The Merry Wives of Windsor

Share
First folio
Modern text

Definitions

Key line

Enter Mistris Page, Mistris Ford, Master Page, Master Ford, Pistoll, Nim, Quickly, Host, Shallow.Enter Mistress Page, with a letter MW II.i.1.1
Mist. Page. MISTRESS PAGE 
What, haue scap'd Loue-letters in theWhat, have I 'scaped love-letters in thescape, 'scape (v.)

old form: scap'd
escape, avoid
MW II.i.1
holly-day-time of my beauty, and am I now a subiect forholiday time of my beauty, and am I now a subject forholiday time (n.)

old form: holly-day-time
best time, prime
MW II.i.2
them? let me see?them? Let me see. MW II.i.3
(She reads) MW II.i.4
Aske me no reason why I loue you, for though Loue vse Ask me no reason why I love you, for though Love use MW II.i.4
Reason for his precisian, hee admits him not for his Counsailour:Reason for his precisian, he admits him not for his counsellor.precisian (n.)
strict adviser, spiritual mentor
MW II.i.5
you are not yong, no more am I: goe to then, You are not young, no more am I. Go to, then, MW II.i.6
there's simpathie: you are merry, so am I: ha, ha, then there's sympathy. You are merry, so am I. Ha, ha, thensympathy (n.)

old form: simpathie
accord, agreement, harmony
MW II.i.7
there's more simpathie: you loue sacke, and so do I: would there's more sympathy. You love sack, and so do I. Would MW II.i.8
you desire better simpathie? Let it suffice thee (Mistris you desire better sympathy? Let it suffice thee, Mistress MW II.i.9
Page) at the least if the Loue of Souldier can suffice, that I Page – at the least if the love of soldier can suffice – that I MW II.i.10
loue thee: I will not say pitty mee, 'tis not a Souldier-like love thee. I will not say, pity me – 'tis not a soldier-like MW II.i.11
phrase; but I say, loue me: By me, phrase – but I say, love me. By me, MW II.i.12
thine owne true Knight, Thine own true knight, MW II.i.13
by day or night:By day or night, MW II.i.14
Or any kinde of light, Or any kind of light, MW II.i.15
with all his might,With all his might MW II.i.16
For thee to fight.For thee to fight, MW II.i.17
Iohn Falstaffe.John Falstaff MW II.i.18
What a Herod of Iurie is this? O wicked, wicked world:What a Herod of Jewry is this! O, wicked wicked world!Herod of Jewry

old form: Iurie
out-and-out villain
MW II.i.19
One that is well-nye worne to peeces with age / To showOne that is well-nigh worn to pieces with age to show MW II.i.20
himselfe a yong Gallant? What an vnwaied / Behauiourhimself a young gallant! What an unweighed behaviourgallant (n.)
fine gentleman, man of fashion
MW II.i.21
unweighed (adj.)

old form: vnwaied
hasty, thoughtless, ill-judged
hath this Flemish drunkard pickt (with / The Deuillshath this Flemish drunkard picked – with the devil's MW II.i.22
name) out of my conuersation, that he dares / In thisname! – out of my conversation, that he dares in thisconversation (n.)

old form: conuersation
way of life, behaviour, manners, conduct
MW II.i.23
manner assay me? why, hee hath not beene thrice / In mymanner assay me? Why, he hath not been thrice in myassay (v.)
make advances to, accost, address proposals to
MW II.i.24
Company: what should I say to him? I was then / Frugallcompany. What should I say to him? I was then frugal MW II.i.25
of my mirth: (heauen forgiue mee:) why Ile / Exhibit aof my mirth – heaven forgive me! Why, I'll exhibit aexhibit (v.)
submit for inspection, produce for consideration, propose
MW II.i.26
Bill in the Parliament for the putting downe of men: how bill in the parliament for the putting down of men. Howputting down (n.)

old form: downe
suppression, restraint, repression
MW II.i.27
shall I be reueng'd on him? for reueng'd I will be? as shall I be revenged on him? For revenged I will be, as MW II.i.28
sure as his guts are made of puddings.sure as his guts are made of puddings.pudding (n.)
stuffing
MW II.i.29
Enter Mistress Ford MW II.i.30.1
Mis Ford. MISTRESS FORD 
Mistris Page, trust me, I was going toMistress Page! Trust me, I was going totrust me
believe me
MW II.i.30
your house.your house. MW II.i.31
Mis Page. MISTRESS PAGE 
And trust me, I was comming to you:And, trust me, I was coming to you. MW II.i.32
you looke very ill.You look very ill.ill (adj.)
annoyed, cross, vexed
MW II.i.33
Mis. Ford. MISTRESS FORD 
Nay, Ile nere beleeee that; I haue to Nay, I'll ne'er believe that. I have to MW II.i.34
shew to the contrary.show to the contrary. MW II.i.35
Mis. Page. MISTRESS PAGE 
'Faith but you doe in my minde.Faith, but you do, in my mind. MW II.i.36
Mis. Ford. MISTRESS FORD 
Well: I doe then: yet I say, I could shewWell, I do then. Yet I say I could show MW II.i.37
you to the contrary: O Mistris Page, giue mee someyou to the contrary. O Mistress Page, give me some MW II.i.38
counsaile.counsel. MW II.i.39
Mis. Page. MISTRESS PAGE 
What's the matter, woman?What's the matter, woman? MW II.i.40
Mi. Ford. MISTRESS FORD 
O woman: if it were not for one triflingO woman, if it were not for one trifling MW II.i.41
respect, I could come to such honour.respect, I could come to such honour.respect (n.)
consideration, factor, circumstance
MW II.i.42
honour (n.)
noble rank, position of dignity, title of renown
come to (v.)
achieve, attain, arrive at
Mi. Page. MISTRESS PAGE 
Hang the trifle (woman) take the honour:Hang the trifle, woman, take the honour. MW II.i.43
what is it? dispence with trifles: what is it?What is it? Dispense with trifles. What is it?dispense with (v.)

old form: dispence
have done with, do away with, forgo
MW II.i.44
Mi. Ford. MISTRESS FORD 
If I would but goe to hell, for an eternallIf I would but go to hell for an eternal MW II.i.45
moment, or so: I could be knighted.moment or so, I could be knighted. MW II.i.46
Mi. Page. MISTRESS PAGE 
What thou liest? Sir Alice Ford? theseWhat? Thou liest! Sir Alice Ford! These MW II.i.47
Knights will hacke, and so thou shouldst not alter theknights will hack, and so thou shouldst not alter thehack (v.)

old form: hacke
[unclear meaning] be promiscuous, go whoring
MW II.i.48
article of thy Gentry.article of thy gentry.gentry (n.)
social rank, breeding, level in society
MW II.i.49
article (n.)
character, nature, designation
Mi. Ford. MISTRESS FORD 
Wee burne day-light: heere, read, read:We burn daylight. Here, read, read.burn (v.)

old form: burne
waste, fritter away
MW II.i.50
perceiue how I might bee knighted, I shall thinke thePerceive how I might be knighted. I shall think the MW II.i.51
worse of fat men, as long as I haue an eye to makeworse of fat men as long as I have an eye to make MW II.i.52
difference of mens liking: and yet hee would not sweare:difference of men's liking. And yet he would not swear;liking (n.)
bodily shape, good condition
MW II.i.53
difference (n.)
distinction, discrimination, contrast [between]
praise womens modesty: and gaue such orderly andpraised women's modesty; and gave such orderly and MW II.i.54
wel-behaued reproofe to al vncomelinesse, that I wouldwell-behaved reproof to all uncomeliness that I woulduncomeliness (n.)

old form: vncomelinesse
unseemly behaviour, improper conduct
MW II.i.55
haue sworne his disposition would haue gone to thehave sworn his disposition would have gone to thego to (v.)
accord with, correspond to, match
MW II.i.56
disposition (n.)
natural temperament, normal state of mind
truth of his words: but they doe no more adhere and keeptruth of his words. But they do no more adhere and keepadhere (v.)
agree, suit, fit the circumstances
MW II.i.57
place together, then the hundred Psalms to the tune ofplace together than the Hundredth Psalm to the tune of MW II.i.58
Greensleeues: What tempest (I troa) threw this Whale,‘ Greensleeves.’ What tempest, I trow, threw this whale,trow (v.)
(I) wonder, (I) ask you
MW II.i.59
(with so many Tuns of oyle in his belly) a'shoare at Windsor?with so many tuns of oil in his belly, ashore at Windsor?tun (n.)
barrel, large cask
MW II.i.60
How shall I bee reuenged on him? I thinke the best wayHow shall I be revenged on him? I think the best way MW II.i.61
were, to entertaine him with hope, till the wicked fire ofwere to entertain him with hope till the wicked fire ofentertain (v.)

old form: entertaine
occupy, engage, fill up
MW II.i.62
lust haue melted him in his owne greace: Did you euerlust have melted him in his own grease. Did you ever MW II.i.63
heare the like?hear the like? MW II.i.64
Mis. Page. MISTRESS PAGE  
(comparing the two letters) MW II.i.65
Letter forLetter for MW II.i.65
letter; but that the name of Page and Ford differs: to thyletter, but that the name of Page and Ford differs. To thy MW II.i.66
great comfort in this mystery of ill opinions, heere's thegreat comfort in this mystery of ill opinions, here's theill (adj.)
bad, adverse, unfavourable
MW II.i.67
twyn-brother of thy Letter: but let thine inherit first, fortwin-brother of thy letter. But let thine inherit first, forinherit (v.)
receive, obtain, come into possession [of]
MW II.i.68
I protest mine neuer shall: I warrant he hath a thousandI protest mine never shall. I warrant he hath a thousandwarrant (v.)
assure, promise, guarantee, confirm
MW II.i.69
of these Letters, writ with blancke-space for different namesof these letters, writ with blank space for different names MW II.i.70
(sure more): and these are of the second edition: hee – sure, more, – and these are of the second edition. He MW II.i.71
will print them out of doubt: for he cares not what heewill print them, out of doubt; for he cares not what hedoubt, out of
without doubt, unquestionably, indubitably
MW II.i.72
puts into the presse, when he would put vs two: I hadputs into the press, when he would put us two. I had MW II.i.73
rather be a Giantesse, and lye vnder Mount Pelion: Well;rather be a giantess and lie under Mount Pelion. Well,giantess (n.)

old form: Giantesse
she-giant
MW II.i.74
Pelion (n.)
[pron: 'peelion] mountain in Thessaly, N Greece; gods revenged themselves on rebellious Titans by burying them under Mt Pelion
I will find you twentie lasciuious Turtles ere one chasteI will find you twenty lascivious turtles ere one chasteturtle (n.)
turtle-dove, lover
MW II.i.75
man.man. MW II.i.76
She gives her letter to Mistress Ford MW II.i.77
Mis. Ford. MISTRESS FORD 
Why this is the very same: the veryWhy, this is the very same: the very MW II.i.77
hand: the very words: what doth he thinke of vs?hand, the very words. What doth he think of us? MW II.i.78
Mis. Page. MISTRESS PAGE 
Nay I know not: it makes me almost Nay, I know not. It makes me almost MW II.i.79
readie to wrangle with mine owne honesty: Ile entertaineready to wrangle with mine own honesty. I'll entertainentertain (v.)

old form: entertaine
consider, treat, think of
MW II.i.80
honesty (n.)
virtue, chastity
wrangle (v.)
dispute, contest, argue over
my selfe like one that I am not acquainted withall: for suremyself like one that I am not acquainted withal; for, sure, MW II.i.81
vnlesse hee know some straine in mee, that I know notunless he know some strain in me that I know notstrain (n.)

old form: straine
quality, character, disposition
MW II.i.82
my selfe, hee would neuer haue boorded me in this furie.myself, he would never have boarded me in this fury.fury (n.)

old form: furie
impetuous way, fierce passion
MW II.i.83
board (v.)

old form: boorded
accost, address, approach, tackle
Mi. Ford. MISTRESS FORD 
Boording, call you it? Ile bee sure to‘ Boarding ’ call you it? I'll be sure to MW II.i.84
keepe him aboue decke.keep him above deck. MW II.i.85
Mi. Page. MISTRESS PAGE 
So will I: if hee come vnder my hatches,So will I. If he come under my hatches,hatch (n.)
(plural) movable deck planks
MW II.i.86
Ile neuer to Sea againe: Let's bee reueng'd on him: let'sI'll never to sea again. Let's be revenged on him. Let's MW II.i.87
appoint him a meeting: giue him a show of comfort inappoint him a meeting; give him a show of comfort incomfort (n.)
encouragement, support, hope
MW II.i.88
his Suit, and lead him on with a fine baited delay, till heehis suit, and lead him on with a fine-baited delay till hesuit (n.)
wooing, courtship
MW II.i.89
fine-baited (adj.)

old form: fine baited
full of attractive temptations, enticingly baited
delay (n.)
set of delaying tactics, procrastination
hath pawn'd his horses to mine Host of the Garter.hath pawned his horses to mine host of the Garter. MW II.i.90
Mi. Ford. MISTRESS FORD 
Nay, I wil consent to act any villanyNay, I will consent to act any villainyvillainy (n.)

old form: villany
shaming practice, discrediting activity
MW II.i.91
against him, that may not sully the charinesse of ouragainst him that may not sully the chariness of ourchariness (n.)

old form: charinesse
careful preservation, strict uprightness
MW II.i.92
honesty: oh that my husband saw this Letter: it wouldhonesty. O that my husband saw this letter! It wouldhonesty (n.)
honour, integrity, uprightness
MW II.i.93
giue eternall food to his iealousie.give eternal food to his jealousy. MW II.i.94
Mis. Page. MISTRESS PAGE 
Why look where he comes; and my goodWhy, look where he comes, and my good MW II.i.95
man too: hee's as farre from iealousie, as I am from giuingman too. He's as far from jealousy as I am from giving MW II.i.96
him cause, and that (I hope) is an vnmeasurablehim cause – and that, I hope, is an unmeasurable MW II.i.97
distance. distance. MW II.i.98
Mis. Ford. MISTRESS FORD 
You are the happier woman.You are the happier woman. MW II.i.99
Mis. Page. MISTRESS PAGE 
Let's consult together against this greasieLet's consult together against this greasy MW II.i.100
Knight: Come hither.knight. Come hither. MW II.i.101
They retire MW II.i.102.1
Enter Ford with Pistol, and Page with Nym MW II.i.102.2
Ford. FORD 
Well: I hope, it be not so.Well, I hope it be not so. MW II.i.102
Pist. PISTOL 
Hope is a curtall-dog in some affaires:Hope is a curtal dog in some affairs.curtal (adj.)

old form: curtall
with a docked tail; common, household
MW II.i.103
Sir Iohn affects thy wife.Sir John affects thy wife.affect (v.)
love, like, be fond of
MW II.i.104
Ford. FORD 
Why sir, my wife is not young.Why, sir, my wife is not young. MW II.i.105
Pist. PISTOL 
He wooes both high and low, both rich & poor,He woos both high and low, both rich and poor, MW II.i.106
both yong and old, one with another (Ford)Both young and old, one with another, Ford. MW II.i.107
he loues the Gally-mawfry (Ford) perpend.He loves the gallimaufry. Ford, perpend.perpend (v.)
consider, ponder, reflect
MW II.i.108
gallimaufry (n.)

old form: Gally-mawfry
complete mixture, whole assembly, every sort
Ford. FORD 
Loue my wife?Love my wife? MW II.i.109
Pist. PISTOL 
With liuer, burning hot: preuent: / Or goe thouWith liver burning hot. Prevent. Or go thouprevent (v.)

old form: preuent
take steps to thwart, avoid by prompt action
MW II.i.110
like Sir Acteon he, with / Ring-wood at thy heeles:Like Sir Actaeon he, with Ringwood at thy heels.Actaeon (n.)
[pron: ak'tayon] cuckold; hunter who saw Artemis (goddess of chastity) bathing naked; she changed him into a stag, who was killed by his own hounds
MW II.i.111
RIngwood (n.)
one of Actaeon's dogs; traditional name of an English hound
O, odious is the name.O, odious is the name! MW II.i.112
Ford. FORD 
What name Sir?What name, sir? MW II.i.113
Pist. PISTOL 
The horne I say: Farewell:The horn, I say. Farewell. MW II.i.114
Take heed, haue open eye, for theeues doe foot by night.Take heed, have open eye, for thieves do foot by night.foot (v.)
pace, walk about
MW II.i.115
Take heed, ere sommer comes, or Cuckoo-birds do sing.Take heed, ere summer comes or cuckoo-birds do sing. MW II.i.116
Away sir Corporall Nim:Away, Sir Corporal Nym! MW II.i.117
Beleeue it (Page) he speakes sence.Believe it, Page; he speaks sense. MW II.i.118
Exit MW II.i.118
Ford. FORD  
(aside) MW II.i.119.1
I will be patient: I will find out this.I will be patient. I will find out this.find out (v.)
inquire into, follow up
MW II.i.119
Nim. NYM  
(to Page) MW II.i.120.1
And this is true: I like not the humor ofAnd this is true. I like not the humour ofhumour (n.)
style, method, way, fashion
MW II.i.120
lying: hee hath wronged mee in some humors: I shouldlying. He hath wronged me in some humours. I shouldhumour (n.)

old form: humor
style, method, way, fashion
MW II.i.121
haue borne the humour'd Letter to her: but I haue a have borne the humoured letter to her, but I have ahumoured (adj.)

old form: humour'd
expressing a particular disposition; lying, treacherous
MW II.i.122
sword: and it shall bite vpon my necessitie: he loues yoursword and it shall bite upon my necessity. He loves your MW II.i.123
wife; There's the short and the long: My name iswife. There's the short and the long. My name is MW II.i.124
Corporall Nim: I speak, and I auouch; 'tis true: my nameCorporal Nym. I speak, and I avouch 'tis true. My nameavouch (v.)

old form: auouch
declare, assert, affirm
MW II.i.125
is Nim: and Falstaffe loues your wife: adieu, I loue notis Nym, and Falstaff loves your wife. Adieu. I love not MW II.i.126
the humour of bread and cheese:the humour of bread and cheese – and there's the MW II.i.127
adieu.humour of it. Adieu.humour (n.)
style, method, way, fashion
MW II.i.128
Exit MW II.i.128
Page. PAGE 
The humour of it (quoth 'a?) heere's a fellow frights‘ The humour of it,’ quoth'a! Here's a fellow frightsquoth a, quotha (int.)
did he say?, indeed!
MW II.i.129
fright (v.), past form frighted
frighten, scare, terrify
English out of his wits.English out of his wits. MW II.i.130
Ford.FORD  
(aside) MW II.i.131
I will seeke out Falstaffe.I will seek out Falstaff. MW II.i.131
Page. PAGE  
(aside) MW II.i.132.1
I neuer heard such a drawling-affectingI never heard such a drawling, affectingaffecting (adj.)
affected, full of mannerism
MW II.i.132
rogue.rogue. MW II.i.133
Ford.FORD  
(aside) MW II.i.134
If I doe finde it: well.If I do find it – well. MW II.i.134
Page. PAGE  
(aside) MW II.i.135.1
I will not beleeue such a Cataian, though theI will not believe such a Cataian, though theCataian, Cathayan (n.)
[from Cathay = China] scoundrel, rogue, villain
MW II.i.135
Priest o'th'Towne commended him for a true man.priest o'th' town commended him for a true man.true (adj.)
honest, upright, law-abiding
MW II.i.136
commend (v.)
praise, admire, extol
Ford. FORD  
(aside) MW II.i.137
'Twas a good sensible fellow: well.'Twas a good sensible fellow – well. MW II.i.137
Mistress Page and Mistress Ford come forward MW II.i.138
Page. PAGE 
How now Meg?How now, Meg? MW II.i.138
Mist. Page. MISTRESS PAGE 
Whether goe you (George?) harke you.Whither go you, George? Hark you. MW II.i.139
They speak aside MW II.i.140
Mis. Ford. MISTRESS FORD 
How now (sweet Frank) why art thouHow now, sweet Frank, why art thou MW II.i.140
melancholy? melancholy? MW II.i.141
Ford. FORD 
I melancholy? I am not melancholy: Get you home:I melancholy? I am not melancholy. Get you home, MW II.i.142
goe.go. MW II.i.143
Mis. Ford. MISTRESS FORD 
Faith, thou hast some crochets in thyFaith, thou hast some crotchets in thycrotchet (n.)

old form: crochets
strange notion, perverse idea, whimsical fancy
MW II.i.144
head, / Now: will you goe, Mistris Page?head now. Will you go, Mistress Page? MW II.i.145
Mis. Page. MISTRESS PAGE 
Haue with you: you'll come to dinnerHave with you. – You'll come to dinner,have with you

old form: Haue
I'll join you, I'll be with you
MW II.i.146
George?George? MW II.i.147
Enter Mistress Quickly MW II.i.148
Looke who comes yonder: shee (Aside to Mistress Ford) Look who comes yonder. She MW II.i.148
shall bee our Messenger to this paltrie Knight.shall be our messenger to this paltry knight. MW II.i.149
Mis. Ford. MISTRESS FORD 
Trust me, I (aside to Mistress Page) Trust me, I MW II.i.150
thought on her: shee'll fit it.thought on her. She'll fit it.fit (v.)
suit, befit, be suitable [for]
MW II.i.151
Mis. Page. MISTRESS PAGE 
You are come to see my daughter Anne?You are come to see my daughter Anne? MW II.i.152
Qui. MISTRESS QUICKLY 
I forsooth: and I pray how do'sAy, forsooth; and, I pray, how doesforsooth (adv.)
in truth, certainly, truly, indeed
MW II.i.153
good Mistresse Anne?good Mistress Anne? MW II.i.154
Mis Page. MISTRESS PAGE 
Go in with vs and see: we haue anGo in with us and see. We have an MW II.i.155
houres talke with you.hour's talk with you. MW II.i.156
Exeunt Mistress Page, Mistress Ford, MW II.i.156.1
and Mistress Quickly MW II.i.156.2
Page. PAGE 
How now Master Ford?How now, Master Ford? MW II.i.157
For. FORD 
You heard what this knaue told me, did you not?You heard what this knave told me, did you not?knave (n.)

old form: knaue
scoundrel, rascal, rogue
MW II.i.158
Page. PAGE 
Yes, and you heard what the other told me?Yes, and you heard what the other told me? MW II.i.159
Ford. FORD 
Doe you thinke there is truth in them?Do you think there is truth in them? MW II.i.160
Pag. PAGE 
Hang 'em slaues: I doe not thinke the Knight wouldHang 'em, slaves! I do not think the knight would MW II.i.161
offer it: But these that accuse him in his intent towardsoffer it. But these that accuse him in his intent towardsintent (n.)
intention, purpose, aim
MW II.i.162
offer (v.)
attempt, start, try, make a move
our wiues, are a yoake of his discarded men: very rogues,our wives are a yoke of his discarded men – very rogues,yoke (n.)

old form: yoake
pair, couple, brace
MW II.i.163
now they be out of seruice.now they be out of service. MW II.i.164
Ford. FORD 
Were they his men?Were they his men? MW II.i.165
Page. PAGE 
Marry were they.Marry, were they.marry (int.)
[exclamation] by Mary
MW II.i.166
Ford. FORD 
I like it neuer the beter for that, / Do's he lye at theI like it never the better for that. Does he lie at thelie (v.)

old form: lye
live, dwell, reside, lodge
MW II.i.167
Garter?Garter? MW II.i.168
Page. PAGE 
I marry do's he: if hee should intend this voyageAy, marry, does he. If he should intend this voyage MW II.i.169
toward my wife, I would turne her loose to him; andtoward my wife, I would turn her loose to him; and MW II.i.170
what hee gets more of her, then sharpe words, let it lye onwhat he gets more of her than sharp words, let it lie on MW II.i.171
my head.my head. MW II.i.172
Ford. FORD 
I doe not misdoubt my wife: but I would bee loathI do not misdoubt my wife, but I would be loathmisdoubt (v.)
distrust, suspect, have misgivings about
MW II.i.173
to turne them together: a man may be too confident: Ito turn them together. A man may be too confident. Iconfident (adj.)
trusting, complacent, self-assured
MW II.i.174
would haue nothing lye on my head: I cannot be thus would have nothing lie on my head. I cannot be thus MW II.i.175
satisfied.satisfied. MW II.i.176
Enter Host MW II.i.177.1
Page. PAGE 
Looke where my ranting-Host of the Garter comes:Look where my ranting host of the Garter comes.ranting (adj.)
boisterous, jovial, noisily convivial
MW II.i.177
there is eyther liquor in his pate, or mony in his purse,There is either liquor in his pate or money in his pursepate (n.)
head, skull
MW II.i.178
when hee lookes so merrily: How now mine Host?when he looks so merrily. – How now, mine host? MW II.i.179
Host. HOST 
How now Bully-Rooke: thou'rt a GentlemanHow now, bully rook? Thou'rt a gentleman.bully rook (n.)

old form: Bully-Rooke
merry comrade, good mate, old rogue
MW II.i.180
He turns and calls MW II.i.181.1
Caueleiro Iustice, I say.Cavaliero justice, I say!cavaliero (adj.)

old form: Caueleiro
gallant, valiant, honourable
MW II.i.181
Enter Shallow MW II.i.182.1
Shal. SHALLOW 
I follow, (mine Host) I follow: Good-euen, andI follow, mine host, I follow. Good even and MW II.i.182
twenty (good Master Page.) Master Page, wil you go withtwenty, good Master Page. Master Page, will you go withtwenty, and
[ballad catch phrase, used as an intensifer] and many more
MW II.i.183
vs? we haue sport in hand.us? We have sport in hand.sport (n.)
recreation, amusement, entertainment
MW II.i.184
Host. HOST 
Tell him Caueleiro-Iustice: tell him Bully-Rooke.Tell him, cavaliero justice; tell him, bully rook. MW II.i.185
Shall. SHALLOW 
Sir, there is a fray to be fought, betweene SirSir, there is a fray to be fought between Sir MW II.i.186
Hugh the Welch Priest, and Caius the French Doctor.Hugh the Welsh priest and Caius the French doctor. MW II.i.187
Ford. FORD 
Good mine Host o'th' Garter: a word with you.Good mine host o'th' Garter, a word with you. MW II.i.188
Host. HOST 
What saist thou, my Bully-Rooke?What sayest thou, my bully rook? MW II.i.189
They go aside MW II.i.190
Shal. SHALLOW  
(to Page) MW II.i.190
Will you goe with vs to behold it?Will you go with us to behold it? MW II.i.190
My merry Host hath had the measuring of their weapons;My merry host hath had the measuring of their weapons,measuring (n.)
task of checking measurement
MW II.i.191
and (I thinke) hath appointed them contrary places: forand, I think, hath appointed them contrary places; for,appoint (v.)
grant, provide, assign
MW II.i.192
contrary (adj.)
different, at a distance apart
(beleeue mee) I heare the Parson is no Iester: harke, I willbelieve me, I hear the parson is no jester. Hark, I will MW II.i.193
tell you what our sport shall be.tell you what our sport shall be.sport (n.)
recreation, amusement, entertainment
MW II.i.194
They go aside MW II.i.195
Host. HOST 
Hast thou no suit against my Knight? my guest-Hast thou no suit against my knight, my guest MW II.i.195
Caualeire?cavaliero?cavaliero (adj.)

old form: Caualeire
gallant, valiant, honourable
MW II.i.196
Shal. FORD 
None, I protest: but Ile giue you a pottle of burn'd None, I protest. But I'll give you a pottle of burntprotest (v.)
declare, say, swear
MW II.i.197
pottle, pottle-pot (n.)
drinking vessel containing two quarts
burnt (adj.)

old form: burn'd
mulled, heated
sacke, to giue me recourse to him, and tell him my name is sack to give me recourse to him and tell him my name isrecourse (n.)
opportunity of going, means of access
MW II.i.198
Broome: onely for a iest.Brook – only for a jest. MW II.i.199
Host. HOST 
My hand, (Bully:) thou shalt haue egresse andMy hand, bully. Thou shalt have egress andegress and regress[legal] right of leaving and return, freedom to come and goMW II.i.200
regresse, (said I well?) and thy name shall be Broome.regress. – Said I well? – And thy name shall be Brook. MW II.i.201
It is a merry Knight: will you goe An-heires?It is a merry knight. Will you go, Ameers?mynheer (n.)

old form: An-heires
[variant reading] [Dutch] gentleman
MW II.i.202
ameer (n.)

old form: An-heires
[jocular address] emir [hereditary Arab ruler]
Shal. SHALLOW 
Haue with you mine Host.Have with you, mine host. MW II.i.203
Page. PAGE 
I haue heard the French-man hath good skill in hisI have heard the Frenchman hath good skill in his MW II.i.204
Rapier.rapier.rapier (n.)
light sharp-pointed sword used for thrusting
MW II.i.205
Shal. SHALLOW 
Tut sir: I could haue told you more: In theseTut, sir, I could have told you more. In these MW II.i.206
times you stand on distance: your Passes, Stoccado's,times you stand on distance, your passes, stoccadoes,pass (n.)
bout, exchange, round [in fencing]
MW II.i.207
stand on (v.)
insist on, demand, call for
stoccado, stoccata (n.)
[fencing] thrust, lunge
distance (n.)
[fencing] regulation space to be kept between contestants
and I know not what: 'tis the heart (Master Page)and I know not what. 'Tis the heart, Master Page; MW II.i.208
'tis heere, 'tis heere: I haue seene the time, with my long-'tis here, 'tis here. I have seen the time, with my long MW II.i.209
sword, I would haue made you fowre tall fellowes skippe likesword, I would have made you four tall fellows skip liketall (adj.)
brave, valiant, bold
MW II.i.210
Rattes.rats. MW II.i.211
Host. HOST 
Heere boyes, heere, heere: shall we wag?Here, boys, here, here! Shall we wag?wag (v.)
go off, depart, go on one's way
MW II.i.212
Page. PAGE 
Haue with you: I had rather heare them scold, then Have with you. I had rather hear them scold than MW II.i.213
fight.fight. MW II.i.214
Exeunt Host, Shallow, and Page MW II.i.214
Ford. FORD 
Though Page be a secure foole, and stands so firmelyThough Page be a secure fool and stands so firmlystand (v.)
make a stand, be resolute [on a point]
MW II.i.215
secure (adj.)
over-confident, unsuspecting, too self-confident
on his wiues frailty; yet, I cannot put-off my opinion soon his wife's frailty, yet I cannot put off my opinion sofrailty (n.)
moral weakness, shortcoming, liability to give in to temptation
MW II.i.216
easily: she was in his company at Pages house: and whateasily. She was in his company at Page's house, and what MW II.i.217
they made there, I know not. Well, I wil looke furtherthey made there, I know not. Well, I will look furthermake (v.)
do, perform, carry out
MW II.i.218
into't, and I haue a disguise, to sound Falstaffe; if I findeinto't, and I have a disguise to sound Falstaff. If I findsound (v.)
find out, ascertain, sound out
MW II.i.219
her honest, I loose not my labor: if she be otherwise,her honest, I lose not my labour. If she be otherwise,lose (v.)

old form: loose
waste, throw away, give unprofitably
MW II.i.220
honest (adj.)
chaste, pure, virtuous
'tis labour well bestowed. 'tis labour well bestowed. MW II.i.221
Exeunt.Exit MW II.i.221
 Previous Act II, Scene I Next  
x

Jump directly to