85

_Shal._ Sir, he's a good dog, and a fair dog: can there be
more said? he is good and fair. Is Sir John Falstaff here?

_Page._ Sir, he is within; and I would I could do a good
office between you.

_Evans._ It is spoke as a Christians ought to speak. 90

_Shal._ He hath wronged me, Master Page.

_Page._ Sir, he doth in some sort confess it.

_Shal._ If it be confessed, it is not redressed: is not that
so, Master Page? He hath wronged me; indeed he hath;
at a word, he hath, believe me: Robert Shallow, esquire, 95
saith, he is wronged.

_Page._ Here comes Sir John.

_Enter SIR JOHN FALSTAFF, BARDOLPH, NYM, and PISTOL._

_Fal._ Now, Master Shallow, you'll complain of me to
the king?

_Shal._ Knight, you have beaten my men, killed my 100
deer, and broke open my lodge.

_Fal._ But not kissed your keeper's daughter?

_Shal._ Tut, a pin! this shall be answered.

_Fal._ I will answer it straight; I have done all this.
That is now answered. 105

_Shal._ The council shall know this.

_Fal._ 'Twere better for you if it were known in counsel:
you'll be laughed at.

_Evans._ Pauca verba, Sir John; goot worts.

_Fal._ Good worts! good cabbage. Slender, I broke 110
your head: what matter have you against me?

_Slen._ Marry, sir, I have matter in my head against
you; and against your cony-catching rascals, Bardolph,
Nym, and Pistol.

_Bard._ You Banbury cheese! 115

_Slen._ Ay, it is no matter.

_Pist._ How now, Mephostophilus!

_Slen._ Ay, it is no matter.

_Nym._ Slice, I say! pauca, pauca: slice! that's my
humour. 120

_Slen._ Where's Simple, my man? Can you tell,
cousin?

_Evans._ Peace, I pray you. Now let us understand.
There is three umpires in this matter, as I understand;
that is, Master Page, fidelicet Master Page; and there is 125
myself, fidelicet myself; and the three party is, lastly
and finally, mine host of the Garter.

_Page._ We three, to hear it and end it between them.

_Evans._ Fery goot: I will make a prief of it in my
note-book; and we will afterwards ork upon the cause 130
with as great discreetly as we can.

_Fal._ Pistol!

_Pist._ He hears with ears.

_Evans._ The tevil and his tam! what phrase is this,