105
in grease, like a Dutch dish, to be thrown into the Thames,
and cooled, glowing hot, in that surge, like a horse-shoe;
think of that,--hissing hot,--think of that, Master Brook.

_Ford._ In good sadness, sir, I am sorry that for my sake
you have suffered all this. My suit, then, is desperate; 110
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 received
from her another embassy of meeting; 'twixt eight and 115
nine is the hour, Master Brook.

_Ford._ 'Tis past eight already, sir.

_Fal._ 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 120
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 125
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 halfpenny
purse, nor into a pepper-box: but, lest the devil that guides 130
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._

NOTES: III, 5

SCENE V.] SCENE XV. Pope.
5: _in_] _into_ Rowe.
9: _blind bitch's_] _bitch's blind_ Hanmer.
16: _mummy_] _mummy. Now, is the sack brewed?_ Theobald
(from Q1 Q2).
22: SCENE XVI. Pope.
24: _pottle_] _posset_ R. G. White.
60: _sped you_] _you sped_ Rowe.
62: _How so, sir_] F1 Q3 F2. _How Sir_ F3 F4.
65: _me_] om. F4.
77: _in_] by (Q1 Q2) Theobald.
_distraction_] _direction_ Hanmer.
80: _By the Lord_] (Q1 Q2) Malone. _yes_ F1 Q3. _yea_ F2 F3 F4.
83: _smell_] _smells_ Hanmer.
96: _several_] _egregious_ (Q1 Q2) Pope.
106: _in_] _is_ F2.
107: _surge_] _forge_ Capell conj.
110: _have suffered_] _suffered_ F4.
130: _nor_] _not_ Q3.
134: _one_] _me_ Dyce.
[Exit.] Rowe. [Exeunt. Ff Q3.

ACT IV.

SCENE I