Ford. Never.
Fal. Have you importuned her to such a purpose?
Ford. Never.
195 Fal. Of what quality was your love, then?
Ford. Like a fair house built on another man’s ground; so that I have lost my edifice by mistaking the place where I erected it.
Fal. To what purpose have you unfolded this to me?
II. 2.
200 Ford. When I have told you that, I have told you all. Some say, that though she appear honest to me, yet in other places she enlargeth her mirth so far that there is shrewd construction made of her. Now, Sir John, here is the heart of my purpose: you are a gentleman of excellent 205 breeding, admirable discourse, of great admittance, authentic in your place and person, generally allowed for your many war-like, court-like, and learned preparations.
Fal. O, sir!
Ford. Believe it, for you know it. There is money; 210 spend it, spend it; spend more; spend all I have; only give me so much of your time in exchange of it, as to lay an amiable siege to the honesty of this Ford’s wife: use your art of wooing; win her to consent to you: if any man may, you may as soon as any.
215 Fal. Would it apply well to the [vehemency] of your affection, that I should win what you would enjoy? Methinks you prescribe to yourself very preposterously.