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a good bilbo, in the circumference of a peck, hilt to point, heel to head: and then, to be stopp'd in, like a strong distillation, with stinking clothes that fretted in their own grease: think of that,-a man of my kidney-think of that; that am as subject to heat, as butter; a man of continual dissolution and thaw; it was a miracle, to 'scape suffocation. And in the height of this bath, when I was more than half stew'd in grease, like a Dutch dish, to be thrown into the Thames, and cool'd, glowing hot, in that surge, like a horse-shoe; think of that-hissing hot-think of that, master Brook.

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Ford. In good sadness, sir, I am sorry that for my sake you have suffer'd all this. My suit is then desperate; you'll undertake her no more?

Fal. 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 receiv'd from her another embassy of meeting; 'twixt eight and nine is the hour, master Brook. 684

Ford. 'Tis past eight already, sir.

ment.

Fal. Is it? I will then address me to my appointCome to me at your convenient leisure, and you shall know how I speed; and the conclusion shall be crown'd with your enjoying her: Adieu. You shall have her, master Brook; master Brook, you shall cuckold Ford. [Exit. 691

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.]

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Is he at master Ford's already, think'st thou ?

Quic. Sure, he is by this; or will be presently: but truly, he is very courageous inad, 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

Enter Sir HUGH EVANS.

How now, sir Hugh? no school to-day?

9

Eva. No; master Slender is let the boys leave to play.

Quic. 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.

Eva. Come hither, William; -hold up your head; come.

Mrs. Page. Come on, sirrah; hold up your head; answer your master, be not afraid.

Eva. William, how many numbers is in nouns ?
Will. Two.

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Quic. Truly I thought there had been one number more; because they say, od's nouns.

Eva. Peace your tatlings. What is fair, William ?

Will. Pulcher.

Quic. Poulcats! there are fairer things than poulcats, sure.

Eva. You are a very simplicity 'oman; I pray you, peace. What is Lapis, William ?

Will. A stone.

Eva. And what is a stone, William ?

Will. A pebble,

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Eva. No, it is Lapis; I pray you, remember in your prain.

Will. Lapis.

Eva. That is a good William: What is he, William, that does lend articles?

and

Will. Articles are borrow'd of the pronoun; be thus declin'd, Singulariter, nominativo, hic, hæc,

hoc.

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Eva. Nominativo, hig, hag, hog;—pray you, mark: genitivo, hujus: Well, what is your accusative case? Will. Accusative, hinc.

Eva. I pray you, have your remembrance, child; Accusativo, hung, hang, hog.

Quic. Hang hog is Latin for bacon, I warrant you. Eva. Leave your prabbles, 'oman. What is the focative case, William?

Will. O-vocativo, O.

Eva. Remember, William, focative is, caret. 50 Quic. And that's a good root.

Eva. 'Oman, forbear.

Mrs. Page. Peace.

Eva. What is your genitive case plural, William? Will. Genitive case?

Eva. Ay.

Will. Genitive, horum, harum, horum.

Quic. 'Vengeance of Giney's case! fie on her!never name her, child, if she be a whore.

Eva. For shame, 'oman.

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Quic. You do ill to teach the child such words: he teaches him to hick and to hack, which they'll do fast enough of themselves; and to call horum :-fie upon you!

Eva. 'Oman art thou lunatics? hast thou no under

standing

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standing for thy cases, and the numbers of the genders thou art a foolish Christian creatures, as I' would desires.

Mrs. Page. Pr'ythee, hold thy peace.

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Eva. Shew me now, William, some declensions of your pronouns.

Will. Forsooth, I have forgot.

Eva. It is ki, ka, cod; if you forget your kies, your kæs, and your cods, you must be preeches. Go your ways and play, go.

Mrs. Page. He is a better scholar, than I thought hé was.

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Eva. He is a good sprag memory. Farewel, mistress Page. Mrs. Page. Adieu, good sir Hugh. Get you home, boy.-Come, we stay too long.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.

FORD'S House. Enter FALSTAFF, and Mrs. FORD.

Fal. Mistress Ford, your sorrow hath eaten up my sufferance: I see, you are obsequious in your love, and I profess requital to a hair's breadth; not only, mistress Ford, in the simple office of love, but in all the accoutrement, complement, and ceremony of it. But are you sure of your husband now ?

Mrs. Ford. He's a birding, sweet sir John.

Mrs.

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