William Shakespeare: The Merry Wives of Windsor

ACT III SCENE 1. A field near Frogmore. (continued)

PAGE.
Save you, good Sir Hugh!

EVANS.
Pless you from his mercy sake, all of you!

SHALLOW.
What, the sword and the word! Do you study
them both, Master Parson?

PAGE.
And youthful still, in your doublet and hose, this raw
rheumatic day!

EVANS.
There is reasons and causes for it.

PAGE.
We are come to you to do a good office, Master
Parson.

EVANS.
Fery well; what is it?

PAGE.
Yonder is a most reverend gentleman, who, belike having
received wrong by some person, is at most odds with
his own gravity and patience that ever you saw.

SHALLOW.
I have lived fourscore years and upward; I never
heard a man of his place, gravity, and learning, so wide of
his own respect.

EVANS.
What is he?

PAGE.
I think you know him: Master Doctor Caius, the
renowned French physician.

EVANS.
Got's will and his passion of my heart! I had as lief
you would tell me of a mess of porridge.

PAGE.
Why?

EVANS.
He has no more knowledge in Hibbocrates and
Galen,--and he is a knave besides; cowardly knave as you
would desires to be acquainted withal.

PAGE.
I warrant you, he's the man should fight with him.

SLENDER.
[Aside] O, sweet Anne Page!

SHALLOW.
It appears so, by his weapons. Keep them asunder;
here comes Doctor Caius.

[Enter HOST, CAIUS, and RUGBY.]

PAGE.
Nay, good Master Parson, keep in your weapon.