The Merry Wives Of Windsor

1 Enter Fenton and Host.
2 HOST.
3 Master Fenton, talk not to me. My mind is heavy. I will give over all.
4 FENTON.
5 Yet hear me speak. Assist me in my purpose,
6 And, as I am a gentleman, I’ll give thee
7 A hundred pound in gold more than your loss.
8 HOST.
9 I will hear you, Master Fenton, and I will, at the least, keep your
10 counsel.
11 FENTON.
12 From time to time I have acquainted you
13 With the dear love I bear to fair Anne Page,
14 Who mutually hath answered my affection,
15 So far forth as herself might be her chooser,
16 Even to my wish. I have a letter from her
17 Of such contents as you will wonder at,
18 The mirth whereof so larded with my matter
19 That neither singly can be manifested
20 Without the show of both, wherein fat Falstaff
21 Hath a great scene; the image of the jest
22 I’ll show you here at large. Hark, good mine host:
23 Tonight at Herne’s oak, just ’twixt twelve and one,
24 Must my sweet Nan present the Fairy Queen—
25 The purpose why is here—in which disguise,
26 While other jests are something rank on foot,
27 Her father hath commanded her to slip
28 Away with Slender, and with him at Eton
29 Immediately to marry. She hath consented. Now, sir,
30 Her mother, even strong against that match
31 And firm for Doctor Caius, hath appointed
32 That he shall likewise shuffle her away,
33 While other sports are tasking of their minds,
34 And at the dean’ry, where a priest attends,
35 Straight marry her. To this her mother’s plot
36 She, seemingly obedient, likewise hath
37 Made promise to the doctor. Now thus it rests:
38 Her father means she shall be all in white
39 And in that habit, when Slender sees his time
40 To take her by the hand and bid her go,
41 She shall go with him. Her mother hath intended
42 The better to denote her to the doctor,
43 For they must all be masked and vizarded—
44 That quaint in green she shall be loose enrobed,
45 With ribbons pendant flaring ’bout her head;
46 And when the doctor spies his vantage ripe,
47 To pinch her by the hand, and on that token
48 The maid hath given consent to go with him.
49 HOST.
50 Which means she to deceive, father or mother?
51 FENTON.
52 Both, my good host, to go along with me.
53 And here it rests, that you’ll procure the vicar
54 To stay for me at church, ’twixt twelve and one,
55 And, in the lawful name of marrying,
56 To give our hearts united ceremony.
57 HOST.
58 Well, husband your device; I’ll to the vicar.
59 Bring you the maid, you shall not lack a priest.
60 FENTON.
61 So shall I evermore be bound to thee;
62 Besides, I’ll make a present recompense.
63 [_Exeunt._]