Shakespeare Portal

Act 4, Scene 6

Another room in the Garter Inn.

  1. [Enter FENTON and HOST.]
  2. Host of the Garter
  3. 1938 Master Fenton, talk not to me; my mind is heavy; I will give over all.
  4. Fenton
  5. 1939 Yet hear me speak. Assist me in my purpose,
  6. 1940 And, as I am a gentleman, I'll give thee
  7. 1941 A hundred pound in gold more than your loss.
  8. Host of the Garter
  9. 1942 I will hear you, Master Fenton; and I will, at the least, keep your
  10. 1943 counsel.
  11. Fenton
  12. 1944 From time to time I have acquainted you
  13. 1945 With the dear love I bear to fair Anne Page,
  14. 1946 Who, mutually, hath answered my affection,
  15. 1947 So far forth as herself might be her chooser,
  16. 1948 Even to my wish. I have a letter from her
  17. 1949 Of such contents as you will wonder at;
  18. 1950 The mirth whereof so larded with my matter
  19. 1951 That neither, singly, can be manifested
  20. 1952 Without the show of both; wherein fat Falstaff
  21. 1953 Hath a great scare: the image of the jest
  22. 1954 I'll show you here at large. Hark, good mine host:
  23. 1955 To-night at Herne's oak, just 'twixt twelve and one,
  24. 1956 Must my sweet Nan present the Fairy Queen;
  25. 1957 The purpose why is here: in which disguise,
  26. 1958 While other jests are something rank on foot,
  27. 1959 Her father hath commanded her to slip
  28. 1960 Away with Slender, and with him at Eton
  29. 1961 Immediately to marry; she hath consented:
  30. 1962 Now, sir,
  31. 1963 Her mother, even strong against that match
  32. 1964 And firm for Doctor Caius, hath appointed
  33. 1965 That he shall likewise shuffle her away,
  34. 1966 While other sports are tasking of their minds;
  35. 1967 And at the deanery, where a priest attends,
  36. 1968 Straight marry her: to this her mother's plot
  37. 1969 She seemingly obedient likewise hath
  38. 1970 Made promise to the doctor. Now thus it rests:
  39. 1971 Her father means she shall be all in white;
  40. 1972 And in that habit, when Slender sees his time
  41. 1973 To take her by the hand and bid her go,
  42. 1974 She shall go with him: her mother hath intended
  43. 1975 The better to denote her to the doctor,—
  44. 1976 For they must all be mask'd and vizarded—
  45. 1977 That quaint in green she shall be loose enrob'd,
  46. 1978 With ribands pendent, flaring 'bout her head;
  47. 1979 And when the doctor spies his vantage ripe,
  48. 1980 To pinch her by the hand: and, on that token,
  49. 1981 The maid hath given consent to go with him.
  50. Host of the Garter
  51. 1982 Which means she to deceive, father or mother?
  52. Fenton
  53. 1983 Both, my good host, to go along with me:
  54. 1984 And here it rests, that you'll procure the vicar
  55. 1985 To stay for me at church, 'twixt twelve and one,
  56. 1986 And in the lawful name of marrying,
  57. 1987 To give our hearts united ceremony.
  58. Host of the Garter
  59. 1988 Well, husband your device; I'll to the vicar.
  60. 1989 Bring you the maid, you shall not lack a priest.
  61. Fenton
  62. 1990 So shall I evermore be bound to thee;
  63. 1991 Besides, I'll make a present recompense.
  64. [Exeunt.]