Page 2486 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2
P. 2486
ear, she’s as fartuous a civil modest wife, and one, I tell you, [90] that will
not miss you morning nor evening prayer, as any is in Windsor, whoe’er be
the other; and she bade me tell your worship that her husband is seldom
from home, but she hopes there will come a time. I never knew a woman so
dote upon a man; surely, I think you have charms, la; [95] yes, in truth.
FALSTAFF
Not I, I assure thee; setting the attraction of my good parts aside, I have no
other charms.
QUICKLY
Blessing on your heart for ’t!
FALSTAFF
But I pray thee tell me this; has Ford’s wife and [100] Page’s wife acquainted
each other how they love me?
QUICKLY
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: her husband has a marvellous infection to the little page; [105]
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 [110] is one. You
must send her your page, no remedy.
FALSTAFF
Why, I will.
QUICKLY
Nay, but do so, then, and, look you, he may come and go between you both;
and in any case have a nayword, that you may know one another’s mind, and
the [115] boy never need to understand anything; for ’tis not good that
children should know any wickedness; old folks, you know, have discretion, as
they say, and know the world.
