QUOTES FROM THE BARD

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Fenton
CONTEXT:
FENTON
From time to time I have acquainted you
With the dear love I bear to fair Anne Page;
Who mutually hath answer’d my affection,
So far forth as herself might be her chooser,
Even to my wish: I have a letter from her
Of such contents as you will wonder at;
The mirth whereof so larded with my matter,
That neither singly can be manifested,
Without the show of both; fat Falstaff
Hath a great scene: the image of the jest
I’ll show you here at large. Hark, good mine host.
To-night at Herne’s oak, just ‘twixt twelve and one,
Must my sweet Nan present the Fairy Queen;
The purpose why, is here: in which disguise,
While other jests are something rank on foot,
Her father hath commanded her to slip
Away with Slender and with him at Eton
Immediately to marry: she hath consented: Now, sir,
Her mother, ever strong against that match
And firm for Doctor Caius, hath appointed
That he shall likewise shuffle her away,
While other sports are tasking of their minds,
And at the deanery, where a priest attends,
Straight marry her: to this her mother’s plot
She seemingly obedient likewise hath
Made promise to the doctor. Now, thus it rests:
Her father means she shall be all in white,
And in that habit, when Slender sees his time
To take her by the hand and bid her go,
She shall go with him: her mother hath intended,
The better to denote her to the doctor,
For they must all be mask’d and vizarded,
That quaint in green she shall be loose enrobed,
With ribands pendent, flaring ’bout her head;
And when the doctor spies his vantage ripe,
To pinch her by the hand, and, on that token,
The maid hath given consent to go with him.

DUTCH:
Zij spreekt daar van een grap, die met mijn zaak
Zoo innig samenhangt, dat geen van beiden
Alleen te ontvouwen is, maar slechts als de and’re
Ook wordt gemeld.

MORE:
So far forth=As far
Larded=Mixed
Matter=Substance; concern
Singly=Separately
Manifested=Revealed, shown
Present=Appear, act as
Rank on foot=Profuse
Tasking of=Occupying
Riband=Ribbon
Pendent=Hanging
Vantage=Opportunity
Compleat:
To lard=Doorspekken
Matter=Stof
Singly=Enkelyk
To manifest=Openbaaren, openbaar maaken
To present=Zich vertoonen
To grow rank=Al te weelit groeien
Tasking=Taakzetting
Riban=Een lint
Pendent=Hangende
Vantage=Toegift, toemaat, overmaat, overwigt

Topics: marriage|deceit|appearance