SCENE I. A room in the Garter Inn. The Merry Wives of Windsor  Shakespeare homepage  |  Merry Wives of Windsor  | Act 5, Scene 1 

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 Enter FALSTAFF and MISTRESS QUICKLY  FALSTAFF  Prithee, no more prattling; go. I'll hold. This is 

 the third time; I hope good luck lies in odd 

 numbers. Away I go. They say there is divinity in 

 odd numbers, either in nativity, chance, or death. Away! 

 MISTRESS QUICKLY  I'll provide you a chain; and I'll do what I can to 

 get you a pair of horns. 

 FALSTAFF  Away, I say; time wears: hold up your head, and mince. 



 Exit MISTRESS QUICKLY 

 Enter FORD  How now, Master Brook! Master Brook, the matter 

 will be known to-night, or never. Be you in the 

 Park about midnight, at Herne's oak, and you shall 

 see wonders. 

 FORD  Went you not to her yesterday, sir, as you told me 

 you had appointed? 

 FALSTAFF  I went to her, Master Brook, as you see, like a poor 

 old man: but I came from her, Master Brook, like a 

 poor old woman. That same knave Ford, her husband, 

 hath the finest mad devil of jealousy in him, 

 Master Brook, that ever governed frenzy. I will tell 

 you: he beat me grievously, in the shape of a 

 woman; for in the shape of man, Master Brook, I fear 

 not Goliath with a weaver's beam; because I know 

 also life is a shuttle. I am in haste; go along 

 with me: I'll tell you all, Master Brook. Since I 

 plucked geese, played truant and whipped top, I knew 

 not what 'twas to be beaten till lately. Follow 

 me: I'll tell you strange things of this knave 

 Ford, on whom to-night I will be revenged, and I 

 will deliver his wife into your hand. Follow. 

 Strange things in hand, Master Brook! Follow. 



 Exeunt  Shakespeare homepage  |  Merry Wives of Windsor  | Act 5, Scene 1 

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