But count the world a stranger for thy sake. Val. Then I am paid; Is nor of heaven nor earth; for these are pleas'd; And, that my love may appear plain and free, All that was mine in Silvia I give thee. Jul. O me unhappy! Pro. Look to the boy. [Faints. Val. Why, boy! why, wag! how now! what is the matter? Look up; speak. Jul. O good sir, my master charg'd me To deliver a ring to Madam Silvia; Which, out of my neglect, was never done. Pro. Where is that ring, boy? Jul. How! let me see: Here 'tis; this is it. [Gives a ring. Why, this is the ring I gave to Julia. This is the ring you sent to Silvia. [Shows another ring. Pro. But how cam'st thou by this ring? At my depart I gave this unto Julia. Jul. And Julia herself did give it me; And Julia herself hath brought it hither. Jul. Behold her that gave aim to all thy oaths, How oft hast thou with perjury cleft the root! Be thou asham'd that I have took upon me In a disguise of love: if shame live It is the lesser blot, modesty finds, Women to change their shapes than men their minds. Pro. Than men their minds! 'tis true. O heaven, were man But constant, he were perfect! that one error Fills him with faults; makes him run through all sins: What is in Silvia's face, but I may spy Val. Come, come, a hand from either: Let me be bless'd to make this happy close; Outlaws. Enter Outlaws, with Duke and THURIO. Forbear, I say! it is my lord the duke. Duke. Sir Valentine! Thu. Yonder is Silvia; and Silvia's mine. Forbear, Val. Thurio, give back, or else embrace thy death; Come not within the measure of: my wrath: Do not name Silvia thine; if once again, Duke. The more degenerate and base art thou, And leave her on such slight conditions. Val. I thank your grace; the gift hath made me happy. I now beseech you, for your daughter's sake, To grant one boon that I shall ask of you. Duke. I grant it, for thine own, whate'er it be. Forgive them what they have committed here, They are reformed, civil, full of good, And fit for great employment, worthy lord. Duke. Thou hast prevail'd; I pardon them and thee: With triumphs, mirth, and rare solemnity. Val. And, as we walk along, I dare be bold Duke. I think the boy hath grace in him; he blushes. Val. Please you, I'll tell you as we pass along, That you will wonder what hath fortuned. That done, our day of marriage shall be yours; [Exeunt. THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR. DRAMATIS PERSONE. SIR JOHN FALSTAFF. FENTON, a young gentleman. SHALLOW, a country justice. SLENDER, Cousin to Shallow. at Windsor. ROBIN, page to Falstaff. FORD, two gentlemen dwelling SIMPLE, servant to Slender. PAGE, WILLIAM PAGE, a boy, son to RUGBY, servant to Doctor Caius. Page. SIR HUGH EVANS, a Welsh MISTRESS FORD. parson. MISTRESS PAGE. DOCTOR CAIUS, a French physi- ANNE PAGE, her daughter. SCENE I. Windsor. Before PAGE's house. Enter JUSTICE SHALLOW, SLENDER, and SIR HUGH Evans. Shal. Sir Hugh, persuade me not; I will make a StarChamber matter of it: if he were twenty Sir John Falstaffs, he shall not abuse Robert Shallow, esquire. Slen. In the county of Gloster, justice of peace and coram. Shal. Ay, cousin Slender, and cust-alorum. Slen. Ay, and rato-lorum too; and a gentleman born, Shakespeare. VII. 14 |