whether one Nym,
sir, that beguiled him of a chain, had the chain or no.

_Fal._ I spake with the old woman about it. 30

_Sim._ And what says she, I pray, sir?

_Fal._ Marry, she says that the very same man that beguiled
Master Slender of his chain cozened him of it.

_Sim._ I would I could have spoken with the woman
herself; I had other things to have spoken with her too 35
from him.

_Fal._ What are they? let us know.

_Host._ Ay, come; quick.

_Sim._ I may not conceal them, sir.

_Host._ Conceal them, or thou diest. 40

_Sim._ Why, sir, they were nothing but about Mistress
Anne Page; to know if it were my master's fortune to have
her or no.

_Fal._ 'Tis, 'tis his fortune.

_Sim._ What, sir? 45

_Fal._ To have her, or no. Go; say the woman told
me so.

_Sim._ May I be bold to say so, sir?

_Fal._ Ay, sir; like who more bold.

_Sim._ I thank your worship: I shall make my master 50
glad with these tidings. [_Exit._

_Host._ Thou art clerkly, thou art clerkly, Sir John.
Was there a wise woman with thee?

_Fal._ Ay, that there was, mine host; one that hath
taught me more wit than ever I learned before in my 55
life; and I paid nothing for it neither, but was paid for
my learning.

_Enter BARDOLPH._

_Bard._ Out, alas, sir! cozenage, mere cozenage!

_Host._ Where be my horses? speak well of them,
varletto. 60

_Bard._ Run away with the cozeners: for so soon as I
came beyond Eton, they threw me off, from behind one of
them, in a slough of mire; and set spurs and away, like
three German devils, three Doctor Faustuses.

_Host._ They are gone but to meet the duke, villain: do 65
not say they be fled; Germans are honest men.

_Enter SIR HUGH EVANS._

_Evans._ Where is mine host?

_Host._ What is the matter, sir?

_Evans._ Have a care of your entertainments: there is a
friend of mine come to town, tells me there is three 70
cozen-germans that has cozened all the hosts of Readins, of
Maidenhead, of Colebrook, of horses and money. I tell you for
good will, look you: you are wise, and full of gibes and
vlouting-stocks, and 'tis not convenient you should be
cozened. Fare you well. [_Exit._ 75

_Enter DOCTOR CAIUS._

_