[Re-enter Bardolph, with ford disguised.]

Ford. 
Bless you, sir!

Falstaff. 
And you, sir; would you speak with me?

Ford. 
I make bold to press with so little preparation upon
you.

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.

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 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 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;
Pursuing that that flies, and flying what pursues.

Falstaff. 
Have you received no promise of satisfaction at her hands?