FENTON

Who's with in there, hoa? How now (good woman) how dost thou? What news? how do's pretty Mistress Anne ? Shall I do any good thinkest thou? shall I not lose my suit? Yes marry have I, what of that? Well: I shall see her to day: hold, there's more ney for thee: Let me have thy voice in my behalf: if thou seest her before me, commend me. — Well, farewell, I am in great haste now. Why thou must be thy self. He does object, I am too great of birth, And that my state being galled with my expense, I seek to heal it only by his wealth. Beside these, other bars he lays before me, My Riots passed, my wild Societies, And tells me it's a thing impossible I should love thee, but as a property. Nay M r Page, be not impatient. Sir, will you hear me? Good Missed. Page, for that I love your daughter In such a righteous fashion as I do, Perforce, against all checks, rebukes, and manners, I must advance the colours of my love, And not retire. Let me have your good will. Farewell gentle Mistress: farewell Nan. I thank thee: and I pray thee once to night, Give my sweet Nan this Ring: there's for thy pains. Yet hear me speak: assist me in my purpose, And (as I am a gentleman) isle give thee A hundred pound in gold, more then your lose. From time to time, I have acquainted you With the deer love I bear to fair Anne Page, Who, mutually, hath answered my affection, (So far forth, as her self 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: fat Falstaff Hath a great Scene; the image of the jest I'll show you here at large (hark good mine Host :) To night at Hernes-Oke, joust betwixt twelve and one, Must my sweet Nan present the Faerie-Queene : The purpose why, is here: 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 Eaton Immediately to Marry: She hath consented: Now Sir, Her Mother, (even 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 Deanery, where a Priest attends Strait 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 devote her to the Doctor ; For they must all be masked, and vizarded) That quaint in green, she shall be lose en-roab'd, With Ribonds-pendant, flaring about 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. 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, betwixt twelve, and one, And in the lawful name of marrying, To give our hearts united ceremony. So shall I evermore be bound to thee; Beside, I'll make a present recompense. You do amaze her: hear the truth of it, You would have married her most shamefully, Where there was no proportion held in love: The truth is, she and I (long since contracted) Are now so sure that nothing can dissolve us: the offence is holy, that she hath committed, And this deceit looses the name of craft, Of disobedience, or unduteous title, Since therein she does evitate and shun A thousand irreligious cursed hours Which forced marriage would have brought upon her. I see I cannot get thy Father's love, Therefore no more turn me to him (sweet Nan.)