Shakespeare - First Folio facsimile (1910)/The Merry Wives of Windsor/Act 1 Scene 4
Scæna Quarta.
Caius, Fenton.
What, Iohn Rugby, I pray thee goe to the Casement,
and see if you can see my Master, Master Docter
Caius comming: if he doe (I' faith) and finde any body
in the house; here will be an old abusing of Gods patience,
and the Kings English.
Ile goe watch.
Goe, and we'll haue a posset for't soone at night,
(in faith) at the latter end of a Sea-cole-fire: An honest,
willing, kinde fellow, as euer seruant shall come in house
withall: and I warrant you, no tel-tale, nor no breedebate:
his worst fault is, that he is giuen to prayer; hee is
something peeuish that way: but no body but has his
fault: but let that passe. Peter Simple, you say your
name is?
I: for fault of a better.
And Master Slender's your Master?
I forsooth.
Do's he not weare a great round Beard, like a
Glouers pairing-knife?
a little yellow Beard: a Caine colourd Beard.
.
A softly-sprighted man, is he not?
I forsooth: but he is as tall a man of his hands, as
any is betweene this and his head: he hath fought with
a Warrener.
How say you: oh, I should remember him: do's
he not hold vp his head (as it were?) and strut in his gate?
Yes indeede do's he.
Well, heauen send Anne Page, no worse fortune:
Tell Master Parson Euans, I will doe what I can for your
Master: Anne is a good girle, and I wish.
Out alas: here comes my Master.
We shall all be shent: Run in here, good young
man: goe into this Closset: he will not stay long: what
Iohn Rugby? Iohn: what Iohn I say? goe Iohn, goe enquire
for my Master, I doubt he be not well, that hee
comes not home: (and downe, downe, adowne'a. &c.
you goe and vetch me in my Closset, vnboyteere verd;
a Box, a greene-a-Box: do intend vat I speake? a greene-a-Box.
I forsooth ile fetch it you:
I am glad hee went not in himselfe: if he had found the
yong man he would haue bin horne-mad.
Fe, fe, fe, fe, mai foy, il fait for ehando, Ie man voi a le
Court la grand affaires.
Is it this Sir?
Ouy mette le au mon pocket, depeech quickly:
Vere is dat knaue Rugby?
What Iohn Rugby, Iohn?
Here Sir.
You are Iohn Rugby, and you are Iacke Rugby:
Come, take-a-your Rapier, and come after my heele to
the Court.
'Tis ready Sir, here in the Porch.
By my trot: I tarry too long: od's-me: que ay ie
oublie: dere is some Simples in my Closset, dat I vill not
for the varld I shall leaue behinde.
Ay-me, he'll finde the yong man there, & be mad.
O Diable, Diable: vat is in my Closset?
Villanie, Laroone: Rugby, my Rapier.
Good Master be content.
Wherefore shall I be content-a?
The yong man is an honest man.
What shall de honest man do in my Closset: dere
is no honest man dat shall come in my Closset.
I beseech you be not so flegmaticke: heare the truth
of it. He came of an errand to mee, from Parson Hugh.
Vell.
I forsooth: to desire her to—
Peace, I pray you.
Peace-a-your tongue: speake-a-your Tale.
To desire this honest Gentlewoman (your Maid)
to speake a good word to Mistris Anne Page, for my Master
in the way of Marriage.
This is all indeede-la: but ile nere put my finger
in the fire, and neede not.
Sir Hugh send-a you? Rugby, ballow mee some
paper: tarry you a littell-a-while.
Qui
I am glad he is so quiet: if he had bin throughly moued, you should haue heard him so loud, and so melancholly: but notwithstanding man, Ile doe yoe your Master what good I can: and the very yea, & the no is, ye French Doctor my Master, (I may call him my Master, looke you, for I keepe his house; and I wash, ring, brew, bake, scowre, dresse meat and drinke, make the beds, and doe all my selfe.)
Simp.
'Tis a great charge to come vnder one bodies hand.
Qui.
Are you auis'd o'that? you shall finde it a great charge: and to be vp early, and down late: but notwithstanding, (to tell you in your eare, I wold haue no words of it) my Master himselfe is in loue with Mistris Anne Page: but notwithstanding that I know Ans mind, that's neither heere nor there.
Caius.
You, Iack'Nape: giue-'a this Letter to Sir Hugh, by gar it is a shallenge: I will cut his troat in de Parke, and I will teach a scuruy Iack-a-nape Priest to meddle, or make:- you may be gon: it is not good you tarry here: by gar I will cut all his two stones: by gar, he shall not haue a stone to throw at his dogge.
Qui.
Alas: he speakes but for his friend.
Caius.
It is no matter 'a ver dat: do not you tell-a-me dat I shall haue Anne Page for my selfe? by gar, I vill kill de Iack-Priest: and I haue appointed mine Host of de Iarteer to measure our weapon: by gar, I wil my selfe haue Anne Page.
Qui.
Sir, the maid loues you, and all shall bee well: We must giue folkes leaue to prate: what the good-ier.
Caius.
Rugby, come to the Court with me: by gar, if I haue not Anne Page, I shall turne your head out of my dore: follow my heeles, Rugby.
Qui.
You shall haue An-fooles head of your owne: No, I know Ans mind for that: neuer a woman in Windsor knowes more of Ans minde then I doe, nor can doe more then I doe with her, I thanke heauen.
Fenton.
Who's with in there, hoa?
Qui.
Who's there, I troa? Come neere the house I pray you.
Fen.
How now (good woman) how dost thou?
Qui.
The better that it pleases your good Worship to aske?
Fen.
What newes? how do's pretty Mistris Anne?
Qui.
In truth Sir, and shee is pretty, and honest, and gentle, and one that is your friend, I can tell you that by the way, I praise heauen for it.
Fen.
Shall I doe any good thinkst thou? shall I not loose my suit?
Qui.
Troth Sir, all is in his hands aboue: but notwithstanding (Master Fenton) Ile be sworne on a booke shee loues you: haue not your Worship a wart aboue your eye?
Fen.
Yes marry haue I, what of that?
Qui.
Wel, thereby hangs a tale: good faith, it is such another Nan; (but (I detest) an honest maid as euer broke bread: wee had an howres talke of that wart; I shall neuer laugh but in that maids company: but (indeed) shee is giuen too much to Allicholy and musing: but for you - well - goe too.
Fen.
Well: I shall see her to day: hold, there's money for thee: Let mee haue thy voice in my behalfe: if thou seest her before me, commend me.—
Qui.
Will I? I faith that wee will: And I will tell your Worship more of the Wart, the next time we haue confidence, and of other wooers.
Fen.
Well, fare-well, I am in great haste now.
Qui.
Fare-well to your Worship: truely an honest Gentleman: but Anne loues hiim not: for I know Ans minde as well as another do's: out vpon't: what haue I forgot.Exit.