Play

MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR

ACT 1

SCENE 1

SCENE: The Street

Enter Mrs Page, Mrs Quickly and William

MRS PAGE Is he at Master Ford’s already, think’st thou?

QUICKLY Sure he is by this; or will he be presently; but truly he is very
courageous mad about his throwing into the water. Mistress
Ford desires you to come suddenly.

MRS PAGE I’ll be with her by and by; I’ll but bring my young man here to
school.
Look, where his master comes; ‘tis a playing day, I see.
(Enter Sir Hugh Evans) How now, Sir Hugh? No school today?

EVANS No; Master Slender is let the boys leave to play.

QUICKLY Blessing of his heart.

MRS PAGE Sir Hugh, my husband says my son profits nothing in the
world at his books; I pray you ask him some questions in his
absence.

EVANS Come hither, Williams; hold up your head; come.

MRS PAGE Come on, Sirrah; hold up your head; answer your master; be
not afraid.

EVANS Williams, how many numbers is in nouns?

WILLIAM Two.

QUICKLY Truly, I thought there had been one number more;

EVANS Peace you tattling. What is fair, William?

WILLIAM Pulcher

QUICKLY Polecast! there are fairer things than polecats, sure.

Page 3 Kali Lawrence