Читать книгу The Complete Works of Shakespeare онлайн

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Fal. Not I, I assure thee. Setting the attraction of my good parts aside, I have no other charms.

Quick. Blessing on your heart for’t!

Fal. But I pray thee tell me this: has Ford’s wife and Page’s wife acquainted each other how they love me?

Quick. That were a jest indeed! They have not so little grace, I hope. That were a trick indeed! But Mistress Page would desire you to send her your little page, of all loves. Her husband has a marvellous infection to the little page; and truly Master Page is an honest man. Never a wife in Windsor leads a better life than she does: do what she will, say what she will, take all, pay all, go to bed when she list, rise when she list, all is as she will; and truly she deserves it, for if there be a kind woman in Windsor, she is one. You must send her your page, no remedy.

Fal. Why, I will.

Quick. Nay, but do so then, and look you, he may come and go between you both; and in any case have a nay-word, that you may know one another’s mind, and the boy never need to understand any thing; for ’tis not good that children should know any wickedness. Old folks, you know, have discretion, as they say, and know the world.