And yet the painter flatter'd her a little,
Unless I flatter with myself too much.
Her hair is auburn, mine is perfect yellow :
If that be all the difference in his love,
I'll get me such a colour'd periwig.
Her eyes are green as grass, and so are mine:
Ay, but her forehead's low, and mine's as high.
What should it be, that he respects in her,
But I can make respective in myself,
If this fond love were not a blinded god ?

Come, shadow come, and take this shadow up,
For 't is thy rival. O thou senseless form !
Thou shalt be worshipp'd, kiss'd, lov'd, and ador'd;
And, were there sense in his idolatry,
My substance should be statue in thy stead.
I'll use thee kindly for thy mistress' sake,
That us'd me so; or else, by Jove I vow,
I should have scratch'd out your unseeing eyes,
To make my master out of love with thee. [Exit.

ACT V.

2

4

SCENE I.--The Same. An Abbey.

Enter DUKE, angrily.

Duke. How now, sir Proteus ! how now, Thurio ! Enter EGLAMOUR.

Which of you saw'sir Eglamour of late ? Egl. The sun begins to gild the western sky,

Thu. Not I.
And now it is about the very hour,

Pro. Nor I.
That Silvia at friar Patrick's cell should meet me. Duke. Saw you my daughter ?
She will not fail; for lovers break not hours,

Pro. Neither.
Unless it be to come before their time,

Duke. Why, then
So much they spur their expedition.

She's fled unto that peasant Valentine,
Enter SILVIA.

And Eglamour is in her company.
See, where she comes.—Lady, a happy evening. 'Tis true; for friar Lawrence met them both,
Sil. Amen, amen. Go on, good Eglamour,

As he in penance wander'd through the forest':
Out at the postern by the abbey-wall.

Him he knew well; and guess'd that it was she, I fear, I am attended by some spies.

But, being mask'd, he was not sure of her: Egl. Fear not: the forest is not three leagues off; Besides, she did intend confession If we recover that, we are sure enough. Exeunt. At Patrick's cell this even, and there she was not.

These likelihoods confirm her flight from hence:
SCENE II.-The Same. A Room in the DUKE'S

Therefore, I pray you, stand not to discourse,
Palace.

But mount you presently; and meet with me
Enter THURIO, PROTEUS, and JULIA.

Upon the rising of the mountain-foot,
Thu. Sir Proteus, what says Silvia to my suit ? That leads towards Mantua, whither they are fled.

Pro. O, sir! I find her milder than she was; Dispatch, sweet gentlemen, and follow me. And yet she takes exceptions at your person.

[Exit in haste. Thu. What! that my leg is too long ?

Thu. Why, this it is to be a peevish girl, Pro. No, that it is too little. .

That flies her fortune when it follows her. Thu. I'll wear a boot to make it somewhat rounder. I'll after, more to be reveng'd on Eglamour, Jul. But love will not be spurrd to what it loaths. Than for the love of reckless Silvia.

[Exit. [Aside. Pro. And I will follow, more for Silvia's love, Thu. What says she to my face?

Than hate of Eglamour that goes with her. TExit. Pro. She says it is a fair one.

Jul. And I will follow, more to cross that love,
Thu. Nay, then the wanton lies : my face is black. Than hate for Silvia that is gone for love. ( Exit.
Pro. But pearls are fair, and the old saying is,

SCENE III.-- The Forest.
Black men are pearls in beauteous ladies' eyes.
Jul. 'T is true, such pearls as put out ladies' eyes;

Enter SILVIA, and Outlaws.
For I had rather wink than look on them. [Aside. 1 Out. Come, come; be patient, we must bring you
Thu. How likes she my discourse ?

to our captain.

[Drawing her in. Pro. Ill, when you talk of war.

Sil. A thousand more mischances than this one Thu. But well, when I discourse of love and Have learn'd me how to brook this patiently. peace ?

2 Out. Come, bring her away. Jul. But better, indeed, when you hold your peace. 1 Out. Where is the gentleman that was with her ?

[Aside. 3 Out. Being nimble-footed, he hath outrun us; Thu. What says she to my valour ?

But Moyses, and Valerius, follow him. Pro. O, sir! she makes no doubt of that.

Go thou with her to the west end of the wood; Jul. She needs not, when she knows it cowardice. There is our captain. We'll follow him that's filed :

[Aside. The thicket is beset; he cannot ’scape. Thu. What says she to my birth?

1 Out. Come, I must bring you to our captain's cave. Pro. That you are well deriv’d.

Fear not; he bears an honourable mind, Jul. True; from a gentleman to a fool. [Aside. And will not use a woman lawlessly. Thu. Considers she my large possessions ?

Sil. O Valentine ! this I endure for thee. [Excunt. Pro. O! ay, and pities them. That, Wherefore ?

SCENE IV.-Another Part of the Forest. Jul. That such an ass should owe them.

Enter VALENTINE.

[Aside. Pro. That they are out by lease

Val. How use doth breed a habit in a man! Jul. Here comes the duke.

These shadowy, desert,5 unfrequented woods, grey as glass : in f. e.

2 3 Not in f. e. 4 ist haste: not in f. e. 5 This shadowy, desert: in f. e.

[Aside.

I better brook than flourishing peopled towns.

(For such is a friend now) treacherous man! Here can I sit alone, unseen of any,

Thou hast beguild my hopes : nought but mine eye And to the nightingale's complaining notes

Could have persuaded me.

Now dared I to say, Tune my distresses, and record' my woes.

I have one friend alive, thou would'st disprove me. O! thou that dost inhabit in my breast,

Who should be trusted now, when one's right hand Leave not the mansion too long tenantless,

Is perjur'd to the bosom? Proteus, Lest, growing ruinous, the building fall,

I am sorry I must never trust thee more, And leave no memory of what it was !

But count the world a stranger for thy sake. Repair me with thy presence, Silvia !

The private wound is deep'st. O time accurst! Thou gentle nymph, cherish thy forlorn swain ! 'Mongst all myo foeslo a friend should be the worst ! What halloing, and what stir, is this to-day ? [Shouts.? Pro. My shame and desperate guilt at oncell conThese my rude mates, that make their wills their law,

found me.Have some unhappy passenger in chase.

Forgive me, Valentine. If hearty sorrow They love me well; yet I have much to do,

Be a sufficient ransom for offence, To keep them from uncivil outrages.

I tender 't here : I do as truly suffer,
Withdraw thee, Valentine : who's this comes here ? As e'er I did commit.

[Withdraws.
Val.

Then, I am paid;
Enter PROTEUS, SILVIA, and JULIA.

And once again I do receive thee honest.
Pro. Madam, this service having done for you, Who by repentance is not satisfied,
(Though you respect not aught your servant doth) Is nor of heaven, nor earth; for these are pleas'd :
To hazard life, and rescue you from him,

By penitence th? Eternal's wrath 's appeas'd.
That would have forc'd your honour and your love, And, that my love may appear plain and free,
Vouchsafe me, for my meed, but one fair look." All that was mine in Silvia I give thee.
A smaller boon than this I cannot beg,

Jul. O me unhappy!
And less than this, I am sure, you cannot give.

Pro. Look to the boy. Val. How like a dream is this, I see and hear! Val. Why, boy! why, wag! how now! what's the Love, lend me patience to forbear awhile. [Aside. matter! look up; speak. Sil. O, miserable ! unhappy that I am !

Jul. O good sir! my master charg'd me to deliver a Pro. Únhappy were you, madam, ere I came; ring to madam Silvia, which, out of my neglect, was But by my coming I have made you happy.

never done. Sil. By thy approach thou mak'st me most unhappy. Pro. Where is that ring, boy? Jul. And me, when he approacheth to your presence.

Jul.

Here 't is: this is it. [Gives a ring.

Pro. How ! let me see. Sil. Had I been seized by a hungry lion,

This is the ring I gave to Julia. I would have been a breakfast to the beast,

Jul. O! cry you mercy, sir; I have mistook : Rather than have false Proteus rescue me.

This is the ring you sent to Silvia. [Shows another ring. 0, heaven! be judge, how I love Valentine,

Pro. But, how cam’st thou by this ring? Whose life's as tender to me as my soul ;

At my depart I gave this unto Julia. And full as much (for more there cannot be)

Jul. And Julia herself did give it me; I do detest false, perjur'd Proteus :

And Julia herself hath brought it hither. Therefore be gone: solicit me no more.

Pro. How? Julia !

[Discovering herself. Pro. What dangerous action, stood it next to death, Jul. Behold her that gave aim to all thy oaths, Would I not undergo for one calin look.

And entertain'd them deeply in her heart: 0! 'tis the curse in love, and still approv'd,8

How oft hast thou with perjury cleft the root ! When women cannot love where they 're belov'd. O Proteus ! let this habit make thee blush:

Sil. When Proteus cannot love where he's belov’d. Be thou asham'd, that I have took upon me
Read over Julia's heart, thy first best love,

Such an immodest raiment; if shame live
For whose dear sake thou didst then rend thy faith In a disguise of love.
Into a thousand oaths; and all those oaths

It is the lesser blot, modesty finds,
Descended into perjury to love me.

Women to change their shapes, than men their minds. Thou hast no faith left now, unless thou’dst two, Pro. Than men their minds: 't is true. O heaven! And that's far worse than none: better have none Than plural faith, which is too much by one.

But constant, he were perfect : that one error (sins : Thou counterfeit to thy true friend !

Fills him with faults; makes him run through all the Pro.

In love

Inconstancy falls off, ere it begins.
Who respects friend ?

What is in Silvia’s face, but I may spy
Sil.
All men but Proteus.

More fresh in Julia's, with a constant eye ?
Pro. Nay, if the gentle spirit of moving words Val. Come, come, a hand from either.
Can no way change you to a milder form,

Let me be blest to make this happy close : I'll woo you like a soldier, at arm's end,

’T were pity two such friends should be long foes. And love you 'gainst the nature of love : force you. Pro. Bear witness, heaven, I have my wish for ever. Sil. O heaven!

Jul. And I mine.
Pro.
I'll force thee yield to my desire.

Enter Outlaws, with Duke and Thurio.
Val. [Coming forward.] Ruffian, let go that rude Out. A prize! a prize! a prize!
uncivil touch;

Val. Forbear : forbear, I say: it is my lord the Thou friend of an ill fashion !

duke. Pro. Valentine'!

[love; Your grace is welcome to a man disgrac'd, Val. Thou common friend, that's without faith or Banished Valentine.

were man

Duke.
Sir Valentine !

I now beseech you, for your daughter's sake,
Thu. Yonder is Silvia; and Silvia's mine.

To grant one boon that I shall ask of you. Val. Thurio, give back, or else embrace thy death. Duke. I grant it for thine own, whate'er it be. Come not within the measure of my wrath :

Val. These banish'd men, that I have kept withal, Do not name Silvia thine; if once again,

Are men endued with worthy qualities : Milano? shall not hold thee. Here she stands : Forgive them what they have committed here, Take but possession of her with a touch.

And let them be recall'd from their exile. I dare thee but to breathe upon my love.

They are reformed, civil, full of good, Thu. Sir Valentine, I care not for her, I.

And fit for great employment, worthy lord. I hold him but a fool, that will endanger

Duke. Thou hast prevail'd; I pardon them, and thee His body for a girl that loves him not:

Dispose of them, as thou know'st their deserts. I claim her not, and therefore she is thine.

Come; let us go: we will concludea all jars Duke. The more degenerate and base art thou, With triumphs, mirth, and rare solemnity. To make such means for her as thou hast done,

Val. And as we walk along, I dare be bold And leave her on such slight conditions.

With our discourse to make your grace to smile. Now, by the honour of my ancestry,

What think you of this stripling: page, my lord ? I do applaud thy spirit, Valentine,

Duke. I think the boy hath grace in him: he blushes. And think thee worthy of an empress' love.

Val. I warrant you, my lord, more grace than boy. Know then, I here forget all former griefs,

Duke. What mean you by that saying, Valentine ?4 Cancel all grudge, repeal thee home again,

Val. Please you, I'll tell you as we pass along, Plead a new state in thy unrivall’d merit,

That you will wonder what hath fortuned.-To which I thus subscribe.--Sir Valentine,

Come, Proteus; 't is your penance, but to hear
Thou art a gentleman, and well deriv'd:

The story of your love's discoverer :
Take thou thy Silvia, for thou hast deserv'd her. Our day of marriage shall be yours no less ; 5
Val. I thank your grace; the gift hath made me One feast, one house, one mutual happiness.
happy.

[Exeunt.

THE MERRY WIVES

OF WINDSOR.

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.

BARDOLPH,

PAGE

; }Two Gentlemen dwelling at Windsor.

Sir John FALSTAFF.
FENTON.

PISTOL Followers of Falstaff,
SHALLOW, a Country Justice.

NYM,
SLENDER, Cousin to Shallow.

ROBIN, Page to Falstaff.
SIMPLE, Servant to Slender.

John Rugby, Servant to Dr. Caius.
WILLIAM PAGE, a Boy, Son to Mr. Page.

Mrs. FORD Sir Hugh Evans, a Welsh Parson.

Mrs. PAGE. Dr. Caius, a French Physician.

ANNE PAGE, her Daughter, in love with Fenton. Host of the Garter Inn.

Mrs. QUICKLY, Servant to Dr. Caius.
Servants to Page, Ford, &c.
SCENE, Windsor; and the Parts adjacent.

ACT I.

coram.

SCENE I.--Windsor. Before Page's House,

. Shal. Ha! o my life, if I were young again the Enter Justice SHALLOW, SLENDER, and Sir Hugh

sword should end it. EVANS.

Eva. It is petter that friends is the sword, and end Shal. Sir Hugh, persuade me not; I will make a it: and there is also another device in my prain, which, Star-chamber matter of it: if he were twenty sir John peradventure, prings goot discretions with it. There Falstaffs, he shall not abuse Robert Shallow, esquire. is Anne Page, which is daughter to master George Page, Slen. In the county of Gloster, justice of peace, and which is pretty virginity.

Slen. Mistress Anne Page? She has brown hair, and Shal. Ay, cousin Slender, and cust-alorum.

speaks small, like a woman. Slen. Ay, and ratolorum too; and a gentleman born,

Eva. It is that fery person for all the orld; as just as master parson; who writes himself armigero; in any you will desire, and seven hundred pounds of monies, bill, warrant, quittance, or obligation, armigero.

and gold, and silver, is her grandsire, upon his death'sShal. Ay, that I do; and have done any time these bed (Got deliver to a joyful resurrections !) give, when three hundred years.

she is able to overtake seventeen years old. It were a Slen. All his successors, gone before him, have done 't; goot motion, if we leave our pribbles and prabbles, and and all his ancestors, that come after him, may: they desire a marriage between master Abraham, and mismay give the dozen white luces in their coat.

tress Anne Page. Shal. It is an oid coat.

Slen. Did her grandsire leave her seven hundred Eva. The dozen white louses do become an old coat pound? well; it'agrees well, passant: it is a familiar beast to Eva. Ay, and her father is make her a petter man, and signifies love.

penny. Shal. The luce is the fresh fish; the salt fish is an

Slen. I know the young gentlewoman; she has good old coat.

gifts. Slen. I may quarter, coz?

Eva. Seven hundred pounds, and possibilities, is Shal. You may, by marrying.

good gifts. Eva. It is marring, indeed, if he quarter it.

Shal. Well, let us see honest master Page. Is FalShal. Not a whit.

staff there? Eva. Yes, per-lady: if he has a quarter of your coat,

Eva. Shall I tell you a lie? I do despise a liar, as there is but three skirts for yourself

, in my simple con- I do despise one that is false; or, as I despise one that jectures. But that is all one : if sir John Falstaff have is not true. The knight, sir John, is there; and, I committed disparagements unto you, I am of the church, beseech you, be ruled by your well-willers.' I will and will be glad to do my benevolence, to make atone- peat the door for master Page. [Knocks.] What, hoa ! ments and compromises between you.

Got pless your house here ! Shal. The council shall hear it: it is a riot.

Page. Who's there? [Above, at the window. Eva. It is not meet the council hear a riot; there is

Eva. Here is Got's plessing, and your friend, and no fear of Got in a riot. The council, look you, shall justice Shallow ; and here young master Slender, that, desire to hear the fear of Got, and not to hear a riot: peradventures, shall tell you another tale, if matters take your vizaments in that.

3 6

say,

Enter PAGE.

Page. We three, to hear it, and end it between Page. I am glad to see your worships well. I thank them. you for my venison, master Shallow.

Eva. Fery goot: I will make a prief of it in my Shal. Master Page, I am glad to see you: much note-book; and we will afterwards 'ork upon the good do it your good heart. I wished your venison cause, with as great discreetly as we can. better; it was ill kill'd.—How doth good mistress Fal. Pistol ! Page ?-and I thank you always with my heart, la ;

Pist. He hears with ears. with my heart.

Eva. The tevil and his tam! what phrase is this? Page. Sir, I thank you.

“He hears with ear P Why, it is affectations. Shal. Sir, I thank you; by yea and no, I do.

Fal. Pistol, did you pick master Slender's purse ? Page. I am glad to see you, good master Slender. Slen. Ay, by these gloves, did he, (or I would I

Slen. How does your fallow greyhound, sir? I might never come in mine own great chamber again heard say, he was outrun on Cotsold.?

else) of seven groats in mill-sixpences, and two Edward Page. It could not be judg’d, sir:

shovel-boards, that cost me two shilling and two pence Slen. You'll not confess, you'll not confess. a-piece of Yed Miller, by these gloves.

Shal. That he will not; -t is your fault, ’t is your Fal. Is this true, Pistol ? fault.---- T is a good dog.

Eva. No; it is false, if it is a pick-purse. Page. A cur, sir.

Pist. Ha, thou mountain-foreigner !--Sir John and Shal. Sir, he's a good dog, and a fair dog; can master mine, there be more said ? he is good, and fair. Is sir John I combat challenge of this latten bilbo : Falstaff here?

Word of denial in thy labras here; Page. Sir, he is within; and I would I could do a Word of denial; froth and scum, thou liest. good office between you.

Slen. By these gloves, then 't was he. Eva. It is spoke as a Christians ought to speak. Nym. Be advised, sir, and pass good humours. I will Shal. He hath wrong'd me, master Page.

“

marry trap," with you, if you run the nuthook’s8 Page. Sir, he doth in some sort confess it.

humour on me; that is the very note of it. Shal. If it be confess'd, it is not redress'd : is not Slen. By this hat, then he in the red face had it; for that so, master Page ? Hé hath wrong'd me; indeed, though I cannot remember what I did when you made he hath ;-at a word, he hath;-believe me :-Robert me drunk, yet I am not altogether an ass. Shallow, esquire, saith he is wrong'd.

Fal. What say you, Scarlet and John ?9 Page. Here comes sir John.

Bard. Why, sir, for my part, I say, the gentleman Enter Sir John FALSTAFF, BARDOLPH, Nym, and had drunk himself out of his five sentences. PISTOL.

Eva. It is his five senses : fie, what the ignorance is ! Fal. Now, master Shallow; you ’ll complain of me Bard. And being fap,10 sir, was, as they say, cashier'd; to the king?

and so conclusions pass'd the carieres.11 Shal. Knight, you have beaten my men, killed my Slen. Ay, you spake in Latin then too; but 't is no deer, and broke open my lodge.

matter. I'll ne'er be drunk whilst I live again, but Fál. But not kiss'd your keeper's daụghter.

in honest, civil, godly company, for this trick; if I be Shal. Tut, a pin! this shall be answered.

drunk, I'll be drunk with those that have the fear of Fal. I will answer it straight :- I have done all God, and not with drunken knaves. this.--That is now answered.

Eva. So Got ’udge me, that is a virtuous mind. Shal. The council shall know this.

Fal. You hear all these matters denied, gentlemen ; Fal. ’T were better for you, if it were known in you hear it. counsel : you ’ll be laughed at.

Enter ANNE PAGE with wine ; and Mistress FORD and Eva. Pauca verba, sir John; good worts.

Mistress PAGE. Fal. Good worts P3 good cabbage.--Slender, I broke Page. Nay, daughter, carry the wine in; we'll drink your head; what matter have you against me?

within.

[Exit ANNE PAGE. Slen. Marry, sir, I have matter in my head against Slen. Oh heaven! this is mistress Anne Page. you ; and against your coney-catching rascals, Bar

[Following and looking after her.! dolph, Nym, and Pistol. They carried me to the Page. How now, mistress Ford ! tavern, and made me drunk, and afterwards picked Fal. Mistress Ford, by my troth, you are very well my pocket.

met: by your leave, good mistress. [Kissing her. Bard. You Banbury cheese.

Page. Wife, bid these gentlemen welcome. Come, Slen. Ay, it is no matter.

we have a hot venison pasty to dinner: come, gentlePist. How now, Mephostophilus ?

men, I hope we shall drink down all unkindness. Slen. Ay, it is no matter.

[Exeunt all but SHALLOW, SLENDER, and EVANS. Nym. Slice, I say! pauca, pauca; slice! that's my Slen. I had rather than forty shillings, I had my humour.

book of songs and sonnets here.-Slen. Where's Simple, my man ? can you tell,

Enter SIMPLE. cousin ?

How now, Simple! Where have you been? I must Eva. Peace! I pray you. Now let us understand : wait on myself

, must I? You have not the book of there is three umpires in this matter, as I understand; riddles about you, have you? that is master Page, fidelicet, master Page; and there Sim. Book of riddles ! why, did you not lend it to is myself, fidelicet, myself; and the three party is, Alice Shortcake upon Allhallowmas last, a fortnight lastly and finally, mine host of the Garter.

12