f for a secure and wilful Actaeon; and to these
violent proceedings all my neighbours shall cry aim. [_Clock
heard._] The clock gives me my cue, and my assurance
bids me search: there I shall find Falstaff: I shall be rather
praised for this than mocked; for it is as positive as the 40
earth is firm that Falstaff is there: I will go.

_Enter PAGE, SHALLOW, SLENDER, HOST, SIR HUGH EVANS, CAIUS,
and RUGBY._

_Shal., Page, &c._ Well met, Master Ford.

_Ford._ Trust me, a good knot: I have good cheer at
home; and I pray you all go with me.

_Shal._ I must excuse myself, Master Ford. 45

_Slen._ And so must I, sir: we have appointed to dine
with Mistress Anne, and I would not break with her for
more money than I'll speak of.

_Shal._ We have lingered about a match between Anne
Page and my cousin Slender, and this day we shall have 50
our answer.

_Slen._ I hope I have your good will, father Page.

_Page._ You have, Master Slender; I stand wholly for
you:--but my wife, master doctor, is for you altogether.

_Caius._ Ay, be-gar; and de maid is love-a me: my 55
nursh-a Quickly tell me so mush.

_Host._ What say you to young Master Fenton? he
capers, he dances, he has eyes of youth, he writes verses,
he speaks holiday, he smells April and May: he will
carry't, he will carry't; 'tis in his buttons; he will carry't. 60

_Page._ Not by my consent, I promise you. The gentleman
is of no having: he kept company with the wild
prince and Poins; he is of too high a region; he knows
too much. No, he shall not knit a knot in his fortunes with
the finger of my substance: if he take her, let him take her 65
simply; the wealth I have waits on my consent, and my
consent goes not that way.

_Ford._ I beseech you heartily, some of you go home
with me to dinner: besides your cheer, you shall have sport;
I will show you a monster. Master doctor, you shall go; 70
so shall you, Master Page; and you, Sir Hugh.

_Shal._ Well, fare you well: we shall have the freer
wooing at Master Page's. [_Exeunt Shal. and Slen._

_Caius._ Go home, John Rugby; I come anon.

[_Exit Rugby._

_Host._ Farewell, my hearts: I will to my honest knight 75
Falstaff, and drink canary with him. [_Exit._

_Ford._ [_Aside_] I think I shall drink in pipe-wine first
with him; I'll make him dance. Will you go, gentles?

_All._ Have with you to s