I will mufe no further. Mr. Fenton,

Heav'n give you many, many merry days!
Good husband, let us every one go home,
And laugh this fport o'er by a country fire,
Sir John and all.

Ford. Let it be fo:Sir John,
To mafter Brook you yet fhall hold your word;
For he, to-night, fhall lye with mistress Ford.

*In the firft fketch of this play, which, as Mr. Pope obferves, is much inferiour to the latter performance, the only fenti

[Exeunt omnes.

ment of which I regret the omiffion occurs at this critical time, when Fenton brings in his wife, there is this dialogue.

Mrs. Ford. Come, Miftrefs Page, I must be bold with you, 'Tis pity to part love that is fo true.

Mrs. Page. [afide.] Although that I have miffed in my intent, Yet I am glad my husband's match is croffed.

Here, Fenton, take her.

Eva. Come, Mafter Page, you must needs agree.

Ford. I'faith, Sir, come, you fee your wife is pleased.
Page. I cannot tell, and yet my heart is eafed;

And yet it doth me good the doctor miffed.
Come hither, Fenton, and come hither, Daughter.

The END of the SECOND VOLUM E.