Page 2541 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

house? She comes of errands, does she? We are simple men; we do not know
what’s brought to pass under the profession of fortune-telling. She works by
charms, by spells, by th’ figure, and such daubery as this is, beyond our
element; we know nothing. Come down, [160] you witch, you hag, you; come

down, I say!

MISTRESS FORD
Nay, good, sweet husband! − Good gentlemen, let him not strike the old
woman.

Enter Falstaff in woman’s clothes, and Mistress Page.

MISTRESS PAGE
Come, Mother Prat, come, give me your hand. [165]

FORD
I’ll prat her. [ Beating him.] Out of my door, you witch, you rag, you baggage,

you polecat, you runnion, out, out! I’ll conjure you, I’ll fortune-tell you.
[Exit Falstaff.]

MISTRESS PAGE
Are you not ashamed? I think you have killed the poor woman. [170]

MISTRESS FORD
Nay, he will do it. ’Tis a goodly credit for you!

FORD
Hang her, witch!

EVANS
By yea and no, I think the ’oman is a witch indeed. I like not when a ’oman

has a great peard; I spy a great [175] peard under his muffler.

FORD
Will you follow, gentlemen? I beseech you, follow; see but the issue of my
jealousy; if I cry out thus upon no trail, never trust me when I open again.