from might be substituted for flying).
The reader should note the relationship between Ford’s name and that of his alter ego. A ford is a crossing place at a river or stream, and a brook is a small stream.
Brooke uses another intriguing metaphor to describe his situation. He tells the knight that his love is “like a fair house built on another man’s ground” (193). A man who builds a beautiful house on the property belonging to another man loses his house and the money that he has spent on it. Similarly, Brooke has gone to great expense; but everything he has spent has only served to make Mistress and Master Ford wealthy.
Brooke then flatters Sir John Falstaff and begs him to help. Brooke informs Falstaff that Mistress Ford “dwells so securely on the excellency of her honour that the folly of my soul dares not present itself” (214-16). Brooke is suggesting that because Mistress Ford is so honorable, he dares not present his folly – his foolishly dishonorable intentions – to her. He then asks Falstaff to discover some evidence that she is not entirely honorable so that he may pursue her without feeling so foolish. What Brooke actually hopes to hear is some revelation or admission from Falstaff regarding the alleged affair between him and Mistress Ford.
Falstaff readily accepts the money that Brooke offers him. Falstaff agrees to help in the matter and further promises Brooke that he will soon enjoy the pleasure of Mistress Ford’s company.
Brooke acts overjoyed and tells Falstaff that