William Shakespeare: The Merry Wives of Windsor

ACT III SCENE 3. A room in FORD'S house. (continued)

FALSTAFF.
What made me love thee? Let that persuade thee
there's something extraordinary in thee. Come, I cannot
cog and say thou art this and that, like a many of these
lisping hawthorn-buds that come like women in men's
apparel, and smell like Bucklersbury in simple-time; I
cannot; but I love thee, none but thee; and thou deservest it.

MRS. FORD.
Do not betray me, sir; I fear you love Mistress Page.

FALSTAFF.
Thou mightst as well say I love to walk by the
Counter-gate, which is as hateful to me as the reek of a
lime-kiln.

MRS. FORD.
Well, heaven knows how I love you; and you
shall one day find it.

FALSTAFF.
Keep in that mind; I'll deserve it.

MRS. FORD.
Nay, I must tell you, so you do; or else I could
not be in that mind.

ROBIN.
[Within] Mistress Ford! Mistress Ford! here's
Mistress Page at the door, sweating and blowing and looking
wildly, and would needs speak with you presently.

FALSTAFF.
She shall not see me; I will ensconce me behind
the arras.

MRS. FORD.
Pray you, do so; she's a very tattling woman.

[FALSTAFF hides himself.]

[Re-enter MISTRESS PAGE and ROBIN.]

What's the matter? How now!

MRS. PAGE.
O Mistress Ford, what have you done? You're
shamed, you are overthrown, you are undone for ever!

MRS. FORD.
What's the matter, good Mistress Page?

MRS. PAGE.
O well-a-day, Mistress Ford! having an honest
man to your husband, to give him such cause of suspicion!

MRS. FORD.
What cause of suspicion?

MRS. PAGE.
What cause of suspicion? Out upon you! how
am I mistook in you!