Ford.
In good sadness, sir, I am sorry that for my sake
you have suffered
all this. My suit, then, is desperate; you’ll
undertake her no more.
Falstaff. Master Brook, I will be thrown
into Etna, as I have been into Thames, ere I will
leave her thus. Her husband is this morning gone
a-birding; I have received from her another embassy
of meeting; ’twixt eight and nine is the hour,
Master Brook.
Ford.
’Tis past eight already, sir.
Falstaff. Is it? I will then address
me to my appointment. Come to me at your convenient
leisure, and you shall know how I speed, and the conclusion
shall be crowned with your enjoying her: adieu.
You shall have her, Master Brook; Master Brook, you
shall cuckold Ford.
[Exit.]
Ford. Hum! ha! Is this a vision?
Is this a dream? Do I sleep? Master Ford,
awake; awake, Master Ford. There’s a hole
made in your best coat, Master Ford. This ’tis
to be married; this ’tis to have linen and buck-baskets!
Well, I will proclaim myself what I am; I will now
take the lecher; he is at my house. He cannot
scape me; ’tis impossible he should; he cannot
creep into a half-penny purse, nor into a pepper box;
but, lest the devil that guides him should aid him,
I will search impossible places. Though what I
am I cannot avoid, yet to be what I would not, shall
not make me tame; if I have horns to make one mad,
let the proverb go with me; I’ll be horn-mad.
[Exit.]
Scene I. The street.
[Enter mistress page, mistress quickly,
and William.]
Mrs. Page.
Is he at Master Ford’s already, think’st
thou?
Quickly. Sure he is by this; or will be
presently; but truly he is very courageous mad about
his throwing into the water. Mistress Ford desires
you to come suddenly.
Mrs. Page.
I’ll be with her by and by; I’ll but bring
my young man here to
school. Look where his master comes; ’tis
a playing day, I see.
[Enter sir Hugh Evans.]
How now, Sir Hugh, no school to-day?
Evans.
No; Master Slender is let the boys leave to play.
Quickly.
Blessing of his heart!
Mrs. Page.
Sir Hugh, my husband says my son profits nothing in
the world at
his book; I pray you ask him some questions in his
accidence.
Evans.
Come hither, William; hold up your head; come.
Mrs. Page.
Come on, sirrah; hold up your head; answer your master;
be not afraid.
Evans.
William, how many numbers is in nouns?
William.
Two.
Quickly.
Truly, I thought there had been one number more, because
they say
‘Od’s nouns.’
