William Shakespeare: The Merry Wives of Windsor

ACT II. SCENE 2. A room in the Garter Inn. (continued)

FALSTAFF.
You're welcome. What's your will?--Give us leave,
drawer.

[Exit BARDOLPH.]

FORD.
Sir, I am a gentleman that have spent much: my name
is Brook.

FALSTAFF.
Good Master Brook, I desire more acquaintance
of you.

FORD.
Good Sir John, I sue for yours: not to charge you; for I
must let you understand I think myself in better plight for
a lender than you are: the which hath something
embold'ned me to this unseasoned intrusion; for they say, if
money go before, all ways do lie open.

FALSTAFF.
Money is a good soldier, sir, and will on.

FORD.
Troth, and I have a bag of money here troubles me; if
you will help to bear it, Sir John, take all, or half,
for easing me of the carriage.

FALSTAFF.
Sir, I know not how I may deserve to be your porter.

FORD.
I will tell you, sir, if you will give me the hearing.

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, 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 register of your
own, that I may pass with a reproof the easier, sith you
yourself know how easy is it to be such an offender.

FALSTAFF.
Very well, sir; proceed.

FORD.
There is a gentlewoman in this town, her husband's
name is Ford.

FALSTAFF.
Well, sir.