Page 2512 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

such a one, I come before to tell you. If you know yourself [105] clear, why, I
am glad of it; but if you have a friend here, convey, convey him out. Be not
amazed, call all your senses to you, defend your reputation, or bid farewell to
your good life for ever.

MISTRESS FORD
What shall I do? There is a gentleman, [110] my dear friend; and I fear not

mine own shame so much as his peril. I had rather than a thousand pound he
were out of the house.

MISTRESS PAGE
For shame, never stand ‘you had rather’ and ‘you had rather’: your husband’s
here at hand! [115] Bethink you of some conveyance; in the house you

cannot hide him. O how have you deceived me! Look, here is a basket; if he
be of any reasonable stature, he may creep in here; and throw foul linen
upon him, as if it were going to bucking; or − it is whiting-time − send him by
your two [120] men to Datchet Mead.

MISTRESS FORD
He’s too big to go in there. What shall I do?

FALSTAFF
[Coming forward] Let me see ’t, let me see’t, O, let me see ’t! I’ll in, I’ll in.
Follow your friend’s counsel; [125] I’ll in.

MISTRESS PAGE
What, Sir John Falstaff? − Are these your letters, knight?

FALSTAFF
I love thee; help me away. Let me creep in here. I’ll never − [130]
Gets into the basket; they cover him with foul linen.

MISTRESS PAGE

Help to cover your master, boy. − Call your men, Mistress Ford. − You
dissembling knight!

MISTRESS FORD