5

_Rug._ I'll go watch.

_Quick._ Go; and we'll have a posset for't soon at night,
in faith, at the latter end of a sea-coal fire. [_Exit Rugby._]
An honest, willing, kind fellow, as ever servant shall come
in house withal; and, I warrant you, no tell-tale nor no 10
breed-bate: his worst fault is, that he is given to prayer; he is
something peevish that way: but nobody but has his fault;
but let that pass. Peter Simple, you say your name is?

_Sim._ Ay, for fault of a better.

_Quick._ And Master Slender's your master? 15

_Sim._ Ay, forsooth.

_Quick._ Does he not wear a great round beard, like a
glover's paring-knife?

_Sim._ No, forsooth: he hath but a little wee face, with
a little yellow beard,--a Cain-coloured beard. 20

_Quick._ A softly-sprighted man, is he not?

_Sim._ Ay, forsooth: but he is as tall a man of his
hands as any is between this and his head; he hath fought
with a warrener.

_Quick._ How say you?--O, I should remember him: 25
does he not hold up his head, as it were, and strut in his gait?

_Sim._ Yes, indeed, does he.

_Quick._ Well, heaven send Anne Page no worse fortune!
Tell Master Parson Evans I will do what I can
for your master: Anne is a good girl, and I wish-- 30

_Re-enter RUGBY._

_Rug._ Out, alas! here comes my master.

_Quick._ We shall all be shent. Run in here, good
young man; go into this closet: he will not stay long.
[_Shuts Simple in the closet._] What, John Rugby! John!
what, John, I say! Go, John, go inquire for my master; 35
I doubt he be not well, that he comes not home.

[_Singing_] And down, down, adown-a, &c.

_Enter DOCTOR CAIUS._

_Caius._ Vat is you sing? I do not like des toys. Pray
you, go and vetch me in my closet un boitier vert,--a box,
a green-a box: do intend vat I speak? a green-a box. 40

_Quick._ Ay, forsooth; I'll fetch it you. [_Aside_] I am
glad he went not in himself: if he had found the young
man, he would have been horn-mad.

_Caius._ Fe, fe, fe, fe! ma foi, il fait fort chaud. Je
m'en vais a la cour,--la grande affaire. 45

_Quick._ Is it this, sir?

_Caius._ Oui; mette le au mon pocket: depeche, quickly.
Vere is dat knave Rugby?

_Quick._ What, John Rugby! John!

_Rug._ Here, sir! 50

_Caius._ You are Jo