Merry

 PLATE XII.


Wives

of

J~J7zizdsor.

                          Act V Scene V

                        WINDSOR    PARK.


FALSTAFf (disguised), Mrs. FORD, Mrs. PAGE, Sir HUGH EVANS, (disguised),
        PISTOL as Hobgoblin, Mrs. Q UIGKLEY, ANNE PA GE, and others,
                         as Fairies, with tapers.


             Quickley.-With trial-fire touch me his finger-end:
           If he be chaste, the flame xviii back descend
           And turn him to no pain; but if he start,
           It is the flesh of a corrupted heart.
             Pistol.-A trial, come.

           Evauzs.-

                          Come, will this wood take fire?
                       [They bztrn him wi/k their taters.
              Falstaff-Oh, Oh, Oh!
              Quickley-Corrupt, corrupt, and tainted in desire!
            About him, fairies; sing a scornful rhyme;
            And, as you trip, still pinch him to your time.
                           SONG.

              Fie on sinful fantasy!
              Fie on lust and luxury!
              Lust is but a bloody fire,
              Kindled with unchaste desire
              Fed in heart, whose flames aspire
              As thoughts do blow them, higher and higher.
              Pinch him fairies, mutually;
              Pinch him for his villany;
            Pinch him, and burn him., and turn him about,
            Till candles and starlight and moonshine be out.

                Painted by ROBERT SMIRKE, R. A.

The