TPTT The Merry Wives of Windsor: ACT III
Introduction
ACT I
ACT II
ACT III
SCENE I. A field near Frogmore.
SCENE II. A street.
SCENE III. A room in FORD'S house.
SCENE IV. A room in PAGE'S house.
SCENE V. A room in the Garter Inn.
ACT IV
ACT V
About the Play
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SCENE II. A street.
Enter MISTRESS PAGE and ROBIN
MISTRESS 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?
ROBIN
      I had rather, forsooth, go before you like a man
5     than follow him like a dwarf.
MISTRESS 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?
MISTRESS PAGE
      Truly, sir, to see your wife. Is she at home?
FORD
      Ay; and as idle as she may hang together, for want
10    of company. I think, if your husbands were dead,
      you two would marry.
MISTRESS PAGE
      Be sure of that,--two other husbands.
FORD
      Where had you this pretty weather-cock?
MISTRESS PAGE
      I cannot tell what the dickens his name is my
15    husband had him of. What do you call your knight's
      name, sirrah?
ROBIN
      Sir John Falstaff.
FORD
      Sir John Falstaff!
MISTRESS PAGE
      He, he; I can never hit on's name. There is such a
20    league between my good man and he! Is your wife at
      home indeed?
FORD
      Indeed she is.
MISTRESS PAGE
      By your leave, sir: I am sick till I see her.
Exeunt MISTRESS PAGE and ROBIN
FORD
      Has Page any brains? hath he any eyes? hath he any
25    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
30    going to my wife, and Falstaff's boy 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
35    the borrowed veil of modesty from the so seeming
      Mistress Page, divulge Page himself for a secure and
      wilful Actaeon; and to these violent proceedings all
      my neighbours shall cry aim.

Clock heard

      The clock gives me my cue, and my assurance bids me
40    search: there I shall find Falstaff: I shall be
      rather praised for this than mocked; for it is as
      positive as the earth is firm that Falstaff is
      there: I will go.
Enter PAGE, SHALLOW, SLENDER, Host, SIR HUGH EVANS, DOCTOR CAIUS, and RUGBY
SHALLOW
PAGE
      Well met, Master Ford.
45    &c.
FORD
      Trust me, a good knot: I have good cheer at home;
      and I pray you all go with me.
SHALLOW
      I must excuse myself, Master Ford.
SLENDER
      And so must I, sir: we have appointed to dine with
50    Mistress Anne, and I would not break with her for
      more money than I'll speak of.
SHALLOW
      We have lingered about a match between Anne Page and
      my cousin Slender, and this day we shall have our answer.
SLENDER
      I hope I have your good will, father Page.
PAGE
55    You have, Master Slender; I stand wholly for you:
      but my wife, master doctor, is for you altogether.
DOCTOR CAIUS
      Ay, be-gar; and de maid is love-a me: my nursh-a
      Quickly tell me so mush.
Host
      What say you to young Master Fenton? he capers, he
60    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.
PAGE
      Not by my consent, I promise you. The gentleman is
65    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 simply; the wealth I have waits on
70    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; so shall you, Master Page; and you, Sir Hugh.
SHALLOW
75    Well, fare you well: we shall have the freer wooing
      at Master Page's.
Exeunt SHALLOW, and SLENDER
DOCTOR CAIUS
      Go home, John Rugby; I come anon.
Exit RUGBY
Host
      Farewell, my hearts: I will to my honest knight
      Falstaff, and drink canary with him.
Exit
FORD
80    (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
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