The Merry Wives of Windsor
Text Circles Dramatis Personae Synopsis All Definitions

Share
All
text
First folio
Modern text
Definitions
Key line
Enter Mistris Quickly, Simple, Iohn Rugby, Doctor, Caius, Fenton.Enter Mistress Quickly and Simple MW I.iv.1
Qu. MISTRESS QUICKLY  
(calling) MW I.iv.1
What, Iohn Rugby,What, John Rugby! MW I.iv.1
Enter Rugby MW I.iv.2.1
I pray thee goe to the Casement, and see if you can seeI pray thee, go to the casement and see if you can seecasement (n.)
window [on hinges and able to be opened]		MW I.iv.2
my Master, Master Docter Caius comming: if he doemy master, Master Doctor Caius, coming. If he do, MW I.iv.3
(I' faith) and finde any body in the house; here will be ani'faith, and find anybody in the house, here will be an MW I.iv.4
old abusing of Gods patience, and the Kings English.old abusing of God's patience and the King's English.old (adj.)
plenty of, abundant, more than enough		MW I.iv.5
Ru. RUGBY 
Ile goe watch.I'll go watch. MW I.iv.6
Qu. MISTRESS QUICKLY 
Goe, and we'll haue a posset for't Go; and we'll have a posset for'tposset (n.)
restorative hot drink, made of milk, liquor, and other ingredients		MW I.iv.7
soone at night, (in faith) at the latter end of a Sea-cole-soon at night, in faith, at the latter end of a sea-coalsea-coal (adj.)

old form: Sea-cole
mined coal of high quality brought by sea		MW I.iv.8
fire:fire. MW I.iv.9
Exit Rugby MW I.iv.9
An honest, willing, kinde fellow, as euer seruant shallAn honest, willing, kind fellow, as ever servant shall MW I.iv.10
come in house withall: and I warrant you, no tel-tale,come in house withal; and, I warrant you, no tell-tale,warrant (v.)
assure, promise, guarantee, confirm		MW I.iv.11
nor no breede-bate: his worst fault is, that he is giuen tonor no breed-bate. His worst fault is that he is given tobreed-bate (n.)

old form: breede-bate
trouble-maker, one who makes mischief		MW I.iv.12
prayer; hee is something peeuish that way: but no bodyprayer. He is something peevish that way, but nobodypeevish (adj.)

old form: peeuish
silly, foolish; or: headstrong, impulsive		MW I.iv.13
something (adv.)
somewhat, rather
but has his fault: but let that passe. Peter Simple, you but has his fault. But let that pass. – Peter Simple you MW I.iv.14
say your name is?say your name is? MW I.iv.15
Si. SIMPLE 
I: for fault of a better.Ay, for fault of a better. MW I.iv.16
Qu. MISTRESS QUICKLY 
And Master Slender's your Master?And Master Slender's your master? MW I.iv.17
Si. SIMPLE 
I forsooth.Ay, forsooth.forsooth (adv.)
in truth, certainly, truly, indeed		MW I.iv.18
Qu. MISTRESS QUICKLY 
Do's he not weare a great roundDoes he not wear a great round MW I.iv.19
Beard, like a Glouers pairing-knife?beard like a glover's paring-knife?glover (n.)

old form: Glouers
glove-maker, leather-worker		MW I.iv.20
Si. SIMPLE 
No forsooth: he hath but a little wee-face; with aNo, forsooth. He hath but a little wee face, with a MW I.iv.21
little yellow Beard: a Caine colourd Beard.little yellow beard – a Cain-coloured beard.Cain-coloured, cane-coloured (adj.)

old form: Caine colourd
reddish-yellow		MW I.iv.22
Qu. MISTRESS QUICKLY 
A softly-sprighted man, is he not?A softly-sprighted man, is he not?softly-sprighted (adj.)
mild-tempered, gentle-spirited		MW I.iv.23
Si. SIMPLE 
I forsooth: but he is as tall a man of his hands,Ay, forsooth. But he is as tall a man of his handstall (adj.)
brave, valiant, bold		MW I.iv.24
as any is betweene this and his head: he hath fought withas any is between this and his head. He hath fought with MW I.iv.25
a Warrener.a warrener.warrener (n.)
keeper of a rabbit warren		MW I.iv.26
Qu. MISTRESS QUICKLY 
How say you: oh, I should rememberHow say you? – O, I should remember MW I.iv.27
him: do's he not hold vp his head (as it were?)him. Does he not hold up his head, as it were, MW I.iv.28
and strut in his gate?and strut in his gait?gait (n.)

old form: gate
manner of walking, bearing, movement		MW I.iv.29
Si. SIMPLE 
Yes indeede do's he.Yes, indeed, does he. MW I.iv.30
Qu. MISTRESS QUICKLY 
Well, heauen send Anne Page, noWell, heaven send Anne Page no MW I.iv.31
worse fortune: Tell Master Parson Euans, I will doeworse fortune. Tell Master Parson Evans I will do MW I.iv.32
what I can for your Master: Anne is a good girle, and Iwhat I can for your master. Anne is a good girl, and I MW I.iv.33
wish ---wish – MW I.iv.34
Enter Rugby MW I.iv.35
Ru. RUGBY 
Out alas: here comes my Master.Out, alas! Here comes my master. MW I.iv.35
Qu. MISTRESS QUICKLY 
We shall all be shent: Run in here,We shall all be shent. Run in here,shent (v.)
[from earlier verb ‘shend’] blamed, rebuked, reproached		MW I.iv.36
good young man: goe into this Closset: he will not staygood young man; go into this closet. He will not staycloset (n.)

old form: Closset
private chamber, study, own room		MW I.iv.37
long: long. MW I.iv.38
She shuts Simple in the closet MW I.iv.39
what Iohn Rugby? Iohn: what Iohn I say? goe Iohn,What, John Rugby! John, what, John, I say! Go, John, MW I.iv.39
goe enquire for my Master, I doubt he be not well, thatgo inquire for my master. I doubt he be not well, thatdoubt (v.)
suspect, have suspicions about, fear		MW I.iv.40
hee comes not home:he comes not home. MW I.iv.41
Exit Rugby MW I.iv.41
She sings MW I.iv.42.1
(and downe, downe, adowne'a. &c.And down, down, adown-a, etc.down (int.)
nonsense word using in song		MW I.iv.42
Enter Doctor Caius MW I.iv.43.1
Ca. CAIUS 
Vat is you sing? I doe not like des-toyes: pray you goeVat is you sing? I do not like dese toys. Pray you gotoy (n.)

old form: toyes
whim, caprice, trifling matter		MW I.iv.43
and vetch me in my Closset, vnboyteene verd; a Box, aand vetch me in my closet un boîtier vert – a box, a MW I.iv.44
greene-a-Box: do intend vat I speake? a greene-a-Box.green-a box. Do intend vat I speak? A green-a box.intend (v.)
[translation of French ‘entendre’] understand		MW I.iv.45
Qu. MISTRESS QUICKLY 
I forsooth ile fetch it you:Ay, forsooth, I'll fetch it you. MW I.iv.46
I am glad hee went not in himselfe: if he had (Aside) I am glad he went not in himself. If he had MW I.iv.47
found the yong man he would haue bin horne-mad.found the young man, he would have been horn-mad.horn-mad (adj.)

old form: horne-mad
[as of horned beasts] furious, enraged, raving mad		MW I.iv.48
Exit to the closet MW I.iv.48
Ca. CAIUS 
Fe, fe, fe, fe,Fe, fe, fe, fe! Ma foi, il fait fort chaud. Je m'enfe, fe...
Fie, fie, fie, fie, faith, it's very hot. I'm going to watch the great business at court'		MW I.iv.49
Court la grand affaires.vais à la cour – la grande affaire. MW I.iv.50
Enter Mistress Quickly with the box MW I.iv.51
Qu. MISTRESS QUICKLY 
Is it this Sir?Is it this, sir? MW I.iv.51
Ca. CAIUS 
Ouy mette le au mon pocket, de-peech quickly: quickly: VereOui, mette-le au mon pocket. Dépêche, quickly. Vereoui...
Yes, put it in my bag. Hurry up.		MW I.iv.52
is dat knaue Rugby?is dat knave Rugby?knave (n.)

old form: knaue
scoundrel, rascal, rogue		MW I.iv.53
Qu. MISTRESS QUICKLY 
What Iohn Rugby, Iohn?What, John Rugby! John! MW I.iv.54
Enter Rugby MW I.iv.55
Ru. RUGBY 
Here Sir.Here, sir. MW I.iv.55
Ca. CAIUS 
You are Iohn Rugby, aad you are Iacke Rugby:You are John Rugby, and you are Jack Rugby. MW I.iv.56
Come, take-a-your Rapier, and come after my heele to theCome, take-a your rapier, and come after my heel to therapier (n.)
light sharp-pointed sword used for thrusting		MW I.iv.57
Court.court. MW I.iv.58
Ru. RUGBY 
'Tis ready Sir, here in the Porch.'Tis ready, sir, here in the porch. MW I.iv.59
Ca. CAIUS 
By my trot: I tarry too long: od's-me: que ay ieBy my trot, I tarry too long. 'Od's me! Qu'ai-je'Od
[in emphatic expressions] shortened form of 'God'		MW I.iv.60
Qu'ai-je...
what have I forgotten?
oublie: dere is some Simples in my Closset, dat I vill notoublié? Dere is some simples in my closet, dat I vill notsimple (n.)
medicinal herb, medicine		MW I.iv.61
for the varld I shall leaue behinde.for the varld I shall leave behind.varld (n.)
French pronunciation of 'world'		MW I.iv.62
Exit to the closet MW I.iv.62
Qu. MISTRESS QUICKLY 
Ay-me, he'll finde the yong manAy me, he'll find the young man MW I.iv.63
there, & be mad.there, and be mad.mad (adj.)
wild, uncontrollable, excitable, high-spirited		MW I.iv.64
Ca. CAIUS  
(within) MW I.iv.65.1
O Diable, Diable: vat is in my Closset?O, diable, diable! Vat is in my closet?diable... larron
devil ... thief		MW I.iv.65
Villanie, La-roone : Villainy! Larron! MW I.iv.66
Enter Caius, pulling Simple out of the closet MW I.iv.67
Rugby, my Rapier.Rugby, my rapier! MW I.iv.67
Qu. MISTRESS QUICKLY 
Good Master be content.Good master, be content.content (adj.)
satisfied, calm, easy in mind		MW I.iv.68
Ca. CAIUS 
Wherefore shall I be content-a?Wherefore shall I be content-a? MW I.iv.69
Qu. MISTRESS QUICKLY 
The yong man is an honest man.The young man is an honest man. MW I.iv.70
Ca. CAIUS 
What shall de honest man do in my Closset: dere isWhat shall de honest man do in my closet? Dere is MW I.iv.71
no honest man dat shall come in my Closset.no honest man dat shall come in my closet. MW I.iv.72
Qu. MISTRESS QUICKLY 
I beseech you be not so flegmaticke:I beseech you, be not so phlegmatic.phlegmatic (adj.)

old form: flegmaticke
malapropism for ‘choleric’ [= angry]		MW I.iv.73
heare the truth of it. He came of an errand to mee, fromHear the truth of it. He came of an errand to me from MW I.iv.74
Parson Hugh.Parson Hugh. MW I.iv.75
Ca. CAIUS 
Vell.Vell? MW I.iv.76
Si. SIMPLE 
I forsooth: to desire her to ---Ay, forsooth, to desire her to – MW I.iv.77
Qu. MISTRESS QUICKLY 
Peace, I pray you.Peace, I pray you. MW I.iv.78
Ca. CAIUS 
Peace-a-your tongue: speake-a-yourPeace-a your tongue. (To Simple) Speak-a your MW I.iv.79
Tale.tale. MW I.iv.80
Si. SIMPLE 
To desire this honest Gentlewoman (your Maid)To desire this honest gentlewoman, your maid, MW I.iv.81
to speake a good word to Mistris Anne Page, for myto speak a good word to Mistress Anne Page for my MW I.iv.82
Master in the way of Marriage.master in the way of marriage. MW I.iv.83
Qu. MISTRESS QUICKLY 
This is all indeede-la: but ileThis is all, indeed, la! But I'llla (int.)
indeed		MW I.iv.84
nere put my finger in the fire, and neede not.ne'er put my finger in the fire, and need not. MW I.iv.85
Ca. CAIUS 
Sir Hugh send-a you? Rugby, ballow mee someSir Hugh send-a you? Rugby, baille me somebaille (v.)
give		MW I.iv.86
paper: tarry you a littell-a-while.paper. (To Simple) Tarry you a little-a while. MW I.iv.87
He writes MW I.iv.88
Qui. MISTRESS QUICKLY  
(aside to Simple) MW I.iv.88
I am glad he is soI am glad he is so MW I.iv.88
quiet: if he had bin throughly moued, you should hauequiet. If he had been throughly moved, you should havemoved (adj.)

old form: moued
upset, agitated, distressed		MW I.iv.89
throughly (adv.)
thoroughly, fully, completely
heard him so loud, and so melancholly: but notwithstandingheard him so loud and so melancholy. But notwithstanding, MW I.iv.90
man, Ile doe yoe your Master what good I can:man, I'll do you your master what good I can. MW I.iv.91
and the very yea, & the no is, ye French Doctor myAnd the very yea and the no is, the French doctor, my MW I.iv.92
Master, (I may call him my Master, looke you, for I keepemaster – I may call him my master, look you, for I keep MW I.iv.93
his house; and I wash, ring, brew, bake, scowre, dressehis house; and I wash, wring, brew, bake, scour, dressdress (v.)

old form: dresse
prepare, make ready		MW I.iv.94
meat and drinke, make the beds, and doe all my selfe.)meat and drink, make the beds, and do all myself –meat (n.)
food, nourishment		MW I.iv.95
Simp. SIMPLE  
(aside to Mistress Quickly) MW I.iv.96.1
'Tis a great charge to'Tis a great charge tocharge (n.)
task, responsibility, duty		MW I.iv.96
come vnder one bodies hand.come under one body's hand. MW I.iv.97
Qui. MISTRESS QUICKLY  
(aside to Simple) MW I.iv.98.1
Are you a-uis'dAre you avisedadvise, avise (v.)

old form: a-uis'd
inform, be aware, apprise		MW I.iv.98
o'that? you shall finde it a great charge: and to be vpo' that? You shall find it a great charge – and to be up MW I.iv.99
early, and down late: but notwithstanding, (to tell youearly and down late. But notwithstanding – to tell you MW I.iv.100
in your eare, I wold haue no words of it) my Masterin your ear, I would have no words of it – my master MW I.iv.101
himselfe is in loue with Mistris Anne Page: but notwithstandinghimself is in love with Mistress Anne Page. But notwithstanding MW I.iv.102
that I know Ans mind, that's neitherthat, I know Anne's mind. That's neither MW I.iv.103
heere nor there.here nor there. MW I.iv.104
Caius. CAIUS 
You, Iack'Nape: giue-'a this Letter to Sir Hugh, byYou, jack'nape, give-a this letter to Sir Hugh. Byjackanapes, jackanape, jack'nape (n.)

old form: Iack'Nape
upstart, buffoon, monkey		MW I.iv.105
gar it is a shallenge: I will cut his troat in de Parke, and I willgar, it is a shallenge. I will cut his troat in de park, and I willgar (n.)
French pronunciation of ‘God’		MW I.iv.106
teach a scuruy Iack-a-nape Priest to meddle, or make:--- youteach a scurvy jackanape priest to meddle or make. Youmeddle or make
interfere, butt in		MW I.iv.107
scurvy (adj.)

old form: scuruy
contemptible, despicable, wretched
 MW I.iv.108
may be gon: it is not good you tarry here:may be gone. It is not good you tarry here. Exit Simple MW I.iv.108
by gar I will cut all his two stones: by gar, he shall notBy gar, I will cut all his two stones. By gar, he shall notstone (n.)
testicle		MW I.iv.109
haue a stone to throw at his dogge.have a stone to throw at his dog. MW I.iv.110
Qui. MISTRESS QUICKLY 
Alas: he speakes but for his friend.Alas, he speaks but for his friend. MW I.iv.111
Caius. CAIUS 
It is no matter 'a ver dat: do not you tell-a-me datIt is no matter-a ver dat. Do not you tell-a me dat MW I.iv.112
I shall haue Anne Page for my selfe? by gar, I vill kill deI shall have Anne Page for myself? By gar, I vill kill de MW I.iv.113
Iack-Priest: and I haue appointed mine Host of deJack priest. And I have appointed mine host of deJack (n.)

old form: Iack
jack-in-office, ill-mannered fellow, lout, knave		MW I.iv.114
Iarteer to measure our weapon: by gar, I wil my selfeJarteer to measure our weapon. By gar, I will myselfmeasure (v.)
check that the length of two weapons is the same [before beginning a duel]		MW I.iv.115
haue Anne Page.have Anne Page. MW I.iv.116
Qui. MISTRESS QUICKLY 
Sir, the maid loues you, and all shallSir, the maid loves you, and all shall MW I.iv.117
bee well: We must giue folkes leaue to prate: what thebe well. We must give folks leave to prate. What theprate (v.)
prattle, chatter, blather		MW I.iv.118
good-ier.goodyear!good-year / goodyear, what the

old form: good-ier
[expression of impatience] what the deuce		MW I.iv.119
Caius. CAIUS 
Rugby, come to the Court with me:Rugby, come to the court with me. (To Mistress MW I.iv.120
by gar, if I haue not Anne Page, I shall turneQuickly) By gar, if I have not Anne Page, I shall turn MW I.iv.121
your head out of my dore: follow my heeles, Rugby.your head out of my door. Follow my heels, Rugby. MW I.iv.122
Exeunt Caius and Rugby MW I.iv.122
Qui. MISTRESS QUICKLY 
You shall haue An-fooles head of your owne:You shall have An – fool's-head of MW I.iv.123
No, I know Ans mind for that: neuer ayour own. No, I know Anne's mind for that. Never a MW I.iv.124
woman in Windsor knowes more of Ans minde thenwoman in Windsor knows more of Anne's mind than MW I.iv.125
I doe, nor can doe more then I doe with her, I thanke heauen.I do, nor can do more than I do with her, I thank heaven. MW I.iv.126
Fenton. FENTON  
(off stage) MW I.iv.127
Who's with in there, hoa?Who's within there, ho? MW I.iv.127
Qui. MISTRESS QUICKLY 
Who's there, I troa? Come neereWho's there, I trow? Come neartrow (v.)
(I) wonder, (I) ask you		MW I.iv.128
come near (v.)

old form: neere
enter, come in/into
the house I pray you.the house, I pray you. MW I.iv.129
Enter Fenton MW I.iv.130
Fen. FENTON 
How now (good woman) how dost thou?How now, good woman, how dost thou? MW I.iv.130
Qui. MISTRESS QUICKLY 
The better that it pleases your goodThe better that it pleases your good MW I.iv.131
Worship to aske?worship to ask. MW I.iv.132
Fen. FENTON 
What newes? how do's pretty Mistris Anne?What news? How does pretty Mistress Anne? MW I.iv.133
Qui. MISTRESS QUICKLY 
In truth Sir, and shee is pretty, andIn truth, sir, and she is pretty, and MW I.iv.134
honest, and gentle, and one that is your friend, I canhonest, and gentle – and one that is your friend. I cangentle (adj.)
courteous, friendly, kind		MW I.iv.135
honest (adj.)
chaste, pure, virtuous
friend (n.)
well-wisher, favourer
tell you that by the way, I praise heauen for it.tell you that by the way, I praise heaven for it. MW I.iv.136
Fen. FENTON 
Shall I doe any good thinkst thou? shall I notShall I do any good, thinkest thou? Shall I not MW I.iv.137
loose my suit?lose my suit?suit (n.)
wooing, courtship		MW I.iv.138
Qui. MISTRESS QUICKLY 
Troth Sir, all is in his hands aboue:Troth, sir, all is in His hands above.troth, good troth (n.)
exclamations, emphasizing an assertion - truly, indeed		MW I.iv.139
but notwithstanding (Master Fenton) Ile be sworne on aBut notwithstanding, Master Fenton, I'll be sworn on a MW I.iv.140
booke shee loues you: haue not your Worship a wartbook she loves you. Have not your worship a wartbook (n.)

old form: booke
Bible, prayer-book		MW I.iv.141
aboue your eye?above your eye? MW I.iv.142
Fen. FENTON 
Yes marry haue I, what of that?Yes, marry, have I. What of that?marry (int.)
[exclamation] by Mary		MW I.iv.143
Qui. MISTRESS QUICKLY 
Wel, thereby hangs a tale: goodWell, thereby hangs a tale. Good MW I.iv.144
faith, it is such another Nan; (but (I detest) an honest faith, it is such another Nan – but, I detest, an honestdetest (v.)
malapropism for ‘protest’		MW I.iv.145
maid as euer broke bread: wee had an howres talke of thatmaid as ever broke bread. We had an hour's talk of that MW I.iv.146
wart; I shall neuer laugh but in that maids company:wart. I shall never laugh but in that maid's company. MW I.iv.147
but (indeed) shee is giuen too much to Allicholy andBut, indeed, she is given too much to allicholy andallicholy, allycholly (adj./n.)
malapropism for ‘melancholy’		MW I.iv.148
musing: but for you --- well --- goe too ---musing. But for you – well – go to – MW I.iv.149
Fen. FENTON 
Well: I shall see her to day: hold, there's moneyWell, I shall see her today. Hold, there's money MW I.iv.150
for thee: Let mee haue thy voice in my behalfe: if thou for thee; let me have thy voice in my behalf. If thouvoice (n.)
vote, official support		MW I.iv.151
voice (n.)
support, approval, good word
seest her before me, commend me. ---seest her before me, commend me –commend (v.)
present, introduce, bring [for favourable acceptance]		MW I.iv.152
Qui. MISTRESS QUICKLY 
Will I? I faith that wee will: And IWill I? I'faith, that we will. And I MW I.iv.153
will tell your Worship more of the Wart, the next timewill tell your worship more of the wart the next time MW I.iv.154
we haue confidence, and of other wooers.we have confidence, and of other wooers.confidence (n.)
malapropism for ‘conference’		MW I.iv.155
Fen. FENTON 
Well, fare-well, I am in great haste now.Well, farewell. I am in great haste now. MW I.iv.156
Qui. MISTRESS QUICKLY 
Fare-well to your Worship:Farewell to your worship. MW I.iv.157
Exit Fenton MW I.iv.157
truely an honest Gentleman: but Anne loues hiim not:Truly, an honest gentleman. But Anne loves him not, MW I.iv.158
for I know Ans minde as well as another do's: outfor I know Anne's mind as well as another does. Out MW I.iv.159
vpon't: what haue I forgot.upon't! What have I forgot? MW I.iv.160
Exit.Exit MW I.iv.160
 Previous Act I, Scene IV Next  
x

Jump directly to