William Shakespeare 'The Merry Wives of Windsor', play first performed 1597 or 1600. Falstaff, having kept his supposed assignation with in Windsor Forest Mistress Ford as Herne the Hunter and been pinched and punched by 'fairies' says 'I do begin to perceive that I am made an Ass'. Act 5 Sc 5. Chromolithograph from illustration by George Cruikshank from edition of Shakespeare's works published London 1856-1858. Photo via Newscom