}

Sir JOHN FALSTAFF.
Fenton, a young Gentleman of Small Fortune, in love with

Mrs. Anne PAGE.
Shallow, a Country Justice.
SLENDER, Coufin to SHALLOW, a foolish Country 'Squire.
Mr. PAGE,
Mr. FORD,

two Gentlemen, dwelling at Windsor.
Sir Hugh Evans, a Welch Parson.
Dr. Caius, a French Do&tor.
Host of The Garter, a merry talking Fellow.
BARDOLPH,
PISTOL,

Sharpers attending on Falstaff.
NYM,
Robin, Page to Falstaff.
WILLIAM PAGE, a Boy, Son to Mr. Page.
SIMPLE, Servant to SLENDER.
RUGBY, Servant to Dr. CAIU S.

Mrs. Page, Wife to Mr. Page.
Mrs. FORD, Wife to Mr. Ford.
Mrs. Anne Page, Daughter to Mr. Page, in love with Fenton.
Mrs. QUICKLY, Servant to Dr. CAIUS.

Servants to Page, FORD, &c.

SCENE Windsor.

THE

S

Before Page's house in Windsor.
Enter Justice Shallow, Slender, and Sir Hugh Evans.

SH ALLOW.
IR Hugh, persuade me not ; I will make a star-
chamber matter of it: if he were twenty fir John
Falstaffs, he shall not abuse Robert Shallow, esquire.

Slen. In the county of Gloucester, justice of peace,

and coram.
Shal. Ay, cousin Slender, and custalorum.

Slen. Ay, and ratolorum too; and a gentleman born, master parson, who writes himself armigero in any bill, warrant, quittance, or obligation; armigero.

Shal. Ay, that I do, and have done any time these three Slen. All his fucceffors, gone before him, have don't; and all his ancestors that come after him may; they may give the dozen white luces in their coat.

Shal. It is an old coat.

hundred years.

This play was written in the author's bef and ripeft years, after Henry the fourth, by the command of queen Elizabeth. There is a tradition that it was compos'd at a fortnight's warning: But that must bere meant only of the firf imperfect sketch of this comedy, which is yet extant in an old quarto edition, printed in 1619. This which we here have, was alter'd and improv'd by the author almost in every speech.