65
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; 70
but, I warrant you, all is one with her.

_Fal._ But what says she to me? be brief, my good she-Mercury.

_Quick._ Marry, she hath received your letter; for the
which she thanks you a thousand times; and she gives you 75
to notify, that her husband will be absence from his house
between ten and eleven.

_Fal._ Ten and eleven.

_Quick._ Ay, forsooth; and then you may come and see
the picture, she says, that you wot of: Master Ford, her 80
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.

_Fal._ Ten and eleven. Woman, commend me to her;
I will not fail her. 85

_Quick._ Why, you say well. But I have another messenger
to your worship. Mistress Page hath her hearty
commendations to you, too: and let me tell you in your
ear, she's as fartuous a civil modest wife, and one, I tell
you, that will not miss you morning nor evening prayer, as 90
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; yes, in truth. 95

_Fal._ Not I, I assure thee: setting the attraction of my
good parts aside, I have no other charms.

_Quick._ Blessing on your heart for't!

_Fal._ But, I pray thee, tell me this: has Ford's wife
and Page's wife acquainted each other how they love me? 100

_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: her husband has a marvellous infection to the
little page; and, truly, Master Page is an honest man. 105
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
Win