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 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 him a meeting, give him a show of comfort in his suit, and lead him on with a fine-baited delay, till he hath pawned his horses to mine host of the Garter.
MISTRESS FORD.
Nay, I will consent to act any villainy against him that may not sully the chariness of our honesty. O, that my husband saw this letter! It would give eternal food to his jealousy.
MISTRESS PAGE.
Why, look where he comes; and my good man too. He’s as far from jealousy as I am from giving him cause, and that, I hope, is an unmeasurable distance.
MISTRESS FORD.
You are the happier woman.
MISTRESS PAGE.
Let’s consult together against this greasy knight. Come hither.
[They retire.]
Enter Ford with Pistol, and Page with Nym.
FORD
Well, I hope it be not so.