Woman, commend me to her, I will not faile her.
Qui.
Why, you say well: But I haue another messenger to your worship: Mistresse Page hath her heartie commendations to you to: and let mee tell you in your eare, shee’s as fartuous a ciuill modest wife, and one (I tell you) that will not misse you morning nor euening prayer, as any is in Windsor, who ere bee the other: and shee bade me tell your worship, that her husband is seldome from home, but she hopes there will come a time. I neuer knew a woman so doate vpon a man; surely I thinke you haue charmes, la: yes in truth.
Fal.
Not I, I assure thee; setting the attraction of my good parts aside, I haue no other charmes.
Qui.
Blessing on your heart for’t.
Fal.
But I pray thee tell me this: has Fords wife, and Pages wife acquainted each other, how they loue me?
Qui.
That were a iest indeed: they haue not so little grace I hope, that were a tricke indeed: But Mistris Page would desire you to send her your little Page of al loues: her husband has a maruellous infectio[n] to the little Page: and truely Master Page is an honest man: neuer a wife in Windsor leades a better life then she do’s: doe what shee will, say what she will, take all, pay all, goe to bed when she list, rise when she list, all is as she will: and truly she deserues it; for if there be a kinde woman in Windsor, she is one: you must send her your Page, no remedie.
Fal.
Why, I will.
Qu.
Nay, but doe so then, and looke you, hee may come and goe betweene you both: and in any case haue a nay-word, that you may know one anothers minde, and the Boy neuer neede to vnderstand any thing; for ’tis not good that children should know any wickednes: olde folkes you know, haue discretion, as they say, and know the world.
Fal.
Farethee-well, commend mee to them both: there’s my purse, I am yet thy debter: Boy, goe along with this woman, this newes distracts me.
Pist.
This Puncke is one of Cupids Carriers, Clap on more sailes, pursue: vp with your sights: Giue fire: she is my prize, or Ocean whelme them all.
Fal.
Saist thou so sold Iacke) go thy waies: Ile make more of thy olde body then I haue done: will they yet looke after thee? wilt thou after the expence of so much money, be now a gainer? good Body, I thanke thee: let them say ’tis grossely done, so it bee fairely done, no matter.
Bar.
Sir Iohn, there’s one Master Broome below would faine speake with you, and be acquainted with you; and hath sent your worship a mornings draught of Sacke.
Fal.
Broome is his name?
Bar.
I Sir.
Fal.
Call him in: such Broomes are welcome to mee, that ore’flowes such liquor: ah ha, Mistresse Ford and Mistresse Page, haue I encompass’d you? goe to, via.
Ford.
’Blesse you sir.
Fal.
And you sir: would you speake with me?
Ford.
I make bold, to presse, with so little preparation vpon you.
Fal.
You’r welcome, what’s your will? giue vs leaue Drawer.
Ford.
Sir, I am a Gentleman that haue spent much, my name is Broome.
Fal.
Good Master Broome, I desire more acquaintance of you.
Ford.
Good Sir Iohn, I sue for yours: not to charge you, for I must let you vnderstand, I thinke my selfe in better plight for a Lender, then you are: the which hath something emboldned me to this vnseason’d intrusion: for they say, if money goe before, all waies doe lye open.
Fal.
Money is a good Souldier (Sir) and will on.
Ford.
Troth, and I haue a bag of money heere troubles me: if you will helpe to beare it (Sir Iohn) take all, or halfe, for easing me of the carriage.
Fal.
Sir, I know not how I may deserue to bee your Porter.
Ford.
I will tell you sir, if you will giue mee the hearing.
Fal.
Speake (good Master Broome) I shall be glad to be your Seruant.
Ford.
Sir, I heare you are a Scholler: (I will be briefe with you) and you haue been a man long knowne to me, though I had neuer so good means as desire, to make my selfe acquainted with you. I shall discouer a thing to you, wherein I must very much lay open mine owne imperfection: but (good Sir Iohn) as you haue one eye vpon my follies, as you heare them vnfolded, turne another into the Register of your owne, that I may passe with a reproofe the easier, sith you your selfe know how easie it is to be such an offender.
Fal.
Very well Sir, proceed.
Ford.
There is a Gentlewoman in this Towne, her husbands name is Ford.
Fal.
Well Sir.
Ford.
I haue long lou’d her, and I protest to you, bestowed much on her: followed her with a doating obseruance: Ingross’d opportunities to meete her: fee’d euery slight occasion that could but nigardly giue mee sight of her: not only bought many présents to giue her, but haue giuen largely to many, to know what shee would haue giuen: briefly, I haue pursu’d her, as Loue hath pursued mee, which hath beene on the wing of all occasions: but whatsoeuer I haue merited, either in my minde, or in my meanes, meede I am sure I haue receiued none, vnlesse Experience be a Iewell, that I haue purchased at an infinite rate, and that hath taught mee to say this,
Loue like a shadow flies, when substance Loue pursues,
Pursuing that that flies, and flying what pursues.
Fal.
Haue you receiu’d no promise of satisfaction at her hands?
Ford.
Neuer.
Fal.
Haue you importun’d her to such a purpose?
Ford.
Neuer.
Fal.
Of what qualitie was your loue then?
Ford.
Like a fair house, built on another mans ground, so that I haue lost my edifice, by mistaking the place, where I erected it.
Fal.
To what purpose haue you vnfolded this to me?
For.
When I haue told you that, I haue told you all: Some say, that though she appeare honest to mee, yet in other places shee enlargeth her mirth so farre, that there is shrewd construction made of her. Now (Sir Iohn) here is the heart of my purpose: you are a gentleman of excellent breeding, admirable discourse, of great admittance, authenticke in your place and person, generally allow’d for your many war-like, court-like, and learned preparations.
Fal.
O Sir.
Ford.
Beleeue it, for you know it: there is money, spend it, spend it, spend more; spend all I haue, onely
