"Well, if Fortune be a woman, she's a good wench for this gear"

This quote from William Shakespeare's play The Merry Wives of Windsor is spoken by the character Falstaff. In the play, Falstaff is trying to charm two wives, and he is describing his best of luck in being able to do so. He is stating that if Fortune, the goddess of luck, is a lady, then she is respecting him by permitting him to pursue these 2 females. He is suggesting that he is lucky to have the opportunity to pursue them, which Fortune is on his side.

The quote likewise shows the Elizabethan view of females as things of desire. Falstaff is recommending that Fortune is a female who wants to offer him what he wants, and that she is being generous in doing so. He is indicating that ladies exist to be taken advantage of, which they are helpless to resist a male's advances.

Overall, this quote reflects the mindsets of the Elizabethan era towards ladies, and it also reveals Falstaff's confidence in his ability to charm the two married women. He thinks that Fortune is on his side, which she wants to provide him what he wants.