Page 2489 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

FALSTAFF

Speak, good Master Brook, I shall be glad to be your servant.

FORD
Sir, I hear you are a scholar − I will be brief with you − and you have been a
man long known to me, [165] though I had never so good means as desire to
make myself acquainted with you. I shall discover a thing to you, wherein I

must very much lay open mine own imperfection; but, good Sir John, as you
have one eye upon my follies, as you hear them unfolded, turn another into
the [170] register of your own, that I may pass with a reproof the easier, sith
you yourself know how easy it is to be such an offender.

FALSTAFF
Very well, sir; proceed.

FORD

There is a gentlewoman in this town − her husband’s [175] name is Ford.

FALSTAFF

Well, sir.

FORD
I have long loved her and, I protest to you, bestowed much on her; followed
her with a doting observance; engrossed opportunities to meet her; fee’d
every slight occasion that [180] could but niggardly give me sight of her; not

only bought many presents to give her, but have given largely to many to
know what she would have given: briefly, I have pursued her as love hath
pursued me; which hath been on the wing of all occasions. But whatsoever I
have [185] merited, either in my mind or in my means, meed I am sure I

have received none, unless experience be a jewel, that I have purchased at
an infinite rate and that hath taught me to say this:
Love like a shadow flies when substance love pursues; [190]
Pursuing that that flies, and flying what pursues.

FALSTAFF

Have you received no promise of satisfaction at her hands?