many; by my trot, der is no Duke, dat the Court is know, to come: I tell you for good will; adieu. [Ex. Hoft. Hue and cry, villain, go! assist me, Knight, I am undone; fly, run, hue and cry! Villain, I am undone! [Exit.

Fal. I would, all the world might be cozen'd, for I have been cozened and beaten too. If it should come to the ear of the Court, how I have been transformed, and how my transformation hath been wash'd and cudgel'd, they would melt me out of my fat, drop by drop, and liquor fishermens boots with me. I warrant, they would whip me with their fine wits, 'till I were as creft-faln as a dry'd pear. I never profper'd fince I forswore my self at Primero. Well, if my wind were but long enough to say my prayers, I would repent.

1

Enter Mistress Quickly.

Now, whence come you?

Quic. From the two parties, forsooth.

Fal. The devil take one party, and his dam the other, and so they shall be both bestow'd. I have suffer'd more for their sakes, more than the villainous inconstancy of man's disposition is able to bear.

Quic. And have not they suffer'd? yes, I warrant, speciously one of them; mistress Ford, good heart, is beaten black and blue, that you cannot see a white spot about her.

Fal. What tell'st thou me of black and blue? I was beaten my self into all the colours of the rainbow; and I was like to be apprehended for the witch of Brainford; but that my admirable dexterity of wit, counterfeiting the (26) action of a wood woman, deliver'd

U 4

(26) Action of an old Woman,] This Reading is no great Compliment to the Sagacity of our former Editors, who could content themselves with Words, without any regard to the Reasoning. What! was it any Dexterity of Wit in Sir John Falstaff, to counterfeit the Action of an Old Woman in order to escape being apprehended for a Witch? Surely, one would imagine, This was the readiest means to bring him into fuch a Scrape: for none but old Women have ever been supected of being Witches.

liver'd me, the knave conftable had set me i'th' stocks, i'th' common stocks for a witch.

Quic. Sir, let me speak with you in your chamber; you shall hear how things go, and, I warrant, to your content. Here is a letter will say somewhat. Good hearts, what ado is here to bring you together? fure, one of you does not serve heav'n well, that you are fo crofs'd.

Fal. Come up into my chamber.

Enter Fenton and Hoft.

[Exeunt.

Hoft. Master Fenton, talk not to me, my mind is heavy, I will give over all.

Fent. Yet hear me speak; assist me in my purpose, And, as I am a gentleman, I'll give thee A hundred pound in gold more than your lofs.

Hoft. I will hear you, master Fenton; and I will, at the least, keep your counsel.

Fent. From time to time I have acquainted you With the dear love I bear to fair Anne Page; Who, mutually, hath answer'd my affection, (So far forth as her felf might be her chuser) Ev'n to my with. I have a letter from her Of fuch contents, as you will wonder at; The mirth whereof's so larded with my matter, That neither fingly can be manifested, Without the shew of both. Fat Sir John Falstaff Hath a great Scene; the image of the jest I'll shew you here at large. Hark, good mine Host; To night at Herne's Oak, just 'twixt twelve and one, Muft my sweet Nan present the fairy Queen; The purpose why, is here; in which difguife, While other jests are something rank on foot, Her father hath commanded her to flip Away with Slender, and with him at Eaton

Witches. The Text must certainly be restor'd, as I have corrected it, a wood Woman; i. e. a crazy, frantick Woman; one too wild, and filly, and unmeaning, to have either the Malice, or mischievous Subtlety of a Witch in her. I have already explain'd, and prov'd the use of this Term, in one of my Notes on the Two Gentlemen of Verona.

Immediately to marry; she hath consented. - Now, Sir,
Her mother, ever strong against that match,
And firm for Doctor Caius, hath appointed
That he shall likewise shuffle her away,
While other sports are tasking of their minds;
And at the Deanry, where a priest attends,
Straight marry her; To this her mother's Plot
She, seemingly obedient, likewife hath
Made promise to the Doctor. - Now, thus it rests;
Her father means she shall be all in white,
And in that dress when Slender sees his time
To take her by the hand, and bid her go,
She shall go with him. Her mother hath intended,
The better to devote her to the Doctor,
(For they must all be mask'd and vizarded)
That, quaint in green, she shall be loofe enrob'd,
With ribbands-pendent, 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 given consent to go with him.
Hoft. Which means the to deceive? father or mo-
ther?

Fent. Both, my good Host, to go along with me;
And here it rests, that you'll procure the Vicar
To stay for me at church, 'twixt twelve and one,
And in the lawful name of marrying,
To give our hearts united ceremony.

Hoft. Well, husband your device; I'll to the Vicar.
Bring you the maid, you shall not lack a priest.
Fent. So shall I evermore be bound to thee;

Beside, I'll make a present recompence.

[Exeunt.

Re-enter Falstaff and Mistress Quickly. Fal. Pr'ythee, no more pratling; go, I'll hold. This is the third time; I hope, good luck lyes in odd numbers; away, go; they say, there is divinity in odd numbers, either in nativity, chance or death; away.

Quic. I'll provide you a chain, and I'll do what I can to get you a pair of horns. (Exit Mrs. Quickly.

Fal.

1

Fal. Away, I say, time wears: hold up your head and mince.

Enter Ford.

How now, master Brook? master Brook, the matter will be known to night, or never. Be you in the Park about mid-night, at Herne's oak, and you shall fee wonders.

Ford. Went you not to her yesterday, Sir, as you told me you had appointed?

Fal. I went to her, master Brook, as you see, like a poor old man; but I came from her, master Brook, like a poor old woman. That same knave, Ford her husband, hath the finest mad devil of jealoufie in him, master Brook, that ever govern'd frenzy. I will tell you; he beat me grievously, in the shape of a woman; for in the shape of a man, master Brook, I fear not Goliah with a weaver's beam; because I know also, life is a shuttle; I am in haste; go along with me, I'll tell you all, master Brook. Since I pluckt geefe, play'd truant, and whipt top, I knew not what 'twas to be beaten, 'till lately. Follow me, I'll tell you strange things of this knave Ford, on whom to night I will be reveng'd, and I will deliver his wife into your hand. Follow; strange things in hand, master Brook! follow. [Exeunt.

ACTV.

SCENE, Windsor-Park.

C

Enter Page, Shallow, and Slender.

PAGE.

YOME, come; we'll couch i'th' castle-ditch, 'till we see the light of our fairies. Remember, fon Slender, my daughter.

Slen. Ay, forsooth, I have spoke with her, and we

have a nay-word how to know one another. I come

to