3-011-540 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"Master Slender and Anne Page", by Sir Augustus W. Callcott, R.A., in the Sheepshanks Collection, South Kensington Museum, 1864. Engraving of a painting. 'The subject is an illustration of one of the most amusing scenes in "The Merry Wives of Windsor." Poor Master Slender! Who does not remember when he comes blubbering on the stage at the end of the play, after the scene at Herne's oak "Whoo-ho! ho! Father Page! I came yonder to marry Mistress Anne Page, and she's a great lubberly boy...If I did not think it had been Anne Page would I might never stir, and 'tis a postmaster's boy! If I had been married to him, for all he was in woman's apparel, I would not have had him." That "Slender," says Mrs. Page, with perfect justice, "though well landed, is but an idiot."...Anne Page herself says plainly, "Good mother, do not marry me to yond' fool." The scene immediately illustrated is the first in the play, where Slender's "cousin," Justice Shallow, with Parson Evans and Mr. Page, arrange a marriage between Slender and Page's daughter; and the Justice and Parson having entered Page's hospitable house, Slender lags bashfully behind'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.