William Shakespeare: The Merry Wives of Windsor

ACT IV. SCENE 5. A room in the Garter Inn. (continued)

FALSTAFF.
Marry, she says that the very same man that
beguiled Master Slender of his chain cozened him of it.

SIMPLE.
I would I could have spoken with the woman herself; I had
other things to have spoken with her too, from him.

FALSTAFF.
What are they? Let us know.

HOST.
Ay, come; quick.

SIMPLE.
I may not conceal them, sir.

FALSTAFF.
Conceal them, or thou diest.

SIMPLE.
Why, sir, they were nothing but about Mistress Anne Page: to
know if it were my master's fortune to have her or no.

FALSTAFF.
'Tis, 'tis his fortune.

SIMPLE.
What sir?

FALSTAFF.
To have her, or no. Go; say the woman told me so.

SIMPLE.
May I be bold to say so, sir?

FALSTAFF.
Ay, Sir Tike; like who more bold?

SIMPLE.
I thank your worship; I shall make my master glad
with these tidings.

[Exit.]

HOST.
Thou art clerkly, thou art clerkly, Sir John. Was
there a wise woman with thee?

FALSTAFF.
Ay, that there was, mine host; one that hath
taught me more wit than ever I learned before in my life;
and I paid nothing for it neither, but was paid for my
learning.

[Enter BARDOLPH.]

BARDOLPH.
Out, alas, sir! cozenage, mere cozenage!

HOST.
Where be my horses? Speak well of them, varletto.

BARDOLPH.
Run away, with the cozeners; for so soon as I
came beyond Eton, they threw me off, from behind one of
them, in a slough of mire; and set spurs and away, like
three German devils, three Doctor Faustuses.