Page 2537 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

Quick, quick! We’ll come dress you straight; put on the gown the while.
[Exit Falstaff.]

MISTRESS FORD
I would my husband would meet him [75] in this shape. He cannot abide the
old woman of Brainford; he swears she’s a witch, forbade her my house, and
hath threatened to beat her.

MISTRESS PAGE
Heaven guide him to thy husband’s cudgel; and the devil guide his cudgel
afterwards! [80]

MISTRESS FORD
But is my husband coming?

MISTRESS PAGE
Ay, in good sadness, is he, and talks of the basket too, howsoever he hath
had intelligence.

MISTRESS FORD

We’ll try that: for I’ll appoint my men to carry the basket again, to meet him
at the door with it, as [85] they did last time.

MISTRESS PAGE
Nay, but he’ll be here presently; let’s go dress him like the witch of Brainford.

MISTRESS FORD
I’ll first direct my men what they shall do with the basket. Go up; I’ll bring
linen for him straight. [90]

MISTRESS PAGE
Hang him, dishonest varlet, we cannot misuse him enough.

We’ll leave a proof, by that which we will do,
Wives may be merry and yet honest too.
We do not act that often jest and laugh; [95]
’Tis old, but true; ‘Still swine eats all the draff’.

[Exit.]