me behind
the arras.

_Mrs Ford._ Pray you, do so: she's a very tattling
woman. [_Falstaff hides himself._ 80

_Re-enter MISTRESS PAGE and ROBIN._

What's the matter? how now!

_Mrs Page._ O Mistress Ford, what have you done?
You're shamed, you're overthrown, you're undone for ever!

_Mrs Ford._ What's the matter, good Mistress Page?

_Mrs Page._ O well-a-day, Mistress Ford! having an 85
honest man to your husband, to give him such cause of
suspicion!

_Mrs Ford._ What cause of suspicion?

_Mrs Page._ What cause of suspicion! Out upon you!
how am I mistook in you! 90

_Mrs Ford._ Why, alas, what's the matter?

_Mrs Page._ Your husband's coming hither, woman,
with all the officers in Windsor, to search for a gentleman
that he says is here now in the house, by your consent, to
take an ill advantage of his absence: you are undone. 95

_Mrs Ford._ 'Tis not so, I hope.

_Mrs Page._ Pray heaven it be not so, that you have
such a man here! but 'tis most certain your husband's coming,
with half Windsor at his heels, to search for such a one.
I come before to tell you. If you know yourself clear, 100
why, I am glad of it; but if you have a friend here, convey,
convey him out. Be not amazed; call all your senses to
you; defend your reputation, or bid farewell to your good
life for ever.

_Mrs Ford._ What shall I do? There is a gentleman 105
my dear friend; and I fear not mine own shame so much
as his peril: I had rather than a thousand pound he were
out of the house.

_Mrs Page._ For shame! never stand 'you had rather'
and 'you had rather:' your husband's here at hand; bethink 110
you of some conveyance: in the house you cannot
hide him. O, how have you deceived me! Look, here is a
basket: if he be of any reasonable stature, he may creep
in here; and throw foul linen upon him, as if it were going
to bucking: or,--it is whiting-time,--send him by your two 115
men to Datchet-mead.

_Mrs Ford._ He's too big to go in there. What shall
I do?

_Fal._ [_Coming forward_] Let me see't, let me see't,
O, let me see't!--I'll in, I'll in. --Follow your friend's 120
counsel. --I'll in.

_Mrs Page._ What, Sir John Falstaff! Are these your
letters, knight?

_Fal._ I love thee. --Help me away. --Let me creep in
here. --I'll never--