The Merry Wives of Windsor: Act 5, Scene 1 Translation

Enter Sir John 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, go. They say there is divinity in odd
numbers, either in nativity, chance, or death.
Away. 5

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.

Mistress Quickly exits.

Enter Ford disguised as Brook.

How now, Master Brook! Master Brook, the 10
matter will be known tonight or never. Be you in
the park about midnight, at Herne’s oak, and you
shall see wonders.

FORD, as Brook
Went you not to her yesterday, sir, as
you told me you had appointed? 15

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 20
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 25
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 tonight I will be revenged,
and I will deliver his wife into your hand. 30
Follow. Strange things in hand, Master Brook!
Follow.

They exit.