William Shakespeare: The Merry Wives of Windsor

ACT II. SCENE 1. Before PAGE'S house (continued)

HOST.
How now, bully-rook! Thou'rt a gentleman.
Cavaliero-justice, I say!

SHALLOW.
I follow, mine host, I follow. Good even and
twenty, good Master Page! Master Page, will you go with
us? We have sport in hand.

HOST.
Tell him, cavaliero-justice; tell him, bully-rook.

SHALLOW.
Sir, there is a fray to be fought between Sir Hugh
the Welsh priest and Caius the French doctor.

FORD.
Good mine host o' the Garter, a word with you.

HOST.
What say'st thou, my bully-rook?

[They go aside.]

SHALLOW.
[To PAGE.] Will you go with us to behold it? My
merry host hath had the measuring of their weapons; and,
I think, hath appointed them contrary places; for, believe
me, I hear the parson is no jester. Hark, I will tell you
what our sport shall be. [They converse apart.]

HOST.
Hast thou no suit against my knight, my guest-cavaliero.

FORD.
None, I protest: but I'll give you a pottle of burnt
sack to give me recourse to him, and tell him my name is
Brook, only for a jest.

HOST.
My hand, bully; thou shalt have egress and regress;
said I well? and thy name shall be Brook. It is a merry
knight. Will you go, mynheers?

SHALLOW. Have with you, mine host.

PAGE.
I have heard, the Frenchman hath good skill in his
rapier.

SHALLOW.
Tut, sir! I could have told you more. In these
times you stand on distance, your passes, stoccadoes, and
I know not what: 'tis the heart, Master Page; 'tis here,
'tis here. I have seen the time with my long sword I would
have made you four tall fellows skip like rats.

HOST.
Here, boys, here, here! Shall we wag?