ACT II FORD. Though Page be a secure1 fool, and stands so Sc. I firmly on his wife's fealty, yet I cannot put off my opinion so easily. She was in his company at Page's house; and what they made there-I know not. Well, I will look further into 't: and I have a disguise to sound Falstaff. If I find her honest, I lose not my labour; if she be otherwise, 'tis labour well bestow'd. [exit. SCENE II. A Room in the Garter. Enter FALSTAFF and PISTOL. FAL. I will not lend thee a penny. PIST. Why, then the world's mine oyster, Which I with sword will open. 12 FAL. Not a penny. I have been content, Sir, you should PIST. I do relent: what would'st thou more of man? ROB. Sir, here's a woman would speak with you. FAL. Let her approach. Enter MISTRESS QUICKLY. QUICK. Give your Worship good-morrow. FAL. Good-morrow, good wife. QUICK. Not so, an 't please your Worship. FAL. Good maid, then. 30 QUICK. I'll be sworn; as my mother was, the first hour FAL. I do believe the swearer. What with me? QUICK. Shall I vouchsafe your Worship a word or two? 40 QUICK. There is one Mistress Ford, Sir:-I pray, come FAL. Well, on: Mistress Ford, you say QUICK. Your Worship says very true: I pray your FAL. I warrant thee, nobody hears; mine own people, QUICK. Are they so? God bless them, and make them 50 FAL. Well: Mistress Ford-what of her? FAL. Mistress Ford-come, Mistress Ford— have brought her into such a canaries1 as 'tis wonderful. 1 quandary. 1 ACT II such wine and sugar of the best, and the fairest, that would have won any woman's heart; and, I warrant you, they could never get an eye-wink of her. I had myself twenty angels given me this morning: but I defy all angels (in any such sort, as they say) but in the way of honesty :-and, I warrant you, they could never get her so much as sip on a cup with the proudest of them all. And yet there has been Earls, nay, which is more, Pensioners; but, I warrant you, all is one with her. 74 FAL. But what says she to me? Be brief, my good she- QUICK. Marry, she hath receiv'd your letter; for the FAL. Ten and eleven? 80 QUICK. Ay, forsooth; and then you may come and see the picture, she says, that you wot of: Master Ford, her husband, will be from home. Alas! the sweet woman leads an ill life with him; he's a very jealousy man: she leads a very frampold' life with him, good heart. 89 FAL. Ten and eleven? Woman, commend me to her; I ΙΟΙ FAL. But, I pray thee, tell me this: has Ford's wife, and 1 troubled. QUICK. That were a jest, indeed! They have not so little grace, I hope :-that were a trick, indeed! But Mistress Page would desire you to send her your little page of all loves:1 her husband has a marvellous infection to the little page; and, truly, Master Page is an honest man. Never a wife in Windsor leads a better life than she does; do what she will, say what she will, take all, pay all, go to bed when she list, rise when she list, all is as she will; and, truly, she deserves it, for if there be a kind woman in Windsor, she is one. You must send her your page: no remedy. FAL. Why, I will. 115 QUICK. Nay, but do so then. And, look you, he may come and go between you both; and, in any case, have a nay-word, that you may know one another's mind, and the boy never need to understand any thing. For 'tis not good that children should know any wickedness: old folks, you know, have discretion, as they say, and know the world. 123 FAL. Fare thee well: commend me to them both: there's my purse; I am yet thy debtor. Boy, go along with this woman! [Exeunt QUICKLY and ROBIN.] This news distracts me! PIST. This punk3 is one of Cupid's carriers! 129 Clap on more sails; pursue; up with your fights:* Give fire! She is my prize, or Ocean whelm them all! [Exit PISTOL. FAL. Say'st thou so, old Jack? Go thy ways; I'll make more of thy old body than I have done. Will they yet look after thee? Wilt thou, after the expense of so much money, be now a gainer? Good body, I thank thee! Let them say 'tis grossly done; so it be fairly done, no matter. Enter BARDOLPH. you: and BARD. Sir John, there's one Master Brook below would BARD. Ay, Sir. 140 ACT II Sc. II 1 for love's sake. 3 harlot. 4 battle-screens. I: AA 2 with a privy and peculiar meaning. ACT II FAL. Call him in. [Exit BARDOLPH.] Such Brooks are welcome to me, that o'erflow such liquor. Ah! ha! Mistress Ford and Mistress Page, have I encompass'd you? Go to; via!1 Re-enter BARDOLPH, with FORD disguised. FORD. 'Bless you, Sir. FAL. And you, Sir. Would you speak with me? FORD. I make bold to press with so little preparation upon you. FAL. You're welcome. What's your will? leave, drawer. 149 Give us [Exit BARDOLPH. FORD. Sir, I am a gentleman that have spent much; my name is Brook. FAL. Good Master Brook, I desire more acquaintance of you. FORD. Good Sir John, I sue for yours: not to charge 161 FAL. Sir, I know not how I may deserve to be your porter. 169 FORD. I will tell you, Sir, if you will give me the hearing. 1 'an adverb of encouragement' (Florio). |