William Shakespeare: The Merry Wives of Windsor

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

SHALLOW.
So do you, good Master Doctor.

HOST.
Disarm them, and let them question; let them keep
their limbs whole and hack our English.

CAIUS.
I pray you, let-a me speak a word with your ear:
verefore will you not meet-a me?

EVANS.
[Aside to CAIUS.] Pray you use your patience; in
good time.

CAIUS.
By gar, you are de coward, de Jack dog, John ape.

EVANS.
[Aside to CAIUS.] Pray you, let us not be
laughing-stogs to other men's humours; I desire you in
friendship, and I will one way or other make you amends.
[Aloud.] I will knog your urinals about your knave's cogscomb
for missing your meetings and appointments.

CAIUS.
Diable!--Jack Rugby,--mine Host de Jarretiere,--have I
not stay for him to kill him? Have I not, at de place I did
appoint?

EVANS.
As I am a Christians soul, now, look you, this is the
place appointed. I'll be judgment by mine host of the
Garter.

HOST.
Peace, I say, Gallia and Gaullia; French and Welsh,
soul-curer and body-curer!

CAIUS.
Ay, dat is very good; excellent!

HOST.
Peace, I say! Hear mine host of the Garter. Am I
politic? am I subtle? am I a Machiavel? Shall I lose my
doctor? No; he gives me the potions and the motions. Shall I
lose my parson, my priest, my Sir Hugh? No; he gives me
the proverbs and the no-verbs. Give me thy hand, terrestrial;
so;--give me thy hand, celestial; so. Boys of art, I have
deceived you both; I have directed you to wrong places;
your hearts are mighty, your skins are whole, and let burnt
sack be the issue. Come, lay their swords to pawn. Follow
me, lads of peace; follow, follow, follow.

SHALLOW.
Trust me, a mad host!--Follow, gentlemen, follow.

SLENDER.
[Aside] O, sweet Anne Page!