Page 2475 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

of men’s liking; and yet he would not swear, praised women’s modesty, and
gave such orderly and well-behaved reproof to all uncomeliness that I would
have [55] sworn his disposition would have gone to the truth of his words;
but they do no more adhere and keep place together than the hundred

Psalms to the tune of ‘Greensleeves’. What tempest, I trow, threw this whale,
with so many tuns of oil in his belly, ashore at Windsor? How shall [60] I be
revenged on him? I think the best way were to entertain him with hope till
the wicked fire of lust have melted him in his own grease. Did you ever hear

the like?

MISTRESS PAGE
Letter for letter, but that the name of Page and Ford differs! To thy great
comfort in this mystery of [65] ill opinions, here’s the twin-brother of thy
letter; but let thine inherit first, for I protest mine never shall. I warrant he
hath a thousand of these letters, writ with blank space for different names −

sure, more − and these are of the second edition. He will print them, out of
doubt; for he [70] cares not what he puts into the press, when he would put
us two; I had rather be a giantess, and lie under Mount Pelion. Well, I will

find you twenty lascivious turtles ere one chaste man.

MISTRESS FORD

Why, this is the very same: the very hand, [75] the very words. What doth he
think of us?

MISTRESS PAGE
Nay, I know not; it makes me almost ready to wrangle with mine own
honesty. I’ll entertain myself like one that I am not acquainted withal; for,
sure, unless he know some strain in me that I know not myself, he [80]

would never have boarded me in this fury.

MISTRESS FORD
‘Boarding’ call you it? I’ll be sure to keep him above deck.

MISTRESS PAGE
So will I: if he come under my hatches, I’ll never to sea again. Let’s be
revenged on him; let’s appoint [85] him a meeting, give him a show of

comfort in his suit, and lead him on with a fine-baited delay till he hath