n a hat, a muffler, and a kerchief, and so escape. 60

_Fal._ Good hearts, devise something: any extremity
rather than a mischief.

_Mrs Ford._ My maid's aunt, the fat woman of Brentford,
has a gown above.

_Mrs Page._ On my word, it will serve him; she's as big 65
as he is: and there's her thrummed hat, and her muffler
too. Run up, Sir John.

_Mrs Ford._ Go, go, sweet Sir John: Mistress Page and
I will look some linen for your head.

_Mrs Page._ Quick, quick! we'll come dress you straight: 70
put on the gown the while. [_Exit Falstaff._

_Mrs Ford._ I would my husband would meet him in
this shape: he cannot abide the old woman of Brentford;
he swears she's a witch; forbade her my house, and hath
threatened to beat her. 75

_Mrs Page._ Heaven guide him to thy husband's cudgel,
and the devil guide his cudgel afterwards!

_Mrs Ford._ But is my husband coming?

_Mrs Page._ Ay, in good sadness, is he; and talks of
the basket too, howsoever he hath had intelligence. 80

_Mrs 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
they did last time.

_Mrs Page._ Nay, but he'll be here presently: let's go
dress him like the witch of Brentford. 85

_Mrs Ford._ I'll first direct my men what they shall do
with the basket. Go up; I'll bring linen for him straight.
[_Exit._

_Mrs Page._ Hang him, dishonest varlet! we cannot misuse
him enough.
We'll leave a proof, by that which we will do, 90
Wives may be merry, and yet honest too:
We do not act that often jest and laugh;
'Tis old, but true,--Still swine eat all the draff. [_Exit._

_Re-enter MISTRESS FORD with two SERVANTS._

_Mrs Ford._ Go, sirs, take the basket again on your
shoulders: your master is hard at door; if he bid you set it 95
down, obey him: quickly, dispatch. [_Exit._

_First Serv._ Come, come, take it up.

_Sec. Serv._ Pray heaven it be not full of knight again.

_First Serv._ I hope not; I had as lief bear so much lead.

_Enter FORD, PAGE, SHALLOW, CAIUS, and SIR HUGH EVANS._

_Ford._ Ay, but if it prove true, Master Page, have you 100
any way then to unfool me again? Set down the basket,
villain! Somebody call my wife. Youth in a basket!--O
you panderly rascals! there's a knot, a ging, a pack, a consp