Excerpt
Tap any word to look it up
ACT I SCENE I. Windsor. Before Page’s house Enter Justice Shallow, Slender and Sir Hugh Evans.
SHALLOW.
Sir Hugh, persuade me not. I will make a Star Chamber matter of it. If he were twenty Sir John Falstaffs, he shall not abuse Robert Shallow, esquire.
SLENDER.
In the county of Gloucester, Justice of Peace and Coram.
SHALLOW.
Ay, cousin Slender, and Custalorum.
SLENDER.
Ay, and Ratolorum too; and a gentleman born, Master Parson, who writes himself “Armigero” in any bill, warrant, quittance, or obligation—“Armigero.”
SHALLOW.
Ay, that I do, and have done any time these three hundred years.
SLENDER.
All his successors, gone before him hath done’t; and all his ancestors that come after him may. They may give the dozen white luces in their coat.
SHALLOW.
It is an old coat.
EVANS.
The dozen white louses do become an old coat well. It agrees well, passant. It is a familiar beast to man, and signifies love.
SHALLOW.
The luce is the fresh fish. The salt fish is an old coat.
SLENDER.
I may quarter, coz.
SHALLOW.
You may, by marrying.
EVANS.
It is marring indeed, if he quarter it.
SHALLOW.
Not a whit.
EVANS.
Yes, py’r Lady. If he has a quarter of your coat, there is but three skirts for yourself, in my simple conjectures. But that is all one. If Sir John Falstaff have committed disparagements unto you, I am of the Church, and will be glad to do my benevolence to make atonements and compremises between you.
SHALLOW.
The Council shall hear it; it is a riot.
EVANS.
It is not meet the Council hear a riot. There is no fear of Got in a riot. The Council, look you, shall desire to hear the fear of Got, and not to hear a riot. Take your vizaments in that.
The Merry Wives of Windsor is also available as a synced audiobook: a real voice reads the text, each word highlighted as it’s spoken. Listen as an audiobook →
FAQ
Is The Merry Wives of Windsor free to read online?
Yes. Read The Merry Wives of Windsor by William Shakespeare online free on typereader, in English - no signup needed. Tap any word for an instant translation while you read.
Is there an audiobook of The Merry Wives of Windsor?
Yes - The Merry Wives of Windsor has a word-synced audiobook: each word lights up as it is read aloud, so you can listen and follow the text.
What reading level is The Merry Wives of Windsor?
The Merry Wives of Windsor sits around CEFR C1. Because every word has a one-tap translation, it also works a level below C1 for learners of English.
typereader - the best way to learn English: read real books, tap any word to translate it, carried by word-synced audio. All books · Open the app →