Act 1, Scene I - Page 2

Abraham and Mistress Anne Page.

SLENDER
Did her grandsire leave her seven hundred pound?

SIR HUGH EVANS
Ay, and her father is make her a petter penny.

SLENDER
I know the young gentlewoman; she has good gifts.

SIR HUGH EVANS
Seven hundred pounds and possibilities is goot gifts.

SHALLOW
Well, let us see honest Master Page. Is Falstaff there?

SIR HUGH EVANS
Shall I tell you a lie? I do despise a liar as I do
despise one that is false, or as I despise one that
is not true. The knight, Sir John, is there; and, I
beseech you, be ruled by your well-willers. I will
peat the door for Master Page.

Knocks

What, hoa! Got pless your house here!

PAGE
[Within] Who's there?

Enter PAGE

SIR HUGH EVANS
Here is Got's plessing, and your friend, and Justice
Shallow; and here young Master Slender, that
peradventures shall tell you another tale, if
matters grow to your likings.

PAGE
I am glad to see your worships well.
I thank you for my venison, Master Shallow.

SHALLOW
Master Page, I am glad to see you: much good do it
your good heart! I wished your venison better; it
was ill killed. How doth good Mistress Page?--and I
thank you always with my heart, la! with my heart.

PAGE
Sir, I thank you.

SHALLOW
Sir, I thank you; by yea and no, I do.

PAGE
I am glad to see you, good Master Slender.

SLENDER
How does your fallow greyhound, sir? I heard say he
was outrun on Cotsall.

PAGE
It could not be judged, sir.

SLENDER
You'll not confess, you'll not confess.

SHALLOW
That he will not. 'Tis your fault, 'tis your fault;
'tis a good dog.

PAGE
A cur, sir.

SHALLOW
Sir, he's a good dog, and a fair dog: can there be
more said? he is good and fair. Is Sir John
Falstaff here?

PAGE
Sir, he is within; and I would I could do a good
office between you.

SIR HUGH EVANS
It is spoke as a Christians ought to speak.

SHALLOW
He hath wronged me, Master Page.

PAGE
Sir, he doth in some sort confess it.

SHALLOW
If it be confessed, it is not redress'd: is not that
so, Master Page? He hath wronged me; indeed he
hath, at a word, he hath, believe me: Robert
Shallow, esquire, saith, he is wronged.

PAGE
Here comes Sir John.

Enter FALSTAFF, BARDOLPH, NYM, and PISTOL

FALSTAFF
Now, Master Shallow, you'll complain of me to the king?

SHALLOW
Knight, you have beaten my men, killed my deer, and
broke open my lodge.

FALSTAFF
But not kissed your keeper's daughter?

SHALLOW