{"product_id":"the-merry-wives-of-windsor-isbn-9780451529961","title":"The Merry Wives of Windsor","description":"\u003cb\u003eThe Signet Classics edition of William Shakespeare's comedy of love, jealousy, revenge, and merriment.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eDisreputable Sir John Falstaff decides to seduce two wealthy married women to refill his dwindling coffers and soon finds himself outwitted by Mistress Ford and Mistress Page in this delightful, farcical comedy.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis title in the Signet Classics Shakespeare series includes:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• An overview of William Shakespeare’s life, world, and theater\u003cbr\u003e• A special introduction to the play by the editor, William Green\u003cbr\u003e• A note on the sources from which Shakespeare derived \u003ci\u003eThe Merry Wives of Windsor\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• Dramatic criticism from Northrop Frye, mark Van Doren, Herbert Whittaker, and others\u003cbr\u003e• A stage and screen history of notable actors, directors, and productions of \u003ci\u003eThe Merry Wives of Windsor\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• Text, notes, and commentaries printed in the clearest, most readable format\u003cbr\u003e• Recommended readings\u003cb\u003ePraise for \u003ci\u003eWilliam Shakespeare: Complete Works\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Remarkable . . . makes Shakespeare’s extraordinary accomplishment more vivid than ever.”—James Shapiro, professor, Columbia University, bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eA Year in the Life of Shakespeare: 1599\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e“A feast of literary and historical information.”—\u003ci\u003eThe Wall Street Journal\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003eWilliam Shakespeare\u003c\/b\u003e (1564–1616) was a poet, playwright, and actor who is widely regarded as one of the most influential writers in the history of the English language. Often referred to as the Bard of Avon, Shakespeare's vast body of work includes comedic, tragic, and historical plays; poems; and 154 sonnets. His dramatic works have been translated into every major language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright.Act 1 Scene 1 running scene 1\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEnter Justice SHALLOW, SLENDER [and] Sir Hugh EVANS \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e SHALLOW Sir Hugh, persuade me not. I will make a Star Chamber matter of it. If he were twenty Sir John Falstaffs, he shall not abuse Robert \u003cbr\u003e SHALLOW, esquire. \u003cbr\u003eSLENDER In the county of Gloucester, Justice of Peace and Coram. \u003cbr\u003eSHALLOW Ay, cousin \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER, and Custalorum. \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER Ay, and Rato-lorum too; and a gentleman born, master parson, who writes himself Armigero in any bill, warrant, quittance or obligation, Armigero. \u003cbr\u003e SHALLOW Ay, that I do, and have done any time these three hundred years. \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER All his successors - gone before him - hath done't, and all his ancestors - that come after him - may. They may give the dozen white luces in their coat. \u003cbr\u003e SHALLOW It is an old coat. \u003cbr\u003e EVANS The dozen white louses do become an old coat well. It agrees well passant. It is a familiar beast to man, and signifies love. \u003cbr\u003e SHALLOW The luce is the fresh fish. The salt fish is an old coat. \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER I may quarter, coz. \u003cbr\u003e SHALLOW You may, by marrying. \u003cbr\u003e EVANS It is marring indeed, if he quarter it. \u003cbr\u003e SHALLOW Not a whit. \u003cbr\u003e EVANS Yes, py'r lady: if he has a quarter of your coat, there is but three skirts for yourself, in my simple conjectures. But that is all one: if Sir John Falstaff have committed disparagements unto you, I am of the church, and will be glad to do my benevolence, to make atonements and compromises between you. \u003cbr\u003e SHALLOW The Council shall hear it, it is a riot. \u003cbr\u003e EVANS It is not meet the Council hear a riot: there is no fear of Got in a riot. The Council, look you, shall desire to hear the fear of Got, and not to hear a riot. Take your vizaments in that. \u003cbr\u003e SHALLOW Ha, o'my life, if I were young again, the sword should end it. \u003cbr\u003e EVANS It is petter that friends is the sword, and end it. And there is also another device in my prain, which peradventure prings goot discretions with it. There is Anne Page, which is daughter to Master Thomas Page, which is pretty virginity. \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER Mistress Anne Page? She has brown hair, and speaks small like a woman. \u003cbr\u003e EVANS It is that fery person for all the 'orld, as just as you will desire, and seven hundred pounds of moneys, and gold and silver, is her grandsire upon his death's-bed - Got deliver to a joyful resurrections! - give, when she is able to overtake seventeen years old. It were a goot motion, if we leave our pribbles and prabbles, and desire a marriage between Master Abraham and Mistress Anne Page. \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER Did her grandsire leave her seven hundred pound? \u003cbr\u003e EVANS Ay, and her father is make her a petter penny. \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER I know the young gentlewoman: she has good gifts. \u003cbr\u003e EVANS Seven hundred pounds, and possibilities, is goot gifts. \u003cbr\u003e SHALLOW Well, let us see honest Master Page. Is Falstaff there? \u003cbr\u003e EVANS Shall I tell you a lie? I do despise a liar as I do despise one that is false, or as I despise one that is not true. The knight, Sir John, is there, and I beseech you, be ruled by your well-willers. I will peat the door for Master Page. Knocks What, ho! Got pless your house here! PAGE Who's there? Speaks within and then enters \u003cbr\u003e EVANS Here is Got's plessing, and your friend, and Justice \u003cbr\u003e SHALLOW, and here young Master \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER, that peradventures shall tell you another tale, if matters grow to your likings. PAGE I am glad to see your worships well. I thank you for my venison, Master \u003cbr\u003e SHALLOW. \u003cbr\u003e SHALLOW Master Page, I am glad to see you: much good do it your good heart. I wished your venison better, it was ill killed. How doth good Mistress Page? And I thank you always with my heart, la - with my heart. PAGE Sir, I thank you. \u003cbr\u003e SHALLOW Sir, I thank you: by yea and no, I do. PAGE I am glad to see you, good Master \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER. \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER How does your fallow greyhound, sir? I heard say he was outrun on Cotsall. PAGE It could not be judged, sir. \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER You'll not confess, you'll not confess. \u003cbr\u003e SHALLOW That he will not.- 'Tis your fault, 'tis your fault.- 'Tis a good Aside to \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER\/ dog. To Page PAGE A cur, sir. \u003cbr\u003e SHALLOW Sir, he's a good dog, and a fair dog, can there be more said? He is good and fair. Is Sir John Falstaff here? PAGE Sir, he is within: and I would I could do a good office between you. \u003cbr\u003e EVANS It is spoke as a Christians ought to speak. \u003cbr\u003e SHALLOW He hath wronged me, Master Page. PAGE Sir, he doth in some sort confess it. \u003cbr\u003e SHALLOW If it be confessed, it is not redressed. Is not that so, Master Page? He hath wronged me, indeed he hath, at a word, he hath. Believe me: Robert \u003cbr\u003e SHALLOW esquire saith he is wronged. PAGE Here comes Sir John. [Enter Falstaff, Bardolph, Nim and Pistol] \u003cbr\u003eFALSTAFF Now, Master Shallow, you'll complain of me to the king? \u003cbr\u003e SHALLOW Knight, you have beaten my men, killed my deer, and broke open my lodge. \u003cbr\u003eFALSTAFF But not kissed your keeper's daughter? \u003cbr\u003e SHALLOW Tut, a pin! This shall be answered. \u003cbr\u003eFALSTAFF I will answer it straight: I have done all this. That is now answered. \u003cbr\u003e SHALLOW The Council shall know this. \u003cbr\u003eFALSTAFF 'Twere better for you if it were known in counsel. You'll be laughed at. \u003cbr\u003e EVANS Pauca verba, Sir John, goot worts. \u003cbr\u003eFALSTAFF Good worts? Good cabbage. \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER, I broke your head. What matter have you against me? \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER Marry, sir, I have matter in my head against you, and against your cony-catching rascals, Bardolph, Nim and Pistol. BARDOLPH You Banbury cheese! \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER Ay, it is no matter. PISTOL How now, Mephostophilus? \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER Ay, it is no matter. NIM Slice, I say! Pauca, pauca. Slice, that's my humour. \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER Where's Simple, my man? Can you tell, cousin? \u003cbr\u003e EVANS Peace, I pray you. Now let us understand. There is three umpires in this matter, as I understand; that is, Master Page - fidelicet Master Page - and there is myself - fidelicet myself - and the three party is - lastly and finally - mine host of the Garter. \u003cbr\u003ePAGE We three to hear it and end it between them. \u003cbr\u003e EVANS Fery goot, I will make a prief of it in my note-book, and we will afterwards 'ork upon the cause with as great discreetly as we can. \u003cbr\u003eFALSTAFF Pistol! PISTOL He hears with ears. \u003cbr\u003e EVANS The tevil and his tam! What phrase is this? He hears with ear? Why, it is affectations. FALSTAFF Pistol, did you pick Master Slender's purse? \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER Ay, by these gloves, did he, or I would I might never come in mine own great chamber again else, of seven groats in mill- sixpences, and two Edward shovel-boards, that cost me two shilling and two pence apiece of Yead Miller, by these gloves. \u003cbr\u003eFALSTAFF Is this true, Pistol? \u003cbr\u003e EVANS No, it is false, if it is a pick-purse. \u003cbr\u003ePISTOL Ha, thou mountain-foreigner! Sir John and master mine, I combat challenge of this latten bilbo. Word of denial in thy labras here! Word of denial: froth and scum, thou liest! \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER By these gloves, then, 'twas he. Points to Nim NIM Be avised, sir, and pass good humours: I will say 'marry trap' with you, if you run the nuthook's humour on me. That is the very note of it. \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER By this hat, then, he in the red face had it: for though I cannot remember what I did when you made me drunk, yet I am not altogether an ass. \u003cbr\u003eFALSTAFF What say you, Scarlet and John? \u003cbr\u003eBARDOLPH Why, sir, for my part, I say the gentleman had drunk himself out of his five sentences. \u003cbr\u003e EVANS It is his five senses. Fie, what the ignorance is! \u003cbr\u003eBARDOLPH And being fap, sir, was, as they say, cashiered: and so conclusions passed the careers. \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER Ay, you spake in Latin then too. But 'tis no matter. I'll ne'er be drunk whilst I live again, but in honest, civil, godly company, for this trick. If I be drunk, I'll be drunk with those that have the fear of God, and not with drunken knaves. \u003cbr\u003e EVANS So Got 'udge me, that is a virtuous mind. FALSTAFF You hear all these matters denied, gentlemen, you hear it. [Enter Anne, with wine] PAGE Nay, daughter, carry the wine in: we'll drink within. [Exit Anne] \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER O heaven, this is Mistress Anne Page! Aside? [Enter Mistress Ford and Mistress Page] PAGE How now, Mistress Ford? FALSTAFF Mistress Ford, by my troth, you are very well met. By your leave, good mistress. Kisses her PAGE Wife, bid these gentlemen welcome. Come, we have a hot venison pasty to dinner. Come, gentlemen, I hope we shall drink down all unkindness. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e[Exeunt all except SHALLOW, SLENDER and EVANS] \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e SLENDER I had rather than forty shillings I had my book of Songs and Sonnets here. [Enter Simple] How now, Simple, where have you been? I must wait on myself, must I? You have not the Book of Riddles about you, have you? SIMPLE Book of Riddles? Why, did you not lend it to Alice Shortcake upon Allhallowmas last, a fortnight afore Michaelmas? \u003cbr\u003e SHALLOW Come, coz. Come, coz, we stay for you. A word with you, coz. Marry, this, coz: there is, as 'twere, a tender, a kind of tender, made afar off by Sir Hugh here. Do you understand me? \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER Ay, sir, you shall find me reasonable. If it be so, I shall do that that is reason. \u003cbr\u003e SHALLOW Nay, but understand me. \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER So I do, sir. \u003cbr\u003e EVANS Give ear to his motions. Master Slender, I will description the matter to you, if you be capacity of it. \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER Nay, I will do as my cousin Shallow says. I pray you pardon me, he's a Justice of Peace in his country, simple though I stand here. \u003cbr\u003e EVANS But that is not the question. The question is concerning your marriage. \u003cbr\u003e SHALLOW Ay, there's the point, sir. \u003cbr\u003e EVANS Marry, is it: the very point of it, to Mistress Anne Page. \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER Why, if it be so, I will marry her upon any reasonable demands. \u003cbr\u003e EVANS But can you affection the 'oman? Let us command to know that of your mouth or of your lips, for divers philosophers hold that the lips is parcel of the mouth. Therefore, precisely, can you carry your good will to the maid? \u003cbr\u003e SHALLOW Cousin Abraham Slender, can you love her? \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER I hope, sir, I will do as it shall become one that would do reason. \u003cbr\u003e EVANS Nay, Got's lords and his ladies, you must speak possitable, if you can carry her your desires towards her. \u003cbr\u003e SHALLOW That you must. Will you, upon good dowry, marry her? \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER I will do a greater thing than that upon your request, cousin, in any reason. \u003cbr\u003e SHALLOW Nay, conceive me, conceive me, sweet coz. What I do is to pleasure you, coz. Can you love the maid? \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER I will marry her, sir, at your request. But if there be no great love in the beginning, yet heaven may decrease it upon better acquaintance, when we are married, and have more occasion to know one another. I hope upon familiarity will grow more contempt. But if you say 'Marry her', I will marry her - that I am freely dissolved, and dissolutely. \u003cbr\u003e EVANS It is a fery discretion answer. Save the fall is in the 'ord 'dissolutely' - the 'ort is, according to our meaning, 'resolutely' - his meaning is good. \u003cbr\u003e SHALLOW Ay, I think my cousin meant well. \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER Ay, or else I would I might be hanged, la! \u003cbr\u003e SHALLOW Here comes fair Mistress Anne. [Enter Anne] Would I were young for your sake, Mistress Anne. \u003cbr\u003eANNE The dinner is on the table, my father desires your worships' company. \u003cbr\u003e SHALLOW I will wait on him, fair Mistress Anne. \u003cbr\u003e EVANS 'Od's plessèd will! I will not be absence at the grace. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e[Exeunt SHALLOW and EVANS] \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eANNE Will't please your worship to come in, sir? \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER No, I thank you, forsooth, heartily. I am very well. \u003cbr\u003eANNE The dinner attends you, sir. \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER I am not a-hungry, I thank you, forsooth.- To Simple Go, sirrah, for all you are my man, go wait upon my cousin Shallow. [Exit Simple] A justice of peace sometime may be beholding to his friend for a man. I keep but three men and a boy yet, till my mother be dead: but what though, yet I live like a poor gentleman born. ANNE I may not go in without your worship: they will not sit till you come. \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER I'faith, I'll eat nothing. I thank you as much as though I did. \u003cbr\u003eANNE I pray you, sir, walk in. \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER I had rather walk here, I thank you. I bruised my shin th'other day with playing at sword and dagger with a master of fence- three veneys for a dish of stewed prunes- and, by my troth, I cannot abide the smell of hot meat since. Why do your dogs bark so? Be there bears i'th'town? \u003cbr\u003eANNE I think there are, sir. I heard them talked of. \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER I love the sport well, but I shall as soon quarrel at it, as any man in England. You are afraid if you see the bear loose, are you not? \u003cbr\u003eANNE Ay, indeed, sir. \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER That's meat and drink to me, now. I have seen Sackerson loose twenty times, and have taken him by the chain: but, I warrant you, the women have so cried and shrieked at it that it passed. But women, indeed, cannot abide 'em: they are very ill-favoured rough things. [Enter Page] \u003cbr\u003ePAGE Come, gentle Master \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER, come: we stay for you. \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER I'll eat nothing, I thank you, sir. \u003cbr\u003ePAGE By cock and pie, you shall not choose, sir. Come, come. \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER Nay, pray you lead the way.\u003cbr\u003e PAGE Come on, sir. \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER Mistress Anne, yourself shall go first. ANNE Not I, sir, pray you, keep on. \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER Truly, I will not go first. Truly, la! I will not do you that wrong. \u003cbr\u003eANNE I pray you, sir. \u003cbr\u003e SLENDER I'll rather be unmannerly than Goes first troublesome. You do yourself wrong, indeed, la! \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExeunt Act 1 Scene 2 running scene 2 Enter EVANS and Simple \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e EVANS Go your ways, and ask of Doctor Caius' house, which is the way; and there dwells one Mistress Quickly, which is in the manner of his nurse, or his dry nurse, or his cook, or his laundry, his washer and his wringer. \u003cbr\u003eSIMPLE Well, sir. \u003cbr\u003e EVANS Nay, it is petter yet. Give her this letter. Gives letter For it is a 'oman that altogether's acquaintance with Mistress Anne Page. And the letter is to desire and require her to solicit your master's desires to Mistress Anne Page. I pray you, be gone: I will make an end of my dinner, there's pippins and cheese to come. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExeunt","brand":"Signet","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46302134829285,"sku":"NP9780451529961","price":6.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780451529961.jpg?v=1767740484","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/the-merry-wives-of-windsor-isbn-9780451529961","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}