HOST
Master Fenton, talk not to me. My mind is heavy. I will give over all.
FENTON
Yet hear me speak. Assist me in my purpose,
And, as I am a gentleman, I’ll give
A hundred pound in gold more than your loss.
HOST
I will hear you, Master Fenton, and I will, at the least, keep your counsel.
FENTON
From time to time I have acquainted you
With the dear love I bear to fair Anne Page,
Who mutually answered my affection,
So far forth as herself might be her chooser,
Even to my wish. I have a letter from her
Of such contents as you will wonder at,
The mirth whereof so larded with my matter
That neither singly can be manifested
Without the show of both, wherein fat Falstaff
a great scene; the image of the jest
I’ll show you here at large. Hark, good mine host:
Tonight at Herne’s oak, just ’twixt twelve and one,
Must my sweet Nan present the Fairy Queen—
The purpose why is here—in which disguise,
While other jests are something rank on foot,
Her father commanded her to slip
Away with Slender, and with him at Eton
Immediately to marry. She consented. Now, sir,
Her mother, even strong against that match
And firm for Doctor Caius, appointed
That he shall likewise shuffle her away,
While other sports are tasking of their minds,
And at the dean’ry, where a priest attends,
Straight marry her. To this her mother’s plot
She, seemingly obedient, likewise
Made promise to the doctor. Now thus it rests:
Her father means she shall be all in white
And in that habit, when Slender sees his time
To take her by the hand and bid her go,
She shall go with him. Her mother intended
The better to denote her to the doctor,
For they must all be masked and vizarded—
That quaint in green she shall be loose enrobed,
With ribbons pendant flaring ’bout her head;
And when the doctor spies his vantage ripe,
To pinch her by the hand, and on that token
The maid given consent to go with him.
HOST
Which means she to deceive, father or mother?
FENTON
Both, my good host, to go along with me.
And here it rests, that you’ll procure the vicar
To stay for me at church, ’twixt twelve and one,
And, in the lawful name of marrying,
To give our hearts united ceremony.
HOST
Well, husband your device; I’ll to the vicar.
Bring you the maid, you shall not lack a priest.
FENTON
So shall I evermore be bound to ;
Besides, I’ll make a present recompense.