SCENE II. _The street, in Windsor.

_Enter MISTRESS PAGE and ROBIN._

_Mrs Page._ Nay, keep your way, little gallant; you were wont to be a follower, but now you are a leader. Whether had you rather lead mine eyes, or eye your master’s heels?

_Rob._ I had rather, forsooth, go before you like a man than follow him like a dwarf. 5

_Mrs Page._ O, you are a flattering boy: now I see you’ll be a courtier.

_Enter FORD._

_Ford._ Well met, Mistress Page. Whither go you?

_Mrs Page._ Truly, sir, to see your wife. Is she at home?

_Ford._ Ay; and as idle as she may hang together, for 10 want of company. I think, if your husbands were dead, you two would marry.

_Mrs Page._ Be sure of that,--two other husbands.

_Ford._ Where had you this pretty weathercock?

_Mrs Page._ I cannot tell what the dickens his name is 15 husband had him of. --What do you call your knight’s name, sirrah?

_Rob._ Sir John Falstaff.

_Ford._ Sir John Falstaff!

_Mrs Page._ He, he; I can never hit on’s name. There 20 is such a league between my good man and he!--Is your wife at home indeed?

_Ford._ Indeed she is.

_Mrs Page._ By your leave, sir: I am sick till I see her.

[_Exeunt Mrs Page and Robin._

_Ford._ Has Page any brains? hath he any eyes? hath 25 he any thinking? Sure, they sleep; he hath no use of them. Why, this boy will carry a letter twenty mile, as easy as a cannon will shoot point-blank twelve score. He pieces out his wife’s inclination; he gives her folly motion and advantage: and now she’s going to my wife, and Falstaff’s boy 30 with her. A man may hear this shower sing in the wind. And Falstaff’s boy with her! Good plots, they are laid; and our revolted wives share damnation together. Well; I will take him, then torture my wife, pluck the borrowed veil of modesty from the so seeming Mistress Page, divulge 35 Page himself for a secure and wilful Actæon; and to these violent proceedings all my neighbours shall cry aim. [_Clock heard._] The clock gives me my cue, and my assurance bids me search: there I shall find Falstaff: I shall be rather praised for this than mocked; for it is as positive as the 40 earth is firm that Falstaff is there: I will go.

_Enter PAGE, SHALLOW, SLENDER, HOST, SIR HUGH EVANS, CAIUS, and RUGBY._

_Shal., Page, &c._ Well met, Master Ford.

_Ford._ Trust me, a good knot: I have good cheer at home; and I pray you all go with me.

_Shal._ I must excuse myself, Master Ford. 45

_Slen._ And so must I, sir: we have appointed to dine with Mistress Anne, and I would not break with her for more money than I’ll speak of.

_Shal._ We have lingered about a match between Anne Page and my cousin Slender, and this day we shall have 50 our answer.

_Slen._ I hope I have your good will, father Page.

_Page._ You have, Master Slender; I stand wholly for you:--but my wife, master doctor, is for you altogether.

_Caius._ Ay, be-gar; and de maid is love-a me: my 55 nursh-a Quickly tell me so mush.

_Host._ What say you to young Master Fenton? he capers, he dances, he has eyes of youth, he writes verses, he speaks holiday, he smells April and May: he will carry’t, he will carry’t; ’tis in his buttons; he will carry’t. 60

_Page._ Not by my consent, I promise you. The gentleman is of no having: he kept company with the wild prince and Poins; he is of too high a region; he knows too much. No, he shall not knit a knot in his fortunes with the finger of my substance: if he take her, let him take her 65 simply; the wealth I have waits on my consent, and my consent goes not that way.

_Ford._ I beseech you heartily, some of you go home with me to dinner: besides your cheer, you shall have sport; I will show you a monster. Master doctor, you shall go; 70 so shall you, Master Page; and you, Sir Hugh.

_Shal._ Well, fare you well: we shall have the freer wooing at Master Page’s. [_Exeunt Shal. and Slen._

_Caius._ Go home, John Rugby; I come anon.

[_Exit Rugby._

_Host._ Farewell, my hearts: I will to my honest knight 75 Falstaff, and drink canary with him. [_Exit._

_Ford._ [_Aside_] I think I shall drink in pipe-wine first with him; I’ll make him dance. Will you go, gentles?

_All._ Have with you to see this monster. [_Exeunt._

NOTES: III, 2