lain do not say, they be fled; Germans are honest

men.

:

Enter SIR HUGH EVANS.

Evans. Where is mine host?

Host. What is the matter, sir?

Evans. Have a care of your entertainments: there is a friend of mine come to town, tells me, there is three couzin germans, that has cozened all the hosts of Readings, of Maidenhead, of Colebrook, of horses and money. I tell you for good will, look you: you are wise, and full of gibes and vlouting-stogs; and 'tis not convenient you should be cozened. Fare you well.

[Exit.

Enter CAIUS.

Caius. Vere is mine host de Jarterre?

Host. Here, master doctor, in perplexity, and doubtful dilemma.

Caius. I cannot tell vat is dat. But it is tell-a me, dat you make grand preparation for a duke de Jarmany: by my trot, dere is no duke, dat de court is know to come: I tell you for good vill: adieu.

[Exit. Host. Hue and cry, villain, go: assist me, knight; I am undone :-fly, run, hue and cry, villain! I am undone ! [Exeunt Host and Bardolph.

Fal. I would, all the world might be cozened ; 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 washed and cudgeled, they would melt me out of my fat, drop by drop, and liquor fishermen's boots with me; I warrant, they would whip me with their fine wits, till I were as crest-fallen as a dried pear. I never prospered since I forswore myself at primero.1 Well, if my wind were but long enough to say my prayers, I would repent.

Enter MRS. QUICKLY.

Now, whence come you?

Mrs. Quick. From the two parties, forsooth.

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

2

Mrs. Quick. And have not they suffered? 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 tellest thou me of black and blue? I was beaten myself into all the colors of the rainbow; and I was like to be apprehended for the witch of Brentford: but that my admirable dexterity of wit, my counterfeiting the action of an old woman, de

A fashionable game at cards in our author's time. 2 Especially

livered me, the knave constable had set me i' the stocks, i' the common stocks, for a witch.

Mrs. Quick. 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 here is to bring you together! Sure, one of you does not serve Heaven well, that you are so crossed!

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

:

Fen. Yet hear me speak. Assist me in my pur

pose,

And, as I am a gentleman, I'll give thee

A hundred pound in gold, more than your loss. Host. I will hear you, master Fenton; and I will, at the least, keep your counsel.

Fen. 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 herself might be her chooser) Even to my wish: I have a letter from her Of such contents as you will wonder at; The mirth whereof so larded with my matter, That neither, singly, can be manifested, Without the show of both ;-wherein fat Falstaff

Hath a great scene:1 the image 2 of the jest

[showing the letter.
I'll show you here at large. Hark, good mine host:
To-night at Herne's oak, just 'twixt twelve and one,
Must my sweet Nan present the fairy queen;
The purpose why, is here; 3 in which disguise,
While other jests are something rank on foot,*
Her father hath commanded her to slip
Away with Slender, and with him at Eton
Immediately to marry: she hath consented:
Now, sir,

Her mother, even strong 5 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 deanery, where a priest attends,
Straight marry her: to this her mother's plot,
She, seemingly obedient, likewise hath

Made promise to the doctor.-Now, thus it rests:
Her father means she shall be all in white;
And in that habit, 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 denote her to the doctor,

(For they must all be mask'd and vizarded) That, quaint in green, she shall be loose enrobed,

With ribands 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.

Host. Which means she to deceive? father or mother?

Fen. Both, my good host, to go along with me : And here it rests,-that you '11 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.

Host. Well, husband your device; I'll to the vicar :

Bring you the maid, you shall not lack a priest.
Fen. So shall I evermore be bound to thee;
Besides, I'll make a present recompense.

[Exeunt.

ACT V.

SCENE I.

A room in the Garter Inn.

Enter FALSTAFF and MRS. QUICKLY.

Fal. Pr'ythee, no more prattling :—go.- -I'll hold.1 This is the third time; I hope, good luck lies in odd numbers. Away, go; they say, there is divinity in odd numbers, either in nativity, chance, or death.-Away.

1 I'll keep the appointment.